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February 29, 2008
0:52
THE DEAL & ITS REALITY!
From: Hapa Kenya

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In deed February 28^th 2008 will go down in the History books of Kenya as a day when the political class did put aside their differences and put on paper an agreement intended to end the bloodshed that had threatened to shake the foundation of a rather quiet and lovable nation. In an unexpected turn of events, Emilio Kibaki agreed to sign an agreement that he had disowned just five days earlier. Many analysts are still trying to understand the reasons behind the change of heart. In this post, I intend to point out the key contents of this agreement that could turn out to be trouble if goodwill does not reign.
One such clause is the section on what the holder of the PM should be. Below is an excerpt from the signed agreement that touches on the holder of the position of the Prime Minister:
(2) The person to be appointed as Prime Minister shall be an elected member of the National Assembly who is the parliamentary leader of -
(a) the political party that has the largest number of members in the National Assembly; or
(b) a coalition of political parties in the event that the leader of the political party that has the largest number of members of the National Assembly does not command the majority in the National Assembly.
It is important to appreciate that the talks were more about Raila and Kibaki than Kenya as a whole. With that in mind, it follows that if the agreement does not guarantee either one of them some power then it could easily be dishonored. From this excerpt and the basic mathematics in our parliament at this point in time, Raila could be the leader of the largest party in parliament but that party(ODM) does not control the majority in that parliament. What this means is that the PM could be the leader of a coalition if we go by part 2a of that clause. In a nutshell, the PM could be from either PNU-driven coalition or ODM-driven coalition. Whoever comes up with a coalition with that commands majority in parliament could be the PM, meaning there are no leadership guarantees here for Agwambo.
The second clause that could project problems for this agreement is the section on the dissolution of the coalition:
6. The coalition shall stand dissolved if:
(a) the Tenth Parliament is dissolved; or
(b) the coalition parties agree in writing; or
(c) one coalition partner withdraws from the coalition by a resolution of the highest decision-making organ of that party in writing.
One omission in this clause is what follows after the coalition is dissolved. Should there be an election or does the current life of parliament continue as it is? Part 6a has that taken care of by the current constitution which prescribes that in the event that a parliament is dissolved, then a general election shall follow. The subsequent areas of that clause (6b and 6c) are silent on what should follow this dissolution. The flipside of this is that even a day after this agreement is put in place and Raila becomes the PM with his ODM brigade having 50% of the government positions, PNU could withdraw or better still ODM could withdraw.
The last clause that was agreed on and could be tricky is the 8^th Clause on the lifetime of that act:
8. This Act shall cease to apply upon dissolution of the tenth Parliament, if the coalition is dissolved, or a new constitution is enacted, whichever is earlier.
In the disgraceful event that PNU withdraws from the coalition, then the whole agreement/act becomes trash.
Am no lawyer but this agreement has quite a number of loopholes that give the political class room to play around with the intelligence of peace loving Kenyans. Too much room has been given to whoever feels like going against this hard earned consensus.
February 28, 2008
7:40
RAILA-KIBAKI AGREES
From: Hapa Kenya

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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
Case for Televised Annan Talks
From: Hapa Kenya

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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?

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February 27, 2008
6:33
Annan is Wasting Kenyan's Time
From: Hapa Kenya

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Over the past few weeks, I have finally realized that I actually do not care who the Kenyan President is. I don't care whether its Kibaki, Raila or Kukobo. What I care about is justice for the many Kenyans who turned up in numbers to vote. I care about this lot regardless of the manner in which they casted their vote.

Many people on the Kibaki side are rejoicing that he ended up being the "duly elected " president but I don't believe they would be satisfied were they to be on the other side. That makes us one thing in common, Kenyans who are dissatisfied by the electoral process and consequently its results. We need justice and we need it soon. The whole Serena peace talks are a waste of Kenyan's time. Justice delayed is Justice denied. Annan and the team of eminent persons are delaying justice to the Kenyan people.

The talks are doomed to fail , one because Kibaki and his goons planned to win unfairly while the ODM did not plan to lose unfairly. As such, on a Cartesian plane Kibaki is way ahead of the ODM. They had projected all these and are not prepared to give in to whatever boardroom pressure.Martha Karua redid the government take just a day after Annan had seen the light at the end of the tunnel. That is just a sign of things to come.The PNU goons will not bulge. The army will not enter the fray as many have requested or wished.

We need our country back. Kenya was founded on the strength of struggle and as such its foundation shall only be only be reinforced through struggle. Democracy was fought for on the streets when the likes of Kibaki were enjoying cups of cappuccino on the lawns of Statehouse, in effect the only language they understand is the verbs and nouns of the streets and teargas. The likes of Martha Karua did master the same language and they in the end believed that it is the only language. Her likes do not believe in negotiations. The psychopaths that surrounds the "President" in the name of matrimonial and conjugal association believe that they are also duly elected, as such they can take none of the papers done by the negotiating team.

Annan must realize that Kenya is unique and so are the people.He must, in that realization pack his bags and go. He has had Kenyans suffering from anxiety since he landed here. His presence has increased the resolve of our detractors. The detractors have therefore regrouped and rearmed illicit groups while our people wait for a negotiated settlement. Annan has wasted Kenyans time. He must be deported by the will and the intention of Kenyan people. We must regain our country from the scoundrels that roam the corridors of Kenyan Seat. The talks have failed and Annan must leave this country so that we can go ahead with our initial solution and language that our detractors understand.

Revolt....Lets reclaim our land.

