Kenya: Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD) – Dialogue Must Prevail and Greater Responsibility Falls on President Ruto (20.03.2023)

Kenya: Mombasa County Government – Office of the Governor – Statement on the Illegal Detainment of Kenyans during Peaceful Protests – The Bill of Rights must be Upheld and Protected by the Kenya Kwanza Administration (20.03.2023)

Opinion: Odinga is now testing Ruto…

Today is the start of the #Maandamano demonstrations of Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Alliance. Azimio and Raila Odinga has called for the supporters to go to the streets and be vigilant. In such regard, that he called today, the 20^th March a public holiday. A lot businesses ceased to operate and closed before the day started. Certainly, there will ripple effects of the demonstrations committed in the name of Odinga.

Alas, Odinga has done this all before. Yet, again we are seeing and hearing of innocent citizens dying as a part of the protests. There are also looting, destruction of public property and targeted offices, which has been destroyed completely. That’s is circumventing the rights to assemble and the rights to protest.

However, Ruto and the authorities are wrong by issuing tear-gas, violently and brutally arrest civilians. The extra judicial killings of today isn’t what should happen. The citizens shouldn’t fear for their lives, while crying out their grievances. That is just a mere fact and Ruto cannot run away from that.

Nevertheless, Odinga and Azimio is testing the Kenya Kwanza Government. The Azimio leadership and the means of civil disobedience is obvious. Odinga has used these means before and it isn’t anything new. Odinga has been busy protesting, swallowing tear-gas and accepting the plights of the common man. This trope is part of the fabric of who Odinga is…

That’s why Odinga should decide if the demos are about the “cost of living” or toppling Ruto. Because, the messaging from Azimio camp seems torn between the two. You cannot fight for the cost of living and expect the man who you want to get rid of to help you with that. Ruto either has to stagnate inflation and the rising prices or he has to step down. You cannot expect that the President and his government will do both. That’s just foolish and naive.

Secondly, Odinga will have more issues to deal with. We know he wants electoral reforms and more control of any sort action happening to the IEBC. That’s just what he does and he did the same with the OKOA demos too. So, we have seen this all happening before… Odinga has fought this same sort of battles for decades and his supporters has paid the price for him. Which is happening today too…

Odinga and Azimio has choices to make. They cannot fight every battle, every Monday and expect KKA government to listen. Why should Ruto listen, if they are wanting his head? Who would like to get dethroned, when they have just been in office for a year or so. Seriously, he finally became the His Excellency and Odinga expects Ruto to give it up… you must be delusional. The only thing Odinga can achieve is a handshake and a honorary title. That is what he accepted by the predecessor Kenyatta. So, why not do the same now? He did it surprisingly before and why not repeat it again?

Especially, when Azimio cannot decide what is the goal or the ambition of the demos. They should have figured it out. Nevertheless, the more causes, the merry, I suppose. Odinga and his allies should consider the way ahead. The hubris and the adrenaline is fine while it is pumping. However, the moment that disappear the weakness and fatigue will settle in.

Ruto has the authorities and the machinery on his side. Just like Kenyatta did during the two previous terms. So, it is not like Odinga has an advantage. No, his is in the same pickle and on the same streets as before. Begging for a bigger role and an prestigeous office. Peace.

Kenya: County Government of Kisumu – Office of the Governor – Press Statement on Hooliganism during Kisumu Demonstrations (20.03.2023)

Kenya: Ministry of Interior and National Administration – Statement on Exercise of the Rights under Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya (19.03.2023)

Opinion: Is Odinga’s old statements backfiring in 2023?

“The language they are using is of blackmail, threats and intimidation which is the language of cowards and paper tigers. They have no agenda or anything to tell the people nor do they have any solutions to problems afflicting the country. Kenyans know what is ailing the nation and are tired of repetitions. What they are interested in is a solution to the problems not chest-thumping counter-revolutionaries” – Raila Odinga (November 2000).

Time is a wasting and when you have been in the public spotlight forever. There is choices, words and narratives spoken out about you. Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga should know this very well. He has accepted this and has had his personal handshake in the previous Parliament. That’s why he built a legacy around the failure of a constitutional reform called the “Building Bridges to National Unity” or the BBI.

