My letter to the IEBC (Chebukati and Chiloba): “Your playing a losing hand!”

Oslo, Norway, 3rd October 2017.

Dear Sirs, Chairman Wafula Chebukati and CEO Ezra Chiloba!

I know you two are happy with the situation, your repeating the election with nearly any amendments or changes, just some rare people has been sacked, but the system is more of the same. Your Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) hasn’t change significantly since the 1st September 2017.

I am disappointed, but Kenyans should be even more. Not only because of the letter that National Super Alliance (NASA) had to the IEBC on the 12th September with dozens of demands of change. None that has been covered. Even if you honorable Chebukati says on live broadcast during a presser: meetings with Nasa and Jubilee fruitful; all systems are in place for October 26 repeat election” (Nation Breaking News, 03.10.2017).

I hate to say it Mr. Chebukati but your words was countered by parts of the dialogue groups. The Jubilee said this afterwards: “We have no stipulation before the repeat poll and expect the electoral commission to conduct a free, fair and credible election that will reflect the will of the people.

Held consultation with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) at Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi County” (William Samoei Ruto, 03.10.2017). But that was expected Mr. Chebukati, you pronounced him and his boss victor in August and he wants the same deal and rigging again. He don’t want it changed, because then it doesn’t benefit him and his party.

But what is more worrying when Senator James Orengo says this at the Presser today: “It is like IEBC is only concerned with holding the elections within 60 days. We insist election must be held in accordance with Constitution. None of the issues we had raised in the irreducible minimums have been responded to. Nothing is agreed until it’s agreed, they have not answered our questions yet” (Sen. James Orengo, 03.10.2017).

So when the man who foresaw the issues within the previous elections, you two knuckleheads should listen. Since he was able as a lawyer to come with a decent argument and a case to nullify the Presidential Election on the 8th August 2017. Orengo argued and spelled out the law in the Constitution to the Supreme Court. He put the codes and electoral law and showed how the IEBC did malpractice acted fraudulent during the polls.

Mr. Chebukati and Mr. Chiloba, when you don’t listen to Orengo and his advice you are bound to lose. You have already done it once. It was the biggest mistake of your career. The Jubilee might have the use for you now, but if you try the same trick again. The leaks to NASA will occur and the world will know off your cheating. The agreements with the same companies like OT-MORPHO and Safaricom Limited. It is not like you are trying differently, the same kind of tender to print papers in foreign lands again. Therefore, you are playing the same game, but without changing the cards. You are trying to play a similar game, but having the same cards on hand. Most likely you will lose!

You could have switched-up and made a PR Campaign, you could show the world the IEBC Servers, as your IP addresses are on Cambridge Analytica Servers, the company order for Public Relations for the Jubilee Party. Since you haven’t revealed changes, we can suspect the same sort of game. Than the data and results are transmitted to safe place that the CA can do what they like and therefore alter the results if needed be.

In addition, the use of the same KIEMS system, that was breached thousands of times during the August Elections and not verified the results before being announced by the National Tally Centre at Bomas. Neither could they verify the numbers and announced results on the IEBC Portal. When we know this and you use again OT-MORPHO to deliver the services that was altered the last time. What reason do you give us to trust them and you now? You give us none.

Mr. Chebukati and Mr. Chiloba, you are playing in the same fashion as before, not even trying another change tactics or changing the cards. You have the same to play and done nothing to make sure the deck has changed. It’s like you are trying to bluff and fake your hand, but we know that the hands are the same. IEBC has not changed and has not been reformed. This is after the will of Jubilee, who just wants you play in their benefit. Not playing the cards after the law and the electoral codes they have in the constitution. If the IEBC did this, the NASA would be happy and accept it. The Jubilee doesn’t care how they win as long as they do. That is why they haven’t and wouldn’t change you. They haven’t even fired you. Because of your shoddy job, the Jubilee could have enough reason to sack you!

It’s time for me to end. I know you two will read this and if you do. You will wonder what is wrong with me, since I ask all of this off you and I will give nothing back. This letter isn’t for me or mines. This is for the Kenyans who you are supposed to serve and make credible elections for. Instead you have been busy building a rigging conglomerate. This you should just stop, the gig is already up and the evidence was shown in the Election Petition that won over you on the 1st September 2017.

