Kenya Today

Miguna Miguna: How Will AG Githu Muigai Tackle Old Scams?

GeoffreyNyamboga0991 — Sat, 18 May 2013 10:06:22 +0000

By Miguna Miguna, Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Kenya’s a new Attorney General Githu Muigai declared shortly after being sworn in that his first order of business would be to tackle old corruption cases like Goldenberg and Anglo Leasing. ‘Amen,’ many frustrated Kenyans might have sighed in relief; ‘at long last we shall see some super con-men in the slumber!’ But not me. I found myself instinctively asking “how?” How will he do that without prosecutorial powers? And what about ‘new’ corruption?

It is understandable for a man who has been waiting since August last year to assume the vaunted position of AG to be exuberant. Excitement is a common human trait. As readers may recall, Githu is the only person who survived the controversy surrounding the nominations by the President of four persons to key constitutional posts earlier this year. Undeniably, the nominations fundamentally breached the requirements of both the National Accord and Reconciliation Act, 2008, and the Constitution. They also breached basic rules and etiquette in coalition management.

When the position of director of public prosecutions was eventually advertised, Kioko Kilukumi who had earlier been nominated gave it a wide berth – not because he wasn’t qualified for the job – but to acquit himself of the allegation that he enjoyed the confidence of some very powerful figures in government and that his nomination was part of a well-crafted conspiracy to defeat the cause of justice. After all, Kilukumi continues to represent some of those figures in various legal matters, locally and internationally. Kilukumi was therefore wise not to have sought the position.

Similarly, Githu, too, should have declined the position of AG. This is, after all, a very delicate transitional period. Any reasonable apprehension of bias on the part of a senior state officer who is supposed to serve the public interest – and not that of parochial political interests – would inevitably damage the image of that public office and officer.

The AG’s core functions under the new constitution are to be the principal legal adviser to the government and to represent the government in all legal proceedings except criminal matters. In a democracy, the government is the custodian of public interests. As such, the AG’s primary duty is to serve and protect the public interests. In other words, Githu’s ‘clients’ are first and foremost the people of Kenya.

The new Constitution removed criminal prosecution from the AG and placed it firmly under the director of public prosecutions. The DPP is a constitutionally independent office. Unlike before, the DPP doesn’t serve under the under the AG or the state law office.

How then is Githu going to tackle old corruption?

Perhaps Githu meant that he would give the government proper advice on how to tackle old corruption. But he spoke in the first person and emphasised what he would do as AG. He didn’t suggest that all he would be doing is offering ‘advice,’ which clearly can be ignored. Was Githu implying that the government neither knows of the old scams nor has interest in tackling them?

It is difficult to imagine how the new AG will tackle old corruption cases, unless he meant that all old cases of corruption will no longer be prosecuted; that the government will henceforth concentrate on civil recovery of stolen public wealth and do nothing else.

The person who should be prosecuting old and new corruption is the DPP, Keraiko Tobiko. Unfortunately, we have heard and seen very little of him since his appointment. Many of us don’t mind his silence if there were ongoing credible prosecutions. But so far, there is none.

And now that Githu seems to be suggesting that prosecutions are in his docket, notwithstanding the new Constitution, we have cause to be very worried. By no means are we suggesting that forfeiture, restitution and voluntary return of stolen public funds not be pursued by the AG. All we are saying is that such civil actions must follow – and not be a substitute – for criminal prosecutions of the looters, plunderers and thieves.

We know that no effective prosecution will occur until and unless the police and other investigatory organs are fully reformed, restructured and retrained so as to enable credible and effective investigations. Yet, the long-awaited police reforms aren’t taking place fast enough and as required. Although we have been told that a panel to select nominees for the director general and the two deputies will soon be appointed by the President, we wish to point out that such an approach would go against the provisions of the constitution.

In my view, the civilian-led national police service commission must be formed first, as a matter of priority. It is this body that must recruit the director general, the two deputy director generals and senior officers before submitting names of nominees to the President and the Prime Minister who will select appropriate candidates for parliamentary approval. It’s also the NPSC that will ensure that the institution is properly reformed and that high quality standards are maintained in the police service. Then, of course, the DPP must demonstrate that he has the ability, courage and commitment to fight graft.

Unless this is done, all public declarations about the fight against corruption will be nothing but rhetorical declarations. But make no mistake: Kenyans will continue making demands and agitating for action from the government against graft – old and new. Kenyans will continue to pursue accountability and justice for the merchants of impunity. They won’t be duped by promises and rhetoric.

Mr. Miguna is a Barrister and Solicitor in Ontario, Canada

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The New Leading Activists In Nairobi

GeoffreyNyamboga0991 — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:18:23 +0000

By Nyambega Gisesa for the Standard.

