Kenya this year in December goes to the polls again to elect a new president or reelect the current serving Mwai Kibaki.In 2002 the whole opposition joined together from over 25 parties to form one party and thus ousted the the kanu government which had ruled for 40years(since independence).Since then,Kenya's economy has made a turnaround and now enjoys one of the highest growth rates in Africa.Democracy has since played a pivotal point in the success of Kenya's growth as the government is always under scrutiny from the vibrant press and open society.

the opposing parties political parties have sighted some failures in the government.Some of which are:

1.Slow trickle down effect of the growing economy to the poor.
2.Insecurity in some parts of the country.
3.A few high level cases of curruption.
4.Failure by the government to adequately address the squatter problem.

President Mwai Kibaki's government has achieved alot during the 5 years it has been in power.the more notable ones being:

1.Introduction of Free Primary Schooling.
2.Massive rehabilitation of Roads and infrastructure.
3.regaining of donor funding from donors(which had been suspended for close to 10 yrs due to corruption) hence filling the gap left by the budget.
4.Upsurge of tourism industry.
5.Poverty reduction schemes eg Constituency Development Funds,Youth funds,Cheap housing for the poor.
6.Job creation in all sectors
7.Influx of Investors in the country making Nairobi a business hub in East and Central Africa.
8.Free health care schemes


The main Presidential Candidates for this years election(as at september 08 2007)

http://www.kenyaelection2007.com/images/kibaki.jpg

Candidate Party
1.President Mwai Kibaki - NARC

http://www.kenyaelection2007.com/images/raila.jpg

2.Raila Odinga ODM

http://www.kenyaelection2007.com/images/kalonzo2_a.jpg

3.Kalonzo Musyoka ODM-Kenya

Narc? President Kibaki hasn't stated which ticket he is running on. Whichever party it will be, it will have to have a national outlook for him to sail through in this election. This will be a tough race though.

Kenya's first-past-the-post plurality voting system means that Kibaki is the most likely winner. Unless the opposition can unite, Kibaki, with Moi at his back, should be able to take a plurality of the votes. Now, if Kenya had a runoff system with multiple rounds, where 50% plus 1 was needed to win, Kenyan elections would change dramatically.

Kibaki keeps Kenyans guessing on next political move

Story by ODHIAMBO ORLALE
Publication Date: 9/9/2007



President Kibaki yesterday steered clear of politics when he attended the national prayer day at Uhuru Park in Nairobi.

He however hinted that he would “talk politics” soon.

President Kibaki shakes hands with some religious leaders at the Inter-denominational prayers held at Nairobi’s Uhuru Park grounds yesterday. Photo/PETERSON GITHAIGA
The hint was taken by political analysts to mean that the President would name the party he would use to seek re-election.

The other major political parties, ODM and ODM Kenya, have carried out their presidential nominations and are preparing for electoral battle.

Others could interpret the President’s statement as a hint that he would soon name the day of the election.

There has been speculating that the elections will be held around December 17.

In addition to naming his party of choice, the President is expected to dissolve Parliament to pave the way for the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) to set the election timetable and date.

The President asked Kenyans to shun leaders whom he accused of promoting ethnic and religious differences in order to get votes.

At the moment, President Kibaki, who was elected on a National Rainbow Coalition nomination in 2002, has a handful of the so-called Kibaki-friendly political parties wooing him to be their nominee.

Face it out at the ballot

Once the Head of State names his party of choice, he is likely to face it out at the ballot with his two former Cabinet ministers, Mr Raila Odinga of ODM and Mr Kalonzo Musyoka of ODM Kenya. Mr Odinga, who is also the Lang’ata MP and Mr Musyoka, the Mwingi North MP, have already been nominated by the respective parties.

The President also has scores of lobby groups that have already kicked off campaigns for his re-election. These groups include Kibaki Tena, Vijana Na Kibaki and Warembo Na Kibaki. The Kibaki-friendly parties include the Democratic Party of Kenya (DP), which he founded in 1991, the National Rainbow Coalition Party of Kenya (Narc-K), Ford Kenya, Ford People, Sisi Kwa Sisi, Spark and Shirikishio Party of Kenya.

A co-ordinating committee of the said parties, chaired by Science and Technology minister Dr Noah Wekesa, has been meeting and inviting Health minister, Mrs Charity Ngilu, who is the chairperson of Narc, to join them and support President Kibaki. The Health minister has severally rebuffed them but indications are that she is willing to co-operate with the committee.

Yesterday’s hint by the President came a day after the Wekesa committee postponed the naming of the President’s party of choice, dubbed the “grand coalition” saying they needed more time for further consultations. But sources in the committee, whose members have been meeting at a Naivasha hotel, revealed that they had resolved their differences and would unveil the party next week.

Yesterday, the President said he was confident of winning the presidential election because of his development record.

“I will not talk politics today because the day was reserved for the national prayers. Kenyans who have eyes have seen what my Government has done. But those who are dividing Kenyans on ethnic or religious grounds should be rejected,” he said.

During the short address, the President highlighted the achievements of his administration and told off his critics.

He said the rural electrification programme was being expanded and more water projects were being initiated across the country.

He added that the youth and women funds had been set up due to the improved revenue collection which he said had been tripled in the past four years.

He pointed out that more students were now benefiting from the free primary education and reiterated that secondary school students would not be charged tuition fees.

“We as a Government have endeavoured to expand all sectors of the economy in order to generate income, raise revenue and create job opportunities for our people.

“With these revenues we have increased the number of dispensaries, health centres and hospitals countrywide in order to make health facilities more accessible and affordable to the people.”

Called for tolerance

“The election day is only one and we should not allow it to preoccupy us all year round. Anybody who attempts to divide Kenyans on tribal or religious grounds should be rejected by the public,” President Kibaki said in his Kiswahili address.

He called for tolerance saying the democratic space had been widened by his administration so that Kenyans could enjoy democracy. Praising the church leaders for organising the national day of prayer – the second such day – he appealed to Kenyans to remain united.

“I am encouraged that we prayed for the nation ahead of the General Election that is due later this year. An event that takes place in just a day should not consume all our energies for such a long time, or be allowed to create divisions amongst us,” he said.

The Head of State was among more than 5,000 Christians who attended the function at Uhuru Park, Nairobi also attended by Cabinet ministers Mr Amos Kimunya (Finance) and Mr Mutua Katuku (Water), Attorney General Mr Amos Wako. Others were assistant ministers Ms Betty Tett and Mrs Beth Mugo and Government chief whip Mr Norman Nyagah.

ODM Kenya presidential leaders Mr Kalonzo Musyoka and Dr Julia Ojiambo and MPs allied to ODM Mr Joe Nyagah (Gachoka) and Mr William Omondi (Kasarani) also attended the event.

Kenya's first-past-the-post plurality voting system means that Kibaki is the most likely winner. Unless the opposition can unite, Kibaki, with Moi at his back, should be able to take a plurality of the votes. Now, if Kenya had a runoff system with multiple rounds, where 50% plus 1 was needed to win, Kenyan elections would change dramatically.
^^
You are dead on right Carver. The entire election mechanism is twisted in favour of president Kibaki and a divided opposition will just make the journey back to the presidency so easy for him. The opposition had wanted the system changed but it just was't successful-they clamoured for it too late. I believe the runoff system is the most fair way of selecting the president as it gives a better representation of the peoples choice.

Kenya's first-past-the-post plurality voting system means that Kibaki is the most likely winner. Unless the opposition can unite, Kibaki, with Moi at his back, should be able to take a plurality of the votes. Now, if Kenya had a runoff system with multiple rounds, where 50% plus 1 was needed to win, Kenyan elections would change dramatically.
^^
Moi should just stay away from this election. We had enough of this dude for 24 years and frankly if I were Kibaki, I wolud personally deliver him to the Hague (ICC) for crimes against humanity. It makes me wonder what Kibaki has to gain from his former ''arch-enemy" other than the Rift Valley votes.

^^
Moi should just stay away from this election. We had enough of this dude for 24 years and frankly if I were Kibaki, I wolud personally deliver him to the Hague (ICC) for crimes against humanity. It makes me wonder what Kibaki has to gain from his former ''arch-enemy" other than the Rift Valley votes.

Kibaki has nothing more to gain other than the Rift valley votes.How can he say no to 2 million votes?this would surely seal a victory for him.

One question, is their only one round of voting? Or can it be two rounds if any given canidate doesn't win atleast 50% of the vote come the first round? Also is voting compulsory?

QUOTE=Alex Roney;15266411]One question, is their only one round of voting? Or can it be two rounds if any given canidate doesn't win atleast 50% of the vote come the first round? Also is voting compulsory?[/QUOTE]


This is what the constitution of Kenya says about the election of the president.

Election of President

Section 5
Provides for the election of a President and details;
• When elections are to be held after parliament dissolves
• Qualifications of candidates
• manner of nomination of candidates
• Determination of the winner or whether to call for fresh election or a run off between the first and second best scorer of votes.

Section 6
Provides for holding of an election in any other circumstances e.g. death or resignation of the President. The rest of provisions in section 5 apply


NOTE:
• No candidate can be declared a winner under sections 5 and 6 unless he/she also is elected as a member of the National Assembly in some parliamentary constituency.

• The winner must receive more valid votes than any of the other candidates and in addition score at least 25% of the valid votes cast in the election in at least five of the eight provinces into which Kenya is divided. This allows a candidate to validly win with a minority vote so long as he/she satisfies these conditions.

Section 7
Provides that the President assumes office as soon as he is declared elected. He or she is declared elected by the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) under section 5.

Section 9
Provides for the term of office of a President as two terms of 5 years each, but even after the term come to an end he/she remains in office until a replacement assumes office. The section also bars the President from holding an office of profit or any office in a professional or labour organization or engaging in any professional activity or any other public employment.

Section 10
Deals with the determination of the validity of the election of a President

Section 12
Deals with removal of a President on grounds of incapacity to discharge his/her State functions.

Section 11
Provides for the Vice President to act in the Presidents’ absence for a short period

^^
That means the president can be elected on a minority vote. A run off is only possible if he doesn't meet the 25% requirement in 5 provinces which is very unlikely in this elections (it would be possible if it were 50% IMO). Also Its not compulsory to vote.

Kibaki has nothing more to gain other than the Rift valley votes.How can he say no to 2 million votes?this would surely seal a victory for him.
^^
Actually, the Rift valley has almost 3 million voters. The tricky part is the number of constituencies that support Kibaki. Other than Nakuru district which is seen as Kibaki friendly with approximately 600,000 votes, ODM has gathered a large following in the rest of the province. Kibaki thinks that Moi may deliver the remaining 2 million votes to his side, even if Moi does still have some say in voting patterns in the north rift, I think Kibaki should be more worried about the other ODM politicians who will greatly influence their vote more than Moi ever would.

QUOTE=Alex Roney;15266411]One question, is their only one round of voting? Or can it be two rounds if any given canidate doesn't win atleast 50% of the vote come the first round? Also is voting compulsory?


This is what the constitution of Kenya says about the election of the president.

^^
That means the president can be elected on a minority vote. A run off is only possible if he doesn't meet the 25% requirement in 5 provinces which is very unlikely in this elections (it would be possible if it were 50% IMO). Also Its not compulsory to vote.[/QUOTE]

I see, if it was up to me I'd reform this system. So that a goverment is elected with a majority. Thanks for the info bro.

This is what the constitution of Kenya says about the election of the president.

^^
That means the president can be elected on a minority vote. A run off is only possible if he doesn't meet the 25% requirement in 5 provinces which is very unlikely in this elections (it would be possible if it were 50% IMO). Also Its not compulsory to vote.

I see, if it was up to me I'd reform this system. So that a goverment is elected with a majority. Thanks for the info bro.[/QUOTE]

You are welcome Alex. Our constitution is far from perfect and needs a major overhaul. That clause was one of the reasons Moi would keep winning elections even if a vast majority were agaist him. We need to overhaul the entire constitution for it to represent the wishes of the majority of Kenyans.

KIBAKI'S NEW PARTY

Kibaki to seek second term under PNU

Story by LUCAS BARASA and MUGUMO MUNENE
Publication Date: 9/17/2007

President Kibaki has formally declared that he will seek re-election on a Party of National Unity ticket.

The President’s decision gave a new momentum to the race for State House. He is being challenged by Lang’ata MP Raila Odinga of ODM and Mwingi North MP Kalonzo Musyoka of ODM Kenya.

“To safeguard the gains we have achieved to date and to attain the objectives and ideals we have spelt out, I have decided that I will seek re-election as President of the Republic of Kenya under an alliance that we have named the Party of National Unity,” the President announced.

The members of the coalition, which was revealed exclusively by the Daily Nation last Wednesday are: Kanu, Ford Kenya, Ford People, Narc Kenya and Shirikisho among others, the President announced. Each party will retain its identity.

Welfare of Kenyans

President Kibaki said the party was formed to address the challenges facing the country including tribalism.

“We have decided to form an alliance of political parties who believe that we should give highest priority to the welfare of individual Kenyans, peace, unity and development of our country,” he said.

The President said the alliance represented the desires of Kenyans, gave hope for the future and stood for accountability and good governance.

It is, in his words, “an alliance that says yes, we have made major economic and social strides but there is still a lot of work that remains to be done.”

He said his re-election vehicle was committed to reducing poverty and ensuring every Kenyan had access to food, shelter, health and education.

It also advocated for a stable and united country.

The President was flanked by his key supporters, including leaders of various Government-friendly parties.

They included the leader of the Official Opposition, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, who is Kanu chairman, Ford Kenya chairman Musikari Kombo, Narc Kenya’s Raphael Tuju, Ford People leader Simeon Nyachae, Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere (Shirikisho) and DP’s Sam Nyamweya.

President Kibaki did not name DP — a party he founded in 1991 and which nominated him to Narc in 2002. The DP played a key role in the formation of PNU.

The President only listed Kanu, Ford Kenya, Ford People, Narc Kenya and Shirikisho but invited other parties “who hold similar objectives to join us.”

He said a coordinating team of PNU would prepare for the formal launch of his presidential campaigns on September 29.

The President cited his Government’s achievements as some of the reasons he was seeking a second term in office, to complete the projects he had initiated.

Among the success stories he enumerated were free primary education, which has seen millions of children go to school, increased access to tap water, revival of agriculture and provision of markets for farmers’ produce, expansion of rural electrification and equipping of hospitals.

According to him, 1,000 hospitals had been built to take health care closer to people, communities empowered through the Constituency Development Fund, thousands of squatters issued with title deeds and 4,000 kilometres of roads built and transport network rehabilitated.

“We have been able to achieve all these because of support of all Kenyans and focused leadership that placed the needs of wananchi first,” the President said.

Leadership, he added, was about delivery of development and improvement of lives of all Kenyans.

“Leadership is not about vindictiveness and empty politics. It is not also about empty propaganda and tribal politics,” he said.

Hitting at the opposition, the President said he was saddened that some politicians were dividing the country on tribal lines.

“These politicians do not want to focus on real issues that affect wananchi. That is not the direction we want to see Kenya going. As a patriot and your leader, I will continue to dedicate myself to the ideal of national unity,” he said.

The President said his leadership was guided by the words of the national anthem: “Justice be our shield and defender, may we dwell in unity, peace and liberty.”

He thanked Kenyans including his family and First Lady Lucy, for the support they had given him in the last four and half years he has been at the helm.

The President also remembered his key allies who died after Narc came to power including vice-president Michael Wamalwa, Cabinet ministers Geoffrey Parpai, Mohamed Khalif and Karisa Maitha.

He also paid tribute to the Marsabit plane crash victims.

Government-friendly MPs and lobby groups campaigning for President Kibaki, including Vijana na Kibaki, welcomed the new party saying they would now hit the road to ensure PNU won.

Vijana na Kibaki leader Joseph Kioko said: “We will now mobilise the youth to vote for President Kibaki under PNU.

Yesterday’s launch brought together key leaders in President Kibaki’s political game plan, including Mr Kenyatta, who in the 2002 General Elections, gave President Kibaki a run for his money and ended as runner-up.

Vice-President Moody Awori, Mr Kombo, Trade and Industry minister Mukhisa Kituyi are President Kibaki’s key men in Western Province while Agriculture minister Kipruto Kirwa, Noah Wekesa (Science and Technology), George Saitoti (Education) and John Koech (East African Community) will spearhead PNU campaigns in Rift Valley.

In Coast, President Kibaki will rely on Mr Mwakwere, the Shirikisho chairman and Cabinet ministers Morris Dzoro and Suleiman Shakombo while in Eastern Province, the President’s pointmen include ministers Kiraitu Murungi, David Mwiraria, Mutua Katuku, Njeru Ndwiga, assistant minister Kalembe Ndile and MP Justin Muturi.

Mr Tuju, Mr Nyachae and Planning minister Henry Obwocha will sell PNU in Nyanza while President Kibaki’s pointman in Nairobi remains Sports minister Maina Kamanda.

Mr Kenyatta and ministers Amos Kimunya, Mutahi Kagwe and Martha Karua will campaign in Central Province.

Raila: This is our agenda

Story by SUNDAY NATION TEAM
Publication Date: 9/23/2007
Mr Raila Odinga on Saturday outlined the agenda of an ODM government minutes after returning to the country from a foreign tour.


Mr Odinga addresses a rally at Muliro Gardens, Kakamega. Photo/Jacob Owiti
A confident Mr Odinga also a sent message to his rivals for State House, President Mwai Kibaki and ODM-K’s Kalonzo Musyoka: Prepare for the campaign of your lives.

Outlining the priorities of his administration, if he wins power, during a press conference at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Mr Odinga said reforms were uppermost in his mind, especially cutting the powers of the President and sharing them with a prime minister.

“We do not want a situation of 500,000 Kenyans living in plenty while 33 million cannot afford a single meal a day,” he said, pledging to implement projects and policies that would take wealth to the majority, spur growth and create employment.

He proposed the creation of Usawa Restitution Instrument through which those who have looted public wealth will return it in exchange for amnesty. Those who do not will be severely punished, he promised.

Past economic crimes

His government, he added, will quickly deal with all past economic crimes and conclude all pending cases.

He later flew to Kakamega where he launched his campaign at a colourful rally attended by thousands of supporters.

Speaking in Nairobi, he criticised Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) director Mr Aaron Ringera for failing to use the powers of his institution to tame corruption.

“This man has traversed the entire world at great expense pretending to look for the principals behind Anglo Leasing when the entire nation of 33 million—from the parking boy to the chief executive — can tell him that Anglo Leasing is right here in Kenya. And it has Kenyan faces!” he said.

An Odinga government will scrap the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs but strengthen anti-graft institutions, the office of the Attorney General and Solicitor General to fight the vice. KACC, he said, will be changed to improve its efficiency

The office of the Ombudsman, recently established by the Kibaki administration, will be strengthened under the policy of a ‘listening government’ to ensure that the complaints of the public are dealt with expeditiously, he said.

To be implemented will also be the Public Officer Ethics Act where all office holders—civil servants, Members of Parliament and the President—will declare their wealth.

All appointments by the Public Service Commission will on the basis of regional and gender balance, he said.

Mr Odinga jetted into the country early yesterday and was welcomed by hundreds of supporters who had started arriving at the airport as early as 5.45 am, an hour before the candidate’s plane touched down.

Dressed in Orange T-shirts, caps and and carrying “Raila for President” banners, the supporters asked that he address them, before he headed to the Nairobi Hospital to visit MPs Mr William Ruto and Mr Omingo Magara who were injured at a rally in Kisii on Friday.

Speaking to his supporters, Mr Odinga said: “My message to Kenyans is that we will have a new government by December 31 and we will fight together to win this battle.

The River Nile has left Jinja and Nyayo (retired President Daniel arap Moi) and his group will not be able to stop it from reaching the Mediterranean (Sea).”

Mr Odinga was a way on a two-week visit fo the the United States and Europe when President Kibaki will vie under Panu and Official Opposition Leader Uhuru Kenyatta threw in the towel, casting his lot with the Head of State.

Mr Odinga, the Lang’ata MP, who is vying for the presidency a second time, said the resources of the Kibaki, Moi and Kenyatta families will not stop the ODM.

“We cannot pretend that we can marshal the resources they can and the instruments of coercion at their disposal. Our biggest weapon is that we are with the people of Kenya,” he said.

“We will mobilise people; we will move to all parts of this country, if need be on foot to pass our message to the voters.”

He made light of President Kibaki’s new coalition, saying he had watered down the political competition.

“President Kibaki has come with a mule instead of the horse they were promising. On one side you hear it is Democratic Party, Ford Kenya, Shirikisho or Narc Kenya. We are the only horse in this race and we will deal with them,” he said.

He was received by his running mate Mr Musalia Mudavadi, ODM chairman Mr Henry Kosgey, party’s pentagon members Mr Najib Balala and Mr Joseph Nyagah, MPs Reuben Ndolo, Joseph Nkaiserry, Mohamed Khalif and David Sudi. Others were Jesus Is Alive Ministries’ Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, former Head of Civil Service Sally Kosgey and a host of ODM officials and aspirants.

The ODM candidate described the alliance of President Kibaki, Mr Moi and Mr Kenyatta as a “conspiracy of fate” and urged Kenyans to support him to defeat them.

“Today, Daniel arap Moi who was evicted from State House five years ago has effectively returned there. And the man who served as his Vice President is in the same State House. And recently he has sadly been joined there by the official Opposition Leader, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta,” he said.

He claimed that President Kibaki won Mr Moi’s endorsement after promising not to go after funds that Mr Odinga alleged Mr Moi and his family have kept in foreign banks.

“Mzee Moi is a prisoner of President Kibaki because he sought the President’s support in order not to act on a corruption report implicating him,” Mr Odinga alleged.

Defected to ODM

During the rally, Information assistant minister David Were defected to ODM and said more MPs will follow suit in the coming days. It had been rumoured in the week that MPs associated with Housing minister Soita Shitanda’s New Ford Kenya were to defect to ODM at the rally.

But only Mr Were, who left his government-issue vehicle parked at Wilson Airport, Kakamega mayor John Khakabo and 12 councillors crossed over.

Mr Were met a hostile reaction when he tried to criticise the Government for allegedly failing to deliver.

There were traditional ceremonies to bless the candidate from Giriama elder Pekeshe Ndeche, and Luhyia elders Lukas Watakha and Joseph Khaoya.

Mr Odinga was given a shield and a spear, symbols of his obligation to protect the rights of Kenyans if he is elected.

The Lang’ata MP appealed to the President to ensure that the campaigns were peaceful.

“I am appealing to President Kibaki to ensure a peaceful election and if he beats me, I shall concede. But if I beat him, which I am confident I shall, he should hand over peacefully,” he said to cheers from the large crowd.

Mr Mudavadi accused the Government of being out to cause chaos by pitting tribes against each other. He asked ODM supporters to be peaceful, saying violence could derail their party’s agenda.

Mr Odinga called for the arrest and prosecution of Roads minister Mr Simeon Nyachae, claiming he hired youths to beat Mr Magara and Mr Ruto. Kenya, he said, should set an example for Africa by remaining peaceful and democratic.

In a humorous interlude, Mr Odinga said he was retracting his earlier declaration that this year’s election will be a two-horse race.

Bring a horse

He said: “I had asked President Kibaki to bring a horse but he has brought a chameleon. It has several faces. The race is now between a horse and a chameleon.”

Mr Odinga said he would keep his promise of free primary and secondary education.

“Some say we don’t have money. I know where it is. It is in the accounts of looters,” he claimed, adding that he was privy to information indicating that there was more than Sh700 billion of stolen public funds in foreign accounts, he said.

ODM chairman Mr Henry Kosgey asked the youth in Rift Valley Province to stop harassing matatu operators from Kisii.

Others who addressed the meeting included Mr Balala and Mr Joseph Nyagah. Mr Ruto was still recuperating from injuries he sustained during the Kisii fracas on Friday.

Mr Odinga is scheduled to tour Kericho District today and Kisii tomorrow.

I understand that the next steadman opinion poll actually has Odinga leading and this is causing lots of panic in government

I understand that the next steadman opinion poll actually has Odinga leading and this is causing lots of panic in government
^^
Raila is gaining popularity especially after Kibaki's turnaround to befriend the very people we voted out of power in 2002. Thats the main problem-all the candidates have a ''dark past'' in their associaton with Moi. I wonder if Raila can actually get hold of those responsible for past economic crimes. If he can do that and get the constitution process going, I'd vote for him in a jiffy. We need new faces if the past corruption cases will ever be solved.

I totaly agree with you, we need cleam people and I think we will have plenty of new faces come next year(except for the realy big names) everyone is so freakin tired of this parliament, once they knew it was hard to get rich by corruption, they just decided to inflate their salaries over and over again.its time for a change

I totaly agree with you, we need cleam people and I think we will have plenty of new faces come next year(except for the realy big names) everyone is so freakin tired of this parliament, once they knew it was hard to get rich by corruption, they just decided to inflate their salaries over and over again.its time for a change

I would rather pay huge salaries so that there is no need to steal government's money as opposed to have politicians award contracts to incompetent people just because they will get a kick-back.

I would rather pay huge salaries so that there is no need to steal government's money as opposed to have politicians award contracts to incompetent people just because they will get a kick-back.
^^
The problem is that greed knows no limits. Some of these fellows will get their fat pay checks AND still get involved in corruption.:ohno:

Natioanal Security Service : Raila On The Lead - Today, 05:33 AM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Less than a week after Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki unveiled his new party and embarked on a rigorous re-election campaign, the National Security Intelligence Service has leaked a damaging report, suggesting the president is headed for a resounding defeat in six out of the country's eight provinces in the national polls set for December.

The report says that, despite Kibaki's positive performance on the economic front and his provision of free primary education, public sentiment is against him standing for a second term because of what is seen as his failure to pursue individuals guilty of corruption.

The security report contradicts international opinion polls of the past four years, which had until July consistently placed Kibaki ahead of other presidential hopefuls, even before he announced his intention to seek a second and final term.

The report, commissioned by the state to gauge public sentiment before Kibaki formally launches his campaign on September 29, was published on Tuesday by a local daily newspaper. It showed that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) led by Raila Odinga enjoys a significant lead in Nyanza province with 86% of the vote, in Rift Valley province with 70%, North Eastern province with 67%, Coast province with 64%, Nairobi 56% and Western province with 54%.

Kibaki has Central province, his home turf, and Eastern province under his belt, leading by 98% and 70% respectively.

The report's findings have created panic in his camp. Last week Kibaki and his supporters were forced to delay by a day the start of "an official working tour" of Western province, an opposition stronghold, to unveil his hurriedly created new coalition -- the Party of National Unity.

Until recently the president's campaign had been hamstrung by a decision by ruling party member and Health Minister Charity Ngilu's refusal to allow the president to run on the National Rainbow Coalition platform, which propelled him to power in 2002.

In protest against entrenched ethnicity and corruption in the government, Ngilu declined to allow Kibaki to use the coalition as his re-election vehicle. The president's defection from the coalition has since precipitated a near-constitutional crisis as Parliament has not been dissolved to pave the way for fresh realignments.

ODM-Kenya presidential candidate Kalonzo Musyoka -- who fell out with Odinga last month and created a splinter party -- criticised Kibaki for breaching the Constitution by defecting from the party that brought him to power and sweet-talking the opposition chief into backing his re-election.

The leader of the official opposition, Uhuru Kenyatta, the constitutional head of the shadow government, has opted to support Kibaki, reportedly on the understanding that Kibaki will back him in a presidential bid in 2012. Kenyatta is the son of Kenya's founding president, Jomo Kenyatta.

Musyoka, a lawyer and MP, said that Kenyatta's decision to step down for Kibaki technically means that until Parliament is dissolved and an election date set, the House will be without opposition.

"The president is under obligation to dissolve the House and call elections. He and Uhuru have breached the Constitution," Musyoka said.
President panics as popularity plummets : Mail & Guardian Online
http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=319890&area=/insight/insight__africa/

Kulani< Kenyan MPs are the best paid in Africa, the aern more than the british Prime minister, and yet Parliament is still ranked as one of the most corrupt institutions in kenya.

Kulani< Kenyan MPs are the best paid in Africa, the aern more than the british Prime minister, and yet Parliament is still ranked as one of the most corrupt institutions in kenya.

Kenyan24, can you give me an indication of how much they earn in dollars per annum? Also how much the president and his cabinet earns. In South Africa, i believe an MP earns roughly around $91,000 per annum while the President earns around $185,000 per annum.

Kulani, the kenyan MP earns about $140,000. Alot of it in the form of allowances, while the president earns about $350,000.

Kulani, the kenyan MP earns about $140,000. Alot of it in the form of allowances, while the president earns about $350,000.

wow, that is looks high by international standards unless all allowances normally accorded to MPs are included. but what i do know is that the SA salaries paid to politicians are exclusive of accommodation and other kinds of allowances (travel) etc. So maybe if this includes those allowances, then maybe its not all that outrageous. I still believe that we have to pay politicians market related salaries to avoid corruption.

I would even go as far as saying we should consider paying performance bonuses to politicians as an incentive for performance just like global companies do. Then put stiff punishment for those who are caught with their hands in the government coffers. This will make it worthless to do corruption and better to just serve your country as you will be recognized with outstanding bonuses.

For example, the Minister of Housing could be given say a $250,000 annual bonus for delivering X amount of houses in 2007.

^^
Nice idea Kulani. I wish that would happen in Kenya. But who would monitor the MP's or their performance for that matter? Remember, they are all politicians at heart and look out for their interests first before anything else.

Tough penalties are hard to implement when even the top guys have their hands dirty from past dealings. In kenya, the government has introduced performance based contracts in its ministries and hopefully this will turn things around.The fact remains that Kenya needs new faces in its leadership to break away from its sad past.

ODM to draft new laws if it wins poll

By DAVE OPIYO
Last updated: Mon, Oct 01, 2007 23:58 PM (EAT)

ODM has promised to deliver a new constitution in six months if it wins the December General Election.

The party — whose presidential candidate is Lang’ata MP Raila Odinga — also pledged to implement devolved governance system to ensure popular participation in government. It also promised equity and social justice in a secure environment.

Party secretary-general Anyang’ Nyong’o made the promises after ODM leaders held a two-day meeting to discuss the party’s manifesto. The meeting was held at the Naivasha’s Simba Lodge.

