Kenya Insights

Tag: Politics

  • In Raila Odinga As NASA Flagbearer, Jubilee Hit With Worst Nightmare

    In Raila Odinga As NASA Flagbearer, Jubilee Hit With Worst Nightmare

    Raila cannot win any election, he’s the weakest candidate, he’s unelectable, he’s polarizing, he’s a perennial loser, Raila will never be the President of Kenya. Same song just a different stage, Raila has just been named as the NASA flagbearer, and the familiar demonizing tunes of his name unsurprisingly hit the airwaves.

    Honestly, when the idea of opposition uniting was conceptualized, It was pretty obvious who would take the mantle, to NASA supporters, It was never going to be anyone else but Raila, a reality they carried through despite hiccups. As for Jubilee, Raila was the marked man, but they prayed day and night for things to turn up otherwise until the nightmare became a reality when he was named.

    Only a fool would root for a stronger opponent when entering a boxing ring with a total assurance of blackout in the first few seconds. As an enemy, you try as much not to show your opponent your fears and point out their strengths. Instead, you point out their weaknesses tricking them into being their strengths.

    NASA Pentagon making an entrance into the naming of the flagbearer event at Uhuru Park

    In 2013, ICC gave UhuRuto a huge platform to campaign and mobilize their ethnic blocs to come out in large numbers, and they sure did in a bid to save their sons from mzungu noose instigated by Raila, that was the lying line that sold the stale bread. Fast forward to 2017; Jubilee is yet to settle on a campaign platform even though hanging on their development record. Voters have shifted in mind mindset looking for results-oriented leadership. Under the last four years of jubilee, health, unemployment, the high cost of living amongst other recession factors has hit the country and citizens making informed ballot choices of the nominations are anything to go by.

    Jubilee studied all the NASA candidates, their potentials and the one thing that was clear, only Raila posed the greatest threat to disruption of the system. In a mind game war, ridicule and belittling the idea of Raila candidacy took precedence; the fallacy was pushed and adopted without proper chewing. It is unsurprising you’ll meet intoxicated minds saying Raila is a run over for Jubilee without clear explanation. And if any you’ll be treated to he has lost previous elections, Jubilee knows his game plan he’ll be defeated again.

    Defeating Raila is easier on paper but I’ll tell you why from the outside Jubilee is confident but deeply inside terribly shaken to near wetting their pants. Elections are won on two fronts, voter turnout, and economic mobilization. It’s on these principles that NASA had to crack their brains to settle on a neutral candidate who would strike it in the middle.

    Unveiling of the official NASA logo

    In 2007 elections where the outcome of elections turned violent, Raila believed his victory was stolen, even though Judge Kriegler’s findings didn’t single it out, the study pointed to a bungled victory for Kibaki. In 2013, again Raila claimed he was short changed, and the matter went to the Supreme Court. To read the pattern, Raila’s opponents may have perfected the art of stealing his victory and using the profiling to get away with it. Branding Raila as a perennial and whining loser is a threat to credible elections as players would quickly invest in the demonizing game to get away with the shambolic election.

    August general election comes with crucial electoral reforms that are meant to make elections rigging proof and this should worry Jubilee if they had fraud as part of their winning strategies. Parallel tallying and confirmation by the court that results are legitimized as soon as they’re announced by the returning officers closing the loophole of results manipulation changes the games. The peace of the country as it stands is embedded in the credibility of the polls, for this reason, IEBC must ensure a tamper-proof election.

    It is laughable when veteran Jubilee supporters allude that they’d vote for an alternative NASA candidate other than Raila, this is just hot air, dynamics of voting especially in presidential elections remains the same with tribal card taking a toll. Even if NASA gave a Mudavadi/ Kalonzo ticket, there wouldn’t have been any substantial shift in support, and that’s a simple fact.

    NASA had to go for a candidate with considerate support but most importantly one who would cause serious voter turnout and with guaranteed voting bloc. Kalonzo carries a significant block of Kamba votes, but his ability to fully energize his base seemed shaky, he’s currently facing distinction threats from Chap Chap’s Alfred Mutua. After all, he has been a vice-president, a running mate, and a presidential candidate. Yet he has never fully delivered the Kamba vote.

    When Kalonzo ran on his own, in 2007, he polled 879,903 votes against Raila’s 4,352,993. Of this, only 153,117 votes were from outside Eastern. More interesting, the total vote he got in Eastern — 726,786 — was only 63 percent of the total number of voters in Ukambani. He was unable to convince over 30 per cent of Ukambani.

    Mr. Musalia Mudavadi of ANC, an early favorite, does not hold the Western vote. He also seems to have little support outside western Kenya, despite his name recognition across the country. In 2013, he managed only 353,858 votes in Western, a region with 1,214,285 voter turnout numbers. Outside of his western political base, he got only 130,123 votes. In short, Mr. Raila Odinga of ODM got more than two times what Mr. Mudavadi got in Western.

    People lie, numbers don’t. August general election will only be one based on voters turn out. Raila can guarantee a formidable turnout that would send jubilee into serious strategizing. Nyanza, Western, Eastern, and Coast remains vital vote taps that NASA must get out to guarantee a round one win. Raila is also the only candidate amongst the principals who has the potential to attract support outside his background bloc, and this has been proven. His strengths ran way above any thought of combination, and it is for this reason jubilee would’ve tried all means to see the coalition tear apart or have anyone else being flagbearer being the candidate.

    If indeed Jubilee isn’t scared of Raila and sees him as the weakest candidate and a guaranteed run over then they can as well go for an early celebration, save the energy and money for campaigning instead just sent back home and wait for the next Uhuru’s inauguration but they won’t and this the point where the real threat of a Raila candidacy hits everyone. A united opposition can’t be wished away; it sent away Moi, has been sending away veteran dictators across Africa and Jubilee isn’t immortal. It is games time ladies and gentlemen. El Classico!

  • No Mr President, You’re Not Helpless

    No Mr President, You’re Not Helpless

    By Nicholas Olambo
    A frustrated President Uhuru Kenyatta lashed out at anti graft agencies at governance, anti-corruption and accountability summit held at state house, Tuesday 18th. He sought to defend himself saying that he has done everything within his powers to strengthen the fight against corruption, including increasing the budgetary allocations to relevant agencies like the ever toothless EACC (Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission) and firing ministers linked to corruption allegations.

    The president claimed that his fight to end corruption has to some extent cost him politically, he also blamed the Auditor General of writing numerous reports about misuse of public funds without naming individuals who are solely responsible for the misappropriation.

    The judiciary also got a good share of the blame for over six hundred pending cases of corruption which they turn to blame on the analogue system. The opposition too did not miss their share; they are blamed for using corruption to seek political mileage when it should be approached as a national disaster.

    The string of blames signifies nothing but a lost war. Judiciary complains of receiving weak cases to jail any suspect when it’s already known that the thread of judicial philosophy of Kenya is pro rich. The rights of the accused work best with for the rich in this country. Machakos Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua, for instance, was accused of flaunting procurement laws but got a lifeline through another court to resist arrest.

    The string of blames signifies nothing but a lost war. Judiciary complains of receiving weak cases to jail any suspect when it’s already known that the thread of judicial philosophy of Kenya is pro rich. The rights of the accused work best with for the rich in this country. Machakos Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua, for instance, was accused of flaunting procurement laws but got a lifeline through another court to resist arrest.

    Nairobi governor Dr Evans Kidero also got an injunction stopping investigators from snooping into his bank accounts when he was facing the shs 200 million bribe he allegedly paid Supreme Court judge, Phillip Tunoi. Judiciary is rotten, and heads will not roll when only ‘small people’ are charged within months and thrown behind bars and corruption chiefs walk free and run for political offices, gubernatorial and presidential.

    The useless EACC sits only in Nairobi in a building with ownership problems. Corruption is now devolved and rampant in the counties where wheelbarrows are bought at over hundred thousand shillings, and a mere gate costs seven million shillings. Its distinguished list of shame did nothing to curb the vice; its 175 suspects are all free and seeking their ways to elective positions. No one has been found guilty and thrown in jail.

    Now as the blame game continues, the reality of corruption rests with ordinary Kenyans starving, left with medical facilities without medicines, free education funds are looted and public schools are under staffed. This is because criminal minorities impoverish the majority of Kenyans and the response is to blame games and frustrations, a clear sign that the cartels are winning.

    The buck must stop somewhere for the underperforming agencies, DPP’s who can’t prosecute even a fly, a judiciary that only receives weak cases of corruption and EACC that has turned out to be a cleaning house for the rich and powerful. The president has the power to change heads or fix these agencies through the parliament where he has the support of the majority wing.

