Tag: Jubilee

The Flashy Jubilee Party is Already Creating an Impression of Beating CORD Before Sunrise

By Nicholas Olambo
The race to clinch the 2017 presidential seat began soon after the Supreme Court dismissed CORD’s petition case that was challenging President Kenyatta’s election. Hon. Raila Odinga respected the court’s verdict, moved on but swore to fight another day, 2017. Kenya has never ceased to be in a campaign mood from 1992, the situation has been intense from 2013 to date; from Okoa Kenya campaign, Eurobond saga, President Kenyatta’s appointments of opposition law makers to cabinet positions which always resulted into by-elections, recent calls and street protests to disband IEBC and regular tours to either woo certain regions or handle party rebellion.

Cord leader is camping in western on a five day tour, a move that is more of an offensive charm of the region to tame rebellion and keep the bloc. When Raila is busy on a campaign trail, the ruling coalition is holding a three day mega launch of their new party, Jubilee Party. The launch is all hyped up, flashy and the talk of town presented as the place to be. Five Cord governors are expected to attend alongside many members of parliament. That is clear defection right there.

Jubilee’s Party Freshly unveiled building in Pangani off Thika Road

Though one political analyst once described Raila as a politician who is not short of surprises, he has nothing left. Jubilee has exhausted any possible strategy to render Mr Odinga ‘an ordained’ opposition leader. He has never received a single vital defector from jubilee since 2013 while his foot soldiers are ‘bought’ on a daily basis, slowly creating impression in the minds of Kenyans that cord will be beaten before sunrise in the 2017 elections.
2017 is a two horse race; the moneyed jubilee is putting up a flashy battle hyped with television ads, goodies for opposition strong holds and reception of cord defectors. Odinga on the other hand is kept in his strong hold putting off rebellion fires.

The debate on cord flag bearer is also getting hotter by the day and almost tearing the coalition a part due to pressure from outside. Raila may not be the ordained flag bearer but it’s visible even for the blind to see; only Raila Odinga is strong enough to take on President Kenyatta.

His lazy co-principals are doing nothing but sitting back waiting to be endorsed by him or ‘bought’ by jubilee. Raila’s tour of western to tame rebillion should be approached as a coalition affair not an ODM affair, I mean is about time to put the Cord house in order. Kalonzo who should be Raila’s number two is doing nothing. Jubilee is not operating in that shoddy style, DP William Ruto has always put up strong fight for him and the president.

The three Cord principals appear greedy and not like minded; they claim to be equal partners when Kalonzo and Wetang’ula have not branded and marketed themselves like Raila has. Their struggles to play in top political league are completely different, Raila is known for his strong struggle for democracy and being pro reforms, Kalonzo is not. In fact Hon Charity with all her respect for Raila is not in Cord because Raila made a desperate move to make a political pact with Kalonzo whom she said is not a reformist.

CORD’s Principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Raila Odinga at the ODM’s 10years Anniversary Dinner.

Wetang’ula has no history of political struggle; he’s just a brilliant lawyer who came to the public light through Goldenberg case where he represented businessman Kamlesh Patni and later became a sycophant of the Kibaki regime which later kicked him out to seek refuge in the shades of Raila. During the Serena talks after 2007 disputed polls, Weta was a key hardliner and stubborn PNU die hard who referred to Raila’s side as losers who were to join an already functioning government of Kibaki.

Kalonzo through Daniel Manzo had earlier taken off with ODM-Kenya party for fear of nomination leaving Raila party less. He became number three in the disputed polls but joined PNU side and became Kibaki’s vice when Kenya was burning. These guys have no history of working together. Uhuru and Ruto have their pasts deeply rooted in KANU, they are Moi’s ‘political sons’; they even had a short time in ODM together during the 2005 referendum and later parted ways towards 2007 elections but got back together through ICC cases.

The ‘Enigma of Kenyan Politics’ is not so good at keeping his house together; he has been accused of sitting on the wallet and being stingy. He’s opponents are doing everything money can do to remain favourites in the coming polls. The mega jubilee launch is already flashy even before the material day, it will be sad if ODM puts a cold 10th anniversary party in Mombasa with the reports that the party leader will hosted for lunch by the county government of Mombasa. The party leader should give his delegates a lunch treatment.

