PRIME MINISTER ODINGA’S INTERVIEW WITH FINANCIAL TIMES:
Prime Minister Raila Odinga is deeply intrigued and feels absolutely slandered by the story appearing in the Financial Time that implies he will not accept defeat in the Monday elections however free and fair.
Prime Minister Odinga conducted two interviews at short intervals on Friday, March 1, 2013 with the Financial Times and the British Broadcasting Corporation Radio and TV at his home in Bondo. At none of these interviews did Mr Odinga speak of violence should he lose elections as reported by the Financial Times today.
In both interviews, PM referred to his sporting career as an athlete and footballer and repeated that as a sports person, he understands losing and winning as part of the game. Asked what it would be the end of his political career if he loses the elections, the PM’s answer was:
“I strongly believe I am going to win this election, and in round one. However, in the likely event that I lose, I believe there will be a role for me in Kenya. I can write my memoirs, I have a family to take care of, and, most importantly, I have a party that I will continue to guide so we can deepen democracy in Kenya. I believe the democratization of Kenya has been my biggest contribution to the country and I want to push it to the end whether I am in or out of elective politics.” On his plans should he win, the PM said:
“I will want to form an inclusive government, in which all, including my opponents, will have a role, so we can take this country forward.”
On claims that his supporters are being targeted with propaganda leaflets, the PM said:
“I am aware that my opponents are scaring my supporters so that they can migrate from where they registered in order to cut the spread of my vote. It is a form of rigging and Kenyans will not accept it. However, the people they are pushing out constitute a drop in the ocean of my support. I will still win this election despite this dirty campaign.”
Mr Odinga is shocked by the Financial Times story and considers it the work of a writer and organization with fixed idea of Kenya as the country goes to elections.
DENNIS ONYANGO;
Communication Secretary,
Office of the Prime Minister;
March 2, 2013.
About the Author
Being concerned alone is not enough. How about a protest letter – What desperation does the Western media have that they have to imply some form of violence? Are they so desperately seeking relevance and ratings? Proper journalism was long thrown into the bin….. sue their sorry asses RAO
Kenya’s political scene changes everyday. The elites know how to mutate. They are always the change. Knowing that new constitution is being implemented, they have realized that their wealth is in danger. What will they do to protect it? What secrets do they know?
At the peak for the push for what was perceived as Kenya’s second liberation, Hon. Raila Odinga declared ‘Kibaki Tosha.’ The slogan brought Mwai Kibaki’s Narc to power – so Kenyans thought. Those who read City time s at the time know where Kenya is ending. Raila Odinga was on the move to be near power. If you want power, you must be close to those in power.
To get you informed, when Kenya became independent Mzee Jomo Kenyatta was the first Prime Minister. Macdonald Malcolm was Kenya’s governor at independence. He was to Kenyatta, what Kibaki is to Raila. Malcolm had more powers than Kenyatta. The only advantage Kenyatta had as the prime minister was the constitution process. He was the one charged to give Kenyans a constitution.
As Prime Minister, Kenyatta made sure that the constitution favored him. He transferred all the powers to the president. Mzee was sure, he was the one to occupy the seat. The Jaramogis were intelligently pushed to the opposition by the American and British intelligence. Constitution ensured that those who co-operated with the British always ruled Kenya. The change of the independence constitution has overturned everything. Raila Odinga has finally brought the Luos close to power.
When the grand coalition government was formed, Raila became Kenya’s second prime minister. He was charged to give Kenyans a new constitution. ‘Agwambo’ made sure the constitution gave him an upper hand as far as the Kibaki succession is concerned (hope you read our last issue). The man has also worn the international community without which you can never win an election in Kenya. Have you ever asked yourself why Raila is always abroad?
According to secret files seen by this writer, all common wealth governments are the same. They are given by mother states. it is one secret Raila discovered. Former attorney General Charles Mugane Njonjo is the one who marketed Raila in Europe moreso Britain. The international community fought for Raila to become Kenya’s second prime minister – a stepping stone to the president. Today Raila’s presence is felt in Nyanza, western, coast Nairobi, North Eastern, and Rift Valley provinces. He has also made inroads in eastern and central province. Only Uhuru Kenyatta’s candidature can stop Raila’s inroads into central province.
