Opinion: Odinga continue to sell the same dream

“A referrendum does not need to cost more than Sh2 billion ,so we should not be told, we have no money, there is no money to do, we can teach Chebukati how to do it so we have everything needed for a country to do a referendum, we will do it before the next General election” (…) “It is not the desire for anyone to make it any more difficult and costly than it is, a referendum doesn’t have to cost billions” (…) “The purpose of the BBI is to have a free and fair election and that no Kenyan blood is shed because of an election” – Raila Odinga (Capital FM Kenya, 13.08.2020).

On 9^th March 2018 President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga made a “handshake” that turned the enemies, the two heads into a team. The Jubilee got an alliance and a friendly opposition by giving the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) a Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). Which have dropped a report in November 2019. Even if the Reported was dated back to October 2019. There was a long time rumours and speculations of what it contained. However, the propositions and the ideals of this. Is to ensure the dynasties and the political another life.

The BBI Report and the whole BBI project is a big-man game. This is not to ensure the wrongs within the 2010 Constitution. This sort of journey has been to ensure relevance of Odinga. Also, buy Kenyatta freedom to do whatever, as he can use the BBI as a bargain chip. Since, he knows Odinga will not trade that away over a vote or a policy in Parliament. This is why Kenyatta have won big by giving away a few shillings.

Kenyatta bought himself peace of mind. That is why he can clean the slate. He has the majority in Parliament in both houses. The President has all houses and controls the state. Kenyatta can just order, direct and push a few buttons. From there it will go his way and fix his needs.

The political gambit was over after the Fresh Presidential Elections. When Odinga and Kenyatta parleyed. These two settled their grudges. The second rigging and the systematic injustice of the vote got erased. As Odinga botched the unease and got a few tokens. He got a little trophy, got a committee and some official appointments. However, he still have very little to no power.

That is why his selling a referendum. The BBI is another OKOA. The same sort of trade-off, where they want to change the legislation and secure the next election. However, not having the powers or the opportunities to do so. It is selling the same dream. As Kenyatta will not give up the cartels, the power and the needs, which enriching himself and his closest associates.

Just like Odinga sold Canaan to his supporters. He is now trading BBI and the Referendum. Just like he did with OKOA too. Yes, the IEBC has faults, yes the rigging is there and the state has pins in it. They are ensuring the ones are picked and appointed. Kenyatta knows this and Odinga knows this too.

Still, he wasn’t kicking and screaming after the handshake. He went into another mode after the handshake. Odinga got a unofficial role and the ODM got suddenly more relevance. His now selling another OKOA, a BBI, a revised edition to make changes. Kenyatta should be grinning, because Odinga is still in 2015 and 2016. Just missing the questionable signatures and other issues that the last go round had.

Odinga better get another song to sing. He needs another message. Baba seems to be on one MO and cannot sing another anthem. Odinga should learn new tricks, but maybe that’s a bit late now? Peace.

Opinion: Ruto missed the off-ramp on the Kibra By-Elections

Deputy President William Ruto wants to be the kingmaker and the biggest political player in the Republic. Ruto wants to be the importance and the one people look up too. William wants to be loved everywhere and be respected too. However, that’s not how it works.

The Jubilee Party sent in their unknown man McDonald Mariga to stand as an MP Candidate. Who we still don’t know his real age and that’s his interest of politics only came when he could aspire for office. Not that he as a candidate would have had any traction, if it wasn’t for him standing as a flag-bearer for the government party. If he was running for FORD-Kenya or anything else. He would have gotten abysmal results.

Ruto fielded him and did the risk. He invested time, money and all of the TangaTanga politicians joined in and camped at the Kibra By-Election. They all pulled all their power and promises. The Jubilee pledged jobs, houses and everything else. The sweetest gifts if they elected Mariga.

However, the public didn’t buy that stick. They didn’t buy those promises. Even bribing voters on election day didn’t work either. Still a lackluster 36% to Mariga. This was a stronghold and a base for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Raila Odinga. Therefore, the candidacy of Benard Imran Okoth was a sure win. The results proved that too.

