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23:11
Mwana Nchi, Mwenye Nchi
» Kenyanpoet Mwana Nchi, Mwenye Nchi
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22:03
Central Bank of Kenya Statement on the economy
» Kenya Imagine The Central Bank of Kenya governor has put out the following press release on the recent unrest and its effect on the economy and our prospects for resuscitation.
Read more here.
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19:31
The Sweets and the Sour
» Words Much Like Poetry why must there come always
the sour with the sweets?
nothing good of late has been blessed me
which does not leave behind a bitter aftertaste,
one that settles on the tongue,
clings also to the back of the throat
and nigh chokes me at times with its foulness.
i am not fool enough to believe
that life is as the fairy tales
that sang us to sleep
when we were naught more than children.
happily ever afters that we in turn
pass on to our progeny,
hoping, all the while,
that they remain forever as babes,
never learning the tart flavor of despair,
never knowing how gladly joy is chased by sorrow.
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19:24 The Bamboo Bike project
» AfriGadget The Bamboo Bike, an endeavour that aims at building bicycles in a sustainable fashion using bamboo as the primary construction material, is a joint project run by Craig Calfree of Calfree Design, a high tech bicycle design firm based in California and The Earth Institute at Columbia University.
The bicycle is the primary mode of transport in Africa and it is used for everything from personal transportation to moving medicine and the sick to hospital. Sadly, the design used in most of Africa has not changed for the last 40 years to take into account the different ways in which the bicycle is used. In fact, most bikes in use in most of Africa today are based on a colonial British design tailored to individuals travelling short distances on smooth roads.
While making bike frames based on bamboo is not a new idea, most bamboo frame designs simply use bamboo for construction material in a traditional bike frame design. Leveraging the unique properties of bamboo such as its strength and flexibility to meet the specific needs of populations local to various parts of Africa is one of the primary rationale behind the Bamboo Bike project.
The team working on the Bamboo Bike project in the US, Ghana and Kenya among other locations have a interesting blog (last updated in the summer of 2007) that chronicles the struggles of the project team while on site in Africa.
Project gear including Bamboo Bikes and clothing is available on the Bamboo Bike and Calfree Design websites.
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16:00
'Cut' And Skirts For All Kikuyu Women!!
» You Missed This A short open letter to Martha Karua.
Seriously Martha, where's the outrage. I seriously admire your courage in everything political. Yours is a beacon of hope to millions of women. While I understand you are currently embroiled in very serious talks, I would like to request that you use a bit of your clout to silence the uncouth male youths in Naivasha, Limuru and elsewhere. As you may have read in the newspapers, women are under siege from a notorious band of Mungiki folk. With all due respect to you, I will not divulge the 'adults only' details of the torment unleashed on women by these idiots, however, I will tell you that it is not a beautiful sight to witness; no matter how you look at it.
FIDA chairperson, Violet Awori has termed the unlawful acts as barbaric and of no place in modern society. The Limuru area Maendeleo Ya Wanawake chairperson, Ms Annsusah Wanjiku has also urged women to discard the habit of dressing indecently in public places. She has asked that they dress decently. As you know, none of these women leaders have the true wit and zeal to address this evil practice with the seriousness it deserves. In Kenya today, you are the only 'iron lady' who can change the thinking of these Mungiki folk in short order. You see, we have seen newspaper photos of you in tight pant suits. Many women would like to continue wearing such attire without fear or ridicule. As you well know, when it's cold and windy, the skirt just doesn’t cut it. Further, women feel more protected in trousers (if you know what I mean) especially when strolling in a town infested with idle snuff snorting citizens of the Satan's Abyss; who do not want Kikuyu women to enjoy the worlds favorite pastime.
You see, due to the great growth of the economy that did not really trickle down to the poor, the women in Limuru like elsewhere in Kenya, do not have the means to entertain lavish oversees trips, movies, bubble baths, chaffered limousines and the like; for entertainment they dwell on the acrobatics of the waist. Sasa wakiwa'cut', watajienjoy aje? In this age of bad diseases, you must also not ignore the serious health issues associated with the practices of jobless street surgeons. Think for one minute about the traumatizing experience this act must be to the affected women of Limuru. The anguish cannot be wished onto the devil himself.
I have also heard that this is happening in the full glare of the police. Please Martha, make some phone urgent calls. While I wholeheartedly encourage the women who demonstrated in Limuru town today, I wonder where their fellow non-Mungiki men were? Were they hiding in fear? I believe these are some of the evils that when perpetrated against the woman, the man cannot remain complacent….or impotent for that matter.
We fear that if these acts are not stopped in Limuru, they may spread like wildfire throughout the nation. Please dear madam Hon. Martha Wangari Karua, E.G.H., MP - Minister, come to the rescue of women.
In all sincerity,
Andy Capp -
Kofi Annan Bugged Kenya Style
» You Missed This Bugging Kofi Annan’s hotel room is the height of both political naivety. Vices come in doubles and are infectious too. After STEALING ELECTIONS Kibaki’s itchy fingers have acquired a higher affinity to shamelessness. Welcome to leadership in Kenya by DECEPTION EXTRAORDINAIRE.
