Kenya Insights

Tag: Politics

  • Shame As Governor Joho’s Chief of Staff Makes Away With Sh100K And Insulting Kitui Residents

    Shame As Governor Joho’s Chief of Staff Makes Away With Sh100K And Insulting Kitui Residents

    Mr Kyalo addressing the crowd in Kitui town during Joho's stopover
    Mr Kyalo addressing the crowd in Kitui town during Joho’s stopover

    Mombasa Governor Joho is currently enjoying high calibre political privileges given his renewed vows to popularize ODM. During the recent party’s celebration in mombasa, the party’s Dep Chairman announced Raila as their presidential candidate and personally vowed to lead from the front, Raila’s nationwide campaign.

    As it manifests, the governor has already hit the rail with a stopover in Kitui for a mini rally which had an impressive turnout. He proceeded to Nairobi where together with Governor Kidero led in the celebration of ODM. The rally in Mathare was as well a success.

    However, all that shines is not as merry, Kenya Insights has learnt that Joho’s Chief of Staff Mr. Kyalo is silently undermining the character and reputation of the governor’s brand. According to an informant, Kyalo is now a wanted man in Kitui after insulting the residents on Saturday and failing to pay Kshs 100,000 allowance made for men who provided security to the Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho during his visit in the town.

    The Chief of staff is on record demeaning the County residents as fools and telling off the youths who had provided security to the prominent politician not to expect a dime from him despite having entered into an agreement with them prior to the event.

    Details that we’veindicate that The Chief of Staff who also happen to be from the area and a popular figure amongst the residents, had earlier on Saturday met 20 young men who were to provide security to the Governor on arrival. According to their ageeement, each of them were to receive an allowance of Kshs 5,000 and that the amount was to be paid on completing the job. Naturally, being someone they know, they bought into his verbal contract.

    Joho addressing the Kitui Crowd
    Joho addressing the Kitui Crowd

    Things took a complete turn when immediately after the event and joho left, Mr. Kyalo left with his car to a restaurant along Kitui-Kibwezi highway with a few friends where they enjoyed some drinks for a few hours before leaving to Nairobi. He left the youths stranded at the event venue without paying them immediately as agreed. They made frantic calls to him and he arrogantly told them off, dishonering the agreement.

    When contacted through phone for the allowances of the security men he responded arrogantly spewing “you fools stop bothering me, pesa ya joho endeleeni kuimezea mate.”

    When contacted through phone for the allowances of the security men he responded arrogantly spewing “you fools stop bothering me, pesa ya joho endeleeni kuimezea mate.”

    The response really angered the young men and who have now vowed to deal with the chief of Staff if he fails to honor their deal. They’ve also sent a warning to Joho to be worried about Kyalo as he could be working secretly to undermine him. “Hatutakubali mtu yeyote akule jasho yetu, wacha aende na hiyo but tutapatana tena,” one of the guys was quoted saying. The security men have also vowed to never allow Governor joho campaign in Kitui again if that’s how him and his staff operate.

    The response really angered the young men and who have now vowed to deal with the chief of Staff if he fails to honor their deal. They’ve also sent a warning to Joho to be worried about Kyalo as he could be working secretly to undermine him. “Hatutakubali mtu yeyote akule jasho yetu, wacha aende na hiyo but tutapatana tena,” one of the guys was quoted saying. The security men have also vowed to never allow Governor joho campaign in Kitui again if that’s how him and his staff operate.

    What this fella has done is not anything new, incidences of people taking advantage of the unemployed youths heightens with the political high note seasons. Kyalo it’s shameful to look down upon people you free up with, it’s morally uncouth not to honor deals like this one is a new level of pettiness.  These young men provided what you wanted, you have no otherwise but to pay then what they rightfully deserve. Sh100K is a petty cash that you shouldn’t jeopardise the brand of your employer, it doesn’t worth the tussle, this is bad painting to someone looking into a nationwide darling look as he sells the party. Pay up!

  • With the Initially Dropped Names Interviewed, Just What Will JSC Consider to Appoint the Next Chief Justice

    With the Initially Dropped Names Interviewed, Just What Will JSC Consider to Appoint the Next Chief Justice

    Makau Mutua
    Makau Mutua

    By Nicholas Olambo
    As interviews ended, Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) retreats to consider who is best fit to be the next Chief Justice of the supreme court of Kenya. The seat that fell vacant Willy Mutunga retired in june attracted 14 applicants but only 6 were shortlisted. The interviews this time did not match up to those of 2011 that saw controversial Willy Mutunga appointed the first CJ under the new law. The just concluded interviews attracted ‘jokes’ that opted out of the race after being shortlisted.

    The commission failed to sit one Thursday after an applicant who had been scheduled for interview bowed out, David Waihiga. He was the second to opt out after the law student cum carpenter Andrew Kongani who did not meet the 15 years’ minimum legal experience requirement. Waihaga however opted for the position of the Supreme Court judge. There were also gambles from some quarters that all those who applied should be interviewed for the interest of transparency.
    The recruitment process also saw big names such US based Kenyan Law Professor Makau Mutua, Former anti-corruption czar Aaron Ringera and Supreme Court Judge Jackton Boma Ojwang’ locked out. The decision to drop Prof Makau Mutua and Jackton Ojwang’ sparked reactions with Law Society of Kenya (LSK) putting JSC to task to explain the criteria that was used that saw more than half of the applicants not shortlisted. JSC sighted unsuitability on grounds of leadership, integrity and ethics as some of the reasons.

    The recruitment process also saw big names such US based Kenyan Law Professor Makau Mutua, Former anti-corruption czar Aaron Ringera and Supreme Court Judge Jackton Boma Ojwang’ locked out. The decision to drop Prof Makau Mutua and Jackton Ojwang’ sparked reactions with Law Society of Kenya (LSK) putting JSC to task to explain the criteria that was used that saw more than half of the applicants not shortlisted. JSC sighted unsuitability on grounds of leadership, integrity and ethics as some of the reasons.

    JSC had to interview the other seven in advent of the court order. The process was not rigorous as it was in 2011; the two sitting Supreme Court judges, Smokin Wanjala and Jackton Ojwang’ were subjected to the same questions which was not fair. Bubble gum questions like whether an applicant is on social media or not did not draw suitability in terms of competence, integrity, leadership and ethics. Some candidates responded to questions like they reciting poem.

    JSC had to interview the other seven in advent of the court order. The process was not rigorous as it was in 2011; the two sitting Supreme Court judges, Smokin Wanjala and Jackton Ojwang’ were subjected to the same questions which was not fair. Bubble gum questions like whether an applicant is on social media or not did not draw suitability in terms of competence, integrity, leadership and ethics. Some candidates responded to questions like they reciting poem.

    As the country awaits the big announcement from the JSC, the room for the public to guess is far wide with varying reasons. Considerations based on professional qualification, integrity, gender and ethnic distribution must produce the final cut. Candidates like Makau Mutua have shown that they are strong on principle, not afraid of the executive and can run the judiciary as an independent unit and are also pro reforms like the former CJ. Jackton Ojwang boasts of vast experience but he cannot keep his cool and respect for his juniors. He could also not explain the hefty legal award on Biwott case.

