Embassy Tight-Lipped On Diplomat Kinyua’s Lost Container
The Kenyan Embassy in Stockholm has remained tight-lipped on the case of a container belonging to Diplomat George Kinyua which disappeared on its way to Canada.
When KSB called the Embassy yesterday to follow progress on the container, no official was willing to talk about the issue. According to protocol, Jenipher Awuor, the Principal Counselor, was the officer mandated to talk on the issue. However, KSB was informed that she was not in the office.
An official advised that KSB leave a message so that Awuor could return the call when she was back in the office and this was done. A message was left to the effect that KSB was following the container story and that Awuor call back for talks over the issue. In typical style, she never returned the call.
We did however manage to talk to Mr. Daniel Kotutt, the First secretary, but he was not of much help because he said that he did not know anything about the issue.
It is standard practice at the Embassy for an official to be “out of office”, “out for lunch” or “on another phone” when it comes to “hot” or “thorny” issues touching on the Embassy. The beaten line is the “Leave a message” choice delivered when we called so that the official could “call back” as soon as possible which, in many cases, never happens.
So far, there has been no update about the issue at the Embassy’s web site neither has the Ambassador released a Statement to state the Embassy position over the issue. When the site was set up, there were hopes that it could be used to straighten things that were of public interest but so far, this has not been happening although scandals continue to roll out of the Embassy.
Kinyua’s container disappeared after the Embassy hired “VIP Shipping”, a fake company to transport the container to Canada where Mr. Kinyua had been transferred. Many Kenyans who have called KSB sympathize with Mr. Kinyua who is seen as a classic victim of corruption at the Embassy.
Okoth Osewe
Appeal Case Of Jailed Kenyan Heard
The Appeal case of a Kenyan national who was sentenced to a 3 year jail term for assaulting a Swedish woman has been heard in a Swedish court. The Kenyan had appealed against the sentence which was handed over last year. The case was mainly heard behind closed doors. During the appeal, a Swedish woman was one of the witnesses who testified against the Kenyan. A verdict on the Appeal is expected soon.
Okoth Osewe
Ukweli Wa Mambo: “VIP Shipping International” Is A Fake Company
When the “Kinyua container” scandal first broke out over the week-end, the general line of thought was that VIP Shipping company that was at the centre of the scandal and a Mr. Kristian who was allegedly subcontracted by the Kenyan Embassy in Stockholm to ferry the container of diplomat Kinyua to Canada were acting in concert.
According to fresh details, VIP Shipping Company is a fraudulent Company that has fleeced numerous customers of goods and money running into millions of kronors. Mr. Kristian, whose full names are Kristian Vendelbo, is the brain box behind the chain of fraud using the Company which claims to have its headquarters in London with non existent branches spread across the world.
In reality, the address given by the company of their office in London does not exist while another address given by the company in Denmark – Diplomvej 381, 2800 Lyngby, does not exist either.
At a Danish website, 1.000 Dannish kr is being offered to anybody who can give police information that could lead to the capture of Mr. Kristian who is wanted in that country for a series of fraudulent transactions that have left many Danes miserable after they lost goods in containers. Kristian is said to drive a red Volvo with registration number VY 53 282.
The Kenyan Embassy fell into Kristian’s trap because the Lady diplomats at the Embassy swallowed, bait, hook and sinker, the con man’s key strategy – a considerably low price on container transport – in a shady transaction that smells of kick-backs and under the table dealings before the operation went sour, ending in Mr. Kinyua hanging on the verge of losing his entire private property that constituted his entire house-hold in Stockholm.
In April this year, Markus, a Swedish national, fell victim to Kristian’s tricks when he was moving from the United States to Sweden after completing his studies. He packed his personal effects in a container (including a car) and wired Mr. Per Nygren, his father, to link up with a Company that could help with container transport.
The father took contact with VIP Shipping through a fake office in Denmark but when the son arrived in Sweden, the container could not be released by CMA-CGM, the third largest container handling company in Göteborg, because Kristian had not paid up. By the time the container was released, the bill had reached 32,000 kr with extra storage charges being responsible for the price increase.
If Mr. Kinyua is lucky, his container could be lying somewhere but it may have to be paid for a fresh (including payment for storage charges when the container remained stranded). If Kristian did not sub contract any company to transport the container then simply failed to pay the company, Mr. Kinyua runs the risk of losing everything.
KRISTIAN VENDELBO AND A STRING OF FAKE COMPANIES
The modus operandi of Kristian is that he offers a very low price, subcontracts another company to do the job then fails to pay the company which, in turn, fails to release the container. The customer is then left to sort out the mess.
In another case, a Ugandan family linked to a diplomat who was working at the Ugandan Embassy in Denmark had to pay 200.000 kr (2 million Kenyan shillings) to a container company in Mombasa to help them get their goods after Kristian tricked them.
The Embassy had hired Kristian’s VIP Shipping International which subcontracted another company to do the job. Kristian was paid 94.500 kr by the Ugandan but instead of finishing the transaction by paying the Mombasa company, he simply disappeared. The diplomat had to hire a lawyer to help him trace the container while he lost cash paid to Kristian besides the Ksh 2 million extra expenses.
Then came the case of Samanta Dominquez, an Argentine diplomat, who was moving back to Brazil after her tour of duty came to an end. She took contact with VIP Shipping through Kristian but three months after she arrived in Argentina, her property had not arrived yet. She reported the matter to police and eventually hired another company to trace her cargo which she received at long last.