  • Probing Sonko Over Treasonous Remarks Nothing But Just A Waste Of Time and Resources

    Probing Sonko Over Treasonous Remarks Nothing But Just A Waste Of Time and Resources

    Keen eyes must by now have noticed that Sonko thrives in showbiz as opposed to substance. The legislator has nothing serious in his tenure that can be written home other than teenage moves that he keeps pulling to put him in the headlines.

    Sonko knows well without the dramas that he consistently draws and the cosmetic philanthropy he broadcasts; he would be irrelevant. As an attention seeker and one who knows the relevance of being on people’s mouths regardless of the issue at hand, Sonko will continue to make the most of the bizarre moves just to keep him afloat.

    The latest incident in which he declared himself acting president at a funeral wasn’t so shocking I mean what can’t Sonko do when it comes to acting stupid, childish and all, no one can beat him at his expertise. Like a shark in water, Sonko thrives well in imbecilic grounds.

    The utterance he made somehow put him in trouble, well not concern really, so the DPP instructed CID to investigate and send the report for prosecution. He was grilled then left. Addressed media and denied everything, typical of every politician. Now everything I playing as wished with the media giving Sonko free coverage with headlines and all. He baits the media, and since the press is obsessed with sensational news, Sonko is such a rich source for useless news items.

    Knowing his kids, the President has laughed off Sonko remarks urging people to ignore funeral talks which most of the times made by individuals intoxicated with the most lethal drugs in the market. He’s saying don’t take Sonko seriously; he’s a joker. Pride comes before fall, even though Sonko’s fall is still far from its edge, it sure will one day.

    We all know there’s nothing that will happen to Sonko in this case, so the probing is just a mere waste of time and public resources. Sometimes it’s only advisable to let the madman walk around naked than rushing with clothes to wrap him; he won’t accept your offer.

  • Expert Analysis: Money and Politics In Kenya, Why Grand Thieves Are Worshiped

    Expert Analysis: Money and Politics In Kenya, Why Grand Thieves Are Worshiped

    In diverse societies, people tend to appreciate different practices, which are pleasurable to those who assume positions in various public offices and that is irrespective of the activities having a retrogressive impact towards the society in general. Also, owing to the political affiliation with a concentration of unreasonable emotional aggrandizement, not to mention the strong abilities of the people to disregard social and economic development then it has become easier to cement poverty everywhere irrespective of one’s political affiliation.

    There is the need to save Kenyans from themselves and their leaders who have no principles and live like climbing plants. It is so, because of the unique characteristics of Kenyans, which include their abilities to blatantly disregard facts, laud those who unashamedly offend the law, bow down to those who utilize their ethnicity to substantiate the ‘national objectives,’ just to mention a few.

    It is noteworthy that there are many models of assistance that the citizens can pick from; for instance, the old known channels such as the executive and the legislature. However, they too need someone to save them from themselves, as they are the drive to the hardships that Kenyans are capsulated in; however, before casting stones, it is prudent to determine if it is right to officiate such an act.

    The early debates developing from the critical observations of great philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, whereby the former alludes that humans are born wicked and need to be shaped by the society while the latter asserts that people are born innocent and corrupted by the society, can be useful to understanding Kenyans.

    Also, it is of the essence to appreciate before a child is born, there are high possibilities of the foetus to be affected by external factors such as music, the mother’s stress, etc.; therefore, that shakes the observations made by the philosophers.
    Out of the three factors mentioned above, it is clear that what appears as influential is the impact of the society on the foetus or the born child. In Kenya, apart from other influential factors such as religion, it is evident that ethnicity takes precedent.

    Ethnicity is the beauty and ugliness of Kenyans. Also, the Constitution of Kenya approaches it in a bipolar mode; thus, it appreciates the different ethnic cohorts but warns against discrimination on the line of ethnicity. Therefore, it is undisputable that ethnicity is a vital element in nation-building or destroying. For instance, Dr. David Ndii wrote about “Kenya is a cruel marriage, it’s time we talk divorce” the article is an excellent piece that reflected the words of the philosophers mentioned above, inclusive of John Locke. The doctrine of Social Contract, which in Kenya is best provided for under Article 1 of the Constitution of Kenya.

    In as much as the approach developed by Dr. David Ndii is viable, it is not necessarily advisable to run for it as it can be the last option just like the nuclear codes that the President of United States of America has everywhere the president visits. For instance, if nuclear families tend to differentiate, then it is impossible to assert that a particular ethnic group will lead itself without having problems of underdevelopment and discriminations based on family trees or clans.

    It is time for the people of Kenya to be rewired by the few sober minds that tend to be disregarded by the corrupt minds in the society. It is time to appreciate the value of the money in the hands of the peasant more than that in the hands of the “leaders.” For instance, if a troubled leader offers a peasant Kshs. 200 to beat up another peasant and on the other hand, the peasant who is the target offers Kshs. 200 to the person who intends to attack him or her so as not to be beaten, there are high possibilities that the peasant swayed by the leader will still beat up the other peasant. But who has the real value of the money?

    If the citizens of Kenya will value their differences and realise their immediate needs as individuals and citizens as a whole, and that unlike pre-colonial period where people thrived on ambushing each other and having unquestionable beliefs to the then clan or community leaders, then there is hope for tomorrow.

    As of now, the people of Kenya live like tribal soldiers who are on the battlefield, not to mention the Game Code of Conduct does not guide them, therefore, they are equal to robots that have malfunctioned after pressing non-tolerance button towards other ethnic groups and those that dissent to their ethnic “political goals”.

    Author: Ombo Duncan Malumbe
    Education: Kenya School of Law (2016 – ’17)
    Mount Kenya University, School of Law

    Disclaimer: This article expresses the author’s opinion only. The views and opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent those of www.ke-insights-staging.hbgtjqf6-liquidwebsites.com or its Editors. We welcome opinion and views on topical issues. Email:[email protected]

  • Third Force Politics, Illusion That Stands Zero Chance In Kenyan Space

    Third Force Politics, Illusion That Stands Zero Chance In Kenyan Space

    Desperate moments call for desperate measures, the former chief executive of the Committee of Experts; Dr. Ekuro Aukot was once a relevant man who enjoyed the limelight. Those days are gone, and he is the exact opposite now. Am told he is going to vie for the presidency in Thirdway Alliance Kenya; a movement he purports to be representing a better alternative to rescue Kenya from tribalism and poor leadership.
    Dr. Ekuro is a respected academician who can do something better, not representing himself as a busy body desperate for a government job. There is no place for the third force in the current political layout, in politics, you are either for or against something. You can’t challenge the government and the opposition at the same time. That is total confusion.

    These are futile attempts that were once harbored by the likes of Raila’s sycophant James Orengo, Martha Karua, Koigi wa Mwere and so on. These individuals had their dreams crushed by politicians who had deep pockets and ability to mobilize their tribes to rally behind them. Ekuro should not flatter himself thinking that the times have changed and Kenyans have learnt.

    Kenyans never learn, especially if your intention is to desperately criticize the government and opposition to get a job. It’s no secret this guy applied to be appointed a cabinet secretary, why then should he turn to campaign through his Twitter handle to discredit the same administration he wanted to sever in? What changed and what difference would he bring in case his midday dreams came true?
    Characters like him are known, trying so hard to be political saints, but they represent nothing fresh other their names. This guy cannot decline cabinet appointment neither can he decline to be ODM/Cord’s legal adviser. He is not any different from the guy from Emunyulia (Baraka Muluka) who does nothing other than criticizing his former boss, Raila Odinga.

    Muluka is so desperate for a government job to the extent of dreaming of President Uhuru passing by his village and have his elders request the president to appoint their son (Muluka) to work in his administration. ‘Kizuri chajiuza, kibaya chajitangaza’ the Swahilis say. PLO Lumumba tried this, spoke all the vocs, got tired and hid, Tony Gachoka was on a mouth running spree; spoke every political nonsense for and against both sides of the political divides. He got no job and went underground.

    Ekuro should identify what he stands for, the sad story he is telling of being a son of a nomad from Turkana is not any from that told by the hustler, DP William Ruto. No one pays attention to that. And is he joining politics because some folks have been in the game for a minute? It’s your relevance that will determine your longevity.

    Enough said third force has no place in the current politics, even Ababu who had or has similar dreams got lost in the air and landed in the arms of an old granny Dr. Julia Ojiambo to bring ‘change.’ The battle lines have been drawn, and the 2017 polls are going to be a two-horse race between President Kenyatta and the Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga.

    That’s the sad fact, even ANC Leader Musalia Mudavadi who finished third in previous general elections is already indicating his willingness to join hands with Cord. If you can’t beat them you join them, Musalia is former Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister of Kenya, who is Ekuro? He is a political nobody who has never beaten even a village elder in a political contest. What has he to unseat Uhuru or end Raila’s long time in politics?