  • Controversy Surrounds Gospel Artists Who Performed At Jubilee’s Party Launch

    Controversy Surrounds Gospel Artists Who Performed At Jubilee’s Party Launch

    Rufftone performing at the Jubilee Party Launch
    Rufftone performing at the Jubilee Party Launch

    By Nicholas Olambo
    Jubilee party launch was also the event that saw the top cream in Kenya’s music take on stage to entertain the mammoth crowd and dignitaries. There was nothing different from that list and previous events, industry is run by cartels and their seasoned bootlickers could not miss out. It was the same script as it was during Jubilee coalition campaigns, President Uhuru’s inauguration and as it is on any public holiday.
    Some have become in-house cats without respect nation values. I mean the overdone theatrics by one Kevin Bahati Kioko. How would he sit his small butts on the president’s chair? These chaps who quit school and get into the entertainment industry without proper mentorship are going overboard. We can’t afford to raise a generation that doesn’t respect national symbols like the president’s chair; I have never seen The First Lady sit on it but Bahati did, stretch his legs on the stool then went ahead did the same on the DP’s chair. Gosh!! The boy went overboard.

    Some have become in-house cats without respect nation values. I mean the overdone theatrics by one Kevin Bahati Kioko. How would he sit his small butts on the president’s chair? These chaps who quit school and get into the entertainment industry without proper mentorship are going overboard. We can’t afford to raise a generation that doesn’t respect national symbols like the president’s chair; I have never seen The First Lady sit on it but Bahati did, stretch his legs on the stool then went ahead did the same on the DP’s chair. Gosh!! The boy went overboard.

    Politics aside, any event attended by the president should be treated as a national event. The characters lined to entertain or just address the crowd should inspire and harbor national values but what did I see, Rufftone and Ringtone! Corrupt and controversial in that order. Roy Smith Mwaita or Rufftone as he is popularly known was named in report by the county assembly of Vihiga on a Sh30 million subsidized fertilizer distribution.

    Politics aside, any event attended by the president should be treated as a national event. The characters lined to entertain or just address the crowd should inspire and harbor national values but what did I see, Rufftone and Ringtone! Corrupt and controversial in that order. Roy Smith Mwaita or Rufftone as he is popularly known was named in report by the county assembly of Vihiga on a Sh30 million subsidized fertilizer distribution.

    The 19 paged report by the assembly revealed that the singer received shs 180,000 during the distribution which was between March 3rd and 7th 2015. The Mungu Baba hit maker was identified by his artistic name throughout the report raising more eyebrows on the procurement and distribution. Ruff was sourced to entertain buyers and signed the deal on foolscap for three different amounts with three different signatures.

    Ringtone on the other hand has the biggest share of controversy more than any gospel artiste with Bahati and Willy Paul playing way below his league.

    Just last month the gospel crooner was in court to withdraw a case against a contractor he had accused of stealing from his Karen home. Not just that, the self professed former street kid has endless controversies, from his questionable flashy lifestyle, beef with MCSK to a case where he allegedly got a girl pregnant and asked her to abort. One fails to understand why hypocritical gospel artistes are always favoured, who does Ringtone inspire or what positive thing does he represent?

    There so many mannered and humble gospel and secular artistes out there, who can step on national stage, entertain, educate and inspire the crowds. Eric Wainaina, Suzanna Owiyo, Juacali, Gloria Muliro just to name a few. These are individuals who crafted their art from scratch and mastered it professionally, Suzanna has been on international stage performing before the late Nelson Mandela, Wainaina has been performed in Fifa World cup opening ceremony.

    This country has more to offer but event organizers have chosen to stick on the same script of whack drop outs with beg for mercy stories who can rhyme at end of every sentence, put a beat on it and then lick their boots. Artistes need to at least learn how to approach different crowds, events and know how far they can go. Bahati went too far but it’s that sad the chap does not know how far is too far. May be he can be accused based on ignorance.

  • Governor Joho’s Political Rebranding

    Governor Joho’s Political Rebranding

    Mombasa Governor, Hassan Joho
    Mombasa Governor, Hassan Joho

    By Nicholas Olambo
    Ali Hassan Joho was first elected Mp for Kisauni in 2007 , he went on to serve as assistant minister in the grand coalition government then later rose to be the first governor of Mombasa County in 2013. Joho is increasing becoming very influential in ODM and national politics cementing his twin ambitions as the coast region’s kingpin and the presidency.
    Joho’s efforts at the Malindi by elections emboledened his ambitions. In fact it is after the Malindi by elections that county 001’s governor got the courage to publicly declare his presidential quest in 2022. Malindi parliamentary seat fell vacant after President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed the then ODM Mp to the energy docket. President Kenyatta’s move was a ploy to penetrate into an area considered a Cord/ODM stronghold. Jubilee lost to ODM and with the kind of money that was spent in that by election, the jubilee coalition was sent back into the drawing board.
    ODM candidate Willy Mtengo traunced jubilee’s Philip Charo. The win enchanced Joho and Kilifi governor’s stature at the coast as the party’s formidable assests. Joho was the chief campaigner and paymaster. He camped in Malindi for three weeks and after the victory he declared to carry on the momentum and take the ‘war’ to the doorsteps of the party rebels who were not with the people. The momentum is indeed on and the manner in which he organised the ODM party’s tenth birthday to counter jubilee’s party launch says it all. No one thought ODM event would be any big thing to talk. ‘ODM will be having a small bash at the Coast’ said the controversial MP, Moses Kuria.
    Just a week after anniversay fete, Joho has planned another rally in Nairobi tomorrow in Mathare. ‘The party will hold roadshows before Mathare rally on September 18’ Joho said despite a looming battle as both ODM and Jubilee book meetings on the same ground on the same day. The idea to hold the rally in Mathare seems as a move by the party to campaign in areas where their members defected to join the recently launched Jubilee Party. Mathare Mp Stephen Kariuki who was elected on an ODM ticket is one of many Cord MPs who defected to JP.
    Joho is taking the ‘war’ to the rebels’ doorsteps without mincing a word criticizing the Jubilee adminstration. He has been the loudest critic on historical injustices on land issues at the coast, most notably is the Waitiki land in Likoni. Joho has also been critical of the National government for not involving his county government whenever the President visits Mombasa.
    When one may argue that we have equaly seen many young politicians who rise fast and fall. Lack of focus and ‘political hustle’ are major the attributes to fast rise and quick falls. We are living in an era where broke politicians are ‘bought’ on a daily basis, going against the will of their supporters and denting their political careers. Joho brags as being too expensive and cannot be ‘bought’ by anyone to join the wrong political camp.
    He sits at the vantage point to succeed ODM Party leader Odinga. He is the deputy party leader very close to Mr Odinga enjoying love from every party’s strong hold. When he rode with Raila in the same car in Kisumu at the memory of anti-IEBC protest victims, Joho gracefully waved to the enthusiastic supporters receiving wild cheers. The manner in which he has played his cards so far places him among the top national politicians and a force to reckon with in post Uhuru era.

  • Unhealthy Rivalry: Bad Blood Between Governors And Their Deputies

    Unhealthy Rivalry: Bad Blood Between Governors And Their Deputies

    The Governor of Machakos County Alfred Mutua and his deputy Bernard Kiala
    The Governor of Machakos County Alfred Mutua and his deputy Bernard Kiala

    By Nicholas Olambo
    With the new constitution came the devolution that created the governor position to head counties. Each governor appoints his deputy before presenting their documents to IEBC, the duo are then elected as a team to lead the county governments. The journey was all rosy till elections but immediately they got into office the ugly head of dirty politics came out. Somewhere along the way as senators began lining up to challenge their respective governors in the coming polls, deputy governors are also proving potential threats to the governors’ crowns.

