Members of The National Party (TNA) under Jubilee coalition think it is politically sexy to continually attack former Prime Minister Raila Odinga whenever he opposes them on politically-incorrect decisions, such as refusing to pay teachers their new salary increase awarded by the Supreme Court, and not suspending the embattled Devolution Cabinet Secretary (CS) Anne Waiguru, for the loss of Ksh791 million through fraudulent deals. President Uhuru Kenyatta had earlier this year suspended five CSs whose dockets were linked to corrupt deals.
Anne Waiguru is perceived as Uhuru’s favorite CS and the rumor mills allegedly link them romantically. Besides that, Waiguru is spearheading the Kibera Slum Upgrade Initiative with the National Youth Service (NYS), which includes “construction of toilets, showers and gabions as well as cleaning up sewers” according to the NYS website. Jubilee has therefore seen it fit to use this initiative to attack Raila for not improving the livelihoods of his former constituents in Kibera (now Kibra) which is the largest informal settlement in Kenya, when he was Member of Parliament (MP) for Langata Constituency.
Not to be seen as holding brief for Raila, he first became MP for Langata under the Ford-Kenya Party in 1992 after Kenya’s first multiparty elections. In 1997 he was re-elected under the National Democratic Party (NDP), while in 2002, he was in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). He was elected again in 2007 until 2013, when he opted for the presidency. However, under the current constitution, a presidential candidate cannot be a parliamentarian. Raila Odinga was an Opposition MP from 1997-2001 when he got into a political agreement with then-Dictator Moi. NDP was therefore merged with Moi’s Kenya African National Union (KANU) party. Moi then appointed Raila as Energy Minister in June 2001. Under Moi’s dictatorship, Opposition MPs had no access to government resources and could therefore not improve the wellbeing of their constituents.
A 2014 report by the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) on a survey of slums in Nairobi indicates that around 60-70% of Nairobi residents live in slums (p. xvii). Senator Beth Mugo (Uhuru’s cousin) was MP for Dagoretti Constituency in Nairobi from 1997 to 2007, and was also an Assistant Minister and Minister. Ironically, many of the Kawangware slum residents who gave her votes still live in extreme poverty, yet she is now very vocal against Raila in defense of Waiguru. Further, there are other slums in Nairobi yet nobody talks about them. In Kiambu County, which is home to tycoons like the Kenyattas, Koinanges, Njonjos and Karumes, thousands of Kikuyu people live in Githogoro slums. A survey by the Kiambu County Red Cross found that 53% live below the poverty line. (Standard newspaper July 9, 2013)
Slum upgrading program
In her book, Civil Society in Africa: The Role of Catholic Parish in a Kenyan Slum, Christine Bodewes (2013) dedicates Chapter Five to SLUM UPGRADING, which provides a very sound background to the process which did not feature Waiguru. “In January 2003 the Kenyan government and UN-Habitat announced their decision to implement a joint slum upgrading project in the village of Soweto in Kibera” (p. 135). “In November 2000, just months after being appointed the new executive director of UN-Habitat, Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka offered to spearhead a slum upgrading program in Kenya as a gesture of good will to President Moi for hosting the headquarters of UN-Habitat in Nairobi. Officials at UN-Habitat created a committee that short-listed and ranked nine slum settlements for the upgrade; the top-ranked slum was Huruma, a small settlement of 6,500 where Pamoja Trust had already started an upgrading project. The next ranked slum was the village of Soweto located in Kibera, home to approximately 60,000 people. Even though Soweto was ranked lower, President Moi insisted that the upgrade take place there. In Kibera, it was widely believed that the upgrade was a political reward for Raila Odinga, the area MP and recent defector to the KANU party, who had promised Moi political support from his large Luo voting bloc in the upcoming 2002 elections” (p. 136). “On January 15, 2003, Raila Odinga and Anna Tibaijuka signed a memorandum of understanding that created the Kenya Slum Upgrading Program (KENSUP) to implement the Soweto upgrade” (p. 137).