In the case of Karen Bygdhal Andreasen, her property was supposed to be transported from Antwerp, Belgium to Sao Paolo in Brazil so she took contact with Kristian Vendelbo and his VIP Shipping International. Kristian promised Karen that her goods would be in Sao Paolo in November 2006 but by September 2007, her goods had not arrived neither could she trace the container, forcing her to report Kristian to police.
Mark Lesurf, another victim, paid VIP Shipping 13.000 kr through Kristian who promised to move his goods from the United States to Copenhagen but the goods were never delivered.
An Opera musician called Ingeborg Børch who had been residing in London for 4 years, wanted her personal effects moved to Denmark so she took contact with VIP Shipping through an advertisment. Among her personal effects were her concert instruments. Kristian gave her an attractive discount that was too irresistable – 23.000 kr for the job. Three months later, her goods had not arrived at their destination although Kristian continued to assure her that the goods were on the way. On 30th July last year, she reported Kristian to police.
Kristian is a known conman who operates several fake companies to evade detection. VIP Shipping is just one of his numerous shell companies. Others are: VIP-Ship, A-1 Relocation, A-1 Relocations, VIP-Møbeltrafik, VIP Flytteservice, VIP International Shipping Systems, Shipping for Diplomats, Ship4diplomats, Intership-diplomat, IntershipVIP, Ship4expats, House of Shipping and a company called Relocation.
The Embassy should take responsibility in the case of the missing container of Mr. George Kinyua because before contracting a company to supply services on behalf of the government, it is the responsibility of Embassy staff in charge to apply the principles of ”competative bidding” as provided for in the ”Public Procurement Act of 2001” which deals with identification and award of contracts to various suppliers.
In the absence of competative bidding, the Embassy cannot acertain how the contract sums were determined and accepted by the government as faire and competative.
Any supplier of goods or services to the government of Kenya must be subjected to ”dilligence tests” as per the Public Procurement Act to establish the supplier’s competence, capacity and capability to deliver the goods or services in the contracts.
This appears not to have been done when Mr. Kristian was engaged by the Embassy and given Kristian’s history of fraud and subterfuge, any officer at the Embassy who was involved in the contract should take responsibility.
If Kinyua’s container is still packed somewhere, it will take extra government funds to recover it while in case it got lost, it is safe to assume that VIP Shipping has no insurence because it is a fake company. The question that will arise is who will foot the bill if Kinyua has to be compensated. Is it the Tax payer or responsible Embassy employees who violated the law and hired a fake company? There is no room for “We never knew” unless Kenya has become a banana Republic. Could Ambassador Purity Muhindi please give the Kenyan public an explanation?
Okoth Osewe
Man Keegan Is Back From Kenya
Man Keegan Kagwe, the European Representative of Chama Cha Mwananchi (CCM) has just returned from Kenya. KSB had a brief exchange with man Keegan about the situation in Kenya, his Party and his view on KSB.
KSB: You have just been to Kenya. What is your view about the latest situation in the country?
KEEGAN: Well, the situation in Kenya seems rather tense though there is a sign that normality is coming back slowly and since the signing of the peace pact between Prime Minister designate Raila Odinga and H.E President Mwai Kibaki, things are getting better day by day.
KSB: You were on the ground for some time. Do you think the peace agreement will stick under the current circumstances?
KEEGAN: For sure after being on the ground for some time, I think that the peace pact will stick because both Hon Raila and President Kibaki have sworn to put away their personal and political difference and concentrate on reconciliation process of building one strong and peaceful Kenya for the benefit of all Kenyans.
KSB: What is your view on tribalism in Kenya and do you think it has worsened after the general elections?
KEEGAN: Trabalism has never been an issue in Kenya until recently because as a matter of fact, Kenyans have been living peacefully together since independence and even intermarriages between Kenyans of different tribes is very common so it’s only some few dirty politicians who are trying to divide Kenyans.
KSB: From your point of view, how should the country move forward?
KEEGAN: I would just repeat what the chief mediator Honorable former UN Secretary General Dr Kofi Annan said during the peace agreement signing. It’s time to forget the past and open a new chapter in Kenya, a chapter of peace and reconciliation process. This is because it’s only Kenyans who can save the country.
KSB: You are a leading member of CCM. What is the position of the Party in relation to the post election crisis?
KEEGAN: As one of CCM leaders, I think I speak on behalf of my Party and we all agree that both Hon Raila and President Kibaki should share power equally because we all know that the Prime Minister’s seat is the most powerful seat in the House.
KSB: Your Party leader, Koigi wa Wamwere, was defeated at the polls. What were the main reasons why Wamwere failed to make it to Parliament despite his known popularity?
KEEGAN: Let me say frankly that gone are the days when Kenyans used to vote for someone because one had a big name or call it sympathy voting. This time Kenyans have realized that one has to deliver or show some maendeleo in the home area otherwise you are out. That’s why you saw those big names like Koigi, Njenga Karume, Wangari Maathai etc, losing their respective seats.
KSB: Your Sec-gen has recently been in Sweden. Had he a political or personal agenda?
KEEGAN: I met my Secretary General Mr Dick Kamau here shortly before I left for Nairobi and he had come for some personal matters regarding his family. He also joined me in Nairobi just some few days before I came back to Stockholm.
KSB: CCM has been very quiet after the elections. Why?
