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20:00 These Are Kalenjins?
» Kenyanentrepreneur.com I’m always interested in learning about different cultures and I came upon this video of Kalenjin “Morans”. If the video hadn’t specified that they were Kalenjins, I would have assumed they were Maasai’s. I don’t know what year this video was taken, but it must have been a while ago because only Maasai’s [...] -
18:24
America With Kibaki? Jendaya calls it ethnic cleansing!
» Kenyanentrepreneur.com I have said before that I did not think Koffi Annan would achieve anything and I will stick to that prediction. Now, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Africa has declared what went on in the rift valley this way: “Ms Frazer described the forced removal of members of Mr Kibaki’s Kikuyu tribe, which she [...]
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15:56
The Amazing Kumekucha Predictions
» You Missed This Kumekucha asked to predict what will happen in Kenya in 2008
Regulars of Kumekucha have noted that nine out of ten times, I tend to correctly predict exactly what is going to happen next. My analysis which most readers start by disagreeing with, always end up being spot on. I am not one to brag; rather I wanted to give our numerous new readers a little background before I dive into today’s rather detailed post.
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Yet another victim of the raging post-election violence and it looks like the attackers "cut him" as well as attacking him. Police in Naivasha check for any signs of life.
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Actually a reader has asked me what I think will happen in Kenya over the next few months. Before I dive into that question, here are 3 examples out of many where my posts have ended up being spot on.
- When everybody else was calling political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi a mad man, Kumekucha agreed with him that it was doubtful that Kibaki would hand over power in the event that he was defeated.
- Kumekucha kept on calling the 2007 elections the mother of all general elections. Some readers mocked him unbelievingly. You decide if I was right...
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Kumekucha Forecasts for 2008
» You Missed This The question on everybody’s mind is when will the current crisis end?
My answer: Not quickly enough. As you read this my firm belief is that the peace of Kenya is now out of the hands of the two major protagonists, namely the MP for Othaya Hon Mwai Kibaki and the MP for Langata Hon Raila Odinga. PNU are nervously cheering on Mungiki and ODM are nervously cheering on the Kalenjin, Luo and Luhya militia. Both parties hope that these violent groups will help them achieve their objectives. What they don’t seem to realize is that even if they sign an agreement today, ending the current violence will be very difficult. You see the problem with violence is that it begets more violence and it becomes an endless spiral or bottomless pit of violence and more violence. The truth is that negotiations should involve representatives of ordinary Kenyans. Back to answering the question. The violence will drag on for a number of weeks at the very least and for a couple of months at the most. It all depends on how quickly those involved in the negotiations move to address the core underlying issues that are the cause of the violence and were only triggered by what many saw as a stolen election.
To understand the three classes of Kenyans and what they wish for, please read my next post.
For those who understand spiritual things, this is judgement for Kenya and all the evil and injustices that have taken place in our country. It will not stop until every stiff (proud) neck has been humbled. Going by some of the comments I receive in this blog, it will take a lot to humble some of our brothers and sisters.
What will happen to the economy?
Finance minister Amos “the stock exchange is not a fish market” Kimunya said with a straight face the other day that the Kenyan economy will hardly feel the effects of the violence...
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15:10
Quick hits - Jan 30
» Kenyan Pundit - Some vivid on the ground reporting and pictures on the situation in Kenya. - The humor might not work for everyone but I like this guy’s perspective on what’s going on in Kenya. SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Quick hits - Jan 30", url: "http://www.kenyanpundit.com/?p=450" });
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14:59
Somewhere I Belong…
» Me, Life & Everything Rendezvous: 23471hrs Prolixity: Minute Mood: Thoughtful Whereabouts: Home Track: Somewhere I Belong, Linkin Park Pulling up roots, never easy, you dig and find that they grow deeper than you could have ever imagined, no wonder some enterprising lads apply the use of dynamite. In the words of Linkin Park’s song… I will never know myself until I do this on my own And [...]