Court injunctions
Unfortunately, due to personal interest from people who have for many years exploited the poor Kibera residents by charging them rent, court injunctions (stopping all demolitions) have stalled the initial Kibera slum upgrading program since 2009. What Waiguru is doing is just a scratch on the surface because there are powerful people in Kenya (mostly the Kikuyu), who for political and monetary interest, must keep the slum residents poor. Members of the Nubian community who were initially settled in the area by the British colonists, fear they will not get title deeds to own community land which they have fought for since 1997. “The Nubian community is now afraid that the government has shelved plans to issue them a title for “their land” as it has already gained considerable political mileage in the opposition stronghold.” (Nation newspaper June 13, 2015).
In February 2003 when Raila announced that Soweto residents would be moved temporarily to Athi River during the planned upgrade, there was panic among the owners of structures and small businesses, who felt they would lose their livelihoods when they returned. “Raila’s announcement sent shockwaves of fea and anxiety among the structure owners and confirmed suspicions among many Kikuyu that the upgrade was a political maneuver to permanently remove them from Kibera. Athi River was a financially depressed town where job opportunities were scarce. Structure owners complained that if they were forced to move far away to a place with very few customers, it would be nearly impossible to raise sufficient funds to finance their move back to Kibera. Even if they were able to return, their houses and businesses would already be occupied by Luo tenants brought by Raila.” (Bodewes, 2013, p. 140)
Many slum dwellers in Kibra do not have steady sources of income to pay the required rent of US$10 per month in the new flats. According to journalist Abby Higgins: “Nairobi’s middle class swooped in, searching for affordable housing in a city with skyrocketing rents. Many secured apartments in the new buildings through the informal systems of bribery that dictates a great deal of life in Kenya. And many Kibera residents who were given apartments through the programme saw a business opportunity and rented their flats to middle class tenants at four and five times the subsidised rate. Then they moved back to the slum with extra money in their pocket.” (one.org, 2013). Waiguru and her team are in this for political mileage since the high rate of corruption in her Devolution ministry and the NYS cannot sustain the Kibera slum upgrading initiative.
Jared Odero
About the Author
Devolution secretary Anne Waiguru has renewed her battle with Internet giant Google, from whom she is seeking compensation for an alleged defamatory story that was published by a Kenyan blogger.
Ms Waiguru has filed a fresh suit against California-based Google, its subsidiary Blogger Inc and Kenyan website Daily Post seeking payment for the story, which was published in the wake of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s sacking of the former chairman of the Youth Development Fund, Gor Semelango.
Ms Waiguru had in a separate suit last year sued Google and its Kenyan subsidiary Google Kenya seeking to compel them to reveal owners of the Daily Post website.
Image
Ms Waiguru had in last year’s petition asked Justice Isaac Lenaola to compel Google to reveal the owners of Daily Post, holding that their identities were in the search engine’s records database. She also sued the search engine’s local subsidiary in that instance.
Ms Waiguru had told the court that her quest to seek legal redress for the said damage to her reputation was being frustrated by Google’s refusal to furnish her with the identities and contact details of the Daily Post’s owners.
Google Kenya subsequently distanced itself from the matter, arguing that it only does marketing and support services for its parent firm. The subsidiary added that it has no authority to pull down the story or reveal the owners of any of its clients, including the Daily Post.
But Ms Waiguru insisted that being a subsidiary of Google Inc in Kenya meant the firm had the records in its possession, and had been in a position to prevent the defamatory stories from being found on its search database.
Google Kenya had also argued that Ms Waiguru had not shown any violation of her rights on its part. The firm further said that Ms Waiguru’s petition was a defamation suit against a wrong entity disguised as a constitutional petition.
Google Kenya said it had informed Ms Waiguru of the process she needs to follow to find out the owners of the Daily Post. Justice Lenaola declined to strike Google Kenya from the suit, arguing that it was too early to tell whether the firm was aware of the offensive material and if it could have been able to prevent its publication.