The above information has shocked many Kikuyu billionaires and even beyond.
Kenyan billionaires are always scared on mentioning the word change. This is because most of their wealth is ill-gotten. These mega-rich club will always sing to the coming president. If they sense that you have established a network to land in statehouse, means and ways must be found to make sure they own you. They represent a false change.
So knowing that prime minister Raila Amolo Odinga may rise to power, they have hatched a super plan to be part of him. They will be his drivers. Billions of campaign money for Raila are pouring in. This writer was astonished to learn that, Wilfred Kiboro of Nation Media Group, Stanley Githunguri, Joe Wanjui, Charles Mugane Njonjo, Peter Kuguru Maina Njenga, Maina Kiai and S. K. Macharia of Royal Media Services have started leaning towards Raila.
True, it seems the political elite know something about Kenya’s statehouse. Despite the fact that Hon. William Ruto has installed himself the King of Kalenjin land, the like of Franklin Bett, Henry Kosgey, Sally Kosgei and Musa Sirma have stuck with Raila.
Roads Minister Franklin Bett was associated with the presidency during his civil service career from 1979 to 1997. He was first employed in the Inspectorate of state corporations in the office of the president in 1978 from where he was transferred to treasury for a short stint as under secretary before being deployed to statehouse as deputy controller, presidential speech writer. At statehouse, he deputized the powerful Abraham Kiptanui.
Bett, as one of Moi’s last three private secretaries, knows many secrets. When Ruto was leading Kalenjins from Raila, Bett plainly told them Raila will succeed Kibaki. Sally Kosgei, Moi’s last secretary to the cabinet has always returned to Raila- a thing that has left many queries unanswered. The most shocking one came from former president Moi.
Word has it that most Kenyan billionaires don’t think a person like vice presidency Kalonzo Musyoka can protect their wealth. Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia MUDAVADI are the ones most preferred to protect their wealth. Rumour has it that Raila Odinga has sweared to protect their wealth. Politics is about one’s interest and not principle. Let us wait and see whether they will openly back Raila come March though Uhuru seems to have an upperhand as far as Kibaki succession is concerned.
Do not forget Gema sold Kenya 1963 (Kenya is a british-Subject)Kenyatta sold Kenya:
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga refused to sell Kenya.
Uhuru Kenyatta is the father and (Mother of Capitalism in Kenya(has sold Kenya) for another 99 years.
Oginga Odinga is a Communist who cannot be trusted.But have been cheated by imperialism.
(Confused Imperialism)
NOTE- How Uhuru ICC case is handled unlike Yugoslavia (Slobodan Mirocevic)
KIkuyu and western UK USA industrialists owns Kenya and kikuyu .
Let us wait and see whether imperialists has been cheating Raila Odinga on 4th-march 2013.
Raila Odinga is a man of the people and has fought for the rights of Wakenya for so long.
I have been up and about, and the ground looks good. Nyachae has apologised to Kisii people for supporting Uhuru. Sang has sent word out that Raila is not the enemy and that the community should not be deceived. The people of Western province have accepted the message that they should not “waste” their votes, Coast people are with us 100%. This thing is over. We are projecting 55% and over in first round. Sleep easy. Uhuru will give a great concession speech. Raila will do what he can to get this case to Kenya or Arusha. The people of Kenya are wiser and smarter than the politicians think.
CORD has done a good job to not only contain Uhuru in central but to solidify Kisii, coast province, western province and now its making huge progress in Rift Valley. The analysts will say that the huge movement for CORD took place within the last week. It is almost as if the country woke up and said, “wait a minute”!!, an ICC indictee!!? another kikuyu president, NO WAY”. Uhuru framed this as a numbers game, and like they say, those who live by the sword die by the sword.
Jubilee did a good job of mudding the waters in the beggining and I almost thought that Kenyans could be crazy enough to vote for 1) another ICC indictee and 2) for another kikuyu presidency so soon after Kibaki blatently reneged on the MOU, stole the elections, frustrated NARA and kikuyunized the civil service. Kumbe Kenyans know better and were just waiting for the right time to make their move. From what I am hearing, Kenyans will wake up Monday morning in huge numbers and take their country back. This is will be the only time when the politicians are at the mercy of the people.