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14:22
Joining Maxine Waters in backing Hillary Clinton
» Marian's Blog I'm gonna try to keep this short. Once again it's about the current infernal election cycle. As far back as fall 2004 at a local Democratic Party event in Rome, Italy, a white American - an Italian American called Peter... -
14:22
Joining Maxine Waters in backing Hillary Clinton
» Marian's Blog I'm gonna try to keep this short. Once again it's about the current infernal election cycle. As far back as fall 2004 at a local Democratic Party event in Rome, Italy, a white American - an Italian American called Peter... -
12:13
Thank you to John and Elizabeth Edwards, 2008 Campaign
» Marian's Blog My thank-you to John Edwards and family, and everyone who worked so long and hard on this campaign. It will have been one for the history books. As the Edwards campaign notified the press today, one news commentator noted that... -
12:13
Thank you to John and Elizabeth Edwards, 2008 Campaign
» Marian's Blog My thank-you to John Edwards and family, and everyone who worked so long and hard on this campaign. It will have been one for the history books. As the Edwards campaign notified the press today, one news commentator noted that...
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12:07
Are These Politicians Crazy?
» Kenyanentrepreneur.com Look at them smiling with each other in their freshly pressed suits and full stomachs! I was particularly perturbed when I saw William Ruto shaking hands with Kibaki and smiling with Kalonzo (does Ruto know what is going to happen to him?) **Article with great commentary (How Kenya Lost it’s way) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWhur2W4v2Y
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10:21
Comments on the assasination of Melitus Mugabe Were
» Eyes on Kenya Orange Democratic MP Melitus Mugabe Were was murdered by two gunmen as he drove up to the gate of his house with a shot in his eye and several shots in his chest. The gunmen gave no warning, nor did they try to cover it up as a robbery gone awry. There is little doubt that it was a political murder. He was murdered on the very day talks about how to regain peace in Kenya between his party and the government were suppose to start. It was a successful move by those who were aiming to prevent peace and power sharing.
Besides violence along ethnic lines and the street protest, most of the time, people who were threatened were outside the political arena: Human rights activists, critical journalists and just people who tried to oppose the violence, like the marathon runner Wesley Kimutai Ngetich Moderate and independent voices are often targeted first, since they often have enemies on both sides of the conflict.
Melitus Mugabe Were’s death brings the conflict to a new level. He was one of 900 (probably one of more than 1000) men, women and children who have been murdered since the flawed election on December 27th 2007. And he will not be the last one. Many more will be shot by the police, murdered by their neighbours for suddenly being from the wrong tribe or will die from other causes which will not be taken in the equation of the aftermath of the violence: People who will die from starvation when the economic crises takes its toll in the next months and years and people in remote place who are cut off from medical supply will suffer from drug resistance of HIV medication in some months or years.
Not one life lost is worth more than another, not one death deserves less to be mourned for. So what is the difference between the death of Melitus Mugabe Were and the thousand and more that died and will die? One difference between his death and many other Kenyans’ is that his name will be remembered by many. His death will lead to more violence and more anonymous numbers in the death count. There has been at lot of speculation and different opinions, whether the first wave of violence in the Rift valley was premeditated or fuelled by the opposition. A Human Rights Watch report and other Kenya’s human rights commission have raised allegations, which have been denied by ODM.
There is little doubt about the escalation of violence by the Police, an institution which most likely is still under government control. Demonstrators have been executed, journalists attacked and peaceful gatherings at funerals and at Melitus Mugabe Were’s compound were tear-gassed and turned into an angry mob.
And the new wave of violence was easy to foresee. More than 2 weeks ago Maina Kiai, chairman of the state-funded human rights body, said that in response to attacks on Kikuyu, government politicians have recruited the Mungiki. Kiai said the government has promised Mungiki immunity in return for protecting the Kikuyu. He said his information came from several sources including Mungiki members. Now we receive reports about Mungiki members recruiting by force to attack and kill members of other tribes and doing forced circumsitions on Kikuyus. There are also voices that state that the police did not respond in the way the could have.