Information before the court was not enough to determine with certainty that Google Kenya had no responsibility whatsoever in the allegations Ms Waiguru made in her petition, the judge argued, adding that it would suffer no harm by participating in the proceedings.
http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Waiguru-sues-Google–Kenyan-website-for-defamation-/-/539546/2847522/-/cgpe57z/-/index.html
By MERCY NJOKI
Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru has been in the news over an alleged multi-million shillings scandal at the National Youth Service (NYS).
Early this week she grabbed the headlines with a threat to sue Cord leader Raila Odinga for linking her with the NYS scandal. So who exactly is Anne Waiguru?
1. Waiguru was born in Kirinyaga County, Gichugu sub- county in the early 70s’. She attended Precious Blood Riruta High School and later sat for her A-Level exams in 1989 at the Moi Forces Academy in Nairobi where she studied Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.
2. She took her undergraduate studies at University of Nairobi and later graduated with a Masters’ Degree in Economic Policy from the same University.
3. Waiguru is a mother of three teenage sons who she talks highly about. It is not clear whether is married or not.
4. She was nominated among 40 under 40 women in 2011 and was the only nominee at that time from the Public Service.
5. Her hobbies include reading, travelling and dancing.
6. Before her nomination as a Cabinet Secretary, she had previously worked as the Director, Integrated Financial Management and Information System (IFMIS), and, Head of Governance at the National Treasury.
7. She was honored with an Order Grand Warrior title by President Mwai Kibaki due her exemplary performance at the Integrated Financial Management and Information System where she led her team to win three Awards for good Performance in the Public Service.
8. She describes herself as a person who never stands mediocrity especially at place of work. For this reason, she says, people think she is tough and arrogant.
9. She has previously worked with President Uhuru Kenyatta under different Ministries.
10. Waiguru interned at Transparency International. She also worked as a research assistant.
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Ababu files motion to cut Uhuru’s, MPs salaries by half to pay teachers
BY NANCY AGUTU
September 21, 2015
Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba has filed a motion to cut the salaries of President Uhuru Kenyatta and other senior government officials by half.
Among the state officials whose salaries Ababu wants cut by 50 per cent are the DP, MPS, governors, senators, MCAs, commissioners and judges.
“I have filed a motion with the Speaker of the National Assembly on ways to cut down on the huge wage bill. We stand in solidarity with the teachers up to the end,” he said.
“I am aware this motion will be very unpopular in some quarters.”
Addressing a press conference at Parliament buildings on Monday, Ababu noted that Cord and Jubilee often reduce matters of national importance to a political duel.
“Kenya is one of the most unequal countries in the world but it is different today,” he said, adding that the country’s teachers cannot be compared to Burundi’s.
In a televised public address on the matter on Sunday, Uhuru had said; The lowest-paid teacher in Kenya earns seven times as much as his counterpart in Burundi”.
Ababu further said Parliament will initiate a process of reviewing the establishment of public service outlets in counties to avoid duplication.
This comes hours after Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko said he will also file a motion for cuts of a similar rate for senators.
The Senator said he is ready to take a 50 per cent salary cut to enable teachers receive their salary hike.
– See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/ababu-files-motion-cut-uhurus-mps-salaries-half-pay-teachers#sthash.408k4pVS.dpuf
Uhuru Delays CSs Reshuffle Over Ruto
BY JAMES MBAKA
September 21, 2015
It was a day of crisis at State House as DP William Ruto yesterday dramatically snubbed a media event and live nationwide address by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The planned 9am speech had been expected to cover a long-awaited Cabinet reshuffle, changes in government and the teachers’ strike.
That event collapsed.
But by 8pm, Ruto was present when Uhuru delivered a State of the Nation address about the teachers’ strike.
This Uhuruto rift and standoff in government threatens the future of the delicately balanced Jubilee coalition at a time when tension is high over striking teachers and planned opposition rallies calling for Uhuru’s impeachment.
The immediate issue yesterday was President Uhuru’s refusal to reinstate Ruto’s suspended allies to the Cabinet after they were cleared of graft allegations. Uhuru’s team believes their return could dent the war on corruption, sources told the Star. Ruto’s list of other appointees was altered.