Odinga alleges unfairness before Kenyan election
By James Macharia and Edmund Blair
KAREN, Kenya | Sat Mar 2, 2013 2:12pm GMT
KAREN, Kenya (Reuters) – One of Kenya’s top two presidential rivals accused the electoral commission on Saturday of disadvantaging him by “design or omission” in Monday’s vote, a poll intended to reassert the rule of law after savage post-election tribal fighting in 2007.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga, locked in a tight race against Uhuru Kenyatta, told Reuters he was still confident of a first-round victory, but his comments hint at legal wrangles and tension if the result is as close as surveys suggest.
More than 1,200 people died in ethnic violence in 2007 after Odinga disputed the victory of incumbent president Mwai Kibaki.
Speaking on the last day of campaigning, Odinga said the election committee had failed to register all voters in his core constituencies but not in areas viewed as heartlands of Kenyatta’s. But he said that, unlike in 2007, he had confidence in a reformed judiciary to adjudicate.
If he sought to raise a challenge, Odinga said, “we will go to court and we will urge our people to be calm and peaceful and await the outcome of the petition”.
For years seen as one of Africa’s most stable democracies, east Africa’s biggest economy is being watched by African and Western donors and investors to see if can now hold a vote where disputes are played out in court, not on the streets.
Although the new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, which denies any bias, is widely seen as much more impartial than its predecessor, and reforms have made the judiciary less political, many ordinary Kenyans are preparing for the possibility of violence.
POLITICAL DYNASTY
In an hour-long interview, Odinga, scion of a family at the heart of Kenyan politics since independence in 1963, said he still expected to win more than 50 percent of the vote on Monday, avoiding the need for a run-off.
“We still don’t think that all these reports (of shortcomings in preparations) will have much impact to the outcome of elections,” said the 68-year-old, who may now have his last chance to secure the top job.
“We have urged the people to turn out and vote in large numbers.”
Five years ago, 350,000 people fled their homes when rival ethnic groups fought with machetes, knives and bows and arrows.
In the areas that were worst affected, many store owners are again running down stocks for fear of new carnage. Residents of some ethnically mixed areas have returned to their tribal homelands, many of them prompted by threatening leaflets.
Odinga said the election commission had failed to send enough biometric registration kits to strongholds of his Coalition for Reform and Democracy (CORD), so that his supporters were under-represented on voter lists.
“Rigging of an election is not just on the polling date,” Odinga said. “I don’t know whether it is by design or by omission.”
Speaking in the lush garden of his villa in the Karen suburb on the outskirts of Nairobi before heading out for a final rally, Odinga said some 4 million people who should have been on voter lists had been left off, although he did not say how many he viewed as his backers. Some 14 million Kenyans have been registered to vote.
RIVALS ACCUSED
Odinga also accused his opponents of using the civil service to promote their parties or of using food aid to win support, allegations that they deny.
Regarding his main rival, Odinga said many voters appreciated “the danger” of electing Kenyatta and his running mate, William Ruto, both charged by the International Criminal Court (ICC) with orchestrating violence after the 2007 vote.
The United States and Western countries worry about future ties if Kenyatta wins the race to lead Kenya, a major recipient of aid and a regional ally in the fight against militant Islam.
But Odinga also said some Kenyans might sympathise with Kenyatta and Ruto, who “portray themselves as innocent victims”. Both men deny all the charges.
Odinga, who has previously quipped that Kenyatta would have to run a government by Skype from The Hague, said if he won the election he would petition the U.N. Security Council to have the cases referred back to Kenyan jurisdiction.
Typically for a Kenyan election, tribal loyalties will trump ideology for many.
But Odinga, from the Luo tribe, and Kenyatta, a Kikuyu, will need to reach beyond their tribal heartlands if they are to win with more than 50 percent of the vote. Both have picked running mates from other ethnic backgrounds.
Odinga pledged to weed out corruption from the civil service, where Kenyans complain of a culture that runs from small-time bribery to multi-million dollar scams.
He said he would extend to government the reforms that have begun restoring trust in the judiciary and police by making them less susceptible to political interference.
