ODM-Scandinavia Supporters To Meet In Stockholm
The Orange Democratic Movement in Scandinavia (ODM-Scandinavia) will hold its second public meeting on Saturday November 4th from 16.00 at Tensta Träff. According to Mr. Dancan Munala, the Secretary of the Party, the meeting will discuss the latest events within the Party since its formation on October 14th while it will also be used to recruit new members.
Mr. Munala said that ODM supporters continued to register with the Party and hoped that the trend will continue. Last week, seven Kenyans joined the Party which has invited Kenyans to attend the Saturday meeting. Mr. Munala said that the focus of ODM-Scandinavia is to ensure that the Party branch in Kenya seizes power in next year’s elections.
ODM Chairperson Mrs Hellen Opwapo told Kenya Stockholm Blog that members who reside as far as Denmark and Finland have showed interest in the party. “It is just a matter of time before they become members”, she said.
Leaflets containing information about ODM-Scandinavia are already in circulation in Stockholm and the formation of the Party branch appears to have been well received especially by Kenyans who are tired of the corrupt government of President Mwai Kibaki.
Mr. Munala said that Kenyans in Stockholm have been able to follow ODM-Scandinavia activities because the Party is open. “We do not organize secret meetings in apartments because ODM-Scandinavia is not a secret Party”, he said.
In the meantime, ODM-K supporters in Norway will meet on Saturday 11th November to begin discussions about setting up a branch in Oslo. According to Mr. Peter Ranginya, an ODM contact, many Kenyans have shown interest in the Party in Oslo.
Okoth Osewe
makosewe@gmail.com
Massive Turn-out At Kenya Märsta Party
There was massive turn-out at yesterday’s Kenya Party in Märsta that was organized by a group of Kenyans who live there. Over 80 revelers from all walks of life thronged the hall to socialize and dance away the night under the astute command of DJ Jimmy and DJ Yunas. Kenyans, Swedes, friends of Kenya and other contacts wriggled their bodies on the dance floor to a variety of tunes that were being spinned by the two DJs.
Speaking to Kenya Stockholm Blog, Mr. Charles Otieno, one of the Party organizers, said that he was satisfied with the turn-out and thanked all those who attended the Party which continued until the wee hours of Sunday morning.
The Party was the second to have been organized in Märsta in recent times. The success of the Party has elevated Märsta as an alternative Party joint that will, most likely, break the monotony of both Alby and Norsborg. Some Kenyans who had gone to the “Operation Thunderbolt” Party at Alby traveled all the way to Märsta claiming that the Alby Party was sleepy.
“The party in Alby appears to have been boycotted by Kenyans and since we are looking for action, we have decided to come here”, said a Kenyan soon after arriving from Alby.
When KSB visited the Alby Party, the situation did not look good. Although the Party started at 18.00 hrs, there were less than 10 people by 11.00 when KSB crew of three left to survey the situation in Märsta.
Mr. Otieno said that it is important that Kenyans in Stockholm have alternative Party venues instead of depending on just one or two venues.
“Kenyans should also try to avoid organizing parties on the same day unless it is very necessary”, he told Kenya Stockholm Blog.
He said that he had no qualms with organizers of “Opertaion Thunderbolt” Party which was announced after information about the Märsta Party went public. “Kenyans are mature enough and they have a right to chose where they want to party”, he said.
When asked when they are planning a new Party in Märsta, Mr. Otieno said that the group will meet to evaluate yesterday’s Party before planning a new one.
Okoth Osewe
makosewe@gmail.com
Debate: Clay Onyango Responds To Jared Odero
Mr Odero, if I may ask: How many organizations have Kenyans in Sweden started or established with Committees, Master planning and have flopped? They are many as you also know. Who said that if you want to organize a party, a wedding, a fundraising or form an organization you always have to have a Master plan and elect a Committee?
In fact, do you know why our organizations in Sweden fail? Because of too many Master planners. I believe in recruiting serious members, have an agenda, discuss and then lay down all the rules. Why do we fundraise in case of death and then dance there after? death is also a huge issue. As for the case of the regime change in Kenya, who said there couldn’t be a regime change in the whole of Europe, leave alone Sweden? A regime change could lead to people being forced to go back where they came from. The account issue is to be agreed by the members.