    The working relationship in a number of counties has been severely strained. Machakos governor Dr Alfred Mutua and his deputy Bernard Kyala are friends turned foes. Mutua has accused his deputy of working closely with his enemies, Senator Johnson Muthama and other Mps from the region. ‘My deputy is a traitor who is working with my enemies to plot my impeachment so that he can complete the remainder of my term’ Mutua said. The inverse is the case though; Governor Mutua has been accused of frustrating and ‘impeaching’ his deputy, locking his office, denying him his official car and having him not covered under the medical insurance package.

    Kyala has since declared running against Mutua in the 2017 elections straining their relationship further. Mutual, a PR and communications expert on the other hand claims that Mr. Kyala is just a lazy individual who cannot keep up to his stamina. He brags of single handedly improving the state of roads and sinking more boreholes than any other Kamba leader since time immemorial and through his Maendeleo Chap Chap Movement he is destined to do more. Mutua ignores the ailing health sector in Machakos as a normal problem experienced in many counties across the country.

    Kyala has since declared running against Mutua in the 2017 elections straining their relationship further. Mutual, a PR and communications expert on the other hand claims that Mr. Kyala is just a lazy individual who cannot keep up to his stamina. He brags of single handedly improving the state of roads and sinking more boreholes than any other Kamba leader since time immemorial and through his Maendeleo Chap Chap Movement he is destined to do more. Mutua ignores the ailing health sector in Machakos as a normal problem experienced in many counties across the country.

    When its all clear that governors are selfish and their deputies are greedy, Mutua says he just did not have enough time to choose a good deputy before elections and instead blames his woes on the leadership of Wiper Party. He says the Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka is jelous of ‘positive attention’ he is getting through his development projects because he led the community for three decades and did nothing. He further denies allegations that he has quit wiper party saying he is a card holding member.

    His comments on Kalonzo can be ignored; The PR governor has history of belittling people including respectable global leaders. When he was the government spokesman in the Kibaki administration, Mutua referred to President Barrack Obama the then senator of Illinois as a small guy who was coming to traverse our beautiful country polluting the air. Obama then rose to be the president of the most powerful country on earth, United States of America when Mutua is still a governor who can’t even lead his deputy. Can he lead the people? Leadership is a team work; Mutua is not getting along with his deputy, Senator and the Women rep.

    Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and His Deputy Jonathan Mueke
    Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and His Deputy Jonathan Mueke

    If he seriously means the kind of development he is bragging of, why should he stay in a party whose leadership has been his obstruction to proper development? He denies allegations that Maendeleo Chap Chap is a party but a movement that is open anyone who shares in his development ideology to join for the good of the people. The truth is Maendeleo Chapa Chap is party whose launch at the Bomas was poorly attended making it difficult for the poor governor to use as his re-election vehicle.

    In Kisumu the situation is not any different. The governor and the deputy don’t see eye to eye. This is what you get when you force two strange fellows to bed; the governor and his deputy are odd couples who were brought together to avoid party friction towards the 2013 polls. Both were eyeing the gubernatorial post through the same party, ODM, but the deputy was asked by the party chiefs to shelve her ambitions and deputize Hon. Jack Ranguma. The case of occupants of both offices not relating well has also been witnessed in Kwale, Bungoma and somehow in Nairobi.

    At some point there were whispers that the relationship between Nairobi governor and his deputy Jonathan Mueke was weakening. Mueke denied the allegations even as Machakos governor said on a national television that the case in Machakos is the same in Nairobi. He also added that Mueke had considered running against Kidero at some point but he was smart. He realized that Kidero is too strong to beat and with deep pockets. His candidature against Kidero is not viable; he has no choice but to deputize him.

    With the poor rapport many Kenyans can be of the option that the deputy position be abolished but I think it’s the selection criteria that should be opened for debate. When Mutua says that the governor does 98% of the work and the governor should fire and hire their deputies, I think the roles of the deputy should be entrenched in the law so that individuals cannot lock a public office and stop an elected leader from carrying out his duties.

  • Esther Passaris Raises the Bar Amongst Kenyan Women in Modern Politics

    Esther Passaris Raises the Bar Amongst Kenyan Women in Modern Politics

    Esther Passaris, aspirant for Nairobi Gubernatorial
    Esther Passaris, aspirant for Nairobi Gubernatorial

    Women and the Civic Society has been battling with the not materialising Two-Third gender policy that would see a square representation in the political sphere. In the course, the women are looking into being allocated seats sheltering under the minority gender umbrella. Critics have shut down this mentality that women should shun away from maintaining a “receive” mentality and instead bolt out, cock their firearm and go head-on with the men who are currently enjoying the upper hand.

    In the current devolution government set up, of the 47 counties, none is a woman going further to show the wide gap in gender balance. Luckily, in nomination slots as a measure in fulfilling the gender balance. As of now, Esther Passaris is the only serious female contender who has expressed her interest in going for the Nairobi Gubernatorial position that is being eyed by political giants and test tube politicians. Passaris is determined to unseat the incumbent, Kidero and she doesn’t seem to be stopping at any point.

    With a vector of being unique, the fierce politician has decided to go the opposite way in pursuing her political ambition by creating her party. While the rest of contestants as Johnson Sakaja, Dennis Waweru, Eugene Wamalwa are neck on the neck to clinch the Jubilee ticket and gambling with their political career given the latest restrictive party hoping law, Passaris is maintaining a relaxed posture knowing her position in her party is secured.

    Passaris is currently battling to have her Harambee Democratic Party registered and did a national drive to popularise it. She is sharply against the Party Hopping rule saying it’s undemocratic and restricting. While other women are waiting for the male-dominated parliament to pass the gender rule that they’ve already shut down, great dreamers as Passaris are taking the next and necessary steps, taking. In Africa, there’s a widespread belief that power is not given it’s made.

    It couldn’t have happened at a better time when Hillary Clinton is poised to be the 1st ever American President and Meckel is holding down Germany, the time is ripe for women to arm up and take these seats. Passaris also discourages the nation of silver spoon feeding that majority of the women are banking on to be awarded the positions. In a highly competitive world where women are rising to high positions diminishing the traditional norm of men dominance, women like Passaris who opt to grow a tough skin and fight for their spaces must be celebrated.

    Passaris during an interview
    Passaris during an interview

    Passaris is not new to the murky world of politics that she’s been in and continues to. On February 16th, 2008, Passaris was among three ODM councillors who expressed interest in the Nairobi’s mayoral seat. Others included Baba Dogo councillor Godfrey Majiwa, ODM vice chairperson Mugambi Imanyara. Passaris and Imanyara were both short-listed by ODM for the nomination. ODM had 36 elected councillors against PNU’s 25 and therefore had 12 nomination slots and PNU 8.

    Passaris contested for the seat on the principles of bringing accountability and transparency to city hall, developing a city master plan, improving revenue collection, resolving the garbage collection problem and improving infrastructure. However, her bid for councillor for Nairobi was dealt a blow when, on February 22nd, 2008, her name was missing from a list gazetted by the then Local Government Minister Uhuru Kenyatta.

    In the run up to the Embakasi by-election, she was among a host of other contenders battling it out for ODM ticket nominations. Others aspirants included Julius Were, Ishrad Sumra, Lameck Siage, Prof.Tony Wambua, ODM women league leader Jane Wangui and Norman Ochieng Ogum.

