Kenya Insights

Tag: Opinion

  • Nairobi Gubernatorial Race, No Space For Mediocres

    Nairobi Gubernatorial Race, No Space For Mediocres

    Water CS and Nairobi's Governorship Aspirant Eugene Wamalwa
    Water CS and Nairobi’s Governorship Aspirant Eugene Wamalwa

    By Nicholas Olambo
    Political fever pitch is rising by the day. Candidates with bigger visions beyond 2017 are looking at Nairobi gubernatorial seat to launch their bids or push individuals loyal to them to go for the Nairobi seat. But where does this leave the electorate of Nairobi County? The precious document that saw the birth of this great County had many provisions among them the freedom for people to choose who they best feel can lead them. That freedom is being infringed and is under serious threat of remaining nothing but just writing in the constitution.

    Nairobi is a County of significant importance to the entire nation and East and Central African region as a whole. This is the business capital. When that can be noted and not allowed to sink deep into the minds due to political greed, then there is no hope for the future. Nairobi city has suffered in the hands of cartels for way too long, under the old rule and today under the new rule. This County is thirsty for real change. Systems that destroy impoverish and not build our people have no place anymore.
    Land grabbing is still a big issue in Nairobi. It’s belittling to notice that individuals known for the vice are imposing candidates on Nairobians. I believe this county has qualified ladies and gentlemen, with a good education, deeply planted roots on democracy, integrity and leadership skills who can take it to greater heights. This is not the place for individuals who have been more to the toilets than school to chest thump political ambitions without policies neither is it a place for candidates to run on borrowed ambitions.

    The regime of the day led by Dr Evans Kidero has done nothing to write home about. Instead of doing a real job of great service to the people, the current government is only designing projects as a scheme to win the next elections. The same is the case with the senator and the women rep, endless theatrics and public altercations. In fact Nairobi despite being the capital and the County that every other County is looking up to, it has had its entire top leadership fight like kindergarten kids in the full glare of the cameras.

    Whatever has been witnessed from 2013 till now is a clear indication that we need a serious change. That said does not mean that candidates can be imposed to serve the political interest of other individuals. I have no personal vendetta against Eugene Wamalwa. He is a brilliant lawyer, he looks calm, speaks the queen’s language in mid-Atlantic accent. He’s almost remarkable but must it take him external forces to realise that he is interested in Nairobi’s top job? That shows he is not ‘man enough’.

    The force behind him is the interest he will serve; greedy politicians who are scheming to win his tribe’s votes in the coming polls, 2017 and 2022.
    Wamalwa was duped to drop his presidential ambitions in 2013 thinking he would be given the national speaker job by the current regime. He was short changed, and the job was given to TNA man, Justin Muturi. He remained in the cold till 2015 when he was appointed CS in the water docket. His swearing in had to wait due to political wrangles and alignments backstage.

    Reliable sources close to KI revealed that top leadership of the current is pushing for his candidature. The DP William Ruto is on record saying that Jubilee must win Nairobi top seat by hook or crook, could this be one of those ways. Nairobi cannot be tricked like people got tricked in London to vote Brexit. What does Eugene stand for? His visions for Nairobi is what will exonerate him. He’s favourited by the JP to be their flag bearer.

    We also have boneless candidates like Dennis Waweru who have no extraordinary visions neither set policies but just floating around hanging on the lethal tribe string. Nairobi needs someone who can offer solutions to the glaring problems and not just same old tribal politics.

    Esther Passaris, the vocal social entrepreneur, is the latest candidate to thrown in her bid for the County’s top seat, being the only woman who has publicly declared her interest. She needs to cut herself above the men to remain outstanding. She gained considerably high votes in the last elections losing the Woman Rep position to Rachael Shebesh in a whisker. Is this her chance? What can she do differently?

    Miguna Miguna is again one of the most vicious candidates who’ve hit the road for the seat early and making serious strides with a borrowed script from Donald Trump’s US campaigns. He’s coming out as a no-nonsense, controversial candidate with the core value of fighting the cartel. He’s an interesting candidate to watch.

  • Political Dynasties In Kenya Produce The Most Incompetent And Pathetic Leadership Breed

    Political Dynasties In Kenya Produce The Most Incompetent And Pathetic Leadership Breed

    Former Minister Henry Kosgey with his son Alex.
    Former Minister Henry Kosgey with his son Alex.

    Emgwen Mp Alex Kimutai Kosgei is at the risk of losing his seat which is set to be declared vacant. The One FM proprietor is the son of the former cabinet minister, Henry Kosgei. Alex has been accused of being incompetent and lazy, missing 68 sitting and more than eight consecutive sittings. His constituents have been demonstrating calling for his resignation, but he blames June Ruto’s boyfriend, Meshack Kimutai for his woes. He is seeking a scapegoat in Meshack as the man behind demonstration that have paralysed operations in his constituency.

    There are reports that the lazy lawmaker tried to bribe Meshack with Shs 30 million to allow him to finish his term. Meshack refused to take the alleged bribe claiming he is a self-made millionaire who does not make money by betraying the constituents of Emgwen. Alex is among other members as Dalmas Otieno, Nominated Mp Dr Oburu Oginga and Raymond Moi who is the son of the retired president, Daniel Moi. These MPs have had their political careers hang in the balance for absenteeism.

    The newly introduced biometric system makes it easier to track members’ attendance. National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi said. He also added that members of parliament should have a clear understanding of this and avoid unnecessary skipping of sittings or else they risk losing their seats. Lazy honourable like Alex and Raymond Moi are not aware that gone are the old days when their fathers served. Back then members would cheat by using parliamentary orderlies to sign for them attendance list.

    The fact that Alex, Raymond and Oburu have made news, for this reason, is a clear indicator that political dynasty is not a good thing though present in the modern democracy. As much as one may argue that everyone has a right to offer themselves for leadership in elective positions, it raises issues of inequality. It works best to benefit greedy political families to acquire wealth and power and steal from the people. It’s impossible to see families fight ‘tooth and nail’ to control ‘small’ professions like nursing or pass it to their children like they do in politics.

    Dynasty now poses sticky problems; incompetent individuals like this lazy Alex are forced on the electorate just because their families are part of the ruling elites. Without a track record, this guy rode on his dad’s fame to launch his lame political career. The only thing he did differently was choosing a political party that was ‘the wave’ of the region, URP, other than his dad’s ODM through which he lost his senatorial bid for trying to cut against the grains. In fact, his decision to run on URP seems more like his dad’s advice to keep the family name in political spheres.

    But if history is anything to go by, what was his father known for that would attract the public? nothing. If not being part of the infamous ‘Ocampo Six’, importing old cars contrary to the law when he was the minister for industrialisation and cases of hate speech and corruption here and there. Chances of an individual like this producing a good leader are slim.

  • Kenyan Youths Getting Their Hands Dirty In The Murky Political World

    Kenyan Youths Getting Their Hands Dirty In The Murky Political World

    Babu Owino
    Babu Owino

    By Nicholas Olambo

    While they say politics is a dirty game, and the youths are the leaders of future, Kenya is now witnessing more and more young politicians stepping into the arena to clean the dirt in the game. Many have come and gone, and others made it others did not, a real leader is one who champions his policies and agreeing not to keep rehashing mistakes of the past and instead focus on the future without bootlicking the moneyed party chiefs.

    Change won’t come from the top, and change will come from the mobilised grassroots, Obama said while launching his presidential ambitions. Obama who first attracted global attention in 2004 at the DNC in Philadelphia and rose to win the American presidency in 2008 with his ‘Yes we can’ slogan is inspiration enough to up and coming young politicians from humble backgrounds.

    The election of President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2013 must have acted as the biggest push in a generational shift. I am seeing a crop of dedicated young men keeping on their track, rising and getting better with time. Mombasa is the den of many, Moses Aran who is the current Chairman of ODM Youth, and Mombasa County has steadily risen to his position after many years of community work and youth mobilisation. He is now sharing the same platform with the big men in political spheres, Cord leader Raila Odinga, Mombasa Governor Ali Joho and area Mp, Abdulswamad Nasir just to mention a few.