The Occupy Parliament May 14th protests made one thing clear, there is a new breed of activists in town. They are among thousands of young Kenyans from all walks of life, who are changing the face of activism. On their Facebook pages they received words of appreciation and encouragement after updating that they were arrested during the protests.

In the past, the image of an activist was that of an unkempt, grumpy and sometimes violent person, who destroyed property during protests, harassed motorists and hurled insults and abuses to the public. This is what the new crop of activists is changing.

Here are the current leading activists in town

CIDI OTIENO

This researcher and University of Nairobi graduate is the President of Bunge La Mwananchi. Cidi also holds the position of chairman and convenor for the Coalition for Constitution Implementation, a lobby group of civil society bodies pushing for the full implementation of the constitution.

BONIFACE MWANGI

This award-winning photojournalist turned activist is no longer capturing momentous images behind the lens but cuts the infallible image in his fight for human rights. Boniface is now the man behind the popular Kenya Ni Kwetu Forum. In 2009, just after leaving employment at the Standard Group he founded Picha Mtaani (www.pichamtaani.org), the first-ever street exhibition in Kenya and currently runs Pawa 254 www.pawa254.org. He’s also involved in teh ‘Mavulture’ grafitti campaign.

Some of his awards and recognitions include a Magnum Photography Fellow, Acumen Fund East Africa Fellow, TED Fellow, and twice as the CNN Multichoice Africa Photojournalist of the Year.

GACHEKE GACHICHI

For those who follow parliamentary proceeding in the august House and also hooked to street, bunge should brace for a more vibrant parliament in the slums. Well, Gacheke Gachichi is the man behind the Bunge Mashinani in Mathare slums. His interest is in pushing for housing rights in slums.

Gacheche’s favourite quote is, ‘history will absolve me’ by Cuba’s former leader Fidel Castro.

ROBERT ALAI

He is arguably Kenya’s foremost controversial blogger who pulls no punches. His daring attitude while addressing social issues has seen him face a few court cases.

SHEIKH AHMED RAMADHAN

The land question has always remained the most emotive issue in the country and in extension Nairobi. Sheikh Ramadhan, who is the national coordinator for the Nubian Human Rights Forum, has been fighting for the rights of the landless Nubians in Nairobi.

LULA MOHAMMED

A team trainer, Lula is the coordinator for the Super Ethnic Minorities Rights Forum. She is leading the fight for smaller tribes that the government do not often recognise.

VINCENT KIDAHA MADEGWA

He is one of the leading forces behind Unga Revolution, a movement pushing for social and economic rights.

FLORENCE KANYUA

She is coordinating the Wanjiku platform also known as the National Citizens Forum whose aim is to mobilise people to participate in county government issues.

EDWIN KIAMA

Kiama is behind the popular Facebook page WanjikuRevolution, the civil society social media arm that pushes for the rights of the common man.

TOM OKETCH

A consultant and community development graduate, Tom is from the La Vie Foundation, a humanitarian network that specialises in the care for the elderly and ageing persons.

EMILY KWAMBOKA

She is a grassroots mobiliser in Nairobi and the convenor of the Bunge la Mwananchi Women Caucus. She was influential in pushing for the failed third gender rule bill.

PATRICK KAMOTHO GITHINJI

Patrick is from Baraza la Taifa whose main interest is pushing for housing rights.

KUXI GHAI

She is a media consultant and freelance producer who has previously worked with Sarakasi Trust and Bokoyoyo International Artist Promotions.

ERICK MATSANGA

He is a member of Labour Party of Kenya’s Youth Congress.

One of his favourite quotes is “Democracies die behind closed doors,” that was made by Judge Damon J Keith, US Court of Appeals.

SHAMIT PATEL

He is the man who rushed to save a fellow protester who was being clobbered by the police during the ‘Occupy parliament’ demo.

HUSSEIN KHALID

He is the executive director of Muslim Human Rights (Muhuri).

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Are We Trying To Fake It Till We Make It?

GeoffreyNyamboga0991 — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:01:17 +0000

By Patrick Gathara via Gathara’s world

There is an interesting scene in one of those dreary, black and white independence era TV documentaries that the media trots out every national holiday. A colonial settler expresses his shock and outrage at the brutality of the Mau Mau uprising. He seems genuinely outraged that a man to whom you have been kind enough to offer employment, whose kids play with yours and who you have even allowed to live on and farm a small corner of your land, could steal into your house in the dead of night and massacre your entire family.

Of course, what makes the statement so unbelievably cretinous is the idea that the Africans should have been grateful for getting back a tiny fraction of what had been stolen from them. It seems that the colonials had come to believe their own hype, that the country’s bounty was theirs as of right. Today, I can’t help feeling that we , inheritors of the artificial country and systems they created, have been similarly lying to ourselves, and have become victims of our own hubris.

