If there is one area where Ambassador Purity excels, it is living and displaying a life of class marked by sophistication and an aura of calmness and tranquility even in the face of deep crisis and political setbacks that could result in depression and other ailments.
If Purity could combine this sophistication with polished diplomacy at all levels, she could probably be riding within the ranks of “Super Ambassadors” and the best “diplomatic material” Kenyans in Stockholm have ever had at the Embassy.
Unfortunately, the Ambassador diverts her diplomacy towards pleasing foreigners and Kenyans here can only watch her from a distance and at places far away as she “represents us” at different forums. She prefers forums where everybody is a stranger while she hates being close to her own people.
The last time I spotted her in public, she was at the Obama gala in Stockholm on 20th January this year and when you saw her smile with strangers who had just clicked that she was the Kenyan Ambassador (Obama land), you could think that she was riding in the success of Public Relations as she smiled in style to the congrants from white folks who admired our country for having produced Obama who had just taken the oath as the 44th President of the United States of America.
We were a group of Kenyans and we had to restrain a fellow Kenyan who wanted to shout at her in a long lecture of how she had failed at the Kenyan Embassy.
The issue was that the day Obama was being inaugurated, Kenyans in Stockholm believed that the Embassy could be able to organize an event where Kenyans could meet to celebrate the big day. The Embassy has reached a level of notoriety when it comes to organizing secret dinners to dignitaries plundering the Kenyan economy whenever they are on begging missions in Sweden.
A bash for Obama with Kenya-Stockholmers in attendence could have been tax payer’s money well spent. After all, Kogelo is now a protected area so? Isitoshe, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Moses Wetangula, travelled all the way to the United States with a huge entourage at tax payer’s expense just to watch the Obama inauguration on TV. As her boss was spending time in the US behind the screen waiting for Obama to say “so help me god”, the Ambassador was spending tax money at a gala organized by foreigners in the middle of town.
The troubled Kenyan who wanted to take Purity by her skirt, was disturbed because in his mind, he thought that the Ambassador ought to have been the Guest of Honour at a Kenyan oriented gala with invited foreign guests to boot and Kenyans buzzing around with pride. He did not expect the Ambassador joining a crowd of odiangabooks in some gala in the middle of town when one of us was taking power in the most powerful country in the world.
An epitome of disgust
The most pathetic angle was that at the gala, there were several artists who entertained the audience but not a single Kenyan artist was listed despite a litany of Artists who dot the Kenya-Stockholm musicsphere – Billy Boy, St James, Moses Trubadur, Albert Taabu, Brayo, JJ, Odhis just to mention but a few. Mary Gwada is a leading gospel singer but she was not on stage although she was part of the crowd with the Ambassador.
These Kenyan musicians could have formed the basis of a Kenyan extravaganza with the Ambassador “shining” within the crowd with a specially prepared Kitenge made by the finest tailors available. How good and pleasant could it have been for Kenyans to pose for “pixels” with our Ambassadero to emblazon the images in lasting memory when Obama took power.
Instead, the Ambassador went randa randaring in town after abandoning Wakenya and their big day. Frustrated and after hopes of the Embassy pulling something failed, we went to the Obama gala as a consolation and bumped into Purity!
In the picture used in this piece taken by a KSB fan yesterday, Purity is entering the hall of the Climate conference in Stockholm with her ubiquitous Kitenge cap that always says something about East African origin, a sign that she is very patriotic.
We will leave it to Kenya Stockholmers to guess the identity of her female companion although many will find it easy to make their pick, given that our embattled Embassy has the Ladies in tight control from top to bottom. The ambassador goes everywhere with this lady and one day, someone asked me whether she is her first born daughter!
If only Purity’s patriotism, which is so evident in her dressing style, could also be reflected in the way she handles Kenyans here, she could surely become the darling of every Kenyan Stockholmer.
Unfortunately, she is the epitome of disgust among those who have come to hate her like leprosy and despite her apparent sophistication in attire, some Kenyans could puke on her dress with impunity if they had the opportunity, not because she is worthless but because of the worthless manner in which she handles Kenyans here – as worthless human beings.