It’s time for you to fold your cards, give-in and ask for changes. The cards you and the cards you playing isn’t sealing the deal. Its a losing hand, it is just a matter of time before you losing again. Will you two risk your career for just another putsch? Will you try to bluff the Kenyans another time? Peace.

Best Regards

The Writer of Minbane

Director of Criminal Investigations Ndegwa Muhoro letter to Safaricom staffers: “Re: Request by NASA for Investigation and Prosecution of Safaricom Ltd. Its members of staff and David Chirchir” (03.10.2017)

Opinion: President Kenyatta directs the NASA to stop their demonstration, because he doesn’t want to reform the IEBC!

It’s like President Uhuru Kenyatta are again on one of his rants. Today the National Super Alliance (NASA) called for their first part of demonstrations ahead of October 26 2017 elections. There was demonstrations in Kisumu, Garissa, Mombasa, Nairobi, Embu, Kitale, Machakos, Migori and in Homabay. Clearly, the Police are busy to use tear-gas and harass the citizens. Therefore, it is insulting and demeaning the acts, that the NASA should go the legislative route days ahead. When the same body gave a huge majority to Jubilee Members of Parliament in the National Assembly in August 2017. Just take a look!

President Kenyatta statement on Demonstrations:

It is not easy for a politician to go against the grain, but despite the negative wind of politics you stood firm because of your principles of development and hard work,” said the President.

The President challenged opposition members of parliament to attend parliamentary sessions and debate bills which will help improve the lives of Kenyans who elected them instead of leading unnecessary demonstrations. “You were elected by wananchi to represent them in the August House by enacting laws aimed at improving their lives. Please go and tell your leaders to stop misguiding our youth with unnecessary demonstrations, let them allow you to join your colleagues in parliament where you can discuss and debate to enact good laws. Don’t be afraid of the majority, use your skills and persuade them to work together for the good of this country,” said the President” (Uhuru Kenyatta, 02.10.2017).

I understand his ways, he wants a peaceful outset and make it look like he has it all under control. So his international partners and foreign missions can continue to support his government. If there is violence and uncertainty it attacks his credibility. He has already lost once in the Supreme Court for the fraudulent election in August 2017. I don’t want to dive into that, but Kenyatta has defended the IEBC and in his statement today, he does it too.

President Kenyatta continues to stay on the legal route after losing. Therefore just days ahead of the election he plans to amend the laws in Parliament. But the NASA is not allowed demonstrate, they are supposed to suck-it-up as minority in the National Assembly. Its like I wonder if he listen to himself and considers the other party. Which I doubt, his entitlement and his arrogance comes out everyday.

That the citizens are pawns in his world-view is visible, considering the Parliament is the solution. Just another 24 days ahead of the announced election. Kenyatta feels superior and tries to deflect, that the NASA has no other way out. Like there are no other way to peaceful demonstration. Since the IEBC is rigging for him and that is why they have to turn to the streets. The NASA would prefer long time and reforming the IEBC in dialogue with Jubilee. But Jubilee prefer not to, because they are winning this way by cheating.

So at this state, there is easy say that the opposition are wrong in their act and should go the legal way, but that just fits conveniently for him. That does not fit NASA and does not fit the paradigm of free and fair elections. This will not be served with the current IEBC. The IEBC needs a reform and restructuring before the election. That will cost too much for Kenyatta, he will lose his edge and possible way into a second term. Which is the reason why Kenyatta continues to pound on both NASA and the laws, but not do anything with the IEBC.

That is really suspect, it gains my suspicion since he hasn’t targeted them since the 1st September of 2017. Peace.

Opinion: The Foreign Diplomatic Missions Kenya disappoints in their statement today!

I will not bring the whole detailed statement, the ones that cares should read it. If not its not a loss. The Foreign Missions in Kenya have now put stamp before the 26th October, as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). This sort of statement could have been cooked in Atlanta or at the Carter Centre. Since it sounds like John Kerry during and after the August 8th 2017. They want it to just go-on and not stop it. The IEBC just supposed to go-on without question. Just take a look this!