    During that highly contested battle, Passaris defied all odds to capture the ODM ticket on May 11th, 2008 to run for the Embakasi Constituency by-election. And on May 26th, 2008 she was among the candidates cleared by the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) to run for the Embakasi West constituency by-election which fell vacant after local MP Mugabe Were was shot dead outside his home in Nairobi a month after taking office. Other candidates included Kalembe Ndile (Tip), Republican Liberty Party candidate Mr Zachariah Momanyi. After the final vote count on June 11th, 2008, ODM’s Esther Passaris polled 27,339 against PNU’s Ferdinand Waititu who garnered 36,536 votes. Tip’s Kalembe Ndile got 843 votes.

    Nationally, the prominent women face like Martha Karua and Charity Ngilu whom majority have identified with, have taken a lukewarm position leaving the field open for Passaris to re-debut with her Nairobi bid and popularising her yet to be approved party nationwide. The country is fishing for alternative leadership, impermeable and uncompromising leadership. Nairobi is entangled in a corrupt network that is running the City Hall, with her tested leadership qualities of personally getting involved at all managerial positions and track record of fighting corruption, Passaris stands a better position in tackling the City’s problems.

    Kenyan politics is unfortunately engraved on tribal dimension and Passaris is aware of that, in her recent interview with a local publication, she called out on her Tribe, Kikuyu from feeling more superior compared to other tribes simply because they’re in power by President Uhuru. Passaris who shies away from using her Muthoni name believing it cuts her out as a Kenyan and can easily be stereotyped, believes in an all inclusive system of governance, and this has set her core vision of having a Nairobi for all where everyone will be feeling entitled, despite race and tribe. Better service delivery remains her predetermined result. Tribalism is what drags the Country behind if we can delink then, we’re on the road to cohesion and prosperity.

  • The Beautiful Struggles Ahead of 2017 Polls as Candidates Dare to Cut Against The Grains

    The Beautiful Struggles Ahead of 2017 Polls as Candidates Dare to Cut Against The Grains

    Kodira Edmond, one id the many aspirants who've decided to go against the odds of popular party norm.
    Kodira Edmond, one of the many aspirants who’ve decided to go against the odds of popular party norm.

    By Nicholas Olambo
    As 2017 draws closer, political landscapes are changing every other day. Quite a number of the youths have decided to try their hands in the dirty political waters to at least stir change. They say you can’t do the same thing the same way repeatedly and expect a different result. Regions that have been in the opposition for the longest time and have experienced stunted development are shifting from the obvious. Like Magarini Mp Harrison Kombe once said ‘ we have been in the opposition for the longest time possible but gained nothing, we would rather join the government and get ‘fake’ title deeds, at least it’s something towards solving emotive land issues at the coast’.
    It’s a time tested belief that being in the government comes with goodies despite the government’s role being to serve all the people from both political divides. Budding politicians launching their careers from opposition dominated areas are daring to cut against the grains, one such candidate is Joseph Edmond K’odira who is aspiring to seek the Gwassi North Ward seat on Jubilee Party ticket despite the region being pro ODM. He believes that strong winds of change are blowing; JP has already received defectors from opposition strong holds like Luo Nyanza.

    It’s a time tested belief that being in the government comes with goodies despite the government’s role being to serve all the people from both political divides. Budding politicians launching their careers from opposition dominated areas are daring to cut against the grains, one such candidate is Joseph Edmond K’odira who is aspiring to seek the Gwassi North Ward seat on Jubilee Party ticket despite the region being pro ODM. He believes that strong winds of change are blowing; JP has already received defectors from opposition strong holds like Luo Nyanza.

    Karachuonyo Mp James Rege announced his defection from ODM to JP during the party launch in Kasarani.
    All the candidates in the race to clinch Gwassi North seat which draws more attention than any other in Suba Constituency are from the teaching profession except the incumbent Evans Dada Marieba who was elected on an ODM ticket. Millicent Nyaboke is a primary school teacher, Kennas Ongola is accounts clerk at Tonga High School and Joseph Edmond K’odira is a lecturer at Kericho Institute. All the candidates are seeking the ODM ticket except K’odira who is from the Jubilee party. He says his opponents have chosen on a party that is deemed popular in the region because they represent no fresh ideas and policies but people are ready for change and he will trounce them.

    Going by ‘Turn on the Light’ slogan, K’odira’s key policies are on unity, job creation for all, optimal exploitation of natural resources, youth and women empowerment, Education for all and poverty alleviation. He believes in working with the government to improve the road networks so that the region can fully exploit its potential. ‘Despite the region being rich in fish, Gwassi hills also receive enough rainfall annually and for that reason does well in agriculture, he notes. ‘Our people have been in the opposition for a long time and we have not experienced any development changes to write home, it’s time we worked with the government and see what that can bring’ Kodira added.

    Going by ‘Turn on the Light’ slogan, K’odira’s key policies are on unity, job creation for all, optimal exploitation of natural resources, youth and women empowerment, Education for all and poverty alleviation. He believes in working with the government to improve the road networks so that the region can fully exploit its potential. ‘Despite the region being rich in fish, Gwassi hills also receive enough rainfall annually and for that reason does well in agriculture, he notes. ‘Our people have been in the opposition for a long time and we have not experienced any development changes to write home, it’s time we worked with the government and see what that can bring’ Kodira added.

    The reality of the situation is with the people who have the power to make their desired choice through the vote but the most paining thing in most circumstances is that people vote the party not individuals. Kenyan political parties/ outfits are majorly tribal and regional but still there are handful cases where individuals have been chosen over the party. In Kisumu for instance, having the ODM ticket makes you the ‘designate’ of the office even before elections are held but Hon. Olago Aluoch managed to clinch the Kisumu Town West parliamentary seat on Ford Kenya ticket after controversially losing the ODM ticket in a in 2013. Will K’odira the determined manage to successfully cut against the grains?

    Disclaimer : Kenya Insights is open to Profiling of politicians who wish to be featured on an authoritative political platform. If you want to be featured write to our editor at ([email protected])

  • Now That The Jubilee Party Merger Celebrations Are Over, Reality Checks In

    Now That The Jubilee Party Merger Celebrations Are Over, Reality Checks In

    President Uhuru and DP Ruto when they officially unveiled the new Jubilee Party in Kasarani
    President Uhuru and DP Ruto when they officially unveiled the new Jubilee Party in Kasarani

    The national campaigns for 2017 elections officially kicked off on Saturday when ODM declared Raila as their unanimous Candidate for the presidential race and Jubilee Party killing affiliate parties into one in what was a glamour filled ceremony.

    It was dance and jubilation at the well attended merger ceremony at Kasarani Stadium, more than forty defectors from opposition parties were unveiled and Jubilee aspirants took the platform to strengthen their bid. Billions splashed on the event that has major ssideshow of delegates complaining over unpaid alllowances and it being slashed from the promised Sh20,000 to Sh,3,000 to even worst cases delegates from rural being stranded.

    Now that the party mode is off, time for a reality check. The merger coincided with coming into law legislation that restricts party hoping. Knowing the voting patterns, next elections will still remain a two horse race between now unveiled Jubilee Party and CORD. Candidates who will win the party tickets in respective strongholds during the nominations will have the upperhand in the General elections. The nominations in respective party’s strongholds doubles as the final election, Party advantage is key in the end ballot.