He also promised to deal fairly in adjudicating land disputes, in line with the 2010 constitution.
Many Kenyans have long resented seeing politicians carve up vast tracts of land, leaving the legions of smallholders who are the backbone of Kenyan agriculture struggling for a profit on smaller and smaller farms.
(Writing by Edmund Blair; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
WorldAfrica
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/03/02/uk-kenya-elections-odinga-idUKBRE92106S20130302
A look at the factors complicating Kenya’s election Monday, the first since 2007-08 violence
By Associated Press,
Published: February 28
NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya’s presidential election on Monday is the most important and complicated in the country’s 50-year history. More than 1,000 people were killed after Kenya’s 2007 vote, and political leaders, civil society groups and international governments are pressing Kenyans for no violence this time.
Despite the push for peace, there are many reasons why the aftermath of the vote could turn tumultuous. Here are some of the factors complicating the election:
— One of the two top presidential candidates, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, faces charges at the International Criminal Court, for orchestrating the 2007-08 election violence.
— If Kenyatta wins the presidency, he may have to spend a significant portion of it in court at The Hague.
— A Kenyatta win will also see relations cool between Kenya and the U.S./Europe because of the ICC case.
— If Prime Minister Raila Odinga wins the presidency and Kenyatta refuses to report to the ICC, Odinga may have to order Kenyatta’s arrest, risking serious clashes between their two tribes.
— Tensions between the Kikuyus — Kenyatta’s tribe — and the Luos — Odinga’s tribe — have been high in Mathare, Nairobi’s most dangerous slum.
— Kenya has seen more than 200 people killed in politically-connected violence in recent months in the Tana River region and Kenya’s north. More violence is expected.
— Kenyan polls show the race to be tight — the top candidates poll in the mid-40-percent range — raising the risk of rigging allegations. Fifty percent is needed to win the presidency; an April run-off between the two is likely.
— The Somali militant group al-Shabab may try to disrupt the vote by attacking polling stations. The al-Qaida-linked group has threatened large-scale attacks in Kenya ever since Kenyan troops moved into Somalia in 2011.
— A secessionist group on Kenya’s coast which had been quashed by the government last year is said to be recruiting new members and planning attacks on elections, according to the government-funded, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.
— New political divisions known as counties gives Kenya 47 new governors. Those governorships give more tribes a position in power, but they also create some new contentious races over which violence could break out.
— More than 530,000 illegal weapons are in civilians’ hands, according to the police.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/a-look-at-the-factors-complicating-kenyas-election-monday-the-first-since-2007-08-violence/2013/02/28/8e9c8c14-81d8-11e2-a671-0307392de8de_story.html
Si Si Wakenya?: The World’s Most Important Election Belongs To Kenya
– Reuters February 27, 2013
If there were a single country in Africa I’d offer as a microcosm of the continent’s effort to find a balance between growth and redistribution it would be Kenya. The nation of 41 million each day performs a high wire tight rope walk in between tradition and modernity; informal and formal economic activity; and collective and individual identity. As I have previously written at Forbes its dynamic approach to building a property rights regime upon the economic essence of marriage is uniquely impressive.
From that lens, Monday’s national election is less about the vision offered by colorful leading candidates – a sitting Prime Minister Raila Odinga and an opposition candidate under an International Criminal Court (ICC) indictment, Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta. As political platforms go, neither offers much policy innovation– as is always the case with a post-liberation nation where the emphasis on political ideology and survival crowds out the brutal honesty and the long-term vision required to unwind a colonial economy. That opposition and ruling parties in developing nations play little more than a game of musical chairs – where political ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ merely fight over who grants the license, obtains the franchise and controls borders in an export-driven economy, is an inglorious fact indeed. And no politician in any developing or developed nation – including Kenya’s favorite son, the current President of the United States – will ever tell the electorate how little power they actually have to change things, until they are out of office.
