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21:05
From: Walk of Kings:
Read This Entry & More At Walk of Kings:
I love Peace but I am not one to be fooled -I think IDPs in Rift Valley deserve more than Pleasing the International community .Kenya is not more Important than Wambui and Kamau -Saving a Nation can never be more important than saving your people . This whole peace with Odinga sounds like Neville Chamberlain's peace with Hitler. God Save us Speech given in Defense of the Munich Agreement, 1938 Neville Chamberlain "Before I come to describe the Agreement which was signed at Munich in the small hours of Friday morning last, I would like to remind the House of two things which I think it very essential not to forget when those terms are being considered. The first is this: We did not go there to decide whether the predominantly German areas in the Sudetenland should be passed over to the German Reich. That had been decided already. Czechoslovakia had accepted the Anglo-French proposals. What we had to consider was the method, the conditions and the time of the transfer of the territory. The second point to remember is that time was one of the essential factors. All the elements were present on the spot for the outbreak of a conflict which might have precipitated the catastrophe. We had populations inflamed to a high degree; we had extremists on both sides ready to work up and provoke incidents; we had considerable quantities of arms which were by no means confined to regularly organised forces. Therefore, it was essential that we should quickly reach a conclusion, so that this painful and difficult operation of transfer might be carried out at the earliest possible moment and concluded as soon as was consistent, with orderly procedure, in order that we might avoid the possibility of something that might have rendered all our attempts at peaceful solution useless. . . . . . . To those who dislike an ultimatum, but who were anxious for a reasonable and orderly procedure, every one of [the] modifications [of the Godesberg Memorandum by the Munich Agreement] is a step in the right direction. It is no longer an ultimatum, but is a method which is carried out largely under the supervision of an international body. Before giving a verdict upon this arrangement, we should do well to avoid describing it as a personal or a national triumph for anyone. The real triumph is that it has shown that representatives of four great Powers can find it possible to agree on a way of carrying out a difficult and delicate operation by discussion instead of by force of arms, and thereby they have averted a catastrophe which would have ended civilisation as we have known it. The relief that our escape from this great peril of war has, I think, everywhere been mingled in this country with a profound feeling of sympathy. [Hon. Members: Shame.] I have nothing to be ashamed of. Let those who have, hang their heads. We must feel profound sympathy for a small and gallant nation in the hour of their national grief and loss. Mr. Bellenger: It is an insult to say it. The Prime Minister: I say in the name of this House and of the people of this country that Czechoslovakia has earned our admiration and respect for her restraint, for her dignity, for her magnificent discipline in face of such a trial as few nations have ever been called upon to meet. The army, whose courage no man has ever questioned, has obeyed the order of their president, as they would equally have obeyed him if he had told them to march into the trenches. It is my hope and my belief, that under the new system of guarantees, the new Czechoslovakia will find a greater security than she has ever enjoyed in the past. . . . I pass from that subject, and I would like to say a few words in respect of the various other participants, besides ourselves, in the Munich Agreement. After everything that has been said about the German Chancellor today and in the past, I do feel that the House ought to recognise the difficulty for a man in that position to take back such emphatic declarations as he had already made amidst the enthusiastic cheers of his supporters, and to recognise that in consenting, even though it were only at the last moment, to discuss with the representatives of other Powers those things which he had declared he had already decided once for all, was a real and a substantial contribution on his part. With regard to Signor Mussolini, . . . I think that Europe and the world have reason to be grateful to the head of the Italian government for his work in contributing to a peaceful solution. In my view the strongest force of all, one which grew and took fresh shapes and forms every day war, the force not of any one individual, but was that unmistakable sense of unanimity among the peoples of the world that war must somehow be averted. The peoples of the British Empire were at one with those of Germany, of France and of Italy, and their anxiety, their intense desire for peace, pervaded the whole atmosphere of the conference, and I believe that that, and not threats, made possible the concessions that were made. I know the House will want to hear what I am sure it does not doubt, that throughout these discussions the Dominions, the Governments of the Dominions, have been kept in the closest touch with the march of events by telegraph and by personal contact, and I would like to say how greatly I was encouraged on each of the journeys I made to Germany by the knowledge that I went with the good wishes of the Governments of the Dominions. They shared all our anxieties and all our hopes. They rejoiced with us that peace was preserved, and with us they look forward to further efforts to consolidate what has been done. Ever since I assumed my present office my main purpose has been to work for the pacification of Europe, for the removal of those suspicions and those animosities which have so long poisoned the air. The path which leads to appeasement is long and bristles with obstacles. The question of Czechoslovakia is the latest and perhaps the most dangerous. Now that we have got past it, I feel that it may be possible to make further progress along the road to sanity.
