
Cameroon: Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) – Press Release (28.01.2020)



Today on the 29th January 2019, the Senate did impeached the Kiambu County Governor Ferdinand Waititu for abuse of office. On the 27th May 2019, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) released their press relase, where they officially started investigations into irregular tenders of the value of Ksh. 588 millions, which they had started on 23rd May 2019.
In early May, the Governor had to answer his budget for the Senate Public Accounts Committee, where they were questioning a Ksh. 1 billion, which was allocated to State House functions and even South Sudanese Peace Programme. Those programs are for the State not the County to look-over. His defence back-then was that his financial department had used a template used by state, while the Auditor General confirmed that he had gotten financial reporting containing these expenditures submitted to him.
On the 26th July 2019, the Office of the Department of Public Prosecution (ODPP), which even mentioned the fantastic company getting the favourable tenders from Kiambu County. That company was named M/s Testimony Enterprises Limited. Where there was irregular payments to the company and also using these funds to buy an hotel together with his wife. That hotel was Bienvenue Delta Hotel, which was bought with these funds.
On the 27th July 2019 the EACC released their second press release that they were looking for the governor and his associates. As they had initiated for their arrest on the 13th July 2019. Therefore, the case that was held and voted on in the Senate. Had already been investigated by the authorities.
Now, today the Senate has validate this and the shady practices made by the Governor. His actions has cost him. His mismanagement and misusing of the County Government funds. Trying to forge an audit and records to look clean, when he really did use an associates business and tenders to enrich himself. That is the reality of all of this.
Governor Waititu might not be the only doing this, he was one taken down today. We know that Governor Sonko and Kidero is answering for crimes committed too. Who knows if they will get the same sort of action by the Senate. That in regard to Sonko, as he might be next up in line.
We now have seen action by Senate to act upon on Governor and impeach him. That is serious and also question, if they will do to others or only picked this man. To show some flex and ability to work for the common good. Then they should also look into others and their questionable use of state funds. Because, in Kenya, Waititu is not the only man doing this.
Time will tell, but this is a big leap. A Governor been taken down by the Senate. Who can wonder is coming up next. Peace.






It is that season again, especially in concern that National Resistance Movement (NRM) is trying its best to fit a new demographic and look like its sincere with their policies towards them. That’s what they do, when a new front and a opposition is fielded. This time the NRM and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni are working hard to be viable for the Ghetto.
The Minister in Charge of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister Mary Karooro Okurut have written the piece in New Vision Newspaper, which was published yesterday. Today, I am breaking down the vital parts of this. As I have done similar in the past.
On the Ten-Point Programme:
“These are the very same issues that motivated NRM’s liberation struggle, and formed the original blue-print of its governance agenda once it emerged victorious in 1986. Indeed, the restoration of democracy to enable popular political participation, the building of an inclusive, integrated self-sustaining economy to enable equitable access to economic opportunities for all, and the fight against of all forms of corruption that eat away at the State’s ability to provide social services were all high-ranking action points on the NRM 10-point programme” (Mary Karooro Okurut, 2020).
The first breakdown can be read in my old piece from 2014:
https://minbane.wordpress.com/2014/12/05/dismantling-the-ten-point-program/
This one here describe the shortcomings of the NRM and their lacking results in concern of that. The sort of issues, the NRM will never tell. A year later I made a newer and a fresher edition.
This is the second breakdown of the Ten Point Programme:
https://minbane.wordpress.com/2015/11/02/dismantling-the-ten-point-program-2015-edition-uganda/
Here I could easily assess that the NRM only could after 29 years in power say they had achieved 2,5 points. Which is a disgraceful attempt of doing their flag-ship operation and their mission for governing.
Now, I will go off on two themes from the Minister and address them. First her statement in the piece, than some evidence and my little comment. After those, I will end with a short final thought. Just take a look.
Statement today on HIV/AIDS:
“In terms of social outreach, the biggest beneficiaries of President Museveni’s bold awareness campaign against HIV/AIDs in the early 90s that won him international acclaim were the poor and uneducated, who were either ignorant about the causes of the disease or unable to afford the scarce and expensive treatment at the time” (Mary Karooro Okurut, 2020)
On HIV/AIDS:
“The severity of HIV/AIDS was driven home to Museveni even before he came to power in 1986.50 Within months of taking power in Kampala, Museveni’s first Minister of Health, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, was sent to the World Health Assembly in Geneva where he announced the HIV epidemic facing the country.51 This was in marked contrast to the attitude of other African leaders when confronted with the first hard evidence that HIV/AIDS threatened an epidemic” (…) “The donor community clearly played a role in this process. UNICEF was present at the inauguration of the NCPA and, in January 1987, the World Health Organisation sent a mission to lay the groundwork for cooperation with the government. In February, an issue of the Health Information Quarterly was published documenting the severity of the epidemic, which was followed by the publication of articles in the international press. That month, a second WHO team arrived, including Robert Downing who had played a role in identifying the presence of HIV/AIDS in the country, which assisted in drawing up a five-year action plan, published on 2 April 1987. This formed the basis for a donor conference organised by the Ministry of Health and WHO in May 1987 and the launching of the first AIDS Control Programme in Africa, which was based within the Ministry of Health. Donors pledged $6.9 million to fund it through its first year, with $14 million for the following four year” (Dr. James Putzel – ‘‘HIV/AIDS and Governance in Uganda and Senegal’ May 2003).
