Kenya: The High Court nullifies the 400 metres directive of the Polling Stations and shall have access to the Polling Stations declared results!

At the High Court in Nairobi on the 5th August 2017, where Okiya Omtatah Okoiti made a case against Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and Attorney General Githu Muigai. The High Court made an important order for the citizens during the elections and to able to follow the counting of the ballots.

The order of Principal Judge Richard Mwongo has ordered on that day: “I declare that there is a legal basis for the establishment of a four hundred metre radius from the centre of a polling station within which persons not involved in the counting of voters may, where necessary at the discretion of the 1st Respondent, (IEBC), not be permitted to be” (High Court, 05.08.2017). So the voters and citizens can stay close to the polling station to make sure the officials and the agents are acting accordingly to protocol. To secure the ballots of the election, so that the voters can stand behind and do their duty as citizens.

Mwongo continues: I declare, however, that where there are residences or homesteads within the radius of four hundred metres from the centre of the polling station, the presiding officer and police officer at a polling station have no authority to evict, remove or handle the inhabitants and residents thereof in any manner which would keep them out or away from their said residence” (High Court, 05.08.2017). So if someone lives inside a short radius of the polling station, the Police and the security officers cannot banish them. They cannot evict them from their homes as the stages of the polling can be followed by the neighbors of the polling station. So they can be as close as they need to be or want to, as it is nullfied. 

The last order of Mwongo: “It is declared that the members of the public shall be afforded access to the counted and signed results either at the entrance to the polling station or at such other place convenient and accessible to the public at the polling station” (High Court, 05.08.2017). So the public should be able to follow the local results from their own station, before the results leave to central or National Talley Centre. Therefore, the locals and the voters of any given polling station can be near to oversee the works of the officials and also the counting. After that they can oversee the declaration forms of the station with the results. As they declare the winner of the place they voted.

This is clearly a victory and gives the public a unique possibility for checks-and-balances. The citizens, the voters and the ones living nearby can monitor and make sure their votes are respected. They can make sure the results are fair and done correctly. This shows the promise of possible transparent election. Where the Security Officers cannot banish and evict people, since they can be waiting for the results and the declarations of the counting. IEBC and the Police has to follow this.

The public needs to know this so they authorities and the government cannot push them away. They can gather around and make sure justice is done to their ballots. Peace.

Kenya: IEBC Internal Memo’s – “Re: Validity of Correctly Marked but Unstamped Ballot Papers” and “Re: Stamping of Ballot Papers” (03.08.2017 & 05.08.2017)

Internal Memo Number 2:

Southern Sudan Associated Advocates letter to the Kenyan Embassy: “Re: Targeting of South Sudanese in Kenya” (04.08.2017)

NASA statement on Police Raid on Oppostion Offices in Nairobi (04.08.2017)

Opinion: “I don’t need your vote” message from President Kenyatta is insulting!

It is getting closer to the polls and the secret ballots to be dropped in the boxes at the polling stations on the 8th August 2017. Certainly, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto are confident of their role and to become incumbent in power. This seems for them to be within reach.

In a republic full of tribes and with a former problem of ethnic squabbles, that has created tensions between the tribes. You should think that the political being and second generation leader like Uhuru Kenyatta knew better. Still, he uses tricks of Kikuyu to control, the same is done by the other big ethnic groups like Kalenjin and Luo. The discussion I will bring into, is not the difference between Uhuru and the predecessors like Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki and Daniel Arap Moi.

But what he has done that is insulting. He has told them he doesn’t need their votes. That their secret ballots and their voice into the government didn’t matter to him. This is what have told the people of Turkana, Makueni (Kamba) and Kakamega (Luhya). These people deserve better, they all are as important as the Kalenjin, Kikuyu and Luo. They are all part of the republic. This should be basic for the man in charge and for the man who has run the republic for a term already.

Still, it isn’t visible to him. When he can insult them on the campaign trial. Be so proud and so cocky, just tell them-off. Thanks, but no thanks brothers and sisters. You don’t count and I don’t need you. I will sit in SUV and ride my Presidential Convoy without you. I might do some government projects, but that is more for PR, not because you matter to me. That is what he could have said to the people of Turkana, the Kambas and the Luhya. Since initial that what it means when he don’t need their votes.