Prof Nyong’o said the party manifesto would be unveiled after Mr Odinga hands in his nomination papers to the Electoral Commission of Kenya.

The ruling coalition, Narc, of which Mr Odinga and his team who are now in ODM were part in 2002, had promised to deliver a new constitution within 100 days of coming to power. However, this did not happen.

And when a referendum was held in November 2005, the group allied to Mr Odinga successfully campaigned for its rejection. Yesterday, Prof Nyong’o said that if ODM forms the next Government, the next constitution would be based on the Bomas Draft.

He gave the resolution after the National Executive Council retreat which was attended by Mr Odinga, members of the party’s Pentagon and national officials.

Prof Nyong’o said ODM would provide servant leaders who can be trusted and can deliver on their promises.

He also said the party was committed to free and fair elections and asked the electoral commission to exercise independence and competence in managing the electoral process.

“This should be by guaranteeing the safety of voter registers, the integrity of electoral officials and democratic voting on the day of elections.”

The Naivasha retreat also discussed the party’s campaign strategies and the presidential campaign launch scheduled for Saturday at Uhuru Park, Nairobi.

ODM cancelled another rally that was to be held last Saturday after police in the city cancelled it, saying the venue had been booked by a lobby group supporting President Kibaki’s re-election.

But on Sunday, Mr Mudavadi said the Government had all along been determined to block the rally.

Mr Mudavadi, who is Mr Odinga’s running mate, claimed that the party had information that their opponents wanted ODM supporters to clash with the police to portray the party as violent.
^^
Any views?

Do you think majimbo is the way to go? Dont you think i will lead to deepening of tribal divisions in kenya? What do you think?

Majimbo or Federal ype of system is quite an expensive undertaking,the administration costs will run into billions,this is not speaking of development projects,i think this is not the time to think of such an undertaking,considering the EAC is at an advanced stage.

Raila and ODM should show concrete reasons why Kenyans should vote out a government which has transformed Kenya's economy and made it one of the most competitive in Africa,provided free primary education,distributed free drugs for such diseases as AIDS and Malaria,massive road projects etc.

If a new constitution is Raila's key driver to Presidency,then he's not worth it.

Raila and ODM should show concrete reasons why Kenyans should vote out a government which has transformed Kenya's economy and made it one of the most competitive in Africa,provided free primary education,distributed free drugs for such diseases as AIDS and Malaria,massive road projects etc.

If a new constitution is Raila's key driver to Presidency,then he's not worth it.

That is a question the voters of kenya must ask themselves. Its amazing how the election is so biased on tribal backgrounds and the things that Kibaki government did not do, Kenyans should look at what has been done, what is being done and what is planned to be done in future by Kibaki and compare it (merit based) to what Raila proposes to do and judge from the two as to who will improve living standards in the country and bring long term development to the country.

That is a question the voters of kenya must ask themselves. Its amazing how the election is so biased on tribal backgrounds and the things that Kibaki government did not do, Kenyans should look at what has been done, what is being done and what is planned to be done in future by Kibaki and compare it (merit based) to what Raila proposes to do and judge from the two as to who will improve living standards in the country and bring long term development to the country.

Raila is set to release his manifesto soon,lets see what he has to offer.One of the Governments goodies is free secondary education.Meaning that Kenyans will have 32 billion kshs to spend on other things such as food and consumer products thus reducing people who live in abject poverty.
Its a surprise that some politicians were critical of this.Most politicians are just wining about what the government has failed to do.Did they expect every Kenyan to be smiling in just 5 yrs that Kibaki has been in power?

That is a question the voters of kenya must ask themselves. Its amazing how the election is so biased on tribal backgrounds and the things that Kibaki government did not do, Kenyans should look at what has been done, what is being done and what is planned to be done in future by Kibaki and compare it (merit based) to what Raila proposes to do and judge from the two as to who will improve living standards in the country and bring long term development to the country.
^^
My thoughts exactly. Only that it will take time for the electorate to see beyond the roots of origin of those they support and instead look at how the policies of the leaders they elect will transform their lives.

Raila is set to release his manifesto soon,lets see what he has to offer.One of the Governments goodies is free secondary education.Meaning that Kenyans will have 32 billion kshs to spend on other things such as food and consumer products thus reducing people who live in abject poverty.
Its a surprise that some politicians were critical of this.Most politicians are just wining about what the government has failed to do.Did they expect every Kenyan to be smiling in just 5 yrs that Kibaki has been in power?
^^
Im all smiles for what Kibaki has managed to do.:) :) :) Though I believe kibaki could have done better on many areas as well.

Majimbo or Federal ype of system is quite an expensive undertaking,the administration costs will run into billions,this is not speaking of development projects,i think this is not the time to think of such an undertaking,considering the EAC is at an advanced stage.

Raila and ODM should show concrete reasons why Kenyans should vote out a government which has transformed Kenya's economy and made it one of the most competitive in Africa,provided free primary education,distributed free drugs for such diseases as AIDS and Malaria,massive road projects etc.

If a new constitution is Raila's key driver to Presidency,then he's not worth it.
^^
Like it or not. Kenya needs a new constitution. That is the only way we can ensure that the gains made in the last 5 years are consolidated. If economic growth and social transformation are to take place and continue the momentum that has began, it needs to have a strong backing from the laws governing the land.

Do you think majimbo is the way to go? Dont you think i will lead to deepening of tribal divisions in kenya? What do you think?
^^
Maybe we can have federalism and regionalism in around 10 years from now when:
1.We think of ourselves first as Kenyans before tribe or race.(most likely under an EAF government)

2.We ensure the less developed parts of the country match the social and economic standards of the rest of the country.

^^
Like it or not. Kenya needs a new constitution. That is the only way we can ensure that the gains made in the last 5 years are consolidated. If economic growth and social transformation are to take place and continue the momentum that has began, it needs to have a strong backing from the laws governing the land.

I do agree a new constitution is very much needed,but Raila's ultimate goal should be econmic growth,he should be speaking of economic reforms which will better the lives of Kenyans,how he will make Kenya investor friendly, how he will deal with the Slums and squatters,what he will do for the marginalized communities in the North Rift,how he will stem out corruption and lastly how he will deal with issues of insecurity.Nyway,lets wait fo his manifesto and see his plans.

Polls will not affect growth

Story by MAZERA NDURYA
Publication Date: 10/5/2007

The US government is confident that the economic growth recorded in the past five years will not be affected by the elections because it has been achieved collectively.

Ambassador Michael Ranneberger said yesterday that Kenya had received steady growth over the period, adding that the gains had not been realised through individual effort.

Mr Ranneberger asked Kenyans to exercise restraint during campaigns before the elections to ensure that the pattern of growth is not disrupted.

“The growth from under one percent to over six per cent is great and commendable and as development partners, we are convinced that the elections would not have any negative impact on it,” he said.

Mr Ranneberger was addressing the Press at the Mariakani Technical Institute after a dedication ceremony for Lifeworks Shukrani Factory.

The project, which provides training for vulnerable women and orphans and direct employment to 32 women, is a component of Roads — the Regional Outreach Addressing Aids through Development Strategy.

Roads is a five-year HIV project set up on major transport routes in nine countries in Eastern and Central Africa.

The ambassador repeated his call for the extension of Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) chairman Samuel Kivuitu’s term, saying he was a respectable figure locally and internationally.

Violence-free elections

“By saying this, it does not mean that we are taking sides, but we are trying to express our feelings that what the country needs is a vibrant and independent ECK that will oversee free, fair and violence-free elections,” he said.

Issues of child and women trafficking that have been rampant, especially at the Coast, would be easily eradicated through interventions such as Shukrani’s, the envoy said.

The Kaloleni MP, who is also the minister for Tourism and Wildlife, Mr Morris Dzoro, thanked the founders of the Roads project, saying the training offered would help youths, who are at greater risk of contracting HIV.

“The training opportunities... would help hundreds of youths get employment,” the minister said.

Raila: Kibaki has failed Kenyans

By RODNEY MUHUMUZA and RICHARD WANAMBWA in Makerere, Kampala
Last updated: Thu, Oct 04, 2007 00:13 AM (EAT)

ODM's Raila Odinga yesterday said President Kibaki had failed Kenyans and therefore did not deserve a second chance.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) presidential candidate, whom opinion polls indicate is Mr Kibaki's main challenger, turned a public lecture on East African economics into a campaign platform as he spoke of the alleged "tokenisms" of the Kibaki tenure.

"It [reconstruction] cannot happen if we have men of yesterday running the country," he told a cheering crowd, featuring mostly Kenyan students studying at the Makerere University, Kampala.

Many in the largely supportive audience inside Makerere University's Main Building went wild whenever the Langata MP made witty jibes at the Kibaki presidency. He claimed that while his party was calling for "reconstruction", Mr Kibaki is instead focusing on "patching up". Mr Kibaki, himself, however rarely attacks his opponents by name.

Hundreds of students, some of them bedecked in oranges - the ODM symbol - had waited anxiously for Mr Odinga and his associate Najib Balala after the duo failed to make it on time.

The students carried the candidate's campaign posters that declared him "the people's president". But when the duo finally showed up over an hour later, the students almost turned the lecture into a popularity contest between Mr Odinga and Mr Balala, even heckling the moderator for failing to specially recognise the latter.

Mr Balala, who is the Mvita MP, eventually spoke before introducing Mr Odinga, whom he described as "the captain of the pentagon".

Mr Odinga began by regaling the audience with his memories of Uganda - including a story from 1958 when he visited Makerere University as 12-year-old on a mission to see where his father had gone to school.

In keeping with the theme of the lecture, "The place of economics in a new East Africa", Mr Odinga discussed tackled colonialism, saying its biggest legacy was to divide East Africa.

"The people of East Africa were one," he said, describing himself as "an Afro-optimist" who believes in the ability of East Africans to single-handedly redeem the region.

Citing cases of corruption, ethnic discontent, crime and unemployment, Mr Odinga claimed his party had a clear plan "to answer all those problems".
^^
The guy is having an effect on the Kenyan community here in Uganda.

Kibaki a failure? For heavens sake, the country is financing 93% of its budget from internal tax collection! But what makes me happy is that Kibaki has set the bar quite high and if Raila says that he can do better (yet to be seen), then Kenyans have a wonderful future ahead.

Kibaki a failure? For heavens sake, the country is financing 93% of its budget from internal tax collection! But what makes me happy is that Kibaki has set the bar quite high and if Raila says that he can do better (yet to be seen), then Kenyans have a wonderful future ahead.

such remarks by Raila is what makes me doubt Raila's competency as a president,if he cannot recognise economic growth,why should he riun the country.But i guess,its politics and he has to say all manner of things so that he can secure votes.

u know i am proud of this guy kibaki. look at where kenya is right now in juust five yrs. its a 180 degrees turn around for the better. i think kenyans are at a stage where receeding into the moi(i HATE him) era is just unthinkable, that is why i have a feeling that no matter who becomes president it can only get better. THERE AINT NO GOING BACK

What caught my attention was his focus at the end of the article where he said he had a ''clear'' plan to solve the problems of corruption, ethnic discontent, crime and unemployment. I wonder what method he can employ to solve these problems that Kibaki hasn't tried already. Or maybe his more ''hands on'' or ''radical'' approach may yield some results.

u know i am proud of this guy kibaki. look at where kenya is right now in juust five yrs. its a 180 degrees turn around for the better. i think kenyans are at a stage where receeding into the moi(i HATE him) era is just unthinkable, that is why i have a feeling that no matter who becomes president it can only get better. THERE AINT NO GOING BACK

this might be true to some extent, but raila shows some tendencies of extremist ideologies.Eg when he told Kibera residents back in 2004 not to pay rent.he threw the place into chaos with landlords engaging in violent confrontations with tenants.
Raila does not have a track record of good economic policy making,during his tenure as roads minister not much improvement was seen compared to whats happening now.
His hardline stance on evrything makes me equate him to George bush.
He sounds like the person who can say,"Tanzania are being uncorporative in this EAC union,we can do without them."

Who will tame Raila's sometimes outlandish ideologies?lets hope even if he wins,that there is a good number of opposition MPs who will resist any attempts at abuse of power.

this might be true to some extent, but raila shows some tendencies of extremist ideologies.Eg when he told Kibera residents back in 2004 not to pay rent.he threw the place into chaos with landlords engaging in violent confrontations with tenants.
Raila does not have a track record of good economic policy making,during his tenure as roads minister not much improvement was seen compared to whats happening now.
His hardline stance on evrything makes me equate him to George bush.
He sounds like the person who can say,"Tanzania are being uncorporative in this EAC union,we can do without them."

Who will tame Raila's sometimes outlandish ideologies?lets hope even if he wins,that there is a good number of opposition MPs who will resist any attempts at abuse of power.

i agree with you. the man has a foul mouth and i think he is a little bit too much hands on and radical but what i meant was that on the economy front i just dont see things slowing down bcoz there are too many wheels moving and too many pple involved hence it is a little bit hard to stop it completely.

this might be true to some extent, but raila shows some tendencies of extremist ideologies.Eg when he told Kibera residents back in 2004 not to pay rent.he threw the place into chaos with landlords engaging in violent confrontations with tenants.
Raila does not have a track record of good economic policy making,during his tenure as roads minister not much improvement was seen compared to whats happening now.His hardline stance on evrything makes me equate him to George bush.
He sounds like the person who can say,"Tanzania are being uncorporative in this EAC union,we can do without them."

Who will tame Raila's sometimes outlandish ideologies?lets hope even if he wins,that there is a good number of opposition MPs who will resist any attempts at abuse of power.
^^
Remember, Raila started off well on the roads issue by reclaiming land meant for the by-passes. What I think happened was that some quarters (feeling threatened by Raila's growing popularity) in treasury were slow in releasing funds for major projects. Anyway, Raila does have a history of shifting base to suit his political ambitions. His inconsistency is my main problem with him.

Raila is the youth’s favourite candidate

Story by JEFF OTIENO
Publication Date: 10/8/2007

ODM presidential candidate Raila Odinga is the most popular candidate among the youth while President Kibaki draws much of his support from Kenyans above 50 years.

According to three surveys commissioned by the Daily Nation last week, Mr Odinga is still Kenya’s favourite choice for the top seat.

All the polls show Mr Odinga extending his lead compared to last week. Two show the President losing marginally, while another has him gaining a percentage point.

Mr Musyoka’s support on the other hand has declined marginally in all the three polls.

The latest opinion polls show a high percentage of the youth between ages 18 to 35 years would vote for Mr Odinga if the General Election was called today.

The survey shows President Kibaki enjoys the unwavering support of the citizens aged above 50 years.

Mr Odinga leads not only among the youth, but also the working population, while President Kibaki tops among pensioners and older citizens. Kenya’s official retirement age is 55 years.

The polls done by three research companies –Infotrack Harris, Consumer Insight and Strategic Research – show that ODM-K flag bearer, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, draws almost constant support across the age groups, albeit polling less numbers than his two rivals.

The leading cause of dissatisfaction in the Kibaki administration, according to one of the opinion polls, is the President’s failure to fight corruption, with 75 per cent of those interviewed by Infotrack expressing their displeasure, followed by inability to tackle insecurity at 60 per cent, unemployment (59 per cent), tribalism (54 per cent) and selective development (45 per cent).

The studies also predict that this year’s election will be highly competitive compared to the 2002 General Election, with 99 per cent of Kenya’s 14.2 million registered voters saying they will cast their ballot on D-Day.

According to Consumer Insight polls, in the 18-24 age bracket, Mr Odinga leads his rivals in popularity ratings by 48 per cent, followed by President Kibaki at 36 per cent and Mr Musyoka coming third at 14 per cent.

In the 25-34 age group Mr Odinga tops by 47 per cent, President Kibaki second at 40 and lastly Mr Musyoka at 13 per cent.

Odinga still leading

The Consumer Insight polls also show that in the 35-44 age group, Mr Odinga’s support stands at 47 per cent, President Kibaki’s at 39 and Mr Musyoka’s at 13.

Mr Odinga still leads in the 45 to 54 age group with 46 per cent, followed by President Kibaki at 43 and Mr Musyoka at 11.

Among the 55 years-plus population, Mr Kibaki turns the tables on his rivals leading by 52 per cent followed by Mr Odinga at 34 and Mr Musyoka (13).

Strategic Research polls shows almost similar results with Mr Odinga leading by 49.3 per cent in the 18-24 age group, followed by President Kibaki at 38.1 and Mr Musyoka 12.4.

In the 25-39 age category the ODM flag bearer leads the pack with 52.3 per cent, President Kibaki (36.9) and Mr Musyoka (10.8).

The poll conducted by Strategic Research says in the 30-34 age category Mr Odinga’s support is at 46.7 per cent, Mr Kibaki 42.6 and Mr Musyoka 10.7. In the 35-39 age category Mr Odinga leads with 46.7 per cent, followed by President Kibaki at 42.6 and Mr Musyoka with 10.7

In the 40-44 age group, ODM’s Odinga heads the list with 51 per cent , followed by President Kibaki at 41.9 and Mr Musyoka at 7.1. In the 45-49 age group, Mr Odinga leads with 51.9 per cent, followed by President Kibaki at 37.4 and lastly Mr Musyoka with 10.7 cent

Those aged between 50 and 54, on the other hand, prefer President Kibaki (49.5), followed by Mr Odinga (35.6) and Mr Musyoka (14.9). President Kibaki also tops the list among Kenyans aged over 60 years with a comfortable 55.7 per cent rating, followed by Mr Odinga (32.9 per cent) and Mr Musyoka (11.4 per cent)

Lastly, the Infotrack poll puts Mr Odinga ahead in the 18-24 years age group by 21 per cent, followed closely by Mr Musyoka at 20, President Kibaki at 15 and the undecided at 32.

Those aged 25 and 34 years prefer Mr Musyoka (24 per cent), followed closely by Mr Odinga at 23 per cent), President Kibaki (16 per cent) and the undecided group at 34 per cent.

Mr Musyoka still leads among those aged between 35 and 44 years at 25 per cent, followed by Mr Odinga (21), President Kibaki (18) and the undecided group (24).

On voting by gender, the Strategic Research polls show that among those voting for President Kibaki 51.7 per cent would be female and 48.3 male, while those casting their ballots for ODM’s Odinga, 50.8 per cent would be male and 49.4 per cent female.

Those preferring ODM-K’s Musyoka as their choice for the country’s most powerful seat, would be 52.9 female and 47.8 male.

The polls done by Consumer Insight show that Mr Odinga would get higher votes than his two rivals among the registered male and female voters. Among the males, ODM’s flag bearer leads by 47 per cent, followed by President Kibaki at 39 and lastly Mr Musyoka at 13.

Among the registered female voters, Mr Odinga would get 44 per cent, closely followed by President Kibaki at 43 and lastly Mr Musyoka at 13.

An analysis according to gender by Infotrack shows that if elections were held today, those who would vote for Mr Odinga would be 57 per cent male and 43 female, while President Kibaki voters would comprise 50.3 per cent male and 49 female.

51 per cent female

Mr Musyoka’s voters on the other hand will be 49 per cent male and 51 female.

In two of the three polls, Mr Odinga’s rating has increased by between two and three points, while one shows that it has remained unchanged in the past two weeks.

Two of the three polls show that President Kibaki’s rating has declined marginally, while one shows that it has been increasing since the launch of the umbrella Party of National Unity (PNU).

An analysis of voting by level of education, done by Strategic Research, shows that Mr Odinga is more popular among those with secondary education (52.7 per cent) followed by those with university education at 51.2 per cent, primary education (46.6), no formal education (41.1) and post-graduate education (11.1).


President Kibaki’s rating is highest among those with post-graduate education at 44.4 per cent, followed closely by those with no formal education at 44.3, primary (42.8), university (37.8) and secondary education (37).

Mr Musyoka, on the other hand is mostly liked by those with post-graduate education (44.4), followed by voters with no formal education (14.6), university education (10.8), primary education (10.6) and lastly secondary education (10.3).

Don’t gamble with your lives, says Kibaki

Story by WATORO KAMAU and KENNEDY MASIBO
Publication Date: 10/8/2007

President Kibaki says Kenyans should not gamble with their lives in choosing the country’s leadership.

Speaking in Nakuru where he took his re-election campaign on Saturday, the President urged Kenyans to carefully scrutinise his opponents’ track record before casting votes in their favour.

“You should not experiment or gamble with your lives. You need to ask yourself what some of these leaders have achieved in the past, some of them having been in the government,” the president said.

The outcome of the elections, the President said, would have profound impact on their future lives of Kenyans, and urged them to choose wisely and cast their votes in large numbers.

The President said his opponents had failed in their responsibilities when they served as government ministers and had nothing useful to offer Kenyans.

The President, who addressed a huge rally at Afraha Stadium, said his government had revived vital sectors of the economy and improved the lives of Kenyans.

Present were Vice-President Moody Awori, Kanu chairman Uhuru Kenyatta, Ford-Kenya chairman Musikari Kombo, DP chairman, Joseph Munyao, Shirikisho party leader Chirau Ali Mwakwere and Narc-Kenya chairman Raphael Tuju.

Others were Cabinet ministers Professor George Saitoti, Mr John Munyes, Mr Suleiman Shakombo, Ms Martha Karua, Mr John Michuki, Mr Njenga Karume, Mr Peter Ndwiga and Mr Amos Kimunya.

Also in the meeting were Kerio South MP Nicholas Biwott and assistant ministers Moses Wetang’ula, Stephen ole Ntutu, Jayne Kihara, Alicen Chelaite, Koigi Wamwere, Mwangi Kiunjuri, Danson Mungatana, Petkay Miriti, Wilfred Machage, Peter Munya, Kalembe Ndile and Muchiri Gachara.

Kanu MPs present included Paul Sang and Nick Salat. Other MPs were Macharia Mukiri, Waithaka Mwangi and Peter Gichohi Mureithi. Mr Mungatana, Dr Naomi Shabaan, Mr Ndile, Mr ole Ntutu, Mrs Chelaite and William Mirugi addressed the meeting.

The President left State House Nakuru at around 1.45pm and headed to the stadium in a convoy of over 100 vehicles. He waved to hundreds of people along the road to the stadium.

Leaders who addressed the rally urged Kenyans to re-elect President Kibaki.

“The President should be given another term to consolidate the foundation he has been laying. He is the only person who is not motivated by hatred and greed for leadership,” Mr Kenyatta said.

President wondered what new skills the presidential aspirants had acquired since they left the Government to warrant Kenyans to entrust them with the task of leading the nation.

He said those seeking the presidency lacked a clear agenda for the country and specialised in peddling falsehoods and propaganda to get votes.

The President said his government respects the sanctity of title deeds and urged the residents of Rift Valley Province to disregard those claiming that their land would be taken away from them.

He cited his government’s major achievements as the introduction of free primary education, provision of water, rural electrification programmes, road construction and improved prices for agricultural commodities.

He said the economy had registered an impressive 6.5 per cent growth while revenue collection had improved fivefold resulting in 93 per cent of government expenditure being funded with local taxes.

Mr Awori said the Kibaki administration would in future focus its attention to the welfare of the youth who constitute 60 per cent of the country’s population.

Mr Kenyatta, who said Kanu was united and committed to ensure that the President received another term, invited Mr Biwott to address the gathering.

Mr Biwott said President Kibaki was a nationalist who had rejected attempts by some Kikuyu chauvinists who sought to block former President Moi from ascending to power upon the death of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.

Leadership wrangles

Mr Kenyatta said Kanu would spearhead the President’s re-election bid in the expansive Rift Valley Province.

Mr Kenyatta said the party had resolved its leadership wrangles
and its members were prepared to re-elect the President for the party to be in the government.

Mr Mwakwere said Shirikisho party had resolved to back the President’s re-election bid as his government had achieved most of the things outlined in the party’s manifesto. Mr Tuju said some of the leaders seeking the presidency could plunge the country into anarchy.

“Some of these leaders have been using hired goons to harass and intimidate leaders who are independent minded and are going to reverse the democratic gains the country has achieved under President Kibaki’s leadership,” Mr Tuju said.

Mr Kombo said those seeking the presidency were motivated by greed for power, and urged Kenyans to re-elect President Kibaki for the country to continue enjoying peace and stability.

“Most Kenyans want the President to be given another term to continue with his development agenda. Ford-Kenya resolved to back the President as we know that unity is strength,” Mr Kombo said.

Hey guys,i think i have changed my stance on who i would like to win the presidency.

Now this is my argument:During the Moi rule Kenyans were willing to to vote for anyone who will promise them change.The economy was at recession and the country was in debt.
When Kibaki won,he was under pressure to perfom.Kenyans were optimistic that change had arrived.(in a survey in 2003 showed that Kenyans were the most optimistic people in the world at that time)

So this pressure from the wananchi to deliberate change saw the government initiate new policies development and restracturing of the workings of the previous goernment.Infact since the Moi government had run down the country,people were happy of every little change.
That is why Free primary education was marked as Kibaki's biggest achievement.

As time went by,people got used to change,they had more freedom to voice their concerns and the government had promised alot.People no longer could tolerate lack of service delivery in government offices,or hospitals.As the optimistic kenyans were rewarded evry now and then,they grew more demanding.
People did not wat to settle for less.And any sector of the economy that di not perfomed was highly criticized.

high level corruption was exposed and people demanded justice served.Kenyans had entered a new era of Democracy where people respected their rights.
This was demonstrated in the referendum for constitional change when kenyans voted against the governemt propsed constituion.

Now,where am i going with this? Imagine the Kibaki government got took over a country where people had lost hope in the government.Where Slum dwellers knew they woul never get out of the slums,poor parents did not send their children to school because of lack of ution money,the kenyan morale were soo low that people had learned to liove with it.
After kibaki took over,he sought to reduce the burden school fees,make better housing,create jobs and fix the dilapdated infrastructure.

Now fast forward to 2007,the avrage kenyan now,does not have the same problem he had in 2001.his child can go to school for free,he can easily get a loan to finance his expenses and emplyment oppurtunities have opened up.

The point am trying to raise is,Kenyans demand now are more sphisticated than they were back in 2001.in 2001,one would wish simply for a meal or place to sleep.Now a person will want lower intrest rates,better mortgage rates,higher salaries and fly overs to ease the traffic jams in our cities.

if raila wins,he has incredible pressure on him to perform.Kenyans will expect him to outperform kibaki. If Kibaki created 400,000 jobs a year,he has to create 600,000+. If Kibaki drew in 50 new invetors,raila has to draw in 100+.
Kibaki offered free primary education,Raila has to offer free secondary education.under kibaki,the econmy grew to a peak of 6.7%,Raila has to reach atleast 10% by the time 2012 reaches.

Hope you catch my drift now.Thats why i think Raila should win the presidency.I also beleive that Raila will not have a big number of elected mps,considering (KANU and PNU and ODM-K)
so the oppsition will be strong enough to pu him in check.

I very much appreciate Kibakis role in turning around the econmy,and he will be forever remembered,but we have to look at it like businss,Raila looks like a better deal to me.

Hey guys,i think i have changed my stance on who i would like to win the presidency.

Now this is my argument:During the Moi rule Kenyans were willing to to vote for anyone who will promise them change.The economy was at recession and the country was in debt.
When Kibaki won,he was under pressure to perfom.Kenyans were optimistic that change had arrived.(in a survey in 2003 showed that Kenyans were the most optimistic people in the world at that time)

So this pressure from the wananchi to deliberate change saw the government initiate new policies development and restracturing of the workings of the previous goernment.Infact since the Moi government had run down the country,people were happy of every little change.
That is why Free primary education was marked as Kibaki's biggest achievement.

As time went by,people got used to change,they had more freedom to voice their concerns and the government had promised alot.People no longer could tolerate lack of service delivery in government offices,or hospitals.As the optimistic kenyans were rewarded evry now and then,they grew more demanding.
People did not wat to settle for less.And any sector of the economy that di not perfomed was highly criticized.

high level corruption was exposed and people demanded justice served.Kenyans had entered a new era of Democracy where people respected their rights.
This was demonstrated in the referendum for constitional change when kenyans voted against the governemt propsed constituion.

Now,where am i going with this? Imagine the Kibaki government got took over a country where people had lost hope in the government.Where Slum dwellers knew they woul never get out of the slums,poor parents did not send their children to school because of lack of ution money,the kenyan morale were soo low that people had learned to liove with it.
After kibaki took over,he sought to reduce the burden school fees,make better housing,create jobs and fix the dilapdated infrastructure.

Now fast forward to 2007,the avrage kenyan now,does not have the same problem he had in 2001.his child can go to school for free,he can easily get a loan to finance his expenses and emplyment oppurtunities have opened up.

The point am trying to raise is,Kenyans demand now are more sphisticated than they were back in 2001.in 2001,one would wish simply for a meal or place to sleep.Now a person will want lower intrest rates,better mortgage rates,higher salaries and fly overs to ease the traffic jams in our cities.

if raila wins,he has incredible pressure on him to perform.Kenyans will expect him to outperform kibaki. If Kibaki created 400,000 jobs a year,he has to create 600,000+. If Kibaki drew in 50 new invetors,raila has to draw in 100+.
Kibaki offered free primary education,Raila has to offer free secondary education.under kibaki,the econmy grew to a peak of 6.7%,Raila has to reach atleast 10% by the time 2012 reaches.

Hope you catch my drift now.Thats why i think Raila should win the presidency.I also beleive that Raila will not have a big number of elected mps,considering (KANU and PNU and ODM-K)
so the oppsition will be strong enough to pu him in check.

I very much appreciate Kibakis role in turning around the econmy,and he will be forever remembered,but we have to look at it like businss,Raila looks like a better deal to me.

Fascinating read! However I think your concept is somewhat flawed, its one of those situations where the saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it" why change a government that according to its succeses in its first term ought to have the priveledge to rule again? Sometimes you get 2nd terms that are a little less ambitious and productive than the first term, since public pressure eases but thats not always the case.

You also just said that if Raila wins he would not get big number of elected mps. You always want your elected representatives to have the largest constituency it can possibly attain. The more political power, more ambition and efficiency in passing policy. The weakest governments are minority ones, who lack the power to pass any laws or programs. This could end in a 4 year time wasting period for the Kenyan people.

Fascinating read! However I think your concept is somewhat flawed, its one of those situations where the saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it" why change a government that according to its succeses in its first term ought to have the priveledge to rule again? Sometimes you get 2nd terms that are a little less ambitious and productive than the first term, since public pressure eases but thats not always the case.

