Kenya: Press Statement on the Completion of Work Permits Verification Exercise (30.07.2018)

Kenyatta: What happen to the Life Style Audit, Mr. President?

Somewhere in between Eldoret and Nairobi, the Life Style Audit got lost. It was supposed to be launched this mid-June 2018. Since then it been just hot-air and nothing proven, the authorities and the public officials haven’t been touched. Neither have senators, cabinet secretaries or even representatives in the national assembly, neither have any of the county officials or leaders of the state owned companies. All of these have been left untouched and it has just been words from the Jubilee Administration and leadership itself.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday announced that all public servants including himself and his deputy will undergo lifestyle audit as part of efforts to fight rampant corruption in the country. Kenyatta said in a statement that the public servants will be asked to explain the source of their wealth and those found culpable with the plunder of national resources will be required to defend their source of wealth. “You must be able to explain how you got your car, your house and land in comparison to what you earn,” Kenyatta said in the coastal city of Mombasa after launching a key road project” (Xinhua, 2018).

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto have been all talk and no play. Because, they know that if they are really looking into it, they might end up finding more trouble than it is worth. The Jubilee administration have been fabulously oblivious to it all.

It is now soon August 2018 and two months has gone without any action. That is natural, as the Life Style Audit would hurt their allies and the inquiry into the funds would hurt themselves. They would reveal the money trail, the cartels of sugar and imports, it would reveal how the money is moving from the state to shareholding or shell-corporations that doesn’t exists. Clearly, the Jubilee don’t want that, they don’t want to reveal where all the money goes.

We will certainly wait forever, because the state don’t want their closest allies into trouble, neither their support or the cronies hurt. They are all there because of the Jubilee and don’t want to loose them now. That will just hurt their base and their network of power. Therefore, the postponement of the audit is the reason for this.

Kenyatta and Ruto have really planned this inaction… they are officially launching it, but will not really do it. Since that will just hurt themselves and who is foolish enough to hunt after their own. They will not do that and they would not criminalize and detain their own. That is not how it works, even if the Jubilee are clearly more corrupt, than in the past. Peace.

Reference:

Xinhua – ‘Kenya orders lifestyle audit of all public servants to curb graft’ 16.06.2018 link: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-06/15/c_137254473.htm

Resolution of the Wiper Democratic Movement NEC/PG meeting held at Wiper House, Nairobi – Press Release: Current Political Landscape After the Handshake (28.07.2018)

Kenya: Taskforce in Building Bridges in Unity – Press Release (25.07.2018)

Opinion: What role does Odinga now have?

After the 9th March handshake between ODM and NASA Principal Raila Odinga and Jubilee leader and President Uhuru Kenyatta. Both of them have worked together with the Building Bridges initiative. This have not only changed the dynamics within the NASA and with the leadership there, as the NASA Co-Principals Moses Wetangula, Musalia Mudavadi and Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka. Who all was left behind by the handshake, just as Odinga was left behind on the Swearing-In on the 30th January 2018. Therefore, this shouldn’t matter now, but is just mere politics and who gets the upper-hand.

Odinga got the upper-hand and left the other Co-Principal behind. It was dead on revival with that handshake. The President got the NASA under his wings without paying much and with co-operation directly with Odinga. Therefore, the problem now, is that Odinga has no official title or place, but is still accepted as a big man.

That is why I am starting to wonder, because he has been as an official ambassador-at-large in South Africa, Sudan and in India. This combined with the statement of making changes in government, like the fights against corruption and stopping it. You can start to wonder what Odinga does and what is his part now. Since he is vocal, but also are acting as a public official like abroad.

The President Kenyatta and Deputy President Ruto has their part, the same has the rest of the cabinet, the other appointed officials and appointed leaders of state owned enterprises, but Odinga has no official title. Odinga cannot just be running cat-and-mouse after Kenyatta.

I wonder if he has the perks of a public official? I wonder why he hasn’t a title? Because James Orengo is the head of the Opposition in the Senate, but if the Odinga is part of the government and working as a part of government, how can fellow party members in Parliament be “opposition” leaders?

Because, it seems more and more like an unofficial Prime Minister under Kenyatta and Ruto, but not as a Cabinet Secretary in the Cabinet of the Jubilee. He should be sworn-in and appointed to something, especially when he is traveling as a representative to the India, South Africa and Sudan.

I don’t feel by how he acts and performs as the long-arm of the government, but not as the opposition. Odinga is more than an opposition figure, he is not directly there. The Building Bridges Initiative and activity proves that.

Therefore, what is the stance of Jubilee Administration and Kenyatta, what should they do about this? Because Odinga is clearly in cahoots with them, but nothing more official than the handshake and the agreement.