Jubilee is out with branded cars, t-shirts, fliers, television and radio ads, Tuko Pamoja Towers in Pangani, that’s the direction majority of money hungry Kenyans are looking at. A sad fact, even the mainstream media is giving jubilee more airtime than cord. Kenya is a capitalist country, and that’s what cord seems not to be taking seriously.

September 8, 2016
Sh2B To Be Spent On Jubilee Party Launch With Uhuru And Ruto Next Month

President Uhuru and DP William Ruto at Statehouse

The ruling coalition Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) will be transformed into Jubilee Party (JP) in a three-day event to be held in Kasarani as they renew and plot to intensify campaigns to retain power in the next election.

The transformation and solidifying the coalition by merging all the parties to one Jubilee Party will entail amending the party’s name, change officials, symbol, slogan and colour, rules and regulations.

Plans have taken top gear as organizers tip the event will be a hit. From reports Kenya Insights is getting, the three days events with expected over 10,000 delegates drawn from across the country will be flanked with a ray of musicians both local and international.

The event that will kick off from the 8th September and go through till 10th will see additional of estimated 100,000 people attending the launch besides the delegates.

It is expected that close to Sh500 million will be spent in the event. The expenditure will include facilitation of the delegates for food and accommodation, payment for international guests from the various parties across the globe and the artists.

Banners with the party colours, T-shirts, caps, decoration for the parties’ events and the eventual final convention are also expected to take up much of the funds. Uhuru and Deputy will be the chief guests.

Costs will also include live broadcast of the event across major channels in Kenya and also intensified social media campaigns.

The event is only comparable to the inauguration of President Uhuru in 2013 that saw millions off taxpayers being spent on it. Here’s a breakdown of the Uhuru’s inauguration budget.

1. Sh50 million was spent on hospitality for President Kenyatta and retired President Kibaki.

2. Sh10 million for gifts which were given to retired President Mwai Kibaki.

3. Sh10 million on a State luncheon attended by 1,000 people. A plate of food was going for Sh5,000. The rest of the money went to hiring of tents (Sh5 million), flowers (Sh100,000) and soft drinks (Sh100,000).

4. Sh850,000 paid the Ministry of Public Works to mark Kasarani grounds in readiness for the event.

5. Sh14.6 million was spent on accommodation of 10 Heads of State who attended the event despite some travelling to their respective countries the same day.

6. Sh5 million spent to hire vehicles to transport leaders. Each leader was allocated three vehicles.

7. Sh6.7 million spent on paying traditional dancers from counties, gospel singers and bands and for entertainment during the State Luncheon.

8. Sh957,000 was paid to traditional dancers who entertained guests during their arrival and departure.

9. Sh7.2 million spent on a legal committee. In the budget, there is research and drafting of legal documents (hiring of legal experts) for election purposes .

10. Sh6 million spent on printing of oaths used for swearing in President Uhuru and Deputy President Ruto.

11. Sh1 million for producing portraits for President Kenyatta.

12. Sh50,000 for producing portraits for Deputy President Ruto.

Francis Kimemia prepared a budget of Sh1.2 billion, which then Treasury PS Joseph Kinyua slashed to Sh279 million. There was also a separate budget of Sh64 million which was funded by the Judiciary, bringing the total cost of the ceremony to Sh374 million.

Its unclear but we can predict who will foot the Sh500M bill for the JP launch. Talking of Uhuru’s inauguration there’s still cries from sections of Kenya musicians who performed at the event that they were shortchanged and never paid. The Statehouse entertainment cartel led by Big Ted is keen on maximizing gains on this launch just like the rest that have past.

August 28, 2016
OLAMBO: IEBC New Directive To Cap Campaign’s Expenditures Nothing But Hot Air

IEBC Chairman, Isaack Hassan

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Thursday published campaign finance regulations which set limits on expenditure by political parties and candidates in the 2017 campaigns.

The electoral body capped presidential aspirants spending to Kshs 5.2 billion, Governors, Senators and women reps to Kshs 432 million, Members of Parliament to Kshs 330 million and members of County Assembly to Kshs 103 million.

Individual party expenditure is set not exceed 150 million dollars and a single source contribution not to exceed 30 million dollars. The body also added that any candidate or party flouting the rules will be liable to a fine no exceeding 2 million dollars, or a jail term not exceeding five years or both.

