KRC/CCCC: SGR Operation ‘Secrecy Agreement’ is a disgusting way of muffling the employees!

You know that Kenya Railways Corporation sucks, you know that the Standard Gauge Railways project is fatigued. As the circulations of the Secrecy Agreement that all employees has to sign onto. Which states that the employees cannot tell the truth about the operations or the works of the corporation.

They expect all employees to be strictly confidential about all matters connected with the SGR and the Kenya Railways Corporation. You are not allowed “to record, store copy any information or violating the SGR Operations”. Therefore, the SGR and Corporation are clearly muffling its staff. This includes “participating in negative articles, writings or videoes or photoes on social media or Facebook or Youtube and etc. that involving SGR Operation”. So when the company goes this far, it says how dire the operations are, they cannot be golden, but instead grim.

This is happening after the state orders all Containers from Mombasa to be put on the SGR and also pushing for the public to use the rails. However, it is still not profitable. As the project has been costly and also embarrassing as the grace period for the loans are soon hitting the government. Meaning, the huge loans for the infrastructure investment comes to roost. Therefore, the needs for revenue is even more important. To patch the hurt, before moving on to other projects.

That is why these sort of leaks and showing how far the Company takes it. Shows how bleak the situation is. When they have to muffle and silence the employees. Since the Secrecy Agreement has Chinese signs on them, it could be given by the tendered company, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), which have the 4 extensions tenders to the previous built railway from Mombasa to Nairobi. Therefore, this could be the direct interference of the contractor CCCC, that would explain why the agreement wrote Youtube as Yutube. Because, that is a site that is banned in China. So, if the CCCC employees wouldn’t know about it and its spelling it would make sense.

Because if the employee was to break the agreement, they would meet the SGR discipline, whatever that means. If that would be termination or put on leave, its hard to know, since their protocols are not out and the KRC/CCCC are not that open on this matter. I am sure they didn’t want the Contracts into the public sphere anyway. Since this is disgusting silencing of the workers and taking away their rights as citizens. This is all communications outside the operations is not allowed. This is not about keeping away company secrets, but keep negative social media impact of the company. However, now that the agreement is out.

I can assure the negative articles will come, not only that the state has order transports of containers directly, that its not profitable and not a wholesome company, instead its a mismanaged State Operated Enterprise (SoE). Surely, the Kenyans should feel betrayed, as they are silenced by outside forces, who are building railways in their republic. The CCCC is acting as kings and they are the servants on the spot. Not allowed to talk or express opinions, just work on the clock and shut-up. That is initially what the contract is saying. Peace.

Kenyatta apologized, but will he patch the hurt?

In the State of the Nation Address, the fifth of his kind, President Uhuru Kenyatta did go into the expected territories, however, he went in one direction I didn’t anticipate. He asked for forgiveness. But as a leader, I hope he acts, because he knows how he came to power for the second term in 2017. We know how he was the loudest voice of discontent, the one who has blatantly disregarded the rule of law, the one that has used the army and the police to hurt civilians. Therefore, the ones that was in-charge of doing these ills should pay for the hurt they caused. Not just, apologize and move-on. Just as if Rail Odinga got his handshake and his role in government, so now he does not care how the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) rigged the game. Here is the part of the speech I felt had some values, worth mentioning.

“We also learned, again, a hard truth. Neither peace nor unity are a given; we have to work for them. I say so because last year taught us that if we don’t put an end to unrestrained political competition, it will put an end to Kenya. You saw what happened. In the heat of the campaign, words of anger, malice, and hatred were spoken. Politics was no longer a debate between opponents on issues; it was a clash of irreconcilable enemies. You saw the consequences: lives lost, property destroyed, our unity sapped. I want to be clear here: never again should Kenyan life be lost for politics’ sake; never again should Kenyans’ property be destroyed on account of politics. But that will not just happen on its own. All of us, and in particular we leaders here, will have to admit that last year, we failed in our duty to preserve the unity of this country. And we must make amends. First, I pray that all of us will spend the days and weeks after this address repairing the bonds that frayed last year. Let us apologize for our words, and for the anger and malice that Kenyans heard. From Mandera to Maseno, from Mbita to Mvita, from Lodwar to Lunga Lunga, let us shake hands and embrace our neighbours, and let us celebrate the diversity that is God’s gift to us. Let every leader in the country reach out to our sons and daughters, and remind them that they have it in them to forge a Kenya that speaks gently, that criticizes constructively, and that embraces and respects dissent and competition as healthy and civilized ways of collaboration. And since leadership is best done not by exhortation but by example, let me do as I have asked you to do. If there was anything I said last year that hurt or wounded you, if I damaged the unity of this country in any way, I ask you to forgive me, and to join me in repairing that harm” (Uhuru Kenyatta – State of the Nation Address in Parliament, 02.05.2018).