For this to happen, the IEBC must act decisively and everyone needs to respect its independence. Leaders on both sides must be reasonable in their demands of the IEBC and in their actions leading up to, and following, the new election. It would be impossible to remake the IEBC in a way that satisfies all political demands, and everyone should refrain from undermining it. All should give the IEBC space, time, and respect. Do not paralyze the IEBC. It is the only institution Kenya has to run the election and ensure Kenyans can choose their president. This is an opportunity for both sides to demonstrate leadership, strengthen Kenya’s democracy, and build the country’s international prestige. Unfortunately, the opposite appears to be happening. The draft “Election Laws Amendment Bill,” for example, puts at risk the IEBC’s ability to conduct a better election within the mandated 60-day timeline, and unnecessarily increases political tensions. Kenyans can debate whether or not electoral changes are warranted, but the timing is a serious problem. Wise reforms to an established electoral process take time. They require thoughtful reflection and broad agreement from all parties. Well-established international best practice is to avoid changes to electoral rules just prior to an election. In the same vein, the growing list of political demands, inflammatory rhetoric, and boycott threats undermine the IEBC’s ability to carry out its constitutionally-mandated job to hold a new election. For example, if IEBC personnel are to be removed, it should only be done by the appropriate authorities and be consistent with the law and relevant regulations” (US Embassy, 02.10.2017).

I only agree with the Foreign Missions on one of these statements that they did together. That is the change of law, while its coming a new election. The newly announced election should be postponed if the laws are amended. Since the IEBC cannot comply to sudden changes, as they we’re not ready to work consistently with the legal provisions for the election in August 2017. Therefore, now the IEBC doesn’t changes of laws to change their ways.

The reform of the IEBC needs to happen, that without an election. The current IEBC are trying to do the same with the same partners and agreements done in secret. Certainly, this is not just a problem for the National Super Alliance (NASA), it should be a problem for all Kenyans. Since the trust of the IEBC should be all time low. They are trying to pull it off again without any significant changes. When they announced the Jubilee and Kenyatta, when they couldn’t prove the ballot or the tally. This should worry anyone.

Still, the American, Europeans and all the Foreign Diplomatic Missions has no issues with this. They just want the Kenyans to elect a rigged in leader. Because no-one should touch or try to fix the rigging machine of the IEBC. The NASA is not trying to undermine to the IEBC, they are trying to reform it. So it can authenticate the votes and ballots, not just announce whatever that fits on party or coalition. It is a serious problem that the IEBC can issue a new election without doing prior changes or proving their capabilities of an honest, free and fair elections.

If they just go now for a new election without changing, without trying to fix the IEBC. Than, the possible rigging might happen again, as the leadership are connected to Jubilee. Ezra Chiloba has clearly learned the tricks from Ahmed Hassan Isaac, who did his tricks to earn on Chickengate and do bad tenders for the state organization. Most likely he has learned a lot from his former boss.

Therefore, it is disappointing, the statement of the foreign missions in Kenya today. That they are defending the IEBC and say “just continue like nothing” this is “strength of the Kenyan democracy”. Are you kidding me? Maybe someone should rig your local elections? Maybe someone should try to steal your vote? Would they accept if someone took their future away? Because its convenient.

The NASA has to make sure changes happen with the IEBC, so that the elections are credible. Why holding elections this 26th October if the organization running it most likely rig for Kenyatta and Jubilee? Why do I believe that, since the Jubilee wants to fix the laws and the Supreme Court, but are defending the organization who said Kenyatta won earlier this year in August. This with results that couldn’t be verified.

So if the Missions cared about the coming elections. They wouldn’t defend the IEBC like Jubilee. They would actually want a free and fair elections. Instead they are acting like Jubilee-Soft and trying to make it happen without any fuzz and hope that all parties are all smiles. Even if they are rigging into oblivion. Peace.

Reference:

Statement by Ambassadors and High Commissioners to Kenya – In Advance of the New Presidential Election (02.10.2017) link: https://ke.usembassy.gov/statement-ambassadors-high-commissioners-kenya-advance-new-presidential-election/

International Commission of Jurists – Kenyan Section: “Open letter to the Judiciary of the Republic of Kenya” (01.10.2017)

AON Kenya: “RE: NPS/KSNational Police Service/Kenya Prisons Service (NPS/KPS) – Termination of Scheme” (28.09.2017)

Joint Statement by the Kenya Film Classification Board and the Media Council of Kenya on Commentators Spreading Hate Speech through the Media issued on 1st October, 2017 (01.10.2017)

Opinion: Burundian government support of Mayi-Mayi in Kivu Provnices; is it a ploy to keep Kabila in Power?

The instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been used by the other states in the Great Lakes Region. This has been done in the past by both Rwandan and Ugandan forces, even South Sudanese rebels has been on DRC territory at some point. Therefore, its a massive change that the Burundian support of rebels. Seems like it been used as propaganda tool by the Bujumbura government. That President Pierre Nkurunziza is using his CNDD-FDD youth militia the Imbonerakure, to create havoc at the neighbor country in collaboration with the Mai-Mai Yakutumba.

There is even an agreement flooding online between Mayi-Mayi Jejero Pelican and representative of the Burundian government Eltienne Ntakuratimana, who wrote an agreement on the 8th February 2017, where the Burundian counterparts would supply guns, ammunition and radios to the Mayi-Mayi group in response of taking out the Rwandan counterparts in the region.

So first after giving a short insight to who the Mayi-Mayi militia is, I will give one report on the Burundian enterprise in the Democratic Republic of Congo, before showing my thoughts on the manner. Where the different rumors are combined with critical thinking on the actors in the conflict of the Kivu’s. Who earns and what purpose. Take a look!

A tale of who the Mayi-Mayi or Mai-Mai is explained nicely here:

This inter-community power conflict is shaped by and shapes antagonistic identities, which are firmly rooted in specific worldviews. In the case of the Mai Mai Yakutumba, this worldview is constructed around the idea of “autochthony”, or the concept of being a “Son of the Soil”, the “original” inhabitant of a certain zone. In this perspective, which is shared by almost all Mai-Mai groups in the DRC, the self-styled autochthonous groups are threatened by the Rwandophone communities (Hutu and Tutsi), who are seen as “foreigners” trying to take over their land and power. Betweeen 1996 and 2003, “autochthonous” and Tutsi (often Banyamulenge)-led groups clashed on numerous occasions in southern South Kivu, and there were several ethnically targeted massacres on both sides. The resulting mutual distrust and dislike continue to feed Mai Mai movements like the Yakutumba group, which serves to many Babembe as a psychological safeguard to avoid that the Banyamulenge will extend their power in Fizi and will come to dominate the Babembe” (…) “It is in part this function as a safeguard that makes Yakutumba fairly popular among the Babembe, although many do not approve of armed struggle and are tired of the war. What also contributes to Yakutumba’s popularity is that he is perceived to symbolize and embody what are seen as typical Bembe characteristics and values, such as resistance against domination and repression, not only from other ethnic groups, but also from the central government. This self-imagery is in part the product of a tradition of Bembe resistance dating back to the colonial era, the Mulele rebellion in the 1960s and the Fizi-based rebellion of Laurent-Désiré Kabila under the Mobutu regime. The Mai Mai Yakutumba place themselves explicitly in this tradition, which implies a strong animosity towards Kinshasa. They consider the regime of Kabila jr. to be complicit with the Rwandophones and their plan to ‘balkanize’ the DRC, backed by resource-hungry imperialist powers” (Verweijen, 2011).

This shows the plans and added support of the group from Burundi would serve their purpose, as well as give them strength to create havoc in the Kivu’s. Since they want power and be different than the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), also different from FDLR and ADF. Who all have been militias contributing to violence and weakening the control of these eastern states of the Republic. As well, being proof of the lacking control that the Central Government from Kinshasa has in the region. With all the eyes that we’re on M23 who has had armed insurgency and also tried to gain control of the area. It’s wouldn’t be the first try someone who has supported a group like Mayi-Mayi/Mai-Mai has done it in the Kivu’s, to show Kabila and his government, that they want to be a force to be recon with.

Very few smart commentators aside. However, Gibert-Bécaud Njangwa, president of the association ONELOPE-Burundi (mobility) finds that the capture of Uvira by Yakutumba would destabilize peace and security in Bujumbura. He is not talking about a threat from some Burundian rebel group. But he suspects that behind Yakutumba is the invisible hand of the West: “It is very likely that Burundi is attacked by mercenaries from Congo Kinshasa so that the West can destabilize peace and security in the subregion. The Government of Burundi must be vigilant, if not the plan of destabilization is well conceived, planned, it can be executed from one moment to another” (…) “Another reading by the former communication commissioner of the Burundian opposition platform CNARED: “Uncontradicted evidence shows that Mai-Mai Yakutumba are working with Burundian intelligence, Imbonerakure militia in DRC, Interahamwe militiamen who are also allies of the Burundian regime. We have evidence that Mai-Mai Yakutumba are supplied with weapons from Bujumbura, we also know that elements of the regime are fighting alongside them. “(Ngendakumana, 2017).

