Limkokwing University Malaysia Pays Tribute to a "Leader with the Heart of a Lion"

The President of Limkokwing University, Malaysia Tan Sri Dr Lim Kok Wing also presents PM Raila Odinga with Honorary PhD.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga was earlier this morning conferred a Honorary Doctorate of Leadership in Societal Development from the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Cyberjaya, Malaysia.

According to the official programme, the university celebrated the conferment of the Honorary Doctorate Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga at their Hall of Fame, Limkokwing University .

Raila was conferred with his doctorate by the University’s Founder and President, Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Paduka Dr. Lim Kok wing in a grand ceremony to be held at the university's Hall of Fame.

Limkokwing University is an international University with a global presence across 4 continents. With over 25000 students coming from more than 144 countries, studying in its 12 campuses in Botswana, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lesotho, Malaysia, United Kingdom and United States, the University has established worldwide recognition through its innovative brand of creative education merging the best of east and west education.

The university has awarded honorary doctorates in Humanity, Innovation in Education, Social Transformation and Leadership to a few individuals around the world and some of the esteemend recipients in Africa to date are Dr Festus G. Mogae, former President of the Republic of Botswana - and one of the rare winners of the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership worth USD5million - and  Former South African President and Nobel Peace Price winner Nelson Mandela.

Orange Party Launches ODM Mashinani Drive Nationwide

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will this Sunday 18/11/2012 launch the ODM Mashinani initiative simultaneously in all the 47 counties.
The initiative which is a joint venture of both the National Secretariat of the ODM and the Raila Odinga Presidential Campaign Secretariat will be launched at all the County offices of the party with an aim of spreading the party policies and ideologies to the masses.

According to Mr. Eliud Owalo, the head of the Presidential Campaign Secretariat, "the sensitization and liaison with all the relevant stakeholders to this effect is underway" to ensure smooth operation during the event.

Director of Political Affairs at the Presidential Secretariat Mr. Ngunjiri Wambugu is in-charge of the coordination on the side of the Presidential Campaign Secretariat while Ms. Janet Ongera, the ODM Executive Director will do the same from the Party Secretariat.

The ODM Mashinani launch will be driven by the party structures at Branch/County level, but will integrate the efforts and active participation of all ODM MPS, aspirants on ODM ticket for all positions, the ODM Women's league and Youth league structures at county level, and all ODM members and supporters of both the Party and the Presidential Candidate.

Other than the overall objective of ODM Mashinani which is grassroots mobilization of support for Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, the theme of the launch will be sensitization of the youth to acquire IDS in our strongholds, Voter registration, and party membership/development of a data base.

Ends...
15/11/2012

FORA Re-brands, Condemns Tribal Alliances and Shuttle Diplomacy

FRIENDS OF RAILA (FORA) – PRESS STATEMENT

11 November 2012

After a two day intensive consultation and re-energizing retreat, FORA has come up with a thorough national road map to guarantee Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s victory in the 1st round in the forthcoming general elections. To this end, we are pleased to announce that to completely refocus our energies on the March 2013 General Elections, we have Re-branded ourselves and will now become ‘Friends of Raila (FORA) 2013.

We as frontline friends of the Prime Minister are happy to anchor his resolve to peg his Presidential Campaign on the promise to address key challenges and grievances of each and every of our various communities.

It is a fact that each of Kenya’s 42 tribes, immigrant communities and the various religious, business, professional, sports and cultural groups have unique needs and challenges which remain unaddressed for many years. Some of these challenges are the cause of negative ethnicity, negative politics, ethnic tensions, religious suspicions, underdevelopment and suspicions between our people.

To his credit the Prime Minister and indeed the ODM fraternity have dug deep, done a dichotomy and realized that working out specific remedies for these unique circumstances is the sure way to heal the country while moving it forward at the same time.

As loyal disciples of the Prime Minister, we have thus worked out and intend to roll out a very powerful door to door campaign to market this new plan to Kenyan voters.

This will ensure that Rt. Hon Raila Odinga’s victory will be a true victory for all Kenyans and the beginning of the long awaited true liberation of our people.

FORA also wants to firm up the Prime Minister’s issue oriented and progressive politics by mainstreaming the national agenda in the campaigns. This we know revolves around reforms, implementation of the new constitution, fast tracking economic growth, catalyzing national cohesion plus youth and women empowerment through high quality education and job creation.

This is directly opposed to the PM’s bitter opponents whose only agenda in the campaigns is the International Criminal Court (ICC), Raila bashing and ethnic engineering. Clearly our opponents have no national agenda for the benefit of Kenyans and it appears if they cheat their way to power they will stagnate the country.

We have noted with deep concern and trepidation that our opponents are making concerted efforts to make the ICC process the central theme of the next General Elections to the exclusion of matter that affect the development, welfare and wellbeing of the majority of Kenyans and is setting out to build Election Alliances built around ethnic engineering and ICC brinkmanship.

