Owalo believes Kibra has not been growing for the past 53yrs. In his mind, Kibra people are still using flying toilets, no sanitation at all, no any good housing, no recreational facilities, and everyone living there earns as low as Sh150 a day. In his myopic reasoning, he would change Kibra from being slum immediately after winning and also stop the rich from getting richer. You’ll agree with me that there are wealthier people living in Kibra compared to this guy who stole CORD’s campaign resources in 2013.
According to Owalo, Kibra is wallowing in abject poverty and diseases with the residents living in despicable conditions of abject poverty due to corruption that goes up to 1trillion. This figure too is wrong. He needs to research well. That aside, if Owalo was saying this statement while vying on a wiper ticket I would say, well and good. Owalo cannot talk about corruption yet he is vying on an ANC ticket and we all know where Musalia Mudavadi’s resources came from or you think Golden Berg was pocket change?
He is talking about corruption and CORD’s 2013 agents are yet to be paid to date, where did he take their monies? Owalo has been a sellout since his days in campus, ask his schoolmates.
To Owalo what the people of Kibra need is a welfare bus to transport dead bodies home, and other buses to take fans of Gor Kogalo to wherever Gor will be playing that day. Is he vying to be Gor Mahia chairman? Kibra constituency gets Sh120+ million every financial year as NG-CDF but what Owalo is prioritizing on is four buses at the expense of what the NG-CDF amendment Act 2016 requires. To him the people of Kibra only needs to die and their bodies ferried home or be Gor Mahia fans and taken to the stadium to go watch football.
This mentality of thinking what the people need before engaging them is what will ruin the Owalos of this world. Voters no longer need defenders, they need what will put food on their tables, have their young ones study or acquire relevant skills and generally improve everyone’s life by empowering them. There is a working system in Kibra that has elaborate plan on Sanitation, housing, lighting, security, education, empowering people, infrastructure, and plans for other social amenities, all one needs to do is to identify with that system and advanced it.
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are writer’s own and doesn’t represent Kenya Insights’.
Raila’s ODM Party has forwarded over eleven (11) names of aspirants for the Kibra MP by-elections. The names submitted to the election body were selected out of 20 aspiring candidates with nine failing to meet the requirements set out by their party.
A total of 23 people had picked application forms for the nomination exercise slated for August 31. Board chairperson Judith Pareno on Monday told cleared aspirants to pay Sh200,000 fees by midday Tuesday or be locked out of the nomination.
Amongst those cleared include Christone Odhiambo, popularly known as ‘the kneeling’ DJ Kris Darlin, Peter Ochieng, Tony Ogola Sira, Reuben Ojijo, and Stephen Okello.
Bernard Otieno, Eric Ochieng, Brian Owino, John Otieno, Benson Musungu and Patrick Lumumba Owade have also been cleared and set for Party nominations.
Musalia Mudavadi and Eliud Owalo
Elsewhere, Jubilee will field a candidate for the race. And Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC Party will also be fielding the Raila’s alter-ego and Uhuru’s strategist Eliud Owalo.
The Kibra seat fell vacant after the death of Ken Okoth on July 26 after a battle with cancer. The MP’s by-election is scheduled for November 7.
Your favorite Reggae master DJ Kriss Darlin kneels before Raila and begs for ODM ticket in Kibra by-election race.
A move that has since received mixed reactions from Netizens and citizens at large, the popular reggae DJ who once insulted Raila Odinga at Club K1 has now bowed beyond his words against RAO to an extent of worshiping the Kenyan Political master.
Kriss Darlin at Jubilee Party Manifesto launch
(Video courtesy of RMS)
Here are some of the reactions of this very awkward and embarrassing event.
I am a big fan of Chris Darling lakini ameniangusha sana!
Is Kriss Darlin the King of bluffs or a real Human worshiper?
Well, do you think DJ Kriss Darling has already shown bad leadership sign? Does this one moment of begging portray that even if he wins in the nominations, Kibra people should not elect him because he will never serve them but only Raila Odinga?
Or what, This is going to help him prosper politically?
Raila Odinga was planning to host four head of States in his handshake project on the planned opening Event of the refurbished Kisumu Port that was yesterday abruptly cancelled with barely a day to the launch set date.
According to the events schedule, President Uhuru Kenyatta expected to lead five other East African presidents in launching the operationalisation of the port, which has been under renovation for the past eight months at a cost of Sh3 billion but, a press conference called by the port launch committee chaired by Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o failed to take place.
State House said it had received communication from the committee on the postponement, but could not provide reasons for the decision.
“The event was being organised by the port launch committee and they informed us that the event had been postponed. It was not a State House event. It could be because the President has been out of the country and they wanted to give him time to plan his diary,” said State House spokesperson Kanze Dena.
The launch team comprises representatives from the national and county governments, Kenya Airports Authority, Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Railways Corporation, Kenya Rural Roads Authority, Kenya Urban Roads Authority, city management, as well as security organs.
Sources speaking to the media have stated that the biggest event, was supposed to be Raila’s political boost was postponed due to delays in completing works at the port. The confusion was heightened by social media users who claimed there were plans to disrupt today’s event due to the ongoing demolitions of nearly 3,000 small and medium businesses.
Committee Secretary Aloice Ager told local press that members needed to consult further before a final statement was issued to the press. Mr Ager, however, declined to comment on allegations that the event had been postponed.
“I am not the one to talk about that. Let the team consult and we will call you back to give you clear information about the event.” Ager said
The Regional Commissioner James Kianda, who was also part of the organising committee, was available on phone to comment.
“We will update at the appropriate time,” Mr Kianda responded to a text message following an enquiry about the event.
The event was cancelled even as details from a committee meeting held on Tuesday showed that plans for the launch were complete.
The Event’s venue had already been identified and arrangements made for heightened security. Tight security was also expected within and around the airport, with access to the airside area restricted.
With the main event scheduled for the port premises, the public was to follow the event from Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground where a big screen was to be installed for spectators to follow the function. The meeting proposed a public rally to be addressed by the guests at Mamboleo showground after the function.
Other Heads of State who were expected at the event include Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), John Magufuli (Tanzania), Felix Tshisekedi (Democratic Republic of Congo), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Salva Kiir (South Sudan) and Pierre Nkurunziza (Burundi).
Mr Nzioka Waita, the Chief of Staff in the Office of the President did not give reasons for the postponement.
“Please engage the Transport ministry on this matter,” Mr Waita said.
“What we have gathered is that most works had been completed but the fixed diaries of other EAC presidents may have occasioned the postponement because the President and his ‘brother’ really need them to attend the event,” the source told local media.
According to other officials who attended a series of meetings led by Mr Kianda stated that a few areas had not been finalised, which occasioned the postponement.
“For instance, the fencing of the port area has not been done, which is a requirement … there is also a need for clearance of the port area. Portland must be reclaimed and fenced off. As we speak, NYS are in overdrive, working 24 hours a day. The outer perimeter fencing is being done and the Kenya Railways must also complete the preparation of the lines within the port area and the line leading to the Kenya Pipeline Company,” the source confided to local media said.
Other verifiable information states that the PDU will be conducting a final inspection tour today at around 9 am.
Senior Kenyan and internationally recognized Economist David Ndii has sneered AU’s High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa and NASA leader Raila Odinga stating that he is a let down to the entire opposition fraternity.
The former NASA chief strategist quoted a tweet from ODM’s party leader with, “We have truly lost this one. What a letdown.”
Ndii was responding to a tweet by Raila who posted a photo of himself with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s sister Kristina Pratt after they met at his Capitol Hill office in Nairobi.
I was pleased to receive Madam Kristina Pratt Kenyatta at my office this morning. pic.twitter.com/jQFUshrSWW
Raila is seen on the photo to be handing Pratt a copy of his book – The flame of freedom.
Raila ties with Kenya’s great minds were cut loose after the former fierce opposition leader was assuaged by his dealings with Uhuru through the Handshake.
The Handshake has edged off all Raila’s hardliners who have failed to recognize Uhuru as the country’s legitimate President after the 2017 polls. Since then, Raila has been receiving diplomats, state officials, politicians and diplomats at his Capitol Hill office.
DP Ruto’s Team Tang tanga have stepped up their opposition to a referendum this time around arguing that the proposal for a single seven-year presidential term limit was insupportable. Tanga tanga MPs Benjamin Washiali and Margaret Kamar criticized the seven-year term proposal while backing the current two five-year presidential terms.
They were responding to the Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot’s Punguza Mizigo (Constitution of Kenya Amendment) Bill which proposes the introduction of a single seven-year term presidency.
