Kenya: Politicians using hate speech, ethnicity as campaign tools (Youtube-Clip)

“A section of prominent Kenyan politicians are using hate speech as a campaign tactic. This is according to Ushahidi, a crisis mapping tech company in Kenya. Daudi Were is the CEO of the company, and he affirms that there is indeed a worrying trend of tribal spurring and incitement especially on social media” (Africa News, 2016)

Petition to Judicial Service Commsison of Kenya; In the Matter of Gross Misconduct and Misbehaviour of Honourable Lady Njoki Susanna Ndungu (17.06.2016)

JSC Petition Kenya June 2016 P1JSC Petition Kenya June 2016 P2JSC Petition Kenya June 2016 P3JSC Petition Kenya June 2016 P4

Moses Kuria defends his utterances on Raila’s assassination as seven other MPs get charged (Youtube-Clip)

“The eight legislators from both CORD and Jubilee who were being held by police over hate speech allegations have been charged with incitement to violence. The politicians arrived at the Milimani Law Courts at 5am Friday morning under heavy GSU escort and were locked up in the cells before opening of the court. They include Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama, Busia woman representative Florence Mutua, Kilifi woman representative Aisha Jumwa, Moses Kuria (Gatundu South MP), Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete MP), Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati MP), Timothy Bosire (Kitutu Masaba MP) and Junet Mohamed (Suna East MP). Police report indicates that they had to ferry the MPs to court very early before sunrise to avoid confrontations from their supporters and sympathizers. The leaders have been in police cells since Tuesday and were not allowed to meet their political leaders and friends. The High Court on Thursday upheld the lower court’s decision to detain them after considering public interest as opposed to individual interests. Further detention of the legislators was also meant to allow police finalise hate speech allegations facing them” (KTN News Kenya, 2016)

Ngunjiri, Cord MPs released on 300,000 cash bail in hate speech cases (Youtube-Clip)

Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya (15.06.2016)

Uhuru Phone

NEW YORK, United States of America, June 15, 2016 Today, the Secretary-General met with H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya. They exchanged views on the main peace, security and humanitarian challenges facing the region.

Regarding the decision by the Government of Kenya to close refugee camps, the Secretary-General commended the Government and people of Kenya for decades of generous hospitality to hundreds of thousands of refugees from numerous countries. The Secretary-General encouraged President Kenyatta to work with the Government of Somalia and UNHCR in the context of the Tripartite Agreement. He assured the President that the UN will continue to provide humanitarian, development, and security assistance to both Kenya and Somalia.

The Secretary-General also expressed gratitude for the continued bravery of the Kenyan troops of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and highlighted the critical importance of staying committed to AMISOM’s efforts, particularly ahead of the 2016 federal elections.

Brussels, 15 June 2016

Senator Bony Khalwale shouted down by an angry woman at a funeral in Kakamega (Youtube-Clip)

“In Kakamega, Senator Bony Khalwale found himself in trouble when he took politics to a funeral in Burimbuli village. Khalwale had just launched a scathing attack on Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya when a woman grabbed the microphone, cut short his speech and told the legislator to take his war to another forum. The woman even moved closer to the Khalwale and told him to hold his tongue, reminding him that the function was a funeral and not a political rally. Here is part of that uncomfortable moment for the outspoken senator” (KTN News, 2016)

Press Statement: President Kenyatta issues stern warning to the opposition (10.06.2016)

Uhuru 10.06.2016 P3 JPG

The government will not tolerate any more destruction of property by the opposition under the cover of peaceful protests.

President Uhuru Kenyatta said stern action will be taken against anyone who destroys public or private property while claiming to be holding peaceful demonstrations. The President also called on those who take part in the opposition demonstrations over the IEBC to use their intelligence and stop provoking security officers. The President said it was laughable for someone to throw stones at armed officers and expect that the policemen will enjoy the treatment. President Kenyatta said such foolhardy people will only have themselves to blame.

“We will not allow demonstrations to be used to destroy any property,” said the President when he spoke in Tala where he launched development projects. The President gave his warning after observing that the opposition was not genuinely interested in dialogue over the IEBC. President Kenyatta said even after the Jubilee government nominated MPs to sit in a select committee of Parliament, the opposition appears to be backtracking even though it had used the excuse of wanting dialogue to cause destruction of property and lose of lives. President Kenyatta also told the leaders of the opposition not to entertain any thoughts of him sitting down to discuss issues concerning the IEBC with them.

