Age Limit Bill: Raphael Magyezi MP proposed “The Constitutional (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2017” (28.09.2017)

Opinion: President Kenyatta directs the NASA to stop their demonstration, because he doesn’t want to reform the IEBC!

It’s like President Uhuru Kenyatta are again on one of his rants. Today the National Super Alliance (NASA) called for their first part of demonstrations ahead of October 26 2017 elections. There was demonstrations in Kisumu, Garissa, Mombasa, Nairobi, Embu, Kitale, Machakos, Migori and in Homabay. Clearly, the Police are busy to use tear-gas and harass the citizens. Therefore, it is insulting and demeaning the acts, that the NASA should go the legislative route days ahead. When the same body gave a huge majority to Jubilee Members of Parliament in the National Assembly in August 2017. Just take a look!

President Kenyatta statement on Demonstrations:

It is not easy for a politician to go against the grain, but despite the negative wind of politics you stood firm because of your principles of development and hard work,” said the President.

The President challenged opposition members of parliament to attend parliamentary sessions and debate bills which will help improve the lives of Kenyans who elected them instead of leading unnecessary demonstrations. “You were elected by wananchi to represent them in the August House by enacting laws aimed at improving their lives. Please go and tell your leaders to stop misguiding our youth with unnecessary demonstrations, let them allow you to join your colleagues in parliament where you can discuss and debate to enact good laws. Don’t be afraid of the majority, use your skills and persuade them to work together for the good of this country,” said the President” (Uhuru Kenyatta, 02.10.2017).

I understand his ways, he wants a peaceful outset and make it look like he has it all under control. So his international partners and foreign missions can continue to support his government. If there is violence and uncertainty it attacks his credibility. He has already lost once in the Supreme Court for the fraudulent election in August 2017. I don’t want to dive into that, but Kenyatta has defended the IEBC and in his statement today, he does it too.

President Kenyatta continues to stay on the legal route after losing. Therefore just days ahead of the election he plans to amend the laws in Parliament. But the NASA is not allowed demonstrate, they are supposed to suck-it-up as minority in the National Assembly. Its like I wonder if he listen to himself and considers the other party. Which I doubt, his entitlement and his arrogance comes out everyday.

That the citizens are pawns in his world-view is visible, considering the Parliament is the solution. Just another 24 days ahead of the announced election. Kenyatta feels superior and tries to deflect, that the NASA has no other way out. Like there are no other way to peaceful demonstration. Since the IEBC is rigging for him and that is why they have to turn to the streets. The NASA would prefer long time and reforming the IEBC in dialogue with Jubilee. But Jubilee prefer not to, because they are winning this way by cheating.

So at this state, there is easy say that the opposition are wrong in their act and should go the legal way, but that just fits conveniently for him. That does not fit NASA and does not fit the paradigm of free and fair elections. This will not be served with the current IEBC. The IEBC needs a reform and restructuring before the election. That will cost too much for Kenyatta, he will lose his edge and possible way into a second term. Which is the reason why Kenyatta continues to pound on both NASA and the laws, but not do anything with the IEBC.

That is really suspect, it gains my suspicion since he hasn’t targeted them since the 1st September of 2017. Peace.

Opinion: The Foreign Diplomatic Missions Kenya disappoints in their statement today!

I will not bring the whole detailed statement, the ones that cares should read it. If not its not a loss. The Foreign Missions in Kenya have now put stamp before the 26th October, as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). This sort of statement could have been cooked in Atlanta or at the Carter Centre. Since it sounds like John Kerry during and after the August 8th 2017. They want it to just go-on and not stop it. The IEBC just supposed to go-on without question. Just take a look this!

For this to happen, the IEBC must act decisively and everyone needs to respect its independence. Leaders on both sides must be reasonable in their demands of the IEBC and in their actions leading up to, and following, the new election. It would be impossible to remake the IEBC in a way that satisfies all political demands, and everyone should refrain from undermining it. All should give the IEBC space, time, and respect. Do not paralyze the IEBC. It is the only institution Kenya has to run the election and ensure Kenyans can choose their president. This is an opportunity for both sides to demonstrate leadership, strengthen Kenya’s democracy, and build the country’s international prestige. Unfortunately, the opposite appears to be happening. The draft “Election Laws Amendment Bill,” for example, puts at risk the IEBC’s ability to conduct a better election within the mandated 60-day timeline, and unnecessarily increases political tensions. Kenyans can debate whether or not electoral changes are warranted, but the timing is a serious problem. Wise reforms to an established electoral process take time. They require thoughtful reflection and broad agreement from all parties. Well-established international best practice is to avoid changes to electoral rules just prior to an election. In the same vein, the growing list of political demands, inflammatory rhetoric, and boycott threats undermine the IEBC’s ability to carry out its constitutionally-mandated job to hold a new election. For example, if IEBC personnel are to be removed, it should only be done by the appropriate authorities and be consistent with the law and relevant regulations” (US Embassy, 02.10.2017).

