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23:48
From: You Missed This
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Today the fraudulent government of Mwizi Kibaki is on day 2. It has survived the last few hours by deploying the largest deployment of security personnel countrywide in the history of the nation. And also by banning live broadcasts and intimidating the media. Yesterday President Mwizi Kibaki opened his mouth to speak and one would have expected a statement calling for calm or to help heal the wounds. Instead he vowed to crack down on rioters countrywide. Interestingly many Kenyans still believe that the evil man in this regime is John Michuki. Wake up Kenyans, open your eyes and see for yourselves where the real evil is. And now a bombshell. Yesterday 4 commissioners from the Electoral commission called a press conference to tell the world that there was something badly wrong with the election results. The 4 heroic Kenyans who have done what is right are; Mr Jack Tumwa, Mr D.A. Ndamburi, Mr Samuel arap Ngeny and Mr Jeremiah Matagaro. Read the full story HEREThis blog is an open public forum and therefore one would expect all sorts of characters (including State agents). Some of them have repeated the point that there were also irregularities in ODM strongholds like Nyanza. Any fool knows that the opposition has no capacity or access to state machinery which is the only way to rig elections these days. It is interesting that in a conversation online just before the polls with a prominent personality easily recognizable worldwide, who wanted to know my thoughts on how the Kenya elections were going to go I mentioned something that easily explains what may have happened in opposition areas. Excerpts; Me: If it is free and fair, this will NOT be a close election. My figures show a clear win of well over 60% for Raila Odinga. Prominent personality: That contradicts the opinion polls. I am receiving plenty of contradictory views. It was not like this in 2002.Me: It depends on where you are getting your info; Muthaiga or Mathare PP: Hmmm.Me: But having said that there are other factors that could greatly reduce Raila's big win. PP: Like? Me: Delays in opposition strongholds and lack of enough ballot papers to reduce the number of people who vote. And then the usual vote stuffing. It will also be done in opposition strongholds to create the impression that the opposition also rigged. PP: You think so?Me: These guys are in no mood to accept defeat. PP: But that is surely a recipe for a blood bath.Me: Correct. But they really don't care. (This is a gist of how our conversation went. I was not able to retrieve the exact words but I know in the near future this well known personality will be in a position to confirm that this conversation took place to anybody who cares to ask. I leave you with an article from a recent post many of you appear to have missed: Monday, December 31, 2007 International Community Has A Responsibility To Save Kenyan Lives Sympathy is a very powerful force in politics and the mood on the ground in Kenya at the moment is a lot of sympathy for Raila Odinga whom many Kenyans believe had the presidency stolen from him in a most crude manner. That is for those who have yet to be victims of the anti-Kikuyu and anti-PNU violence sweeping across the country like wild fire. The fascinating thing here is that there is sympathy from people who only a few days ago were greatly opposed to a Raila presidency. For instance my impeccable source on the ground in Naivasha puts it thus; Things here are okay and its back to business as usual ... the difference is that you will notice that people are still in small groups talking. Most them despite being PNU supporters agree that what we have here is a stolen presidency. So what happened to change people's minds? Part of the reason is the extremely obvious manner in which this rigging was done. One Kenyan commented to this blogger; "Why didn't Kibaki get some rigging tips from Moi? Moi never used to get caught and it was impossible to prove anything." After some strange results in parts of Western Kenya, Ukmbani (Eastern province) Kibaki cronies held back Meru results and simply waited for Raila votes to come in and then doctored Kibakis so that they were more. It was vote rigging done in the most obvious manner in full view of the world. This is why gthe decision by the International community and especially America to retract their statement recognizing Kibaki's win is significant. It will save a lot of innocent Kenyan lives and send the right message to other power hungry despots in Africa who equate the lives of their citizens to that of mere chickens and simply want to hang onto power at all costs. See earlier post on International community retracting support for Kibaki.
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23:24
From: You Missed This
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Matters may be seriously getting out of hand in Mombasa.
Apart from door to door searches for perceived PNU sympathizers, reports just in from Likoni indicate that members of the Kamba community are now also in hiding. Apparently they are being targeted because the ECK chair Samuel Kivuiti hails from that community.
Police have clearly been overwhelmed in Mombasa and angry mobs now rule most of the town especially the Kisauni area.
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23:10
From: You Missed This
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Dear Friends, I am contacting you because you have either expressed a desire to create a movement to demand that Kibaki step down and that Kenya's democratically elected President Raila Odinga be instated or you were recommended by another ally. Sam Okello has suggested that we join ODM in wearing black arm bands on Thursday. I would like to second that motion and suggest that we publicize this effort broadly. I would also like to update you of an online petition on this issue that you can sign at [www.gopetition.com] Our working title is Coalition of Kenyans and Allies for Democracy. I think it is important that we frame our movement in terms of democracy and human rights. I also think it is important that we condemn violence and encourage those at home to avoid it until we have done all that we can do. Please read and sign the petition. Also, please feel free to copy and send it to your elected officials. It would be wonderful, as well, if you forwarded the petition URL address and told your friends and colleagues why you think that their signature is important. We need to build critical mass quickly so anything that you can do in that regard is very beneficial. Of course, please send any suggestions, ideas, and comments that you have to this dislist. We have a monumental task and cannot afford to lose any time. If you are interested in being part of the leadership of this effort, please reply. Peace, Annah Reply to: annah_sidigu@yahoo.com
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13:27
From: You Missed This
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STOP PRESS: International community retracts support for Kibaki winCan you sleep peacefully in your comfortable State House bed(s) knowing that innocent people have died because of you? Numerours people have died - husbands have lost their wives - wives have lost their husbands - and children have lost their mothers or fathers ...... So I am asking you as a mother and a father: Can you sleep at night? Can you really take this on your conscious? Can you? Is it really worth it? Is it worth that people loose their lives because you have compromized to 'protect' the former President Daniel arap Moi? What did he promise (or pay) you to do this? I think that nothing is justifying to have people killed - no money in the world can be enough to pay for their lives. So I am asking you again Mr. President: CAN YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT ??????????? Marianne Briner
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13:22
From: You Missed This
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I am very much shocked with statements in Kumekucha calling for uproar and choas.
