“The eight legislators from both CORD and Jubilee who were being held by police over hate speech allegations have been charged with incitement to violence. The politicians arrived at the Milimani Law Courts at 5am Friday morning under heavy GSU escort and were locked up in the cells before opening of the court. They include Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama, Busia woman representative Florence Mutua, Kilifi woman representative Aisha Jumwa, Moses Kuria (Gatundu South MP), Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete MP), Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati MP), Timothy Bosire (Kitutu Masaba MP) and Junet Mohamed (Suna East MP). Police report indicates that they had to ferry the MPs to court very early before sunrise to avoid confrontations from their supporters and sympathizers. The leaders have been in police cells since Tuesday and were not allowed to meet their political leaders and friends. The High Court on Thursday upheld the lower court’s decision to detain them after considering public interest as opposed to individual interests. Further detention of the legislators was also meant to allow police finalise hate speech allegations facing them” (KTN News Kenya, 2016)
Tag: independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission
Ngunjiri, Cord MPs released on 300,000 cash bail in hate speech cases (Youtube-Clip)
Opinion: Only the king can speak!

I will here discuss the matters of double standard between the Deputy President William Ruto and the recent detained MPs or Legislators in Kenya, as there are certain misgivings as they are not justified, because in the same time-span that the MPs might spoke with ‘hate’. The Same ‘hate’ and words of agression came from the mouth of Ruto. As I will explain and show, as the system is made for the Jubilee, against the CORD. Take a look!
Yesterday the Kenyan Police and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) we’re busy getting Members of Parliament and legislators behind bars for brawling with their tongue of late, the men that got in the spotlight of IGP Joseph K. Boinnett, CS Interior Joseph Nkaissery and Hon. Francis Xavier Ole Kaparo who have taken a decision to detain these for their words of supposed hate. These men are Moses Kuria, Ferdinand Waititu, Aisha Jumwa, Florence Mutua, Johnstone Muthama, Junet Mohammed, Timothy Bosire and Kimaani Ngunjiri.

It might be true that their words was with spite and with anger, it might be true that they we’re wrong for their attack at the government, but why detain them, because the NCIC disagree with them or the NCIC want to be loyal to the Jubilee central leadership?
Because on the 11th of June Deputy President. William Samoei Ruto said this: “Just like Al-Shabaab mayhem, the Cord protests affected the economy. There’s no difference between the terrorists and people who disturb us every Monday.” (Barasa, 2016).
So I am sure that the 8 men said something offensive, just like Donald Trump says something offensive like wanting to be congratulated for being right that somebody had to be killed by a terrorist, as long as there are actual Muslims still in the United States, in the same way the CORD and Jubilee MPs have said something hateful or disregarding fellow politician and central leadership of Kenya.
Though who isn’t spreading fear and agony when fellow citizens who walks on the streets against the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and their impartial treatment of the public and their chicken-scandal; doesn’t make the matter better for the credit and trust in the Government institution and responsibility towards the ballots to the IEBC.
But I am sure that Jubilee, means well, deep in their hearts, though it seems like they are consolidating their power, more and more by the day, while also tendering to the foreign donors and access their neighbor countries. Something they have done with Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda and their leaders.

“Just like Uhuru who was elected by millions of people demands respect, it is the same way Raila who was elected by millions of people deserves the same respect. Ruto should stop making demeaning remarks against our coalition leader; let him address me, I am his equal,” said Governor Hassan Ali Joho (Ouida & Oketch, 2016).
So let me clear the air, while the CORD and Jubilee legislators are detained over night for their words; why wasn’t any concern put on the second man of the nation of Kenya? Why was the locally elected in their constituency as men of their decision to jail these men for their words and tone, when the second man in charge of the country even claimed that a load of their citizens are like ‘terrorist’; Al-Shabaab’s as they are responsible for the shops closing, but none of the leadership and government question the Police Officers for their violence and aggravated actions against the citizens who are demonstrating? That what is worrying me, the impunity of actions from government, while the Opposition are getting harassed by either the Police or other parts of government institutions like NCIC of this week.
As I said, I am not standing for the words of CORD; it is more the blistering actions from Deputy President William Ruto, who have been as aggressive as the CORD MPs and Senators, so when they are detained days upon days, and would even are being detained until Friday. When we see this and has this in mind, the Jubilee and the leadership as they are responsible for all citizens as a government, not only the ones that have voted for them and their MPs.

