tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74183670052364325412024-03-05T12:48:26.646+03:00ODM BlogBlogging About the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) PartyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-45351637627780189192014-05-04T18:33:00.001+03:002014-05-04T18:43:14.001+03:00ODM Insists Kenya Needs to Formulate Roadmap for Withdrawal From Somalia<div class="M j Tj Hj" role=" " tabindex="0" style="-webkit-user-select: text; padding: 0px 15px 15px; text-shadow: none !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">A day after President Uhuru Kenyatta delivered his State of the Nation address, we in the Orange Democratic Movement asked the government to, among other things, present the country with a road map for the withdrawal of our troops from Somalia.</span></div><div id="cvcmsgbod_145c73166bf6c83a" class="Uj" style="-webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px 15px; clear: both;"><div class="aj" style="padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><div class="Mj" style="overflow: visible;"><div class="Nj" style="height: 1144px;"><div class="jj kj Yi" dir="ltr" style="overflow: hidden;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Today, in the aftermath of the second terror attack since the government launched what we advised was an ill conceived and poorly executed plan to rid the country of militants, we are forced to demand once again that the government presents us with a roadmap for withdrawal of our troops from Somalia.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We are forced to ask again; When are our troops getting out of Somalia What is the game plan for our exit? Where is the roadmap for a secure Kenya and a stable Somalia?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It is our position as a party that as a country, Kenya has done its bit in Somalia and we have suffered enough for it. We are asking; why are we unable to rally development partners to stabilize Somalia with development support? That was always part of the plan as our troops moved into Somalia.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Today, we seem to be staying in Somalia without realizing the full costs and we are now paying for it. Families have lost bread winners and loved ones and KDF is not coming to their aid. In the middle of all this, the jubilee regime is tight lipped as the crisis gets from bad to worse.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What is it that the top brass in the military and government are getting out of Operation Linda Nchi? How can we justifiably talk of Linda Nchi when we are under attack day in day out because of our very presence in Somalia?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As a party, we believe Somalia has always been at peace with Kenya. We therefore demand that Kenyans be told why what was a friendly intervention led us into conflict.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">While we recognize the courage and professionalism of our military that have made Somalia a much better place today, we also know that Somalia still has persistent insurgency to deal with and it continues to be a magnet for international terrorists.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But we feel it is time for the Government to present to us a clear plan for ending our presence in Somalia. We want a clear plan for transferring responsibility for Somalia's security to the Somalis. We are asking for the plan for expediting the training of the Somali forces to take charge of their country and for accelerating Somalia’s economic development, particularly through infrastructure that gives Somalis a stake in achieving a better future. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That was always the plan when our sons and daughters moved into this territory where even the devil feared to tread.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We are concerned at the casual treatment that these attacks have been receiving from the government. We recall that when terrorists hit Likoni on March 23rd, the president proceeded with his trip to Tanzania the next day, March 24th.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When Eastleigh was attacked on March 31st, the president proceeded with his trip to Belgium and April the next day, April 1.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The latest attack in Mombasa comes only a day before the Presidents trip to Abuja, which we believe will proceed as if nothing has happened.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The people of Kenya are increasingly feeling that they are on their own on security at a time other indicators like cost of living are equally bleak. We, as a party, demand convincing action and answers.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Hon. Prof P. Anyang Nyongo</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Ag. Party Leader,</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>ODM</b>.</span></div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="Mj" style="overflow: visible;"><div class="Nj" style="height: 235px;"><div class="jj lj Yi" dir="ltr" style="overflow: hidden; padding-top: 1em; color: rgb(0, 123, 53);"><br></div></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-83216098805077678892014-04-28T11:04:00.000+03:002014-04-28T11:04:15.314+03:00ODM Condemns Plans to Remit Anglo-Leasing Payments<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i>ODM SEES LINK BETWEEN RETURN OF ANGLO LEASING COMPANIES, POACHING AND FRESH ATTEMPTS AT GRABBING OF KARURA FOREST:</i></b><br /><br />The National Assembly will betray the people of Kenya if it colludes with the cartels of corruption in and outside the government to pay the fictitious outfit called Anglo Leasing Kshs 125 billion for no services rendered nor goods delivered to the nation.<br /><br />Both the NARC and the Grand Coalition Governments refused to pay these fictitious debts. Why now?<br /><br />The Attorney General Prof. Githu Muigai should realize that a transaction which is wrong, defective and fraudulent ab initio cannot be sanitized by exploiting the fine prints of legal procedure.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As a party, we appeal to members of the National Assembly to stand on the right side of history and refuse to be used to sanitize dirty deals and prepare them for illegal and fraudulent payment.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We also appeal to the people of Kenya to look back, ask themselves why certain things happen only under certain regimes, and collectively reject attempts to pay billions to firms that do not exist and for services never rendered. We must stand up against attempts to plunder and loot our country in our name, for the benefit of individuals.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Anglo-Leasing is back after ten years in which it was rejected by Narc and the Grand Coalition governments.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The last time poaching was witnessed on a grand scale in Kenya was in the mid-1970s. Poaching of our wildlife heritage is back in a big way, under Jubilee.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There is a fresh attempt to grab Karura Forest after Kenyans, led by the late Prof. Wangari Maathai, successfully fought off such attempts in the 1980s and 1990s.<br /><br />Kenyans will hold the AG personally responsible if this grand corruption of paying for Anglo Leasing is fully consummated to the detriment of current and future generations. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In any case the individuals who fraudulently committed the government to these fake transactions should be held personally responsible for any money that these Lords of corruption are laying claim to in the international arena.<br /><br />We appeal to the people of Kenya to get ready to stand up against attempts to take the country to the past. We did not get where we are by accident or State benevolence. We fought to get where we are, we must fight to get where we set out to be.<br /><br />Prof. P. Anyang' Nyong'o<br /><b>Ag. Party Leader<br />ODM<br />Nairobi 26 April, 2014</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-45095989260604549182014-04-10T21:40:00.001+03:002014-04-10T21:40:09.170+03:00ODM Statement on State of and Response to Insecurity<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: start;"><b><u style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">PRESS STATMENT</u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: start;"><b><u style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">STATE OF AND RESPONSE TO INSECURITY</u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That we are in the middle of insecurity nightmare is no longer in doubt and not really new. Security has systematically degenerated in the last one year, from sporadic explosions in border towns of northern Kenya, to banditry, cattle rustling and gangs across different parts of the country,<a name="1454af51a3881517__GoBack"></a>which have passed without much action from the government.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Kenyans will remember the wave of attacks that gripped parts of Western Kenya around this time last year, beginning in Bungoma, spreading to Busia, Mt Elgon and parts of Kakamega with no explanations to date.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The murders in Nyanza that claimed the parents of a Member of Parliament remain unexplained. The mayhem has spread to Nairobi, where previously safe neighborhoods like Karen have lately witnessed unprecedented crime wave. Those in lesser affluent estates long accepted it as their fate to be insecure. Shoot outs in the streets of Nairobi have become normal again.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Nairobi, Mombasa, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit have lived with explosives and grenades going off everywhere for much of the past year without convincing explanations and without anyone being held to account.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The climax for all these was the attack on Westgate that left upto 70 people dead, hundreds injured and losses running into billions. No explanation has been offered to date. But we all remember that President Uhuru Kenyatta promised in broad daylight and in public that he would institute an inquiry into the attack. There was even an explosion at the airport which the authorities said, and want us to believe, was a falling light bulb. That is how ridiculous it has been in the last one year.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The government has a duty, responsibility and right to protect the lives and property of citizens. In fact this is the only reason people agree to form governments. We however do not believe that reactive swoops and return to slumber thereafter as we have witnessed in the last one year, including what is going on today, presents some kind of well thought out and well designed response to the security challenges we face. There is an element of insecurity we are focusing on today called Al Shabaab which we believe ought to be handled better, though it ought not be treated as the only threat.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In recent days, hundreds of mostly young people have been arrested and detained in Nairobi, Mombasa and other parts of the country. Hundreds have been deported to Somalia for being illegally in Kenya. Tens have been shot dead across the country in the name of fighting terrorism and crime. Police continue to harass young jobless men in the name of maintaining law and order, in most cases demanding for cash to release the innocent young Kenyans.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Given the situation above, as a party, we are making the following demands:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1: The mere presence of hundreds of illegal immigrants within our borders, who entered without our notice, is in itself a manifestation of serious lapses in our security, intelligence and immigration system. We need a thorough audit of our security, intelligence and immigration agencies. Heads need and must to roll in the intelligence, police and immigration departments as part of a major effort to secure our country. It will not work that the very people who allowed the immigrants in, most times after collecting bribes from them, are then made to conduct swoops and deport the same after a crime has been committed. We need to get to the bottom of the corruption cartels in immigration, intelligence and police who are making our country insecure by allowing people illegally into our country in return for money.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2: We must get to the bottom of the biggest security lapse in our country in twenty years and that is the attack on Westgate Mall. All Kenyans remember that President Uhuru Kenyatta promised an inquiry. We welcomed this because understanding how Westgate happened is critical to unraveling how terror groups operate and the loopholes in our security, intelligence and social systems that they exploit and which need to be sealed. Close to a year later, there is no inquiry and there are no signs there shall ever be one. The expectation seems to be that Kenyans will just accept and move on. We are asking, what does President Uhuru know about Westgate? Why does the president fear investigating this incident? We are demanding that </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">investigations, preferably by a select committee of both Houses of Parliament be carried out without further delay.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">3: Talking about terrorism, we ask the government to take time and understand Al Shabaab in its many dimensions to be able to fight it effectively. Al Shabaabism has become a movement with at least three dimensions all of which cannot be dealt with by swoops, friskings and deportations as it is happening today. There are Jihadist Al Shabaab that believe in converting everyone to Islam as the only way to save the world and to defeat the West. There is the economic Al Shabaab, those who join this movement because of temporary hope it offers through handouts and forms of employment particularly to the desperate youth. There is the pure criminal and opportunistic Al Shabaab. These are people joining this movement to extort money and create opportunities for themselves by exploiting the failures of the state. These people are not necessarily religious, young or poor. They simply want to make hay while the sun shines. We need to address the political economy of Al Shabaabism. We have heard the president asking Kenyans to join him and help fight terrorism. The nation cannot help the president fight terrorism unless he joins us in analyzing and seeks our understanding Al Shabaabism. We will be firing in the dark if we think the war can be won through shoot to kill orders and chaotic round ups we are witnessing today.