The CSs are Felix Koskei (Agriculture) and Davis Chirchir (Energy), who were on the List of Shame.
But cracks have already appeared between TNA and URP, with Ruto’s allies saying the President’s team has abandoned him to face the ICC along.
Yesterday morning Ruto did not appear as scheduled for a media briefing at State House and nationwide address at 9am by Uhuru. KBC had been waiting since 7.30am.
The two were to unveil a new Cabinet and government changes before Uhuru leaves for New York today to attend the General Assembly.
But Ruto failed to show up for the event, unless his suspended allies were reinstated.
While the President, his staff and KBC were waiting, the DP instead attended a church service at Karen and then returned to his residence for a meeting with political and opinion leaders and professionals.
“We are saddened by the change of events. The DP is shocked but he remains strong and optimistic at a time like this,” a legislator close to Ruto told the Star on phone.
A Cabinet reshuffle has been n the offing for months.
The Star exclusively reported on Friday the President wanted to make Cabinet changes before he goes to New York today.
Uhuru and Ruto are said to have differed sharply over the future of suspended CSs, appointees to state jobs and a proposal to break up the powerful ministry of Devolution and Planning under Anne Waiguru.
The President wants CIC chairman Charles Nyachae, son of veteran Gusii politician Simeon Nyachae, to take charge of Devolution.
Ruto was also reportedly angered at changes to his list of allies he wanted appointed as Principal Secretaries, ambassadors, heads of parastatals and board members in government agencies.
The DP submitted his list to State House two weeks ago for review before the anticipated joint announcement
Ruto had insisted Koskei and Chirchir be reinstated.
Ruto’s wing insisted that if the two were dropped from the Cabinet, then Waiguru had to be suspended to allow for investigations into alleged fraud and theft at the National Youth Service.
The DP has been under pressure from his Rift Valley backyard to reinstate the two.
The fractures come at a time of growing concern among URP leaders who say Jubilee has abandoned Ruto to face the ICC alone, now that charges against Uhuru have been dropped.
– See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/uhuru-delays-css-reshuffle-over-ruto#sthash.BfQmZPCj.dpuf
How Kenya handled local tribunal process
Failure to establish a special local court to try PEV suspects paved the way for the ICC
May 22, 2008: The Commission of Inquiry into the Post-Election Violence chaired by Appellate Judge Philip Waki Is formed
October 15, 2008: The Commission of Inquiry into the Post-Election Violence presents its report to President Kibaki.
October 17, 2008: Mr Justice Phillip Waki submits a sealed envelope bearing names of key suspects of the Post-Election Violence to former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan.
December 17, 2008: President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga sign the agreement that would lead to the establishment of a special court to try post-election violence suspects. This was just before expiry of the deadline given by the Commission of Inquiry into the violence, for handing over the secret envelope to the International Criminal Court, but Parliament that must approve the necessary legislation to establish a special local tribunal, goes on recess.
January 20, 2009: Parliament re-opens from recess with the establishment of a legislative framework, to create a tribunal to try post-election violence suspects, as proposed by the Waki Commission, being top agenda.
January 27, 2009: The government’s legal advisor, Attorney-General Amos appeals to Members of Parliament to pass laws establishing the local tribunal to save the country from embarrassment.
January 31, 2009: Prime Minister Odinga says that the formation of a local tribunal was on course after related laws were published and presented to the floor of the House.
February 12, 2009: Parliament rejects the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill presented by Justice minister Martha Karua and backed by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga for establishment of a local tribunal, with several MPs popularising the “Don’t be Vague, ask for Hague” slogan.
February 14, 2009: Mr Odinga says that only a local tribunal could effectively deal with the suspects of post-election violence. The PM dismisses those pushing for the trial of suspects at the International Criminal Court in The Hague and says they do not understand how it would work.
