Reader Request: Photo of the Moment
A ride in the underground train. Sometimes, there are no vacant seats and passengers have to stand. Men and women of different nationalities ride to different destinations. They are usually very quiet or reading something like a newspaper or a book. Others could be fumbling with their eye-phones. Yes! EYE-phones which enables then to look and see deeper into things.! No conversations with strangers. The train usually stops from station to station to allow more passengers to board as others disembark. You have to ride in the underground to see unique people as they wait to reach their destinations. If you are lucky, you could see unique features. That's life in the underground train. You just have to live with it.
Makonde Band Live: Sat 28th January at Hornstul
KC: Internationellt Kultulcentrum: BERGSUNDS STRAND 43 T-BANAN HORNSTUL, BUSS NO. 4
Sammy Kasule: Bass/Vocals Bobo Mwanavita: Vocals Ame Winald: Keyboards Christina Frank: Vocals Göran Larsson: Guitar: Peter Lindhämere: Trumpet Linus Lindblom: Sax Unnar Johannson: Drums Umberto Rosales: Percussion
Je, Uchaguzi Utakaokuja Utaleta Maendeleo Endelevu?
Makala ya Nguvu ya Hoja, KSB Januari 27, 2012
Ndugu Mwandawiro Mghanga
Maendeleo ni kuongezeka kwa kuboreka kwa hali na maisha katika jamii. Maendeleo endelevu ni yale yanayohusisha, kunufaisha na kuendeleza watu wote katika jamii bila kuwacha wengine nyuma na pembeni. Ni kuhakikisha kuna usawa wa kijinsia na pia kutambuliwa na kuendelezwa kwa lugha na tamaduni za makabila yote yanayoishi nchini. Ni pamoja na kutumia vizuri, kulinda na kuhifadhi maliasili na mazingira. Ni kujenga utamadini wa demokrasi, amani, usalama na haki za binadamu ili kufanya maendeleo yanayokua na kujiendeleza kadiri wakati unavyoendelea. Ni kuondoa ufukara kwa wote.
Kenya bado hatufanyi maendeleo endelevu maana wachache tu ndiyo wanaoishi maisha bora huku wengi wakididimia katika hali ya ufukara, ujinga na ukosefu wa kila hali. Wachache wanaishi katika mitaa mizuri na ya kupendeza katika nyumba kubwa za fahari zilizozungukwa na mazingira mazuri ya mandhari ya kupendeza na ya afya. Wengi wanaishi katika mitaa ya mabanda yenye ufukara, uchafu, hatari, ghasia, uhalifu, uvundo na dhiki tilatila. Kenya ni ya mfumo wa kitabaka. Idadi kubwa zaidi ya wananchi ni wa tabaka la mafukara ambao wamenyimwa uwezo wa kushiriki katika maendeleo ya kuboresha maisha. Hapawezi kuwa na maendeleo endelevu katika hali ambapo idadi kubwa zaidi ya watu katika jamii ni mafukara ambao hawawezi kumudu mahitaji ya kimsingi chakula, nguo, nyumba, matibabu, elimu, maji na mazingira bora.
Pengo kati ya matajiri na mafukara ni kubwa mno na linazidi kupanuka kila siku. Kwani ubinafsishaji na uhuruishaji wa uchumi, ardhi na maliasili na hata na elimu na matibabu, yote haya yanawawezesha wachache tu katika jamii wenye ushawishi wa kisiasa, kiuchumi na kikoo kuendelea kutumia jasho la wengi kujilimbikizia utajiri kila siku ilihali wengi hawana fursa wala matumaini ya kujikokota kujitoa kutoka katika hali ya shida na umaskini. Watu wengi wanalazimika kuishi maisha yasiyo tofauti na ya wanyama ya kutafuta mahitaji ya kimsingi tu kila siku miaka nenda rudi, hasa chakula, bila kuwa na wakati wa kupumzika au kustarehe wala hali ya kufurahia sanaa na tamasha za kitamaduni.
Ufisadi miongoni mwa viongozi umekuwa sehemu ya utamaduni na kizingiti kikubwa cha maendeleo. Badala ya kuhakikisha sheria zinafanya kazi ipasavyo kuhakikisha usimamizi bora wa maendeleo, viongozi wanavunja na kusababisha kuvunjwa kwa sheria kiholela. Ndiyo kwa sababu barabara hazijengeki ipasavyo; mitaa ya mabanda yenye nyumba mbaya, chafu na zinazohatarisha maisha inaonekana kila pahali nchini; kiwango cha elimu ikiwemo ya juu na hasa ya chuo kikuu kimeshuka mno; uharibifu wa mazingira unaendelea; na huduma muhimu mbalimbali zinazoroteka au kukosekana huku uhalifu ukiongezeka.