Don't these people - and this includes Hellen and Sam Okello (and please do not think that I am protesting their thoughts because of my personal grievance with them) understand that something like this will claim the life of innocent Kenyans? Kenyans who have gone to poll in a peaceful way trusting that their votes will be important not only to the future of Kenya but more important to their own life and future of their children?
And if people of the 'Kenyan Diaspora' continue talking like that, ask them to come back to Kenya and do what they ask now others to do, i.e. die ..... would they be willing to leave their safe sanctuaries behind and die on the streets of Kibera, Mathare and Kisumu ? Would they really?
I am sure they won't - and that's why I am asking them:
please stop asking for violence - unless you are willing to die yourself stop this call .... or I and others will challenge you to come back to Kenya and do what you ask others to do ...........
You have to understand that you are only playing into the hands of people like Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Mutula Kilonzo and others to 'prove' that Kenya and its people are not 'ready' to 'understand' the true meaning of Democracy !!!!!
Prove these people to be wrong - prove them to be ONE country - ONE People ...... but please, please STOP these call for violence !!!!!!!!
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10:52
From: You Missed This
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The US has retracted a statement congratulating Kibaki on his false victory. They now express overwhelming concern about "serious problems experienced during the vote counting process". Even the Red Army could not muzzle the peoples voice for change. Let us not relent in providing Kenyans their rights. See following link: [www.ft.com]
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7:46
From: You Missed This
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Sympathy is a very powerful force in politics and the mood on the ground in Kenya at the moment is a lot of sympathy for Raila Odinga whom many Kenyans believe had the presidency stolen from him in a most crude manner.
That is for those who have yet to be victims of the anti-Kikuyu and anti-PNU violence sweeping across the country like wild fire.
The fascinating thing here is that there is sympathy from people who only a few days ago were greatly opposed to a Raila presidency.
For instance my impeccable source on the ground in Naivasha puts it thus;
Things here are okay and its back to business as usual ... the difference is that you will notice that people are still in small groups talking. Most them despite being PNU supporters agree that what we have here is a stolen presidency.
So what happened to change people's minds?
Part of the reason is the extremely obvious manner in which this rigging was done. One Kenyan commented to this blogger; "Why didn't Kibaki get some rigging tips from Moi? Moi never used to get caught and it was impossible to prove anything."
After some strange results in parts of Western Kenya, Ukmbani (Eastern province) Kibaki cronies held back Meru results and simply waited for Raila votes to come in and then doctored Kibakis so that they were more. It was vote rigging done in the most obvious manner in full view of the world.
This is why gthe decision by the International community and especially America to retract their statement recognizing Kibaki's win is significant. It will save a lot of innocent Kenyan lives and send the right message to other power hungry despots in Africa who equate the lives of their citizens to that of mere chickens and simply want to hang onto power at all costs.
See earlier post article on International community retracting support for Kibaki.
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7:33
From: You Missed This
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Plus Vikii's strange comment: Did Vikii know the President's strategy in advance? I get super-busy sometimes and don't notice even recent work that I have posted. My attention was recently drawn to this post that I made just before the general elections on Dec 24th; Monday, December 24, 2007Elections 2007: What Consequences? As we head to the elections after Boxing day, I find that I have less and less to say to you my dear readers and more worrying to do. If Raila wins, what will the consequences be? Will the Kibaki administration hand over power peacefully? Will they accept defeat? If Kibaki wins what will happen to Kenya? Will Kenyans in 6 provinces accept the results? Will the multitudes of Kenyans desperate for change—any change accept such a result? How long will it take to heal the wounds that started with the terribly expensive referendum of 2005 which cost Kenyans much more than just a lot of money? What if the elections produce a constitutional crisis that the current constitution can never handle? And most of all my eyes are firmly focused on the Langata constituency where nobody quite knows what is going to happen. Enough has been said and now is the time to sit back and see what happens. Now is the time to let the people of Kenya speak. My prayer is that they will speak so loudly and clearly that there will be no constitutional crisis. My prayer is that precious lives will be spared. The truth is that no politician is worth dieing for let alone our current crop of selfish, self-seeking ….. (I restrain myself from using abusive language). The truth is that even as Kenyans shout themselves hoarse in support of their preferred candidate, this is a very dangerous and unpredictable time for Kenya. I take this opportunity to wish you all my dear friends, a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year, 2008. Thank you for your support and most of all thank you for your patience as I have rumbled on and on throughout the year coming up with views that have been very different from the ones you hold dear. Nothing personal though, I just love my country too much and I am sure the same is true with you and that is why you have chosen to spend valuable time here with all the characters that have made “kumekucha” their home. Please don’t run away in shame if the election results don’t go the way you want. Let’s keep talking here and learning from each other so that we quickly get to understand why the election results go they way they will. Let’s continue to love our country, irrespective of our poliyical leanings. After all Kenya is bigger than out preferred candidate, bigger than our issues and feelings. God bless Kenya. God bless us all. How I wish I had been wrong. You can see the post here; [kumekucha.blogspot.com]These were the 2 comments on that day. Notice Vikii's chillingly accurate prediction; Anonymous said...
There you go again. PNU already said that if they lose, power will be handed over. But how come you cannot fathom an ODM loss? I believe there would be a problem only if Hon Raila loses. Most ODM supporters exude confidence that their man shall win- that is OK. Most of them would really like him to win- OK. But what IF (big IF) Hon Raila loses in a fair contest?
Hmm, lemme guess. Then ODM will say, " We reject results, we have always said the Govt would rig. Here is the proof. We lost!"
I hope ODM proves me wrong, in the unlikely event that they lose.
2:34 AM
Vikii said...
My take is that the consttution, though not perfect in as far as transfer of power goes, it leaves no room for a crisis. It is simple; win the majority vote, get 25% in at least five provinces and win your parliamentary seat. There will be no crisis. If one wins the majority vote and fails to meet any of the other two requirements, that is not a crisis. We just go for the run-off which Kivuitu has already budgeted for.