High Representative for Infrastructure Development in AfricaRaila Odinga is among the groups that have backed the seven-year non-renewable presidential term and an executive Prime Minister in their submissions to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
In February, during an address at Chatham House, London, Ruto dismissed calls for a referendum aimed at creating positions for what he termed as ‘selfish leaders’. DP Ruto and his allied legislators have sworn to oppose any constitutional changes that aim at either expanding or cutting the powers of the Executive.
Ruto while addressing two separate church gatherings in Narok County, he welcomed Punguza Mizigo and Building Bridges Initiative calls to change the Constitution but questioned the brains behind the bill which he says is not ‘people-centered’ and whose objectives doesn’t seem, according to Ruto, truthful.
“The talk around the referendum should be carried out in an objective manner, devoid of deceit and done for the interest of all Kenyans, not for selfish interests,” DP Ruto said.
While ODM party which is deep into the handshake arrangement supports the seven-year non-renewable term saying that that will take focus away from the presidency which has a matter of life and death for ethnic leaders. A leaked BBI preliminary report also supported the proposal.
The National Assembly chief whip Benjamin Ashiali stated that if passed, the single seven-year term for president proposed in Ekuru Aukot’s Punguza Mizigo Bill would lead to two different elections-one for MPs and governors and another for president.
“I had the intention of supporting Punguza Mizigo, but there is one proposal that I do not agree with. Kenya will be holding many separate elections. This will not reduce our wage bill at all,” said Washiali.
“According to the Punguza Mizigo initiative, when the term of the president comes to an end, Kenyans would be subjected to another round of elections for only one person, when the rest of the leaders have settled down,” Washiali added.
“What if one day we elect a leader who turns out to be a dictatorial President? We only want five-year term limits for Kenyan presidents,” Uasin-Gishu Senator Margaret Kamar said while opposing the bill and a leaked BBI memo.
on their defense, The Third Way Alliance has defended their proposal to have a single seven-year presidential term stating that it will end violent competition for the presidency, and stop looting by incumbent fighting to finance reelection campaign.
“The proposed one seven-year term limit will end the “do or die” culture of re-election. There is an established violence trend in all our electoral cycles when the incumbent seeks re-election. There is accelerated theft of public money in the last two years of a first-term presidency because of the need to finance re-election. One term will also stop the cyclical economic meltdown witnessed during 1992, 1997, 2007, and 2017 elections,” the Bill argues.
Over the weekend Tanga tanga camp kept up its opposition to the Raila-Uhuru endorsed Building Bridges Initiative, which winded up their public hearings and will be retreating to compile its report that will be submitted to President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila, who set up the team following their March 9, 2018 handshake.
Caleb Kositany, Ruto’s diehard fan, and Soy MP inculpated the BBI team of pursuing selfish interests stating that it was suspicious that people who supported the 2010 Constitution had changed tune and started calling for changes in the same law.
“The Constitution should be changed based on the views of Kenyans and not because of individual interests. Some of us had suggested we amend the 2010 Constitution and others now calling for changes insisted that we pass it without amendments,” Kositany said.
Uasin-Gishu Woman Representative Gladys Shollei who is also a tanga tanga member rubbished off BBI team seriousness sitting that the team of ‘busybodies’ was wasting time in five-star hotels instead of collecting views and serious questions raised in the set up of the 2010 constitution from ordinary Kenyans and their leaders.
Uasin-Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago, who previously said he longer puts politics and political game in his heart, called out the BBI team for not taking views from leaders in his county. Mandago also has hinted that the council of governors was plotting to introduce another referendum campaign that would be dubbed Ugatuzi (devolution) to push for more resources to devolved units.
“As county governments, we are not on BBI and Punguza Mizigo groups. We are now bringing forth our referendum called Ugatuzi because we have been frustrated by Parliament. Ours will increase resources to counties,” governor Mandago said.
National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, who, most probably because of what is seen as a targeted political war on corruption directed to Ruto’s camp, has disappeared from the Tanga tanga movement activities is of contrary opinion and has stated that he will support a parliamentary system of government to avoid violence that is incontrovertible every election year.
“I am going to convince the President and Deputy President and members of Jubilee Party to support the parliamentary system,” Aden Duale stated.
Amani National Congress Party leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi opposed the Punguza Mizigo’s recommendation to reduce the number of constituencies to lower the wage bill stating that the real burden for Kenyans was theft from public coffers and not the number of constituencies.
Jubilee administration under the leadership of President Uhuru has collecting forcing and traping Kenyans to pay and submit their tax returns while the National Assembly plans and approves useless trips on coffers pockets.
On Thursday, MPs went for a one-month recess without providing a list of members and staff who traveled for a legislative conference in the US that has caused furor after Kenya sent the largest delegation of 85 people. Deputy Speaker Moses Cheboi (Kuresoi North MP) failed to provide a list of the MPs and staff who had traveled to the US despite promising to do so.
New details have emerged stating that five more leaders traveled to the US for the legislative conference, whose agenda included sampling country music and getting inspirational talks from songstress Dolly Parton, bringing the total number of MPs, senators, ward representatives and Parliament’s staff to 90.
Sources speaking to the media stated that senators Agnes Zani (ODM, nominated), Fredrick Outa (Kisumu), Meru Speaker Joseph Kaberia and MCAs Ayub Bundi and Victor Karithi were listed as additional participants from Kenya by the organizers.
Raila Odinga was the first to chastise the wastage of taxpayers’ money, scolding the MPs for encouraging a culture of waste and living large at the expense of taxpayers.
Raila while speaking at the Media Council gala night last evening, stated that Kenya sent a delegation of 90 people to the US conference, adding that it was a shame to send such a huge delegation at the taxpayers’ cost. The former prime minister who has since demanded that Parliament apologize to Kenyans for spending their tax totally meaningless US.
Raila, who seem to have credible sources said that Kenya provided the largest number of participants at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) in Nashville, Tennessee, at a time when President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration is proposing cuts on foreign travel as part of a wide range of austerity measures.
The only other country that sent a large delegation from Africa is Nigeria, which flew 20 legislators to the US before adding two more. Indonesia sent one, Portugal sent two, and Japan had six. Neighboring Uganda deployed three, Mr. James Mukaga (principal clerk assistant), Ms. Jane Rozse Semakula Ikiror (assistant director, Parliament) and Sitnah Cherotich (assistant director, Parliament). The main host, the United States had only nine key representatives.
According to Raila, Kenyan representatives at the conference that officially started on Monday and ended on Thursday could be more than 100, as some hangers-on who accompanied the VIPs were not listed in the official conference list.
In spite of National Assembly Deputy Speaker Moses Cheboi promising to issue a communication on an apology, the MPs demanded the House breaks for recess on Thursday with no mention of the trip. The two Houses, the Senate and National Assembly, have also been on the spot to explain why they paid for some staff who virtually had no role at the conference, to attend at the expense of taxpayers.
While a few of the Kenyan delegates were invited to the conference from as early as April for being in the technical and steering committee, amongst them, senators Kihika Kimani and Mutula Kilonzo Jr, most of the members of the delegation were honorable joyriders.
The list of the travelers could have been trimmed by the offices of the Speaker, clerk, senators, and MPs with either of them settling on one or two representatives. National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and his Senate counterpart Ken Lusaka, who led the Kenyan joyriders to the US has remained mute.
On Thursday, the National Assembly went for a month recess without providing a list of the members and staff who traveled for the meeting. Deputy speaker Mr. Cheboi (Kuresoi North MP) failed to provide a list of the MPs and the staff who had traveled to the US, despite promising to do so.
On Wednesday, Simba Arati had requested the speaker Mr. Cheboi to act on his request and the speaker promised to deliver the statement clarifying the matter after MPs complained, saying only about five legislators had traveled.
Speaker Muturi, who arrived in the US for the conference last Sunday, three days after most of the Kenyan participants had arrived despite the conference starting on Monday, was expected back in the country on Friday. Muturi’s whereabouts remain unknown and an aide who received his call told local media that the Speaker was still in the US.
The Commission on Revenue Allocation stipulates that the Speakers of Parliament are paid about Sh75,000 as a daily subsistence allowance for travel to the US, MPs pocket Sh65,000, and MCAs Sh42,600. From the figures, the trip could have a cost of more than 100 Million.
A round-trip business class ticket on the national carrier Kenya Airways costs about Sh587,000 from Nairobi to Nashville International Airport, and about Sh355,000 for economy class. Kenya Airways started direct flights to New York last year and the delegation has to connect from there to Nashville. An average hotel room in Nashville goes for between Sh15,000 and Sh30,000 per night.
Raila said that the US trip was evidence that these institutions have money they do not know what to do with, or they simply don’t care about the burden taxpayers are bearing.
Even though the Tennessee conference targets State legislators, legislative staff, government officials, business representatives, educators and others interested in public policy, the Kenyan delegation also included a number of personal assistants of the legislators other key speakers at the conference was American singer-songwriter Parton, presidential biographer, Pulitzer Prize winner and one of America’s most prominent historians Jon Meacham, author Wes Moore – celebrated filmmaker Evan Shapiro and CNN political contributor Vin Jones.