KEEGAN: Well I can’t say for sure why but as far as I am concerned, CCM is still a young political Party in Kenya and as time goes by it will grow and become one Strong force, hopefully in future.
I think that KSB should work more on uniting Kenyans here in Sweden. I realized that KSB is even very popular in Kenya as more Kenyans are browsing Kenyan websites about Kenyans in European countries.
Okoth Osewe
Diplomat Kinyua’s Container Lost On The Way To Canada
A new scandal is brewing at the Kenyan Embassy in Stockholm following the disappearance of a container packed with the property of Diplomat George Kinyua who has not received the container more than one and a half months after he left Sweden for Canada together with members of his family.
According to information gathered by KSB, a Company called “VIP Shipping Company” was initially awarded the contract to ferry Kinyua’s belongings to Canada.
After the contract was awarded to VIP Shipping, Ms Jenipher Awuor, the Principal Counselor and Linnet Vitisa the Finance attaché, allegedly approached a Mr. Kristian running a Cargo company for a quotation for the subcontracting which Mr. Kristian did. Kristian allegedly gave the Lady diplomats a list of other companies dealing in containers to show that his quotation was the lowest.
To Kristian’s surprise, the Lady diplomats demanded some money (Kitu kidogo) from him as payment for the subcontracting. Kristian is reported to have been very angry because his argument was that the quotation he was offering was already too low and to demand for more cash to go in private pockets was unacceptable.
Despite the Kitu kidogo difficulties, Kinyua’s container was packed with his personal belongings and the last action is that Kristian’s company picked it up to transport it to Canada where Kinyua had been transferred.
It is not clear what happened between VIP Shipping company and Kristian’s company and investigations are continuing. However, when the container failed to arrive in Canada, KSB learnt that Kristian went underground as it downed on VIP Shipping that Kristian was actually a known conman.
It is understood that the amount he quoted “could not transport a container to Canada” but he landed the subcontracting all the same from the Lady diplomats. “It is possible that he dumped the container somewhere and ate the money”, a source told a KISS agent working on the story.
The lady diplomats who wired Kristian could not trace him either, creating a huge crisis at the Embassy. Now, Kinyua’s family is undergoing great difficulties because all their personal belongings were packed in the container.
VIP Shipping began following Kristian’s company with little success forcing them to report the matter to Swedish police. It is at this point that Kristian reportedly surfaced to try and discuss the matter with his lady contacts at the Embassy who negotiated the subcontracting.
The Madams were in the middle of the subcontracting between VIP Shipping and Kristian’s company in a corrupt deal that reportedly benefited the lady diplomats. At the moment, neither VIP Shipping nor Kristian knows the whereabouts of the container.
Mr. Kristian is said to be linked to a Kenyan lady from Ukambani and when she alerted her boyfriend that the police were looking for him, Kristian told her that the game at play is short and that the Embassy would soon “learn its lessons”. Interestingly, Kristian sympathizes with Kinyua whom he views as a victim of circumstances of corruption rife at the Kenyan Embassy in Stockholm.
When Mr. Cheruiyot, former Financial attaché at the Embassy, was about to be deported, it is reported that the same VIP Shipping company was awarded the contract to transport his property after which VIP Shipping subcontracted another company, a deal where money changed hands.
One of the main reasons why Mr. Cheruiyot’s kidnap operation was organized is because top Embassy staff had already benefitted financially from the container deal and if Cheruiyot was not going to be deported with his container, huge losses were going to be incurred by the corrupt at the Embassy who had already gotten their cut.
Okoth Osewe
Killed By Moi Series: Details Not Available
For the Attention of Kenya Truth And Justice Commission in the process of being set up.
DETAILS AND IDENTITIES OF THE FOLLOWING CASES ARE NOT AVAILABLE
-A suspect shot in Bungoma while fleeing from police on 18th April 1984.
-9 prisoners shot and clubbed to death at Manyani prison in June 1984.
-12 students bludgeoned to death at Nairobi University on February 10th 1985.
-15 prisoners from Skikusa prison in Kakamega whose bodies were left lying at Kakamega mortuary for two months and later buried without the authorities notifying their relatives in March 1987.
-A suspect gunned down in Nairobi while escaping on 20th June 1987.
-A man drinking chang’aa killed by police in Kakamega in August 1987.
-2 men shot dead in Nyeri in August 1987.
-A suspect shot dead by police in Mombasa in August 1987.
-A Bar owner in Thika shot dead by police in November 1987.
-2 people killed by police in Isiolo district in December 1987.
-A suspect beaten to death by police in South Nyanza in December 1987.
-2 suspects beaten to death at Kihancha Chief’s camp, South nyanza in 1987.
-A man shot dead at a demonstration against election rigging in Taveta, March 1988.
-A remand prisoner held at Industrial Area Prison, Nairobi died in April 1988.
-Suspect shot dead by police at Kibwezi Railway station in April 1988.
-A woman killed by a stray police bullet at Umoja Estate in April 1988.
-A man shot dead by 6 armed policemen in a shop in Thika in June 1988.
-A suspect shot dead by police at Eldoret in July 1988 along with SG Mahinda.
-Robbery suspect “Shoeshine” shot dead by police in Mombasa on 10th July 1988 allegedly while escaping arrest.
-A man shot dead by district Officer in Chepalungu Division, Kericho district in August 1988.
-4 University students killed by solders and National Youth Service personnel at Gilgil on 9th October 1988.