Some might say, that Jubilee and Ruto getting one third of the votes is a victory. Is it? Really? They again claim the ODM incited violence, but Ruto has incited to violence in the past. He has been in-charge and let the authorities brutalize opposition strongholds after the previous Fresh Presidential Elections in 2017. I remember several of deaths in the timeline of the Fresh Presidential Elections. Where big-men died, where innocent civilians was killed and the Police Service had procured body-bags for Kisumu.

Therefore, Ruto and Tanga-Tanga should be a bit more reflective on their own activity for their gains. Because, now the most famous picture was of Senator Boni Khalwale, who was throwing stones on election day. Not that ODM is innocent either, but none died in this. While when Ruto and Jubilee is behind. It is usual fatal for someone. That’s why all Post Election Violence sponsored by the men of Ruto will end up bloody, while the ODM wasn’t like that.

This Kibra Election is a lesson. But also a warning, because the Jubilee and TangaTanga is gearing up at amp speed. They want to challenge the narrative. That they were not losers, that they were not violent and that they didn’t try to rig this results. When they throw stones, tried to buy voters and pledged ridiculous huge projects that would never happen. Just more of Ruto’s Ghosts.

Ruto has so many ghosts and promised start-ups. William has surely enough plaques all across the Republics for something that isn’t in the budget nor any tender on it. The hustler will not say that, because he has the photo-op and the PR stunt for a road, a school, computer lab or whatnot. But the man will not find the money for it. He rather buy a congregation and dole out gift than actually doing some work.

That’s why this failed. Why Ruto isn’t trusted either. He comes with flamboyant speeches, big-PR and huge campaign budgets, but his real standing is weak. He is screwed and is clever enough to trick the trade, but his not loved. That’s because his shown his true character again and again.

Ruto will have to muster some magic to be sincere before the next election. Unless, he wants cats, dogs, chickens and kids to vote for him. To bring up the numbers to scratch. William doesn’t have it in him. Neither had Mariga who seemed like a lost soul, fishing and testing waters he never knew. The dude couldn’t even vote for himself nor had he voted for anyone else in the past. His just been modelling for companies and a friendly face after a successful football career. Though, not a champion of the people nor a born representative of them either.

That’s why the best candidate won in Kibra By-Election 2019. The Jubilee and Ruto might cry foul. They even asked to open the servers, like NASA did in 2017. It shows that karma is a bitch. And the system is cranked up. But the Ruto infused elections wasn’t that grand. Only an imposter and a tragic Greek comedy. There is nothing to see here, except for sore losers and lack of empathy. Peace.

IEBC: Press Statement on Kibra Constituency By-Election (06.11.2019)

IEBC: Press Statement on Kibra Constituency By-Election (31.10.2019)

Kibra By-Election: We don’t know his real age, but McDonald Mariga is cleared to run!

“Jubilee party nominee MacDonald Mariga who was today cleared by the Dispute Resolution Committee to vie for the Kibra MNA by election has been issued with a nomination certificate by the Returning officer” (Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, 16.09.2019).

Well, we don’t know the real age of the Jubilee Party MP Candidate for Kibra By-Election. If one of his registered age is true, than his younger than his youngest brother, which is a miracle that isn’t even biblical.

Well, we couldn’t expect that Wafula Chebukati is totally honest and cares about proper protocol, even if his loyal buddy Ezra Chiloba is appointed elsewhere. The IEBC is still a den of thieves, only with less of famous faces for now.

That Mariga is eligible to run and stand for MP now, he has to battle the candidate from Orange Democratic Movement Imran Okoth. A contest where the ODM is supposed win in a cake-walk, as the previous international footballer, lack of care for elections and politics in general. His like this weird pawn, that someone planted, but don’t know how to play. Not like McDonald doesn’t know have to deal with this either.