I cannot address it enough, the CORD is not all right, neither is the Jubilee, the important factor is to get fair judgement of character and fair treatment, as the Jubilee, have not done that as they are sitting on the throne and expect silence from the Opposition and their questions towards Government institutions. Instead they are being beaten and tear-gassed as they want to make amendments to the regulations and Electoral Commission that exists. As they have faith and history of the IEBC to want it to be reformed, and while the Jubilee and ruling regime harass and oppress, doesn’t validate their actions towards the General Election. Because both coalition and parties have to fix it together and should instead of “fighting” each other, actually have dialogue and not cross each other.
Not that what all CORD MPs are justified, but the DP Ruto is not stating a peaceful manner as well, when he calls out a grand amount of people and calling them alike to ’Al-Shabaab’.. That is worrying as the NCIC and CS Nkaissery would never do what they did to several of the MPs or legislators recently, as they cannot revoke or fire the cabinet members and council-members of the NCIC. That is why they would never express grievences against Ruto and his words to CORD. Peace.
Reference:
Barasa, Lucas – ‘Stop the anti-IEBC protests, DP Ruto urges Cord’ (11.06.2016) link: http://www.nation.co.ke/news/-/1056/3244968/-/phndx9z/-/index.html
Ouida, Rushdie & Oketch, Angela – ‘Why Joho is now a force in Cord and national politics’ (12.06.2016) link: http://www.nation.co.ke/news/why-Joho-is-now-a-force-in–Cord-and-national-politics/-/1056/3245760/-/mv8n6q/-/index.html
CORD Statement on Suspension of Thursday Anti-IEBC Protests (15.06.2016)

Last weekend, we announced the suspension of anti-IEBC protests that were scheduled for last Monday because we were convinced that there were positive and fruitful engagements with the Jubilee administration that seemed to be heading in the right direction and that a peaceful and speedy resolution of the IEBC stand -off was in the horizon. We however did indicate that our programmes for demonstrations would resume on Thursday in the event that no serious progress was witnessed before then.
Since then, much more progress has been made and a lot of ground covered on the sticking issues. We see political will and rays of good faith being exhibited by all parties and a conducive and enabling environment created, although we are yet to conclude discussions on a few but equally important issues.
We therefore wish to inform all our supporters and the country at large that CORD has once again agreed to call off Thursday protests to create a conducive environment for the conclusion of talks on the two or three issues that remain outstanding.

We reiterate once more that as CORD, we hold no cards under the table and our commitment and objective is limited to resolving the IEBC crisis and ensuring that the people of Kenya can have, as of right, free, fair, transparent, credible, verifiable, peaceful and accountable elections in 2017 and beyond.
However, we are deeply concerned about developments in the last few days where our MPs have been detained without trial or charges being proffered against them. The MPs are also being held incommunicado.
We think this environment cannot be sustained to make progress in the dialogue. In the circumstances, Jubilee should conclude expeditiously their response to the issues we have raised and the persecution of our members and leadership must cease. All these unless resolved will see us resume our demonstrations on Monday 20th and Thursday 23rd, 2016.
SEN. JAMES ORENGO
HON. DR. SIMIYU ESELI
Kenya: Aisha Juma & Timothy Bosire charge sheets (14.06.2016)


Press Statement: President Kenyatta issues stern warning to the opposition (10.06.2016)

The government will not tolerate any more destruction of property by the opposition under the cover of peaceful protests.
President Uhuru Kenyatta said stern action will be taken against anyone who destroys public or private property while claiming to be holding peaceful demonstrations. The President also called on those who take part in the opposition demonstrations over the IEBC to use their intelligence and stop provoking security officers. The President said it was laughable for someone to throw stones at armed officers and expect that the policemen will enjoy the treatment. President Kenyatta said such foolhardy people will only have themselves to blame.
“We will not allow demonstrations to be used to destroy any property,” said the President when he spoke in Tala where he launched development projects. The President gave his warning after observing that the opposition was not genuinely interested in dialogue over the IEBC. President Kenyatta said even after the Jubilee government nominated MPs to sit in a select committee of Parliament, the opposition appears to be backtracking even though it had used the excuse of wanting dialogue to cause destruction of property and lose of lives. President Kenyatta also told the leaders of the opposition not to entertain any thoughts of him sitting down to discuss issues concerning the IEBC with them.