Just a reminder; Those Kenyans in those 'six provinces' may not have a choice. The presidential vote is not about how many provinces one wins but how many votes one gets. They may just decide to take a walk on the streets and that will be it.
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6:54
From: You Missed This
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With a virtual news blackout in Kenya, it is getting very difficult to get any information on what is going on. However I have been able to establish the following facts; a) There has been killing on a massive scale in the slums of Kibera and Mathare as well as in several parts of Kisumu. Gun fire was heard coming from the Kiberta slums from about 8 pm last night to early this morning. It is unlikely that the police were on target practice firing blanks overnight. Bullets are usually fired to kill. b) Dozens of suspecting innocent Kikuyus countrywide have been dragged from their homes or caught in the streets and killed by angry mobs. This has mostly happened in Eldoret but reports of beatings and possible killings have also come in from Mombasa. Many Kikuyu business owners countrywide have suffered great losses in looted and burnt property. c) Police have been given clear orders to shoot to kill so as to scare people back to their senses as quickly as possible. CNN have put the death toll so far at 124. Kumekucha sources say that at least 500 people have died so far and the number is probably much higher because the country is now a police state where information is scarce and residents in many parts of the country have been ordered to stay in their homes, even if they do not have food supplies. Which is just as well because there are hardly any businesses open anyway. The most worrying factor here is that it is obvious that this trouble will not end any time soon. Raila Odinga, the man who clearly won the election before the introduction of what international observers said were "clearly cooked figures" ( see CNN story) is a master of of this game of creating chaos to bring about change. Already we have seen numerous SMS rumors being circulated mainly by ODm sympathisers whose main aim is to clearly destabilize and cause even more tension and anxiety. Today small groups of Raila supporters were easily neutralized as they tried to make their way to Uhuru Park for the proposed ODM rally/swearing in ceremony of the so-called parallel ODM government. Tension is very high in Nairobi and there are reports from parts of the city that huge numbers of dead bodies have been seen lying on the streets.
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4:13
From: You Missed This
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I was very proud when I saw the way Kenyans waited in line (some even since midnight, as it was reported on all European TV-Channels) on December 27th - peacefully and full of trust that finally their voices will be heard.
It made me proud.
Then came the counting and my heart sunk..... every fear I had, every nightmare I could imagine was becoming true.
And I became first sad, then angry and now I am furious like hell. Does this never end ? Do the people never have any value ? Can it be that the same group of people who almost destroyed the country, still dare to decide on its fate and on the life and future of its people ? Should this be accepted ?
One comment in the German Television was: "Though there some hopes before this Election that Kenyan was going a different path now, the swearing in of President Kibaki for a second term even before the final election results are known shows that Kenya still has a very long and thornfull road ahead before its leaders will finally understand what Democracy really means.......".
There were many signs before who had put some doubt into me:
One was that Kalonzo never joined Raila and with Mutula Kilonzo in ODM-K, their goal was clear: keeping 'dry' - and Mutula is becoming the next Attorney General making sure that no Goldenberg, Anglo-Leasing, any other corruption and/or killing and even the criminal way in which this Election has been handled is ever investigated. I do not like to repeat it, but I said this already some weeks ago as Lucas Mboya in one of his comments remembered).
And there are more 'moles' even in ODM --- too many of Moi's and Kibaki's friend had changed sides on the surface making sure to go into Parliament on an ODM-ticket (I just mention Prof. Kamar - Biwott's wife ....) - but there are many others who should have never been accepted. On the surface it looked all very fine to have them 'joining' ODM - but it somebody ever ask why they did this? Why all of the sudden split from the forces who have financed them so many years? Did nobody question their real intentions?
Yes, there is the possibility to put a vote of no-confidence in Parliament..... but just wait what Mutula Kilonzo will reply to this ... and then - even if it is possible - wait how some of these re-born ODM Members will vote ..... I bet with you that there will be a certain number who will vote against it ...
It is indeed a sad day for Kenya.... one 'incident' gave me almost the assurance that it would come out like that:
When Lucy Kibaki got her 'salary' almost doubled, I knew that this the confirmation that they would continue for the next 5 years - everything was clear even before the Elections had taken place .... why else did she increase her salary just a few weeks before having to leave State House and even risk the outcry of the public? Because she knew she would continue being there for the next 5 years ........ she and her husband knew that it was not all over ..... and just wait and see, also Kibaki will 'accept' the increase in his monthly payments and even more ......
Like I said before, it is a very sad day for Kenya - only a miracle can save it now.
Guest post by Marianne Briner
P.S. Happy Birthday, Chris - although I can guess how you must feel right now. You told me so many times to cheer up, to believe in faith, to believe in the Kenyan People - so this time it's me telling you this. Things will change, I am still sure - but not with creating chaos and uproar. Here only the innocent and poor will suffer and maybe even die. There has to be another way, I hope.
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3:49
From: You Missed This
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Police have denied claims that Raila Odinga has been arrested.
Interestingly they have said nothing about the other Pentagon members.
Police have also declared this afternoon’s planned ODM meeting and swearing in of President Raila Odinga and his parallel government illegal.
Meanwhile the usually peaceful Mombasa city has degenerated into a no-go zone in most areas. Kumekuchan Danileve was stopped by a huge violent mob thus morning in the Kisauni area of Barsheba near Mwandoni as he was looking for a Cyber café from which to send in information to Kumekucha from. They robbed him of cash and valuables but amazingly did not take his cell phone which contained amongst other things photographs of poll violence at the Coast which we will publish later.
The mob beat him badly and only stopped when they confirmed that he was NOT PNU or a Kikuyu.
There are unconfirmed reports from Nairobi South C that the heavy GSU presence is not allowing people to leave Nairobi and has ordered residents to go back home and stay in the house.
There are some other sensational SMS rumours that I am currently checking out.
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3:05
From: You Missed This
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Mutahi Ngunyi said it first and I joined in and repeated it several times; there was no way that Mwai “stole the 2007 presidential elections” Kibaki was going to hand over power peacefully if he lost an election.