The phrase "peace for our time" was spoken on 30 September, 1938 by British prime minister Neville Chamberlain in his speech concerning the Munich Agreement, often misquoted as "peace in our time". It is primarily remembered for its ironic value. The Munich Agreement gave the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia to Hitler in an attempt to satisfy his desire for Lebensraum or "living space" for Germany. The German invasion of Sudetenland began on 1 October. One year after the agreement, following continued aggression from Germany and its invasion of Poland, Europe was plunged into World War II.
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20:30
From: Afromusing
Read This Entry & More At Afromusing
In case you read this blog in time, you can watch part of the TED conference right now online [www.ted.com]
“Neil Turok is one of the world’s leading physicists. He could easily just spend all his time in his lab, preparing to win a Nobel Prize. But he hasn’t done that,” said TED curator Chris Anderson. “He’s in Africa, where science education is in a pretty shoddy state, and he has decided to do something about it. He’s absolutely brilliant, and he’s taken that brilliance and leveraged that in a surprising way to help other people.”
He founded AIMS - African Institute of Mathematical Sciences.
His TED dream is that the next Einstein is African. The plan is to have AIMS in more countries in Africa, expanding mathematical and scientific research. Read more about it on Ethanz’s excellent blog.
The TED Africa team was also introduced earlier during the conference. I think 2008 promises to be a great year for Africa in more ways than one. Inspiration and passion in whatever field we are in goes a long way to bringing meaning and joy in our lives, that is the reason why i love TED.
Vusi Mahlasela is performing.
From his second song about the beauty of Africa, and the challenges of post apartheid SA.
Quotable: There is wisdom in forgiveness. if you don’t forgive, you are the one who is suffering the most, if you forgive you become more free. Vusi might as well have been talking to each and every Kenyan at this point in time. The road to reconciliation in Kenya is going to be long and hard; we will seriously have to look to our brothers and sisters in South Africa and Rwanda as we get back on the road to the Kenya we want.
You can watch his performance from TEDGlobal 2007 below if you didn’t catch the live event.
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17:02
From: Eyes on Kenya
Read This Entry & More At Eyes on Kenya
President Kibaki and Mr Raila Odinga Thursday signed a deal that will see them share power through the creation of a Prime Minister position.
The deal, brokered by Africa Union chairman President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and Mr Kofi Annan, will see the creation of a grand coalition sharing power according to party strength in Parliament.
The deal provides that the PM will coordinate and supervise Ministers, while Cabinet positions will be shared proportionally according to party strength in Parliament.
The President will have the authority to sack Cabinet members, but only with written agreement from leaders of the respective coalition party.
The Cabinet will comprise the President, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers.
The coalition will collapse at the end of the current Parliament, or if the parties so agree, or if one partner withdraws.
The signing at Nairobi’s Harambee House was witnessed by diplomats and broadcast live on national television.
President Kibaki and Mr Odinga first signed the agreement, then President Kikwete and Mr Annan appended their signatures as witnesses.
The agreement was the result of a five-hour meeting chaired by President Kikwete involving Mr Annan, President Kibaki and Raila Odinga.
You need to a flashplayer enabled browser to view this YouTube video
And this is how Kofi Anan explains the deal:
You need to a flashplayer enabled browser to view this YouTube video
But let us not forget, how it sounded just some days ago:
You need to a flashplayer enabled browser to view this YouTube video
Still, the coalition depends on the good will of the protagonists. It is a deal between Odinga and Kibaki, but there are many more characters who want their share of the deal. As soon as there is no Kofi Anan in Kenya anymore, the Coalition will become fragile. It all depends how much issues will be dealt with in next weeks before it comes into a standstill.
