I am so disturbed and ashamed with Mr. Ngatia’s remarks because he is blatantly trustful, credible and sensible. I was in Kenya during the entire time (December 2006 – 2008) before and after the Kenya ordeal and I released the first fresh news to North American News Media outlets, my adopted hometown paper of Dallas, TX. After that, news spread like wildfire. In his remarks Mr. Ngatia says that Kenyans are educated and sensible but that they lag behind in leadership of our country, not because of their choosing but due to poor and selfish leadership.
On my personal political experience during my political tour in Kenya, I once met with Hon. Njenga Karume and others who appeared not to have been impressed with me coming from the West, educated and with my own cash in hand to practice politics. I must have posed a threat! This I may never know.
The journalists in Kenya were even worse. They demanded a pay-out in order to cover my activities. At Machakos town, the situation was so bad that I once got a phone call from a reporter who told me that if I needed coverage, I had to pay upfront for my story to be published. Kenyan communities abroad must be prepared to meet such challenges. I actually questioned what I was doing in Kenya.
Reporters, voters, church leaders, ROs and others wanted money. A chairman of a news media asked for Shs200,000 to launch my name on one day’s national newspaper issue. Respectfully, I told the gentleman that majority of my constituents could not afford to put a meal on the table and asked him how they could afford a to buy newspaper?
Instead, I gave my money to different churches, not people in the streets who would use the cash for reckless spending. I did not give money to selfish beings bought by politicians for less than a dollar per vote. I declined to engage in vote-buying. I told the newsman that my stories about Kenya will be published for free in the West and that sometimes I will be paid for my stories! It was a horrible experiences. I understand advertisement and campaign promotion. This was not the case.
I found out that Political leadership machines in Kenya were opposed to the threats of the new leaders coming from Kenya community abroad. Kenya community abroad can ask questions and demand answers from politicians and people as well without fear.
Three days before grassroots elections, I shared a debate with the former MP for Machakos Town Constituency. I laid out to the people of Machakos the Millennium Development Goals that should have been introduced during his tenure. I found out that people had no knowledge of MDGs. After that afternoon, he lost his second bid to Parliament despite his support for ODM-Kenya. Soon after ODM-Kenya learned that their candidate was not a public favorite, they sneaked another crony who received the rest of the dirty votes from everyone by theft.
I challenged the leadership of the former MP in his home church, Machakos and in the presence of his people. I demonstrated successfully his incompetence in leadership during his term as MP. I did this without fear of his own people although I had been warned that he could pull a thing on me.
Later, ODM-Kenya leadership saw how strong I was at the grassroots. I
was on a KANU ticket, which had nominated me to challenge the former MP. Here is what happened! To save Uhuru for PNU, the KANU leadership pulled his nomination in all of Ukambani region to allow Uhuru to receive direct nomination for his constituency at home.
The will of the people in Machakos was not respected on behalf of one person. I lost nomination and my money! In less than 3 days I vied with another party. That was money spent and all my campaign efforts were wasted. People were confused about what happened.
I continued to get votes regardless of the change of party in the eleventh hour. ODM-Kenya had another method to stop my campaign. This time, it was at the tallying night in Machakos and like everyone else I had my own informants. I made no big thing about it; I told my people see you in 2012. Since then I have returned to my work base in the West to regroup.
Solomon
Dallas, Texas
About the Author
I wonder how we can revolutinize Kenyan politics while it is dominated by dynasties of the Kenyattas, Odingas, Mois and a bunch of old guards like Kibaki, Ntimama and now emerging thugs like Karua, Ruto, etc.
This young and ambitious gentleman was blocked from bringing fresh politics that could change Kenya’s political landscape because he did not have “moneybags” and a Political Godfather. There should be more like him until ultimate change is realized at home.
Kenya-Sweden Mwandawiro and Kenya-Norway Koigi Wamwere in 2002. However, they used Parliament to fill their tummies and are now out of the picture.
Meanwhile Osewe, any Barbz saga follow-up or some other scandalous hapenning to report for the weekend?
Keep trying,there is other chances especially if you not as old as the ruling leaders at present.At least you have gone a step a head. above,YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE ACTUAL FIELD.Make your own party and recruit others.Good luck!!!!!!!!!!
This is reponse to age in political leadership.
The problem is not age, it greedy of power, that one my pose. Many of our politicians take Parliment as place to make money in the expense of the voters and without the respect of the rule of law.
Age, is not the issue here.