You can fool a nation sometimes but not the world all the time. Now the bubble filled with DECEPTION is finally busted in the world stage. Extrapolating the amateurish and incompetent rigging antics to Annan was to engage in destructive ego trips. Kofi
Anan is no Raila. Come on your serial thieves, you have to know the calibre of the person you are dealing with before you employ your misguided sense of deceptive industry. Siku za mwizi kweli ni arobaini. Annan is not naïve to the magnitude of pettiness practiced by the like of dinosaurs like Kibaki. His staff and security are not polished Mungiki paid in dollars.
What a national shame to replicate Lucy-like denials. Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe’s denial sounded so familiar and rehearshed just like the clone called Alfred Mutua. It cannot get any worse with these imbeciles embarrassing themselves and Kenya on the global map.
Guity and afraid
The guilty are eternally afraid of the truth otherwise why the uneasiness with Annan? Maybe the good Ghanaian refused to be bought and threatened to be disrobed of the the Kenyan medal Kibaki gave him last year before retiring from UN. You cannot rule out anything in Kenya however ridiculous – everybody here has a price, you know.
This obtuse goof may be a blessing in disguise. At least Kenyans will vindicated in their cry for justice and fairness after the thieves overstepped their target territories. Expect Kibaki’s apologists to shamelessly and promptly deflect the flack hoping that the nasty smelly fart will vanish. Intoxicating power blinds you from warning signs. They continue digging the deep pit to hell.
With this type and amount of bad faith polluting the mediation, the outcome of the process is so predictable that it is not worth name it was given. Kibaki and his cronies are one bunch of fraudsters that will stop at nothing to keep power. But not for long and not forever. NEVER, not in this time and age.
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12:00
Who Really Failed Us?
» tHiNkEr'S rOoM One thing that has become abundantly clear is that the caliber of leadership we have in Kenya is wanting to the extreme. Looking at the ilk of Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga, and indeed almost all the leaders in this country, one is unsure if they could lead people who ...
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11:50
Markklößchensuppe
» Kikuyumoja's realm Die einfache Gemüsetütensuppe mit alten Kartoffelresten, einer wabbeligen Karotte sowie Trockenpetersilie ausm Glas verfeinert.
Dazu Markklößchen aus Traunstein - dachte ich mir: probier ich das mal. Schaut interessant aus und könnte schmecken.
Die Suppe lecker, die Markklößchen ob der beinhalteten Hefe eher weniger. Sorry, liebe Familie Leimer, aber so kommen wir nich ins Geschäft. Die Backerbsen vielleicht. Nächstes Mal…
Wer das Geschirr scheußlich findet, hat noch nie zur Untermiete gewohnt und ist jetzt außerdem nicht mehr mein Freund. So.
(das Muster grenzt an eine Mischung aus Partykeller & Lüneburger Heide Wanderungen & Azteken - jedoch: immerhin von V&B! :-)
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Who Really Failed Us?
» tHiNkEr'S rOoM One thing that has become abundantly clear is that the caliber of leadership we have in Kenya is wanting to the extreme. Looking at the ilk of Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga, and indeed almost all the leaders in this country, one is unsure if they could lead people who fell out of a boat into the water.
I mean, some things don’t need you to be a rocket scientist to figure out. If you are insisting that you are the duly elected president, and giving speeches to that effect, then it beggars belief that you would leave your burning country to attend some nebulous summit (as most AU summits are wont to be). It makes even less sense to commit to dialogue here and while in Addis undermine the same dialogue by throwing sand into the engine you have committed yourself and your “government”.
Look a the members of parliament. Almost all of them are here in Nairobi, and what’s more they have refused to go back to their constituencies until the fighting ends. Which beggars the question of how this fighting is supposed to end if the people tasked with the responsibility of leadership are unwilling to step up and lend a hand to stop it!
Look at the religious institutions. When they are not deafeningly silent they participate in the chocolate teapot of press conference appeals for peace. The main religious bodies, Catholic, Anglican, Muslim and the Independent Churches have just not impressed at all. They didn’t mind advising their flocks during the constitution. Why are they so quiet now? This touches on something I mentioned in my last post about the hypocrisy of Kenyans filling churches and immediately afterwards collecting weapons and setting upon their fellows. I find it difficult to believe that this is a 0.005% or whatever percentage that is being bandied about. I refuse to believe that the other 99.995% just disappear into thin air!
How many leaders have visited the clash hit areas? In fact how many leaders have gone to Jamhuri Park? Has Mwai Kibaki? Has Raila Odinga? Who purporting to be in authority went there on their own violation? Last time I checked it is only well wishers who have taken the trouble and the expense to visit the internally displaced.
Look at the police. When the spokesman is not blowing hot air, explaining this with doctored rambo footage, his boss Commissioner Ali appears on TV to proudly inform us how he has facilitated security for people to leave their homes, without a doubt one of the most ludicrous statements I have head this year. Commissioner, that is nothing to be proud of. Believe me.
