Malawi: Chakwera will not save anyone…

President Lazarus Chakwera will not be there to keep his promises or be able to make a difference. This man is busy being a globe-trotter and a vagabond. Chakwera is busy speaking at international conferences and making speeches to settle his legacy abroad. What is happening in Blantyre or Lilongwe can be dealt by someone else. Most likely one of his cabinet members who can fall on the sword for the lack of results.

President Chakwera came in with plenty and bountiful of promises. As a long time opposition leader and alliance to make a change. Alas, he allied himself with another party and got a majority. He secured the job and ability to rule. In that way end Mutharika and DPP reign in Malawi. The Tonse Alliance was born and he took charge.

However, Chakwera haven’t made the economy better, his government is a hot-bed for nepotism and there is no end in sight of bad-news. There is a debt-trap and inflation. Prices on basic commodities is surging, while he is busy travelling with a huge entourage to foreign destinations.

The President is blaming the predecessor, the bureaucracy or anyone else than himself. It is just like his powerless and without any favours. He makes it seem like everyone is stifling his moves and it’s a global issues. Even when the toll-gate prices is made by himself. The scandals and the corruption is still viable to this day. Chakwera’s government is just acting as the previous administration and he cannot run away from it.

Rising costs on fuel and food, while the unemployment rate isn’t ceasing either. The President and his cabinet isn’t making headway in any regard to the matters hand. They are showing of some pet projects and publicity stunts, but not changing the problems of the common man. Neither is the President reviewing or even trying to amend the mandate of the Presidency. Directly backtracking one of his promises in the Fresh Presidential Elections of 2020.

It is Chakwera and his government fault that the Malawian government isn’t meeting the standards of the IMF and Wold Bank. That is not the fault of the DPP. Yes, the DPP is responsible for their time in office, but now it’s been over a year and the Tonse Alliance could settle the difference and ensure they followed the guidelines. Alas, there is a lie here and the probe will only be a political ammunition and trying to shift blame to the predecessor, yet again!

When we see how Chakwera back-pedals and shifts blame constantly. Don’t expect him to do anything. The President will not do anything about these things. He to busy to be in the spotlight, cut some ribbons and cash his checks. The President got a grand salary and perks. He don’t need to do anything and if anything gets bottled by anyone. Chakwera can just settle it and sack them. If not have an inquiry or a probe into their malicious acts in office. They will be the fall-guys and the ones who didn’t follow the words of the Presidency. Therefore, he will always get cleared and someone else will carry the weight of him.

Chakwera is a clear snake-oil salesman, a well-funded pastor turned politician. He spoke for a living and he still does… but he don’t act upon the words his uttering out of his mouth. Peace.

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Opinion: Become an MP and the Tories will save you…

“Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has told Sky News that he does not “feel shame at all” and ​the vote was about “getting a system of fairness” after the vote to protect Conservative MP Owen Paterson from suspension for “repeatedly” breaching lobbying rules” (Sky News Breaking, 04.11.2021).

The Conservative Party is willing to rewrite and amend bills for their own kind. They are clearly willing to undermine the accountability and the efforts to corrupt Members of Parliament. As they yesterday saved one of their Owen Paterson. The MP can clearly embezzle funds and be reckless in office, while common folk be punished for stealing a can of beer.

There is now an acceptance, that if your ordained or anointed by the high powers. You can be guilty, be sanctioned and get punitive actions. However, these will not stand or be in effect, as the other majority MPs will salvage you hurt. They will save you from punishment. It doesn’t matter sort of crime or levels of corruption. No, if your one of them and an MP. Your place is solid, and you can run away from emptying the coffers of a bank. That is what is at stake and offered to the high-ranking gentlemen of Parliament.

We now know that the Tories doesn’t mind have greedy guts and people shuffling money under the table to secure favourable legislation or agreements. As these MPs are the regulators and the ones securing the marketplace for any sort of business. It will be beneficial to lobby and pay a handsome sum of cash to one of them. Maybe even more… just to have a majority and secure the rules and regulations are all made to fit the business model of current time or adjust it a little. Just to make it a little more profitable.