They shouldn’t trick the public, but offer the public the real deal and show good governance. Peace.

Sen. Sakaja Johnson: Stop Undermining President Uhuru Kenyatta (20.07.2018)

Opinion: Kenyatta is following IMF Austerity orders!

This week the Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta have stopped his signature development projects just a few months into the second term as a President. This must be connected with the agreement with the International Monetary Funds (IMF) done earlier in the year. Because that would make sense. The Jubilee is clearly not delivering, while the prices are surging and also the growing debt of the Republic. Kenyatta is surely following the protocol of the IMF, but he is putting like it is his idea. But when you looking into the documentation from the IMF, you can see the connection between the two. First is the review of the IMF and also Kenyatta statement from this week.

IMF review of Kenya:

The mission welcomed the authorities’ plans to accelerate reforms aimed at (i) increasing the efficiency and transparency of public spending, particularly on development spending; and (ii) safeguarding financial stability by strengthening capital and liquidity positions of banks and microfinance institutions, promptly addressing the capital and liquidity deficiencies in individual banks, and implementing new International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)” (…) “The authorities requested a six-month extension of the SBA that expires on March 13, 2018 to allow more time to complete the outstanding reviews of the IMF-supported program. In support of this request, the authorities have committed to policies to achieve the program objectives, including reducing the fiscal deficit and substantially modifying interest controls. Discussions on the details of these policies will continue in the coming weeks” (IMF – ‘IMF Staff Concludes Visit to Kenya’ 07.03.2018).

Kenyatta Statement:

President Kenyatta said the directive is aimed at stopping wastage of resources and the habit of government agencies abandoning incomplete projects before jumping onto others. “There will be no new projects that will be embarked on until you complete those that are ongoing,” said the President who spoke at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre where he addressed a meeting bringing together all government accounting officers including Principal Secretaries, Parastatal Heads, Vice Chancellors of Public Universities and Chairmen of State Corporations. The President said projects that might be exempt from the freeze will be only those that are directly aligned to the Big Four Agenda but even then there must be a written authorisation from the National Treasury. “Even if new projects are aligned to the Big Four they cannot be started without express authority from CS or PS of the National Treasury,” said President Kenyatta” (PSCU – ‘President Kenyatta Freezes All New Government Projects Until Current Ones Are Completed’ 19.07.2018).

Because when you connected from the review and Kenyatta you get this:

First: “The mission welcomed the authorities’ plans to accelerate reforms aimed at (i) increasing the efficiency and transparency of public spending, particularly on development spending” (IMF, 2018) and than the President saying: “There will be no new projects that will be embarked on until you complete those that are ongoing” (…) “Even if new projects are aligned to the Big Four they cannot be started without express authority from CS or PS of the National Treasury” (Kenyatta, 2018). Because they are stating the same sort of things. Even stating that the authorities are ordering to stop new projects and stop spending, just like the IMF. This is proof of the connection and the reason for the push to stop the purse-string and austerity measures in the line of the IMF. This must be because of the growing debt and also the extensive spending that has been done over the first years of the Jubilee government.

To see this, is to see how the IMF is playing the cards and controlling the debt-ridden republic, which has the graft-drifting and embezzlement from high-ranking officials. That is why the growth of corruption in Kenya has been up 240% by the Jubilee government alone. This should be a warning because of the massive loans and corrupt behavior. Even with the stop of the development projects. Also, abolishing for now the Big Four Agenda, the baby of this administration.

Therefore, the Kenyan is pocketed and controlled, that is why we know that the Republic is indebted and have lost a bit control of their tab. When they have to stop spending and issuing this sort of order per request of the IMF. That is not a sign of strength, but out of weakness. Peace.

Kenya Power Statement on the summons of Senior Management by the DCI following orders by the DPP (16.07.2018)

Opinion: Museveni will not respect the South Sudanese Arms Embargo!

It is a noble idea to have an Arms Embargo in South Sudan, as the civil war and the never-ending negotiations of peace is continuing, even as the Khartoum Declaration and Outstanding Issues are working in tandem, even as the IGAD High Level Revitalization Forum have sort of failed and only given the republic empty promises. As the partners haven’t agreed totally or even respected the cease-fire starting on the 1st July 2018. There still been skirmishes and attacks, which wasn’t supposed to appear.

With this in mind the negotiation and peace dialogue in Entebbe haven’t been fruitful or delivered. In this spirit it isn’t weird, as he has been a starch supporter of President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU). That has been proven in the past, latest in February, when he promised to serve weapons to Kiir, even if there was imposed an embargo. Therefore, his words yesterday are important. Also show the provisions of the Arms Embargo in the end.