So I never would expect any of Kenya’s leading candidates to explain to the electorate that it is not an accident that multi-lateral assistance disbursements match the central bank’s shortfall in foreign exchange reserves regardless of who is in office. Nor do I expect them to detail that in the Summer of 2011 the Kenyan shilling was falling not because the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) was ‘independently’ targeting an inflation level or an exchange rate but rather because it was actually following a mandate contained within a Letter of Intent signed between the Government of Kenya and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The shilling fell because the central bank had to mop up dollar liquidity in order to hit a target set for it by the IMF as a condition to receive $500 million in ‘assistance.’ Elaborating on how such back-door agreements deprive elected officials of their policy space is not the kind of thing a charismatic leader runs on and certainly not Mr. Kenyatta who actually signed the agreement.
This detail, and other uncomfortable facts like: 1) it is European-based Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) who are financing efforts toward the economic integration of Kenya and East Africa 2) it is U.S. military advisers (sent by Kenya’s favorite son) coordinating potentially destabilizing military operations in the region 3) it is a Russian investment bank – Renaissance Capital – financing the largest urban development project in all of Africa right outside of Nairobi 4) a growing sense is emerging that Kenya’s high profile push into mobile technology, positioned as world-leading by Western financial media, will ultimately serve Silicon Valley more than the indigenous tech-savvy hub of app-making entrepreneurs – could all be used to paint a picture that belies the sense of empowerment and optimism which many Kenyans genuinely feel on the eve of national elections.
No, simply telling Kenyans that as they prepared to watch their presidential candidates debate on live television for the first time in history, that the IMF was in Nairobi for 10 days eroding the decision-making authority of their next President would be too easy, too pessimistic, too inappropriate and well, too 1990s.
It also would miss the underlying common thread of this election – the tense conversation Kenyans are having with one another – and not the world – about what this election means for the future of Kenya. This election, it may come to the surprise of the rest of us, is not a referendum on policy, sovereignty or any personality. It is a defining moment on whether a kinship-based society, dominated by tribal, religious and ethnic loyalty has reached a level of critical mass sufficient for national unity. And only with national unity, Kenyans have formulated, can a foundation be laid for everything else.
While the business community purchases political risk insurance and regional neighbors develop alternative trade routes to move material goods, the Kenyan electorate places its hopes in the only true foundation of economic development – the social capital of trust in one another.
To walk the streets of downtown Nairobi is riveting experience to me – not only is the energy vibrant with an almost orange-bronze to jet black mosaic of human beauty on full display – but the spectrum of opinion, characterized by a no-holds barred media which embraces taboo subjects as tightly as any loved one, lies at one’s fingertips, newsstand after newsstand. Read anything #Kenya on Twitter and you can get a sense of this hypnotizing rhythm. Whether one vicariously reads a few posts, or the comment section of a few articles in the popular Daily Nation or just tunes in to the popular Homeboyz radio station which brilliantly marries Kenya’s social culture with the energy of Black American urban music; it becomes instantly clear that this election, despite superficially being about everything, ultimately only boils down to one thing – unity or not.
As I read and listen to Kenya, it appears that the electorate is not only voting for Kenyatta or Odinga at a polling station but also having a referendum on a larger question, which could be written in Swahili as “Si Si Wakenya?” or “Us, Kenyans?”
It is not hard to understand why. The wounds of the 2007 election marred by violence are not only fresh but unhealed. A reported 600,000 persons were displaced or fled their homes temporarily and over a thousand were killed with reparative compensation packages for victims widely seen as inadequate or biased.
Although grievances have not been addressed some are confident that essential lessons have been learned.
Ibada Ahmed , a career commercial banker and microfinance expert based in Nairobi and Johannesburg, South Africa, feels the electorate has already divined the costs and benefits of the election believing the state apparatus is both incentivized to avoid and prepared for a worst case scenario, “Owing to the current lucrative economic condition not to mention the skills and manpower available, Kenya pivots heavy investments from various global heavy weights in service and manufacturing sector. So March 4th will be a great test for democracy and our international reputation as an economic hub. Our regional status as a safe haven for investment hangs in the balance. A capable Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is now in place and with Dr. Willy Mutunga at the helm of the Supreme Court, the Judiciary is prepared to resolve any dispute that may arise. The Kenyan police and all other forces of the law are also adequately equipped. This is great progress when compared to our 2007 preparations. The expectation and attitude of every Kenyan is ‘never again’ to the atrocities that were committed.”