-Two unidentified men killed by administration police during a raid in ndanai location in Kerich district, 1988.
-Ugandan NRA solder died while police guard in hospital in Kitale in 1988.
-2 men shot dead by police in 1988.
-A man killed in police custody in Nakuru in 1988.
Kenya Revolutionary Archive
Piece Of Evidence To Peace And Justice Commission
KILLED BY GOVERNMENT AGENTS DURING THE DICTATORSHIP OF DANIEL ARAP MOI
Now that the process of setting up the Kenya Peace, Justice and Reconciliation Commission has began following the Peace deal struck by Prime Minister designate Raila Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki on 28th February 2008, Kenyans should prepare to come up with evidence that will help the Commission to move forward.
The following are part of the long list of Kenyans who lost their lives during the dictatorship of former President Daniel arap Moi. They should not be forgotten because they paid the ultimate price, not just in the struggle against Moi but also in the struggle for political pluralism which they never lived to see.
As the Justice and Reconciliation Commission prepares to begin its work to establish the truth behind the deaths of these victims of dictatorship, their names should also be permanently emblazoned on the “walls of freedom” whose construction is being engineered by the gallant Kenyan people determined to free themselves from neo-colonialism, internal dictatorship and imperialist domination.
1. Richard Abere (19): Shot in the back by police in Kisii: 30 June 1985
2. Ismael Ahmed Adow: Employee of Dean’s Breakdown Service; shot by police while repossessing a vehicle in course of duty: December 1986.
3. Joseph Wasike Baraza: Security van driver, tortured to death in police cells in Mombasa: January 1988.
4. Alexander Bakaya: Senior water Officer: shot by police, July 26 1987.
5. Joseph Kipng’geno arap Bett: Administration policeman: suffocated to death while in custody in Kericho: 20 October 1987.
6. Gregory Byaruhanga: Ugandan teacher, charged with possession of Ugandan currency and illegal residence; died in hospital March 23 1987 while in police custody.
7. Wolde Georgis: Shot by police constable using G3 military rifle. 10 February 1984.
8. Newton Muhoro Gichere: Died in police custody in Thika 14th August 1988.
9. Godfey Kamau Githere: Retired civil servant: died under interrogation in Kiambu in January 1986.
10. James Kahuria Githu: Killed by district Officer (DO), John K Njoroge on March 27th 1986.
11. Lyle Marvin Huston: US Missionary, arrested in Kitale in connection with importation of communications equipment; died at CID Headquarters, Nairobi on 24th September 1986.
12. John Malovi Jaluo: Remand prisoner in Eldoret, died in hospital in August 1984.
13. Shari Joab: Adult education officer, shot by police at Ngao village, Garsen on 26th December 1986.
14. Kabuba: Shot by policemen on 29th October 1986.
15 Kipkoech arap Kaliasoi: Shot by Administration policeman – Michael Kangema Kinyua – at Kwa Ronda Estate in Nakuru on 26th February 1985.
16. Kipyator Kamarei: Farmer in Trans Nzoia, beaten to death by two police officers on 15th September 1987.
17. Peter Njenga Karanja: businessman and Rally driver; arrested on 7th February 1987; tortured by Special Branch Officers at Nyayo House; died at Kenyatta National Hospital on 28th February 1987.
18. Stephen Mbaraka Karanja: Farmer arrested on 6th April 1987 after which he “disappeared”. Habeas corpus application by wife revealed he had been shot dead by police. Despite 23 exhumations, the body has never been found.
19. Benson Kipai: Charged in Kajiado Court for stealing donkeys and died in remand
20. Taabu Kotela Kiombwe: Zairean musician who died in police custody on January 15th 1988, 11 days after the death of Baraza in Mombasa.
21. Samson Koske: Police Corporal who was facing murder charges in Kiombwe. Died in hospital in June 1988 while in police custody.
22. Ahmed Mohammed Kulani: Shot on 21st February 1985 by Constable Peter Ismael Murunga of Nairobi’s Pangani Police Station.
23. Bernard Kamau Kuria: Charged with assault but died at Muranga hospital on 17th April 1988 while in police custody.
24. Charled Okidi Lewamoe: Shot in Nairobi with 2 others by General Service Unit (GSU) Constable on 17th April 1988.
25. Fanuel Lihasi: Shot by police at Chavakali market, Kakamega on 22nd October 1987.
26. John Luvandwa: Killed by 2 police officers at Jericho estate, Nairobi 0n 23rd January 1986.
27. Samuel Gitau Mahinda: Shot by police following a chase in Eldoret in July 1988. Another unidentified victim also killed at the same time.
28. Philip Manandu: Killed by police in 1985.
29. Oloo Alfred Mbakaya: Killed by police in 1987.
30. Kack Miran: Fisherman, shot dead by police officer at Uhanya Beach, Siaya district on 5th March 1988.
31. Ismael Mohammed: Remand prisoner, tortured to death in June 1988.
32. Francis Mutinda Musembi: Robbery suspect, died at Coast General Hospital in Mombasa from gun shot wounds on 14th March 1987.
33. George Musoko: Died in Skikusa prison, Kakamega in March 1987.
34. Alfonze Nzioka Muthui: Curio worker; arrested in april 1988 on suspicion of committing a felony; died on the way to Bamburi police station, Mombasa.