She now believes that Prof Wangari Maathai is not worth meeting Kenyans here and in her characteristic and classy style, she has fixed a “By invitation only” Dinner. If there is something Kenyans in Stockholm need to pray for, it is the departure of Ambassador Purity. I will be there to shout “Halelujah” because I am a witness to her worthlessness as an Emissary of the Republic. She needs kupumzishwa.
Photo credit: Aero Osanya
Okoth Osewe
About the Author
Purity Muhindi is nothing but a refelction of the Kenyan “urban haute bourgeois” in her choice of who-is-who among Kenya-Stockholmers.
I can easily guess that her counterpart in the photo is none other than her loyal “hand-bag carrier”, maid, second in-command and the chief tongue-lashing woman at the Embassy known as Josephine AWUOR, the Principal Counsellor.
I have ceased to honor these diplomats with their formal titles because they have no respect for the majority of Kenya-Stockholmers. Awuor is known to be a dictator, which in her mind is equal to instilling efficiency. The lower cadre Embassy staff hate her with a passion, but just keep their cool for the sake of employment.
Purity is not a “pure woman” as her name suggests, and I agree with Mr. Ngatia that she is a tribalist to boot and a hand-picked product of Lucy Kibaki, the loony first lady of Kenya.
KSB and other concerned Kenyans have shouted through writings and at public fora for a change of attitude from the key diplomat, Purity, but all has been in vain. The frustration of not meeting foreign Kenyan dignitaries is so much that I heard some Kenyans saying that we should collectively sign a petition to challenge Purity’s underhandedness within Kenya-Stockholm.
KSB has suggested ways, so Kenyans can pick them and chart the way forward to at least alert Foreign Affairs in Nairobi.
LOL! Impurity, that was a fat response to the apathetic Purity and her isolated, good-for-nothing deputy Awuor, whom you equate with a “spanner girl”.
Purity can never be a darling of Kenya-Stockholmers because she has no time for the majority, apart from the few who hang on her tailcoat for free meals and drinks.
If she is a tribal-appointee from mama Lucy Kibaki herself, then she will continue to act with impunity by misusing our taxpayer shillings on non-Kenyan functions, while weilding those acquired powers from State House.
Impunity has an end; recently the fromer first lady of Zambia Regina Chiluba was jailed for three and a half years, for acquiring massive wealth when the husband was president. She also loved Kitenge clothes with sophisticated headgear like Purity. Time will tell with a regime change in Kenya, far away from River Chania.
If Purity is as smart and sophisticated as her photogenic figure shows, why can’t she meet Kenyans at a public forum and listen to their grievances? She thinks that the majority will come there for free food? Never! The campaign against her must begin.
But !
she is a very beatiful woman Though, a real sexbomb !
isnt she ???
KSB: This is where at KSB, we begin to draw the line. In as much as there is disagreement with Purity politically, she is the mother of her children and on this note, she deserves respect. While it is generally accepted that she is good looking, leave her sexuality out of the debate and concentrate on her political weaknesses. Let us be civil.
About the first Lady Lucy !
I think it is time now somebody slapped her badly so that she should learn that what she is doing is wrong !
This happened a few days ago in Tanzania, when the former president Ali Hassan Mwinyi was delivering a speech at a Maulid gathering. Instead of talking about Islam and its values, he started talking about condom using against AIDS
he got slapped, heavely ! (Kibao kikali mzee)
Now, this Lucy, just because she managed to take her husband off the booze does not guarantee her to slap people !
learn from Bongo Mzee !
KSB: Exactly. She needs to be taken to court, tried and if found guilty, fined or jailed like any other Kenyan assaulting others.
I wonder if all Kenyans living in Stockholm, Sweden and Scandinavia as a whole share the rage presented here? Why can’t KSB suggest a positive debate that can bring the parties together. It is a pity that all the articles on KSB about the ambassador are basically negative and full of scathing rage!
Ochanda
KSB: Ochanda: We have tried to talk to Purity but she doesn’t listen. Its not even possible to talk to her on the phone because she is always “out of office” or “in a meeting” while she doesn’t have the courtesy of returning calls. What do you say when she denies Kenyans here the opportunity to meet Maathai?
