Opinion: Odinga continue to sell the same dream

“A referrendum does not need to cost more than Sh2 billion ,so we should not be told, we have no money, there is no money to do, we can teach Chebukati how to do it so we have everything needed for a country to do a referendum, we will do it before the next General election” (…) “It is not the desire for anyone to make it any more difficult and costly than it is, a referendum doesn’t have to cost billions” (…) “The purpose of the BBI is to have a free and fair election and that no Kenyan blood is shed because of an election” – Raila Odinga (Capital FM Kenya, 13.08.2020).

On 9^th March 2018 President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga made a “handshake” that turned the enemies, the two heads into a team. The Jubilee got an alliance and a friendly opposition by giving the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) a Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). Which have dropped a report in November 2019. Even if the Reported was dated back to October 2019. There was a long time rumours and speculations of what it contained. However, the propositions and the ideals of this. Is to ensure the dynasties and the political another life.

The BBI Report and the whole BBI project is a big-man game. This is not to ensure the wrongs within the 2010 Constitution. This sort of journey has been to ensure relevance of Odinga. Also, buy Kenyatta freedom to do whatever, as he can use the BBI as a bargain chip. Since, he knows Odinga will not trade that away over a vote or a policy in Parliament. This is why Kenyatta have won big by giving away a few shillings.

Kenyatta bought himself peace of mind. That is why he can clean the slate. He has the majority in Parliament in both houses. The President has all houses and controls the state. Kenyatta can just order, direct and push a few buttons. From there it will go his way and fix his needs.

The political gambit was over after the Fresh Presidential Elections. When Odinga and Kenyatta parleyed. These two settled their grudges. The second rigging and the systematic injustice of the vote got erased. As Odinga botched the unease and got a few tokens. He got a little trophy, got a committee and some official appointments. However, he still have very little to no power.

That is why his selling a referendum. The BBI is another OKOA. The same sort of trade-off, where they want to change the legislation and secure the next election. However, not having the powers or the opportunities to do so. It is selling the same dream. As Kenyatta will not give up the cartels, the power and the needs, which enriching himself and his closest associates.

Just like Odinga sold Canaan to his supporters. He is now trading BBI and the Referendum. Just like he did with OKOA too. Yes, the IEBC has faults, yes the rigging is there and the state has pins in it. They are ensuring the ones are picked and appointed. Kenyatta knows this and Odinga knows this too.

Still, he wasn’t kicking and screaming after the handshake. He went into another mode after the handshake. Odinga got a unofficial role and the ODM got suddenly more relevance. His now selling another OKOA, a BBI, a revised edition to make changes. Kenyatta should be grinning, because Odinga is still in 2015 and 2016. Just missing the questionable signatures and other issues that the last go round had.

Odinga better get another song to sing. He needs another message. Baba seems to be on one MO and cannot sing another anthem. Odinga should learn new tricks, but maybe that’s a bit late now? Peace.

Opinion: Ruto missed the off-ramp on the Kibra By-Elections

Deputy President William Ruto wants to be the kingmaker and the biggest political player in the Republic. Ruto wants to be the importance and the one people look up too. William wants to be loved everywhere and be respected too. However, that’s not how it works.

The Jubilee Party sent in their unknown man McDonald Mariga to stand as an MP Candidate. Who we still don’t know his real age and that’s his interest of politics only came when he could aspire for office. Not that he as a candidate would have had any traction, if it wasn’t for him standing as a flag-bearer for the government party. If he was running for FORD-Kenya or anything else. He would have gotten abysmal results.

Ruto fielded him and did the risk. He invested time, money and all of the TangaTanga politicians joined in and camped at the Kibra By-Election. They all pulled all their power and promises. The Jubilee pledged jobs, houses and everything else. The sweetest gifts if they elected Mariga.

However, the public didn’t buy that stick. They didn’t buy those promises. Even bribing voters on election day didn’t work either. Still a lackluster 36% to Mariga. This was a stronghold and a base for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Raila Odinga. Therefore, the candidacy of Benard Imran Okoth was a sure win. The results proved that too.

Some might say, that Jubilee and Ruto getting one third of the votes is a victory. Is it? Really? They again claim the ODM incited violence, but Ruto has incited to violence in the past. He has been in-charge and let the authorities brutalize opposition strongholds after the previous Fresh Presidential Elections in 2017. I remember several of deaths in the timeline of the Fresh Presidential Elections. Where big-men died, where innocent civilians was killed and the Police Service had procured body-bags for Kisumu.

Therefore, Ruto and Tanga-Tanga should be a bit more reflective on their own activity for their gains. Because, now the most famous picture was of Senator Boni Khalwale, who was throwing stones on election day. Not that ODM is innocent either, but none died in this. While when Ruto and Jubilee is behind. It is usual fatal for someone. That’s why all Post Election Violence sponsored by the men of Ruto will end up bloody, while the ODM wasn’t like that.

This Kibra Election is a lesson. But also a warning, because the Jubilee and TangaTanga is gearing up at amp speed. They want to challenge the narrative. That they were not losers, that they were not violent and that they didn’t try to rig this results. When they throw stones, tried to buy voters and pledged ridiculous huge projects that would never happen. Just more of Ruto’s Ghosts.