Look at the assorted councils of elders. The Njuri Ncheke. The Luo Council of Elders. the Kaya Elders. The Kalenjin Elders. The Kikuyu Elders. Where are they? They’re always waiting at the wings for earth shaking developments like the sacking of “their” sons so they can rush into the limelight. Where are they now? Why have they lost their voices as this insanity continues? Why do they not use their influence to prevail upon their people to end this madness?
Who will tell the foolish machete wielding youths that it is extremely moronic and self defeating to evict “foreigners” from amongst their midst? That this will only trigger resentment towards them and retaliation across the board?
Who will preach that no matter how self sufficient you think you are, you will still need groundnuts from the coast, beef from North Eastern, fish from Nyanza, sugar from Western, milk from Rift Valley and vegetables from central?
Who will remind people that Kenya is Kenya because of the contribution of everyone and if we pull apart we will all be the worse? Who will remind the population that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts?
Who will point out to people that if this nonsense continues you cannot simply go to Masai Mara or climb Mount Kenya or go to Lake Victoria or go to Mombasa! What will it benefit you to live in a country where you cannot go wherever you please!
Who will address the youths and tell them as reasonably as possible that if you burn buses in the morning do not be surprised to lack transport in the evening. Or if you uproot the railway tracks do not complain about lacking cooking oil. Or if you loot your workplace do not complain about lacking a job. Because they need to be addressed and have these things pointed out by someone in a leadership position.
But then again on retrospect leaders are quite the effective mirror of society … as we did last year, in 20 years from now some of those panga wielding, stone throwing, shop looting fools will offer themselves for leadership and we will elect them.
The question is - who is really to blame there?
Shining ExamplesMercifully there are people stepping up. In their own little way to do something practical rather than endlessly mundane appeals for peace from Narobi. Parallels between Mohammed appealing to the mountain ought to be drawn here.
People like Rachel Wambugu and Wesley Chebii. People with the guts and gumption to step up and lead.
These are the kind of leaders we need. Enough self obsessed pontification from the likes of our current leadership, demanding for extra security. Why should you be given any extra security? Is your blood somehow redder than ours? What about the rest of us? Do we not deserve to be alive too? That if anything should speak volumes about the integrity and selflessness of these windbags. Face it my friends. Looking to this lot for leadership is like sheep looking to wolves.
We need more Rachels and Wesleys. These are the sort of leaders we should admire. The sort of leaders we should stand behind. Ready to go into the lion’s den for their people. True shepherds indeed.
Spare me the Kibakis and the Railas! What do they care about us? A man who a month ago promised to be the president of all Kenyans had the audacity to LEAVE for some nebulous summit as the country literally burnt and its people were dying?
Spare me the absurdity!
AOB - Goodbye Barack. It’s Been RealI’m following the hype around the newest Kid on The Block, Barack Obama with much a somewhat cynical eye. Is he popular? Yes. Does he drive crowds into frenzies? Yes. Could be make one hell of a president? Yes. Would I personally vote for him? Hell yes! If I was an American that is.
But elections in America follow the very same unwritten rules as those all over the world. Which means what? That the people at the conventions and speeches are the typical iPod listening, notebook carrying educated city dwellers. These are not the people with the votes. The people with the votes are the maws and paws: apple pie baking break-your back work ethic church going rural folk. These are the people with the votes.
And an unwritten law somewhere says that the people who attend rallies are not the ones with the votes.
Keeping in mind the painfil fate that befell John Kerry and Al Gore to George Bush Jr, what it will boil down to is as follows.
Given a choice between a black man (Mr Obama) and a white woman (Hillary Clinton) I would not be surprised the people with the vote will make the inevitable choice of voting for John Sidney McCain.
NOTE: That last statement is put exactly the way I intended it it. I am perfectly aware of their party affiliations, nomination processes, stands on issues like health, Iraq, and all that jazz.
© M :: tHiNkEr'S rOoM, 2008. Comment On Who Really Failed Us?
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8:57
Concerned Citizens for Peace Update Feb 6
» Kenyan Pundit [I’m off to Istanbul for a digital activism conference, will probably be offline till Friday. The post below has lots of opportunities where people can help, please contact those listed directly or send me an email - kenyanpundit-at-gmail if you want to help] BY SHALINI * A Kenya map, littered with [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Concerned Citizens for Peace Update Feb 6", url: "http://www.kenyanpundit.com/?p=453" });
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Emuhaya By-elections: Young Aspirant Rolling Up His Sleeves
» You Missed This 
Soon after his re-election as MP for Emuhaya, Kenneth Otiatso Marende was nominated by ODM and thereafter elected as Speaker of the National Assembly. Ironically, one of his first tasks as speaker will be to declare his own Emuhaya Parliamentary seat vacant.
Prior to his re-election as Emuhaya MP, Mr. Marende made history by being the first individual to be re-elected to serve two terms. Previous MPs have only served one term each. Emuhaya constituency is in Vihiga District of Western Province and has approximately 81,000 registered voters.
