Opinion: Chebukati has a massive hurdle to pass…

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) should be a stellar institution and a place of trust. The Chairman of the IEBC is far from that. Wafula Chebukati is clearly over his head and has an epic problem on his hands. The recent days isn’t a good forewarning ahead of the polls.

The IEBC should be the gearing the final movements and prepared the details for the elections. It isn’t that long before the 9th August 2022. This is an important date as the ballots, the counts and all the things needs to be in order. The IEBC has already a questionable history with the run-up to the 2017 elections and the nullification of the first round. So, there was a need for a second one.

The IEBC should because of that history even be more clever and secure the polls to be free and fair. Because, there was even questions about Cambridge Analytica and the servers from the IEBC in 2017. Now we are in 2022 and the IEBC isn’t making it easier to trust it either.

Chebukati has a history. Chiloba isn’t around this time, but Chebukati is and he should be more careful. The IEBC should coordinate with all government agencies if it is ballots from Greece or whatever. The same with all the technical expertise and the foreign agents/contractors hired for the BVR machines.

That he has hired Venezuelan contractors would be fine. If the Directorate of Immigration knew and if the other authorities knew about their entry. Secondly, if the possessions of the electoral equipment was alerted ahead of time. If not, it looks suspicious and weird. Because, why should foreigners carry equipment and stickers or anything associated with the elections ahead of time?

This is why the authorities and the ones arresting has a reason to detain them. It seems like people with questionable motives and entry ahead of the polls. That is what Chebukati should have cleared and ensured them a safe entry. However, that ship has sailed and things has instead been confiscated from the individuals.

You know things are not looking better when IEBC and Chebukati hires Smartmatic to handle the technical parts of the election. A company that has a bad reputation and could harm the legitimacy. The IEBC has already done questionable things in the past and there are reasons for why the NASA petition worked in 2017. The same could happen again and Chebukati could have fixed the issues from the previous elections. Instead his risking it yet again…

Chebukati knows that the election can be nullified for irregularities and illegalities. Now it seems to start with more of that days ahead of the polls. It is just appalling that its happening now. Chebukati should know better, but clearly his inept and incompetent. You can wonder how he got there and been able to stay in office.

The IEBC has trouble ahead when they cannot even clear contractors from Venezuela. Chebukati should know better, but clearly he doesn’t…

This scandal could have been avoided and the IEBC should have been prepared. However, that is too much to ask. Instead of oozing with confidence… it is questioned. That’s not a good look ahead of the polls.

The IEBC is the one that is behind the scenes and ensures credible elections. If they cannot keep their ducks in the row. How can the political parties or the general public for that matter? Everyone is supposed to trust the IEBC. Nevertheless, that’s something which is not a given, apparently. Peace.

Kenya: Independent Medico – Legal Unit (IMLU) – IMLU Condemn Extrajudicial Killings of Four Young Men in Kwa Maiko, Nakuru County (20.07.2022)

Kenya: Polycarp Igathe – Press Release (26.06.2022)

Kenya: Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) – Registration of Presidential Candidates (06.06.2022)

Opinion: Kalonzo, Kalonzo, Kalonzo …

Just when I thought I was out… they pull me back in”Michael Corleone (Godfather Part III, 1990)

It is tiring to follow the movements of Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) and One Kenya Alliance principal Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka. The manner and way he has acted before the polls this year… is to say the least hectic and breathtaking.

If Kalonzo thinks this makes him smart or wise. Well, it don’t and only shows how he tries to get a bigger slice of the pie. That is good in the long-term plans for himself, but we know he has ethical or moral ties to anything. As long as his men and his allies are paid off as well.

Kalonzo has moved back-and-fourth. Within the OKA alone and parts of Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Alliance. He has not looked like a smooth operator or a sort of bankable figure. No, his just another one of those with too much ambition for his own cause. Kalonzo’s ego and publicity stunts isn’t all that either.

He knew deep down that he would be lost and lonely if he ditched Azimio. That’s why a return to the fold isn’t shocking. Kalonzo just needed a second negotiation after Odinga ditched him as a running mate. That got to hurt his pride and ego. A man of Kalonzo’s stature and been vibrantly saying “it’s his turn” but we knew that he wouldn’t stand up to Baba.

No one within Azimio stands up to Baba. They just have to listen to Baba. Odinga have already played this game twice with Kalonzo in CORD and NASA. So, Odinga and his team knows the ways of Kalonzo. This time around it is shown that he isn’t that big or has the leverage of which he hoped for. This is why someone else became the running mate and for Azimio is that a brilliant idea.

We knew that the running mate question was a vital one for Kalonzo. Since he still believed he would have something to say and be big-man of epic proportion. Sometimes the likes of Kalonzo thinks they are giants, but seriously… when you have made things this hard. You cannot be that great or grand. Neither is you a sophisticated politician either. Your just searching for the biggest meal-ticket and hoped you could bushwhack an alliance you had already joined. So, a second negotiation is only done to buy “peace” and ensure “envelopes” when the polls are over. Therefore, Kalonzo did it all for selfish reasons.

Kalonzo has shown that his neither conning or smart about it. He went slowly into the Azimio and when it didn’t go his way. He bolted out temporarily and returned when Odinga greased his wheels. That’s why Kalonzo isn’t that smooth or bright, as we cannot believe that his participation is sincere.

Kalonzo, Kalonzo and Kalonzo your time as a kingmaker or a kingpin is over. That is for sure. Your a punchline and a liability. That’s because you can be bought and stands for nothing. If did stand for something. He wouldn’t have returned this time, as he would believe in his case and be an “independent” presidential candidate. However, he couldn’t even do that… sorry for the person that signed off as his deputy. That brother needs a ride and a ticket to the moon now.

