Njoro Comments: Kenya’s Polling History & Integrity – Kenya’s Solution for Peace and Harmony.

Lydia you are speaking wisdom and direction we need to take extra care at this time when our unity is so threatened. Your analysis is biblical and true. Caution should be evident on the way forward with what is happening in Kenya now. We have the perfect opportunity to make or break. We will be held accountable before God if the choice or decisions we will take now will end up in more bloodshed, hatred, violence, destruction etc. We have to take individual responsibility and determine in our hearts to do something positive that will turnaround the scenarios we are seeing. Some of us are highly gifted in this kind of stuff and are doing nothing about it. Both leaders in Kenya will have to lead all tribes not some. They need support from every Kenyan to succeed. By dividing us they will have, half support.   Many people are now very angry and pained at what has happened to their loved ones. We can only pray to the Almighty God to soften their hearts that there will be no revenge. God to flood their hearts with rivers of forgiveness. This can only be done by God. The devil will never rest until chaos occurs. He is now busy preaching negative impulses to us. His work is to steal, kill and destroy. Let us love Kenya enough to fore go our pain. If pain is handled positively it bears life. Jesus endured pain and became a slave and now we have free gift of Salvation.   I concur with Lydia and I quote below when she says that maybe our future potential president was killed in the violence that has rocked our country. Our backgrounds don’t matter if God has purposed to use someone.   “What about the children of Kenya, don’t they have a part to play in nation building?  Why kill them in bloodshed instead of ensuring their security as future leaders and citizens of tomorrow?  Don’t we know that the untimely death of one innocent child can cost a nation great loss?  The potential invested in a child like that can never be realized again.  Leaders must know that without these children then there are no potentials for tomorrow’s leadership.  Could it be that Kenya is now paying the price of such losses in her desperate search for a potential leader?  Could it be that we lost some of our potential presidents at childhood at some point in time either through bloodshed or abortion?  Probably this is why we are unable to establish a good leader for ourselves.  Until and unless we acknowledge the need for the safety and well being of our children it will be impossible to progress.  In every generation there is always one with leadership potential even though we may not know who it is.”   We know in the bible that some historic leaders had to be hidden by their parents from being murdered. Some examples are Moses and Jesus. If Moses had been killed by pharaoh when the Jews boys were killed, Israelites would have died in Captivity. If Mary and Joseph Jesus’ parents did not run away from Herod, maybe we would not have been saved from the bondage of sin and eternal death! Let us return to God in repentance and plead with God to heal our Land. Let’s not be partisan B. Njoroge.

Kenyans Shall Overcome!