Among those who have declared their interest in the Emuhaya parliamentary seat is Eric Henry Marende on an ODM ticket. Incidentally, the ODM party secretariat is reporting an overwhelming interest in the Emuhaya parliamentary seat with up to 50 persons having expressed their interest so far.
In continuing with the Kumekucha policy of supporting young aspirants into positions of leadership in Kenya, Phil (Kumekucha) had a chance to talk to the young and ambitious politician and reproduces excerpts from the discussion.
All readers, particularly Emuhaya residents/voters, are encouraged to ask the aspirant relevant questions in the comments area as he will be visiting the site and responding to all queries in person.
Kumekucha: Please introduce yourself
Eric Henry Marende: My names are ERIC HENRY MARENDE an aspiring member of parliament for EMUHAYA constituency!!
Kumekucha: Tell us a little about your background (including professional experience).
EHM: I am a university graduate from the United States International University(U.S.I.U) Nairobi.
Politically, I have been involved in the party affairs since the LDP days. i was actively involved in the 2002 elections. when the NARC dream was not achieved and LDP moved out of NARC I remained with LDP. When ODM was formed after the referendum I joined and have been actively involved ever since.
Actually as of last year (2007) I was actively involved with a lobby group known as THE ODM PROFFESIONALS NETWORK. This lobby group was actively involved in reaching out to the professionals who do not normally go out to join the masses in the field because they are confined to their desks and they only communicate via email and phone calls. We were involved in activities such as gathering intelligence such as the hate leaflets that were intercepted and we promptly informed the party hierarchy who blew the whistle. We were also involved in organising for trade fairs and such like things and a good example is the visit by Hon. Raila to the Nairobi stock exchange where his visit quelled some jitters at the bourse. We were also involved in sponsoring advertisements in the media to counter negative propaganda towards ODM!!!
This we did in isolation as the ODM Professionals. Later on, we got word through our intricate network that the party was trying to bring all the lobby groups together like Divas for Raila, Young Kenyans for Raila, Young Professionals for Raila, Western Professionals for Raila, e-orange, etc. We took on this project and successfully brought these lobby groups or initiatives under the umbrella called THE COALITION OF ODM VOLUNTEERS.
We presented this to and were recognised by the ODM Presidential Think Tank chaired by Professor Edward Oyugi.
We also went ahead and set up a parallel call centre to back up the one that had been set up by the party. We presented this again to the think tank and they were impressed such that the party channel resources to assist us at the call centre. This was so effective such that our data was being used at the ECK Tallying Centre at KICC to challenge some disparities!! We had a network that ran all the way to the grassroots.
Even after the elections we still get intelligence reports which we promptly relay to the party, for example in the first week of January we got reports that the form 16 and 16A were being doctored at the KICC. We provided samples to the party since some of our members had been recruited by the ECK.
I may also add that I was seconded to one of the think tank committees that was headed by Mr.George Ongaya to handle matters that related to the call center.
Since all this is political i would like to keep my family affairs out of this. Probably what many voters would want to know is that I am single and profesionaly work for a travel management firm called CARLSON WAGONLIT that is wholly owned by BUNSON TRAVEL an industry leader in travel related services.
Kumekucha: What is your vision for Emuhaya?
EHM: My Vision is titled 'Emuhaya, aiming higher'. In a nutshell, I intend to cover the following.
Economic prosperity:
Given the potential that already exists in Emuhaya, I envision the constituency as an economic powerhouse through tourism in the East Africa region.
Beginning at the micro-enterprise level, I shall partner with self help groups to develop micro finance programmes that will ensure that they get the opportunities and credit facilities required to turn their hard work and good ideas into a steady income.
Modernization of major markets will be explored in an effort to make them permanent, safer, cleaner and more established. Real economic prosperity can only be realized when wealth is distributed equitably and those living below the poverty line are uplifted. Providing economic opportunities will achieve just that.
In an effort to take Emuhaya to the next level, I shall play a leading role in positioning the constituency as a destination of choice for local tourism in an effort to bridge the current divisions being witneseed in the country. The result not only being the creation of an innovation center, but also a source of job and wealth creation.
The building of adequate infrastructure, setting up constituency wide centers of excellence, enhancing private / public partnerships, equipping schools with ICT, massive improvements in security as well as offering businesses incentives will be some of my priorities that will turn this vision into reality.
The time has come to reduce the cost of doing business in Kenya and giving the less fortunate an opportunity to succeed. We shall start in Emuhaya.
Youth Agenda:
I strongly believe in developing and strengthening programmes targeted at the youth in order to enhance their economic, educational, social and cultural opportunities, to promote constructive social relations among them and to provide them with connections outside their communities to break the inter-generational cycle of poverty.
Because of this, I shall give special priority in the design and implementation of policies that will help alleviate the challenges of long term unemployment and underemployment of my peers.
For every young person, a job offering decent work is an important step in completing the transition to adulthood, a milestone towards independence and self-reliance, a pillar in social development. My vision for the youth in Emuhaya therefore focuses on creating income-generating job and/or entrepreneurial opportunities for young people.