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">4: The National Government must rethink its desire to monopolize security. This country is crying for an approach to security that does not have to rely on the gun or the police. The constitution has very clear provisions that would secure Kenya all the way to the villages if implemented honestly. If Village Councils were allowed to operate as envisaged, nobody would enter our country without being noticed. We would not need another layer called <b>Nyumba Kumi</b> either. Village councils were supposed to close the gap between the masses and the government. They must be put in place immediately and given the tools to operate effectively.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">5: Police reform must proceed with a clear understanding of the needs of society. Promotions and deployments need to based on merit. There should be clear standards on who can enter the force with what level of education and what academic qualification assures one of what rank. The civilian wing of the force needs to be strengthened, not undermined.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">6: The issue of illegal immigrants in Kenya needs to be addressed urgently and independently of the insecurity we are witnessing. It has nothing to do with refugees. Kenya has had refugees for a very long time. We had long perfected a system of documenting refugees. It is therefore wrong to lump refugees with illegal immigrants. A purposeful implementation of devolution is critical in this regard. Village councils will know who the citizens are if they are allowed to operate and if they are sensitized to their security role.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">7: We reject attempts to reinvent the old colonial structures including the provincial administration using insecurity as an excuse. We went for devolution because the old structure failed. We appeal to the government to strengthen devolved units and cede some security roles so that we have a system, accountable to the people, and that runs all the way to the ground.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">8: We wish to express strong displeasure at the swoops going on today, which resemble Operation Anvil of the Mau Mau era or the Wagalla operation of the 1980s. Operation Anvil can easily lead to ethnic profiling. We do not think indiscriminate picking of Somalis is the answer. Al Shabaab is no longer a Somali issue. We wish to remind the government that in countries where the war on crime and terror has taken ethnic, racial or religious dimension, the conflicts has ended up being more complex and more protracted. We fear Kenya is taking that unfortunate route. We want to believe that in a country that upholds the rule of law and basic freedoms, if you’ve done nothing wrong, you deserve nothing but respect and courtesy from the authorities. We haven't seen that in the crackdown that looks modeled along operation Anvil of the Mau Mau era. Inspector Genera of Police, NIS director and CID director owe our country a better job or they should pack and leave.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">9: Given the Somalia aspect to our security problems, we are asking the government give us the time table of withdrawing from Somalia. We are not saying we should declare victory and leave. We are not saying we sneak out. We want to see a plan for a systematic handing over of Somalia to its citizens. We reject this chest thumping by the government about how we are in Somalia to stay. Kenya and AMISON must have a partnership for reconstruction of Somali state.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">10: We want the government to share with Kenyans its plans for engaging the youth in meaningful activities for earning a living so that they do not have to turn to criminal networks like Al Shabaab to earn a living. Throwing money at the problem, like the creation of </span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Uwezo Fund</b><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> on top of the existing youth fund is not making any difference.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thank you and God Bless Kenya.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Prof. Anyang</b><b>’</b><b> Nyong</b><b>’</b><b>o</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ag. Party Leader</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">10<sup>th</sup> April 2014.</b></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-36954240373415722842014-04-01T19:11:00.002+03:002014-04-01T19:11:44.331+03:00Prof Nyongo Sharply Criticizes President Uhuru's Three Week Absence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am surprised that the President can choose to leave the country for 3 weeks at a time when Kenya is facing the most grievous security threats almost everywhere. Given the limited powers that the Deputy President can exercise constitutionally, I find the absence of the President reckless, adventurous and most uncalled for. <br /> <br /> At a time like this, we need a National United Front of all parties, beliefs and persuasions, well structured at the National level, to deal with the insecurity crisis. The President has chosen to absent himself from the nation at a time when a hands on approach is most needed.<br /> <br /> Rather than talk about the impending shake up of the security system, Kenyans want to see the result of action and not the intention of promises.<br /> <br /> I must say however that the President seems to be immobilized by the feeling of entitlement that the security bosses have to their positions hence no doubt for their political debt the President owes them. <br /> <br /> <b>Prof. Anyang Nyong'o. <br /> Ag. Party Leader. <br /> ODM<br /> </b>1/4/2014 </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-74595699201668237472014-03-28T11:39:00.000+03:002014-03-28T12:35:25.829+03:00KENYANS DESERVE BETTER: Response by the ODM to the State of the Nation Address by the President of Kenya March 28, 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>KENYANS DESERVE BETTER:<br /> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><b>RESPONSE BY THE ORANGE DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT TO THE STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA; MARCH 28, 2014:</b></i><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.president.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20142703001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.president.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20142703001.jpg" height="234" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>President Uhuru Kenyatta makes his State of the Nation address at the
National Assembly's Chamber in Parliament Buildings, Nairobi.</i></td></tr>
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Fellow Kenyans, yesterday, you heard from the President on the state of our nation.<br /><br /> We urge you to spend a few minutes with us as we give our side of the story.<br /> We are ODM. But it really should not matter because today, we are all hurting. One year after elections, millions of Kenyans are watching and asking; does this government want to stand on our side or in our way.<br /> Ours is therefore a national call to action on behalf of all the struggling Kenyans. Our main point this morning is; Kenyans deserve far much better than this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> <b>UNITY OF THE NATION:</b><br /><br /> We are too divided to build a nation ready to confront its challenges.<br /><br /> Jubilee has run the country as a collection of tribes, allies and enemies.<br /> Every appointment to a public position has been handed down as a gift to supporters, along tribal and party lines. This skewed balance of power poses grave danger to our progress and it must not tilt any further in favour of one or two communities. It must be reversed.<br /><br /> <b>ECONOMY AND COST OF LIVING:</b><br /><br /> Our economy requires urgent, immediate and sustained rethink.<br /> The absurd policy of tax and spend has traumatised Kenyans.<br /><br /> Families can't pay rent, can't afford food, can't pay school fees and cannot afford bus fare.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> In response, we are seeing and hearing the same-old ideology that we've heard before — over and over again: Salary cuts, retrenchment of workers, cleaning up the payroll of ghost workers and how there will be just a little more pain before it gets better. Kenyans are going through tremendous pain. It must not get worse.<br /><br /> We urge the government to focus on eliminating corruption, inefficiency and wastage. Savings from these areas would be sufficient to finance recovery and growth.<br /> We advise that the government to put singular focus on food as the biggest driver of cost of living, particularly for the poor.<br /><br /> Let’s focus on pro-poor agricultural investment as this will result in jobs, containing poverty and reduction in cost of living. Let's pay particular attention to job creation, expansion of economic opportunities particularly for farmers, informal sector, and economically disadvantaged communities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> The time has come for the government to treat unemployment as a crisis.<br /><br /> We need a clear road map towards putting millions of Kenyans to work and encouraging companies to hire and not fire people. We have seen no such steps in the last one year.<br /> Jubilee must use its numerical strength in the Houses of Parliament to come up with administrative, regulatory and legislative measures to help small firms start and expand.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The cost of bank loans remains unbelievably high despite so much rhetoric about it. But if we are to create job creators and not job seekers, the cost of loans have to fall. Jubilee must use its numbers to champion these positive measures.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> The government must embrace and engage small contractors and change the way it does business with them. Startups cannot afford to chase payments for months. A simpler engagement would help turn many enterprising young Kenyans into job creators, not job seekers. Small businesses must be treated as the engine of growth, and essential to economic recovery.<br /><br /> <b>CRIME:</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The greatest responsibility of any government is to protect its people and their property. Yet the last one year has brought us a lot of pain and loses. Lives and property have been lost; thousands have been wounded, businesses have underperformed or closed as a result of spiraling crime.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This comes after Kenyans worked so hard in the last ten years to create a largely secure nation. By the time Jubilee took over, we had a largely secure nation in which operating a 24 hour economy looked increasingly realistic, not rhetoric.<br /><br /> Today, criminals hunt us in the streets, from our houses, in churches, in mosques, in matatus and in schools.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We are approaching the first anniversary of the attack on the Westgate Mall. Our hopes and prayers remain with the families that fell victim to this attack. We stand with families who have lost loved ones to criminals across our country. Their pain and horror remain with us.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But as we moan, we are not convinced that the gaps in our security exposed by those attacks have been closed. The Government is saying the right words about the threat we face. But it has failed to take action commensurate with the threat.<br /><br /> When terrorists issue threats and act on them while the government issues threats and fail to track those it is threatening, we know we are on our own as citizens.<br /> Goods and weapons still enter our borders unnoticed. Fire fighters are still pleading for the tools they need to prevent or respond to an attack.<br /><br /> Poachers have invaded our world famous wildlife heritage with abandon.<br /><br /> Police are still waiting for comprehensive insurance cover even as we ask them to stand in the line of fire on our behalf.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Government has inexplicably refused to form an inquiry into how the attackers in Westgate got here, even after the president promised this. Yesterday, the National Assembly rejected the report by the National Assembly Security Committee on the attack.<br /><br /> We are therefore calling for the constitution of a Parliamentary Select Committee to investigate the Westgate attack.<br /><br /> We are also calling for a Parliamentary Select Committee to investigate the rising problem of poaching. We suspect there is more to it than meets the eye. In any case, poaching is part and parcel of our growing security, economic and corruption problems.<br /><br /> When a bomb that failed to detonate near the British Airways check-in counter at JKIA late last year, the government shrugged it off as an exploding light-bulb.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After the latest attack in Likoni, the Inspector General of Police considered it beneath him to offer an explanation to Kenyans. He let his juniors deal with it. The President and his deputy did not see this as a matter worth their urgent attention. They addressed it in passing on their way to Tanzania.<br /><br /> These are signs that the government is off track and does not care.<br /><br /> Any discussion of our national security must include recognition and respect for our men and women in uniform.<br /><br /> Whether they are fighting in Somalia or walking our increasingly dangerous streets and borders, we salute them.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">These officers and troops have the gratitude of every Kenya for their courage and the sacrifice they are willing to make on our behalf.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But we decry the lack of modern equipment, the absence of opportunities for best training that our officers deserve and their dismal working conditions.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Above all, we ask the government to address the issues of deployments and promotions in the police force, especially now that we are under attack and we are counting on these men and women to be motivated enough to protect us.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Promotions and deployment in the police force is still dogged by tribalism, nepotism and cronyism, not merit.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We must also talk about our military whose prowess we are all too proud of.<br /> Because of the courage of our military, Somalia is a much better place today. We know that Somalia still has persistent insurgency to deal with. It continues to be a magnet for international terrorists.