Certain quarters find this paradoxical that the unfit IEBC is setting campaign expenditure caps but it’s right to do so since they are still the commissioners till the new ones are appointed. This is just a good statement and exactly what the people want to but it’s nothing close to what will actually be done.

Who will monitor the expenditure if one may ask and who has the guts to send any politician found guilty of flouting the rules to jail?

The regulations present more questions than answers, who is the source of the amounts of money said here. If a sitting governor once denied being in a position to afford a two million dollar bribe to influence a petition case. Dr. Evans Kidero treated the amount as huge to an extent that it would only be ferried in trucks, where would a mere MCA get over one hundred million shillings to campaign.

Money is power and individuals talked about here have the financial might to muzzle any case brought against them. Institutions in Kenya have been crippled by corruption and the law is applied selectively . Relevant institutions like Ethica and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have been turned into nothing but places where the ‘big fish’ are cleaned out. What if one spends more than Shs 5.2 billion and goes ahead to win the presidency, who will send that individual to jail?

By Nicholas Olambo

This article expresses the author’s opinion only. The views and opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Kenya Insights or its Editors. We welcome opinion and views on topical issues. Email: [email protected]

August 13, 2016
Spare Us the Tears, Oswago; It’s Too Late, We Moved On

Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) CEO, James Oswago

EACC cleared the IEBC chairman Isaack Hassan of involvement in the Sh.41B Chickengate bribery scandal that saw the directors of the UK printing firm sent to jail in London. The anti-corruption body had been handed the files to prosecute the case.

Isaac Hassan, the IEBC chairman, was mentioned in the dossier alongside IEBC commissioners as being part of the syndicate. After conducting investigations, EACC, the body that coincidentally had cleared Ann Waiguru of involvement from the NYS theft only for new evidence to prove otherwise, also cleared Hassan.

IEBC CEO Oswago alongside others were found culpable, and EACC recommended the ODPP to open prosecutions against Oswago and team for having engaged in bribery schemes with the UK printing firm for the ballot papers in the run-up to the 2013 elections.

Oswago who has been missing from the public limelight since the controversial general elections resurfaced from his hiding place protesting against the decision by the EACC. Oswago argues that he is being made a sacrificial lamb while people who should take more responsibility like Isaac Hassan have been exonerated.

Pressure has been mounting from the EU who are the biggest financier of elections in Kenya on GoK to act upon the Chickengate scandal. Oswago has been running around like a headless cock screaming innocence.

In several media interviews in the past week Oswago has opened the Pandora box revealing that indeed 2013 elections were flawed and rigged in favour of jubilee. In his wild claims, Oswago says the commission he headed was compromised by powerful forces and that there was nothing he could do about it at that time, going as far as saying his life was threatened.

This is a desperate sympathy seeking plot that’s not going to work amongst able minded Kenyans. Kenyans had to drag themselves through the Supreme Court for the ultimate decision that legitimised Jubilee win. It was a bitter journey for CORD supporters who felt that their glory was snatched. For Oswago to surface from his hideout years later to allege that the election was altered is an insult to human intelligence.

If his conscience was right, he could’ve come out earlier on this exposed the matter at a previous stage. If he lacked trust on the local judicial system, Oswago had the opportunity to seek political asylum and lodge the rigging plot on an international court for a public tribunal. Coming out now is an unnecessary and damaging step.

Having said that, with the former CEO now confessing that the elections were flawed the entire IEBC as currently constituted must be demolished and reconstructed. The country is in a fragile state and can’t afford to move into another election with a suspicion body as the current. Oswago and rest of the team involved in the Chickengate scandal must carry the cross and answer to the allegations against them. Jumping out of one media station to the next is a socialite syndrome that’s not going to help him or any other accused. Let the law take the course.

July 30, 2016
EACC Exonerating Isaack Hassan Tactical, IEBC Reforms Must Go Beyond Commissioners to Secure Fair Polls in 2017

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairman Isaack Hassan

The incompetence of IEBC is not about chicken gate alone; the body itself admitted that there were numerous electoral malpractices in the 2013 general elections. The Supreme Court, which is the highest court of the land despite its ruling on the presidential petition, also noted that the 2013 polls had problems.