    Moses Aran, Mombasa Youth Leader addressing a crowd
    Moses Aran, Mombasa Youth Leader addressing a crowd

    With a track record that speaks volumes, he cannot be belittled as a small time leader. Moses has headed projects that saw the shaping of musical talents of juveniles from Boarstal Academy, Shimo la Tewa Prisons, leading Tudor soccer team to represent the country in beach soccer tournament in Tanzania in 2014 and organising community clean-ups. Commonly known as Cvilizer Youth Commander 001, Moses has been the loudest voice of reason among the youth of Mombasa. Through Samba Foundation where he is the project director, his efforts have seen the implementation of projects that change and sustain lives of women and the youth. Recent polls ranked him the most influential young people in the county.

    The trend is not in Mombasa alone; Nairobi too is seeing the same. Young people are gearing to be elected in top political positions in 2017 polls. TNA Chairman, Johnson Arthur Sakaja is a young man who burst into the national limelight with a powerful speech during the launch of The National Alliance (TNA) party in 2012. He began his foray into national politics while studying at the University of Nairobi in 2005 and later played a key role in the re-election of the retired president Mwai Kibaki. Now a household name, the nominated lawmaker has declared his interest in the Nairobi gubernatorial race.

    Paul Owino Ongili, better by his moniker ‘Babu Owino’ than his real names is the young man in his late 20s with a whiff of scandals about him. Babu who is the current chairman of SONU is always in the news for one reason or the other, from controversial re- election, flashy lifestyle and to constant dates with the courts has said he is in the race for Embakasi East parliamentary seat. His political future seems bright with the kind of authority he commands among university students or comrades as he refers to them; he is in a place where many have successfully launched their political careers.

    Steve Mbogo is another one, flashy and controversial with many questioning his wealth and education. In an article, a Daily Nation writer described him as nothing more than a crossbreed of a fake wannabe with a rudimentary grasp of English. The leader of Party of National Alliance (PONA) Party is aspiring to unseat President Uhuru Kenyatta just like Mohamed Abduba Dida.

  • Money And Power, A Philosophical Analysis To Njoki Chege

    Money And Power, A Philosophical Analysis To Njoki Chege

    Njoki Chege
    Njoki Chege

    By Ombo Malumbe

    Criticism and Platform of the Criticism
    Ms Njoki Chege to Senior Advocate Donald Kipkorir
    Cicero once said, “To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child.”

    Kenya as a Society we are engulfed with ample tools, which can be theoretical, monetary, tangible resources just to mention a few. For purposes of this discourse, the article focuses on conceptual and financial tools. Also, there will be a slight touch on Social Media.
    The theoretical tool is the most celebrated document in Kenya, which happens to be the Constitution of Kenya (the CoK). The said document entails some freedoms, such as freedom of expression. The freedom of expression is not absolute neither is the right to information. The two have some capping, which varies based on a case-to-case basis.

    For instance, it is relevant for someone who has Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) to inform any person who he or she intends to have sexual intercourse with that he or she has HIV. However, a third party is not allowed to share such information, not to mention even the doctors or medical practitioners, and if it is done, one will have a success Petition that his or her Constitutional Right to Privacy has been breached. And, if it is a matter that could raise controversy over one’s reputation, then the author should at least make an effort to contact the person who the article is likely to affect.

    Cicero asserted through “Academic Scepticism” that appreciation of a diverse ideology is the first step to understanding it and develop some better ideas surrounding the said topic. It is evident that one Ms. Njoki Chege knowingly and to the best of her knowledge, not to mention the critical thinking abilities that she has attained through her personal urge of interacting with the education system, which in the current society is presumed to make one literate and intelligent, has enabled her to pen an article about Senior Advocate Donald Kipkorir. However, the article cannot engage one in a constructive discussion, more so, a person of the stature of one Senior Advocate Donald Kipkorir. To make this view more vivid, the discussion below will be segregated into various topics.

    SOCIAL STANDARDS

    The moment a baby is born, he or she is forced to engage in an environment that is quite unbearable. Looking at the tales of John Locke, Thomas Hobbes et al. when discussing the Doctrine of Social Contract, which is the ideology behind what a Government or Society is, then one will start to realise that as a human being, you will never have free will. The free will that we presume to have is not extant even if the aspect of Social Contract was not in place.

    Our current free will is based on Social Standards that we exhibit consciously and subconsciously. For instance, in the Western Region of Kenya, it is believed that a chicken’s gizzard is a man’s food, and if you share it, the two who share will become enemies. In this case, that is how the cycle begins, people being born and taught actively or learn actively or passively through observation. Therefore, they live by that standards, believing that is the right measure of leading life.

    Going back to Ms Njoki Chege’s article, it is clear that she indeed believes of what a Society should be like or those who have certain monies need to act like. For instance, she addresses that a man of a certain age should be married, initiate certain investments or maybe own a building in the Central Business District of Nairobi, Kenya just to mention a few since she might have preserved some valuable ideas on how the social structuring of the society should take place.

    There are possibilities that Ms Njoki Chege might be right, as she believes on certain Social Standards that can be termed as Cultural Practices that are either rooted from our African Traditions, Religious practices or Traditions borrowed from other Societies. Also, these Cultural Practices or Social Standards are equally acknowledged within the CoK and the Judicature Act; but are they absolute?

    Let us focus on Social Engineering School of thought by one Nathan Roscoe Pound, which addresses on Law in Action and Law in Form. Predominantly, these Social Standards are Laws in Action, which is not written but developed out various practices. Some can offend the Law in Form while some cannot offend the Law in Form. Therefore, this question on whether Senior Advocate Donald Kipkorir is flaunting is best addressed with his peers, whom we can say are the Advocates who are members of the Law Society of Kenya. Such a move will answer questions that surround the Legal fraternity on issues of Moral Ethics as per the profession.

    SOCIAL MEDIA

    Social Media has transformed from the early years of 2004 (Facebook) and 2006 (Twitter). Unlike the initial times, it was more of family and friends that are why there is always an advanced aspect of privacy. For instance, “Add Friend” “Delete Friend” (In a Mafia’s world this is something different) “Who to View” “Who can send a friend request” “Who can view your timeline” etc. Regardless of the same and advanced settings being provided, there are other uses of Social Media; some examples can be, networking, e-transactions and advertisement (both paid and organic approach).

    Therefore, Social Media is a reflection of the streets, cities, roads, etc. we have the likes Moi Avenue, 1st Ngong’ Avenue, Uhuru Highway, Mombasa, etc. In the event you become a friend or follower of another person on Social Media, it is like accepting to see and read (if you want to) their content that they are willing to allow the public to see or read.

    However, you as a friend you have a choice of terminating the online friendship that you have or approaching the individual through the inbox chat, email or a phone call for a certain conversation.
    In the olden days when one buys a car or builds a house, they used to call the villagers, family and friends to come and celebrate the success. It is clear that the Senior Advocate Donald Kipkorir did that, and it is okay to elicit different forms of reactions just like that of one Ms Njoki Chege.

    HUMAN BEINGS

    We as human beings are always different, not to mention even twins experience different thoughts and approach on various issues. An individual is faced with diverse factors, for instance, in a political forum, let us consider a Jubilee supporter (The Current Government):
    One will agree with the 2013 Judgment just because he wanted Uhuru and Ruto to be the holders of the Government; and
    Another one might be of the view that the Judgment given by the Supreme Court of Kenya was well thought; hence, Uhuru and Ruto are rightfully in the office.

