Opinion: Ruto should have shined, but Odinga shunned it…

Our competitors have run away from this debate in total contempt to the people of Kenya. They have little regard for the people of Kenya. They think the deep state is going to make the decision”William Ruto (26.07.2022)

Presidential candidates David Mwaure and William Ruto showed up the Presidential Debates. We both teams of the main candidates ahead of the Presidential Debates has questioned and asked for points ahead of participation. That is what is ordinary and that the campaign teams are prepared for parts of the debates. This is normal as way of getting the candidates ready and ensure they can answer or know what sort of themes that are coming up.

So, it is sort of special after everything, as it seemingly looked like both Ruto and Raila Odinga would both drop out. That only one of them did. Maybe, the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Alliance is so sure of victory. In such a manner, that they thought it was clever to sit this one out and not show up. In this regard, Odinga is actually doing like Museveni did to the first Presidential Debate in 2016 and this is not a good look. He should have showed up.

Yes, Ruto failed on questions and showed that he has a tendency of lying. That is a character trait everyone knows and know his that sort of guy. In that perspective, the old-man and aged politician in Odinga could have been witty and smart too. He could have shown his finesse and how ready his for the Presidency. Instead his in absentia like Professor George Wajackoyah who also didn’t show up.

That’s why it’s only half of the top 4 who showed up. While the two main contenders, only one did and it was William Ruto. The man who has the most to gain from this and surely he will win votes by showing up. If he didn’t believe it would give him some credibility. He wouldn’t have entered and been there.

What Odinga is showing is a bit of contempt and disregard of the whole campaign season. Here he could have finessed Ruto and played at his game. Instead, his staying at home or not attending. That’s just showing how little he cares. A man who is supposed to be the front-runner and have the whole machinery behind him.

Odinga has no reasons to rest and take it easy. Seemingly he should win on a walk-over this time around. Everything that matters has gone in his favour until now. However, not showing up to the debate. While Ruto did… is bad publicity. Even if Ruto has a lot of own-goals and shown his character flaws.

Still, Odinga didn’t even dare to get out of the program and the self-serving campaign rallies. Which he controls and in a sort of territory he has been for years. To be questioned, tested and even possibly burned by another candidate could have shown who he as a man and a candidate. However, we never got to see that now.

My competitor is not here because he doesn’t have a plan, he doesn’t want to answer questions, he could not come here because he is not here candidate, he is a project” (Ruto, 26.07.2022).

Even with all the failures of Ruto during the Debate. He still carried himself and was there. A place where he could undermine and spell out the grievances towards Odinga. If Odinga had been there… he could have addressed it and undressed him. However, that will never happen and certainly Azimio will have their reasons.

However, what is striking is that Odinga let this one go and boycott. Odinga has boycotted a lot of things over the years. It isn’t the first time he has done that and he could have been a big-man tonight. He could have been juggernaut and proven why Ruto isn’t fit. Nevertheless, that is only fiction and a fever-dream.

Odinga lost even more than Ruto tonight. Yes, Ruto did blunders and shown how he cannot keep his tongue always in order. Still, Odinga did even set foot in the studio or show anything worthwhile. His mute and not participating when it mattered. That’s the gist of it.

Well, there you have it. The Presidential Debates, which has been so up in the air and how it became. Odinga joined Wajackoyah. They are in the same bracket here and nobody would expect that in advance. Peace.

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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.

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Somalia: Joint Statement by the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia (15.07.2022)

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Opinion: Sakaja’s lessons not learned…

At this very moment it’s burning under the feets of Senator Arthur Johnson Sakaja. The Nairobi Senator vying for the gubernatorial seat in Nairobi on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket in the up-coming elections. Has some really issues, but it’s also begs the question about the partiality and the credibility of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which had accepted his nomination and papers.

It is the paperwork that is haunting the senator. As his the former Chairman of The National Alliance (TNA) until the party became a part of the Jubilee Coalition in 2016 and in 2017 he was elected senator through the Jubilee Party.

A man that has been part of TNA and Jubilee should have some sense too him. Some said at some point that he would be fitted for Presidency later on. As the young parliamentarian could be the future. However, the latest revelations is that his a fraud and fake. Which isn’t a good look on him.

It makes sense why on his Senate page there is no educational history, neither employee history or even achievement in office. To be honest, it is just an empty wreck and nothing to see. That’s maybe the bitter truth. Since, his proclaimed for long to have degrees and done bachelor at the University of Nairobi, but that’s false. So, he had to come up with another from Team University of Kampala, which was done online, but he was never on the graduation list of the year. Therefore, it’s a lot of loopholes and little wiggle room.

The UoN is saying his still a student and never finished his bachelor. While he has given documents of the bachelor degree from the Team University. Though that is questionable when he wasn’t on the list that. Something got to give and this is a story of questionable actions.

A man who has been part of TNA and the creation of the Jubilee coalition party. The man they said always picked the right sides politically. A man that conning and street-smart should be clever enough to have legit papers and not documents, which can be questioned. Yes, the IEBC is at fault and they have done a misdeed not vetting the documents. They haven’t done their duty and been negligent.

That the senator has been able to do this for so long is astonishing. Because, he has flexed the bachelor from UoN and said at least twice that he never studied abroad. While producing documents of another bachelor from Kampala. That’s just suspicious and seems like a hack-job. The senator and parliamentarian should know better, but clearly not.

This is jaded and not any good. Especially, when there already been scandals involving forged documents elsewhere of late. The Sierra Leone Minister who was caught with fake degrees from Kampala. Was another one of these and now the Kenyan senator is caught in the mix too.

That is happening as his working on a ticket and is supposed to sell his candidacy to the masses. Surely, forging documents and such isn’t a good look. It wouldn’t be a good look for a civilian and much less a senator seeking another public office. He could easily be charged over this and if there was investigations into it. The senator could face the law, but I wouldn’t count on it. We still see Babu Owino walking around and he was caught on tape shooting a DJ. Therefore, I wouldn’t suspect getting caught anytime soon.

The senator is in trouble… and never listened to the lessons, which is the reason why he never learned. Peace.

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.

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