    With affiliate parties now swalloed into one Jubilee Party, the nominations is a do or die for everyone. The Politicians pictured dancing and shouting their lungs out in not during the merger, could go into deep depression any minute. In the previous election where the coalitions left open for affiliate parties to nominate candidates individually, disgruntled aspirants took advantage and jumped into an affiliate party within their coalition after nomination spat out. This time things will be different, in the case of Jubilee, there won’t be any open affiliate party to run into, Party hoping also restricted by law. In street language they say sh*t about to get real.

    Jubilee Party nominations are slotted for next year May,within the next remaining months, major fallouts and realignment should be anticipated. Candidates have to seriously consolidate and not make a guess about everything, this is no gambling, you lose out on the nominations, you wait for another shot in 2022, knowing the huge power appetite for the incumbents and new entrants, Plan Bs should or rather already in place.

    Serious fallout in Jubilee strongholds, inevitable as the nominations will be a do or die foreach candidate. Take for an example Kiambu County where Kingpins Kabogo and Waititu are battling it out,Nairobi we have Sonko,Wanjiru,Sakaja,Waweru and Wamalwa both strong Jubilee aspirants fighting it out for the ticket, not unless a boardroom deal is inked to accommodate everyone, expect sizable noise.

    We’re looking at a wave of independent candidates ahead of 2017 and scheming new parties cashing in on the developing events. In the last elections, Kalembe Ndile’s TIP maximised on the nominations fallout by selling certificates to disgruntled candidates.

    Other possible scenerios ahead; there will be voter apathy in the general election because those defeated in nomination will not care to campaign for anyone hence their supporters will see no reason to go and vote. It will be the end of the road for many politicians especially if you have been a governor and now you lose in nomination. Expect candidates to spend heavily on the nomination. In worst case scenarios, look out for political assassinations as the last resort to remove stumbling blocks. Perhaps it now makes sense why Kabogo is moving around in an armoured car as if he’s in Afghanistan.

    Expect 80% of sitting MPs,Governors to be sent home, this from historical voting patterns. Politicians faced with possible extinction and fallout in Jubilee Party but until then…ile le le yo

  • Self-Censorship: To Say That Kenyan Media is In Love With The Politicians is An Understatement

    Self-Censorship: To Say That Kenyan Media is In Love With The Politicians is An Understatement

    A Kenyan journalist carries a plastic replica of a camera as he participates in a protest along the streets of Nairobi, denounce the new draconian laws
    A Kenyan journalist carries a plastic replica of a camera as he participates in a protest along the streets of Nairobi, denounce the new draconian laws

    In a normal society, people like Gatunda MP Moses Kuria and his Kabete counterpart Ferdinand Waititu would either be doing time in Kamiti or having sessions with the shrinks of Mathare. Their counterpart, Ababu Namwamba, would probably be a dim figure in shirtsleeves struggling to address the concerns of his poor voters down in Budalang’i.

    But in Kenya, these people are superstars that strut the national stage like peacocks, thanks to the thoughtlessness of our news media, which have turned them into household names. In a country whose media is obsessed with hoisting politicians to heights above all other categories, it is not a surprise that the ignominious Kuria/Waititu duo and the politically callow Namwamba, among others, claim a place among Kenya’s famed.

    To say that Kenyan media is in love with the politicians is an understatement; the country’s journalists worship the very ground on which politicians walk. Every foul-mouthed ignoramus is worth quoting, as long as they hold political office So important have media made politicians that political events and statements of nil public interest, nay of negative impact, are splashed on front pages of newspapers and covered live on Prime Time TV.

    The events of mid-June are a classic example of how media engage in their beloved pastime called political melodrama. As my reader may know, Kuria and Waititu and four others were arrested for hate mongering. Any person of average intelligence would have thought that here was a case of suspected criminals being subjected to due process, with media performing the simple role of reporting and interpreting the news of their arrest and prosecution.

    Ababu Namwamba and Counterpart Otuoma
    Ababu Namwamba and Counterpart Otuoma

    But not so Kenya’s media which, as usual, decided to dramatise the dishonorable affair, in the process creating heroes and heroines out of the suspected criminals. The mere fact that the suspects were politicians was enough for editors to allocate acres of scarce space and important time to the events surrounding their arrest.

    Before you get me wrong, let me explain that, at this moment in Kenya’s history, anyone spreading ethnic hate has more potential to hurt the country than a terrorist. Therefore it is quite in order for the media to focus national attention on the threats caused by hate speech. But when media abandon the real story to concentrate on sideshows simply because the personalities involved happen to be politicians, then anyone who understands the role of media in society must be worried. Ditto the comedy that was Namwamba’s abdication of his post as secretary-general of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) last month.

    Well, a senior official of a big political party calling it quits in controversial circumstances certainly qualifies as significant news, but I doubt that it deserves to occupy the minds of Kenyas for days on end. There is a problem when such issue is overplayed, in the process obfuscating deserving issues and creating heroes and anti-heroes out of personalities that do not possess such qualities. To cut to the chase, Namwamba’s exit from ODM does not mean that the community to which he belongs has changed political direction, as the media would have us believe.

    Exciting but meaningless Suppose it was the CEO of, say Kenya Commercial Bank, who had thrown in the towel, citing frustration from some senior quarters, would there have been such media interest as there was following Namwamba’s “grand altercation” with his party and eventual exit? Now that the season of madness is approaching, with the elections just a year away, prepare for exciting but meaningless drama that is Kenya’s political campaign as it will be brought to you by our overzealous, politics-loving journalists.

    Figures provided by the same media show that the number of news media consumers has been dwindling by the day. One wonders if media have ever stopped to

    ask themselves why readers and viewers are abandoning them in droves, alongside the much-valued advertisements. Well, journalists may defend themselves that politicians belong to the group of the famous. Famous people, they will say, are more interesting than regular people because they are simply better known.

    Therefore, more people will read news about them. That may be the case. Indeed, some politicians, like the President, are not only famous but also hold positions that directly affect the lives of the citizens. But the question is, what is it that these “famous” or prominent people are reported doing, or saying. Is what they are reported doing significant to the public? The ideal of journalism – and this is the main reason why media are protected by the Constitution – is that media serve the public interest by putting to task the powerful to explain themselves and justify the decisions they make on behalf of the rest of society.

    Ideally, journalists are expected to interrogate the behavior of the powerful on behalf of the people. Unfortunately, most of our journalists hardly do this; most are happy to simply report the theatrics on the political stage. Since Kenyan politics usually has little in terms of news value, reporters tend to focus on the conflicts and controversies, the schemes and struggles within it to make it look exciting and dramatic. This is how the likes of Kuria find themselves on page one of national newspapers.

    Deliberate ploy to divert attention Journalist ought to explore and cover issues that most concern their readers and listeners, not merely relaying the drama at rallies and useless sound bites from press conferences. Some observers think that the focus by media on the frivolous and on the dramatics is a deliberate design by the middle class owners of media and the editors to divert attention from the real issues affecting society. Like religion, media can be used to intoxicate people. This is not a far-fetched accusation against a media that has, in the past, been guilty of both the sin of sensationalism and that of self-censorship, sins that have had negative implications for both the journalism and the democratic process in Kenya.

    In the run-up to the 2007 election, some media were accused of sensational reporting, and contributing to the post-election conflict that followed those disputed elections. And ashamed of their contribution to the conflict, media in 2013 decided to go the way of self-censorship by downplaying potentially controversial election stories and denying Kenyans important information on the elections, also disputed. Now, with 2017 election just around the corner, media are not sure of themselves. This is why, perhaps, they are now mistaking shadows for the real things.