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16:37
From: You Missed This
Read This Entry & More At You Missed This
 Promptlly seizing an opportunity marks the difference between failure and true success. That is an apt message for Kibaki and Raila after signing a political deal. The hard work of reclaiming Kenyan starts now and doing it before now will go along way to re-assure the emotionally and physically wounded to on their value as Kenyans. Kibaki and Raila must seize this opportunity to show TRUE LEADERSHIP bereft of malice or dirty tricks. Past political tension and suspicion can only be address by honest and focused leadership by example and from in front. Rising above the fray will a shame ethnic purists who must also be made to appreciate the beauty and fruits of diversity over division. Kenya must turn the past crisis on its head as a launch pad to WHOLESOME and EQUITABLE prosperity for all her citizens. There would be no better befitting tribute to those who have died recently and before for justice. True, some those deaths and incarceration have been unfair and products of excesses. Unity in diversity Acknowledging a weakness is strength unto itself. As we wait for Annan and his team to complete his mediation work we must NOT wait to start the healing process. Let us derive utmost motivation to move on from our national pain for the last two months. Unity in diversity must be our clarion call and we must collectively vow to shun empty and chauvinistic pronouncements NOW. Humility is an irreplaceable pillar in leadership as exhibited by Kofi Annan. Kibaki and Raila must take cue and start uniting Kenya now. They would start this by jointly visiting the internally displaced people in their camps to assure them of putting structures in place within a timetable to address the root cause that is LAND. Time waits for no man and before the truth and reconciliation commission is up and running, we must not leave room for political suspicion and scheming. We have been BITTEN HARD and it is incumbent upon us a nation to dust ourselves up and showcase to the world that we appreciate their concern for Kenya. We owe it to ourselves and the future generation. Making a difference We have a unique opportunity to redefine Kenya. Such luck never knocks at anybody's door twice. As a Kenyan start now by doing whatever is within your powers to make a difference. Ask yourself each day what small thing you have done to any other Kenyan to his or her life better. I rest my case and over to you Kenyans.
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14:31
From: You Missed This
Read This Entry & More At You Missed This
It is like the whole country has been holding it’s breath since December 30th 2007 and everybody started breathing again a few hours ago when a breakthrough in the the Anan peace talks was finally announced.
“We have a deal,” Anan said capturing the drama and suspense of the moment.
Wild celebrations were noted in many parts of the country including areas like Migori where or man on the ground reports, Kenyans went crazy with jubilation. As I wrote his, I still don’t have a reaction from the Rift Valley. No reports of celebrations there, at least not yet.
Still the events of a few hours ago have left more questions than answers on the minds of close observers and political analysts.
Interestingly one contentious issue was not addressed in the agreement. It is silent on what happens in the event that the coalition collapses. ODM were keen that the country goes to the polls in the event of the coalition collapsing. PNU were adamant that such a clause would tempt ODM mischief to break the coalition as soon as possible so as to force an election.
Even the Americans on acknowledging the breakthrough were cautious and emphasized in their statement that what would matter most would be the implementation.
While I do not intend to burst anybody’s bubble, there are just too many things that can still go wrong. Starting from basic questions like which ministry will go to which side. For instance the Ministry of Finance is desirable to both sides, so who will get it? There are a few other very desirable cabinet portfolios, so how will they all be divided?
Not to mention the fact that it is difficult to imagine Amos Kimunya seated on the same table as William Ruto and Raila Odinga in a cabinet meeting chaired by President Kibaki and having a sober discussion. After all there has been too much venom flying between the two groups.
But even before we reach there, the agreement ahs to go to parliament and the necessary bills have to be quickly passed. President Kibaki has announced the parliament will reconvene on Thursday March 6th.
Kenyan politics has always been about absolute power, so will the new power sharing arrangement work? Or shall we see both sides going into the marriage with raw wounds and scores to settle? Only time will tell.
