Kenya: NASA Statement on Voter Turnout and Election-related Military Activity (07.08.2017)

Opinion: Hope Odinga gets to Canaan tomorrow!

“I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land. So I’m happy tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. ”Martin Luther King Jr.

I hope for the National Super Alliance (NASA), the whole opposition party coalition and the Presidential Candidate Raila Odinga, which he gets his chance to, cross the river Jordan and get into promise land. However, there are obstacles and uncertainty of it. Even if many of the polls on the social media has been in favor and grand studies before the election has given him a majority.

The reasons are that other political dynasty under the KANU/Kikuyu umbrella of Uhuru Kenyatta and his teammate, the former student of Daniel Arap Moi, DP William Ruto will not let this go easy. Even if he speaks of a peaceful transition, the legacy left behind after this of extra-judicial killings and enormous amounts of corruption scandals. Should certainly tarnish the reputation and give way for other type of leadership. Alas, the situation is not that easy.

The naked eye might say NASA should have it coming with their added bedfellows, with their strength in the partnership between the leaders and their front man, while Jubilee has consolidated their parties into one Alliance Party before the elections. Therefore, they are not a coalition, but one single party.

The fear is that Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) through all sorts of manipulations, either technical or personal breaches will make the government win again. That through the forgery of non-internet connections double up voters in Jubilee stronghold and hire someone in the place of deceased Chris Msando to fix the KIEMS system in favor. If all of this true, than it does not matter how someone vote, when the system screws it in favor of one-party and their delegates. Let us hope Kenyatta is a better sport and as honest as he claims to be.

“In 1966, Jomo Kenyatta isolated Oginga Odinga as Kenya‘s Vice President and the Luos have never forgiven the Kikuyu community for that fallout. Ironically, it is Odinga who had held KANU together when Kenyatta was in detention. Odinga even declined to form a government without Kenyatta when the British invited him to do so. The dismissal of Odinga was very Machiavellian in the way it was executed, because Kenyatta basically baited Odinga into resigning from government. He made it very hard for Odinga to function effectively as his principal assistant for Kenyatta was a very cunning politician. Although he rewarded his followers and supporters, he was also very sensitive to those who appeared popular and tried to become independent of him” (Maurice N. Amutabi – ‘Beyond Imperial Presidency in Kenya: Interrogating the Kenyatta, Moi and Kibaki Regimes and Implications for Democracy and Development’ KSR Volume 1, Number 1, December 2009).

I am sure that Raila Odinga remembers the stories from his father and have felt the pain of people dismissing him, as the legacy of KANU, and Kenyatta has followed him; he is the second generation Odinga and the one has been the shadow of the Kenyatta’s. So to this day, he campaigning and steady struggle to become a President. Might finally pay off.

There is still a road ahead, the former Prime Minister, the one who has been so close before and lost to the other dynasty, might reach this time. He might, but the cost and toil to get there must been long. The walking in desert wondering if he comes, if he gets shelter or get support. Even if he has now done so with a group for so long. The NASA and before within CORD.

Odinga has battled and continued, he has been tear-sprayed, his supporters has been detained, his supporters has even died for demonstrating for just causes. While the Jubilee have lingered in power and in secure positions. They have been blasted and warned, they have been scorned and humiliated, but they have continue to pressure on. Not given-in and not given-up. They could have and some might wonder why they did not, that was for the mere fact.

That fact must have been one thing and one thing only, hope. Hope that your turn will come and you will prevail. That one day the Odinga will reach promise land and get the prize to lead and serve the nation at its highest position. We will see what tomorrow bring, if it is rigging, fear of military police and fear of anti-riot police in the streets. If we will see happiness and peace.

We can hope for a new beginning, a new saga and a new story, which entails not the Kenyatta’s, but the Odinga’s. With mere new enforcement and hope for another type of governance. Uhuru Kenyatta has done his mission and done his part, together with William Ruto. Time for new brooms and new whistles to sound.

It should be time for Odinga to cross the river and get into the promised-land, it took so and seemed like it never would happen. Now we can hopefully see it. Peace.

Kenya: The High Court nullifies the 400 metres directive of the Polling Stations and shall have access to the Polling Stations declared results!

At the High Court in Nairobi on the 5th August 2017, where Okiya Omtatah Okoiti made a case against Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and Attorney General Githu Muigai. The High Court made an important order for the citizens during the elections and to able to follow the counting of the ballots.

The order of Principal Judge Richard Mwongo has ordered on that day: “I declare that there is a legal basis for the establishment of a four hundred metre radius from the centre of a polling station within which persons not involved in the counting of voters may, where necessary at the discretion of the 1st Respondent, (IEBC), not be permitted to be” (High Court, 05.08.2017). So the voters and citizens can stay close to the polling station to make sure the officials and the agents are acting accordingly to protocol. To secure the ballots of the election, so that the voters can stand behind and do their duty as citizens.

Mwongo continues: I declare, however, that where there are residences or homesteads within the radius of four hundred metres from the centre of the polling station, the presiding officer and police officer at a polling station have no authority to evict, remove or handle the inhabitants and residents thereof in any manner which would keep them out or away from their said residence” (High Court, 05.08.2017). So if someone lives inside a short radius of the polling station, the Police and the security officers cannot banish them. They cannot evict them from their homes as the stages of the polling can be followed by the neighbors of the polling station. So they can be as close as they need to be or want to, as it is nullfied. 

The last order of Mwongo: “It is declared that the members of the public shall be afforded access to the counted and signed results either at the entrance to the polling station or at such other place convenient and accessible to the public at the polling station” (High Court, 05.08.2017). So the public should be able to follow the local results from their own station, before the results leave to central or National Talley Centre. Therefore, the locals and the voters of any given polling station can be near to oversee the works of the officials and also the counting. After that they can oversee the declaration forms of the station with the results. As they declare the winner of the place they voted.

This is clearly a victory and gives the public a unique possibility for checks-and-balances. The citizens, the voters and the ones living nearby can monitor and make sure their votes are respected. They can make sure the results are fair and done correctly. This shows the promise of possible transparent election. Where the Security Officers cannot banish and evict people, since they can be waiting for the results and the declarations of the counting. IEBC and the Police has to follow this.

The public needs to know this so they authorities and the government cannot push them away. They can gather around and make sure justice is done to their ballots. Peace.

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:

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)