Despite the above, Were’s party ODM did what many said they would not: They called upon their supporters to stay calm and not let the violence escalate. It may have been too late because they were not heard and a fresh wave of voilence occured. The police reacted yet again as most people expected: Mourners gathering at the Were’s compound were attacked with tear gas. But at least they called for calm, a commendable action.
Conclusion
The pressure on Kenyan’s politicians has been growing. The election of the Speaker of the Parliament was the first test of strength for the opposition which they just barely passed with 4 votes more than the government who had the support of the non-ODM MPs. The murder of an MP ensures that many will stay in line and increases the government’s marginal advantage in Parliament by one vote.But it is hard to see who profits from the murder. Mwai Kibaki can follow any demands from the International Community and negotiate about peace and power-sharing, knowing that with the never ending violence and opposition MPs being killed that no agreement will last (What can you expect from talks about the future of Kenya, when they cannot even agree where who sits on the conference table?)
However, the uncontrolled violence might lead to a situation in which Kibaki’s authority can not be questioned from outside. He is in charge of the Police and military and therefore the only one able to do something to prevent further killings. What we already see is a totally out of control situation, moving from Molo, Nakuru, Naivasha in direction Nairobi. The militia forces unleashed here can not be calmed down on command. Support of the opposition by the international community might undermine this power Kibaki is struggling to hold on to and lead to further violence. At least this might be what the government is hoping for.
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9:06
Valentine Outlook Not Rosy!
» Mount Kirima I normally won’t post on money and economic matters and prefer to leave it to the experts such as Bankelele but with each day that the violence and the crisis as a result of the stolen botched elections lasts the effects on the Kenyan economy are getting worse and worse and I feel the need to [...]
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8:46
Mobile4Bad
» What An African Woman Thinks In a recent article in the Chicago Tribune, Paul Salopek starts off by saying that Africa, being the world’s poorest continent, is also its least wired. That may be true, but we are likely the most connected unwired people you ever met.
And mobile phones have helped take these connections to the next level.
There’s no denying that the mobile phone has revolutionized Africa. In some other parts of the world a mobile phone is just a mobile phone is just a mobile phone. Not so here.
In Kenya, I can store funds on my phone and transfer or liquidate these as necessary. It is also the primary internet surfing device for a good number of people I know. In addition, the mobile phone can be used as a social networking and newsgathering tool. Services such as Kazi560 and Ushahidi.com are to be applauded for catering to, and harnessing the power of, the bottom of the pyramid respectively.
Unfortunately, what can be harnessed for good can equally be exploited for sinister purposes.
Regarding the escalating violence in Kenya, the ICRC spokesman in the country, one Bernard Barret is quoted as saying that rumours are being spread by mobile phone text messages predicting imminent attacks by one group or another and that this is heightening tensions.
It’s difficult to attach a positive or negative value to these messages collectively.
If they’re true, then they serve as a useful warning, enabling those who are due to be attacked to protect themselves or to flee.
If they’re not true, on the other hand, they cause unnecessary panic and might lead to those receiving them planning and executing attacks of their own in order to pre-empt the attack of the perceived enemy. And if you think this is farfetched, then take another look at the Akiwumi Report according to which which some people defended their acts of aggression by saying that they had received word that they were due to be attacked and that therefore they were merely being offensive in their own defense.
Unfortunately in this current state of unrest, it is difficult to distinguish between fact and falsehood in the flood of text messages filling our phones each day. The Nation Media Group recently had to officially deny claims, spread primarily through text messages, that their vans were being used to ferry guns to farflung parts of the country. Halftruths, untruths and propaganda spread like wildfire. One person sends it to five, those five send it to twenty, those twenty send it to one hundred, and so it spreads.