Now after another election loss. His trying to forge himself in again. This is just postering and hoping the naïve is buying the message. The man who speaks of making it a “national holiday” and a public “uprising” on the 20^th March 2023. Is really pushing the boundaries.

Because, he himself spoke ill of James Orengo when he made the same efforts and tried to demonstrate against President Moi in 2000. He spoke ill of his plans and how he was undermining the government back then.

Now in 2023 Odinga is practically doing the same and for the same reasons as Orengo. Has Orengo become vindicated or his gubernatorial role enough perks. The former senator and lawyer who has been smart over all these years.

Odinga is just marching on. Like none of the other one ever happened. Odinga called Orengo back then a “bankrupt and a self seeker with no agenda for the country”. The same can be used against himself now.

He is using the same means as before. There is nothing new under the sun. Odinga is posturing and playing the same sort of political game. He had no trouble to trade off his popularity and his significance to Kenyatta. However, his trying to force himself above Ruto now. I wonder if he will ever succeed doing so. Since, Ruto was Kenyatta’s deputy and was in-office when Odinga tried his previous campaigns too.

We have seen how the ODM leader and CORD/NASA/Azimio Presidential Candidate has pushed his case forward. No one should be surprised by this in 2023. He has asked for reforms, changes and blamed the elites all these years. While always tried to get a bargain and a honourable position in government. He don’t mind being an unofficial Prime Minister or be ceremonial ally of His Excellency. Therefore, we know the drill and the 20^th March will be no different.

He should listen to his own words from the 2000. These words he used against now ally and governor Orengo. Maybe he should even consider them about his own mission. Since he lost in the election and in the courts. There is no legal avenue for him. This is only causing a stir and doing so personal benefits. He just seeking to get perks and validation.

Odinga just needs to push and hope other sacrifice themselves for his own personal gain. That’s the gist of it now. Because, he has signed off to Presidents before and gotten a token of respect doing so. If Odinga can get the right bargain by Ruto. I expect him to fold again. Don’t be surprised if that happens.

Odinga have signed off agreements to worse gentlemen than Ruto. Peace.

Kenya: Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Alliance – Where is the bottom Bwana Ruto (08.03.2023)

Opinion: Matiang’i‘s fall from grace…

The former Cabinet Secretary and the one who seemed to be most powerful expect for the President in the Republic. Former CS Fred Matiang’i is now charged on two counts and is in legal jeopardy. In a manner and fashion no one could foresee. He certainly wouldn’t have phantom it himself. Especially considering he was a powerful man just mere months ago or about a year.

Dr. Fred Matiang’i was the “man” and the legend himself. The man of Jubilee and one loyal subject of Uhuru Kenyatta. That’s why the former President trusted in him and gave him a vast mandate. He became sort of a super-CS and with a massive portfolio.

So, to see him charged and being at the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) today. Earlier in the year having his house raided by law enforcement. You are just seeing his downfall happening very quickly. There is no moment to breathe and only more trouble ahead.

The former CS is feeling the pinch, the issues and the whole law book thrown at him. That’s why both the Penal Code and the Cyber Crimes Act are used to charge the man. He is getting the blunt force and no excuses to get released. Matiang’i is touched and he has nowhere to manoeuvrer now.

With the way this is sort of going. The final nail is soon in his coffin. His soon legally buried and has nowhere to go. The former CS is bound for prison, trial and indictment. There is no remedy or legal pathway to freedom. That avenue is soon cease to exist and he got no choice. The state and the law enforcement has enough backing, evidence and proof of his misgivings. In such a way, that his a jail-bird. Instead of a former powerful and well connected individual.

This is a man who could be arrogant, irrational and obnoxious. When you have it all and the political backing, you can be like that. However, the minute you loose the sway and the suction. You should be careful. The next up can hit you and find reasons to take you down.

That’s what is happening now. He is getting the blunt force, which he used and went after critics with. The same manner that his authorities targeted Hassan Ali Joho and others in his time. Therefore, this is karma and it’s a bitch.

Dr. Fred Matiang’i might have thought he was to great to fall. Nevertheless, his just the one to go now. His the big-man and big-shot who is on the line now. The state are now targeting him and it’s possibly revenge for what he did in the past. He should know that and he should have seen it coming.