WAGE BILL
The conference targeted about 5,000 delegates from across the world. It coincided with a visit by President Kenyatta to Jamaica. Another training targeting government officials from 21 Kenyan border counties has been going on in Arizona and Washington, DC.
Auditor-General’s report indicates that MCAs spent Sh162 million on foreign travel in the 2016/17 financial year. The county executive spent a wobbling Sh267 million in the same period. While expressing concern about the huge public wage bill last year, the Controller of Budget said demands for increased salaries and allowances by public officers and civil servants must be addressed, warning that the wage bill may not be sustainable in the long run if not contained.
Mau Forest eviction is considered to be a slow political venomous poison that Kibaki cleverly gave Raila Odinga and without doubt, it still harms his political ambitions if the larger former Rift Valley province to date.
Things are slowly changing and the Former prime minister could soon find the much-needed antidote after a section of Rift Valley leaders visited him to help ensure the second phase of the Mau Forest evictions targeting some 60,000 settlers is done in what they termed as a ‘humane way’.
The group of Kalenjin leaders who visited Raila was led by former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto. According to Isaac Ruto, there is a fear on the ground that the intended evictions in the South Rift will backfire if it’s done blindly and without proper consultations.
“The evictions can cause a major humanitarian crisis even igniting ethnic flare-ups. We are reaching out to the State and key players to halt the process until a proper approach is adopted,” said Ruto
Former Governor stated in a meeting with Mr. Odinga early in the week. Former Cabinet Minister Franklin Bett, one-time powerful internal security permanent secretary Zakayo Cheruiyot and politician Paul Sang met Mr. Odinga in what they termed as a move in need of a broader approach to the issue.
“Raila understands the (eviction) issue since he has handled it before. He was easy to access and he knows the challenge ahead,” Ruto said.
“The first round of evictions affected 18,000 school-going children. State issued title deeds must be respected,” said the former Kuresoi South MP Zakayo Cheruiyot.
Environment CS Keriako Tobiko announced two months ago the Government’s intention to carry out the second round of the Mau Forest evictions to clear the water tower of illegal settlers.
According to Tobiko, the second phase of the evictions has no compensation as the targeted group had illegally encroached on government land a move that could probably cause retaliation that might lead to blood being shed and unfortunate acts like lives of Kenyans being lost.
ODM party leader and the AU’s High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa will host four presidents from East Africa in the official launching ceremony of the Sh3 billion Kisumu port.
The Kisumu Port is one of the biggest rather the face of Raila, projects initiated in the former Nyanza province after the handshake. This is seen as part of the handshake goodies that he had promised and the project is expected to restore the glory of Kisumu City, the once vibrant East Africa hub, an area that had been deliberately marginalized by the previous administrations.
According to sources speaking to the media, RAO will be hosting his close political allies and friends of his allies. On Thursday next week, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will host President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Yoweri Museveni leader of Uganda Uganda, Felix Tshisekedi of Congo, and John Magufuli from Tanzania.
Everyone knows that Magufuli and Tsisekedi are Raila’s family and political close friends and even though, Raila might to be in good terms with Museveni, but from recent visits in Kenya and signing some deals, we all know his ties with President Uhuru are way too close and the Port, being the biggest project in Lake Victoria, he definitely wouldn’t miss the opportunity and time to attend.
Yesterday, State House spokesperson Kanze Dena, who is in Jamaica with Uhuru said final communications on the launch of the port will be issued next week. Already Kenya Ports Authority has installed forklift trucks, mobile cranes and tractor-trailers in a clear signal that it’s all systems go.
KPA managing director Daniel Manduku told the Star on Thursday the port will initially create between 100 and 200 direct jobs when officially opened. “We are ready and all the equipment needed is on-site,” said Manduku.
Kenya Ports Authority plans to make the port a regional hub for East Africa to serve Mbita, Homa Bay, Mfangango island, Muhuru Bay pier, Luanda K’Otieno, Usenge beach and Port Victoria.
Lake Victoria is the second largest freshwater body in the world with 13 ports and for Prime minister, Raila has been following the project so close and keenly. RAO has visited the site more than four times and receives updates on every step of the rehabilitation of the port.
Last Thursday Raila, President Kenyatta and DP William Ruto visited the port to inspect the progress of the repairs and Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi stated during the visit that the makeover of the port was a clear testament that the handshake is working
“We are happy with the speed at which this project, among others, is moving. This is a clear testament of what the handshake between the President and the Prime Minister has done. This is one of the major projects that will not only open up the entire western region but will create employment for the thousands of youths and increase trade between Kenya and neighbouring countries.” Wandanyi said.
If the Port project works, Raila will have a smooth way for the people of Nyanza, Western and most probably other regions who will be employed directly or indirectly by the Port. Raila has also assured his Nyanza political turf that his strong-willed plans to revive collapsed Kisumu Cotton Mills (Kicomi), are well on course and the Government is also setting up an industrial park in Muhoroni, Kisumu county.
According to Raila handlers, all the key projects that the region has received are on course due to the famous March 2018 handshake between President Uhuru and Raila Odinga. Some of the projects include the construction of the Koru-Mamboleo road, Kabunde airstrip where Sh128 million has been allocated to pay off the landowner and Sh4 billion allocated to the blue economy.
Water Hyacinth had also choked the lake. Almost all the beaches had been filled with the deadly weed. Lake Victoria Beach Management Units Chairman Tom Guda said for a month now, fishermen in Karachuonyo and Kochia have felt the pinch of water hyacinth infestation.
“Water hyacinth restricts the movement of boats. How do you cast your nets in water infested in hyacinth? Sometimes you set out to go fishing only to be trapped in the water for eight hours,” said Mr Guda.
According to the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute Kisumu (KMFRI), periodic changes in wind patterns and human activities encourage the re-germination of the stubborn weed on Lake Victoria.
According to Dr Aura, by January this year approximately 10,360 hectares of the lake was covered by water hyacinth that tends to settle where there is little pressure from the wind.
“Rachuonyo’s proximity to Homa Hills and trees which act as windbreakers bring water hyacinth to Rachuonyo. At our station, we have water hyacinth prediction map which shows the accurate spatial-temporal availability of weed. Currently the area affected include Kisumu Bay, Homa Bay, Osodo Bay, Kendu Bay, Nyakach Bay and Ngege Bay.” Dr Aura noted.
“The National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) has designated water hyacinth disposal sites. After removal of the weed you are not allowed to throw it away,” said the environmental authority.
Since the Port project was launched, the government has taken measures to hyacinth that had choked the Lake by setting up licensed water hyacinth disposal sites in Homa Bay County. This includes Alara Beach, Oginga Beach, Ngegu Beach, Rakwaro Beach, Achuodho, Kananga and Rarimba Beach.
“We are happy with the progress made so far. The port, a major project in the region, is shaping up and we hope soon our leaders, the President and the former Prime Minister, will be commissioning,” ODM chairman and Suba South MP John Mbadi said
The seriousness of the Port projects can also be felt and seen from a far, NYS and prison workers are clearing bushes around the port and the gates to the port remain locked to members of the public and thorough checks are done before one is allowed access.
Kenya Coast Guard has also been given a go-ahead and has already taken charge of security at the port ahead of the launch and taking pics and videos of the site is a prohibited act.
The project has seen structures around the port demolished including the famous Lwang’ni beach which saw traders lose millions of shillings without alternative places to go.
Kisumu Residents Association Chairman Audi Ogada said following the destruction and public outcry they expect the port once opened to provide opportunities for people.
“Our expectation is that the port is effectively managed to give employment opportunities to our youths and even chances to the business persons whose structures were demolished,” he said.
On June 14, Uhuru and Raila were at the port t to check progress and on July 6, the President made an impromptu tour after a two-day visit to Tanzania. The President also toured the Kenya Marine School and the dry dock where the giant MV Uhuru is docked. He held meetings with officials and was briefed on the project.
President Uhuru ordered the repair of the 1,000-tonne and 91-meter-long cargo ship of which the MV Uhuru engine was switched on and roared for hours.
“Kisumu port was the biggest dry dock inland in the entire African continent where vessels such as SS Usonga, SS Nyanza, MV Victoria and MV Uhuru amongst others were manufactured. We want to see this happening again here,” Raila said.
Raila Odinga is once again on the political frying pan after the family of the late former immediate Kibra MP Ken Okoth asks him to endorse one of their own.
Imran Okoth, the younger brother to the late Okoth wants ODM party and it’s leader, Raila, to endorse one of them as the next Kibra mp.