    Those are two supporters of the Jubilee Government holding different views of why they support the leadership that is in control of the Government of Kenya.
    Various desires drive human beings, some we know, but some are deep inside our subconscious mind. That is the reason why people who have theoretically same background setting will always have a different approach to life. Another example is about a young child is emotionally and physically abused because he or she is a foster child, there are various occurrences in the future about the child, which can be as follows:

    One might turn out to be an activist for the rights of the foster children as he understands the pain and pressure; and
    The other might be vicious and vent his or her childhood harsh environment to other peers or those below him or her either physically or socially.

    Therefore, at no point will it be wise to argue that Human Beings will always act the same or follow a particular Social Standard, and in the event, the Social Standards is incoherent with the Law in Form then there are right platforms to present our grievances.

    MONEY AND POWER

    I will not delve into this division that much as one Ms Njoki Chege relates the daily activities of Senior Advocate Donald Kipkorir to that of someone being in regular confrontation with the City Council’s officers – Whereby her thoughts are, one with the power of such influence cannot encounter such hurdles.

    The life of the late billionaire Mr Jacob Juma can be the best tale, and this is because he had money but sometimes and just sometimes one is not always protected. I would like to remind her of JF Kennedy who was assassinated based on his new approach concerning Governance; also, among the many, we have the late Thomas Sankara. What I’m driving to is that in this Society, the aspect of Power and Money is not vital as there are various classes of money and power; hence, the comparative analysis done by Ms Njoki Chege is unreliable.
    Conclusion? You can make one

    Ombo Malumbe is an ATP at Kenya School of Law

    Disclaimer: 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]

  • How Not To Unseat Rachael Shebesh, Mistakes Made By Wannabe Nairobi Women Representatives

    How Not To Unseat Rachael Shebesh, Mistakes Made By Wannabe Nairobi Women Representatives

    Millicent Omanga one of the aspirants aka Toto si Totos
    Millicent Omanga one of the aspirants

    If you thought it’s what one does off the cameras and off the courts that make make them worthy of the people’s support, then you figured it wrong. Think again. The race to clinch the Nairobi women rep seat which soon fall vacant is taking an interesting turn.

    Would be politicians are working best with what they have, others are using their financial strength, some are self-motivated and inspired, others by virtue of being the incumbent are putting up a strong fight to defend the seat when lazy ones are up to use their bottoms to shoot straight to the top.

    As the nation struggles to strike gender balance in its elected leadership, special seats reserved for our women are attracting passive candidates who champion nothing. Some are running to please their sponsors or milk them dry or just to graduate from being parasites to honourable members. Real women who stand for serious issues go for ‘bigger positions’ like gubernatorial or senatorial seats.

    Before you just bid think about what people know you for, is it arrest for drunk driving, escape with another woman’s husband or donating books to a local school? Some aspirants have made news for all the wrong reasons acquiring negative fame. A thousand people who follow you on social media and like your pages will not turn to vote. The empty pledges you are giving are an old century rhetorics that no one takes seriously. Present policies that resonate with the electorate and can fix the challenges they are facing.

    rep1_20072016
    Karen Nyamu Aka Bae Wa Nai

    The incumbent Hon. Rachael Shebesh aka Manzi wa Nairobi is facing opponents with the same childish monikers. The Bae wa Nairobi, Toto si Totos and Wakili wa Mama na Watoto of this world are up to pose a limping challenge to the incumbent who has had a dismal performance. A serious candidate with fresh and real ideas is needed. I mean, going by the monikers what difference is there between Manzi wa Nairobi and Bae wa Nairobi? Copy and paste strategy that can not work even in utopia.

    These are short visioned leaders who may deliver less than Shebesh. Copy and paste, lame PR stunts and taking photos to beg for mercy work not anymore. They say brains hardly go with beauty, and the testimony is right before the eyes of the Nairobians.

    As mentioned in the previous article, the Nairobi woman rep is yet to attract serious candidate or already the ones who’ve declared interests don’t have a clear view of what they want. The campaign slogan is a key pivot point. Yes, We Can is what shot Obama to the spot two terms later. The slogan tells the seriousness or saucy nature in your bid. We’re not just looking at who has more sexual appeal, which has the trendy tag but a woman of substance who has strict moral values to defend the rights of Nairobi women. The tags flowing around are as childish as they sound.

  • Forget About Capping Campaigns Expenditures IEBC Must Also Focus On The Source Of This Big Money

    Forget About Capping Campaigns Expenditures IEBC Must Also Focus On The Source Of This Big Money

    IEBC Chairman Isaack Hassan
    IEBC Chairman Isaack Hassan

    The outgoing IEBC commissioners last week published rules capping campaign spending in the coming 2017 polls. The rules have come under scathing criticism from various political players as a ploy to auction country’s political leadership to billionaires, and indeed it looks like it. This commission has been accused of being ‘bought’ by the moneyed politicians and the coalition wing that makes the ruling regime of the day.

    This was the worst last card the embattled commission would play after it lost the confidence of the opposition and public and a section of the religious leadership. When the former Chief Executive Officer of the Committee of Experts (COE) Mr Ekuro Ekuot defended the commission saying that his team keenly looked at the integrity of these individuals before giving them the job, the team forgot about integrity as a leadership value soon as they got into IEBC job.

    Kenyans with real integrity who may not be billionaires or part of the ruling elites will be so disadvantaged from taking leadership of this country or running for top political offices. What remains a crucial question is what forms their opinion. The rules are so unfounded and have only been thrown out of the blues just appear to be doing something ahead of the 2017 elections that they will not conduct.

    The commission has never published reports on the amount that was spent in the last elections by various political parties and candidates who participated in it. Neither have they told the nation the sources of massive campaign funds that politicians dish out and hold flashy campaigns with. All the top presidential contenders were flying in choppers branded with their respective party colours.

    When one thought the choppers would be of excellent service delivery to the people after the polls, the demise was before the first vote was cast.

    IMG_20160815_181520
    The capped amounts

    As much as they are still the commissioners till the new ones are appointed, IEBC should spare the nation unnecessary drama of crowding the office with ideas that add no value but mess the electoral process more. In fact, it should fix the BVR kits that fail on the D-Day than setting rules that will not be implemented at all.

    In the US for example at the federal level, campaign finance law is enacted by Congress and enforced by the Federal Election Commission (FEC), an independent federal agency. The system is open, and records are readily available of the financiers. Banks, individuals the list of contributors varies.

    In Kenya its known for businessmen and big empires also foreign agencies to support a political wing with a back expectation of securing personal securities. Tax evasion syndicate and dubious businesspeople have been sponsoring candidates to score favours. Industrialist Manu Chandaria, for example, is said to have heavily financed the NYK 92 for Moi’s reelection to buy favours and continue evading taxes and so has been the case of a counterpart and BIDCO owner Vimal Shah who as of now owes the tax collector up to Sh.6B in tax arrears.

    Dubious businessmen also choose on politicians to support to help hide their dirty money. With the records of financiers out there, voters can easily deduce the interests being reserved and the actual nature of candidates. Leaving the expenditure gap in billions gives room for drug lords and all the dirty dealers an excellent platform to launder their money in the name of financing candidates. It goes without mentioning that public funds are at stake and threat of being misused by those in a position of power. For integrity, we need to know really where all these billions being spent are coming from more than just how much.

  • OLAMBO: IEBC New Directive To Cap Campaign’s Expenditures Nothing But Hot Air

    OLAMBO: IEBC New Directive To Cap Campaign’s Expenditures Nothing But Hot Air

    IEBC Chairman, Isaack Hassan
    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]

  • AKINYI: Broke Njoki Chege Lacks Every Authority To Attack Donald Kipkorir Over His Flashy Lifestyle

    AKINYI: Broke Njoki Chege Lacks Every Authority To Attack Donald Kipkorir Over His Flashy Lifestyle

    Daily Nation Writer Njoki Chege
    Daily Nation Writer Njoki Chege

    By Bel Akinyi

    So, an already forgotten once glorified Ctrl+C + Ctrl+V desktop pseudo-journalist Njoki Paste Chege finally found something to talk about and pick up her garbage career from the dumpsite by attacking Lawyer Donald Kipkorir. How could she? I mean how? We all know the answer…No need to answer! The other day, she was caught plagiarising an article from the Harvard Business Review journal for her City Girl column.

