Opinion: Is the EAC functional at the moment? Or should we await for further confirmation?

Is the line working? Are there someone answering on the other side? Did we dial the number correctly? Is the East African Community (EAC) functional or is a front?

I don’t know… but things aren’t splendid at the moment. There are several of cases pending and issues going on, which says otherwise. While the EAC Secretariat is busy pleading to the nations of finding amicable responses. There is little to no feedback or concern about these statements.

Yes, the Tanzanian authorities barred Kenyan Airways today. While Kenyan high ranking officials had spoken ill of the Rwandan regime and they wanted another sort of apology in return, which we have never heard. The Ugandan authorities on the other hand has suspended the imports of petrol through Kenya and has sued the Kenya cartels in the EAC Courts.

The Democratic Republic of Congo have on the other hand gone after Rwanda and said if it doesn’t stop the “proxy war” inside the DRC. Kinshasa might invade Kigali in the future. That’s not a good look for the EAC and having the DRC as one of the newest members of it.

Burundi has also dwelled into murky waters over a “claimed” Rwandan supported proxy militia attacking on Burundian soil. Which has resulted in the closure of borders to Rwanda and suspending diplomatic ties with Kigali. Therefore, things aren’t looking good.

Neither of these things are new in the EAC. There been closure of borders between Uganda-Rwanda in past. There been blockade of trading certain goods between Uganda-Kenya like Chickens. The Kenyan authorities has blocked certain trades with Somalia, which has also become a member of the EAC. Therefore, there is no common market or protocol that opens up for a true free flow of goods, yet.

The ones leading the EAC must have a headache. There is no solemn peace or gratitude. Only more grievances and more work to fix things. The South Sudanese and the President in Juba must feel the plight of the chair. This time around it isn’t only fixing on issue or a diplomatic spat over some contested rock or policy. No, it is real life consequences and things that can spiral out of hand. There is guns and money involved here and this is why President Kiir needs advisors who can navigate this with care.

The EAC needs mediation and better one than the ones that issued after the 2015 General Elections in Burundi. The Inter-Dialogue that was sponsored there was fruitless and hot-air, which is why the CNDD-FDD isn’t caring about transparency or accountability for its actions. This will not help when Juba calls Gitega and asks for a mediation process between them and Kigali. No, this here will be a prolonged stalemate, unless Mbeki or someone Goodluck Jonathan or something comes with some magic juices to salvage the hurt of the parties.

Alas, that will be needed between Tanzania-Kenya, Uganda is using the mechanisms, but at the same time Nairobi cannot be kiddy about the claims or the end-game. As Dodoma is getting the cash and the export-tariffs through it’s ports instead.

The DRC-Rwanda will be a forever debacle and as long the historical ties between proxies and Kigali exists. This will not be sorted out by the EAC and the EAC Force is already history. The SADC has come in, but we don’t know if it will stop the insurgency or the militias operating in the DRC. Most likely it will not as it has been a root cause of evil for decades now and foreign operates has profited of the slaughter and the “blood resources” of the DRC. That never changes and the EAC will not be able to stop that either.

The EAC seems like a good idea on paper, but when it lack resources, manpower and an army to run it. There is little to add weight other than the President residing on the throne temporarily and the hopes of good gestures. There is a need for humility and respect of fellow peers, but that’s maybe to much to ask, as the rising arrogance and self-serving interests are more important than winning hearts across the border. That’s why neighbours spats and we are seeing these acts happening in our time.

The EAC is maybe crumbling, but that’s not Kiir’s or the South Sudanese fault. They are just at the helm at the wrong time. The ones in office and who carries the heavy load. At one point they might have wished better fortunes, but this is the cards they are dealt.

It is not fair and it never is. There is a need for redemption and for talks. If the parties will, it would be splendid. The cases between Kenya-Uganda and Tanzania-Kenya could be settled rather easily, but the ones between DRC-Rwanda and Burundi-Rwanda is much more hostile. These will take some serious negotiations and dialogue, which would need foreign intervention or possible respected statesmen from far away to support the talks. Peace.

Opinion: Ruto have an excuse to travel [for two months now]

President William Ruto will now use the chance and continue his lifestyle. Not that the President will be without house or board. No, he has all the perks and will lavish as his used too. Even as the State House is under renovation for two months. That is just giving him reasons to visit the other state lodges of the government.

He could use the time to be a foreign dignitary and plan working visits to other destinations. That would be typical him. Go to multi-national conferences and be part of the foreign policy. Just so he can make Mudavadi a side-kick and lesser of prominent figure in his cabinet. Not like anyone should outshine Ruto regardless.

The President has now a reason to be abroad and be visiting nations. While the other ministries or government entities are told to tighten their belts. The President gets time to spend elsewhere and not the “ordinary work weeks”. These next two months we should expect him to visit every corner of the world.

We shouldn’t be surprised if he went to the Middle East, Asia, Oceania or America. This President want to see the mountains of Europe too, if he gets a chance and maybe he can hold talks with Biya in Switzerland for all we know. Just so he can get some tricks for longevity and keeping himself in office for life.