Nothing much has been done to reform the body, and the country is now 13 months to the next general elections. The opposition has held several street protests demanding the disbandment of the current IEBC; the calls have seen the formation of Joint select committee look into concerns raised about the credibility of the electoral body.

Dilly dallying can be seen from quotas that are anti-IEBC reforms. Perception has now been created by the Chepkonga led Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) that IEBC carried the day after its chairperson Issack Hassan was cleared of any wrongdoing in the procurement of BVR kits that failed immensely during the 2013 polls. Any seriously thinking Kenyan knows that the people who benefited from the 2013 malpractices cannot support the disbandment or the current IEBC or removal of its chairperson.

Clearing Hassan is a ploy to insulate him from facing prosecution. The public cannot be fooled that only the former IEBC chief executive James Oswago is responsible for the infamous chicken gate scandal alongside other three ‘small’ accomplices the committee allowed to be prosecuted. It’s a pity that EACC has also turned to be a clearinghouse for highly connected. Oswago said that he was not allowed by EACC to complete the statement he had begun making a month ago. “Any accused person must be given time to defend himself. The EACC may be trying to divert public attention from a particular matter”, said Oswago.

The electoral environment has not changed since 2013, and it’s absurd for Hassan to celebrate and sit pretty preparing for next polls. Serious reforms are needed to secure proper elections in 2017, and the reforms must go beyond the commission. Voter registration must be seriously conducted without favouring any region and issues on technology to be used must be resolved.

Leaders of IEBC must inspire the nation, and the Hassan led commission lacks public confidence, and something must be done within the timeline. Relevant teams must put the country first and work expeditiously hard to reform the IEBC and avoid pushing back the election date which can be very expensive for the country. Change of election date extends the term of the president which can only be affected through a referendum.

It’s sad to note that time wastage through unnecessary debates between JLAC and Joint Select Committees may force the nation to push back election date. AG Githu Muigai, for instance, is asking for the 2017 poll date postponed allowing proper reconstitution of the ongoing reforms including putting in place new IEBC commissioners. The constitution is clear on the election date, August 8th, 2017.

Attempts to postpone elections will be seen as a plot by the president to extend his term which may plunge the country into more arguments. There is enough time to reform IEBC and have the next elections held as stipulated in the constitution.

July 24, 2016
Why I Support Wetangula’s Call For Raila To Give Up His Presidential Bid

Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula

On Thursday the political temperatures shot high with streets buzzing with the debate sparked by Bungoma Senator and CORD’s co-principal Moses Wetangula. He had earlier in the day called out for his counterpart Raila Odinga to give up his political ambitions following his previous unsuccessful bids. Weta argued that Raila has made more than enough shots, and it’s the right time he gave up and let others like him attempt their luck.

The argument as anticipated was received with mixed reactions, Raila opponents applauded Weta for it and ran away with the story to escalated grounds. Raila’s supporters were on the other end unamused in what they say are impairing efforts by Jubilee to weaken CORD. The majority language is that Weta has been bought by Jubilee and joining likes of Ababu, the CORD rebels said to have been heavily pocketed by the monied jubilee.

While trading accusations is a political norm, I don’t see anything wrong in Wetangula calling for Raila to call off his bid. In a healthy democracy that CORD fundamentals are supposedly built on, is a good sign of maturity and free speech space. CORD supporters should take pride in having space where one is allowed to express himself and challenge the leader.

What a better time for this debate to come than now when Jubilee leadership in Central Kenya has sent a stark warning to all aspirants that vying on any party other than JAP and supporting anyone other than President Uhuru would be severely consequential. This shows the minimal democratic space within the party, exhibiting dictatorial tendencies.

By CORD having space for anyone to raise a voice and challenge the de facto leader is a good move in the right way. The times of ‘ndio baba’ Moi era politics is long gone and should never make a comeback. Presidential nominations for CORD should be fair, Raila is not the ordained candidate, the coalition’s secretariat has made it clear that the candidate would be picked through a constitutional process. Weta as a hopeful is right in fighting for his space. As an art of war, deal with the biggest threats first.