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February 25, 2008
12:33
The Evil Society of Kenya
From: Hapa Kenya

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February 19, 2008
2:26
Of Names n’ Opinions
From: Hapa Kenya

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A lot has changed since Kenya went to the ballot. Violence, displacement, mediation have made the headlines. The print media and the blogs have become a forum for individuals to express their take on the Kenyan situation. Most of the writers have gone to extreme extent to tell Kenyans where the problem lies while others have been busy coming up with varied solutions to the impasse.
From the articles, post and subsequent comments, it's easier to pick a probable name for the writer. A Kariuki will knowingly bias his/her take towards the likes of Kibaki and Martha Karua. An Onyango will definitely comment on the ill side of the Kibakis. Solutions that are coming up in most of these articles are also geared to favor one side were they to be adopted.
Macharia Gaitho of Nation Media is one such writer. Kumekucha has similar writers and so is Siasa Duni.
February 18, 2008
0:33
Constitutional Excuse...
From: Hapa Kenya

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Kenyans blame everything on the constitution.We blame our ability to do bad things on the constitution and so do we blame our inability to do good things on the same constituition. The 2007 elections failed to deliver an acceptable results not because of a constitutional crisis but because of some ignocentric lot in the high places yet many Kenyans will always twist this to mean a constitutional disorder. To get Kenyans out of this post election mess,we have refused to acknowledge and accept the truth, so much that the whole problem has stopped being what it was but a constitutional problem. On the same breadth,negotiators from one side have been busy quoting the constitution of the country as suprem. Their argument is that whatever solution that is arrived at in those negotiated talks must be in line with the supreme law of the land.
February 16, 2008
7:00
Kakamega on Fire!
From: Hapa Kenya
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UPDATES:
- Gun shots reigns the air as police try to disperse angry residents who are protesting the treatment vented on their kins who have just landed from Nakuru and Naivasha.
- More smoke can be seen from the town area and Lurambi shopping centers.
- Crowds are building up at the Police station. Reports indicate that Kakamega residents have surrounded the Police Station.
- People are demanding that the IDPs at the Kakamega Police Station must vacate before the sunset.
- A building complex has been surrounded, its being targeted for burning.
More to follow......

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6:28
Chaos erupt in Kakamega!
From: Hapa Kenya

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Chaos have erupted in Kakamega following an emotional return of the people displaced from Naivasha and Nakuru areas. A lorry full of the IDPs has raised emotions in an otherwise calm Saturday afternoon. Running battles have ensued in the town with marauding youths trying to invade the Kakamega Police Station where majority of the people displaced from the larger Western Province are residing.

The lorry did several rounds within Kakamega town with wailing residents escorting it. Sources indicate that the lorry which came through the Eldoret Chavakali-Kakamega route entered the town at exactly 12pm.Everywhere it went,it was recieved with lots of emotions and wails.Majority of the IDPs in the lorry showed clear panga cuts, a sign of the atrocities vented on them by the Mungiki while in Nakuru and Naivasha.

Smoke can be seen all over town, youth are burning old tyres and targeting percieved enemies who were slowly returning to their early ways.Tension is high in the town.In Amalemba and Lurambi shopping centers,police have barricaded the roads,barring people from entering the main business district.

More on this story will follow.

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February 15, 2008
1:00
To be recognised or not?
From: Hapa Kenya

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Away from accusing the ODM for xyz the Kenyan "coverment" is on a warpath with the diplomats. The "Sinister" for Foreign Affairs,Wetangula, has been continually telling the British that they(Kenyan Coverment) don't need their approval neither do they need their rubber stamp(British Fanyakazi Sasa Ruber-stamp). This followed the live interview that the British high commissioner had on KTN in which he emphasized the British stand that Kibaki's as a president does not represent the democratic will of the Kenyan people.

Martha "misbehavior" Karua in one of now common outburst keeps telling the diplomats to shut the F*8k up. She even wondered aloud why the Kenyan media gives the diplomats audience. In her reasoning they are inconsequential and should not have the audacity to speak for or to Kenyans.Strange, the same outfit is incensed to the point of summoning the same British Commissioner to complain about the "not forthcoming recognition". Last month, Mr Wetangula summoned Mr Wood to complain after Foreign Office Minister Meg Munn said London did not recognise President Kibaki's government.

Does Kibaki's (il)legitimate "coverment" need recognition from the International community? The answer to this is rather obvious. Yes they do. It is also easy to understand their anger when this recognition is not forthcoming. The feeling can easily be captured by a child who after being denied a sweet goes on to say that he doesn't need the sweet after all.

If Kibaki is not really interested in what other countries have to say, then he should say that categorically for the whole world to know. Suppose he indeed wants recognition, which i believe he does need, then he should do the magnanimous thing and let the democratic will of the people reign.

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February 12, 2008
1:00
Where are the Eminent IDPs?
From: Hapa Kenya

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A lot of Kenyans are living under deplorable conditions due to the skirmishes that rocked the country over the recent past. Eminent Africans led by Koffi Annan are trying day and night to sort out the issues that might have sparked the violence. In Kisumu a Luo man lost all his property just because he was married to a Kikuyu woman. Same stories can be traced from different parts of the country with husbands and wives having to suffer coz of politically incorrect marriages.

Allow me to pose the following questions in regard to these so called "politically incorrect marriages" and the state of these were to be "Eminent IDPs" .

Fidel Odinga
Suppose Fidel Odinga were residing in his parental home in Bondo, would the neighbours have burnt his property? Would the wife,Wairimu, be an IDP at the Bondo Police station? The whole world knows that he is married to a Kikuyu,was his property torched either way? If not, what rationale was used in identifying the victims of this post election punishment?

James Aggrey Orengo
Was Betty Murungi Orengo in Ugenya when these violence started? Did the Ugenya constituents burn down Orengo's house? Is Betty Murungi an IDP at the Ugunja Police Station?

Am unable to exhaust the list but the drift is quite clear...........

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0:08
Whats happening to KTN?
From: Hapa Kenya

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Kenya Television Network(KTN) has been off air in many parts of the country(Western parts of Kenya) since Friday last week.At a time when Kenya is grappling with unprecedented cases of violence and the media is in between two hard rocks, it is disturbing that a station of KTN stature should be off-air long. If the reporting during the election period and the post election times were to go by, it could well be rumored that the station has fallen prey to the long arm of the illegitimate government.

It is my hope that the station is having some technical difficulties that would be soon rectified rather than some political victimization. In the absence of KTN, I have just realized how boring KBC, NTV are.