As a leader for the whole republic and someone who has been the highest official for the republic, he should say he wants anyone to vote for him and fight for that vote. He could have told in a rally in Nairobi: “I don’t need the people of Kibera”, later in the speech say: “I only needs the people of Karen and Langata”. Let’s be clear, President Kenyatta hasn’t said that, but he could have at this point. Since he has already disrespected three tribes and counties.

A man who has a run a republic should know better and should be more humble. Show some humility and know that he is there because of them. Even if they didn’t vote for him last time, he still represented them for the years of the term. That should go into his veins and changed his mind. Because the way he act, he act so entitled and lacks respect of the people.

I wish it was different, I wish that President Kenyatta showed the people some humility and respect…

Is that to much to ask for the leader and the representative, that the person actually feels he needs every single vote and every single tribe? Is it in 2017 to expect that the leadership of Nairobi doesn’t care about where in Kenya your reside, but still wants to see after your needs? Is that too much?

Seems so, since he can disrespect so many people. Hope the Kenyans make a good decisions in their coming election. Also, we shall hope that the IEBC extra-judicial killing Chris Msanda isn’t to secure the possible rigging together with the 1,3 million extra ballots printed for the election. Peace.

In South Sudan, UN peacekeeping chief pledges support to displaced civilians in Malakal (04.08.2017)

Continued civil conflict has plagued South Sudan, since December 2013.

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, August 4, 2017 – Having witnessed first-hand various security challenges and humanitarian efforts in South Sudan, the United Nations peacekeeping chief has wrapped up his three-day mission to the country, which included a visit to the UN Protection of Civilians site in Malakal, where he expressed the Organization’s resolve to support the return to stability.

“We are determined to continue doing our best to help the population,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for UN Peacekeeping Operations said after visiting Malakal.

Continued civil conflict has plagued South Sudan, since December 2013. A brokered peace deal signed in August 2015 has not completely taken hold, causing hundreds of thousands to flee amidst burgeoning humanitarian challenges.

Mr. Lacroix visited the UN Protection of Civilians (PoC) site in Malakal, where 30,000 people struggle to survive. Since its formation, the internally displaced persons (IDPs) site has offered refuge to countless South Sudanese escaping conflict around their homes.

Troops on the ground briefed him on various security concerns, obstacles and humanitarian efforts underway to assist the local population.

“My visit to Malakal was quite informative on the efforts that are being made to support the population there – the IDPs – but also the population as a whole, irrespective of their affiliation,” he maintained.

Through a translator, one IDP living there since December 2013 said, “in this camp we are secure,” adding “but still we need more security and peace in this country.”

Accompanied by Special Representative of the Secretary-General David Shearer, Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the UN peacekeeping chief spoke with local authorities, as well as the UNMISS team and representatives of UN agencies, both on the humanitarian and development sides.

“We had a good meeting with local authorities in Malakal and we agreed that we should continue to work together and increase our cooperation in order to help the return of stability and also generate better opportunities for the population there,” elaborated Mr. Lacroix.

During the meeting, Peter Col Wal, speaker of the Upper Nile state assembly, urged UNMISS to support peace activities in his state.

Today in the capital, Juba, after wrapping up his three-day visit to the country, Mr. Lacroix reiterated, at his final press conference, the importance of the initiative led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) aimed to revitalize the peace agreement.

“Clearly it is a very important and positive thing that the countries in the region are being more engaged in helping South Sudan return to peace,” he said. “The UN has welcomed and supported this new engagement by the IGAD and looks forward to that process moving forward.”

He noted that the UN would continue to closely follow the national dialogue process to ensure that it is conducted in an inclusive and transparent manner, saying that it “can be a helpful instrument in bringing together stakeholders and helping them resolve their differences especially at the local level.”

The peacekeeping chief also called on all parties to stop fighting and to make all efforts towards a cessation of hostilities.

Finally, Mr. Lacroix expressed concern about the dire humanitarian situation and reiterated that the UN is working impartially to help everyone in South Sudan, irrespective of ethnic and religious affiliation.

“The UN is acting impartially in helping everyone in South Sudan, irrespective of their ethnic or religious or any other affiliations. I really appreciate that this impartiality was recognized by the leadership during my meetings with them. So we are determined to continue doing our best to help the population,” he said.

 

MP aspirant for Emgwen Constituency Meshack Kimutai shot in Kapsabet!