You also just said that if Raila wins he would not get big number of elected mps. You always want your elected representatives to have the largest constituency it can possibly attain. The more political power, more ambition and efficiency in passing policy. The weakest governments are minority ones, who lack the power to pass any laws or programs. This could end in a 4 year time wasting period for the Kenyan people.

than fo9r your opinion,i actually want Raila to win because,if Kibaki Wins he might lose steam.Considering it will be his last term in office,he will not be gambling with anything.He has nothing to lose.

Raila on the other hand,will be under intense pressure to perfom.He will have to show kenyans that they removed a good government for a better one.And he will have one more term to un as presidency,which he will not risk to lose by letting down the Kenyan public.

Here is an intresting fact,if Raila wins,he will be the President of kenya and also mp of the constituency which has one of the biggest slums in Africa,Kibera.
You can imagine what Kibera slum dwellers will expect of him.

Confident swagger is no more: PNU could actually lose

Story by MACHARIA GAITHO
Publication Date: 10/9/2007
I SPENT THE WEEKEND IN President Kibaki’s backyard. And what I found was completely different from the confident swagger in everyone just a month ago when the issue of a second term was raised.

The confidence is gone. The realisation that President Kibaki can actually lose to Mr Raila Odinga is hitting home.

Many people are coming to think the unthinkable; that the President can actually be voted out of office. And worse; that the one seemingly poised to send him packing is the one they were told again and again is unelectable.

Right now, it looks like the election is Mr Odinga’s to lose. He is ahead in every opinion poll and would seem to be gaining ground with every passing day.
But there is still the question of whether he might shoot himself in the foot with some careless statements and actions. It would be so easy at this stage to forget himself and play the rabid revolutionary than the statesman.

There is the prospect of conflicting messages coming from all those who make the ODM Pentagon, especially in regard to such issues as majimboism and threats of punishment for past leaders.

There is also the galling over-exuberance exhibited by Mr Odinga’s supporters, including the angry and orchestrated responses, including threats, to even the slightest criticism of a candidate they confer upon God-like status.

Those are some of the factors that may cause second thoughts about the Odinga candidacy.

In central Kenya, the worry is real, and not just among ordinary citizens. One senses the same feelings of defeat and confusion even among the politicians.
The MPs and Cabinet ministers campaigning in Central Kenya are not talking about how easy it will be; but issuing dire warnings that the President could actually lose unless the voters came out in all their numbers to cast their votes.

Another common message is that failing to vote is actually a vote for the opposition. Central Kenya happens to be notorious for low voter turnouts.

It is amusing, actually, to observe figures who not too long ago bestrode the landscape as if it was their personal real estate. Now they speak in whispers as they contemplate life on the other side.

Reminds one of the worry and uncertainty that gripped powerful figures of the day in the last weeks of the Moi regime — people who had enjoyed two decades of untrammelled power.

The present lot, by contrast, have been in power for barely five years, and so it is hard to see why they even acquired an arrogance that suggested they would rule for life.

Now the hard reality is hitting home, and it might well serve to galvanise President Kibaki’s campaign machinery into some campaign offensive.

IT WILL NOT BE EASY, AND IT WILL not just be a matter of throwing money aimlessly and misusing the levers of powers.

The President badly needs to connect with the voters, and might just have left it too late after four years of a remote presidency.

The confusion in the PNU alliance does not help either. Whoever came up with the idea that the President alone stands on the PNU ticket while parliamentary and civic candidates compete against each other on their respective party tickets must have been an enemy from within. That arrangement is a sure recipe for disaster.

* * *

A bit of a puzzle here. It was Mr Raila Odinga and his band of Orangemen who “left” ODM Kenya to Mr Kalonzo Musyoka.

On departure, they took over the “original” ODM registered by lawyer Mugambi Imanyara, that they had initially protested was a Government ploy to steal the name.

Anyway, the point is that it was Mr Odinga and his group that moved out of ODM Kenya.

Now Mr Musyoka and his designated running-mate, Dr Julia Ojiambo, are demanding that ODM refund the Sh1 million they each paid in presidential nomination fees.

Why I find all this a bit confusing is that they did not pay any money to ODM. They paid to ODM Kenya, which they still control.

If anything, it is Mr Odinga, Mr Musalia Mudavadi, Mr William Ruto, Mr Najib Balala and Mr Joe Nyagah who should be demanding refunds, ODM Kenya having left the party after paying their nomination fees, and presuming there was a money-back provision.

Notable, also is that Mr Musyoka retained only the name, ODM Kenya, but it is his group that had to depart from the party offices and set up their own headquarters.

That is a scenario that is illustrative of our party politics. As frequently stated, every party has its owners.

So Mr Musyoka can grab control of ODM Kenya, but vacate the party headquarters and leave everything else behind, including records, banks accounts, furniture, computers, the works.

You see, all these things do not belong to the party; they belong to individuals. Thus Mrs Charity Ngilu may keep a tight hold on the handbag where she keeps in her custody the excuse of a ruling party, Narc. But when the owners of the building, which is supposed to be the party headquarters, decide to re-paint it in the colours of PNU or any other party, there is absolutely nothing she can do.

Fascinating read! However I think your concept is somewhat flawed, its one of those situations where the saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it" why change a government that according to its succeses in its first term ought to have the priveledge to rule again? Sometimes you get 2nd terms that are a little less ambitious and productive than the first term, since public pressure eases but thats not always the case.
You also just said that if Raila wins he would not get big number of elected mps. You always want your elected representatives to have the largest constituency it can possibly attain. The more political power, more ambition and efficiency in passing policy. The weakest governments are minority ones, who lack the power to pass any laws or programs. This could end in a 4 year time wasting period for the Kenyan people.
^^
On productivity, Kibaki's government won't lose steam as far as economic reforms are concerned. Thats the bedrock of his political ideals. Kibaki's formula is ''what is good for the Kenyan economy is what is good for all Kenyans'' (well at least the middle and upper classes of Kenyans who seem to have benefitted the most from his rule). I think we need much more than that. We need social and political reforms too. (From resolving land ownership issues to a new constitution). Kibaki is the most unlikely of the two to bring any meaningful reforms on those two aspects.

On Raila's support base, Just look at the areas where ODM calls the shots. ODM has massive support in 6 provinces out of 8 (excluding Central and Eastern Provinces). Nairobi is increasingly following its traditional role as an opposition stronghold. True, Central and eastern provinces do have large populations and though they may barely deliver Kibaki into state house, Kibaki may very likely have to form a minority government if the trend continues. Kibaki has to bring in at least the Coast and Rift valley provinces to his side before December.

Another factor that may make things difficult for Kibaki may be external forces. Some western governments may not be too happy with Kibaki's corruption score card and may even be less pleased with the fact that he is turning more to nations like China and Libya to carry out his development projects. They may opt for Raila to protect their interests in Kenya.

than fo9r your opinion,i actually want Raila to win because,if Kibaki Wins he might lose steam.Considering it will be his last term in office,he will not be gambling with anything.He has nothing to lose.

Raila on the other hand,will be under intense pressure to perfom.He will have to show kenyans that they removed a good government for a better one.And he will have one more term to un as presidency,which he will not risk to lose by letting down the Kenyan public.

Here is an intresting fact,if Raila wins,he will be the President of kenya and also mp of the constituency which has one of the biggest slums in Africa,Kibera.
You can imagine what Kibera slum dwellers will expect of him.
^^
Raila's Langata constituency won't vote for Raila just because he will improve the standard of living for Kibera's residents. They will vote just because "Its Raila." If populations vote based on personalities rather than issues, they can expect precious little from those they put in power since they will just be following a personality cult without questioning the effect (whether good or bad) his leadership will have on their lives.

^^

Another factor that may make things difficult for Kibaki may be external forces. Some western governments may not be too happy with Kibaki's corruption score card and may even be less pleased with the fact that he is turning more to nations like China and Libya to carry out his development projects. They may opt for Raila to protect their interests in Kenya.


It's things like these that make me very very wary about Raila. I like the fact that we're no longer as financially dependent on the West as we were during the Moi regime. My gut feeling tells me that if Raila comes into power he will reverse this and we will find ourselves, once again, begging for alms from the likes of Britain (whom I have come to dislike), and dancing to their tune.
Another think I'm wary about is Raila's plan to institute Majimbo-ism (Federal government). Bad idea. Kenya is too ethnically polarized as it is, and in my opinion, such government would just plunge the country into anarchy. :ohno:

I dont think raila will be able to introduce majimboism. Kenya is too small and too devided for that to be positive. there is also an issue with the constitution allowing this to happen. This would probably go to a referandum and as we have seen, the opposition loves this king of events.
I also dont like the idea of kenya having 1 president, 2 vice presidents, 1 prime minister & 2 prime ministers. How can 6 people be in charge. thats just way too many umbiguous positions to allow any Bills to be passed easily. The media bill, which i actually loathed was rejected by the president. If this was a 6 man leadership, it would take alot longer. If raila goes it alone. im cool with that.

all african leaders backed by the west ended up becoming dictators of the worst kind.
Moi, Mugabe, Idi Amin, Sadam, just to name a few. the west only cares about their interests in a country. not the countries wellfare.

we had a standoff between america & kibaki where we had to allow them to train in kenya or loose military funding. Kibaki refused and in the end america did nothing. They were just threatening the country to see how far they can squeeze us. Hope Raila doesnt reverse this trend.

than fo9r your opinion,i actually want Raila to win because,if Kibaki Wins he might lose steam.Considering it will be his last term in office,he will not be gambling with anything.He has nothing to lose.

Raila on the other hand,will be under intense pressure to perfom.He will have to show kenyans that they removed a good government for a better one.And he will have one more term to un as presidency,which he will not risk to lose by letting down the Kenyan public.

Here is an intresting fact,if Raila wins,he will be the President of kenya and also mp of the constituency which has one of the biggest slums in Africa,Kibera.
You can imagine what Kibera slum dwellers will expect of him.

The thing is everything that you've said is based on assumptions, rather than anything concrete or factual. We should base our decisions on policies, past record and future plans and by that token it seems reasonable to me that Kibaki wins his reelection.

so lets take a poll for all the kenyans on this forum. tell us who u would vote for and ONLY ONE reason why. is it the already proven kibaki, or the charismatic raila, or the calm politically 'clean' kalonzo? pliz keep it short clean and to the point.

here we go. Its got to be Raila for me because i liked his urgency for business, infrastructure and anti-corruption he revealed at KICC in june.

here we go. Its got to be Raila for me because i liked his urgency for business, infrastructure and anti-corruption he revealed at KICC in june.

i think Raila will win,he has a large following.i would also like him to win for the reasons i stated above.he will be under intensive pressure to perform which might translate to greater strides in poverty eradication.

thanx earnest. who else?

definitely Kibaki for me. He has a proven track record and has managed to turn the country around for the better in 4 1/2 short years.

I'm not Kenyan, but if I were I'd vote for Kibaki. With him you know you're going to get a reasonably competent and fairly successful government (not perfectly clean, but relatively good).

KEEP' EM COMING

For economic growth to take place, the people have to be empowered in the ownership of economic resources. An example of this is the CDF which has taken resources to the constituencies and thus opened up many rural areas that were hitherto forgotten by the central government. What Raila and the ODM propose, is a devolved system of government that will see the local government answer to the needs of the local communities. Those that claim that this is an expensive system fail to realize that with this system in play the central government will concentrate on policies with a national outlook, and leave the issues that affect the local communities to be dealt with, by the local government. An example of such a system is the South African government. The central government takes care of matters from a national outlook, whereas the provincial government like Gauteng Province, oversees policies related to that province.You can see this from their website; www.gpg.gov.za. Under this province there is the city government i.e www.joburg.org.za and www.tshwane.gov.za. This is the same system that the ODM with Raila as the flag bearer wants for Kenya. It has worked miracles for South Africa, and could work miracles for Kenya

These are excerpts from a speech by World Bank boss in Kenya which summarise why I support Kibaki.

You can get the full story here: http://allafrica.com/stories/200710051210.html

Kenya: World Bank Grants Sh28 Billion

East African Standard (Nairobi)

6 October 2007

Ngumbao Kithi
Nairobi

He praised the Government for the 6.3 per cent growth in the economy in the first quarter of this year. He said the Bretton Woods institution was excited by Kenya's ability to finance 93 per cent of the budget, an achievement worth being emulated by its neighbours." Many people have been asking how Kenya can reduce donor dependency this much. We must all realise that the history of this country's economy has been market driven with strong private sector participation," he said.

Bruce noted that Kenyans have high expectations of the current Government, but that five years was not enough to realise the dreams of every Kenyan.He said that Kenya and Ghana were rated among the top 10 reformers globally in a recent World Bank report 'Doing Business'.

"These are countries that made the most significant advances in the aggregate ease of doing business amongst countries in Africa," said Bruce.

He added that Kenya has had impressive development growth due to sound economic policies and good external markets for its goods.

^^
Need I say more?:cheers:

so lets take a poll for all the kenyans on this forum. tell us who u would vote for and ONLY ONE reason why. is it the already proven kibaki, or the charismatic raila, or the calm politically 'clean' kalonzo? pliz keep it short clean and to the point.
^^
Not quite decided but Kibaki for now, for the reason stated above (he's already proven to be capable of running things).

One thing is for sure, if Kenya is truly to develop it will have to pick up its growth rate. 6.7% isn't enough, the target should be between 8-10%.

For economic growth to take place, the people have to be empowered in the ownership of economic resources. An example of this is the CDF which has taken resources to the constituencies and thus opened up many rural areas that were hitherto forgotten by the central government. What Raila and the ODM propose, is a devolved system of government that will see the local government answer to the needs of the local communities. Those that claim that this is an expensive system fail to realize that with this system in play the central government will concentrate on policies with a national outlook, and leave the issues that affect the local communities to be dealt with, by the local government. An example of such a system is the South African government. The central government takes care of matters from a national outlook, whereas the provincial government like Gauteng Province, oversees policies related to that province.You can see this from their website; www.gpg.gov.za. Under this province there is the city government i.e www.joburg.org.za and www.tshwane.gov.za. This is the same system that the ODM with Raila as the flag bearer wants for Kenya. It has worked miracles for South Africa, and could work miracles for Kenya
^^
Acreed79, you have to realise that its not quite so easy to apply that form of government in Kenya. Unlike South Africa, our provinces are small and some do not have adequate resources to fund provincial budgets. They will eventually have to rely on the central government for funds (more or less similar to the situation in Kenya today).

The devolved system of government is the ideal form of government in the long run (IMO) Kenya is just not ready for it right now. I'd suggest combining some of our less productive provinces first and pumping alot of investments and infrastructure into them. Once they are self sustaining, then the devolved system will be perfect for Kenya. At least the CDF is a step in the right direction.

Local institutions also have to be strengthened first as they are still not quite able to deal with many issues independently at the local level. I dont think there is adequate time for that to happen if Raila was to hurriedly implement the devolved system of government. I can easily predict chaos as most administrative institutions (which are used to receiving directives from Nairobi and with hurriedly implemented guidelines given the time scale) fail to meet their obligations on their own and send a ripple effect throughout the economy (effectively bringing us back to the days when nothing worked).

South Africa took a long time to establish its devolved system of government. Kenya should also be given time to gradually change from its more centralized form of government.

One thing is for sure, if Kenya is truly to develop it will have to pick up its growth rate. 6.7% isn't enough, the target should be between 8-10%.
^^
Well, that is the target everyone is working towards. Both Raila and Kibaki are assured of promoting pro-business governments so economic growth will most likely not be affected even with a change of government.

^^
Acreed79, you have to realise that its not quite so easy to apply that form of government in Kenya. Unlike South Africa, our provinces are small and some do not have adequate resources to fund provincial budgets. They will eventually have to rely on the central government for funds (more or less similar to the situation in Kenya today).

The devolved system of government is the ideal form of government in the long run (IMO) Kenya is just not ready for it right now. I'd suggest combining some of our less productive provinces first and pumping alot of investments and infrastructure into them. Once they are self sustaining, then the devolved system will be perfect for Kenya. At least the CDF is a step in the right direction.

Local institutions also have to be strengthened first as they are still not quite able to deal with many issues independently at the local level. I dont think there is adequate time for that to happen if Raila was to hurriedly implement the devolved system of government. I can easily predict chaos as most administrative institutions (which are used to receiving directives from Nairobi and with hurriedly implemented guidelines given the time scale) fail to meet their obligations on their own and send a ripple effect throughout the economy (effectively bringing us back to the days when nothing worked).

South Africa took a long time to establish its devolved system of government. Kenya should also be given time to gradually change from its more centralized form of government.


South Africa adopted this constitution in 1994 and for the number of provinces, it has nine provinces. Not all the provinces have the same kind of resources to support, them, that is why the provincial governments do not operate 100% independent of the central government. When you look at Kenya, each province has unique resources that can be harnessed from the local communities. The coast province is blessed with being the entry port to the greater COMESA market as well as endowed with fishing resources as well as mineral resources, similar to Durban, Eastern Province is blessed with the recent discovery of coal and of course soda ash, ranching and agriculture, central province is richly endowed with arable agricultural resources, that can be further enhanced. Rift valley province is endowed with geothermal power, agriculture and wonderful tourist sites as well as ranching and fishing, Nyanza province is endowed with fishing as well as agribusiness potential and its location provides a spring board to the COMESA market. Western province is richly endowed with good agricultural land as well as the requisite human resource, North Eastern province is vast and the terrain makes for good tourist sites and well as the added advantage of ranching, add to this the possibility of oil deposits and you have a province with resources that can be used to spearhead a remarkable turnaround. Finally Nairobi Like Gauteng Province is endowed with the service, manufacturing as well as IT sectors that make it an engine for Kenya's growth. The Newly commissioned Digital village in Athi river will further enhance Nairobi's position as a premier service industry giant. One last thing Kenguy, this year the ministry of local government had all local authorities present their annual budgets as well as sources of income, this in addition to the local authority transfer fund, serve to ready the local authorities for a devolved system of government. The pieces are in play for this system and Kenyans wanted this system as envisioned by the draft Bomas of Kenya constitution. I therefore don't buy into this so called unreadiness given the evidence to the contrary. This is a system that will work for Kenya, and one that Kenyans want.

Federalism is fine for me. but i dont like the idea of one president, 2 vice presidents, 1 prime minister 2 Vice prime ministers. thats just wrong

One question Acreed79. Id like to know roughly how much of the budget (%) the central government in SA finances individual provinces. Especially provinces like the Eastern Cape or Limpopo. How do they manage their budgets? What are their sources of revenue? I just want to relate it with our own North Eastern province to see if they share some similarities.

Im all for federalism. I just dont want the entire process rushed just to satisfy some pre-election pledge.

Federalism is fine for me. but i dont like the idea of one president, 2 vice presidents, 1 prime minister 2 Vice prime ministers. thats just wrong
^^
The classic case of "too many cooks spoiling the broth".

i love ur opinions, i really hope that who comes in will not slow us down, just pray for our dear country and hope for the best. BTW it is hard to get this kind of discussions in ssc africa

I am really pessimistic about this federalism, i am not sure how better it would be than the CDF.If the cdf were to be allocated 65% of the budget that would mean billions in terms of available funds for each constituency.

But again,i believe federalism should not be implemeted in a hurry,restructuring of the adminstrativie provincial goivernment would take months if not years,new posts will have to be created,old redundant posts removed.a sort of parliament for each federal territory,that would be something new in Kenya!

I was thinking. If we federate in future under an East African government, can we have a federal government within another federal government? Kinda complex isnt it?

Raila widens lead

Story by LUCAS BARASA and JEFF OTIENO
Publication Date: 10/13/2007

ODM candidate Raila Odinga has extended his lead against rivals in the race for State House, shows a new opinion poll.

Mr Odinga has for the first time gone past the 50 per cent mark, opening a 16 percentage-point gap between him and his closest rival, President Kibaki.

Research conducted by Steadman Group two days ago showed Mr Odinga was a favourite for the top seat, leading with 53 per cent against President Kibaki’s 37 per cent and Mr Kalonzo Musyoka’s eight percent.

Research conducted by the same organisation a fortnight ago showed Mr Odinga leading with 47 per cent, followed by President Kibaki at 38 per cent and Mr Musyoka with eight per cent.

The findings mean that President Kibaki’s popularity has reduced by a percentage point, despite the official launch of his re-election campaign on the Party of National Unity ticket, while Mr Musyoka’s had remained the same.

Two per cent of the 2,736 people interviewed for the survey in all the districts countrywide were, however, undecided on who to vote for.

The polls presented almost similar results as those commissioned by the Nation, which are published every Sunday.

The respondents who were polled on October 10 and 11 were asked whom they will vote for if elections were held then.

President Kibaki and Mr Odinga received 25 per cent support in at least five provinces as is required by law for one to be president.

President Kibaki, however, failed to get 25 per cent in Nyanza, while it was the same for Mr Odinga in Central and Eastern.

It is only in Eastern that Mr Musyoka bagged more than 25 per cent of votes, with a 31 per cent rating.

Mr Odinga’s popularity rose sharply in his Nyanza backyard immediately he made it clear that he will be going for the presidency and it was last month that he started topping the charts after being named ODM flag-bearer.

He had the highest rating in Nyanza at 86 per cent, followed by Western at 71, North Eastern (66), Rift Valley (62), Coast (58) and Nairobi (52). The ODM flagbearer’s lowest ratings were in Eastern at 16 per cent and Central at nine per cent.

President Kibaki polled 87 per cent in Central, followed by Eastern at 52 per cent, Nairobi (35), North Eastern (31), Rift Valley (31), Coast (30), Western (25) and Nyanza (13).

Mr Musyoka had the highest rating in Eastern province at 31 per cent, Nairobi (nine), Coast (seven), Rift Valley (four), Central (two), Nyanza (one), Western (one) and zero rating in North Eastern.

Mr Musyoka was the favourite presidential candidate after the 2005 referendum, but started performing poorly when wrangles started emerging in ODM Kenya before Mr Odinga left for ODM.

Observers say Mr Odinga’s rising stature follows the launch of his Presidential bid and vision for Kenyans if elected president.

A huge crowd reminiscent of one that attended President Kibaki’s inauguration in 2002 braved the scorching sun to witness the launch at Uhuru Park last Saturday.

Major defections

The rally portrayed ODM as the most popular party and opened doors to major defections to the party, including former Health Minister Charity Ngilu, East African Community minister John Koech, assistant ministers Enock Kibungunchy, Samuel Moroto and David Were.

The launch of PNU in late September improved its recognition but did not change President Kibaki’s performance.

The Mwingi North MP is likely to attract more support after he officially launches his presidential campaign tomorrow.

One thing is for sure, if Kenya is truly to develop it will have to pick up its growth rate. 6.7% isn't enough, the target should be between 8-10%.

you can say that again

One question Acreed79. Id like to know roughly how much of the budget (%) the central government in SA finances individual provinces. Especially provinces like the Eastern Cape or Limpopo. How do they manage their budgets? What are their sources of revenue? I just want to relate it with our own North Eastern province to see if they share some similarities.

Im all for federalism. I just dont want the entire process rushed just to satisfy some pre-election pledge.

The share of eastern cape is approximately 15.81% of the national revenue allocated to provinces, for Limpopo its approximately 13.04% of the same. The national share of the budget for the financial year 2007/08 is 341,926,238,000, that for the provinces is 171,271,393,000 and the allocation for the local governments i.e municipalities and cities is 20,675,620,000, all figures are in Rand. Municipalities under each province therefore draw from the municipality fund. Every financial year in the south african gazzette a bill called the Division of revenue Act is published to break down how the income generated from the national and provincial level is distributed. Of note too, is the bill passed last year that permits the provincial legislatures to pass taxes or offer incentives with regard to the overall constitution, and these help the provinces improve on their competitiveness. The funds from the national budget have this year been allocated to projects such as electricity supply to rural areas rapid transit projects such as the ring rail projects in Mpumalanga ring rail project, Nelson Mandela Bay rapid transit system, Cape Town Rapid transit and Gautrain just to mention a few infrastructure projects.
One more thing to remember those worried about the positions to be created are all speculating, Personally I have no idea how many positions are to be created. However as in the case of South Africa the positions of deputy president were created to help in the healing process, by avoiding the notion that one party can win it all rather than share with the population. In Kenya's case we have 42 communities in order to foster national healing we need to start with recognizing that political integration is key to economic empowerment.
Finally let me point out a few anomalies with the present system, in a 55km radius of Nairobi alone, the following Universities exist; Nairobi University, Kenyatta University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, USIU-A, Strathmore University, Dayster University, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Aga Khan University Hospital and Nazarene University. I addition to this there are hundreds of colleges that offer accounting as well as IT courses among many others. The rest of the country has Maseno university in Nyanza, Masinde Muliro University in Western, Baraton University In rift valley, Moi university in Rift Valley and Methodist University in Eastern. This kind of disparity is what informs the push for a federal system. A child born within a 250km radius of Nairobi has a greater chance of being successful as an adult as opposed to someone born outside of this radius. This should explain why the country has over 47% of the population living in extreme poverty.

[QUOTE]The share of eastern cape is approximately 15.81% of the national revenue allocated to provinces, for Limpopo its approximately 13.04% of the same. The national share of the budget for the financial year 2007/08 is 341,926,238,000, that for the provinces is 171,271,393,000 and the allocation for the local governments i.e municipalities and cities is 20,675,620,000, all figures are in Rand. Municipalities under each province therefore draw from the municipality fund. Every financial year in the south african gazzette a bill called the Division of revenue Act is published to break down how the income generated from the national and provincial level is distributed. Of note too, is the bill passed last year that permits the provincial legislatures to pass taxes or offer incentives with regard to the overall constitution, and these help the provinces improve on their competitiveness. The funds from the national budget have this year been allocated to projects such as electricity supply to rural areas rapid transit projects such as the ring rail projects in Mpumalanga ring rail project, Nelson Mandela Bay rapid transit system, Cape Town Rapid transit and Gautrain just to mention a few infrastructure projects.

Impressive. I chose those two provinces as they are considered to be among the poorest ones in SA. Now look at Kenya's budget. The projected revenue for the 2007/08 is 428.9 billion shillings. If we take a look at our poorest province (north eastern) most of the money targeted for this province will go into water projects, education and health which will not ammount to more than 5 billion shillings. If we look at the areas economy, its contribution to the national economy is negligible (main economic activity-nomadic pastrolism). You can therefore see that there is no way you can compare SA's poorest with our own. That is why I suggest massive investment and infrastructure to get this province on its feet before we can even get to thinking of it running on its own. Or maybe we can introduce the two (economic development and federal admiinistration) concurrently.

One more thing to remember those worried about the positions to be created are all speculating, Personally I have no idea how many positions are to be created. However as in the case of South Africa the positions of deputy president were created to help in the healing process, by avoiding the notion that one party can win it all rather than share with the population. In Kenya's case we have 42 communities in order to foster national healing we need to start with recognizing that political integration is key to economic empowerment.

There is no way you can provide posts for every community in the land. Its true we need national reconciliation to foster understanding between our communities. The only way I see this happening is when we form political parties with a true national outlook instead of the current ones riding on the back of regional (ethnic) support since politics is the main factor in the polarisation of kenya's communities.

Finally let me point out a few anomalies with the present system, in a 55km radius of Nairobi alone, the following Universities exist; Nairobi University, Kenyatta University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, USIU-A, Strathmore University, Dayster University, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Aga Khan University Hospital and Nazarene University. I addition to this there are hundreds of colleges that offer accounting as well as IT courses among many others. The rest of the country has Maseno university in Nyanza, Masinde Muliro University in Western, Baraton University In rift valley, Moi university in Rift Valley and Methodist University in Eastern. This kind of disparity is what informs the push for a federal system. A child born within a 250km radius of Nairobi has a greater chance of being successful as an adult as opposed to someone born outside of this radius. This should explain why the country has over 47% of the population living in extreme poverty.

Let me add a few others: St. Pauls university-Limuru, P.C.E.A. university-Kikuyu and Great Lakes University-Kisumu and K.C.A university and Strathmore university in Nairobi. By the year 2009 we should have a university in Mombasa, Kimathi University-Nyeri, Mt. Kenya University-Gatundu. Im sure the list will grow longer over the next few years.

You are right. University education is largely screwed in favour of Nairobi but access to university education is rapidly spreading contrywide. In addition to new universities outside Nairobi, established universities have many constituent colleges. For example Kenyatta university has more than 10 constituent colleges countrywide offering degree courses, so its not always nessesary to travel to Nairobi to get a university education.

Definately the current president is a status quoist, and what he (Mwai Kibaki) has done in the past 4.5 years is nothing to take pride in. He renegated on all the pledges he made when taking over reigns of power, and has been mum all these years up until the formation on PNU, where he had decided to start campaigning in a new part to get re-elected.
Corruptions and increased tribalism has thrived under this governement, the 500,000 jobs a year have never been materialised, poverty is still rampant the common mwanainchi has not felt the 6.7% growth (inflated percentage growth - read on the change they made on how to calculate the GDP). All he talks about in the campaing trail is that he has enabled free primary education, the growth that has been experienced in the country and

But the thing that resonates with not only the ordinary Kenyan who needs to put food on the table everyday, is that the important issues that he was elected on such as 'the new constitution', 'tackling corruption - (which has thrived under his watch and if unchecked is said to surpass what happened under Moi and Kenyatta a combined 40 year rule)' and the major factor is 'change' - Kenyans yearn for change, and we have been short changed for over 44 years and 3 different administrations, each turning out to be worse than the one before.

Therefore the promise that is to be tested from ODM is the change that Kenya needs.

healthy and very informative discussion going on on this thread. i wish other african forumers should vistit this thread to understand the diff btn a discussion and childish arguement.

Kenyans yearn for change, and we have been short changed for over 44 years and 3 different administrations, each turning out to be worse than the one before.


i dont think this is true with the kibaki administration, yes they have not met all their goals they set out in 2002, but to say that it turned out to be worse than moi's regime? i dont think that is correct, but i have been away from kenya for 5 yrs and i have not expirienced the daily life and grind of a common kenyan. from what i read and saw in the month of august when i went to kenya, i think kibaki's govt has perfomed a thousand times better than moi. i still stand with my descision to vote for raila bcoz they(kibaki's govt) have failed in some major promises of, eliminating corruption, a badly needed new constitution and creating 500,000 plus jobs per year. someone said that for 2030 to be achieved the economy needs to be growing at a rate of 10% + every single year and that is absolutely true but frankly speaking, with mwiraria, kiraitu muringi, chris murungaru and the MT.kenya maafia i am afraid that is NOT attainable.