    Adopted from Nairobi Law Monthly

  • Jubilee Party Mega Merger : Uniting The Country or Neutralizing Stepping Stones

    Jubilee Party Mega Merger : Uniting The Country or Neutralizing Stepping Stones

    President Uhuru and DP William Ruto at State house after announcing the mega merger.
    President Uhuru and DP William Ruto at State house after announcing the mega merger.

    By Nicholas Olambo
    As the distance to next year’s polls get shorter political realignments characterize every move as a preparation to emerge victorious. If the current showbiz is anything to go by then jubilee beats cord hands down. Cord is a jaundiced version of what Jubilee is now.

    The electorate is being blinded by the flashy style of the ruling coalition but is the move really to unite the country? If you ask me, I will tell you no. The political outfits in this country are tribal just like the voting patterns.

    If ODM for instance is still regarded as a Luo party despite having numerous elected leaders across the country from, Nyanza, Nairobi, North Eastern, Rift Valley and Coast. The mega merger of jubilee coalition’s affiliate parties is nothing different from what it was before; the idea is still based on the ‘tyranny of the numbers’ myth. In fact nothing has changed, and despite the showbiz, status quo will still remain in voting patterns.

    From 2002 parties that win elections in this country don’t reach the next elections before camouflaging into a different thing. Kibaki came into power with NARC ticket but later changed into PNU to defend his seat in 2007 then threw PNU away after ‘winning’the disputed polls. PNU was formed to neutralize NARC which was a coalition of many parties and definitely had many demands, all of which President Kibaki could not meet.

    The likes of Noah Wekesa kept disturbing Kibaki to have their pre-poll promises met but when the party was changed promises were forgotten with the old party.

    The same is the case here; President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto cannot meet all demands by different affiliate parties that made Jubilee coalition. This move therefore is to neutralize coalition partners and their demands. The baggage cannot be carried into the next term or as he leads. It’s a Macheavillian tactic: you must destroy those who helped you get the power. ‘Men should either be generously treated or destroyed, because they revenge for slight injuries – for heavy ones they cannot’.

    Neutralization is the best and silent way of destroying the affiliate parties that helped Kenyatta ascend to power in 2013. Power is not about groups or movements if you ask me, power is about individuals. Kibaki tried it by reducing Raila Odinga to a mere roads minister in 2003 but failed, Odinga became his fierce rival in 2007 polls. The affiliate partners of jubilee also know how they rank in terms of party strength from top to the bottom.

    It’s all rosy, hype and showbiz at the moment but things will unravel in the aftermath of 2017 polls. Severe injuries will be realized, Uhuru may choose to support Ruto or not and party will not be of significance after winning re-election. Kibaki had no use of PNU after his controversial re-election. History repeats itself and its right before the eyes of the electorate.

  • The Kenya-Somalia Miraa Ban Politics, The Untold

    The Kenya-Somalia Miraa Ban Politics, The Untold

    Meru Governor Peter Munya when he visited Somaliland to negotiate miraa trade deal
    Meru Governor Peter Munya when he visited Somaliland to negotiate miraa trade deal

    Cries that Kenya is being isolated in East African region is no longer news. Uganda, a close ally and business partner changed its mind and routed its oil pipeline via Tanzania; Rwanda gave up the standard gauge railway and chose the Tanzanian route too. After so many years as the regions giant economy Kenya is expected to be more confident than its beginning to sound.

    Certain quarters claim there has been a radical change since the entrance of President John Magufuli, a dictator who is bullying beyond his area of administration.

    Though it must also be noted that some development projects are driven by national ego and patriotic vanity like medical infrastructures it’s not business as usual for Kenya and its neighbours. The country has suffered yet another blow when it’s would be desperate neighbour Somalia banned Kenyan flights carrying herbal stimulant khat (miraa) without any warning, explanation or indication of how long it will be in place.

    Khat is grown in Kenya and Ethiopia but very popular in Somalia. Over 15 commercial cargo flights arrive in Mogadishu daily from Kenya with khat valued at over 400, 000 dollars retail price. So many Kenyans, mostly farmers will be affected if this ban is not lifted. Sellers in Somalia also claim that their families’ livelihoods will be in jeopardy. Civil Aviation minister Ali Ahmed who made the announcement did not give the reason for the temporary ban but he said it was not because Somalia is hosting a regional body meeting on Saturday, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

    Though the Kenyan government promised to support the growers of the crop, mainly from Meru region, miraa as its popularly known in Kenya is under serious threat after it was banned in Europe. It’s also banned in United States and Canada. Arguments by a former addict turned anti-khat campaigner Abukar Awale alone cannot be the reason for the ban, that khat contributes a lot to domestic violence.

    There is something the authorities are not telling miraa farmers and consumers. Kenyan businesses in or Somalia have been under scathing criticism since the beginning of Operation Linda Nchi. Scrupulous Kenyan businessmen or ‘cartels’ have over the time been accused of running illegal charcoal business, shipping to Oman through Somali. How the charcoal gets to Somalia remains a mystery and so is the reason for miraa ban?

    Somali-Somaliland bad blood seems to have caught the governor in the heat. Somali Ambassador to Kenya Gamal Hassan said Mr Munya’s earlier visit to Hargeisa in July had led to political pressure which prompted his government to act.

    The ambassador reportedly say Munya linked the territorial integrity of the country to the miraa trade and interfered in the internal affairs of the country. This he say has created a lot of unbearable pressure on the government leading to the ban.

    While in Somalia, the Meru governor met with Somaliland Deputy President Abdurrahman Ishmael, the Foreign Affairs minister and his Finance counterpart.

    But Mogadishu said Mr Munya’s reported comments on the probable independence of Somaliland angered officials and politicians who are keen to have one united Somalia.

    Munya who’s life is now I’m danger following his own alarm, reads a political malice into it coming at a time when traders across his county, largest miraa producers have been staging demos and counting losses from the ban.

    The governor claimed that former prominent Meru politician Ntai wa Nkuraru was killed over the miraa issue, and he would not want the same to happen to him.

    Calculated move He claimed there was a calculated move by his opponents to malign his name by claiming he was a hindrance in the marketing of the stimulant in the export market. Claims have been rife that the miraa ban came as a result of Munya’s visit to Somaliland early in the year.
  • The Flashy Jubilee Party is Already Creating an Impression of Beating CORD Before Sunrise

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

    img_20160908_112844
    By Nicholas Olambo
    The race to clinch the 2017 presidential seat began soon after the Supreme Court dismissed CORD’s petition case that was challenging President Kenyatta’s election. Hon. Raila Odinga respected the court’s verdict, moved on but swore to fight another day, 2017. Kenya has never ceased to be in a campaign mood from 1992, the situation has been intense from 2013 to date; from Okoa Kenya campaign, Eurobond saga, President Kenyatta’s appointments of opposition law makers to cabinet positions which always resulted into by-elections, recent calls and street protests to disband IEBC and regular tours to either woo certain regions or handle party rebellion.

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

    img_20160904_215932
    Jubilee’s Party Freshly unveiled building in Pangani off Thika Road

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Rigging Elections In Africa Getting Harder With Civil Society Surveillance And Mobile Technology

    Rigging Elections In Africa Getting Harder With Civil Society Surveillance And Mobile Technology

    Protests against the reelection of Gabon's President Ali Bongo
    Protests against the reelection of Gabon’s President Ali Bongo

    As Gabon is rocked by violence following the contested re-election of President Ali Bongo, experts says electoral fraud in Africa is becoming harder, thanks to civil society vigilance and spread of mobile technology.