    Njoki Paste Chege who has problems with everything from blue Subarus to smoking shisha to women with dreadlocks, everything you can think of she hates. The epitome of hypocrisy and irony is when the charlatan Chege says nobody cares about what Donald owns, but this is the same playing mantis built like writer who has been attacking Blue Subaru owners throughout her writings. Did she block her brains with yesternight’s ugali when writing not to realise she was exposing her bunk?

    Njoki is a typical bile field Kenyan, who would rather see you languish in poverty than watch you flourish, what’s wrong with a man being proud and enjoying his wealth the way he wishes. Being someone I know, Njoki can’t attack a billionaire with her KSh.50,000 monthly salary that she has to lease whatever she has between her legs to survive in the high cost of living Nairobi. Like Chris Browns say in a song you can’t hate outside the club when you can’t even get in.

    Human beings again are psychologically programmed to view things from a negative side. Research has shown that hip hop videos graced with flashy cars, heaps of bank notes, nude women have impacted the society such that most want to emulate the lifestyle. Motivated many to work harder or hustle in another language to attain the lifestyle they watch on TV.

    There is a good number of people who are motivated to become better and work harder to be as good as Kipkorir. That’s the flip side that nobody is focussing on. The flashy show the lawyer is putting up on the web should be used as a motivation to the young people who aspire to be better. You work harder make more money you’ll sit back and enjoy. You do nothing, and you’ll keep being bitter at those who dared to try and made it, you’ll be left sitting your bones behind desktops jotting bile laced with envy articles slamming people who spend your monthly salary just to ignite their cars.

    Let everyone spend their cash whichever way they wish as long as they don’t cause civil war. I’d care less if Kipkorir decided to buy the moon with his money. And let’s be honest, Njoki is just chewing her heart out only because she’s not in the league you know. Why she’s attacking Lilian Muli and the rest, if Donald offered her a lift on the posh car, Njoki would jump on it faster than a Makanga hiking a bus moving at 120KM/H. You hate because you’re off the circle.

    Talking about marriage, your hairline is almost reaching menopause and still no signs of getting married. As you still enjoy your youth getting mauled by everything, know that age is catching up.

    I’ve Deliberately used gratuitous rather unnecessary jargon in this article to sound intelligent the same thing your gal Copy Paste Chege does haha.

    And before I sign off, tell me any sane woman who doesn’t love cars that Njoki Chege hates so much. I’m starting to think we’re looking at a man in a dress so next time you write your trifling articles make sure you tuck in your testicles, they’re showing hun. Donald can flash everything including his oesophagus. We don’t care, it’s his life, live yours too.

    Bel Akinyi is a political science student at Melbourne University, Australia and a vocal social media contributor on matters Kenya

    Twitter: @BelAkinyii

    Disclaimer: 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]

  • Why Jakoyo Midiwo’s Motion On Betting Was Shot Down By MPs

    Why Jakoyo Midiwo’s Motion On Betting Was Shot Down By MPs

    The motion by the Deputy Minority Leader in the National Assembly Jakoyo Midiwo seeking to form a committee to investigate gambling was shot down Tuesday. The Gem MP who had recently alleged that the gambling industry was enabling tax evasion and money laundering cried foul after his colleagues rejected the motion claiming that individuals had compromised some of them from unknown quarters.

    The lawmakers had last week formed an 11 member joint committee to look into the betting craze with over five million Kenyans hooked already. The committee that was to be co-chaired by Hon. Midiwo and The National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale was expected to table its findings on how to regulate gambling in fourteen days.
    Betting is a multi-billion industry which has kept the young people and sometimes old glued to the sites to make quick bucks. Gambling is the addiction and betting indeed is, just like alcohol or any other kind of drug.

    It’s said that real men earn their wealth steadily but betting craze is changing the trend, people now want instant everything, cash, pleasure and name it. Shortcuts are known to be dangerous but youths are taking any shorter route to escape poverty and in the process, we are raising a lazy generation of young men who are averse to work.

    Parliament brags itself as a den of learned ladies and gentlemen, but political ambitions take centre stage of everything. They deliberately choose not to see any sense in regulating gambling because the number hooked to betting is already big enough to be treated as a voting bloc that must be pleased with all costs.

    Just the same way transport or rather matatu industry has been dealt with. It’s all messed up with rogues and crooks controlling routes in the name of SACCOs. Loud music and excess graffiti were allowed back just to win the votes from that particular ‘bloc’.
    Why is betting only open to those who are 18 years and over to indulge in? That is the disclaimer because people are so obsessed to land the cash and try their luck to win the ever elusive jackpot. Some people take massive loans that they strain to pay back, other spend all their salaries and college students even ‘sacrife’ fees hoping it may double or triple. In some extreme cases men sell their household items to indulge, marriages are breaking up, and families are being destroyed.

    This addictive behaviour is damaging a whole generation and many to come if not curbed.”We have seen suicides, and many families have been broken because of this thing,” Midiwo said. And to quote Duale who many may not take seriously, he said that students are spending school fees betting, and when they lose, they start fires to divert attention.

  • Kikuyu Business Community Endorses Eugene Wamalwa For Nairobi Gubernatorial Seat Leaving Dennis Waweru In The Cold

    Kikuyu Business Community Endorses Eugene Wamalwa For Nairobi Gubernatorial Seat Leaving Dennis Waweru In The Cold

    Uhuru Kenyatta and Eugene Wamalwa
    Uhuru Kenyatta and Eugene Wamalwa

    Water CS Eugene Wamalwa who has been causing major ripples in the now hot Nairobi political scene has added more fruits to his captivating bucket following latest endorsement by the Business community from the GEMA union.

    Eugene is yet to make it public his candidature, but word on the streets that has caused much distress within the Jubilee camp is that the principals have silently endorsed him to unseat the incumbent. MPs drawn from Kiambu led by Waititu were the first to give Eugene an endorsement then Moses Kuria whom many views as Uhuru’s mouthpiece echoed the sentiments by throwing his support towards Eugene.

    In a quick, expected move, Jubilee MPs from Nairobi led by Maina Kamanda rubbished the endorsement saying the Nairobi seat is foreordained for insiders not outsiders like Wamalwa. The definition of the outsider is best known to them since last time I checked Nairobi is a cosmopolitan city and constitution allow us to vie for any seat anywhere in the country, but there’s less to expect from legislators who have zero regards for the law.

    My moles telling me the rebellion from the Nairobi MPs was as a result of their prior endorsement of wealthy Dennis Waweru whom I learn is financing them so that the outcry can be justified.
    Eugene’s entrance into the Nairobi scene has not only thrown Dennis to the ditches but also Bishop Wanjiru, Sakaja, Sonko both of whom latest polls rank fairly well.

    Kenya voting patterns are mostly determined by the tribal card, and that’s why central MPs who know the Kikuyu voting block in Nairobi is huge have been banking on this to field their own. Nairobi County receives the largest budget allocation with up to Sh.12B annually making it lucrative for most hazardous appetite politicians.

    The endorsement of Wamalwa by the business community is coming at a time when propaganda orchestrated by Waweru’s Communication Team has been pushing ‘hogwash’ as Wamalwa describes it that he has bowed out of the race and shifting his focus to Trans Nzoia County to unseat Patrick Khaemba and battle it out with Noah Wekesa who is steering committee in the structuring of Jubilee Merger.

    It will be interesting to watch how Eugene who is viewed by critics as a naive, spongy, diplomatic politician to hack the politics of Nairobi which requires one to get his hands dirty and putting off the fire from the wreathing Jubilee MPs perturbed by his endorsement from the high house.