The problem with fake societies is their people do not feel anything more than a superficial duty to them.

Consider the recent elections. We invested a great deal of money in technology meant to safeguard its credibility and disregarded all concerns about its efficacy. When it all failed, we were unwilling to even consider that the results might be fraudulent. Despite all our earnest protestations, we were not really interested in democracy or the will of the people or justice. We were, on the contrary, quite content to fake a free and fair poll. Like the settler, we were careful not to give it too much thought lest we discover what lay under our seemingly honest exterior.

Similarly we celebrate our new and improved constitution even when it seems to do nothing to regulate the behaviour of our famously avaricious politicians. We speak reverently of a reformed judiciary though it still seems incapable of delivering justice. We have a penchant to compare the young(ish) duo in Statehouse with US President Barrack Obama, all the while pretending that it is normal to have an ICC-indicted president who has to be whisked through the cargo terminals of international airports, hidden from the press and whose hosts are camera-shy when he’s around.

Today the carpet of economic growth covers many ills. On the back of GDP figures and the number of kilometres of tarmac and fibre optic cable, we are taught to believe that things are improving, the country is moving forward, that we should just sit back and enjoy the ride. As a result, buoyed by narratives of a rising Africa and blinded by the gleaming towers of our cities, we forget that we live in one of the most unequal countries on earth, where wealth is concentrated in the top ten percent. On a per capita basis, the biggest economy in East Africa, as we like to refer to ourselves, ranks only a mediocre 24th out of 48 sub-Saharan economies. One survey of the income distribution of workers in the formal sector found that the top 10 percent lived off monthly wages that were more than 6 times those of the bottom 90 percent. In fact, another study found that the top 10 percent of households control nearly half of total income while the bottom 10 percent take home nearly nothing.

We have little inkling of the country that lies beyond those numbers which is still very much a Hobbesian one. Where men live without security and in constant fear of a violent death; where life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” It is a place where people are set alight while crowds cheer and where young girls can be pulled kicking and screaming from crowded commuter buses to be gang-raped without anybody intervening.

We are also like to see things in isolation, to see the trees but not the wood. Thus we periodically rotate the thieves in government without tackling the systemic attitudes that incentivize bad behaviour. Like turning a blind eye to the rip-off that is the presidential retirement package while at the same time berating Mps for trying to get in on the enrichment act. We reach for legal bans as a quick fix to social problems even when we know that the laws are rarely enforced and even when they are, provide avenues for graft, can be ineffective and can even create worse problems. We thus celebrate traffic rules that fill the government coffers without doing anything about the anarchy on our roads and abortion bans whose only effect is to kill and maim our women and girls.

One would think it would be the job of the media to disabuse us of such inaccurate notions. But the fact is, the Kenyan media long ago shirked its duty to expose truth and to challenge our assumptions. In fact, it is itself a mirror of the society it serves. Famed across the globe as one of the most vibrant on the continent, it has produced award winning journalists by the dozen, many of whom have been snapped up by international networks. Yet back home, they are not given to critical scrutiny and revel in sensational tales of superstition and sex. For our comfort and pleasure, they provide us with a smattering of sanitized news bulletins conservatively sprinkled atop a diet of entertainment and advertising.

Though loudly proclaiming their independence and objectivity, they nonetheless seem almost as ignorant as those they are supposed to inform. As I was writing this, the news anchor on TV was saying something about the Mandera clashes. She declared, with little apparent embarrassment, that the fighting had been going on “unreported” for 3 months. It was unclear whose job she thought it was to do the reporting.

It seems that we are a nation that is determined to fake our way through the world. That we believe we can continue to pretend to be virtuous or successful and all will be well. However, at the end of that road lies an inevitable and painful collision with reality. Like the colonial settlers, we will eventually discover that we cannot paper over the truth indefinitely.

Read more of Patrick’s opinion posts at http://gathara.blogspot.nl/

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Caroline Mutoko Reports Bloggers To The Police

GeoffreyNyamboga0991 — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:38:15 +0000

BY STAR REPORTERS

Radio personality Caroline Mutoko last week filed an official complaint asking police to investigate the anonymous bloggers who have linked her to the death of the late Senator Mutula Kilonzo.

Mutoko filed the complaint with the Cyber Crime Unit of the CID asking for various Kenyan websites to be investigated and criminal prosecu- tions launched against them. She said the attempt by un- known bloggers to link her to Mutula’s death was a blatant lie calculated to injure and bring her into disrepute.

