Kenya: Council of Governors – Press Release on the Non Payment of County Commitments due to the Vacancy in the Office of the Controller of Budget (29.11.2019)

About Time: A look into the Building Bridges Initative Report

What we are reading today is the results of the illegitimate elections of 2017. The Fresh Presidential Elections, the 26^th October 2017, the ones where two dynasties didn’t get together in a free and fair elections. After the first elections of 2017 was on the 8^th August 2017, which was happily dismissed and the IEBC had to make new elections in the same year. This was because, the verification of results and ballots was fraudulent. Not that the elections of October 2017 was any better, but the parties didn’t go all through it. Because, Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta had an handshake on the March 9^th 2018.

So, today’s report is about this and the arrangement between the dynasties of Kenyatta and Odinga. They might have made it into a Taskforce, where they are Building Bridges to Unity or Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). This is an initiative made between them and not a direct public inquiry nor one made by the public for the public. This is the political elite finding new steps and statutes to settle grievances between themselves.

I will take some snippets from the 156 pages long report, but will not digress too much into it. As this is made for the parties and their own private interests. This is not for betterment of the Republic, but more for securing the facilitation of the current status quo and the leadership itself. To think otherwise, than the Fresh Presidential Elections of 2017 would have ended differently, just like the August polls did, earlier in the year. That is if this was free and fair, as it was forged results fitting one man and his elite.

“Kenyans have God-given rights that must now stand alongside a Kenyan Charter of Citizen Responsibilities that is inspired by the National Anthem and the National Values, and includes a Patriot’s Pledge to the Nation and the Constitution of Kenya (for schools, workplaces, and official national and public events)” (BBI Report, November 2019).

As a Christian is a nice ideal to involve the faith in this manner, but still for a Republic and a pluralistic society and government, the BBI and the government itself should focus on the rule of law, constitutionalism and this to ensure the respect of laws for the citizens. What they are putting first is the faith and GOD, not what what should be put first from a governing perspective. Unless, the government is a church and a place of faith.

“Prime Minister — Within a set number of days following the summoning of Parliament after an election, the President shall appoint as Prime Minister, an elected Member of the National Assembly from a political party having a majority of Members in the National Assembly or, if no political party has a majority, one who appears to have the support of a majority of MPs” (BBI Report, November 2019).

This is revitalizing the role of Raila Odinga, to have another one position in the cabinet and within government. That is to really have yet another big-man, so they have more leaders within the high-ranks. Instead of directly appointed by the President, the person is there on accord or consensus of the whole Parliament.

“Leader of the Official Opposition — The runner-up of the Presidential election becomes an ex-officio Member of Parliament and the Leader of the Official Opposition if his or her party is not represented in the Government, or of a coalition of Parliamentary parties not represented in the Government” (…) “Question Time — The Opposition will play a key role in Prime Ministerial and

Ministerial Question Time sessions in Parliament. Question Time is an opportunity for MPs to question Government Ministers about matters for which they are responsible” (BBI Report, November 2019).

This is clearly made in the fashion of the Parliament in the United Kingdom. They are clearly wanting the Corbyn Versus Theresa May, they want the public to be squaring off between the opposition MPs and the Cabinet. To answer for themselves and to be accountable. Not only suddenly hold some Press Conference. This would be what this means. While also, letting the loser of the Presidential Election still having a place and a role in Parliament. That is to clearly give way and be viable, still after elections.

“No Kenyan Left Out — The ‘Kubadili Plan’: As part of ensuring that all Kenyans have access to quality services which are foundational to putting people onto the path of shared prosperity, the Taskforce proposes a Kubadili Plan to bring marginalised wards to the level generally enjoyed by the rest of the country. The plan will be to identify the Wards which are most marginalised, at present and historically. Implementation should start with the Wards ranked last. Develop a plan to build schools, health facilities, roads, water, electricity, and police stations, in a way that the people of the whole Ward have access to them; and ensure that the facilities are built in all the Wards within a period of three years” (BBI Report, November 2019).

The ‘Kabadili Plan’ is just what the government is supposed to do, just on Ward level of government. This plan is what the government is supposed to do and isn’t a magic trick. This is just making it into a text and naming it something. The government are supposed to deliver basic needed services and this isn’t rocket science, but apparently the Taskforce see the current state not fit to do this.

“Public Officers should not be in business with the Government — Address conflicts of interest by reducing Public Officer involvement in business with the Government” (BBI Report, November 2019).