Ruto has so many ghosts and promised start-ups. William has surely enough plaques all across the Republics for something that isn’t in the budget nor any tender on it. The hustler will not say that, because he has the photo-op and the PR stunt for a road, a school, computer lab or whatnot. But the man will not find the money for it. He rather buy a congregation and dole out gift than actually doing some work.

That’s why this failed. Why Ruto isn’t trusted either. He comes with flamboyant speeches, big-PR and huge campaign budgets, but his real standing is weak. He is screwed and is clever enough to trick the trade, but his not loved. That’s because his shown his true character again and again.

Ruto will have to muster some magic to be sincere before the next election. Unless, he wants cats, dogs, chickens and kids to vote for him. To bring up the numbers to scratch. William doesn’t have it in him. Neither had Mariga who seemed like a lost soul, fishing and testing waters he never knew. The dude couldn’t even vote for himself nor had he voted for anyone else in the past. His just been modelling for companies and a friendly face after a successful football career. Though, not a champion of the people nor a born representative of them either.

That’s why the best candidate won in Kibra By-Election 2019. The Jubilee and Ruto might cry foul. They even asked to open the servers, like NASA did in 2017. It shows that karma is a bitch. And the system is cranked up. But the Ruto infused elections wasn’t that grand. Only an imposter and a tragic Greek comedy. There is nothing to see here, except for sore losers and lack of empathy. Peace.

IEBC: Press Statement on Kibra Constituency By-Election (06.11.2019)

IEBC: Press Statement on Kibra Constituency By-Election (31.10.2019)

Kibra By-Election: We don’t know his real age, but McDonald Mariga is cleared to run!

“Jubilee party nominee MacDonald Mariga who was today cleared by the Dispute Resolution Committee to vie for the Kibra MNA by election has been issued with a nomination certificate by the Returning officer” (Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, 16.09.2019).

Well, we don’t know the real age of the Jubilee Party MP Candidate for Kibra By-Election. If one of his registered age is true, than his younger than his youngest brother, which is a miracle that isn’t even biblical.

Well, we couldn’t expect that Wafula Chebukati is totally honest and cares about proper protocol, even if his loyal buddy Ezra Chiloba is appointed elsewhere. The IEBC is still a den of thieves, only with less of famous faces for now.

That Mariga is eligible to run and stand for MP now, he has to battle the candidate from Orange Democratic Movement Imran Okoth. A contest where the ODM is supposed win in a cake-walk, as the previous international footballer, lack of care for elections and politics in general. His like this weird pawn, that someone planted, but don’t know how to play. Not like McDonald doesn’t know have to deal with this either.

McDonald is not only battling himself, his lack of credibility, but also to show finesse and character. Secondly, we wonder where he stands on anything, what matters to him and such. Not that he has a history of voting, neither being registered to vote. Therefore, he hopes people isn’t as oblivious to the political game nor the territory his eligible to run in.

His like the rich foreigner coming in like tourist and asking for the representation. It is weird that the Jubilee didn’t have anyone else. Unless, McDonald was able to buy the candidacy and thinking because his has a famous name and played as an international player. He could easily get recognized and therefore automatically MP.

That is how it seems, but surely, the man should drop some verified documents to the public. We don’t know his age, his registration or his proper procedure to be a candidate. That is why Chebukati had to bless him with a “Go-Sign”.

McDonald really has to be wise now, but his team haven’t been so in the beginning. So why should it be so to the end?

The way it starts, is usually how it finish. Except some baby-mamas, some rumours and some random quotes spiralling in Githeri media like its no tomorrow. Peace.

Opinion: McDonald Mariga maybe outplayed himself

The Kibra By-Elections is up and the candidate for the Members of Parliament seat for the Jubilee Party is under question. Even as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will seal his fate this upcoming Monday. Clearly, the recent days has shown what happens when you go from being a celebrity and ex-footballer into politics.

Politicians are usually scrutinised for various of reasons, for their past actions, their voting in local assembly or statements at rallies. Even speeches or lack of proper codes of conduct. There even a look into records delivered of their financial status, their businesses or their charities even. With this in mind, the ex-football and former professional McDonald Mariga should have been more careful.

Surely a bet on the Jubilee Party is a safe one, the second one would be the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). However, he picked the Jubilee and to stand as candidate as MP. With this, there has come a lot of issues. Which, most likely the former player never thought off.

First of, his never been voter himself and directly registered. The registered card that’s been online has been questionable at best. Even the likes of 1977, 1981 and 1987. Even if web-pages like famous birthday says his born on the 4^th April 1987. Reports from 2013 stated this: “The 26-year-old defensive midfielder, who has been capped over 30 times by his country, will be allowed to leave Inter for a fee of around 2 million Euros as he is coming into the final year of his contract” (Eyefootball.com – ‘Kenya international McDonald Mariga top of Southampton list’ 10.08.2013). If you calculate the age with this article too, 2013-26 = 1987 too. Therefore, the official date his had in public in the past. Has been born in 1987, which isn’t a bad date, unless he wants to suddenly act older.

