Wapenda Kenya Wenzangu,
For those of you who are political junkies like me, just take a break and find some humor if there is any! Laughter is good medicine you know!!
Kibera Slums
Several candidates are running for president of Kenya later this year. The candidate I have been most interested in is the Member of Parliament for Langata. Langata is a constituency comprised largely of Kibera slums. Kibera is the largest slum area south of the Sahara . Its residents live under abject poverty. Langata is a cosmopolitan constituency as you know. If you are from a certain region of Kenya and you live in the visinity of Nairobi , you register to vote in Langata even if you actually reside in Dandora or Embakasi. A future president of Kenya must be cosmopolitan you know!! How can you live in Nairobi and miss to vote for the future president of Kenya !!
Travel and Campaign Update
My candidate has been traveling far and wide lately. How can you be a future president of Kenya if you don't know where Hong Kong is? The other week he was in the Far East, Canada and the United States of America . One stop was in Minnesota . In Minnesota, a few ardent supporters of his had him wear green T-shirts and hurriendly declare: 'MINNESOTA ENDORSES RAILA." After he left Minnesota , he went to the East Coast where some of his supporters are still fighting over who supports him more. I hear that one group collected some money to fund the ODM-Kenya campaign but they would not find the ODM-Kenya Treasurer, Mr. Omingo Magara, even though Mr. Magara was right there in their midst. Even when my candidate pointed out who and where Magara was, these supporters would still not find him!!
Bonding Alone in London !
My candidate then proceeded to London , England where a good friend of his by the name Archbishop Gilbert Deya lives. Archbishop Deya may be facing infant kidnapping charges in Kenya and Britain , but he has buses you know!!
Word has it that in London, my candidate was to be bonded with other ODM-Kenya candidates in such a way that he would be the only one remaining to face Mwai Kibaki on the race to State House. Unfortunately, the other ODM-Kenya luminaries did not turn up. So my candidate bonded alone!
“ Lake Victoria Mafia?”
From London , my candidate flew back to Kenya . Of course it is in Kenya where the real campaign is. First, he had to meet his most trusted advisors in a strategy session. The advisors are mainly from Nyanza. Where are Gusii and Kuria? Are they in Nyanza? It is only Kibaki who has “Mt Kenya Mafia” you know! My candidate has only advisors with a very good national outlook, a very good national outlook from the shores of Lake Sango !!
“Looking Presidential” in a HUMMER!: Blame it on YOUTUBE!
My candidate for president of Kenya , the Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga, arrived in Parliament yesterday driving a newly minted maroon HUMMER!, fresh from Detroit , Michigan . The HUMMER! is worth US $600,000.00. Don't take my word for it. Just visit www.youtube.com and search for "Raila: I own a HUMMER but do I say?" There you will see how KTN covered the august event of Raila's entry into the August House. You will see for yourself how my candidate arrived in style. Can you think of anything better than this? Isn’t that the definition of “looking presidential”? If you want to look presidential in 2007, you drive a HUMMER!!!
Did you say a HUMMER!?
A HUMMER!? What is a HUMMER!? If my candidate owns prime seaside property at Nyali, what is a HUMMER!? To represent poor people, you must not be poor like them! No, that can not be! Conspicous consumption is your cup of tea!! To show that you are worth poor people's vote, you must buy a car whose value is enough to feed all of them for a year!!
A Pauper for President!
A pauper for president of Kenya ? No way? That can't be! Never! A future president of Kenya must not drive a jalopy like the one Sen. Barrack Obama drives around Chicago ! No. Never! A Mercedes Benz? No way men! That was for Kenyatta, Moi and Kibaki. The future president of Kenya drives a HUMMER!!
A Pretty Good Fundraiser!
A future president of Kenya must show his fundraising acumen!! In Minnesota and Texas and Washington DC , if you earn $10.00 an hour, work 10 hours and put the $100.00 in my candidate's campaign kitty. What is $100.00 anyway? My candidate's HUMMER! is worth $0.6 million! What is $100.00? I think $200.00 or $300.00 would be better! That is only 30 hours before tax.
Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga for President!
My candidate's name is Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga!! He owns a HUMMER! but does he say? What is wrong with owning a $600,000.00 HUMMER! and representing Kibera slum dwellers in parliament?
Raila Amolo Odinga is running for President of Kenya in 2007. If you are eligible to vote, then go home and vote for Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga! If you can not vote, then call your friends and relatives in Kenya and tell them to vote Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga for President. If they are in Nairobi, ask them to register to vote in Langata. The chance to vote a cosmopolitan candidate for president maybe comes only once in a lifetime!! Vote for Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga. He owns a $600,000.00 HUMMER! you know!! He deserves your vote!
Thanks for your time. I am not a good homorist you see.
P.S: ARTICLE ORIGINALLY PENNED ON MARCH 23, 2007.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
BINARY FISSION OF NARC INTO ODM-K AND NARC-K: A SKEPTIC'S VIEW
Wananchi Wenzangu,
NARC, (not to be confused with NARC-Kenya), was fronted by Hon. Raila Odinga of the Kibaki Tosha fame, the late Wamalwa Kijana, Charity Ngilu, Mwai Kibaki, Joseph Kamotho, Prof Saitoto, William Ntimama etc, etc, etc. I happen to be one Kenyan who recognized from the very beginning that it was a conglomerate of 'nyangau's' whose only purpose was to push KANU out of power and control the taps of Kenya's resources for their stomach's sake. Wanjiku, as politicians are fond of referring to common mwanyanchi, had no bearing in the equation. Anybody who has followed the goings on in Kenya in the last four years of NARC rule will agree with me that my fears have been largely proven true. As soon as NARC came to power, it became apparent that some nyangaus were more equal than others. These more equal nyangaus, variously referred to as the Mt Kenya mafia, were being accorded bigger bites of the Kenyan cake than others. Small wonder then that NARC soon broke into the present factions of ODM-Kenya and NARC-Kenya. ODM-Kenya is composed of those who were excluded from the table while NARC-Kenya is comprised of those who have been milking the Kenyan udder dry in the last four years. It is for this reason that I do not find any enthusiasm in me for either sub-conglomerate of nyangau's. The same individuals who fronted NARC are the ones now fronting ODM-Kenya and NARC-Kenya. Elementary Biology teaches us about binary fission. In binary fission, a single cell divides into two equal or nearly equal parts. Binary fission of NARC is no different. Whether it is NARC-Kenya or ODM-Kenya, the DNA is the same. If anybody out there has figured out the difference, please be kind enough to let me and others like me know what the difference is. In a nutshell, I'd say that ODM-Kenya is the same nyangau. NARC-Kenya is more of the same. The difference between the same and more of the same is the same!!
Now, I will readily agree that come next year, either ODM-Kenya or NARC-Kenya will most likely be ruling Kenya. If I should go by the results of the constitutional referendum from 2005, ODM-Kenya would have the upper hand. If I should go by the Steadman Polls, fraudulent or not, then Emilio Mwai Kibaki will be president of Kenya come 2008. Unless something drastic happens, I will retain my utter skepticism. I have not found it in me to warm up to either nyangau grouping.
It is in this light that I will append the opinion piecebelow by one Jeckton Omondi from the Kenya Times. Mr. Omondi seems to be in the same boat of skeptics like myself. I share some of his views on ODM-Kenya. In a few days, the item will be archived and may not be easily available to those of us who are not internet survy, but it will be here for our reference. For the sake of transparency, I will point out one more time that Kenya Times is owned by KANU. KANU is one of the parties that comprises the ODM-Kenya conglomerate.
Thanks.
Michoma Douglass Moenga
http://www.timesnews.co.ke/30jan07/nwsstory/opinion.html
Wanted: A more people-driven ODM Kenya
By JECKTON OMONDI
Are ODM –K Members of Parliament trying to con ordinary members of the party out of their right to determine the local and national leadership structure of the party? That is the questions most members of the ODM-K constituent party members are asking as they receive strange orders from the party secretariat, one after another.
