Opinion: Cambridge Analytica and Facebook – Time to connect the dots!

It’s time to wake-up and smell the coffee. It is time to kick-back and not be fooled by the mess. It has been a vindictive and outrage breach of trust between the social media company called Facebook, the Mark Zuckerberg has earned massive profits on speculative ads and destruction of democracy. While he has let political weaponized attempts of our digital imprints on his page taken by the Strategic Communication Laboratories and the infamous Cambridge Analytica. That has done shady business all around the globe, on every continent and has imprinted their campaigns of malice to the public.

The distorted view that this is fine and dandy, that a multi-millionaire, a guy Cenk Ugur ones said printed money. Robert Mercer, the millionaire backing President Trump and such, who has his stooges in around him too. That this guy’s ethical backbone, has been shown to world and what sort of affair it is. Clearly, they have misused and illegally collected personal information, I doubt only in United States, but all around the globe. As well, as Facebook has been paid to alter likes of pages, posts and whatnot from all the major political parties. All to create social media merit to the ones ruling the world.

Therefore, this all a collective scheme, where the data-breaches, where the personal information and the collected effort has undermined our system. Because we have trusted Zuckerberg, but also unknowingly let him trade away our social-media interactions to a third-party, which haven’t been sanctioned for their use of that. They have at the same time, used this information to hit key areas in elections, states and also ethnic groups, as well as the same backers has had PR campaigns, written speeches and made a whole package to secure the elections in certain republics.

In Kenya, the Cambridge Analytica, that has breached the data collection activity in the United States, could surely, done the same there. As they could have taken it, messed around it with it and then played the cards to secure the president. The company has even the server of the Electoral Commission (Independent Boundaries and Electoral Commission). Therefore, they got all the tools to alter the narrative and the results in the favour of their contractor Kenyatta and the Jubilee Party.

The same can be seen with the DUP who both paid Facebook, but also paid Cambridge Analytica, even parts of the Brexit referendum campaign funds has gone to this. Therefore, they have used shady tricks and used malicious breaches of public trust, to build campaigns fitting the public.

This isn’t only a USA thing, even if this is shattering the gates of power, as they are involved, the ones close to the Trump Campaign, even the one time Campaign Manager Stephen Bannon was involved in the company in question, therefore, who knows what sort of data he has used for his methods and his help to get Trump elected. As well, as the leaks has proven the company even used honey traps to black-mail politicians and was proud of this. This isn’t campaigning, but is reality a special sort of scandal, where the mighty knights and their misuse of trust has been breached.

This isn’t just about social media, this is how it has been used and how the politicians, their benefactors and their donors has used to boost their campaigns, how they have hired in consultants that has taken private information, sorted it in brackets and made sure they could use it take advantage of the political climate. Make sure they had the right slogans, the right message and right PR. That they could use the social media to spin the news cycle and make sure the people got hooked. All of this in attempt to secure their client, the Presidents and President-Elect. The ones they was working for, using the details from the big-data, breach the networks and secure the foundation of a campaign. Where the people are running around like sheep providing all the details and the reconfiguring it and they spilling the beans. That has been done, time and time again, also that if it is possible. They have even made sure of the counting, the rigging of the ballots. So their client get elected through their circus, it doesn’t have to be legitimate, but they are playing shadow state through their computers and servers. Playing second fiddle, but being the king-maker nevertheless.

That shows the dire need for investigations, for suspending these sort of activities, stopping Facebook for delivering this information, if not get people to deactivate and kill of their profiles. So Cambridge Analytica cannot use their information for political campaigning, so they cannot steal the big-data and juice up either Trump or Kenyatta. This for profits, this for personal gain and we now know, that the innocence of Facebook is gone and the image CA had was false.

Cambridge Analytica was a hit-factory, they made hits online and in real life, made campaigns and prepared the whole package, they could even make the candidates and they could be empty shell of a person, they don’t even need a thinking mind. That is proven, that is worrying and the empty suits boosted by collecting social media without knowledge, is proving to a serious breach, a serious attack on the trust and can collectively destroy our trust in companies involved. We as consumers should move elsewhere, but where. Who else has a platform that works, that is what we have to find and make sure it is not used by third-parties to weaponized our digital imprint online. Peace.

Opinion: Fearing for the information Cambridge Analytica has on Kenyan Citizens!

Since it is now revealed how far the ICT Company and Campaign Monitor Company Cambridge Analytica went in the United States, where they analyzed and took information, collected and made sure to target the public, because of the information from 50 million United States Citizens. It is interesting because the connection the same company had in Kenya. They we’re hired and worked for the President. They worked for President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto. They we’re connected with the ruling pary Jubilee and also with the Electoral Commission. This being the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

There been found that the Cambridge Analytica was in-charge of IEBC Web-pages, who knows what sort of information the company has stalled through the registers and the gist of public details. If they have collected similar information on Kenyan citizens in the same ways as in United States. They have already done it one place the years before in 2015 and 2016, why not do the same in Kenya in 2017. That would be plausible.