    Opposition leader Jean Ping on Friday declared himself the rightful president of Gabon and called for a recount, following Bongo’s claim of victory with a razor-thin margin of just under 6,000 votes in the August 27 election.

    But recent elections in Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Benin and Burkina Faso have all been held largely without dispute, overseen by engaged citizens who assured careful monitoring of the process, said Mathias Hounkpe, Political Governance Programme Manager for the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), which promotes greater government transparency. “It is more and more difficult to commit fraud,” he said.

    Preventing fraud with ballot papers was down to a clear legal framework for organising elections, electoral bodies “in a position to respect the rules”, independent figures such as international election observers and a free press and active social media users who would guarantee a fair vote, according to Hounkpe. For Aboubacry Mbodji, secretary-general of the African rights group RADDHO, west and central African countries such as Senegal, Ghana and the Atlantic island of Cape-Verde have shown Africa how a successful democracy holds an election.

    A strong civil society and the combination of free media and citizens with access to new technology to disseminate information was “extremely important”, he told AFP. Senegal, where RADDHO is based, saw “a change at the top” in 2000 when liberal candidate Abdoulaye Wade challenged the socialist regime that had held power for 40 years, and was elected president for two terms. Government fightback But Wade himself was booted out in 2012 after angering voters with attempts to stay on for a third stint in power, showing the maturity of the electorate, Mbodji said. “(The 2000 election) was in large part thanks to the use of mobile phones, but also the internet,” he added.

    Any party members tempted to tamper with ballots had to face the large numbers of Senegalese who remained in place at voting stations to ensure it passed off peacefully, he said, and reporters who called in the results to media from mobile phones, especially radio stations, covering the event. The last 15 years have seen organisations such as “Y en a marre” (We are sick of it) in Senegal, “Balai citoyen” (Citizen sweep-up) in Burkina Faso and “Lutte pour le changement” (Fight for change) in the Democratic Republic of Congo appear, intent on pressing governments to be less opaque.

    Despite the trend towards more transparent elections, heavy handed government reactions have not entirely vanished, with internet and social media shutdowns during presidential elections in Uganda in February and in Congo-Brazzaville in March, and now in Gabon. “The African Union observers couldn’t even communicate properly to complete their tasks,” Mbodji said, referring to the Congo election that returned longtime leader Denis Sassou Nguesso to power. But even the continent’s most entrenched leaders couldn’t escape the effect of the tidal wave of information the internet made possible, said Hounkpe. “Those in power have less and less capacity to manipulate the process.”

    Kenya is also another example where in the previous elections of 2013 done on a Biometric technology, allegations from the opposition were that it was a sham. Judiciary is what prevented the country from going up in flame by playing intermediary in solving the dispute.

    As we head to another fierce elections in 2017, concerns have been raised over the quality of elections with electoral body being restructured. The government is accused of scheming in with social media restrictive regulations through amendments acts now before parliament. This is seen as a gag motive as vigilant society stays top awake in the gear up to the next elections.

    -Adopted from AFP

  • William Ole Ntimama Dies Peacefully In His Sleep

    William Ole Ntimama Dies Peacefully In His Sleep

    The late William Ole Ntimama
    The late William Ole Ntimama

    The former cabinet minister also a long-time friend to the opposition leader and recently confessed Jubilee supporter, William Ole Ntimama has died aged 86.

    Reports say the Maa’s political maestro passed on peacefully in his sleep in what the family describe as natural cause.

    As a former Narok North Member of Parliament, Ntimama was an influential Maasai leader who was widely respected—having been in government and politics for long.

    He was last seen in public at State House, Nairobi two weeks ago when he led a group of Maasai leaders to join the Jubilee Party.

    How body was taken to Lee Funeral Home Friday morning.

    From Kenya Insights we express our condolences to friends and family of the late minister. RIP

  • Glorified Thieves, Corruption And Impunity Not Punishable In Kenya But Rewarded With Political Posts And Privileges

    Glorified Thieves, Corruption And Impunity Not Punishable In Kenya But Rewarded With Political Posts And Privileges

    Former Devolution CS Ann Waiguru who has also declared interest in Kirinyaga Gubernatorial Seat.
    Former Devolution CS Ann Waiguru who has also declared interest in Kirinyaga Gubernatorial Seat.

    When integrity of an individual should be of the greatest concern before they are trusted with the public office, Kenyan politics presents a different scenario. Looters are coming back to contest County top jobs where there is more to loot and impoverish the electorate. The former devolution and planning CS Ann Waiguru who left the office due to public pressure after she was adversely mentioned in the infamous NYS scandal for swindling shs 791 million has announced that she will be running for Kirinyaga gubernatorial seat. When it was all clear she quit her job for misconduct, Waiguru maintained she was innocent and only a whistle blower.

    She cited health reasons for her resignation and requested the president to assign her lighter duties, but immediately resorted to numerous consultations to vie for Nairobi seat. She has since shelved her interest in Nairobi gubernatorial seat after sensing defeat in good time. Nairobi seat has attracted big names like Mike Sonko, Water CS Eugene Wamalwa, Former Speaker of National Assembly Kenneth Marende and former Raila aide, Miguna Miguna.

    Kenya is a place where people who commit economic crimes are never punished. The heavily connected individuals steal from public coffers; step aside to clear their names at the EACC then return to vie for elective positions with the stolen money.

    Waiguru was hurriedly cleared of any wrong doings at the EACC and her case ‘disappeared’ even after the affidavit by one Josephine Kabura linked her to the scam. But like they say in entertainment, any publicity is good publicity. People who are known for looting public funds take that as being popular enough to vie for any seat and steal more. Look at people who eying political seats in the 2017 elections.

    Former lands CS Charity Ngilu who is facing corruption charges has also formerly announced her interest in Kitui’s top job. She made her announcement in her mother tongue asking the electorate of Kitui to support her bid saying she was the answer to the long time problems they are facing. She blamed the incumbent, Julius Malombe for allegedly failing to meet needs of the people as the community is still struggling with food insecurity and water shortage. A classic case of a pot calling the kettle black, Ngilu has headed the water docket in the previous regimes but she can only be remembered for nepotism.

    Ngilu who said she will run on a NARC Party ticket was at some point one the strongest female politicians in the country when she competed against the powerful Moi in the 1997 presidential elections. She then diluted her status and became a political bootlicker making pre-poll pacts with other presidential candidates who came after her. She had a pact with current regime of the day where had a short stint stained with corruption as minister for lands after failing to clinch senatorial seat in 2013. She lost her bid to one term MP, David Musila who is also in the race for Kitiui gubernatorial seat.

    Danson Mungatana, another long time failed politician who was rescued from poverty by his friend by appointing him to the Ports Authority Board that he grossly mismanaged leading to his abrupt duty termination, is tipped to by vying for Tana River Gubernatorial seat. His magisterial skills that’s expected of a governor has been tested and gave pathetic results.

    Another failed leadership scenario is that of Ole Lenku, the Security CS who is famed for being the SI unit of incompetence and utter floor flat perfomer in the Jubilee administration. His mom performance in his docket, prompted for his dismissal by the president following consistent public’s outcry. The mediocre proven Lenku has unfortunately launched his bid for Kajiado gubernatorial seat.