It is good to hear this from the President, I just hope it is sincere, but if it is, then there is need for action. Not just handshaking Odinga, give him some coins and thinks the families, the tragic deaths that occurred on your watch goes away. All the Extra-Judicial Killings, the big shots who sudden killed days ahead of the elections. Those will be remembered, they will not be forgotten, even if you ask forgiveness. They are still bloodstains on the hands of the President, who hasn’t really done anything to investigate or more like a cover-up to not look into those who has lost their lives. So that he could rule a second term in office.

I wish it was differently, but it wasn’t only innocent civilians that passed away because of protest, police-brutality and electioneering. There was people who mattered and was high upon the food-chain, still the deaths of these lingers on. With many unanswered questions, into the levels, of who paid who and who ordered to send for who? As long as those questions are open, you can wonder if the highest command want it die down and go silent. So that they wont be questioned for their role in their demise.

It is hard to forgive, when your not even trying to cover-up or trying to patch the hurt. You don’t even try to forge or change. Seems like all talk and no play. Since, everything you have done is to pay-off your worst enemy. However, not look into the systemic indifference nor the activity that lead to the demise of the people during the elections. That is because that will hurt your own allies and the dark shadow of your presidency.

Therefore, I don’t expect President Kenyatta to really look into the Police Service, the Military or the Government institutions involved, even investigate into the Cambridge Analytica, the tenders of electoral frauds and the rigging of himself. Since, that will delegitimize his role as the President. It will humiliate him and his allies. He can talk about apologizing, but will state offer more condolences to the ones who lost their loved ones during the skirmishes of the police in and after the Presidential elections? Will he offer them a trust-fund, something to secure the families of the ones who lost their lives? Will the kids get support for their education and a safety net for the ones who were betrayed by the state in the run-up the fresh presidential elections?

Because, I hate to say it, its easy to apologize, but takes courage to investigate himself with a independent body and also use the coins you self have gotten to help the lives of the ones you hurt. That would have been mature, that would have been righteous. However, I doubt it would happen. Since this government is all about PR and not about delivering service to the community. Peace.

Opinion: After today’s speech seems like Odinga is the unofficial PM!

“We have a big workforce in our country and most of them are youthful and looking for jobs. This is why we in NASA are in agreement with Jubilee in matters of job creation, universal healthcare, poverty and food security” – Raila Odinga (01.05.2018).

Today’s speech by the National Super Alliance leader Raila Odinga in Nakuru is unequivocal a sign of loyalty to Jubilee. This is happening now close to two months after the handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta. What striking today, is his tokens, his resignation of fighting spirit and his direct vision within the government. That meaning, he is practically not an opposition figure, but a stooge inside the Jubilee. Just like the Thirdway Alliance did before the 26^th October 2017. Therefore, the is no difference. Only that the words of Odinga matter a bit more than the words of Dr. Ekuru Aukot.

Because today, the National Resistance Movement of Kenya (NRMKe) was dissolved, the whole boycott of government sponsored products and companies, which has been connected to the direct government works. Companies that worked directly during the elections in 2017 and was partly responsible for the rigging and the electoral malpractice, which occurred. So now, its official done. But that has sort-of-died down months ago anyway. It was serious when first unleashed, but a month or two in, the reality wasn’t changing enough. The NASA knew this and their People’s Assemblies has also been dissolved. Before they we’re even built or even became official shadow organizations to the Local Government structures.

Odinga, is really the unofficial Prime Minister, the Republic is a mixed Republic and not a Presidential Republic. However, that is not officially yet, but his actions speaks like it. Especially, with his support of the Big 4 Agenda of Kenyatta. It is like a sign of loyalty to the causes of the Government. That isn’t a sign of an opposition leader. That seal is broken, therefore, Orengo should resign, the ODM shouldn’t be seen as the biggest opposition party, but a direct partner with Jubilee in a coalition. If Odinga supports and works for the agenda of Kenyatta, he is practically part of the Kenyatta paradigm. Even if he says otherwise. He still is, the words and actions shows it.

Odinga is practically the third on the food-chain. The third force in the Jubilee government, if he speaks like this. Odinga should be sworn-in again and get an official title. You can fool people once, maybe twice, but sorry brother, not the third time. Maybe Aukot should start the Fourthway Alliance to get some relevance, because the Third Way right now is Odinga. After Kenyatta and Ruto.