Most Kenyans believed that was just porojo. After all the grandfather-image Mwai Kibaki was a harmless old man who hated political confrontation. As you read this many Kenyans are still looking for the evil culprit within the Kibaki administration who has caused the mess that the country is in at the moment. They have refused to believe that there is no man in the Kibaki regime who is more evil than Mwai Kibaki himself.
Yet the signs have been there for a long time. The harmless grand father seated inside State House was asked by a BBC journalist 3 days ago whether he would hand over power peacefully if he lost the elections. His reply was in Swahili and so rude that many Kenyans reading this will still not believe that it is Mwai Kibaki. He said: Wacha Kuniuliza swali ya Upumbavu. (Stop asking me a stupid question.)
Tracing back Mr Kibaki’s actions leading up to the events of yesterday it is clear to see his thinking. He made a big issue out of appointing as many new Electoral Commissioners as possible. Just hours to the general elections he appointed new judges.
The plan was simple. To rig the elections after which he expected ODM to seek redress in the courts where he would be ready for them and besides petitions can be made to last 5 years or more by which time he would have completed his fraudulent second term.
Kibaki also assumed that Kenyans would meekly accept the event of yesterday. But above all else the vote thief was most confident with support from the Americans, nothing will shake his government. You see he has pleased Uncle Sam a lot with his stand on terrorism and terrorism suspects. And everybody knows that the Americans will give you anything as long as you support their war on terrorism to the hilt.
Big time miscalculations. Kenya has changed and the State House should have seen that clearly from the way Kenyans countrywide voted. The thinking within State House is that ODM is a Luo political party with pockets of support from Kalenjins.
Secondly ODM have said that they are NOT going to court. Nobody knows what they will do instead. But already we hear that a parallel government ahs been formed. And to make matters worse the swearing in of that government is taking place at Uhuru Park at 2 pm. GSU have sealed off Uhuru Park and declared the meeting illegal so we wait to see what happens.
Now the entire country has degenerated into violence and many innocent hard working Kikuyus have lost property and some their lives. FOR WHAT???!!!! So that somebody can stay in State House for another 5 years fraudulently?
I have been able to establish that many people who voted for Kibaki are now deeply regretting their action. Apparently they thought they knew the person they were voting for but have found out when it is too late that they made a big mistake that has cost some of them their lives.
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3:00
From: You Missed This
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Interestingly the feeling amongst the Akamba people in Eastern province in the run up to the recently stolen elections was deep hatred for Raila Odinga whom they felt had denied their son Kalonzo Musyoka the presidency.
Amazingly that has now changed and there is a lot of sympathy for Raila in Ukambani at the moment and many are even loudly declaring that if the polls were to be repeated they would vote for Raila.
This is just one reason why ODM-K and Kalonzo Musyoka should turn down all advances from the evil PNU government that wants to rule against the will of the majority of Kenyans.
It should be obvious to Kalonzo that the new Kibaki government will not last, no matter how many Kenyans are shot dead and no matter how many media houses are shut down. If Kalonzo wants to keep his eyes firmly focused on 2012, then joining the PNU vote thieves will be the worst political mistake of his career.
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0:01
From: You Missed This
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Yesterday will go down in the country’s history as having been a tumultuous and tension-filled day. It was a day when all the citizens (and even hundreds of thousands of non-citizens who live in the country and abroad) were on edge, jittery and anxious.
This situation was extremely exacerbated by the late announcement of the president of the republic of Kenya in what could be termed as a circus of sorts. Only the National Broadcaster, KBC, was present to broadcast the announcement live to all and sundry as all other media outlets, both local and foreign, had been ‘bundled’ out of KICC. And even more disturbing was the fact that within an hour of the announcement, President Kibaki was sworn-in to serve a second term in office.
The ODM cried foul for, in their book, their presidential candidate Mr. Raila Amollo Odinga had won the elections and therefore was the one supposed to be sworn-in instead of Mr. Kibaki. For this reason they have made it clear, in black and white, that they don’t acknowledge the presidency of Kibaki.
To prove that they mean business, they have made it clear that they will organise their own swearing-in ceremony at Uhuru Park today.
As things stand right now, there has been untold suffering unleashed on the people who live in some parts of Western, Nyanza, Coast and Nairobi. Fears are almost tangible that this planned rally and swearing-in by ODM and Raila will not augur well for the Kenyan populace.
My take is that, if such a thought is allowed to blossom and become a flower then this country could as well be headed to anarchy and lawlessness of untold proportions.
Hon. Raila, there surely are other ways of championing your cause instead of letting it take this route. Sir, the lives of the people you very much want to protect (by becoming the president) are at stake here. Many have already been lost in the carnage that has erupted; please don’t stoke a fire that will be hard to put out. Steer clear of that hearth for the sake of innocent mothers, fathers, and children. Innocent Kenyans should not be caught in the cross fire that is more than likely to materialise.
Our great country should not go down the road that Somalia, Sudan and other such countries have trodden. The citizens of these countries come to our country to seek solace and refuge. We are a beacon of hope in this part of Africa; we are the hope of the people who live within our borders.
Kenya country should not be allowed to go to the dogs.
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23:57
From: You Missed This
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Kumekucha has proved itself once again as a leader as far as breaking news is concerned. Throughout the pre-election, election and post-election periods, Kumekucha has kept us informed on the happenings, events, counter-events, reactions, results, consequences and all that goes with news!!
All this has undauntedly been executed by the almost unflagging mettle of two great kumekucha sons; Chris and Phil. These two have helped us keep tabs on the historic events that have been unfolding in our great country.
Chris and Phil, we know this has taken a lot of sacrifice to accomplish. But your quest to inform has trounced all other reasons that would have made you renege on what your heart of hearts willed you. Kudos.
I am visibly happy that the order made by the Kenya government yesterday to media houses not to have live radio and TV broadcasts does not in any way affect blogs.