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But we feel it is time for the Government to present to us a clear plan for ending our presence in Somalia. We are not suggesting that we simply declare the job done and pull out. We are not suggesting we sneak out through the back door.<br /><br /> We want a clear plan for transferring responsibility for Somalia's security to the Somalis. We believe training the Somali forces to take charge must be expedited. We must accelerate Somalia’s economic development, particularly through infrastructure that gives Somalis a stake in achieving a better future.<br /><br /> We must also intensify regional and international diplomacy that will deny fuel to the anti-western sentiments that power insurgency in Somalia.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We want the government to table before Kenyans a comprehensive plan to protect the nation from terrorism. We have only heard promises and more threats.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We want to see the government's plan to build a military, a police force and an intelligence gathering system that will be second to none. Kenyans are dying because we lack ability to collect timely and reliable intelligence to keep us safe at home.<br /><br /> <b>EDUCATION:</b><br /> Even as the government proceeds with the ill-conceived laptops project, we are yet to address the issue of cost of education.<br /><br /> It is now more than ten years since fees were abolished in public schools. But we know fees exist and are keeping many children out of school. Parents buy uniforms, text books, desks, school buses, pay motivation fees, and much more. We feel the government must climb the education tree from the bottom. Is education free or not? If it is, why are these many levies being imposed and when will they stop?<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We continue to caution the government against the extravagant laptops project. It is not realistic. It is not sustainable and it is not a priority. We support IT in learning and we laud the government for championing it. But we advocate for computer labs in all schools instead of laptops for every child at this stage.<br /><br /> The cost and built in room for corruption in the acquisition of laptops aside, a bigger question is whether the laptops will actually improve learning. Will reading skills improve because the children have laptops instead of text books? Will children perform better in math and science? Will parents afford the cost of repairs and maintenance? Who will replace crashed or lost and stolen laptops?<br /><br /> <b>CORRUPTION:<br /> </b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We are concerned about the corruption roulette in government, which Jubilee calls war on corruption. The government admits that thieves have invaded no higher place than the Office of the President.<br /><br /> But to date, there have been no sackings, no prosecutions, no naming of names. We have been treated to the drama of members of government publicly campaigning for a chance to fix contracts for grand infrastructure projects in return for bribes.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As we pay lip service and issue warnings at rallies and church functions, corruption is eating into government coffers, paying ghost workers and paying for services not rendered or way above market rates.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yet today, the battle on wages is rated much more urgent by the Jubilee government than the war against corruption. The Jubilee government has now resolved to pay the so-called Anglo-Leasing debts, an outright conduit for corrupt deals. Warnings have run their course. We need action.<br /><br /> <b>RULE OF LAW:</b><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We must protect the Constitution and its promises. We must safeguard the rule of law, the media and civil liberties. All these are threatened today. Judges have been called names. Laws have been signed to curb the free media. There have been attempts to limit foreign funding for NGOs.<br /><br /> Jubilee government has failed to discontinue extrajudicial killings thus undermining the right to life. As we speak, there is an arbitrary shoot-to-kill order against terrorists as well as other criminals. The country has seen an alarming rise in religious intolerance and religious bigotry which the government has not in any way attempted to manage.<br /><br /> <b>OUR PLEDGE:</b><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One year of Jubilee Government has landed us in very uncertain times. How long they times last depends on the government. We want to assure Kenyans that when we believe the Government is on the right track, we will not allow partisan interests stand in the way of what's good for the country. We will be first in line to work with the Government. As at now, we repeat; a Government can do better. Kenyans deserve better.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We are losing patience with politics of tribalism, nepotism, favoritism, cronyism and rule by fiat. We are tired of incompetence and dishonesty in government.<br /><br /> <b>HON PROF. ANYANG NYONGO<br /> Ag. PARTY LEADER<br /> ODM.<br /> MARCH 28, 2014.</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-57796740483815759582014-03-27T14:18:00.000+03:002014-03-27T14:18:01.436+03:00Unveiling of the ODM Candidate for Mathare Parliamentary Seat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Following a series of consultative meetings by members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in Nairobi County, both elected representatives and branch officials regarding the forthcoming Mathare Parliamentary by-election, an all-inclusive meeting was held today at a Nairobi Hotel and was graced by the Acting Party Leader Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o and the joint Secretaries to the Transitional Interim Executive Committee (TIEC) Hon. Ababu Namwamba and Sen. Dr. Agnes Zani.<br /> <br /> During the meeting which also included the Governor of the City County of Nairobi Dr. Evans Kidero, ODM Members of the National Assembly from Nairobi and Members of the County Assembly of Nairobi, it was unanimously resolved that Mr. Steven Kariuki popularly known as K-1 be presented as the sole candidate for the party in the upcoming by-election in Mathare Constituency.<br /> <br /> This was as a result of separate caucuses by party members of the National Assembly, Members of the County Assembly, Branch and Sub-Branches officials in the last one week which settled on Mr. Kariuki as the party’s flag-bearer.<br /> <br /> Consequently, we have received assurances from the CORD coalition partners that they will not be fielding candidates for the seat. The meeting also agreed that the Nairobi Governor Dr. Kidero will be chairman of the 12 member campaign steering committee which was set up today. <br /> <br /> We call upon all ODM and CORD supporters in Nairobi to join us in the campaigns to drum the support for Mr. Steven Kariuki once the seat is declared vacant by the Speaker of the National Assembly and the date for the by-election set by the IEBC.<br /> <br /> Signed<br /> <br /> 27th March 2014<br /> <br /> Ag. Party Leader – Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o<br /> <br /> Joint Secretaries – TIEC – Hon. Ababu Namwamba & Sen. Dr. Agnes Zani</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-49476413181719742682014-03-25T11:12:00.002+03:002014-03-25T11:12:41.349+03:00Video: Hon Raila Odinga to be in USA until end of May 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-39917616749806991952014-03-11T09:19:00.003+03:002014-03-11T09:19:42.831+03:00ODM's Position on the Wage Bill<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> The populist move by the President and the Deputy President to cut their
salaries by 20 per cent and that of Cabinet and Principal Secretaries
by 10 per cent is not convincing.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">These cuts will not in the least
affect the standards of living of these people. The president pays no
bills, buys no air time or fuel nor does he have to pay rent or bus
fare. The same is true with the Deputy President.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The allowances and
other perks the Cabinet Secretaries get will more than compensate for
the salary cuts they have taken. Ordinary civil servants are not
therefore in the same league.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What Kenya needs is a national incomes
policy and not a populist cut of salaries. The government needs to lead
a national discussion of TAXATION in relation to WAGES at all levels.
In the meantime, we recommend the government takes the following steps:</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Accept Devolution and stop duplication.<br /> </b><br />
The entire structure of Provincial Administration that was to be phased
out with the coming of the constitution of 2010 has been renamed and
retained in the form of regional commissioners, county commissioners,
district commissioners and a chain of administrators running past the
chefs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> This system is running parallel to the constitutionally
sanctioned system of county governments headed by the governor. The
source of the money remains constant; the Kenyan tax payer. The Jubilee
government could save Kenyans the pain of higher taxes, higher cost of
living and anxiety over job cuts by simply accepting the reality of devolution and fitting the provincial administration into devolved units
instead of running a parallel system then asking where all the money is
going.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Cut down on corruption:<br /> </b><br /> It is clear that the
big time corruption cartels whose hold onto Kenya we cut short in 2002
are back, trying to make up for lost time. Corruption is eating into
government coffers, paying ghost workers and paying for services not
rendered or way above market rates. It is ironical that the battle on
wages is now rated much more urgent by the Jubilee government than the
war against corruption. The Jubilee government has now resolved to pay
the so-called Anglo-Leasing debts, an outright conduit for corrupt
deals.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Cut luxury expenditure:<br /> </b><br /> Jubilee should enforce
Treasury's ban on five-star venues for government meetings, which it
defied only last week. The government should ban foreign locations for
conferences, exhibitions and keep the size of delegations and entourage
locally and abroad at an absolute minimum. But this is easier said than
done.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Put Kenyans back to work:<br /> </b><br /> There is need for a
clear road map on what needs to be done to put millions of Kenyans to
work and encourage companies to hire and not fire people. The government
needs to come up with a plan to reward firms that hire more Kenyans and
those that increase workers’ pay.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /><b> Support Small enterprises:<br /> </b><br />
Jubilee must use its numerical strength in the National Assembly to
come up with administrative, regulatory and legislative measures to help
small firms start and expand. The cost of bank loans remains
unbelievably high after so much rhetoric about it. The subject of
interest rates is touchy because a number of senior government officials
also have interests in the banking industry.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But if we are to
create job creators and not job seekers, the cost of loans have to fall.
The government must embrace and engage small contractors and change the
way it does business with small firms. Startups cannot wait for months
and years chasing their payment vouchers. A simpler engagement would
help turn Kenyans into job creators, not job seekers. Small businesses
are the engine of that job growth, and essential to the continued
economic recovery.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Embrace, don’t fight security sector reforms:<br /> </b><br />
This may seem to have nothing to do with wage bill, but the reason the
economy is stagnating is uncertainty about security. Reforming our
security sector radically and equipping it with skills, knowledge and
tools fit for new challenges will go a long way in giving confidence to
investors and helping the economy grow.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>PROF. PETER ANYANG’ NYONG’O<br /> AG. PARTY LEADER<br /> ODM<br /> March 10, 2014.</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-58435868858555227112014-03-07T07:30:00.000+03:002014-03-07T07:30:07.746+03:00Composition and Terms of Reference for the ODM Transitional Committee<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">The National Governing Council (NGC) of the Orange Democratic Movement
held on Monday, 3rd of March, 2014, resolved to set up an interim
transitional committee to manage the affairs of the party.<br /> </span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Pursuant to that resolution, and after consultations, it has been agreed that members shall include<span class="text_exposed_show">:<br /> </span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">1. Hon Ali Hassan Joho / Hon Thomas Mwadeghu (alternate<br /> 2. Hon Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya / Hon Paul Otuoma (alternate)<br /> 3. Sen Otieno Kajwang<br /> 4. Hon Josephat Nanok<br /> 5. Hon Ababu Namwamba<br /> 6. Hon Agnes Zani<br /> 7. Hon Abdikadir Aden<br /> 8. Hon Timothy Bosire<br /> 9. Hon Adan Keynan<br /> 10. Hon Rosa Buyu<br /> </span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">It has been agreed that H.E Hon Hassan Joho and H.E Hon Wycliffe
Oparanya will jointly chair the committee while Hon Ababu Namwamba and
Hon Dr Agnes Zani will be joint secretaries. The team shall be reporting
to the Party Leader. <br /> </span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">The Terms of Reference of this group is clearly spelt out below.</span></span></div>
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We have set up the team to investigate the disturbances that led to the
disruption of the ODM elections in Kasarani on 28th February 2014. They include:<br /> </span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">Mr Jotham Nyukuri - Chairperson <br /> Hon Harold Kipchumba;<br /> Mr Isaiah Mandala<br /> Mr Jotham Arwa<br /> Mr Mtalaki Mwashimba</span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><u><b>TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR ODM TRANSITIONAL INTERIM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.</b></u> </span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">1. Confirm membership of the Transitional Interim Executive Committee (TIEC)<br /> <br />
2. Establish the mandate and enumerate the functions of the TIEC and
the structures for the implementation of the said mandate and functions.