Its time to stop nonsense from this man, the time of opposition is over. Someone else is the real opposition. Someone else is fighting the indifference, the lack of governance and the deteriorating levels of poverty, that so many are feeling day-to-day. Therefore, they were willing to fight and join Odinga during 2017, because his message was different then of Jubilee. Now he sounds and acts like them. Its a betrayal of Canaan, but was already sealed with the handshake in March 2018.

So Kenyatta, do your thing, give the man his office and portifolio. He is your man now. Odinga will not fight you, he is tired and hungry. It is time you feed him and patch his hurt. Let him become PM again, because that is all he wants. Peace.

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Kenyatta’s SONA18 will be “the President will say”: So a rewind like usual then?

I have a feeling that the State of the Union, will be rewind of the speeches of late from President Uhuru Kenyatta. He is running a long series of the same speeches, but with blends of specials. I am sure he has an extra number for the joint siting in Parliament on 2^nd May. However, if he wouldn’t be have a sitting, I think it would be empty chairs and lack of public support for it. Just like on the 54^th Jamhuri Day. Why do, I say this today, well, that because of the lack-of-professional ability Presidential Spokesperson. He really, writes it so mediocre. So if anyone was looking forward. They shouldn’t, just take a look!

“On Wednesday, the 2^nd of May, the President will deliver the first State of the Nation address of his second and last term as President. This address — to the joint sitting of Parliament — is in terms of measures the President has taken and the progress achieved in the realisation of national values; progress made in fulfilling Kenya’s international obligation; and the state of our nation’s security. A number of journalists have been asking what the President will say, but clearly we all have to wait to hear what the President will say. What we can say, though, is that the Constitution requires him to address the nation, through an appearance in Parliament, to speak to the three issues I have raised, and to share his views on the long-term shaping and reimagining of our country” (Manoah Esipisu – ‘Spokesperson’s Briefing, State House, 29 April 2018’, 29.04.2018).

You know there isn’t anything left to chance in a way. MBS Esipisu tries to make it interesting and surprising. But, the words he will speak of is what Kenyatta has spoken about again, and again. Not like these is new topics, neither has been spitting fire while saying them. Like Esipisu thinking reporters are awaiting in their chair “to wait to hear what the President will say”. Because this President will speak about his agenda, stop politicking and that the importance is development in all fields. Even I know that, if there is potholes and corruption fight, that is the double-featured bonus. If he mentions Eurobonds and added debts, that would be interesting to defend the rising debts. But that would humiliate the elite, the cronies and himself. So, he will not do that, unless, he will lie about the reasons for the sky-rocketing debt within his two-terms.

Kenyatta talking about re-imagining the Republic, that will be with roads into oblivion, SGR that is profitable, huge oil-profits from Turkana, boom in Sugar Industry and fair prices of the State Owned Enterprises with the Energy Industry. Well, if UNGA will prices will sky-rocket again, not be surprised, if the imports has to appear, because the cartels control this Presidency. All of these things could change, but with this party and dynasty, it is not in their interests to do so. Because they are eating on the common-mans ply. Its like they dire situations can just go-on, the lack of transparency and the issues that are there.

Outtake from the President after the handshake with Odinga:

“So we have a responsibility as leaders to be able to come together to discuss these issues and to find solutions. Solutions that will bind our people together; that will unify our country, and that will give us a life cycle that is beyond the five years that we have established for ourselves. Elections come and go but Kenya remains; so as we plan ourselves for the future, our future cannot be dictated by the forthcoming elections. Our future must be dictated by the prosperity, stability of our nation and the well-being of our people” (Uhuru Kenyatta – ‘President Kenyatta’s speech after meeting with Raila Odinga’ 09.03.2018).

Outtake from the President like on the 5^th Devolution Conference:

“Thirdly, we must aspire towards strategic alignment of our national development goals. While every county government has its own agenda, it is necessary to align that agenda with the national blue print, that is, Vision 2030. When I conceptualized the Big Four, I did so in appreciation of the fact that for us to accelerate the achievement of our Vision 2030 aspiration, we would need to take a new approach to our medium-term planning, and focus to those issues that would have the greatest impact on the well-being of our people” (…) “We can begin by getting clear on what the plan entails. The first priority of the “Big Four” is to grow our manufacturing sector and to raise its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 9 per cent to 15 per cent” (Uhuru Kenyatta – ‘President Kenyatta speech to the 5th devolution conference in Kakamega’ 24.04.2018, Business Daily Afrika).