If all of this isn’t bad enough, there are speculations that National pour le Renouveau et la Democratie (CNRD-Ubwiyunge) and Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), who is Rwandan counterparts in the same region. CNRD-Ubwiyunge have been an armed militia who has tried to gain control. While the FDLR has been more trying to recoup strength to go back and take their motherland back again from the Rwandan Patriotic Front(RPF). Therefore, the troubles of the region, also transpires in the Kivu States. So, the problems and the power-struggle of Burundi is now reaching the mineral rich Kivu’s and Uvira.

There reports that both CNRD and FDLR has been fighting together with Mayi-Mayi this month and in the battles for Uvira this week. If that is likely or true, than it wouldn’t fit the pattern and the history of the Mayi-Mayi, but they are accepting foreign support from Burundi, so if they would use help of Rwandan supported groups. It would be more powerful and even stronger, in the region where the FARDC and MONUSCO is lacking manpower and resources. If they had enough and if they could, they would have been able to banish these groups long time ago, but the Kabila government is keeping them. Just like he is accepting insurgency from Kisoro, Uganda into Southern Kivu, since its from the friends that brought him into power.

There is even further conspiracy that Pierre Nkurunziza is working together with Joseph Kabila to make instability and insurgency, so that there is no need for another election and end of his term. Secondly, the support and the instability is made to make sure the FARDC could get support from French Government, which they can use to invade and control the Rwandan Government. That is only plausible, if the French wants to challenge Paul Kagame, since he has distanced himself from Paris during recent years. Thirdly, the Burundian government would use their relationship with Kabila and Paris to gain proper capital to their struggling economy. So the trade of arms to militias in Kivu Provinces, would enrich the weak Bujumbura government.

Sidebar: We can just wonder if even Emmanuel Macron would care about these places, since he is more into make-up, then international politics, just remember his ignorance towards the African continent earlier this year. Therefore, parts of me doubt it, but French involvement in regime change on the continent isn’t new, but would a risky project for the newly elected French President to pull-off. Even more seasoned leaders has struggled with doing so.

Sidebar II: It is more reasonable to use this insurgency to enforce the need for Kabila, just as the running battles in Kasai-Orientale, which has killed dozens and made massive amounts of mass-graves. So that his leadership could again regain peace, but this is different. Just like the sudden movement of M23 from camps in Kisoro in 2016 and early 2017, that just fitted the paradigm of using militias as pawns. The innocent lives in the Kivu Provinces to let Kabila government rule a little longer. The same could be possible yet again. This time instead of having either Rwandan or Ugandan supported militias, it would be the cash-strapped Burundian government, who would need the financial support and the trade with the groups. Clearly, it makes it more plausible, as the net of well-wishers are dwindling for Bujumbura as well.

We just have to wait and see, what is fact and what is fiction. What we do know is that that Bukavu and Uvira has seen violence and insurgency this last few days. That the DRC/RDC has seen militias growing in strength and if foreign states are interfering in the Kivu’s. Peace.

Reference:

Ngendakumana, Phillipe – ‘Et si les Maï-Maï Yakutumba prenaient Uvira, la ville de Bujumbura serait-elle menacée?’ (30.09.2017) link: http://www.ikiriho.org/2017/09/30/burundi-rdc-mai-mai-yakutumba-prenaient-uvira-la-ville-de-bujumbura-serait-elle-menacee-monusco/

Verweijen, Judith – ‘Guest Blog: Profile of Mai-Mai Yakutumba’ (01.08.2011) link: http://congosiasa.blogspot.no/2011/08/guest-blog-profile-of-mai-mai-yakutumba.html

NASA Statement: “NASA Objects to Outrageous Tender Award to OT-Morpho” (30.09.2017)

Apollo Mboya letter to Judicial Service Commission: “Re: Petition for Compounded Misconducted Against Hon. Njoki Susanna Ndung’u” (29.09.2017)