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• It’s About Growing Up

  Posted: April 6, 2008, 9:37 pm by Sayra

  From where I am on the fence, I have been seeing many all over the nation and else where getting very emotional in the latest political developments and am honestly surprised that many are disappointed or were expected something different. What worries me is that the tension is back even before we settle and heal of the ethnic cleansing that started soon after the general election results were announced. And that the misbehavior and misconduct of our so called political ‘leaders’ may return us to the dark times that Kenyans woke up to early this year.
  
  In my books, both Kibaki and Raila are crap and am yet to see what people see in them … no disrespect … just that I see nothing in them that would make me respect them. They are both been what Kenyan politician are … getting into politics to serve their own personal agendas that one can’t achieve been a kawaida citizen (read getting rich quick, been corrupt and escape jail sentence, take advantage of the people’s ignorance to further their selfish agendas, etc) … and serving the interests of those who funded them in the campaign period and those who helped them get the political sit or rather power.
  
  One of them may appear to serve the interest of Kenyans depending on where ones interests will be served or think will be served. Sadly, like it happened in 1992, 1997, 2002 and now 2007 we are the people who always fall for their charm … and always enjoy the euphoria around the general elections. Something as simple as wearing a pink shirt is enough to excite us … or one having an international press conference with the grand daughter is enough to convince us that he must be a human leader … or two people happily smiling at the cameras is enough to make us think that all will be cool. How I wish we could look beyond the fake actions they display in public and honestly look at them without the aid of eyes covered with fanaticism. However, they both have a fanatical following and there is nothing much that I can do on that.
  
  Am however hopeful, and at the moment, my eyes are all set on the many new MPs. They must be having the understanding under which they came to parliament and it will be foolish for them to think that come 2012 they will escape the voter’s cane by misbehaving in parliament. Parliament been one of the most powerful and free institution, am hoping that they will take advantage of making sure that the interests of all Kenyans are taken care of.
  
  Let it be known that the times for foolish games are over and from now on they better focus on doing their work. It’s been slightly over 44yrs of us going in rounds and we the citizenry are done with that. Many are waking up and have stopped going round … so woe unto the leaders that are forcing us back to circles. To survive in any industry or environment … one has to read the signs of time … and if the new MPs don’t read these signs … they will be OUT in a hurry. Sisi hatucheki na nyinyi tena. And to the old schooled ones, for their own sakes they better shape up.
  
  Not all is doomed … a cry of about 30 million people can’t go unheard. I will continue hoping and working and praying towards a happy nation … till the day that happens.

• Two Governments , One Kenya

  Posted: April 6, 2008, 8:44 pm by Taabu

  There is no denying the fact that PNU and ODM CANNOT work together. We can chose to close our eyes to this reality but it will eventually hit us hard mercilessly in the face. PNU has made it clear that surrendering Foreign Affairs and Local Government ministries amounts to cutting the President from the outside world and grassroots respectively. Leaves you wondering who is the boss? Goodwill is a distant rumour in all this charade. Only fraudulent and incompetent managers allow their subordinates to make decisions of the very juniors.
  
  The implied malice couldn’t have come off more openly. The die is cast Kenya is struggling to come up with two government pulling in different directions with no common agenda but only united in their selfish interests. The war of inheriting Kibaki’s presidency is on and PNU can disguise it all the much they care with Kenyans are pawns.
  
  What do you make of a president who goes on air to publicly promise an announcement complete with timing only to renege on the same without bating an eyelid? Kibaki has taken his forte of deception to new heights in the knowledge that his apologists will sanitize any rot from him in equally deceptive efforts to absolve him from blame. Well, you can fool some people some time but not all the people all the time. Even Mugabe with the tight noose on Zimbabweans’ necks didn’t see the power of SMS coming. Kenyans may be down under Kibaki’s weight but definitely not out.

• Is ODM Secretly Preparing For Fresh General Elections?

  Posted: April 6, 2008, 7:00 pm by chris

  As the comedy of errors over naming a simple cabinet, being played out at Harambee house in Nairobi drags on, seemingly endlessly, one thing is becoming increasingly clear by the day. And that is the fact that the sooner the country can go back to the polls the better.

  In fact there are those who believe (including this writer) that only free and fair polls as soon as is practicable can save our beloved motherland from more blood letting. As usual the political class has completely failed to see the increasing clamor by ordinary Kenyans for fresh new leadership under a new constitution. Needless to say, it is abundantly clear that if the will of the people is continuously ignored and frustrated, we are headed for an ugly class war in Kenya.

  But it appears that not everybody is oblivious of the inevitable. Recent actions by ODM leader Raila Odinga and indeed the unfolding of events behind the scenes at the party seem to suggest that ODM could already be preparing for fresh general elections. Probably the most significant change around Raila Odinga that seems to suggest this is the rise and rise of one Dalmas Otieno. It is instructive that in the names handed over to the President by ODM Dalmas Otieno has been earmarked for one of the most significant portfolios on the ODM side, namely the Ministry of Roads.

  More telling is the insistence of analysts that the sudden sharp rise of Asian businessmen lining up to see the Prime Minister designate can directly be traced back to this Dalmas Otieno character. This writer is currently preparing a detailed dossier on the man that Kenyans need to know a little better. My report will appear here soon.

  Incidentally the rise of Hon Mr Otieno has coincided with the rapid decline of Prof Anyang Nyong’o as a major force and figure on Raila’s side in ODM.