Worse though, are text messages that are unrepentantly filled with hatred and subversion. These became increasingly more frenetic in the days leading up to last year’s general election, and reached a climax after the ECK botched up the tallying of votes and a disputed government was hurriedly sworn in. These are the text messages that preach a radical and dangerous message. These are the messages that tell me all that is good about me on account of my ethnic identity and all that is wrong with the Other on account of their ethnic roots. These are the sometimes hysterical text messages that justify hardline stances and violence visited upon the Other simple because they are Other. These are the text messages that call on the recipient to act in a certain way on the basis of their ethnicity, and further, to regard the Other or act upon Other in a certain way because of their ethnicity.
What makes these subversive messages spread by mobile phone most sinister though, is the ability to select for audience.
It is one thing to broadcast subversive messages on Radio as was the case in Rwanda, and is alarmingly the case with some vernacular radio stations in Kenya.
It is an entirely different thing to send these messages to a carefully selected list of people on your contact list who will in turn send them on to their own select list of people so that the message spreads like a virus but catches only people who answer to certain ‘characteristics.’
It is more dangerous because there is more stealth to it. It is not done in the open, it is done in secret, making it harder to put an end to. In addition, the dissemination instrument is not situated in one central place that can be clamped down on easily. Rather, every mobile phone in this country is a potential dissemination instrument, making it nigh impossible to crackdown on the proliferators of these messages.
I’m very afraid that mobile phones will be for Kenya what Radio was for Rwanda. I really look forward to being proved wrong.It's my window, but I don't own the view.
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8:24
Kagame’s Warning To Kenya…Oh Dear!
» Kenyanentrepreneur.com From Reuters: “It starts with five deaths, then 10, then 50, shortly it grows to 100, then it goes to thousands … By the time you realise, it has a dimension that is wiping out life in villages and communities and is getting out of control and the whole political situation is in a mess.” (Bring [...]
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8:04
Trying to explain Kenyan trouble in Swedish
» african bullets & honey For those of you who understand Swedish and want to hear some Kenyan ranting on Sveriges Radio, please go to the Konflikt page and tell me what it is being said other than the parts in English. Same applies to this much shorter interview also in Swedish.
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8:00
Kenya still burning
» african bullets & honey Have pasted in four opinion pieces below that have run in the East African and elsewhere in the last month. Trying to restart blogging but my brain feels leaden and uncooperative.
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7:58
Generation Disaster
» african bullets & honey This opinion originally run in the East Africa on January 28, 2008 under the title, ‘The problem with Kenya’s politics is the old guard‘ The next revolution in Kenya will not be a violent one, contrary to the bloodletting presently underway. Rather it will be the rejection of the generation of men from whom the leaders [...]
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7:54
One Down, 11 to Go!
» My Life is...Mochalicious! January has come and gone!!! A great start for some of us, but a bad start for most. Kenya is in turmoil, but my prayers are on going. Sina mengi leo, just revamped to an old template as the image header is one that I am proud of. A Song for Peace
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7:52
Kenya can avoid years of civil strife by sharing power
» african bullets & honey Kenya can avoid years of civil strife by sharing power (This editorial originally run in the East African on January 21, 2008) There is no great mystery about what the future has in store for Kenya. Other nations, too, have trodden the path of contested electoral outcomes, the formation of winner-takes-all governments, mass protests, mass violence, civil [...]
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7:41
A country created by grand theft, ruled by a clique
» african bullets & honey A country created by grand theft, ruled by a clique (Originally printed in the East African on January 14, 2008) Robbery has thrived in Kenya for many decades now. The very creation of Kenya a century ago was an act of grand theft. Our country won its independence but has never broken free from the idea that [...]
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7:39
Ethnic strife: How Kenya’s politics was tribalised
» african bullets & honey This piece appeared in the East African in the second week of January 7, 2008 as Kenya continued to burn. Ethnic strife: How Kenya’s politics was tribalised It is Friday, December January 4. I walk through the lobby of the Serena Hotel in Nairobi. Packs of politicians and their entourages hurry past. Most have mobile phones into [...]
