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Wiper Miracle Faces Uncertain Future

Posted: February 29, 2008, 9:55 am by Phil

Orange family feud continues

The signing of an agreement on the contentious agenda three of the Kofi Annan peace initiative between Raila Odinga and Mwai Kibaki could not have come at a worse time for ODM-Kenya and its leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

To begin with, Kalonzo is currently facing mounting internal rebellion within his own party as party MPs are publicly accusing him of selfishness and highhandedness. Some ODM-K MPs are already warming up to Raila’s ODM in anticipation of cabinet posts. Even more significantly, in a move that could undermine Kalonzo's presidential ambitions, NARC Chairperson and Pentagon member Charity Ngilu is reportedly forming an alliance with wealthy businessman John Harun Mwau whose purpose is to curtail Kalonzo’s influence in Kambaland. The two MPs survived the Kalonzo wave during the last general elections and were elected on their own party tickets and their alliance is rumoured to be supported by the higher echelons of ODM.

As if these threats are not enough headache, Daniel Maanzo and Julia Ojiambo have filed a case in court challenging Kalonzo’s move to nominate third-parties to parliament when a deal was reached last year that nomination slots would be reserved for them.

Back to the Raila/Kibaki agreement, this new development that gives PM-designate Raila Odinga sweeping powers as Head of Government and supervisor of all government ministries, has effectively stripped Kalonzo of his Leader of Government Business title in parliament and also placed Raila at par with Kibaki and high above Kalonzo in terms of hierarchy. And to add insult to injury, unlike Kalonzo who can be sacked through 1pm news bulletin, Raila is his own boss who can only be relieved of his duties through a vote of no confidence in parliament. What will certainly make this a bitter pill for Kalonzo to swallow is that, the agreement compels Kibaki to seek Raila’s consent on any appointments or sackings

When Kalonzo and his party Chairman Samuel Poghisio were appointed to the cabinet last month, it was a move by a politically desperate Kibaki who at that time was badly in need of numbers to boost PNU’s parliamentary strength. At that time, very few people thought that Raila Odinga’s ODM could hold out its protests against the disputed elections this far, and that the international community would put sustained pressure on Kibaki for a coalition government.

In the not-so-distant past, Raila and Kalonzo were in a single ODM-K that was at that time tipped to take over government if they remained united. As fate would have it, there were serious disagreements concerning the mode of nomination for the party's presidential torch bearer, with a Kalonzo backed Maanzo refusing to resign as the registered Chairman in favour of secretariat officials. Kalonzo defected from LDP to LPK, while Raila took over ODM and two parted ways. It is quietly said in some circles that Kalonzo was paid huge sums of money to split the original ODM-K by insisting on a still-born presidential bid. ODM insiders have accused Kalonzo of looking the other way when during the elections, ballot boxes were being stuffed in favour of Kibaki and himself in the Ukambani area just to fix Raila.

Today, matters have turned full circle and if there has to be a Leader of Official Opposition in parliament, then it will most likely be ODM’s Kalonzo Musyoka. In other words, Raila's entry in government will be at the expense of ODM-K and its leader Kalonzo.

Since yesterday when Annan met Raila and Kibaki privately, political players have intensified lobbying and it is likely that both Kalonzo and Poghisio have their fingers tightly crossed that PNU’s Mwai Kibaki does not reshuffle his part cabinet and in the process appoint him to a lesser position or even worse, send him to the back benches.

Vice President Kalonzo has been quoted on several occasions expressing misgivings about rushing into a coalition arrangement before thinking it out. Kalonzo has also extensively travelled overseas in largely unsuccessful missions of attempting to get foreign governments recognise the the now moribund PNU president and his government.

It will be interesting to watch Kalonzo’s next move this weekend especially if he is scheduled to attend any public baraza or church service within his bedrock support region of lower Eastern province.
The Magic Key And Why Taabu's Call Should Be Heeded

Posted: February 29, 2008, 4:32 am by chris

One of the things that I find the most fun in this mostly thankless task of running Kumekucha is when an intelligent and alert reader blows holes all over my well-thought out and supossedly rock-solid post. The intellectual challenge turns me on so. And I am also sure that therein lies one of the less obvious reasons for this blog's immense popularity and addictive nature.

For instance one or two of our readers here noticed yesterday that out of the many posts and even articles in the mainstream media on the Anan breakthrough, all failed to answer one nagging question; What was this magic key that Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete brought with him that succeeded where Anan had previously failed miserably?

While neither party will issue a press statement explaining that, we are aware of a few facts. We know for instance that President Kikwete who is the current EU chair carried a message with him from the Americans. It is fairly safe to assume that it was that message that made a difference. We also know (at least this blogger does) that Condi Rice openly threatened President Kibaki when she was last here to deliver a message from President Bush. The message was that Kibaki would be "personally held responsible if he refused to play ball.

That was the significant first step because it represented a major shift in Washington's position. The Americans fully supported Kibaki and there is evidence that senior officials linked to the Washington administration "knew" that Kibaki was going to win the elections long before the controversial December 27th polls (remember the Collin Bruce leaked memos?). Condi's threats in Nairobi clearly demonstrated to Kibaki that the one-night stand was not only over, but it never happened in the mind of the other partner.

Kikwete's message reinforced the earlier one by indicating that the planned military action was all set and ready to roll. There are whispers that the Tanzanians would have played a major role in it. In all likelihood it would have been done under AU auspices.

Chances are that it finally dawned on Kibaki that he had been cornered. It is no accident that the president was in the company of security heavyweights the day before the peace deal was signed. This included The Chief of general staff, Maj Gen Jeremeiah Kianga, police commissioner Hussein Ali, NSIS chief Michael Gichangi etc.

And as if to confirm everything, the message of cautious congratulation from the Americans shortly after the Anan peace deal was signed. Emphasized that the implementation was crucial. Almost as if to say, "we are still watching YOU closely."

The Kenyan political class is usually very fast to accuse the Western world for attempting to colonize us again. I will be blunt. Considering the way our politicians have behaved, I would gladly welcome the re-colonization of Kenya by the British (my first choice because they understand Kenya) or the Americans. Surely they would not be as bad as Anglo Leasing, political assassinations and all the other evils much worse than colonization ever was that Kenyans have been subjected to by her indigenous ruthless colonial masters.

Taabu's Proposal
Taabu's bold suggestion in his post yesterday to Kenyans to fo a good deed to a fellow Kenyans as the beginning of healing should be taken very seriously by every patriotic Kenyan. I would go further and suggest that Kikuyu's go out of their way to do a good deed to a Kalenjin and a Kalenjin go out of their way to do a good deed to a Kikuyu.

I hereby reproduce that all-important paragraph from Taabu's post of yesterday;

Making a difference

We have a unique opportunity to redefine Kenya. Such luck never knocks at anybody's door twice. As a Kenyan start now by doing whatever is within your powers to make a difference. Ask yourself each day what small thing you have done to any other Kenyan to his or her life better. I rest my case and over to you Kenyans.