Turkana Drought: Ruto knows how to insult an Nation!

There is a lot of fake news about what is happening. We have been told that 11 people have died but that is not true. No one has died as a result of the drought and we are working round the clock to ensure that no one dies of hunger” – Deputy President William Ruto

The Deputy President William Ruto better just shut-up, listen to some advice and do something sincere, if it is first time in his life since he left the role as a wandering preacher. It is time for the hustler, the grand standing man of big PR Stunts to act swiftly and actually coordinate the government combined with the whole Nairobi machinery and all authorities. To ensure that the 1 million whose in jeopardy over a warned drought in Turkana gets help.

This is if the DP cares or even has a heart, unless he wants to continue to live lavish and enriching himself on others tragedy, because that is what he does. He sits in air-conditioned home, with a nice green garden, big pool and expensive cars. While fellow citizens go without food for days, because the DP cannot do his, neither any of the other Cabinet Secretaries.

This is really insulting to the people of Turkana. A people who deserves the state to act upon this. Even some people have suggested that its happen every ten years in the region. This means, the state has known about this, as this has happen every ten year. Not only the possible FEWS NET warning in December, which stated this and the state didn’t upon that. Not the Local Government, neither the National Government. They both didn’t act or see it fit to act differently, as the drought, the shortfall of rain was on the horizon. Still, they didn’t think of the consequences, because they are living good, secured and has a pantry with food, anyway.

There been reports of dead in various of villages and counties, however, the state does whatever it can to downplay this. Which is a disgrace, not only to the deceased, but to the public, which knows better. It is insulting to the ones who are struggling and lacking the basics, because the state didn’t plan to grain storage, education in caring for the environment or lean months. Alas, the state haven’t prepared or secured, the food insecurity, which it should have. Instead, they have busy scheduling corruption scandals.

The Jubilee, the DP and the cabinet combined with the local government in the drought hit region. Got to act, wisely and with measures to secure the lives at stake in Turkana. That is, if they really care or more preoccupied with keeping power by any means, while citizens are starving… it is happening on their watch. Still, they are trying to deflect that, its one million citizens who struggles to eat. They got nothing and awaiting handouts, because the state haven’t been concerned about their food insecurity.

DP Ruto, shut-up, listen and take some advice. DP Ruto, please open your ears, get some valuable advice and do something. Not try to PR Stunt this away. That is demeaning and insulting to the public of not only Turkana, but anyone who cares about humanity. Every single person dying because of this, is a foolish death. Because, you and your people could have ensured and facilitated the public and region. So, that it would be prepared for the upcoming dry-season, the shortfall of rain and the IPC 3 level. However, you where busy doing everything else. Peace.

Uganda: Announcement of the National Dialogue on Compulsory Land Acquistion (20.03.2019)

Turkana Drought: State Officials knew about the drought, but didn’t act!

Today is a day of warning, where the government, the local government and its authorities haven’t been prepared or cared for it. In its ignorance, the citizens of Turkana and its draught is happening, because their representatives and the state haven’t prepared for the shortfall of food nor water in the region. Even if there was waning signs months ago.

This is not just made up that Governor Josphat Nanok of Turkana County, CEO of NDMA James Odur, CS of Ministry of Devolution and ASALs Eugene Wamwalwa and so on. Can put the blame on everything else, but not on the intial inaction of their own government post. Even if that is true, because the FEWS warned about this in August/December 2018, because of lack of rain. Still, the government kept pumping like there was no tomorrow. Did nothing about it or didn’t handle it all. Since, who would make a fuzz anyway, right?

FEWS Network Warning Des. 2018:

“Performance of the October to December short rains was highly mixed across Kenya, leading to below-average crop performance and inadequate replenishment of rangeland resources in rainfall-deficit areas. In many pastoral and southeastern marginal agricultural areas, rainfall was below 85 percent of normal, while rainfall in the rest of the country was above average. Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes are likely to persist in most pastoral and marginal agricultural areas through May, and an increase in the number of poor households in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) is expected in localized areas of Turkana, Wajir, and Garissa by February” (FEWS Net, 31.12.2018).

