The Launch of OKM: Trying to make Kalonzo relevant falls flat!

I think Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, the former leader of Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) and part of National Super Alliance (NASA), has today forgotten what happen in February 2018 after the abysmal performance of himself. Why do I say that, because the Ukambi Youth Forum and their leadership renounced him for his neglect and lack of leadership. They renounced him on the 24th February 2018, that they are standing behind Dr. Alfred N. Mutua. After my recogning, that is not Kalonzo.

So, reading that the Ukamabani Declaration and the start of a new Party out of the Kamba, is rare, considering that the Youth in the region isn’t his fans or supporters. They are already displeased with him and his leadership. Kalonzo Musyoka has already lost their faith and hard to restore after years of playing big, but delivering little. We can wonder if he will deliver anything new in One Kenya Movement (OKM).

Its a reason why Mutua didn’t attend today’s forum, where the new re-branded party was declared, as well as his didn’t intend to support his voice in a gathering made trying to revive the legacy of Kalonzo. Which this was, that is why he is trying a new and a fresh. Because he knows that his ways is tarnished, the youth of Ukambani is thwarted by his own in-actions. Even if he renames himself and become someone else, the in-actions and lack of trust.

How will this change with a name-change and Ukambani Declaration between fellow bedfellows? That is why they couldn’t even muster Mutua to the meeting. Surely, other local dignitaries didn’t appear or show attendance, because this is all just a ploy to make him matter again. Even if that is only happening locally. This not making Kalonzo nationally. Kalonzo is just consolidating himself and re-appearing as a local savior with a new logo and slogan, but not making him rising star.

That star dimmed and has been tarnished by recent issues from January and February 2018, where his true political tools was delivered and the framework presented wasn’t stunning, but more meager lack of willingness to stand-up in the midst of fire. He didn’t even try and tried with public PR failures. Therefore, he is trying again and it should be seen through. Not because he might mean well, if not he does whatever he can to salvage his career.

This is a PR Stunt, a Wiper event turned into OKM, just to make sure he staying relevant in the manners of politics, not that it was for all of Ukambani, because even Mutua wasn’t there. When his party wasn’t involved, surely others didn’t come too. Wonder if Kalonzo invited the Ukambani Youth Forum leaders, that has already thrown their weight in favor of Mutua? I doubt that, because that would humiliate Kalonzo and on this day. That couldn’t be the intention.

The intention was to make Kalonzo look like a king, look like a big-man and of importance, there it fell a bit flat. Because it only make him look hungry and starving for relevance. That is not a good look. Peace.

Opinion: Kenyatta’s bargain is Odinga’s loss, hence, the silence!

The Agreement and Handshake for “Building Bridges to a new Kenyan Nation” on the 9th March 2018. That after months of stalemate and long time heard the Jubilee Party and the two head honchos President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto. Both saying there was no need for dialogue with National Super Alliance nor their leader Raila Odinga. However, that suddenly changed and happen beneath the surface. This happen as the fractions in between NASA was shown, when the other NASA Co-Principals didn’t show-up at the Swearing-in on the 30th January 2018. Therefore, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Odinga Camp did what they could salvage the hurt. Even if that meant leaving Canaan all behind. That has been proven lately.

Canaan and real political change isn’t surfacing, the Jubilee, Kenyatta and Ruto got Odinga for a bargain. They got him for a silver coin and securing the opposition elite again. They revoked the harsh treatment for most of them, but they are still showing contempt of courts. Kenyatta has shown that since the handshake, that it doesn’t really matter. Odinga is still a fringe player, he thinks he is important, but surely the scenes on Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in the recent days. Shows that him and the whole legal team of NASA is a charade. The Court Orders are meaningless, the Rule of Law is at injunction and the thwarted legal prescience is now the order of the day.

The political warfare is still there and vacuum isn’t sealed, as well as the PR stunts of the President is continuing. Just like he is a Cambridge Analytica and Harris Media made figurine, while praising the cartels and borrowing money to extend the business and partnership. Kenyatta doesn’t care, he has the army and the police, he can interfere in everyone’s life. Kenyatta can gazette and make differences that is needed. He don’t really need Odinga and with the handshake, he has the legitimacy now, because Odinga traded his cards.