  • Tribunal Blocks Esther Passaris From Registering Her Harambee Democratic Party On Flimsy Grounds

    Tribunal Blocks Esther Passaris From Registering Her Harambee Democratic Party On Flimsy Grounds

    A tribunal chaired by Kyalo Mbobu and James Atema Paul Ngotho as members before the Kilimani court has dismissed Passaris’ plea to have the decision by Registrar of Political Parties blocking her from registering Harambee Democratic Party overturned.

    In a letter dated 10th June 2016, the registrar declined to register the name saying it name could not be reserved for use by a political party since the name “was not in compliance with the Political Parties Act, 2011 and the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 Article 91.” There was no explanation as to how or why the proposed name was not in compliance with the Political Parties Act and the Constitution. 2.

    A second letter was issued by the registrar of political parties on 24th August 2016 by which Passaris was informed that “Section 8(c) of the Act provides that the Registrar may refuse an application for the registration of a political party if the name or symbol that wishes to use the Act so nearly resembles the name or symbol or an abbreviation of the name of another political party registered under the Act or any other legal entity registered under any other written law. This is, therefore, to inform you that the name Harambee forms part of the National Coat of Arms of the Republic of Kenya recognized under Article 9c of the Constitution.”

    In appealing the decision, Passaris premised it on numerous grounds, key among them being that the rejection of the proposed name by the registrar was unlawful, unconstitutional and whimsical since the allegation that the name is not in compliance with the Political Parties Act 2011 and Article 91 of the Constitution is a clear misreading of these provisions of the law.

    In her defence, Passaris argue that whereas the word “HARAMBEE” is protected by law from use; it is so protected, but not when used in other words and for purposes that are not in conjunction with other words and objectives connected with the National Coat of Arms, and the proposed use of HARAMBEE DEMOCRATIC PARTY (HDP), is not an improper use of the said word, and is not prohibited under the provisions of Section 3 Cap.99 Laws of Kenya W . of the National Flag, Emblems and Names Act, while acknowledging such protection, her position is that such protection from use or abuse extends to the singular use of the each of the said names, and to avoid commercial exploitation and the creation of the notion of state patronage and approval in otherwise private undertakings, and to guard against the use of trademarks bearing such names; but when used in conjunction with other words, the same names are available and can lawfully be used for other purposes.

    Passaris argues further that, the said names have clear and distinct Kiswahili language meanings of their own, and cannot be said to exclusively belong to the State, and have therefore had widespread application and use in society when and where they do not violate any written law.

    One wonders why the case of Harambee Party is treated differently by the registrar in obvious bias steps alleged bias, for example, the fact that there is a party with the name Madaraka which, like Harambee, is a name protected under the National Flag, Emblem and Names Act.

    There have been entities registered using these protected names, such as HARAMBEE SACCO SOCIETY LIMITED, HARAMBEE STARS, HARAMBEE aircraft and marine vessels, HARAMBEE Foundation, a charitable educational organization, HARAMBEE SCHOOLS, ESTATE, HARAMBEE CONSTRUCTION LIMITED, JAMHURI HIGH SCH OOL, a leading secondary school in Nairobi, JAMHURI PARK, JAMHURI Savings Account by Co-Operative Bank of Kenya, JAMHURI ESTATE, in Nairobi, the NYAYO Motor Corporation, now renamed Numerical Machining Complex, and the NYAYO TEA ZONES DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Corporation. What therefore would stop the Harambee name from being registered.

    The tribunal findings surprisingly coincided with Passaris’ thinking on The reasons given by registrar for refusal include that the name Harambee has also been used by other entities registered under other laws. The examples provided by the registrar are Harambee Stars (the national soccer team) and Harambee SACCO Society Limited. However, this argument is self-defeating for if other government offices have registered entities with the name Harambee, why should the Registrar of Political Parties claim that the name can never be used since it forms part of the Coat of Arms and is protected under the National Flag, Emblem and Names Act?

    In a sharp, abrupt turn, the tribunal ruled that in their reading of the National Flag, Emblem and Names Act is that the word ‘Harambee’ (alongside the other protected words Nyayo, Madaraka, Jamhuri and the name of the President) cannot be used as the names of companies, firms or other bodies of persons, including political parties. Saying they’re well aware of the evidence which seems to show that the Registrar of Companies has allowed the name Harambee to be used by a company.

    The ruling has been criticized by the section of legal fraternity with one prominent judge heard saying the findings were idiotic and out of the constitution. It’s for example laughable thinking Kenya can’t differentiate between Jubilee party and Jubilee Insurance as one of the examples cited by the registrar. These things are as separate and can be told apart.

    It’s, therefore, unfair for the registrar to deny Passaris a chance to registrar her party early enough to give her time to popularize it countrywide and formally launch her gubernatorial bid. She has moved to the high court to appeal the decision with hopes she will be granted permission to have the name registered.

  • If Corruption is Allowed To Continue in Kenya At The Rate It Is Doing, It Will Be The Sole Cause of The Collapse of The East African Powerhouse

    If Corruption is Allowed To Continue in Kenya At The Rate It Is Doing, It Will Be The Sole Cause of The Collapse of The East African Powerhouse

    Kenya, (in)famously known as East Africa’s powerhouse, is on the verge of collapsing due to extensive and institutionalised corruption. The corruption situation is so desperate it had the international community begging that if Kenyan political moguls must steal, they should just steal a little. Corruption is so deeply rooted in the Kenyan legal system it would have an oblivious onlooker think it is etched somewhere in the constitution; it is so extensive that the Kenyan citizenry would not be surprised if a sole individual rose and claimed to have radical title over the land of Kenya.

    Hardly a week passes before a new corrupt deal, involving millions of shillings, is unearthed, the most recent being the Nike apparel scandal involving the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock). A recent survey by audit firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) found that only two countries, South Africa and France, have higher corruption rates than Kenya, a new low for the country following a series of corruption scandals that have rocked the Jubilee administration and institutions in the country. South Africa is number one with 69%, while France is second with 68%. Kenya comes third with 62% on economic crimes.

    According to the survey, Kenya ranks top of the world in areas Former Judiciary Registrar Gladys Shollei was hounded out of office for graft claims. such as embezzlement, bribery and procurement fraud. Embezzlement is ranked as the most dominant economic crime in the country. The extent of corruption in Kenya would have one think there is no legal and institutional framework to curb corruption, which it does have; there are succinct laws and well-established institutions mandated to deal with corruption. It, however, would appear as though they do not carry out their duties as codified, and that they in fact aid in perpetration of corruption. This begs the question, is Kenya’s situation a case of institutionalised corruption? While Botswana basks in the glory of a world-class democracy, Kenya boasts, ashamedly so, of a thriving lootocracy, where leaders have no conception of sufficiency, setting up the rules to grab as much money as they can.

    They also concentrate power, to arrange the country for their benefit. Unchecked by modesty, satiety, or shame, they take all they can get away with. Their “core mandate” is to loot until someone stops them… or not. Highlight of top scandals Kenya has had as many corruption scandals as it has heard promises from political leaders to curb corruption, among other vote-wooing promises. Some quick calculation reveals that the country has lost trillions of shillings in corruption and embezzlement scams since the days of Jomo Kenyatta. Among the most notable scams are the 1990 Turkwel Dam project, the Police Mahindra Jeeps scam, Goldenberg, dubbed Kenya’s longest-running scandal, the Sh4.1 billion Navy ship project associated with Anura Pereira, the Sh300 Prisons boilers scam, Anglo Leasing, and the 2006 banking fraud scam worth Sh150 billion, among others. In 2007, Britain’s The Guardian featured on its front page a story about more than £1 billion (Sh132 billion) transferred out of Kenya by the family and associates of former Kenyan leader Daniel arap Moi. The Guardian sourced the information from the Wikileaks article “The looting of Kenya under President Moi” and its analysis of a leaked investigative document (The Kroll Report) prepared for the Kibaki government in 2004 to try to recover money stolen during Moi’s rule. Others are the Grand Regency Scandal

    (2008), the maize scandal of 2009, the Triton Oil Scandal, the Tokyo embassy scandal, the Sh53 billion laptop tendering project (under Jubilee), the Sh314.2 billion Standard Gauge railway project, the Sh10billion GDC scandal, the Sh55.6 billion Greenfield Terminal scandal, the Sh8 billion Karen land saga, said to involve 40 MPs, and the Sh250 billion Eurobond saga, among many, many others. From the Moi Era to Kibaki’s golden age and to the digital reign of the Jubilee government, each has had its fair share of corruption scandals and appears as though every new regime tries to outdo its predecessors in the corruption league.