35. Sammy Munuu: Killed by 4 policemen at Jericho Estate, Nairobi on December 19th 1986.
36. Anthony Mwangi: Police Sergent at Langata Police Station, shot by Constable John Kimeu on 14th March 1984.
37. Mary Wangari Mwangi: Mother of two, shot along with two other unidentified Kenyans by GSU gunmen in Nairobi on 17th april 1988.
38. Patrick Mwangi: Died in police cells at Nairobi Law Courts in October 1988.
39. Peter Muthiga Mwaura: Prisoner at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, killed along with 2 others by prison staff in May 1988.
40. Dominic Nasunga: Employee of Nairobi Assia Pharmaceuticals ltd; died of internal bleeding from a raptured liver while in police custody in June 1987.
41. Jacinter Njeri: Shot by police in april 1987.
42. Samuel Kigondu Njoroge: Shot along with two others by GSU gunmanin Nairobi on 17th April 1988.
43. Sabina Nyabinda Nyakwama: Beaten to death by KANU Youth Wingers led by Assistant Chief of Bagetaorio sub Location in Kisii in December 1987.
44. Richard Ogwayo: Arrested on suspicion of stealing a bull at Kadongo village, siaya District on 13th July 1987. Wiped to death by 2 KANU Youth Wingers on the orders of the area’s Assistant chief.
45. Arthur Okwembe: Police Cosntable accused of stealing a radio cassette, beaten to death in police cells on 10th July 1988.
46. Ms Okongo: 55 year old Uasin Gishu District councilor; hacked to death by men sent by an Assistant Chief.
47. Francis Okute: Elderly carpenter at Coillege of Veterinary Science and Agriculture; shot by senior Police officer from Kabete police station on 11 august 1988.
48. Silvanus Otieno: Prisoner at GK Kodiaga prison, Kisumu who was serving a 4 month jail term; died in prison on 2nd august 1988.
49. Mohammed Rage: Died in Meru District Hospital on 20th May 1988while in police custody.
50. Gordon Opondo Saw: Prisoner at Kamiti Prison, killed along with 2 others by prison staff in May 1988.
51. Ismael Kibet Talaam Ole Tambul: Killed by GSU in Olomirimis, Narok district on 14th February 1988.
52. Zablon Onyancha Tirisia: Businessman; accused of holding an illegal meeting; beaten by police and died in hospital at Kisii.
53. Vitalis Uhuru: Employee of Simbis Enterprise Company, siaya; shot by 2 police officers at a funeral gathering in 1988.
54. Njiiri Wambugu: Shot while escaping police raid in December 1987.Dismus Wanjala: Primary school teacher, killed by police on 17th March 1986 allegedly while trying to escape arrest. Grounds of arrest reported as suspicion of having a carton of school milk in his house.
55. Stephen Wanjema: Carpenter arrested at Elburgon on 29th August 1986. Suspected of Mwakenya links; died in police custody on September 11th 1986.
56. John Mungai Waruhiu: Carpenter jailed for 7 years in June 1986; died in prison on 5th May 1988.
From the Kenya Revolutionary Archive
Did PNU Send Muthaura To Test The Waters?
Whoever sent Mr. Francis Muthaura, Head of the Civil Service, to a Press conference to open his big mouth about the ”Government power structure” expected in the Peace agreement between Prime Minister designate Raila Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki must have gaffed. Either, Muthaura was sent to test the waters or PNU could be up to some mischief.
First, Muthaura has no legal mandate whatsoever to give official views or recommendations on the Agreement document. He was not even close to the mediation table. What the Nation is awaiting for now is for the matter to be handled through Parliament and no one individual can dictate single-handedly about the expected responsibilities that will be conferred upon the Prime Minister. What is known and what was agreed upon on paper is that the PM will have Executive powers.
It was agreed that the PM will come from the Party with majority seats in Parliament so there is no way the President can appoint the Prime Minister unless Hon Muthaura had just come from a spree when he made the announcement.
There has been a wave of condemnations across Kenya of Muthaura’s careless talk and just in case he was sent by Martha Karua or Amos Kimunya to test the waters, whoever sent him should have gotten the message by now – that Kenyans will not accept to be dragged backwards.
If, on the other hand, PNU is plotting some mischief, then the Party should remember two things. One, the distribution of PM’s powers will be debated by MPs in Parliament who will have to vote in order to pass any recommendations. PNU does not command majority votes in Parliament and this was evidenced the other day when ODM took control of both the Speaker’s and Vice speaker’s posts. PNU should have learnt its lessons then to understand that they are unlikely to win any vote in Parliament in the near future unless they collaborate with ODM, the majority Party in the House.
Secondly, if PNU has hatched a secret plan to water down PM’s powers, the conspirators should remember that in case they work out miracles and get their way (and this is a big IF), they might be faced with another election because the issue now is to ensure that ODM is not rubbed on the wrong side.
The Agreement states that if any Party pulls out of the Coalition, Kenyans will have to go back to the ballot box and every conscious Kenyan knows what will happen – PNU will be sent packing. Officially, the Coalition has a life span of two years so PNU members should take their cue because ODM could embed the Agreement on the Constitution, restructure the Electoral Commission then pull out to clean up the remnants of PNU in the Coalition government in a new election.
The Muthaura outburst should be easy to deal with and I think Kenyans should ignore what he said. It’s good to know that ODM and pro-peace Kenyans are not asleep. In any case, there is the Nyundo called “Mass action” and the last time I checked, it was ODM which had the keys to the dungeon where this awful Nyundo is currently housed.