So, if we see this, it would following the paradigm of his leadership. Following the same message, but just repackage it a little bit. What we do know, which is a funny way of putting it, is “the President will say, but clearly we all have to wait to hear what the President will say” (Esipisu, 2018). That must be the funnies part of paragraph, any spokesperson will write. The President will say, what the President will say. That is exceptionally and brave writing. It gives us an insight to the inner-works and surely the guy giving head-up are saying to the President. You know the drill, follow the format, the Big Four Agenda and fight Corruption. You will do it perfectly, Peace.

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IEBC: It would not be enough to get rid of Cheech & Chong!

Akombe + Cheech & Chong

“Chong: Hey, how much money do we have now?

Cheech: All together?

Chong: Yeah, all together?

Cheech: Let’s see, mmm, uh, oh man! We have 17 million dollars!

Chong: Really?

Cheech: Oh wait, well um, 17, something. Who cares, were rich, man.” (Taken from the Movie – ‘Nice Dreams’ released on 5^th June 1981).

Since the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission is such under fire, we shouldn’t directly care if Wafula Chebukati remains or even Ezra Chiloba. Because, let’s be clear, after Chickengate and new commissioners didn’t help the state organization whose main responsibility is to secure free and fair elections. It isn’t magic, voodoo or even Kong Fu! It is elections by secret ballot, counting them, transmission of results, verify them and announce them within scope of time that seems fair, where all political stakeholders and all citizens believe the results. Where non.rigging and where the announced result winner cannot be questioned or the legitimacy of the winners feel unjustified.

That is the reality with the leadership of Cheech & Chong, they are playing a blame game, they are shadowing the world and making a mockery of the Electoral Commission. The IEBC are supposed to be the place where integrity and respect of the voters are supposed to be. However, that is not the case. The Akombe Report, all the internal Memos from the shop is showing glaceing ignorance, power-play and disrespect of the population. As they are more involved in high-rating trading with foreign companies, ICT manipulations and questionable transactions. That hasn’t really shown the true character of the Republic, but the will to create a result the Jubilee Party would be proud off.

Therefore, Cheech & Chong, delivered as promised to Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, even the Cambridge Analytica, the Safran/ OT Morpho, Safaricom and the rest of them. All of them did deliver what the Republic’s current incumbent leadership needed. They needed a victory and secure it, so it could be validated as another step in a democratic direction without to much post-election violence. They made that and twin-combo of nocturnal numb-shocks and hob-stoppers didn’t stop the crisis from within. As resignations and inner-works fatigue, as it hurts to play with fire, within time you going to get burned, if not like the brothers-in-charge, stoned.

Cheech & Chong is known for firing up their spliffs, to light up some jazz-tobacco and make smooth jazz through the night. The same was anticipated now, that they was supposed to gaslight it all, let the people forget the farce and let it go. However, the internal issues are rising, because the IEBC are filled with smoke and no-one wants to scream fire. They are playing to see who can survive, but that shouldn’t be the scenario. Because that is just a Public Relations game. Instead of fixing the mismanagement, the business-aspect of the Commission and the external push from key political stakeholders. The IEBC will be ready to rig for them again, because that is the mandate in their eyes. Not to deliver legit results for the public, but for the political and ruling elite. The rest can just drown in the smoke from Cheech & Chong.

This isn’t funny, Cheech & Chong is, but they are now being used as public pawns, so people can cheer on either or, but initial problem is the organization and the fake mandate it runs on. Its a car running on empty and still your thinking the RAV4 can win Formula One. Lewis Hamilton would grin and ride in amp speed away. While the duo Cheech & Chong would lie to public and say they had a winning chance. When they started the engine and lack of gas, would never ever have a chance against Hamilton, because it was never meant to be. Peace.

The Akombe Report is damaging: But the IEBC already lacked integrity!

The whole 2017 has been tarnishing and disgraceful for the public trust in the Independent Boundaries and Electoral Commission (IEBC), even with the changes of Commissioners after the eye-opening Chickengate, the Public Body still continued with their ill-deceiving affairs, that leads to rigging and questionable electoral malpractice. That again, shows that the ones elected by this organization wasn’t that just. We knew there was issues when Rosely Akombe resigned, but her final report is telling. I am taking what I see as important. Therefore, all of it will not be included. But, what I see as a gist for the 8^th August and 26^th October Presidential Elections 2017. Which, is in itself botched already, but this report put the nail in the coffin!

On Page 7: “If the Commission retains the mandate to register voters, then the system for registration of voters must be completely overhauled with the responsibility for the register falling squarely under the Elections Operations directorate and not ICT. The over-reliance on Safran/ OT Morpho has to be addressed with full ownership of critical functions on the register being in the hands of Commission staff, not contractors” (Akombe 2017:P7).