“I did not visit the deceased, I have never been to his home in my entire life, nor was I anywhere near his residence at any time as reported. This is an underhand attempt to damage my career which has taken me over 15 years to build and to undermine my international reputation,” she said. Mutoko said she was in the office until 4pm on Friday April 28, went home to collect her daughter, proceeded to ABC place, and then spent all night at home.

“This can be confirmed by the neighborhood security and every member of my house- hold,” she said. On Saturday April 19, she got the news of Mutula’s death while at a birthday party at a friend’s house with her daughter. She then visited a colleague’s father at MP Shah Hospital for most of Saturday afternoon.

“It is ridiculous that cyber terrorists and criminals are allowed free reign in Kenya. It is time for the CID and the Communications Commission of Kenya to ban and block domains and registry companies that abuse the laws of libel and common decency.

To fabricate such a ridiculously blatant lie to hurt Mutula’s family and my image is the height of cruelty, insensitivity and madness,” Mutoko said. The offending websites have hidden their ownership details by registering through offshore domains like Turks and Caicos and used web anonymiser com- panies to block the identity of bloggers and website owners.

Courtesy of the Star

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The Uhuru Administration: Police Brutality Has No Place In Our New Kenya!

GeoffreyNyamboga0991 — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:10:00 +0000

By Jacktone S. Ambuka

Known for his skepticism of a powerful government and his love for individual and collective liberty, third president of the United States Mr. Thomas Jefferson said “when the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people; there is liberty.”

The words of Thomas Jefferson came into my mind this week on the backdrop of police brutality that was meted against peaceful demonstrators in Nairobi. The government (police) unleashed terror and fear in the hearts and minds of protesting citizens as un-armed peaceful demonstrators were dramatizing their discontent with lawmaker’s threats to disband salary Remuneration Commission (SRC)-a commission that harmonizes salaries for state official and unilaterally increase their salary. Although use of pigs as a symbol of greedy politicians was inexcusable, police descended with kicks, blows, whips, military water cannon and teargas.

The tyrannical scene at the Kenyan parliament was reminiscent of the dark days of former president Moi’s government that outlawed peaceful demonstrations. Dissenters were imprisoned without trial and severe police brutality was unleashed against innocent citizens. You would think those dark days in pursuit of freedom and democracy are behind us. Unfortunately, those days are still well and alive.

Apparently, old habits die hard. Although we promulgated a new constitution in which basic freedoms and bill of rights including freedom of expression, demonstration and assembly are well enshrined; old order seems to be deeply ingrained in the new government of President Uhuru Kenyatta. During the protest that was dubbed “occupy parliament”, about 18 members of the civil society including former journalist Boniface Mwangi were arrested. Notable demonstrators included a constitutional lawyer professor, Yash Pal Ghai, and human rights activist, Mr. Maina Kiai. A picture of a young man being brutalized by police officers spoke a thousand words. It exemplified how the mindset of our Kenyan police is still steeped in the old dispensation that thrived on wanton use of excessive force, physical abuse, verbal abuse and psychological abuse to weaken the resolve of citizens.

Yet, reports about police brutality and violation of human rights aren’t new. These reports have been associated with the Kenyan police in the past. A couple of years ago, former United Nation human rights rapporteur Professor Philip Alston unearthed a damning report that exposed gross violation of human rights in Kenya. The report elicited imbroglio between lieutenants of the two principles of the former coalition government.

Moreover, the Government this week was put on defense by the United Nations Committee Against Torture for perceived inability or unwillingness to implement reforms in police service. The committee lamented that \”There is a perception that the state is failing and it is failing through the police. The credibility of a state is like the credibility of an individual. It is gained by ethical practice.”

Additionally, Waki Commission of Inquiry into the Post-election Violence (CIPEV) released a “stinging indictment of institutional failure and complicity of internal security apparatus (including police) in gross violation of human rights and crimes against humanity.” The inquiry revealed that dozens of people were felled by the bullets of rogue and undisciplined police officers. Among other recommendations, CIPEV envisioned improvement in performance and effectiveness of police service. Although much has been achieved to reform police department, it seems it is too little too slow.

Without a doubt, Kenya police service requires urgent reforms if we are to attain a civilized society founded on the rule of law. Sadly, Inspector General (IG) of police Mr. David Kimaiyo appears to be good at issuing threats and warnings. But when it comes to accomplishing tangible reforms, our IG scores grade E. He is yet to implement policies that can enhance police effectiveness in delivery of services to the public. But until our police officer are trained to respect the bill of rights as stipulated in the constitution, endeavor to end corruption and enhance public relations with the citizens, we will never attain a truly reformed police service. This is a new Kenya. We must reform police service. Police brutality has got no place in the new Kenya.