Uhuru 10.06.2016 P2 JPG

“I have no business sitting down with you.  I was elected to steer the development of this country. This other issues are the roles of Members of Parliament,” the President said. Deputy President William Ruto said it was comical for the opposition to appear confounded just when the Government has agreed to have real dialogue on the issue of IEBC. “They have been protesting and saying they want dialogue. We told them it is alright, let us form a select committee then they start retreating. Apparently, they did not even know why they were protesting,” the Deputy President said.

The DP urged politicians to stop being selfish and putting their interest before that of the citizens. “It must not be which position I will get. It must be about how to change the life of the ordinary Kenyan,” said the DP. He said the protests the opposition has been holding will not help Kenyans because it is about the selfish interest of some group of politicians. Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua said the people of Ukambani have no time for the protests because they love peace and are also busy trying to improve their welfare. Governor Mutua said he wants to roll out a National ID card registration program in  Machakos county on every Monday to coincide with the day the opposition has been holding protests.

Uhuru 10.06.2016 P1 Road

“We also want to ask the IEBC to issue the people of this area with voters cards on every Thursday,” said the Govenor. The public rally at Tala was addressed by many legislators who said that the people of the region were supportive of the development initiatives of the Government. The President addressed the rally after launching the tarmacking of the Tala-Oldonyo Sabuk-Kilimambogo Road at the cost of more than Ksh1 billion. The launch of the project marked the beginning of the President’s tour of Ukambani where he will launch development projects and meet local leaders as well us interact with the public.

CORD Statement on the IEBC (10.06.2016)

Cord 10.06.2016

10th June 2016,

Over the last three days, we have had, indirectly, positive and fruitful engagements with the Jubilee administration in which the religious faiths, the diplomatic community and business leaders have played a constructive role.

These engagements have not collapsed. From our standpoint we believe that seventy per cent of the sticking points have been agreed upon including the size of the committee, the independence of the committee, timelines and the subject matter.

However we need to conclude discussions on the question whether or not the committee could be subject to the standing orders of Parliament and controlled by the legislature in terms of secretarial services.

We believe the questions affecting IEBC are leadership and integrity challenges and management issues that must be addressed at a political level before the legislative processes are assumed by Parliament at the appropriate stage.

Political will and good faith must be exhibited by all parties and a conducive and enabling environment created. The talks and dialogue will be as good as they start as when they end. We recognise the steps made by Jubilee so far, but they are not enough for purposes of ensuring that success in reforming the IEBC is guaranteed.

As CORD, we hold no cards under the table. Our commitment and objective is limited to resolving the IEBC crisis and ensuring that the people of Kenya can have, as of right, free, fair, transparent, credible, verifiable, peaceful and accountable elections in 2017 and beyond.

Cord 10.06.2016 P2

In the meantime, our programmes for demonstrations are still in place for Monday and Thursday next week. But we are quick to point out that demonstrations are not an end in themselves and once we have an agreement and pathway to reform IEBC, they will not be necessary.

We note that the President on one hand, and Cabinet Secretary Nkaissery and the Inspector General on the other hand, have different and conflicting views and understanding on the right to peaceably assemble and to demonstrate. That internal contradiction among themselves must be resolved in accordance with the Constitution of Kenya which is clear and without a doubt.

We remain keen to see that peace prevails and the unity of the nation maintained.
Signed.

Full Joint Communique Republic of Kenya and Federal Republic of Somalia ‘on Dadaab’ (09.06.2016)

Dadaab Refugee Camp

MOGADISHU, Somalia, June 9, 2016 – At the invitation of H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, C.G.H, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia paid a three day Official Visit to Kenya from 6th to 8th June, 2016.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited Dadaab Refugee Camp on Monday 6th June, 2016 and addressed the refugees. He assured them that the Government of Somalia is committed to receive them back home to participate in the process of state building, peace building and national reconciliation. He reassured them that the repatriation will be orderly, humane and dignified as per the Tripartite Agreement. President Mohamud expressed deep gratitude for the generosity and hospitality of Kenyans for hosting his people for the past quarter of a century.