  • Nairobi Women Representative, Race, Has Not Attracted Serious Candidates

    Nairobi Women Representative, Race, Has Not Attracted Serious Candidates

    Millicent Omanga one of the aspirants
    Millicent Omanga one of the aspirants

    By a Kenya Insights Contributor

    As 2017 fast approaches, political landscapes are changing. Nairobi is at the centre of everything political. The gubernatorial seat is attracting many candidates from the Jubilee wing, and so the women rep position, the incumbent Hon. Rachael Shebesh is up for an uphill task to defend her seat.

    Latest polls are showing Nairobi, businesswoman, Esther Passaris enjoying a 28% lead, Rachael Shebesh is second with 20 percent, Wangui Ng’ang’a is a distance third with 2 percent followed by new entrant Karen Nyamu who enjoys only 1 percent. Of all the candidates so far, the city lawyer Karen Njeri Nyamu has been doing meet the people during the weekends traversing various slums.

    With the incumbent lacking a track record that speaks for itself the new entrants have no policies too other than clinging on peculiar monikers like Toto si Toto, Bae wa Nairobi, Wakili wa Mama na Watoto and taking pictures in slums to identify with the dwellers when they don’t understand needs of the Nairobians. Ms Njeri for instance admitted to having no manifesto as the prepares to clinch the nomination ticket.

    With latest trends politics is almost lacking seriousness, the seat that was created through the new constitution to enhance gender balance has not been understood. Even some candidates are not aware that women representatives though majorly representing the interests of women are just like other MPs( Members of Parliament).

    Karen Nyamu,, Women Rep aspirant in the slums where she has been doing grassroots campaigns
    Karen Nyamu,, Women Rep aspirant in the slums where she has been doing grassroots campaigns

    Ladies who are moderately successful in business and desperate for fame chest thump without proper policies running for the seat. You can not employ every woman at the EPZ (Export Processing Zone), times have changed, we are living in the 21st century. It’s too late to promise people jobs that can barely support their lives. Initiate ideas that can fix problems that people face.

    Most of these candidates are people who have access to individuals or cash to facilitate their way to greener pastures. At the centre of political leadership is a relationship, Hillary Clinton once said but many candidates around have no time-tested relationship with the people.

    They come at the eleventh hour, hoodwink the people, get elected, forget the people and fill their stomachs. Relationship with the people in this context is not taking desperate photos with poor kids at the slums and jumping over dirty trenches with the poor drainage system.
    Nairobi did not see these candidates doing the same two or three years ago, and these are cheap PR stunts meant to work as ‘a political currency’ to win elections.

    It makes no sense jumping over trenches or taking pictures with malnourished kids and promising to employ people at the EPZ. The photo and promise don’t relate and why should you wait till you are elected to hire people? Do it now if you can because empty promises work no more. Maybe Shebesh has not done a commendable job other controversies here and there, but her successor must be the serious candidate, not a restless socialite.

    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]

  • How Moses Wetangula Duped Kidero To Dump Master Degree Holder Musundi For Form Four Leaver Nyambane

    How Moses Wetangula Duped Kidero To Dump Master Degree Holder Musundi For Form Four Leaver Nyambane

    Ms Noellah Musundi Former Communication Director, Nairobi County
    Ms Noellah Musundi Former Communication Director, Nairobi County

    There is sudden curiosity on who exactly is Noellah Musundi, the Director of Communication appointed by Governor Kidero but served City Hall for just seven days before being sent on leave. My city hall and political moles confirm the high voltage political uproar from a section of CORD bigwigs and “Team Kidero” who swore to block the competent and tough lady from assuming the new office.

    As the soap opera unfolded, the former but now current Director of Communication Walter Mong’are aka Nyambane had been suspended due to incompetence and failure to submit his academic papers.
    Senior City Hall sources whisper Nyambane never graduated from Kenyatta University which is now public knowledge, making him a lucky Form 4 leaver to head such a senior docket and enjoying benefits of Job Group “S” meant for the Chief of Staff and Chief Officers at the county level.

    Same sources reveal Nyambane’s full disclosure to Governor Kidero regarding his shaky academic qualifications, but the Governor went ahead with the appointment despite contrary advice from his advisors.
    I am informed of the affirmative decision and plan by Kidero and the Public Service Board to let go Nyambane, necessitating the appointment of Ms Noellah Musundi who was formerly the Director of Communications in Bungoma County. She was deemed competent and experienced, as she holds a Master in Communication from The University of Nairobi and Degree in Journalism from The United States International University (USIU), coupled with experience in Media and Communication.

    It is understood she was a powerhouse in Bungoma county, and by virtue of being a younger sister to the wife of Water CS Eugene Wamalwa, many saw her as a Jubilee mole and force that could have displaced some character at Kidero’s high table due to her value addition.

    For instance, one of the CORD Principals,Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula who also is salivating for the gubernatorial seat, insisted on Jubilee’s plan to position moles in strategic offices as we head to the general elections, convincing Kidero that Musundi was one of them, and therefore a danger to the CORD’s strategy and confidential information. The situation escalated when Water CS Wamalwa declared his interest in the Nairobi Gubernatorial seat.

    Walter Nyambane, the just reinstated Nairobi County's Communication Director
    Walter Nyambane, the just reinstated Nairobi County’s Communication Director

    It’s understood the forces forced Governor Kidero to hammer the last nail on Musundi’s coffin leading to the reinstatement of Nyambane in a bid to appease the Kisii voters in Nairobi. How this will translate into ballot power is a move most are still debating about. We hope Kidero made the right decision and Nairobians will soon witness interactive and strategic communication from his team.

    It’s unfortunate this is a scenario being experienced by most young professionals despite the national and county governments promise to empower the youth. Apart from sexual bargaining young women and young people are faced with such a like challenges.

    I’ve witnessed similar circumstances where the President came to the rescue of the oppressed. If I were the president or closely positioned in the Jubilee government, the same Miss Musundi is accused of being its mole, and i’d rush to tap can absorb her and utilise her competence or even give her a new diplomatic start outside Kenya considering the excruciating experience she is undergoing.

    I also find it rather insulting and restricting to the growth of modern woman and independence that Wetangula used his close links with Kidero to block ways for a lady who’s career was just picking up just to settle whichever scores they might have had when she was working in Bungoma County for the Governor as the Communications Director where also Wetangula happens to be the Senator.

    Why are men making life unbearable for women? Let me educate Moses a bit as a communications professional, our relationship with the client is more of a lawyer, client one, there’s nothing personal. No fossils are moved in or out. We practice most secrecy and work to deliver for the immediate customer.

    The joke is on Kidero who took in Wetangula’s advice to send out a lady who instead would’ve salvaged his career. From my moles in Statehouse corridors, Wetangula himself is fighting for a place in Jubilee to be considered for the Gubernatorial seat alongside Wamalwa.

    Kidero’s communication strategies in the past years given the controllership of a non-professional and underperformer, a form four leaver Walter Monga’re has been underwhelming with poor communication links. I’m informed Kidero’s choice of reinstating Walter is from the desperation to tap into the Kisii voting block in the County.

    One wonders how many votes Walter can gunner for Kidero.
    Latest polls have been ranking Kidero at a steady number two for the coming elections a worrying trend since new entrants as Wamalwa are causing serious ripples and set to change the scenes in the coming months.

    Kidero has felt threatened and insiders telling me he’s genuinely scared he might lose the seat to Jubilee who are hell bent to capture the luxurious seat. In the past two months, Kidero has embarked on a serious social media campaign to fight for his space after an extended period of shadow existence in the social media streets.

    Coincidentally, my moles at City Hall reveal to me that it was again Miss Musundi who coined the strategy to have an impacting social media presence and initiated the campaigns that before didn’t occur.
    In a County where almost 70% of the population actively consume news online, only a destined loser will opt to overlook the use of social media to campaign as the dates nears.