Oluoch appealed to Raila just a day after the late Okoth’s body was cremated at Kariokor cemetery in Nairobi on the morning of Saturday.
Elvis Oluoch, the Nephew to the late Okoth, told local press that the family will be sending plenipotentiary to ODM’s leader Raila Odinga to get plans of endorsing Imran Okoth, the former MP’s personal assistant and younger brother as the Kibra MP.
Imran Okoth, was the led and organizer of development projects in Kibra constituency for three years that the late Okoth was away for medication.
“We want to appeal to Raila to see if he can give one of the family members that opportunity to take care of the next three years,” Oluoch said.
“We have one Imran in mind. He was the personal assistant to Ken and was the one taking care of everything when Ken was sick. So we thought he is the right person to do that because he knew every plan Ken had concerning Kibra.” Imran added.
Raila, whose own daughter Rosemary Odinga, had ambitions to vie for the now vacant seat, is supposed to make his decision both as ODM’s party leader and as a family friend to the Late Okoth’s family.
Early 2017, Raila’s daughter Rosemary, withdrew from the Kibra parliamentary race and most of her political ambitions on medical grounds.
“It is following my doctor’s advice that for the time being, I will continue serving my community in other capacities and regrettably bow out of the race for Member of Parliament,” Rosemary said while addressing the media at her Hospital room in South Africa.
Rosemary had launched her bid to vie for the Kibra seat in January 2017, but was later taken ill and transferred to South Africa for further specialized treatment of a brain stroke that left her partially visually impaired.
Rosemary was, preferably Raila’s choice in the fight to get ODM’s ticket.
Rosemary was set to fight it out with the former immediate late MP Ken Okoth, Mr Eliud Owalo the former Raila’s aide and Martin Okoth.
Raila has been the Kibra MP for over 20 years and Kibra being his ODM’s zones will have the final say on who, the Party will endorse and wishes to succeeds the late Okoth.
Will he choose one of his own or he will go as the Okoth’s family wishes? Time will tell.
Kenya has been having political inheritance in most, even though not all, of events where the leader succumbs to longtime illnesses.
The latest of them being Kitui West MP Edith Nyenze who was elected to succeed her husband, Francis Nyenze, who succumbed to cancer.
Political heirs seem like the best decision to give the bereaved Family an appreciation of the well the late has been doing to the society.
The change of Kibra is inevitable and Herculean political and social steps towards that realization have to, if not, must be cohered to.
Raila has to make a sagacious decision between his own family, Okoth’s family and most definitely, without doubt the larger Kibra family.
Senior Economist David Ndii has rubbished off chances of him working for President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration as Finance Cabinet Secretary.
Ndii’s declaration comes a day after the arrest of Treasury CS Henry Rotich.
Rotich, if he won’t resign, could probably be fired by Uhuru after DPP Noordin Haji linked him directly to the alleged loss of more that 19Billion meant for the construction of Kimwarer and Arror dams in Elgeyo-Marakwet County.
Earlier In April, President Uhuru said that he will only sack those prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“I must, however, caution that the pursuit of the corrupt will be undertaken strictly within the remits of the law, and not through vigilante justice and pitchfork protest. Though media narratives rally our resolve as they should, our actions will not be based on condemnation before one has been heard. The cornerstone of our democracy is the rule of law, and the principle of due process is a critical anchor.” President Kenyatta said.
“It is not enough to merely jail and fine those who have looted our public coffers. The wealth they stole from Kenyans must be returned to its owners, the People of Kenya with the clear message being that Corruption does not pay,” President Uhuru added.
CS Rotich was today arraigned in court alongside PS Kamau Thugge, in what is believed to be a move that could lead Cabinet reshuffle.
With that out, David Ndii, one of loyal supporters and strategist of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has once again turned down requests and suggestions to take over the leadership of the Treasury.
According to Ndii, Uhuru’s regime and reign is and will always remain illegitimate.
Ndii posted this on his verified Twitter account.
Public Notice I’m not available to work for Uhuru Kenyatta’s corrupt illegitimate govt. Those thinking corruption/ economy can be fixed in Treasury are gravely mistaken. National crisis will persist until a financial implosion or Jubilee is out of power whichever comes first. https://t.co/CITItnPmEr
“Public Notice: I’m not available to work for Uhuru Kenyatta’s corrupt illegitimate govt. Those thinking corruption/ economy can be fixed in Treasury are gravely mistaken. National crisis will persist until a financial implosion or Jubilee is out of power whichever comes first,”
David Ndii was responding to a tweet that had proposed him for the Treasury job.
The handshake is working and am fronting @DavidNdii as our next CS Treasury…the president needs an honest gentleman who knows and understands economics…..we can't borrow to prosperity.
Alexandra Phillips, the former head of media for Ukip and a vocal member of Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party has admitted to have secretly worked for Uhuru Kenyatta.
Ms Phillips made the admission to Channel 4 News after initially denying any involvement with Cambridge analytica and SCL that was used to mudslign Raila.
According to Channel 4 News, Ms Phillips accepted after a recording of an interview from 2017 surfaced online in which Alexandra confirms she had been employed by Cambridge Analytica to work for Uhuru Kenyatta, the current President of Kenya.
According to a statement released to International media, Ms Phillips admitted to have worked for SCL, Cambridge Analytica’s parent company, on President Kenyatta’s successful re-election campaign.
Cambridge Analytica Bosses were filmed by undercover investigators last year exposing the disgraced data firm’s dirty tricks and influencing elections globally.
Analytica Bosses were caught on camera chest thumbing about their smear campaigns, bribing politicians, putting unattributable and untraceable propaganda on the Internet Search engines in a bid to sway campaigns for their political clients.
In 2017, Kenyan election contest between Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta was full of misinformation and massive fake news were spread across the country via the Internet and on smartphones.
Cambridge Analytica’s SCL, which was working as Uhuru’s campaign team smeared Raila Odinga with a series of viral videos which were notoriously depicting apocalyptic scenes for Kikuyu’s if, at all, Raila was to win the election.
The notorious Cambridge Analytica have been facing accusation from every country they’ve worked for or with and have been unsuccessfully denying their involvement with the content, and any role in negative political campaigns in Kenya.
Ms Phillips, in the past interview, had initially denied working for Cambridge Analytica nor being in contacy or knowing anyone on their political campaign team.
“I didn’t work for them at all. That’s libellous. I’m being very serious now. You’re actually propagating a load of misinformation that’s been put online… based on nothing.” Ms Phillips said in an interview.
“If you want to talk about the Cambridge Analytica campaign, speak to them, not me. I don’t know them. I really don’t know the people.” she insisted.
Ms Phillips had also threatened investigator that she will sue them.
“And if you use this online, it’s going to be very difficult, OK… And actually, please don’t pursue that because there’s going to be a lot of things that might be happening over the next weeks, months, which is going to make life very difficult. I’m being serious. I’ve never been employed by Cambridge Analytica in my life.” She ranted on an interview.
However, an audio recording in possession of Channel 4 News has Alexandra admitting she was secretly employed by Cambridge Analytica to work for President Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party which was alleged to have swayed and rigged the elections in favour of Uhuru.
She’s recorded saying “I’ve not been able to speak to you because I’ve been under my contract which finished yesterday. So now I’m able to talk. But whilst I’m under contract with Cambridge Analytica, if they’d found that I’d spoken to a journalist about them, then, you know what I mean non-disclosure agreements and all the rest of i… I wasn’t working for Jubilee I was employed by Cambridge Analytica who had the contract with Jubilee.”
“I was brought on as a political communications consultant for the Kenya project. I’d be writing the president’s speeches and his talking points for rallies and State House statements. I trained their communications team; they’re all sort of journalists who came together to create a press office. So I had to train them up and daily management of that communications team.” She added
SCL’s contract with Jubilee was so sensitive such that Ms Phillips was told to always say she’s working as an air hostess if anyone would ever ask what she was doing in Kenya.
Ms Phillips had also claimed SCL’s contract with Jubilee was worth £300,000 a month and would add up to a total of around $6 million for the contract
“The $6m they got me and another chap who are two of the best in the business at doing this kind of stuff, and paid us nowhere near that much, my friend. The only thing that appals me about Cambridge Analytica was when I realised essentially how much of a money-making exercise they are.” Ms Phillips said.
Ms Phillips issued a statement last night admitting Cambridge’s involvement in Swaying voters and rigging for Jubilee’s candidate while distancing herself from SCL’s under deals.
“In Kenya, I worked as a freelance contractor focusing on speechwriting with the team of President Kenyatta, who is a great ally of the UK. The campaigns I worked on promoted peace and national unity in a country that I love dearly.” Read part of Ms Phillips statement.
“This work was sub-contracted out to me by SCL, which went on to become a different company. Out of respect for those whom I served, I will continue to respect the confidentiality agreements that I signed upon accepting the role in Kenya.” She insisted.