Canaan is now gone, the whole dismantling the rigging machine, the whole electoral thieving and looting of Jubilee is now co-existing with NASA. Them both have traded away the current day-to-day struggles for a political bargain-chip. The Kenyan citizens has been fooled, the ones hoping for changes has been taken for granted. The ones who hoped for someone challenging and questioning the powers to be. Has now gone into the deal and handshake. Odinga and his bedfellows will all follow. Because it matters for today and tomorrow. They will not now scream “fire”, even if there is smoke. They will the flare appear and hope they are not inflicted. The pains are only hitting the lower classes, the ones whose voices are misused in elections, but left behind in the years after. Just like it has been forever and seemingly moves on.

Kenyatta, has no need of transformation or changes, he just needs the bills to be paid, the cartels to be sufficiently taken care of and the cronies in the court feed. It is still their time to eat and build bigger companies on the poverty of the nation. While having donors and others supplying fresh fiscal power and lending state loans at favorable rates. As long as the possible industry, export and the infrastructure projects can establish more loopholes to get wealth out off. This is going-on and now Odinga cannot be outspoken. That is why he is so silent on the Miguna Miguna scandal. Because he cannot say he sees “fire”, because the flare is only a lie to Kenyatta. Odinga is now indebted into Jubilee government and the National Assembly, which they rigged themselves into.

It is a house of cards, it was a risk, but the fruits are not there. It is just days ago there was hope for some. But all along, Kenyatta knew he got a bargain. The silence of Odinga proves it. The lack of real action or even push, shows it. The humiliation on JKIA proves it too. Orengo, Havi and the whole team couldn’t do anything. The orders from above courted Miguna out. They kicked him again. While the Co-Principals and the leadership has their Security Teams and their SUVs. Hope it taste good, eating, while the state is still sanctioning impunity. If you trespass on the values of greed of the State House. Expect the nuclear strikes, the vanishing powers and the extra-judicial killings will appear. They have never fled, as well as the PR Stunts of greeting on Golf-Courses and standing by Police Officers. Clearly, Kenyatta are acting as President, but he is not respecting rule of law. Not that he has too, nobody will questioning him now, that matters. Odinga is silenced, he has traded his message and his campaigns of Canaan for a few pieces of silver. That is shown and evident.

The fate of the weak, the poor and the ones that doesn’t matter, is not just left into oblivion. Not like Kenyatta needed their votes, he had electoral malpractice and the IEBC rigging in his favor. Needed does he need the people, they are not the ones paying his bills. That is foreign investors and money lenders. That is why he acts like he does. All fronts and no play.

The handshake was the same, a PR Stunt in favor of Kenyatta. While Odinga might looked like outfoxed the other Co-Principals in NASA. But they are fallen prey to conning political mischief to wise-guys within Jubilee. They all played the NASA head honcho Odinga, but we can wonder if he wanted to be played. That is unknown at this point, but what we do know. Is that NASA lost with this and cannot win now. Their chips has been used and their power-play is gone. Peace.

Hon. Zuleikha Juma Hassan MP letter to Hon. J.B. Muturi on “Re: Request for Bill to Amend the NHIF Act” (31.03.2018)

Trump’s Trade-War is now hitting East Africa: Because of possible lost trade with Second-Hand Clothes!

Museveni buying shoes in Wandegeya, 02.06.2017.

United States of America is really just cherry-picking the world right now, they are evolving into a beast and not an Uncle Sam. President Donald J. Trump don’t like to have friends, unless they are related or Roger Stone. That is now seen with his recent activity, not that he knows of these countries or these market. That I say, because he has no hotel or haven’t laundered money from there. The countries being hurt by his new policies are Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania. Places he would never travel to or have consideration about. That is because in his mind, they are shitholes, but as long as they serve as vassal states for the United States. Everything is fine and dandy.

What we are talking about is this:

(A) THE PRESIDENT IS AUTHORIZED TO DESIGNATE A SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN COUNTRY AS AN ELIGIBLE SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN COUNTRY IF THE PRESIDENT DETERMINES THAT THE COUNTRY (SEE NOTE*)

(1) (A country that) has established, or is making continual progress toward establishing–

(A) a market-based economy that protects private property rights, incorporates an open rules-based trading system, and minimises government interference in the economy through measures such as price controls, subsidies, and government ownership of economic assets” (AGOA – ‘AGOA Country Eligibility’).