February 17, 2009: Prime Minister Odinga discloses that Mr Annan would hold on to the envelope containing names of the suspects a little longer to give the government time to sort out issues that led to the collapse of attempts to create a local tribunal.
February 20, 2009: Agriculture minister William Ruto says the secret envelope containing names of the post-election violence suspects should be handed over to the International Criminal Court at The Hague so that proper investigations can start.
February 24, 2009: Parliament adjourns despite the House having failed to establish a local tribunal, one of the reasons for its historical recall from recess.
June 14, 2009: Mr Odinga (below) warns that Parliament would have one last chance to pass a law establishing a local tribunal to try election violence suspects. “If Parliament does not pass the Bill for the formation of a local tribunal, then The Hague will be the option,” the PM says.
June 17, 2009: The Catholic Church calls for the formation of a local tribunal to try suspected architects of the post-poll violence.
June 21, 2009: Prime Minister Raila Odinga says Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Mutula Kilonzo had been asked to expedite the Statute Bill on the local tribunal to try post-election violence architects and take it to Parliament.
July 1, 2009: Cabinet ministers Mutula Kilonzo, James Orengo and Attorney-General Amos Wako fly out on a mission to convince chief mediator Kofi Annan to give the government more time to form a local tribunal and push for a third option of setting up a special court in any neighbouring country where the post-election violence suspects would be tried. The ICC prosecutor gives the government until end of September to show proof it was prosecuting the prominent people behind the PEV.
July 9, 2009: Mr Annan hands over the sealed envelope and supporting materials entrusted to him by the Waki Commission to the International Criminal Court prosecutor, Mr Luis Moreno-Ocampo.
July 14, 2009: Cabinet fails to agree on Justice minister Mutula’s draft Bills- the Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill and the Special Tribunal for Kenya Bill on local tribunal.
July 27, 2009: The European Union tells the government to quickly form a special tribunal to try post-poll violence suspects.
July 30, 2009: A divided Cabinet gives up on a local tribunal and decides to hand over those indicted by the International Criminal Court to The Hague and clean up the police force and the local courts.
August 20, 2009: The United Methodist Church of Kenya joins the push for a special tribunal to try post-election violence suspects.
September 30, 2009: The deadline ends for Kenya to provide clear indications of the establishment of a Special Tribunal to try the post-election violence suspects locally .It becomes clear that the government could not meet its commitment of establishing the tribunal. It followed that the International Criminal Court had to move in and start its own process.
October 5, 2009: “On the issue of the trial of perpetrators of the post-election violence, the Grand Coalition Government opted to accord priority to reconciliation while leaving the door open for suspects bearing the greatest responsibility over the post-election violence to be tried by the International Criminal Court,” President Kibaki and Prime minister Odinga say in a statement after a meeting with former Mr Kofi Annan in Nairobi.
November 5, 2009: International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo (above) holds a meeting with top Kenyan leaders, among them President Kibaki and Mr Odinga to secure a formal referral from the Kenya Government so that the ICC could officially initiate investigations and pursue prosecution for key planners of the Post-Election Violence. The two principals decline to make a government self-referral to the ICC and leave it to the prosecutor to use his other option– the pre-trial chamber
November 11, 2009: Parliament fails to debate the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill (No.3) tabled by Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara seeking to establish a local tribunal due to lack of quorum.
November 18, 2009: MPs again skip debate on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill by Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara
November 26, 2009: Mr Moreno-Ocampo places before ICC’s pre-trial chamber the case for his intention to start the investigations on Kenya.
December 3, 2009: Chief mediator Kofi Annan (above) criticises Kenya’s failure to establish a local mechanism to try post-election violence suspects. National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende defends MPs over accusations of lack of seriousness in helping establish a local tribunal and blames the Executive.
March 31, 2010: The Pre-Trial Chamber grants the prosecutor’s request to start investigations on crimes against humanity allegedly committed in the Republic of Kenya
April 8, 2010: Investigators from The Hague arrive in the country to begin gathering evidence into the post-election chaos.