Comment: The donors brought this, the donors paid for the HIV/AIDS. Yes, the state was positive to do it and tried to forge a plan. So, the NRM has done a lot here and the numbers are getting better. Both with the amount of people dying per year and the progress of more people getting the treatment they need. But that would not be possible if the donor community, Multi-National Aid Organizations and the UN stepped in to intervene. The NRM would never say that, they would take the whole credit. Just like the Minister is doing and that is insincere. Like the GoU footed the whole bill. PREFAR states this: “Uganda has almost met its HIV resource need for the current (2014/15) fiscal year, with an estimated resource gap of only US$10-12 million (not including household financing sources). Under both scenarios, where the value of estimated available resources is assumed as constant over the next five years, the financial gap grows steadily over that period. By FY 2019/20, the resource gap under the NSP scenario is US$346 million, or an additional 60 percent of total estimated available resources (Figure 7). For the same year, the resource gap for the 90-90-90 scenario is US$409 million. In other words, the total value of committed resources for FY 2014/15 will only meet 62 percent of the total resource need under the NSP scenario and 58 percent under the 90-90-90 scenario by FY 2019/20. Over five years, the total resource gap will amount to US$964 million under the NSP and US$1.09 billion under the 90-90-90 scenario“ (Koseki, S., T. Fagan, and V. Menon. 2015. Sustainable HIV Financing in Uganda. Washington, DC: Futures Group, Health Policy Project, P: 9). So, we can see the lack of funds needed to fund the works still are coming elsewhere from. The state still lack it, but the Minister wants to take the credit for that.
Today’s UPE statement:
“So were the beneficiaries of Universal Primary Education. In spite of the challenges, the now more than two-decade policy has been able to grow literacy levels in the country, from about 57% in 1997 when it was introduced to now an impressive 76%, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics” (Mary Karooro Okurut, 2020).
On UPE:
In the Ministry of Education, early NRM it was 13,7%, while the rise in budget facilitation in 1998 it became 24,7%. By the time of 2017/18 it turned down to 11,37% and by 2018/19 it declined to 10,87%. While UBOS claimed this not so far ago: “However, the education facilities including classrooms, teachers’ houses and libraries have not matched the upsurge in the number of pupils. In 2004, provision of classroom space remained an enormous challenge. Table 2.2.2 shows that, only about half of the pupils had adequate sitting space” (UBOS, 2006).
Will not dig deep into this one. Even at one point during the last two years, the President said. If you wanted your kids to succeed with their education, send them to private school. Therefore, the state has given up this project. It is to costly and the state doesn’t want to invest in it. They tried to a point, but somewhere they didn’t want to foot the bill or continue to fund the expensive school programme for all citizens. She cherry picks the good numbers, but not showing the reality of what the state has done. It is like they are living on past glories. Because that makes the NRM look better today. Which it doesn’t, because it has given up on the UPE. At least not worked sincerely to deliver it.
Final thought:
Enough of this nonsense from the NRM. Therefore, do yourself a favour and aluta continua. Peace.
Reference:
Mary Karooro Okurut – ’The NRM is no stranger to the Ghetto’ 27.01.2020 link: https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1514072/nrm-stranger-ghetto


This here is just happening ahead of elections, as the state who is already fatigued financially. That Minster for Local Government Tom R. Butime is putting in a motion for newly created cities across the republic. This means new measures, need needs and costs for the state. The City Status will not come without any consequence. Not only in regards to boundaries, but also the needed local government there.
It seems like the old presidential pledges are revamped just mere a year in advance of the next general election in 2021. The plan of 7 cities to take effect on the 1st July 2020, these being Arua, Gulu, Jinja, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Mbale and Masaka. While Hoima will first become a city on the 1st July 2021. Later than that on the 1st July 2022 then it will happen to Entebbe and Lira. The final stage of these upgraded towns to city status is on the 1st July 2023, these will be Moroto, Nakasongola, Soroti, Kabale and Wakiso. All of them becoming cities, which means the state, are in total planning the upgrade of 15 towns to cities in the small amount of time of 3 years.
That is five cities every year from now on. What law defines is that a city is equivalent of a district and wards of sub-counties. Meaning, this a way of also carving up districts and securing a more MPs to Parliament. Also, ensuring a more rigorous ways of gerrymandering before any given election. Though, not create by-elections, as they are deemed unfit, as law already represents these Cities.