Given the nature of the security dilemma in our country Kenya, things are turning out to be complicated. The events in our country have been tragic and we can predict that things are going to be hotter in the coming future. Kenyans have been killed trying to protect democracy, innocent civilians have suffered just to name a few. Mr. Kibaki has concentrated so much on spreading the gospel of Kazi Iendelee but he has forgotten that he has created disorder that is doing more damage than his Kazi Iendelee slogan. Raila on the other side is still in the land of political dreams hoping that Kibaki will soften. Mr. “Miracle” Kalonzo is so happy with his position as the Vice-president. Well here remain the poor Kenyans who have no where to stay, food, water, money, job and the list is long. Politics is a dirty game and we must realize that stealing is part of the political game though we don’t encourage it. Kibaki’s society of elite individuals has forgotten justice and democracy must be respected by all Kenyans and not only the poor people. His discriminatory cabinet came at a wrong time when Kenyans had gone through a lot. Kenyans in Sweden are following the unfolding in Kenya very closely. Pastor Beatrice Kamau told Jamii that she has been following Kenya politics for long and one thing she can tell Wakenya is that Kenya is leaderless. She told Kenyans to lead themselves since the people that are supposed to lead them are so greedy and unfocused. Taking Kalonzo as an example, she wondered why on earth born again Christians like Kalonzo don’t show passion for their country?  Currently, Kalonzo is the Vice-president of Kenya. He worked with Moi for more than 15 years and during that period Kenya was going through a lot of pain due to Moi’s misrule. Many are wondering if a real reformer, a real anti corruption crusader, a real democrat, a real people’s person who cared about the ordinary poor in the slums and their sufferings really stick with Moi for all those years. In the game of political power, everything must be judged by actions not words. For now Kalonzo has deserted the very poor people he said he will defend and he is sitting with one of his political enemies at the state house. Kalonzo’s actions have shown time and time again that he abetted corruption, he cheered Moi when he was looting our economy for 24 years and now he is working with a president that many believes he rigged elections. Is that how a good Christian leader is supposed to rule? The bible says the children of the light cannot walk with the children of darkness. Kalonzo’s recent move to accept the VP position is out of tune when our country is burning. His recent actions show that he is only doing what he has been doing all along – worry about himself and the ordinary poor Kenyans be doomed. Kenyans have been enslaved by the extremist ruling class for many years and it is time for a common Kenyan to wake up and realize that Kibaki and Raila are the same and they cannot change their lives. People of Kenya have suffered enough and it is time for soberness to take control. Kenyan political leaders are greedy and unreliable. The 550 people who died are poor people while Raila and Kibaki are still alive and planning meetings after another. Kibaki and his hardliners must know that they cannot continue to rule the rest of Kenya by force. The courts are full of Presidents tribes-mate and friends led by none other than the Chief Justice. The NSIS boss is Kikuyu, the CID boss is a Kikuyu, criminal prosecutor and most state counsels within Sheria House (AG Chambers) are Kikuyu, the Treasury and KRA are dominated by Kikuyu, the Central Bank is headed by Kikuyu and so are the head of most parastatals and state corporations. Most of the above have been strategically planted by Kibaki and his hardliners to use them to enslave the rest of Kenyans. The grip and control of nearly all state owned institutions is meant to demoralize the rest of Kenyans. The tragedy of it all is that even when the rest of Kenyans exercise their democratic right to vote out Kibaki and his GEMA ruling class, elections is stolen from them and peaceful demonstrations by the opposition is criminalized. What hope is there? What should the rest of Kenyans do? For how long will the ruling class arrogantly enslave the rest of poor Kenyans? For how long will we endure the pain of being unemployed? For how long are we going to witness the arrogance of the ruling class?  Who is going to stop Uhuru Kenyatta in 2012 to rig his way in and force down the throats of common Kenyans? Kibaki has refused to listen to the majority Kenyans and Kalonzo has been planted at the state house strategically to confuse Kenyans come 2012. Strategically Kalonzo will be used as long as he sings Kibaki Tena but one day he will wake up and read on the wall that Uhuru Kenyatta is the Vice-president. Does Mr. Miracle still support the BOMAS draft? What about Kibaki is corrupt song he used to sing in Sunday school? Why did he not support Kibaki from day one?  Mr. Vice-president be careful, Kenyans are watching you and welcome to Sweden so that we can say hallo and congratulate you. By the way do you still believe that Kibaki is very old and you cannot work with corrupt leaders? Mr. Clean, what about 2005 when you were fired by the same Kibaki? Well all I can say is Bwana asifiwe and all the best. In Sweden you already have an office and a branch of your ODM-Kenya party is in full operation. Raila definitely had great time during campaigns and he won the 2007 elections democratically. Everyone knows that election was stolen. Kibaki has gone even further by slapping him in the face by naming his cabinet. What next Mr. Raila? Maybe it is time to accept the reality that stealing is part of the game as long as they don’t catch you. If a thief breaks in your house, you have two alternatives, call the police or you fight him. Fighting is not the best alternative because a thief knows that anything can happen and by the time he comes, he is normally armed.  Raila, you have a great publicity, people believe that you have been wronged and now it is time for you to give your supporters true leadership. The 2007 elections was not really about Kikuyu oppressing Kenyans, this is a story Kenyans are using because your supporters feels cheated, powerless and having someone to blame is a useful thing to reduce stress. It’s a very powerful emotion and I hope that whoever takes power after the so called meetings will address that issue. Many people in Sweden agree that the election results were not legitimate.  But unfortunately, the public is so wrongfully polarized at this point, that it makes no sense to allow their manipulated sense of having been wronged become the determinant of an immediate election. People must get back to work and get their daily bread. Politics is not merely a struggle for physical power, but also a contest over legitimacy. Once Kibaki is on that seat, it will take a lot of energy to kick him out.  It is a political fact that the belief in wrong and right helps to move people to act and therefore, legitimacy is power but Kibaki is there so what is your next move? However, we cannot win by going the violent way. If we resort to violence, we will destroy our democracy and criminal elements will thrive in the resulting chaos hence undermining our peaceful efforts. It is not great that we have this unelected government now in power.  They were declared the winners but the election results are certainly in question. Our country is more important than one person. Raila is still a champion for many Kenyans, but he must relax and get it together before he makes the next move. Kibaki and Odinga must demonstrate that they want a unified country.  A government of national unity would be the right thing.  I wish Kenyans well. Munala wa Munala.

Condolences To Mr. Osewe, Muirani and Maureen.

I would like to send my condolences out to Mr. Osewe Okoth who lost his brother, Mr. Muirani G. who lost his relatives in the USA, Ms. Maureen Khatevi who lost her dad and as well as all of their immediate family, close friends, co-workers, and all of their inner circle. Life comes once, doesn’t ‘keep coming back’ and we all take such advantage of what we have when we shouldn’t.

Make a searching and fearless inventory of faith and hope. Every time there’s a triumph in the world, treasure each as they come. What can anyone say at a time like this? Those of us and our loved ones who live under the shadow of this monster know how fragile and precious life can be. But when the beast takes one of our beloved ones that fact is brought home with painful force my heart aches for you and the rest of your family and my prayers are with you all.

Keep the faith, even when it’s so hard to do, God Bless, peace and love always.