“I have no business sitting down with you. I was elected to steer the development of this country. This other issues are the roles of Members of Parliament,” the President said. Deputy President William Ruto said it was comical for the opposition to appear confounded just when the Government has agreed to have real dialogue on the issue of IEBC. “They have been protesting and saying they want dialogue. We told them it is alright, let us form a select committee then they start retreating. Apparently, they did not even know why they were protesting,” the Deputy President said.
The DP urged politicians to stop being selfish and putting their interest before that of the citizens. “It must not be which position I will get. It must be about how to change the life of the ordinary Kenyan,” said the DP. He said the protests the opposition has been holding will not help Kenyans because it is about the selfish interest of some group of politicians. Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua said the people of Ukambani have no time for the protests because they love peace and are also busy trying to improve their welfare. Governor Mutua said he wants to roll out a National ID card registration program in Machakos county on every Monday to coincide with the day the opposition has been holding protests.

“We also want to ask the IEBC to issue the people of this area with voters cards on every Thursday,” said the Govenor. The public rally at Tala was addressed by many legislators who said that the people of the region were supportive of the development initiatives of the Government. The President addressed the rally after launching the tarmacking of the Tala-Oldonyo Sabuk-Kilimambogo Road at the cost of more than Ksh1 billion. The launch of the project marked the beginning of the President’s tour of Ukambani where he will launch development projects and meet local leaders as well us interact with the public.
CORD Statement on the IEBC (10.06.2016)

10th June 2016,
Over the last three days, we have had, indirectly, positive and fruitful engagements with the Jubilee administration in which the religious faiths, the diplomatic community and business leaders have played a constructive role.
These engagements have not collapsed. From our standpoint we believe that seventy per cent of the sticking points have been agreed upon including the size of the committee, the independence of the committee, timelines and the subject matter.
However we need to conclude discussions on the question whether or not the committee could be subject to the standing orders of Parliament and controlled by the legislature in terms of secretarial services.
We believe the questions affecting IEBC are leadership and integrity challenges and management issues that must be addressed at a political level before the legislative processes are assumed by Parliament at the appropriate stage.
Political will and good faith must be exhibited by all parties and a conducive and enabling environment created. The talks and dialogue will be as good as they start as when they end. We recognise the steps made by Jubilee so far, but they are not enough for purposes of ensuring that success in reforming the IEBC is guaranteed.
As CORD, we hold no cards under the table. Our commitment and objective is limited to resolving the IEBC crisis and ensuring that the people of Kenya can have, as of right, free, fair, transparent, credible, verifiable, peaceful and accountable elections in 2017 and beyond.

In the meantime, our programmes for demonstrations are still in place for Monday and Thursday next week. But we are quick to point out that demonstrations are not an end in themselves and once we have an agreement and pathway to reform IEBC, they will not be necessary.
We note that the President on one hand, and Cabinet Secretary Nkaissery and the Inspector General on the other hand, have different and conflicting views and understanding on the right to peaceably assemble and to demonstrate. That internal contradiction among themselves must be resolved in accordance with the Constitution of Kenya which is clear and without a doubt.
We remain keen to see that peace prevails and the unity of the nation maintained.
Signed.
Statement by His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta on the IEBC (08.06.2016)

Dear Kenyans, Good afternoon,
The debate around IEBC reforms has been raging for a while now. And as President, I wish to give direction regarding this matter.
Let me begin by affirming Article 1 of Chapter 1 of our Constitution, which states that “…All sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya…” But the Article goes ahead to emphasize that this power “…shall be exercised ONLY in accordance with the constitution” Any attempts to exercise it outside the provisions of the constitution not only undermines both the spirit and letter of the constitution, but is also a recipe for confusion and anarchy.
Secondly, let me reaffirm Article 3(1) of the constitution that states; “…every person has an obligation to respect, uphold and defend this constitution” This obligation is NOT an OPTION. It is imperative, mandatory and an irreducible civic duty. As your President, I have sworn to defend it; but as citizens, you have this irreversible duty to protect it.
It is in the spirit of these constitutional provisions that today I held consultations with Religious Leaders drawn from most faiths in the country. I also invited our two speakers, Hon. Justin Muturi of the National Assembly and Hon. Ekwe Ethuro of the Senate to attend.