The impact of this weapon was last time dubbed “Post election violence”. This time, it might be baptized “Post Agreement Chaos” and who the hell wants a “re-run” of what Kenyans witnessed? There is only one Koffi Annan and he might not return this time to show Kenyans how to democratize their country part two! Let us keep the peace!
Okoth Osewe
Political Attacks Are Good For Public Debate
There is a big difference between a personal attack, a political attack, a personal vendetta and a critique be they against a point of view, an academic presentation or an idea. Yesterday, Mr. Gerry Midenyo, a Kenyan resident in Stockholm, disturbed the still Kenya-Stockholm waters by throwing a missile in the direction of Githuku wa Muirani, the former Director of the just disbanded “Kibaki Tena” lobby group in Scandinavia.
Without even bothering to examine some of the issues Gerry was raising, some Kenyans have questioned Gerry’s real intention while others like Tonny Odera have posited that Gerry is raising “non issues” through “petty talking”.
Clay Onyango, another Stockholmer, congratulated Tonny and hoped that Tonny’s message will “vibrate into those with deaf ears and evil minds”. Instead of a punch by punch dismissal of Gerry’s attack on Muirani, expletives were being sneaked into the discourse in a frantic attempt to reduce Gerry’s concerns to a “personal attack”.
With his comment, what Clay is suggesting is that Gerry has “deaf ears”, if not an “evil mind” simply because he raised his voice over matters touching on a Kenyan in Stockholm, matters which, he thought, deserved some sober answers. Now, Kenyans might even be afraid of raising legitimate issues for fear of being seen as “evil minded” if not “deaf”.
Judging from Muirani’s reply, one is tempted to conclude that Muirani was even more sober minded than some of his sympathizers whom, in their bid to defend Muirani, slowly began to sink into mediocrity. Let us examine briefly some of the issues Gerry raised.
After the post election violence, UHCK organized a well publicized fund raising to help victims of the post election violence in Kenya. This was definitely a fantastic cause that demonstrated the concern Kenyans who attended the harambee had towards the situation in Kenya. It was big news when it emerged that over quarter million Kenyan shillings was raised.
At the planning stage, the Committee reportedly agreed that cash raised would be forwarded to victims of post election violence through the International Red Cross, a fact which was also publicized. The money was to be channeled through Mr. Samson Mande, a progressive Ugandan who works with the Red Cross and whose inclusion in the Committee was partly to facilitate transparency and accountability because no one seemed to doubt the fact that the funds would be diverted if transmitted through the Red Cross.
After the fund raising, the well-oiled rumour mills in Stockholm began to grind to the effect that Red Cross had been side lined and that the funds were sent to some unknown church in Kenya that was allegedly identified without consultation with the Committee.
The rumours have since been converted into fact by Red Cross which has confirmed that it did not send the money to Kenya. Muirani was and still is the Chairman of UHCK and therefore, he is directly answerable in the situation. Is it wrong for Gerry to ask for public accountability of the funds, given that the funds were raised by the Kenyan and Swedish publics?
Secondly, Gerry insinuated that the funds were sent to Kenya, not in the name of UHCK or the Bagarmossen Church but in the name of an individual. Who was this and how could this have happened because the funds should have been in some organization’s account be it UHCK or Bagarmossen Church? How did the individual get access to the funds?
Stockholm is awash with all kinds of versions about what might have happened to the money ranging from it being sent to a Church in Naivasha or Nakuru to being sent to Mungiki in Kibera. Is it wrong for Gerry to have called for accountability to clear the air? And does raising eyebrows amount to being deaf and evil minded?
Framing the matter in the form of a challenge does not mean that money “was eaten” and there should be no mistake about this. For example, why was cash not sent through the Red Cross as had been agreed upon because there are people who contributed cash because they believed that through Red Cross, the money would benefit victims of post election violence regardless of whether they came from Nakuru, Naivasha or Kisumu. The question of corruption and accountability is a big issue in Kenya especially when dealing with public funds. Why should it be petty in Stockholm?
PORNOGRAPHY SERVED ON VALENTINE’S DAY
Gerry also raised the issue regarding the spate of “Pastors” sprouting at Bagarmossen Church at an alarming rate. There should be no problem with people calling themselves “Pastors” especially when they preach the word of God. Gerry simply wanted a clarification and Muirani has done so in a very mature way and without using derogatory language.
Professional Pastors who graduated from some Theological college have and will continue to exist side by side with lay Pastors. What angered Gerry are Kenyans whom, after adding the word “Pastor” on their CVs, proceed to conduct themselves in ways that are incompatible with the title, be it on a Professional or lay basis.
You cannot call yourself a Pastor then on Jamhuri day when the Embassy throws a two hour bash at Scandic Hotel, you are the first person to arrive to drink yourself flat until you are wheeled away in a wheel chair by security personnel. Was Gerry wrong in trying to seek a clarification from Mr. Muirani who has since set the record straight – that he is not a Pastor in the accepted sense of the word?
Then, Gerry also questioned why Muirani has been anti-Raila Odinga and why he has been blaming some communities for the killings in Kenya. It is simplistic to even imagine that this inquiry was directed at the person of Muirani because Gerry was simply playing politics and Muirani did give a political response.
I am raising these issues because of the risk of muzzling Kenyans from raising critical but public issues affecting members of the Kenya-Stockholm community.