As to whether Wetangula has the muscle might to head CORD and win elections is another matter. The Senator has been fumbling with no firm position on his political future, as we had reported earlier on a Kenya Insights Weta is also eyeing the Nairobi gubernatorial seat. Close sources confide in me that he’s financially limping and would take up any attractive deal including joining Jubilee. If Ababu with all that my DNA is ODM and his blood incompatible with Jubilee shenanigans changed overnight what can stop Weta?

Talking of which politics and politicians are about securing personal interests, that’s the unwritten law, and there’s nothing wrong politicians will see in shifting allegiances as long as their interests are guaranteed. What’s wrong with joining Jubilee after all? Let Weta dance and let Raila fight for his place, and it should never be a silver plate service.

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July 22, 2016
IEBC Standoff: Gentlemen Hold on And Lets Talk

Police putting off fire lit up by rioters in Kisumu during the demos

Weeks continue to pile and so has CORD’s anti-IEBC demos that have intensified and spread through the country. The standoff is over IEBC that the opposition wants bundled out, and the ruling party Jubilee is vowing with a clenched fist to retain.

In their stand, CORD says IEBC marred with integrity issues backdating to flawed 2013 elections that allegedly flocked with fraudulent stints. The chicken-gate scandal that has been haunting the Isaack Hassan led commission for the longest time with their UK counterparts serving jail time.

As clock ticks towards 2017 general election, the stakeholders i.e. CORD and Jubilee have resorted to standing their grounds despite calls for them to loosen up. Last week, the president had invited the CORD principals for a luncheon in the Statehouse where they are said to have discussed the contagious IEBC topic and struck a deal.

In a quick twirl, the Jubilee divide rubbished off claims by CORD that they had hit a deal. Further stirred confusion making CORD stage another demo having called it off a week earlier to give room for dialogue.

Demonstrators in Kisumu carry away body of one of their own shot dead by police

Demos staged countrywide would see a terminal end in Kisumu where two protestors were confirmed dead and scores injured. The number adds to the previous fatalities in the Luo Nyanza region to five, previously police had killed three people.

With the two parties maintaining stiff standpoints and the only persons landed baggage being the citizens who suffer casualties, a voice of tranquility is highly needed. It’s worth noting that, as it stands, the IEBC turmoil is way beyond constitutionality, reduced to supremacy and dick measuring battle.

Puffed ego between state who are determined to show the opposition who runs the show and has the muscles. The opposition who are hell bent to put the state on its toes with pressured demos until they give in.
But really, do we have to continue counting the dead bodies, shed more blood, watch mothers mourn their sons to wake up to the reality?

Shattered walls of Tumaini Supermarket in Kisumu by rioters

Historically, rough demos resulted not only in deaths but humanity deliberating policies. However, as one Martin Luther King, Jr. once put it, “violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem, and it merely creates new and more complicated ones.”

As a country we can’t solve IEBC impasse with violence and think it will solve it, we’re simply breeding more problems given the sensitive period we’re in heading to 2017. It is time as one the late Prof. George Saitoti once put it that it comes a time when the interest of the nation is more important than the individuals.

A pledge goes to the president and the opposition leader, call a cease-fire, let’s sober down, put aside our personal interest and put the nation ahead. Swallowing pride might be a hard one to swallow, but history will judge you right as having statesmanship spirit.

A demonstrator in Homabay

IEBC standoff will not go away, and apparently the commission has lost almost half of the country’s confidence given political dynamics. For a free and fair elections that will be acceptable and paramount to peace, an electoral commission must be seen trustworthy and of high integrity, something current group lacks.

As of my recent article on the IEBC topic, a political solution, as opposed to constitutional, will bail out the botheration. Now more than ever Mr. President and Rt. Hon, the country needs you, don’t allow a single drop of blood.

As I ink this, a kid in Kisumu has had a bullet removed from his back after being shot by a police officer who apparently opened fire in the residential areas. This young boy will never live a normal life, apart from trauma, his physical condition is bound to twist.

I watched the photos of the kid wreathing in pain and I didn’t like it, and I want to believe it disturbed you too. Gentlemen, swallowing your pride doesn’t equal weakness, leadership requires wisdom and knowing you hold livelihoods of many at your hands, sobriety is vital.

Rise above your egos and don’t abscond to the call of leadership and save the nation. Lastly, Swallow your pride occasionally, it doesn’t fatten.

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June 6, 2016