Kenyan Government response:

“The National Government has provided total of Kshs. 1,351,196,000 for response during the period of February, March and April 2019 as follows: Food and safety net Kshs. 601,196,000. Support to household irrigation water storage program (excavation of small water pans) Kshs. 600,000,000. Support to water trucking, maintenance and rehabilitation of boreholes Kshs. 150,000,000. Water trucking by NDMA in Mandera, Wajir, Turkana, Garissa, Marsabit and Tana River and maintenance of water points in selected areas. Hunger Safety Net Programme cash transfers by NDMA in Turkana, Wajir, Mandera and Marsabit” (…) “Nevertheless, the below-average short rains have slightly increased the food insecure population from 655,800 in August 2018 to current number of 1,111,500, with the top 12 counties having a total of 865,300 food insecure people” (Government of Kenya – ‘BRIEF ON CURRENT DROUGHT AND FOOD SECURITY SITUATION IN ASAL COUNTIES, MARCH 2019’ 15.03.2019).

What is sad is the amount of people starving in a midst of draught, in region, where the state could have acted more swiftly and with more manpower. Because, they knew perfectly well that this was happening. This is in a region where Tullow Oil Company plans to drill oil with over 300 oil wells. Meaning, there is money and resources, which should lead to progress and development. So, that the region and county isn’t as impoverish as it is. However, there seems to be little or none of the seeds of the oil to go to needed projects or facilities to help out the locals.

Instead, the international oil companies, which reached an agreement last year in 2018. Have had the ability to drill for oil and the leaders have been pocketing money. While the state and the local county officials haven’t secure the public. That is what is the initial bargain in all of this. The public officials have been busy eating and now the public aren’t even getting bread-crumbs of the spoils. That’s what is even more sad about this situation. Knowing the region had hopes for the oil adventure and now seeing a drought, which brings even more despair.

Lochikar Basin haven’t brought anything to the local community, other than foreign investors pumping out their valuable resources, while the deal between Tullow and Government remains secret. As well, as the scarcity of water and other needed components of life, continue to run rampant in a region, which should have gotten some of the spoils of the wealth that is created there. Instead, the government cartels and public officials, who does not want to associate with the demise of the people in the drought, eat that up.

This could have been avoided, the state could have acted and the Turkana with their Oil should have had the resources to cope with it and be able to buy the needed imports of food and water. Alas, someone else is eating that, as long as the oil trucks are driving to Mombasa and the public see less or little of trade of it all.

While the sun is burning, little or no rain, while they await for a handout, when the government could have footed the bill, by the earnings of the oil alone. Peace.

Brexit: Committee of Ministers decision – international community asks UK to provide timeframe on introducing Stormont House Agreement legacy legislation into Westminster (15.03.2019)

Opinion: Mayday! May-Day!

GOVERNMENT DEFEAT: The House of Commons has again rejected the Government’s #BrexitDeal in the second #MeaningfulVote. The Commons voted 391 to 242 – a majority of 149. #BrexitVote” (UK House of Commons, 12.03.2019).

The Tories and Prime Minister Theresa May have for the second time lost in the House of Commons, this being on the vote to get the Parliament to accept the Withdrawal Agreement before announced leaving date, which up in about two weeks. There is mere days before the United Kingdom is leaving as a Member State and becoming Non-Member. This should have been better prepared by the government, as the HM Government had two years preparing it. However, they botched it and not been thorough about it.

That is really evident, as the Tories has lost twice with their Withdrawal Agreement vote in the House of Commons. They have been voted down on amendments and lost to the Opposition with striking numbers like today. It is like PM May likes to be humiliated in Parliament. That she enjoys looking weak and wobbling into the future. Because, the strong and steady it haven’t been with her at the helm. That also because he head-hunted Brexiteers into the cabinet, but not thinking they would have the capacity or will to configure the pledges in the Referendum of late.

The Brexiteers like David Davis, Boris Johnson and others didn’t deliver in the roles, they just acted like Secretaries, but was smug and arrogant without dropping any sort of transparent work or proof of negotiations that mattered with Brussels. Only empty pledges and promises. That now the public should see after two years. Since the road to No-Deal is seemingly soon the only way, as the HM Government rather save face, than save the Kingdom. Rather create a depression and recession, create inflation and lack of imports, just so they can rule another minute. That is what the Tories are leading the Nation too. Because of their empty headed pride of an Empire, that is long gone and is only a faded memory.