H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta and H.E President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held bilateral talks at State House Nairobi on Tuesday, 7th June, 2016. The meeting reviewed a wide range of bilateral and multilateral issues in particular peace, security and stability in Somalia, repatriation of refugees from Dadaab and economic cooperation.
In this regard, the two leaders:

1. Reaffirmed the good neighborliness, bonds of heritage, shared destiny and the cordial relationship that exists between Kenya and Somalia, which are de
2. Appreciated the contribution of African countries within the framework of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) in stabilizing Somalia and commended the value of cooperation between AMISOM and the Somalia Security Forces in securing a stable environment for state building in line with Somalia’s Vision 2016.
3. Further Appreciated the key role Kenya continues to play in promoting peace, security, unity and stability in Somalia.
4. Noted the progress made in the political process and expressed confidence that the upcoming election will lead to a foundation for stable and prosperous Somalia.
5. Committed to working jointly on the orderly, humane and dignified repatriation of the Somali refugees back to Somalia as per the Tripartite Agreement.
6. Underscored that the Tripartite Agreement provides the framework for fast-tracking orderly, humane and dignified repatriation of the Somali refugees.
7. Noted with appreciation that this cooperation endeavour will enhance the spirit of proactive collaboration over and above the framework of the Tripartite Agreement.
8. Called upon the international community in line with the principles of burden sharing to support this process by providing adequate support to the Federal Government of Somalia to receive the returnees.
9. On bilateral cooperation, Directed/ the immediate convening of the Joint Commission for Co-operation to follow up on its implementation particularly on joint border crossing and security, trade and investment, health, education, sports and youth, culture and scientific research and communication.
10. Agreed that in the short term, the customs and immigration clearance procedures for flights from Somalia to Kenya be carried out at one point of entry to be determined soon; and, in the long term develop modalities for a direct flight between Somalia and Kenya.
11. On regional issues, Agreed, to consult the Chair of IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government on the convening of the IGAD Summit in Mogadishu.
12. Reaffirmed their firm commitment to work together on areas of mutual interest.

President Mohamud thanked his brother and colleague President Kenyatta and his Government for the gracious invitation. He invited President Kenyatta to visit Somalia in the near future. President Kenyatta accepted the invitation.

The two Presidents rededicated themselves and their Governments to enhance and further deepen the cordial relations that exist between Kenya and Somalia.

Nairobi, Kenya
8th June 2016

Statement by His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta on the IEBC (08.06.2016)

Kenyatta Ruto Madaraka Day 2016

Dear Kenyans, Good afternoon,

The debate around IEBC reforms has been raging for a while now. And as President, I wish to give direction regarding this matter.

Let me begin by affirming Article 1 of Chapter 1 of our Constitution, which states that “…All sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya…” But the Article goes ahead to emphasize that this power “…shall be exercised ONLY in accordance with the constitution” Any attempts to exercise it outside the provisions of the constitution not only undermines both the spirit and letter of the constitution, but is also a recipe for confusion and anarchy.

Secondly, let me reaffirm Article 3(1) of the constitution that states; “…every person has an obligation to respect, uphold and defend this constitution” This obligation is NOT an OPTION. It is imperative, mandatory and an irreducible civic duty. As your President, I have sworn to defend it; but as citizens, you have this irreversible duty to protect it.

It is in the spirit of these constitutional provisions that today I held consultations with Religious Leaders drawn from most faiths in the country. I also invited our two speakers, Hon. Justin Muturi of the National Assembly and Hon. Ekwe Ethuro of the Senate to attend.

Cord Presser 06.06.2016

At this meeting we agreed on the following steps on how to move the country forward.

FIRSTLY, Subsequent to the agreement of the Speakers, a Joint Select Committee of both houses of Parliament be set up in accordance with the standing orders of both houses. The mandate of the committee will be strictly and exclusively the matter of IEBC.

SECONDLY, As provided for in the standing orders of both houses of Parliament, and in the constitutional spirit of public participation, all stakeholders, public and private should be accorded an opportunity to make submissions to the joint select committee.

THIRDLY, We expect that other initiatives by Parliament will harmonize their work within the framework of the joint select committee.

FOURTHLY, As the leader of Jubilee, I have convened a meeting of the Parliamentary Group tomorrow morning to agree on the membership and Jubilee’s participation in the joint select committee.

Uhuru Kenyatta, CGH

President

8th June, 2016