Clay Onyango
Deabte: Clay Onyango Responds To Okoth Osewe
Thanks a lot Mr Okoth Osewe for the healthy discussion. The idea is not just to build apartments but to invest in Kenya in any other good venture. Contributing 100 kr does not mean that that’s the money we will rely on. Once we have a good number of serious members, we could agree and raise the contribution to even 1000 kr per member per month. As I said earlier, there is money from the drinks and food that will also be deposited in the same account.
This money from Alby parties that you are talking about could be little but do not forget that kidogo kidogo hujaza kibaba. In the case of Nyama choma parties, each party sometimes could raise between 5000 to 6000 kr. This is still little but it is something. The main motive of tomorrow’s party in Alby is to recruit members and not to fundraise.
I do not think we should sit down and form a Committee without having a good number of members. We should get the members first and then lay down all the rules and even elect the Committee as members. As for the account number, it’s so sad that you cannot even rely on your own Embassy or government to help you out.
The account issue will be upon the members to decide ie where and how to save their money in case they feel that they cannot rely on the Embassy. Yes, property in Kenya is expensive but how did those individuals acquire them? Not necessarily through corruption but loans or maybe, they started small businesses that turned out to be big. That could be the case with Thurderbolt! However small we will be, we will have to begin from somewhere. Let us keep debating on this issue. It is a very healthy debate.
Clay Onyango
Commentary: Is “Operation Thunder Bolt” Viable?
Obviously, the idea mooted by Mr. Clay Onyango on how Kenyans in Sweden can build apartments back home with the intention of residing in these apartments in the future is laudable. It is a noble idea which needs support from all economically progressive Kenyans in Sweden. However, if the idea is put under the microscope, catastrophic loop holes which could subvert the whole idea emerges. Although Mr. Clay is already moving towards the implementation of the idea, I wish to draw the attention of readers to certain critical points while at the same time asking several questions.
The initiative is moving from the idea level to the implementation level without a basic structure on how the whole system of “Operation Thunderbolt” will function. Apart from a general outline published at this blog site, there is no document which can act as a point of reference or which could address the myriad questions that emerge about the whole idea.
Clay gave the example of 50 members who could pay 100 kr each, raise 600.000 kr in ten years, apply for a Bank loan and build apartments. Statistically, the opportunity sounds huge. But if the statistics are reduced to a unitary level, a totally different picture emerges.
At the individual level, a person within the group of 50 contributing 100 kr per month will be able to raise 1.200 kr per year. In ten years, this will amount to 12.000 kr or 120.000 Kenyan shillings. The big question is: Will it be possible for this amount of money to build an apartment in Kenya?
When I last checked, the cheapest 3-4 roomed apartment blocks in Nairobi were going for 3-4 million Kenyan shillings ie 300-400 thousand Swedish Crowns. If every individual will be able to raise only 12.000 kr in ten years, where will the millions needed to build the apartments come from? Don’t tell me that it will come from parties in Alby!
According to Clay, the group could apply for a Bank loan using 600.000 kr that shall have been raised in 10 years. If one person will need 400.000 kr to build an apartment, 50 people will need 20 million kr for 50 apartment blocks. This is a whooping 200 million Kenyan shillings. The question is: Will it be possible to acquire a loan of 20 million kr with a deposit of 600.000 kr? In any case, who will provide the collateral for the loan and how will the loan be repaid? These are important questions that need to be addressed otherwise the idea will simply collapse.
Apart from the cost of construction, land is very expensive in Kenya. The assumption here is that the plan is not to build the apartments in some remote village in Nyalgunga. While still working with the hypothetical figure of 50 members, I could bet my liver that in Kenya, a piece of land where 50 apartment blocks (each with a swimming pool?) could be built will cost more than 6 million Kenyan shillings. In other words, after cash has been raised for ten years, the group might wake up to discover that it might not even be possible to buy a piece of land where the apartments could be built so what exactly is Mr. Clay talking about?