The Tories have practically changed the rulebook for themselves. They have given new instructions to the referee after the player was sent out of the pitch after a red card. Instead of the man taking the punishment. The Tories revised the rules and allowed the player to play on. That is what the Tories have done yesterday and it’s a disgrace.

The punishment itself was a softie. It was a 30-day suspension and for someone who is earning fortunes on lobbying. This would just be a knock on the wrist. Not like this man would feel it and he could be on a beach in Bahamas or British Virgin Islands for that matter. However, they needed to revise the rulebook to fit to his actions.

The MPs aren’t that wise for doing this. Because, why should the commoner and the civilian follow laws? When their representatives are corrupt hacks? Why should the citizens care about rules and regulations? When the only they need to do is to become an MP to get away jail free card. That is what is offered here and it’s evident too.

Why should the people care about rules and laws, when the legislators don’t? When the MPs are signing them off and letting themselves of the hook? That is how things look like now and the Tories are group of corrupt individuals who shields their own.

A civilian and a citizen would never be able to do this. The citizen would either be fined, get punitive actions or be indicted by the authorities. There would be no change in legislation or rules to save the commoner. The person in question would feel the blunt force of the state and righteously so.

Therefore, the Tories rather want to be perceived as a corrupt group of crooks who defends their own like a gang or a mob. There is no difference between them and a den of thieves. The only difference is the dapper titles and the fancy suits. The rest is all the same and the blimey excuses too. Peace.

Opinion: Isko Moreno lacks courage too

You cannot blame a person for accepting the money due to the hardships of life today. But the Filipino is intelligent. They know who is the leader who truly cares for them and who are the fake ones. Politicians cannot underestimate human understanding. The Filipino is intelligent”Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso (Gabriel Pabico Lalu – ‘Moreno: Money can’t sway Filipino voters, but can’t blame them if they take it’ 27.10.2021, Philippine Daily Inquirer).

Yesterday, we saw that the Liberal Party Presidential Candidate Leni Robredo didn’t go ahead and settle the score of bribing voters. Now, the Manila Mayor and Aksyon Demokratiko Presidential Candidate Isko Moreno is no difference.

It is a reason why its a battle of mediocrity. Especially, when these supposed to be good candidates are selling themselves so cheap. Yes, Pacquiao is doing his bidding and ”Bong Bong Marcos” is trailing on the end in concerns with the bribery, which is currently going on. Yes, we should expect differently from people who wants to stand-out and be different then the current regime.

Isko Moreno clearly is a set-for-life politician when he speaks like this. His career as a actor is long gone. When his trading waters like this. It is trying to be bright, but still selling himself short. Instead of taking the easy stance, as everyone should. He deflects and hope nobody gets concerned.

How can you expect to fight corruption, graft and plundering cases? When you accept a informal bribery in the midst of campaigning? Why would we believe you then? When you cannot do it now ahead of the highest office?

Voting bribery and the means to an end. Only shows the willingness of politicians to misuse their office and their finances for personal gains. They are willing to trade away all policies and standing for a quick trade-off. Where they hope they can give an incentive to secure another term or get into office. It is not noble or righteous. Just a breach of contract between the citizens and their representatives. Which is why it should be easy to blatantly state: “It is wrong and nobody should do it”.

Alas, the politicians and the Presidential Candidates know the money is good for the citizens. Who is getting additional funds in the troubling times. Alas, the citizen is getting a small portion of the vast funds some people have access too. However, it is not for long and only for one cause. It is not like these funds will be open or could be applied through government schemes. No, these funds are just for one purpose and that is to secure an office. Therefore, the means to an end is more important than actually doing what is right.

Isko Moreno and Robredo could have stood for something. They could have shown some courage and character. Instead, this mediocre response and willingness to bend… is just disgusting. Your either for a practice or against it. It is either illegal or it’s justified. The bribes cannot be seen as both. That is just how the world works and the same should be for these candidates too.

Isko Moreno just show his cards and his ways. Not that I have faith in him either. His the next sort of Duterte’esque politician. He just wants to prolong the government programs and call it a day. Isko Moreno isn’t a game-changer and that’s proof with his belief here. Trying to play patriotic over a bribing voters. That says it all, really. Peace.