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7:29
Lets love one another
» Farmgal “As you press on for justice, be sure to move with dignity and discipline, using only the weapon of love. Let no man pull you so low as to hate him. Always avoid violence. If you succumb to the temptation of using violence in your struggle, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long [...]
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5:32
Made For Each Other
» Cock And Bull I lean on the balcony rail and I look at the palm of my right hand resting inside the palm of my left hand. I see how one perfectly bends round the contours of the other and I feel the warmth that comes from the tight embrace.
When I am ecstatic the two palms come together in the excitement and make loud rhythmic claps.
When I am in shame the two palms hide behind my back and clasp each other for comfort.
When I nuzzle to sleep the two palms come together in a huddle between my legs.
When one palm is hurt, the other massages it gently in an attempt to take away the pain.
Even though one is the opposite of the other, I would not be complete without both my left palm and my right palm. And it is easy to see that one was made for the other, just as there is a one person that is made just for another.
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Support Vuma Kenya
» Kenyan Pundit VUMA KENYA! Initiative is a new and exciting non-profit initiative that is the brain-child of a group of talented, resourceful and socially connected young professional Kenyans based in the US who have decided to pool their resources together in response to the recent post-election violence following the disputed December 27th Kenyan General Elections, to rally [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Support Vuma Kenya", url: "http://www.kenyanpundit.com/?p=449" });
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4:46
The Situation in Kenya is So Sad (Warning: Contains Very Disturbing Pictures)
» The Benin Epilogue Part I: Africa-Ready for Business 
There is a very grave situation in Kenya at the moment that calls for international support to end violence that has rocked the country over the past one month. Just Yesterday, a Kenyan Lawmaker was killed fuelling READ MORE
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3:31
Lessons on Spoken Word, Poetry and the Revolution from WAPI
» Kenyanpoet Lessons on Spoken Word, Poetry and the Revolution from WAPI
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2:17
Issues for Diaspora Investors
» bankelele Unit trusts
In all the political news this week, some may have missed this story on collective investment schemes (funds, unit trust), who will now have to get more aggressive (take on more risk) to deliver commensurate returns - and are now asking the regulator (CMA) to relax some of the rules that restrict their investments.
A year ago this post discussed unit trusts and the cost of investment being a major deterrent to the returns they offer (and at the time the NSE was in a much better position). I still have issues with the 3 – 5% initial fee and 2% annual fee charged by many unit trusts.
Real estate
The post-election violence will have a mostly negative impact on property values and in rural Kenya, and in towns like Eldoret, Kisumu, Nakuru and especially in Mombasa (where the real estate boom was driven by visitors/tourism numbers). The cost of building will also go up as demand for supplies will be great. So buy cement company shares (Bamburi, ARM, Portland) the day Kofi Annan succeeds in his mediation efforts
In Nairobi, properties near slums like Ayany (adjacent to Kibera) have been badly affected owners and/or tenants moving out. However there is also increased demand in some of the same areas – perceived to be safer parts of the city, such as Kileleshwa and Westlands. They will also benefit from residents of other towns like Kisumu relocating to Nairobi.
These are also the areas that many Diaspora Kenyans have invested in or are considering investing; and while many have postponed their real estate investment decisions, those already in (with mortgages to pay) will have to wait out the storm. Also it may be wise to set up several investment companies to keep rental turnover and sidestep new tax laws
Also Kasarani which is one place you can still buy land cheaply to build, will have values of land increasing as will parts of Central Kenya.
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Annan Crisis Talks Doomed To Fail
» You Missed This 
Kibaki, Annan and Raila seen here observing a minute of silence in honour of those Kenyans who have needlessly died since Kivuitu declared Kibaki as the winner of the presidential polls. The call to stand-up was aptly made by none other than Raila Odinga.