It is special that the US President is using this against these three states on the imports of used-clothes and shoes. That these three republics trying to develop their own textile and clothes industry, to create work and also revamp the economies. That would mean, that people would also earn more money and spend more money. In the end buying foreign produced clothes on the fashion-lines, that usually are branding American and European brands. Therefore, I don’t understand why Trump suddenly acts like this, when Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania wants to secure their industries.

Because, it is not many days ago, since the President himself used rules and provisions to secure the Steel and Aluminum industry on his own soil. So, that the giant United States can control it, but their trading with other can be spoiled, because it doesn’t favor the President. Seems like double-standard to be. It is easy to muffle the poor and the ones with lack budgets, that are in need of donors. They need to stifle the demands of the powerful, but the ones with power can just use the same means themselves. Still, that doesn’t make it right.

That the United States are trying to force their used-clothes on Rwanda. Like they don’t deserve their own clothes industry and to secure better products, local designs and local textiles is insane. Why shouldn’t they strive for that? Why shouldn’t Uganda strive for their own Bata’s? What is wrong with Tanzanian made shoes? Nothing really, that should be supported, especially if the United States wants to think long-term and create better exports. They would earn even more on ordinary trade of clothes, not second-hand that sold bulk and through other channels. But I am sure that Trump has no knowledge of this or even could imagine it.

This is clearly a step of imperialism from United States, since they cannot stomach, that the partners and the ones getting donations through USAID. Isn’t accepting to be a bazaar for their used stuff. The products that is B-Level and already had their day in the sunshine.

Knowingly, how he is America First, the man himself should understand how others wants to build to their own industries, but thinking Trump has that capacity of thinking is overstepping and thinking that he could actually calculate, that others are sovereign too and not only his state. The East African Republic’s shouldn’t be punished for acting in their own interests over second-hand clothes. Neither second hand shoes. That is insulting and infuriating. If it was just charity and done out direct needs. It would make sense, but if your forcing bad products, because of own will for quick-profits and at the same time destroying local industries. I understand why Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda is trying to ban it and stop it. I respect that and stand behind it. Who wants a old T-Shirt, when you can buy a local-made?

If you buy a local-made, it would create a job for the one making it, the one designing it and the one selling, plus the distribution within the state. That is good business and create lots of job. These jobs create other jobs and funnel money in the system. So some of them will buy foreign design and clothes, that might even be American. That is how the United States should think, if they cared about a free-market narrative, but they are now planning to punish Rwanda and others, because they want to build-up own industry.

Trump is creating a trade-war over Second Hand Clothes.

Second Hand Clothes to East Africa!

Washington, DC – The President determined today the eligibility of Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda for trade preference benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). In response to a petition filed by the U.S. used clothing industry in March 2017, the Administration initiated an out-of-cycle review of Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda’s AGOA eligibility regarding their decisions to phase in a ban on imports of used clothing and footwear. The review found that this import ban harms the U.S. used clothing industry and is inconsistent with AGOA beneficiary criteria for countries to eliminate barriers to U.S. trade and investment. Based on the results of the review, the President determined that Rwanda is not making sufficient progress toward the elimination of barriers to U.S. trade and investment, and therefore is out of compliance with eligibility requirements of AGOA. Consequently, the President notified Congress and the Government of Rwanda of his intent to suspend duty-free treatment for all AGOA-eligible apparel products from Rwanda in 60 days” (AGOA – ‘ President Trump Determines Trade Preference Program Eligibility For Rwanda, Tanzania, And Uganda’ 30.03.2018).

This is infuriating and not cool. AGOA should be used as a method to not destroy industry in the developing countries, but add revenue both ways. Now the United States is just using imperialism. Trade-War with East African Countries.

Trump is foolish and also, this is not gaining sympathy and the reasons for this. This isn’t adding and just show how belittling and narrow-minded he is. But that we knew, we just have to see who spanks him. Peace.