P.S. Kalonzo Musyoka and ODM-K will be wiped out by the new power sharing arrangement as PNU legislators should take most of the cabinet posts. And even if Kalonzo Musyoka retains the vice presidency, that office will be more of a shell when the Prime Minister and his deputies take their seats. It looks like the miracle is about to be wiped out, forever.
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14:25
From: The Displaced African
Read This Entry & More At The Displaced African
Hello, hello. I thought I would take a break from the writing for a couple of days and recharge my batteries a little bit. It would be an outrage for me to leave y’all high and dry and so I thought I would enlist the help of someone I met via this blog, Coach Caroline. Definitely one of the most interesting and passionate people I have spoken to in quite a while. Below she outlines some of the things that stand in the way of immigrants living the best lives possible. I hope it is of service to you. Leave comments below and I will get back to you as soon as I get back. Be blessed and bless others, Mwangi!
(more…)
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12:46
From: Kenya Imagine
Read This Entry & More At Kenya Imagine
With this agreement, we are stepping forward together, as political leaders, to overcome the current crisis and to set the country on a new path. As partners in a coalition government, we commit ourselves to work together in good faith as true partners, through constant consultation and willingness to compromise. Read full text of agreement here.
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12:35
From: You Missed This
Read This Entry & More At You Missed This
ACTING TOGETHER FOR KENYA: AGREEMENT ON THE PRINCIPLES OF PARTNERSHIP OF THE COALITION GOVERNMENT.
Preamble:
The crisis triggered by the 2007 disputed presidential election has brought to the surface deep-seated and long-standing divisions within Kenyan society. If left unaddressed, these divisions threaten the very existence of Kenya as a unified country. The Kenyan people are now looking to their leaders to ensure that their country will not be lost.
Given the current situation, neither side can realistically govern the country without the other. There must be real power-sharing to move the country forward and begin the healing and reconciliation process.
With this agreement, we are stepping forward together, as political leaders, to overcome the current crisis and to set the country on a new path. As partners in a coalition government, we commit ourselves to work together in good faith as true partners, through constant consultation and willingness to compromise.
This agreement is designed to create an environment conducive to such a partnership and to build mutual trust and confidence. It is not about creating positions that reward individuals. It seeks to enable Kenya’s political leaders to look beyond partisan considerations with a view to promoting the greater interests of the nation as a whole. It provides the means to implement a coherent and far-reaching reform agenda, to address the fundamental root causes of recurrent conflict, and to create a better, more secure, more prosperous Kenya for all.To resolve the political crisis, and in the spirit of coalition and partnership, we have agreed to enact the National Accord and Reconciliation Act 2008, whose provisions have been agreed upon in their entirety by the parties hereto and a draft copy is appended hereto.
Its key points are:
* There will be a Prime Minister of the Government of Kenya, with authority to coordinate and supervise the execution of the functions and affairs of the Government of Kenya.
* The Prime Minister will be an elected member of the National Assembly and the parliamentary leader of the largest party in the National Assembly, or of a coalition, if the largest party does not command a majority.
* Each member of the coalition shall nominate one person from the National Assembly to be appointed a Deputy Prime Minister.
* The Cabinet will consist of the President, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister, the two Deputy Prime Ministers and the other Ministers. The removal of any Minister of the coalition will be subject to consultation and concurrence in writing by the leaders.
* The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers can only be removed if the National Assembly passes a motion of no confidence with a majority vote.
* The composition of the coalition government will at all times take into account the principle of portfolio balance and will reflect their relative parliamentary strength.
* The coalition will be dissolved if the Tenth Parliament is dissolved; or if the parties agree in writing; or if one coalition partner withdraws from the coalition.
* The National Accord and Reconciliation Act shall be entrenched in the Constitution.Having agreed on the critical issues above, we will now take this process to Parliament. It will be convened at the earliest moment to enact these agreements. This will be in the form of an Act of Parliament and the necessary amendment to the Constitution.