Another issue is on administration. The idea is moving towards implementation without a Board of Directors, a Committee or even a working group that could steer it. Mr. Clay has not called a single meeting of Kenyans where the idea could be discussed. Kenyans are expected to join the Operation without being told what the rules are. For example, membership fee is going to be paid at the Party on Saturday but since there is still no account, where is the cash going to be kept? Will it be deposited at the Kenyan embassy in Stockholm or will Clay become the custodian of public funds pending consultations with the embassy to help open an account?
I might not be able to ask all the hanging questions now. Why should 25% of a member’s savings in the group be retained if one wants to quit? Is the group aware that in Sweden, it is illegal and criminal to retain the savings of an individual even if it is 1 kr? What happens if a member dies or if a member who has been contributing 100 kr fails to get an apartment after ten years? From what Clay presented, it should be possible for a member to pay 12.000 kr to cover the next 10 years then wait for an apartment in Kenya. What happens if this does not happen and who will take responsibility when I cannot get my apartment after paying up and waiting for ten years?
I ask: Why must Kenyans go through the Embassy to open an account? How can representatives of one of the most corrupt governments in the world be consulted on matters of serious financial operations of this nature or have we forgotten that serikali inaweza kula pesa? Which Embassy staff is legally accountable for a private economic operation of Kenyan nationals of the type being mooted and what happens if things go wrong? In any case, what is so complicated in Kenyans opening an account?
Further, Will the account be opened in Kenya or in Sweden? Who will be the signatories to this account? If the account will be based in Sweden and profits from parties used to build the project, how will the group relate to Swedish tax laws especially clauses that deal with taxation of profits of economic operations that could run into thousands of Swedish Crowns? Has someone thought about these issues or is Osewe simply out of touch with reality on the ground?
You do not expect right thinking people to put money in an account for ten years without having a say on questions of internal democracy within the group. How will the leadership cycle be organized, what are the rights and privileges of members, who will be taking decision and how will major decisions within the group be taken? What happens if a member defaults in payment or if a member misbehaves? Can a member be expelled or suspended from the group? If yes, under what circumstances? Clay said that members will be informed every month “about progress” in the group. Who will inform members? Is it the Embassy or is it Clay?
In summery, “Operation Thunderbolt” is a good idea which lacks a “Blueprint”. In any case, the name “Operation thunderbolt” is militaristic and James Bond-like while it has connotations or echoes of “violence” that is incompatible with an economic theme. If the word “Operation” has to be used, why not “Operation Apartment Blocks?” or “Kenya-Sweden Investment Initiative”?
Given the magnitude of the operation, 100 kr per month is too little and likely to scare people who are much more serious. It will be impossible to sell the idea that the operation will deliver an apartment in Kenya in ten years if only you can pay 100 kr per month! Jameni. Is it just myself reading from another script?
The point I am trying to make here is that “Operation Thunderbolt” is like a tall skyscraper whose construction has began without an architectural plan. The foundation is being set but nobody knows how deep it should go. You can just imagine what could happen if it succeeds in reaching the fifth floor. If critical questions are not addressed at this stage, it might come tumbling down on innocent members with much more devastating consequences. These questions have been raised in the spirit of solidarity with the initiative and an urge to strengthen the idea. This is my take for now.
Okoth Osewe
makosewe@gmail.com
Late Juliet Kavinga Was Shot In The Back
According to Police investigations, the late Juliet Kavinga, a Kenyan citizen whose body was found floating at Lake Mälaren in the outskirts of Stockholm in August this year, was shot in the back at close range by her Swedish boyfriend before her body was packed in a tarpaulin and dumped at Ekerö. Juliet was seven months pregnant at the time of her death.
When the case came up for mentioning in court early this week, the Chief prosecutor, Tora Holst, told the court that the motive of the murder was based on the fact that Juliet had refused to conduct an abortion as had been demanded by her boyfriend.