    Will Nyambane do miracles in the next few months to the elections that he wasn’t able to deliver in the three years of service, given space, communication is a critical campaign department to any politician, and one would not dare gamble but put close to the heart a competent and delivering communications team.

  • Sound Of Impunity: Cornered Mutahi Ngunyi Brags That He Stole Sh12.5M NYS Money Because He Is A Kikuyu

    Sound Of Impunity: Cornered Mutahi Ngunyi Brags That He Stole Sh12.5M NYS Money Because He Is A Kikuyu

    Mutahi Ngunyi at Milimani Law Courts
    Mutahi Ngunyi at Milimani Law Courts

    While lives of many have been thrown into the ditches and crime rates rising high due to elevated levels of unemployment and idle youths joining criminal gangs, the beneficiary of NYS fraud is out here adding salt to the injury. Mutahi Ngunyi, a renowned political analyst, cum NYS scam fraudster is having a hard time trying to cleanse his name buried deep in the NYS fraud mud.

    Mutahi in a recent letter to the Ministry of public service, gender and youth, came out defensive claiming an audit report gave his firm The House of Consulting a clean bill of health refuting claims that they received an extra amount of Sh.12.5M from the NYS on the consulting services they were offering. Auditor General in his FY 2014/15 report pointed out Mutahi Ngunyi was irregularly paid Sh.12.5M more on what he was to be paid. He rubbished off the claims calling the Auditor an agent of Raila playing politics.

    Ironically, in the same letter he acknowledges his company received an exact amount but in a rare twist and hoodwinking move, claim the amount is unclaimed for since a mysterious client made it and they didn’t invoice for the same. Its laughable that an entire Sh.12.5M sat on his account without noticing, and it had to take the Auditor General’s signal one year later to realise the “accidental’ deposit. Did Mutahi file his tax returns for 2015? If he did, he would’ve detected the mysterious amount, finding out a year later puts into question his tax compliance as well.

    Social Media has been on its true face calling for Mutahi Ngunyi’s arrest with majority convinced he was paid the extra amount and was merely hanging on the loose strings.

    Unapologetic and arrogant Mutahi has come out and spat on Kenyans faces saying he is rich because he is a Kikuyu, given the context he’s saying he stole the NYS money because he was a Kikuyu and that ‘mtado?’. It’s very wrong for Mutahi to seek refuge from his fraud unto haunting in the tribal shell.

    Screenshot_2016-08-05-13-41-44-1
    Before
    Screenshot_2016-08-05-12-44-29-1
    After

    Talking of Consultancy services to NYS, Mutahi Ngunyi is said to have plagiarized NYS review Task Force gazetted on May 26, 2007(Vol. CIX No.36) Ngunyi sim[ply adopted the findings of the task force constituted by the then Youth Minister Mohammed Kuti and named it 5-Point and pocketed Sh.38M for a consultation he never researched on. His fraudulent ways obviously didn’t start today.

    Poverty doesn’t discriminate on tribal lines, Mutahi doesn’t need to be lectured but he can visit Mathare, Mukuru Kwa Njenga, and any other slums you can think of you’ll find Kikuyus trying to make a life alongside fellow Kenyans, the hogwash that it’s natural for every Kikuyu to be rich and insinuating others to be rich, goes further again to expose his lack of touch with the reality on the ground. Makes you question his accuracy on the unending hypothesis if he is unable to decipher such a basic point.

  • Ladies And Gentlemen, We’re All Missing The Whole Point On Esther Passaris And James Mwangi Sex Scandal

    Ladies And Gentlemen, We’re All Missing The Whole Point On Esther Passaris And James Mwangi Sex Scandal

    Esther Passaris and Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi
    Esther Passaris and Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi

    When the story first broke out, I initially dismissed it as one of those usual Twitter rants but after noticing she wasn’t stopping, and the plot was thickening, I stopped for a minute to give the story a different and concentrated view. It’s not on a typical day that a woman will come out publicly to tell a sexual harassment story because of the traditional and sustained script from the public “You ate his money now you’re coming to tell us to do what? Or you’re only blackmailing him because he refused to give in to your demands.”

    Faithful to the words, the same script has been unleashed on Esther Passaris the Adopt-A-Light CEO since she came out that the Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi on several occasions reigned sexual harassment on her. On the onset of Esther speaking out, Mwangi gained dozens of apologist and without second thoughts she was called a liar and all mannerisms of names. This was a shallow reaction, without looking deeper into the terms.

    I then did my research to find out what exactly happened between Adopt-A-Light and Equity Bank Ltd, but that wouldn’t be the basis of this article. Kenya Insights is embedded on sticking to facts and not sideshows, in our subsequent articles we will go into depth and details of the contracts and the intrigues. Wait for it.

    Back to the story at hand, sexual harassment isn’s something that happens in a day and especially in the case of Esther and Mwangi. These people struck a contractual business so they were partners and around each other most of the times. If indeed he did it once, he’d do it over and over even if she said no with hopes one day she’ll give in. But from the looks, Esther made the chase last longer than anticipated and it wasn’t going to be business as usual.

    Many people are saying Esther should give evidence that the harassment happened and why she didn’t come out then and had to wait all that long to come out, in unanimous view, most Mwangi’s apologists are taking her move as a blackmailing move. The same would be asked of Equity Bank as to why they waited all that long to publicise the blackmailing by Esther as they’re doing it now.

    Passaris-Adopt

    From my reads on Esther’s updates and latest media interviews, she’s not dwelling much into the contract, but the core issue of sexual harassment and this is where I feel many people have been thrown off the cliff.

    In communication strategies, to put off a fire, light another fire and that’s exactly what Equity quarter is evidently playing by not answering the matter of sexual harassment directly instead bringing in the intrigues of the contract and at worse bringing Esther’s past and dragging her family and affairs into this saga. Which I simply ask, what’s about sexual harassment, did it happen or not Mwangi? Prove this and save the contracts intrigues to courts.

    Mwangi you have a matter to address an elephant issue for that matter that your daughters, wife, clan and entire Kenya won’t forget because you are trying to rubbish it off by dispensing sideshows. It might help you to cool down the heat for the moment, but the ghost will come haunting.

    Women die in silence for the fear of public backlash and groundless slut shaming that Esther is currently facing, luckily for her she has grown a crocodile skin from her experience being a public figure so she says but what about that naive, young girl from the village harassed by her boss where sh’s working as house help for sexual favours.

    How about that someone’s wife, daughter and sister stuck in a job group and given the ultimatum to open her legs or promotion chances closed. To me, Esther coming out is an important measure to unleash and uncover a big mess in the society. A trend of shoving ladies to a desperate and suicidal end of your success in life determined by how wide your legs open and not how wide your brains goes because the sex pests sit at the helm of control and unleash the sex terror on their female prey.

    To me, this sex scandal is about undermining the women’s growth in the growing and competitive business world. Entrepreneurship is the new way to better livelihoods, if we minimise women’s upscaling by putting sex hurdles in that you either sleep with me or you’re not getting this contract or loan its pure non-sense.

    If you have sisters, wife, daughters, you wouldn’t have sympathy for a potential rapist. It’s commendable for Esther to come out, it’s a bold, hard step that should tell off the powerful sex pests that they can’t continue using their positions to manipulate and strangle, women, retarding their growth.

    The society is largely to blame, Esther who was the victim has been now turned to be the suspect and put on trial, the mind game and choreographed propaganda calling her a blackmailer has worked, This is just but an example why most women opt to die in silence and I the way the pests continue jumping from one victim to the next.
    Just because Mwangi sponsored a million students and is wealthy, successfully doesn’t mean he can’t do what Esther is alleging and for God’ds sake that can’t is an excuse for sexually harassing her.

    In signing off, the main and core issue here isn’t about the contract or what Esther is and was or done in the past but the sexual harassment allegations. Mwangi should respond and prove that he didn’t do it. Everything else besides this is Nollywood, Bollywood and Riverwood. Orchestration. Performance. Debris. Adjunct.