Sera za kujenga na kubomoa haziwezi kuleta maendeleo. Kwa sababu ya ufisadi, ulafi, ujinga, umaskini, kutojali, kutokuwa na haya wala aibu, kutotekeleza sheria na mipango, kukubali maisha yasiyo ya kiutu, tunajenga na kubomoa taasisi badala ya kuzirekebisha, kuzikuza na kuziendeleza. Tunajenga majumba ambayo tunajua kutoka mwanzo yatabomolewa punde si punde maana yamejengwa vibaya na kinyume cha kanuni zilizowekwa. Mitaa ya mabanda ambayo itabomolewa siku zijazo inachipuka kote mijini huku wizara na idara zinazohusika zikiangalia. Hatujengi vitu vya kudumu, tunajenga vya kuharibika na kuharibiwa kesho. Hatujazoea kukarabati bali tunangojea mambo, mkiwemo barabara, nyumba na miundo msingi, yaharibike kabisa ndipo tuanze kujenga upya tena. Badala ya kuziba ufa tunangoja hadi tutakapolazimika kujenga kuta hatimaye. Ndipo pamoja na chaguzi za kila baada ya miaka mitano tunabaki palepale, hatusongi mbele. Tumeshindwa kutumia mapinduzi ya sayansi na tekinolojia yanayoendelea ulimwenguni kutoa nchi yetu kutoka kwa hali ya ufukara na kukwama na kuipeleka katika barabara ya maendeleo endelezi. Tumebaki katika hali ya kuishi maisha ya bahati na sibu na kutegemea misaada na maumbile kama wanyama.
Jambo la kusikitisha zaidi ni kuwa tunajua na kufahamu kuwa chimbuko cha kutokuwa na maendeleo endelevu ni mfumo na utawala mbaya ambao umeendesha nchi yetu kutoka wakati wa ukoloni hadi sasa. Viongozi waliyoko ni matapeli wa kisiasa ambao hawana nia wala haja ya kubadilisha hali hii kwa ubora maana wamekuwa watumwa wa maadili na vitendo vya ulafi wa kujinyakulia na kujilimbikizia kama fisi. Badala ya kupigana na umaskini wanapiga maskini. Watu ambao wametajirika kutokana na ufisadi, wizi na uporaji wa mali ya umma na hata kutokana na biashara haramu na katili ya madawa ya kulevya na kila aina ya uhalifu wanaheshimiwa na hata kufanywa viongozi. Mabilionea na mamilionea wa uhalifu wanasifiwa hata na kuombewa makanisani na misikitini. Uwoga, kutojali, unafiki, ubarakala, ukabila na mazoea ya kutegemea vya bwerere wakati wa uchaguzi – haya yote yanashindilia wengi wetu katika hali ya ufukara. Na kuongezeka kwa ufukara ni tisho kwa amani na usalama nchini. Je, tunajitayarisha kushiriki uchaguzi wa kuwachagua viongozi watakaoleta maendeleo endelevu? Au baada ya uchaguzi utakaokuja tutabaki na hali hii hii iliyoko leo? Hii ni changamoto kwa kila mwananchi, hasa wengi wanaonyonywa na kugandamizwa.
Mwandawiro Mghanga, Barua pepe: mwandawiro.mghanga(at)gmail.com
A Million Signatures for Muthaura, Uhuru to Resign!
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Ambassador Sam Sakajja Memorial: Bohusgatan 25: Saturday 28th
Ambassador Sakajja to be remembered by friends in Stockholm
RIP Ambassador Sakajja pix
US Urges Kenya to Cooperate with ICC
WASHINGTON — The United States on Monday urged Kenya and its people to continue cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC) which ruled that four key Kenyans should be tried over post-election unrest.
“We believe accountability for the 2007-2008 post-election violence is critical to ensuring Kenya?s democracy, peace, and long-term stability,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in a statement.
The Hague-based ICC said Monday that charges of crimes against humanity had been confirmed against presidential candidates William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta over deadly unrest that erupted following a disputed 2007 presidential vote.
Ruto and Kenyatta are allies of Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki.