We are seeing a haste, like Arua have about 62,000 in population. While Gulu on the other hand has about 152,000 in population. Jinja has about 72,000 and Mbarara has 195,000. Fort Portal only has about 52,000 in population. Mbale has about 96,000 and Masaka has about 103,000. Also even smaller is the likes of Nakasongola, which is about 10,000, Kabale and Soroti is each about 49,000 close to 50,000 in population. While Moroto is only about 14,000 in population and Waksio have about 20,000. Therefore, with just a brief look into the numbers, you wonder what standard has the Minister and the Ministry put for a city status at this point of time. You can easily see the difference between Nakasongola, Fort Portal and Gulu. That makes a brother wonder about the status at all.
It seems to be a political game of changing districts and ensuring easier rigging, also new MPs from new “districts” than actually giving city status and urban services to these areas. As the state already suffers funds for the new districts it already has. That is no joke and been a revolving issue. So, for whatever reason Butime MP is pushing this. That can only be for electioneering. Because, who will defend calling a town of about 10,000 a C-I-T-Y? Really, Nakasongola is deemed to be a city?
I can understand Mbarara and Gulu, even Masaka. They have a population of a decent size. That you can understand and reason it out somehow. The others seems to be early birds, just because it supposed to make benefits, but it will also strain the budgets more. As with every expansion, every change of local government it will cost. The changes of municipalities, town and cities will cost. There will be carved wards and new titles for the local government. That is implied with these sort of changes. To think otherwise is dumb.
Someone has to foot the bill, someone got to cough up the dough for the operation at hand. It is not without costs. This will be more expenditure and more MPs. More leaders, more elections and more expenditure. Where will the Minister find the cash? Peace.

President George Weah has only have had two years in office. Still, by that little time he has had some huge scandals. Lost containers and lost funds, which was supposed to get into circulation. Newly minted and pressed currency, which just happens to disappear. So, its not like the lack of belief is there. Well, it’s because of the way he has played this game. The way he has tried to circumvent the rules and not getting a card.
President Weah haven’t delivered, when billions have gone missing, when hundreds of millions of Liberian Dollars get lost from the port in Monrovia, as the authorities are supposed to take the millions into circulation in 2018. The same can be said about the unaccounted funds and incentives in 2019. Therefore, him pledging a battle against it now. Seems a bit like lingo to catch the crowds, but not his actions on the pitch.
Outtake from the State of the Union 2020:
“My Administration will continue to intensify the fight against corruption, which remains prevalent in our society and continues to negatively impact growth and development. Many believe this to be an unchangeable way of life here in Liberia. I think otherwise. I believe that we will succeed in our fight against corruption and will bring to justice relevant individuals and corporations who have and continue to defraud Liberia. To this end, we have hired the expertise of a world-renowned Asset Recovery firm to assist our local team to carry out a professional excercise to recover Liberia’s wealth stolen over many decades. Additionally, we will continue to show political will in the fight against waste and abuse of our national resources, as we have shown in recent times when a managing director and other high profile officials were dismissed, arrested and sent to court to vindicate themselves from accusations of corruption. There will be no sacred cows as we take stronger measures to end this societal menace” (George Weah – State of the Union, 27.01.2020).
I have a hard time seeing it, as the scandals are huge, they are the status of Grand Corruption. Not the belittling of folks trespassing and feeding a hungry police officer. No, this is the shipment of currency from abroad. Surely, the same can happen in any ministry and department too. When the first of the gate, before even getting circulation, the Liberian Dollars are tainted with corrupt behaviour. That is how dire the cause is. The money cannot even move from the Central Bank to the public before touched and out of bound. That is how serious the issues are.
Weah can scream and shout like a pissed off manager. He can act a fool, but the realities is that his battling himself and his authorities. Because, currency moved to the port and within the bounds of the Port Authorities and still gone missing. Show, that there are enough stakeholders combined with the inner circle of bankers, ministry of finance and possibly the office of the President who knows about this movement. So, they know these shipments get lost.
It wasn’t an direct theft of a vault, robbing a bank, no, it was well-planned inside trade and bazaar of the cash coming in. They didn’t even need to rob the bank or violently overtake a cash-transport. They just took the first landing and started eating right there. It is a robbery, but a sophisticated one, as they all know when it comes and who signs off on the shipment. While no one get to answer for the misgivings and sudden “loss” of a fortune. Which was a asset of the state, until it get into circulation.
Weah knows this, but acts like he doesn’t, its insincere. Like were all are dumb and not catching the whiff of smoke. When there is smoke, it is fire and in this instance it’s a steal. We can act like its not, but that wouldn’t be sincere. So, in that regard, Mr. Weah. Please get your act right. We are crying foul, you deserve a card, a red one, but do the right thing and stop the thieving. Really stop it; the words are meaningless as long as money keep disappearing. Peace.