Jacktone Ambuka is a Kenyan residing at State-college Pennsylvania, USA. can be reached at jsambuka@yahoo.com follow him on twitter @JackAmbuka or check his Facebook page – Bunyore Discussion Board.

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David Beckham to retire from football after turning down new PSG deal

GeoffreyNyamboga0991 — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:25:36 +0000

David Beckham won league titles in four different countries during spells at Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy and PSG. Photograph: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

By: Gurdian Staff and agencies for the guardian.co.uk, Thursday 16 May 2013 15.19 BST

• ‘I feel now is the right time to finish my career,’ says 38-year-old
• Former England captain now expected to return to London

David Beckham is to retire from football after two decades at the top of the game. Beckham was initially thought to be contemplating a further year’s contract at Paris Saint-Germain, where he has just won a league title in a fourth country following spells at Manchester United, Real Madrid and the LA Galaxy in MLS.

However, the PSG coach who brought him to the club, Carlo Ancelotti, is likely to depart for Real Madrid as José Mourinho’s replacement and at 38, Beckham has concluded that another year of intense competition might be a step too far.

“I’m thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue but I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level,” he said.

On the international stage, Beckham holds the England record for making 115 appearances as an outfield player for the national team.

He is expected now to return to London with his wife Victoria and children, Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper. His fortune is said to be worth around £165m and there have previously been suggestions that he would like to invest in an MLS club and pursue his coaching schemes for schoolchildren.

After making his debut in 1992, Beckham won six titles with United, scoring 62 goals in 265 Premiership matches. He was a member in the historic treble team, adding the Champions League and two FA Cups to his list of honours.

“If you had told me as a young boy I would have played for and won trophies with my boyhood club Manchester United, proudly captained and played for my country over one hundred times and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy. I’m fortunate to have realised those dreams,” he said.

“To this day, one of my proudest achievements is captaining my country. I knew every time I wore the Three Lions shirt, I was not only following in a long line of great players, I was also representing every fan that cared passionately about their country. I’m honoured to represent England both on and off the pitch,” said Beckham.

His subsequent career took in Real, Milan, LA Galaxy and PSG. He won the La Liga title in his final season in Spain, the MLS Championship twice and most recently the French Ligue 1 Championship.

Beckham added in a statement: “I wouldn’t have achieved what I have done today without my family. I’m grateful for my parents’ sacrifice, which made me realise my dreams. I owe everything to Victoria and the kids, who have given me the inspiration and support to play at the highest level for such a long period.

“I want to thank all my team-mates, the great managers that I had the pleasure of learning from. I also want to thank the fans who have all supported me and given me the strength to succeed.”

He continued: “Nothing will ever completely replace playing the game I love. However, I feel like I’m starting a new adventure and I’m genuinely excited about what lies ahead. I’m fortunate to have been given many opportunities throughout my career and now I feel it’s my time to give back.”

He has two final games before the end of the season, the last home match of his career this Saturday coming against Brest at Parc des Princes.

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Why Is Ruto And MPs’ Pulling Uhuru Down?

GeoffreyNyamboga0991 — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:35:22 +0000

By Rashid Wanjala

Even though I have ethical, moral and fundamental differences about the direction that Kenya should move, of the two principals, it’s clear to see that Ruto’s ineptitude and ineffectiveness as manifestly evident is pulling Jubilee down.

His nominees even though academically qualified, were lacking in color during the vetting that even the MPigs noticed. You must be really wanting for the Mpigs to notice.

But as usual, the MPIGs chose to endorse their contemporaries, because, ladies and gentlemen, the fight in Kenya has always been a moral war- a class warfare between those who continue to derive pleasure from the system, versus those on whose pain the haves gain.

Mpigs by endorsing RUTO’s questionable characters demonstrated that they are only concerned about retaining and perpetuating the status quo.

To them, Chapter six is an inconvenience that they will unanimously connive to contain, in unison; otherwise they will be hung separately by it.

And their point of confluence over the 2 characters, their FRASS notwithstanding, can only be found in CLASS.

From the party nominations’ fiasco, to voter bribing allegations against winners in the last elections by various sore election losers, MPIGs are beneficiaries of the system.

Most of them are also men and women of means especially given that the average campaign budget for an MP is a whopping KSh 10m.

The decision to approve Kandie and Chrichir despite overwhelming evidence that their pasts are questionable; MPs are keen on lowering the bar of integrity to a level that they can touch.

That at a time when they are focused on raising their salaries, they are sending a message to the executive that “we can do business together”. MPs appear keen on crafting as large a coalition of “likeminded persons” who will help them get their way, in all spheres of government.

Watch out for those weird Cabinet Secretaries who will seek a miscellaneous budget, christened “Mpigs enticement budget” replete with lobbying consultants and/or departments.