The tenure of TIEC.<br /> <br /> 3. Establish the framework and mechanisms for enabling the TIEC to run the Party.<br /> <br /> 4. Rece<span class="text_exposed_show">ive
and consider the report of the task force established to inquire into
and to make recommendations on the circumstances surrounding and leading
to the stalemate experienced during the National Delegates Convention
held on the 28th February 2014.<br /> <br /> 5. Arising from the Report of
the Task Force recommend appropriate measures for adoption and
implementation which are and not limited to the following.</span></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_531949959e57d7b06734366">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> a) When
do the campaigns begin and end and is it legitimate to campaign on the
floor of the convention when the election exercise begins.<br /> b) Preparation, confirmation and certification of registers.<br /> c) Form of ballot papers<br /> d) Systems, procedures and methods for voting and counting of votes and the final announcement of the results.<br /> e) Security at the Convention during the voting exercise. Should it be outsourced?<br /> <br />
6. The date and venue of the NDC for purposes of conducting fresh
elections for the national office bearers and consideration of the
following matters.<br /> </span></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_531949959e57d7b06734366">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">a) Debts and obligations arising from the NDC held on the 28th February 2014<br /> b) Budget for the next elections and how to raise needed funds.<br /> c) Preparatory work and planning to enable NEC, once in place, to organize for the next elections.</span></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_531949959e57d7b06734366">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br />
7. Membership recruitment and the expansion of the numerical strength
of party supporters. Mobilization countrywide. To be discussed as a task
to be undertaken by NEC.<br /> <br /> 8. Party activities and programmes
for ODM as the main opposition party in the country developing policies
and drawing strategic plans during the tenure of the TIEC.<br /> <br /> 9. The status and strengthening of CORD with an eye on 2017<br /> <br />
10. The status of ODM and CORD in Parliament, county assemblies and the
performance of CORD Governors in running county governments.<br /> <br /><b> SIGNED<br /> RT HON RAILA ODINGA<br /> PARTY LEADER</b></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-16928072686316290182014-03-03T20:03:00.001+03:002014-03-03T20:03:53.217+03:00ODM Forms Interim Transitiomal Committee<p dir="ltr">Today, consultations between members of Sen. Agnes Zani and Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba teams chaired by Party Leader Mr. Raila Odinga were held and resolved that a six member interim transitional team be formed to take charge of the party for three months. The resolve was later adopted by the ODM National Governing Council (NGC) converging at Orange House, Nairobi. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The two teams were directed by the NGC to file the names of their nominees to the interim team before the close of business today.</p>
<p dir="ltr">And as directed by the NGC, the teams presented their nominees as follows;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Team Namwamba;<br>
1. Mr. Ababu Namwamba<br>
2. Mr. Hassan Ali  Joho<br>
3. Mr. Adan Keynan</p>
<p dir="ltr">Team Zani;<br>
Mr. Wycliffe Oparanya<br>
Mr. Otieno Kajwang <br>
Mr. Abdikadir Aden</p>
<p dir="ltr">The team also nominated Mr. Paul Otuoma as the alternate to Mr. Oparanya in the Interim Transitional Team. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The nominees are expected to begin negotiations on who to take up what position in the Interim Transitional Team. </p>
<p dir="ltr">However, the Sen. Zani team has proposed that Sen. Elizabeth Ongoro who is not allied to any of the two sides take up the position of Secretary General on interim basis.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Both teams have also nominated the following to the Task Force to investigate incidences that occurred during and before the aborted party polls at Kasarani last Friday;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Team Zani;<br>
Mr. Junet Muhammed<br>
Mrs. Florence Mutua</p>
<p dir="ltr">Lawyer Antony Oluoch will provide legal advice to team Zani.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Team Namwamba; <br>
Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Joseph Nkaissery<br>
Maj. (Rtd) John Waluke. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Regards.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Philip Etale<br>
Communications Director - ODM<br>
3/3/14</p>
<p dir="ltr">-- <br>
Orange Democratic Movement,<br>
Orange House Kilimani,<br>
Box 2478-00202<br>
Nairobi </p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-75103321402497767332014-02-24T21:31:00.000+03:002014-02-24T22:04:24.253+03:00Speech by Rt. Hon Raila Odinga During Launch of A'rise Youth Empowerment Programme<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Remarks by the Rt Hon Raila A Odinga EGH at the launch of the</b><br /><b> CORD ACTION PLAN FOR YOUTH<br />Kisumu, February 24, 2014 </b></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /><br />THANK
YOU for inviting me to share my thoughts with you on the situation of
young people in our country today, and what we in CORD and ODM are doing
about it. <br /><br />I know very well how hard young people are struggling to get out of poverty. <br /><br />About
800,000 youths leave school each year and begin looking for jobs. I
know how much each and every one of them would like to be economically
independent, would like to find a decent job or start a business, and
would like to be able to provide an economically secure future for a
family of their own. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUv_NMKcDLO48D-3wJhygFVWNKTq4X4gNXALZWLXEEUnc2m-awV6x1vvLvzMFK33gF7VGN50kFFm0Zbx-NUfGV22bz6QvK_6ae5ivJzSVhHisVJ4rzTJ4nymdY6wXgCPor9DhX25yfZzc6/s1600/RAO.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUv_NMKcDLO48D-3wJhygFVWNKTq4X4gNXALZWLXEEUnc2m-awV6x1vvLvzMFK33gF7VGN50kFFm0Zbx-NUfGV22bz6QvK_6ae5ivJzSVhHisVJ4rzTJ4nymdY6wXgCPor9DhX25yfZzc6/s1600/RAO.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />But
today TWO MILLION young Kenyans, whether educated or not, are without
work or an income. And the current government is doing nothing about it.
Its election pledge to create a million jobs a year has vanished
without trace. Have any jobs at all been created in the past 12 months?
We have not heard of them. <br /><br />I was well aware of the problems of
joblessness and poverty when I joined government in 2008, and that was
the reason one of my first tasks was to initiate the Kazi Kwa Vijana
programme. Then, in June 2011, I introduced subsidised unga for the less
economically able. <br /><br />At a time when a 2kg bag of Hostess unga
was selling for 156 shillings, and Jogoo at about 130 shillings, I
prevailed on the government to subsidise unga for the poor, something
that had never been done before inKenya – and under the project a 2kg
bag retailed at the greatly reduced price of 52 shillings. <br /><br />The
next step would have been to introduce vouchers and special shops where
the less economically able could buy basic commodities at cheaper
prices. <br /><br />Kazi Kwa Vijana, known as KKV, addressed the fact that
the poor and the unemployed, whether educated or not, ALL have families
to take care of.Phase one, with its labour-intensive jobs, was rolled
out to target those with less education – while I continued to plan
phase two, targeting those with formal educational qualifications. <br /><br />I took these steps because I believe a government exists to care for the nation’s people. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /><br />Unfortunately,
our Kenya government includes too many people who care only for
themselves. The subsidised unga and KKV programmes ran into problems due
to lack of public accountability by the corrupt. They took advantage to
amass money for themselves. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />At
the same time, those controlling the Treasury saw an opportunity to
create negative propaganda against ODM, fearing that our
programmes,designed to assist the poor, would make ODM popular. Those
who controlled the Treasury found ways to kill these programmes. <br /><br />It
seems that there are always people in government who think the poor are
there simply to be exploited. We see this today in the prices of unga,
milk, sugar, paraffin, electricity, books and mobile phones, which have
all risen steeply under the current regime. Nobody in government has the
least idea how to stop this, or how to cushion the poor. Nor do they
care. <br /><br />Of course, it doesn’t happen only in Kenya. In the US,
for example, similarly selfish people have been grimly fighting
President Obama’s plan to introduce health insurance for the poor. Greed
and self-interest are what drives such people. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />So what are we doing as Opposition? We have a plan but, before I lay itout, let me pose the Six-Billion-Shilling Question. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />During
the election campaigns last year, both CORD and Jubilee promised that,
if they won the election in the first round, they would give out to the
youth the six billion shillings that had been set aside for a potential second-round run-off. <br /><br />Today,
a year later, Jubilee is not talking about this money. Instead, it is
talking of a Bill to give contracts to the youth. It is talking of the
Uwezo Fund etc. What happened to the six billion Kenya shillings? <br /><br />In
the Acts of the Apostles, we hear how the Apostles came across a poor,
crippled beggar, and Peter told him: “Silver or gold I do not have, but
what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up
and walk.” </span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">CORD
did not form the government. In ODM, we don’t have political power or
much money. But we will give you ideas and expertise. That is what we
can share with you. That, and concrete, supportive plans to help you
progress. <br /><br />We promised to help young people acquire business
skills, to give them seed money to start businesses and to help them
attain loans. We shall beembarking on these programmes immediately after
our party elections. <br /><br />We shall organise seminars and youth
camps, and bring successful businessmen and women and professional
economists to speak on how to start businesses, about which ideas work
and which don’t, about how to write business plans, how to raise
start-up capital, and how to do book-keeping and manage accounts. <br /><br />We
are establishing teams to lobby banks to set up loans for youth-led
Small and Medium Enterprises – boda boda operators, scratchcard vendors,
fishmongers, second-hand-clothes dealers and so on. They should all be
able to access bank loans on easy terms. We are taking this up
immediately after our party elections. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />We are setting up teams to help our young people in schools and colleges make good career choices. </span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At
present, there are leaders in this country who cannot tell you what
their profession is or where they ever worked. In CORD and ODM, we don’t
have that problem. <br /><br />We are a party of serious professionals
and, as well as party members, we shall be bringing in other
professionals to talk to our young boys and girls about their plans for
the future. <br /><br />Expect to see me in your schools talking to your
children and your brothers and sisters about what it takes to be an
engineer. I am not just a politician. I am an engineer. Expect Mutula
Kilonzo Junior, his sister Kethi Kilonzo, Otieno Kajwang and Ababu
Namwamba in your schools and youth camps during the holidays to talk to
your children about what it takes to be a lawyer. <br /><br />I will bring
Dr Agnes Zani over to speak to young people about what it takes for a
woman to get a PhD, to be a sociologist and a lecturer. As a
sociologist, Dr Zani is an expert on social and family issues, including
crime and drug abuse. She will be coming over to discuss family issues
with you. <br /><br />Everyone wants to bring up good, successful families,
but sometimes families fail and fall into hardship. This often sees
youngsters missing school or getting pregnant, drifting into crime,
going to jail and eventually creating further generations of homeless
street families. <br /><br />That is not the way forward for our nation,
and we shall talk openly to young people about these issues. Our party
and our coalition want to maintain a special relationship with young
people. It will be fun, and I invite you to look forward to it. </span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Just
last week, I read the story …… and yes! As any responsible leader
should, I DO read the newspapers, so that I am well-acquainted with what
people are going through. How can any leader worth his salt say that
newspapers – the public record of the hopes and challenges of our nation
– are only fit for wrapping meat? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Anyway,
I read the story of a young boy, Martin Obila, who walked from Rarieda
to Kakamega High School where he had been admitted. He could not raise
the fees, so he went physically to explain himself and secure his place.