Two other Kenyans, radio host Joshua arap Sang, 36, and Francis Muthaura, 65, the head of Kenya’s civil service, will also face trial. Ruto and Sang were opposition supporters in 2007.
More than 1,100 people died in the post-election violence, shattering Kenya’s image as a beacon of regional stability. While Washington makes no judgment as to the innocence or guilt of the four suspects, it calls on Kenya to live up to the spirit of its new constitution “which embraces transparency, accountability and integrity,” Nuland said.
“We urge the Kenyan government, the people of Kenya, and the individuals involved to continue to cooperate fully with the ICC proceedings and to remain focused on Kenya?s future, especially through implementation of the reform agenda,” Nuland said.
“The United States is committed to continuing to support Kenya’s ambitious reform process as Kenya looks ahead to its first national elections under the new constitution,” Nuland said.
Associated Press
ICC Indictments of Ocampo 4: Message from PM Raila Odinga
NAIROBI, Monday 23^rd January, 2012 at 1700Hrs
The Prime Minister has taken note of the decision made by the International Criminal Court at the Hague on Monday, January 23rd 2012.
As it is now, it is important for all Kenyans to await the final outcome of the process. Indeed the Kenyan Nationals before the Court are still innocent.
The Prime Minister hopes that the final outcome will deliver justice to both the Kenyan Nationals before the ICC and the victims of post-election violence.
In the meantime, the Prime Minister appeals to all Kenyans to remain calm and peaceful.
Raila Odinga, PM, Republic of Kenya
Mose Has Lost His Sister in Kenya
KSB announces the death of Mose’s sister in Kenya. Friends, sympathizers and well-wishers will meet at Mose’s residence at Vallhorvägen 1 in Skogås from 17.00 hrs. For further info, call: 0739559894. KSB sends deep condolences to the entire family of Mose during this time of great shock and sorrow. We hope that the family will have the strength to go through this very difficult moment. May the soul of the departed sister rest in eternal peace.
Okoth Osewe
Ocampo’s Reaction to ICC Confirmation of Charges Ruling
Chief Prosecutor Moreno Ocampo
In a majority decision, the judges confirmed charges against Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura and journalist Joshua arap Sang. Charges against Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey and former Police Commissioner Hussein Ali were not confirmed after the Judges found insufficient grounds for sustaining them.
Now we have understood that the first acts of violence were planned for months by an organization. That is important because it shows the violence was triggered.
I would like to recognize that the suspects’ attitude helped to have a positive debate.
President Kibaki’s commitment to resettle IDPs is very important because it shows concern to the victims.
The reason Mr Kosgey was left off was because there was only one witness. In the case of Mr Ali, we are still investigating Police activities in Kibera and Kisumu.
Some suspects have said they will appeal the ruling; we should respect that.
We respect the right of the suspects to appeal and the Judges shall decide. It’s still a long journey but yesterday was a milestone.
Kenya has a right to challenge (admissibility of cases in the ICC) and if they have a genuine case, it is okay.
We are managing the witnesses very well, nothing wrong has happened. As you know there is a unit for the witnesses.
In the Ruto case, we had a witness who said Mr Ruto was in the lead and Mr Sang was giving out the information. Another witness said Mr Kosgey was also in the lead. But it was only one witness, so the Judges said it was not enough.
The Police were providing free zones for the Mungiki that was why we thought Mr Ali was involved. That is why we are going back to check on Kibera and Kisumu.
The decision to release the two was based on factual analysis. What we need to do now is more research.
(Regarding Mr Ruto and Mr Kenyatta’s presidential candidature) Who runs in Kenya, how to do it is a Kenyan question. It is not up to me.
Pre-trial is not punishment. Punishment will come at the end.
Kenya will show the world how to manage a crisis. That to me is a new thing. This shows a different path in the 21st century in resolving conflict.
Having the suspects tried at the same time is one of the options we are looking at.
Download: Full Text of Confirmation of Charges Hearings of Ocampo Six
- DOWNLOAD: Confirmation of charges hearings for William Ruto, Henry Kosgey and Sang
- DOWNLOAD: Confirmation of charges hearings for Uhuru Kenyatta, Commissioner Ali and Francis Muthaura
Update on Ocampo Six: Four Charges Confirmed; Two Thrown Out
NEWS UPDATE: ICC pre-trial judges confirm charges against four of the six Kenyan suspects. Judges confirm charges against Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto, Eldoret MP William Ruto, head of civil service Francis Muthaura and journalist Joshua Sang. Charges against Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey and Hussein Ali dropped.