I will say one thing, Kibakis administration has moved us miles from where we were at 2002. The policies put in place have given Kenyans hope for better things to come. Kibaki is in an unfortunate position in that he took over from a dysfunctional regime. The expectation level of Kenyans is so high, that we are all bursting with renewed energy at the prospect of advancing the standard of living. The difference with this election cycle lies in the methodology to achieve these goals within a time frame that will keep Kenyans engaged and not despair. What all three candidates are agreed on is the fact that the economic momentum be kept on. Some view the path being propagated by Kibaki, whilst others Believe that Raila's is the way to go. Either way let us all engage in this process by contributing to each candidates blog as well as the blogs run by newspapers. By so doing, in our own small way we might be able to bring about issues and not personalities as the driving force in this election.

^^
Could you please give me the web links to some of these blogs? Thanx

^^
Could you please give me the web links to some of these blogs? Thanx

both the Nation newspaper; http://politics.nationmedia.com/, as well as the standard newspaper; http://forum.eastandard.net/ are the two main one, www.marsgroupkenya.org is another great site with good forum pages, my favourite site is; http://www.nairobist.com/pblog/index.php, this site covers the nairobi stock exchange and the companies listed there, as well as other topics, another good blogger is at this link; http://jukwaa.proboards58.com/index.cgi?board=general. There are plenty more if you click on the links on these pages. The more people talk, the ,more it becomes about issues which is a sign of a maturing democracy.

Wow! Thanks Acreed79, there is some fantastic debates going on in those blogs.... gives you a real feel of the issues:yes:

Kenya elections set for Dec 27

Daily Nation
By JEFF OTIENO

Kenya’s elections have now been set for December 27 as a new opinion poll released today showed that the presidential race was getting tougher.

The Electoral Commission released the election calendar in Nairobi today, setting the polling for two days after Christmas while the presidential candidates will be expected to present their nomination papers between November 14-15.

Parliamentary and civic candidates will present their papers between October 23-24.

The election date was made public only one hour after the latest opinion poll by Steadman Group showed ODM’s Raila Odinga maintaining his lead in the presidential race but dropping three points over the last two weeks.

Results gives Mr Odinga 50 per cent, President Kibaki (39 per cent) and ODM-Kenya’s Kalonzo Musyoka (8 per cent). The ODM candidate has dropped three points from the last rating by the same pollster two weeks ago when he managed 53 per cent.



President Kibaki gained two points over the same period to narrow the gap between him and Mr Odinga to 11 per cent.



ODM-Kenya’s Mr Musyoka has maintained the eight per cent rating in the last three polls by the same group.



The poll conducted between October 20 and 23, interviewed 2,718 eligible voters with the sample being drawn from all districts.



However, the pollsters attributed the latest outcome to the fluidity of the Kenyan politics adding that the numbers were bound to shift before the elections day.



Steadman’s political researcher, Dr Tom Wolf described the latest changes in results as minimal and within the margin of error of plus-or-minus 1.8 per cent.

^^
This Will be the longest Christmas for Kenya.

I wish to post a link to the Kilifi/wako draft constitution which explains a devolved system that was agreed upon by the present regime. It explains how a devolved system will, work. I will also attempt to get the bomas draft constitution so that everyone can form their own opinion. Just for the record both the bomas and kilifi draft provide for a devolved system of government which means Kenyans are generally agreed on the need for a devolved system of governance. Heres the link http://raila2007.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/wako_kilifi_constitution.pdf

I wish to post a link to the Kilifi/wako draft constitution which explains a devolved system that was agreed upon by the present regime. It explains how a devolved system will, work. I will also attempt to get the bomas draft constitution so that everyone can form their own opinion. Just for the record both the bomas and kilifi draft provide for a devolved system of government which means Kenyans are generally agreed on the need for a devolved system of governance. Heres the link http://raila2007.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/wako_kilifi_constitution.pdf

The bomas draft and Kilifi draft look good on paper. True, the bomas draft and Kilifi draft aim at bringing governance closer to the people and that is what everyone supports. The problem now is the way Kenyans interpret 'devolution of governance'.

The common Kenyan interprets the devolved system of government as ''regionalism'' (majimbo) where every ethnic group is supposed to reside within certain boundaries and run their own semi-autonomous governments (more like an ethnic based apartheid). This misinterpretation may prove disastrous unless the masses are educated on the actual devolution of governance (federalism) proposed in the bomas/ kilifi draft free of any ethnic bias. Given the time span, I'd consider it wise to leave this issue of implementing a federal government after election fever has cooled down and mass education can take place on the benefits/shortfalls of a federal government. A referendum can then be held to decide on a change of the governance system.

Kenya: Devolution As Defined in Drafts

The Nation (Nairobi)
ANALYSIS
29 October 2007
Posted to the web 29 October 2007

Nation Reporter
Nairobi

Both the Wako draft, which was rejected at the referendum and the Bomas draft, which was trashed by the Government have some similarities on the system of devolution, which has sparked controversy.

The two documents are in agreement about the principle of devolution which, to all, means transferring power from the central government to the people.

On the devolution chapter, both documents believe in equitable sharing of national and local resources throughout Kenya. The two also mention the district as an important unit of devolution.

However, the documents differ on application.

The Bomas draft proposes establishment of a two-chamber Parliament, while the Wako draft sticks to one.

The Bomas draft, supported by the two Orange parties, suggests the establishment of the national assembly, comprising 210 constituency MPs, plus nominated legislators and the National Council as the second chamber consisting of 100 members - one from each district elected by its residents and 30 from provinces to represent women interests.

The Wako draft, on the other hand, which was supported by the Banana camp, proposes a one-chamber parliament comprising one elected member from each constituency and one woman elected from each special constituency created for women.

According to the Bomas document, the reason for the establishment of a second chamber is to protect the system of a devolved government among other responsibilities.

The draft proposes four levels of government, namely the central government, regional, district and locational.

Regional governments, the document suggests, shall consist of a regional legislative assembly and a regional executive, same with district and locational.

But the Wako draft proposes a two-tier devolution, that is the central government and the district.

The district government, the draft adds, shall consist of a district assembly and a district council.

The two drafts differ on allocation of power at the district level. While the Wako draft vests legislative authority in the district assembly, the Bomas draft puts it all on the district council.

Kenya

Could the president be ousted?
Nov 1st 2007 | LIMURU
From The Economist print edition

Opinion polls suggest that Kenya's voters could produce a rare shock
EPA
AMONG the candidates standing for the parliamentary seat of Makutano Junction, a small town on a road out of Nairobi, the capital, are Hope Baraka, a young single mother, and Harrison Matata, the rich incumbent. Ms Baraka (her name means “blessing” in Swahili, the country's lingua franca) was a nurse with the United Nations before coming back home to the town, which is a bit more prosperous and orderly than the Kenyan average. Her bid for parliament has persuaded many Kenyans, not just in Makutano Junction, that women deserve a bigger say in Kenyan politics. Mr Matata (literally, “trouble”) hardly ever sets foot in his constituency. He stands accused of theft, electoral fraud and roughing up Ms Baraka and her supporters. Still, the election is likely to be close and millions of Kenyans will be gripped by the outcome.

If party affiliations are fuzzy and the names too good to be true, it is because Makutano Junction is the imaginary site of a soap opera on Kenya's state television. Its election will run parallel to Kenya's real general and presidential ones, now set for December 27th. The show is watched by some 5m out of Kenya's 9m or so viewers (in a population of around 35m). Many of its fans are undecided rural voters.

The show may even influence the real election. Opinion pollsters say the vote may be Kenya's closest ever. As in Makutano Junction, there are two leading contenders: Raila Odinga, aged 62, a sharp orator who is a son of Kenya's controversial first vice-president, and Mwai Kibaki, 77 this month, the modernising but ailing and sometimes sleepy incumbent.

Exactly who is hope and who is trouble is an open question. Mr Kibaki, a Kikuyu, is running on the platform of the newly-formed Party of National Unity (PNU), a loose grouping whose stronghold is the Central province (see map), the country's richest region, which is ethnically mainly Kikuyu. Mr Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is proving popular in the Western province, the Coast, the Rift Valley and Nairobi.

If the opinion polls are to be believed, Mr Odinga has a chance of toppling Mr Kibaki. The latest poll gives him 50% to Mr Kibaki's 39%, with 8% backing Kalonzo Musyoka, who also sought to lead the ODM and is now a spoiler. Yet Mr Kibaki cannot be written off. Despite his shaky health, many old hands still expect him to hold on to his job at the last ditch after disbursing vast dollops of cash and promises of patronage, and by assuring people that Kenya would be more stable if he stayed on.

But Mr Odinga appears to have the momentum. He is plainly the candidate of faster change. But he is as controversial—and many say as divisive—as ever, like his late father, Oginga Odinga. He tells of plots to assassinate him. Since independence in 1963, several of Kenya's leading opposition politicians have been killed, and Mr Odinga's father was put in prison for two years for challenging the founding president, Jomo Kenyatta, a Kikuyu.

But, in a striking departure, the latest polls contradict a long-accepted belief that a Luo, which Mr Odinga proudly is, cannot be elected president. A bitter joke among the Luo is that the Americans will elect a Luo president—a reference to Barack Obama's father—before Kenya does.

Kenyan politics remain fiercely tribal (see chart). The rules say that a winning presidential candidate must get at least a quarter of votes cast in at least five of Kenya's eight provinces, to prove that he (no chance yet of a she) has a modicum of support across the land. Mr Odinga has promised, if he wins, to make a leading Luhya, the second largest tribe, his vice-president. He has made it pretty plain that he thinks the Kikuyus have gobbled up too much of the economic cake for too long. And he has been assiduous in courting people on the poorer edges of the country, including the country's many Muslims, many of whom dislike Kenya's alliance with the West in its “war on terror”.

Mr Kibaki, for his part, has won the backing of the former president, Daniel arap Moi, a Kalenjin. But that may be a mixed blessing in view of the vast corruption that marred Mr Moi's long presidency from 1978 to 2002. Kenyatta's son, Uhuru, has also swung behind the incumbent.

In any event, Mr Kibaki and his PNU have been rattled by the efficiency of Mr Odinga's Orange machine. The Orange “Pentagon”, as the clutch of opposition leaders around Mr Odinga is called, looks solid. By contrast, the presidential party is a hotch-potch of Kikuyu loyalists and remnant parties that have gravitated to Mr Kibaki, often in the hope of staying close to the cash-dispenser. It has yet to choose its parliamentary candidates. If Mr Kibaki's inner circle handpicks the candidates, disappointed figures may defect to Orange.

So far, the PNU has responded to Mr Odinga's apparent popularity by trying to scare the voters. Mr Odinga, it says, would upset the financial markets. He is accused of being an unreconstructed leftist. Mr Kibaki's supporters give warning that Orange's plans for devolution would see Kenya collapse into tribal violence and even secession.

Not much of this, so far, has stuck. Mr Odinga, who backed Mr Kibaki at the last presidential poll, has brushed off charges that his East German schooling and socialist family background will make him a wrecker of banking or business. His family has its own considerable business empire. He endorses privatisation and even such things as road tolls. He wants tax holidays for foreign investors. He calls himself a “social democrat, a social capitalist”.



But questions remain about Mr Odinga's character. Even his supporters admit he is volatile. Some neutrals think him authoritarian. Few of his top Oranges are spotless; though he inveighs against corruption, several of them face allegations of graft. Many, including Mr Odinga, served as ministers in Mr Kibaki's government, which has disintegrated since 2002.

Moreover, the president can point to genuine successes. The economy is growing fast, his government has brought in free primary-school education and now promises free secondary schooling too. More tax revenue is being collected. Kenyans are freer to speak their mind, not least to a host of new private radio and television stations. The mood of the country, especially among the growing middle class, is happier than it was under Mr Moi.

Much depends on which side manages to frame the debate. Mr Odinga will hammer away at Mr Kibaki's broken promises, particularly on corruption, which has gone disgracefully unpunished. The vote of the suave Mr Musyoka, a Kamba, may also be pivotal. If suitably rewarded, he may yet swing behind Mr Kibaki.

Charles Bukeko, who plays the dishonourable Mr Matata in Makutano Junction, says that voters in his parent's real constituency, on the border with Uganda, will throw out their MP, the vice-president, Moody Awori. “He's done nothing for us,” says Mr Bukeko. “There's still no piped water, the roads are pathetic. This time the voters will be looking at the person.” It is at least conceivable that they could risk chucking out the top man, too
http://www.economist.com/world/africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10063982

I wonder if those around kibaki will accept defeat though.

UN envoy defends majimbo system

Story by KENNETH OGOSIA
Publication Date: 11/4/2007

A United Nations envoy has defended the majimbo system, saying that it is simply a consensus government and not a dangerous form of administration.

And he said that people who are opposing the system are suffering from what he called the 1990s mentality.

The deputy director for the UN Millenium Development Goals in Africa, Dr Tajudeen Abdul Raheem, told an ODM professional brainstorming session:

“In Uganda it (majimbo) has a different name, and so is it in Nigeria, South Africa and the rest of the world.

“I think those who sabotaged it in the 1960s left relics of colonialism who reign over the younger generation with money and misinformation.”

He gave the ODM think-tank what he termed the global definition of majimbo as “consensus government controlled by the majority, and not the rich minority.”

Whatever the name the Kenyan political class uses to portray majimbo as a negative system, to the world it means taking power to the people, he added.

“You can have the say, but not the way. Devolution gives the lowest force a way to use resources and dictate its agenda in development.”

Expatriates and scholars in the Young Professionals for Raila lobby group held the session, titled The Great Majimbo Debate, at Ufungamano hall, Nairobi.

Professionals who spoke in support of the federal system include Prof Peter Wanyande, Prof Larry Gumbe, Dr Carey Francis Onyango, Dr Mutahi Kangu, Ms Atsango Chesoni, Dr Owuor Olunga, Mr Nixon Bugo, Mr David Wayiera, Mr Julius Kemboi and Mr Moses ole Kina.

Dr Raheem opposed the unitary system, describing it as “usurping all powers from the people and letting live at the mercy of an individual occupying the presidency.”

The ages of the old guard in government, he said, could total 1,000 years, while the youth have no platform to prove their worth and leadership skills because, in Kenya, ‘‘leadership starts at the cabinet”.

I wonder if those around kibaki will accept defeat though.

^^
Kenguy, I am one of those people backing Kibaki and if the article below is anything to go by, then I can sleep easy because Raila will carry on with Kibaki's economic policies and ensure the +7% growth that we are currently enjoying:cheers:

Hard-fought Kenya vote unlikely to derail economy

Mon 5 Nov 2007, 9:31 GMT

By Andrew Cawthorne

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's flourishing economy looks likely to shrug off politicking ahead of a close-fought December 27 election and to hold a steady course even if firebrand opposition leader Raila Odinga takes the helm.

In fact, the fate of a delayed IPO for Kenya's largest mobile phone operator, Safaricom, may be a bigger confidence factor for east Africa's largest economy than the vote.

In what could be Kenya's tightest ever election, Odinga, the 62-year-old leader of the Opposition Democratic Movement (ODM), has topped opinion polls since September over President Mwai Kibaki, who is seeking another five-year term.

"Neither of the two leading contenders for the presidential election is likely in our view to substantively change economic policy," said David Cowan, Africa analyst for UK-based Citigroup Global Markets Ltd, in a new report on the Kenyan economy.

Under Kibaki, gross domestic product has grown an average five pecent annually. Growth reached 6.1 percent in 2006 from just 0.6 percent in 2002, the last year of his predecessor's reign.

Economists credit the government with allowing private enterprise the freedom to flourish. But they say growth could have been even better if the government had tackled corruption, speeded infrastructure improvements, and made inroads into crime which foreign investors often cite as a deterrent.

Latest figures show Kenya's economy expanded 7.1 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2007 -- compared with 5.8 percent in the same period last year -- and is on course to approach the government's 7.0 percent annual forecast.

"Growth also looks set to continue despite the political uncertainty surrounding the election," Cowan said.

With Kibaki, 75, expected by many to narrow the poll gap on Odinga soon, campaigning has been intense, and fears of violence and fraud are rising. But analyst Sunil Sanger said the economic impact was proving minimal this year.

"In past Kenyan elections, we have seen a lot of economic decisions postponed, but this time activity seems to be moving on without much interruption. And there will be a continuation of policies whoever wins," said the managing director of Kenya's CFC Financial Services.

Sanger said there may, though, be a modest slowdown in the fourth quarter, leaving overall annual growth at around 6.5 percent.

Sanger said the Safaricom IPO was having a bigger impact than politics, at least on the volatile Nairobi bourse which hit a 6-month low in October. "Stocks are moving on the doubts over the Safaricom IPO more than politics," he said.

ODINGA ALLAYS FEARS

Hoping to earn a windfall and give small investors a great chance to make money on one of Kenya's most successful firms, the government wants to push through the $600 million sale of a 25 percent stake in Safaricom before voters go to the polls.

But Odinga's ODM is trying to block that, arguing that controversy over a secret 5 percent stake in Safaricom, held by a Guernsey-based firm, should be cleared up first.

With the currency and stock markets watching closely, Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph has said he wants to delay the issue until January to avoid "election emotions".

Another key factor for economic confidence is a $300 million Eurobond issue planned for the first quarter of 2008.

"A successful election, the Safaricom IPO and a likely eurobond issue should combine to provide a major boost to the Kenyan shilling in 2008," Cowan said.

Market players say fears of an Odinga victory briefly unsettled stocks and the currency earlier this year.

The opposition leader has radical credentials including being the son of a socialist independence hero, naming his firstborn Fidel Castro, and casting himself as a champion of the poor.

But Odinga is also a well-established wealthy businessman. And he has toned down statements this year to project a more moderate and market-friendly image, vowing to better rather than change Kibaki's policies.

Basic tenets like less state interference, continued privatisations, using the private sector for infrastructure improvement, expanding tourism, and developing IT, should not change were Odinga to win, economists say.

And Odinga even went personally to the bourse last month to address his doubters. "I am not and have never been a communist ... I am a social democrat who believes in the third way ... capitalism with a human face," he told them.

According to opinion polls, and the mainly privately-expressed opinions of leading businessmen, Odinga has successfully convinced them he will not undo Kibaki's work.

"Businesses are much more relaxed about Raila now than six months ago. The perception that he is a dangerous radical is dissipating," said one local factory-owner who, like many in the Nairobi business community, belongs to Kibaki's Kikuyu tribe.

"We are still leaning to Kibaki, of course. But if Raila wins, I don't see why we shouldn't work with him."

^^
Kenguy, I am one of those people backing Kibaki and if the article below is anything to go by, then I can sleep easy because Raila will carry on with Kibaki's economic policies and ensure the +7% growth that we are currently enjoying:cheers:

Hard-fought Kenya vote unlikely to derail economy

Mon 5 Nov 2007, 9:31 GMT

By Andrew Cawthorne

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's flourishing economy looks likely to shrug off politicking ahead of a close-fought December 27 election and to hold a steady course even if firebrand opposition leader Raila Odinga takes the helm.

In fact, the fate of a delayed IPO for Kenya's largest mobile phone operator, Safaricom, may be a bigger confidence factor for east Africa's largest economy than the vote.

In what could be Kenya's tightest ever election, Odinga, the 62-year-old leader of the Opposition Democratic Movement (ODM), has topped opinion polls since September over President Mwai Kibaki, who is seeking another five-year term.

"Neither of the two leading contenders for the presidential election is likely in our view to substantively change economic policy," said David Cowan, Africa analyst for UK-based Citigroup Global Markets Ltd, in a new report on the Kenyan economy.

Under Kibaki, gross domestic product has grown an average five pecent annually. Growth reached 6.1 percent in 2006 from just 0.6 percent in 2002, the last year of his predecessor's reign.

Economists credit the government with allowing private enterprise the freedom to flourish. But they say growth could have been even better if the government had tackled corruption, speeded infrastructure improvements, and made inroads into crime which foreign investors often cite as a deterrent.

Latest figures show Kenya's economy expanded 7.1 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2007 -- compared with 5.8 percent in the same period last year -- and is on course to approach the government's 7.0 percent annual forecast.

"Growth also looks set to continue despite the political uncertainty surrounding the election," Cowan said.

With Kibaki, 75, expected by many to narrow the poll gap on Odinga soon, campaigning has been intense, and fears of violence and fraud are rising. But analyst Sunil Sanger said the economic impact was proving minimal this year.

"In past Kenyan elections, we have seen a lot of economic decisions postponed, but this time activity seems to be moving on without much interruption. And there will be a continuation of policies whoever wins," said the managing director of Kenya's CFC Financial Services.

Sanger said there may, though, be a modest slowdown in the fourth quarter, leaving overall annual growth at around 6.5 percent.

Sanger said the Safaricom IPO was having a bigger impact than politics, at least on the volatile Nairobi bourse which hit a 6-month low in October. "Stocks are moving on the doubts over the Safaricom IPO more than politics," he said.

ODINGA ALLAYS FEARS

Hoping to earn a windfall and give small investors a great chance to make money on one of Kenya's most successful firms, the government wants to push through the $600 million sale of a 25 percent stake in Safaricom before voters go to the polls.

But Odinga's ODM is trying to block that, arguing that controversy over a secret 5 percent stake in Safaricom, held by a Guernsey-based firm, should be cleared up first.

With the currency and stock markets watching closely, Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph has said he wants to delay the issue until January to avoid "election emotions".

Another key factor for economic confidence is a $300 million Eurobond issue planned for the first quarter of 2008.

"A successful election, the Safaricom IPO and a likely eurobond issue should combine to provide a major boost to the Kenyan shilling in 2008," Cowan said.

Market players say fears of an Odinga victory briefly unsettled stocks and the currency earlier this year.

The opposition leader has radical credentials including being the son of a socialist independence hero, naming his firstborn Fidel Castro, and casting himself as a champion of the poor.

But Odinga is also a well-established wealthy businessman. And he has toned down statements this year to project a more moderate and market-friendly image, vowing to better rather than change Kibaki's policies.

Basic tenets like less state interference, continued privatisations, using the private sector for infrastructure improvement, expanding tourism, and developing IT, should not change were Odinga to win, economists say.

And Odinga even went personally to the bourse last month to address his doubters. "I am not and have never been a communist ... I am a social democrat who believes in the third way ... capitalism with a human face," he told them.

According to opinion polls, and the mainly privately-expressed opinions of leading businessmen, Odinga has successfully convinced them he will not undo Kibaki's work.

"Businesses are much more relaxed about Raila now than six months ago. The perception that he is a dangerous radical is dissipating," said one local factory-owner who, like many in the Nairobi business community, belongs to Kibaki's Kikuyu tribe.

"We are still leaning to Kibaki, of course. But if Raila wins, I don't see why we shouldn't work with him."

Let me play devils advocate here and raise a few points. 7% growth is very good no doubt, but in countries that are really underdevloped (like Kenya and India) this figure is ussually atleast a couple of percentage points below truly reducing poverty. Also lets take into account population growth of near 3%, how much of this growth will affect poverty reduction? Apart of the reason China's one child policy is to make the most of a booming economy, less mouths to feed give a greater surplus to spend on less essential needs. This ofcourse what symbolizes the middle class life.

^^
Kenguy, I am one of those people backing Kibaki and if the article below is anything to go by, then I can sleep easy because Raila will carry on with Kibaki's economic policies and ensure the +7% growth that we are currently enjoying:cheers:

Hard-fought Kenya vote unlikely to derail economy

Mon 5 Nov 2007, 9:31 GMT

By Andrew Cawthorne

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's flourishing economy looks likely to shrug off politicking ahead of a close-fought December 27 election and to hold a steady course even if firebrand opposition leader Raila Odinga takes the helm.

In fact, the fate of a delayed IPO for Kenya's largest mobile phone operator, Safaricom, may be a bigger confidence factor for east Africa's largest economy than the vote.

In what could be Kenya's tightest ever election, Odinga, the 62-year-old leader of the Opposition Democratic Movement (ODM), has topped opinion polls since September over President Mwai Kibaki, who is seeking another five-year term.

"Neither of the two leading contenders for the presidential election is likely in our view to substantively change economic policy," said David Cowan, Africa analyst for UK-based Citigroup Global Markets Ltd, in a new report on the Kenyan economy.

Under Kibaki, gross domestic product has grown an average five pecent annually. Growth reached 6.1 percent in 2006 from just 0.6 percent in 2002, the last year of his predecessor's reign.

Economists credit the government with allowing private enterprise the freedom to flourish. But they say growth could have been even better if the government had tackled corruption, speeded infrastructure improvements, and made inroads into crime which foreign investors often cite as a deterrent.

Latest figures show Kenya's economy expanded 7.1 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2007 -- compared with 5.8 percent in the same period last year -- and is on course to approach the government's 7.0 percent annual forecast.

"Growth also looks set to continue despite the political uncertainty surrounding the election," Cowan said.

With Kibaki, 75, expected by many to narrow the poll gap on Odinga soon, campaigning has been intense, and fears of violence and fraud are rising. But analyst Sunil Sanger said the economic impact was proving minimal this year.

"In past Kenyan elections, we have seen a lot of economic decisions postponed, but this time activity seems to be moving on without much interruption. And there will be a continuation of policies whoever wins," said the managing director of Kenya's CFC Financial Services.

Sanger said there may, though, be a modest slowdown in the fourth quarter, leaving overall annual growth at around 6.5 percent.

Sanger said the Safaricom IPO was having a bigger impact than politics, at least on the volatile Nairobi bourse which hit a 6-month low in October. "Stocks are moving on the doubts over the Safaricom IPO more than politics," he said.

ODINGA ALLAYS FEARS

Hoping to earn a windfall and give small investors a great chance to make money on one of Kenya's most successful firms, the government wants to push through the $600 million sale of a 25 percent stake in Safaricom before voters go to the polls.

But Odinga's ODM is trying to block that, arguing that controversy over a secret 5 percent stake in Safaricom, held by a Guernsey-based firm, should be cleared up first.

With the currency and stock markets watching closely, Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph has said he wants to delay the issue until January to avoid "election emotions".

Another key factor for economic confidence is a $300 million Eurobond issue planned for the first quarter of 2008.

"A successful election, the Safaricom IPO and a likely eurobond issue should combine to provide a major boost to the Kenyan shilling in 2008," Cowan said.

Market players say fears of an Odinga victory briefly unsettled stocks and the currency earlier this year.

The opposition leader has radical credentials including being the son of a socialist independence hero, naming his firstborn Fidel Castro, and casting himself as a champion of the poor.

But Odinga is also a well-established wealthy businessman. And he has toned down statements this year to project a more moderate and market-friendly image, vowing to better rather than change Kibaki's policies.

Basic tenets like less state interference, continued privatisations, using the private sector for infrastructure improvement, expanding tourism, and developing IT, should not change were Odinga to win, economists say.

And Odinga even went personally to the bourse last month to address his doubters. "I am not and have never been a communist ... I am a social democrat who believes in the third way ... capitalism with a human face," he told them.

According to opinion polls, and the mainly privately-expressed opinions of leading businessmen, Odinga has successfully convinced them he will not undo Kibaki's work.

"Businesses are much more relaxed about Raila now than six months ago. The perception that he is a dangerous radical is dissipating," said one local factory-owner who, like many in the Nairobi business community, belongs to Kibaki's Kikuyu tribe.

"We are still leaning to Kibaki, of course. But if Raila wins, I don't see why we shouldn't work with him."
^^
I love the article. especially the last statement. Kenya should continue on its path regardless of who becomes president.:cheers:

Let me play devils advocate here and raise a few points. 7% growth is very good no doubt, but in countries that are really underdevloped (like Kenya and India) this figure is ussually atleast a couple of percentage points below truly reducing poverty. Also lets take into account population growth of near 3%, how much of this growth will affect poverty reduction? Apart of the reason China's one child policy is to make the most of a booming economy, less mouths to feed give a greater surplus to spend on less essential needs. This ofcourse what symbolizes the middle class life.
^^
Kenya is doing well but lets not rush things. We were having negative growth figures just a few years ago. The kenyan economy has just turned around. The projected target is 10% by 2012 which isn't too far away. and if we sustain 10% until 2030, Kenya will be a different story altogether. We have to first crawl before we can run. If Ethiopia did it, why can't we achieve 10%?

^^
Kenya is doing well but lets not rush things. We were having negative growth figures just a few years ago. The kenyan economy has just turned around. The projected target is 10% by 2012 which isn't too far away. and if we sustain 10% until 2030, Kenya will be a different story altogether. We have to first crawl before we can run. If Ethiopia did it, why can't we achieve 10%?

I understand, all I'm saying if you want to see real progress growth will have to reach double digit growth. Kenya is doing pretty well, but it will have to up the ante.

Kibaki's Manifesto: My contract with Kenyans

Daily Nation
Story by LUCAS BARASA
Publication Date: 11/11/2007

President Kibaki has taken his re-election campaign a step higher by launching what he described as his party’s contract with Kenyans.

The President gave 10 key pledges for prosperity, security and equity in the next five years.

“Our ultimate objective is for every Kenyan to receive 14 years of basic education, access decent shelter, obtain enough food, have a decent job with a decent wage and live in a peaceful and secure society,” he said.

Every child, he said, would benefit from free primary and secondary education and free health care in public institutions.

Public dispensaries and health centres would also offer free maternity services to women, he added.

Urging Kenyans to give him a second term, President Kibaki said he would ensure that the 6.2 per cent economic growth doubles in next five years. He further promised the youth jobs and good incomes for both urban and rural families.

“We will double our investment in infrastructure to build world-class networks of roads, railways, airports and seaports, power and communications, water supply, and low-cost housing,” he said.

He promised that his administration would build hawkers’ markets, jua kali sheds, and small business parks in urban centres to promote enterprise.

The PNU government, he added, would set aside 30 per cent of public jobs for women. He pledged security for Kenyans and their property.

On devolution, he said every part of the country would receive an equitable share of economic and social development “to build a society that is cohesive, secure and tolerant.”

“The PNU alliance will deliver these pledges with prudence and accountability, ensuring that corruption and wastage are eradicated; that justice is promptly and readily accessible to all Kenyans; that the people of Kenya’s interests are put first in every instance; and that our democracy grows from strength to strength,” he said.