<br /><br />I want to salute that young boy for his courage and
determination. I want to thank Kakamega High School principal Mr Oliver
Minishi for admitting the boy, and I am asking education officials in
Siaya County and the MP for Rarieda to take up the boy’s case, if they
haven’t already, and pay his fees. <br /><br />After we defeated Kanu in
2002, we fought hard for the Constituency Development Fund, and for free
primary and secondary education. Now, why is any child undergoing what
Obila has? And I know Obila is only representative of thousands of
others with little hope. We want to change that. <br /><br />I know some of
you are feeling the fire I felt at your age. You are dying to move into
politics, to take over, and to push this country forward. We shall
support youth in that, too. We shall be creating camps to teach the
youth the organisational skills they need in politics. I shall be there
personally to take them through some lessons.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So
my word to everyone is, don’t give up. Life is not for quitters. CORD
and ODM are not for quitters. CORD and ODM are made up of tough men and
women who have made it against great odds. <br /><br />Indeed, this whole
COUNTRY has made it to where it is against great odds. And after all
that hard work, do we want to see the old Kanu culture – handouts,
delegations to State House and people’s homes, begging the government
for jobs – to make a comeback? <br /><br />It is already happening and, if we are not very careful, we shall soon be back to square one. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We
can’t allow that to happen. And there is an alternative. Stick with us,
stay engaged and we shall change this country together. </span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">God bless you all. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Raila A Odinga EGH <br />Leader <br />ODM; CORD Coalition</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-5328846211691182982014-02-20T16:10:00.000+03:002014-02-20T16:29:28.271+03:00Statement of the ODM National Governing Council Meeting of 20th February 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t31/1889093_722585951115098_1302539916_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t31/1889093_722585951115098_1302539916_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The National Governing Council (NGC) meeting today 20th Feb 2014, at Orange House, Kilimani held fruitful deliberations on the upcoming National Delegates Convention and agreed as follows: <br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Accept the proposed amendments to the party constitution as proposed by the Legal Committee as presented today with specific reference to the National party officials with the exception of Regional representatives. </li>
<li> The elections for the new positions will be handled by the National Governing Council with the mandate of the National Delegates Convention taking into account gender, regional and diversity issues in line with the national Constitution, the Political Parties Act and the party constitution.</li>
<li>In the meantime National Executive Committee will continue to look at other issues and proposed amendments raised by the National Governing Council (NGC) with regards to other amendments to the constitution aimed at strengthening the party.</li>
<li>Likewise the National Governing Council re affirms counties as branches, constituencies as sub branches, wards as units and villages as sub units. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
Signed <br />
<br />
<b>Sen. Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o <br />Secretary General</b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-46785484848040767092014-02-07T11:45:00.002+03:002014-02-07T11:45:26.136+03:00PUBLISHED: The Complete List of ODM National Office Aspirants in the Forthcoming National Delegates Conference<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<u>LIST OF ASPIRANTS FOR VARIOUS POSTS IN THE NDC PER REGIONS</u>...<br /> <br /><b> NAME OF ASPIRANT ID. NO. GENDER COUNTY POLITICAL PARTY STATUS<br /> </b><br />
<b><u>COAST REGION </u></b><br />
Hon Hassan Ali Joho 11457905 M MOMBASA <br /> Dr Agnes Zani 8621150 F KWALE <br /> Suleiman Dori Ramadhan 21232437 M KWALE <br /> Nicholas Stephen Zani 11460809 M KWALE <br /> Hon. Justine Kazungu Baya 11374009 M KILIFI <br /> Hon Zuleikha Juma Hassan 27553751 F MOMBASA <br /> <br /> <b><u>NAIROBI REGION <br /> </u></b>Rt Hon. Raila Odinga M NAIROBI <br /> Hon Simba Arati 22487019 M NAIROBI <br /> Hon Elizabeth Ongoro Amolo Masha A1236577 F NAIROBI <br /> Hon George Aladwa Omwera 9136489 M NAIROBI <br /> Hon Reuben Ndolo 8992486 M NAIROBI <br /> Hon Irshad Sumra 5478318 M NAIROBI <br /> Steven Kariuki 21792255 M NAIROBI <br /> Anthony Tom Oluoch 10312743 M NAIROBI <br /> George Nyongesa 20252486/B070866 F NAIROBI <br /> Hon Ken Okoth M NAIROBI <br /> Marggy Sewe 10972683 F NAIROBI <br /> Hon Timothy Wanyonyi Wetangula 7963450 M NAIROBI <br /> Fatuma Haji Somo 4435106 F NAIROBI <br /> Nickson Ochieng Kakiri 20024138 M NAIROBI 452554<br /> <br /> <b><u>SOUTH NYANZA REGION <br /> </u></b>Hon Otieno Kajwang 4826720 M HOMA BAY <br /> Hon John Mbadi 113994135 M HOMA BAY <br /> Prof. L. Otweyo M. Gumbe 4830675 M HOMA BAY <br /> Boaz N.A.O Waruku 12458205 M HOMA BAY <br /> Rahab Robi 13605198 F MIGORI <br /> Hon Junet S. Nuh Mohamed 20094498 M MIGORI <br /> Hon Edick Omondi Anyanga 7952050 M MIGORI <br /> Hon. Deniitah Ghatti 13606791 F MIGORI <br /><br />
<u><b>CENTRAL NYANZA REGION <br /> </b></u>Hon Eng. Nicolas Gumbo 4413967 M SIAYA <br /> Hon James Opiyo Waandayi 11196023 M SIAYA <br /> Julius Okinda 2810050 M SIAYA <br /> Rozaah Akinyi Buyu 3082529 F KISUMU <br /> Dr Noah Akala 24215821 M KISUMU <br /> Hon Dr. James Nyikal 5857594 M KISUMU <br /> <br /> <br /> <u><b>KISII NYANZA REGION <br /> </b></u>Hon Manson O. Nyamweya 1450015 M KISII <br /> Hon Chris Bichage M KISII <br /> Hon Simon Nyaundi Ogari 4827236 M KISII <br /> Hon Timothy Bosire 1634249 M NYAMIRA <br /> <br /> <u><b>CENTRAL REGION <br /> </b></u>Isaac Musau Mwilu 6067526 M KIAMBU <br /> Hasia Abubakar Ireri 12972919 M KIRINYAGA <br /> Michael Rubia 3333253 M MURANGA <br /> Anne Mwikali Makobo 20168301 F KIAMBU <br /> Peter Maina kariuki 21434547 M KIAMBU <br /> Gitonga Wathanga 5551093 M NYERI <br /> Susan Waceke Marigi 24131831 F NYERI ODM13624<br /> Hon. Isaac Maigua Mwaura 22484569 M KIAMBU <br /> Samuel Kihara Ndimba 5207021 M KIAMBU <br /> <br /> <br /> <u><b>NORTH EASTERN REGION <br /> </b></u>Hon Josphat Nanok Koli M TURKANA <br /> Hon Adan Keynan 5072946 M WAJIR <br /> Hon Abdikadir Omar Aden 13116397 M GARISSA <br /> Hon. Diriye Mohammed Abdullahi A2111920 M Wajir <br /> Ibrahim Mohamed Omar 55442 M Wajir <br /> Zainab Mohamed Idifle 974220 F GARISSA <br /> <br /> <u><b>UPPER EASTERN <br /> </b></u>Hon Lawrence Mpuri Aburi M MERU <br /> Steve Ringera 9179785 M MERU <br /> Wamuuru Moses 10728827 M EMBU <br /> Edin Wario Dida 12754864 F MARSABIT <br /> Hon. Charfano Guyo Mokku 399502 M ISIOLO <br /> Lucy Mworia 574673 F ISIOLO <br /> Galma Ismail 13867751 M ISIOLO <br /> <br /> <u><b>LOWER EASTERN REGION <br /> </b></u>Seth Kakusye 5174259 M MAKUENI <br /> Pius Kithome 3500586 M MAKUENI <br /> <br /> <br /><u><b> SOUTH RIFT REGION</b></u> <br /> Stellah Chepkurui Koech 22250644 M KERICHO <br /> Paul Partoire Kaika 4719379 M KAJIADO <br /> Peter Ntoyian Ole Musei 14473698 M KAJIADO <br /> Samson M. Ang'ienda 7228262 M KAJIADO <br /> Christine Masiyoi Lemein 101520 F NAROK <br /> Ronald Kipngetich Arap Ngeny 1738554 M BOMET <br /> Bob Micheni Njagi 22094643 M KAJIADO <br /> <br /><u><b> CENTRAL RIFT <br /> </b></u>Alice Chepkirui Kering 5991697 F NAKURU <br /> Harold Kimunge Kipchumba 9172313 M BARINGO <br /> <br /> <br /> <u><b>NORTH RIFT REGION <br /> </b></u>David Songok Langat 4726123 M UASIN GISHU <br /> Simon C. Lillan 10949681 M UASIN GISHU <br /> Kipkorir Arap Menjo 3247895 M UASIN GISHU <br /> Ogla Chepkemoi Karani 7372276 F E. MARAKWET <br /> Hon Tabitha Seii 1883725 F E. MARAKWET <br /> Hon. Josphat Nanok 10245497 M TURKANA <br /> <br /> <u><b>LOWER WESTERN REGION <br /> </b></u>Hon Wycliffe Oparanya 4827856 M KAKAMEGA <br /> Rachael Ameso Amolo 7868363 F KAKAMEGA <br /> Doricas Luvalitsa Kedogo 4914520 F VIHIGA <br /> Kennedy Away 22121400 M KAKAMEGA <br /> Cleophas Malala 24551557 M KAKAMEGA <br /> <br /> <u><b>UPPER WESTERN REGION <br /> </b></u>Hon. Paul Nyongesa Otuoma 7129467 M BUSIA <br /> Ababu Namwamba 11597378 M BUSIA <br /> Florence Mutua 10089907 F BUSIA <br /> Hon John Waluke 829017 M BUNGOMA <br /> Kikete Mung'chu Siambi 87659 M BUNGOMA <br /> Hildabeda Lukulu Siang'a 5790911 F BUNGOMA <br /> Cyrus Litswa 25356302 M BUNGOMA</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-32963541596551685362014-02-05T14:37:00.002+03:002014-02-05T14:37:42.676+03:00Press Statement by the ODM National Election Board on Forthcoming Party Elections<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>NATIONAL ELECTIONS BOARD <br /> PRESS STATEMENT<br /> </b><br /> The Orange Democratic Movement – ODM National Elections Board wishes to announce to the participating candidates in the upcoming elections on 28th February 2014 – March 1st 2014 as follows:<br /> <br /> We wish to confirm to the various applicants, delegates and the ODM fraternity that the elections shall proceed as scheduled on the 28 February – March 1st 2014. <br /> <br /> We assure all stakeholders that there are no preferred candidates and the only candidates we have are in the list released today by this Election Board. <br /> <br /> A final list shall be released upon confirmation that’s the candidates have complied with the terms and conditions as set out in our election and nomination rules. <br /> <br /> So far 93 application forms were picked, 89 were returned by the deadline of 31st January 2014 and only four were not returned. The 93 applications were received from all regions of this country. <br /> <br /> The complete delegates register shall be released to the delegates in due course. <br /> <br /> As a board we wish to reaffirm that we are professional, impartial and dedicated to ensure that we have a free and fair election. <br /> <br /> The board is also satisfied by the preparations so far done by the National Secretariat of the party and the NDC planning committee. <br /> <br /> <br /> <b>HON. JUDITH PARENO,<br /> Chairperson, ODM National Elections Board</b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-69553567159822235532014-01-15T11:59:00.005+03:002014-01-15T11:59:55.355+03:00Prof Anyang' Nyong'o Bows out of race to defend his ODM Secretary General Seat.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <b>BUILDING THE ODM INTO THE FUTURE<br /> </b><br /> <i>"I have done the state some service,<br /> And they know No more of that." Othello<br /> From William Shakespeare, OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE, Act V, Scene II, (line 340-42).<br /> </i><br /> "Like Othello the Moor, I would like to say that I have done our party ODM some service, and our members know it; no more of that. The time has come to appreciate the achievements we have had since 2005 and the commitment of the party leadership to the noble goal of delivering a new constitution to Kenyans as a landmark of the Second Liberation. <br /> <br /> ODM has indeed been the party of reform led by Raila Amolo Odinga as the indefatigable crusader for change over the past three decades. I am happy to have worked with him together with the national party leaders, and to have connected with grassroots leaders and the masses all over our Republic. Kenyans still look up to the ODM to keep the fire of change burning, and never to give in to the charlatans of reaction and the defenders of the status quo in our pursuit to live in a national democratic and prosperous society. Our agenda remains uncompleted.<br /> <br /> The building of a national democratic and developmental state in Kenya will have to go beyond the democratic gains in the current constitution. It is urgent and necessary to dismantle the vestiges of presidential authoritarian rule in our society while also eliminating ethnic hegemonic politics in our political culture. Above all, however, ODM must be committed to the sincere construction of the politics of inclusion in our economy, our representative bodies as well as in all government institutions. Success in these endeavours will energise all Kenyans to contribute their best in national development.<br /> <br /> On two occasions we have won elections and were robbed of our victory due to the greed and gross misuse of state power by the incumbents and vested interests in the authoritarian regimes we have always sought to liberate Kenyans from. With that in mind, it needs to be made crystal clear to all Kenyans that the struggle is still on, and that visionary leadership, and not simply leaders with a sense of entitlement, will be able to provide the political roadmap into our democratic future.<br /> <br /> In or outside the formal structures of the party leadership I will always contribute to the democratic struggle and the Third Liberation. In that regard I see myself spending more time on policy issues for our party and CORD, and deepening collaboration between CORD and civil society on ideas, policies and programmes for inclusive politics and national development under a devolved system of government.<br /> <br /> Let me therefore conclude that I have served two terms as ODM Secretary General. At the coming Annual Delegates Congress I will not offer my candidature for election. I urge those aspiring for this post to be civil in their campaigns, conscious of the party constitution and its policies, and always ready to prioritise strengthening of the party above individual ambition"<br /> <br /> P. Anyang' Nyong'o <br /> Secretary General, ODM.<br /> NAIROBI, 15th January, 2014.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-52685415203044020092014-01-09T12:51:00.001+03:002014-01-09T12:51:21.953+03:00Official Clarification to Aspirants on the ODM National Elections<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u>FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS DESK</u><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Orange Democratic Movement wishes to inform all the Members and supporters countrywide that the National Delegates Convention ( NDC ) will be held on the 28th Feb and 1st March 2014.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> The National Elections Board of the party will conduct the exercise as provided for in the Party Constitution and the Elections and Nominations Rules.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The NEB has set a fee of Ksh. 10, 000 for anyone aspiring to vie for any of the 27 seats in the National Office.