NASA Press Release: Gross Abuse of Human Rights and Derogation of the Rule of Law in Kenya (29.03.2018)

KHRC: Press Statement on Miguna Case and Disregard for Judicial Authority (29.03.2018)

Opinion: Newly appointed Ambassador McCarter is not getting a easy-job in Kenya!

Shiish, after the last hustle with the deportation of Miguna Miguna and President Uhuru Kenyatta going on official duty abroad. While the state is showing indifference to the judiciary and the rule of law. That is the time, that the friend and beloved ambassador Robert Godec are leaving. He has worked closely and directly with the Jubilee Party, he has even been partisan during the elections of 2017. So, the aftermath and lack of trust to the Americans, are now there.

The new ambassador Kyle McCarter, former Illinois State Senator and now Ambassador in Nairobi. He will surely get into a job, that needs a lot of preparation and consideration. As the politics and interests of the Americans is on shady grown after the elections. Not like Godec left as a loved cousin of the Kenyans, his partisan affairs and legitimizing the affairs. Will be remembered as part of the squad called Envoy of Doom. More suicide squad, than friendly vigilantes.

While Godec thought he left the vacuum safe with the handshake between Kenyatta and Odinga, that they have made peace, but still Kenyatta is not showing any progress into the dialogue. Except for the public showdown of the sudden handshake and recognition of the paper. But, when seeing the treatment of Miguna, we now know it is meaningless peace of paper, because it doesn’t sanction any action. Miguna is now a victim of the elections and he has no rights in the eyes of the President. If he had, he would have entered Kenya during the last three days and wouldn’t have been deported.

This is the shady problems that McCarter has to deal with, this isn’t Zombie laws of Illinois or trying to get auto-industry back in shape in the state. This is dealing with bigger fish and volatile. The interesting thing is that the State Senator has been eyeing the post for months. He has wanted this one at least since October 2017. That meaning, he should have followed the politics and the troubles ahead. Not like Kenya is at a beautiful junction, even after the handshake. Since the opposition and ruling regime isn’t that friendly, neither the state respect of rule law.

In October 2017, McCarter said: “The folks in Washington are taking a look at this right now; I have expressed my interest in taking the job if its offered to me, and the background I have with the country of Kenya, and in business and in politics and in providing aid for children and orphans and widows, all qualifies me for the job,” McCarter said. “I would look forward to accepting it, but I have to wait for the process to work its way out. I don’t have any confirmation now.” (Joseph Bustos – ‘McCarter says he’s ‘all in’ to be ambassador to Kenya or seek another office’ 02.10.2017, Belleville News-Democrat).

You cannot expect that the Kenyans will miss Godec, except for the ones in the circles around Kenyatta. Since, he has acted in vain of democratic principals to secure a second term for Kenyatta. It has been vile and excessive attempts to undermine the opposition. That is what we can remember from Godec. He has talked institutions, but only when fitting Kenyatta, not respected it at other times. Now McCarter will step in.

I am not so giddy, because he will work under the same paradigm, a former politician who is a Trump supporter. We can wonder if he will do any good in Kenya. Good that he knows the country and has connections already. But Godec played the high cards and McCarter need to be careful. ‘

Mr. McCarter could a angel flying from the sky and promise all healing, but I don’t think that is the solution. That Kenyatta and Odinga need to figure things out, that Kenyatta has to act and show that he actually means it. That is if it is Godec or McCarter, they are just mere figureheads on the blackboard. They will not play that significant now.

ODM and Jubilee have to figure out how to make rule of law respected again. It has to start from the top, it has to start with the President and his deputy. Odinga has to be shown more than a security detail and foolery of public relations. That is all that has been given. If not Kenyatta has taken them for fools and tricked the whole thing. While the other NASA parties feels left behind in the handshake.

McCarter can make amends, but he has to act different than Godec. Godec has acted diminishing and also partisan in favors of Kenyatta. He didn’t give way for free and fair elections, when they did condemn the elections, it was too late and the results was already in print. McCarter has to show and prove. He is not just visiting a NGO school and a donor project, he will be living in it and trying to figure out the role of the US in Kenya.

I want to wish you good luck on your endeavors, newly appointed ambassador of Kenya Kyle McCarter, but don’t expect this to be a safari, eat some chapati and get pillau. This will be hardwork and its not like Godec is respected for what he did. So the American interference in the region, is not only seen as good, but demeaning. Time to pound on that for a moment. Peace.