As we sojourn towards the Promised Land, Kumekucha espies the great daylight that is looming larger by the day in the horizon. Was that a bright flash in the plains? I can assure you, I saw something!
Let those keyboards sound the more as our fingers, here at Kumekucha, do the walking amid the rubble.
When we are pelted with the stones and bricks of snide and cynicism, we use them to build the mansions that we have all along wished to have. Catch the drift?
By the way, Happy 44th birthday, Chris.
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17:05
From: You Missed This
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Friends, countrymen, Kenyans, today is December 31st 2007. On this day 4 hours before midnight in the year 1963 I was born. Ironically in Kisumu as my parents were traveling on a job transfer. In 1985 in the same city I met my dear wife. But I digress.
I celebrate my birthday today fighting using the “gift” the almighty gave me. And if it is true that the pen is mightier than the sword then it explains the rapid removal of press freedom instituted on Kenyans by a group of people that were rejected at the polls just a few days ago but insist on ruling us against our will.
Most people leaving comments at this blog are either working for a salary or doing it for fan. A very small percentage are genuine folks worried for their country. Am not joking and I am not paid any salary. In fact I have made many sacrifices to keep this blog going and I will continue to make them.
I fear nothing because I see no sense in living for 100 years as a chicken and prefer to live 50 as a lion. I have no interest in allowing a country full of injustices to be inherited by my children and grandchildren. That is why I started this blog and have been repeatedly warning Kenyans since May 2005 (just go back and read for yourself). Mostly I have been ignored. Today as I celebrate my 44th birthday my most treasured present is the captive audience and especially those genuine ones who will understand me a little more and what I have been saying here.
To those who claim that I am an inciter here is a simple question. Who is more of an inciter of violence Kumekucha or Mwai “stole the 2007 presidential elections” Kibaki?
Thanking you in advance for your sincere birthday wishes.
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16:58
From: You Missed This
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Residents of High Rise estate in Nairobi have reported very heavy gun fire in Kibera which started at around 8 pm and is still going on as I type this 12:40 am Kenyan time 31st Dec 2007.
It is not immediately clear what is happening as numerous Kenyans whose only crime is not being a rich looter suffer and lose their lives.
I would like to appeal to every reader of this blog who can reach angry Kenyans everywhere to appeal to them to stop the violence. As has been quite rightly pointed here, the people suffering are the same people to whom this great injustice has been done. Peaceful protest is the way to go and we are yet to exhaust peaceful means of dealing with the illegal government of Mwai “stole the 2007 presidential elections” Kibaki.
Meanwhile I do not want to pass any hurried judgment but I am wondering what a sober Kenyan could be doing busy posting pro Kibaki comments here from a Kenyan IP address when most Kenyans at home are worried for their own personal security. Could they be doing it from a very safe place? (Get my drift?) With freedom fighters like Phil and others, I can understand.
At the moment I cannot verify rumors I have seen here in the comments section to the effect that ODM Pentagon members have been arrested. However I can confirm that operations are being directed by John “Standard Raid” Michuki and his colleague Njenga Karume who in fact wanted Raila arrested last Saturday.
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15:27
From: You Missed This
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 Kenya's leading opposition candidate, ODM's Raila Odinga, has this evening declared that he will not recognise the purported re-election of President Kibaki. Instead, Raila has announced that his party has called a public rally scheduled for Uhuru Park at 2pm tomorrow 31st December 2007. This was annouced in a press conference at the ODM Presidential Campaign Centre in Upper Hill Nairobi where Raila also indicated that the rally was meant to show the world "who really was elected as Kenya's president" in the concluded polls. It is instructive to note that Raila has on several occasions warned Kibaki and the PNU that the ODM shall not accept any poll rigging and should the PNU resort to manipulating the electoral process, it shall be met with greater and sustained resistance. EU and AU observers, who were earlier manhandled and thrown out of KICC by armed paramilitary personnel, have already cast serious aspersions on the Kenyan electoral process, moreso because of Kivuitu's suspicious mode of declaring Kibaki as president and Kibaki's hurriedly arranged swearing-in ceremony. The election observer team, reputed to be the largest to be dispatched anywhere around the globe, fell short of endorsing the Raila presidency and it is suspected some of them may find their way to Uhuru Park tomorrow afternoon. Without a (sworn) cabinet in place, Kibaki may be tempted to declare a state of emergency in order to bring the country to manageable level but this will paralyze social, economic and political activities. This will certainly not argur well for government parliamentary business for his fragile and battered coalition.
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14:20
From: You Missed This
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Dear Kenya,
Majority of THE ANONYMOUSES YOU SEE HERE posting comments today, especially in the last few hours after Kibaki was purportedly declared president and including our famous Deroo, are all NSIS or something close, trying as much as possible to masquerade as ODM/PNU supporters. We have IP addresses to back-up accusations. Dare to challenge me Derek?
Anonymouses are commenting and publishing pro and anti messages to torpedo ODM and confuse the world and innocent , patriotic Kenyans who are reading this blog and have done so for the last few years, but more because they have relied on this blog for the last few days for election updates.
These are the same fellows who mixed up and threatened Kivuitu, going as far as kidnapping members of Kivuitu's family so as coax him to read pre-typed results, then escort with armed guard to state house to hand over a pre-typed nomination certificate, with KBC and Citizen cameras in tow.
GOD IS WATCHING, and he will certainly not let down this mighty country - DEREK!
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13:46
From: You Missed This
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When we got our independence in 1963, there was something leaders of the time liked to call The Kenya Dream and what a wonderful dream that was. Modern day politicians also talk about it, the loudest being those in the Orange Democratic Movement. The Kenyan Dream was essentially a victory against Poverty, Ignorance and Disease. While I agree there is more to good leadership than a fight against these three evils, the success of such a fight can form a sound basis for assessment of any regime. It therefore makes sense to analyze how Kibaki fared in this front and whether his performance played a role in his re-election.