Alexandra also insisted that she will not be bullied by agenda-driven and guilt-by-association reporting that has vilified her name.
Deputy President William Ruto and his allies call to President Kenyatta to convene a Jubilee party meeting have fallen into deaf ears.
Kanze Dena, the State house spokesperson on Tuesday said President Kenyatta is only focused on the development agenda of his administration and not politics.
“The question on Jubilee meeting is political. And like my boss has said before, we are not going to delve into political issues,” said Kanze Dena during Tuesday’s press briefing.
“If, at all, the party calls a meeting, then it will happen,” said the head of Presidential Strategic Communication Unit (PSCU).
This has thrown DP Ruto’s led Tanga tanga movement into confusion, with members saying time was running out for Jubilee that is almost collapsing.
Tanga tanga movement is worried about the Uhuru’s union with Raila and his party, ODM.
On Sunday, Dr Ruto added his voice to his movements distress calls for the Jubilee party to put its house in order.
Tangatanga movement have been pressuring Uhuru to convene a meeting to discuss a host of issues affecting the Party and specifically Ruto.
Tanga tanga allied legislators have accused Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju, of taking sides and working with Dr Ruto’s ‘enemies’.
Ruto led Tanga tanga movement was made to counter the March 2018 handshake between Mr Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga and strategize Ruto’s 2022 succession plans.
Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC Party and Senator Moses Wetangula’s Ford Kenya Party have been planning for political merger in since early last year.
A move the two opposition parties termed as Luhya Unity and a political strategy to unify the vote-rich Western region in their political basket.
According Mudavadi, this is to enhance peaceful coexistence and have a western votes lock up to give the region a strong bargaining power in National politics and future elections.
But the merger has been delayed what ANC handlers called influence from ‘Outsiders’ through those who belong to the respective parties.
Or this was just a rushed political strategy that was to cover the shame, mess and confusion around Raila Odinga’s swearing in and talks of NASA collapsing.
Not forgetting, the merger, if rushed and miscalculated, will have no strong Political viability in the region or the Nation.
The constantly and continuous influence of ODMs Raila Odinga and Government influence through DP Ruto in Western Kenya has widened the rift amongst local leaders.
Raila who says that he is the 13th grand child of Nabongo-Mumia Of the larger Wanga kingdom has insisted that western leaders should not to leave him out of the negotiations.
Raila enjoyed a massive support from Western region in 2007, 2013 and 2017.
Railas deep influence is a biggest threat to the ANC-Ford Kenya merger and it’s political viability.
Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala and nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi have come out as two ANC members who not only support but also strongly protects ODM’s political agenda in the region.
Also in this mess of misplaced loyalties line is Vihiga Senator George Khaniri who is a staunch supporter of Raila.
Senator Malala and The expelled ANC SG Osotsi told a local press that ANC handlers want them out of the party because of their close association with ODM and Raila’s agenda.
Osotsi is now claiming that his “Organized” expulsion from ANC wasn’t because of the allegations of loss of Party Funds.
The Two says their party and Party leader is fighting them because they are supporting Raila and his party’s principles.
Senator Malala and Osotsi loyalties are dangling. They clearly don’t belong to Mudavadi neither are they admitting to belong to Raila.
They’re are still supporting NASA and it’s leader at the expense of their party.
NASA is a political coalition that legally exists But has been rendered irrelevant its cause overtaken by events.
This is not the first time Malala’s loyalty has been questioned.
Late Last year, Wanga Council of Elders declared the first term senator A Luo by Birth and origin.
The Chairperson of the Council of Elder Peter Nabongo, told the writer of this site that Malala can never be allowed to sign a deal on behalf of the Luhya community.
Peter Nabongo said Malala’s father came from Nyanza and settled In western.
“Malala’s father was allowed to marry from around this region, that doesn’t qualify him as a Luhya” Said Peter Nabongo.
Osotsi on the other side, has been allegedly withdrawing ANC funds for his own personal business and agenda.
The ANC self proclaimed founder has never attended ANC meetings nor stepped his foot in ANC offices for more than a Year now.
Barrack Muluka ANC secretary general and Ford Kenya’s Eseli Simiyu have confirmed the merger plans saying that the learnt that their effort had been infiltrated by outsiders from both sides.
Osotsi and Malala have the same political feathers as Boni Khalwale.
Their loyalty is swayed by money and Other political related incentives.
These self proclaimed Western political youths have clearly shown their split personalities In matters leadership, development, public politics and most important, Democracy in their party politics.
With that out and aside, i pose a question to you our esteemed readers;
Are these two a generational change of politics or they are a practical example and a case study of the misplaced and displaced Political loyalties of the Luhya Nation?
Raila Odinga, who still holds that he’s the Chief Opposition Leader’s role in Jubilee has increased worries from DP Ruto’s camp.
Raila’s puzzling protocol has been increased by the President with everything passing through DP Ruto’s nose.
Mr Odinga is an African Union’s High Representative for Infrastructure Development with full delegated authority by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Hon. Raila Odinga holds meetings with cabinet secretaries, launches government public projects and Offers State cleared consultations to the President.
Last week, Raila represented Kenya in a conference on Infrastructure under the Belt and Road Initiative in Ethiopia.
He jetted back in the Country on Friday and was given a Presidential escort and security to Kiambu County where he was scheduled to Officially officiate the ground breaking of the Tatu Tech City.
Raila was received by Kiambu’s top government security personnel and Wilson Wanyanga, the Kiambu County Commissioner.
The recent Presidential escort and Security detail being offered to Mr. Odinga has increased discomfort from DP Ruto and his allies.
According to Ruto allies, and majority of Rift Valley MPs, Raila has been given an upper protocol in government than Ruto.
The MPs have accused Raila of using his current position to blackmail the public in his power trapping scheme.
The Rift Valley MPs complains were echoed by the self proclaimed Ruto spokesman Oscar Sudi.
Sudi says the President has downgraded Ruto and his constitutional responsibilities and privileges given to Raila.
This is not the first time DP Ruto’s camp is feeling left out in Jubilee’s government rather degraded by President Kenyatta.
In January this year, DP Ruto was forced to have a closed door meeting with President Kenyatta in Mombasa after the President transferred most vital Ruto’s constitutional powers and responsibilities to Fred Matiangi, the Interior Cabinet Secretary.
On Raila’s defense, his spokesman Dennis Onyango, said that former Prime Minister is not a government employee.
Onyango said that Raila is only helping the country heal and get past the bitter divisions that had shredded peaceful coexistence.
According to Dennis Onyango, Raila is outlining the issues the government should keep working on to sustain coexistence in the country.
However, according to Rift Valley MPs, Raila Odinga, the Opposition leader who turned out to be Chief government policy supporter and influencer elevated protocol by government and increased security details and deep State role remains a threat to the existence of Jubilee and DP Ruto’s political cause.
The late Vice President Kijana Wamalwa once said in Kenya politically, there are two types of people; pro-Raila and anti-Raila. In his theory, the fallen Luhya kingpin alluded that politics in Kenya revolves around one man Raila, such that those who love him do so wholeheartedly and those who hate him do so with a passion.
Raila fear mongering is a campaign strategy that was started during Kibaki regime when they were cutting links with Raila and perfected during Jubilee regime where it has been consistent to date. For the 2013 campaigns, the Jubilee duo coined a campaign propaganda accusing Raila of colluding with the West to drag them for hanging in the ICC. While the truth was far from, politically, it gave Jubilee duo an upper hand, strengthening their support especially within their core ethnic bases; Kikuyu and Kalenjin. Having been poisoned with the fear mongering factor, they came out in their numbers to give Uhuru and Ruto a win.
Fast forward to 2017, the game dynamics have changed, same field and players but a different league. ICC is out of the way and therefore Jubilee had to go for a campaign agenda. For NASA and Raila, their job was done prior, banking on Jubilee’s failures from corruption to unemployment to soared cost of living. It is no task to see the much damage is on the Jubilee government.
All factors constant, it is highly probable that Jubilee will still get the majority of their votes from Central and Rift Valley as they did previously but the game has a bit of a twist. While ethnicity plays a key role in voting pattern, it shouldn’t shock if a sizeable shift is realized come August 8th. Many people have been affected and feeling it at the household levels the scorching cost of living, the unemployment bug has bit nearly every household, these serious factors could affect voting patterns and have many voting for change against traditional tribal voting.
Ruto is facing a rebellion in Rift Valley even if it couldn’t be as huge but recent researches suggest that NASA will get a good chunk of the rich R.Valley vote. There’s an untold voter apathy scare in Central according to intelligence mills that a grassroots level mobilization mechanism has been put in place to ensure more people are convinced to get out in numbers to vote. Raila fear mongering is a key mobilization element being used, residents are being warned of the impending dangers of a Raila presidency including loss of business opportunities, slavery et al. Kiambu Governorship aspirant Ferdinand Waititu, is on record warning residents against a Raila presidency saying he would force the community to walk in shorts a colonial symbolism of slavery. They are told how toxic Rao presidency would be to them.