We believe by these steps we can together in the spirit of partnership bring peace and prosperity back to the people of Kenya who so richly deserve it.
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10:14
From: Kenyan Pundit
Read This Entry & More At Kenyan Pundit
Details here.
Of course, there’s a lot of negatives like the effective absence of an opposition. But it gives the country some much-needed breathing space and I sincerely hope an opportunity for the hard work of rebuilding, healing, and creating a new political space to begin.
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "There’s a deal!", url: "http://www.kenyanpundit.com/?p=464" });
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8:45
From: My part of the world.......
Read This Entry & More At My part of the world.......
 Who are the chicas in the picture I know is the first thing that you are asking? Well, I'm not going to spill names so I'll just say those are some of our wonderful sisters out here in the good ole U.S of A. The mama on the left looks pretty nice other than the ill advised blue contact lenses. It's the chic on the right that I have to comment about, first of all when you are a "round" mama the best way to go is always with earth tones (correct me if I'm wrong fashion gurus); but that top makes that chic look like a big smartie/ ball gum. I do like her bangle though, it reminds me of those nice ones that were free with a jar of Solea when we were kids. But you know what, I'm not going to talk trash about the tattoos on her thigh that look more like ketchup stains. I'm not going to say anything about her eye shadow too, oh nooooooo. Anyway I know some people out there are getting heated, so here is a solution that will work best for the both of us; kill yourself! Bwehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If this is the kind of problem that record companies have in the West, I wonder what kind of problems they have in the third world. Honestly when was the last time one of you in Kenya bought an original cd, no Kenyan music doesnt count since it is made locally and is most probably cheaper; and no the cds you buy in the exhibitions are not original, I would have thought the badly scanned covers would have tipped you off. I think that Alfred Mutua needs to go to China so he can learn how to do this, at least if you are going to lie to people and talk trash be good at it, that's my opinion. This post was much longer, but Windows Vista decided that I didn't need it so it crashed Mozilla for me. It also sucks how some old software (if 5 years is old), always crashes on vista or causes your computer to restart. Anyway I know there are some computer gurus out there, so I'll consult them on these fixes, so sorry less post for ya'll. Time to get back to real life................
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8:32
From: You Missed This
Read This Entry & More At You Missed This
Kofi Annan has just announced a POWER SHARING DEAL signed by Kibaki and Raila. Annan however failed to give further details on the same. Nonetheless he said he was confident enough to declare a DEAL. This may be the FIRE EXTINGUISHER Kenya needed after all the destructive inferno. Well, as we wait for details and the beef the bone is already there to keep teeth busy.
I won't be the one to spoil the party. But being Kenyan has taught me to be armed with tons of salt on any political deal. Putting pen to paper is one thing and having the ink dry is quiet another. Hope is good for a grieving soul but reality can also shred HOPE. Kibaki still has both the yam and the knife and whatever he does with both is for us and the world to see.
Real power sharing needs constitution amendments that requires two-third in parliament. Consequently ODM's fate is still at the mercy of GOODWILL from other MPs. Knowing Kenyans for what they are, well your guess is as good as mine. I just hope Annan is not being bid bye in style to escape a killing field, GOD FORBID. The precedence is there and once bitten, severally shy. Half loaf yes, but will it be snatched from our lips? Only time will tell.
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8:30
From: Kenyanentrepreneur.com
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanentrepreneur.com
I haven’t been able to catch all the details, but from what I’ve heard, it looks like more bloated government is coming. I pity the taxpayers of Kenya.
A president
An executive prime minister
A Vice President
2 deputy prime ministers
More ministries coming (they all have to eat)
The worst, worst thing here is that none of these prime ministers [...]
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8:25
From: Black Looks
Read This Entry & More At Black Looks
The NYT publishes a story that highlights the low status of Black people in the Middle East and one of the least discussed histories of Africa and the Arab speaking world, Arab-led slavery. This particularly report is about the Black Yemenis locally referred to as “Al Akhdam” [the root khadama [...]