In a race of five aspirant MPs in Emgwen Constituency, there are now only four lefts just five days from the polls. There are possible MPs left behind these are Elias Ngetich, Wilfred Bugei, Alex Kimutai Kosgei and Dr. Kenneth Meli. The one that has left the race is Meshack Kimutai. Not because the person wanted to leave his political ambition, but because a violent attack on happen today. He might survive today, but that can only the doctors and the healing of the wounds say. 

Meshack Kimutai was today shot four or five times in Kapsabet, this was the Jubilee MP candidate. The killers left in a Toyata Maroon Premio.

There are conflicting reports which says this:

Reports reaching my desk says that Meshack Kimutai MP aspirant Emgwen Constituency was today beaten senselessly by his supporters that he had not paid and currently in ICU. We are still following on this reports” (Kiplangat Abraham Mutai, 03.08.2017).

So some says he is beaten other says he was killed by four shots. The other says he is injured after a beating by people he had promised or owed monies to.

Later report came this:

It is important to note that Meshack Kimutai Jubilee parliamentary candidate for Emgwen constituency has not passed on yet though in critical condition fighting for his life at Mediheal Eldoret.

He was shot five times this evening by unknown people in Kapkangani area while on campaign trail” (Fred Ochieng’ Madanje, 03.08.2017).

What the end of game of melee that happe n in Kapsabet and who did what. Is not easy to know, but the MP aspirant are hurt and shot. It is now in the hands of the medical staff and God to decided his destiny. That is as he is at the Mediheal Eldoret and more news will come, either positive note or yet another death by force during the final days of this Kenyan Election. Peace.

Kenya: Senior Counsel Bar letter to Justice David Maraga – “Re: The Honourable Mr. Justice George Odunga” (02.08.2017)

It’s insulting that the great people of Kisumu are not allowed to legally demonstrate, when the law says so!

Kisumu and Nyanza are Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) strongholds, where the opposition party has had big support over long time; Therefore the protests done in the recent two years has been powerful. Now the Jubilee and the government in the final week of the campaigns are banning all protest and demonstrations in Kisumu, which is insulting to the people there. This is also going against the constitution of 2010.

Which states as follow:

In the Article of 37 it says: Every person has the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket, and to present petitions to public authorities” (Constitution of Kenya 2010).

So when you know Article 37, the Kisumu County Commissioner Maalim is insulting the Article 37, when he says what he says to the media today. Just take a look!

Kisumu County Commissioner Mohammed Maalim banned any protests citing security breach witnessed in the past” (…) “Mr Maalim said the move is part of the security preparedness his team had put in place ahead of the next week’s elections. Addressing journalists in his office after a county security intelligence committee meeting, Mr Maalim said the ban will stop criminals from taking advantage to destroy property within the town. “We have witnessed in the past that hooligans take advantage of peaceful demonstrations to cause havoc in the city, this is what we are avoiding,” said the commissioner” (Oudia, 2017).

Mr. Maalim, I am sure your quest is noble and your will is of peaceful congregation in the streets of Kisumu. This should be allowed and demonstration notified the authorities and the Police. Should be allowed, that some has taken it to far in the Anti-IEBC rallies might be true. But that doesn’t mean the next one will have the same sort of people as a part of it. That is doubling down and making sure the public dissidents cannot walk the streets in disbelief of the result of the election or other maladministration. This should be okay and within reason.

As long as every person carry themselves in peace, they are unarmed and they assemble to demonstrate, while they notify the authorities on the planned activity in Kisumu. The Commissioner Maalim clearly doesn’t see this, because he is biased on their behavior and expect everyone to be a villain and hooligans. This is insulting to citizens of Kisumu and Kenyans in general.

If it was like this, than there should never be allowed to demonstrate anywhere, since there been looting and vandalism in other parts and in other towns. But alas, no-one else has said so, except in one of the ODM strongholds, which is part of NASA. Seems like the Jubilee want to use all methods to crowd control and take away freedoms from the people. Since they cannot manage to have peaceful demonstrations in Kisumu.

Stop in insulting the people, work for them and not against them. Peace.

Reference:

Oudia, Rushdie – ‘Protests before, after polls banned in Kisumu’ (02.08.2017) link: http://www.nation.co.ke/news/politics/Protests-polls-banned-Kisumu/1064-4042344-dh8ui0z/index.html

NASA Statement: Fazul’s letter on Rosemary Odinga is a fraud (02.08.2017)