It would be easy to see Ruto in South Africa or other nations on the continent. Maybe even visit Kampala to soften the blow of the fuel scandal of late, which has made the Ugandans change their imports through Tanzania instead of Kenya. That would be spending with a purpose and not seeing the sights.

Ruto has enough work to do and the usage of public reserves to refurbish or renovate the State House seems like a total waste. In some regards it is, because it isn’t a direct government service entity. It is more for the publicity and the image of the Republic. Which is fine and dandy, but it doesn’t serve more food on the plates of the ones living under duress.

We know that Ruto has a home in Sugoi, Uasin Gishu County so surely he can work from “home” to if he please. Secondly, we know he has estates and other possible prospects too. It isn’t like the President is homeless and has to jump on a jet. However, we know he prefers that and enjoys the spoils of the office. That’s why he takes every chance he gets to be abroad and serve as “His Excellency” there.

Since at home he has a workload and has to deliver. Yes, he comes to churches and functions where he drops empty promises or hot air. Nevertheless, that is what got him here and it’s his modus operandi. That’s why people cannot expect more of him. His a self-serving person who seeks to enrich himself and the State House has to ooze wealth!

William Samoei Ruto won’t be here in office to cater or try to deliver anything substantial. He has gotten away with being subpar and being a publicity stunt his whole career. Where he has navigated the political spectrum and been able to upgrade his office one step at a time. Now that his at the top. We shouldn’t expect magic or supernatural results. That’s not who Ruto is and he can just sell a story, but not implement it.

With the recent news and knowledge of how he has spent his time in office already. We know he will travel excessive and be less in Kenya. He will be outside Kenya and feel the luxurious vacation spots or be part of expensive conferences on the public’s dime. That’s who he is and now he cannot return to the “State House”. Neither will he work from Sugoi or anywhere for that matter.

I think he will pack his suitcase and find his next destination. Peace.

Kenya: Senator Andrew Okiya Omtatah Okoiti, MP – Opposing His Excellency President Dr. William Samoei Ruto’s Unwarranted Threats and Insults direct at the Judiciary & Litigators (05.01.2023)

Kenya: National Treasury’s Official Statement on Debt Service Commitments (28.12.2023)

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM): Withdrawal from the Deed of Agreement from Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition (13.12.2023)

Opinion: Murkomen won’t be fired…

Kipchumba Murkomen will never ever face any real trouble in office. That’s because he is outmost loyal to the President. Murkomen attributes and political savvy nature is in the value of loyalty. It isn’t his work ethic, moral standing or planned policies for the Kenya Kwanza Alliance. No, Murkomen is there out of necessity and because he serves a purpose of Ruto.

CS Murkomen haven’t the need to deliver or serve the communities. The Ministry or the Department his running can fall into pieces. The service delivery can be non-existent and he would never be touched. That’s the reality of it all…

People can call for his sacking and for his utter incompetence. However, Ruto didn’t hire or appoint him for his competence. It wasn’t like Murkomen was a technocrat or a wise-man of sorts. Neither is he educated in the profession or the portfolio his in-charge off. No, his appointed out of loyalty.

It is that simple, his a loyal subject and a man who honours his contract or political ambition is locked within the parameters of the President. That’s all that matters. This is why Murkomen can wreck his office and leave behind breadcrumbs to the next guy. However, that won’t matter and he knows it.

Murkomen can go on a shopping-spree. The CS can live a lavish lifestyle and enjoy all the perks of life. While the fellow citizens struggles with the cost of living or the rising prices. He won’t feel that either and he got a “slush fund” to eat from.

Ruto won’t mind his lack of results or troublesome reputation. Because for Ruto his just one of the fellow associates he can trust and know will honour his words. The words of loyalty and being behind his back.

The ones believing all of the appointees of Ruto is there to work is false. They are there to eat and do so in accordance with their master. That’s what they are up to and they are only using the offices to benefit themselves. They are there to have a splendid time and live the good life.


CS Murkomen has succeeded and the office he now has… is making him live large. He is able to open up new spending sprees and get the finer things. That’s why he will be busy shopping and finding the luxury item. He will not be considerate about the state of affairs or even what his office is supposed to do. Neither does he have to fear anything. Because, he knows Ruto won’t touch.

That’s what loyalty does and gives. The loyal subject and stand-up guy will be saved. Even when he burns down the house and doesn’t fix the bridges in need. Therefore, the roads can be destroyed, lacking or even be ghost projects. However, The CS will never get into any trouble over it. Instead, he will given another item to enlarge his treasury chest. Peace.

Opinion: Mzee’s lack of self-awareness is astonishing

A country like Uganda wasted a lot of time-fighting and so on, when we settled down, we started producing and very soon we realised that the internal market was not enough for milk, maize, sugar, among other products. The second reason is strategic security. How can you be secure in the world? The third reason is undugu, we are even lucky that we have Swahili as the East African language, we can all speak Swahili. Therefore, it is easy for us to unite. This is why some of us under the leadership of Mwalimu Nyerere, for the last more than 60 years have been struggling for East African integration” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (24.11.2023).

After all these years and with the new Member Nations in the East African Community (EAC), Somalia. There should be jubilation and celebration, as it wasn’t a long ago that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) became a member and before that was South Sudan. The EAC has grown, but it got growing pains.