Our data came from the myPersonality Facebook application which I ran from 2007 until it ceased data collection in 2012. Users consented to their data being used in research and then completed a Big Five personality questionnaire which gave them feedback on their results. Over the five years of its operation the app collected data from approximately 6 million users. We examined Facebook Likes from a subset of approximately 60,000 American users” (Stillwill, 2018).

So with the knowledge of the extended survey and collection of data in concerning of the American Election, I am sure the same company has done similar efforts in Kenya. To get the right views and make sure they are on the measures they needed to be. If not, why where you working for Kenyatta and serving his party with information. Just like they did for the Trump Campaign so they could target areas and come with the sort of ads and click-bait stories to catch the people in doubt. This is why the company was hired in the first place, to make sure the political campaign hit the home-run in battle states in the United States. You can wonder what the same company planned, what sort of collection of data and how many of the Kenyan citizen’s on Facebook, which has been collected from. Since that is not known, also what sort of play and what information they got by having the IEBC Web-Page on their server.

There are many different potential sources for the additional information that could have been used. It is plausible that Cambridge Analytica Ltd also have a psychographic model of Prof. Carroll and Prof. Golumbia, given that they claim to use psychographics in their political advertising. Alternatively, Cambridge Analytica Ltd may have based its predictions on any number of alternative data points, such as whether Prof. Carroll and Prof. Golumbia are a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA), are known to have purchased a gun, etc” (Stillwill, 2018).

So it is hard know what they used the collected data in the 2016 Elections in the United States, but that they had it and target it to the public is fairly obvious. Therefore, to expect the same in the run-offs in the 2017 in Kenya, seems likely too. If not they wouldn’t been billing the state and the ruling party. They wouldn’t have been working and making adverts, and also campaigns for the President. That is clearly and also understandable. We can just wonder what sort of details the company has on the citizens of Kenya and what they used it for. What they got from the IEBC before they used the servers. There are many open venues, but non is disclosed. This should be investigated, as the privacy and the rights of the citizens are taken for granted. Which is never right. There are already FinTech companies who has to much information on Kenyan citizens. This comes in the same regard. Peace.

Reference:

Stillwill, Dr. David John – ‘Subject Matter: Section 7 DPA request (“Subject Access Request”) sent by Prof. Carroll to Cambridge Analytica Ltd, whose parent company is SCL Elections Ltd, on 17th February 2017’ (16.03.2018)

Kenya: Government letter to IMF Pledging loyalty to Ms. Lagarde (06.03.2018)

Opinion: Wentangula is now a lost one!

Today, a new storm arise in the Kenyan Parliament, just as the signed agreement between Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga went into force, the changes came swiftly. However, the National Super Alliance Co-Principals has felt left behind. They never got the satisfaction, but now the Orange Democratic Movement are showing no mercy for the ones who left Odinga alone on the 30th January 2018. Since the now former Minority Leader in the Senate Ford-Kenya leader Moses Wetangula will be changed with ODM Sentor James Orengo.

This is just a proof of the power of the ODM compared to the other parties within the coalition. That the ODM can just shuffle around and take force because of their stature and the amounts of political goodwill it has created. Now the NASA Co-Principals are mere extra’s on the ship. They are not running anything, they have to follow or be lost.

We knew that Kenyatta won when Odinga signed the pact; he got the credibility and the legitimacy he so craved for, while Odinga get peace and becomes the merrymaker in the shin ding. He and his party is now showing it, when they empty Wetangula out as yesterday’s paper. Just putting him in bin and putting one of their own.

ODM has the strength in the Parliament to do so, with the amounts of MPs and Senators, no doubt about it. But they are now showing no mercy and leaving no one behind. The Amani National Congress (ANC), Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) and Forum for the Restoration of Democracy – Kenya (FORD-K), so by mere numbers this is reasonable. However, if they care about the coalition in the end, it is damaging to hurt the pride of Co-Principals. Because of the representatives in total in minority, who is not forming government the ODM has 96 out of 162. While FORD-K has 14, also, the WDM has 26 and ANC has 17. Total of the other parties than ODM has 57 representatives in the Parliament. The smallest is also FORD-K. Therefore, by giving the title to them was a leaf and straw of confidence.

This is really cracking the whip, this is really petty politics, but surely to teach the Co-Principals a lesson after betraying Odinga. He haven’t acted before he went his own way and signed pact without them knowing. Just like, they didn’t answer or commit to the swearing-in, which was the first rift. The political games has started since and the resistance has dwindled until recently, when it’s been obviously discarded. Everyone can read Githeri Media and buy Brookside milk like nothing ever happen. Though Miguna Miguna says otherwise and David Ndii who lost his column in Daily Nation.