Thank you for your comments.
Solomon
Dallas, Texas
“There should be more like him until ultimate change is realized at home.”
Thank you for your noble words of encouragement. Yes, I will return God willing for one more time. If not elected at 2012, I will take it that my people want to stay with their old guards. Then continue to be a Kenya activist.
Again, Thank you
Solomon
Dallas, Texas
“emerging thugs like Karua, Ruto,” Let me take a go on these two human beings.
I once met the young man Ruto in Dallas,during one of his many visit in Dallas. There was a gathering, I gave the opening remarks of the meetings on that evening. Ruto, in the company of Kenya diaspora at that time; Ruto, was asked why he wanted to run for presindent 2007 for Kenya. Several answers were given. On his defense, he took a calculated polical blame game with the previous regime. Just like many other politicians who had visitted the Diaspora of Dallas.
Here is the interested question, that I personally asked him.
1.If elected president, what would you do with half of the country semi desert? Second, with problem of water especially in Eastern and North Eastern Provinces?
His answer, “As president, I would have Rift Valley maize,be bought by the National Cereal Board and re-sell the maize during hard economic times”. My comments were Kenya needs economic plan to turn the dry land into manageable real estate, build industries for products. There is plenty of things a country can do with semi desert, tap electricity by the use of modern technology. His maize deal amazed me. No Diaspora will pack up to go plant maize in Kenya, I said. But the Diaspora will return for technological advancement.
Maize, was an Egyptian concept many centuries ago. I said. It was interesting, he is now the Agriculture Minister.
What happened to the Maize scandal? It was on that night I announced my plan for MP. Well, little did I know,rigging awaited me.
Therefore, we need men and women of integrity and honesty. May be the “The Diaspora”, who works so hard sometimes 1-2 jobs to keep food and mortgage needs running. We have our work ethics and perhaps, we send so much money for our families home, we want to help home. Does Kenya need to try Diaspora politicians for a change?
Solomon
Dallas
Solomon: Age is not the problem and I agree, because Uhuru Kenyatta and Mudavadi should have protested, given this curerent situation.
Kibaki is older than Raila, so when I read Muthaura’s salary policy to the Executive and the Legislature, I felt that there is dictatorship in Kenya.
Solomon, am glad that you are back to tell us your personal experiences from Motherland on matters concerning contesting as an MP. Kenya is a tough place, full of hardened politicians who will never give up their seats, especially when a person from the Diaspora challenges them.
I think many expected more from Mwandawiro and Koigi Wamwere, who were “representing” the Nordic voices. However, they did not live up to the wishes of many who thought that they could inject certain values they had picked from this part of the world, considered worthwhile in improving Kenyans’ quality of life.
Koigi was an avid supporter of the Kibaki regime after he was made an assistant minister and became blind to the same vices he was against when he fled the country. Mwandawiro on the other hand did not put up a serious fight against the system and even his constituents were so disappointed, thus kicking him out in 2007. He was a stranger amongst them, not bothering to sit and listen to their grievances.
I appreciate that you could come out in the open to discuss the political shenaningans and to encourage other people in the Diaspora to compete for political seats in Kenya. Former minister Mukhisa Kituyi was equally disappointing, having been based in Oslo, Norway. I hope that other potential ones will improve.
Bwana, Okoth:
Okoth: Good Work
Received: Raila Odinga’s Stolen Presidency, o4/04/009
Yours is good scholarship. You have presented very well in your write up. What needs to happens now, Kenya community abroad and those at homeland needs to read and digest the good reporting. The reporting will help voters next time they to the polls.
On page 297 Constituency: Kibwezi Const. and Machakos Town Constituency, Kalonzo camp, rigged big time. You may have missed Machakos Town, which appears on my book.
Kalonzo, political career is nothing but selfish egoistic and opportunist politician, he ashamed the smart Akamba tribe. Ngilu, is right, she calls him the Coalition problem.
Solomon
Dallas, TX
KSB: I missed Machakos because I was mainly focusing on the Presidency. Thanks for your support.
Yes, I agree with writer on former Hon. Mukhisa. We met once in Houston, during one of his many official duties. That was the time we heard of him.
Majority of them came for money and moral support from Kenya Diaspora living in North America. will see next time.
However, His case as former diaspora should not discourage those who are willing and able finally to return for 2012.
Solomon
Larry, Thank you for your noble words. I try to remain positive and honesty. My name is also real
Thank you.
Solomon
Dallas