I shall work tirelessly with like minded leaders, to ensure that structures are put in place to assist the youth in developing skills needed to enable them to find or create gainful employment.
The message is clear! Our youth should no longer be used by self centered politicians to throw stones and participate in political hooliganism. Their energy, talent and numerical strength should instead be used as the pillars for nation building.
Community Development:
My vision for community development is the creation of opportunities that will empower the community both socially and economically. I shall pay special attention to the 9 wards within the constituency in an effort to ensure that homes and markets are humanitarian and include basic facilities such as toilets, water and adequate pathways.
I shall work with the people of Emuhaya in an effort to engage them in building the constituency in which they live and do business in. As stakeholders, the people will be included in decision making on matters that affect the constituency. Doing so will help create a more diverse constituency in which the ultimate winner will be the constituent.
As development of the constituency is pegged on development of the constituents, I envision community centers in each ward and various training programmes provided so as to equip constituents with the life skills needed to earn a better living. This initiative will cater to the widespread unemployment problem which in turn will reduce poverty, crime, drugs and disease.
I shall actively develop sports, music and entrepreneurship programs that will be geared towards developing talent as well as lend full support to micro enterprises such as income generating women, youth and welfare group projects.
As the next MP for Emuhaya, being accessible and having regular meetings with the community will give me a good idea on the priorities of the community's development.
Service Delivery:
Emuhaya constituency currently faces several challenges with regards to service delivery. Quality of education in the free primary school initiative has dropped tremendously, public schools (up to the University level) do not have adequate learning facilities, majority of the constituents either do not have access to basic healthcare or cannot afford it, roads are dilapidated, clean water is still a dream, insecurity a nightmare and the list goes on and on and on. It is unfortunate that with all the CDF money available, basic services are still inaccessible to the bulk of the population.
I envision Emuhaya Constituency as one of the leading constituencies when it comes to service delivery. I shall work to ensure that the people of Emuhaya get the services they pay for, from better education to better healthcare to better infrastructure.
To realize this vision, public education institutions will be equipped with reading materials and computers to the best extent possible, healthcare systems brought closer to the people and infrastructure (roads, market places, telecommunications, water etc) shall be improved.
As service delivery is the primary role of the political leadership, I shall break the culture of the people working for elected leaders and begin one in which elected leaders work for the best interests of the people.
Kumekucha: Thank you. Why did you choose to stand in Emuhaya?
EHM: I have my roots in Emuhaya. I also have a keen ineterst in the affairs of the people of Emuhaya and would like to see an improvement in the life of the locals.
Kumekucha: If you would finish these sentences, what would you add to them,
i) I wish more people would take notice of...........
ii) A common misperception I would like to correct is.......
EHM: I wish more people would take notice of…. young people especially the youth of this nation. they have been the main force in the struggle for justice in the many injustices commited aginst them. many lives have been lost and indeed continue to be lost in persuit of a better kenya. as young people we should keep the dreams and hopes of a better nation alive by getting actively involved in the affairs of our great nation. we should let the memories be our guide to remembering the values of our Kenyan people.
EHM: A common misperception I would like to correct is…. that young people cannot lead or are not ready for leadership positions. History has examples of leaders who emerged at quite an early stage. Tom Mboya is one such example. In the bible you have people like King David and Samuel who were anointed for leadership in their youthful years. I believe we (the youth) have been appointed by God, history and future generations to take on leadership.
Kumekucha: What bills, if any, would you propose in your first term in parliament?
EHM:
- Hate speech legislation,
- Youth fund to be managed by professionals,
- Legislation that mandates private companies and public enterprises to employ the best candidates for the job but at the same time ensure equal representation in terms of gender and tribe!
Kumekucha: Which party ticket are you running on and why?
EHM: ODM (Orange Democratic Movement). This is because the party is committed to tackling tribalism and discrimination, expansion for employment, pursuit of policies of policies of equitable distribution of wealth and resources, dealing with insecurity, crime and lawlessness, improvement of social and physical infrastructure among many others.
Kumekucha: What do you like most about your country?
EHM: The economic and social potential.
Kumekucha: What do you like the least about your country?
EHM: Tribalism, corruption, bad governance especially because of the individuals and personalities who occupy these offices, the list is endless.
Kumekucha: Who in the history of Kenyan politics inspires you - a leader, whether in politics or outside of it?
EHM: Thomas Joseph Mboya. He was a leader who was brilliant and charismatic, infact he was nothing short of remarkable! He got involved in trade union activities at 22 years of age and by 28 he was elected chairman of the All-African Peoples Conference convened by Kwame Nkurumah of Ghana. Tom Mboya displayed leadership from quite an early age.
Outside of politics 2 people inspired me. One was my father and the other my grandfather, both are deceased!
Kumekucha: How are you funding your campaign?
EHM: My campaigns are being funded by family, friends and well wishers
Kumekucha: What word of encouragement would you give to other young candidates?
