U.S. House Representatives wants to block the January Arms trade sold to the Kenyan Government!

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“The arms trade – an intricate web of networks between the formal and shadow worlds, between government, commerce and criminality – often makes us poorer, not richer, less not more safe, and governed not in our own interests but for the benefit of a small, self-serving elite, seemingly above the law, protected by the secrecy of national security and accountable to no one.”

Andrew Feinstein

As of today there two United States Representatives from the Republican Party Ted Budd of North Carolina and Duncan Duane Hunter from California that for their own reasons to stop sales of U.S. arms to Kenya, this they have forwarded a joint resolution. This was first from Ted Budd, but Duncan Hunter became his co-sponsor of the bill. Of today it has been transmitted to the Committee at the House Foreign Affairs that will work on it, before initial voting.

“That the issuance of a letter of offer with respect to any of the following proposed sales to the Government of Kenya (described in the certification Transmittal No. 16–79, sent to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate pursuant to section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2776(b)(1))) on January 19, 2017, is hereby prohibited:

(1) Twelve Air Tractor AT–802L.

(2) Two AT–504 trainer aircraft.

(3) Weapons package, technical support and program management” (Budd & Hunter, 2017).

It is not long ago since this was sanctioned to the Kenya Defense Force and their missions, as this was a supplement to the on-going missions that the Kenya contingent in Somalia and might even be used as blue-helmets inside South Sudan. Still, the U.S. Representatives think these will be misguided and not well used arms for their ally in East Africa. This is the double-standard and double moral from the U.S. counterparts that easily has dropped and sold this sort of weapons to others, but has to all of sudden sanction Kenya for buying the same thing.

Just take a look at the timing of the deal between the U.S. and Kenyan earlier in 2017:

“The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the possible sale on 19 January and disclosed the potential sale on 23 January” (…) “The DSCA said Kenya had requested the sale of up to twelve Air Tractor AT-802L and two AT-504 trainer aircraft, weapons, technical support and programme management worth $418 million” (…) “This proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a strong regional partner who is a regional security leader undertaking critical operations against al-Shabaab and troop contributor to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM),” the DSCA said” (…) “The proposed sale provides a needed capability in the ongoing efforts to counter al-Shabaab. The platform maximizes the Kenyan Defense Force’s Close Air Support (CAS) ability because it is a short-field aircraft capable of using precision munitions and cost effective logistics and maintenance.” (DefenceWeb, 2017).

So a purchase accepted in January is now in question in February, as the new Trump Administration will not care for the allies and friends as such before. The DSCA sanctioned the sale on the 23rd January 2017 and now on the 14th February 2017 the U.S. Representatives questions the sale. So the AMISOM mission and their allies who fights in it doesn’t matter as much, as that was the destination for the arms and technical weaponry in this transaction. That the sales of close worth over $400m that suddenly goes into the wind!

We will see if the Foreign Affairs Committee at the House of Representatives will work with this and see if this will go for voting in the House or Senate to sufficiently go forward with joint communique of Ted Budd and Duncan Hunter. That then will become legislation as the deal will not happen as the Committee will put forward a motion or legislation that the stops the arms agreement and trade between the DSCA and the Government of Kenya. Therefore the U.S. Arms trade to the Kenyan Defense Force.

This story is certainly not over. Peace.

Reference:

DefenceWeb – ‘US approves possible Air Tractor, weapons sale to Kenya’ (24.01.2017) link: http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46563:us-approves-possible-air-tractor-weapons-sale-to-kenya&catid=35:Aerospace&Itemid=107

Representative Ted Budd (R-North Carolina) & Representative Duncan Duane Hunter (R-California) – ‘H.J.Res. 72: Relating to the disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Kenya of Air Tractor aircraft with weapons, and related support’ (14.02.2017)

Kenya: Hon CJ’S Remarks on Doctors Strike Case (16.02.2017)

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Kenya: “Of course the government has a huge budget for corruption” – Government spokesman Eric Kiraithe (Footage)

Kenya: Health Care workers starts striking at the Nairobi Hospital, Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital & Nairobi Woman’s Hospital in solidarity with the #KMPDU (15.02.2017)

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Letter 2:

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Internal Memo:

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Kenya: Statement of the Medicial, Dental, Pharmacists and Specialist Associations on the Jailing of Doctors Union Leaders on account of the Ongoing Strike (14.02.2017)

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Kenya: Doctors’ Union officials release chilling video on their jailing… (13.02.2017)

South Sudan: Humanitarian organizations appeal for $1.6 billion amidst rising needs (13.02.2017)

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Humanitarian organizations estimate that some 7.5 million people across South Sudan are now in need of humanitarian assistance and protection.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, February 13, 2017 -Humanitarian organizations are appealing for US$1.6 billion to provide life-saving assistance and protection to 5.8 million people across South Sudan in 2017.

“The humanitarian situation in South Sudan has deteriorated dramatically due to the devastating combination of conflict, economic decline and climatic shocks,” said Mr. Eugene Owusu, the Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan. “In 2017, we are facing unprecedented needs, in an unprecedented number of locations, and these needs will increase during the upcoming lean season.”

Humanitarian organizations estimate that some 7.5 million people across South Sudan are now in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. Since the conflict in South Sudan began in December 2013, about 3.4 million people have been forced to flee their homes, including nearly 1.9 million people who have been internally displaced and about 1.5 million who have fled as refugees to neighbouring countries.