A witness who was close to Juliet and who was interviewed by police said that she knew that the child Juliet was carrying had been fathered by the accused and that she also knew that the boyfriend did not want Juliet to carry the pregnancy to term.
A report from a pre-natal clinic at Upplandsväsby which Juliet visited on 8th March 2005 indicated that Juliet said that the father of the child she was carrying lived in Farsta and that she was 20 weeks pregnant.
A section of Juliet’s medical journal which was recovered by police indicated that the accused was the father of Juliet’s expected child. Juliet’s expected date of delivery was placed at 25th July 2005.
60 TELEPHONE CONTACTS
Evidence gathered by police indicate that Juliet was shot in the back with a hunting gun that was licensed to her suspected murderer while the date of the murder has been placed at 13th May 2005.
A phone log of Juliet’s telephone indicated that between March 21st 2005 and 13th May 2005 when Juliet was allegedly killed, her former boyfriend facing trial had a total of 60 telephone contacts with her.
The last telephone contact Juliet had the same day she was murdered was at 16.22 and was received at the transmission mast at Farstastrand. The accused lived in Farsta and according to police investigations, Juliet was already inside the house of the accused when she received the last recorded phone call. The first call she received after arriving at Farsta on the material day was at 15.11 while at 15.12, she received an SMS.
The police report says that after Juliet was killed, her murderer wrapped her head in a plastic bag from the Konsum supermarket chain probably to conceal her face and to prevent blood that was oozing from her mouth from spilling over. Police recovered a receipt from the house of the accused which indicated that he had bought foodstuff together with two plastic bags at Konsum supermarket at Farsta on the afternoon of 13th May 2005, the same day Juliet was allegedly killed.
TARPAULINE PURCHASED FROM CLAES OLSSON
When Juliet’s body was found floating at Lake Mälaren, it was packed in a green tarpaulin. According to police investigations, a receipt that was recovered from Claes Olsson chain of supermarkets at Farsta centrum (the same area where the accused lived) revealed that a green and white tarpaulin was purchased at the supermarket with the purchaser paying cash. A blue rope, a white cover and a hook that were all used to pack Juliet’s body were among the items that were purchased from the supermarket on the 14th of May 2005 at 15.57, a day after Juliet was allegedly murdered. The finding led police to believe that it was the accused who made the purchases and later used them to pack Juliet’s body after she was murdered.
According to investigations, the accused withdrew 9.000 kr on 14th May 2005 at an Automatic Teller Machine at Farsta between 16.05 and 16.06. Further, Police recovered a huge amount of money from the house of the accused while it was also established that the accused had borrowed 100.000 kr which was deposited in the account of the accused by City Bank on the 13th of May 2005, the same day Juliet was allegedly murdered. Some of the cash recovered was in foreign currency and this discovery led police to believe that the accused might have prepared to leave the country at very short notice.
ACCUSED HIRED A LORRY WITH A BACK LIFT
Further investigations revealed that on the 14th of May 2005, the accused hired a small lorry with a back lift for luggage and that during the period when the lorry was under the custody of the accused, it was driven a total of 130 Km.
The implication is that the accused must have used the lorry to transport the body. A tape which was used to wrap the body also resembled a tape that was recovered in the house of the accused.
The police recovered a piece of hair on the tarpaulin that was used to wrap Juliets body. The police report says that the Mitochondria from the DNA of the piece of hair that was recovered from the tarpaulin resembled that of the accused. What this means is that the accused must have been in touch with the body between the time of death and the time of dumping at Lake Mälaren.
A witness told police that when Juliet left her apartment the last day she was seen alive, she told a friend she was residing with that she wasn’t going to stay for long. The report said that Juliet left food in the fridge and fruits, something she never used to do when she intended to be away for long. Juliet left the house after receiving a phone call which police investigations confirmed, was from the accused.
JULIET’S TELEPHONE WENT DEAD AFTER 13TH MAY 2005
A huge amount of money and clothes belonging to Juliet were recovered at the house where Juliet last lived in Skogås. This suggested to police that her intention when she left the house was not to be away for a long period of time.