    The mantra is to eat and let eat. Institutionalisation of corruption The Anti-Corruption Squad (ACS), dubbed the (first) anti-corruption body was constituted in 1993 and disbanded in 1995 before it could make any significant impact. Through an amendment to the Prevention of Corruption Act Cap 65, Laws of Kenya, the Kenya Anti Corruption Authority (KACA) was created in 1997. Its first director was John Harun Mwau, who was suspended and later removed in 1998 through a judicial tribunal. Mwau has since been named as one of the most notorious drug lords of the world by the US government.

    In 2000, KACA was disbanded through High Court case “Gachiengo vs. Republic”, with the ruling that the existence of KACA undermined the powers conferred on both the Attorney-General and the commissioner of police by the Constitution. It was further held that the statutory provisions establishing KACA were in conflict with the constitution then. In 2001 the Anti-Corruption Police Unit (ACPU) was created by an Executive order; it operated under the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). It was operated by the police and performed its functions until creation of the Kenya Anti-Corruption commission (KACC). KACC was a public body established under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003. It replaced the Prevention of Corruption Act. The new Act also established the Kenya Anti-Corruption Advisory Board, an unincorporated body comprising persons nominated by a cross-section of stakeholders. The Advisory Board made recommendations for appointment of a Director and Assistant Directors. It also advised the Commission generally on the exercise of its powers and performance of its functions under the Act.

    The first Director, Justice Aaron Ringera, and four assistant directors, formally took office on September 10, 2004. Following parliamentary pressure in July 2009, Justice Ringera was forced to resign from office together with some of his assistants, paving way for appointment of Patrick Lumumba in September 2010. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) was established after former President Kibaki signed the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act into law in 2011. This Commissions’ life was also short lived. Between March and May 2015 Commissioner Jane Onsongo, Vice Chair Irene Keino and the Chairperson Mumo Matemu were forced to resign. In November 2015, President Uhuru Kenyatta nominated Philip Kinisu to chair the EACC. Less than a year later, Kinisu was found to have had undeclared dealings with the National youth Service, and forced to step down. Like its predecessWitness protection Act, 2006, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act, 2011, the Access to Information Act, Proceeds of Crime Act, and Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2009.

    The world views corruption as an antisystem. It is a universal phenomenon, independent of social system, age, position or class. It is also a very old phenomenon. Forms of corruption include systemic/endemic corruption, where corruption is integrated and is an aspect of the economic, social and political system. It is embedded in a wider situation that helps sustain it. This is what ails Kenya the most. There is also individual corruption, which occurs irregularly; political corruption, which includes transactions between public and private sector, notoriously known as grand corruption. At the bottom of the corruption chain is petty and moral/ legal corruption. Kenya, tragically, suffers from all of the aforementioned forms of corruption.

    The lootocrats of the regime give it in small dosages. The moment Kenyans seem like they want to forget one corruption scandal, another blows up, in is a never–ending cycle. It is so big and endemic that it undermines laws codified to curb it and infiltrates the institutions established to implement anti corruption laws. Kenya maybe rightfully said to have a deeply etched culture of corruption, one that is born with us and that survives generations on end. Why is this? Is it the insufficiency of laws, weak anti-corruption systems or a curse to the Kenyan people? The one thing that remains constant is that if it is allowed to grow on, it will be the sole cause of the collapse of the East African power house.

    To reiterate the words of the vice chair of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, Daniel Ogutu, “… Kenya is like a sick patient, who does not look sick but on going to the doctor, is told, ‘at this rate, you’re soon going to collapse… It may take f ive or 10 years, but you will surely collapse…”

    Grab your copy of Nairobi Law for more insightful stories as this from your nearest supermarket.

  • Ben Gethi And Convenient Amnesia On NYS Heist

    Ben Gethi And Convenient Amnesia On NYS Heist

    Public Accounts Committee has this morning questioned the unscrupulous businessman Ben Gethi Wangui over the missing NYS Shs.791 million.Mr. Wangui has been accused of stealing the said amount alongside Josephine Kabura and other six who have been charged with 15 counts of money laundering.

    The eight are accused of colluding with devolution ministry officials to wire the money from NYS coffers to purchase property through phony companies. Watching Mr. Wangui defend himself before PAC is a waste of time and public resources. The charlatan takes nothing seriously, asked to describe himself, the man who claims to come from Nyeri but was born in Garrisa cannot remember when he came to Nairobi when he cleared school and the names of his business partners.

    This is a rude chest thumping act because the transactions in question were a syndicate between him and the high and mighty government officials. He purports to have been the supplier with NYS for five years, way before the former CS Ann Waiguru was appointed to head the devolution docket. This is a cover-up aimed at protecting Waiguru who bowed to public pressure for her involvement in the infamous NYS scandal.

    The documents presented by Mr. Wangui to PAC indicate that he qualified for the tender to supply his over priced oil in the 2013/ 2014 financial year when Ann Waiguri was heading the docket. Anyone who watched the interrogation was able to notice the way he was dodging straightforward and direct questions that needed one-word answers. He could not tell the exact year he began supplying NYS with overpriced commodities.

    The con went further and presented a bank statement of one John Kago Ndung’u. When put to task to explain why he had submitted another man’s bank statement; he hesitated for a while and could not tell the relationship between him and John Kago when asked about it. He apparently kept evading the questions and gave answers that cannot convince even a mad man.

    Using ‘convenient amnesia’ to safeguard himself against hard-hitting questions, Mr. Wangui took advantage of some the of committee members’ abnormal leniency to give filtered information to sail through the probe. The likes of one Hon. Kareke Mbiuki, a panel member, at some point, sounded like he was Mr.Wangui’s advocate. He said hustlers could be forgiven for their ‘forgetfulness’ giving an unconvincing example of DP William Ruto who rose from selling hens to the position of deputy president.

    Consolidating his weak point that hustlers cannot document their transition from rags to riches, one need not be intelligent to notice that he was trying to take sides. Kenyans are tired of games, hundreds of millions were lost and youth dedicated projects stalled, watching Ben Gethi Wangui before PAC is a bitter pill to swallow and a further waste of taxpayers’ money. The man belongs in jail.

  • Clash of Interests, Is Marwa A Politician or Administrator As He Steps Up War On Governor Joho

    Clash of Interests, Is Marwa A Politician or Administrator As He Steps Up War On Governor Joho

    Coast regional coordinator Nelson Marwa is known for his stern administrative directives and enthusiasm to fight terror. He has also known for his on and off the feud with the Mombasa Governor H.E Ali Hassan Joho who at some point described him as ‘a small person’ in fact a desk officer.

    Their beef season is back, and Marwa is doing what he does best to please his boss. He is threatening to arrest Governor Joho for leading a group of rowdy boys to bring down a perimeter wall around a piece of land that the governor alleges belongs to the defunct municipal council of Mombasa.

    Marwa, on the other hand, told journalists that the parcel of land in VoK area near Bombolulu belongs to the Kenya Broadcasting Cooperation (KBC) and not Municipal Council. He said that the government would arrest Joho and have him charged in court.

    “We have not seen any of the 47 Governors chest thumping and breaking the law, we will not allow the governor to go free after destroying property that cost the tax payers money to put up,” said Marwa. The feud between the two is nothing new; Joho sees Marwa as the president’s ‘mtu wa mkono’ who seeks every opportunity to frustrate his efforts even after being promoted from being Mombasa County Commissioner to Coast regional coordinator.

    No one has seen other regional coordinators at war with governors either. The said parcel of land has been lying idle for decades in a place where absentee landlords dwell when the natives are turned squatters. The working relationship between the two leaders is wanting, no one is interested in watching their unending drama.

    The coordinator may have a valid point, but he seems to be so working for the executive forgetting that whatever he does for the executive should be to the right of the people. This cannot be achieved through constant fights with the county governments. You can’t transfer governors; you can transfer coordinators if their relationship with the regional governments is affecting service delivery.

    Mombasa and the entire coast region want to be served with dignity, not chest thumping and supremacy battles. The national government has always been seen to be ‘after’ governor Joho, the already created impression can’t just be whisked away whether Joho is wrong or right, Marwa is a federal government appointee and known to be serving the interest of his employer.

    Leading a troop of hooligans to demolish the wall is not acceptable, the governor had other better options to address the issue, but this is happening because it’s a habit that has been condoned. Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko once led a group of hooligans, punching walls and breaking private property in protest of public land grabbing, nothing was done to him. The law should not be applied selectively.

    Joho is not the only governor in the Coast region; Marwa has become so much of ‘a puppet,’ anyone can guess who is pulling his strings and the crowd he is entertaining. He should stick to provincial administrative mandates and let politicians play their dirty games. Provincial administration roles and politics don’t mix.