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February 08, 2008
6:48
What Next for ODM in the event of Annan’s Failure?
From: Hapa Kenya

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There is an eminent flop in the mediation exercise that is on going. The two sides, irrespective of meetings that have been ongoing for almost two weeks appear to drift further apart as each day goes by. From the media briefings it’s rather obvious that they are far from reading one script. The arrogance that is characteristics of Martha Karua is still at its best. Moses Wetangula is still behaving badly and same can be said of Mutula Kilonzo. In section of the blogospehere, reports indicated that Government spies implanted listening devices at Annan’s Serena Hotel room. What next for ODM?

Allow me to sound the devil’s advocate in this. The ODM brigade I believe have realized that these talks are headed nowhere. If the haven’t, they should watch Kibaki addressing the AU in Adis last week. ODM should also realize that calls for peace rather than Justice are gaining more ground. At its best, ODM’s success in fighting Kibaki’s leadership is very much dependent on chaos. On the other hand Koffi Annan’s mediation talks have in effect cooled a lot of tempers. The communities perceived to be in the wrong tuff have almost gone back to what Kenyans refer to as “reserves”, as such the scary chaotic scenes will cease to target any of the so called enemy. At this point in time, the precipitates for chaos are significantly reduced. In other words calm might soon evolve to mini-peace. Its that mini-peace that Kibaki requires.

ODM cannot afford partial success or partial failure of the mediation talks. It will be in the best interest of this movement if real success can be achieved. In this case real success should amount to nothing else rather than a presidential rerun within the next 6months. If that is not the case then ODM should consider the outcome of such talks as partial whichever side you look at it, failure or success.

Looking at the unfolding events, it is a sure bet that these talks are headed for a partial success/failure. The ODM should not in anyway allow that. Either partiality should be sired to the sure result. If failure it is, then ODM should ensure that the talks fail and not a single resolution should be arrived at. In the unlikely event that a partial success should be, then they must work extra hard to ensure the whole success. This reasoning might be controversial but I believe that ODM cannot achieve its agenda in a scenario where they are bound by certain aspects while others remain unresolved.

The latitude required in the Post-Annan Kenya will not require leaders with legs on both sides of the divide. If it is a disagreement, so let it be. Such a scenario will then give ODM the goodwill to soldier on with its fight against the perceived enemy. Raila should then go ahead and announce his plan B whose success depends very much on the success of chaos. The baggage of Annan’s resolution will not tether the ODM leadership to any binding documents. ODM should by now realize that things should not be allowed to go back to normal, and as such they should be working beyond these talks.

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February 04, 2008
5:28
Some nice story for Kenyans
From: Hapa Kenya

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There is a legend of a woman who had a faithful dog. This dog was so faithful that the woman could leave her baby with it and go out to attend other matters. She always returned to find the child soundly asleep with the dog faithfully watching over him.

One day something tragic happened. The woman as usual, left the baby in the “hands”of this faithful dog and went out shopping. When she returned, she discovered rather a nasty scene. There was a total mess. The baby’s cot was dismantled and his nappies and clothes torn to shreds with bloodstains all over the bedroom where she had left the child and the dog. Shocked, the woman wailed as she began looking for the baby. Presently, she saw the faithful dog emerging from the under the bed. It was covered with blood and licking its mouth as it had just finished a delicious meal.

The woman went berserk and assumed that the dog had devoured her baby. Without much thought she clubbed the dog to death. But as she continued searching for the “remains” of her child, she beheld another scene. Close to the bed. The baby who, although lying on bare floor, was safe. And under the bed the carcass of a jackal torn to pieces in what must have been a fierce battle between it and the dog which was now dead.

Then the reality hit the woman who now began to understand what took place in her absence. The dog fought to protect the baby from the ravenous jackal. It was too late for her now to make amends because in her impatience and anger, she had killed the faithful dog.

How often have we misjudged people and torn them to shreds with harsh words and even with physical assault before we have had time to evaluate the situation? A little patience can drastically reduce major life long errors

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January 29, 2008
1:53
This is beyond Raila and Kibaki!
From: Hapa Kenya

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A lot of pleas have been made to both Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga asking them to engage in dialogue so as to impede to the ever escalating hostility in the country. One supposition being made is that when an agreement is reached, at the top, the goodwill will trickle down to the warring Kenyans at the lowest level of the cadre. This is a fallacy that will not bear any fruits. The political class is assuming ownership to the prevailing conditions yet it’s not ready to accept responsibility of the same. They consider that the masses waging pangas at one another and the violence itself is a possession that can be directed and influence wielded upon. The leaders in their minds believe that by uttering the word stop they can put to an end the skirmishes.

At the onset of these skirmishes Raila Odinga could have directed the supposed followers from engaging in violence. Kibaki would have asked the police to stop killing innocent Kenyans. He would have stopped Mungiki from regrouping. This point in time, things have evolved to an extent that it is beyond these two leaders. None per se can and will stop the war that is emerging. The fundamentals and the driving factors in this chaos have outgrown the electoral discontent.

The violence has grown, the first stage was the election violence which saw a lot of people being displaced, some others losing life while others lost property. The second phase is a combination of the first phase and a component of revenge and counter revenge. We are yet to experience the third phase which will of course entail the first two phases and a third component that will not just be driven by any political theme. The first phase was more political than the proceeding phases thus a political solution would have been possible. In that political solution these two leaders would have been relevant. In the second phase in which this war has transformed into, politics has taken a minimal role, the main force being tribe.

Mediation, Negotiation or whatever you call it should put more emphasis on the whole Kenyan citizen body rather that the so called “two protagonist”. Those seeking “return to normal” should thus refocus efforts at the warring neighbors rather that the political elite. Koffi Annan, though much is expected of him will fail to bring any meaningful solution to our current predicament. In visiting the IDP and not having audience with the youth perpetrating this violence, Annan has one side of the story. The side of the story that can drive one into tears, though not the full story.

One solution that keeps coming up in different forums that I have engaged in is the splitting of this nation into two; Mt. Kenya Republic and Victoria Republic. Could it possible to borrow a leaf from Lesotho and South Africa?