“I can’t make pledges that I know I will not fulfil. There’s no need for misleading Kenyans with empty promises and rhetoric,” he said. He urged the PNU supporters to vigorously campaign for him at the grassroots. The Head of State said his achievements gave him confidence that Kenyans would trust PNU to run the country in the next five years.

“We promise to perform twice as well for the good of Kenyans in next five years because of the experience and skills we have acquired since December 2002,” the President said. The President, who was accompanied by PNU affiliate party leaders, said he would ensure that the ongoing development projects would be completed if he retained power.

The 60-page manifesto, he said, unites all parties supporting his re-election bid and which want development. His speech concentrated on winning the crucial youth and women’s vote.
Urging the youth to vie for parliamentary and civic seats on PNU nomination, President Kibaki said he would ensure they were involved in running affairs of the country if he won the election.

The President said his plan was to make Kenya a stronger and more accountable democracy, and a cohesive and just society.

“I urge you to make my vision a reality by voting for me in the forthcoming elections,” he said.

Calling for unity, the President said: “You should not hate any Kenyan even if you don’t believe in him. We should act as brothers and sisters. Kenya is for all of us. There’s no need of harbouring any hatred against your neighbour.” President Kibaki praised assistant minister Danson Mungatana for his speech which hit out at the Opposition for proposing to introduce a majimbo system of government if they formed the government.

“This young man,” he said referring to Mr Mungatana, “has told us a lot. We support his sentiments. That is the direction we will follow.”

The outgoing Garsen MP said the Opposition wanted to balkanise the country by introducing majimbo, a thing that could heighten tribal animosity and lead to eviction of certain communities from some parts of the country. Mr Mungatana said the youth would rally behind President Kibaki. The President said Kenyans wanted progress and those dragging them behind should be isolated.

“PNU is committed to an effective central government that protects less endowed regions and communities and ensures all Kenyans are treated equally, fairly and justly,” he said.

The party further supports accountable, devolved structures at the grassroots, he added.

“We in PNU see Kenya as one body with many organs and limbs made up of different communities, regions and institutions, but all of which must work together for the good of the country and the people of Kenya. We therefore reject policies whose aim is to dismember our country,” the President said.

He said no region or community would be discriminated against in terms of development under his leadership. The President termed the launch of the PNU manifesto a turning point in Kenya’s history.

“PNU represents the best hope for this nation. Our priority is welfare of our people, in particular the youth,” he said.

He said the party brought together all communities and regions, giving them a political base and a place at the table of decision making.

The party, which was launched six weeks ago, hopes to ensure the growth and implement programmes that promote development of resources.

PNU becomes the first party fielding a key presidential candidate in the December elections to launch its manifesto.

It comes ahead of the party’s parliamentary and civic nominations on November 16 and President Kibaki’s submission of his nomination papers to the Electoral Commission of Kenya on Thursday. ODM and ODM-Kenya are yet to launch theirs.

The President launched the document a day after a Steadman opinion poll showed that he had narrowed the gap between him and main rival Mr Raila Odinga.

The President’s rating was at 41 per cent against Mr Odinga’s 45 per cent. Mr Musyoka was rated at 11 per cent.

Eeerrmm, i think something is missing on this manifesto

Eeerrmm, i think something is missing on this manifesto

what exactly?

what exactly?

new constitution he promised me back in 2002 and still dont have it and vigorously fighting corruption:?:?:?:?:?

^^
I agree. Being a Kibaki supporter myself, I am nevertheless concerned that these two issues might cost PNU very many votes.

ODM on the other hand might loose very many votes as well on the two issues of Majimbo and the MOU with muslims.

This whole election is just simply too difficult to predict the outcome:dunno::dunno:

new constitution he promised me back in 2002 and still dont have it and vigorously fighting corruption:?:?:?:?:?

Im also disappointed. But do you think Raila has the will to change all that if he came to power? The current constitution favors the incumbent and the minute Raila gets the top seat, he is also likely to maintain the status quo.

As for corruption, I think we have to have the will-power to fight it as a nation from the top down, not wait for some fellow to tell us about how his administration will do that. The main cause of corruption in Kenya IMO is just our social structure. The rich want to get richer and the poor (poorly paid) dont have adequate means to make a decent living without asking for a bribe. We really have to bridge the rich-poor divide. A cop in Rwanda who is better paid lives a far more comfortable life than their counterpart in Kenya. Little wonder Rwanda has lower corruption levels in its police force than Kenya.

^^
I agree. Being a Kibaki supporter myself, I am nevertheless concerned that these two issues might cost PNU very many votes.

ODM on the other hand might loose very many votes as well on the two issues of Majimbo and the MOU with muslims.

This whole election is just simply too difficult to predict the outcome:dunno::dunno:

Agreed, it will go either way. As long as Kenya prospers at the end of it all.

Im also disappointed. But do you think Raila has the will to change all that if he came to power? The current constitution favors the incumbent and the minute Raila gets the top seat, he is also likely to maintain the status quo.

As for corruption, I think we have to have the will-power to fight it as a nation from the top down, not wait for some fellow to tell us about how his administration will do that. The main cause of corruption in Kenya IMO is just our social structure. The rich want to get richer and the poor (poorly paid) dont have adequate means to make a decent living without asking for a bribe. We really have to bridge the rich-poor divide. A cop in Rwanda who is better paid lives a far more comfortable life than their counterpart in Kenya. Little wonder Rwanda has lower corruption levels in its police force than Kenya.



I agree 100%. People don't realize that fighting corruption is not an easy thing in ANY nation and any politician who says he will eradicate corruption is lying through his teeth. Obviously Kibaki could have been a little more aggressive in this area, but if you look at the opposing camp (the pentagon group) you have to wonder how aggressive they will be in fighting corruption when some amongst them currently have cases pending against them. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Oh, and another thing - implementing a new constitution is not that easy and cuz it requires 2/3 majority votes in parliament, and I doubt it is something that can be done in 100 days or even six months. :ohno: It's a lengthy process.

I think Raila Odinga of the Orange movement party will win the election.

Kalonzo's Manifesto: Social Democracy

November 15, 2007: ODM-Kenya presidential candidate Kalonzo Musyoka yesterday launched his party’s election manifesto that is hinged on a rich menu of social welfare programmes and a tax proposal that could see thousands of Kenyans escape the taxman’s noose.

The policy platform covers a wide range of issues including a raft of tax breaks that could see the income tax threshold rise to Sh30,000 from the current Sh12,000.

Based on the ideals of a social democracy —whose core theme is to remove the injustices of capitalism — the ODM -Kenya manifesto promises a free health care plan for children even as it balances public and private sector roles with individual responsibility.

Analysts however criticised Mr Kalonzo’s manifesto as raising the prospect of a government takeover of health care and education.

Tiberius Barasa, a political analyst at the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR), reckons that such proposals have the potential of making the country unattractive to investors and erode the revenue base.

“Kenya needs a complete restructuring of its political and economic systems to fully enjoy the benefits of a social democracy,” Mr Barasa told the Business Daily.

Mr Kalonzo also calls for changes in the management of the health system to improve quality and coordination of care. His preferred mode of delivery is a mix of the National Social Health Insurance Fund and Health Management Organisations.

The ODM- Kenya candidate is facing off two rivals —who currently enjoy higher ratings in opinion polls — Mwai Kibaki of PNU and Raila Odinga of ODM in what has been billed as the closest presidential poll in Kenya’s history.

Mr Musyoka has accused the Kibaki administration of hijacking a key pillar of his pledges to Kenyans -- free secondary education -- to poor families.

The ODM-Kenya proposal is however distinctively different from President Kibaki’s which promises universal secondary education programme that is fully financed by the state.

Kenya Institute of Public policy Research and Analysis (Kippra) has estimated the cost of such a programme at Sh40 billion annually.

On economic policy ODM-K plans to introduce a new version of majimbo that Mr Musyoka calls “economic federalism”. The thrust of this, he says, is to empower each region to engage in an economic activity with high potential in its area.

Mr Musyoka says his government will invest funds in ranching and beef farming in North Eastern Province, while agriculture and tourism will be top of the agenda in the Rift Valley.

ODM-K says heavy investment in productive sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture should enable the economy to grow at the rate of more than 10 per cent, thereby creating jobs and improving people’s incomes.

The party also plans to introduce food safety coupons to the most needy in society. The coupons will make them afford food prices in shops and supermarkets so that they can live decently.

To expand infrastructure, Mr Kalonzo says that roads, power generation plants, railways and sea ports will be built by private firms that will run them to recoup their investment and later transfer them to the State.

“The cost of the welfare programme is to be met out of revenue from the expected increase in economic investment and productivity, eradication of graft and stemming wastage in public expenditure,” Kalonzo says in the manifesto

This is the biggest load of crap i have read in a manifesto.How tha hell does he intend on making the economy grow at 10% a year when he thinks of making almost everything free and government controlled.

Then he has committed political suicide by not promising free Secondary Education which all his other rivals have.

This is the biggest load of crap i have read in a manifesto.How tha hell does he intend on making the economy grow at 10% a year when he thinks of making almost everything free and government controlled.

Then he has committed political suicide by not promising free Secondary Education which all his other rivals have.

this guy is a personal friend of my dad,i am not joking, but i would not vote for this guy bcoz he is too much of a socialist. his ideologies are just way too offline with my principles, i would not vote for him and i highly doubt that my dad will be voting for him either

I agree 100%. People don't realize that fighting corruption is not an easy thing in ANY nation and any politician who says he will eradicate corruption is lying through his teeth. Obviously Kibaki could have been a little more aggressive in this area, but if you look at the opposing camp (the pentagon group) you have to wonder how aggressive they will be in fighting corruption when some amongst them currently have cases pending against them. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Oh, and another thing - implementing a new constitution is not that easy and cuz it requires 2/3 majority votes in parliament, and I doubt it is something that can be done in 100 days or even six months. :ohno: It's a lengthy process.

corruption is a very complex issue to deal with and i understand that, but two years after u are elected into office and u already are involved in the second biggest scandal ever to happen in kenya, then that shows me that u are not just not serious enough. plus the same guyz that were involeved in anglo leasing are BACK IN THE GOVT:wtf: and what came out of the commission of inquiry? who's been taken to court? any substantial funds recovered? see there is a series of un answered questions that prove to me that he(kibaki) is not serious or determined to fight the vice. To be frank with u guyz if anglo leasing did not occur i dont think that i would be supporting raila.

This is the biggest load of crap i have read in a manifesto.How tha hell does he intend on making the economy grow at 10% a year when he thinks of making almost everything free and government controlled.

Then he has committed political suicide by not promising free Secondary Education which all his other rivals have.

Kalonzo's simply trying to sweet talk the voters. Trust me, he can't try implement his social policies without sinking the entire country down the drain. I guess he is trying to play on the voters sentiments on current living standards (afterall aren't Kenyans among some of the most taxed people on earth not to mention the rising cost of living?)

corruption is a very complex issue to deal with and i understand that, but two years after u are elected into office and u already are involved in the second biggest scandal ever to happen in kenya, then that shows me that u are not just not serious enough. plus the same guyz that were involeved in anglo leasing are BACK IN THE GOVT:wtf: and what came out of the commission of inquiry? who's been taken to court? any substantial funds recovered? see there is a series of un answered questions that prove to me that he(kibaki) is not serious or determined to fight the vice. To be frank with u guyz if anglo leasing did not occur i dont think that i would be supporting raila.

And you really believe Raila is the answer to grand corruption? Think again bro, Kenya's political class has built intricate webs of personal connections which they use to steal money from every loophole that they come across in the system. We all thought corruption would end with Moi's government being thrown out. Turns out some rotten fruits found their way back into Kibaki's basket and they will still do the same when Raila's time comes. My solution is to have a bunch of new faces on the entire political scene to break these cartel like corruption scandals.

November 19, 2007:


RAILA'S MANIFESTO:ODM promises equity


The popularity of social democracy — the system of government that favours controlled capitalism — appears to be on the surge in Kenya going by the manifestos of three popular parties in this year’s general election.

Indeed, like the Kalonzo Musyoka-led ODM-Kenya, when it launched its manifesto, ODM’s blueprint centred on social protection programmes aimed at cushioning Kenyans from the harsh fangs of poverty.

Adams Oloo, political science lecturer at the University of Nairobi, reckons that the popularity of social democracy as a form of government is underpinned by rising concern over the deepening inequality in the country.

“As a system of government, social democracy is strong in redistribution of national wealth for greater equity among the citizens,” he said.

The ODM manifesto that was launched last Thursday proposes an ambitious social welfare programme that could see millions of poor Kenyans receive monthly cash handouts.

Mr Odinga said the very poor households would get monthly cash transfers to enable them meet subsistence needs. The programme will also see the State guarantee a minimum level of income for extremely poor families under its flagship poverty reduction programme dubbed Usawa (equity).

“The objective is to increase school enrolment and attendance and improve the health, nutrition, protection and well-being of orphaned, vulnerable children, and the very old,” says the manifesto.

Current estimates on well-being in Kenya indicate that poverty levels have declined across the country but majority still live below the poverty line.

Overall poverty incidence declined from 52.3 per cent in 1997 to 45.9 per cent in 2006, according to the Economic Survey 2007. This means that at least 16 million Kenyans are considered to be living below the poverty level — a dollar a day.

Countries such as Brazil, South Africa, and Malawi have successfully implemented cash transfer programmes leading to a significant decline in the incidence of poverty.

To further reduce poverty, Mr Odinga says his Government would review personal income tax brackets and personal relief to cater for inflation and increase purchasing power.

To make the system more effective and achieve a 10 per cent economic growth, the party promises to implement a devolved system of Government, where wealth will be created and redistributed.

The party manifesto says a devolved system will allow the transfer of budgetary resources to the districts.

Infrastructure development, stable macro-economic policies, skilled manpower development, security, and improvement in investment climate will take centre stage in economic policies aimed at boosting business and creating employment.

At least 10 per cent of the GDP — Sh60 billion — will be channeled to infrastructure development with four per cent, around Sh24 billion, going into roads construction.

Among other key projects that Mr Odinga promises are a modern integrated railways system backed by an electric high-speed railway in all major towns as well as a light railway line in Nairobi.

If elected to power, Mr Odinga reckons his Government will build 150,000 housing units for low income earners. This may include slum clearance or upgrading; inviting foreign investors to participate in the rapid housing development programmes and using low- cost building technologies.

For a predictable economic environment, he said, the ODM government will maintain low interest rates, low inflation and a stable exchange rate regime.

Mr Odinga said his government would limit domestic borrowing through waste reduction and introducing new instruments to finance development such as longterm and municipal bonds.

Like his two key rivals — Mwai Kibaki of PNU and Mr Musyoka — Mr Odinga promises universal free secondary education, free healthcare for children under five years.

Check out Kibaki's web site;

http://www.kibaki.co.ke

corruption is a very complex issue to deal with and i understand that, but two years after u are elected into office and u already are involved in the second biggest scandal ever to happen in kenya, then that shows me that u are not just not serious enough. plus the same guyz that were involeved in anglo leasing are BACK IN THE GOVT:wtf: and what came out of the commission of inquiry? who's been taken to court? any substantial funds recovered? see there is a series of un answered questions that prove to me that he(kibaki) is not serious or determined to fight the vice. To be frank with u guyz if anglo leasing did not occur i dont think that i would be supporting raila.


The thing about Anglo Leasing that many people do not know is that NO MONEY WAS ACTUALLY LOST. It was a scandal in the making but the whistle was blown before we lost any money. Also, remember the anglo leasing scandal thing started before Kibaki actually took over. I'm not making excuses for Kibaki, but I'm hard pressed to believe that Raila's government would be any better, especially considering that he's busy bedding people like Ruto and Mudavadi who can't even leave the country because of their implications in corruption. Not to mention the Molasses plant scandal and Raila.:ohno:

^^
Relax Muhana, a victory for Raila is not a forgone conclusion. Kibaki is surging back strongly, check out this story:

Kenya's Kibaki gains in election survey
Fri 23 Nov 2007, 12:51 GMT

By Duncan Miriri and Joseph Sudah

NAIROBI, Nov 23

(Reuters)

Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki has closed a gap with main challenger Raila Odinga and is now running neck-and-neck with him ahead of next month's elections, a poll showed on Friday as fears of a bloody campaign grew.

The latest Steadman survey gave Odinga 43.6 percent to Kibaki's 43.3 percent. Its last poll two weeks ago showed Odinga with 45 percent and the 76-year-old incumbent with 41 percent.

Since then, the often aloof Kibaki has stepped up his appearances in towns and villages across the country. He has even curtailed an official visit to Uganda for the Commonwealth summit to return to the campaign trail.

Some 14 million Kenyans are eligible to vote in presidential and parliamentary elections on Dec. 27. East Africa's biggest economy is traditionally viewed as an oasis of political stability in a volatile region blighted by hunger and disease.

But most Kenyans are braced for violent skirmishes in a tribally tinged race shaping up to be the closest ever.

Police Commissioner Hussein Ali warned politicians against fuelling poll violence after weapons, including clubs, machetes, and bows and arrows, were found in a government car assigned to Raphael Wanjala, an assistant minister.

"I wish to caution politicians and their supporters against attempting to prevent their competitors from presenting their nomination papers by engaging in hooliganism or even abducting their opponents," Ali told a news conference.

"These are very serious offences, some of which attract capital punishment. Anyone who incites violence or targets other candidates must be prepared to face the full might of the law."

Police have asked Wanjala to make a statement on Monday at Criminal Investigation Department headquarters.

Local media said 30 machetes, 20 clubs, 30 dual-edged blades called "Somali swords", 20 bows and 50 arrows were found in the vehicle on Thursday.

"It is all propaganda, I have no knowledge of such weaponry," the Standard newspaper quoted Wanjala as saying.

The arms discovery and reports that youths had been buying huge quantities of machetes from the Nakumatt chain of supermarkets prompted it to limit the sales of garden tools and kitchen utensils that could be used as weapons.

Items such as machetes would be limited to one per customer, a staff member told Reuters. Nakumatt confirmed that it was limiting sales "of domestic items that can be used as offensive weapons".

"We are working closely with the administration and all other security agents to ensure that the safety of all Kenyans is not compromised," Nakumatt Operations Director Thiagarajan Ramamurthy said.

Previous election campaigns in Kenya have been plagued by violence between rival supporters.

Clashes broke out in an election dry run last week with party primaries marred by fighting as crowds set ballot boxes on fire and stoned party officials.

(Additional reporting by George Obulutsa and Wangui Kanina in Nairobi, and Antony Gitonga in Naivasha; Writing by Katie Nguyen; Editing by Bryson Hull and Giles Elgood)

© Reuters 2007. All Rights Reserved.

Yeah. its now most likely going to be a 50/50 affair (depending on voter turnout).

The thing about Anglo Leasing that many people do not know is that NO MONEY WAS ACTUALLY LOST. It was a scandal in the making but the whistle was blown before we lost any money. Also, remember the anglo leasing scandal thing started before Kibaki actually took over. I'm not making excuses for Kibaki, but I'm hard pressed to believe that Raila's government would be any better, especially considering that he's busy bedding people like Ruto and Mudavadi who can't even leave the country because of their implications in corruption. Not to mention the Molasses plant scandal and Raila.:ohno:

Ruto is one fellow who can send parts of this country up in flames (he succeeded to do so in the past under Moi and im sure he can do it again.) Mudavadi seems like a fence sitter to me waiting for opportunities to benefit himself. The guys around Raila will end up giving his government a really bad name if he's elected. Just like those around Moi (Biwott,Ruto and co.) helped turn Moi's era in Kenya into a real nightmare.

Ruto is one fellow who can send parts of this country up in flames (he succeeded to do so in the past under Moi and im sure he can do it again.) Mudavadi seems like a fence sitter to me waiting for opportunities to benefit himself. The guys around Raila will end up giving his government a really bad name if he's elected. Just like those around Moi (Biwott,Ruto and co.) helped turn Moi's era in Kenya into a real nightmare.

I think it starts with the leadership, if it is sound then there is room for change and direction, Ruto had nothing to do with the clashes, my family owned a farm in Kitale in the early 1990s and when the rift valley went up in flames, it was the GSU that was uprooting people, ask anyone that was on the ground, my family was given shelter by our Kalenjin neighbors. The whole clashes thing was instigated by Biwot and the Moi family. Remember also that the Likoni clashes were started with the sole purpose of bringing down Matibas Hotel empire, this is the time Tiwi resorts was being constructed and when the industry started showing signs of life, both matibas hotels and those owned by the Moi family started on the same footing!!!. Mudavadi is not a fence sitter, the same was said of Kibaki by the Nation editorial when he was the last to join the opposition to Moi. The ODM team has reformers, Dr.Christine Mango is a recognized voice on Public health, Anyang Nyongo's record is impeccable and Joe Nyaga is as qualified an administrator as any out there. I favor Raila because he has been consistent in his fight for change, he has used several vehicles to get here but his core principles have never changed.

I agree with acreed,Kibaki has done some positive things to turn Kenya around, but its clear that a 6 or 7% economic growth rate does not turn around people's fortune.We need radical change, zero corruption,efficient government services and a massive inflow of direct foreign investment.

Raila has the energy to initiate some great change.I know he tends to be careless sometimes,but i do not think that he is going to turn out to be a dictator or autocratic leader.If he wins he will have a slight majority or minority in parliament and so implementing any drastic negative policies will be impossible.

Campaign fever
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z263/ngari_2007/2084564820_d799b2ede7_b.jpg

I agree with acreed,Kibaki has done some positive things to turn Kenya around, but its clear that a 6 or 7% economic growth rate does not turn around people's fortune.We need radical change, zero corruption,efficient government services and a massive inflow of direct foreign investment.

Raila has the energy to initiate some great change.I know he tends to be careless sometimes,but i do not think that he is going to turn out to be a dictator or autocratic leader.If he wins he will have a slight majority or minority in parliament and so implementing any drastic negative policies will be impossible.

Im not quite sure about the minority government in parliament. Going by the grassroot elections, Id say parliament will see close to 80% new faces next year. And a good number will most likely be ODM candidates.

I also get the feeling that the movers and shakers of the business world (both local and international) have some ''Raila-phobia'', a situation that wouldn't be beneficial to the economy at all. I guess Raila has to work hard at convincing them he's pro business.

When are the televised presidential debates, please post I'd like to see some of them. :)

^^
Hey Alex, unfortunately this ain't gonna happen:(:(

Kenya: TV Debate? No Way, Says Kibaki

The East African Standard (Nairobi)

12 December 2007

Peter Murigi And Luciane Limo
Nairobi

It is now official. President Kibaki won't take part in any live televised debate.

The Head of State turned down all invitations to any such debates, saying the engagements would add no value to his campaigns.

Instead, he rubbished the debates saying they are only meant to entrench what he described as parochial and biased ideas of ODM presidential candidate, Mr Raila Odinga.

Kibaki said he could not participate in public debates that were neither focused nor objective and those driven by narrow and partisan agenda to serve individual purposes.

Kibaki was reacting to a challenge by Raila to a public debate to discuss their party manifestos.

Raila said he was ready and willing to meet his Party of National Unity (PNU) challenger, in a public forum where each candidate would expound on his party manifesto. The thrust of Raila's challenge was that, Kibaki was actively engaging in what he described as "bankrupt politics".

President Kibaki hardly issues statements to respond to challenges thrown at him, but he broke his own rules by issuing a five-paragraph statement whose words were deliberately picked to match those Raila used.

"President Kibaki will, therefore, not be drawn into a debate that won't add value to the campaign and believes that any presidential debate must be focused and objective and address pertinent issues that affect Kenyans and not based on narrow partisan agendas that only serve individual purposes," the statement said.

Kibaki said Raila's challenge had been made irrelevant by the fact that the ODM leader had previously expressed his "biased sentiments against the PNU manifesto via a print media advertisement on November 12".

"Hon Raila Odinga's invitation to President Kibaki to hold a debate on the various manifestos is, therefore, coming late in the day and can only amount to his seeking a platform to entrench the parochial and biased ideas he sought to outline in the advertisement".

In the one-page advertisement, the ODM tore into all the PNU pledges point by point and shred all the key pillars of the party - from security, equity, education, healthcare, investment, infrastructure, to equal rights and representation of women.

The advertisement also gave a detailed catalogue of all the promises that Kibaki had allegedly broken.

In his statement on Tuesday, Kibaki said Raila was belatedly calling for issues-oriented campaigns, which he (Kibaki) had preached over the years and where the incumbent had emphasised the need for politicians to rise above parochial matters and get into the realm of national debate on the economic and social development.

Besides Kibaki and Raila, the other main presidential contender Kalonzo Musyoka, had indicated readiness to participate in the public debate.

Had the public discourse taken off, the presidential candidates would have discussed such matters as security, tribalism, hate propaganda and other issues like majimbo.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) joined the debate, saying presidential candidates should engage in live TV discussions to give voters an opportunity to scrutinise them.

Their argument is that a public debate would be ideal since the stakes are too high and the contest too close to call and, therefore, Kenyans will use the opportunity to make an informed choice.

LSK chairman, Mr Okong'o Omogeni, said the only way to show that the country had matured democratically was to have a presidential debate where wananchi could also ask questions.

"Not everyone can attend rallies, but a televised debate would ensure all Kenyans watch how their favourite candidate articulates issues," Omogeni said on telephone.

He urged presidential candidates to take on the challenge, adding that this would allow voters an opportunity to cross-examine them.

Omogeni and the Kituo Cha Sheria chairman, Mr Harun Ndubi, said President Kibaki should not shy away from the debate, having participated in a 1997 one, which LSK organised.

They recalled that during the debate, the then incumbent, President Moi, snubbed the event.

"If Kibaki accepted to be grilled then, what has changed now? He should not shy away. Those who are against the debate are afraid of something," they added.

Mars Group director, Mr Mwalimu Mati, said, "Anybody who wants to be a president should not have a problem talking to voters through televised fora.


"This happens all over the world and it challenges candidates to speak and think on their feet, which is the greatest evidence of transparency," said Mati.

Ndubi said a public forum would give voters the opportunity to gauge which candidate had issues on their finger tips and not just being coached by their campaign strategists.

"In terms of accountability, a public forum for our candidates is ideal since Kenyans are able to make final and informed choices," said Ndubi.

Food for thought!

Election will be a battle between rich and poor

Story by MILDRED NGESA
Publication Date: 12/17/2007

My tribe has to win the elections in the coming two weeks.

It is either my tribe wins or we are doomed. There are only two tribes in Kenya. And I know ethnic slurs; loyalties and differences are simmering hot right now.

But nobody can deny the fact that this wonderful country of 33 million people has only two tribes – the tribe of the rich and the tribe of the poor.

When they talk of 42 tribes strewn across eight provinces, they lie. When they point out the superiority of one tribe against another, they lie even more.

What they do not say, is that the only distinction between the two existing tribes in this country lies in their pockets — it lies in the number of loaves of bread one family can afford compared to another.

Painful truth

It a painful truth that is increasingly confronting me every time I walk into the supermarket. I look at the shopping list and shopping items in my trolley and the money in my wallet and things just do not seem to add up.

There was a time they used to. A time when that same amount in my wallet and the same items in my trolley matched very well. Now things are not so rosy. I have even stopped feeling embarrassed at the counter as I ask the cashier to kindly exclude some of the items that I had already put in the trolley because my budget has run short.

Only last year, three packets of milk and a loaf of bread were worth only Sh100. Today the same amount can only fetch two packets and one loaf, what has happened? And whatever happened to “unga ya ngano”? Do people still make chapos?

These days, a packet of wheat flour coasts Sh120. That was the price of two packets two years ago! Not to mention cooking gas that goes diminishing in the cylinders every now and then, or the frequent increments in fuel prices that have rendered our jalopies redundant.

Everything is getting swallowed in the frenzy of campaign madness and the hoodwinks of the festive season. Still, when the current standard of living is scrutinised in retrospect, the one tribe that is suffering and is bound to suffer even more is that of the majority who now have abandoned “luxuries” like bread and tea with milk simply because these have become too expensive.

On the other hand, the tribe of the rich seems to be basking in wealth. Lately I have been tongue-tied by the rising number of fuel guzzlers and other vehicles of class plying down roads like Dennis Pritt, James Gichuru, Argwings Kodhek, Waiyaki Way and Rhapta roads in Nairobi.

My knowledge of contemporary car makes is as scanty as that of nuclear gases, but I know I have seen more than one Porche, Hummer, Lexus, Tuareg VW, BMW X5 and countless Chryslers cruising down those suburbs designated for the tribe of the rich.

These vehicles do not cost a million shilling. They are worth so much more. But where is all the money coming from?

It seems like the tribe of the rich has recently been bitten by the flamboyance bug.

The wealth and the glitter is all out there in the streets, yet some people have to scratch their heads as they agonise over how they are going to stretch Sh500 to cover their family expenses for the rest of the week.

The gap between the two tribes has widened even further. Where the tribe of the poor thought they would cover ground to bridge the space between them and the tribe of the rich, even more zeroes have been added at the end of what the tribe of the rich are worth, making this attempt even more elusive.

Ever heard of the tribe of the rich grumbling about the price of kerosene and bread?

Think about it. It is the tribe of the poor who are killing each other in the name of campaigns so as to propel one of the rich to the top. And when that happens, we all know the drill — we shall not see or hear of them until five years have elapsed.

By then, the man from the tribe of the rich will have added several other obscenely expensive toys to his collection of automobiles while you and I in our ever-growing tribe of the poor will still be at the corner of the street lamenting why we cannot afford a kilo of sugar.

Do you now understand why the tribe of the poor has to win on December 27?

^^
Hey Alex, unfortunately this ain't gonna happen:(:(

Kenya: TV Debate? No Way, Says Kibaki

The East African Standard (Nairobi)

12 December 2007

Peter Murigi And Luciane Limo
Nairobi

It is now official. President Kibaki won't take part in any live televised debate.

The Head of State turned down all invitations to any such debates, saying the engagements would add no value to his campaigns.

Instead, he rubbished the debates saying they are only meant to entrench what he described as parochial and biased ideas of ODM presidential candidate, Mr Raila Odinga.

Kibaki said he could not participate in public debates that were neither focused nor objective and those driven by narrow and partisan agenda to serve individual purposes.