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> All applicants for the positions in the National Office 'must be' Life Members of the ODM. This is about loyalty and commitment to the party's policies and ideologies. <br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Any information contrary to this should be treated as rumours or innuendos aimed at misleading the party membership. <br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ODM urges its members and supporters with questions or seeking clarification regarding the upcoming event to advance the same through the right channels and organs of the party and not other forums. <br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ODM which is a National Movement; believes in democracy and will forever uphold all the basic tenets of the same.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ODM has no intentions whatsoever to lock out anyone from vying for any of the seats in the national office. It is not even thinking of favouring any of the aspirants as all members of the party are treated equally. <br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>P. Etale. <br /> Director of Communications - ODM.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>09 January 2014 </b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-66752409216501938672014-01-08T13:06:00.000+03:002014-01-08T13:06:30.138+03:00Statement of the Resolutions of ODM-NEC on Party National Elections <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The National Executive Committee (NEC) members meeting today (Tuesday 7th Jan 2014) at Orange House under the chairmanship of the party leader the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga made the following resolution;<br /><br />The National Delegates Convention (NDC) which is the party's top decision making organ shall be held on the <b>28th of February and the 1st of March 2014.</b><br /><br />During the two day event, delegates will be deliberate on various matters of importance to the party and thereafter take part in the most important exercise which is to elect the party's new National Office bearers.<br /><br />The positions to be contested at the NDC as per the party's new constitution are as follows;<br /> </span><br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Party Leader</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Deputy Party Leader</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The National Chairperson</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Deputy Chairperson</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Secretary General</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Deputy Secretary General</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The National Treasurer</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Deputy National Treasurer - Finance</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The National Organizing Secretary</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Deputy Organizing Secretary</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Secretary for Public Policy and Economic Affairs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Secretary for Legal and Constitutional Affairs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Secretary for Publicity and Information</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Secretary for International Affairs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Secretary for Women Affairs (OWDL) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Secretary for Youth Affairs (OYDL) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Secretary for Special Interest Groups</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Secretary for Environment</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Secretary for Devolved Government</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Secretary for Science and Technology</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Secretary for Labour and Human Resource Development </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Secretary for Special Programmes, Security and Social Welfare</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Secretary for Humanitarian and Disaster Management Affairs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Secretary for Disability Affairs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Secretary for Political Affairs</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />The convention shall be held at the Kasarani Sports Gymnasium in Nairobi.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Party members wishing to contest the aforementioned positions should apply to the National Elections Board upon notice indicating the positions they intend to run for in the elections. We urge all those aspiring candidates for these party positions to desist from divisive politics and to campaign among party members in accordance with the party election rules and regulations. Engagement in untoward behavior such as bribery, ethnic incitement, hate speech and thuggery will lead to automatic disqualification.<br /><br />On regional affairs, the ODM NEC calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities in South Sudan and the realization of a political settlement to ensure peace, democracy and national development. We are particularly concerned with the suffering of the people of South Sudan, especially women and children. People cannot access food and medicine as a result of the controlled use of airspace in some parts of the country.<br /><br />ODM calls for complete neutrality of neighboring countries, and appeals to the mediators in the conflict to facilitate the release of all the detainees so that they can participate in the process of resolving the conflict and creating a democratic political order. We urge the government South Sudan to allow freedom of the press and access to information during this period of conflict.<br /><br />We urge the government of Kenya to be on the lead in the road to the stabilization of South Sudan owing to the socio-economic ties the two nations enjoy.<br /><br />The NEC wishes our party leader the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga a Happy Birthday today.<br /><br />Thank you and God Bless you all.<br /><br /><b>Prof. Anyang' Nyong'o<br />Secretary General. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Orange House, </b></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tuesday 7th Jan 2014</span> </b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-61111514123737305582013-12-12T19:34:00.000+03:002013-12-12T19:34:27.175+03:00Raila Odinga: My Encounters with Madiba<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /><br /><b>BY RAILA ODINGA </b><br /><br />When Nelson Mandela visited Kenya upon his release from detention, I was in detention myself so I only heard of his visit. <br /><br />But I was later to meet Mandela on several different occasions. Each meeting left very lasting impressions. <br /><br />We first met at the Mandela Lounge at the Michelangelo Towers in Sandton City on the outskirts of Johannesburg. <br /><br />It was at this meeting that he told me that he had wanted to meet Jaramogi Oginga Odinga during his first visit to Kenya but he did not because the State did not make arrangements for it. <br /><br />He told me he had met Jaramogi way back in 1963 when the OAU was being launched in Addis. <br /><br />ANC was one of the liberation movements that had been invited to Addis, together with KANU and movements from all nations that were struggling for independence including all Portuguese colonies. <br /><br />Mandela recalled that it was himself and Jaramogi who were chosen to speak on behalf of liberation movements and a strong bond developed between the two of them. <br /><br />He remembered vividly and emotionally the events of that day in Addis during our first meeting. I was amazed at the clarity of his thoughts about an event that took place so many years ago, despite many years of being cut off the rest of the world by detention. <br /><br />At that meeting he talked to me about my on detention and I told him he had been my inspiration. I told him I kept saying if Mandela could do 27, why could I not do more. He took it very humbly and lightly. I was there with my wife Ida and he was with Graca. <br /><br />Next we met at his home in Johannesburg with our families. I was with mine and he was with his and grand children. We spent a long time and I was amazed how easy he was with small children, familiar with the habits of each and knowing them by name. <br /><br />At that meeting, he talked much about the importance of family particularly at times of great struggle. <br /><br />Our other meeting was at his other home in Cape Town. This time his memory was fading and had a problem hearing. He had to be told things and he would then respond. <br /><br />Our meeting was at his residence in Johannesburg. This time too he was not so much himself. <br /><br />The remarkable thing was that even when he was ailing, his spirit was still very strong and he was very composed. His legs were weak he needed quite a bit of support. <br /><br />But he retained a unique capacity to grasp and interpret international issues. You would mention an issue taking place on the international stage and he would quickly give an interpretation of what it meant and where it was leading. <br /><br />Looking at his advanced age and the times in which he grew up, one would think Mandela was part of the old stock of politicians but he was well above them and completely different. <br /><br />He strongly believed in term limits. He was very unhappy that leaders were reversing constitutions to extend their stay in power. He felt two terms were more than enough for leaders to do whatever they want to do for their people. <br /><br />At one stage, I was with him as debate was raging in two African countries where the sitting presidents wanted to extend term limits. He was very unhappy about it. <br /><br />Mandela was quite passionate about the issue of HIV/AIDS. He wanted open discussions about Aids. He was very unhappy with leaders who tried to sweep it under the carpet. <br /><br />In all my encounters with Mandela, it was impossible not to notice the kind of support Graca was giving him. <br /><br />I don’t think Madiba would have made it this far without the support the lady gave him. It was amazing and this recognition is missing in the condolences. <br /><br />Graca insisted on making Madiba look stately even with failing health and advancing age. <br /><br />I recall Graca did not attend the signing of our Peace Accord because Madiba’s health had deteriorated and he needed her support. <br /><br />Around Madiba, Graca exuded a sense of responsibility that is unmatched. <br /><br /><i>(Odinga is CORD Leader and a former Prime Minister of Kenya)</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-45182824949845787592013-12-03T11:14:00.000+03:002013-12-03T11:14:42.871+03:00Hon Raila Odinga Statement Against the Appointment of the JSC Tribunal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>By Raila Odinga</b><br /><br />What
began as a disciplinary hearing against an employee of the Judiciary
has now matured into a major inter-branch conflict within the
government, engulfing the Judiciary, the presidency and the legislature,
and culminating in the appointment yesterday of a tribunal to look into
the suitability of six members of the Judicial Service Commission to
continue in office. <br /><br />The situation has reached here because of a
failure of leadership at every point. There was a failure of leadership
when the Speaker of the National Assembly allowed the Justice and Legal
Affairs Committee to assume jurisdiction over the dispute between the
Judicial Service Commission and the former Chief Registrar of the
Judiciary despite the fact that this was an internal issue of the
Judiciary and secondly, notwithstanding the fact that the matter was
still under deliberation within the JSC. <br /><br />There was also a
failure of leadership when the National Assembly adopted the report of
the Legal Affairs Committee calling for a tribunal for the removal of
the six members. Better counsel would have led to the search for a more
amicable way of dealing with this matter at that point. <br /><br />The
President had a choice to accept the recommendation of the National
Assembly for the appointment of a tribunal or to reject the
recommendation. He could have used the opportunity presented to him to
bring about dialogue among the concerned branches with a view to
averting the crisis that we are now experiencing. <br /><br />However, he
has failed to do so and has chosen to appoint a tribunal whose effect
would be to dismember the Judiciary and to leave it as an appendage of
the presidency and the Legislature. Again, the failures by the president
have been failures in judgment, and in leadership. It is now clear that
the president is a willing participant in the scheme to destroy the
Judiciary. <br /><br />The appointment of the tribunal must be viewed in the
wider scheme of what is going on in the country at the moment. The
National Assembly has already enacted the Kenya Information and
Communication Bill, which contains severe limitations on the freedom of
the media in Kenya. <br /><br />Currently, the National Assembly is debating
amendments to the Public Benefits Organizations Bill, the passage of
which will severely limit funding for civil society organizations in the
country, and bring an end to the culture of civic vigilance which is an
important source of the freedoms that we enjoy in this country. <br /><br />Insecurity
reigns in the country with the bandits holding free reign in northern
Kenya while the promise to institute inquiry into Westgate attack
remains just that; a promise. <br /><br />Viewed together, these three
developments lead to the conclusion that the Jubilee government is
determined to bring an end to all autonomous institutions in the
country. A pattern of a return to repression is taking shape. What is
being attempted currently is to establish a country of presidential and
legislative tyranny, and where no other institution in and out of the
government will be allowed a voice. The people of Kenya must wake up to
the fact that the new Constitution which they enacted and which they
cherish, is now under threat because of the actions of this government. <br /><br />The
choice of members of the tribunal to look into the suitability of the
six members of the JSC merits comment. All four have close ties with the
ruling party. The inescapable conclusion is that their selection is
motivated by a desire to reach a pre-determined outcome. The proposed
tribunal is, therefore, an act of deception, clothed in the formalities
of a constitutional process. CORD rejects both the individuals selected
and the idea of the Tribunal, and calls upon the president to revoke the
appointment. <br /><br />As the country knows, CORD has taken blows in the
hands of the Judiciary, whose decision in the presidential election
petition we did not agree with but which we still accepted. We did so
because we believe in the rule of law, which is now under attack through
the actions of the President and the National Assembly. <br /><br />Our