EHM: I would encourage young people to be engaged in public life and service because this is the only way we can change the status quo! as young people we need to position ourselves for change and we should speak in one voice to demand our rightful position in the countrys leadership. its our responsibility to take the country to the next level.
Kumekucha: What are you especially good at, why do people like you?
EHM: Well that is a hard question! I may say I am good at listening to other people. Other people have said they like me because am dependable, strong, and loyal.
Kumekucha: What is your proudest moment/ greatest achievement?
2002 elections when Kenyans elected a government unanimously as a people with disregard to tribe and affiliation. Back then, we as Kenyas achieved a lot as a democracy.
Kumekucha: What was the last book you read?
EHM: ‘INTO AFRICA’ which is a dramatic retelling of the Stanley-Livingstone story. It has been written by Martin Dougard.
Kumemucha: What do you think are your weaknesses?
My ambitions
Kumekucha: Have you ever run a business? Do you have any executive experience?
EHM: No I have not!
Kumekucha: What core ideas inform your politics?
EHM: Leadership that is accountable and transformative that fulfills expectations. I intend to provide a leadership with vision and to carry on what was intended for the people of Emuhaya by the former Member of Parliament and will be faithful and true to the interest f the constituents.
Kumekucha: What is your big idea for Kenya?
EHM: Good constitution that translates into good governance, a fair judicial system, equitable distribution of resources, efficient infrastructure, dependable healthcare, a relevant educational system and proper security for all.
Kumekucha: What in your views hurts Kenyans the most? What stands between them and progress?
EHM: Corruption, selfishness, greed, bad governance, the constitution. biased institutions that are supposed to facilitate progress are the major issues that stand between kenyans and progress.
Kumekucha: Do you think an MP, say an opposition MP, can make a difference in his constituency without the intervention of the Central Government?
EHM: Yes. By properly utilising the CDF a ripple effect will be transmitted to the locals in the constituency.
Kumekucha: For what would you utilize Constituency Development Funds (CDF) allocated to your constituency? What would be proper CDF priorities?
EHM: Housing, infrastructure, rural electrification, initiating proper healthcare initiatives, agriculture, education
Kumekucha: What special campaign stratagem do you employ in stead of loud noises and throwing money around?
EHM: Are you sure you want me to expose myself!!
Kumekucha: Not at all. Any other comments/message you have.
EHM: A common misperception I would like to correct is that young people cannot lead or are not ready for leadership positions.history has examples of leaders who emerged at quite an early stage. Tom Mboya is one such example. in the bible you have people like king david and samuel who were annointed to lead in their youthful years. i believe we have been appointed by God, history and future generations to take on leadership. (END) -
Kalembe Ndile Now Eyes Emuhaya Parliamentary Seat
» You Missed This 
Unsuccessful in the Kibwezi parliamentary race where he lost to Prof. Philip Kaloki (ODM-K) in the just concluded general elections, former Assistant Minister for Tourism and Wildlife and the Chairman of the Independent Party (TIP TIP - Amani Kenya), Kalembe Ndile is reportedly eyeing the Emuhaya parliamentary seat following the election of the MP-elect Keneth Marende as Speaker of the National Assembly.
The outspoken former MP and a defender of the rights of squatters, Kalembe has mostly been based in Mombasa and Makindu, occasionally commenting on public interest matters. But now that he has trained his eyes on going back to the National Assembly through the Emuhaya parliamentary seat in Western province particularly with PNU's support, ODM will be casting a nervous eye to their Deputy Captain Musalia Mudavadi who is expected to lead the ODM onslaught when by-elections are called. Kalembe has been sending 'political feelers' through grassroot leaders in the constituency.
If indeed he runs for the seat and is re-elected, Kalembe will make history as the first non-indigenous Luhya to be elected to parliament from the area. The area is known to be fiercely pro-ODM and it is not known if Kalembe is planning to defect to ODM or run on his own TIP party.
There are currently six unrepresented constituencies in the country. They are; Embakasi, Kamkunji, Mandera, Kilgoris, Emuhaya and Ainamoi. Trusting that no other MP will kick the bucket soon, it means Kenya is headed for a 'mini general election' which going by early signs shows they will be fiercely contested owing to the slim majority the opposition enjoys in parliament. For instance, the speakers election alone, which took place before two of ODM's MPs were killed, showed just how close this majority is with the ODM fronted Marende winning by 105 votes against PNU's Ole Kaparo 101. ODM views its parliamentary majority as one of the key areas it can use to bring the Kibaki government to its knees through a well planned legislative agenda, perhaps even a vote of no confidence.
Meanwhile, this blogger has interviewed some aspirants for the Emuhaya parliamentary seat and will be publishing excerpts from the interview soon right here on Kumekucha.
Links to Kalembe Ndile relevant pages:
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4:13
Record Bank profits expected
» bankelele No doubt, there will be very strong, embarrassingly record profits (esp. from Equity Bank), which will shock Kenyan’s but the results are for the year (2007) which was virtually over by the time that the country plunged into chaos. The impact of the economic disruptions, violence, and framework may not be seen at banks until after June 2008. Meanwhile one bank that was in expansion mode has put off the program and staff recruitment until further notice.