A pocket calendar that belonged to Juliet and which was recovered by police indicated that Juliet met her Swedish boyfriend in August 2004, moved in to live with him in December 2004 and moved out in January 2005.
Investigations revealed that Juliet’s wall calendar, pocket calendar and pregnancy calendar had entries up to the 19th week of 2005, the same period when she is suspected to have been murdered.
After her last telephone contact with the accused, Juliet’s telephone went dead, either because the phone was at a location where it could not receive signals or because it was switched off. The case continues on Tuesday October 31st.
Okoth Osewe
makosewe@gmail.com
Apartments For Kenyans Through “Operation Thunder Bolt”
The long awaited Operation Thunder bolt will be launched at a Party on the 28th of October at Alby skolan in Alby from 1800 hours. The motive of this operation is to raise cash by organizing Parties and through contributions by members. The idea is to invest in Kenya by building apartments for members. The calculation is that after ten years, members will be able to reside in these apartments back home.
When a party is organized by the group, entrance fee will be 50 kr for non members and 100 kr for members. Any extra money raised at parties will go towards the Operation. Money raised will be deposited to an account that will be opened with the help of the Kenyan Embassy in Stockholm.
At the end of every month, all members will be informed about progress being made while at the end of every year, members will discuss what could be done with the total amount raised. For example, money could be deposited in an account in Kenya after which the group could apply for a big bank loan to buy a piece of property.
The main objective is to build as many apartments as possible in one area, possibly with a swimming pool and other facilities like a shopping center. The amount raised by each member will be refundable but 25% will be retained by the group to further the agenda of the Operation.
Here is a small example of what can happen after ten years with approximately 50 members. If 50 members contribute 100 kr each month, a total of 5,000 kr will be raised. This amounts to 60,000 kr per year.
In ten years, 60,000 kr shall have grown to 600,000 kr which is approximately 6 million Kenyan shillings. With this amount, the group could apply for a loan from the bank and proceed with the operation. Keep in mind that apart from the 100 kr from members, we still have cash raised through parties. Kenyans you are all welcome. Who knows? we might be neighbors in Kenya coz here we are not!
Clay Onyango
ODM-Scandinavia Excecutive Committee Named
The Scandinavian branch of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM-Scandinavia) has been named. Names of the officials emerged following a Committee meeting which was held on Tuesday October 24th.
Those who were named to head the Movement are as follows: Chairperson, Mrs Hellen Opwapo, Vice chairperson, Mr. Martin Ngatia, Secretary, Mr. Dancan Munala, Vice secretary, Mr. Odhiambo Opee Junior, Organising secretary, Mr. Charles Otieno, Treasurer, Mr. Gerry Changa Midenyo, Vice Treasurer Mrs Sophia Njoroge while the Office of Information and Propaganda will be headed by Mr. Okoth Osewe.
The Committee has already prepared a draft Constitution that will be discussed by members at a meeting scheduled for Saturday November 4th. The venue of the meeting will be announced later. Other tasks of the Committee include registration of ODM-Scandinavia in Sweden, opening a bank account, recruitment of new members and calling elections as soon as the Movement is registered.
Speaking to Kenya Stockholm Blog, Mrs Hellen Opwapo, the just elected Chairperson, said that she was grateful that the Committee had entrusted her with the huge responsibility of leading the Party branch in Scandinavia.
“I take this opportunity to thank all members who have trusted me with this position”, she said soon after assuming office. Mrs Opwapo appealed to Kenyans and friends in Scandinavia to help bring down the current Kibaki regime by supporting ODM-Kenya in its struggle for power.
“This government has failed to deliver on most of its election promises and therefore the Kibaki government needs to be replaced”, she said.
The appointment of Office bearers of ODM-Scandinavia opens the way for political activities which have been pending since the Committee was elected by Kenyans who founded ODM-Scandinavia ten days ago. The Party branch has a twelve point program which forms the basis of its support of ODM-Kenya.