Kibaki was reacting to a challenge by Raila to a public debate to discuss their party manifestos.

Raila said he was ready and willing to meet his Party of National Unity (PNU) challenger, in a public forum where each candidate would expound on his party manifesto. The thrust of Raila's challenge was that, Kibaki was actively engaging in what he described as "bankrupt politics".

President Kibaki hardly issues statements to respond to challenges thrown at him, but he broke his own rules by issuing a five-paragraph statement whose words were deliberately picked to match those Raila used.

"President Kibaki will, therefore, not be drawn into a debate that won't add value to the campaign and believes that any presidential debate must be focused and objective and address pertinent issues that affect Kenyans and not based on narrow partisan agendas that only serve individual purposes," the statement said.

Kibaki said Raila's challenge had been made irrelevant by the fact that the ODM leader had previously expressed his "biased sentiments against the PNU manifesto via a print media advertisement on November 12".

"Hon Raila Odinga's invitation to President Kibaki to hold a debate on the various manifestos is, therefore, coming late in the day and can only amount to his seeking a platform to entrench the parochial and biased ideas he sought to outline in the advertisement".

In the one-page advertisement, the ODM tore into all the PNU pledges point by point and shred all the key pillars of the party - from security, equity, education, healthcare, investment, infrastructure, to equal rights and representation of women.

The advertisement also gave a detailed catalogue of all the promises that Kibaki had allegedly broken.

In his statement on Tuesday, Kibaki said Raila was belatedly calling for issues-oriented campaigns, which he (Kibaki) had preached over the years and where the incumbent had emphasised the need for politicians to rise above parochial matters and get into the realm of national debate on the economic and social development.

Besides Kibaki and Raila, the other main presidential contender Kalonzo Musyoka, had indicated readiness to participate in the public debate.

Had the public discourse taken off, the presidential candidates would have discussed such matters as security, tribalism, hate propaganda and other issues like majimbo.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) joined the debate, saying presidential candidates should engage in live TV discussions to give voters an opportunity to scrutinise them.

Their argument is that a public debate would be ideal since the stakes are too high and the contest too close to call and, therefore, Kenyans will use the opportunity to make an informed choice.

LSK chairman, Mr Okong'o Omogeni, said the only way to show that the country had matured democratically was to have a presidential debate where wananchi could also ask questions.

"Not everyone can attend rallies, but a televised debate would ensure all Kenyans watch how their favourite candidate articulates issues," Omogeni said on telephone.

He urged presidential candidates to take on the challenge, adding that this would allow voters an opportunity to cross-examine them.

Omogeni and the Kituo Cha Sheria chairman, Mr Harun Ndubi, said President Kibaki should not shy away from the debate, having participated in a 1997 one, which LSK organised.

They recalled that during the debate, the then incumbent, President Moi, snubbed the event.

"If Kibaki accepted to be grilled then, what has changed now? He should not shy away. Those who are against the debate are afraid of something," they added.

Mars Group director, Mr Mwalimu Mati, said, "Anybody who wants to be a president should not have a problem talking to voters through televised fora.


"This happens all over the world and it challenges candidates to speak and think on their feet, which is the greatest evidence of transparency," said Mati.

Ndubi said a public forum would give voters the opportunity to gauge which candidate had issues on their finger tips and not just being coached by their campaign strategists.

"In terms of accountability, a public forum for our candidates is ideal since Kenyans are able to make final and informed choices," said Ndubi.

Thats stupid! Presidential debates are the best tool for the people to acknowlege the differences between candidates and make up their mind! Plus its ussually entertaining.

^^
I guess president kibaki isnt as vocal as Raila. If there was a debate, Raila would most likely do most of the talking.

Kenya's election

Down to the wire
Dec 19th 2007 | NAIROBI
From The Economist print edition

Jobs and corruption are the issues in a close-fought contest to be president

Reuters
EVEN by the colourful standards of African politicians, Raila Odinga stands out. The son of Kenya's first vice-president, Oginga Odinga, Mr Odinga was educated in East Germany and spent six years in solitary confinement for his alleged involvement in a 1982 coup that failed to topple the president of the day, Daniel arap Moi. Later, Mr Odinga was rehabilitated. Enriched by his family's molasses business, he helped to defeat Mr Moi in the presidential election of 2002, this time by throwing his support behind a coalition led by Mwai Kibaki. Now he is campaigning to topple Mr Kibaki and become president himself in the election due on December 27th. And because the mirror of Kenyan politics reverses everything sooner or later, the retired Mr Moi is backing Mr Kibaki.

Mr Odinga wants to build more roads and modernise Kenya's railways. He calls the failure to add an inch of track to the railway system since independence from Britain in 1963, “a strong statement about the mediocrity with which this country has been run”. He is also keen on devolution. A recent visit to Wales convinced him that a Welsh-style assembly would work for Kenya's regions. As an ethnic Luo, Mr Odinga is proud of his friendship with Barack Obama, an American presidential candidate whose father was also Luo.

Still, Mr Odinga makes many queasy. Bankers fret about his Marxist youth. Foreign diplomats suspect him of authoritarian tendencies. For better or worse, a victory for this ebullient German-speaker would certainly upset the cosy country-club politics that have characterised Kenya since independence. Although he is rich, he remains an outsider.

Mr Kibaki, by contrast, is an insider. A minister since 1965, he has a reputation for good manners. He enjoys playing golf and reads P.G. Wodehouse novels. Despite these gentle pursuits, his health is a worry. Some say he is unable to work hard; he occasionally nods off while conducting important government business. He rejected a call by Mr Odinga for a televised presidential debate. That said, he has performed gamely on the campaign trail. He opposes devolution. He has the solid backing of the Catholic church and of Kenya's business class. Under his presidency, the country is better educated, less authoritarian, more prosperous and better connected to the world (notably China) than it has ever been.

On December 18th, in the last test of opinion before the election, Steadman, a local polling firm, put Mr Odinga at 45%, against 43% for Mr Kibaki and 10% for Kalonzo Musyoka, a former foreign minister and born-again Christian who has designs on winning a future presidential election. If those numbers hold, Mr Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement should also do well in the parliamentary elections, ahead of Mr Kibaki's umbrella Party of National Unity. A further threat to Mr Kibaki is that he may not achieve the mandatory 25% in five of the country's eight provinces, which would disqualify him. He is already known to be doing badly in Western, Coast and North-Eastern provinces, where he is having to do more campaigning than he wants.

If Mr Kibaki does lose, it will be because he has not created enough jobs. Despite an overvalued Kenyan shilling, tourism and agriculture are booming. The economy is growing at about 6% a year, a record. But Mr Kibaki has not fulfilled his dream of turning Kenya into an industrialised country.

He may also be punished for his failure to tackle egregious corruption, a central pledge from his 2002 victory. His own appointee in charge of ethics in the government, John Githongo, was bullied into exile after uncovering massive fraud within the government. Mr Githongo says that the president first ignored and then “flat-out opposed me”. Under intense pressure from donors Mr Kibaki removed two ministers accused of corruption, only to reappoint them a few months later. But there is little expectation that Mr Odinga would do much better in this respect. Only Mr Musyoka has set a leader's example by making his assets and income public.

In many ways, the young hold the key. Mr Odinga has a massive lead among twenty-somethings. If they bother to vote, change is certain. The integrity of the voting process will be tested to breaking point. Screaming mobs, mostly of jobless young men, will surely use any irregularities to make trouble. Kenyans hope that a fiercely fought election will forge a truer democracy, not cause more bloodshed.

http://www.economist.com/world/africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10328292

in less than 12 hrs we will know the next kenyan president. most likely to be raila but the electral commision will tell us. stay put

and on the last minute there are some serious allegations of rigging. this is just sad i thought kenyan leaders had matured democratically past such malpractises. this is a new low in our country's history

and on the last minute there are some serious allegations of rigging. this is just sad i thought kenyan leaders had matured democratically past such malpractises. this is a new low in our country's history

Thats sad, I was hoping Kenya could provide the first "true" democratic example for the rest of the continent.

It seems as if Kibaki has "won" the election, this just stinks of fraud and corruption.

Thats sad, I was hoping Kenya could provide the first "true" democratic example for the rest of the continent.



Free and fair democratic elections have taken place in Ghana, Benin, SA, Senegal, Botswana and Mauritius. So why is Kenya the first true democratic example?

That person should win who helps to fight poverty and puts economy before anything!:)

Free and fair democratic elections have taken place in Ghana, Benin, SA, Senegal, Botswana and Mauritius. So why is Kenya the first true democratic example?

That person should win who helps to fight poverty and puts economy before anything!:)

The Democratic process in SA is far from being competetive, the ANC has a monopoly which hinders democracy. Those other countries are smaller so its hard to use them as an example. The person who should win is the one who gets the most votes, now I have reservations about Odinga his East German "education" I think is something one should look at. But according to everyone he was the likely winner and with 70% of the votes counted leaded the polls with 57%.

Free and fair democratic elections have taken place in Ghana, Benin, SA, Senegal, Botswana and Mauritius. So why is Kenya the first true democratic example?

That person should win who helps to fight poverty and puts economy before anything!:)

dont forget sierra leone and mali (liberia to an extent, tho there are allegations of US tampering)

The Democratic process in SA is far from being competetive, the ANC has a monopoly which hinders democracy. Those other countries are smaller so its hard to use them as an example. The person who should win is the one who gets the most votes, now I have reservations about Odinga his East German "education" I think is something one should look at. But according to everyone he was the likely winner and with 70% of the votes counted leaded the polls with 57%.

ghana isnt that much smaller than kenya

dont forget sierra leone and mali (liberia to an extent, tho there are allegations of US tampering)

Yes, I have forgotten Mali but I don´t agree on Sierra Leone or Liberia...nonetheless, the " Iron Lady " was the best chance the country had. there was absolutely no other option!

The Democratic process in SA is far from being competetive, the ANC has a monopoly which hinders democracy. Those other countries are smaller so its hard to use them as an example.

Well, I didn´t refer to what is happening now but what happened after 1994! SA set quite a positive example....I have read that SA has been given one of the most advanced constitions in the world.

As for smaller nations: ok. for those above-mentioned ......but Ghana isn´t so small, it has 22 million people.

ghana isnt that much smaller than kenya

True Ghana is a fine example but theirs a difference between a nation with 22 million people to one with 36 million. My issue is that in the "big" African countries the democratic process has been mostly a failure. Sierra Leone and Mali aren't viewed as leaders of the continent.

Yes, I have forgotten Mali but I don´t agree on Sierra Leone or Liberia...nonetheless, the " Iron Lady " was the best chance the country had. there was absolutely no other option!



Well, I didn´t refer to what is happening now but what happened after 1994! SA set quite a positive example....I have read that SA has been given one of the most advanced constitions in the world.

As for smaller nations: ok. for those above-mentioned ......but Ghana isn´t so small, it has 22 million people.

the opposition won in SL. why discount them? it think its perhaps the third time the oppositon has won in africa

True Ghana is a fine example but theirs a difference between a nation with 22 million people to one with 36 million. My issue is that in the "big" African countries the democratic process has been mostly a failure. Sierra Leone and Mali aren't viewed as leaders of the continent.

true, the large ones havent got it yet. i think congo's last elction was fair tho

the opposition won in SL. why discount them? it think its perhaps the third time the oppositon has won in africa

yes, you are right!

Thats sad, I was hoping Kenya could provide the first "true" democratic example for the rest of the continent.

no it is pathetic that in the 21st century a kenyan president would rig just to stay in power, i highly doubt anybody really believes that mzee kibaki did not STEAL VOTES. if u rig the elections u just dont desereve to be in the office. ohno:

True Ghana is a fine example but theirs a difference between a nation with 22 million people to one with 36 million. My issue is that in the "big" African countries the democratic process has been mostly a failure. Sierra Leone and Mali aren't viewed as leaders of the continent.

I can assure you that Mali is viewed as a functioning "electoral democracy" in Africa with really minor flaws..

As for Senegal: L.S. Senghor voluntarily stepped down in 1981 which was the end of authoritarian rule in Senegal, a period of multi-party democracy was ushered in. Senegal never experienced any true Big men nor any military government. it was one of the rare examples of a true "electoral democracy" on their way to become some sort of "consolidated democracy" in Africa....where democratic principles have become more or less internalized in the course of the years. A coup d´état won´t be likely there or something like a one-party state. (although the opposition is laying claim to it under Wade´s rule who has some of the qualities of a "strongman" but lacks the ressources to fulfill all his realistic visions).

True Ghana is a fine example but theirs a difference between a nation with 22 million people to one with 36 million. My issue is that in the "big" African countries the democratic process has been mostly a failure. Sierra Leone and Mali aren't viewed as leaders of the continent.

Correction:

I can assure you that Mali is viewed as a functioning "electoral democracy" in Africa with really minor flaws..

As for Senegal: L.S. Senghor voluntarily stepped down in 1981 which was the end of authoritarian rule in Senegal, a period of multi-party democracy was ushered in. Senegal never experienced any true Big men nor any military government. it is one of the rare examples of a true "electoral democracy" on its way to become some sort of "consolidated democracy" in Africa....where democratic principles have become more or less internalized in the course of the years. A coup d´état won´t be likely there or something like a one-party state. (although the opposition is laying claim to it under Wade´s rule who has some of the qualities of a "strongman" but lacks the ressources to fulfill all his realistic visions).

heres what bugs me on Friday the official electoral commission of Kenya results from 176 reporting stations had Raila at 4.08million, today the official results from all 210 constituencies has Raila 4.35million even when he received 25000, in narok, and over 20 000 in 20 other constituencies!! this is a miscarriages of justice, then the president gets confirmed and sworn in in 30minutes, no live tv broadcasts from the independent tv stations, the national broadcasting corporation showing comedy shows!!!, am at a loss

heres what bugs me on Friday the official electoral commission of Kenya results from 176 reporting stations had Raila at 4.08million, today the official results from all 210 constituencies has Raila 4.35million even when he received 25000, in narok, and over 20 000 in 20 other constituencies!! this is a miscarriages of justice, then the president gets confirmed and sworn in in 30minutes, no live tv broadcasts from the independent tv stations, the national broadcasting corporation showing comedy shows!!!, am at a loss

so sad

heres what bugs me on Friday the official electoral commission of Kenya results from 176 reporting stations had Raila at 4.08million, today the official results from all 210 constituencies has Raila 4.35million even when he received 25000, in narok, and over 20 000 in 20 other constituencies!! this is a miscarriages of justice, then the president gets confirmed and sworn in in 30minutes, no live tv broadcasts from the independent tv stations, the national broadcasting corporation showing comedy shows!!!, am at a loss

All Nigerians are feeling your pain since we have the record on electoral fraud. :ohno:

heres what bugs me on Friday the official electoral commission of Kenya results from 176 reporting stations had Raila at 4.08million, today the official results from all 210 constituencies has Raila 4.35million even when he received 25000, in narok, and over 20 000 in 20 other constituencies!! this is a miscarriages of justice, then the president gets confirmed and sworn in in 30minutes, no live tv broadcasts from the independent tv stations, the national broadcasting corporation showing comedy shows!!!, am at a loss

thats just part of it i can tell u of other things too but right now i want kibaki to step down coz he is not elected by the majority of kenyans. i dont care what he has done b4 or said but by rigging that makes him a thief. b4 the elections i had a great deal of respect for that man but now i put him in the same class as moi no difference. even his supporters cannot defend him.

no it is pathetic that in the 21st century a kenyan president would rig just to stay in power, i highly doubt anybody really believes that mzee kibaki did not STEAL VOTES. if u rig the elections u just dont desereve to be in the office. ohno:

Please tell me their will be a recount!!! In this case their is a strong argument to suppor it, the electoral commission has lost credibility this is one way to gain some of it. This isn't like in Mexico when Obrador lost a close election and demanded a recount soley on the basis of being a sore loser.

People are going nuts over this.

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/8239/3f4218f6e8f623d870a904afd2.jpg

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/5465/kenyaelectionsxkp139014ix9.jpg

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/2551/eb081f1cfz5.jpg

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/8858/795cccd0ig9.jpg

Reports: riots kill 15 after Kenya's election

BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhuanet) -- Violence in Nairobi and other areas in Kenya have caused 15 deaths following the announcement of the presidential election result, according to media reports Monday.

Mwai Kibaki beat opposition leader Raila Odinga by a narrow margin to win re-election in Kenya's closest ever vote, the head of the Electoral Commission of Kenya announced on Sunday.

Raila Odinga, leader of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement accused the government of "doctoring" the count on Sunday, which was denied by the Electoral Commission.

Opposition supporters held protest in Nairobi and several other Kenyan cities to show their discontent. They also burnt houses and sacked shops, media reports said.

But police denied there had been violence following the announcement of the result.

President Mwai Kibaki was sworn in at the presidential palace one hour later after the announcement.



http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-12/31/content_7343372.htm

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/1313/xin01212043111198281019wb1.jpg

A riot police truck pass by a burning road block set up by opposition supporters in Nairobi's Kibera slum, Dec. 30, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/2032/xin02212043111190781765hu9.jpg

Riot police of General Service Unit (GSU) guard the Kenya Electoral Commission headquarters in Nairobi, Dec. 30, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

A new Dictator is Born.

A new Dictator is Born.

Well, even if that is the case, there is a bright side. Kibaki is 76-he can't stick around for much longer.

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/7932/xinsrc55212043107560800qe2.jpg

President Mwai Kibaki holds the Bible as he sworn in at the presidential palace in Nairobi, Dec. 30, 2007. Kibaki has beaten opposition leader Raila Odinga by a narrow margin to win re-election in Kenya's closest ever vote, the head of the Electoral Commission of Kenya said on Sunday. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/4963/xinsrc55212043107568818me8.jpg

President Mwai Kibaki speaks during the swearing-in ceremony at the presidential palace in Nairobi, Dec. 30, 2007. Kibaki has beaten opposition leader Raila Odinga by a narrow margin to win re-election in Kenya's closest ever vote, the head of the Electoral Commission of Kenya said on Sunday. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/5248/xinsrc56212043107565421jg4.jpg

Supporters of the Party of National Unity (PNU) of President Mwai Kibaki cheer after his victory was declared in Nairobi, Dec. 30, 2007. Ten people have died in west Kenya as protests against President Mwai Kibaki's controversial re-election erupted around the nation, the respected local broadcaster Nation Television (NTV) said. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Its really sad it ended this way. I was really hoping that Kenya was on course to set a good example on democracy for other Africa countries, but it looks like another dictator in the making had to do everything he could in order to cling on to power.

Its really sad it ended this way. I was really hoping that Kenya was on course to set a good example on democracy for other Africa countries, but it looks like another dictator in the making had to do everything he could in order to cling on to power.

Kenya was on course. Our politicians have just hijacked the whole process. What pains me is that because of a few individuals much of the country is now going up in flames. Kibaki should do something now and fast.:ohno:

heres what bugs me on Friday the official electoral commission of Kenya results from 176 reporting stations had Raila at 4.08million, today the official results from all 210 constituencies has Raila 4.35million even when he received 25000, in narok, and over 20 000 in 20 other constituencies!! this is a miscarriages of justice, then the president gets confirmed and sworn in in 30minutes, no live tv broadcasts from the independent tv stations, the national broadcasting corporation showing comedy shows!!!, am at a loss
^^
Speaking of information. Most of us here in Kenya are in the dark. We cant watch what is transpiring throughout the country. We have resorted to viewing international news stations and using mobile phones to finding out the situation in other parts of the country and even that is proving to be difficult given that obtaining airtime is becoming a problem. They should just let the stations do their job.

Is the situation really this dire?

please, can someone give me a brief wrap-up of the electoral programme of Odinga? Why did people want to vote for him instead of Kibaki? Kibaki wasn´t bad. Shouldn´t he be given five more years in office? If he is a "strongman" that puts economy and the fight against urban and rural poverty beyond any thing in life, so let him do it even if the election process is not "free and fair". Nobody can eat democracy alone....what really counts in life is the construction of a solid social and material infrastructure and a forceful economy where poverty is disappearing and a strong social welfare system is built up. And I am no expert on Kenya but from what I have seen and read on the Kenya threads, Kibaki hasn´t done bad...and who gives you the guarantee that Odinga would have done better?

As siad, I don´t know Kenya well but in some parts of Africa it is commonplace that the opposition can never expect that it looses... so they go to the poor quarters, giving people some money and some shallow promises and instrumentalize them to cause post-electoral riot. People in many parts of Africa can be instrumentalized very easily.

Word is spreading that Raila and his ODM members have been arrested. The country is under a state of emergency. mI still have to confirm these reports but things apparently are deteriorating fast.

The last thing Kenya needs is a civil war, or anything like that...I hope this can be put to an end soon.

That being said, what do the Kenyans think about Kibaki? Like Matthias said, from what I've heard being said on the Forums, he really hasn't done all that bad a job...was Raila going to be a lot better? I mean, what's happened is certainly not good but, if you are going to be stuck with a guy, is Kibaki so bad a guy to get stuck with?

From what I have read this election was about ethnic politics and Kibaki is on the wrong side of the ethnic dived. Beside corruption, policies (i.e. the economy, foriegn relations, health care, education, taxation, etc.....) were never discussed and weren't a part of the election.

Other unconfirmed reports, The police commisioner has resigned as well as senior officials in the armed forces. People are saying the armed forces are split in support of kibaki and Raila.

From what I have read this election was about ethnic politics and Kibaki is on the wrong side of the ethnic dived. Beside corruption, policies (i.e. the economy, foriegn relations, health care, education, taxation, etc.....) were never discussed and weren't a part of the election.
^^
Thats my fear. It could turn out into a kikuyu massacre outside central province.

That being said, what do the Kenyans think about Kibaki? Like Matthias said, from what I've heard being said on the Forums, he really hasn't done all that bad a job...was Raila going to be a lot better? I mean, what's happened is certainly not good but, if you are going to be stuck with a guy, is Kibaki so bad a guy to get stuck with?
^^
Kibaki wasnt a bad leader, he just didn't respect the verdict of Kenyans as a whole. This elections were very emotional and the tension now is rising. Raila and Kibaki had almost the same ideologies (economic development) but the main divide clearly was on ethnic lines.

And this is where we see more evidence of the fact that forced multiculturalism has been Africa's greatest curse...

OMG!!! A MASSACRE HAS STARTED COUNTRYWIDE AGAINST THE KIKUYU. Im getting all sorts of messages aND ITS NOT GOOD.

Kenguy, please stop spreading unconfirmed messages. Your imagination really seems to go wild, I know that this is a highly emotional topic but please confirm your reports...otherwise it really sounds hilarious!!!

It seems that the violence is getting worst now (according to BBC world right now). Maybe Kenya needs a civil war for the people to realize how good they had it and after the war the citizens will be more peaceful

It seems that the violence is getting worst now (according to BBC world right now). Maybe Kenya needs a civil war for the people to realize how good they had it and after the war the citizens will be more peaceful

You must be right out of your mind!!! Stop this hysteria, please!!!:bash:

NO COUNTRY ON EARTH NEEDS A CIVIL WAR. :bash::bash:

Look at mess there is today in countries that got out of war.

^^ I disagree.
Some countries need to have civil wars.
I never use to think that Kenya should be one of these but I am beginning to think so.

A perfect example of a country that has benefited since its Civil war is Rwanda. It's economically better off and its citizens would never dream of having another one. Other examples are the Liberia, Angola and Mozambique. It's only when these countries were brought to their knees that they finally realized what is truly important, Which is stability above everything.

Is the situation really this dire?

please, can someone give me a brief wrap-up of the electoral programme of Odinga? Why did people want to vote for him instead of Kibaki? Kibaki wasn´t bad. Shouldn´t he be given five more years in office? If he is a "strongman" that puts economy and the fight against urban and rural poverty beyond any thing in life, so let him do it even if the election process is not "free and fair". Nobody can eat democracy alone....what really counts in life is the construction of a solid social and material infrastructure and a forceful economy where poverty is disappearing and a strong social welfare system is built up. And I am no expert on Kenya but from what I have seen and read on the Kenya threads, Kibaki hasn´t done bad...and who gives you the guarantee that Odinga would have done better?

As siad, I don´t know Kenya well but in some parts of Africa it is commonplace that the opposition can never expect that it looses... so they go to the poor quarters, giving people some money and some shallow promises and instrumentalize them to cause post-electoral riot. People in many parts of Africa can be instrumentalized very easily.

Kenya is teetering on the brink....http://kumekucha.blogspot.com/ in reply to your comments matthias apart from the few things that kibaki has done good he has not done anything to unite a very divided country (ethnically). As a matter of fact tribalism has increased tenfold during his time as president where most major posts in government (and many government contracts) have gone to people from his community (the kikuyu). Most of the positive changes he has brought are only felt in the urban areas and central province.

Most people in rural kenya are not seeing any changes....

Majority of Kenyans were fed up with his type of governance, grand corruption et al and wanted change. Out of Kenyas 8 provinces, Kibaki got the majority of votes in only 2 provinces namely Central province (where he comes from) and Eastern province. The other presidential candidate Raila Odinga got the majority of votes in the remaining 6 provinces.

Kenyans also want a new constitution which Kibaki has failed to deliver

Mwafrika is right, when Moi was in power around 1991-97 and even 2002, the clamor to remove him forced members of the Kikuyu elite to form alliances with the rest of Kenyans to demand constitutional change and an end to tribalism. When Kibaki was propelled to power,in 2002, it was on the back of the dreams and aspirations of all Kenyans, an end to corruption, tribalism and a fair distribution of resources to all parts of the country. What Kibaki has done in the five years since,has been to Install members of his community in all spheres of government, and give contracts to members of his clique. I am talking about everyone from the head of the civil service down to the clerks that input data for contracts to be signed. You walk into a government office and Kikuyu, not Swahili the national language, is spoken. He has concentrated resource distribution to the mount Kenya area where his community resides, he bailed out the coffee industry by writing off the debt owed by farmers there to the tune of upwards of $300 million when he has refused to do the same for the sugar industry in western Kenya. This has been a systemic plague in kenya and the ODM fronted by Raila Odinga ran a campaign on ending this malaise, that is why he won in all provinces in Kenya except Central and Eastern where the presidents community resides.
Someone explain to me how this is not a coupe, I mean the media is shut out from broadcasting live events, the president installs new judges to the high court a week before the election, in anticipation of legal challenges, presiding officers at polling stations with irregularities missing, as in disappeared from the face of the earth!! over 40 people killed in Kisumu, 40+ in Nairobi, upwards of 20 in Kisii, tens in Mombasa, unknown numbers in Eldoret, kakamega, Mumias, Migori!! PNU youths and the police stopping people in Nairobi and asking if they are from the Luo communities then beating them, sometimes to death!! And now we hear that the police commissioner has resigned, and the Military is split over allegiances!! There is a Swahili saying that goes, amani haiji ila kwa ncha ya upanga, which translated means peace is only attained through the blade of a machete, maybe thats whats going on in kenya, the status quo has been in leadership, from the 1940s under colonial rule and is steeped in that mindset. My God help us all!!

Mwafrika and acreed79, first of all thanks for that link and your replies!

I don´t know what to say about it now!

Kenya, Ivory Coast and Zimbabwe - although different - were Africa´s post-independent "sucess stories"....that is what economist and some social sceintist are saying.

Two countries have failed miserably. Especially Ivory Coast was a very deep shock for many people, including me, honestly said. If Kenya fails, too, I am at a loss for words. Kenya has been a country largely at peace with itself since independence, no brutal ethnic war, for all I know.


Kenya has to look at the mess that so many countries in Africa are faced with and simply learn from their faults and get over it. Kenya is the Gateway to East Africa and a big, strategically important country within Africa. So please......for the sake of the nation, the people, your country´s beauty and its achievements so far!!!!

Mwafrika and acreed79, first of all thanks for that link and your replies!

I don´t know what to say about it now!

Kenya, Ivory Coast and Zimbabwe - although different - were Africa´s post-independent "sucess stories"....that is what economist and some social sceintist are saying.

Two countries have failed miserably. Especially Ivory Coast was a very deep shock for many people, including me, honestly said. If Kenya fails, too, I am at a loss for words. Kenya has been a country largely at peace with itself since independence, no brutal ethnic war, for all I know.


Kenya has to look at the mess that so many countries in Africa are faced with and simply learn from their faults and get over it. Kenya is the Gateway to East Africa and a big, strategically important country within Africa. So please......for the sake of the nation, the people, your country´s beauty and its achievements so far!!!!

like some have said, perhaps bloodshed is unfortunately need to build a country. sucks, but kibaki must be stopped. after reading mwafrika's post, i feel sick to my stomach. this is a man that will cling to power by all means and furthr damage the country. the east africa union with museveni and guys like kibaki is a joke

like some have said, perhaps bloodshed is unfortunately need to build a country. sucks, but kibaki must be stopped. after reading mwafrika's post, i feel sick to my stomach. this is a man that will cling to power by all means and furthr damage the country. the east africa union with museveni and guys like kibaki is a joke

No, I totally disagree. look at African countries such as Botswana, Cape Verde among a few other small states or countries that are more comparable in size like Tanzania and even Cameroon, ...especially the last two bigger countries have never ever gone through any form of bloodshed to build their countries. No ethnic post-independent wars.

You don´t need war to build a country.

PEACE IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE.

LOOK AT ANGOLA OR MOZAMBIQUE; IF THEY COULD TURN BACK TIME I AM SURE THEY WOULD HAVE SKIPPED THEIR WAR PERIODS. In Angola we are talking of 30 years lost in economic development!!! it is more than a generation. What was all the sense of it? I can´t think of any.

No, I totally disagree. look at African countries such as Botswana, Cape Verde among a few other small states or countries that are more comparable in size like Tanzania and even Cameroon, ...especially the last two bigger countries have never ever gone through any form of bloodshed to build their countries. No ethnic post-independent wars.

You don´t need war to build a country.

PEACE IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE.