***************************************
Mugabe Were Out: Which ODM MP is next?
January 28, 2008
7:38
Latest frm western kenya:destrution galore!
From: Hapa Kenya

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Unconfirmed reports indicate that kipkaren river bridge that links eldoret to malaba(kenya-uganda border) is down cuttin off supplies to ug. Also,in kisumu,demonstrators are busy uprooting the railway line. In kakamega 8 hses have bn reduced to rabbles after about 700 youths descended on the town. I managed to talk to some n they indicated that they want to tell annan that this war is abt elections n nothin else n that Its not abt rift valley alone but the whole country.Bungoma,luanda,busia n kipkaren police have bn overwhelmed.More to follow.....
January 27, 2008
3:11
I change my mind………
From: Hapa Kenya

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Yesterday I had the opportunity to feel the real pain of the Post-Election violence that has rocked the country over the past one month. For the better part of the day my fingers were glued to the dial key on my phone. Early that day my small bro who works in Nakuru had called, sounding disturbed, to indicate that some of the attackers were meters away from his house. Ten minutes later his phone went dead. He was unreachable for the better part of the day. I have never been worried that much in my entire life.

In numerous posts and in many forums I have always maintained that all that is happening is a sacrifice that the Kenyan people have to make in order to attain democracy. I hereby do change my mind. Kenyans need not die for anything. NOBODY deserves the kind of treatment that fellow citizens have brought upon one another. We need to get sober and avoid the cannibalization of our country.

My brother had to be in it for me to realize all these. For Kibaki, Raila and all those political leaders, it might just take the same to make them understand that this nation is crying. If only the pain could hit where it hurts most for these leaders, then we can stroll out of these skirmishes a better nation than before. Kibaki will not see the tears and suffering in Kenyan people unless it hits him too. The same can be said of all those other leaders.

For once since these violence started, I never considered what was happening to be a political issue but a moral issue. All the images of mutilated Kenyans kept reappearing to me, only this time my brother’s face glaring back. In those images it was never a Kikuyu neither was it a Luo nor a Kelenjin but a mutilated Kenyan. Do I care about democracy anymore? Yes I do. Do I care about Justice anymore? Yes I do. I care but let’s stop the Killing each other to achieve all these. Democracy and Justice can’t be that expensive.
January 22, 2008
5:07
Post Election violence spills to secondary schools!
From: Hapa Kenya

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Reports reaching this blogger indicates that one student from politically incorrect tribe has been murdered by fellow students.Musingu High School has been effectively closed following the incident. The guestion that is in many lips is how far this will go on before kibaki resigns? With the universities scheduled for reopening next week it will be interesting watch.
January 14, 2008
3:51
Depressed Nation: Deploy Psychiatrist, Psychologists and Counselors not Police!
From: Hapa Kenya

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Kenya is a depressed Nation. The hopelessness that the country is in is beyond any psychiatric description. The stolen elections, the death of a new hope, change that never came, new economic hardships, death and displacement. What Kenyans need are not the police to keep them away from the streets but someone to make them understand. Someone to make them live with all the bad things. Someone to psychoanalyze them and turn their anger into hope. The anger must be converted into strength. We need someone to explain to us why it had to happen the way it did. That someone must be able enough to tell us why we had to participate in the elections in the first place. Kenyans need counseling.

At the moment, this is somewhat melancholic acutely dissatisfied and to some extent bitter nation. The police might be brutal in containing the situation but the will of Kenyans might not welter. If Kibaki plans to stay in power for the next four years, then Kenyans must be made to understand. Someone must appeal to our minds. We must be made to accept him unconditionally. A psychologist/Psychiatrist/Counselor must be deployed.

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January 11, 2008
1:59
Martha Karua on BBC HardTalk
From: Hapa Kenya

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To understand the genesis of Kibaki's intransigence and [recent] odd behaviour, look no further than Ms. Martha Karua's interview with the BBC here. Vindictive, tactless, irrelevant, blinkered, absurd, out of touch – no adjective can quite describe her toe-curling performance. What planet does this woman live in?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsa/n5ctrl/progs/08/hardtalk/karua_09jan.ram

or

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/hardtalk/7179270.stm

Listening to Karua's sullen, selective apportioning of blame, it's hard to see how the peace effort would have amounted to anything other than a tourist visit for President Kufuor and Ms. Jendayi Fraser. It's also obvious that the interviewer and Sir Edward Clay were having a laugh at her expense. I have given up on Kibaki, but I'm still holding out for Kenya.

Will Koffi Annan succeed? Let's wait and see.
January 10, 2008
6:14
Hapa Kenya: Kibaki Embarrassed in Eldoret
From: Hapa Kenya

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Hapa Kenya: Kibaki Embarrassed in Eldoret
1:21
Kibaki Embarrassed in Eldoret
From: Hapa Kenya

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President Kibaki endured embarrassment at the hands of post election demonstrator who burnt houses barely 200m from where he was addressing a peace meeting. In his usual absent mindedness, he could not immediately realize what the crowd was beckoning him to see as they shouted him down with the chants of, "Angalia, wanachoma nyumba zetu nyuma yako… (Look! They are burning houses behind you)".

In clear display of his ignorance of the prevailing circumstances, Kibaki went ahead to tell the angry crowd to take their children to school beginning next week. The crowd again interrupted him asking, "Tutawapeleka wapi? Shule zote zimechomwa (Where will we take them? Schools were all burnt),"
For the third time, the victims interrupted the President, protesting at his directive that they channel their grievances through local chiefs.
The question many people are asking is whether Kibaki with his illegitimate title as the Kenyan President will be able to move around the country. The hostility even amongst his strongest supporters is clearly evident going by the statements that have been coming from his stronghold. Mwaura Wanjau a victim of these post election skirmishes sums it up by saying “Huyu Mzee ametumess” (This old man has messed us up).

His inability to end the on going violence was clear, although he had been escorted by the strongest security detail in the history of Presidential tour in this country, just 200m away, violence was evident.

It will be interesting to see whether Kibaki will visit victims of violence in Kisumu.

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0:26
Angry Kenyan on Chat
From: Hapa Kenya

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January 09, 2008
4:46
Kalonzo's Miracle is yet to come!
From: Hapa Kenya

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The elevation of Kalonzo “Wiper” Musyoka to the post of the Vice President has drawn mixed reactions all over the country with demonstrations being reported in some volatile parts, although the tunes of the W~a~thi wa Mukamba could be heard all the way from Kangundo. I hate to post articles that might appear to be rumors but on this occasion I will ignore that.