Another basic one, as a person is in public office, shouldn’t have conflict of interests nor have the powers to give business advantages because of it. That is why many big-men in the past has given away or let their businesses into trusts, while they been in government. This should also be natural, also show what businesses the public officials, what sort of land and other assets they have. That will implicate them and also where they should recuse themselves from voting or participating in the process.

This is what I found as interesting within the report. It was a lot more, but this will be discussed. We can wonder what implications and what will be implemented by this report? Because, there is very little other than a big hoopla and not so much flash. We have to wonder if this will make any changes, if the Taskforce plans to bring forward Constitutional Amendments and other laws to reinforce what it t states?

That is if, this report has more value, than buying time for Kenyatta and Odinga. Because, unless something of this will be considered. There need to be more than launch and a final delivery of an report. This needs laws, motions and amendments, if they are sincere about what this one says.

Since, there is a lot of words and well-wishes, but not significantly addressed in the Report. They are talking of it in the conclusion, but then they are pushing the recommendations without considering what all might think of these. Some are good, but then again, this was a match between to parties not the whole Republic. Peace.

Kenya: The National Assembly – Message from the President – Invitation to the Launch of the Report of the Taskforce on Building Bridges to Unity Advisory (26.11.2019)

Central Bank of Kenya: Monetary Policy Committee Meeting (25.11.2019)

Kenya: Building Bridges for National Unity Taskforce – Press Release (22.11.2019)

Opinion: Uhuru, wananchi are broke because of you…

“The President wondered where all the money being used to construct government projects is going. In fact, he specifically asked us the question: Why are people broke; why is it that there is no money in their pockets?” the official reported to be a parastatal head was quoted by the publication” (John Wanjohi – ‘I Don’t Understand Why Kenyans are Broke, Uhuru Says’ 12.11.2019, Mwakilishi.com).

President Uhuru Kenyatta must think people are gullible and ignorant to the facts. That they are not understanding the bigger picture nor the consequences of the actions made by the central government. Because, going around asking this sort of question, opens the door to wonder, how stupid does the President think the wananchi is?

President Kenyatta, first and foremost. It is your reign and your decisions that has made people out of pocket and broke. It is your government policies, your actions as head of state and the reactions to that. Which in the end, accumulate to the result of unemployment, poverty and the lack of cash to go-around. That is all because of you and your yes-men.

People have tried to blame Henry Rotich for this, but lets be clear. His the scapegoat. The Cabinet Secretary or the Minister, which is easy to aim at, but he has just sanctioned and followed protocol made by the President and his patronage. There is nothing else too it.

That is why with the growing corruption in the reign of Kenyatta, the added debt and the new cap or celling for debt. Just shows what it is all about. The free money of loans to shield the over spending government, which builds pipedreams and white elephants like there is no tomorrow. While wondering why people doesn’t earn coins on it. That is because, they don’t get the tender through shady companies like with the NYS Fund, neither do they get any direct benefit of the SGR. Secondly, non see the money for the maize scandals nor the sugar cartels too.

That’s why its like this, just like the crack-down betting firms, where the state banned one and opened up the gates for another one. There is no development, only more shady tricks. Just like the trade of milk and the standards put on that, which is ironic. Since the President himself is involved and owner of that. Plus all the estates, hotels and whatnot, both the President and the DP now owns. They have created empires while being in office, also ensuring the cronies get a cut too. While the state suffers a bondage and will have for generations, because this one borrowed fiscal stimuli like their was no tomorrow to begin with.

So, its better for Uhuru to not act a fool, but to actually do his job. He has been globetrotting and a vagabond as the President. Maybe time to cool down, not do PR stunts and empty pledges of the Big Four and the Building Bridges Initiative, but actually deliver something that matters. Not just empty expensive containers, which someone inside the Ministry of Health could profit from. Since, that is how the Jubilee government have operated on a large scale, with Grand Corruption in their veins and borrowing money at large too. Therefore, the lack of fiscal responsibility, nor any substance of development for the poor.

That’s why Kenyatta, that’s why you have not succeeded. You have reigned supreme since 2013, but your not leaving anything positive behind for 2021. Only more loans, bigger corruption scandals and a questionable legitimacy, as you rigged the last election and used Cambridge Analytica to massage your message to the masses. Which will not be forgotten. Peace.

Kenya: Inspector General of Police Mutyambi – Press Release (12.11.2019)

Kenya: Nairobi Police Service – Press Release (12.11.2019)

Kenya: IPOA launches Investigation into the Alleged Assault on University Students by the Police (12.11.2019)

Kenya: The Judiciary – Internal Memo – Subject: Uploading of FY 2019/20 Half Year Budget (05.11.2019)