  Clearly all signs point to ODM being keen on cutting the kind of deals that...
  
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  The deep mystery of why rich Kiambu men never eat at home

• $1 Per Citizen, or One $100 Laptop Per Child

  Posted: April 6, 2008, 11:42 am by Proud Kikuyu Woman

  
  

  Not to spoil the party-I know we are following the updates on exactly where our government is, that they didn't go to Church so they can deliberate on the most important aspect of how to split up and form new ministries to accommodate as many of them as possible and all- but I hadn't put the government's salaries in dollar terms. And when I did I saw the light. The long and the short of it is that it amounts to about$30m (as in thirty million US of A dollars!) a year for a cabinet of 40 Kenyan ministers . I'm not sure that includes the P and the PM salaries. For a country of about 30 million people, that's like each Kenyan citizen is coughing up $1 a year to pay the cabinet. Or better still, for the the salaries of the 40 thieves, each Kenyan could be earning $1 a year instead. If we can afford this, surely why would we even need donations for 1 ($100) laptop per child? Not that Kenya is on the list of countries interested in it. Maybe that just doesn't fall within any 'steak ministry' -I'm insistent on not paying taxes! We are such a rich country, the coalition government must be glad indeed.

  
  

  Talking of which I finally saw it, the much debated about gadget (hundred dollar laptop). Its criticism notwithstanding, I thought it is a REALLY cool gadget, one that can get kids easily initiated into the computer culture and getting creative with it. Got me wondering what Kenyans in the Diaspora would think of if someone suggested that they get interested and donate the dollars in the hundreds per person, and in return decide where the laptop goes, like your village or former school? Lets not kid ourselves, we are so far behind the 'information age' curve that we need to do all we can to even feel like we will catch up some day.

• Countdown To Grand Coalition Cabinet

  Posted: April 6, 2008, 4:31 am by Phil

  Amidst growing disagreement on portfolio balance between ODM and PNU, President Mwai Kibaki has just arrived at Harambee House (10h30 local time). VP Kalonzo, Saitoti, Muthaura and Spokesman Alfred Mutua have met and escorted the president into his office.
  
  ODM pentagon and party officials have skipped church and are said to have been meeting at Pentagon House since 08h00 this morning. Even William Ruto who only buried his father yesterday, arrived in Pentagon House earlier today. It is unclear what time the ODM will be heading to Harambee House.
  
  President Kibaki had, through Government spokesman Alfred Mutua, indicated yesterday that he would go by the list disputed by ODM saying it was ‘final’ and based on consultations with Raila. Salim Lone has already disputed this and indicated that the list released by Dr. Mutua is unacceptable to ODM and the party will not make further concessions after accepting a bloated cabinet and making numerous concessions so as to progress peace.
  
  Update at 10h55 Local Time
  
  Raila Odinga has arrived at Harambee House for his meeting with Mwai Kibaki. He had earlier met members of the pentagon and senior party officials and left to meet Kibaki without addressing the press who have been camping at both venue since 6.30am today.
  
  According to official program, Kibaki is set to unveil the new cabinet at 15h00 local time.
  
  Uhuru Kenyatta, whose Ministry of Local Government is at the center of the dispute between ODM and PNU, is also said to be in the vicinity of Harambee House. He has threatened to lead what has been left of KANU out of the PNU should his ministry be given to ODM.
  
  Update 11h05 Local Time
  
  ODM Director of Communications informs the press that Raila is expected to reiterate to PNU that ODM has already made significant concessions in the formation of the grand coalition in the interest of resolving the post election crisis gripping our country and that the PNU should not expect any further concessions. In other words, ODM should not be dragged into PNU sucession wars and Kibaki should abide by the peace accord signed between himself and Raila which inter alia says: "........composition of the coalition government shall at all times reflect the relative parliamentary strengths of the respective parties and shall at all times take into account the principle of portfolio balance."
  
  Update 11.50 Local Time
  
  Kenya Government spokesman Alfred Mutua releases statement indicating that Raila Odinga and Mwai Kibai are presently in a closed door one-on-one meeting; without any one from their respective delegations in attendance. ODM Leader had been accompanied by members of the Pentagon while Kibaki's ministers, including the Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka had arrived in Harambee House much earlier than the president himself. It seems Mutua statement is to inform the public that the president and ODM leader are meeting on their own, while the rest are waiting outside.
  
  Update 13h00 Local Time
  
  Kibaki and Raila are still holed up in their meeting. No announcements have been made as yet. The original plan was for the president to announce the grand coalition cabinet today at 15h00 hours, only two hours away. Unless Kibaki and Raila rise above partisan politics and make decisions on the contentious portfolio balance that will move this country forward, then the cabinet will not be named today.
  
  Update 15h00 Local Time
  
  Kibaki and Raila have hit a deadlock. Members of PNU half cabinet and others from ODM are presently trooping into Harambee House in droves. No official word has been released but it appears Kibaki and Raila have opted to expand the meeting by involving members of their own teams into a meeting that will be reconvened at 04h00 local time. It shows determination by the president and Raila to name the cabinet today but it also shows perhaps for the first time, Kibaki and Raila one-on-one closed door meetings have failed to yield acceptable results between the two principals.
  

Blah blah blah

Fish cakes

Alas a fish cake.

Yet more fish cakes

Guess what ... yeah ... fish cakes.

The end of the fish cakes