Yet anxiety permeates the atmosphere, giving this election an aura more tied to prayer, than policy. Anyone who listens to a Kenyan who longs for cohesion and peace knows this yearning comes from a place far deeper than partisanship.
Kenya’s superstar male vocal group, Sauti Sol, known for their social consciousness as much as their talent, conveyed to me the nervous optimism, dripping with frustration that is common among many “The forthcoming elections to us are very different but still very much the same. The more stuff changes the more they remain the same. We probably now have the best system in Africa to stem election rigging and other mal practices. [But] with all the changes and positivity Kenya is [still] more tribal than it was the last election. Its like a freakin’ virus and our politicians really help in fueling this as it gives them an edge over the candidates who talk about issues. In Kenya if you campaign on issues without talking about ‘your people’ you’ll go nowhere. On the contrary Kenyans are peace loving, we’re scared of war and unrest but are very good at instilling fear. Everyone is predicting we could experience our worst unrest yet. Some people see ‘foreigners’ leaving the country and businesses closing up. Right now it’s wait and see and cross fingers. But we have pledged to keep the peace and even our politicians [have done] the same.” The latter point made, is a hopeful reference to a recent unity rally between competing candidates that featured embraces and pledges to accept post-election results.
The nightmare scenario envisioned by every Kenyan to whom I have spoken makes clear that the candidate on the margin is Uhuru Kenyatta.
He is as complex as his country – the son of Jomo Kenyatta the first Prime Minister and President of Kenya – currently serving as Deputy Prime Minister. Ironically and simultaneously he is described as both the more ‘corrupt’ and stronger of the two candidates on economic issues – whose family’s massive holdings of arable land are cause of controversy and influence. One Kenyan actually told me “I am afraid if Kenyatta wins because Kenya will fall apart but if he were victorious it would also be better for the economy.” Just as many have told me violence will erupt if he loses.
I don’t see split views of Kenyatta as confused or schizophrenic but rather a reflection of the realization of many Kenyans that their economy currently suffers from both the choices of its current leadership and unbridled external influence which may produce the most uncomfortable of 2013 scenarios for many – a sitting President Kenyatta put on trial by the ICC, charged with committing crimes against humanity during the 2007 election. Regardless to whether peace or violence accompanies a Kenyatta victory there is no way to dismiss what his enormous popularity much less electoral success represents.
A sitting President convicted of atrocities said to have been committed during the election that immediately preceded his victory would be part symbolic, symptomatic, and an odd form of domestic and international consensus regarding the state of Kenya’s evolution from colonial economy to self-determining nation. A Kenyatta victory may remind some of Washington D.C.’s sober re-election of a mayor previously convicted and imprisoned. The result could not be labeled irrational and would be as hard to ignore as the presence of a democratically-elected Hamas in Palestine. One man’s ‘terrorist’ is always another man’s ‘freedom fighter,’ if we care to look more deeply.
Understanding this, a shrewd, if not innocent Kenyatta is ready to call the ICC’s bluff and place the West in the valley of decision. If President Kenyatta wins in a violence-free election accepted by Mr. Odinga, would the West really be willing to go as far as to pursue his arrest and threaten sanctions on Kenya as it has done with President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan? A Kenyatta victory could expose cracks in the edifice of the Western multi-lateral network. How could the same democratically-elected man leading a sovereign nation and signing agreements with the IMF in its name, be put on trial with the ICC?
Perhaps the wisdom of the Kenyan electorate evolves into an international referendum on meddling in the sovereign affairs of nations. Maybe not.
So, tempting, for myself and the rest of us living outside of Kenya to contemplate these questions as central to the March 4th election, but although not ignored, Kenyatta’s ICC issues are not the highest concern for a nation simply struggling to establish a sense of ‘us’ or ‘we’ or ‘si si’ which has eluded it. The excessive focus on any leading personality – whether Kenyatta, Odinga or others – actually enables distraction away from a collective Kenyan identity and toward the further exploitation of everyday Kenyans, in the thinking of some.