Raila sharing a light moment with Mombasa Governor Joho at Maanzoni Lodge
Truth of the matter is Jubilee has minimal or no development manifestation to sell to their voters, the record is either underwhelming or completely pathetic. For this, they’re banking on the fear mongering to have a good turnout which if works, will give NASA a run die their money. Many are saying they’d rather stay at home then go and vote for people who instead worsen life situations. The high cost of living guys across all Kenyans regardless of political affiliation.
Jubilee has invested time and money on anti-Raila campaigns. This is running heavily on both popular social media networks and sponsored Google Search ads. Dedicated websites as ‘The Real Raila’ a creation of Cambridge Analytica is specifically tuned to paint a monster picture of Raila. There are more other websites with the same agenda. A day will barely pass without seeing an anti-Raila hashtag trending on Twitter and in fact as we speak, they’ve tripled the daily hashtags. It is business unusual.
What does this character assassination of Raila by Jubilee tells us, exposes the weakness and lack of focus? In their public rallies, Jubilee principals insist on having an issue-based political campaigns across the board as opposed to character hammering yet they at times bite their own tongues and do the exact and foot soldiers to the extreme. According to the latest IPSOS poll results, Uhuru maintains a lead of 47% with Raila second at 42% a 15% margin close in as of the previous poll. A Good 8% of voters are undecided on who they’ll vote for.
I can tell you for free that the pro-Raila will remain the same and vote him and so will pro-Uhuru, the strategists should, therefore, be only worried about the sway votes, the undecided voters. Does Jubilee, therefore, plan to win the hearts of undecided voters with maintained, toxic anti-Raila campaigns? Can’t jubilee conduct an issue based politics as they pride to be a change in traditional politicking set up? Bashing of Raila is nothing new. But let’s understand one thing that Jubilee is a cornered monkey, hanging onto anything to stay afloat including air, selling their development agenda has been a toll order with most Kenyans feeling more of inflation wrath than the so-called development projects. The portal launched has done less or failed to give them intended marks so here’s a person who’ll use any arsenal to kill.
Being a political season and inflammatory language consequences can Kenya afford a heated war tone campaign? It is ironic to call for peaceful and campaigns decorum while spewing hatred sewage with a side of your mouth. It is the time to tame loose tongues. Address issues as opposed to personalities. People want to know how jobs will be created, get better healthcare and affordable quality education, Kenyans want a reprieve from the high costs of living but not political rhetoric on personalities an escapism tactic.
Hours back, Jubilee was walking shoulders high after launching the biggest infrastructural development since independence, despite integrity questions, SGR is, without a doubt, a major step forward. The launch that dominated the media headlines from Mombasa to Shanghai gave Jubilee a sense of legitimacy with high political scoring it came with.
As Kenya marked its 54th year since attaining full independence, the government through its policy of holding national holidays across the country as opposed to traditional Nairobi, took it’s way to Nyeri. Lately, national events as Madaraka have been turned into political campaign platforms and I expected nothing different, the same speeches of outlining accomplishments of the government the only difference is the template. For that reason, I didn’t see anything worthy watching the event on TV until online outburst that prompted me to watch it online. Unexpectedly yet unsurprising, opposition leader and NASA Presidential candidate Raila was invited to the function. This here was set to be an interesting day.
The event started off with a clearly biased and sycophantic prayer from a Catholic bishop who went out of line praising jubilee achievements while at the same time delivering accusatory venom on the opposition. Instead of preaching love and peace he chose to serve his own interest.
Moments later as the event was building up, the set up was slowly melting from a national event into the local community’s event. From the choice of masters of ceremony to other speakers opting to publicly address in Kikuyu language turned the whole thing ugly. While it is understandable for using local dialect to be in sync with the locals, it was ours out of order. This wasn’t any other event but a national event held in Kikuyu land. It had to happen under elements of national unity and that included usage of Kiswahili and English only. But the organizers had their own interests to serve. Many Kenyans following the event across the country were left out as the event was reduced to a community ritual passage.
Raila Odinga at the Madaraka day event in Nyeri.
That wasn’t the end of blunders, the organizers had more botch job to perform. Speakers after the other, deliberately or rather uniformly failed to recognize the presence of Raila Odinga who by stature is a national leader with a tremendous influence. Odinga was denied a chance to address the nation which was in all senses done in bad taste. It doesn’t add up that presidential protocol saw it important inviting Raila to the faction but denying him a chance to speak. This is easily read as a political calculation that was aimed at humiliating Raila and undermining his strength. It is a political season and there’s nothing wrong playing it, however, this was not any other event but a national holiday. The same way people look at Uhuru as their leader is the same as Raila with his massive following. Sidelining of Raila has perfectly boomeranged on the organizers. The event has been left with a hate and tribalistic tag.
Both the President and his Deputy followed the suit of rest when they took to the podium, completely ignoring to recognize the presence of Raila in the event and even after the end of the function, didn’t bother to shake hands as it has been ritual on such occasions. It was hard listening to the President’s speech emphasizing on peace, love, and unity the greatest pillars of our existence yet in action they were publicly displaying, hatred, discrimination and turned a national event into a community event.
If the two took the water they were preaching instead of wine, it would have been such a beautiful show of unity in a highly polarized country especially with the elections, to see both the three have cordial engagements even for the camera. The event has done more damage to cohesion than good. It wouldn’t have cost a muscle if Raila was given a second to even cough, it wouldn’t have dethroned the duo of the simply recognized the presence of Raila who represents interests of many Kenyans. But again here we have a government that has perfected the art of ignoring things from corruption to now ignoring people at events. We wouldn’t have a debate of they didn’t invite him. The struggles of freedom fighters to have a united country without hatred and discrimination amongst ourselves has been shitted on by the covfefe boys. While in ordinary cases we would’ve seen a walk out, it is admirable how Raila calmly handled the situation without a drop of drama and allowed the humiliation script to run smoothly. But there’s someone we call karma, she barely forgets.
Happy Madaraka Day ladies and gentlemen. Let’s hope to have a better one next year because of this, was a hot mess. Too many childish behaviours can somebody grow up please.
Being a political season in a highly contested election, candidates are putting up the best teams, arsenal and sharpest strategies to woo and win hearts of the 19M IEBC registered voters. With barely two months to the 8th Aug date with electorates, jubilee and NASA are not taking anything into chances as they go full offensive to gather as many votes and win as many hearts.
While Jubilee won the election in 2013 campaigning on the youthful, new leadership and the ICC factor that brought together President Uhuru and his Deputy William Ruto, the cards have had to change four years later into power in popularizing their campaign. Jubilee is using the development platform as their core campaign material, greatly infrastructural projects. Jubilee hopes through the GoK Delivers campaign, the structures they’ve laid in their tenure will earn them another term in office.
Within the years of Jubilee rule, the state of Kenyan economy has become a center of focus with GDP showing positive index yet apparatus showing otherwise. Kenya thanks to jubilee now has record 4.5T public debt with inflation rate extremely high. Unemployment rate according to multiple sources now stands at 46% a disturbing figure given the fact that the youths make up to 67% of the 45M population. Corruption has been Jubilee’s greatest disgrace with an unimaginable amount of public funds stolen without repercussions. The cost of living has sailed from worse to worst under the last years of Jubilee administration leaving it with an ogre image.
A cartoon illustrating the state of nation on maize fiasco.
NASA is capitalizing on the failures of Jubilee in their pursuit of Statehouse occupation. Cost of living being high influenced the Unga revolution given the high prices of flour. Being a staple food to many, Unga was definitely going to be a winning campaign agenda for NASA. On realizing they were losing the scoring and NASA having an upper hand, jubilee swiftly moved in with ‘help’ to lower the maize prices through subsidy to millers. Unga prices would then drastically drop from 170 to 90 following GoK’s 6B subsidy which in essence is another burden to the taxpayer who’ll foot the bill. The Unga price reduction took off the greatest campaign asset from NASA with Jubilee now coming in as the. While the whole thing is surrounded with controversy gave crystal clear fingerprints of artificial food shortage with highly placed state officials as the chief architects, one thing is pretty obvious that food shortage is and was meant to be a campaign material for both camps.