    What cursed as Kenyans, while in other mature democracies, corruption is punishable by death and in lenient situations, lifetime jail term. I’m Kenya, they loot from the public and same public turn around to worship,glorify them and rewarding them with even bigger political posts and in return expect better service delivery and even more psychopathic a corruption free zone from the same criminal elements.

    Elections in Kenya require good financial capital and if the recent IEBC rules to cap campaign expenditures are anything to go by then looters of public funds are better placed to ‘buy’ positions they are eyeing. The public has been forced to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt; the corrupt selectively apply law to favour them. Ngilu and the likes cannot be barred from contesting any position because they will claim they are innocent until proven guilty and these cases never end. More looters will still launch their bids.

  • Why JSC Blocked Out Makau Mutua From The CJ Race And Why The Next Chief Justice Is Not Going To Be A Kikuyu

    Why JSC Blocked Out Makau Mutua From The CJ Race And Why The Next Chief Justice Is Not Going To Be A Kikuyu

    Prof Makau Mutua
    Prof Makau Mutua

    Starting tommorow, Monday (August 29, 2016), the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) will commence the interview process of candidates shortlisted for the offices of Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya. The process is expected to grip the nations attention given the relevance of these offices now that we’re headed to the elections.

    Lawyer Ahmednassir Abdulahi aka Grandmullah who happens to be a former JSC member and an instrumental player in getting Mutunga into the CJ post and was seen to be gearing towards a Mutua succession is back in the debate. He’s breaking down the intrigues and politics behind the succession.

    Ethnicity card like in any public office has taken center stage in this debate. Ahmednassir further explains the intrigues. First, a number of candidates from Central Kenya who were salivating over the office of the Chief Justice were, in no uncertain terms, told not to apply by their kinsmen in power. These individuals include Attorney-General Githu Muigai and a number of senior judges. This explains why no candidate from central Kenya will be interviewed for the office of the CJ. They fell victim of a noxious ethnic calculus designed by their brethren in power.

    Push for an older candidate

    Second, it was decreed that members of the JSC who are controlled by the government would be under firm instructions to push for an older candidate for the office of the CJ – one who can serve a maximum of four years. The strategy is to have another chief justice appointed before President Uhuru’s tenure comes to an end in 2022. All the candidates who were prohibited from running for the office now will be allowed to contest in four years’ time.

    The plan is simple. The next President will have a chief Justice from Central Kenya to provide a constitutional counter balance. This strategy explains why Justice J.B. Ojwang of the Supreme Court was the government’s preferred candidate for CJ.

    Third, it was further agreed that,whatever the cost, Prof Makau Mutua, must not be shortlisted for the job. We all know the censorious and, at times injudicious, commentaries the good professor has made against the President and his deputy.

    His many predictions that President Kenyatta and William Ruto will age and rot in prison after their conviction at The Hague is still vivid in the minds of those who hold the levers of power. A further calculation by the schemers was that if Prof Mutua was shortlisted, there wasn’t any process or mechanism in light of his gravitas and resume that would stop him from becoming the next chief justice of Kenya. This explains why he was disqualified on grounds no one knows to date.

    Adopted from Nairobi Law Monthly 

  • Sh2B To Be Spent On Jubilee Party Launch With Uhuru And Ruto Next Month

    Sh2B To Be Spent On Jubilee Party Launch With Uhuru And Ruto Next Month

    President Uhuru and DP William Ruto at Statehouse
    President Uhuru and DP William Ruto at Statehouse

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    11. Sh1 million for producing portraits for President Kenyatta.

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

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

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

  • Greed And Appetite To Embezzle Public Funds Driving Political Rejects, Old Guards And Senators To Seek Governorship

    Greed And Appetite To Embezzle Public Funds Driving Political Rejects, Old Guards And Senators To Seek Governorship

    Ali Chirau Mwakwere
    Ali Chirau Mwakwere

    2017 politics is taking shape with many moneyed individuals lining up to unseat incumbents in various positions. The position of the county governor is attracting much even more than the seat of the president. Nearly all the senators are planning to trounce their respective governors; academic dwarfs have been through commercial colleges to acquire their degrees and federal retirees of the gone regimes, and last poll losers are making a massive come back.

    Fred Gumo, former Westland’s MP is the newest old kid in the block brokering political deals for his tribesmen. Gumo retired in 2013, went and was forgotten till he made short headlines over the controversy that was surrounding the sale of Ex-president Moi’s stolen range rover. He is now back in full swing pushing a deal to make Water CS Eugene Wamalwa jubilee’s flag bearer for Nairobi gubernatorial race. This was ridiculous after the rude politician had called it a day, he might not have amassed enough for retirement and is now back as a political broker to get a parastatal job in return.

    The former cabinet minister William Ole Ntimama whose age DP William Ruto compared to that of Vasco da Gama may be old, down but not out. He recently led a team of Maasai leaders to embrace Jubilee Party in the state house. The retired politician promised to visit all Maa speaking regions to rally support for Jubilee. Nothing is for free, and Kenya is a place where political mileage can be gained at all costs, and obviously it’s a give and take deal.

    Jubilee’s Chirau Ali Mwakwere who lost his senatorial bid to Juma Boy Juma in the 2013 polls and later appointed Kenya’s envoy to Tanzania has been endorsed by ODM MPs who are not loyal to Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya. Mwakwere who has stayed away from the public eye since he was awarded the job for his loyalty has confirmed he’s in the race to be the next governor for Kwale County. If people rejected the honourable for a senatorial seat, what makes them think the electorate would trust them with a more sensitive seat like that of the governor?

    In mature democracies like America candidates who are rejected in polls, concede and give the electorate a break. Senator John Mc Cain was Obama’s bitter rival, but when he was beaten in the 2008 elections he admitted and went back to his senatorial job. Kenya is different, even a candidate who knows he is apparently defeated in a contest will put the nation through lengthy court battles in the name of a petition which they eventually lose and promise to fight again in the polls to come. They become a nuisance to stay in the news and bother the state to be rewarded with a government job.

    Former lands CS Charity Ngilu may be one of the strongest female political heavyweights in Kenya, but corruption has tainted her would be decorated career. Corruption allegations were at the centre of her tenure as Water Minister in the Kibaki regime to her short stint with the Jubilee administration where she worked as the minister for lands. The infamous list of EACC that had over 175 corrupt officials stamped her exit at the Ardhi House. She has blamed Jubilee administration for her woes and is now plotting a comeback through a gubernatorial position in the 2017 elections.

    The former Kisumu rulam MP Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o would be expected to call it quits in the coming polls, but the ageing politician is just still not ready to call it a day in politics. Like most of his Senate colleagues, Nyong’o says he would only retire after attaining governorship. He says the incumbent Jack Ranguma has failed to spur development in the County despite receiving billions from the National Treasury. “We can’t allow such wayward governors to mess up noble concepts as devolution”. He claims to have amassed enough wealth for his retirement and self-interests are not part of his reasons to aspire to retire as a governor. He purportedly wants the people of Kisumu to enjoy the real benefits of devolution.

    Like his colleagues, they realised late that resources are devolved and are at the county levels. There is nothing to control and steal at the Senate like governors do with county funds. This is the primary reason why there is a fierce battle between MPs and senators. Many governors have ‘bought’ MPs into their cahoots to pass a bill that would make it impossible for senators to run for the governorship. Greed is real in politics, and it’s funny that no governor is aspiring to be president in the next polls. They are satisfied in their positions that are attracting old guards and retirees who should find ‘a safe haven’ to retire elsewhere, not in positions where they can continue stealing from the public coffers.

  • 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.