belief in the rule of law brings us to the defence of the Judiciary,
even though we do not admire its record. We call upon the Judiciary to
remain steadfast in the face of this blatant bullying by the presidency
and the legislature. <br /><br />It is not too late to find an amicable
resolution of this mater. CORD also calls upon the President to lead in
the search for such a resolution of the crisis that he and the National
Assembly have created.<br /><br /><i>The writer is Party Leader, Coalition for Reform & Democracy (CORD) and former Prime Minister Republic of Kenya</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-46801396058380772982013-10-29T17:24:00.000+03:002013-10-29T17:24:22.798+03:00Official Statement of the CORD Parliamentary Group Meeting of 29th October 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<u><b><br />OFFICIAL CORD PG STATEMENT</b></u><br /> <br /> We members of the CORD Parliamentary Group, Governors Summit and National Executive Committees meeting at Orange House on the 29th day of October, 2013 wish to make the following statement: <br /> <br /> We congratulate Gov. Cornel Rasanga and the Honorable Stephen Mule for recapturing the Siaya Gubernatorial and Matungulu parliamentary seats respectively in the just concluded by elections.As a Coalition we also commiserate with our brother Hon. KalembeNdile for losing the Kibwezi West seat. <br /> <br /> We also thank our members and supporters in the areas where by-Elections were held for the many votes they gave our candidates. We urge them to remain steadfast and do the same in the upcoming by Elections slated for December this year. <br /> <br /> We shall continue being united as a Coalition in the forthcoming by-election scheduled for December 2013 in Bungoma, LungaLunga, NyaribariChache, BomachogeBorabu and the vacant County Wards across the country. We ask our members and supporters to remain peaceful and show political maturity during the campaigns. <br /> <br /> The Kenyan Government with the help of some member states of the African Union (AU) has requested for a deferral of the two cases before the ICC by invoking Article 16 of the Rome Statute. It’s to be noted that the Rome Statute itself has provided this specific mechanisms for purposes of a deferral. This factor should be born in mind by those calling for a withdrawal from the ICC or the repeal of the International Crimes Act. For the record, CORD has not changed its position on this matter and we are prepared to have a structured and constructive engagement with both the Government and the International Community within the context of the Rome Statute to ensure that victims get justice and impunity is punished. <br /> <br /> CORD wishes again to condole and extend its sympathies to the victims of the Westgate Mall attack. Our view is that in handling both the attack and its aftermath elements within the security forces mishandled the operations. We note that the KDF has admitted that there was looting by some soldiers. We call upon the President to immediately establish an independent judicial commission of inquiry to investigate and establish the circumstances surrounding the planning and execution of the attack and the subsequent conduct of Public officials and institutions including the Disciplined Forces and the NSIS. CORD as the official opposition should be involved in making recommendations regarding the persons to be appointed as Commissioners. <br /> <br /> Lately we have seen an unlawful and unconstitutional invasion of the freedom of the media and the freedom of expression. These two freedoms are the basic pillar and foundation of an open and democratic system of government. We will not allow the carpet to be rolled back against this fundamental democratic space that Kenyans fought for valiantly for so many years. The government should come out clearly both in its conduct and management of public affairs whether it supports and is prepared to protect these basic freedoms. <br /> <br /> Finally CORD members of the National Assembly have drafted a Bill which is undergoing publication for purposes of exempting essential commodities from VAT. We call upon the leadership of the National Assembly to prioritize and expedite debate and enactment of the Bill.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-87350869663897134472013-10-24T15:56:00.001+03:002013-10-24T16:00:03.456+03:00ODM Reiterates Intention for CORD to Field Joint Candidates<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u>PRESS STATEMENT</u> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy ( CORD ) has for the past several months been involved in by-elections across the country in which it has taken a joint approach and will take the same approach in the December by-elections. <br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As a democratic party, the ODM allows its members both elected and non-elected the freedom to express themselves on party matters. In the same breath, the party also believes that party members are obliged to respect certain decisions the party makes for the purposes of unity.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In this regard, the party held a consultative meeting at Orange House that brought together the leadership from Gusii region to chart the way forward ahead of the by-elections. During the meeting, it was agreed that CORD speaks with one voice and rally all our supporters behind the Coalition candidates. <br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Finally, whereas ODM appreciates efforts by a section of Members of the National Assembly to try and arrive at a bipartisan approach on the ICC cases in The Hague, such engagements should be inter-party. However, ODM reiterates that it would support any negotiations that are in the interest of the whole nation and not just a section of it or one side of the political divide.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Hon. Magerer Langat, <br /> Executive Director - ODM<br /> 24/10/13</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-83379696422132267042013-10-20T11:39:00.001+03:002013-10-20T11:39:45.731+03:00Message from the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga on Mashujaa Day - 20 October 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>By Raila Odinga</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> <i>Mashujaa Day</i> this year has found me in the United States of America with some of our country’s governors seaeking opportunities for our people living in some of our most neglected counties. It is an interesting coincidence that got me thinking of the work that the heroes of yesterday began and that our children and their children have to carry on with. Our country has had great men and women standing up at different times but towards the same goal of ensuring liberty, prosperity and justice for all.<br /><br /><br />The freedom fighters risked all to liberate us from the colonial yoke. After independence, another generation stepped in and risked all when the very dreams that inspired the freedom fighters were being rolled back. These are the heroes of the Second Liberation who faced the single party machine and reclaimed the rights and freedoms that were being taken away. Of course they paid a great price. The heroes of our first and second liberations have brought us this far. We are immensely indebted to them.<br /><br />In December, Kenya turns 50. As we remember the heroes of the past half a century, we must focus on the next 50 years ahead and ask ourselves, who will be our heroes of that period and what will make them?<br /><br />Listening to governors Ukur Yatani of Marsabit and Ahmed Abdullahi Mohammad of Wajir speak about the challenges and promises of their counties, I found myself thinking of our country’s next fifty years, its old challenges that we have been unable to subdue and the new ones we are yet to start figuring out. Then it occurred to me that the heroes of the years ahead might be made in the counties.<br /><br />Our counties are certainly set to be the next theatre of action, opportunities, challenges and growth. In Wajir for instance, there is not an inch of tarmac road, 50 years after independence. The governor recently laid his hands on a 1913 colonial government report saying the county has sufficient limestone to produce cement for 100 years. The limestone has never been exploited to date.<br /><br />In Marsabit, NASA records the strongest all round the year wind blowing in the same direction and capable of generating electricity for all of East Africa. It has never been exploited. Like many other African nations, Kenya is changing fast but transforming too slowly. The economy is growing. But so is poverty. Despite new challenges and new opportunities, the old mindset persists. The heroes of the next fifty years of our country will be men and women who accept that we cannot create the future by clinging to the past.<br /><br />Kenya has a chance to open a new chapter with the coming of devolved units. Already, a number of our governors are toying with grand visions.<br /><br />In the struggles of these governors, I see a journey to determine the country’s future by expanding our country’s productivity. In this regard, the counties carry great potential in determining our country’s next heroes. Unfortunately, the passion of the governors alone is not enough. Every defining moment in a nation’s history needs a champion at the centre. Abraham Lincoln stepped in to save the union that remains standing as USA. He remains his country’s hero to date.<br /><br />Kenya too needs somebody to champion and save devolution and secure our next fifty years. There is a simple logic that makes me passionate about the future of the counties. The logic is that when I try to empower and make a neighbour rich, I create room for sharing, trading and making life bearable for my neighbour and myself.<br /><br />We still need to work hard to create better relations between our forty plus ethnic groups. To win the battle against colonial powers, our founding fathers pulled together, in one direction. Today, we are falling apart at the seams. The heroes of the years ahead will be the men and women who will recognise this fact and act to permanently patch up the widening cracks between our ethnic groups by addressing honestly and candidly the things that are setting tribe against tribe.<br /><br />But we must also never forget that the struggle for freedom never ends. Future heroes will be men and women who remember the words of Ronald Reagan that…”Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on…”<br /><br /> Finally, whether we are ready for it or not, the world is moving into the era of innovation, science and technology. Economists tell us that the world is getting smaller, but it is not coming together. The nations that innovate are going to rule the world.<br /><br />Kenya has pioneered mobile money. The M-pesa is a unique Kenyan contribution to the world. While it shows the capacity of Kenyans to innovate, it may not be long before somebody comes up with something better. The heroes of the coming years will have to be men and women who keep Kenya on the front row through innovation, science and technology. We live in an era when some corporations are richer than entire nations. I am confident that if we invest in them, the Kenyan youth will give us the Sony, Citicorp, Philip Morris, Yahoo and Google of the next century and make them our heroes. The choice is ours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>The writer is CORD Leader and former Prime Minister of Republic of Kenya </i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-87934787795361633252013-09-27T11:19:00.001+03:002013-09-27T11:19:32.037+03:00Hon Odinga Interview in South Africa on Westgate Attack<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">JOHANNESBURG
- Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga says Kenya is even more
determined than ever to play a role in the fight against terrorism.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He was <a href="http://www.enca.com/africa/kenya-not-puling-out-somalia-odinga" target="_blank">speaking in an interview on eNCA</a> on Thursday evening.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Odinga says despite al-Shabaab's terror attack, the country will not pull troops out of Somalia.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> "We will not be intimidated or blackmailed by these desperate acts
of terrorism because we did go to Somalia for a reason and that was to
protect our own territorial integrity which was under threat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"We already had a lot of terrorist attacks before our troops went to
Somalia. Our presence in Somalia has helped to stabilise that country,
we have weakened al-Shabaab substantially in Somalia and normalcy has
returned to a very substantial portion of the Somali territory," said
Odinga.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">His statement follows last week’s terrorist attack on Nairobi’s
Westgate Mall, in which more than 60 people have been killed. Forensics
teams from around the world are in Kenya helping to recover bodies and
identify the terrorists behind the attack.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“Al-Shabaab is part of al-Qaeda, it’s part of a bigger international
terrorist organisation and as you know this is not an issue that can be
eradicated overnight. It has a process, but the international community
is determined to proceed with this and Kenya must play its part in this
