Msambweni By-Election: Ruto won [and Feisal Bader took the seat]

Today is a day of reckoning as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Omar Boga was beaten in the polls by Feisal Abdallah Bader run as an independent. As the Jubilee Party, the ruling party didn’t field anyone in respect to the ODM fielding their candidate. However, this move has backfired and Deputy President William Ruto have played both President Kenyatta and Raila Odinga.

This was the battle between the Handshake and Ruto. It was a political gambit of Kenyatta to risk his party own standing and give way to ODM to carry on. While Ruto wanted another loyal ally. Some says this is a pre-referendum before the actual referendum. The whole BBI shindig who is all pushed forward by Kenyatta and Odinga. While Ruto until recently have been vocally against it. He switched sides on that, but still people say people chose this way to say “no” against the ruling regime in itself.

What we can easily see that the ODM haven’t won here and that an Independent supported by Ruto got this. For some that is shocking… but everything that has an affect. The BBI and the whole acts of the duo Kenyatta-Odinga would cause some stir. As they are pushing forward their agenda without really doing anything else. They are busy eating and selling BBI. While not governing without a functioning opposition. That’s why Kenyatta has so lazy days, as he has no real opposition against him. Even Ruto cannot be opposition in reality, as his part of the government himself.

While this was Kenyatta-Odinga Versus Ruto … it shows how power games might come ahead. That the Jubilee-KANU-ODM pact isn’t a winning strategy. They don’t have an monopoly as the public can chose other candidates then theirs.

Some might proclaim the greatness of the Wheelbarrow Movement or Hustler Nation. However, this is maybe a direct answer that the citizens doesn’t agree with the BBI referendum. Secondly, that they are not pawns of the dynasties and cartels. That’s why they picked Ruto’s man. It seems like a lucky strike in midst of it.

Even I thought this was sealed for the ODM and Jubilee didn’t field Sharlet Mariam. That was clearly more risky than the duo thought of. Thinking back in time and the humiliation of losing this one. Surely in the next race. The Jubilee will field someone, even if the ODM has someone there. As they cannot live on the supposed popularity of Odinga.

Baba clearly doesn’t have all the suction or natural drive in the voters. If he did this seat should have been solid. Nevertheless, the citizens of the constituency has spoken and given their verdict. ODM doesn’t own this and isn’t automatic. Even with the supposed stronghold of the party. Clearly, that can be wiped out too.

If it was a clear sale this one wouldn’t been like this and it is some signs of what is ahead. That Baba and ODM isn’t all Teflon. There are possibility to trick the game and win.

The BBI and the whole adventure there is clearly not a good selling point. When they are even going for the candidates of Ruto to just some other faces. That says it all. The public should never be taken for granted, but right here the ODM did. The Jubilee did and Ruto played them all.

This isn’t because of some wheelbarrows, but a sign that change is coming. We just don’t know what. Because ODM and Jubilee haven’t got the gist of it yet. Peace.

Kenya Human Rights Commission: Wanton Impunity and Exclusion- A report based on Human Rights Violations amid Covid-19 (10.12.2020)

Link to report: file.html (khrc.or.ke)

Hennessey Tales Part III: Sonko’s Final Episode

Governor Mbuvi Gideon Kioko Wam aka Mike Sonko has now been impeached and is awaiting the senate for a further verdict and a final vote. The Nairobi governor is no in real trouble. Not that its new. He has even signed off parts of the local government to Nairobi Metropolitan Services, which the governor did while he was drunk (allegedly).

So, now the man who gave away Hennessey to the citizens in the care-package from the County Government during the lockdown. This man is now in trouble and could be out of office. That vote is scheduled to happen in early 2021. So, he will have Christmas to redeem himself. However, don’t expect that after the Nairobi City County Assembly voted him out.

Not like Governor Sonko haven’t made his own bed. The man who is known for fleeing from prison and having a shady history. Still, he was able to flex and capable to run for office. Surely, the wealth and the suction has given him an edge. However, he played on the edge of a cliff and now his free falling. Not a good look…

Sonko is already questioned for corruption scandals and misuse of office. The man has already acted without good judgement with signing of parts of his local government to the NMS. This was giving way to the State House and making Sonko less relevant in his own county.

The governor of Nairobi could have acted with finesse and better. Nevertheless, his usually showing arrogance and grandeur. Showing of his chains, clothes and bling, but not doing anything useful in office.

Sonko is the wannabe rapper turned governor. The Governor wants so badly to be the centre of the attention. However, that isn’t what his elected to be. His supposed to serve the county and make it better for its citizens. Ensure the government and state organizations are working smoothly and delivering government services. Nevertheless, that has never been important for Sonko.

He rather act like a big-man, talk like a big-man and dance around like a big-man. The Governor will go down in history as a incompetent and corrupt individual. Not that it’s new or shocking. Previous Nairobi governors been that too and they have been charged after their term in office.

Sonko aimed at the sky and aimed at the thone. He went after the ones who is ruling supreme. That wasn’t acceptable and therefore, he had to fall.

It was Sonko’s turn… Governor Sonko better plead to the State House and the inner-circle in the Jubilee Party. However, I doubt that will happen. Sonko better get his load of Hennessey and drink out his sorrow. Peace.