May 8, 2010: Mr Ocampo arrives in Nairobi to launch investigations into the post-poll violence.
December 15, 2010: Prosecutor Luis Moreno- Ocampo releases names of the six suspects at The Hague and announces his intention to charge them with murder, rape and forceful deportation of populations.
March 8, 2011: The Pre-Trial Chamber judges summon Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, Mr Francis Muthaura and Major Gen (Rtd) Ali to The Hague over the Post-Election Violence.
April 7, 2011: Mr William Ruto, Henry Kosgey and Joshua arap Sang, appear before the ICC judges.
April 8, 2011: Mr Kenyatta, Mr Muthaura and Mr Ali attend court in The Hague for initial appearance.
Compiled by Maria Wambua, Nation Media Group Library
http://mobile.nation.co.ke/News/How-Kenya-handled-local-tribunal-process–/-/1950946/1997172/-/format/xhtml/-/dwh96i/-/index.html
A Sobering Truth; Mr President
Storytelling and the use of parables is a common form of communicating truths and life’s lessons for the African. Perhaps it’s got to do with a traditionally non-literal culture but most probably it is simply because more often than not, the African would rather beat about the bushes than confront an issue directly.
Well, being the African I am, I will first use a parable. And not being one to skirt around issues, will go ahead and confront a real issue that needs addressing.
There once lived a powerful King, ruler of a vast West African Kingdom. This king was known to appoint a commoner as his ‘truth teller’. This truth teller lived among the king’s subjects and would periodically be summoned by the King to tell him what the people were saying about the king and his rule. If the commoner lied, the king would put him to death. It was in his life’s interest that the commoner told the king the truth.
The king in my story is our President, Uhuru Kenyatta. Unfortunately, the president lacks a ‘truth teller’, a commoner in his presidency to tell him the truth. l would like, as a commoner, to tell the truth to the King, and to tell him what is being said in his subjects’ chambers.
The people are saying that the president was a reluctant candidate who only ran for office to avoid the ICC. They’re saying that he loves his drink more than anything else.
We, Kenyans, substitute the word alcoholism with “loves to drink”. Stories abound about our president’s drinking escapades; how official guests at State House are kept waiting as his handlers try to sober him up. Of the president showing up late at state functions reeking of alcohol. There are many more but l would rather not tell them all.
The people who pushed Uhuru Kenyatta to vie for the top seat did not have Kenya’s best interests at heart. But since he is already there at the King’s seat, we must wish him well because if he fails, our country fails too.
Our president is a man like all of us and he needs to admit he has a sickness. Alcoholism is a sickness that can be treated. But the treatment does not work unless the patient is willing to face it. The people around the president will cover up his sickness but one day it might cost this country greatly. His sickness is already affecting our economy, what with the president out of the country half the time or on a drip as they try to sober him up.The men around the president have made bad decisions because he was blacked out and a quick decision had to be made.
His lack of decisive leadership is being felt. His public erratic behavior and look might point to a lack of a work ethic, a common trait with alcoholics.
He does not have to resign or tell the country he is suffering from alcoholism but he needs help. It might be implausible for the president to check into a rehab but the rehab can be taken to State House. A president who admits he is mortal and is struggling with alcoholism would be the poster boy for all of us living in shame because of our hidden sicknesses.
It is a big shame that we lost a Vice President to HIV-AIDS but even more unfortunate was that as a nation we did not use that opportunity educate the people about the virus and help minimise the stigma associated with it.
When Makgatho Mandela died, his father Nelson Mandela revealed that his eldest son had died of Aids. “Let us give publicity to HIV/Aids and not hide it, because [that is] the only way to make it appear like a normal illness.” He used his son’s death to help the country deal with the stigma of having relatives, friends with HIV-Aids.
A few months ago, Fidel died of a drug overdose but the country would not be told this because our politicians and their families want us to believe they are perfect.
They are not infallible. They are just like us and if they used their personal experiences to help other people, we would be collectively better off. People who are suffering from a problem should not be stigmatized or taught to brush off the seriousness of their problems.