Kenya’s Coalition government is full of corruption, nepotism and lack of touch with Kenyans. Purity mirrors those “Fat Cats” and only thrives knowing so well that as long as they are ruling, she is going nowhere. However, we Kenyans have the moral authority to shout and not let Purity walk all over us. We must take the complaints beyond Stockholm.
Talk of gender misrepresentation! Who thought that if the local embassy is led by women it would work better for the Kenyan community? No wonder it’s argued that some women can be worse leaders than men.
The general relationship between Kenyans and the embassy has never been this low in many years. Why? Because unfortunately, two women hold the top leadership and think that they are an upper class lot that has no time with the Kenyans whom they are here to serve.
Ochanda, the “Kenyan in Finland”, does not understand how KSB and other Kenyans in Stockholm have been battling and trying to draw Purity to listen to the calls for collaboration. All has yielded naught.
It is better to lambast the embassy’s top leadership because there is nothing good to expect from these two women. It is too bad that some other diplomats seem to be playing the same tune since they have no choice.
A Kenyan was heard saying that she got a rude shock when she was humiliated by two junior diplomats while trying to renew her passport at the embassy last year. They called her names when they realized that she had delayed with sending in her passport for renewal. She swore to dump the Kenyan passport despite being a patriot.
Please KSB, try to find out if Purity is acting under instructions from Nairobi. It cannot be true that with her limited powers she can be able to stop Kenyans from attending open actvities where they would normally gain free access. Also try to find out if Wangari knows about her approach, you can easily contact the Green Belt Office in Nairobi either by mail or phone. Wangari is open and upright to the extent that she will let you know the partial details of her meeting with Kenyans and Clinton….well, depending on your approach.
We are looking forward to Purity’s visit here, it has been long since we got a ‘high profiled’ visit from that office. You people in Stockholm should be proud to host the embassy there…but it seems we are not missing anything either!!
John, don’t blame the women leading the office, talk about the system that allows them to run the office. There is absolutely nothing wrong with women heading the embassy but there has to be put in place checks and balances to guard against misuse of power…if any!!
Nice weekend.
Ochanda
Ochanda: I can’t see any comment claiming that women shouldn’t lead the local embassy. I understand John’s disappointment with the two women leaders who are an extention of the rotten regime in Kenya.
However, Lillian has argued that some women are worse leaders than men, most likely because the past ambassadors were men, and those who were posted here after the advent of Kenya’s multiparty system, were quite welcoming to Kenyans. The women are part of the bad system in Kenya. Look at Purity whose appointment was out of nepotism through first lady Lucy Kibaki. She only cares about herself and even uses her deputy Awuor, to carry her handbag.
Be prepared to see Purity’s evil charm and sneer when she visits Kenyans in Finland, then you will know her true colours.
KSB: Ochanda is not familier with her seductive calmness. I said that she likes crowds which do not know her. Ochanda is not even aware that while Purity is rushing “to meet Kenynas in Finland”, she has NEVER organized a “meet Wakenya” session in Stockholm since she came here more than 2 years ago.
I hope Purity Muhindi gets recalled soon. I received an email today stating that her US counterpart Ambassador Oginga Ogego has been recalled amidst suspected financial misappropriation amounting to 2.5 million US dollars. This is the man who degraded then Senator Obama (now President) during his 2006 visit to Kenya. Read on:
Kenya’s former Ambassador to the US Rateng’ Oginga Ogego sneaked out of the US in what is apparently being termed a “recall”.
The Ambassador shipped his entire family and belongings before secretly sneaking out. A call placed to the embassy confirmed that Ogego has been out of the Embassy and his replacement is likely to be named soon.
It is said that Ogego may have been recalled following allegations of corruption at the embassy involving himself and some embassy staff where close to $2.5 million visa fees may have been pocketed.
A foreign affairs ministry audit team arrived at the embassy last week, several embassy staff sent on compulsory leave, and Ogego was recalled.
Ogego spewing garbage to then Senator Obama:
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/488428/-/tlki2s/-/index.html
Kenya is in a pathetic position. It seems like a stiff competition between Lake Victoria Mafia and Mount Kenya Mafia after the Rift Valley Mafia left the scene on who will eat most. Who do we trust? Those who were supposed to be on the wananchis side have started thinking strongly about red carpets and ordering luxury wheels while the citizens are starving.