The former CS knows the game. He is a target and the one in the moment. His being tested and touched, in a manner, which he thought he was too good to be. Alas, now his just another civilian and could soon be another felon.

This man went from the top to be wearing bracelets very fast. It happen so quick that it’s hard to see it coming. However, here we are and hopefully they have evidence, witness and proof of it. Not just a political prosecution… and done out of spite. Peace.

Opinion: O ye of little faith…

“First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto has said her team will be going across the country for prayers. Rachel said the mission dubbed Faith Diplomacy, will ensure every corner of the country experiences the prayers” (The Star Kenya, 05.03.2023).

I don’t know about you, but the First Lady Rachel Ruto is getting a prominent role. There is reports that she is getting a team of 100 people working on the clock for her “Faith Diplomacy”. We don’t know what that is, but we know she plans to schedule prayers across the nation and such.

The First Lady is going all spiritual and we know the Kenya Kwanza Alliance (KKA) used the churches and their connection to the religion to gain voters. That was a choice and the Deputy President knew the audience he was catering too.

When she decides to this… she should study the scripture herself.

I feel the letter of James has a vital point, which has to be brought home:

“14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” – James 2.14-17, New International Version (NIV).

Especially, since she is bringing to the table a new definition and a new for of diplomacy. It is fine to pray, “thoughts and prayers” has a place. Nevertheless, it is worthless without actions. Faith is dead without actions. That is not my words, but the scripture itself.

This is why Rachel Ruto shouldn’t only launch prayers and have a team to promote faith. The “Prayers” are directly worthless if there is no actions to back it up. If she wants to be portrayed as holier than thou. It works for her image and publicity, but not following scripture herself. That is really ironic when she is launching a faith based entity.

Diplomacy is usually about dialogue and settlement. It is about two parties finding measures and resolves grievances. It is either between nations, groups or political parties who will work towards one common goal or agreement, which will be negotiated and create framework between them. Therefore, I don’t know how faith coincides with this, but surely it has been used in the past. Though not promoted in the manner of which the First Lady does.

The First Lady should explain it and tell how it operates. Because, “faith” + “diplomacy” is very vague terms in some sense. It can mean so much and so little at the same time. She can nearly do whatever she wants. It can easily become a grift… and used a means to an end. That’s up to her and she can be a pastorpreneur in the State House.

Time will tell what she really will do, but the “faith diplomacy” itself seems like a weird proposition. Since it is made up and I don’t know what it is supposed to achieve even. It isn’t anything wrong in particular in prayers. Neither is there anything wrong in having faith. However, faith is dead without action… and the First Lady needs to know this.

Faith Diplomacy based on prayers alone isn’t even following the scriptures itself. She is doing the prayers, but not doing any action. There is no diplomacy or diplomatic mission in itself. Unless, she feels the activity of prayers is keeping herself busy. That is really sad and tragic misuse of state funds, but not a shocking wastage of it. Just misusing funds for holy moments, instead of serving the communities and government services. That is inaction and not serving the citizens.

In Matthew this is said:

“17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax[a] to Caesar or not?”

18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”” (Matthew 22, 17-21, New International Version).

Why I am ending with this?

Because of a vital point. Jesus is telling that you should separate what is the “world” and what is “god’s” which is seemingly very transparent here. While the First Lady is mixing these two worlds. Both the spiritual in connection to god and the ones involving Caesar’s. She should be careful doing so, as she is eating of the “imperial tax” and not serving the Lord directly. The First Lady is married to a “Caesar” of our time, as his the former Deputy President and now President.

She should act and not only pray. Secondly, be worried about the mix-up of the church and “Caesar” in the State House. The First Lady is mixing them together and I wonder if she can mend them together. However, if she does… she didn’t understand the story of the “imperial tax” and also forgot that faith is pointless without actions.

The First Lady can pray… no one will stop her from doing. No one should stop her from doing so. Nevertheless, I wonder what she will do and if she will “give back to Caesar’s what is Caesar’s”. Time will tell… Peace.

Kenya: Media Council of Kenya – Media Coverage of the Alleged Police Raid at Former Cabinet Secretary Dr Matiangi’s House Failed Kenyans (06.03.2023)