Kenya: IEBC Internal Memo’s – “Re: Validity of Correctly Marked but Unstamped Ballot Papers” and “Re: Stamping of Ballot Papers” (03.08.2017 & 05.08.2017)

Internal Memo Number 2:

Houses of the Oireachtas August report explaining the grand-issues remaining between Ireland and NI because of the Brexit!

Taoiseach Enda Kenny, speaking in Brussels on the 2nd of March 2017 said, “the Good Friday Agreement contains the opportunity to put in these negotiations language that has already been agreed in internationally binding agreement, that at some future time were that position to arise, that if the people by consent were to form a united Ireland that that could be a seamless transfer as happened in the case of East Germany and West Germany when the Berlin Wall came down.” (Houses of the Oireachtas, P: 248, 2017).

There must be times that the ones who voted for Brexit must regret it. Since the challenges and consequences are now unraveling. The House of the Oireachtas has come with an extensive report. That you should read yourself to get the deepness of the issues and the wishes of the Republic of Ireland, who in dept hope that Northern Ireland and Ireland get reunited like Germany did in the 1990s. There are more the things to look into, like the clear deficit between the United Kingdom, the Northern Ireland and Republic.

The are other issues like the border, which will be a genuine issue for both United Kingdom, European Union, the Member State Ireland and the nation within United Kingdom Northern Ireland. That the border, with the movement of trade, people and all other co-operations. Not just immigration with the Irish, who can pass and who has to apply between the borders of Northern Ireland towards Ireland. It will require direct borders on the crossings and also visas. Not only economical pressure because of the Brexit, but all the other grand issues.

Northern Irish Deficit:

The theoretical question of the Northern Ireland contribution to the EU through the UK annual contribution and a subsequent financial benefit from ending those contributions is a moot one. The deficit in Northern Ireland is such that any theoretical contribution is in fact made with money borrowed from central government. The Northern Ireland deficit (confining the spending definition rather generously as identifiable spending under the block DEL grants plus Annual Managed Expenditure) is 15% of GVA versus a UK budget deficit of 3.4% (in 2016). Given the UK Treasury intends to have a surplus in the next parliament, along with the potential for a large final exit bill and the threat to tax revenues, should Brexit cause an economic slowdown any benefit from ending the UK contributions to the EU is likely to be small if at all and for Northern Ireland will be irrelevant. Therefore, for Northern Ireland to be net neutral after Brexit the UK government will have to sponsor all current EU programmes” (Houses of the Oireachtas, P: 40, 2017).

United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland – Hard Border:

However, a memo from the European parliament’s legal affairs committee, which is helping shape the negotiating position of the European commission and the red lines of the European parliament, rebuffs that suggestion: “The [Good Friday] agreement makes it abundantly clear that the fact that both parts of Ireland and the UK are within the EU is a basis for the agreement. Moreover, the fact that Brexit could result in the reintroduction of border controls and controls on the free movement of persons between Ireland and Northern Ireland means this is a question for the EU, and not only Ireland and the UK.” (…) “Historically, customs controls have operated on both sides of the border from 1923 until their abolition on 1 January 1993, when the EU Single Market came into effect. In addition, security checkpoints operated on both sides of the border during the Troubles, from 1970 to the late 1990s—although the border security regime operated only partially, even at the height of the Troubles, because the Government in London recognised that a ‘hard’ border would inflame tensions in the Nationalist community. Other controls have been instituted on an ad hoc basis. For instance, in 2001 the Republic of Ireland operated systematic controls at the Irish border to curtail the spread of foot and mouth disease” (Houses of the Oireachtas, P: 69, 2017).

Visa Issues:

The UK’s exit from the EU will remove this basis of entry and residence in the UK. It will therefore directly affect the position of EU citizens and the members of their families who seek to enter or reside in the UK. EU citizens who are Irish citizens are, as previously outlined, subject to a separate regime under the UK’s Ireland Act 1949 and Immigration Act 1971. However, family members of those Irish citizens who are not themselves Irish citizens will not qualify for that status” (…) “The UK’s exit from the EU raises questions concerning the minimal checks on travelers between the Republic and Great Britain and the virtual absence of such checks on travelers between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland is not a party to the Schengen arrangements removing border restrictions between EU Member States, but it remains subject to Article 21 of the TFEU and Directive 2004/38. These oblige it to admit EU nationals subject only to the conditions outlined earlier in this paper. If, after its exit from the EU, the UK chooses to limit the access it grants to non-Irish EU nationals, such restrictions will very likely require some sort of checks or inspections on arrivals from the Republic at ports, airports and even border crossings with Northern Ireland. This would amount to a fundamental change in the nature of the CTA” (Houses of the Oireachtas, P: 82-83, 2017).