Allow me to build a case. In the run-up to this circus of an election, it was reported by the EA Standard that Kalonzo’s allies had met the former President. Mutula Kilonzo who attended that meeting later confirmed that the meeting was not meant to woo Kalonzo in supporting Mwai Kibaki. That fact has at least been proven. Mr. Wiper did not withdraw in favor of any candidate but soldered on to become the third with a paltry 600k and a bonus 200k courtesy of the PNU rig-squad. The details of that meeting have never been made public and I don’t expect them to be made public.

A week before the meeting with the former president, Kalonzo while addressing a mammoth rally at Uhuru Park divulged to the audience that he had gotten a goodwill message from Gideon Moi. He claimed that the son to the former President was indeed supporting his candidature. Although the younger Moi would later deny this, I wonder whether a politician of Kalonzo’s stature would make such a goof.

As a campaign issue, the Miracle man decided to let the public know how much he was actually worth. He put that at 50million, a figure that I highly doubt! Giving him some benefit of doubt though and assuming that 50m is what he is worth, how was he able to finance his campaigns? A friend of mine who worked with the PNU campaigns tells me that printing campaign materials alone did cost them more that what Kalonzo is worth. Unlike the PNU and the ODM, Kalonzo’s fundraising meetings did not give him so much. How did he pull it off? Who was behind his candidature financially?

PNU had a rallying call, “Kazi iendelee”. ODM had “Maisha Bora”. Kalonzo had “Raila upande mmoja, Kibaki upande mwingine na Kalonzo atapita katikati yao”. This is to say that Raila would be on one side, Kibaki the other as he strolls into Presidency. He interchangeably used this call alongside the “Miracle victory” line. Many Kenyans did not figure out how through divine intervention they would cast votes in favor of Musyoka. What miracle was Kalonzo referring to?

Having said all these and having in mind that Kibaki was not keen on running for a second term, now things appear clearer. Although he made some mistakes as a President, Kibaki unlike his predecessor has always been known to be a democrat. How could he throw all these through the window? That is the begging question. It is difficult to answer this but I do see a hidden hand in this Miracle. Is Kibaki in charge of his ill gotten Presidency? Allow me to be a rumor monger in this.(The following sections are not based on any factual information but personal imaginations)

Kibaki is convinced to run for a second term though he is scared of loosing. He is assured of a victory the African way by the expert in the rigging mechanism. Kalonzo on the other side is meanwhile briefed on how he’ll become the president by his erstwhile secretary general; all he can say is that it’s a miracle. Kibaki is unaware of the real game, what he knows is that in the post election Kenya, Kalonzo should be a VP. As the vote tallying goes on, things are falling apart. Kibaki is ready to accept defeat until the hidden hand gets back in the picture. Kivuitu is threatened (I imagined a worst case scenario, “children held at gunpoint”). ODM-K through the Secretary General and the innocent brats in PNU (the likes of Mungatana and Kiunjuri) piles pressure on ECK to release the results. The grand schemers did not anticipate being caught though, but it is important to note that the schemer in this is an old timer, he ignored technology. Chaos erupts, and as usual Kibaki does not know what to do. The plan has to go on. ODM-K must take its potion in all this. At all cost Kalonzo must become the VP. The hidden hand asks Kibaki to ignore the mediation talk but the pressure from the International community is too much. An idea crops up; half cabinet is named with Kalonzo in pole position.

Whatever will happen with the mediated talks is inconsequential as far as the hidden hand is concerned. He has a plan. I fear for Kenya because the constitution says that in the unthinkable event that something was to happen to Prezzo, the Vice President assumes the office. Many will wonder why it had to be Kalonzo. It is believed that he is widely accepted as a uniting figure full with an undeniable Christian foundation.What a stroll would it be to Presidency? The hidden hand will then execute the remainder of the plan, titled “Remaining the President”.

For sure it will be a long walk to democracy in Kenya, but our souls should not tire for the future is brighter.
January 08, 2008
8:50
Kalonzo VICE PRESIDENT
From: Hapa Kenya

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Kalonzo has just been made a VP...........

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7:29
DEMOCRACY HAS FAILED, WHAT NEXT FOR AFRICA?
From: Hapa Kenya

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The long list of disputed elections in Africa, Kenya being the latest entrant, raises serious questions about the depth of Africa’s commitments to democratic governance. Election as a symbol and means of achieving democracy has often failed to realize its intended goal. Disregard to basic human rights and freedoms, totalitarian rule and other misdemeanors characterize African Socio-Political way of life. Has Democracy failed in Africa? Shouldn’t Africans look for another form of governance?

Professor Donald Kagan in "Pericles of Athens and The Birth of Democracy” said that a successful democracy is based on more than elections. He maintained that an examination of the few successful democracies in history suggests that they need to meet three conditions if they are to flourish. The first is to have a good set of institutions. The second is to have a body of citizens who possess a good understanding of the principles of democracy, and who at least have developed a character consistent with the democratic way of life. The third is to have a high quality of leadership, at least in critical moments. There is great evidence in Africa that not a single country has been able to achieve these three pre-conditions for democracy, thus democracy is a failure. The foundation of our democracy is solely laid on Elections.

In recognition of these failures, that is, inability to develop robust institutions and the glaring nature of our citizen body coupled with lack of high quality leadership, there is need to analyze importance of elections in our continent. Elections in Africa are a gateway to more problems as we are seeing in most parts of the continent. The question is how long this will continue and how we can change this. It is high time we begin to question whether elections are relevant in Africa given their sticky nature. The Kenyan scenario is evidence to all these. For a country that has been haven for peace since its independence, the country is in turmoil due to the desire of the people to exercise the so called “democratic right”. For Africa elections do one thing: they confer the title of "democratically elected president" which in turn opens the coffers of Brettonwood institutions and other members of the International Community. For long, financial institutions have equated this title to good governance, accountability, respect for human rights etc. But this is not true for most African rulers.