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7:40
From: Hapa Kenya
Read This Entry & More At Hapa Kenya
Reports indicate that an agreement has been reached between President Raila and Emilio Kibaki. Lets brace ourself for another MOU fallout...........
more to follow
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5:48
From: Hapa Kenya
Read This Entry & More At Hapa Kenya
Kenya being a Rumor country,the media have never failed to peddle (mis)information on almost everything that is going on. Contents of talks between two individuals will always find their way to the Kenyan media with the now common introductory remark,"Our reliable sources". We have been kept abreast with the happenings at the Koffi Annan Mediation talks since the onset. Matters that were discussed have always, one way or another, found their way into the public domain albeit with some exaggeration.
This week it was reported that a cabinet Minister(read Martha Karua) hurled unprintable words at both the panel and other negotiators. Prior to that, the government side were quick to castigate an earlier agreed settlement,claiming that such matters were not discussed in the first place. That brings me to the main reason for this post today. Should we or not have the mediation talks televised?
Kenyans need to know what is being discussed,after all these talks are about Kenyans. Why should they hide? What is so secret in these talks that should never be made public. We need to know what the ODM is asking for and how the Karuas feel about it. The selfish interest should be exposed so that each leader is seen as is were rather than their public gimmicks that have brought us to this state of affairs. We should be in the know what Kibaki tells Raila and how he responds.
What do you think?
Blogged with Flock
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3:43
From: Black Looks
Read This Entry & More At Black Looks
The Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL) are holding their annual conference in Maputo, Mozambique with the main aim of highlighting discrimination and homophobia against lesbians in Africa.
Dawn O’Reilly of the Forum for the Empowerment of Women discusses the possibility of Jacob Zuma becoming the next President of South Africa and how this would impact [...]
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3:43
From: You Missed This
Read This Entry & More At You Missed This
Danger Ahead for Kenya: The People To WatchIt is now exactly two months since Kenyans enthusiastically came out in their masses to cast ballots in favour of their preferred political leaders. What should have been a straight forward electoral process has turned out to be our worst nightmare. The general elections have polarised the country ethnically. After wasting more than 1500 lives and displacing nearly half a million others, the general elections have left many a Kenyan with deep regret as to why they even bothered to vote in the first place and many others are frustrated to the point of vowing never ever to vote again. Nairobi has now become a global VIP destination with visitors including nobel price winners, presidents, diplomats, peace-makers, etc. The Kenya crisis has also been in the headlines since December. This just goes to say how high the stakes are. Interestingly, few of these high-profile visitors have made it to State House – Mwai Kibaki’s preferred work station. Most have met Kibaki at the official Harambee House offices. On the other hand, the current political impasse shows just how powerful the so-called old order forces are in this country that claims to have been independent for nearly half a century and that which, as we have always been reminded, is a sovereign state. Threats of visa ban and asset freeze do not seem to be producing any results towards a resolution of the elections impasse. Whereas the Orange Democratic Movement led by Raila Odinga have made significant concessions in the crisis arising out of the disputed elections, the Party of National Unity led by Mwai KIbaki have made none at all - in terms of acknowledging the concerns of their rivals or even ceding executive powers. Instead, PNU has been changing positions each time they are requested to show commitment on agreed issues and in the process playing deadly political gambling with the very livelihoods of the people of Kenya – all in the name of retaining political power. Ever since the crisis started, the ODM have played their political cards much better than the PNU. To begin with, PNU forget that this crisis is all about politics and NOT about what the constitutional law says. In any case, everyone is in agreement, it is this very constitution that has led us to this hole we find ourselves in. Secondly, it is clear to all that PNU’s line-up on the mediation table is not what one would call negotiators but ‘defenders’ – no wonder they have failed to reach a compromise! Thirdly, it is PNU that is in control of state instruments and it is them who will ultimately determine whether the crisis will degenerate into anarchy or peace. Perhaps it is this state power that has made PNU become too reckless in its pronouncements and so amateurish in its dealings with people who matter in global affairs. Whether rightly or wrongly, ODM have managed to depict themselves as the victims and it appears the