That is why this is the news today. Another loss, another defeat and no jurisdiction or any directions concerning Brexit. Which is special concerning the limited time to fix it. But also the two years of work since announcing the notification of issuing the Article 50. They still haven’t configured or figured out how to deal with it. Except for issuing statements, saying they will fix it all and await more confidence statements from the EU. Without having anything but deadlock and lack of skills to pursuit anything meaningful.

Whatever misgivings the Tories and the HM Government does have, is that they never talked about or even considered the EU26 or the protocol of the EU, which have to held accountable. As an another sovereign and legal entity over its territory, which will not toyed around by another outsider. Just like the Brexiteers wanted to hand-pick and cherry-pick the coolest parts of the Union, while not being a Member State.

What history should now learn them, that is not how it works and it has all, but backfired. That is why there is a deadlock and steady road to crisis filled No-Deal. A backstabbing own economy, just to become a Third-Country with WTO rules, ensure the public is severely paying the price for gamble of leaving the Union and its rules, regulations and its trade union. They are surely selling each other short, while paying the price doing so. But hey that is what they wanted right?

The Tories, the Brexiteers are losing, not only the perks and the simplistic trade, but also the benefits and the Membership over a faulty towered inspired bureaucratic mumble jumbo, which cannot be accepted by anyone. That is why the Tories and PM May has lost again.

It is May-Day May-Day, the warnings been there. The Brexit have been limping, nearly moving towards anything of pride or joy. Just another loss and another humiliating day for her reign. Prime Minister Theresa May seems to be without anchor or without a guiding star leading her way to redemption.

It is a Mayday, May-Day, read all about it. Yet another default miss. Yet another Penalty Shot failing to hit between the posts. Just another defeat, no guts and no glory. That is the story. Peace.

Opinion: 7 Billion reasons not to trust Ruto!

Well, the DPP Noordin Haji dropped ball today and again stated there was Ksh. 21 billion gone missing building a ghost dams. As the DCI George Kinoti have questioned Treasury CS Henry Rotich about the money. However, in the midst of all this drama and alleged crimes. There is one obvious man, whose not under direct threat. That is the Deputy President William Ruto.

Even if Ruto has claimed, that there has only gone missing Ksh. 7 billion shillings, which is bad enough at this rate. As there is no construction and no imminent building site. There is only a paper-trail of evidence and lots of businesses getting tenders and money from the state. But no direct building of a dam.

The DPP have dropped a long list of questionable acts concerning the dams, there been several of companies involved too. In such a manner, it takes a whole village and town to build a dam. You need more companies to build a dam, than the amount of companies you need to develop the Big Four. Because, if the state used the same energy siphoning funds out of ghosts dams. The Kenyan Republic would be highly developed by a landslide.

Alas, that is not the case, the authorities are going in circles, they are pushing strings, but not digging deep. They are not questioning DP Ruto or any of his close allies. Because, that would initially trigger problems for the President too. Therefore, they are instead blaming Rotich for allocating the money and not keeping track-off it. Even if that has been fine in bigger scandals and when the regime been steady eating.

Ruto have no trouble lying, deceiving or even playing stupid. As long as his back-account get pregnant. It will be nursery within months and even escalate further if given the chance. The Ghost Dams scandal is just the freshest and biggest for while. In a month or two, there will be plenty of more ghost, frauds and other graft scandals to catch out attention.

Right now it is dams, which are paid by the state, but not existing. Just like the stadiums, but they didn’t blow the cash on them yet. That was just an empty pledge. This was a supposed building site and a development project. Instead, it is a bonanza of ignorance and plight, dishonesty and travesty, which is traditional in the sense of the guys, running Kenya at the moment.

Ruto thinks he can outsmart or act cool about it all. That he is untouchable, that he is the King. That he is might soldier, the almighty knight who are the shield and the noblest amongst men. However, he is neither, he is just crook with a fancy office. He misuses his power and eats, he tricks and he speculate on the ignorance of others. He configure the political landscape and triggers the needs of others, to gain mileage. That is what he does and he has done it perfectly.