It is not a coincidence that farmers were supplied with fake fertilizer and seeds that failed leading to drop in yield. It’s not a miracle that after DP Ruto, Agriculture CS Bett gave food security affirmation in January saying the Strategic Grains Reserve had enough maize to sustain the population only for same maize to disappear mysteriously creating a void in supply. It is not a miracle that the very day KRA have notice of tax exemption on maize a mysterious shop vessel supposedly full with maize left Durban for Mombasa and it is not a miracle that the very day that the maize was offloaded from the shop in Mombasa, it was milled, packed full with GoK subsidy stamp and supplied the very day. What I’m saying is the system is self-exposing, powerful individuals we’re yet to establish drained the Strategic Grains Reserve took maize and hid in some ship in the High seas waiting for the subsidy and tax exemption announcement to ‘import’ that maize from Mexico. Good security is government’s priority, A lapse in The system is directly linked to them.
Jubilee castigated the opposition for taking advantage of the food shortage to campaign against them calling it bloodsucking. However, a surface level investigation by Kenya Insights has unearthed how Jubilee using sophisticated propaganda tactics by Cambridge Analytica, are now fully and milking dry the situation in a well executed Google Search Algorithms manipulation. You’ll also realize the Unga released are packaged with GoK stamp a subliminal message meant to sell jubilee agenda as the rescue agent while it is pretty clear they’re fully to blame for creating the current situation thanks to rampant corruption and incompetent leadership.
Kenya Insights has discovered that A Google Search for the word ‘Unga’ will bring you a paid ad of an article from the Standard newspaper with a tweaked headline portraying President as the savior in the Unga quagmire. It is unclear yet of Standard Group is part of this campaign since their article is the one promoted to appear on Google Search pages. The sole message here is to paint Uhuru as stainless as possible and show how caring he is by reducing the price of Unga. It is worth mentioning that, the subsidy of 6B on maize is not a gift from the government, this a fresh debt to the already 4.5T. What this means, You and I will pay for that 6B.
We noticed that when you search for anything on Google and add ‘Unga in the search, the promoted standard newspaper article pops the top on every chat. What this strategy says is that looking for anything touching on Unga will first lead you to a praise and worship article on Uhuru and how he’s the one who has saved Kenya from starvation. You by now can tell jubilee is using the Unga topic to campaign heavily online. Google is the biggest search tool and.most visited in Kenya. By investing in the big data analytics, Jubilee knows a good number of people accessing Google will be reached.
Cambridge Analytica, the propaganda firm that jubilee hired for its digital wizardry, ìs famed for secretly influencing the outcome of Brexit and US presidential election. Politically motivated third parties including the “alt-right”, a far-right movement in the US, use a variety of techniques to trick the algorithm and push propaganda and misinformation higher up Google’s search rankings.
These insidious manipulations – both by Google and by third parties trying to game the system – impact how users of the search engine perceive the world, even influencing the way they vote. This has led some researchers to study Google’s role in the US presidential election.
Robert Epstein, a computer scientist from the American Institute for Behavioral Research and Technology spent four years trying to reverse engineer Google’s search algorithms. He believes, based on systematic research, that Google has the power to rig elections through something he calls the search engine manipulation effect (SEME).
Epstein conducted five experiments in two countries to find that biased rankings in search results can shift the opinions of undecided voters. If Google tweaks its algorithm to show more positive search results for a candidate, the searcher may form a more positive opinion of that candidate.
In September 2016, Epstein released findings, published through Russian news agency Sputnik News, that indicated Google had suppressed negative autocomplete search results relating to Hillary Clinton. This is the exact situation in Kenya right now, we searched for ‘Raila Unga’ and the results was intriguing. We discovered that unlike normal Google run that puts latest articles on top results, searching for Raila Unga brought articles from 2010,2011…and strangely enough, all the articles are on Raila negatively with links from the past linking him with maize scandal. You add Uhuru for us all on top search and Raila’s connection with maize cartel and realize this is a well coordinated digital campaign warfare. We also noticed foreign investors owned need website Tuko as consistently appearing going to affirm our sources that they’re also part of the propaganda team. They command impressive traffic reason they were roped in.
Then there’s the secret recipe of factors that feed into the algorithm Google uses to determine a web page’s importance – embedded with the biases of the humans who programmed it. These factors include how many and which other websites link to a page, how much traffic it receives, and how often a page is updated. People who are very active politically are typically the most partisan, which means that extremist views peddled actively on blogs and fringe media sites get elevated in the search ranking.
These platforms are structured in such a way that they are allowing and enabling – consciously or unconsciously – more extreme views to dominate. Appearing on the first page of Google search results can give websites with questionable editorial principles undue authority and traffic. These two manipulations can work together to have an enormous impact on people without their knowledge that they are being manipulated, and our research shows that very clearly. Virtually no one is aware of bias in search suggestions or rankings.
Twitter Kenya recently brought down their (TwitterKe) handle following persistent allegations that the San Francisco-based company was working with the Kenyan government to censor on trending topics that were castigating the authority. While Twitter has been accused elsewhere of employing such tactics, nothing straight can be said in this line.
All said, the new phase of political wars is on social media and perception is everything in winning votes, any side despising their opponent’s jabs is only doing so at own peril. Michael of Prison used a spoon to break prison walks literally, every jab counts that’s what I’m saying. Propaganda is part of politics If you’re targeted you neutralize with truth in a prompt well-structured communication system. We’re tired of dropping same bars so for obvious reasons some people won’t be mentioned here today.
Today, it is exactly 75 days to the election date, you’ll be treated to truths, half-truths, and blatant lies. What the digital mercenaries are doing for jubilee is toxic to the targeted but a job is well done to the client who is taking over digital space to tear down Raila and his character painting him a violent, failure and a never accept defeat person. While we all hold our own perceptions to these, the character assassination continues. Lastly, it is shameful that after creating this crisis, the state still has the nerves to milk the situation dry, maximizing on digital campaigns. Normally when Google Search Algorithms lapse is revealed they rush to adjust and by the time you end reading this article, with the little secret exposed, you might find out a change in the search results.
Over the past few weeks, the supporters of NASA have been on a full attack mode particularly online poking holes in the communication network of the coalition. Supporters have been expressing frustrations over the lack of a coordinated communication structures that they say has given jubilee an upper hand in winning the propaganda while getting away with lies. In most of the posts, The top party organs have come under attack over the lack of zealous campaign strategies while taking their support for granted.
Kenya Insights embarked on a fact-finding mission to unearth the biggest obstacles at the ODM’s Orange House which are practically NASA headquarters given the parties stakes. We’ve established that the building is occupied by some shady characters who’s the best interest is not the success of the party nor victory for Raila but rather their greed and selfish interests.
Some of the problems that have come out clear in our investigations point out that there is no synergy between ODM and other parties in NASA. The other parties have refused to be part of a common command center. Even though talks are in crucial stages to have a central center for NASA coordination, original parties still operate from their establishments.
2. ODUOR ONGWEN, this is the biggest impediment to an efficient system to make RAO the president. Ong’wen is a long-time friend to Raila, a statistician, and economist by profession, he’s an avid writer having penned for ODM in his columns. Previously, Ong’wen worked as the Director of Strategy, Policy, and Research in Raila’s presidential campaign team. At Orange House, we established that the ODM’s executive director is the total man and he runs the show. He pays people from his pocket. He has never called a single meeting to plan on anything. The ODM primaries were shambolic because of him. He embezzled all the money received from nomination fees. He received bribes to push candidates.
The ED has amongst key accusations of Blocking establishment of an efficient communication team, Establishment of an independent presidential campaign structure and Shambolic party nominations. When pushed by party supporters to the wall, Philip Etale, The ODM’s Communication Director in low tones revealed that he is incapacitated and as frustrated. Etale’s office has no or minimal allocations to facilitate media operations. In the time of social media euphoria, it is shocking that ODM doesn’t have a single unit of bloggers to push their agenda with most who does doing it from their organizations. Money is always released or so is the word but never gets to the bloggers disappearing into thin air. Communication has no budgetary allocations yet have ideas to change the game.
The system is so archaic; it is run by old strategists like Martin Oloo, Orengo and Nyong’o. They pull strings. While their experience in politics is diamond, the probabilities of being permeable to new ideas from the young and innovative are very high. Over time, it has been made clear that most of those who closely surround Raila don’t have his best interest at heart but okay as long as he remains beneficial to them.
Presidential Center
This is the center supposed to push for the presidential campaigns. This is where all the rot meet. Here, the office is a business center for cartels. They have the money but steal. For example the NDC, cartels refused to pay the PR company because it was brought by someone who is not part of them. Ong’wen is at the center of party failures, and he was recently rescued from an angry mob at Orange House who was baying for his blood following shambolic nominations.
Section of ODM supporters whom we interviewed expressed their disappointment and concern with how ODM party officials are running the party. The lack of leadership, communication, and coordination has spurred anger amongst Kenyans. “We choose to speak up of the rot in Orange House Cartels that is resulting in a loss of supporter base and poor presidential campaign.” Said one of the defenders.