Clay Onyango should be the last person to question Gerry because he has opened his blog for anonymous writers to attack other Kenyans at a very low level. Kenyans have watched with horror as families, spouses, wazee and even children of “enemies” are attacked with impunity at Clay’s blog, sometimes with extreme language.
On Valentines day, Clay treated his readers to a pornographic picture of two African women with mountain-like bums that could scare a child into asking very difficult questions! That was after Ole Ngais had alerted readers about what he did with his wife on one Valentine’s day – gave her 29 chupis to add to her collection. Apparently, there were no comments from the Kenya “Guardians of Morals”.
At one time, Clay’s grandmother had her dress stuck between her buttocks (it was disguising) while there is another time when Clay’s balls were hanging I don’t know after he took a shower and what have you. Don’t ask about the picture of the stark naked couple (with bushy shrubs in full glare) in Nairobi that was being embarrassed by Wananchi in the streets after the Ka-bull kanyagad another person’s wife but do I say?
While Kenyans need to avoid hitting below the belt, there are legitimate political exchanges that should not be silenced using manipulated logic. Questioning the destination of funds raised in public does not amount to a personal attack. Political attacks are good because they not only inform but also stimulate public debate on issues of interest. Let us be realistic.
Okoth Osewe
Githuku wa Muirani Responds To Gerry Midenyo
God is good all the times and all times God is good. I do give him all the praise because its ONLY him and HIM alone who is my creator and also its only him who knows where I will go when I die and that’s why I am not afraid of those who can kill my physical body and do nothing more than that, but am only afraid of he (God) who can kill me and my soul too.
In the bible we are told that, Joseph was sold to Egypt by his brothers because he had a dream (vision) and when he was sold there, it was a blessing in disguise because when there was famine in Israel, Jacob sent his sons to buy food there and to their surprise, it was Joseph who was the governor but since
he had good attitude, he never took offence and he treated his brothers well.
Despite all their efforts, they never killed Joseph’s dream and as long as one has a dream in life, one will encounter all types of critics and admirers. Concerning my Christian faith, it’s only God who will judge me and not human beings.
When Jesus was crucified, we are told that he was crucified with two thieves and one of them went to paradise because he pleaded with Jesus to remember him once he was in heaven and Jesus assured him that “tonight you will be with me in paradise”. According to the people of that time, they had condemned that thief to death but thanks to God because he never judges the way human beings do judge. It’s only by turning to Christ that we will receive salvation.
Rev. Dr. Ian Paisley is the head of one of the biggest political parties (Protestant) in Northern Ireland and he has not been talking to Gerry Adams of Sinn Feinn (Catholics) because of the politics of Northern Ireland until recently when they agreed to share power. Rev. Jesse Jackson is another high profile Clergyman who also indulges in politics.
The late Bishop, Dr. Henry Okullu even wrote a book about Church and Politics and he was very instrumental in championing the introduction of multi-partism in Kenya. Dr. Timothy Njoya and the late Bishop Alexander Kipsang Muge were also very vocal in criticizing Moi’s dictatorship.
I have never called myself a Pastor because in the first place I have never gone to any theological college. To my understanding, anyone who preaches the word of God or who teaches it can qualify for that title though in God’s Kingdom, all will be equal and that’s how God sees us as human beings because we are all created in his own image.
On my political leanings, it’s no secret that I have been supporting President Mwai Kibaki because it’s my God given right to support a candidate of my choice. In all articles which I have written, I have never attacked any particular community in Kenya but obviously as a supporter of PNU, I had to throw some salvos on ODM, just as they were also doing. I have never used any crude language as others have been doing.
About being born a Gikuyu, I have no apologies to make to anybody because God found me fit to be born in that community and it was not my choice. I do also respect other communities because they too, were created by God and that’s the beauty of creation. No community or race is superior than the others.
One is entitled to Freedom of Opinion and Association but it does not mean that if one gives an opinion which another person thinks is not right, one is against that person. I have stated in many of my articles even prior to the elections that I will support whichever government the Kenyan people chooses and right now am supporting the Grand Coalition government.
About funds raised at Bagarmossen Church, its only UHCK committee which can issue a Statement on the issue. It is not the first time Bagarmossen Church has been attacked and if it’s the will of God that it should be there, it will always survive. If there is anybody who has been confused by my religious status, turn only to Jesus because it’s only him who is the way, life and light.
Githuku Wa Muirani
Mary Mwangi’s Grandmother Is Dead
The Grandmother of Ms Mary Mwangi, a Kenyan lady who lives in Stockholm, has died, plunging the family into deep mourning. Speaking to KSB, Mary said that she received a phone call from Kenya that her grandmother had died.
The granny suffered a stroke and passed away a week after she was taken to hospital for treatment. She will be buried on Tuesday next week.
There is an “Open House” at Mary’s residence in Skarpnäck (Luftskeppsgatan 10) while special prayers will also be held at the residence on Monday next week from 18.00 hrs. Mary welcomes Kenyans to her house for consolation and messages of condolences. For further information, contact Mary through: 08 6046033.
Okoth Osewe
Gerry Midenyo Returns From Kenya And Attacks Muirani
Mr. Gerry Midenyo, a Kenyan resident in Stockholm, has returned from Kenya and attacked Mr. Githuku wa Muirani for contributing antagonistic articles at Kenyan blogs and “confusing Wananchi” especially those resident in Stockholm.
Speaking to KSB, Mr. Midenyo said that he has been reading articles by Muirani accusing Raila Odinga of being responsible for the Killings in Kenya without knowing what he was talking about.