I believe that long term economic reform in Africa can succeed only when we have a Marshall plan for Africa like was planned and executed for Western Europe. This plan should acknowledge that under conditions of underdevelopment and continuing economic crisis, where the state remains the primary source of material expectations and aspirations the so called “Democracy” cannot work neither can its election brother. The plan must devise a method for achieving what I would call “good dictatorship” for every African State. African brains must come together and device this plan, through the African Union we can be able to solve our own problems in our own model of governance that reflects the diversity of our people and in the end recognizes these diversities for the better good of this continent.

Why do I bring forth the issue of “good dictatorship”? The case of Singapore under the rule of Lee Kuan Yew comes in mind. As one writer once put it, “Singapore has achieved the American dream, but not in the American way”. This has been done through what they call a Benevolent Dictator. The challenge for Africa would be how to get the right dictators for each African State. With the brains that litter the world with lots of socio-political articles on how Africa can move out of its quagmire, I believe we can work through this and restore some pride in our people, reduce poverty and live a good life.
Kenya as an emerging problem can be used as a test programme. The AU chairman, Mr. Kuffour should cease this opportunity to bring about paradigm shift in the way African affairs are run. As a mediator in the post-election turmoil in Kenya, the goal should not just be to bring Raila Odinga and Mwai Kibaki to the table but also to bring about scholars and the African people at large into devising a new front in management of African affairs. In the interim a transitional mechanism should be put in place as the continent engage in the formulation of Marshall Plan. Within a period of 3months a Benevolent Dictator with wide raging powers put under strict institutional checks and balances should be identified and supported by all African nations.
A more intelligent solution to a Kenyan problem can solve an African problem.What do you think?
3:33
Returning the Loot!
From: Hapa Kenya

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Apparently looters at the Kenyan Coast are one by one returning what they stole in the post election skirmishes. A spell has been cast on all those who took what didn't belong to them. A six day ultimatum placed has had the looters running scared with majority of them returning the goods late in the night while others are doing it in a broad day light.

It is said that at least two people have fallen victim to this curse, one is no longer able to pee while the other broke is backbone while getting naughty in bed.

I appeal to these Coastarians to cast the same spell to any presidential and parliamentary candidate who might have stolen the right of Kenyans to choose their leaders.

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January 07, 2008
5:42
Post-Election Kenya: Prophet Ngunyi?
From: Hapa Kenya

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How could Mutahi Ngunyi be this precise? Did Raila or Kibaki see this? Sunday Nation, Dec 2003

Why our second liberation is yet to be completed

By MUTAHI NGUNYI

This week I want to give a suggestion to President Mwai Kibaki: He
should fire his speechwriter! If we lived in a ''banana republic,''
these people would have actually been charged with sabotage.
What they gave the President to read on Jamhuri Day was flat and
shoddy.

In fact, his speech on this day sounded like recycled material from
the Madaraka Day and Kenyatta Day addresses. And what is worrying is
that his speechwriters did not even seem to notice the repetitions.
The question we should ask here is why?

The answer to this is simple: Maybe they also slept through the
speeches! The long and short of things is therefore that someone is
being negligent.

Let us now turn to the fact that the President has finally put his
portrait on our currency. In my view, there is absolutely nothing
wrong with that. In fact, there would be nothing wrong if he put a
family portrait on one of the currency notes.

What we must understand here is that President Kibaki is a human
being. He has urges and excesses. To deny him some things is
therefore ridiculous. It is like placing a pot full of honey in
front of a little boy and expecting him not to dip his finger into
the stuff! In other words, our new President is cuddling in the
warmth and comfort of the institutions that shaped former President
Daniel arap Moi. And, if this is the case, why should we be
surprised if he ''hatched'' into a dictator?

What we have witnessed in the last one year is the degeneration of
President Kibaki from a reformer to a ''Toad King''. This process
begins with the President becoming insensitive. At this point, he
breaks one pledge after another without feeling a thing. And, as he
does this, the question in his mind is: Where can you take me?
In the case of the MoU for instance, we took him nowhere. The
begrudged politicians yapped until the cows came home. Now the
President has put his portrait on our currency and we will take him
nowhere. The general attitude here is this: If you do not like it,
you can sit on a pin!

Numbing his sense to popular voices will definitely degenerate into
a state of paranoia. At this point, the President will make one
blunder after another. And instead of correcting his mistakes, he
will increase his speed in the direction of the wrong. This is where
former President Moi was when he introduced ''Project Uhuru'' to the
country. The crowds booed him, his loyal followers in Kanu abandoned
him and even his own people questioned his wisdom. But the more we
rejected his ''project'', the more determined he became.

There is a lesson for President Kibaki here. He is increasingly
becoming like Mr Moi during the 2002 elections. He is not yet
paranoid, but his insensitivity could develop into ''political
blindness''. Who knows how low he will have sunk by the 2007
elections? And this is what worries me.

Consider a hypothetical situation here. What would happen if
President Kibaki decided to run for re-election in 2007 and lost?
Would he and his men have the grace to hand over power peacefully?
From the way they have behaved in the last one year, I doubt it. And
where would that leave the country? At the risk of sounding crazy, I
want to suggest the following: If we thought that Mr. Moi would
plunge the country into civil strife, he proved us wrong. Narc is
the party to plunge the county into civil strife. You just have to
listen to the FM stations and the call-in television programmes to
see a pattern. From the name of the caller, you can almost predict
what they will say and what side of the divide they will take. In a
disputed election, such polarity would certainly take ugly
proportions.

But there are two possible ways out of this. The first one has to do
with the agenda of the second liberation. This process was meant to
achieve two things - to remove Mr. Moi from power and replace him
with reform-minded leaders. This was done successfully. However, as
we are beginning to realise, Mr. Moi was not the problem.
The problem was the institutions he inherited from the Kenyatta. To
change the leadership without changing the institutions is like
treating cancer with Malaraquin. This is partly why
the ''institutional cancer'' in the presidency is beginning to
affect President Kibaki.