President Barack Obama has had a 30-year struggle with smoking. He began smoking during his college days and he has tried to kick the habit. “I would say that I am 95 percent cured,” Obama said, “But there are times where I mess up.” “Have I fallen off the wagon sometimes? Yes. Am I a daily smoker, a constant smoker? No,” Obama said at the news conference.
Herein lies the problem; Kenya is going through a leadership crisis because we are a hypocritical nation. We assign blame all over but never address the real matter. If the president were to die because of a treatable disease like alcoholism, it would be a waste of life and l hope that this article will not be treated as propaganda but as a reality we need to face.
I empathise with the president and I hope that he will seek help for his own good and for the benefit of our great nation.
We need a president who is fit to serve the nation. He should address his personal problems so that the progress of the country moves at a steady pace; so that we stop staggering and the cabinet can stop issuing those hangover directives.
Do you have a friend, colleague, or family member suffering from substance addiction? Share their story in the comments.
Boniface Mwangi
Nairobi’s Westgate Mall.
By Tristan McConnell
.
12:55 p.m. Simon Belcher lay on his front beneath a black Range Rover, breathing deeply, wanting to unsee the pile of mangled bodies a few yards in front of him. He turned his head toward his wife, Amanda, who was hiding beneath a white 4×4 to his right. “I love you,” he mouthed silently before resting his head on the pavement.
The bullet that had struck Simon a few moments earlier passed through his torso and right arm while shrapnel from an exploding gas canister had torn into his abdomen. An unexploded hand grenade lay nearby. The masked gunmen, two of them, with military webbing slung around their bony shoulders and AK-47 assault rifles in their hands, had disappeared. Inside the mall, Simon guessed.
The blood from his wounds began to pool around him until it reached his ear, forming a seal. Suddenly, the muffled noises from within the five-story building were amplified, as if he had put a glass to a wall. Over the birdsong, car alarms, and ringing of the unanswered mobile phones of the dead and wounded, Simon could now hear gunshots, explosions, and screaming.
http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/09/20/nairobi-kenya-westgate-mall-attack-al-shabab/
NYS officers cry foul over unpaid allowances
By Boniface Thuku
Updated Tuesday, June 30th 2015 at 00:00 GMT +3
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Over 40 junior officers in the National Youth Service (NYS) band have accused their bosses of not paying their allowance’s after performing in Nyeri on Madaraka Day.
The officers, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, complained their allowances had been withheld by their seniors under unclear circumstances. The 45 officers of the ranks of ‘private’ and ‘inspector’ said the allowances owed to them totaled over Sh800,000.
“Through instructions via a letter signed by Franco Njoroge for the principal secretary in the Interior Ministry, we left for Nyeri on the same day (May 29) so to familiarise ourselves with the venue ahead of the celebrations,” an officer said.
Own cash
Another officer said they used their money to pay for accommodation and food and they are yet to get a refund.
Each of the 44 officers of the rank of ‘private’ was supposed to get a daily allowance of Sh4,900 and a total of Sh19,600, while inspectors should have been paid Sh24,000.
“I did not get even a cent for the four days I was in Nyeri, but we fear that some seniors may be withholding our money,” said an officer based at Gilgil Training College.
In a letter obtained by The Standard and signed by Franco Njoroge, the PS Interior said Madaraka Day was an important national exercise, and that in order to to have adequate time for preparation and to create publicity for the event, the band had to be facilitated to leave on Friday May 29.
Contacted for comment, NYS Director of Music Judas Karisa admitted the officers were yet to get their allowances, but assured them that they would received payment soon.
“Uhuru Kenyatta drinks too much and is not a hard worker. Perhaps most importantly, Kenyatta has been closely linked to the Mungiki (which emerged in the aftermath of the Mau Mau and began as a movement in defense of Kikuyu traditional values, but which has long since morphed into a well-organized mafia-style criminal organization).”
https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/09NAIROBI1296_a.html
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http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/stolen-luxury-british-cars-shipped-through-mombasa-fou
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