Kenyan problem will be half-solved the moment we treat each other as equals
Even before the nominated teams begin negotiations, signs are already emerging that the Annan led mediation talks are doomed to fail. Yesterday, the talks were nearly sabotaged by Office of the President protocol officers who were insisting that Kibaki sits alone on the ‘high table’ because he is the ‘supreme presidential authority’. The ODM and Mr. Annan on the other hand, would hear none of it and in the end, Raila and Kibaki occupied the same ‘high table’ flanking Annan on both sides as equals. This was after Annan and the Speaker of the National Assembly as the convener of the meeting over-ruled the OP protocol officials. Such pettiness, emanating from the PNU side, clearly shows that they are treating their political adversaries as junior partners. Protocol officials who do not appreciate that it is the very presidency that is in contention nearly exchanged blows with ODM officials prior to Annan/Marende's intevention!
The PNU had already started showing bad faith by nominating ODM-K members who have unashamedly already endorsed the legitimacy of the presidency as their representatives in the mediation process. The ODM has been clear in its demands that it does not recognize the 'government' and will only negotiate with the other side as PNU.
Even worse, on the same day talks were due to begin, PNU government insiders were desperately trying to hide from accusations of complicity in the assassination of Embakasi ODM MP Mugabe Were. Similarly, Kenya police were groping around for excuses after tear-gassing innocent mourners at the late MP’s residence. The mourners included the widows and infant children!
Barren Foreign Affairs Policy
Thanks to Kenya's barren foreign affairs policy and scant respect for global affairs, the Annan talks will, in all probability, not see the light of day.
As it is, although the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has been in the region in recent days and is due to attend the African Union summit in Ethiopia later this week, he has given Kenya a wide-berth. Ban Ki-moon has been heavily criticised by human rights group for ignoring the Kenyan crisis. The UN-SG seems caught in a serious dilemma because he does not want to be seen upstaging the African Union under whose umbrella the Annan team is operating.As if to add insult to injury, the all powerful UN Security Council has been quick to wash its hands off the Kenyan crisis ostensibly because the crisis does not meet its rules and regulations governing its response to issues of peace and security.
Back to the Addis Ababa AU summit, PNU’s Kibaki has ignored official requests to stay away and is insisting he will attend the meeting as Kenya’s duly elected head of state. This obviously will adversely affect the direction of the mediation talks back in Kenya.
Although the Kenyan deaths and displacements are painful to most people, international sympathy is not too much as to warrant an UN peace keeping intervention. Moreover, the Annan team lacks real powers to enforce some of the pre-conditions it has listed on the MOU that was signed last evening. It is apparent even to Mr. Annan himself that this will not be the first MOU for PNU to disregard MOUs. President Kuffuor (Chairman AU) and President Museveni (Chairman Commonwealth & EAC) have both been in Nairobi to try and resolve this crisis, but both have been largely unsuccessful. Several former African heads of state plus Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Desmond Tutu and our own Wangari Maathai have also been given a cold shoulder by PNU.
What options does this leave the ODM?
- Resign to fate and accept that it is the official opposition and continue its mandate? Obviously NO!
- Revert to its mass action and economic boycott calls? Maybe, YES!
- Hope that someone somewhere has the absolute power to force Kibaki/PNU out of statehouse and organise presidential re-elections in the shortest time possible. Hopefully, YES!
What options does this leave the PNU?
- Continue to bury its head in the sand, assume that it is rightfully in power and proceed with discharging its mandate? Pray, NO!
- Accept that the presidential vote tallying was deeply flawed and Kibaki’s purported swearing-in highly irregular? Of course, YES!
- That both a vote-recount and a legal process are not viable options because the votes are already interfered with and that the judiciary in Kenya is impartial? Please, YES!
- Accept to form a transitional government with ODM with the sole purpose of re-constituting the ECK and re-organising fresh elections? Hell YEAH!
Let the people decide.