We have further noted that the TNA leadership is involved in suspicious diplomacy centred around states that have previously been involved or affected by Genocide such as Burundi and Rwanda, not to mention their recent dalliances with the MRC leadership, be it via proxies.

Whereas the TNA is free to undertake whatever form of diplomacy or enter into agreements with whichever groups (legal or illegal) as it so wishes, we are becoming increasingly concerned that Kenya is being dragged into illicit secret relationships with our neighbours based on personal tribulations of individuals and to pursue selfish agendas rather than the wider national interests of all Kenyans.

Since when did visits to our neighbours and trading partners by Cabinet Ministers and a Deputy Premier become focused on their personal cases at the Hague rather than issues such as trade, security, export, regional cooperation and the welfare of the citizens of the two friendly nations.

Kenyans have several pressing and important issues such as poverty, terrorism, floods and hunger that need addressing yet we are transforming our trading partners into Hague Henchmen of a few and Building Political Alliances centered around the ICC rather than developing joint ideologies for development and the welfare of all Kenyan.

We therefore wish to warn our neighbours and trading partners that Kenya is not on trial at the Hague, neither are the communities from where the suspects hail and they should avoid getting dragged into politics of deceit and personal self-preservation.

We also wish to warn against the trend of forming alliances based on personal and tribal interests of the party leaders but rather on the wider KENYAN AGENDA.

Signed by the National Chairman Micah Kigen and Ag. Secretary General Risper Kemunto

Busy Weekend Programme For ODM Reloaded Team

ODM Reloaded team campaigning for Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s presidential bid has scheduled a number of activities for this weekend running through to Tuesday, November 13, 2012.

Tomorrow, Saturday, November 10, 2012, the team will be at the City Stadium to join other soccer enthusiasts at the epic match between Gor Mahia and Thika United, which will see K’Ogalo crowned the new Kenya Premier League (KPL) champions if they emerge winners.

On the same Saturday, the team has organized the Obama-ODM Reloaded Night at the Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi from 7.00pm, to mark the re-election of US President Barrack Obama. It is expected to be graced by among others key ODM luminaries and supporters of the PM.
 
The team travels to the North Rift Valley the following day, Sunday, November 11, 2012, where they kick-off their activities with a church service at Nandi Hills town, before moving to Kapsabet town for a town hall meeting at 2. 00 pm.
 
Monday, November 12, 2012, will see the team travel to Keiyo where they are scheduled to hold a town hall meeting at Chepkorio in Keiyo South at 10.00am, before they move to Keiyo North for a similar town hall meeting at Iten from 2.00 pm.
 
They are scheduled to conclude their tour of the region on Tuesday, November 13, 2012, with a meeting incorporating the youth and athletes from Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet counties, at Tambach.

Notable members of the re-loaded team include Sports and Youth Affairs minister Ababu Namwamba, assistant ministers Magerer Langat and John Mbadi; MPs Millie Odhiambo (nominated), Augustino Neto (Ndhiwa) and Manson Nyamweya (South Mugirango).
 

DATED AT NAIROBI THIS FRIDAY THE 9TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2012

<signed>

ELIUD OWALO
CHIEF CAMPAIGN MANAGER AND HEAD OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN SECRETARIAT
RAILA FOR PRESIDENT SECRETARIAT
TEL: 020 2712496/97/98
CELL: 0711 649 066/0733 766 204
EMAIL:eliudowalo@gmail.com

Prime Minister Raila Odinga Congratulatory Message to President Barrack Obama

Once again, President Barack Obama and the United States have electrified the world. It is a tribute to the people of the United States that they have re-elected an African American President amidst an intensely trying economic environment that would have tested any incumbent. It is therefore also an outstanding personal triumph for President Obama.

Tonight’s electoral outcome will reignite faith worldwide, but especially in Africa, in the restorative capacity of democracy to deliver change and discard entrenched divisions.

In 2008, Mr. Obama and the people of the United States finally smashed the bitter and centuries old legacy of slavery and racial discrimination.

The current election outcome has put to rest whatever doubts there might have been that Mr. Obama’s initial success was indeed the turning point in the history of the continuing struggle for a world free of racial and ethnic bias.

This latest example of the power of true democracy will inspire minorities throughout the world to struggle harder for equality within their nations, in particular people of colour who live in traditionally white societies in the northern hemisphere

Mr. Obama’s success is particularly resonant in Africa this morning because not only is he an African American but the first American of immediate African descendant to have not only ascended to but succeeded in the most powerful and challenging office in the world.