McDonald is not only battling himself, his lack of credibility, but also to show finesse and character. Secondly, we wonder where he stands on anything, what matters to him and such. Not that he has a history of voting, neither being registered to vote. Therefore, he hopes people isn’t as oblivious to the political game nor the territory his eligible to run in.

His like the rich foreigner coming in like tourist and asking for the representation. It is weird that the Jubilee didn’t have anyone else. Unless, McDonald was able to buy the candidacy and thinking because his has a famous name and played as an international player. He could easily get recognized and therefore automatically MP.

That is how it seems, but surely, the man should drop some verified documents to the public. We don’t know his age, his registration or his proper procedure to be a candidate. That is why Chebukati had to bless him with a “Go-Sign”.

McDonald really has to be wise now, but his team haven’t been so in the beginning. So why should it be so to the end?

The way it starts, is usually how it finish. Except some baby-mamas, some rumours and some random quotes spiralling in Githeri media like its no tomorrow. Peace.

Opinion: McDonald Mariga maybe outplayed himself

The Kibra By-Elections is up and the candidate for the Members of Parliament seat for the Jubilee Party is under question. Even as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will seal his fate this upcoming Monday. Clearly, the recent days has shown what happens when you go from being a celebrity and ex-footballer into politics.

Politicians are usually scrutinised for various of reasons, for their past actions, their voting in local assembly or statements at rallies. Even speeches or lack of proper codes of conduct. There even a look into records delivered of their financial status, their businesses or their charities even. With this in mind, the ex-football and former professional McDonald Mariga should have been more careful.

Surely a bet on the Jubilee Party is a safe one, the second one would be the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). However, he picked the Jubilee and to stand as candidate as MP. With this, there has come a lot of issues. Which, most likely the former player never thought off.

First of, his never been voter himself and directly registered. The registered card that’s been online has been questionable at best. Even the likes of 1977, 1981 and 1987. Even if web-pages like famous birthday says his born on the 4^th April 1987. Reports from 2013 stated this: “The 26-year-old defensive midfielder, who has been capped over 30 times by his country, will be allowed to leave Inter for a fee of around 2 million Euros as he is coming into the final year of his contract” (Eyefootball.com – ‘Kenya international McDonald Mariga top of Southampton list’ 10.08.2013). If you calculate the age with this article too, 2013-26 = 1987 too. Therefore, the official date his had in public in the past. Has been born in 1987, which isn’t a bad date, unless he wants to suddenly act older.

Secondly to top it off, the wealthy ex-footballer, whose bought houses, luxurious cars to himself and parents in the past. Will, now face a tax-evasion charges too. McDonald will be facing possible paying back to the state about Ksh. 435 million with giving false information and file his tax returns.

Third, now the stakes are high, even if he gets ability or not. Because, his previous actions are now put into question. His legacy on the football field will still be there. His time in Inter-Milan and such will remain. However, his political gamble, might not pay-off, as his handlers and his team didn’t properly estimate the consequences of throwing his candidature at this time. They wasn’t prepared, didn’t have the guarantees and did seem bothered with his lack voting history. Which in retrospect. Looks foolish, since this guy is asking people to vote for him and his candidacy, but his not bothered to go to vote for anyone else previously in his life. If his 32 years old or if his 38/42 years old. He should have at least cared to once vote. Even if he became a big-shot footballer abroad.

Therefore, the football-player, the one big-man who played for various of Italian teams during his day. Who was nearly going to the Premier League. Surely, thought this would be a cake-walk. Since, he joined Jubilee and had their team behind him. However, his lost it with his gamble, even if the IEBC clears him on Monday. His surely shown signs of bad play and that usually gets a red-card. The public can see, how the fixing and managing behind the scenes has gone. That his actions haven’t been all fair. That before, his even stated his pledges or promises to Kibra as their MP.

That should be a warning. A man of the stature and wealth of McDonald Mariga can still outplay himself. Since, he didn’t know the rules to this game. Peace.

Kenya: Safaricom notice to Customers: Voice and Data Outage (22.07.2018)

#WeKnowYourSalary: Its about revealing the misuse of their role as a Public Officials!