There is a very interesting statistic that I kept hearing when I was coming through (probably when in fifth standard in 1992); that 56% of Kenyans live below the poverty line. Politicians like to quote these statistics to advance their cause but the truth is that Kenya’s poverty index used to be 56% in the ‘90s. Kibaki took over when it was 50% and he finished his first term when it was 46%. That is not a too shabby performance over five years in my opinion.
You cannot talk about poverty eradication without looking at the state of the economy. Mwai Kibaki’s government oversaw a period of high economic growth. Of course there are those who believe otherwise, but then we can’t all agree on all things. Angola, Ethiopia and Mozambique are the only African countries that recorded higher growth rates than Kenya in 2006/2007. When one considers what the ‘growth’ was five years ago, they cannot fail to appreciate the gains. There is an argument that Kenyan latter day economists like to advance that the trickle down effect is just not there. Any Poverty report says that poverty has reduced in the last five years. What then exactly do they mean when they say the average person does not feel the economic gains? Where do the people of Kenya take the money they used to pay primary school Development levies with? If people used to ‘fund raise’ to erect classrooms and village dispensaries, where are they taking that money today? The CDF was a good idea and the fact that the economy can support that without a sweat is good news to everyone. If healthcare is cheaper than it was six years ago, doesn’t that mean the Kenyan people are either saving money or spending on stuff they used to live without? It is just plain dishonest for anybody to claim that the economic growth statistics are a fabrication. What that basically means is that the government has made some strides in the war against poverty.
The War against ignorance; Mwai Kibaki’s administration’s biggest success story is the free primary education. Bill Clinton said in 2003 his biggest wish was to meet Mwai Kibaki and thank him for making elementary school education accessible to every Kenyan child. Since the introduction of the free primary school education, school enrolment rates have shot up. Many children were being locked out of school due to the high fees. Today, Kenya boasts the oldest primary school pupil in the world. He had stayed out of school for almost a century and in my opinion, there is no better way of proving that you are fighting ignorance than having an 80 year old man enroll in class one. It has been argued that the quality of education has been compromised but to be fair everything comes with some side effects. Even so, the deterioration of standards is yet to be proved because performance in the national exams has continued to improve every year. The country’s literacy level as well as general education attainment is something we are all proud of.
The last aspect of the Kenyan Dream is victory over disease. When Mwai Kibaki’s government came to power in 2003, the HIV prevalence rate was 14.2%. It was 6.7% in 2004. 6.1% in 2005, 5.9% in 2006 and 5.1% in 2007. These figures were given by Alloys Orago, the Director of National Aids Control Council in August this year. It would be very selfish for the government to claim solo credit for this decline, but no one can rule out their role either. The fact that HIV/AIDS victims can access ARVs at no cost in public hospitals is one of the biggest reasons for the decline. Healthcare is less costly than it was six years ago. The general health of Kenyans is better and that is why we are talking about a life expectancy of 55 up from 49. That means we are not doing badly in that front either.
I know that some of these statistics may not make sense to a lot of people, but honestly how else would you assess the country’s situation without looking at them? These were noble goals that our founding politicians set and Kibaki should be rightly proud for being in charge at a time when all indicators show a favorable trend. Americans did not think very highly of President Bill Clinton, but when they looked at statistics on unemployment rate, inflation, economic wellbeing, home ownership, and welfare roles, they started seriously considering him as one of the country’s five best presidents ever. When we ask ourselves what it is we expect a president to do, we will agree that it is to provide leadership on things that matter to the governed. When you report to a right thinking Kenyan that there is better business environment, there is more money in circulation which they can get if they work hard, healthcare is better accessible and more affordable and that their children are better educated than they were six years ago, you will definitely see them smile.
There are other areas of governance that must be assessed before passing a verdict on Kibaki’s regime. These include expansion of the democratic space to allow people of normal intelligence like Najib Balala to make fun of the president and his family. There are other things like his wife’s attempt at intimidating the press, the failure by his government to midwife the writing and adoption of a new constitutional dispensation acceptable to a majority of the people of Kenya and his war against corruption and insecurity. His performance in some of these aspects of governance was ‘outstanding’, ‘average’ on others and ‘outright failure’ in others.
After considering all these, I think it’s fair to give the president a general score of 6.5/10. That in my opinion is a score that merits some reward. It is not too bad if you ask me and I am sure some people considered some of these things when casting their vote.
“The World is full of willing people; some willing to work and others willing to let them.”
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13:34
From: You Missed This
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Special Appeal
I am taking this chance to appeal you, Mr. Mwai Kibaki, in whose hands state power rests, to kindly seek Hon Raila Odinga's hand, consent and understanding, so as to come to a mutual agreement about the just concluded general elections.
Kenya is at the brink of disaster and you, Hon Kibaki, hold the key towards resolving this stand-off. Fortunately or unfortunately you are not the first nor the last president we shall have in this country. Kenyans are needlessly dying as I write this and I hope you will see the reason why they are dying. You may be aware that your victory, swearing-in, ban of a free press and now supposed "arrest" of Raila and members of the pentagon are all illegal and completely out of step with democracy and civilized world. Please consult Mr. Kivuiti, hopefully he is less tense and can advise you exactly what took place in the last three days. You will be shocked!
I am kindly asking you to talk to your opponent instead of being misled by those "generals" in your neighbourhood, majority of whom were rejected at the polls by the Kenyan people, and majority of whom have never cared for your presidency nor for the welfare of the people of Kenya.
PLEASE LISTEN TO US, SIR!
Thank You.
PS. I am an ODM supporter and I voted for Hon Raila in Langata in the 3-piece manner. It does not mean that YOU, Mwai Kibaki, are not my countryman and my former president. Like my party leader always says, USIONE SIMBA AMENYESHEWA UKADHANI NI PAKA, in other words..........
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12:53
From: You Missed This
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ALL KENYANS ARE INVITED TO UHURU PARK AT 14H00, KENTA TIME (ie 2PM) - MONDAY 31st december 2007 - FOR THE SWEARING-IN AND INAUGURATION OF THE THE PEOPLE'S PRESIDENT , HON. RAILA AMOLO ODINGA
ORANGE DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT
Nairobi, 30th December 2007
21h00 EAT
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12:41
From: You Missed This
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The reason why the government has banned live broadcasts is because ODM has formed a parallel government since it does not recognize the fraudulent government of Mwai Kibaki. John Michuki got wind of it and quickly moved to ban all live broadcasts in a bid to nip this plan in the bud.