On Page 20: “Even if the Commission had the complete details of deaths, it does not have a procedure for removal of the persons from the register of voters. This essentially meant that according to the KPMG audit report, there were potentially over a million deceased persons in the register of voters. Given that there were other means of identifying voters beyond beometrics (alpha numeric search) there is a high likelihood of “deceased” persons voting in the 2017 election. This would be the case especially in places with exceptionally high voter turn-out” (Akombe 2017:P20).

On Page 29: “I will always remember 8 August 2017 at about 8:30 pm when the display of results stopped and neither out staff nor Safran could explain to us what had happened. The display resumed about 3 hours later with the margin of difference between the leading candidates almost constant for the rest of the results transmission process. It is such situations that will forever leave questions in my mind of what actually happened 8 August. In the absence of an audit done by the Commission (although the Plenary had approved it), it becomes difficult to debunk myths of serious anomalies in management of the electronic transmission of results during the 2017 elections. Chairman Chebukati raised his own concerns on ICT issues in the annexed herewith” (Akombe 2017:P29).

These are just some of the statements, the situation with the servers, with the leaks to National Super Alliance (NASA) was only talked about in passing. They did in memo’s discuss the apparent issues of Chairman Chebukati logging in 90,000 and the issuing of non-gazzeted polling stations. Still, these issues wasn’t directly touched by Akombe Report. Maybe, the deep dive wasn’t in her will, when she was ending. As she was already directing the trouble of contractors and their ICT control. That would mean not only Safran/OT Morpho, but also Cambridge Analytica. Which also should be looked into.

The whole procurement of Ballot Papers, the building of the KIEMS, the BVR Machines, the Satellite Phones and the Servers of the IEBC, should be investigated together with the Voter Registers that wasn’t made correctly by the KPMG before the Presidential Elections in 2017. The IEBC has been mismanaged in favor of the ruling elite. They got the results they wanted, with the cost of the integrity of the IEBC and the Electoral Commission.

There is no question, there are two many loopholes and questionable activity during the elections and after. The IEBC as it is today, is untrustworthy and a political hackwork of the current administration. Peace.

Opinion: All these handshakes, what is Odinga up-too?

The dream of Canaan is long gone, that went with the first handshake and agreement between Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga. That is known, as the legitimacy of the Jubilee Government came with that, the National Super Alliance (NASA) has started to fracture and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has aligned itself with the regime. Therefore, the problems of the 2017 elections are dwindling away. Even if the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is in tatters right now. Just like it was in- and around the Chickengate sackings.

Odinga has now been with Daniel Arap Moi, Gideon Moi, he has been with Sonko, Kuria, Kabogo, and been with Mwai Kibaki. All shaking hands and talking. These talks are for the benefit of himself, just like the Parliament and its sessions is planning a huge retirement package for Odinga. Certainly, his price was to get something out of it all. Even if the system is collapsed, the system was made to rig the elite and make sure the political dynasties lives-on. Odinga didn’t trade that away, that is why Kenyatta is confident and Ruto is giddy.

That Wetan’gula, Mudavadi and Kalonzo Musyoka are trying to find relevance and better tenants to live under. Since Odinga betrayed them, but they betrayed him too. So in that instance they are equals. Therefore, blaming Odinga in that regard is benign. However, that Odinga continues to visit big-men and talk. Shows that something is up. He wouldn’t do this if there wasn’t something in it for him and his party.

I would be naive to think otherwise. To think that he didn’t have all these meetings for a reason. If he didn’t have them, he could just be chilling in his home and drink tea. But he isn’t doing that, he traveling and make sure for progression of the agreement and with the stakeholders he need. That is how it seems.

What I am thinking, what is his end-game? What is the reason behind it all? What does Odinga get out of it, except for good-press? I wonder what is behind the headlines and the so-called talks with these big-men. Because he cannot just do it without any reason. Odinga is smarter than that.

He tricked us all in believing in Canaan. He had me routing for him and his resistance, I was cheering for the defying of the rigged system, the mismanagement and looting of the current administration. That he could be answer against them and greet the people in the promised land of Canaan. Instead, he gave up, and his fellow Co-Principals did the same.

That is why I am a bit indifferent to his actions now, Baba did himself good, but didn’t change the paradigm or the systemic problems with that handshake. It is still much the same. The underlining issues are still underneath the surface. That will not change or go away with a sudden agreement between two prominent gentlemen.

However, I wonder and I don’t have the answer. What does Odinga get out of all these handshakes and what is purpose, other than some PR scoops? Peace.

IEBC – Media Update (20.04.2018)