To UHURUTO their message is that “we have overlooked the integrity issues in your nominees“, to the new cabinet, “look we have gone easy on you”. The message to the executive arm of the government was unequivocal on the floor, that we can do business together.

Not a single message I know of was or is intended for the common man. Like a riley, the baton was handed by the Judiciary, from whom Uhuru derives his much queried legitimacy. Then the executive sent its names, and without drama the entire cabinet was approved.

It’s scary that there’s no acrimony in between any arm of the government, none of the arms is checking the other as stipulated in the constitution. Rather they are all in a synchronized dance, or do we call it the “Evil Trinity”.

Now this is what we call national unity. A re-incarnation of the Jogoo dejure single party state. All for the sake of maendeleo.

And on a day that the gory and nasty scenes of pigs fed on blood collected from the slaughter houses of Matasia had barricaded the house, I think MPigs have developed an incorrigible and irreconcilable hate towards the Kenyan masses who are united in what my learned friend and the god of the MPigs clamour for more buk Mithika Linturi is calling “impeding on our rights”.

Last time I checked astronomically high salaries at levels umpteen times the per capita income are a privilege not a right. Tell that to Linturi, Dualle and Muturi.

And in a Presidential Democracy MPigs are elected to advance, defend and propagate individual freedoms of their constituents, not their own.

Linturi be reminded that the OCCUPY PARLIAMENT Movement {like in the French Revolution against the arrogant aristocracy and feudal classes} is about rooting out the greedy and bad manners accumulated by MPigs over the years.

Herein after follows my concerns about some of the URP nominees; that MPigs rubber stamped:-

First you have a dude who has risen through the ranks of Kenya Ports and Kenya Posts/Telecommunications, 2 organizations whose tradition of sleaze is in the public domain, until the latter had to be made moribund to give way to a new entity.

Then we have this dude who rose through the ranks of Treasury since the days of Moi repression of the 90s.

Then of course, when you know how Ruto made his “dollars and sense”, it’s not difficult to see why Hon. Ruto has stuffed his half of the cabinet with folks who appear to me like his “boys and girls of terror”.

Kandie, Chirchir, etc appear like they are being rewarded for a job well done over the years, in helping Ruto accumulate his Billions.

Phyllis Kandie looks like that innocent girl but wait until you read an eye witness account of what the link http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/MPs-differ-over-two-Cabinet-nominees-/-/1064/1851592/-/k58vlaz/-/index.html describes as fleecing “Jua Kali Artisans, women Groups and money meant for Poverty Eradication”. A woman who is alleged to have stolen from poor village women, who live on less than a dollar a day just sneaked through a shoddy vetting process.

For a man who has been on and off the court over corruption allegations, Ruto appears willing to stuff his half cabinet with folks who are “like-minded persons”.

By picking government bureaucrats, Ruto appears keen on not only re-inventing, but also re-invigorating, rejuvenating and revitalizing the status quo. Reincarnating the 90s Kanu ways of doing things. The state in which he made his gains without pains.

And for man who has made it thus far at a young age, Ruto is clearly betraying his generation. He is the greatest threat to the attainment of the youth agenda and the Kenyan dream, yet the most vocal about his commitment to the youth. Yet none of his nominees were below 35, the arbitrary definition of youth.

The mother of all evils, is of course the 2 politicians who have time and again been mentioned in corruption scandals, now these ones had to go through, because MPIGs do not only want representatives in cabinet, but also they want to set a precedent that will culminate in MPigs who lose in polls getting a lifeline as cabinet members.

That’s the ultimate finis-punctum that MPs are keen on orchestrating. A Utopia where MPigs have another “life after death in polls”.

The fantasies of an MPig is a world where they can have their way in pay increases, and sulk as evidenced by Mithika Linturi whenever the poor masses attempt to have their say by stopping the illegitimate pay raises.

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The Mombasa Dog Porn Saga, A True Reflection Of Our Society!

GeoffreyNyamboga0991 — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:24:01 +0000

By George Morara

Beyond Sodom!

News from Kenya this week of young college sisters arrested for bestiality of course have been disturbing – nonetheless unsurprising! The Kenya Coastal towns particularly Mombasa, Kilifi and Watamu are well known spots of vice and a safe haven for sex tourism, paedophilia and all manner of evil!

Apparently, the young women, all college students were being paid Kshs. 3,000 (about 35 USD or £23) for participation in pornographic filming with a dog playing the centre piece! Unfortunately some creative Kenyans have been posting pictures of dogs with innuendos suggesting the canines’ love for Mombasa! I didn’t find that funny!