  • African Union, War Mongers and Dictators Harbour

    African Union, War Mongers and Dictators Harbour

    By Nicholas Olambo
    Article 4 of the AU Constitutive Act rejects and condemns impunity; on the contrary, that is what is visible. Many African governments thrive on dictatorship and brutality on their people. On Sunday a festival turned tragic following a confrontation between the Oromo ethnic people and the police. During the festival, the Oromos demanded equal rights as other ethnic groups in a country of over 90 million inhabitants displaying crossed wrists.

    Police responded by firing rubber bullets, tear gas and live bullets creating a stampede that resulted in over 200 deaths and 300 seriously injured. The Oromos have been protesting since 2014 when the government had a plan to expand the capital, the move that was a threat to their farm lands was deferred, but they have never stopped protesting against marginalization.

    Several people of the Oromo origin have been killed by government forces as AU watches in silence, the same organization that declared 2016 ‘African year of human rights’ and identifies justice as one its key shared values. The injustice against the Oromo people is unbecoming as they are being massacred by the government forces daily.

    Au and global leaders have chosen to turn a blind eye on the Oromo’s bloodbath. The trend of silence is ‘normal’ anyway but worrying. Hundreds are being killed in Congo, Zimbabwe; there is the political impasse in Gabon and Burundi but the world leaders, and AU does what they do best, shut. War is a big business and an excellent opportunity for corrupt and dictatorial regimes to siphon from the public coffers and bank in offshore accounts.

    African governments are cannibals, best at eating their own. Most nations in the continents heavily arm the police and other security forces to crush their people but engage in endless battles to neutralize external enemies like the small terror group, Al Shabaab that is a threat to the entire Horn of Africa governments.

    What is being done on the Oromos amounts to crimes against humanity prosecutable at the International Criminal Court (ICC), but since AU got a silly defense of threatening to withdraw from the Rome statute whenever one of their own is wanted for questioning, crime is an order of the day. Dictators are chewing their subjects right before the eyes of AU that has its headquarters in Ethiopia.

  • Grounds Turning Hostile For Sycophantic Murkomen

    Grounds Turning Hostile For Sycophantic Murkomen

    By Nicholas Olambo
    Elgeyo Marakwet Senator stormed a meeting he did not organize in his country. The meeting was organized by the County Government of Governor Alex Toglos and the local churches. As is the ‘norm’ these days political rallies are organized as prayer meetings, one wonders when prayers or crusades became the business of politicians.
    Murkomen stormed into one that he did not organize and received scathing attacks for his sycophantic politics at the cost of serving the locals. Accompanied by Mps William Kisang and Jackson Kiptanui, The Senator was received by speeches for from angry residents who accused him of not using his influential position in government to end insecurity in Kerio Valley.
    Governor Alex Toglos and Former IG David Kimaiyo who is eyeing Murkomen’s seat had earlier led thousands of residents from all the four sub counties to protest against the runaway crime. The leaders and hundreds of the protesters later travelled in buses to the ‘prayer rally’.

    Governor Alex Toglos and Former IG David Kimaiyo who is eyeing Murkomen’s seat had earlier led thousands of residents from all the four sub counties to protest against the runaway crime. The leaders and hundreds of the protesters later travelled in buses to the ‘prayer rally’.

    Murkomen interrupted the meeting and tried to urge people to be a little patient as the Interior CS Joseph Nkaiserry and IG Joseph Boinet would visit the area on October 14th. No one had time to listen to a sycophant senator who was accused of ‘eating the meat’ and left his people to enjoy the scent. He was threatened that the area would rather support the opposition if the government doesn’t end the crimes swiftly.

    ‘We would rather suffer in the opposition other than in government’ said Endo MCA Kirop Festus. The county governor Alex Toglos appealed to CS Nkaiserry to resolve insecurity as expeditiously as he ordered him [governor] to record statement over Moi University VC appointment remarks. Toglos was part of the tribal cocoons that protested against the appointment of Prof Laban Ayiro as the acting VC of Moi University. They referred to the professor as an ‘outsider’ heading ‘their’ institution.

    But who knew the mouth running Murkomen was this dwarf at home? Murkomen is a giant sycophant to the DP William Ruto who supports every non-sense to fill his stomach. Alongside his National Assembly counterpart, Aden Duale, Murkomen was accused of having benefited from the infamous shs 791 NYS scandal. The ‘Mr. Know it all’ senator is losing the ground to former IG David Kimaiyo and KI can authoritatively say that Murkomen is under siege.

  • This Man Governor Joho And The Rich Muslim Voting Block , What Worries Statehouse Most

    This Man Governor Joho And The Rich Muslim Voting Block , What Worries Statehouse Most

    Ethnicity has been the key voting pattern since the onset of multi-party democracy in the early 90’s, parties have never won top seats through well-laid strategies, driven agenda or proper party manifestos. Politicians have always done tribal arithmetic to rout their opponents, the recent being ‘tyranny of numbers myth’ where considerably two large tribes teamed up to beat their opponents and share top political seats, president, and deputy president positions.

    The pattern goes beyond tribal lines, religion and geographical proximities also play significant roles. Opposition party ODM seems to be working out a formula along the lines of religion, with enough support from regions bordering Nyanza and beyond. The party is rooting for a well-calculated move to bag the Muslim vote. They are on a steady path after the party’s deputy leader and Mombasa county governor, H.E Ali Hassan Joho, successfully organized an anniversary rally just over a week ago in Mombasa, to last Sunday’s rally in Nairobi and a major fundraiser in Wajir the following day.

    Joho is currently playing in the national political league with enough authority as the coast region’s kingpin and the 2022 presidential candidate. He’s now moving from his comfort zones, holding rallies outside Mombasa County and stretching beyond the party to be the voice of the Muslim community which boasts of over 1.6 million votes. Islam is the dominant religion at the Coast and North Eastern Kenya, but they have been marginalized since independence. Members were at some point held at the Kasarani stadium in an abusive round up that aimed at screening individuals of Somali origin. They had no stronger voice to speak against the unlawful detentions other than quiet whispers that Islam is not terrorism.

    Things are now changing.
    Suna East Mp Hon. Mohamed Junet believes Joho is now their leader. “Joho is the undisputed Muslim leader and has shown the leadership, determination, and courage to snatch the most coveted seat away from Jubilee. The Muslims in Kenya have been marginalized for over 50 years. Joho will become the Malcolm X in championing the rights of Muslims,” said Junet. Majority Leader of the National Assembly Hon. Aden Duale represents the Muslim voice in the Jubilee administration but going with the current flow of events, the group that has never had a share of the fruits accrued for over 50 years is finding a leader with the national outlook in Hon. Ali Hassan Joho.
    Duale lost it all for playing too sycophantic politics and enriching himself forgetting to lead his group.

    When he sensed the support shifting to Joho’s base, he worked everything possible with the Interior CS Joseph Nkaiserry to scuttle a prayer meeting organized by Joho at Jamia Mall in March this year. The meeting did not go as planned and they were forced to hold prayers outside the mosque after some received intimidating calls from Harambee House.
    Now as 2017 draws closer with political landscapes changing, Joho is fast cementing his position in national politics and as a high-ranking, muslim leader to command the Kenya Muslim community. A section of the Muslim community has already endorsed him for 2022 presidency. A vibrant national Muslim leader has been missing for decades since the demise of the late Shariff Nassir.

    Duale is now less than his competition; Joho is the Cord’s/ODM’s man to counter Jubilee’s DP William Ruto. He led the top delegation of ODM team to Wajir where he donated the undisclosed amount of money. They raised shs 11.6 million to expand Madrassa Tul-Taqwa and Al-hudaa, the event was also used to popularize ODM party in the region. DP William Ruto is known for his ‘generous’ contributions, the man he is mostly likely face in the ballot in 2022 is also doing the same.

  • Authenticity Of Duale Development In Garissa In Focus, Constructed Tarmac Road Leads To His Hotel and Estate Only

    Authenticity Of Duale Development In Garissa In Focus, Constructed Tarmac Road Leads To His Hotel and Estate Only

     

    Majority Leader Aden Duale has been on an extensive tour in his Garissa Town Constituency where he’s trying to recapture with Farah Maalim former speaker and an ODM affiliate giving him a mad chase for his money. During his tour, the legislator put up a publicity show on Twitter with trends awash with all the projects he attributes to himself.

    It didn’t take long before the trend #DualeDevelopsGarissa was taken over by Kenyans who used it to ridicule his supposed to development projects. Most commentators mocked Duale for taking credits on projects that were even initiated by organizations like the World Bank.