Key Issues:
•Weak controls at ODM elections board are resulting in chaotic primaries.
•Growing Cartels, running the party for selfish & business interests e.g. sourcing for tenders
•Passive, reactive and ineffective communications at ODM resulting in loss of grassroots support Cartels
•Poor leadership by Exec Director – flawed on campaign management, budgetary allocation, comms & political strategy Cartels
•Lack of an independent presidential campaign structure to position coalition candidate Cartels
Unanimously, the aggrieved supporters made suggestions that:
•A change in ODM party leadership to that which is transparent, accountable and efficient.
•Shift in political strategy, to establish proper campaign framework that links to grassroots to improve voter contact
•Reprioritization of resources to ensure proper communication, branding and messaging.
•Expansion of party base and think-tanks to include volunteers willing to support the party
“ODM is a key NASA member & the stability of the coalition rests on democratic and stable parties. Party unity is key, & a healing process for winners & losers of the ODM primaries is needed to guard against fractions and disharmony. ODM should handle the campaign with the seriousness that it deserves & knowing that hopes and aspirations to kick out JAP in 08/08 rest on Raila. Through Raila, many see the revival of a stable democracy and economy in Kenya. These can only happen if ODM gets its house in order.”
Structural mistakes is what in the past has minimized Raila’s chances of winning election and this given to be his last shot, he can’t afford a single blunder, a well established strategic communication system must be in running knowing they’re not dealing with saints. Jubilee has invested heavily in communication because they know the secret in persuasion is in changing perceptions. Time is running out and NASA has little time to put the house in order. A presidential election is not a bedroom affair but needs a serious structural layout to achieve stainless results. Jubilee has this election to lose but blunders made by NASA would easily cost them their guaranteed victory. Kenyans are devastated with high cost of living that has shot up under jubilee, this is the issues we want to see being addressed and the new campaigns agenda.
Politics is science meaning finer details can’t be viewed with naked eyes. It needs deeper analysis to understand the unwritten aspects adequately. Communication is one thing, strategic, effective communication is everything. It is for this simple reason that even African dictators have resorted to services of international communication consultancy firms to help them control masses and eventually retain power. In recent elections where the opposition has been uprooting till death do us apart Presidents, have a strategic communication system to attribute their successes to.
In politics, perception is critical and how you build that iS entirely up to you, but you must make a narrative to serve your agenda. Psychological manipulation, building perceptions is why explicitly or perceived rogue leaders get overwhelming support, look at Sonko and the support he’s commanding despite negative publicity. Unity and Ruto had serious crimes hanging over their heads but used the loophole of psychological twisting to build a favorable perception that they were innocent and only being sacrificed by Raila to be crucified in public land.
While the reality and culpability to the alleged crimes remain open book, the duo manipulated facts and changed perceptions that would later cost the favorable Raila a win in the election.
Propaganda is a traditional take on trade in politics that has worked for systems worldwide. The effectiveness of a well-choreographed propaganda can’t be put any better. Politics is not a game for the Saints, and that’s the unwritten truth, you either get your hands dirty or find yourself in the cold.
Jubilee unlike 2013 where they ran on a youthful new leadership euphoria and ICC bond, have totally lost leverage and despite the fact that we’re less than 100 days to the general elections are yet to settle on a central campaign platform. Jubilee has tried to use development as their campaign agenda capitalizing especially on infrastructure, going as far as launching a portal to sell their record including massive mainstream media hyping of same records but this has proven to be a task to sell. Cost of living has disturbingly shot up in the last four years that it becomes nearly impossible to convince the poor mwananchi who’s spending more to put enough food on the table that the country has developed.
Development and improvement of the economy to the normal mwananchi who survive on hand to mouth basis is not the SGR or any other infrastructural development but the table, if they can’t feel it in the household, then everything else is music to a dead ear.
The effectiveness of building perceptions has seen opposition squarely paint jubilee as a corrupt government given unending scandals; they ensured all fraud schemes were exposed and this is the ugly stain that Jubilee has struggled to remove in vain. Economic ratings rank Kenya as steadily rising with impressive GDP, but the apparatus speaks a different reality. Cost of living in Kenya has shot up to ridiculous levels, companies have either been downsizing or leaving Kenya because of the extreme business environment, the unemployment rate has hit an all-time high of 46%. This is the loophole and advantage that NASA has jumped into promising magic of resetting Kenya to default settings of affordable life.
President Kenyatta receives Gitobu Imanyara as a Jubilee partner.
The high cost of living remained NASA’s greatest bargaining power and campaign platform until Jubilee saw a lapse in their communication system and rushed in to spoil the party, convening a special Parliament meeting to discuss how to lower food prices with a supplementary budget to the same. NASA had a golden opportunity to maximize and milk this failure on the government entirely but has failed to capitalize on Jubilee’s failures. It takes prompt and flawless media strategic position to build a narrative around this and change perceptions. This was the opportunity to expose the poor governance in Jubilee which is to blame for the state the country is in. This was the time to task Jubilee to explain to Kenyans why they didn’t put in place effective food security measures.
It is also the time NASA would be making Jubilee lose weight explaining where the 15B allocated to Galana Kulalu irrigation project that was meant to answer to food shortage go; it failed terribly. It is also the time Jubilee would be tasked to answer as to why drought eradication can’t include water harvesting even as we have heavy rains. Kenya can’t run on 90s management yet we expect change, effective governance would have factored in that by now. Also, an opportune time to ask why to take fertilizer supplied to farmers turned out to be fake and infectious leading to drop on corruption. A subsidy from the government, who supplied farmers with plastic fertilizer.
The Kibandas don’t serve the extra ugali piece(sosa) anymore, and this is where that juacali artisan is directly affected, maize prices had shot up more than double amount from when Jubilee took power, during campaigns, Ruto is quoted promising for unga prices to go down on taking office, this would’ve have been perfect time to replay him the videos and ask what happened. Prices of domestic goods have altogether shot up, and this is why it was such a great campaign platform that Jubilee couldn’t allow to go, it is felt in all households.
While Jubilee’s move to help reduce the cost of essential commodities is a great move as regular mwananchi will get a reprieve, It exposes the put out of touch nature of the government, everything happened under their watch, unconcerned until reality hit that it was being used as campaign platform against them. The sudden concern for the affordable cost of living is, therefore, more plastic than silicon on those glands.
NASA took their time to fully capitalize on this either because they didn’t have in place any plan, nI communication strategy or sheer incompetence by existing team or perhaps somebody thought miracles would happen as in Prophet Owuor crusades. The communication lapse gave Jubilee time to re-strategize in responding the failures. This is the price to pay for poor strategizing.
Jubilee has an endless list of failures, and this doesn’t necessarily guarantee that Kenyans will reject them and that’s why they’re on a positive perception building overdrive How this is done, simple, media takeover. Jubilee is running ads and commanding maximum mainstream media coverage. You control the media you control the masses.
Jubilee has also revamped their online army even though most are malnourished with pending payments. Latest project ‘The Real Raila’ which is a direct demonizing campaign on Raila, is heavily funded by Google, Twitter, Facebook sponsored posts. The project which has been exposed to have a base in Statehouse under Dennis Itumbi watch is running ads daily spending millions.
Unlike Jubilee’s 36bloggers who’ve in their ineffective online campaigns have displayed ignorance and out of touch with everything, NASA online soldiers evidently show articulation and grasp with typical issues. A well-managed communication system ought to take advantage of this to run a coordinated, effective online battle without which it is chasing the wind. NASA must keep in mind they’re not dealing with the common political outfit, Jubilee has invested in propaganda arsenal which can only be squashed with timely communication, giving a false narrative to travel won’t take it back if the war is online, counter with a well motivated and competent team same to mainstream. Media create agendas that switch perceptions.
In 2013 September, five months after Jubilee took over power, effective September 2nd, 2013, among other products the prices of milk, newspapers, textbooks, fertilizers, and mobile phone handsets went up as a result of implementing the new VAT Act 2013.
The previously VAT exempted commodities were now subjected to 16% VAT. Under that new law by Jubilee, the 12% rate for electricity, as well as the electricity exemption for certain households, was also repealed.
Also, according to that law, effective 1 September 2016 (last year) certain petroleum products became taxable with 16% VAT. The changes have led to a strong impact on Kenyans increasing the overall costs of living. According to William Ruto (in 2013), the purpose of the drastic VAT change was to generate revenue for the nation’s development agenda.
The money was scheduled to go into public constructions including road and rail system improvements. It should also help the public hospitals. This was in 2013, fast forward to 2017. Kenyans are feeling the pinch. The cost of essential commodities is beyond the roof, but Jubilee is blaming the cost of living on drought. It is fallacious for Jubilee today, to claim that it is doing all it can to reduce the cost of living.