whole confrontation,” he said. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><strong><em>This story has been updated with more comments from Raila Odinga.</em></strong></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> -eNCA </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-3626415284398390232013-09-26T13:26:00.000+03:002013-09-26T13:27:58.301+03:00Speech by Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga at 8th EISA Annual Symposium, Johannesburg South Africa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>SPEECH BY HON RAILA A. ODINGA EGH</b><b> FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA AT THE 8TH EISA ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM HILTON HOTEL, SANDTON, JOHANNESBURG; 26TH, SEPTEMBER, 2013</b><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Elections, electoral politics and coalition building in Africa:<br /> Is democracy on trial?<br /> EISA Executive Director,<br /> Members of the EISA Board of Directors,<br /> Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> Let me first congratulate the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa for the valuable work it is doing across Africa. Over the last decade, ISA has transformed itself as a credible, efficient and professional organization in the Continent, working mainly in the areas of strengthening electoral processes, political parties and the legislatures in Africa.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Eighth Symposium could not have come at a better time, focusing as it does on the emergence of coalitions as the future in Africa.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Not too long ago, as the Berlin wall started falling in Europe and new nations began to emerge out of the collapse of the Soviet Empire, the western world cheered the triumph of democracy and the demise of what Ronald Reagan once called" the evil empire".<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Except for the bloody conflicts in former Yugoslavia and the unfinished agenda of national liberation in Chechnya, most of these "new nations" in Europe have settled down to be stable democracies where electoral politics as a means of forming and changing governments is accepted and democracy has more or less become institutionalized.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Africa, the opposite is quite often the case: winners force their victory on losers who, quite understandably, cry foul and only succumb to electoral outcomes as fait accompli.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The democratic upsurge of the early 1990s that challenged post independence authoritarian regimes in Africa all seem to have met with tremendous resistance as new forms of authoritarian rule emerge and democratic gains get reversed.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If anything, every cycle of competitive electoral politics, or semi competitive as the case may be, has brought with it conflicts and crises that quite often disrupt the very foundations of the nation state itself.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today, the threat of violence hangs over almost every election in Africa because as politics has got ever more competitive, a number of leaders have resorted to ethnic, as opposed to ideologically driven alliances and modes of mobilization in our multi-ethnic societies.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This strategy has emphasized ethnic group sizes in determining one’s value in politics. In this arrangement, the smaller your ethnic group, the less your chances of being invited to the high table of ethnic share-outs that pass for coalitions.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The politicization of ethnicity is having deep negative effects on national unity in Africa. It determines whether members of different groups within the nation perceive each other as friends or foes.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It determines whether a regime stays at the top and whether it succeeds or tumbles down. When people are mobilized as ethnic groups and not as followers of some ideology, it will not matter how well or badly the regime performs in terms of delivering national programs. The nation comes last. This is the latest threat to democracy and stability in Africa.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Presidential elections are once again becoming zero sum games in which the winners take all while the loser loses everything. Winning or losing is about survival, not delivery of services to the nation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> In this scenario, ignored groups tend to regroup and fight back as members of ethnic groups. While citizens can easily walk away from the table where they are considered useless because of their dismal ethnic numbers, they will not simply walk away from the table where the national cake is being divided. They will demand their share, somehow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> The mounting momentum of ethnic based coalitions is, sadly, coinciding with the re-emergence of the Big Man in Africa; a species we assumed dead and buried about a decade ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> By the beginning of the 21st Century, the authoritarianism that characterized most of Africa for decades was in retreat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> The “Big Men” were swept out in rapid turns from Zambia, through Malawi, Zaire and Kenya. Elections were being fought fiercely in an arena in which democratic aspirations of the people were largely reflected in the results.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> Where authoritarianism persisted, it was vigorously challenged. Africa’s grand march to democracy seemed irreversible.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today, the “Big Men” are being reincarnated, in some cases, sadly, in the luminaries of the Second Liberation. They are inventing new tricks of survival; recruiting new converts and revising progressive constitutions to give themselves more power and longer terms while all the time tightening their grip on the nations.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Africa’s new Big Men know times have changed. They know they cannot rule by the gun or by decree anymore. So, they too have changed.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today, they pose as democrats by organizing periodic elections, which they must win at all costs. They adhere to constitutions; but only after amending them to suit their intentions.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">They purport to create free and independence Judiciary, then try to pack the courts of law with their loyalists, just incase some opposition leaders or civil society types decide to try their chances at justice in the courts. In other words, they leave nothing to chance.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In all cases the resistance to institutionalizing the democratic political culture comes from the entrenched economic and political interests within the ruling parties that have run the post colonial state since independence, or those that have hijacked the popular movements and converted them into cheer leaders in support of ethnic-based authoritarian rulers.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When they reverse the democratic gains, the ideological justification is usually framed in terms of Africa's uniqueness.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In their world, the problems democracy faces are not the results of the roadblocks put on the highway to democratization but the unsuitability of democracy itself to the African society.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> This twisted logic needs to be rebuffed in view of reasonably successful processes of democratization in such countries as Senegal, South Africa, Mozambique, Ghana and Botswana.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Against this background, it is fitting to laud Africa’s opposition leaders that enter the ring year in, year out to take on ruling parties, knowing well enough that the odds are hugely against them.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Think of the job Morgan Tsvangirai is doing in Zimbabwe or the struggles of Kizza Besigiye in Uganda or the faith of Alassane Ouatara in Ivory Coast that led to his confirmation to the presidency. These are Africa’s real foot soldiers for democracy.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Together with exceptional cases like Senegal and Ghana, these leaders provide hope for competitive electoral politics, coalition building and the institutionalization of democracy in Africa.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Senegal, for example, long time resistance and opposition to the ruling Socialist Party, founded by Leopold Sedar Senghor at the dawn of independence, saw the emergence of ideologically based coalitions in 2001 that finally uprooted the Socialist Party from power.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> The beneficiary of this coalition, Abdoulaye Wade of the Liberal-leaning Senegalese Democratic Party, lost power subsequently in the elections of 2012 partly as a result of being seen to have betrayed the ideological commitments he had made with his coalition partners, and partly as a result of the perceived excesses in his government.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> His regime was accused of complicity in several acts of corruption. His attempts to change the constitution to remove the two term limit so as to run for a third term added to his electoral woes while his opponents, comprising some of his former partners in government, capitalized on the betrayal and corruption issues, building a big enough electoral bloc to wrestle power from him in the 2012 elections.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> But we must hasten to give Mr. Wade credit. In many places on the Continent, the opposition, however organized and popular, would not have wrestled power from the ruling party as happened in Senegal. The incumbent ruling party would have survived the electoral onslaught through the manipulation of the electoral process, use of state security organs to intimidate voters and outright cheating in the announcement of results.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> Cameroon, for instance, presents the opposite picture of Senegal. The first multiparty elections were held in Cameroon in 1992, administered by Cameroon's Ministry of Territorial Administration despite requests by the opposition for an independent election commission to conduct the polls.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Amidst widespread reports of electoral fraud, Paul Biya narrowly defeated his main opposition coalition rival by 39 per cent to 36 per cent. International election observers concluded that "the Cameroon government, for which President Biya bears ultimate responsibility, took unusual extreme and illegitimate actions to ensure the President's victory. This led inexorably to the conclusion that the election was flawed to the point where its legitimacy and validity are called into question."</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> Subsequent elections after this 1992 experience have proved no better. If anything the Biya regime simply perfected the art of manipulating the electoral process in its favor and making a mockery of democracy in the eyes of the Cameroonian people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Governance institutions characteristic of a democratic polity such as an independent judiciary, a vibrant legislature and a civil society capable of keeping the state accountable to the people have all been subordinated to Biya's authoritarian rule, making it virtually impossible for any coalition to win elections against Biya's party in contemporary Cameroon.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So Senegal is somehow unique regarding the fate of coalition politics and democracy in Africa, and her case should be carefully studied regarding what needs to be done to nurture competitive electoral politics as an important aspect of institutionalizing democracy in Africa. Overtime, Senegal has seen a vigorous civil society emerge and stay the cause.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The institutions of the democratic state--though substantially dominated by the presidency, have remained sufficiently strong to withstand the excesses of creeping authoritarianism. This has made it possible for political coalitions to take advantage of competitive electoral politics to peacefully change governments through elections.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Further, reasonably independent election bodies, very contrary to experiences in other African countries, have handled refereeing political competition in Senegal.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I particularly recall the case of Cote d'Ivoire in 2010 where the election results announced by the legitimate electoral commission was rejected and overturned by the very government of then President Laurent Gbagbo who had overseen the unveiling of that election team.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">With the benefit of hindsight, I could share a number of insights on competitive politics in Africa.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> We must, with bold determination, remain committed long-term to good governance and leadership, whether we are Kenyan, Nigerian, Zimbabwean, South African or citizens of any other country on this great continent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> We must push vigorously for the independence and professionalism of police and national intelligence.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We must, through more coalitions if need be, bring more willing and committed partners on board, joining together to make democratic change – and all that this entails – not just possible, but a reality.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> As a Pan Africanist, I believe that just like many other battles African citizens have fought in the past, this too we shall fight and win.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> Thank you.<br /> <b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Raila A. Odinga EGH</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418367005236432541.post-5198503567599746672013-09-25T10:40:00.002+03:002013-09-25T11:54:18.582+03:00Raila Odinga Statement on Ending of the Westgate Siege<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Fellow Kenyans, following the announcement of the conclusion of the
Westgate Siege, I wish to join you in mourning the innocent souls we
lost to this senseless act of violence.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I offer my profound condolences to the bereaved families. May you find
comfort in the unprecedented goodwill and unity shown by Kenyans in the
face of this tragedy. To the injured, I pray for your quick and full
recovery.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I urge the Kenyan nation to stand firm in the face of adversity. I
assure those who thought that they would break the Kenyan spirit, that
not only have they failed but they have succeeded in reinforcing our
resolve to achieve the Kenyan dream.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I assure the Government of our full support, as the Coalition for
Reforms and Democracy, as we seek to ensure that this never happens
again.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I acknowledge the efforts of our security services in mitigating the
loss of life and property these past three days. We shall support them
moving forward as we seek to build capacity to respond to such threats
in future.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At this time, I would like to commend the sacrifice of our brave troops
putting their lives on the line on a daily basis in the harsh war front
in Somalia so that our way of life is protected here at home. Your
sacrifice is a shining example to the rest of us on what it truly means
to be Kenyan.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">God bless you, God bless Kenya! </span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Rt. Hon. Raila A. Odinga </span></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16662668416202441596noreply@blogger.com0