Opinion: Robredo – getting bribed or not to get bribed… that is the question

I have said this in the past: Accept it because it may have been from tax money. What they used to buy your votes, could be the money of the people. Accept it but vote whoever your conscience says. Don’t just vote because you think you would be indebted to them after receiving the money. For me, accept the money, but vote based on your conscience. We should arrest them because that’s wrong. But now it’s easy. Because today, we have apps like GCash, right? We have those, so vote buying would be easier” – Vice President Leni Robredo (26.10.2021).

The current day OVP and Liberal Party Presidential Candidate in the up-coming election in 2022 Leni Robredo. She has clearly taken a stance now. This trying to be popular and really politicking. In one way… she is against it, but still says people should accept it. That’s where I’m failing her on it.

Robredo needs guidance if she wants to be different and sincere. Than she should flat-out say the bribing voters is wrong. That this usage of funds, plunder and whatnot shouldn’t exist in the first place. This is a misuse of the state reserves and making the candidacy expensive. That’s because everyone needs their cut and their peso’s. It is also striking that it is commercialization of politics. Buying voters and giving them a short-term gains for a vote. Just like some come with soap, rice and whatnot too. It is the same, but that is it really.

Robredo isn’t tricking anyone with this. Let’s “accept the bribe” but not be “swayed by it”. Take the “free” money but don’t expect any sort of justification for it. Yes, the politician and the candidate cannot see what the voter does. However, the reality is that the citizens and the local communities will know who took the pesos. This is why the candidates are doing this. Because, they know which families and barangay’s where they will take the money. Therefore, they know who will most likely vote and be “swayed” into voting for someone.

It is not like Robredo doesn’t know this. It is a pay-off for a service. It is a bribe and no matter what size the bribe is. It is still a bribe and blatant misuse of funds, especially if this is taken from the state coffers. That shouldn’t happen in the first place and why should the citizens accept that? Why receive that? Aren’t they validating and participating in the illegal transaction?

If that is all true. Than the citizen shouldn’t take the money. They are on the receiving end and could be liable too. However, we know that the citizens cannot all be criminal and part of conspiracy to corrupt the system. Nevertheless, the politicians doing this is catering to the culture of this and they know the expectations too.

This is embedded and this is why she speaks of it in this way. Trying to influence, but also downplay the significance of it. Alas, there is the problem. She should be vocally against it. If you are against corruption and bribes. It should be a simple stance. The pork-barrels and the plunder cases is a worry for a reason. The same should voter-bribing be. No matter what method you use or sort of scheme of giving operations you have. It is still a way of paying-to-play and buying a favour. That is really it.

The peso’s is becoming more important than what sort of policies, political program or what gut-feeling you have. The politician can instead become a winner, because they are the ones who pays the most. They are the ones who are giving enough peso’s to make a difference. Because, everyone will hear the talk of the vast amounts and what sort of pay-off that is coming their way. The political allegiance will either get decent pay-off or a budget Jolibee menu.

Robredo should have just said: “I am against it and it’s a ghastly tradition. We are better than this and the COMELEC should disqualify anyone who does this or participate in it. Bribes is never acceptable and shouldn’t be in campaigns”.

Instead she went into mediocre tea territory. Robredo acted soft and meagre …. not having a stance worth mentioning. This is really it. We should expect more from her, but this is disappointing. The pesos are clearly more powerful than anything else. Peace.

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Opinion: Nabbanja is carrying on the tradition

“Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has reportedly filled her office with relatives” (Daily Monitor, 20.09.2021).

That the Prime Minister has appointed or recruited her own family to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) isn’t shocking. She is just following party protocol and what the Movement stands for at this given time. You don’t need credentials or qualifications to be part of the civil service or high ranking official. What you need is a connect and a person who knows someone within the parameter of the one running the office.

That is why the revelations of the Daily Monitor in the end of last week wasn’t shocking, but a continuation of it. This is the same Movement where the First Lady is a Minister and the son is a Commander of the Land Forces. Where son-in-law and other family ties has ensured high ranking official appointments and permanent secretaries as well. If not, they have gotten plum jobs in other government entities. Just because they are blood and relatives of the President and his extended family.