I only agree with the Foreign Missions on one of these statements that they did together. That is the change of law, while its coming a new election. The newly announced election should be postponed if the laws are amended. Since the IEBC cannot comply to sudden changes, as they we’re not ready to work consistently with the legal provisions for the election in August 2017. Therefore, now the IEBC doesn’t changes of laws to change their ways.

The reform of the IEBC needs to happen, that without an election. The current IEBC are trying to do the same with the same partners and agreements done in secret. Certainly, this is not just a problem for the National Super Alliance (NASA), it should be a problem for all Kenyans. Since the trust of the IEBC should be all time low. They are trying to pull it off again without any significant changes. When they announced the Jubilee and Kenyatta, when they couldn’t prove the ballot or the tally. This should worry anyone.

Still, the American, Europeans and all the Foreign Diplomatic Missions has no issues with this. They just want the Kenyans to elect a rigged in leader. Because no-one should touch or try to fix the rigging machine of the IEBC. The NASA is not trying to undermine to the IEBC, they are trying to reform it. So it can authenticate the votes and ballots, not just announce whatever that fits on party or coalition. It is a serious problem that the IEBC can issue a new election without doing prior changes or proving their capabilities of an honest, free and fair elections.

If they just go now for a new election without changing, without trying to fix the IEBC. Than, the possible rigging might happen again, as the leadership are connected to Jubilee. Ezra Chiloba has clearly learned the tricks from Ahmed Hassan Isaac, who did his tricks to earn on Chickengate and do bad tenders for the state organization. Most likely he has learned a lot from his former boss.

Therefore, it is disappointing, the statement of the foreign missions in Kenya today. That they are defending the IEBC and say “just continue like nothing” this is “strength of the Kenyan democracy”. Are you kidding me? Maybe someone should rig your local elections? Maybe someone should try to steal your vote? Would they accept if someone took their future away? Because its convenient.

The NASA has to make sure changes happen with the IEBC, so that the elections are credible. Why holding elections this 26th October if the organization running it most likely rig for Kenyatta and Jubilee? Why do I believe that, since the Jubilee wants to fix the laws and the Supreme Court, but are defending the organization who said Kenyatta won earlier this year in August. This with results that couldn’t be verified.

So if the Missions cared about the coming elections. They wouldn’t defend the IEBC like Jubilee. They would actually want a free and fair elections. Instead they are acting like Jubilee-Soft and trying to make it happen without any fuzz and hope that all parties are all smiles. Even if they are rigging into oblivion. Peace.

Reference:

Statement by Ambassadors and High Commissioners to Kenya – In Advance of the New Presidential Election (02.10.2017) link: https://ke.usembassy.gov/statement-ambassadors-high-commissioners-kenya-advance-new-presidential-election/

Uganda Press Freedom Forum: “Re: Ugandan Journalists Protest Gagging by the State” (02.10.2017)

Ugandan Journalists Protest Gagging by the State (02.10.2017)

International Commission of Jurists – Kenyan Section: “Open letter to the Judiciary of the Republic of Kenya” (01.10.2017)

AON Kenya: “RE: NPS/KSNational Police Service/Kenya Prisons Service (NPS/KPS) – Termination of Scheme” (28.09.2017)

Joint Statement by the Kenya Film Classification Board and the Media Council of Kenya on Commentators Spreading Hate Speech through the Media issued on 1st October, 2017 (01.10.2017)

NASA Statement: “NASA Objects to Outrageous Tender Award to OT-Morpho” (30.09.2017)

Age Limit: No Media House is allowed to host the 25 Suspended MPs, the new UCC Guidelines say!

This here is not shocking, but this is the state of control the National Resistance Movement has and are controlling the other parts of society. It is not enough that 25 Members of Parliament was suspended from taking part in the Plenary Session on Wednesday 27th September 2017. That they we’re taking out by force and violence inside the Parliament. This should be enough of oppression and proving how far the NRM goes to own the Republic. Clearly that was not enough as the MPs had to show up at Central Investigation Division at Kireka. There they we’re interrogated on the 28th September 2017. All of this should be enough as the Age Limit Motion got passed on the 27th and the praise of Parliamentary Speaker Rebecca Kadaga happen on the 28th. All of this proves how belittling the NRM are to voice of opposition and dissidents.