JUDGE TRENDAFILOVA: On the case against Mr Ruto and Mr Uhuru, the chamber was satisfied that they are criminally responsible for the alleged crimes as indirect perpetrators of the crimes. But the Chmaber does not believe that the Kenya Police was involved in the crimes. It is for this reason why we did not find the evidence against Mr Ali enough to sustain the charges.
JUDGE TRENDAFILOVA: The court found Mr Ruto as a direct perpetrator of the crimes, while Mr Sang was an associate. The chamber was not satisfied by the evidence against Mr Kosgey.
JUDGE TRENDAFILOVA: The chamber found substantial ground to believe there was an attack against civilian residents in Nakuru and Naivasha, in particular those belonging to Luos, Luhya and Kalenjin tribes.
JUDGE TRENDAFILOVA: As for Mr Kosgey and Mr Ali, I would like to tell them that the prosecutor may present a request to appeal against this ruling.
Kenya’s Ocampo Six ICC Live Judgement Links
Kenya situation: Decisions on the confirmation of charges to be issued on 23 January
•English: http://livestream.xs4all.nl/icc1.asx
•French: http://livestream.xs4all.nl/icc2.asx
Situation: The Republic of Kenya
Cases: The Prosecutor v. William Samoei Ruto, Henry Kiprono Kosgey and Joshua Arap Sang
The Prosecutor v. Francis Kirimi Muthaura, Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and Mohammed Hussein Ali
On Monday, 23 January 2012, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC) will issue its decisions to confirm or decline to confirm the charges in the case of The Prosecutor v. William Samoei Ruto, Henry Kiprono Kosgey and Joshua Arap Sang and in the case of The Prosecutor v. Francis Kirimi Muthaura, Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and Mohammed Hussein Ali. The confirmation of charges hearings in these two cases were held from 1 to 8 September 2011 and from 21 September to 5 October 2011, respectively.
The decisions will be notified in writing to the parties and participants in both cases. Thereafter, the Judges of Pre-Trial Chamber II will appear publicly in Courtroom I at 11:30 (The Hague time) for the sole purpose of informing the public about the outcome of their decisions. Neither the parties nor the participants will be present in the Courtroom during this public appearance.
Practical information for journalists
Web streaming: The Judges’ public appearance can be followed live on the ICC website at:
Courtroom I :
•English: http://livestream.xs4all.nl/icc1.asx
•French: http://livestream.xs4all.nl/icc2.asx
AV programmes
Audio and video recordings of the Judges’ public appearance will be available the same day, on the ICC YouTube channel for viewing, and for downloading in broadcast quality on the Court’s FTP server.
Attending the Judges’ appearance
Journalists attending the Judges’ public appearance on 23 January are kindly asked to:
•confirm their attendance by sending an email to: PublicAffairs.Unit@icc-cpi.int;
•arrive no later than 11:00 (The Hague time);
•use the public entrance located at Regulusweg; and
•present a valid press identification card.
http://www.icc-cpi.int/NR/exeres/8262D3FC-D5EE-4F1F-A7FC-3D877897AC72.htm
Nyambu Trial Day 2: Only Closing Arguments Left in Children’s Murder Trial
The trial of the mother who is accused of murdering her two sons in Sigtuna in September 2011, has now been closed for the day. Next time, on January 30, the prosecutors and lawyers will present their final submission.
It is most likely that the mother, who admitted that she killed her children, will be sentenced to forensic psychiatric care. That she is seriously mentally disturbed is clear, given the results of a recent forensic psychiatric examination. It is usually the practice of Swedish law, following the recommendations made by forensic pathologists.
In the morning, several witnesses testified in Attunda District Court, including the woman’s employer. She testified that she was a mother who regarded her children highly, but oscillated between being happy and positive, to increasingly becoming angry and aggressive.
She became angry and resigned from work, when she was denied an extended leave to travel to Kenya. When she returned to Sweden and wanted the job back, it was too late. She had got into loggerheads with both her colleagues and her boss.
During the morning session, a female friend of the mother testified about her relationship with her and the two boys.
“We were a bit like family; the children used to call me ‘grandmother’ and they played with my kids,” she said.
The friend also mentioned that the mother lived for her children and she basically had no other relations, apart from her children and the friend. The mother also had many demands heaped on her from relatives in Kenya, who wanted her to send money.
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New Book On Kenya December 2007 Election Crisis: In Circulation
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