Munala wa Munala.

Swedish Government Admits Tapping People’s Phones.

The Swedish government is proposing new legislation to allow far-reaching surveillance aimed at protecting “national security”, including monitoring phone calls and emails.

In the debate around the unpopular bill, deputy prime minister Maud Olofsson admitted that the government has already been tapping citizen’s phones for decades and that the law would simply formalise existing practice. Critics of the bill range from the left to the Swedish intelligence agency Sapo. Sapo’s chief legal counsel Lars-Ake Johansson said the proposal “may lead to drastic violations of personal integrity”.

From: International News, Green Left Weekly issue #703 21 March 2007.

Editor: Munala Wa Munala

Je Kuimarisha Uchumi Itaipa Serikali Ya Kibaki Kura?

Mara kwa mara Rais Kibaki na wafuasi wake wanakaririwa katika njia za mawasiliano wakisema kwamba wamefanya bidii kufufua uchumi nchini Kenya. Kwa sababu hii, wanafikiri ya kwamba wanapaswa kuridishwa serikalini baada ya uchaguzi mkuu, mwishoni mwa mwaka huu.

Ni kweli serikali hii inafanya bidii kuboresha huduma mbalimbali na kuimarisha sekta ya kilimo, inayotegemewa na Wakenya wengi. Serikali pia imefanya juhudi kuyapa majimbo yote ya uchaguzi, mamilioni ya fedha, ili miradi tofauti ianzishwe. Hii ni sawa, isipokuwa kuimarisha uchumi isiwe tu ndio mahubiri ya kutafuta kura kwa wananchi.  

Hapa Sweden, matokeo ya uchaguzi wa mwaka jana yalistaajabisha serikali ya wakati huo (Social Democratic Party) iliyotawala miaka 12, na hata kuimarisha uchumi. Swala ambalo liliwaangusha lilikuwa ni la kuwapa watu kazi, ila hawakulishugulikia, wakidhani kwamba Waswidi walifurahia uchumi uliyo imara. Wapinzani wao nao walizunguka zunguka nchini wakihubiri na kuahidi kazi, kama wangepigiwa kura.

Cha ajabu ni kwamba waaumini wengi wa serikali hiyo ya zamani waliwapa kura zao muungano wa upinzani, ambao sasa unatawala. Wengi walikuwa wameshachoka na maneno ya waziri mkuu wa zamani, kwani alianza kuwa na kiburi. Alikuwa na hakika wangepata kura na kurudi serikalini, kulingana na rekodi yao nzuri ya uchumi. 

Tukirudi nchini Kenya, twaona kwamba rais Kibaki anaonyesha mtindo huo huo wa kiburi na maringo. Nampongeza kwa juhudi zake, isipokuwa kuna wakati maneno yake ni yale ya mtu aliyeanza kujisifu kabla hata ya kumaliza mbiyo. Rais huwa anawakemea wapinzani wake kwa kuwaita “Pumbavu, Mavi ya Kuku, Bure Kabisa” na kadhalika. Huu ni ujeuri mkubwa, kwani kiongozi anapaswa kuepuka matusi, hata kama anashutumu. Isitoshe, waziri wa Sheria Bi. Martha Karua, huwa hafichi ujeuri na ukaidi wake, anapowakemea wapinzani wa serikali. 

Ukosefu wa kazi nchini Kenya ni hofu kubwa kwa wananchi wengi. Licha ya hayo, kuna ushahidi kwamba watu fulani wanaajiriwa kulingana na makabila yao, mapendeleo au uhusiano wao kisiasa. Hii inazidisha pengo katika mapato ya kibinafsi. Uwongo mkubwa wa serikali ya Kibaki katika kampeni za 2002, ni ahadi ya kubuni kazi kwa watu laki tano kila mwaka. Ingawa vijana wengi wanakamilisha masomo kila mwaka, wengi wao hawapati kazi kamwe.  

Mwaka jana waziri wa ujenzi wa barabara Bwana Nyachae, alizipa sehemu zinazo sapoti serikali pesa nyingi za kutunza mabarabara, zaidi ya sehemu za upinzani. Hii ni kinyume cha ahadi ya rais Kibaki kuwatumikia wote bila ubaguzi. Ikiwa bajeti ya miradi ya maendeleo itaendelea kugawanywa kwa hali hii, basi inathibitisha hofu ya wengi kwamba serikali haina haja ya kusawazisha utajiri ili kuangamiza umaskini. 

Serikali ya rais Kibaki inapaswa kufikiria na kurekebisha hali mbaya ya usalama inayotisha wananchi kutokana na ongezeko la ujambazi, ili kuwapa amani. Hata kama wito wa rais ni “taifa la kazi”, anakumbushwa kwamba raia wengi wako mbali na hali hii, na watafikiria njaa, umaskini na mateso waliyopitia kwa miaka mitano, watakapo piga kura. 

Jared Odero (Tuma maoni kwa: kajamii@yahoo.com)