“I went to Kenya where I also voted. When I was there, my own cousin was killed in the post election violence but it could be wrong to claim that Raila was directly involved in the death because violence was sporadic”, he said.
“Muirani has been attacking the Luo community, the Luhya community and the Kalenjin community for being responsible for the killings in Kenya without mentioning members of these communities who were also killed by police or hacked to death by Mungiki gangs”, he said.
Mr. Midenyo said that Muirani should stop being tribalistic and conducting a hate campaign against Raila whom, he said, is now the Prime Minister designate in Kenya.
“The likes of Muirani should listen to Kenyans like Mr. Charles Njonjo who has been preaching peace and cohabitation of all tribes in Kenya”, he said. He added that Kenyatta said that in case the leadership of Kenya passes across River Chania, there would be trouble.
“After he took power, Kibaki passed through River Chania with his motorcade and Kenyans have witnessed the kind of problems that Kenyans faced”, he said.
Mr. Midenyo also attacked Mr. Dick Kamau, the Secretary General of Chama cha Mwananchi (CCM), for blaming ODM members as having been responsible for the burning of Koigi wa Wamwere’s house in Subukia, Nakuru. Wamwere is the Chairman of CCM.
“Koigi’s politics is over and those who burnt his house did it out of bitterness due to his failure to serve them when he was in Parliament”, he said.
He told KSB that ODM members should not be blamed for every house that was burnt because the violence was spontaneous and it was impossible to know whether those burning houses were ODM members or gangs taking advantage of the situation.
ODM supporters in Stockholm must defend the Party against attacks by opportunists and political prostitutes who have nothing to offer”, he said.
Turning more fire on Muirani, Mzee Midenyo said that Muirani should first explain where funds that were raised at the UHCK in Bagarmossen Church went instead of confusing people.
“At first, Kenyans were told that the funds would be sent to Kenya through the International Red Cross. Today, I know that the funds were sent through the private account of an individual to some Church in Kenya”, he thundered.
Mzee Midenyo also said that Mr. Muirani should explain whether he is a politician or a Pastor, arguing that Muirani’s new profile as a Pastor in Bagarmossen Church was confusing Kenyans in Stockholm. He attacked the Bagarmossen Church for allowing anybody to call himself or herself Pastor after attending a service there for one day.
“The problem is that you hear a Kenyan taking the title of Pastor then later, you see the same person consuming alcohol in a bar or abusing people. This is not good for the Church and people should speak up”, he said.
The sudden attack by Mzee Midenyo on Muirani will, most likely, surprise many Kenyans in Stockholm because there has been no public show-down between the two Kenyans and it is not very clear why Midenyo opened fire.
Mr. Muirani has been running a string of articles in the Internet claiming that Raila is untrustworthy and that he cannot lead Kenya. It looks like the articles may have angered Mzee Midenyo, prompting him to rush to his armory with anti-Muirani artillery.
Okoth Osewe
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Newly Launched “Voice of Women (VOW)” And Challenges Ahead
During the International Women’s Day observed on Saturday 8th of March, a quiet event which could be of significant importance in the future also took place in Skarpnäck, Stockholm.
An organization that was formed a few weeks ago called Voice of Women (VOW) was launched at a moderately attended ceremony also marked by dance, food and social exchanges.
According to a KSB contact who was covering the event, the clientele included women from Kenya, Sweden, Uganda and other countries while a sprinkling of men of different nationalities also graced the occasion to show solidarity. It was impressive that the new organization managed to penetrate into the local Swedish TV channel to advertise the launching of the organization.
An important agenda that was highlighted when the group was formed was the fight for the rights of women in Sweden. Kenyan women playing leading roles in the new organization are Pastor Beatrice Kamau, Mrs Josephine Mberi, Mrs Margarett Njihia, Mama Keegan among others.
During the launch, where food cost as little as 50 kr, the youth were also represented. Funds raised from sale of food and soft drinks will be pumped into the new organization to keep it afloat.
The organization was launched at a time when women’s organizations led by focused women especially from Africa are scarce in Sweden. While the Swedish society is teething with well established Women’s organizations across the country, Immigrants are not well represented in this field. It is for this reason that the launching of VOW could be significant.
The main challenge for the new organization is to interest women from all walks of life to join in its agenda especially Kenyan women, some of whom are already in leading positions in VOW.
As a young organization, VOW should also include in its agenda a Program of taking contact with established Women’s groups and organizations in Sweden to borrow ideas which it could harness with its own independent initiatives as it goes about popularizing itself among its target audience in Sweden.
The organization faces a big challenge especially when it comes to tackling abuses of women within the tiny Kenyan community in Stockholm. In the past, cases of domestic violence against women have been reported with at least one death of a woman who was abused by her husband.
Many Kenyan parents are bringing up teen agers and organizing events targeted at this age group could also be an area that could led VOW into interesting the youth in the new organization.
VOW should not just focus on addressing fundamental rights of women but should also consider the issue of helping young mothers who come into contact with it as time progresses.
VOW has a challenging task in addressing the attitude problem that might still exist among certain men towards women, gender parity especially in Kenya and other African countries together with sensitive issues like prostitution and alcoholism especially among Kenyan women in Stockholm. Family or matrimonial crisis together with rebellion of the youth to parental guidance could also form part of VOW’s Program of action.
Okoth Osewe
March 11, 2008 Posted by makozewe | Commentary | Leave a Comment