Kalonzo… who are you kidding? You have made everything to hard and the story of this election shows from the on-set in OKA. Where he was the most useful figure and the Flag-Bearer of the ages. Nevertheless, he thought he could bring that to the table in Azimio too, but the coalition had other ideas, which has been hurting his inner-vision.

That’s why he had to settle for a future meal. If that is your guy… I hate to tell you, but this man isn’t all that. Kalonzo isn’t a maverick and only one generation of politicians who is seeking office for personal benefits. That’s why when he couldn’t become Deputy he had to re-negotiate to get a better cut of the future cabinet and whatnot. He has only exposed that his not as great or as powerful as he himself believes.

Because… if he was that… he wouldn’t need to bicker back and fourth. He wouldn’t need all the trials and tribulations to get at this point. If he was as genuine and sincere as he himself thinks… his candidacy and relevancy would have brought the leverage from the first agreement with Azimio. However, that didn’t happen and his surely not that big of a bargain.

It is just tragic man… we all understand why he ditched and dropped out of Uhuru Park. He was trying to co-ordinate his future in the second term of Jubilee. Now, he has done this to have an advantage in Azimio. Nevertheless, everyone knows that his a day-trader and not a long-term player. Sooner or later… he will make a fuzz and the headlines will come again.

That’s why Kalonzo is tiring and neither is a hopeful either. If he had stood alone he would have been the third-wheel and be another Aukot. Now, he will be part of the team, but it shouldn’t be this way. It is just tragic that they entertained him and gave way. That is why he believes that about himself… while the true character of Kalonzo is shown.

Kalonzo, Kalonzo, Kalonzo, they pulled him back in. Peace.

Central Bank of Kenya (CBK): Monetary Policy Committee Meeting (30.05.2022)

Kenya: Amani National Congress (ANC) – Press Statement on the Fictitious Opinion Polls by TIFA on the 2022 Presidential Race (20.05.2022)

Kenya: Mt. Kenya Parliamentary Caucus – Press Statement (19.05.2022)

Media Council of Kenya: Media Council Caution on Rising Violations of Journalists’ Rights (19.05.2022)

Opinion: Kalonzo’s lonely journey to nowhere

I have ended my relationship with Azimio La Umoja after Raila Odinga opted to pick Martha Karua as his running mate, I will run as President on Wiper ticket under Oka Coalition” – Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka (16.05.2022)

Today the Azimio La Umoja – One Kenya Alliance has picked their top ranking team and it has been a bold choice. While doing so, the Azimio has directly undermined the OKA and the Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM). Which we knew would have an aftermath and wouldn’t come without a reaction. The OKA only joined for the re-assurance of the Deputy President role and that was clearly not on the cards.

Azimio picked a Odinga-Karua ticket and therefore… Kalonzo had to make a decision to either be a high ranking member and await a more noble role in a possible government or run on his own. He picked the latter and ditches the Azimio for his own ego.

Kalonzo has now shown how his bickering back-and-fourth. One point he didn’t want to be interviewed by the secretariat. Kalonzo felt it was beneath him and shows how his a meal-ticket politician. His only a place for the betterment of his pocket and the influence he gets. That’s why he couldn’t be close in the hours of need, as Odinga sworn-in himself in Uhuru Park. This is well known, but he could easily accept a Special Envoy to South Sudan as a member of the opposition. While Kalonzo felt betrayed and backstabbed by the handshake, but he didn’t carry water or dared to be there in the moment of need. Therefore, this man has the character of a charlatan and a perfect empty suit.

This is maybe why the Azimio didn’t trust him with the running mate position. His just another cadre who believes in the greatness of his party and his ability to gain voters. He will now be the third force in the up-coming elections.

The whole election and how Kalonzo has operated has been hectic. Showing that his willing to await and try to get as much as possible. That was even the cause within in OKA and how the undermined fellow former NASA Co-Principals within the alliance there. Therefore, that he drops out of Azimio now only makes sense. Because, he wants to be the big man and the centre of the universe. Though he is just a man with a massive ability to gain opportunities, but swiftly drop the value of it all.

There will be speculation of the opportunity or the ability to drop out even. The Wiper Democratic Movement has already announced Odinga as their Presidential Flag-bearer and is a part of Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Alliance agreement, which will haunt Kalonzo now. The minutes and the articles will be used against him. For a man who has used CORD/NASA agreements against Odinga in the past. The politician should know that his on thin ice here.

Kalonzo is maybe able to fickle his way out of Azimio. Just like the others who has bolted out of it and joined Kenya Kwanza Alliance. Kalonzo will be alone and have little friends around him. His ego is bigger than his real influence. It is a reason why he isn’t the running mate for the third time. That’s because he isn’t that majestic or powerful. His not the king-maker or the kingpin. His just another brother with a superior complex.

That’s why his running alone… Kalonzo facing Ruto and Odinga. We know that he will fall flat and might even be as powerful as Ekuru Aukot or alike. Since everyone will go for either Ruto or Odinga. Not like his anywhere close and he knows this. It doesn’t make it salvageable in the manner he has left the Azimio either. Just like his face wasn’t saved by the made up story for why he never left for Uhuru Park.

Now… his just twisted his tongue and his mind. The Presidential Candidate and hero in his own movie will not become great. However, he is destroying the friendships he does have and loses relevance by becoming a fringe politician with no other people to count on. That’s the thing here and it will cost him. Instead of possible getting a plum-job and an honourable position in a future cabinet.

He instead wants to be a water-melon and be high on his own supply. Peace.