This success is resonant in the continent also because in far too many of our countries, ethnic divisions stand in the way of building prosperous, inclusive societies in which human security and opportunity exist for all. This latest American achievement will inspire us to chart our own inclusive future

Nowhere is the global celebration more intense than in Kenya, and particularly in Nyang’oma Kogelo, the lakeside village of President Obama’s paternal family where the young Barack once sold vegetables with his grandmother Sarah during a 1988 visit. On Kenyans’ behalf, and on behalf of the people of Kogelo, I wish him and the people of the United States my heartfelt congratulations

Raila Presidential Secretariat Responds to Ruto’s ICC Remarks

6th November 2012

RE: PRESS RELEASE

Our attention has been drawn to a statement by Hon. William Ruto, the MP for Eldoret North and the presumed Presidential candidate of the United Republican Party (URP) in response to remarks made by the Rt. Hon. Raila A. Odinga, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya when he met elders drawn from the Kalenjin Community in Eldoret yesterday.

In an ineffectual attempt to dodge the issue at hand, namely their desperate attempts to use pending trials at the International Criminal Court as a justification for balkanizing Kenya into ethnic enclaves, Hon. Ruto resorts to the same old rhetoric that it is the Prime Minister who opposed local process and propagated for the trial of post-election violence suspects at the Hague-based court.

This is not only a manifestation of the disrespect and disdain with which the honourable MP holds the Kenyan people but also a total contradiction of existing records to the same effect; including but not limited to the Hansard. Pursuant to recommendations that suspects of the 2007/8 post-election violence suspects be prosecuted, a debate ensued on whether that could be done locally or internationally through the ICC.

Hon. Ruto was the conductor of the choir whose hit song was “Don’t be vague, go for the Hague.” Hon. Ruto opted for the Hague process and urged people to shun vagueness on the matter. In his thinking at that point in time, proceedings would have started in 2090, which was then in his view way beyond the lifetimes of most of us.

Whereas we in this campaign wish Hon. Ruto and his co-accused an impartial process in regard to this matter, we further re-iterate the Prime Minister’s advice to them that these charges can only be disapproved in court – but not through political rallies or ethnic alliances.



DATED AT NAIROBI THIS TUESDAY THE 6TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2012

<Signed>


ELIUD OWALO
 
CHIEF CAMPAIGN MANAGER AND HEAD OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN SECRETARIAT
RAILA FOR PRESIDENT SECRETARIAT

TEL: 020 2712496/97/98
CELL: 0711 649 066/0733 766 204
EMAIL:eliudowalo@gmail.com

ODM NEB Extends Deadline of Submission of Aspirant Applications

NEB Also Plans Counties Tours

The National Elections Board of the Orange Democratic Party has extended the deadline for the return of application forms by aspirants from today 5/11/12 to 10/12/12 this year.

This has been occasioned by the heavy rains that are pounding most parts of the country therefore making it difficult for aspirants from rural areas to travel to Nairobi.

Board Chairman Col. (Rtd) Dr. Henry Kathurima says the board "took cognizance of the fact that most aspirants have not been able to obtain the necessary vetting documents due to delays occasioned by the various institutions issuing them".

Dr. Kathurima said the Board also decided that aspirants can submit their application forms after making the required payment in the bank as they await the issuance of the said vetting documents.

Dr. Kathurima allayed fears by some aspirants that already some people had been cleared and given wild cards to run in the general elections. "All aspirants should be confident that no aspirant, candidate or person has been cleared or granted an automatic nomination by the NEB or any party official or another party organ" said Dr. Kathurima.

Meanwhile, the Board begins County tours to meet with aspirants tomorrow. The board members will engage with aspirants and take them through the party nomination rules and other guidelines.

On Tuesday (6th) the board members will tour Mombasa to meet aspirants from Mombasa and Kwale Counties, Nyahururu for aspirants from Nyandarua County, Garissa, Siaya, Samburu, Machakos for aspirants from Machakos and Kitui Counties and Meru.

On Wednesday (7th) the commissioners will tour Busia Town, Kepenguria town for the West Pokot County aspirants, Nyeri town, Kisumu town, Marimanti town for Tharaka/ Nithi County aspirants, Narok town and Wote in Makueni County.

On Thursday (8th), the commissioners will be in Malindi town for Kilifi and Lamu Counties aspirants, Bungoma town, Kerugoya town for the Kirinyaga County forum, Homabay town for the Homabay and Migori Counties forum, Kericho town for the Kericho and Bomet Counties forum and Kitale town for the Transnzoia County forum.

On Friday (9th), the tour will be in Kakamega town, Murang'a town, Eldoret town for the Elgeyo/Marakwet and Eldoret Counties forum, Wajir town, Kisii town for the Kisii and Nyamira Counties forum and Kajiado town.

On Saturday (10th) the NEB team will be in Voi town for the Taita/Taveta County forum, Vihiga town, Isiolo town for the Isiolo and Marsabit Counties forum, Kapsabet town for the Nandi County forum and Nakuru town for the Nakuru, Laikipia and Baringo Counties forum.