  • Raila’s Good Days are Behind Him, The Luo Nation Should Focus On His Successor

    Raila’s Good Days are Behind Him, The Luo Nation Should Focus On His Successor

    CORD Leader Raila Odinga (Pic Courtesy)
    CORD Leader Raila Odinga (Pic Courtesy)

    By Nicholas Olambo

    While many have described the Former Prime Minister Raila as the kingmaker, the enigma of Kenyan politics, crowd puller and the best player in confrontational politics who is never short of surprises, Raila’s best moments are behind him as Prof. Makau Mutua puts it. I don’t think Tinga has more cards close to his chest to pull, his opponents have studied and known him. In fact, President Uhuru Kenyatta is causing him sleepless nights via proxies. What if he comes direct?

    The former premier must be acknowledged for nurturing many politicians most of whom have turned to be his sworn enemies. He has not nurtured any from his back yard, Luo Nyanza despite Kenyan politics being so tribal. No one from Nyanza has received Raila’s blessings in case he quits the political stage which can’t be too long after 2017 polls. From where I sit, possibilities of ‘Luo Nation’ not voting as a block in post-Raila era are extremely high.

    Only Kidero comes out as the Luo politician with the might to take after him, but sycophants and Raila followers from his native Central Nyanza are not ready to back any politician from South Nyanza where the Nairobi Governor, Dr Evan Kidero hails from. Raila has every right to run for president in the coming 2017 polls but after three unsuccessful shots, the experienced politician must also think of passing the Burton. Right now he comes out as one who thinks he is the only Luo who can be president.

    As much as it’s said that Raila has been betrayed by the same individuals whose political careers he helped built, he must change his tactics and try new avenues. Politics is a game of numbers, but Raila has been unable to keep his house intact, he has been busy putting off rebellion fires in his party when his opponents are planning for 2017 polls. Money also plays a great deal, and Jubilee is seriously moneyed, but Odinga has been accused of sitting on the wallet when his foot soldiers are being ‘bought’ like toffees. So many broke politicians stand for nothing but gullible to shift allegiance for the love of the money.

    Opportunity only comes once in a lifetime they say, and Raila let the presidency slip from his hands in 2007 and that moment will never come again. Believers in the say like Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast never allowed his win slip away from him; he fought to the very end and took over from Laurent Gbagbo, a dictator who is now facing war crime charges at the Internal Criminal Court (ICC). Raila was fixed through the deal that saw the formation of a grand coalition government that he shared with the then president, Mwai Kibaki. The deal was the last nail in the ‘coffin’ of his presidential ambitions.

    They say history repeats itself, and Kibaki became President at the age of 74, and Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria became president on the fourth attempt. Raila may be hanging his hopes on these thin and weak threads, but the generational change in Kenyan politics punches another big hole on Odinga’s dreams.

    The incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta was elected the fourth president at the age of 51, this kind of generational change makes it hard for him to be elected to succeed Mr. Kenyatta.

    He has now and after 2017 polls to give direction to the Luo nation that has strongly been with him through his political career especially the south, many will be waiting to see if Central Nyanza can back a leader from the South.

    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]

  • Esther Passaris Is Talking And The World Not Listening, Sexual Harassment Ordeal By Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi

    Esther Passaris Is Talking And The World Not Listening, Sexual Harassment Ordeal By Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi

    esthetr

    The defiant Adopt-a-Light proprietor and the avid political figure has in the past days spent time explaining to the world the underdealings she had to undergo with celebrated Banker James Mwangi. Passaris has come out to reveal a sexual harassment reigned on her by the CEO who is yet to comment on the new developments.

    The news has been received by mixed reaction with a good number of persons backlashing and accusing Esther of embarking on a blackmailing ploy against the Bank’s CEO. Whether this sexual harassment indeed happened or not is a matter of debate, and a judicial process would amicably square this. However, the fact that some people came out apologetic to the embattled CEO reveals the inner ogre of the society that don’t see anything wrong with a man making forceful sexual advances towards an unwilling woman.

    Many women if you dug deeper are faced with similar cases from the corporate heads who feel with their helm of power that they can have their ways with anything and can sleep with anyone they wish. The sense of dominance in their evil minds show them they’re guaranteed to have their ways.

    It’s not a secret that many ladies have been silently subjected to sexual harassments by their bosses and seniors but for the sake of job security and other business interests, they opt to keep silent for fear of severe repercussions. Remember these monsters have connections in high offices, have money to buy themselves out of justice. The corrupt state of the system makes it further baseless and waste of time even to report the matter. This why most ladies suffer in silence.

    Raspberry from the society is yet another factor behind the silence treatment given to sexual harassment, the society is judgmental and will always find a way to exonerate the instigator and accuse the victim of feigning, In the case of Esther evil minded contributors have alluded that she’s lying and that there was no way she could turn down sexual advances in exchange for business favors from the CEO. Who said dignity is dead, where’s it written that women are there to be used as sex pets by the monied to have their ways, is sex the legal tender in the new society.

    Here’s the story behind the sex scandal as narrated by Esther herself.

    Passaris-Adopt

    HOW IT ALL STARTED

    This is the story of how Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi destroyed my business after ‪#‎ISaidNo‬. In 2006, I met Mwangi through a mutual friend and he soon agreed to bring his organisation on board the Adopt A Light project by sponsoring and running an advertising campaign for the bank on 400 streetlight poles as well as High Mast structures. In fact, this act of corporate social responsibility is captured in their company records.

    The campaign was supposed to be rolled out on Thika Road and Outering Road among other locations. In anticipation of this business, Adopt A Light took a facility with Equity Bank and ordered the High Mast structures from our partners in South Africa. However, the whole project was thwarted before it could take off after Mwangi made several sexual advances towards me and I categorically turned him down. He was a friendly, listening and caring partner only as long as the chase was on. Later on through changes made to our contract after the fall-out, I realized he had all intentions not to honor our agreement in case I declined his advances.

    THE AFTERMATH

    It didn’t take long after Equity Bank breached our agreement for Adopt A Light to be left with a massive bill to pick up. Before the matter spilled into the courts, Equity Bank hired Neptune Credit, an unlicenced debt collector whose approach to debt collection was unprofessional and not what one would expect from a bank of Equity’s stature. This was also unlawful as banks need or seek court orders before contracting the services of a debt collector. Or if they appoint one, the collector must start with the courts before taking any action. The story of how Neptune Credit harassed me and my children is captured under OB 38 of 15/4/2009 at Parklands police station. But as is pretty much the norm in Kenya, the case was closed before it started.

    Mwangi only went to court for alleged debt after I won the highly compromised award (after lots of applications to deny me justice ) to try and stop the award. In spite of an IRAC report on the interest overcharge and the irregular debits, Mwangi adamantly refused to reverse the same. Even his managers realised his motives were personal and not professional because it is standard for banks to reverse proven irregular debits. This prompted me to go back and demand that the Bank pays in full what it owed my business and I have every intention of pursuing damages for destroying my company and the ensuing psychological distress.

    WHY I CAME OUT

    It took a lot of soul searching for me to share my experience after reaching my tipping point. It is true that Mwangi is a brilliant and talented banker, looking at what he’s achieved with the Equity brand. However, he was highly unprofessional with me.

    At the time, I informed Chairman Peter Munga ( as well as other senior managers) of the happenings but he couldn’t defend me as his hands were tied. Wherever Munga is right now, he knows the truth and I hope one day he’ll stand up for me. But even if he doesn’t, I know someone will eventually vindicate me.

    The society must arise and protect it’s women from the evil sex pests in the society, think of the victim as your daughter, sister, or mother, would you argue the same in the favour of the accused? These things happen and in worst situations, ends up in rape. Sexual harassment isn’t excusable in whichever way. If Esther is lying, then Mwangi should ignite a libel proceeding if it’s true he should be packing ready for a jail term.