But what this means is that Kenyans cannot even receive news broadcasts because that is a live broadcast.
Freedom of speech and expression has with one directive been taken away from the people of Kenya.
Incidentally ODM plan a swearing in ceremony for its’ parallel government tomorrow at Uhuru Park at 2:00 pm.
P.S. Does Kibaki have grand children? Does he care about that favorite one of his? Is president Mwai "stole the 2007 Kenyan presidency" in full control of his mental facalties? Kumekucha doubts very much.
P.S. I gave Mwai Kibaki's new government 3 days. I have started counting...
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11:22
From: You Missed This
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The Government of Kenya (sic) has banned all live news broadcasts with immediate effect.
Information PS, Bitange Ndemo, issued a statement a few moments ago indicating that the GoK has banned all live news broadcasts with immediate effect. Directive was issued by the Minister of Internal Security - obviously in anticipation of an ODM press conference due shortly, with regard to the Kivuitu circus and the Kibaki swearing in. Will a curfew be declared next?
All live press transmission by NTV, KTN and other independent media have been stopped.
Violence is getting worse in Mombasa, Kisumu and Eldoret, practically police have been overwhelmed all over the country.
Regrettably, No reasons whatsoever, were given for the government BAN.
Election observers, diplomats and the Kenyan public are now worried for the safety of ODM pentagon member and other independent bloggers like Kumekucha who has to keep moving to avoid security forces.
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11:02
From: You Missed This
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Kenyans have a chance to mourn quietly at home tomorrow (if that is practical) as Emilio Mwai "Stole the 2007 presidential election" Kibaki has declared December 31st a public holiday.
One would expect this kind of behaviour from young president like president Kabila of Congo rather than from this grandfather of almost 80 years old.
I keep repeating, I am happy that all those dreamers who imagined Kibai was a good man with bad advisors surrounding him, now know the truth. The truth shall set Kenya FREE.
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10:10
From: You Missed This
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Impeccable sources have just informed me that in Eldoret innocent Kikuyus are being dragged out of their houses and killed even as you read this.
Kibera is predictably on fire.
I need to move now.
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9:52
From: You Missed This
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Danlieve says that the situation is very tense in Mombasa. Shops belonging to Kikuyus are being burnt to the ground.
My source worries where they will run to. Some rich folks are headed towards Tanzania border.
Surely Mwai Kibaki, you can do something to save human life. Do the right thing, Sir.
Several Kumekuchans have fled Nairobi for unknown destinations. I am still trying to raise them on their cell phones. Networks jammed.
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9:15
From: You Missed This
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Notice how the results were carefully announced late in the day so that Kenyans sleep on it and cool off.
But will they?
Let us wait and see.
I will be very surprised if this presidency lasts 3 days.
I am now signing off for a long, long time.
P.S. I expect that a "bedroom swearing in" (Mwai Kibaki's own words about Moi's swearing in in 1997) will follow tomorrow. Correction I have just seen Emilio Mwai "Stole the election" Kibaki being sworn in on KBC TV. God help Kenya.
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9:15
From: You Missed This
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Notice how the results were carefully announced late in the day so that Kenyans sleep on it and cool off.
I am sick to the pit of my stomach at the way these elections have been so blatantly rigged and stolem on broad daylight. Rigging requires a little more intelligence than what the world has seen over the last two days in Kenya.
Those who did not know the true character of Mwai Kibaki now do. Moi was better because he handed over power peacefully.
I suppose a "bedroom swearing in" (to quote Kibaki's own words about Moi's swearing in in 1997) will follow tomorrow.
I am now signing off for a long long time because I need to move again.
P.S. Mwai Kibaki has just been shown on national TV (KBC) being sworn in "in the bedroom" in what appears to be State House.
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9:15
From: You Missed This
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Kenya's Electoral Commission have undone years of struggle by declaring Mr. Mwai Kibaki as president.
It is unfortunate that Kivuitu as ECK Chairman was arm twisted into making illegal concessions and as such been seen as a party to the BIG FRAUD that has taken place in Nairobi a few minutes ago.
The ODM pentagon have left KICC without talking to the press, and I can assure Kumekuchans the fight has began and whatever happens next will be entirely attributed to the irresponsible Mr. Kivuiti.
Personally, I fail to understand how the ECK can acknowledge theft and at the same time advise the victims to seek legal redress in a court of law that is managed, prosecuted and judged by the robber.
Similar scenes (not so dramatic) were witnessed in Kenya in 1992 and to date, many Kenyans fail to understand what Kenneth Matiba is keeps complaining about and many young Kenyans dont understand who MOI is. Sadly and unfortunately for Mr. Kibaki and Mr. Moi and their ilk, ODM is not FORD Asili and Raila Odinga is no Kenneth Matiba. What happens next will disappoint a few people, but it will ensure prosperity, peace and development to future generations. It will be a disaster!
18h20 local time;
STOP PRESS: RIOTS HAVE ERUPTED COUNTRYWIDE, KIBAKI TO BE SWORN-IN SHORTLY IN STATE HOUSE - NAIROBI. ONLY CITIZEN MEDIA AND KBC TO AIR IT LIVE.
KIBERA, MATHARE, EASTLANDS, KISUMU, ARE NO GO AREAS. GOD HELP THIS COUNTRY.
CARS HOOTING ALL OVER NAIROBI, CROWDS INVADING POLICE STATIONS IN KISUMU. POLICE ARE OVERWHELMED IN KISUMU.
KENYA IS ON FIRE. CAN YOU GUYS KEEP SENDING E-MAILS SO CHRIS CAN POST THEM. WE MUST INFORM KIBAKI OF OUR FEELINGS EVEN IF HE IS PRESIDENT. PNU SUPPORTERS MUST ALSO SEND IN WHAT THEIR HONEST ASSESMENT RATHER THAN USUAL INSULTS. VIKII ESPECIALLY, CAN YOU GET SOBER COMMENTS/POSTS THROUGH?