civil society, the press, the international community and even the majority of the Kenyan population agree that power-sharing as opposed to an MOU-type of arrangement. As a matter of fact, Kofi Annan was taken aback by PNU hardliners who accused him of siding with killers (ODM) something which clearly shocked him and that which prompted him to suspend the Serena talks and opt to engage directly with the principals. The big question is: After hastily taking oath of office on 30th December, is Mwai Kibaki truly in charge of this country or are there some unseen forces that are actually ruling this country by proxy? Who is holding our leaders hostage? Looking at the history of both ODM and PNU leaders, and the backers they had during their intensive campaign periods; it is easy to tell who between the two is lying in bed with the OLD ORDER and who has been out there advocating for CHANGE. It is also easy to tell who is sweeping historical injustices under the carpet. Although the country has returned to an uneasy calm in recent weeks, many observers opine that this has only given private militias the opportunity to re-arm because PNU and ODM are unlikely to reach an agreement and therefore matters will have to be sorted out physically. Sources now say, as a last resort, Kenya’s military is on high alert awaiting orders of deployment to contain civil strife that is sure to follow the failure of Annan’s mediation mission. A strong pointer to this was the unusual attendance of the Chief of General Staff, General Kianga, at yesterday’s meeting between Kibaki together with his PNU team and Kofi Annan with his eminent persons team. In other words, Gen. Kianga was part of the PNU team that met with Kofi Annan who is on a AU sanctioned mission to Kenya. Related:
Kibaki's Game Plane: Is a Major Purge Ahead?
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3:26
From: You Missed This
Read This Entry & More At You Missed This
I read a comment today from one of our dear readers begging for real news rather than just commentaries.
I hereby oblige.
Yesterday President Kibaki met with the chief of general staff, Jeremiah Kiaga, the NSIS chief Michael Gichangi, the police commissioner Maj Gen Ali and other leaders of various security related institutions in the country.
That is very big news for several reasons. In fact you can interpret this information in many different ways but based on the information I have, I can only equate it to the strange incident that happened shortly after Mwai Kibaki was announced the winner of the 2007 general elections. There was suddenly heavy security presence surrounding the City Mortuary.
Folks, something is about to happen and whatever it is, it is big and it involves the security of the country.
My dear readers it is important that you now learn how to read the situation. Let me give you a recent example. Martha Karua and the other PNU negotiators had a press conference on Sunday. Basically it was to say that an agreement is not an agreement until it is signed. Do you remember what happened the very next day? Kenyans were very optimistic but barely a day after that press conference, the talks collapsed.
Now I will make it easier for you. The following are the people whose body language you should take very careful note of.
Mwai Kibaki: Beware when he fiddles with his left hand on his lap when he is seated. That means he is getting impatient or irritated or both.).
Martha Karua: The pace with which she walks is very important. Quick means that she is under pressure from her boss to go ballistic and cause chaos. The whole game plan is to take Anan round in circles until the guy gives up and goes back to Ghana. But a big mistake many readers here make, Karua does not make any decisions, unlike Nicholas Biwott whom most Kenyans compare her to. She just follows instructions to the letter. Need I tell you from who?
Mutula Kilonzo: Ignore him. But the wider his eyes are when he faces the camera, the more reckless the instructions that have been given to Ms Karua. But ignore what he says. Basically he always says NOTHING.
Moses Wetangula: Listen carefully to what he says because it will usually be a reply to the last irritating telephone call one Mwai Kibaki received from one Condi Rice. The British these days are quiet since their last letter to Mwai Kibaki’s administration. Briefly that letter confirmed what High commissioner Wood had already said, that the position of her Majesty’s government is that they DO NOT recognize the Kibaki administration. In other words the guys are in office illegally. Period. But do be careful about the British. Those guys are deadly and they usually think through everything they do. Meaning that their failure to recognize the Kibaki government means that they have scanned the whole sum and seen the final answer, when everybody else is still working out the sum. I will say no more.
Gichira Kibara: This radical hardliner lawyer, I know personally and I know him well. He is never in the public limelight. But the reason for his presence in the Anan talks is very clear to me. By the way, Gichira I have seen the comments that you have left here and also the others you have attempted to leave. You did not need to leave your name. We lived together under the same roof for almost six years, remember? Ninakujua vizuri sana.