    Society must make an environment easy for women to come out and expose the ogres hiding in holier than thou suits, and you protect them today and tomorrow it’s your daughter, mother or sister they’ll be harassed because after all, utado?

  • Spare Us the Tears, Oswago; It’s Too Late, We Moved On

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

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

  • Domestic Resource Mobilization for Health in Kenya

    Domestic Resource Mobilization for Health in Kenya

    health

    By Reinhard Asamoh

    Kenya has undergone a raft of reform processes ranging from political to governance, with devolution being the most transformative regarding equity and redistribution of resources. Some have largely viewed devolution as the panacea to a myriad of challenges in Kenya that have been attributed to the unequal distribution of resources among other structural causes.

    Conversely, devolution is also being associated with new and emerging challenges. With the devolution, health is now a function of the County governments – the devolution of health budgets has meant an elimination of the traditional HIV /TB /Malaria Budget lines accompanied by inadequate allocations to health sector by the County governments.

    Whilst procurement of vaccines remains the responsibility of the national level MOH, procurement of injectable devices (e.g.,. syringes), and budget setting for operations costs has been devolved to the county level. The challenges have led to poor performance of the health sector, and this could get worse if key stakeholders are not engaged and sensitised for national and sub-national governments’ political action to improve health funding and policies.

    Furthermore, with the rebasing of the Kenyan economy, Kenya is now a Lower Middle Income Country. Development partners such as The Global Fund and Gavi would take the new income classification in consideration as funding allocations are made, and co-financing commitments by the government are calculated. Similarly, a study carried out by the National AIDS Control Council on Implications to Health (HIV) due to Middle Income Country (MIC) status confirmed there would be short and long term implications at country-level and to program needs.

    Thus, there is a need to support advocacy efforts at the country level in Kenya to find more sustainable approaches to health financing in implementing countries. Domestic expenditures for health are particularly vital, and developing countries are already making greater investments in their health systems.

    Under the funding model, The Global Fund has entered into an agreement with Kenya for funding support of $ 332 Million through 2017. Kenya has committed $26 million in the FY 2015/16 in domestic financing for health, and it is critical to sustaining the momentum. Gavi’s support for Kenya will be $32 million in 2016, and Kenya is required to co-procure a total amount of $3.4 million for the Gavi supported vaccines in the FY 2016/17.

    Mobilising more domestic funds is key in helping to ensure health program sustainability as Kenya transitions from international support in the medium term to long term. Kenya needs to increase the prioritisation given to health in the national budget.

    At present Kenya only spends around 5.6% of its budget on health, much lower than its commitment made in Abuja in 2001 to allocate at least 15%. Now as a Lower-middle-income country, with the possibility of losing some of its traditional donors in health in the medium term to long term, Kenya has one of the most vibrant economies in Sub-Saharan Africa. It also poses a significant opportunity to change the equation where 45% of health sector services are funded by donor aid.

    There is a chance to change the allocation of funds to health, as well as increased domestic development vote vis-à-vis the recurrent expenditure budgets. According to a study by the Kenya German development cooperation, more that 75% of the health budget is allocated to recurrent expenses. Evidence has also shown that the increase of the budget on health over the years have been low since as budgets have been increased nominally, there have also been rates of inflation.

    A study published in 2015 by Results UK, KANCO, WACI Health and Action, “Who Pays for Progress? The Roles of Domestic Resource Mobilization and Donor Aid for Health Financing in Africa” showed that Kenya and countries like it should be wary of the potential health precipice on which they may find themselves given the huge gaps in domestic health financing.

    With increased domestic resource mobilisation for health and a graduation and transitions scheme from donors such as the Global Fund and Gavi, the integration or building of human rights-based solutions for access to health services is critical for accountability, transparency, and equity. Supporting transition countries to expand human rights programs to remove human rights and gender-related obstacles to health care and to empower communities to take charge of their health is central to the Global Fund’s transition strategy.

    Similarly, gender equality and ensuring the needs and rights of women and girls are enhanced would sustain and improve progress in health outcomes. Gender dynamics within epidemics such as AIDS are such that women and girls are disproportionately affected, as are MSM and trans communities and other key affected populations.

    In 2001, heads of states of the African Union made the Abuja Declaration — a commitment to allocate at least 15 percent of their annual budgets to the health sector by 2015. Kenya is one of those countries which have yet to achieve this target. Though significant progress has been made within domestic financing efforts, not enough is being done currently to mobilise domestic resources. Kenya, like many countries with the heaviest disease burden, is unable to fund their responses to AIDS, TB and malaria, and their immunisation programme without international support.

    However, Kenya is progressively graduating from international support as its economy grows. Securing political will is key for the Kenyan government to mobilise more domestic resources and increase spending on health in line with its Abuja commitments, and the role of Parliamentarians from all parties is critical to achieving this outcome.
    There is the need to highlight the importance and return on investment of investing in health budgets, and promote increased domestic contributions to HIV, TB, Malaria and Immunization.

    Asamoh is an economist and contributor on Kenya’s affairs

    Twitter: @Asamoh_

    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]

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

    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
    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.

  • Kenya’s Peculiarity: Koffi Olomide Deported, Ruto’s Pilot Is Back In The Air #WhatAboutWenjie

    Kenya’s Peculiarity: Koffi Olomide Deported, Ruto’s Pilot Is Back In The Air #WhatAboutWenjie

    DP Ruto's Pilot, Mr Alistair Patrick Llewelyn assaulting a policewoman
    DP Ruto’s Pilot, Mr Alistair Patrick Llewelyn assaulting a policewoman

    For a better part of Friday, the internet went berserk following the surfacing of a coral video showing Congolese Lingala star Koffi Olumide reigning on one of his female dancers with kicks. The assaulting video grasped the internet, elicited anger with users unanimously calling for his arrest and immediate deportation.

    The pressure was coming from all corners that the police has no option but to jump in. Koffi was arrested outside Citizen TV’S studios where he had attended an interview show. Later detained at JKIA police station where he spent the night. Olomide has since been deported from the country with double tragedy of permanent visa ban.

    Kenyans have a peculiar habit of forgetting things as soon as they relegate from the trends. The impunity forces are aware and take advantage of the this. Earlier this year, DP Ruto’s Pilot, Mr Alistair Patrick Llewelyn was caught on tape assaulting a policewoman.

    Expectedly, the video drew hostile reaction accompanied with #DeportRutoPilot, and he was taken to courts, and before we knew it, the chap was back in the skies with the same chopper under the same company.

    DP Ruto's Pilot, Mr Alistair Patrick Llewelyn(Middle) as seen back in action with him his client Lawyer Donal Kipkorir. Notice the registration of the chopper remains the same. (Pic Courtesy)
    DP Ruto’s Pilot, Mr Alistair Patrick Llewelyn(Middle) as seen back in action with him his client Lawyer Donal Kipkorir. Notice the registration of the chopper remains the same. (Pic Courtesy)

    Kwale Island Development Limited, who run the helicopter 5Y-DSN, said they had terminated the services of Mr Llewelyn whom they had contracted, but they lied. Knowing nature of Kenyans, they duped us with PR statement that he was fired, bought time and sneaked him right back.

    Olomide, as some have argued, didn’t survive not because Kenya has strict moral policies but because he didn’t have powerful connections in the government to cushion him. Wenjie Li a Chinese millionaire doing business in Kenya also a declared illegal immigrant by an office of the president is a good example. According to an expose done by Nyakundi, the illegal immigrant is receiving protection from aides to Interior CD Joseph Nkaiseery. The expose would later see the blogger getting police summon and arrest.

    What’s so exceptional about Wenjie Li that he can’t be deported with the glaring facts that he’s in the country illegally. The culture of impunity is deeply rooted in the system, and you can nearly get away with anything as long as you have money and know people who know people. If we’re sincere in securing our borders and abiding by the law, then Wenjie Li and any other illegal immigrant should be bundled out of the country.