    Medina Hospital Owned by Duale
    Medina Hospital Owned by Duale

    Several residential sources in Garissa, contacted Kenya Insights to reveal some behind the scenes in the development fiasco and the findings are startling. Duale unveiled the five Kilometer Dekabure Rd, but we learn the Rd could have been used to serve personal interest of the MP. The Road as it turns out only serves Duale’s Medina Hospital and ends just 20M from his upcoming estate. Our sources believe, Duale rushed the projects to improve easy access to his new ventures, the hospital, and property which are about 250M apart but lay along the newly constructed tarmac road. Residents are wondering why he didn’t complete the remaining 1.5KM remaining and only to cut it short at his premises.

    The contractors preferred by Duale and who also doubles as his business associates only identified to Kenya Insights as Ogle(Mula) and Catalina who supposedly give Duale a 25% incentive on every road contract awarded, are doing shoddy jobs in the constituency. The two are the ones allegedly he awards the contracts. Duale is also being accused of taking a Sh50M from the contractor of the World Bank funded Sewerage Project which was also haphazardly done.

    Duale's upcoming estate metres away from the hospital
    Duale’s upcoming estate metres away from the hospital

    Imported democracy in NEP and negotiations have pumped new energy to the scared Duale forcing him to go on a constituency tour overdrive and hastened developments. In this system, Elders sit down and in the process of sharing seats, decide to bring an outside from a different subclan who do not reside from the constituency to be given the MP seat. Someone who has never been in that constituency is made the MP.

    So Duale subclan ceded Garissa township MP seat for another subclan… Duale was to move to Balambala CONSTITUENCY to square it out with Abdi K – ODM where he stood to loose.

    Upon Realising he had zero chance of coming back, it was tym to splash money as residents tell KI. He bought every influential leader, all the elders, hurriedly started doing some projects like roads, harambee everywhere, donating buses, (things he didn’t do for the past 8 years he was an MP in Garissa)

    The Farah maalim candidacy also made him go closer to the people. Residents say they started seeing Duale in Garissa the moment Farah maalim declared interest.

    Mbalambala is CORD zone. He couldn’t win against current MP Abdikadir so he negotiated his ways to remain in Garissa Town where the eldersendorsement and tribal card would give him an upper hand against Farah.

    Now Duale family amassed enough wealth and are likely to use millions to keep things in their favor – maintain status quo the residents believe.

  • David Makali Is A Broke Man Struggling To Survive As He Turns To Ababu Namwamba For The Eurobond Share

    David Makali Is A Broke Man Struggling To Survive As He Turns To Ababu Namwamba For The Eurobond Share

    A jack of all trades and nearly a master of none, David Makali, a Senator wanna be for Bungoma County is a troubled man with a history of not keeping his jobs. Restless like a cow on heat, Analyst Makali has worked with ODM in the past, tried to run for the Bungoma senatorial seat as an independent candidate where he was beaten before the sun set.

    The veteran journalist recently quit his job at the IEBC to vie for Bungoma seat. He also quit his lucrative TV job for political ambitions. He is now the secretary general for the recently ‘re-launched’ Dr. Julia Ojiambo’s old Labour Party of Kenya where ODM rebel, Ababu Namwamba is the leader.

    The irony is the party which was a hot air blown by Ababu, was hyped to bring on board new faces as a move in popularizing new generation leadership only for the enveloped Ababu to pull up with Granny Ojiambo who should be home playing with her great granddaughters and enjoying her retirement instead of pursuing politics which in her times, has less or no successful story to write home other than playing a tribal brokerage position, we still haven’t forgotten about her flimsy attempt with Kalonzo Musyoka as running mate.

    It has not been confirmed whether Makali’s rifle is loaded or not, Namwamba complained of being an SG with an unloaded gun in ODM.
    Makali is a confused fellow, even a five-year-old will tell you that he has slim chances of clinching the seat as much as the strong incumbent Moses Wetangula has his eyes set on the presidency. He can be a Senator for two years then quit, he never stays in a job for long. He is known for messing up, making wrong choices and turning to his friends and former classmates to seek desperate refuge.

    Despite his long service in money minting positions, the senator wannabe still lives in an apartment near Lenana Rd at the mercies of Wachira Waruru who’s paying his rent, and the citizen TV boss was Makali’s junior when the two worked with Standard Media Group. Not just that, his former classmate IEBC chief executive, Ezra Chiloba gave him the communication consultancy job, and he threw it.

    He is now licking his tribesman’s boots, Ababu Namwamba, to get a direct nominations ticket to contest Bungoma senatorial seat as they feed on ‘Ababu’s Eurobond’ that he was paid to ditch ODM, the few coins Charlatan Ababu was paid has been broken and shared with all the political wolves from Luhyaland leaving the party with a near bankruptcy. Makali wore a torn face the entire time during the party launch knowing there was nothing much at stake but just skuma on the table, but the fella has no option but to hang in on there, you see, a man has to live.

    Makali’s divorce case is still in court despite receiving a thorough beating from his wife last December. His wife was all bare knuckles on him crushing him like a military boot on an ant. Beating is common with Bungoma senators anyway even Senator Weta received a dog’s beating someday, they say Bukusu women are the real tranquilizers we can see that in these fellas putting a rock face to the public and are baby powder soft at home.

    Makali forgot soon after nursing his black eye, and he quit his jobs when he cannot afford to pay his bullying wife Shs 600, 000 per month. He pleaded with the judge who told him to man up and pay the small amount. ‘You are always on TV, and you have a job with the IEBC, and you are a soundman running Sound Africa recording company” the Judge told him.

    Makali was paid millions by ODM in 2005, and his wife advised him to buy a house in Nairobi at SHS 5 million, but the poor millionaire chose to build a 7 million shilling house in his rural home. Now the Senator wannabe is a squatter; he has no house, and he can’t stand the force of his wife’s furious blows. He has been used and dumped, Machakos Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua bought him for a small bribing job then dropped him like a hot rod.

    Then an analyst at Cheche, citizen tv’s weekly political show was given money by Mutua to collude with citizen TV reporters who were highlighting his deteriorating image and dismal performance. That’s the guys who wants to be the leader of a county, an individual who deliberately fostered Mutua’s hoodwinking tricks to make quick bucks when Machakos witnessed strike after strike with many who work as civil servants unable to pay their children’s school fee and other essential needs.

    He did not stay long in the pockets of the ‘working’ governor whose much-hyped PR stunts are now backfiring right before his face, and the poor Makali has jumped into Ababu’s briefcase with invalid dreams to form the third force in Kenya’s current political scene. Let’s see how long he will last in Ababu’s suitcase, and maybe he is not only troubled and confused, he is looking for ways to fill his stomach. Man must live.

  • Eating Their Own, Kenyan Journalists Killing Journalism

    Eating Their Own, Kenyan Journalists Killing Journalism

    Hundreds of journalists took to the streets in Kenya to protest against what they call continuous harassment, attacks, threats and free expression as enshrined in the constitution that was signed in 2010. Journalists accuse the police, politicians and governments for their harassments. “Journalism is a profession and not a crime, we should be allowed to do our job without threats” said George Otieno, a reporter with Baraka Fm, Mombasa.

    When other journalists dare to hold street protests to demand respect for freedom of expression, the lazy ones sneak into politicians and enemy’s beds without editorial foreplay. They go against the ethics code and set regulations of the profession to fill their stomachs. Journalists should play a watchdog role for the society but professionals who brave themselves to uncover truths like Jicho Pevu’s Mohamed Ali and investigative reporter John Allan Namu have been never appreciated but treated as enemies of the state.
    Responsible journalism is key but what really is responsible journalism? Members of the fourth estate may debate what constitutes responsible journalism. Truth and accuracy, independence, fairness and impartiality and accountability are some of the most common core principles and values that should outline the craft of journalism.

    Responsible journalism is key but what really is responsible journalism? Members of the fourth estate may debate what constitutes responsible journalism. Truth and accuracy, independence, fairness and impartiality and accountability are some of the most common core principles and values that should outline the craft of journalism.
    The same is not really the case among the practitioners of the profession in Kenya. Early this year it was widely misreported that African nations had agreed to pull out of ICC. The truth was that they were to go back to their respective countries and study the Kenyan proposal before making a decision.

    Misreporting is rampant with reporters and media houses more focused on profit maximization. It is in Kenya where you have journalists a signed to specific political divides.
    Citizen Tv’s Jacque Maribe majorly covers and reports jubilee events and stories, in fact there are rumours her son was sired by a prominent Jubilee politician. The talented reporter –cum- anchor has been accused of killing Cord stories covering Jubilee. Francis Gachuri from the same station whose piece was used by the defense in ICC cases at the Hague is one of the journalists in bed with politicians. Gachuri is an ethno-political chauvinist who reports all sorts of garbage after receiving a three bed roomed house gift from DP William Ruto.