This concern was articulated to me by media professional Tim Waindi who sees the election as capable of either aggravation or solution to an underlying economic and cultural problem, “The huge socio-economic disparity that exists between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’ has created an environment that has ignored the merits of civic education and waylay-ed the rights of the common Kenyan for purely capital gain. We look forward to a time when basic amenities such as food, education, shelter and health shall be a right to every citizen independent of tribe or culture, but have learnt harsh lessons from experience – more often than not it appears that the most cunning candidate gets the cake. Let us hope that Kenya is evolving rather than following a familiar pattern, but stretching to embrace a new democratic era.”
Again, March 4th depicted as a litmus test not only on wealth distribution but a transcendent national identity.
Sauti Sol put it beautifully telling me, “As a people we have hope and believe. We’re still one of the most optimistic nations in the world as was the case back in 2002. It’s an uphill task but we can come out stronger with a free and fair election with leaders and the world respecting the decision made by the Kenyan people. We look forward to a time when elections will just be an event, a formality that does not affect normalcy and our economy and when politics will be issue-based. Then we will all look at each other as Kenyans while appreciating our diversity!”
May the same be said one day for the rest of us.
Here’s to Kenya leading the way.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/cedricmuhammad/2013/02/28/si-si-wakenya-the-worlds-most-important-election-belongs-to-kenya/
Katrina Manson @KatrinaManson
“We’ve made very substantial progress in the reform but it’s still not there,” he said,” says @RailaOdinga #Kenya http://on.ft.com/Xfu2zu
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14 hrs Katrina Manson @KatrinaManson
“The thing is that the weaknesses within our criminal justice system are becoming apparent,” says @RailaOdinga #Kenya http://on.ft.com/Xfu2zu
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14 hrs Katrina Manson @KatrinaManson
@RailaOdinga described @UKenyatta and @WilliamsRuto as “Siamese twins joined at the waist by the #ICC” #Kenya http://on.ft.com/Xfu2zu
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14 hrs Katrina Manson @KatrinaManson
“I think there’s a bit of blackmail going on, basically to try to reduce numbers,” says @RailaOdinga #Kenya http://on.ft.com/Xfu2zu
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14 hrs Katrina Manson @KatrinaManson
“He’s positioning himself to reject the result,” said analyst of @RailaOdinga of vote in which each ballot will count http://on.ft.com/Xfu2zu
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14 hrs Katrina Manson @KatrinaManson
“The people will not stomach another rigging,” says @RailaOdinga #Kenya http://on.ft.com/Xfu2zu
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14 hrs Katrina Manson @KatrinaManson
(2/2) “…but I have warned them the consequences may be worse than last time round,” says @RailaOdinga #Kenya http://on.ft.com/Xfu2zu
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14 hrs Katrina Manson @KatrinaManson
(1/2) “I know that [my rivals] are putting plans in place to try to rig these elections,” says @RailaOdinga #Kenya http://on.ft.com/Xfu2zu
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14 hrs Katrina Manson @KatrinaManson
“If I lose, of course it will be because of blackmail and intimidation,” said @RailaOdinga at his Bondo home #Kenya http://on.ft.com/Xfu2zu
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14 hrs Katrina Manson @KatrinaManson
@RailaOdinga warns of trouble if he loses #Kenya poll http://on.ft.com/Xfu2zu
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22 hrs Katrina Manson @KatrinaManson
Dear @RobertAlai, I think you are referring to a different interview. This FT piece is the result of my interview with @RailaOdinga in Bondo
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22 hrs Katrina Manson @KatrinaManson
Greetings @Justus_Walobwa, @RailaOdinga said all this to me in a two-hour interview at his Bondo home Fri morning
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https://twitter.com/KatrinaManson
When will black leaders stop loving being interviewed bby white journalists specialized in tapping Nigroes?
Any time giving interview wake and smell the coffee (Raila was tapped ) by Katarina mason. Sometimes one has to say no to spies /infiltrators who are there for a quick kill.
Just an advice
Chunga usinyolewe na ile wembe kali huko Mavusi lololololol
http://kenya.rcbowen.com/talk/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=32001
Hii Mjinga (mbuzi) mentality who had Uhuru as a Project which failed miserably >Here he is talking like sdt 5 yers Mzungu toddler> Kweli the oldman is foolish>