That’s why I am not surprised or shocked by what has happened with the PM. She is just following the teachings and the actions of her President. Nabbanja is a fellow of nepotism. Yes, this is worrisome, but she just follows a pattern, which is from the high above. It is not like she hasn’t seen or heard anything about this before. No, no this is systemic thing and that out of the world.

The Movement does this and that ‘s why Gen. Salim Selah is a unofficial minister and with government contracts. Not because his appointed, but his related to the President. Sam Kuteesa have gotten his fair tenders and deals over the years. The same has others who is associated and married into the family. That’s why the PM is just following their example.

We shouldn’t cry havoc here… as this is part of their program and how they run government. Nepotism and corruption are going hand-in-hand. It is giving them life and hope, while other fights for breadcrumbs in desperation.

The PM should lead by example, but she is just one of Museveni’s fishermen and that is evident. She is instead following him and doing his bidding. That’s why she will not challenge him or be an actor of good governance. Instead she will be as corrupt and malignant as possible. Because, she knows that this is her moment to eat and she should enjoy the spoils. While she is at it, she can also assist fellow family members and ensure they get a cut too.

That’s why this is happening, and it is tragic. It is a waste of government resources, but also expected at this point. It is not like the Movement have been sincere about these things. They have it in their slogans and programs, but never act upon it. That’s why this happens, and life moves on. Peace.

Opinion: Why are you only “lifestyle auditing” DP Ruto?

It is not long ago that the Public Servants in Kenya had to go through what they called the “lifestyle audit”. These days the authorities and the allies of the President Uhuru Kenyatta is not shockingly targeting Deputy President William Ruto. They are airing out his laundry and working on overtime to humiliate him. This has been a long time coming but it’s well planned. Just like they blocked from leaving for Uganda last time too.

DP Ruto has made his bed and he got to sleep in it. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that he should be the only one. Yes, DP Ruto has misused the offices of government and built his empire while being a High Ranking Official. However, who hasn’t at this point?

It is not like Ruto is an exemption. If you would look across the board of all parties, stations and counties of Kenya. I am sure the politicians have done their schemes, tenders and grand corruption cases. Therefore, airing him out only shows that the elites and the dynasties are targeting him. They are trying to weaken his campaign and resolve ahead of the elections.

What is worthwhile to consider… is that Ruto was the DP and if he could do this to him. They can unleash the same machinery against anyone else. The state and all it’s authorities can go after and seek to mock anyone who opposes it. There will be no remedies or no sort of injunction to stop it.

It is like we are supposed to forget all the corruption scandals and everyone involved in the Jubilee Party. Ruto was a part of group of thieves and they all dined in the den of thieves. The den of thieves was the Parliament, State House and where-ever else the government resides. That is why it wasn’t just the anointed TangaTanga ones, but all the godly men of Kenyatta too.

Yes, I believe Ruto should answer for his crimes against the state. However, the same should also all the other culprits as well. Not only Ruto, but Kenyatta and all of his anointed appointment over the years.

If they are airing out his guards and owned plots. Maybe, all the other appointments, Cabinet Secretaries, MPs and Senators should consider doing the same. So, they can show how suddenly all of them has a massive wealth bump over the years. It would be sincere, but also undermine their efforts and speeches. As they speaks as preachers and promises salvation, but only asks for thirties from the listening crowds.

That is why Ruto shouldn’t be alone with the lifestyle audit. No, he should be one out of many. If they are honest and sincere about it. Alas, this is a political game … and done on purpose ahead of the future polls.

Everyone should see it and it’s bloody obvious… there is no victory here and only a mockery attempt of the realities. Yes, we know the deal and there is no other way around it. The press and the newspapers might do the elites bidding. However, everyone should understand this and it’s done so openly. That’s why it’s not even cool, but a bidding ahead of the elections.

Ruto might be a con, but he was a con around other ones. That’s why the party shouldn’t leave him be. His men could easily undermine the others and if they are smart. They should unleash “lifestyle audits” of them as well. His not the only one who did and that doesn’t absolve of him of the crimes. Nevertheless, when the system is rigged. You just don’t point at one man, but the whole god-forsaken system. Peace.

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