President Museveni should know all of this, because he has seen it all happening in front of his own eyes. What is striking to me… as a man speaking of markets and market integration. A lot of his own works and direct policies has been deterrent of this. Alas, they have been counterproductive.

The President and his party has been so hostile that it has caused trade-wars over chickens. Had spats over a tiny island in the Lake Victoria. It has had issues with importation of fuel and gas. If not it has caused a stir by choosing which port to have the petroleum pipeline from the Albertine Graben and to the Sea. Not forget the prolonged blockade and blocking of entry between Rwanda and Uganda. Therefore, he has seen the “brotherhood” and what it is worth.

The EAC needs guidelines and codes of conduct. The Sovereigns are still in the realm of deciding all on their own terms. There isn’t a policy or statute made by the EAC, which makes the East African Community a Common Trading Market like the Member States of the European Union. If the EAC had done something similar. Then the Ugandan President could speak very smoothly about the brotherhood. As that would open up the markets and ease the logistics between the nations. However, that isn’t the case as of today.

The EAC have created a Monetary Union in 2013, but to see that being beneficial for trading or movement of goods. That is another issue that the Heads of State hasn’t resolved or come with a resolution to fix it. This is why it is a bit odd to read parts of Museveni’s speech today.

Museveni wants to be seen as a statesman and of the old school. That his the wise man who has lived through the ages. Regardless of that, when he has such vast amount of experience. He should be the guy to come with wisdom and ways to get things moving along. However, that never seems to happen, because he knows he cannot order people around like headless chickens outside his domain. Therefore, he gets nowhere and have to sound more profound outside his turf.

President Museveni speaks easily of uniting, but I have just seen otherwise over the years. I am just awaiting another trade-war and spat between Government of Uganda, and one of their neighbours. That just happens and usually over petty things or allegations. This is why the recent outburst of fuel cartels and whatnot in Kenya is just souring the grapes between the nations. Instead of trying to find mechanisms to resolve it. The President just ordered to cease importation and get it through Tanzania instead. This shows how the EAC isn’t totally working and it is simple choices that is the final factor in decisions.

If the markets was truly integrated into a common market, which was open for everyone and with secure mechanisms and tribunals for grievances. The trading in the EAC would be totally different. Right now that’s not happening, because the Sovereigns wants a say and want to keep their integrity intact. Therefore, the brotherhood is in words, but not in actions. Peace.

Kenya: Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) – Press Statement Issued by the FKE Management Board (24.11.2023)

Kenya: Nairobi City County – Office of the Governor – Press Statement (22.11.2023)

Opinion: Ruto’s government is getting caught up in scandal after scandal…

Senator Okiya Omtatah Claims Government Financed Businesswoman Ann Njeri In Ksh.17B Oil Saga. The Busia Senator alleges that the government financed businesswoman Ann Njeri Njoroge with Ksh.17 billion in the controversial fuel deal” (Udaku News Kenya, 18.11.2023).

If there isn’t a ghost project in a Ministry costing around 140 million shillings, which just happened to go into thin-air. There are edible oils that wasted 20 billion shillings and then the other day the revelation of 17 billion shillings spent on a questionable fuel agreement. Therefore, the hustlers of Kenya Kwanza is taking the Kenyans for a ride.

This is continuation of the Jubilee era. The President and former Deputy President is just following what he and others did in that time. Ruto who is either busy promising salvation and hope. While taxing and relaxing on jets to abroad. His governing in a lax fashion and he hopes that no one catches up on him. Because, he is living the fine life and getting all the perks of the office.

Ruto is fine-dining, going to conference and having important “business” to attend to as a Head of State in foreign land. He goes and secures loans, grants and bilateral agreements. While his Cabinet Secretaries are finding ways to scheme, siphon and let the public coffers vanish out of nowhere.

That’s while the cost of living is still a crisis. The burden of the people is far from over. They are not getting relief and the state is adding taxes on them. The government itself aren’t listening in and just finding ways to find “fiscal stimulus” to default of funds itself has created. That’s the irony here as the Government had funds, but they just stole it. Instead of using it for where it was intended to be.

Ruto and his CS knows this. Everyone in the inner-circle knows this. If it is Murkoman, Kuria or Chirchir. They all know and are accepting that fact. They are all using the offices and because of their loyalty. These people expects that its their time to eat. The politicians has waited for their bounty and their feast. Now it is being served and the losers are the public.

The public are supposed to get government services or public services out of it. These shillings are there to be spent on day-to-day operations, help and budgeted for the greater good. However, someone is pocketing these billions and millions of shillings. While the ones awaiting help or the service in need… will never see it or hear about it. Instead, they get headlines, breaking news and scandals all across their social media feed.

It is just another day and another “missing funds”. Like it doesn’t matter and the big-men, the WaBenzi gets to eat. That’s the story and it continues again tomorrow. The Kenyan people deserves better and the government should act better. However, we see it time and time again. They get into position and then they misuse it. These people bargain and make alliances for positions, and after that finds a table to eat. That’s what they do and it’s a reoccurring enterprise. Peace.