LOOK AT ANGOLA OR MOZAMBIQUE; IF THEY COULD TURN BACK TIME I AM SURE THEY WOULD HAVE SKIPPED THEIR WAR PERIODS. In Angola we are talking of 30 years lost in economic development!!! it is more than a generation. What was all the sense of it? I can´t think of any.

you make a good point , but cameroon is a bad example. i guess it depnds on the country. but cameroon is being governed by a dictator

you make a good point , but Cameroon is a bad example. i guess it depnds on the country. but cameroon is being governed by a dictator

Yes, Paul Biya is an autocrat although I preferred Ahmadou Ahidjo, Cameroon´s first president, who ruled the country between 1960-1982. Cameroon really experienced good times under his rule, socio-economically, all the Cameroonians told me that. (I wouldn´t use the word dictator for Paul Biya: dictators in my eyes are Idi Amin, Mobuto, Abacha, Buhari, Mugabe, Laurent Gbagbo, Sekou Touré ...people who have recklessly killed and put people into mass graves and left their country dry and penniless whereas they enjoy a life of glory) ... if you talk to Cameroonians which I have done in, they complain a lot about their country, especially corruption, but at least they all told me that their country has always enjoyed peace and has a strong and reliable currency...when they compare it with so many other countries in Africa.

Offodile better stop that insinuation A growing economy that does not trickle to the poor and double digit inflation is as good as no growth at all. Besides Kenyans are free to choose the president of their Choice it is their democratic right. We Kenyans will not accept autocratic rule. Kibaki's tenure has seen the worst escalation of tribalism never seen in 40 years

Offodile better stop that insinuation A growing economy that does not trickle to the poor and double digit inflation is as good as no growth at all. Besides Kenyans are free to choose the president of their Choice it is tyhere democratic ruler. We Kenyans will not accept autocratic rule.

Which double digit inflation are you talking aboutß If you are alluding to Cameroon , you are grossly misinformed!

This regards your previous comment why Kenya's want to change their leadership.

Yes, Paul Biya is an autocrat although I preferred Ahmadou Ahidjo, Cameroon´s first president, who ruled the country between 1960-1982. Cameroon really experienced good times under his rule, socio-economically, all the Cameroonians told me that. (I wouldn´t use the word dictator for Paul Biya: dictators in my eyes are Idi Amin, Mobuto, Abacha, Buhari, Mugabe, Laurent Gbagbo, Sekou Touré ...people who have recklessly killed and put people into mass graves and left their country dry and penniless whereas they enjoy a life of glory) ... if you talk to Cameroonians which I have done in, they complain a lot about their country, especially corruption, but at least they all told me that their country has always enjoyed peace and has a strong and reliable currency...when they compare it with so many other countries in Africa.

i disagree with mugabe being on the list. Buhari yes, in theory, but he lived an austere life and did not kill (as far as I can recall). however he was not democratically elected. your list needs to include the likes of IBB as well. but despite what cameroonians say, they deserve more than mere peace and a stable currency. why cant they enjoy what other rich well of countries enjoy, like growing income, good healthcare, good schools, etc

Kisumu Ndogo, Ok, it is your choice but accept mine.

Anyway I don´t see any stak difference in countries whether the are ruled by a democract or an autocrat (at least for Africa)


Let´s compare a few democracies in Africa with a more autocratic government. (only in terms of HDI)


HDI for 2007


Kenya postion 148
Senegal position 156
Tanzania position 159
Zambia position 165
Mali position 173
Benin position 163

Ghana position 135 (the best of all mid-sized countries in Africa)

On the less democratic side: you have Cameroon position 144 (which saw the sharpest rise in its HDI Index during 1975-1985)

So where is the difference in the lives of the population between an autocratic government and a democratic government? In either case countries or population remain mired in poverty. if we had a mid-sized country in africa whose HDI Index would be above 0.7 at least, I would say yes, life has improved for the people under a democratic government. Are there any? Don´t say Egypt because this is a full blow autocracy.

my point is that all democracies in Africa are "electoral democracieis". Life for the ordinary citizen hasn´t changed whether you live under autocratic rule or a democratic rule.

...another observation that I made is that African countries experienced their biggest leap in economic development and rise in living standards when there was still a one-party state.

I don´t want a return to those days, it is just an observation

But what had democracy brought to Africa (leaving Botswna and Mauritius aside)??? Socio-economically???? Press freedom, casting ballots in elections that are frequently rigged, some more organisational life...Well, this is given in Cameroon as well (at least to a certain degree). People don´t end up being stoned to death in Cameroon for voicing their opinion.

All I am saying is that Africa won´t make it when it follows the Western principle of democracy under the excessive poverty conditions that still prevail.

Moreover, the cultural foundation in pre-colonial Africa were different from those in the West.

Ghana would have never "developped" without Rawlings who instilled a certain sense of discipline into the country and ruled with an iron fist. Rawlings paved the way for Kufuor.

After our economies have reached a certain stage of socio-economic development and yes, even some "mental evolution" in the minds of the politicians which are part of the populace; democracy might become an option!



Sorry, people will surely heavily disapprove of what I have said but this is my opinion.

Coorection:

Kisumu Ndogo, Ok, it is your choice but accept mine.

Anyway I don´t see any stak difference in countries whether the are ruled by a democract or an autocrat (at least for Africa)


Let´s compare a few democracies in Africa with a more autocratic government. (only in terms of HDI)


HDI for 2007


Kenya postion 148
Senegal position 156
Tanzania position 159
Zambia position 165
Mali position 173
Benin position 163

Ghana position 135 (the best of all mid-sized countries in Africa)

On the less democratic side: you have Cameroon position 144 (which saw the sharpest rise in its HDI Index during 1975-1985 under autocratic rule, suprsingly!!!)

So where is the difference in the lives of the population between an autocratic government and a democratic government? In either case countries or population remain mired in poverty. if we had a mid-sized country in africa whose HDI Index would be above 0.7 at least, I would say yes, life has improved for the people under a democratic government. Are there any? Don´t say Egypt because this is a full blow autocracy.

my point is that all democracies in Africa are "electoral democracieis". Life for the ordinary citizen hasn´t changed whether you live under autocratic rule or a democratic rule.

...another observation that I made is that African countries experienced their biggest leap in economic development and rise in living standards when there was still a one-party state.

I don´t want a return to those days, it is just an observation

But what had democracy brought to Africa (leaving Botswna and Mauritius aside)??? Socio-economically???? Press freedom, casting ballots in elections that are frequently rigged, some more organisational life...Well, this is given in Cameroon as well (at least to a certain degree). People don´t end up being stoned to death in Cameroon for voicing their opinion.

All I am saying is that Africa won´t make it when it follows the Western principle of democracy under the excessive poverty conditions that still prevail.

Moreover, the cultural foundation in pre-colonial Africa were different from those in the West.

Ghana would have never "developped" without Rawlings who instilled a certain sense of discipline into the country and ruled with an iron fist. Rawlings paved the way for Kufuor.

After our economies have reached a certain stage of socio-economic development and yes, even some "mental evolution" in the minds of the politicians which are part of the populace; democracy might become an option!



Sorry, people will surely heavily disapprove of what I have said but this is my opinion.

Coorection:

Kisumu Ndogo, Ok, it is your choice but accept mine.

Anyway I don´t see any stak difference in countries whether the are ruled by a democract or an autocrat (at least for Africa)


Let´s compare a few democracies in Africa with a more autocratic government. (only in terms of HDI)


HDI for 2007


Kenya postion 148
Senegal position 156
Tanzania position 159
Zambia position 165
Mali position 173
Benin position 163

Ghana position 135 (the best of all mid-sized countries in Africa)

On the less democratic side: you have Cameroon position 144 (which saw the sharpest rise in its HDI Index during 1975-1985 under autocratic rule, suprsingly!!!)

So where is the difference in the lives of the population between an autocratic government and a democratic government? In either case countries or population remain mired in poverty. if we had a mid-sized country in africa whose HDI Index would be above 0.7 at least, I would say yes, life has improved for the people under a democratic government. Are there any? Don´t say Egypt because this is a full blow autocracy.

my point is that all democracies in Africa are "electoral democracieis". Life for the ordinary citizen hasn´t changed whether you live under autocratic rule or a democratic rule.

...another observation that I made is that African countries experienced their biggest leap in economic development and rise in living standards when there was still a one-party state.

I don´t want a return to those days, it is just an observation

But what had democracy brought to Africa (leaving Botswna and Mauritius aside)??? Socio-economically???? Press freedom, casting ballots in elections that are frequently rigged, some more organisational life...Well, this is given in Cameroon as well (at least to a certain degree). People don´t end up being stoned to death in Cameroon for voicing their opinion.

All I am saying is that Africa won´t make it when it follows the Western principle of democracy under the excessive poverty conditions that still prevail.

Moreover, the cultural foundation in pre-colonial Africa were different from those in the West.

Ghana would have never "developped" without Rawlings who instilled a certain sense of discipline into the country and ruled with an iron fist. Rawlings paved the way for Kufuor.

After our economies have reached a certain stage of socio-economic development and yes, even some "mental evolution" in the minds of the politicians which are part of the populace; democracy might become an option!



Sorry, people will surely heavily disapprove of what I have said but this is my opinion.

many of the countries that developed outside of the west are one party states or autocratic states, like japan, singapore, mexico, china, malaysia, UAE, ivory coast (until recently) china. That isnt to say the western method wouldnt work, if the politicians would give it a chance, like in ghana, botswana, mauritius. The system is theonly way to go in a country liek nigeria, otherwise an autocratic leader simple holds down the lid on a pressure cooker that will explode at sometime when he exists.

But you seem to restrict the good these systems bring to only HDI. freedoms, economic growth that reaches everyone, as well as a sense of continuity are benefits that arent fairly quantified in HDI.

many of the countries that developed outside of the west are one party states or autocratic states, like japan, singapore, mexico, china, malaysia, UAE, ivory coast (until recently) china. That isnt to say the western method wouldnt work, if the politicians would give it a chance, like in ghana, botswana, mauritius. The system is theonly way to go in a country liek nigeria, otherwise an autocratic leader simple holds down the lid on a pressure cooker that will explode at sometime when he exists.

But you seem to restrict the good these systems bring to only HDI. freedoms, economic growth that reaches everyone, as well as a sense of continuity are benefits that arent fairly quantified in HDI.

I want to restrict it to Africa.

Malaysia , the UAE, China and Singapore are culturally very different from any country in Africa.

As for the Iivory Coast: it was an autocracy till 1993, it got democractic during Bedié´s rule but poverty and corruption increased rapidly during his tenure, same for ethnic strife and the concept of ivoirité which was invented by Bedié as a means to divert from his personal egoism & incompetence to lead the country.
Laurent Gbagbo is an autocrat in disguise (corruption has even got worse under his tenure and "la refondation" has turned into way for many pro-Gbagbo politicians/supporters to get excessively rich). Interestingly, Gbagbo was once supported by the French socialist party in the hope to bring the Ivory coast back from military rule under Guie and corrupt "democratic" Bedié. . If you speak French, I can give you some articles.

As for Japan, it is a democracy, one of the few in Asia.

As for Mauritius: it is a highly multi-ethic country and vene culturally different from the continent.

As for Botswna yes, but it is also a very homogenous country.

As for Nigeria: Yes, I have forgotten IBB. Moreover, I understand the points that you have made.

South Korea and Taiwan both got democratic after their countries have attained a certain level of socio-economic development.

Look, I am not gainst democracy in africa but at its current stage of development, it won´t work for the majority of the countries!

Kenya was on course. Our politicians have just hijacked the whole process. What pains me is that because of a few individuals much of the country is now going up in flames. Kibaki should do something now and fast.:ohno:

The only thing left for kibaki to do is step down and announce raila as the president. kibaki RIGGED THE ELECTION PRECESS AND SHOULD NOT BE IN OFFICE. SIMPLE AS THAT. my dear country is going up in flames bcoz of the mt kenya mafia it is not acceptable and right now i wish i was in kenya coz if there was anytime in history of my country to protest something this ranks with the highest. it pains me that i am in a nice house here in america while my fellow kenyans are fighting and dying for the freedoms democracy and rights we have so dearly earned and loved. Kibaki is turning out to be another african dictator, how can u cutt off the media if u think u have won the election fair and square. WHY IS THE MEDIA BEING STRUNGLED, WHY DAMN IT?

i am trying to find ways to express my disgust but nothing i can do where i am. i just want kibaki and his mt kenya mafia out of the state house. in every democracy there has to be a defining moment and this is kenya's defining moment coz the lessons kenya will learn from this event are going to strengthen our democracy if we(kenyans) do the right thing. even ukraine had their defining moment and now it is one of the stable democracies in east europe bcoz the pple in power got there though the power of the ukranians. if(and i think he will) raila gets into power it is due to the power of the kenyans and not his charisma or witts hence he will know and appreciate the position he is in.
AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED KIBAKI SHOULD GET OUT OF OFFICE RIGHT NOW

Offodile better stop that insinuation A growing economy that does not trickle to the poor and double digit inflation is as good as no growth at all. Besides Kenyans are free to choose the president of their Choice it is their democratic right. We Kenyans will not accept autocratic rule. Kibaki's tenure has seen the worst escalation of tribalism never seen in 40 years(emphasis added)

It seems pretty clear that the escalation of tribalism has been caused by Kibaki's opponents. It's politicians in the ODM that have stoked anti-Kikuyu sentiments, for their personal gain.

Kibaki's presidency was, on balance, a success (despite problems like Anglo-Leasing, etc.). But this election does indeed look rigged, and as such Kibaki needs to step down.

However, it might be possible that the election was rigged without Kibaki's knowledge. Kibaki has such a powerful group of "handlers," such as Michuki, that have a lot invested in the Kibaki presidency - they could have rigged it without Kibaki's involvement. (This is just a possibility, we will probably never know.)

Another alternative to bring peace might be to change the constitution in a manner similar to what was proposed prior to the 2002 election. Create a Prime Minister, install Odinga, and give that post significant power. I'm not sure if this would work at this point, but it's worth considering.

Personally speaking Though in Africa I would not compare Kenyan with her African neighbours Our aim is to chase after the rising Asian Tigers. Although our Economy grew about 7% in 2007 and productivity increased many Kenyans feel that this is not enough. It will be remembered that a survey was carried out in 2002 (When Kibaki was elected president)that showed Kenyans to be the most optimistic people in the world. Kenyans do not want to compare Kibaki's regime to Moi's previous kleptocracy. But what they want is a agrowing economy that trickles to the masses revival of collapsed industries and infrastructure more so they want to see easening of tribal tensions and revamping of infrastructure.

Here are some of the reasons that Kenyans expect highly of their government:-

Kenya has some of the highest levels of Literacy and professionals in the continent and their is so much level of awareness about the happenings

Many Kenyans feel that they were robbed of economic gains and democratic right during Moi's regime and would not want to put up with a regime being seen not to move towards these.

Kenya is a bacon of Hope in the region, and East Africa's largest economy and people would not want anything less that will be seen to return them back to the dark days.

we elect our president and the statement kenyans will make by putting raila to power is that kenya is for kenyans and if u are in office ur there bcause kenyans put u there and the results will be
1) polititians will avoid corruption coz they know that kenyans know how to vote
2) politians will respect and appreciate their offices hence better service delivery
3) the most imortant is that kenyans will make it known that they have matured in democracy and will not be lied to or treated like kids anymore by anybody.
4) we will serve as an example to the rest of africa.

AND DAMN I AM PISSED OFF BY KIBAKI!!!

wow..I am new to Kenyan politics but this all seems to be a bit overstated..
sure, one side will always be upset with the results of an election...

but Kenya is not a country to burn down in less than a week.




I really hope that emotions can get back to normal so
maybe some negotiating can occur. God help Kenya through this.

Here is how this will hurt the Kenyan economy and Africa IN GENERAL.

Kenya violence, poll dispute to push investors away

By Peter Apps
REUTERS

5:46 a.m. December 31, 2007

LONDON – Rioting, political instability and a spiralling death toll following Kenya's disputed election is seen drastically denting investor confidence in what had been seen as one of Africa's emerging success stories.
Scores of people have been killed in turmoil since President Mwai Kibaki was declared the victor on Sunday with a narrow majority. The opposition says the poll had been stolen and European Union monitors say it lacked credibility.

Kibaki had been credited with turning around east Africa's biggest economy from disaster to an average 5 percent growth since 2002, and the country's success had been held up as an example of a wider trend in Africa.
The Kenyan shilling is up 9 percent versus the dollar this year. Fitch and Standard & Poor's have issued the country debut credit ratings of 'B+' citing its diversified economy which is expected to grow 7 percent in 2007.

But now investors are likely to be less keen.

“The events in Kenya will frustrate some people as it is one of the African markets that investors have been focusing on in their hunt for new markets,” said Beat Siegenthaler, chief strategist at TD Securities in London.

“There are not that many countries in Africa with decent market infrastructure and Kenya happens to be one of them. This will serve to remind people that it is not straightforward to invest in emerging markets.”

Kenyan markets are closed for the New Year and will not reopen until later this week, but both the stock market and shilling currency are likely to fall sharply. How much will depend on how long the violence continues, analysts say.

“Obviously it is extremely negative,” said strategist Richard Segal at Renaissance Capital. “We don't know when the markets will open but certainly people will be looking to sell.”

He said the violence and television pictures of burning buildings and riot police would probably hit interest in the planned sale of 25 percent in telecom firm Safaricom. The sale of the 40:60 joint-venture between Kenya's government and Britain's Vodafone had been eagerly anticipated by investors and was seen as key to boosting trade volumes on the Nairobi stock exchange.

HOLDING BACK

The sale was scheduled for the coming days but has already been delayed several times.

“I can't see any international investors taking a serious look at it now,” said Segal, adding that a decline in foreign investor interest could slow further planned privatisation.

With both the European Union monitors and Britain criticising the result, foreign donor flows are also seen potentially falling. Some investors might look at Nigeria instead, Segal said. That country was also the scene of a criticised election earlier in the year but Segal said that this time it might act as a relative safe haven.

A narrow opposition win on the other hand might have done much more to boost Kenya's reputation as a stable democracy. Economic policy was seen largely unchanged whoever won.

Going further forward into 2008, ongoing instability could hit the planned sale of a $300 million international bond expected after March. The bond had been expected to be in great demand after Ghana's sale of a $750 million eurobond – the first in sub-Saharan Africa outside South Africa – was four times oversubscribed.

But with the bond sale still likely months away, investors say there is time for the country to at least partially recover.

Few yet see a great risk of longer term tribal violence or civil war – although much of the recent fighting has pitched ethnic Luos, who supported defeated opposition leader Raila Odinga, against Kibaki's ethnic Kikuyu group.

Investec fixed income fund manager Peter Eerdmans said he had been considering entering the Kenyan market but the disputed election and violence would put him off until there was more clarity. But it did not change his overall view of Africa.

“In developing countries where democracy is relatively young you always have these risks but our view of Africa...in general remains positive,” he said. “What people can sometimes do is look at the continent of Africa and judge it on two or three bad examples but there is more to it than that.”

(additional reporting by Sujata Rao; Editing by Ron Askew)

forget the investors, right now we have a democracy to save. right now economy is the last thing kenyans want to think of, so pliz hold off on the envestiment thing.

Yes,
people will attend that meeting on thursday and if Kibaki wants to order a shoot to kill on civilians then that is how it will be. However, I don't know what army, GSU, police can take on over 1 000 000 people and hope to achieve peace in the face of the world.

For PNU supporters, am happy that your man has won but he clearly put his self ahead of the people. Now am aware that folks in Kenya are in the dark literally because Kibaki blacked out the media but am telling you this maquarade will not just disappear like that. When Moi's project Uhuru was trounced, Kenyans finally had some faith in the process. 5 years down, Kibaki and Kivuitu were too lazy to even rig in an intelligent manner.

Where they asleep when Moi was teaching the real politik of african vote rigging?

All they had to do was take anywhere from 10 - 80 % of all the other 7 presidential candidates and top up Kibaki's. But to just tack on phantom votes at KICC when the whole world checked off on the proper figures at the polling stations?

Is that not playing with people's intelligence?

And for that we should calm down and go to court and accept Kibaki as a legitimate president? Guys, we are in Africa. Not USA. That bs will not fly. It is up to Kibaki to come out of state house and address the nation.

I doubt if Kenyans will ever allow Kibaki to rule unless he turns the country into a police state as it is norw over 100,000 GSU, Police and Army are out there. It is also true that the country is in Darkness and everybody is indoors, Live TV is offair the remaining suppression is Internet and Mobile phone communication. Me thinks days are numbered.

I doubt if Kenyans will ever allow Kibaki to rule unless he turns the country into a police state as it is norw over 100,000 GSU, Police and Army are out there. It is also true that the country is in Darkness and everybody is indoors, Live TV is offair the remaining suppression is Internet and Mobile phone communication. Me thinks days are numbered.

i really think his days in state hse are numbered


now SOME eck commisioners are questioning the results. choeck out this video
FFasiup_glM

Nice Job Nairoberry.

i found this from a blogger and i think it touches what is wrong with this election outcome, pliz take time to read

December 30th, 2007

It’s a sad day for Kenya

Tears are rolling down my eyes as I’m writing this.

It is a sad day for Kenya when Ruto and Kosgey(part of the oppositoon) are the guys arguing for justice and fairness.

It is a sad day for Kenya when Karua and Kibwana(part of the corrupt cabinet) are defending rigged results.

It is a sad day for Kenya when Kivuitu(Electrol commission of kenya chariman) is cracking jokes at the state house swearing in ceremony while lives are being lost for people who could care less (10 people already dead in Kisii, 2 dead in Kakamega, at least one in Kisumu).

It is a sad day for Kenya when Kibaki who pledged to be a one-term president and is only president because Raila said Kibaki Tosha can now not be bigger than himself and his cronies.

It is a sad day for Kenya when a cabal that has been in power since independence still controls the countries destiny.

It is a sad day for Kenya when millions of first time young voters have had their voice ignored - how do you tell these people that their vote matters in 2012?

It is a sad day for Kenya that Kenyans will no longer trust the one avenue they have - the ballot box.

It is a sad day in Kenya that the democracy that has been painfully and slowly nurtured since 1992 has been damaged in one day.

It is a sad day.

Deep

i found this from a blogger and i think it touches what is wrong with this election outcome, pliz take time to read

December 30th, 2007

It’s a sad day for Kenya

Tears are rolling down my eyes as I’m writing this.

It is a sad day for Kenya when Ruto and Kosgey(part of the oppositoon) are the guys arguing for justice and fairness.

It is a sad day for Kenya when Karua and Kibwana(part of the corrupt cabinet) are defending rigged results.

It is a sad day for Kenya when Kivuitu(Electrol commission of kenya chariman) is cracking jokes at the state house swearing in ceremony while lives are being lost for people who could care less (10 people already dead in Kisii, 2 dead in Kakamega, at least one in Kisumu).

It is a sad day for Kenya when Kibaki who pledged to be a one-term president and is only president because Raila said Kibaki Tosha can now not be bigger than himself and his cronies.

It is a sad day for Kenya when a cabal that has been in power since independence still controls the countries destiny.

It is a sad day for Kenya when millions of first time young voters have had their voice ignored - how do you tell these people that their vote matters in 2012?

It is a sad day for Kenya that Kenyans will no longer trust the one avenue they have - the ballot box.

It is a sad day in Kenya that the democracy that has been painfully and slowly nurtured since 1992 has been damaged in one day.

It is a sad day.

on a side note, it seems kenya has a lot of words with the letter "K"

Matthias, Mexico is far from being an autocratic state, it has very strong democratic principles.

Matthias, Mexico is far from being an autocratic state, it has very strong democratic principles.

mexico was run by one party for about 70 years. japan has been run by one party for about 70 years now. Matt states that it is one of the most democratic states in africa, but its democracy lacks any dynamism

mexico was run by one party for about 70 years. japan has been run by one party for about 70 years now. Matt states that it is one of the most democratic states in africa, but its democracy lacks any dynamism

The issue in Mexico just like in the U.S and Japan is the political monopoly in the fact that their are only 2 parties. In Mexico you have the PAN and the PRE and in the election before last that monopoly was broken. In Africa it has more to do with the reality that those in power abuse it so that they win most every election. Didn't you mention that only 3 opposition groups have won elections on the continent?

The issue in Mexico just like in the U.S and Japan is the political monopoly in the fact that their are only 2 parties. In Mexico you have the PAN and the PRE and in the election before last that monopoly was broken. In Africa it has more to do with the reality that those in power abuse it so that they win most every election. Didn't you mention that only 3 opposition groups have won elections on the continent?

i know that in africa the reality is that these fools try to hold onto power too long. i was pointing out that in mexico, japan , singapore etc, those countries thrived under a strong and steady democracy. single party states or autocratic rule.

i was wrong about oppositions winning in africa. its more than 3, Mauritius, Cape Verde, São Tomé, Zambia, Senegal, Ghana, Kenya and Guinea-Bissau. since independence the number is 10. still very low. whats interesting is that from the list i just posted, it seems like most of these countries are going pretty well economically. i guess there is no rule to development. dynamic or static democracy can produce the same positive benefits

create another thread and talk about japan mexico and the rest but not here. post something about the political state of kenya right now is that too much to ask for?

create another thread and talk about japan mexico and the rest but not here. post something about the political state of kenya right now is that too much to ask for?

relax a bit. i know this is an emotional tme for you. its not unusual for thread to go offtrack. besdies my last post referred to the opposition winning an election in africa, and referred to kenya.

(emphasis added)

It seems pretty clear that the escalation of tribalism has been caused by Kibaki's opponents. It's politicians in the ODM that have stoked anti-Kikuyu sentiments, for their personal gain.

Kibaki's presidency was, on balance, a success (despite problems like Anglo-Leasing, etc.). But this election does indeed look rigged, and as such Kibaki needs to step down.

However, it might be possible that the election was rigged without Kibaki's knowledge. Kibaki has such a powerful group of "handlers," such as Michuki, that have a lot invested in the Kibaki presidency - they could have rigged it without Kibaki's involvement. (This is just a possibility, we will probably never know.)

Another alternative to bring peace might be to change the constitution in a manner similar to what was proposed prior to the 2002 election. Create a Prime Minister, install Odinga, and give that post significant power. I'm not sure if this would work at this point, but it's worth considering.
^^
what surprises me is that kibaki didn't seem the type to cling to power. Someone (or some people) might be hiding behind Kibaki's government in order to protect their ill gotten gains though corruption.

Matthias, Mexico is far from being an autocratic state, it has very strong democratic principles.


Where did I mention Mexico, please show it to me? It wasn´t me who refereed to Mexico, read properly

Moreover, nobody paid heed to any of the questions that I have raised? What the use of a democracy when a country remains mired in poverty (I am strictly referring to the African context here)?

Moreover, Kibaki was once the biggest hope in Kenya and a good example of a new democracy dawning in one of Africa´s most important countries....when I check older newpaper articles on Kenya.

Now he behaves no better than an autocrat?

A promising oppositional figure turned autocrat?

Democracy failed because pre-conditions for democratic rule seem to lack.


was wrong about oppositions winning in africa. its more than 3, Mauritius, Cape Verde, São Tomé, Zambia, Senegal, Ghana, Kenya and Guinea-Bissau. since independence the number is 10. still very low. whats interesting is that from the list i just posted, it seems like most of these countries are going pretty well economically. i guess there is no rule to development. dynamic or static democracy can produce the same positive benefits

You are right, but forget about Guinea-Bissau, this entire country is a entire mess and should be put under the auspices of the UN and the African Union, it is utterly mired in poverty and shamelessly ultra-corrupt! Same for the Central African Republic
As for Zambia: read what Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International has to say about the country or read www.freedomhouse.org, polity IV Index the country is showing signs of slipping back to autocratic rule.



Cape verde and Mauritius are both good examples of democratic rule in africa but they are both somehow culturally different from mainland Africa as I said before and above all tiny island nations..

Ghana, Botswana and Senegal are the shining democratic examples on the African continent. Botswna is a ethnically homogenous nation. Senegal´s Wade is beginning to show tendecies of s strongman by placing emphasis on the economy which I am in favour of, but still the country is a multi-party democracy.

Ghana will experince one of its biggest test for democracy when the oil starts to flow, whether democratic principles/institutions will wither or will continue to stay? Will the army remain confined to the barracks, only if level of corruption under civilian rule are kept at bay? Ghana is not free from military coups/instability, read this: http://www.thestatesmanonline.com/pages/news_detail.php?newsid=3325&section=1
What about the Nothern conflict in 1994 that almost sparked into a full blown civil war? If you read www.ghanaweb.com and the comment given by Ghanaians about Kufur and their country, it doesn´t look too promising, people are complaining a lot! 2008 will be another crucial year for Ghana´s democracy.

But as I said earlier, Rawlings paved the way for Kufuor, Rawlings literally helped to "sanitize" Ghana by ruling with an iron fist.

I just wanted to be critical this time in my comments. I am fully aware of this side despite showing nice pictures.

The problem with African Strongmen is that they do not want to allow a sincere establishment of new constitutions that caters for the ordinary man. I look with envy USA and Malaysia's constitutions whose main objective is empowering and protecting every individual citizens right. Kenya's dilema is that its constitution has been draging for more than 10 years now...and the leaders keep pushing it far.

The problem with African Strongmen is that they do not want to allow a sincere establishment of new constitutions that caters for the ordinary man. I look with envy USA and Malaysia's constitutions whose main objective is empowering and protecting every individual citizens right. Kenya's dilema is that its constitution has been draging for more than 10 years now...and the leaders keep pushing it far.

I undertand what you mean

But I want to see strong economic growth that spreads to the poor, the poverty in Africa makes me sick, I want to see it disappear! I have said it so many times now.

I want leaders that put economy and social well-being of their citizens before anything else.
Leaders that move aggressively and speedily. I hate slowness, petty-mindedness and inaction.

I am fed up of all those ethnic stuff, instability , self-centred and primitive tribal leaders, the wars, the instability, the pseudo-revoltionary leaders/"heroes" that concealed their own deveilish greed for power behind weird ideologies.

I want to see leaders that look beyond their small-minded "ethnic world" but have the nation´s problems, its people and its socio-economc development at heart.

I want strict rule of law, discipline and transparency for which you don´t need necessarily a liberal democracy in the Western sense.


You know what annoys is that things or countries get destroyed so easily in Africa but it takes such long time to rebuild anything afterwards.

Who care for a leader if he is formally democratic but corruption is as ripe as under autocratic rule or people are still faced with the same recurring daily problems!!?? Democracy in Africa in the mid-sized states has no social/material dividend for the population.

I undertand what you mean

But I want to see strong economic growth that spreads to the poor, the poverty in Africa makes me sick, I want to see it disappear! I have said it so many times now.