Okoth Osewe
makosewe@gmail.com
Two Kenyan Parties On Saturday 28th October
Two Kenyan parties are planned for Saturday October 28th. An all night party will take place at Märsta while another bash will be cooking at Albyskolan. The Märsta party has been organized by Kenyans in Märsta while the Ably one will be driven by Mr. Clay Onyango and the Thunderbolt Crew.
The Märsta Party will take place at Norrbackaskolan (Odensalavägen 1) from 20.00 hr. Entrance will be 50 kr. According to Charles Otieno, one of the organizers of the party, there will be plenty of food at affordable prices. To locate the venue, take bus number 581 from Märsta station then alight at Norrbackaskolan.
The Alby Party has another agenda – to fund raise for “Operation Thunderbolt”, a project mooted by Mr. Clay Onyango and whose main objective is to build apartment blocks in Kenya for Kenyans in Sweden. Clay told KSB that entrance fee at the party will be 50 kr for those who just want to have fun and 100 kr for those who want to become members of “Operation Thunderbolt”. The party starts at 18.00.
According to Clay, profits from the party will go towards the project whose objectives are expected to be met in 10 years time. A sketch of “Operation Thunderbolt” will soon be posted at KSB.
Okoth Osewe
makosewe@gmail.com
Video Upload: East African Trade Delegation: Comment From Martin Ngatia
Comment from Mr. Martin Ngatia
Okoth Osewe
Video Upload: East African Trade Delegation: Question From Sofia Njoroge
East African Trade delegation: Question from Sofia Njoroge
Okoth Osewe@gmail.com
Video Upload: EA Trade Delegation: Question From Githuku wa Muirani
East African Trade delegation in Stockholm: Question from Githuku wa Muirani
Okoth Osewe
Video Upload: Comments from Antony Adiwa and Laban Mberi
Comments from Mr. Antony Adiwa and Mr. Laban Mberi
Okoth Osewe
makosewe@gmail.com
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Commentary: More Questions From Odero On “Operation Thunderbolt”
I fully concur with Mr Okoth Osewe’s commentary on the proposed “Operation Thunderbolt” initiative by Mr Clay Onyango. I will not repeat Mr Osewe’s words, but emphasize that a serious long-term initiative of this magnitude should first begin with a clear masterplan. Before the proposed October 28 party, available media should have been used to market the idea, underscoring its necessity by touching upon the need to invest in Kenya.
Using available media would have enabled serious would-be investors to debate, thereby poking holes into weak areas and straightening them before this first party. A number of face-to-face meetings should also have been held.
I am astonished that the proposed initiative will take off through a party with music and dance; a serious project that will involve thousands of Kenyans’ hard-earned Swedish crowns! Let’s be serious and know that even if this is a grand idea, nobody in his/her sane mind would just be led into parting with SEK 100 for membership in a project that has no known leadership or bank account.
I beg to ask too that why should Kenyans invest their money through the Kenya Embassy in Sweden? Can’t we open an account and set up signatories without involving the embassy? What happens in case of a regime change in Kenya and say we get into a bad and dark relationship with the embassy?
Mr Clay Onyango should go back to the drawing board with a few serious “forward thinking” Kenyans and come up with a workable structure for the noble idea, and launch it officially after thrashing out all the potential weaknesses, which are already evident at this stage. For some of us in the know, land in Kenya (especially Nairobi), appreciates in value every single year. This grand idea will not allow for apartments in Kariobangi, but within posh areas, which right now cost a fortune. SEK 600,000 for example in ten years will be peanuts, and will only be able to build one apartment.
Why should I put in SEK 12,000 in ten years while I could do so in one year? Why ten years, yet some of us just crave to get serious investors to team up with as soon as possible? As Mr Osewe begged, what happens in case of death, change of residence for a member or any unforseen fallout within the group?
Why retain 25% of a member’s invested sum? Where is the collateral? Which financial institution in Kenya will give a loan without a guarantee? What about legal and binding structures which will involve lawyers’ fees in Kenya? There are a million queries that need to be answered before launching this project. Kenyans should weigh out these points before making the “big leap” into oblivion.
Jared Odero
October 27, 2006 Posted by makozewe | Commentary | Leave a Comment