    Citizen Tv’s Jacque Maribe majorly covers and reports jubilee events and stories, in fact there are rumours her son was sired by a prominent Jubilee politician. The talented reporter –cum- anchor has been accused of killing Cord stories covering Jubilee. Francis Gachuri from the same station whose piece was used by the defense in ICC cases at the Hague is one of the journalists in bed with politicians. Gachuri is an ethno-political chauvinist who reports all sorts of garbage after receiving a three bed roomed house gift from DP William Ruto.

    Former citizen Tv reporter Kendagor Obadiah, who covered Cord/ ODM like everyday is now said to be planning to get into politics. Commentators will be waiting to see the party and the seat he will be going for. It is not only journalists like the above mentioned and the likes of Jeff Koinange who lean on their ‘suitable’ political divides, Media moguls have endorsed presidential candidates in this country. Royal Media Services chairman SK Macharia supported Cord coalition in the last elections and almost fainted when Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner.

    Former citizen Tv reporter Kendagor Obadiah, who covered Cord/ ODM like everyday is now said to be planning to get into politics. Commentators will be waiting to see the party and the seat he will be going for. It is not only journalists like the above mentioned and the likes of Jeff Koinange who lean on their ‘suitable’ political divides, Media moguls have endorsed presidential candidates in this country. Royal Media Services chairman SK Macharia supported Cord coalition in the last elections and almost fainted when Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner.

    Star’s Oliver Mathenge is a known Statehouse errand boy and a propagandist clothed as a communication consultant to many Jubilee leaders including Sakaja and the Party’s script twist master. He recently confessed How love for Jubilee and announced that he would be vying for an elective post on a Jubilee ticket. He’s How bootlicking the NYS Grand Theft architect Ann Waiguru for the Kirinyaga seat. The scheme of Oliver and these political journalists is to be owned by the political affiliation with fattest wallets so as to control and push their agendas on the media. Here’s the cartel that we’re soon exposing in details.

    How do you achieve responsible journalism in an environment like this where media owners endorse politicians to have ‘favourable’ environment for their businesses, reporters and editors depend on payolas to find angle for their stories. Some media houses like Mediamax are owned by high profile politicians in power. Broke media houses stoop below ethics to get government advertisements and lay off workers who cover stories that put the government and big cooperate organizations like safaricom in bad light.

  • Gubernatorial Race Continue To Attract Corruption Tainted Figures, Corrupt Thuita Mwangi Joins For The Laikipia Seat

    Gubernatorial Race Continue To Attract Corruption Tainted Figures, Corrupt Thuita Mwangi Joins For The Laikipia Seat

    By Nicholas Olambo
    The former PS of Foreigner Affairs ministry has announced his quest to contest the Laikipia gubernatorial seat in 2017. Mr. Thuita Mwangi was in the company of his aide, driver and a body gourd when he pulled the overdone PR stunt, entered a food kiosk near the county commissioner’s office for a cup of porridge and mingled with the small crowd.

    Pirates spent their ransoms putting up hotels and businesses in Eastleigh, Nairobi, looters of the public funds finance their ways top elective leadership. Mwangi was in March this year acquitted of the Shs 1.6 billion corruption case that involved the procurement of the Tokyo Embassy during the Kibaki regime. Quite a number in the crowds raised an issue with others wanting to know how he is going to change the county.

    Known for flouting procurement procedures, Mwangi claims he posses the much needed different style of managing the county and its resources. He is not the only one, other looters and corruption tainted leaders have announced their intentions to run for county top jobs. Ann Waiguru of the infamous shs 791 million, Charity Ngilu who was kicked out of Lands docket over corruption charges and Felix Koskei.

    The sacked minister has declared he is in the race to unseat Governor Cleophas Langat of Nandi County in 2017 elections. Koskei illegally allocated sugar import permits and allowed illegal cultivation of 100acre government piece of land where he planted potatoes. He was supended in 2015 and subsequently kicked out by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

    EACC, a clearing house for the ‘big fish’ as always found no sufficient evidence to back the claims and throw Koskei to jail. He is now funding his campaigns with corruptly earned money and proceeds of potato sales from the government land. He was fired alongside Davis Chirchir, Kazungu Kambi and Michael Kamau.

  • Opinion: Is Eugene Wamalwa Jubilee’s Best Bet For Nairobi

    Opinion: Is Eugene Wamalwa Jubilee’s Best Bet For Nairobi

    By Nicholas Olambo
    ‘Wamalwa comes across as a sober leader of great character’ reads a section of an article by Chebweche Mabuto in standard newspaper. He/she goes ahead to purport that the CS did not contest the Saboti parliamentary seat in 2013 because he had his eyes on bigger things, he may gun for president one day and Nairobi’s top job sets a perfect stage for him’…… I don’t agree.
    Wamalwa may have some big dreams but he lacks the needed courage and aggression to champion his own course. He chose not vie for the Saboti parliamentary seat because he had set his on the presidency when he knew it was not the ripe moment for him, brilliant politicians saw this and duped him into pre-poll pacts shelving his ‘presidential ambitions’ for a speaker job that never came to pass. Wamalwa was an Mp material in 2013, aspiring for presidency was a bite he could not and will not chew.

    He may be sober, calm but he is not a go getter. He is an individual who sits back and waits for big wigs’ directive. He has no guts to gun for the Nairobi top job, he makes a good candidate to play a vote spoiler role to block the incumbent and an easy to manipulate governor by the executive. Thanks to the good Lord, he will not make it. You can’t become a Nairobi governor on borrowed ambitions, Wamalwa’s ambitions are not self driven presenting him as an individual who serve the interest of other quarters and not the interest of the great people of Nairobi.

    He may be sober, calm but he is not a go getter. He is an individual who sits back and waits for big wigs’ directive. He has no guts to gun for the Nairobi top job, he makes a good candidate to play a vote spoiler role to block the incumbent and an easy to manipulate governor by the executive. Thanks to the good Lord, he will not make it. You can’t become a Nairobi governor on borrowed ambitions, Wamalwa’s ambitions are not self driven presenting him as an individual who serve the interest of other quarters and not the interest of the great people of Nairobi.

    Much as Nairobi top job sets a better stage for one to begin their journey to presidency Wamalwa ought to have started from somewhere, bottom, you can’t begin climbing the tree from the top. The individual pushing for his candidacy is plotting to have his tribe’s vote in 2022 should the current deal go sour. Luhya Nation is considerably large enough to craft another ‘tyranny of numbers’ hypothesis with the Rift.

    Different places and situations must be faced with well calculated strategies that can handle them. Nairobi for instance is different from Trans Nzoia, Nairobi does not need a near violent type of leader but tough one who will not bend to the demands of the executive and city hall cartels. And whether you like it or not, you need deeper pockets to win this important seat that is a better stage to launch presidential ambitions. The financially limping water CS had to wait to be pushed and even after that pushing he still remains a weak candidate in fast shaping battle to unseat Dr. Evans Kidero from the lucrative seat.

  • Money Over Integrity and Reputation, NYS Grand Heist Deflated Mutahi Ngunyi

    Money Over Integrity and Reputation, NYS Grand Heist Deflated Mutahi Ngunyi

    By Nicholas Olambo
    2016 has not been a good year for the arrogant and controversial political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi. Mutahi has been known for his rapper attitude and ‘dissing’ analyses on Cord leader Raila Odinga. He once described him as ‘a busy house girl’ in the grand coalition government. He was alleging that Mr. Odinga wanted to be seen doing everything including nothing. He always appeared to have a bone to pick with Rail. Ngunyi is the brain behind generation of ‘tyranny of numbers’ hypothesis.

    His blunt utterances always caused uproar like suggesting that Raila should be jailed over Uganda sugar deal and calling Luo community poverty stricken. ‘Raila should be put on trial. The Judge: Poverty stricken Luos…. The Charge: selfishness. Selfishness, selfishness, selfishness…’ he wrote on a tweet. His political analysis career is ‘Raila based’ giving him all sorts demeaning descriptions like equating him to a slow punctured car. He is now cornered in the infamous NYS saga where shs 791 million was misappropriated. Ngunyi’s firm did business with NYS and was overpaid.

    His blunt utterances always caused uproar like suggesting that Raila should be jailed over Uganda sugar deal and calling Luo community poverty stricken. ‘Raila should be put on trial. The Judge: Poverty stricken Luos…. The Charge: selfishness. Selfishness, selfishness, selfishness…’ he wrote on a tweet. His political analysis career is ‘Raila based’ giving him all sorts demeaning descriptions like equating him to a slow punctured car. He is now cornered in the infamous NYS saga where shs 791 million was misappropriated. Ngunyi’s firm did business with NYS and was overpaid.