Horrendous atrocities have been reported, including widespread sexual violence. Food insecurity and malnutrition have skyrocketed, and the risk of famine is significant for thousands of people in conflict-affected communities and food deficit areas if early actions are not taken.

“With needs rising rapidly, we have rigorously prioritized the 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan to target those who most urgently require assistance and protection,” said Mr. Owusu. “It is imperative that this appeal is funded early, and funded fully, so that the aid workers deployed across South Sudan can respond robustly and rapidly.”

In South Sudan, humanitarian organizations use the window of opportunity provided by the dry season to deliver supplies by road. When the rains set in – usually in May – most roads become impassable and supplies must be delivered by air, multiplying the cost of the humanitarian operation, which is one of the largest and most complex in the world. Swift action during the dry season is therefore imperative.

“In 2016, we reached more than 5 million people, but the crisis deepened and spread as conflict continued. In 2017, we are determined to reach more people but we urgently need the funding to do so,” said Mr. Owusu. “I appeal to the international community, which has given so generously to this young country, to support us now. If we fail to act swiftly, lives may be lost.”

One hundred and thirty-seven aid organizations including 62 national Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) -a 55 per cent increase from 2016-, 63 international NGOs and 12 United Nations entities aim to implement projects under the 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan.

Kenya: The position of Philip Murgor and UDM regarding the imprisonment of KMDPU officials (13.02.2017)

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Opinion: Jubilee government detains protesting health care officials; instead of negotiating and having dialogue with the KMPDU!

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The Kenyan government under the Jubilee leadership never stops giving; the Jubilee government under President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto wants to offer the world something astonishing. The same government that tries to disband and discontinue the refugee camp of Dadaab, are now prioritizing to detain and jail Health Care officials who works for a fair pay and working conditions for the Union Members. That is what the Kenyan government is up-to and what values they have!

“The Court has sentenced Doctors’ union officials to one month in jail after they failed to reach an agreement and call off medics strike as directed. The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) officials appeared in Milimani Law Courts earlier this morning. Judge Hellen Wasilwa had suspended their jail term and directed Central Organization of Trade Union (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli to lead negotiations to bring an end to the industrial action. The meeting which included KMPDU officials, Council of Governors, the Treasury, Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and other Government organs hit a deadlock after the doctors refused another deal offered by the government arguing that it is not what they were bargaining for” (Asamba, 2017).

The government that have left the NYS Scandal involved off the hook, the ones who stole the funds from Eurobonds has also been left free and so on goes it. The Jubilee government accept and produces corrupt behaviour like too much use of sugar make people diabetic. The government are behind a new scandal, instead of trying to give a proper deal and righteous deal to the Health Care union KMPDU.

That the Kenyan government doesn’t go into dialogue with the Union and KMPDU officials, instead they are jailing them for wanting the best for their members. Giving them a proper salary and working condition. The KMPDU are only doing what a union is supposed to do and because of that they are soon behind bars. If the politicians was doing what they was supposed to do, they would try to make sufficient funds ready to supply proper wages to the Kenyan medics and doctors, also make sure the Ministry of Health had enough civil servants to meet the patience and at the hospitals. Instead they are sending them court-side and also going to jail!

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“Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary General Francis Atwoli wants President Uhuru Kenyatta to reign on Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu and Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri to end the ongoing doctors’ strike. On Sunday, Mr Atwoli admitted that had been unable to end the doctors’ strike, signalling a continuation of the protracted industrial action that is in its third month. He blamed the prolonged industrial action on antagonism between the two high-ranking government officials. He said: “During the talks, we discovered that there is infighting at the Ministry of Health that involves the Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu and the Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri. This affected our negotiations with the doctors’ union.” (Niyitegeka, 2017)

That the Ministry of Health are having internal problems as they were trying to negotiate with the KMPDU, it is not strange that the MOH couldn’t fix a deal; when they couldn’t work together internally. President Kenyatta and DP Ruto should mediate internally with their elected officials, so they could arrange a peaceful dialogue with the Medical Union and the Doctors who works under state contracts. Therefore if these reports are true, than the MOH has to clear shop internally and then meet the Union.

The State shouldn’t detain the officials; they should go in dialogue and fix the issues that are the reason for the strike and the arrays that are missing for the doctors. If not the warpath are only hurting the citizens and the patience at the hospitals. The Jubilee government shouldn’t wish for these dire situation months in advance of fresh elections. There are already a big sheet of scandals under the recent administration. They do not need a more prolonged strikes in the hospitals. They need to fix it and pay-up to the professional health care workers! Not detaining them! Peace.

Reference:

Asamba, Mercy – ‘Court sentences Doctors’ union officials to one month in jail’ (13.02.2017) link: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2001229238/doctors-union-officials-jailed

Niyitegeka, Theophile – ‘Kenya:Health CS, PS rivalry to blame for doctors strike, says Atwoli’ (13.02.2017) link: http://en.igihe.com/news/kenya-health-cs-ps-rivalry-to-blame-for-doctors.html

South Sudan: On the Interview with H.E. Festus Mogae, Former President of Botswana and Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission on BBC Focus on Africa and Miraya FM Dated 10.01.2017 (13.02.2017)

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