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8:51
From: You Missed This
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1) Won only 2 provinces, one of them consists of only his own tribesmates.
2) Yet he ended up with more votes than his opponent who won 5 provinces very convincingly.
3) I am no ODMer but will somebody please explain this arithmetic to me?
It is time to pray very hard for our nation. In 2002 we assumed that it was us who achieved the peaceful transition. YET it was GOD. It is time for Kenyans to cry to God. Ask for forgiveness for our big sin. He is merciful and will correct this great injustice to the Kenyan people.
Imagine the man whom we put on the throne na roho safi has refused to leave State House even after we have rejected him en masse.
I have never liked Raila, but this is NOT about Raila. It is about the people of Kenya and how they voted. Our votes have been reduced to rubbish.
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8:46
From: You Missed This
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Kivuiti is presently reading a statement declaring Kibaki president.
ECK RESULTS
KIBAKI: 4,584,721
RAILA 4,352,993
KALONZO: 879,903
KBC BROADCASTING THESE RESULTS LIVE.
KTN, NATION, K24 AND OTHER MEDIA NO AWARE.
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8:44
From: You Missed This
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Samuel Kivuitu has just announced the official results for the presidential elections in Kenya 2007.
Mwai Kibaki 4,584,721
Raila Odinga 4,352,993
We told you so.
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8:41
From: You Missed This
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Hi Editor,
I am a Kenyan student studying in Costa Rica. I am speaking on behalf of the Kenyans students here. We have been following the our country's elections keenly and it has dawned to us that Kibaki is rigging himself back. We strongly refuse to accept this. IT IS NOT JUST. THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN. Kibaki needs to accept it and let Raila the people's choice be the president.
Some piece of advice to Kivuitu: RESIGN !!! PERIOD.
I see a situation that Kibaki will be thrilled to rig himself in even after losing 3/4 of his allies. He has Kalonzo to entice.
In case of rigging , our best advice is to have Kenyans to bring the Country to a peaceful paralysis until justice is done.
Robert Lechipan
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7:25
From: You Missed This
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The ECK Commissioners are back and Kivuitu is about to announce results now.
There is chaos in the hall when a policeman attempted to eject an Nazleen Umar.
Kivuitu was in process of announcing results from last three constituencies showing Kibaki leading
in all those three constituencies.
Ruto interrupts Kivuitu after he reads Molo results, and the ECK returning officer for Molo is present in the hall. And figures are not tallying.
Keep it here. Time of reckoning is now.
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5:45
From: You Missed This
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It would seem that part of the reason for the long delay in announcing the presidential elections is Samuel Kivuitu's refusal to announce the results because of certain issues his conscience will not allow him to go along with. He is reported to have been under intense pressure from fellow commissioners.
If it is true that these elections were rigged then there were Kenyans who were involved.
My advice to anybody involved in any way with the current events is;
DO THE RIGHT THING.
This Christmas I took time to reflect together with my dad on the life of a neighbor who did not DO the right thing during a long career with the Special Branch in the 70s and early 80s. Finally he could not live with his conscience and drunk himself to death.
Do the right thing. Say NO. RESIGN. That way you will be able to live with your conscience later.
It is clear that President Kibaki is not prepared to do the right thing. But this does not stop anybody in PNU from saying "NO" and doing the right thing.
This is a time to stand up and be counted as a true Kenyan.
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5:27
From: You Missed This
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ECK put in a quagmire, as ODM demands certified documentary evidence
The ODM has just addressed a packed press conference indicating that presidential results from a total of 48 constituencies were doctored to favour President Kibaki. Interestingly, the press conference was held at the ECK press centre in the presence of their PNU counterparts - who listened wide-eyed!
The press statement read by Eldoret North MP elect and pentagon member - William Ruto - was to show that someone within the ECK headquarters in Nairobi has marked-up figures so as to deprive Kenyans of their true leaders. This complaint has already been formally filed with ECK yesterday.
For example, according to Ruto, Igembe South constituencies form16A - specifically flown in by chatter flight at the expense of ODM - shows that Kibaki garnered 45,029, while the ECK announced 60,050 votes! Similarly in Kieni constituency Kibaki garnered 54,377 while the ECK announced 72,054! What is shocking however, is that in Juja Kibaki garnered 48,293 votes but the ECK announced 100,390 votes and the sum total of parliamentary votes cast were 85,000 votes. In other words, 15,000 voters came and voted for Kibaki as president - and then walked away without bothering with parliamentary and civic polls! Mwea constituency is another example where form16A shows Kibaki garnered 62,374 votes but the ECK "awarded" him 82,374 votes, while in Molo it was actually 50,175 for Kibaki while the ECK gave him 74,474.
The ODM is saying, if elections were about awarding votes, ECK may as well give Kibaki 500,00 votes for free!
ODM has vowed that unless the ECK backs up its announcement with certified documentary evidence, ladies and gentlemen, this country is headed to the dogs.
ODM further insists that the figures they have tabled are in public domain. The press and all political parties have figures and any variance with ECK officially announced figures is unacceptable.
According to ODM tallying, and as reported by this blogger yesterday, the presidential election results between the top two candidates are as follows:-
Raila: 4,215,437
Kibaki: 3,748,261
Period!!!
Dr. Bishop Margaret Wanjiru has conducted very passionate prayers for the country after the ODM press conference.
Raila had earlier been interviewed by German TV channel - and Raila speaking in German - informed the country that all ODM agents have now arrived with the actual results that were signed by representatives of all political parties and have also this morning be made to swear affidavits.
The country Kenya is presently walking on thin ice and I ASK AGAIN: Will Kivuitu take my unsolicited advise and nullify presidential polls, if not confirm Raila as president?
Or did someone give Kivuitu a job that is far above his capabilities?
PNU are now about to address their own press conference at the same venue. Watch this space.
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4:33
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