Miguna Miguna deported for the second time within two months!

Again, in just as much of a hustle after 3 days of hectic madness, more court orders and more drama at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). The sad story of Miguna Miguna continues. This happen as tonight, he was deported, sedated and put in a seat on the Emirates Flight EK722. He himself returned on the 26th March and was now put on another plane.

Last time he was deported on the 7th February 2018, days after the swearing-in of Raila Odinga at Uhuru Park on the 30th January 2018. The only one who really have been a direct victim of the political stance and his motivation in politics. Even Odinga has gotten away easy in this past, but Miguna continues to be harassed. The country of birth and the place where he was allowed to run as a governor candidate for the capital, Nairobi in 2017. Has now deported him twice in a year or correctly, twice in two months.

While he has been sealed off at JKIA, he has been manhandled and even been detained on the toilet. That is how the state has taken care of its citizen. While they have taken away his citizenship, they have taken away his passport and also ambushed his home in February. They at that time took him to undisclosed locations, while the state didn’t want to follow Court Orders. Just like it happen now, as the state re-instated Miguna and opened for him to re-enter Kenya. They still deported him again.

Earlier today, this is what Miguna was able to write on the toilet on JKIA: “As I write this note inside a tiny toilet at JKIA’s terminal 2, I have not eaten. I have not taken a shower. I have not been given access to my lawyers, family members and physicians. The Canadian High Commission sent a consular officer to see me this morning and to bring for me a telephone power bank and breakfast. She was denied clearance and told to return at 2:30pm, a time I was scheduled to be in court as Justice Odunga had directed. However, when the consular officer arrived at 2:30pm as directed, she was once again denied clearance and turned back. No reasons were given for the refusal to allow me consular access as stipulated under international law and conventions” (Dr. Miguna Miguna, 28.03.2018).

So the state has no intention of respecting the rights of one of their own. Miguna is a Kenyan Citizen, who has been banished from his birth country. This has happen as both lawyers, fellow politicians or anyone able to meet him while he was detained at the airport. The state sealed off the airport, like he was the biggest terror threat since Osama Bin Laden. That is how it seemed, while the police and soldiers also assaulted journalists and the media trying to cover the matter.

What is striking to me is that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) cleared the man for running for governor as late as after May 2017 and made him a candidate for people to vote for in the race. Therefore, they wouldn’t let a random street-cat from Juba run, there are certain demands and set of standards to let anyone run, even academic standards to follow. That is why, the whole revoking of citizenship is utter bullshit. Pardon my french, but it is.

It is not fun, it not is cool. That Moses Kuria are mocking the thing, but as Miguna is the victim now, who knows who is next. The Jubilee leadership is still not respecting the judiciary, the state is despotic and acting with impunity. That while Kenyatta is wearing military fatigue and proud-cock around new police officers. That is fitted as his own security personnel are kicking out an opposition political leader. Clearly, Kenyatta and Ruto doesn’t care. They are just eating of loans and thieving. Hoping no one will disturb their feast.

3 days of utter madness, three days of sorrow for the lack of respect of their own citizen. That is what has happen. The state has shown no respect to the rule of law, neither respect for the media and than they have again deported the man. Who just returned to his homeland.

This is disrespectful and also insulting to all intelligence. If Kenyatta and Ruto, think this is wise. The whole state of Kenya deserves to be mocked, condemned and also lose hope in their talks with NASA. Since it is not sincere. They are just shaking hands, but using force, and gently saying “fuck you”. When they can. Kenyatta are just taking action of aggression against Miguna.

This will be remembered. This will remembered, a real stain on Kenyatta presidency, since he cannot man-up and bring back his citizen, Miguna. Who had a National ID made by the Department of Immigration in 2012 and was running for governor in 2017, though kicked out now twice. That says it all about the state.

Kenyatta should show some sense, but he just has screwed-up worldview of Cambridge Analytica, so common sense cannot be there. Peace.

Rwanda: Closure of Churches Markes Final Assault on Citizens’ Last Line of Defence (28.03.2018)

Law Society of Kenya Statement on Dr. Miguna Miguna (27.03.2018)