The reason for Gichira’s presence in the talks is that he represents the President’s closest advisors and carefully takes instructions from them to protect their interests and ensure that nobody does anything stupid at the talks with Anan (like give an inch of ground.)
I would not be at all surprised if it was his briefing that caused the Sunday press conference. Deep inside this guy’s heart, he does not believe that the Luo community deserve to exist and if they must, he does not believe that they should come anywhere near power or leadership.
The ODM guys? Ignore them. What power do they have? As a party they do NOT even control the Kalenjin warriors in the Rift Valley. Those guys take their instructions from some other radicals, I’d better not write about here. Trust me sometimes what you don’t know helps a lot in keeping you calm and sane and hopeful.
As our beloved KTN TV news anchors put it the other day; the buck stops with Mwai Kibaki. He alone has the power to make an agreement happen 2 weeks ago. In my view Kibaki has not shown any leadership in his life and especially since that memorable day December 30th 2002 at Uhuru Park. And that is why we are in this mess in the first place. How I long for Moi sometimes, despite every bad thing he did.
Can Kibaki show leadership now? Is it possible to teach an old dog new tricks? You be the judge.
The groups below, you must also keep an eye on and some other characters I will talk about soon. The information below was sent to me by Sarah Kanini I don't agree with everything she says though.
She said in her email;
DO not blame Mungiki since the president is a kikuyu and the group comprises of Kikuyus, every community is at pain here in fact Luo and Luyha have more warrior groups unlike Kikuyus
Kenya is at risk of plunging into a new wave of violence, despite progress in negotiations to end a political crisis, because several armed groups are mobilizing on all sides of the country's ethno-political divisions.
Firearms are much less widely available in Kenya than in neighbouring countries. In the context of this article, "armed groups" include those using machetes, spears, poison arrows and clubs.
Extremists and militia are preparing for new confrontation on both camps and ODM [the opposition] believes that if international mediation fails, its only protection against repression and hope for a settlement will be its capacity to raise the stakes through violence,"
Kenya has a number of groups of youths claim to protect their regions,
Mungiki: Kikuyu male membership is drawn mainly from some parts of Central Province .
Kalenjin warriors: Well-organized community defense training forms an integral part of the graduated progress from childhood to adulthood in the seven ethnic groups collectively known as Kalenjin.
Sabaot Land Defence Force: The Sabaot Land Defense Force has been blamed for most of the violence that has rocked the western district of Mt Elgon in the past two years. It was formed after claims of injustice over land allocation in a settlement scheme in the district.
Mt Elgon conflict involves two main clans of the dominant Sabaot community - the majority Soy clan and the minority Ndorobo clan � OVER LAND
Chinkororo: is the Kisii equivalent of Kalenjin warriors, and represents the armed wing of the Abagusii community, which is found in several districts in the western ethnic Luo-dominated Nyanza Province .
Mulungunipa Forest Group: This little-known group is said to be based in the coastal district of Kwale
Taliban : mainly Luo and active in Mathare, Huruma, Baba Dogo, Kariobangi North and Kariobangi South quarters of Nairobi �s Eastlands district.
Members communicate and identify themselves via a system of secret hand signals.
Baghdad Boys: Vigilantes active in Kibera , Kenya 's largest slum, whose members are drawn mostly from the Luo community, and use slingshots and knives.
Kosovo: Another vigilante group based in Kibera, including members from the Luo and Luhya communities, using slingshots and knives
Jeshi la Mzee aka Kamjesh
Another slum-based gang specializing in extortion and protection rackets, targeting operators of public minibuses. Membership is mixed, comprising Kikuyu, Luo, Maasai, Kisii and the Luhya.
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From: Marian's Blog
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Marian's Blog received a survey request from a PhD student at Stony Brook University in New York State. Chris Weber is conducting a survey on "people's reactions to the presidential candidates in the upcoming election." Logically this would be aimed...
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