Putting his portrait on our currency and junking the pre-election
MoU are just manifestations of this cancer. This is why the other
agenda of the second liberation was institutional reforms. Until
this is completed, the second liberation will not have happened.
More specifically, this refers to the constitutional review process.
And, at this point I would want to address the delegates preparing
for Bomas III on January 12, 2004.

It is my hope that you have had time to reflect on the issues at
hand in Bomas III. We are also told that the politicians have spent
this long break to bribe you. In my view you should take the bribes
and use the money to enjoy your Christmas. You must realise at this
point that you are involved in politics and that in this game there
is no morality. As such, you should have fun on someone else's
account! However, when it comes to voting, you must reject
the ''bribe givers'' and vote for the country.

This is important because of the following reasons. If the second
liberation had two phases, the first phase of replacing the
leadership had to be carried out by 3.1 million voters. Replacing Mr
Moi and his cronies was in my view the easy part. The second phase
is the tough one. And this is where you come in. You are only 600
people, and the future of our country depends on you.
I have two questions for you at this point. One, as you vote for
issues, will you be thinking of your ''tribal chief'' or your
children? In my view, your tribe is your children. If you make a
constitution for your children, you will have made a constitution
for Kenya.

Two, consider the question of the Prime Minister's post. And the
question to you is this: If this post had been created before the
2002 elections, do you think President Kibaki would have ''trashed''
the MoU? Do you think he would have put his portrait on our currency
and retained corrupt ministers in his Cabinet? If the answer to
these questions is no, then the cure to the ''institutional cancer''
in the presidency is the creation of this post. Do think about it!
The second possible way out of civil strife has to do with the
Kikuyu. Now that the presidency has returned to the ''House of
Mumbi'', some people from the community are convinced that it is
there to stay. In my view, this kind of thinking is retrogressive
and could result in ethnic animosity.Kikuyus should come to terms
with the possibility that they could lose the presidency in 2007. As
such, they should do two things: One, ''bank'' with the other
communities. This is important because they cannot survive alone in
future. Two, they should disown the Kikuyu ''sharks'' in the Kibaki
government.

Unless they do so, the entire community will be blacklisted simply
on account of a few people. In future, a Kikuyu presidential
candidate would be rejected because of the misdeeds of isolated
people. My submission therefore is: They should not support this
regime blindly!

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2:15
Complex Problem, Simple Solution
From: Hapa Kenya

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Lets go back to the ballot and see who the real winner was... If Kibaki won in a free and fair election then he should be not be scared to prove to the world that he actually won. The same applies to Raila Odinga, if he indeed won the elections, he should not be afraid of repeating the triumph for the whole world to see.

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January 05, 2008
3:54
Elusive "Normal"
From: Hapa Kenya

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Things will never go back to normal in Kenya. Majority of Kenyans are pleading with the political class to sort out their mess so that things can go back to the way they were.

Take it all

At about 3pm yesterday a neighbor of mine called me from downstairs of my apartment. He looked scared and disturbed. I half heartedly agreed to talk to him due to the number of idlers who were clearly baying for his blood and other Kikuyu property around there. He ushered me into his fully furnished two bedroom house. "My friend, I am leaving all these to you, do whatever you want with this but don't let them burn them down!" he said. "This is my sweat, you are a good person, I hope one day you will be able to pay me back." He continued.
I was shocked beyond words. Going into his house I expected lend him a hand at carrying some heavy luggage, but not to take all his property. I immediately refused and pleaded with him to hope for the positive. He forced one key into my shirt pocket and left in a huff tears rolling down his cheeks. It's sad to see a grown man cry.
I didn't know Ben that much except for the fact that he had a very beautiful wife and an Automobile shop in Kakamega town. He was a quiet and rare person, pleasant and easy to talk to but would keep indoors.

Mistrust

Still short of words and scared of the responsibility at hand, I got up locked the door and tried to catch up with him. He was literally running away from all he had worked for. He was running away from the very testament of his hard work.In the confused state that I was i went back to my apartment where I shared the incident with a lunje friend of mine. We started digesting the whole thing. I started thinking straight, "this guy is using me," that was my first thought. "He is trying to nail you, how comes he didn't give you all the keys?" "This guy will come back in the night, take everything and accuse you of theft." "The death squad have seen you getting out of that house, they'll come after you instead." After all these deliberations I decided to deposit the key at the police station after writing a statement.

At the police station
Lorries, children , women, pickups, old men, youth, stock and other property littered the police station as never before. I had never seen anything like that before. I changed my mind and decided to look for Ben instead. It was not hard locating him. His anger at seeing me were evident. "Did they burn it down?" that was his first question. It took me a cool five minutes to explain to him why I didn't want to keep that key. Of course I did not mention my fears. I assured him that I will do everything in my power to protect his property. He unwillingly took back the key to much of my relief.

Revenge, Payback

I took time to get some of the stories and to dissect the mental state of these people who have been displaced. There is anger and vengeance. Property n lives have been lost and someone has to pay. That was the bottom line from the few people I talked to. All that Ben wants right now is to get back to Thika. He intimated to me that people back home are just waiting for family members in the diaspora to get back before they hit back.

I had a chance to talk to Ciku, the only home she has know is in Molo, her parents are also staying in a police station. She has nothing and nowhere to go. She jokes that the choice she has is to choose which police station she wants to stay at.

Normal is an Illusion. Things can never get back to normal.

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January 04, 2008
4:17
Kenyan Police Divided over the poll crisis.
From: Hapa Kenya

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The division in the police force regarding the poll crisis in Kenya is well depicted on the video
posted in this link.
Demonstrators can be seen passing through the armed policemen without much effort. In other areas of the country, TV footage captured demonstrators hanging on one of the police vehicles.

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January 03, 2008
9:23
Putting the Cart before the Horse: What a President?
From: Hapa Kenya

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According to Reuters, President Mwai Kibaki called on Thursday for an end to post-election violence that has killed at least 300 people and said he was ready for talks with the opposition once the nation had calmed down.

"I am ready to have dialogue with the concerned parties once the nation is calm and the political temperatures are lowered enough for constructive and productive engagement," Kibaki told reporters

Can someone tell me what is wrong with the "President". Calm can only be restored in this country if and only if he accepts the will of the people. He cannot expect Kenyans to abandon the fight for democracy so as to negotiate with him.