SME Finance: EABS Bank, soon to be Eco Bank (after the West African bank takes over 75%), has partnered with Enablis to provide young and upcoming entrepreneurs with bank loans this year.
Check your own credit: what has been personal right for millions of US consumers is now available in Kenya – the self credit check. The service is offered by CRB Africa, Kenya’s leading credit reference bureau, but many here have no credit at all. Still it’s a free service, which someone should try out.
Corporate governance; KCB has an ethics help desk at its site to receive confidential reports on fraud and workplace abuses within the organization.
Bug-me-not: From the bankwatch blog comes results of a survey that shows bank customers do not want bothersome SMS’s sent to their phones that don’t add value or inform them much e.g. account balance messages that cost 30 shillings ($0.4). I think it would be useful to have services that tells you when a cheque is about to bounce, or the CFC chip card alerts which inform account holders each time their credit card is charged
opportunities
- EADB: Project Officers, Senior Project officers,
- I&M Bank: Credit Officer, Treasury Dealers/Officers, (Asset) Relationship Manager, (Liability) Relationship Manager, and Relationship Officer
- Inter Region Economic Network (IREN) : Webmaster, HTML text editors, Editor, Marketing Manager, and 3-month internships for year 2008. Apply to the Programs Manager, info@irenkenya.com by 15/2 -
Bloggers and forums
» bankelele tribes & stocks: The recent closure of the popular mashada forums could easily have spilt over to the popular shares forum Stocks Kenya had the administrators not put out an appeal for Peace and Reconciliation in Kenya;
We have reduced focus on politics in the discussion forum as the forum it has been abused.
Thankfully it has maintained its tone for corporate and investment issues where the hot discussion topic is now East African Cables, not politics
And Mashada regulars are invited to visit ihavenotribe instead.
Media blogs: The Standard quietly added a blog page with star commentators late last year but without much fanfare and they are not given any prominence on the front page of the newspapers’ website. At least hen the Nation launched their blog page they ran a few columns in the paper itself to promote the feature.
Salute: To Afromusing for a small mention in the Economist on twittering.
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3:21
Kenyatta... check this out!!
» intricately me This man was a leader and a half...i got the shivers it felt like he spoke yesterday [www.youtube.com]
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Shock As Police Reveal : ‘Mungiki Hitmen Killed ODM’s Mugabe Were!’
» You Missed This 
Embakasi MP Mugabe Were, who was shot dead by mungiki hitmen.
Gang infiltrates Kenya Police
Juma Kwayera | Nairobi
03 February 2008 11:59
A quiet rebellion and near-total collapse of the chain of command has exposed Kenya’s police force as incapable of dealing with the growing national crisis in the country, amid growing fears that it has also been infiltrated by the outlawed pro- government Mungiki sect.
Speaking to the Mail & Guardian on condition of anonymity following the chilling murder on last Tuesday of an opposition MP, a senior police inspector and an officer in the criminal investigations department admitted that all was not right in the police force.
“The police are angry that they are being used to solve a political problem. Our remit is maintenance of law and order, but we are being dragged into politics. It is known that the election outcome was manipulated; who does not know that?” asked the officer.
Despondency in the force is the latest twist in Kenya’s political imbroglio, which former United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan said was an international priority on Tuesday when he formally launched the mediation process between the government and the opposition.
Annan, who is heading an African Union panel of eminent persons, said that the escalating violence put the country on the precipice of large-scale upheaval, which the “state must use all the means at its disposal to forestall”. Annan added that the electoral dispute was now mutating into ethnic hostility and inflaming long-suppressed passions. The AU-mandated team also includes former Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa and Graça Machel.
Gangs of youths believed to be members of the Mungiki sect claimed responsibility for the killing of Mellitus Mugabe Were, the opposition MP. Youths suspected of being members of Mungiki also took control of the highway linking Nairobi with the nearby town of Nakuru, a scene of much of the recent violence.
Most members of the much-feared Mungiki sect hail from the Kikuyu tribe, the same ethnic group as President Mwai Kibaki. They rose to prominence last year after a string of grisly killings, particularly in Nairobi’s slums. Police efforts to break up the gangs late last year led to days of violent clashes in which several people were killed.
Were’s death on Tuesday co-incided with the formal launch of international mediation and reinforced the perception that Mungiki, which allegedly enjoys the patronage of influential politicians and businessmen in the government, is on the rampage again after a six-month lull.
Police have confirmed that 20 out of the 115 people killed in Nakuru and Naivasha towns in the Rift Valley province were beheaded in grisly circumstances reminiscent of Mungiki’s decapitation of 200 people in Nairobi early last year.
Human rights groups, including United States-based Human Rights Watch, estimated last week that nearly a quarter of the 900 people shot dead post-election were executed by Mungiki gang members disguised as police. The senior police officer complained that the infiltration of the police by the criminal gang had exacerbated tensions in the force, leading to fears of an imminent falling out.