Secondly to top it off, the wealthy ex-footballer, whose bought houses, luxurious cars to himself and parents in the past. Will, now face a tax-evasion charges too. McDonald will be facing possible paying back to the state about Ksh. 435 million with giving false information and file his tax returns.

Third, now the stakes are high, even if he gets ability or not. Because, his previous actions are now put into question. His legacy on the football field will still be there. His time in Inter-Milan and such will remain. However, his political gamble, might not pay-off, as his handlers and his team didn’t properly estimate the consequences of throwing his candidature at this time. They wasn’t prepared, didn’t have the guarantees and did seem bothered with his lack voting history. Which in retrospect. Looks foolish, since this guy is asking people to vote for him and his candidacy, but his not bothered to go to vote for anyone else previously in his life. If his 32 years old or if his 38/42 years old. He should have at least cared to once vote. Even if he became a big-shot footballer abroad.

Therefore, the football-player, the one big-man who played for various of Italian teams during his day. Who was nearly going to the Premier League. Surely, thought this would be a cake-walk. Since, he joined Jubilee and had their team behind him. However, his lost it with his gamble, even if the IEBC clears him on Monday. His surely shown signs of bad play and that usually gets a red-card. The public can see, how the fixing and managing behind the scenes has gone. That his actions haven’t been all fair. That before, his even stated his pledges or promises to Kibra as their MP.

That should be a warning. A man of the stature and wealth of McDonald Mariga can still outplay himself. Since, he didn’t know the rules to this game. Peace.

Opinion: Is Collymore the only person who can run Safaricom?

That Bob Collymore has no returned to Safaricom is a sign of the state of affairs, the man whose through 2016 got the dirty laundry in the streets for everyone to see. That Safaricom and Vodaphone takes him back. Shows that the company is so big, it doesn’t care about public perception or their ordeal of the last two years. As they can get scratch free from the dirt and thinks people forget. Collymore is a shady character and runs a dirty business. However, it is profitable, that is why the leadership above him keeps him. They want the easy money and wants to run the market of telecom’s in Kenya. That is what Safaricom does so well.

That Collymore was directly involved in the General Elections, that his misuse of the company within the Results Transmissions, that doesn’t matter now. That the Safaricom used their backbone to support the Jubilee, by canceling and stopping the M-Pesa Paybill to the National Super Alliance (NASA). Shows the lack of tolerance and their political stance. They did that with passion, while fixing and making sure the fraud of an election went through with their back-channels with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, also with Cambridge Analytica and whatever else that was needed to secure the results into the famous undisclosed server. Collymore did this and fixed that with IEBC, while stopping the cash-flow to NASA. A clear indication of his works. That was the year after the damaging internal report from KPMG.

The KPMG agreement showed how the Safaricom misused their place, their tenders and the procurement of installations of 4G, M-Pesa software and direct dealing with third-parties. This was done in a fashion where the leadership was eating of the top and putting the bills on the consumers. At a rate that was insane. That the 18^th February 2016 KPMG Report should mean the end of a career for a leader and CEO like Collymore. But Vodaphone doesn’t give a rats ass. They don’t care as long as their profits are souring in Kenya. They are oblivious and nurturing their pockets, nothing else matters. Even if they are within the pockets of cartels, election-rigging and midst of public outrage. As long as the pockets are filled with shillings, they don’t mind. They can still be proud-cock and be chiefs.

That Safaricom paid of the local-media houses with ad-revenue, that they used their place to keep themselves on top. That doesn’t matter, because the results are blindly positive, even if everyone know knows that the company is run like the mafia. Controlling everything it can, not only selling Mobil-Data, Mobile-Money and Communications, but they are also a FinTech company that has the information on the public that other doesn’t. Who knows how they are using that and misusing that to gain even more profits. When Facebook does it? Why shouldn’t Safaricom too?

That Collymore should be gone, that is the reality, there should be someone who could muster trust and show that its a decent company, not a pillar of power in Kenyan Politics. Which it has become and where it muster all capabilities with the funds to slash stories in the media and also to be directly involved in Results Transmission during the General Elections. Therefore, the importance of the company is beyond communications between the citizens and their data. But also the perception of the trust between them.

Collymore is now the epitome of what is wrong with businesses in Kenya. He is the significant prospect of someone who misuses his position for monetary gain. Instead of being there for just simple services and leave the office in the night. He has directed the company in the midst of public space, making sure his stories are portrayed and cleaning the dirt of his hands. Even if it doesn’t go off, it won’t, not this way.

So Vodaphone, I have one important question:

Where the no-one else on planet earth that have the capabilities to run Safaricom?

Seemingly there should be, but your still behind the man that are really involved in shady deals for you. Taking the dirt and eating it, so that the stakeholders can eat the profits without any questionable

Kenya: IEBC – “The Commission wishes to notify the public that one of its ICT Managers was last seen on Friday night. Efforts being made to trace him” (30.07.2017)

Kenya: Thirdway Alliance – “Press Release on the Presidential Ballot Papers Due Dilligence Update at Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing LLC in Dubai, UAE” (28.07.2017)

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