Purity is just too full of herself. She knows that KSB has consistently attacked her for not authorizing an update on the Embassy website (or is it blogsite?); therefore will not play ball. The result? She loses out in the marketing of Kenya using the cheapest medium – the Internet, which is ubiquitous in the Nordic region.
Anyway, the language that the Mount Kenya Mafia (including Purity) understand is boycotts, stubborness and threats as ODM has shown PNU (read Kibaki) back in Kenya on powersharing, for them to lsiten.
Purity can never be a darling of the wider Kenya-stockholm community. She only invites subservient characters like Ole Ngais to her secret functions to sing “Yes Madam” songs as they get free food and give her cheap publicity using “broken English”.
Disillusioned citizen #11: Kenya’s political elite will always be the same because it inherited many traits from the British colonialists like applying divide and rule tactics, the desire for luxury, etc. which have all resulted in huge inequalities in wealth-sharing. However, since you refer to the red carpet which was demanded by Raila Odinga at a recent function, I will indulge you in certain facts.
Raila had the right as Prime Minister to ask why there was no red carpet or toilet at that function, plus why the District Commissioner did not preside over his official duties as required in the presence of a VIP.
For your information, the “Lake Victoria Mafia” have never been at the helm of leadership in Kenya (meaning the Presidency with absolute powers to make or break the country). However, we have had the “Kiambu Mafia” under Kenyatta, the “Kalenjin Mafia” under Moi, and the “Mount Kenya Mafia” under Kibaki, with disastrous outcomes.
Up to the recent walkout by Raila at the aborted Kilaguni retreat, he had played the underdog so as not to ruffle feathers in the Coalition, until the public outburst about the internal frustrations he faces in governance from his juniors, basically steered from State House. This has been quite illustrative through decrees from the Secretary of the Cabinet, Muthaura, with impositions which undermine Raila’s equal role as Kibaki’s co-principal.
I feel you are applying selective amnesia by jibing Raila, yet his frustrations were already visible in his struggle for reforms as then Roads Minister in Kibaki’s first government.
Anyway, back to the current state of affairs: What about Mary Wambui, the disowned and rumored customarily recognized second wife of President Kibaki? She is accorded VIP treatment with chase cars, an elaborate security detail from the GSU (publicly funded) and is officially called a PNU activist. Why don’t you address the KES 500,000 monthly salary accorded Lucy Kibaki as the First Lady, for duties we don’t know? At least Ida Odinga (Raila’s wife) refused a salary package, but VP Kalonzo’s wife accepted, saying she would donate it to poor girls in Ukambani, yet a year later there has been no public audit. She also works as an official at the Central Bank of Kenya.
Kenyans have never been so disillusioned like during the period from 2003 under Kibaki’s presidency. Raila is a newcomer at the Executive and was only promised more power two days ago after making noise publicly. Most of the IDPs are still living in camps, hungry as usual, yet the majority of them with roots from Central Province, voted for Kibaki overwhelmingly.
It’s therefore not about red carpets and Mercedes Benz cars; a trend began by Kenyatta and his cronies. Kibaki himself is driven in a state-of-the-art Mercedes (S600 Limousine), yet people are starving in his own Central Province. In reality the Executive has the highest budget in Government. I loathe the misuse of public funds and this should be condemned collectively. Raila was already a billionaire before he became a Prime Minister, so he could still afford red carpets and big cars notwithstanding his premiership.
I think our focus should be on Constitutional reforms to bring the CHANGE we so desire. The exit of Martha Karua (former Justice Minister) could be a starting point in establishing an Opposition in Parliament. Karua represents the paradox of Kibaki’s politics whereupon its victims are shunned instead of being rewarded. She was loyal as a former partner in Kibaki’s Democratic Party, and then later in Narc-Kenya. Now she is infamous for doing his dirty work during the post-election violence, which remains Kenya’s annus horribilis. She expected him to reward her with a deputy premiership, but he offered it to the blue-blooded Uhuru Kenyatta.
Records show that Karua was a stumbling block in implementing reforms because she initially supported the status quo. It would be interesting to see if she shall work with her political nemesis, Raila Odinga.