If you thought the revelations in Kenya on the Social Media was about showing the sky-rocketing pockets and the super-soaked wealth of the highest ranking officials in the Country. Your wrong, this isn’t to show how they went from being petty civil servants, preachers and whatnots a decade ago. No, this is to show how murky the grounds and how they have swindled the state. To become extravagant and wealthy.

This is how key public officials in both the counties, in the ministries and as parliamentarians are using their positions, their knowledge of trade and also creating tenders to secure wealth for themselves and their close-knit family. This is how someone working as procurement manager and also as MCA suddenly has a palace, dozens of cars and owning plenty of land. Just mere a year ago, he couldn’t even splash out on the pub on a round of beers. Now he can buy the bar and build a garage for his SUVs. That is what this is about.

Because this is about how the likes of Deputy President William Ruto can own a mansion complex, dozens of houses, a car-park, choppers and earning measly millions. This is about how the family of Kenyatta can own more and more businesses, while the state is lacking funds. This is how other Cabinet Secretaries goes from being poor to suddenly become billionaires. They are all suddenly well fortunate and able to build houses made of dreams. They can own cars that only are in magazines, they can own local hotels, farms, industry and even media if they have enough cash. This is people that is supposed to represent the people and serve them.

Not take from them and later charge them, not only take the taxes, but they are also eating of the profits in the private sectors. Nothing is holy. The Cabinet Secretaries, the President and DP knows this, the local government politicians knows this. The people deserve to know how the ones humble fellow human beings becomes richer than God. They become so wealthy, they can take the bank on a trip to Dubai and rent Lexus in Las Vegas. This being brothers who couldn’t even afford to share a chicken as students.

That is why this is important. To show the disgrace this officials are, how they are eating of the public and have no scrutiny. How they are emptying the state reserves and taking the public for granted. That is why they run for office. Not to represent anyone, but to pocket the taxpayers money, use the position in the state and also get corporate deals with the state. All of this to enrich themselves on the office, not to serve the community. That is just something they say to look good. But when the measures and the end of the day is shown, the bills and the tab will be on the state, while the public see very little, but the official will have the cake, the coffee and the bride. While the public will have the bread-crumbs. Peace.

Bitter-Sweet Sugar: Cartels total control and inaction of Jubilee – Contaminated imports for profits!

We can wonder and think, who in their right mind orders contaminated agricultural products, rebrand it and sell it on the open with a clear conscious. That is what should bugle us right now. That the Kenyan Authorities together with the Sugar Cartels are accepting this and profiting on it. If they hadn’t, they wouldn’t have ordered, imported and tried to sell it on the market to the consumers. That is what is up and happen as the minor stops of it. The people should be worried about the authorities and what they are exposed too on the daily basis. When they cannot even trust the white sugar they are consuming.

The Kenyan people should worry, that the illegal imports through Kismaayo of Somalia, the illegal cartels of Mombasa and other places are highly-connected has pocketed key figures of industry, ports and in the ministries. If it wasn’t so, they would have had more trouble with the law. They wouldn’t just take a load of contaminated sugar, they would have ceased more and banned this trade. However, the government are doing little except tough talk. Even Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i is supposed to die over this, but he will not stand-by his side-dish. So I doubt it.

It is like the Jubilee knows about the ill they are getting in, thinking of the profits and of the friendly owners of the millers. Without thinking about the citizens who possible consuming it and how it might hurt them. If it is contaminated, it might damage the body and even cause fatal ills for someone. Then someone dies over something as petty as illegal and deadly sugar. Has that even been considered? Wouldn’t that been an avoidable tragedy?

That the government, the agencies and the authorities in general haven’t delivered is obvious, while this is not only hurting the average citizen. Who could be worried about going to the market and supermarket to pick a kilo of sugar. But also the farmers who produce for the millers. They don’t know if the millers and the authorities is helping to sell second-level or third-level products from afar. While rebranding it with their labels, like the ones that comes from the local producers. Then the public will loose trust with the millers who makes this sugar.