Nevertheless, the gig is up. We know he lies and steals, it is an open-air bazaar at this point. There are no denying that. There are 7 billions reasons not to believe him now. The endless lies and trying to deflect, trying to act righteous is a forgotten game. This tale got to end. We have been here before and its not funny. It is tragic, because this taxpayers, this is donors and this is wherever the state got the revenue from and it was spoilt, taken and stolen. Before ending at supposed project for the benefit of the Republic. Instead it got pocketed and now he culprits are lying through their teeth and trying to blind people while buying time. Its getting old.

As stated, there is 7 billions reasons not to trust Ruto now. He has exposed himself and his acts. As the DCI and DPP have stated otherwise. That must hurt the pride of the Hustler. He better hustle, and do it better, because at the moment. He just sucks. Peace.

Zimbabwe: Establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Special Task on Political and Electoral Legislative Reform (08.03.2019)

A fresh Parliamentary Report on the newly created Town Councils and Sub-Counties: Say they lack funds to run them!

“A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.”George Bernard Shaw

This January, the Parliament made a Report (REPORT ON THE STATUS OF FUNDING FOR SUB-COUNTIES AND TOWN COUNCILS, January 2019) into the creation of new Town Councils and Sub-Counties, the Local Governments if you may. As the National Resistance Movement (NRM), have with swift haste over the recent years split up the Republic in record speed. As they are continuing to do so. There are added expenses and more salaries to pay, even more officials and public buildings to procure or facilitate. As the Local Government does gain revenue over night either.

Therefore, the release of this report is a story been told before, about how the Parliament are enacting more districts, but doesn’t have the pocket to facilitate it or the fantasy of thinking of the costs of doing so. In the same vein comes this report, that is rewind of the previous ones, but still important to address.

“Government created 108 Town Councils to commence operations on 1st July 2017 and 95 Town Councils to become effective on 1″1 July 2018. Government also created 204 Sub-Counties that became in FY 2018/ 79 (refer to annex 1). However, the operationalisation of the newly created local governments units has not been matched with the requisite budgetary resources”.

Government created a total of 203 Town Councils and 196 Sub-Counties which have not received operational funds. However, during the FY 2017 118, a provision of Ush. 2bn in the budget was made to cater for startup activities for the 35 Town Councils. In FY 2018/ 19, government released Shs. 2.5bn to cater for startup activities for 50 Town Councils. However, the Committee notes that some Town Councils received partial funding against what had been approved by Parliament”.

“The funding requirement for operationalization of the newly created 203 Town Councils and 196 sub-counties is estimated by Ministry of Local Government at Shs. 108.5bn and Shs. 30.7bn respectively and this excludes costs for public administration such as establishment of a police post, health and education facilities in line with the current government policy

The final quotes from the report, which is the recommendations is worth to mention as well: “The government should provide Shs. 139.2bn for operation of all approved Town Councils and Sub- Counties in FY 2019 l20” (…) “The government should review the policy of creation of new, districts and other local government administrative units in view of the constrained resource envelope”.

Surely, we can see that the state is not sufficiently ensuring the creation of the new Town Councils and neither the Sub-Counties. This is the costs of office equipment, the payment of salaries of the local government and all the procurement that needs to be done.

That is if these entities matters or supposed to govern locally. If not it is just made up areas before the elections to garn voters and spilt the districts to ensure problems for the opposition. Which seems more likely. Since the state, haven’t done much to facilitate or even tried to make them functional.

Even with the funding proposed by this Parliamentary Committee, they are still not discussing the other needs for public administration, police posts, health care or education facilities. Which should be the basis for these entities in general, if not their offices with no portfolio in the districts. That is how it seems.

Surely, the Memo on this matters are the same as before, a ploy to gain voters and promise patrons and cronies of a job after elections, but not having the bank balance or the funding to actually do it. That is how the state operates in these matters and that is why this is a recurrent issues. That is always coming up to discussions about the splitting of districts, sub-counties and town councils. It is just reappearing like the monster of the past and the government acts clueless about to get rid of it. Peace.

Zimbabwe: ZANU-PF – Press Statement by the Secretary for Information and Publicity Cde. Ambassador S.K. Moyo on the Extension of Sanctions by the United States of America (USA) – (05.03.2019)

RDC: Bruno Tshibala Nzenzhe lettre au President Felix Tshisekedi – “Concerne: Organisation des interims des membres du Gouverement” (05.03.2019)