At this meeting we agreed on the following steps on how to move the country forward.
FIRSTLY, Subsequent to the agreement of the Speakers, a Joint Select Committee of both houses of Parliament be set up in accordance with the standing orders of both houses. The mandate of the committee will be strictly and exclusively the matter of IEBC.
SECONDLY, As provided for in the standing orders of both houses of Parliament, and in the constitutional spirit of public participation, all stakeholders, public and private should be accorded an opportunity to make submissions to the joint select committee.
THIRDLY, We expect that other initiatives by Parliament will harmonize their work within the framework of the joint select committee.
FOURTHLY, As the leader of Jubilee, I have convened a meeting of the Parliamentary Group tomorrow morning to agree on the membership and Jubilee’s participation in the joint select committee.
Uhuru Kenyatta, CGH
President
8th June, 2016
DP Ruto: “Cord protests are not different from what Al Shabaab is doing to Kenya” (Youtube-Clip)
My letter to the Jubilee Gov. after CS Nkaissery and Prof. Mulgai today outlawed “Anti-IEBC Demonstrations” and this is becoming your Achilles heel!

7th June 2016, Oslo
Dear, all of you in charge of the Kenyan Government!
This is my sincere plea from the ice-cold north of Scandinavia, where mandazi and pilau is not a thing. Well, I know that it taste splendid, but I am not writing to you because of I enjoy a good Kenyan supper and tea; I write because of today recent action.
There are amounts of questions that are raised after CS Joseph Nkaissery and Prof. Githu Mulgai today again outlawed Coalition of Reforms and Democacy (CORD) demonstrations against the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC), who seems to be a sensitive issue for the Jubilee Coalition and the JAP. That means that for you in Jubilee, the President Kenyatta and VP Ruto. You seemed to be more about you keeping the power by any means, then trying to be reasonable.

The CORD might be wrong at times, they are doing what they are doing to you; because the Okoa Referendum bills to change and amendment the constitution. At this referendum you totally gave it no chance and blew the ability and the level of groundwork that we’re done from the Opposition. That you have not given real space to Hon. Raila Odinga, Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka and Hon. Moses Wetan’gula.
You in the Jubilee are acting the big-men who were born to rule, and everybody else is supposed to step aside. The Achilles heel right now is the IEBC and the selected men in the leadership of it. Not because you have done wrong yourself, even with the inherited Electoral Commission and new Constitution. That are the reason and near epitome of your lawful assembly. So it is not well-established, the entities and the regulatory electoral procedures and regulation of the ballots; not to talk about what happens to the ballot after it is cast and what kind of independent tallying that exist.
You in the Jubilee are responsible for all the Kenyan Citizens and the Kenyans who does not support you and the ones who do. All Kenyans are your responsibility as you are the legislators and the ones that set the laws in Parliament; you regulate and assure the pay for all civil servants and level of security. With that comes responsibility.
A responsibility you have not honoured of late, not that the CORD demonstrators throwing stones and looting supermarkets are not correct. Henceforth does not justify the Police Officers lit up streets with flair, block streets and rally venues, use rhetoric of fear and actually beat up fellow citizens into pulp in the streets. That is not enough the Police use live bullets, kill the demonstrators or even kill by-standards as they are walking to pick-up cash in bank branch. Also when the Police Officers uses their water-canons, the devious actions of tear-gas and hitting people at random with sticks while trying to disperse the fellow citizens who actually demonstrates for the matter.

So with that in mind, as the Constitutional right for a Kenyan Citizen to go out and demonstrate in peace, without being shot, tear-gassed and even dispersed by violent behaviour and Police brutality. The Demonstrators does not have the right to loot, but when the Police uses violence and even kills, the Government and Police; should rethink that their actions spark reactions from the demonstrators, as the impunity and illegal killings, injuries and hurts of the violent police officers; doesn’t create a level of trust between the Police and the Citizens. As the Citizens already have little trust in Police Officers, as proved with their low ratings in a Poll in 2015; and with that in mind the Jubilee Government, President Kenyatta or VP Ruto together with CS Nkaissery should act a bit Nobel, instead of big-men who are ruling with impunity.
You in the Jubilee are responsible for the killings in the streets, for the vendors closing their shops and the CORD demonstrator’s aggressive reactions to the violent police. IGP Joseph Boinett should get direct guidelines and educate his fellow Anti-Riot Police also learn proper language as respectful manners as address the demonstrators, the same goes to Nairobi Police Commander Japhet Koome, who sounds like a mad dragon instead of a man who respects fellow citizens.
The CORD is not correct on all they do, neither are all their supporters, the same goes to you and your actions as in the Jubilee, you cannot just outlaw ‘demonstrations’ against the IEBC who have not cared for keeping clean sheets and accountable affairs, as their Chickengate and other activities can be question. The IEBC as long as it is in this state, will be the Achilles heel of the Jubilee, and do you want to be remembered for creating the turmoil and stalemate over ballots; and not creating peace and development in your term and reign in Power. Peace.
Best Regard
Writer of MinBane