The manner in which related decisions made in Naivasha are being released to the public in well timed sequential episodes speaks volumes of the Machiavellian strategy by MPs to obviate or manage public outcry that may arise out of the announcements.
ODM-K as a political movement belongs to over 3 million Kenyans who supported it during the referendum. When the MPs were in Naivasha, they made very strange decisions, one of which was to put off party elections until after the General Election “to avoid a situation where there is a disconnect between elected representatives and party officials”.
Must elected representatives (MPs and councillors) be in the key leadership positions of the party? Can’t they be satisfied with automatic ex-officio positions in the structures, as provided for in the party Constitution?
As they do this, ODM-K’s chief rival, NARC-K is going out for comprehensive grassroot elections. Which structure will be more legitimate and readily acceptable during the crucial period when the parties will be hunting for votes, the selected or the elected one?
The MPs went further to declare that the constituency campaign forums that should integrate the constituent party structures at the grassroots will be established in meetings “convened and chaired by local MPs”. Already a number of MPs are trying to lock out of local party affairs anybody whom they perceive as not being supportive of their personal political ambitions . Will such people be allowed to be part of the integrated structures?
Further, it is an open secret that in a number of constituencies, unpopular MPs established their own parallel party structures, different from those elected by party members. Which structures will therefore be integrated, the one recognised by the MPs or the one recognised by ordinary members of the constituent parties?
The Naivasha accord also included election of the presidential candidate through a ballot of delegates, 2000 of whom were to emanate from each constituency. Whilst members of the party thought that the delegates would be elected directly by party members drawn from across the constituencies, shocking details are now emerging of how MPs are currently drawing a list of loyalists to be submitted to party headquarters as legitimate delegates.
It is emerging that another decision reached at Naivasha, but which the MPs are still holding close to their chests, is that the 2000 delegates will also be called upon to nominate parliamentary and local authority candidates for ODM-K, on the pretext that “opening-up the process to ordinary members of the party will be expensive, time consuming and hemorrhagic”.
If the top and local interim party structures, including the delegates, are made up of loyalists to the current MPs, do ordinary members of the party and rivals to the MPs hope to go through democratic parliamentary and civic nominations?
If ODM-K rationale in demanding for essential minimum reforms is to ensure level playing ground before the General Election, the same principle must apply in the establishment of its own structures and choice of its presidential, parliamentary and civic candidates.
The principle of equity dictates that one cannot seek for equity with dirty hands? Does the party belong to current MPs for preservation of their selfish political fortunes or is it a popular movement that embodies the aspirations of millions of Kenyans who, as the preamble of the party constitution states, are “striving for the achievement of equality, social and economic justice, freedom, the rule of law, national unity and community solidarity by establishing a democratic, transparent and accountable government that will institutionalise these values for the benefit of all present and future generations?”
Prof.. Anyang ’ Nyongo’ and Mr. Henry Kosgey must come out and immediately clear the air on these issues if ODM-K is to remain a people’s movement.