In my understanding what Kibaki is saying to Kenyans especially those affected by this skirmishes is that he aint ready to talk, and that he doen't care about the violence that is going round this country.

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7:48
Bleak Future for Kenya
From: Hapa Kenya

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Am glued to the TV watching the going-ons around the Nairobi CBD, am also following most of these on the Internet from a number of bloggers and the international press(shame on kenyan media for lack of presence on the net,websites are treated like print media where news is static for the day). Anyway, my take of the current situation.....BLEAK FUTURE FOR KENYA. Why do I say this?
My arguments are based on what I have seen on TV mostly. Its true to say that majority of the policemen are wearing off due to these riots. I've seen rioters hanging on one of the Police Land Cruiser. The police, unlike the first day of these riots, have been freely engaging them in dialogue and some chit chat. This is to say that the rallies and riots will continue with less opposition from the police. The same can be said of the countryside, Kakamega for instance, police officers could be heard telling rioters to burn the remaining houses with haste so that the work load can die down.

The second reason why Kenya has an unknown future is because of the quietness from the Kibaki side especially from the president himself. Majority of the people talking on behalf of PNU are losers who command little respect in the country. The crop of MPs-elect on the PNU side have little experience when it comes to National politics. Since Kibaki as a player in this has failed to decisively make a case for himself rumours and accusations will in aggravate the whole skirmishes. There is a rumor going round that Kibaki is ready to resign, though after the Safaricom IPO scheduled to start on Monday 7th.

The roits are taking a new shape, the battle grounds are moving away from the urban centers to the villages and the estates. Reports of violence in the residential areas are increasing with every passing day. New targets are being discovered in churches and its just a matter of time before smaller police stations are attacked.

Peace efforts and public appeal are falling on deaf ears. Most of the people listening to such calls are those that are scared to venture outdoors. The main movers of these violence have little time for TVs and Radios. Amos Kimunya on the Kibaki side rejected the overture extended by the African Union Chairman. This is in itself an indication that PNU is not willing to put matters on the table.So much for arrogance.

Food and other supplies are dying out. Medical attention is had to find. Kenyans in business are feeling the pinch of not being able to do business. The NSE has just postponed business. Shops all over the country are under lock and key. Soon Kenyans will get tired of this life and move to the streets in protest the Argentina or Ukraine way.

Leaders are now taking charge of these riots as has been seen in Kisumu where the two MPs, Shakeel Shabir and Alago Aluoch were arrested. Mungiki have also been given state machinery to cause chaos in Dandora. Rumour had it that some of them are being airlifted to Eldoret while the Chinkororo have been transported to Kericho to provide protection to the targetted communities. This will eventually boil to an all out war.

The noble thing is for Kibaki to resign and let the will of the people reign!

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5:28
Looting and Killing the Kenyan Hope
From: Hapa Kenya

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"Hope is the most sensitive part of a poor wretch’s soul; whoever raises it only to torment him is behaving like the executioners in Hell who, they say, incessantly renew old wounds and concentrate their attention on that area of it that is already lacerated." Marquis de Sade

In his first term as the Kenyan President, Kibaki failed to stem the ever growing perception that his leadership was for the elite and the well off in our society. Many Kenyans in the lower cadres of this country in the end associated many of their problems to Kibaki's failure to be a president for all. The hope that they had prior to the 2002 election was swept aside, it boiled to frustration that was propelled by goofs and mistakes that characterized Kibaki's leadership throughout. The Anglo Leasing scam, Artur saga and many others fueled the negative perception. This hope was to be reignited by the ODM team.

As William Shakespeare once said, "The miserable have no other medicine But only hope." In a country where the majority live under a dollar a day, it can be well said that Kenyans are Miserable and thus hope being their only cure. When the ECK chairman deiced to announce a result that did not reflect the true statement of the Kenyan people that hope was dashed for the second time.

The looting and the killings that have been experienced countrywide are nothing compared to the death and the stolen hope that Kenyans had built in the run-up to the just "yet to be" concluded elections. The imaginations of a new beginning under the ODM team, the equitable distribution of resources, the better times and the empowerment of the Kenyan people as told by Raila Odinga are at the moment just imaginations and castles in the air. The poor will fight until these things do come true.

The election was more of a testament by the poor and the youth of this country,It will thus take a very long time to quell the skirmishes. As one friend of mine puts it, the poor have nothing to loose but their lives which will end either way if Kibaki is still the President. The youth have the energy and a a found conviction to have a say, thus they are ready to fight for that say to be meaningful.The youth also find the crop of leaders who looted this hope as people who project a bleak future for them, that is why the calls of ALUTA CONTINUA will continue to fill the air and more destruction and death will be experienced.

The most noble thing that can be done for this country is for Kibaki to resign and let the will of the people reign.

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4:43
JUSTICE OR PEACE? What is more Important?
From: Hapa Kenya

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The post election period in Kenya has seen widespread violence and destruction that has led to enormous loss of property and life. The media fraternity is at the forefront of advocating for peace and normalcy. The three main newspapers had the same headline this morning: "Save our Beloved Country". The US Ambassador along side other international community representatives have called for peace.Barrack Obama addressed Kenyans through the VOA requesting for peace to prevail. The church and the local entertainers have not been left behind either.

The LSK on the other hand has made steps to solve the whole issue through the courts by making public its intentions to petition the re-election of Mwai Kibaki at the High Court. This brings me to the main question. Why aren't all these noble and well placed voices in our society not asking for justice instead. Can peace exist without justice? Kenya was a very peaceful country prior to these elections, can we purport to seek peace without addressing the main reason why this peace was destabilized?

As one of the callers did put it on KTN during a call in show, "Death and Destruction is the third issue in this impasse,the first issue is theft and the second is denial of rights." The caller went ahead to request that mistakes must be accepted first after which repentance and forgiveness should follow and only thereafter shall peace be realized. Can we have peace without exploiting and resolving the route cause of these horrendous atrocities.Samuel Kivuitu the

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