“We are being misused. We are resisting the public perception [that] we mop up politicians’ dirty work,” the inspector said. Two other police officers said last week’s reshuffle in the police force was precipitated by growing tension among high-ranking police officers who felt they were being misused to crack down on opposition supporters.
The opposition says that it has also received reports of Mungiki’s infiltration of the police force.
“We have been receiving reports about despondency in the police force and the military that has been forcing the government to resort to criminal gangs to control escalating violence,” Orange Democratic Movement MP Omingo Magara said.
He added: “The same sources told us about how two weeks ago the government acquired 4 000 guns and armed Mungiki to kill protesters in Rift Valley. I leave it to you to judge who is running the show in the police force,” he said.
Tensions in the security forces began to appear after Internal Security Minister George Saitoti told the police to refrain from using live ammunition, only for police to open fire on unarmed mourners in Nairobi last week, injuring several.
“The chain of command has collapsed,” Magara said. The government began deploying the military at violence flashpoints last week, fuelling the public perception that the police force is no longer obeying the command structure.
Responding to charges that the police force was no longer capable of maintaining law and order prompting the intervention of the military Police Commissioner Major General Hussein Ali said the presence of the army is “temporary.” According to the Kenyan constitution, the army can only be called out of the barracks after a state of emergency is declared.
http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=331297&area=/insight/insight__africa/
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0:20
USA election 2008 candidates are...
» More to Life ...still unknown in both parties. And this after the main primaries (super duper Tuesday per Obama).
At 1:17 am ET (Wednesday)
Barack wins 13 states, Clinton 8 and New Mexico ( delayed results due to bad weather and having run out of ballots earlier) not yet called.
MSNBC dares to guesstimate (through careful calculation) the number of democratic delegates. Projects 841 for Obama and 837 for Clinton.
Jeez! They didn't see that one coming. I'd pay money to hear the private conversations in the Clinton camps.
Frankly, even Obama isn't quite sure he isn't dreaming.
But that's the beauty of the audacity of hope, I guess.
GOP?
Romney mouthed and mouthed about the 'real conservative' only to be so badly thrown off course by the 'unreal' ones; McCain and worse, Huckabee whom the media had convinced us to totally dismiss. Well... not so fast, says he. And the results indicate that I need to stop and listen.
California is right now a rather disappointing loss for Obama. Not in losing there (as this was expected) but in the current percentages. However, only 17% is in as I type this and LA is not yet in so these stats could improve. Recall some stations had called Missouri for Clinton and had to retract as Obama just won that state by about 1% margin? if that ain't close, dunno what is.
The way I see it?
The republicans should do themeselves a favor and let McCain run as the GOP candidate. Obviously, Bush has turned Republicans off absolute conservative. Those left are the so called bible thumpers who pretty much think elections are solely about abortion and gay marriage, period. That's mostly senior citizens and Utah residents. OK. That was unnecessary.
McCain's running mate? Last year, long before I subscribed to Obama's campaign and got to know him; when I had (rushedly) assigned him the position of running mate to Clinton, I assigned Rudy Giuliani running mate to McCain. I still think this remains the best bet for the GOP.
Why? The independent vote. McCain votes with his brain, and votes against his party afflictions when common sense calls for it. Rudy dares to vote pro choice amongst other non conservative views as well. Both these candidates will face absolute disdain and contempt from within their party. However, they will be the best bet for republicans in an environment that really doesn't want a conservative leader any longer. Rght now, independents are all leaning towards Obama. This is likely to continue to be the case but any attempt to sway some of them into republican territory can only best be achieved with Rudy and John (yeah, first names. After all these late nights we've gotta be buddies by now).
I'm torn between enjoying the fierce battle between Obama and Clinton for another several months and just picking a candidate and concentrating efforts on beating the republicans. Who as we can all imagine are about to get as dirty as is possible. I'll bet you they are the ones looking for Obama's relatives in Kenya. And trust me, the skirmishes in Kenya, Odinga's claims to his kinship... all these are highly likely to surface should Obama become the leading man. Why? Because Republicans play dirty and Obama is the greatest threat they've had since Saddam. So, expect this and more(I wish I could bet $$ on this. I might be able to retire early).
Point being we need to get to hear the Republicans and their dirty politics early so that we can work with time on our side to both clear the air and to let time do what it does best, which is irritate those who have to keep listening to negativity via their expensive plasma hi def screens (Peeps don't spend that kind of money on gadgets to listen to crap through them). Plus we need to get into the Bush files and kill the republicans based on the past 7 years (very easy task). Basically, let's get to work which is let's get to winning in November 2008.
The speeches? Clinton's was jolly and celebratory and actually kinda giood. Grade it B+. Obama's was repetitive and definitely courted the remaining primary states. But not the same Obama who sweeps us off our feet when he speaks. So I'll give him a B (how else is he going to pull up his socks?) From GOP, Huckabees was as expected, excited and very hopeful and common sensical. That man is worth at least 2 cents, mormon or not. Don't recall hearing speeches from the other significant 2 (Paul is still in the race).
It felt really good to ignore Kenya and it's painful news at least for a day.
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