Today, it is proven even worse, as the NTV Uganda Reporter Sudir Byaruhanga spelled out this: “No media house is allowed to host the 25 suspended MPs according to the new UCC guidelines” (Byaruhanga, 30.09.2017). This proves to what extent the NRM goes to silence the message and the ones wanting to stop the Age Limit Bill. That the ones who are defying and speaking ill of the possible bill. Is not allowed on the airways, on live broadcast or expressing their concern.

He was not alone to reveal the controlling efforts of the state. Oskar Semweya-Musoka, the ones running the favorite political radio talkshow ‘The Capital Gang’ reveled: We received phone calls that stopped us from hosting Bobi Wine on The Capital Gang today” (Semweya-Musoka, 30.09.2017). Both of them is media personalities and has knowledge of how it is.

That NTV and radio stations are silenced, that has happen when radios has shows with Dr. Kizza Besigye, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has ordered direct orders to stop transmitter s and closing stations for not complying. They also stopped the live-broadcast from the Parliament on the Age Limit Motion on Wednesday. Clearly, they know the toils of oppression and is complying with orders from above. They know that they have the obligation to comply and put in the sanctions. If not the NRM will find other heads to run the UCC.

But we now know the extend, the manner in which the NRM state are ruling. We know now that the democratic values is dying, freedom of expression is getting shrunk in everyday. The longer Museveni rules, the state wants to control it more. The possible closure of newspapers like Daily Monitor and Red Pepper might happen too. The Independent Magazine will live, because Mwenda and Museveni is as close as kin these days. The Observer might be raided, but the wealth of the owners might make it stick for a while longer, as long as they are not pushing their message to far south.

The NRM can clearly not accept defiance, the civil disobedience and the belittlement of the cause, the cause being life-presidency for Museveni. Since he can acts as he pleases go on radio and lie until his lips goes dry, while people questioning his right rule, get silenced or stopped from doing so. That is why the 25 MPs are now stopped from taking part of the conversation. Being in the public sphere by the media and their channels of information. This is vital for discussion and debating the Age Limit. The NRM and Museveni wants to control the debate in their favor and therefore blocking the rest. If people do act outside the spectrum of the NRM, there will be sanctions as seen earlier this month. Freedom FM in Kabale, know whats happen if you do.

It means these are not allowed, as reported on 27th:

The Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has named 25 Members of Parliament who have been suspended and asked them to exit the Chambers. The suspended MPs are; Kibuule, Ssewanyana, Amoding, Lyomoki, Kasibante, Nambooze, Kyagulanyi, Zaake, Kasozi, Nzohgu &Olanya. The other suspended MPs are; Osegge, Niwagaba, Odonga Otto, Mafabi, Munyangwa, Nambeshe, Mbwatekamwa & Mugume. Ssewungu, Tinkasiimire, Muwanga Kivumbi and Medard Ssegona are the others suspended. The Speaker has suspended the sitting to allow the MPs exit the House or be evicted by the Sergeant at Arms” (New Vision, 27.09.2017).

All of these MPs are now banned from shows and media houses. If the media comply with these sanctions and these acts of excessive breach of freedom of speech. You know that the debates and the stories that are told will be one sided. It will never be the whole story, neither the factual or critical thinking towards the Age Limit. Not that Museveni wants that, because if you look critical at him, you will finds sculls and blood. Stories that’s not reflect the so-called “statesman” like story he wants portrayed of himself.

But you the NRM are weak, when they cannot carry discussions and debates of opposition. When they don’t have the arguments and the reasoning to let them go-on. Since Museveni knows his weakness and he cannot stomach it. That is why the orders from above was to clear the Parliament Plenary Sitting, since he couldn’t manage to humiliated, even if it meant destroying the sanctity of it.

Now they are proving their lack of tolerance and understanding of need of an open media that discuss this vital matters. That the representatives should be allowed to talk and debate the manner. Not only looking and listening to the brilliant mind of Ofwono Opondo and his NRM defense no matter what or other loyal cronies. That will all be sounding the same and saying nearly the same. Defending the NRM and the President without concern that its burning, they see the smoke, but they will not talk about it like it doesn’t exists. Not until themselves are burnt by it, than their acts might change. Until then, they are accepting the republic is burning, but they don’t want to say it! Peace.