This here is the proof of how not to run, how not to delegate and not to use the oversight role as government, as they are misusing power, being in bed with the cartels and not giving a fig about the population. Because if they know they are illegally importing through Mombasa and Kismaayo, the authorities should stop it and get rid of it. Not let it go, let it be rebranded and made ready for the market. Because then the suppliers, the supermarkets and the consumers all loose on it. Only the Sugar Cartels and the Importers earns on it.

They are spiking, they are playing and coming with a dangerous product that shouldn’t be consumed by people. It should be used for matters, if not just confiscated and destroyed at arrival. Than ask for reparation of damages and possible breaches of contract, as they we’re not given edible sugar. But dangerous ones, that shouldn’t be produced in the first place. Peace.

The simple reason for the rising prices of UNGA!

If you wonder why suddenly the prices are running high for the UNGA again in Kenya. That is because the state has added taxes, they are trying to collect more money again. This is happening because its months since the elections and the subsidized UNGA is history. Therefore, expect rising prices, the maize and milk cartels want their profits. If they happen to in the pocket of the government at the same time. Is just convenient, even some of the companies earning on the sky-rocketing prices is the President himself and his own companies. I am sure the DP also owns connected businesses that could eat of the this plate too. While the ordinary and poor population will struggle to have ends meet as the government are taxing them even more.

Added Taxes:

“Poor households would be more exposed in the amendments with sweeping implications on many sectors, as the State seeks to raise Sh1.75 trillion in the next financial year. Most basic commodities are not taxed to cushion the poor, but the changes that will be proposed in the national budget will end that. “We are looking at exemptions on several products that are widely consumed, but not on VAT such as milk, sugar, maize flour, wheat flour…,” said Benson Korongo, a commissioner of Kenya Revenue Authority” (Michira, 2018).

Prediction of the reaction to the taxes:

“Milk and cream, not concentrated nor containing added sugar or other sweetening matter” (…) “Suppliers of the affected supplies will not be able to claim any input tax incurred in making of such supplies. This cost will be borne by the final consumers. Reverting to exemption of these basic commodities a year later after they had been zero-rated will lead to an increase in their prices rendering them less affordable to the ordinary Citizens” (…) “The supply of maize (corn) flour, ordinary bread and cassava flour, wheat or meslin flour and maize flour containing cassava flour by more than 10% in weight” (…) “Reverting to exemption of these basic commodities a year later after they had been zero-rated will lead to an increase in their prices rendering them less affordable to ordinary Citizens” (Ey Global Tax Alert Library, 2018)

It is special when Ernest & Young (EY) whose is known for their advice for potential investors and people who plans for invest in a republic. They have usual advice, which shows the potential and the grips of reality. Their analysis from April are now coming in effect in the end of May, as the local papers like Standard write about it now. But they say it might happen in July.

The state has favorably subsidized it and also imported on its own, that might happen again. But the added tax will hit the public. Make the staple food more expensive, because of added taxes. The shops, the importers, the distribution companies will not take the hit. The hit is always ending up at the consumer, the buyer and not the ones who produce, distribute and sells. That is known and the way we play. Seriously, when the state plans with these taxes to earn over a trillion shillings, nearly two, means they are anticipating selling enough of the needed goods and services connected with the new taxes to actually be sold.

So the prices on the staple is rising, because the Jubilee Government, the President and his party is doing it. This is their orders and their will, it is not the international market or a drought, it is initial planning and what the state does to get more revenue.

Jubilee whose are eating all of the state, needs more revenue to make another NYS Scandal, take more funds from the likes of NHIF and inappropriately use unaccounted funds in the various government bodies. Peace.

Reference:

EY Global Tax Alert Library – ‘Kenya issues Tax Amendment Bill, 2018’ (April 2018)

Michira, Moses – ‘Red alert: Why the cost of food will go up in july’ (16.05.2018)

Link: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2001280557/why-unga-prices-are-about-to-go-up