Further, a section of our people have been doctoring the names of the young maidens to reflect one tribe! Of course majority of the girls were from the Kikuyu tribe. However, from the list published in the media, it is fair to say that the girls represented a cross section of our major tribes. The whole issue wasn’t about tribe anyway. It was about our decaying morals as KENYANS! Those beautiful girls for me gave a perfect impression of the grotesque image of our morals – KENYANS! The Swiss guy was just doing his thing, exploiting! He also came a long to represent the kind of relationship we in Africa truly have with the West, and now the East! I don’t suppose any desperately vile Swiss girl could accept US$35 – we are without a doubt cheaper!

Make no mistakes; poverty is no excuse for what was happening in Mombasa. After all the 3k paid for sleeping with a dog would have ended in the hands of a more deserving hardworking hair dresser – the most likely first sensible destination for the dirty money!
On one hand am screaming my head off – “Stone them” and on the other am scratching pulling the liitle hair left, beckoning the saints to cast the first stone! As it happened, there are no saints; not one! Just because the girls slept with once man’s best-now intimate friend, does not make them more condemnable than the rest of us Kenyans!

The level of our decay morally is unprecedented! My guess cannot be too far to imagine that after Nigeria, Kenya has to be number next! I mean leave alone the Americans and Europeans and their open acceptance of what I cannot regard in any other way other than vile! At the very least, their citizens enjoy basic rights enviable by our people! Let’s talk about us and where we are!

As a people we’ve cultivated habits of fleecing others, of busy-bodying – soliciting, bribing – of wanting to harvest where we haven’t sowed. Of an easy life without dignity! We have beggars in the streets who are perfectly able-bodied! When am in Nairobi late evenings, I get approached several times by people who have been “robbed”, “lost or forgot” their bus fare money and an endless versions of invented stories. For sympathy – to fleece! But it doesn’t stop there… should one fail to sympathise, you are likely to be rudely awaken by the “victim” shoving a torrent of abuse and curses (apparently from GOD) for not being empathic!

I have fallen for those tricks endless times! In some situations I have used the opportunity to escape having realised that I am circled by thugs masquerading as innocent public members going about their businesses loitering – when in fact they are waiting to bounce soonest the “target” gives a positive sympathy response. You really have to be a Nairobian to tell between the difference between being in danger, and in a near miss! In a place like Lagos, one has to escalate that to between being dead and being left barely alive!

Let me leave Nigerians alone – after all I have come across one or two upright Nigerians opposed to Nigerian films and Nigerian mega-preachers whose only gospel is material prosperity!
If you have lived in most western countries, one tends to take for granted the “customer” oriented services rendered to citizens. One needs not worry about bribing anyone in public services for services such as obtaining birth certificates, marriage papers, driving licence, passport, or title deed! So long as you can prove legitimacy, no problems whatsoever. In our countries, we cannot even rely on the Police when we are victims of crime. There have been incidents of rape victims being re-raped by the police! It’s not that we haven’t got enough resources to deal with all our ills but that our morals have degenerated to a level where we simply don’t care! We have become barbaric, cold and totally alien to being civil! It is perfectly normal for an ambulance to be stuck in traffic with the siren crying out loud and lights blazing! Everybody stays put. Worse still, for those of us naive to give room for the ambulance, a straight faced drive grabs that place and maintains the status without the slightest discomfort or guilt! But don’t be too fast to condemn the senseless driver – the ambulance may also be trying to short-change the public. But at what expense!!

If you are in the city one of these days try and have a nosy look around those tall sky scrapers of ours in Nairobi! The last time I was in Nairobi I found most toilets in a state! It is not that our people are primitive – but just that they don’t a damn thought about the next person or anyone for that matter! The attitude can be read all over the place from the aggressive elbowing in the streets to the slothful service in restaurants!

When I was growing up, I was taught to respect the elders, those in authority and everyone from a generation older- to be courteous and hospitable – to be kind, polite and respectful! With such qualities today, one can hardly get through the cut-throat battle for survival! People die queuing in hospital corridors simply because they don’t know anyone! Government offices are littered with busybodies – it doesn’t matter what time you arrive – if you haven’t got a bribe, you will be taken round and round till you give up! Whether you are dealing with death in the family and are claiming the remains of fallen loved one! The mortuary attendant will try your patience till you “cough”!

And this is why the Mombasa news weren’t really a shocker for me! We as a country have stopped so low, we can only be described as sorry! Progressing towards a double digit economic nonsense is really not progress for me! I will define success only when I send money through my own kin and it gets to it’s intended recipient in FULL without some sort of “untoward event”! It is no wonder we can still choose leaders wanted internationally for serious crimes against us! It’s not just being awfully ignorantly stupid, but desperately wicked as a society! What happened in Mombasa wasn’t just a case of some stupid college students doing the unthinkable, but a reflection of a society whose morals are at it’s knees! This is a story of us- and it’s only a tip of the iceberg!
And this was prophesied in the Scripture – the cup of sin is full, it is overflowing! The end is nigh!