The ones that should worry is Mudavadi and Kalonzo Musyoka, as they are seeing how Wetangula is discarded like bad chapatti today. Today, Wetangula is lost in the wind, he is taken and flying out with nowhere to land. Clearly, the goal is to prove a point. I like Orengo and his attitude in politics. How he carry himself, but this is not good for the political climate between the coalition parties. This is petty, this is brutal and is not sharing, but overpowering.

This is a sign of what to come. This is not over, not until it is over. However, the ODM is proving their power and machinery after the agreement. Now the Co-Principals can either follow, or disband. We have to see… Peace.

Kenya Police Service: “Ref: JKIA Police Station OB NO. 35 of 26/2/2018 – Notice Compelling Attendance to Police Station under Section 52 of the National Police Service Act of 2011” (13.03.2018)

Media Council of Kenya: Summoning of the Sunday Standard Journalist by Aiport Police Vincent Achuka Ordered before Airport Police Boss over Alleged Security Breach (14.03.2018)

Container Freight Stations Associations of Kenya – “Re: Movement of Nominated Containers to CFS’s” (02.03.2018)

Kenya: Sen. S. Amos Wako Press Statement on the National Dialogue (12.03.2018)

NASA: Statement of the People’s Assembly Organizing Committee on the Memorandum Signed by H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta and H.E. Raila Odinga (13.02.2018)

Opinion: Odinga outfoxed the NASA Co-Principals and Mudavadi feels left behind!

I am not shocked, but the three gentlemen backing and being partners with Raila Odinga in the National Super Alliance (NASA) should feel betrayed by the agreement with Jubilee and President Uhuru Kenyatta. That is why suddenly, Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi feels left behind and that NASA has been overshadowed. He has the right to feel that, because it is true. Odinga outfoxed them and played them at their game.

Here is a vital part from the Press Conference today:

“The meeting was between two individuals and it does not bear the imprint of NASA Summit as it ought to be,” he said” (…) “Mr Mudavadi spoke at an ANC press conference in Mombasa. “For the record and on basis of the statement released, I can therefore categorically state that the meeting was between two individuals. “The question asked by our supporters is where the other three Nasa co-principals were. The answer is that we were neither aware, briefed, consulted nor invited” (Kazungu, 2018).

But just like Mudavadi feels that Orange Democratic Movement and Raila Odinga paid his respect and paid amends to Kenyatta. Mudavadi should still not throw to much shade at the agreement, even if it violates the NASA Accords and Agreement. Since the same fellow person neglected the vital day of swearing-in of Odinga on the 30th of January 2018. Somebody was not there, not present and not showing loyalty to the cause in Uhuru Park. While dozens of supporters, dozens of loyal people around showed up to gear up for the event. Mudavadi was at home drinking tea or whatnot. Who knows what Mudavadi did. What he didn’t do was to be NASA Co-Principal on the big day of the Opposition.

Therefore, it is hypocritical of Mudavadi to say that Odinga is wrong. Odinga was left behind, he saw that his fellow leaders in NASA didn’t have his back. They all betrayed the cause and showed contempt of the leadership itself. Kalonozo Musyoka wasn’t there, neither was Wetangula. All of them was discussing if they needed sugar or milk in their tea. They we’re not picking, which road is the easiest to Uhuru Park.

That is my defense of Odinga in this matter, but I know he killed the NASA and the idea of it with the agreement or with the pact with Kenyatta. Even Aukot wants forgiveness and wants “I am sorry for attacks” from the NASA. Even if Aukot doesn’t have the authority to ask for anything, except his paycheck from one of the Jubilee Clerical Staff that pays him.

Mudavadi feels left behind, he is right feeling so, but he should known that could happen when they all left Odinga alone in the Park. They all showed their true face, when it could brew up to a storm. They wouldn’t fight, if they lost their privileges, they would just be on the barricades as long as they have security and a posh car. They would not stand with Baba if the state took away their wealth and riches. That is something the world knows and the cracks already been open. Now Odinga just hit it with sledgehammer. I don’t know what that will succeed in doing, but at least put his mind at ease.

CORD is gone and NASA is dead. What the 3 Co-Principals will do now is not known. If any of them will continue or not. But they know Odinga has traded resistance and opposition with a favorable agreement done in secret. Mudavadi is allowed to be displeased and disappointed, he is right to address it. However, he did the same on the Swearing-In. They gave up the People’s Assemblies and People’s President, when he didn’t show up to Uhuru Park with his Co-Principals. Therefore, go back to drawing board and find your way. Because right now you suck at it. Peace.

Reference:

Kazungu, Samuel – ‘Raila-Uhuru agreement not a Nasa pact: Mudavadi’ (09.03.2018) link: https://mobile.nation.co.ke/news/politics/Musalia-Mudavadi-speaks-on-Raila-Odinga-Uhuru-Kenyatta-agreement/3126390-4336128-i4pwry/index.html