In February 2018:

I want to you tell this, and whether you believe it or not, the government will never fail to acquire weapons by any means. What the foreign countries, including the United States of America, are doing is a pursuit of regime change which nobody will entertain even in America,” said a presidential aide asked what actually was the message Ugandan envoy had delivered. “Nobody will accept that a democratically elected government be changed through the force or by an imposed agreement,” he further told Sudan Tribune on condition of anonymity” (…) “President Museveni is indeed a friend of the people of South Sudan. He sent the special message for two purposes. One, he assured his excellency, General Salva Kiir Mayardit of the support of the people and the government of the Republic of Uganda to the people and the Republic of South Sudan. His Excellency President Museveni gave the assurance of highest support in this situation. Two, in case of sanctions, the government of Uganda would do its best to ensure all weapons and associated services destined to South Sudan are facilitated,” he said” (Sudan Tribune, 2018).

In July 2018:

Museveni told the United Kingdom minister for armed forces Col. Mark Lancaster that an arms embargo will not help in the peace process. “Mr Museveni told his guests that imposing sanctions on South Sudan will not help in finding a solution to that country’s challenges adding that observation of ceasefire by the warring groups, security reform and working to have elections, among others, will help the country move towards peace,” Museveni told Col. Lancaster, according to a statement released by Uganda State House.

United Nations Arms Embargo:

Arms Embargo “4. Decides that, until 31 May 2019, all Member States shall immediately take the necessary measures to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to the territory of South Sudan from or through their territories or by their nationals, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, of arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts for the aforementioned; and technical assistance, training, financial or other assistance, related to military activities or the provision, maintenance or use of any arms and related materiel, including the provision of armed mercenary personnel whether or not originating in their territories;” (…) “8. Calls upon all Member States, in particular States neighbouring South Sudan, to inspect, in accordance with their national authorities and legislation and consistent with international law, in particular the law of the sea and relevant international civil aviation agreements, all cargo to South Sudan, in their territory, including seaports and airports, if the State concerned has information that provides reasonable grounds to believe the cargo contains items the supply, sale, or transfer of which is prohibited by paragraph 4 of this resolution for the purpose of ensuring strict implementation of these provisions” (…) “9. Decides to authorize all Member States to, and that all Member States shall, upon discovery of items the supply, sale, or transfer of which is prohibited by paragraph 4 of this resolution, seize and dispose (such as through destruction, rendering inoperable, storage or transferring to a State other than the originating or destination States for disposal) of such items, and decides further that all Member States shall cooperate in such efforts” (UNSC, 2018).

As you have seen, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has promised arms, even if there is an embargo and he will secure weapons for the conflict. That is how he is, he doesn’t care about the conflict or the innocent lives taken by it. He is the war-lord earning fortunes on the trade of arms and being a beacon in the midst of the conflict. It is a win-win, he get to sell weapons and be part of the peace-process. Which I find amazing.

That the African Union and East African Community is using Museveni is boggling me, when he has no trouble offering weapons and arms to the TGoNU and Kiir government. So, when he is such a partner to the Juba Administration, while it is negotiations and having dialogue with the rebels and other outfits. It doesn’t make sense.

He will not follow the Arms Embargo, as he has promised to help Kiir. Therefore, the UN shouldn’t just call upon, they should also sanction them for trading arms with South Sudan. That is why the Embargo has little value, as long as the Ugandan government are friendly and will do business with the TGoNU. They will serve the needs and sell to earn big-business in Juba on the arms-trade.

Museveni doesn’t fear the UN or the Member States, they are in his favor with refugees and peacekeepers elsewhere. So, if he breaks Arms Embargo and sanctions, he know he won’t get scrutinized or even pay for violations. That is why he will do it too. Peace.

Reference:

South Sudan News Agency – ‘Ugandan President asks UN to drop South Sudan arms embargo’ 14.07.2018 link: http://southsudannewsagency.org/index.php/2018/07/14/ugandan-president-asks-un-to-drop-south-sudan-arms-embargo/

Sudan Tribune – ‘Museveni tells South Sudan not to worry from U.S. sanctions’ (11.02.2018) link: http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article64703

United Nations Security Council (UNSC) – ‘Adopting Resolution 2428 (2018), Security Council Extends Sanctions on South Sudan’ 13.07.2018 link: https://reliefweb.int/report/south-sudan/adopting-resolution-2428-2018-security-council-extends-sanctions-south-sudan

Kenya: DPP’s Press Statement on Investigation into KPLC Tenders for Supply of Transformers, Labour and Transport Contracts (14.07.2018)