Northern Ireland is more in the squeeze by Brexit, than the Republic:

For Ireland, the longer-term effects of Brexit on trade are uncertain and are also predicated on the outcome of negotiations. In the immediate term, the fall in the value of Sterling has meant that Irish exports are less competitive in the UK market. The UK export market accounted for 13.8 per cent of total Irish exports in 2015 (See Figure2). Northern Ireland is a relatively small export market for Ireland, accounting for just 1.6 per cent of total exports in 2015. The UK was the source of 25.7 per cent of Irish imports in 2015. From an overall trade perspective, therefore, the Republic is a much more significant trade market for Northern Ireland, than Northern Ireland is for the Republic, both in terms of export and imports” (Houses of the Oireachtas, P: 138, 2017).

All of this should worry the Northern Irish, the United Kingdom, that they have these issues to deliver. To fix the problems with the border, with the Schengen and Visa’s that are not valid as a non-member state of the European Union. The Northern Ireland will have both a harder border and with the trade. The deficit and the loss of EU programs that are suspended. So the UK has to fix their budget to make sure the government of Northern Ireland has enough funding after the suspension of programs. The second is to find solutions to the trade between the borders after the grand-issue of trade agreement with a third-party nation of United Kingdom. Since the UK and Northern Ireland has to create another agreement with Ireland to fix the issues, but they are a Member State in the EU, so they have to follow the procedures of Brussels and apply for special provisions.

We can also see that the Republic of Ireland in the is report wants a United Ireland. That is not surprising, that they want the whole island to be united and one. Not be separated, but the colonial and historical unionist wants to separate the Irish, to be able to control the Irish. That is why the London government in the past has created issues on the Island. To say something else, is to forget history. Now, the United Kingdom needs Northern Ireland and they are in bed with Unionists. Therefore, the United dream of Ireland, will not be an effort that the UK and Northern Irish will fight for. Even if the NI leaders will not give away their power in London for being united with Dublin. Clearly, this report shows the struggles of Brexit and their relationship with Ireland. Peace.

Reference:

Houses of the Oireachtas – ‘Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement Brexit and the Future of Ireland – Uniting Ireland & Its People in Peace & Prosperity’ (3 August 2017)

NASA statement on Police Raid on Oppostion Offices in Nairobi (04.08.2017)

Opinion: “I don’t need your vote” message from President Kenyatta is insulting!

It is getting closer to the polls and the secret ballots to be dropped in the boxes at the polling stations on the 8th August 2017. Certainly, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto are confident of their role and to become incumbent in power. This seems for them to be within reach.

In a republic full of tribes and with a former problem of ethnic squabbles, that has created tensions between the tribes. You should think that the political being and second generation leader like Uhuru Kenyatta knew better. Still, he uses tricks of Kikuyu to control, the same is done by the other big ethnic groups like Kalenjin and Luo. The discussion I will bring into, is not the difference between Uhuru and the predecessors like Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki and Daniel Arap Moi.

But what he has done that is insulting. He has told them he doesn’t need their votes. That their secret ballots and their voice into the government didn’t matter to him. This is what have told the people of Turkana, Makueni (Kamba) and Kakamega (Luhya). These people deserve better, they all are as important as the Kalenjin, Kikuyu and Luo. They are all part of the republic. This should be basic for the man in charge and for the man who has run the republic for a term already.

Still, it isn’t visible to him. When he can insult them on the campaign trial. Be so proud and so cocky, just tell them-off. Thanks, but no thanks brothers and sisters. You don’t count and I don’t need you. I will sit in SUV and ride my Presidential Convoy without you. I might do some government projects, but that is more for PR, not because you matter to me. That is what he could have said to the people of Turkana, the Kambas and the Luhya. Since initial that what it means when he don’t need their votes.

As a leader for the whole republic and someone who has been the highest official for the republic, he should say he wants anyone to vote for him and fight for that vote. He could have told in a rally in Nairobi: “I don’t need the people of Kibera”, later in the speech say: “I only needs the people of Karen and Langata”. Let’s be clear, President Kenyatta hasn’t said that, but he could have at this point. Since he has already disrespected three tribes and counties.

A man who has a run a republic should know better and should be more humble. Show some humility and know that he is there because of them. Even if they didn’t vote for him last time, he still represented them for the years of the term. That should go into his veins and changed his mind. Because the way he act, he act so entitled and lacks respect of the people.

I wish it was different, I wish that President Kenyatta showed the people some humility and respect…

Is that to much to ask for the leader and the representative, that the person actually feels he needs every single vote and every single tribe? Is it in 2017 to expect that the leadership of Nairobi doesn’t care about where in Kenya your reside, but still wants to see after your needs? Is that too much?

Seems so, since he can disrespect so many people. Hope the Kenyans make a good decisions in their coming election. Also, we shall hope that the IEBC extra-judicial killing Chris Msanda isn’t to secure the possible rigging together with the 1,3 million extra ballots printed for the election. Peace.