Michoma Douglass Moenga
Article originally written on January 30, 2007
NARC, (not to be confused with NARC-Kenya), was fronted by Hon. Raila Odinga of the Kibaki Tosha fame, the late Wamalwa Kijana, Charity Ngilu, Mwai Kibaki, Joseph Kamotho, Prof Saitoto, William Ntimama etc, etc, etc. I happen to be one Kenyan who recognized from the very beginning that it was a conglomerate of 'nyangau's' whose only purpose was to push KANU out of power and control the taps of Kenya's resources for their stomach's sake. Wanjiku, as politicians are fond of referring to common mwanyanchi, had no bearing in the equation. Anybody who has followed the goings on in Kenya in the last four years of NARC rule will agree with me that my fears have been largely proven true. As soon as NARC came to power, it became apparent that some nyangaus were more equal than others. These more equal nyangaus, variously referred to as the Mt Kenya mafia, were being accorded bigger bites of the Kenyan cake than others. Small wonder then that NARC soon broke into the present factions of ODM-Kenya and NARC-Kenya. ODM-Kenya is composed of those who were excluded from the table while NARC-Kenya is comprised of those who have been milking the Kenyan udder dry in the last four years. It is for this reason that I do not find any enthusiasm in me for either sub-conglomerate of nyangau's. The same individuals who fronted NARC are the ones now fronting ODM-Kenya and NARC-Kenya. Elementary Biology teaches us about binary fission. In binary fission, a single cell divides into two equal or nearly equal parts. Binary fission of NARC is no different. Whether it is NARC-Kenya or ODM-Kenya, the DNA is the same. If anybody out there has figured out the difference, please be kind enough to let me and others like me know what the difference is. In a nutshell, I'd say that ODM-Kenya is the same nyangau. NARC-Kenya is more of the same. The difference between the same and more of the same is the same!!
Now, I will readily agree that come next year, either ODM-Kenya or NARC-Kenya will most likely be ruling Kenya. If I should go by the results of the constitutional referendum from 2005, ODM-Kenya would have the upper hand. If I should go by the Steadman Polls, fraudulent or not, then Emilio Mwai Kibaki will be president of Kenya come 2008. Unless something drastic happens, I will retain my utter skepticism. I have not found it in me to warm up to either nyangau grouping.
It is in this light that I will append the opinion piecebelow by one Jeckton Omondi from the Kenya Times. Mr. Omondi seems to be in the same boat of skeptics like myself. I share some of his views on ODM-Kenya. In a few days, the item will be archived and may not be easily available to those of us who are not internet survy, but it will be here for our reference. For the sake of transparency, I will point out one more time that Kenya Times is owned by KANU. KANU is one of the parties that comprises the ODM-Kenya conglomerate.
Thanks.
Michoma Douglass Moenga
http://www.timesnews.co.ke/30jan07/nwsstory/opinion.html
Wanted: A more people-driven ODM Kenya
By JECKTON OMONDI
Are ODM –K Members of Parliament trying to con ordinary members of the party out of their right to determine the local and national leadership structure of the party? That is the questions most members of the ODM-K constituent party members are asking as they receive strange orders from the party secretariat, one after another.
The manner in which related decisions made in Naivasha are being released to the public in well timed sequential episodes speaks volumes of the Machiavellian strategy by MPs to obviate or manage public outcry that may arise out of the announcements.
ODM-K as a political movement belongs to over 3 million Kenyans who supported it during the referendum. When the MPs were in Naivasha, they made very strange decisions, one of which was to put off party elections until after the General Election “to avoid a situation where there is a disconnect between elected representatives and party officials”.
Must elected representatives (MPs and councillors) be in the key leadership positions of the party? Can’t they be satisfied with automatic ex-officio positions in the structures, as provided for in the party Constitution?
As they do this, ODM-K’s chief rival, NARC-K is going out for comprehensive grassroot elections. Which structure will be more legitimate and readily acceptable during the crucial period when the parties will be hunting for votes, the selected or the elected one?
The MPs went further to declare that the constituency campaign forums that should integrate the constituent party structures at the grassroots will be established in meetings “convened and chaired by local MPs”. Already a number of MPs are trying to lock out of local party affairs anybody whom they perceive as not being supportive of their personal political ambitions . Will such people be allowed to be part of the integrated structures?
Further, it is an open secret that in a number of constituencies, unpopular MPs established their own parallel party structures, different from those elected by party members. Which structures will therefore be integrated, the one recognised by the MPs or the one recognised by ordinary members of the constituent parties?
The Naivasha accord also included election of the presidential candidate through a ballot of delegates, 2000 of whom were to emanate from each constituency. Whilst members of the party thought that the delegates would be elected directly by party members drawn from across the constituencies, shocking details are now emerging of how MPs are currently drawing a list of loyalists to be submitted to party headquarters as legitimate delegates.