Opinion: Kenyatta there is no free lunch

We thank the officers of the United Nations and all development partners who have been close collaborators but at this juncture I must make it clear that while we appreciate your support and look forward to your collaboration you must remember that Kenya has its owners, and its owners are 50 million Kenyans, I ask you to refrain from trying to direct us in which way we should go. We are clear on where we want to go. We ask you to join us, to support us in that endeavor. But do not interfere because we shall not allow for you to dictate to us which direction that should be” – President Uhuru Kenyatta on the 4th December 2020

The idea that President Kenyatta comes with, I understand the sentiment and the ideal of acting as a sovereign and act as an independent state. As the Head of State … Kenyatta knows this too. The state his running is dependent on donations and aid. That is well known, as well as most of development expenditure is using foreign funds.

That’s why when you receive other people’s money and from foreign organizations. There will be strings attached to that money. The state who receives that money has to comply to a set of rules, regulations and deliver reports on the spending. This is happening because the state took the money and after that they have to prove the value for money.

Someone like Kenyatta should know this. The United Nations, Multi-Nationals and Foreign Donors are not doling the money out without any strings. This means that if the Kenyan state takes the money. They have to comply with the stipulations of the funds or the direction which they were intended to be spent.

If Kenyatta wants the state to be fully independent and sovereign he shouldn’t accept the money. The man shouldn’t even take the grants, donations or the development funds if they are putting strings on his actions.

President Kenyatta shouldn’t be dependent on it then. If you take other people’s money … there will expectations and directions coming with it. Yes, the Kenyan state is sovereign and can self rule. However, when you take funds to cover deficits and create development projects. These funds will steer the conversation, as these monies aren’t given out for F-R-E-E.

So, if Kenyatta doesn’t want to be told how to spend. Then he should add his own state revenue and tax-base so that he doesn’t have act out like this.

President Kenyatta there is no free lunch. You expect that money grow on trees and just get dropped in your hands. That’s not happening… Kenyatta, better buckle up and smell the coffee. Since, the reality is that the state can grow on its own. However, then you should stop the dependency of foreign donors. If you want to steer the ship without anyone telling you the direction. Peace.

Kenya: Kongamano La Mageuzi (KLM) – Statement on the Staet of the Nation (29.11.2020)

Kenya: Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) National Secretariat – Press Statement (30.11.2020)

Opinion: Kenyatta speaks good game, but it is all talk…

For a man that has been the President since March 2013 in Kenya. You would think he would think more clearer about his words and what message he sends across. Because, it is not like this Kenyan President since 2013 have delivered any significant development, except for a huge White Elephant named the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).

That is why it’s amazing to see that President Uhuru Kenyatta speaks of development and how its ought to look like. The man has had the time and the ability to deliver some if he cared. However, the President has been caught up in a web of corruption and loan-drives, which has enveloped into a dark spiral of fiscal responsibility. Also doing this in such a manner, that the Kenyan government will struggle with the debt burden created with very little too none to show for it.

Just read the words from the President:

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, November 25, 2020 – President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta urged African governments to put their citizens at the centre of delivering service during Africa Delivery Exchange 2020, a virtual event that opened Tuesday” (…) ““Our people know and understand what development ought to look like and what benefits it should bring to their social-economic wellbeing. Therefore, any failure to quickly address the missing middle within the development paradigm could create a deficiency of trust between the electorate and those in positions of leadership,” Kenyatta said” (African Development Bank Group (AfDB) – ‘Africans “know and understand what development ought to look like,” says President Uhuru Kenyatta’ 25.11.2020, APO Group – Africa Newsroom).

It is like Kenyatta knows the rights things to say and do. However, his own track record is abysmal. The man haven’t done anything. Nothing substantial. His legacy will be grand-corruption and a Presidential Handshake. The forged and rubbish Building Bridges Initiative, which is only for the elites to eat more and not for the general public to get a better government.

President Kenyatta knows this. He used the Cambridge Analytica to spread his messages to the masses. To secure the elections and rig it in favour of him. Odinga saved him with the handshake and bought him time. This way he could work in peace and without any real opposition. That is why Kenyatta doesn’t have to deliver anything. Since there is nobody to outplay or outperform. The opposition is compromised by the BBI and he can do whatever he feels.

The Jubilee Coalition and the Jubilee Party have been a winner for him. It has given the man time. However, he has not delivered any development or the “big four” or anything else he has promised to do. If he has delivered anything in his time … its more debt and interest rates on the next administration.

President Kenyatta can talk big game, but his only talk. This man is not about implementing it or making it happening himself. He has spent all these years in office and not delivered. It will not change now in his second term. That is just not happening. This is why the BBI is such a big thing. Because, the President got nothing else… nothing else and it will not do magic. It is a forced referendum and not the trick to solve all the issues at the present time. Peace.

Kenya: National Police Service – Director of Criminal Investigations – Press Release (24.11.2020)

Kenya: CS Ukur Yatani – National Treasury & Planning – Media Report on G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative (20.11.2020)

Kenya: NDICCC – Ref: COVID 19 Situation in Kenya (16.11.2020)