MP aspirant for Emgwen Constituency Meshack Kimutai shot in Kapsabet!

In a race of five aspirant MPs in Emgwen Constituency, there are now only four lefts just five days from the polls. There are possible MPs left behind these are Elias Ngetich, Wilfred Bugei, Alex Kimutai Kosgei and Dr. Kenneth Meli. The one that has left the race is Meshack Kimutai. Not because the person wanted to leave his political ambition, but because a violent attack on happen today. He might survive today, but that can only the doctors and the healing of the wounds say. 

Meshack Kimutai was today shot four or five times in Kapsabet, this was the Jubilee MP candidate. The killers left in a Toyata Maroon Premio.

There are conflicting reports which says this:

Reports reaching my desk says that Meshack Kimutai MP aspirant Emgwen Constituency was today beaten senselessly by his supporters that he had not paid and currently in ICU. We are still following on this reports” (Kiplangat Abraham Mutai, 03.08.2017).

So some says he is beaten other says he was killed by four shots. The other says he is injured after a beating by people he had promised or owed monies to.

Later report came this:

It is important to note that Meshack Kimutai Jubilee parliamentary candidate for Emgwen constituency has not passed on yet though in critical condition fighting for his life at Mediheal Eldoret.

He was shot five times this evening by unknown people in Kapkangani area while on campaign trail” (Fred Ochieng’ Madanje, 03.08.2017).

What the end of game of melee that happe n in Kapsabet and who did what. Is not easy to know, but the MP aspirant are hurt and shot. It is now in the hands of the medical staff and God to decided his destiny. That is as he is at the Mediheal Eldoret and more news will come, either positive note or yet another death by force during the final days of this Kenyan Election. Peace.

Kenya: Senior Counsel Bar letter to Justice David Maraga – “Re: The Honourable Mr. Justice George Odunga” (02.08.2017)

It’s insulting that the great people of Kisumu are not allowed to legally demonstrate, when the law says so!

Kisumu and Nyanza are Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) strongholds, where the opposition party has had big support over long time; Therefore the protests done in the recent two years has been powerful. Now the Jubilee and the government in the final week of the campaigns are banning all protest and demonstrations in Kisumu, which is insulting to the people there. This is also going against the constitution of 2010.

Which states as follow:

In the Article of 37 it says: Every person has the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket, and to present petitions to public authorities” (Constitution of Kenya 2010).

So when you know Article 37, the Kisumu County Commissioner Maalim is insulting the Article 37, when he says what he says to the media today. Just take a look!

Kisumu County Commissioner Mohammed Maalim banned any protests citing security breach witnessed in the past” (…) “Mr Maalim said the move is part of the security preparedness his team had put in place ahead of the next week’s elections. Addressing journalists in his office after a county security intelligence committee meeting, Mr Maalim said the ban will stop criminals from taking advantage to destroy property within the town. “We have witnessed in the past that hooligans take advantage of peaceful demonstrations to cause havoc in the city, this is what we are avoiding,” said the commissioner” (Oudia, 2017).

Mr. Maalim, I am sure your quest is noble and your will is of peaceful congregation in the streets of Kisumu. This should be allowed and demonstration notified the authorities and the Police. Should be allowed, that some has taken it to far in the Anti-IEBC rallies might be true. But that doesn’t mean the next one will have the same sort of people as a part of it. That is doubling down and making sure the public dissidents cannot walk the streets in disbelief of the result of the election or other maladministration. This should be okay and within reason.

As long as every person carry themselves in peace, they are unarmed and they assemble to demonstrate, while they notify the authorities on the planned activity in Kisumu. The Commissioner Maalim clearly doesn’t see this, because he is biased on their behavior and expect everyone to be a villain and hooligans. This is insulting to citizens of Kisumu and Kenyans in general.

If it was like this, than there should never be allowed to demonstrate anywhere, since there been looting and vandalism in other parts and in other towns. But alas, no-one else has said so, except in one of the ODM strongholds, which is part of NASA. Seems like the Jubilee want to use all methods to crowd control and take away freedoms from the people. Since they cannot manage to have peaceful demonstrations in Kisumu.

Stop in insulting the people, work for them and not against them. Peace.

Reference:

Oudia, Rushdie – ‘Protests before, after polls banned in Kisumu’ (02.08.2017) link: http://www.nation.co.ke/news/politics/Protests-polls-banned-Kisumu/1064-4042344-dh8ui0z/index.html

NASA Statement: Fazul’s letter on Rosemary Odinga is a fraud (02.08.2017)

Kenya: Statement by the Judicial Service Commission on attacks on the Judiciary by political leaders (02.08.2017)

Jubilee letter to Cheif Justice Maraga on “Re: Justice George Odunga” (01.08.2017)