It is emerging that another decision reached at Naivasha, but which the MPs are still holding close to their chests, is that the 2000 delegates will also be called upon to nominate parliamentary and local authority candidates for ODM-K, on the pretext that “opening-up the process to ordinary members of the party will be expensive, time consuming and hemorrhagic”.
If the top and local interim party structures, including the delegates, are made up of loyalists to the current MPs, do ordinary members of the party and rivals to the MPs hope to go through democratic parliamentary and civic nominations?
If ODM-K rationale in demanding for essential minimum reforms is to ensure level playing ground before the General Election, the same principle must apply in the establishment of its own structures and choice of its presidential, parliamentary and civic candidates.
The principle of equity dictates that one cannot seek for equity with dirty hands? Does the party belong to current MPs for preservation of their selfish political fortunes or is it a popular movement that embodies the aspirations of millions of Kenyans who, as the preamble of the party constitution states, are “striving for the achievement of equality, social and economic justice, freedom, the rule of law, national unity and community solidarity by establishing a democratic, transparent and accountable government that will institutionalise these values for the benefit of all present and future generations?”
Prof.. Anyang ’ Nyongo’ and Mr. Henry Kosgey must come out and immediately clear the air on these issues if ODM-K is to remain a people’s movement.
Michoma Douglass Moenga
Article originally written on January 30, 2007
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
KALONZO-RAILA 2007! A WINNING TICKET
Defeating Mwai Kibaki is a priority. The Kibaki administration has failed in the following key areas among others:
- Tackling the corruption menace
- Ensuring the personal security of Kenyans
- Increasing employment opportunities for Kenyans
- Discouraging tribalism and nepotism
If we should go by the Steadman and Republican Institute Polls, then Kibaki is going to handily win the presidency in 2007.
A ticket with Hon. Raila Odinga at its head will most likely lose purely on the ground of circumcision or lack thereof. I do not subscribe to the notion that this is enough to deny Raila the presidency of Kenya. We may intellectually debate why circumcision is irrelevant. We will conclude that it sure is irrelevant. However, the reality on the ground in many parts of Kenya is such that circumcision or lack thereof is a make-or-break political consideration. People all over Kenya see Raila as presidential material. However, they will withhold their vote from Raila purely over circumcision and his Luo ethnicity.
Other equally potent reasons why Raila at the head of the ticket stands to lose include:
1. A history of unstable and short-lived political alliances
2.Too many political enemies
Having laid down the case as to why Raila may not be elected President of Kenya as of now, may I suggest that Raila swallows his pride and runs as a running mate with Kalonzo Musyoka at the head of the ticket? The result will be that:
1. The question of Raila Odinga’s electability will be put to rest.
2. Raila is a good campaigner as long as he is campaigning for someone else.
3. The opposition vote will not be divided as it was in 1992 and 1997.
4. The synergy of Kalonzo and Raila’s strengths
May I further suggest that once Raila is VP of Kenya, he learns to be patient? Instead of being on the move politically every one to two years, just like his father, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, had been, if Raila bids his time, depicts loyalty and stays the course for five consecutive years, Kenyans will learn to trust him. Kenyans will learn to discount his ethnicity and may well give him the nod in a near future election.
Just a proposition.
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Mwanyagetinge Blog is here to serve as a vehicle for sharing and exchanging ideas about bettering Greater Gusii, Gusii Diaspora, Kenya and Kenyan Diaspora. Respect for others and their opinions will be of uttermost importance to that end.
Mwanyagetinge Blog Moderator.
Mwanyagetinge Blog is here to serve as a vehicle for sharing and exchanging ideas about bettering Greater Gusii, Gusii Diaspora, Kenya and Kenyan Diaspora. Respect for others and their opinions will be of uttermost importance to that end.
Mwanyagetinge Blog Moderator.
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