    He is finding no defense in Raila, instead he claims he is shocked why he was overpaid shs 11.87 million. He told the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that he did not know how NYS Picked his firm to do it’s restructuring and if it was single sourced. Guilty Mutahi claims that he only learnt from the auditor general that he was overpaid in March 2015 but he assumed it was from a different client since he had been paid his dues prior to that.

    He is finding no defense in Raila, instead he claims he is shocked why he was overpaid shs 11.87 million. He told the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that he did not know how NYS Picked his firm to do it’s restructuring and if it was single sourced. Guilty Mutahi claims that he only learnt from the auditor general that he was overpaid in March 2015 but he assumed it was from a different client since he had been paid his dues prior to that.

    The Mutahi defending himself now is so different from the one with the foul mouth, he looks rained on and begging for mercy with weak threats to sue ministry officials who made the mysterious payments. He swore on his mom’s bible that he is clean. Is he clean? This is the same guy who authoritatively said in an interview with the Nairobian that he makes money in CCP (corruption, consultancy and politics).

    The Mutahi defending himself now is so different from the one with the foul mouth, he looks rained on and begging for mercy with weak threats to sue ministry officials who made the mysterious payments. He swore on his mom’s bible that he is clean. Is he clean? This is the same guy who authoritatively said in an interview with the Nairobian that he makes money in CCP (corruption, consultancy and politics).

    Mutahi was responding to a question on the source of his money to rent lavish offices at the MMID Studio House in Museum Hill and pay his staff of mostly young, gorgeous and sophisticated looking women. The arrogant analyst claimed that The consultancy house (his firm) does a lot of work from bodies like governments and IGAD through referrals across 18 countries. Corruption is indeed his source of income and has finally ended his arrogance and career; no one listens to Ngunyi anymore.

  • Governor Mandago Shamelessly Bends Down To Low On Ethnicity Factor At Moi University

    Governor Mandago Shamelessly Bends Down To Low On Ethnicity Factor At Moi University

    By Nicholas Olambo
    Politicians will always say that Eldoret is a cosmopolitan town to win your vote but the reality is way far from that. A keen observer can guess a possible scenario if an individual from a community outside North Rift vies for a top political post, the ‘madoa doa’ narrative will begin. Negative ethnicity is the order of the day in this part of the world where public institutions are now turned into ethnic joints.
    It so sad that elected leaders from the region idle to an extent of hanging coats in their office then gather as tribal cocoons and unlawfully storm a public institution. What happened Tuesday was pathetic; a section of North Rift leaders stormed Moi University main campus in Kesses, Eldoret to protest against the appointment of Prof. Laban Ayiro as the acting vice chancellor of the institution for three months awaiting replacement of former VC Prof. Richard Mibey.

    It so sad that elected leaders from the region idle to an extent of hanging coats in their office then gather as tribal cocoons and unlawfully storm a public institution. What happened Tuesday was pathetic; a section of North Rift leaders stormed Moi University main campus in Kesses, Eldoret to protest against the appointment of Prof. Laban Ayiro as the acting vice chancellor of the institution for three months awaiting replacement of former VC Prof. Richard Mibey.

    Rogue leaders, members of the staff and residents were led by Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago and his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Alex Tolgos and Counter Assembly Speaker Isaac Terer and other Mps from the region who had nothing constructive to do on a working day. They went ahead and vowed to stop 32nd graduation ceremony slated for 23rd September 2016. They are demanding for the appointment of a substantive VC based on merit, fronting for Prof. Isaac Kosgey whom they claim emerged top in the recruitment interviews and should be appointed on permanent basis.

    Rogue leaders, members of the staff and residents were led by Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago and his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Alex Tolgos and Counter Assembly Speaker Isaac Terer and other Mps from the region who had nothing constructive to do on a working day. They went ahead and vowed to stop 32nd graduation ceremony slated for 23rd September 2016. They are demanding for the appointment of a substantive VC based on merit, fronting for Prof. Isaac Kosgey whom they claim emerged top in the recruitment interviews and should be appointed on permanent basis.

    The rogue leaders are claiming that ‘an outsider’ has been appointed to head the Eldoret based university by the Education CS Fred Matiang’i. Moi University is known for being the most ethicized institution in Kenya. The official language from the gate, lavatory, staff and to the students is Kalenjin. The toothless bulldog that is National Cohesion and Integration Commission does nothing but its usual incredible bark. The Commission’s Chairman Francis Ole Kaparo addressed the media condemning the action that depicts how public institutions have been ethicized.

    The rogue leaders are claiming that ‘an outsider’ has been appointed to head the Eldoret based university by the Education CS Fred Matiang’i. Moi University is known for being the most ethicized institution in Kenya. The official language from the gate, lavatory, staff and to the students is Kalenjin. The toothless bulldog that is National Cohesion and Integration Commission does nothing but its usual incredible bark. The Commission’s Chairman Francis Ole Kaparo addressed the media condemning the action that depicts how public institutions have been ethicized.

    The commission is investigation the actions by the leaders and should they be found guilty of contravening the provision of the NCIC Act, a disciplinary action will be recommended by the sleeping commission. What is really there to investigate? One may ask ‘It is stunning, abhorrent, and disgusting to see leaders who should be on the forefront in upholding the constitution, stoop that low’. Ole Kaparo said.

    The unpolished actions by rogue, tribal and idling leaders come at time when the country is struggling to find a solution to continuous fire problem in secondary schools that saw over 120 dormitories razed last term by rogue students. Matiang’I’s roadside declarations have been blamed on the fires in high schools the same way his choice to appoint an acting VC is facing protests.

  • How Dennis Waweru Cooked Himself Out Of Nairobi Gubernatorial Race and Now Risks Losing Dagoretti Seat

    How Dennis Waweru Cooked Himself Out Of Nairobi Gubernatorial Race and Now Risks Losing Dagoretti Seat

    Politics is unpredictable game so they say and a day in politics can be equated to a century. Nairobi Gubernatorial Race has attracted many especially from the Jubilee quarter with the three Waweru, Sonko and Sakaja being the most visible as the front runners. Though they’ve been seen walking hand in hand in their campaigns it’s no doubt that rivalry over the Jubilee ticket has been real.

    Dennis Waweru who is the first to have kicked off his campaigns as early as IEBC voters registration where together with Woman Rep Mary Ng’ang’a erected billboards allover the city at a cost of Sh30M according to sources, has months later lost the plot completely.

    In recent times,Waweru in line with his Kiambu cronies likes of Maina Kamanda whom he had under his wings went berserk on the rumors that Statehouse was rooting for a Wamalwa ticket. Its still clear in minds how they belched out their discomfort lamenting how an outsider as Wamalwa would be fronted for the Nairobi seat. The protests went for days and eventually cooled off following interventions by the President and assurance that nominations would be fair.

     

    President Uhuru in a conversation with Dennis Waweru
    President Uhuru in a conversation with Dennis Waweru

    However information gathered by Kenya Insights from a number of highly placed sources in the Jubilee Party innuendos paints as a perfect picture as to why the Banker Waweru has completely been wiped out of the race and the media.

    As the squabbles ensued, Waweru sponsored some villagers to act as Kikuyu elders bundled them into a Thika Road hotel to annoint him as a community elder and also an endorsement to the Gubernatorial seat. The fake incident irked he real elders who have since denounced him for being disrespectful and ordered him to ask for forgiveness by appeasing the gods for cleansing.

    But Waweru’s troubles don’t end at that, the rich banker according to information in our hold, made the political suicide move when he told off President Uhuru and the Mount Kenya mafia that he could make it without their endorsement and that Dagoreti votes are his and he has the muscles to gunner enough by himself.

    Dennis Waweru told President Uhuru off to go back to Gatundu and leave Nairobi to its owners. Hon Waweru foolishly told the president that if there is any seat he (Uhuru) can give, it is the Gatundu constituency and not any other anywhere else in the country and definitely NOT Nairobi governor seat.

    This was read a a a sign of disrespect to Uhuru who’s the defacto leader of the Kikuyu community and an insult to the Mount Kenya mafia who calls the shots in this game regardless.

    Kenya Insights is told, Waweru has now made powerful enemies that his political future has been deemed and sealed earlier than he could’ve thought. Even during the Jubilee Party launch, he was nowhere to be seen as his counterparts enjoyed free publicity. “Waweru is a dead meat forget about him, he won’t get the gubernatorial seat, the parliamentary seat either. He’s cooked.” A source concludes to Kenya Insights.

    Perhaps someone didn’t remind Waweru of the wise African saying that a child can play with his mother’s breast but not his father’s testicles.