I want leaders that put economy and social well-being of their citizens before anything else.
Leaders that move aggressively and speedily. I hate slowness, petty-mindedness and inaction.

I am fed up of all those ethnic stuff, instability , self-centred and primitive tribal leaders, the wars, the instability, the pseudo-revoltionary leaders/"heroes" that concealed their own deveilish greed for power behind weird ideologies.

I want to see leaders that look beyond their small-minded "ethnic world" but have the nation´s problems, its people and its socio-economc development at heart.

I want strict rule of law, discipline and transparency for which you don´t need necessarily a liberal democracy in the Western sense.


You know what annoys is that things or countries get destroyed so easily in Africa but it takes such long time to rebuild anything afterwards.

Who care for a leader if he is formally democratic but corruption is as ripe as under autocratic rule or people are still faced with the same recurring daily problems!!?? Democracy in Africa in the mid-sized states has no social/material dividend for the population.

Now Offodile I have always admired your courage but on this your absolutely protecting some interest wether real or imagined I also hope you are not saying this because Nigeria too is "Undemocratic" as it were. anyway to say that midsized staes do not need democracy is bigotry of the highest order. My question is THEN WHY HOLD ELECTIONS IF WE WANT TO CREATE REGIMENTS AND LIFE PRESIDENTS Where we have 1 Million Millionares and 30 Million beggars.

Now Offodile I have always admired your courage but on this your absolutely protecting some interest wether real or imagined I also hope you are not saying this because Nigeria too is "Undemocratic" as it were. anyway to say that midsized staes do not need democracy is bigotry of the highest order. My question is THEN WHY HOLD ELECTIONS IF WE WANT TO CREATE REGIMENTS AND LIFE PRESIDENTS Where we have 1 Million Millionares and 30 Million beggars.

Yes, I agree...It was misleading ´cos I had Botswna in mind, I meant to say that democracy in mid-sized states such as Zambia, Ghana, Tanzania etc. as opposed to countries such as Botswana hasn´t made any difference to the life of its citizens. Where is the social/material dividend of democracy, that´s my point! Moreover, I never pleaded for life presidents if you had followed my postings carefully. Suprisingly, you didn´t even get my point that I am driving at in message above although I clearly marked out the phrases of importance. So here once again

I want leaders that put economy and social well-being of their citizens before anything else. Leaders that move aggressively and speedily. I hate slowness, petty-mindedness and inaction.

What enables this is a new people friendly constitution. Doesnt matter how smart and decisive a chap is with the corruption trap will always glare without proper rules in place By the way I was responding to the context of your sentiments not the specifics.

What enables this is a new people friendly constitution. Doesnt matter how smart and decisive a chap is with the corruption trap will always glare without proper rules in place By the way I was responding to the context of your sentiments not the specifics.

I agree with what you said, proper rules/strict rule of law is of utmost importance!

Concerning "people friendly constitution: What does it mean? Can you give a concrete and illustrative example, please?

I'm very disappointed by this. There was so much hope and promise and the Kibaki has decided that power is more important to him then his countrys welfare. The violence needs to be stopped right now before it really gets out of hand. Ethnicity is destroying africa and I wish people would take their countrys identity first, instead of their ethnicity. What could have been the election for all of african has gone down in a huge disappointment. I hope everything will get better in Kenya.

Kibaki did a magnificent job as president in the past 5 years. The economy has boomed and the living standards have improved in all parts of kenya, there has been peace. So im sure no one can disagree with me saying that he has done an execelent job as president so why would you not want to let him continue the good work unlesss ambey one of your reasons mabey because you're a tribalist. Just vote for Raila because yoou might be a Lou and he is a Lou, Therfore not voting in the best interest of your country but just for yourself. Im not sayinf this is the case, If its not please do tell me your reasons.

Something i have noticed is All of the violence is being caused by he opposition. As you can see that most of it is in the ODM constituencies. One thing i do not understand is why the normall Kikuyu man is being attacked?( this is happening mostly in Western Kenya and Mombasa). Can someone please answer this question.

Ive not heard of any kikuyus attacking anyone. even in the main region concentrated with Kikuyus.

Im do not have an opinion on the claim that Kibaki rigged the goverment because i dont hav any real fact on it and no-one out here in the diaspora reali does as you cant really believe everything you he on CNN but IF the Kibaki goverment did rigg the election I believe the reason would be because they kno wat Kenya would turn into if it was under Raila's governance. First of all this seperation of the Goverment he wanted to do. We all no that would have never worked. Thats the main thing i disagreed about the Railas campaign. Otherwise all was the same with Kibakis campaign and the work kibakis goverment has being doing.

But Raila and the his family hav a bad history for Powerhungerness. As Raila's Father Oginga Odinga planned to overthrow the Kenyatta's goverment in 1966but was busted Interlligence.His father and Raila this time tried to do it again in 1982 by using the Airforce. He planned to make it a military state. He had overthrown it for 7 hours but The kenyan Army brought the country into order. It is heard that he had said "if onli he could become president for 3 hours". Raila Odinga in the 97 had planned to storm state house and overthrow the Moi goverment so he could b sworn in as president. Raila odinga also named one of his son's after Fidel Castro ( Fidel Castro Odinga) the current cuban Communist and miltary president. This shows as who Raila's role models are. All this are accuall facts. It is all allegedly said that raila said," wait till I get into power and they'll see wat ill do to them" Talking about the Kikuyu's. That is very worrying so I dont exactly beleive that he is fit to be a president, let alone be the people a he he would not be a president for the whole of the population as he would discriminate againts the Other tribal groups.

Im not only saying all of this because im a Kikuyu as i Have no problem with any other person from another tribe should be our president, most kikuyus also do not have this problem too, bt picked the candidate the wannted as president for their political veiws. I know of many kikuyus who voted for Raila, even some members of my family did. S thsi lead me back to my previous quetion. Why are kikuyus being attacked as they have done nothing towards the other tribal groups? Should this anger not be directed to the goverment, instead of burning out your kikuyu neighbour?

Do they not even notice if the burnout their kikuyu neighbour who's house is attatched to theirs. tHeir house will also catch fire and burn down?

I have to say that I am disappointed by the recent events in Kenya, and somewhat disturbed. However, there is still time to try to attempt to stop the violence and settle problems peacefully. I hope it ends soon.

Kibaki did a magnificent job as president in the past 5 years. The economy has boomed and the living standards have improved in all parts of kenya, there has been peace. So im sure no one can disagree with me saying that he has done an execelent job as president so why would you not want to let him continue the good work unlesss ambey one of your reasons mabey because you're a tribalist. Just vote for Raila because yoou might be a Lou and he is a Lou, Therfore not voting in the best interest of your country but just for yourself. Im not sayinf this is the case, If its not please do tell me your reasons.



if the opposition won it means that it wasnt just Lous voted for him. if kibaki lost he should be out, period. regardless of how good a job you feel he may be doing. thats the point of a democracy

Kibaki did a magnificent job as president in the past 5 years. The economy has boomed and the living standards have improved in all parts of kenya, there has been peace. So im sure no one can disagree with me saying that he has done an execelent job as president so why would you not want to let him continue the good work unlesss ambey one of your reasons mabey because you're a tribalist. Just vote for Raila because yoou might be a Lou and he is a Lou, Therfore not voting in the best interest of your country but just for yourself. Im not sayinf this is the case, If its not please do tell me your reasons.

Something i have noticed is All of the violence is being caused by he opposition. As you can see that most of it is in the ODM constituencies. One thing i do not understand is why the normall Kikuyu man is being attacked?( this is happening mostly in Western Kenya and Mombasa). Can someone please answer this question.

Ive not heard of any kikuyus attacking anyone. even in the main region concentrated with Kikuyus.

Im do not have an opinion on the claim that Kibaki rigged the goverment because i dont hav any real fact on it and no-one out here in the diaspora reali does as you cant really believe everything you he on CNN but IF the Kibaki goverment did rigg the election I believe the reason would be because they kno wat Kenya would turn into if it was under Raila's governance. First of all this seperation of the Goverment he wanted to do. We all no that would have never worked. Thats the main thing i disagreed about the Railas campaign. Otherwise all was the same with Kibakis campaign and the work kibakis goverment has being doing.

But Raila and the his family hav a bad history for Powerhungerness. As Raila's Father Oginga Odinga planned to overthrow the Kenyatta's goverment in 1966but was busted Interlligence.His father and Raila this time tried to do it again in 1982 by using the Airforce. He planned to make it a military state. He had overthrown it for 7 hours but The kenyan Army brought the country into order. It is heard that he had said "if onli he could become president for 3 hours". Raila Odinga in the 97 had planned to storm state house and overthrow the Moi goverment so he could b sworn in as president. Raila odinga also named one of his son's after Fidel Castro ( Fidel Castro Odinga) the current cuban Communist and miltary president. This shows as who Raila's role models are. All this are accuall facts. It is all allegedly said that raila said," wait till I get into power and they'll see wat ill do to them" Talking about the Kikuyu's. That is very worrying so I dont exactly beleive that he is fit to be a president, let alone be the people a he he would not be a president for the whole of the population as he would discriminate againts the Other tribal groups.

Im not only saying all of this because im a Kikuyu as i Have no problem with any other person from another tribe should be our president, most kikuyus also do not have this problem too, bt picked the candidate the wannted as president for their political veiws. I know of many kikuyus who voted for Raila, even some members of my family did. S thsi lead me back to my previous quetion. Why are kikuyus being attacked as they have done nothing towards the other tribal groups? Should this anger not be directed to the goverment, instead of burning out your kikuyu neighbour?

Do they not even notice if the burnout their kikuyu neighbour who's house is attatched to theirs. tHeir house will also catch fire and burn down?

dude i too dont have a problem with kibaki the president as long as the pple put him there. now if u do not see the problem with kibaki being in office right now then u have some issues man. i strongly condemn the kikuyu killing that is going on right now but on the same note kibaki and his mt kenya mafia should have thought of the impacts of rigging elections b4 doing it. raila has not advocated for any violence coz it started b4 even the final results were announced. actually the eck were warned of the effects of witholding the results for so long and they never heeded to the warning.

when it comes to the violence i totally blame it on kibaki and his cronies bcoz whatever u do comes back to haunt u and in this case my kikuyu kenyan brothers are dying bcoz the stupid men in state hse acted b4 thinking.

A section of the Kenyan media and the Kibakis party is trying to spin this as a Luo vs Kikuyu affair, when the facts prove otherwise. Raila got 53.3 % in Nairobi,vs kibakis 41.5%, in Nairobi province, 85% in Nyanza vs Kibakis 14.6%, 69.2%in western vs kibakis 30%, 70.3 in rift valley vs kibakis 28.7%,1.9% in Kibakis central province, vs Kibakis 97.4%, 6.4% in eastern vs Kibakis 54.7%, 58.9 in coast vs Kibakis 34.4% and 49.6% in North eastern vs Kibakis 47.9%. Clearly from this results you can see that Raila won in 6 out of 8 provinces in Kenya. Heres something rather interesting too if you add the percentages from each province and divide by 8 Raila has 49.3% while kibaki has 43.65% hmm?!! I guess my point is the majority of the country and not just the Luo community supported the candidature of Raila. Remember Kenya is a country of over 42 tribes. Kibaki got a large percentage of votes from his community which happens to be the largest in the country numbering upwards of 5.4million out of a population of 34, million. To try and pigeonhole this argument as a contest between tribes is a misnomer and utter lies. The election was pegged on which candidate was going to devolve power and hence resources primarily away from Nairobi and thus share it equitably with the rest of the country, fight corruption and try to bring to an end the pervasive tribalism that flourished under Kibakis watch. Raila provided a convincing argument and were it not for the thievery employed by Kibaki and his cronies, won the election. This in spite the economic stewardship credited to Kibaki. Let us call this what it is, this is a coup by the civilian government of Kibaki.

Im do not have an opinion on the claim that Kibaki rigged the goverment because i dont hav any real fact on it and no-one out here in the diaspora reali does as you cant really believe everything you he on CNN but IF the Kibaki goverment did rigg the election I believe the reason would be because they kno wat Kenya would turn into if it was under Raila's governance. First of all this seperation of the Goverment he wanted to do. We all no that would have never worked. Thats the main thing i disagreed about the Railas campaign. Otherwise all was the same with Kibakis campaign and the work kibakis goverment has being doing.

that is where u are not getting it!!!! if u think that kibaki should be excused for rigging bcoz he wants to save kenya from raila then that is a rather stupid assumption coz u forget a small but important fact, KIBAKI DOES NOT OWN KENYA BUT RATHER KENYANS OWN THEIR COUNTRY!!! if majority of kenyans want to put a communist into power so be it but thats what they want and nobody can dictate to them whom to choose not even kibaki that is why we have the ballot box.

oh and btw, THERE EXCUSE TO LEGITIMISE RIGGING OF ELECTIONS, ABSOLUTELY NONE!!!!!!!

A section of the Kenyan media and the Kibakis party is trying to spin this as a Luo vs Kikuyu affair, when the facts prove otherwise. Raila got 53.3 % in Nairobi,vs kibakis 41.5%, in Nairobi province, 85% in Nyanza vs Kibakis 14.6%, 69.2%in western vs kibakis 30%, 70.3 in rift valley vs kibakis 28.7%,1.9% in Kibakis central province, vs Kibakis 97.4%, 6.4% in eastern vs Kibakis 54.7%, 58.9 in coast vs Kibakis 34.4% and 49.6% in North eastern vs Kibakis 47.9%. Clearly from this results you can see that Raila won in 6 out of 8 provinces in Kenya. Heres something rather interesting too if you add the percentages from each province and divide by 8 Raila has 49.3% while kibaki has 43.65% hmm?!! I guess my point is the majority of the country and not just the Luo community supported the candidature of Raila. Remember Kenya is a country of over 42 tribes. Kibaki got a large percentage of votes from his community which happens to be the largest in the country numbering upwards of 5.4million out of a population of 34, million. To try and pigeonhole this argument as a contest between tribes is a misnomer and utter lies. The election was pegged on which candidate was going to devolve power and hence resources primarily away from Nairobi and thus share it equitably with the rest of the country, fight corruption and try to bring to an end the pervasive tribalism that flourished under Kibakis watch. Raila provided a convincing argument and were it not for the thievery employed by Kibaki and his cronies, won the election. This in spite the economic stewardship credited to Kibaki. Let us call this what it is, this is a coup by the civilian government of Kibaki.

Dude dont even go to the details. it is just about common sence

KIBAKI DOES NOT OWN KENYA BUT RATHER KENYANS OWN THEIR COUNTRY!!!

oh and btw, THERE EXCUSE TO LEGITIMISE RIGGING OF ELECTIONS, ABSOLUTELY NONE!!!!!!!

Which part of my comment did you here me say that Kibaki owned Kenya.

I do agree that there is no legitimise in rigging the elections becoz thats not practicing good democracy. Im reali sure that i'd also be really pissed if the political party that i supported was denied the victory of the presidential elections, because the opposition rigged the elections BUT WHY THE KILLING. I understand abit of rooting, public demonstrations against the goverment, burning a fews cars, BUT WHY ATTACK YOUR FELLOW MWANAINCHI. Now i understand that Kambas( sori if the spellings wrong) are also being attacked. People are saying that kikuyus and them are just the same exact thing. Also as the Meru people and Embu people.

Im do not have an opinion on the claim that Kibaki rigged the goverment because i dont hav any real fact on it and no-one out here in the diaspora reali does as you cant really believe everything you he on CNN but IF the Kibaki goverment did rigg the election I believe the reason would be because they kno wat Kenya would turn into if it was under Raila's governance.[ First of all this seperation of the Goverment he wanted to do. We all no that would have never worked. Thats the main thing i disagreed about the Railas campaign. Otherwise all was the same with Kibakis campaign and the work kibakis goverment has being doing.

now do you see what is wrong with that paragraph?

Badda-boy Sir while I respect your right to air views, it would serve us well if you came here with facts and not rumors. Last night on kass fm, a kalenjin language radio station, the "government" announced the following, "if you do not stop protesting the elections, this government is well armed to finish you off". You can infer any number of things from such a statement, but the fact is, after that announcement, reports started streaming in that thousands of Kalenjin men made their way to burnt forest outside of Eldoret. I asked a few of my friends what the word was on the streetsof Eldoret, and it is their belief that the police are coming to wipe them out unless they defend themselves! This from a man, Kibaki who dissed Ghana president Kuffor by telling him that Kenya does not need outside mediators to bring about peace!! I am sorry but you cannot assume authority and send police even to areas without violence, and provoke the population into a state of paranoia! Moi employed the same tricks in the early 1990s when there was tribal clashes in many parts of the country. This is a ploy to draw attention away from the rigged election. Kenyans are not standing for this and that is why there is a million man peace rally to protest the election thuggery and rigging. Kenyans wherever you are call your relatives in the police and military, call them and ask them to stop the killings, there presence is fueling the tensions on the ground

Kibaki did a magnificent job as president in the past 5 years. The economy has boomed and the living standards have improved in all parts of kenya, there has been peace. So im sure no one can disagree with me saying that he has done an execelent job as president so why would you not want to let him continue the good work unlesss ambey one of your reasons mabey because you're a tribalist. Just vote for Raila because yoou might be a Lou and he is a Lou, Therfore not voting in the best interest of your country but just for yourself. Im not sayinf this is the case, If its not please do tell me your reasons.

did you follow that whole election process? coz if u did you would find out that kibaki won in two provinces while raila won in the other 6, so dont try and make it as a luo or kikuyu thing like CNN are doing.

How do you justify rigging an election simply because you do not agree with the principles of the other party? this guy badda boy is here to stir up trouble, your ignorance scares more than anything you write about simply because I'm afraid there could be more than just you holding the same thoughts!!!

I undertand what you mean

But I want to see strong economic growth that spreads to the poor, the poverty in Africa makes me sick, I want to see it disappear! I have said it so many times now.

I want leaders that put economy and social well-being of their citizens before anything else.
Leaders that move aggressively and speedily. I hate slowness, petty-mindedness and inaction.

I am fed up of all those ethnic stuff, instability , self-centred and primitive tribal leaders, the wars, the instability, the pseudo-revoltionary leaders/"heroes" that concealed their own deveilish greed for power behind weird ideologies.

I want to see leaders that look beyond their small-minded "ethnic world" but have the nation´s problems, its people and its socio-economc development at heart.

I want strict rule of law, discipline and transparency for which you don´t need necessarily a liberal democracy in the Western sense.


You know what annoys is that things or countries get destroyed so easily in Africa but it takes such long time to rebuild anything afterwards.

:cheers1::cheers1::cheers1:

Who care for a leader if he is formally democratic but corruption is as ripe as under autocratic rule or people are still faced with the same recurring daily problems!!?? Democracy in Africa in the mid-sized states has no social/material dividend for the population.I understand what you're getting at here, but I wouldn't agree that democracy has no material/social dividend. Democracy at least holds the promise of accountability and responsiveness, which would hopefully lead to things such as: less corruption, better infrastructure, etc. Of course, the problem is that things like tribalism get in the way of real democracy and real accountability (as we're seeing right now).

sd

acreed79 Dude did you nt read my last post.


I do agree that there is no legitimise in rigging the elections becoz thats not practicing good democracy. Im reali sure that i'd also be really pissed if the political party that i supported was denied the victory of the presidential elections

D'ont try n say im here 2 coz any trouble!! jus expressing opinion

I have not justified elections being rigged. There's no quotations of I saying that anywhere, You have jut mis interpreted. As you can see above on the quotation i said that I do not believe at all in election rigging.

In the way i was putting it is, " I am trying to work out wat the goverment would be thinking. Tryna to think wat wave line they are thinking in.

The thing is I do not believe that Kibaki is powerhungry . Think about that. The guy hardly used any of his presidential powers that he had in the last term.The guy could have used all that power that Moi used in his era, because he still has those powers in the current constitution. Kibaki has also not taken any Ethinical sides in the last few years. He also hasnt favoured the kikuyu people over other tribes.
Kibaki did well as a president, please do agree?? However what i think he did that brought him down and lost him the majority support is the 2002 election which Kibaki had promised to bring in a new constitution in 100 days ,which was supposed to reduce the presidents powers but sadly he dissapointed us. Two years later he came up with a refurendum of bringing in a new constitution. He would reduce his powes as president and there would be a a prime minister in kenya (Im sure somewhere in there would be something in there for him). I was really supprised that Odinga was not for it as he was supposed to become the prime minister after the elections, but i think that Raila saw all the support he was receiving that he saw there would be no point of becoming president because mabey if he might become president in a few years because he had alot of support, therefore he will have the president powers that are current. My conclusion is that i do not beleive that any president will ever be willing to release some of his powers, which is wat i think we really need, but sadly that was the best chance.

Otherwise Kibaki wsa a good president


Wat I want to know, is what are your opinions on what should be done to solve this sad dispute we have in our country?

im a Kenyan who has spent soo much time publicizing our beautiful country but im shamed. my friends aunt died in the church. im shamed. i hate Kenya soo bad that i dont fee like there is something good that can come from that country. i dont care who won. people suffer in countries like zim but they never turn on each other. why we decide to kill each other is beyond me. i hope we all suffer for years on end so that we can learn to count our blessing and actually evolve to more thoughtful beings. shame on you my fellow country men. how you can incinerate 50 people in a church is beyond me. shame on you kenya. shame on you big time.

^^^ I can understand your frustrations, just when you think Africa is over such horrors, BANG!!! something like this is on every tv set around the world. It just shows you how fragile peace is in most African countries. If the inhabitants of a country could show so much hatred and savagery towards their neighbors, I doubt if people would feel safe to visit for vacation or even to invest. Its a shame really because I thought Kenya was one of the mostly likely countries in the motherland to achieve ''develop'' status.

http://image.guim.co.uk/Guardian/world/gallery/2008/jan/02/kenya/GD5744993@epa01211913-An-opposi-2261.jpg

An opposition supporter who was beaten by a mob using clubs, machetes and crude weapons on a road outside the Mathare slum

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/01/01/world/21329735.JPG

A man was helped by bystanders after he was hit on the head with a hoe

http://image.guim.co.uk/Guardian/world/gallery/2008/jan/02/kenya/GD5749736@Kenyans-walk-through--489.jpg

An area of the Kibera slum which was razed to the ground after days of rioting

http://image.guim.co.uk/Guardian/world/gallery/2008/jan/02/kenya/GD5749534@epa01212323-A-man-wit-1313.jpg

A man raises his arms in triumph as a mob attacked people and set houses and businesses on fire in the the slum of Mathare

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/31/world/31kenya.xlarge1.jpg

Soldiers fought supporters of the opposition leader Raila Odinga in Mathare, a Nairobi slum

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2007/12/31/20071231KENYA/21306849.JPG

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2007/12/31/20071231KENYA/21307261.JPG

A resident of Mathare with severe cuts on his head, hands and arms.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2007/12/31/20071231KENYA/21308613.JPG

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2007/12/31/20071231KENYA/21304897.JPG

A Kenyan woman held a Bible as she prayed for peace in front of riot police during the riots.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2007/12/31/20071231KENYA/21305333.JPG

People gathered around the body of a man shot in the outskirts of Kisumu

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2007/12/31/20071231KENYA/21307069.JPG

Eighty-year-old Thabita held her cat, the only possession she was able to save from a fire in Mathare, where she lived.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/31/world/21315277.JPG

A looter waved a stick in the air as she chanted "No Raila, no peace"

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/31/world/21314199.JPG

A policeman beat an opposition supporter.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/31/world/21314691.JPG

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/31/world/31kenya.3.jpg

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/31/world/21314717.JPG

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/31/world/31kenya.1.jpg

Stephen Kahianyu sat by his burned home and workshop in the Kariobangi slum of Nairobi

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/31/world/21315329.JPG

A Kenyan policeman looked at bodies that were collected from the Korogocho slum in Nairobi.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/31/world/21315349.JPG

^^^ I can understand your frustrations, just when you think Africa is over such horrors, BANG!!! something like this is on every tv set around the world. It just shows you how fragile peace is in most African countries. If the inhabitants of a country could show so much hatred and savagery towards their neighbors, I doubt if people would feel safe to visit for vacation or even to invest. Its a shame really because I thought Kenya was one of the mostly likely countries in the motherland to achieve ''develop'' status.

there was something like this in nepal recently and it led to positive changes. lets hope the same happens in kenya

http://image.guim.co.uk/Guardian/world/gallery/2008/jan/02/kenya/GD5744993@epa01211913-An-opposi-2261.jpg

An opposition supporter who was beaten by a mob using clubs, machetes and crude weapons on a road outside the Mathare slum

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/01/01/world/21329735.JPG

A man was helped by bystanders after he was hit on the head with a hoe

http://image.guim.co.uk/Guardian/world/gallery/2008/jan/02/kenya/GD5749736@Kenyans-walk-through--489.jpg

An area of the Kibera slum which was razed to the ground after days of rioting

http://image.guim.co.uk/Guardian/world/gallery/2008/jan/02/kenya/GD5749534@epa01212323-A-man-wit-1313.jpg

A man raises his arms in triumph as a mob attacked people and set houses and businesses on fire in the the slum of Mathare

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/31/world/31kenya.xlarge1.jpg

Soldiers fought supporters of the opposition leader Raila Odinga in Mathare, a Nairobi slum

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2007/12/31/20071231KENYA/21306849.JPG

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2007/12/31/20071231KENYA/21307261.JPG

A resident of Mathare with severe cuts on his head, hands and arms.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2007/12/31/20071231KENYA/21308613.JPG

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2007/12/31/20071231KENYA/21304897.JPG

A Kenyan woman held a Bible as she prayed for peace in front of riot police during the riots.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2007/12/31/20071231KENYA/21305333.JPG

People gathered around the body of a man shot in the outskirts of Kisumu

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2007/12/31/20071231KENYA/21307069.JPG

Eighty-year-old Thabita held her cat, the only possession she was able to save from a fire in Mathare, where she lived.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/31/world/21315277.JPG

A looter waved a stick in the air as she chanted "No Raila, no peace"

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/31/world/21314199.JPG

A policeman beat an opposition supporter.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/31/world/21314691.JPG

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/31/world/31kenya.3.jpg

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/31/world/21314717.JPG

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/31/world/31kenya.1.jpg

Stephen Kahianyu sat by his burned home and workshop in the Kariobangi slum of Nairobi

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/31/world/21315329.JPG

A Kenyan policeman looked at bodies that were collected from the Korogocho slum in Nairobi.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/31/world/21315349.JPG

those images are disturbing. you should put a warning up there or not show the images at all, really

im a Kenyan who has spent soo much time publicizing our beautiful country but im shamed. my friends aunt died in the church. im shamed. i hate Kenya soo bad that i dont fee like there is something good that can come from that country. i dont care who won. people suffer in countries like zim but they never turn on each other. why we decide to kill each other is beyond me. i hope we all suffer for years on end so that we can learn to count our blessing and actually evolve to more thoughtful beings. shame on you my fellow country men. how you can incinerate 50 people in a church is beyond me. shame on you kenya. shame on you big time.

my condolences, man stay strong. RIP to ur auntie and buddies.

there was something like this in nepal recently and it led to positive changes. lets hope the same happens in kenya

You can't always address disputes like this. Gore and Bush wrangled over the 2000 results but that was solved in the courts; and not not by inciting disadvantaged citizens to pay with their lives. I don't see any silver lining here...this is totally avoidable!

You can't always address disputes like this. Gore and Bush wrangled over the 2000 results but that was solved in the courts; and not not by inciting disadvantaged citizens to pay with their lives. I don't see any silver lining here...this is totally avoidable!

I think Michaelda is right. This will most likely leed to positive change in the future. It will show future poliicians what to expect if they try to steal an election.

Africa and Democracy is like oil and vinegar.

^^ I disagree.
Some countries need to have civil wars.
I never use to think that Kenya should be one of these but I am beginning to think so.

A perfect example of a country that has benefited since its Civil war is Rwanda. It's economically better off and its citizens would never dream of having another one. Other examples are the Liberia, Angola and Mozambique. It's only when these countries were brought to their knees that they finally realized what is truly important, Which is stability above everything.

Hell, even the United States had one.

Africa and Democracy is like oil and vinegar.


:applause::applause:

Pappy, you should have add to your phrase .........that under the current prevailing socio-economic conditions of development and certain socio-cultural/political factors that are not really conductive to the establishment of liberal democratic regimes.

I never thought this would happen to Kenya. I always told myself that this happens in other countries but not Kenya. One day you are celebrating christmas with a neighbour and a few hours later, the same neighbour comes after your head.:ohno:

now its becoming a regional issue. Uganda, Rwanda, burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo are experiencing fuel shortages as well as a shortage in essential commodities. The chaos is hurting economies around Kenya. People, especially kikuyus and other tribes affected in the west are now fleeing into Uganda. I never thought I'd live to see a Kenyan refugee.:ohno:

im a Kenyan who has spent soo much time publicizing our beautiful country but im shamed. my friends aunt died in the church. im shamed. i hate Kenya soo bad that i dont fee like there is something good that can come from that country. i dont care who won. people suffer in countries like zim but they never turn on each other. why we decide to kill each other is beyond me. i hope we all suffer for years on end so that we can learn to count our blessing and actually evolve to more thoughtful beings. shame on you my fellow country men. how you can incinerate 50 people in a church is beyond me. shame on you kenya. shame on you big time.
^^
My condolences bro.
I feel your pain. Ive also lost a close friend and have relatives homeless because of all of this.

Whatever happens, I will always love Kenya. I believe the violence won't go on forever. As it is, the majority of the population are in shock. I just hope peace comes soon.

^^^ I can understand your frustrations, just when you think Africa is over such horrors, BANG!!! something like this is on every tv set around the world. It just shows you how fragile peace is in most African countries. If the inhabitants of a country could show so much hatred and savagery towards their neighbors, I doubt if people would feel safe to visit for vacation or even to invest. Its a shame really because I thought Kenya was one of the mostly likely countries in the motherland to achieve ''develop'' status.
^^
Our politicians fed the population with all sorts of propaganda during the election period. True, there had been tribal sentiments over the years but this election was the most emotional and controversial one ever. The results are what you are seeing now in Kenya. Kenyans are normally peace loving people and thats why I'm optimistic that this situation will blow over.

It will take time for confidence to come back but I guess this is part of the long road in the democratic process of the country. (though a very painful one indeed.)