May GOD stir our conscience!

The post The Mombasa Dog Porn Saga, A True Reflection Of Our Society! appeared first on Kenya Today.

Girls: Six Things Not To Tell A Man Til It’s Serious

GeoffreyNyamboga0991 — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:25:10 +0000

By Mrandmiss

I am all for being yourself and allowing your date to get an accurate impression of who you are. But, we often confuse what actually does give an accurate impression. We all have skeletons in our closets, a couple of issues and insecurities, and some stories that we wish would just go away. That’s fine. But it’s how you treat those matters that says more about you than the fact that they exist.

Your family is nuts

Your father is an alcoholic. Your sister can’t hold a job and acts like a perpetual teenager. Your mom had an affair. Even if it’s not that drastic, you really shouldn’t dish on your family too early on because it makes it seem like you are mad at them. And of course, we all have a point of tension here or there with a family member(s), but, whatever you bring up on the first few dates is something that your date will interpret as part of who you are, versus just a dynamic in your life. You don’t want to make it seem like who you are is someone who is perpetually pissed at their family.

Details of your single life

This is an extension of the previous point. Are you in a “Girls Gone Wild” video? Not his business (pray he never finds it). Did you used to ride the mechanical bull weekly at your local Western bar in teeny, tiny jean shorts? He doesn’t need to know that. Did you host multiple “SEO’s and Office Ho” parties in your day? Let that be in the past. As stated before, a man needs to know that you are capable of not being totally wild, before he can hear about your wild days with a more objective ear.

Your childhood traumas

It is tragic, but a lot of grownups had traumatic experiences as children. Abusive parents. Jumping from foster home to foster home. Just an overall turbulent childhood. But, these are things that can be recovered from, and often are. Let a guy see that you’re a stable and emotionally sound individual before you let him know the details of a childhood that seems it would have turned out a not so emotionally sound adult.

Current traumas

You’re struggling with depression or anxiety. You’re having an identity crisis over your job. Whatever it may be. When you and a man are close, you should definitely be able to share these things with him and find support in him. But, if you bring these issues up within the first couple of dates, you may just seem like too much drama for him. You know you’re not too much drama and that you’ll get a handle on things, but the fact that you’re bringing it up very soon makes it seem like a very prominent thing in your life.

That you loved him at first site

Or that you knew you’d end up together. Once you and a guy are madly in love, it is great to say these things. There is nothing freaky about it when it turned out that you were correct! But, no matter how strongly you feel that something serious will happen with a guy upon first getting to know him, saying that to most men just scares them away.

The post Girls: Six Things Not To Tell A Man Til It’s Serious appeared first on Kenya Today.

KTN “Correctly” Refers To Raila Odinga As Rais Odinga, Blame It On A Typo!

GeoffreyNyamboga0991 — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:19:49 +0000

By: Albert Gachiri

APOLOGY NOT ACCEPTED! THE ON AIR ERROR AND THE NAIVETY TERROR

For more than 15 minutes, a national TV station saw no need to correctly state, who is Kenya’s Head of State. From the start of the live newscast, a grossly misleading on screen graphic, was prominently displayed. The apology came much later, and its delivery was even more shocking.

In the first instance, did the error completely elude the attention of the entire production and editorial crew involved in preparing this particular broadcast? And if one or more people noticed it, was there no way of raising the alert promptly?

And if the ‘little monumental’ mistake found its way on air, one would expect somebody would have detected it, simply because it was staring right back at whoever cared to look at it.

In spite of all the complexities associated with a live news broadcast, there is just no excuse for the attention to details and presence of mind elements to be so grossly overlooked.

But the clincher came, about 17 minutes later.

Somebody eventually realised something had gone wrong. And I can risk a hefty bet that the clue must have emanated from the social media circles.

Soon after, the news presenter offered the station’s apology, but almost as a by the way, matter of non-importance, needle in a haystack inconsequential serendipity…with a chuckle!!!

And that is why in my books, the apology is not acceptable! (it’s also negating the viewer’s intelligence by saying the error was a typo: ‘Raila’ and ‘Rais’ are at most distant cousins lexicographically).

Read more of Albert Gachiri’s opinion pieces at http://agachiri.blogspot.nl/2013/05/apology-not-accepted-on-air-error-and.html?spref=fb

The post KTN “Correctly” Refers To Raila Odinga As Rais Odinga, Blame It On A Typo! appeared first on Kenya Today.