Good People,
In adding to PLO_Lumumba Tweet @#The BigQuestion - I see Kenya is Fire-up
with Bombastic Combustion as well with Hard-Ball from Miguna Miguna@#The
Subject..............
The Truth Shall and must save Kenya and the whole of Africa must accept the fact that Livelihood and Survival is Gods gift to mankind which must be put in trust for protection
and preservation upon creation. That in Love we are all commanded to Liberate self from un-Godliness by TRUSTING on good-works done differently from those evil deeds that bring poverty, pain and suffering.........that good and hard-works brings good return as opposed to succumbing to SLAVERY and ALLOWING LAND GRABBING to take root
in Africa. If God Liberated his people from the evil hand of Pharaoh from oppression, how
much more can he do to this present Generation if only people begin to act by faith
believing in God???
Where there is faith in God, there is hope...................................
and preservation upon creation. That in Love we are all commanded to Liberate self from un-Godliness by TRUSTING on good-works done differently from those evil deeds that bring poverty, pain and suffering.........that good and hard-works brings good return as opposed to succumbing to SLAVERY and ALLOWING LAND GRABBING to take root
in Africa. If God Liberated his people from the evil hand of Pharaoh from oppression, how
much more can he do to this present Generation if only people begin to act by faith
believing in God???
Where there is faith in God, there is hope...................................
Cheers !!!
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
JKL: Miguna Miguna on state of the nation and why Raila Odinga lost
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
Speech by Prof PLO Lumumba at the 3rd Anti Corruption Convention
Speech by Prof PLO Lumumba at the 3rd Anti Corruption ConventionJKL: Miguna Miguna on state of the nation and why Raila Odinga lost
JKL: Miguna Miguna on state of the nation and why Raila Odinga lost
F
Parliament ponders forming committee to probe insecurity
By WAINAINA NDUNG'U and ERIC WAINAINA Updated Monday, July 14th 2014 at 22:54 GMT +3
Parliament ponders forming committee to probe insecurity By WAINAINA NDUNG'U and ERIC WAINAINA Updated Monday, July 14th 2014 at 22:54 GMT +3 Share this story: NAIROBI, KENYA: Parliament could soon set up a select committee to probe runaway insecurity in the country, a legislator has said. Tetu MP Ndung'u Gethenji, who chairs the House team on Defence and Foreign Relations, said a special committee was needed to question the disconnect between promises and actual delivery of services to Kenyans. "After interrogating the security machinery, the commitee will look at all the loopholes that have allowed criminals to organise and sporadically kill Kenyans, including in Lamu and Tana River. It will also recommend how the loopholes can be sealed," he said. Gethenji said the attack patterns in the two areas had shown it could have taken up to two years to organise the banditry and urged Kenyans not to be quick to judge those heading security agencies. He said House committees dealing with security feel only a select committee would be able to probe the issues, including failure on the part of the Executive. Separately, Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi has defended Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku against accusations of incompetence following the ongoing wave of insecurity. See also: Homes set ablaze in Lamu attack, KDF begins search for militia in forest Wamatangi said though the situation is worrying, it was wrong to point accusing fingers at Lenku. He asked Kenyans to give the CS time to fight the menace.
Read more at: Standard Digital News - Kenya : Parliament ponders forming committee to probe insecurity
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000128207&story_title=Kenya-parliament-ponders-forming-committee-to-probe-insecurity
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Why Cord's referendum quest faces major hurdles
By PATRICK NZIOKA
More by this Author
The Cord alliance faces major hurdles in its quest for a public referendum on key national issues as outlined in the 13-point declaration made during the Saba Saba rally on Monday.
One of the key demands was establishment of a National Referendum Committee, whose main responsibility would be to frame the referendum question(s), prepare the public for the vote and ensure that as many Kenyans as possible take part.
The team would be tasked to collect the one million signatures needed to initiate the public petition for a referendum.
However, any referendum would have to be conducted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which Cord wants disbanded.
"Having lost all confidence in the IEBC, we now demand its immediate disbandment and the establishment of a new electoral body," said the declaration read by Senators Boni Khalwale, Hassan Omar, and Ms Rosemary Kariuki, daughter of assassinated politician JM Kariuki.
In the event the electoral commission is dissolved, Cord has suggested an alternative in the referendum being conducted by an independent body appointed by the United Nations, but Kenya has no law presently allowing such a move, so Parliament might be required to give passage to the necessary instruments.
Lawyers were, however, on Tuesday divided on whether a referendum can be held under Part V of the Elections Act or it would first be necessary to amend the Constitution.
Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang, a lawyer, told Nation that Cord was demanding the referendum as provided for under the Elections Act. But Nairobi lawyer Edward Muriu, who was involved in last year's presidential elections petition at the Supreme Court, said the law only provides for the procedure of conducting the referendum.
According to Mr Muriu, matters that qualify for a referendum are spelt out in the Constitution and include the Bill of Rights, the sovereignty of the people, the functions of Parliament and devolution.
Mr Muriu argues the issues that Cord raised do not qualify for a referendum and can be addressed through laws passed by MPs.
According to the Elections Act, whenever it becomes necessary to hold a referendum on any issue, a notice is issued to the President, who in turn refers the matter to the electoral commission, which formulates the referendum question.
Mr Kajwang' said Cord would collect more than one million signatures and present them together with its notice to the President.
"The referendum will be driven by Kenyans and we will wait to see whether the President can reject the popular will of the people," he said in a telephone interview.
PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL
However, the law also requires the electoral commission to consult the Speaker of the National Assembly, after which the question is put to Parliament for approval.
This is where Cord will face its biggest test because it does not have the numbers in the National Assembly. The Opposition coalition has 129 members compared to Jubilee Coalition's 216.
Mr Kajwang on Tuesday said Cord was aware it would once again be subjecting itself to the 'tyranny of numbers' in favour of Jubilee when the matter comes to the National Assembly.
"Cord will have to come up with an agenda that has a popular appeal and convince everyone that the matter cannot be resolved either through legislation or administratively," said Mr Muriu.
If MPs approve the Motion for a referendum, the electoral commission would then embark on the exercise. That is the same commission Cord wants disbanded.
Mr Kajwang is categorical that in the fullness of time, the Jubilee administration will pay if it refuses to allow the referendum.
"It will be for Kenyans to decide what to do with the Jubilee administration if it refuses to accede to the wish of the majority who are passionate about the issues we have raised," he said, without explaining how Jubilee would be forced to accede.
http://www.nation.co.ke/news/politics/Cord-Referendum-Saba-Saba-Rally-Declaration/-/1064/2377012/-/biejfl/-/index.html
==============================
Challenges facing Kenyans can be solved without referendum, says DP William Ruto
By DPPS
Updated Saturday, July 12th 2014 at 19:21 GMT +3 Share this story:
Deputy President William Ruto. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]
NAROK COUNTY: Deputy President William Ruto has dismissed calls by the opposition for a referendum saying the challenges facing the country can be solved without subjecting Kenyans to another mini election.
Mr Ruto said leaders should focus their energies on development noting that Kenyans are now in dire need of their services instead of engaging in mere politicking.
He said that issues like food prices, insecurity among others cannot be addressed through referendums and asked the opposition to be realistic in what they are talking about.
"When you talk about food prices and insecurity, what will they say about such issues in referendums? We cannot solve such problems in referendums," said M. Ruto.
The Deputy President challenged leaders to shun empty politics and deliver on their campaign pledges saying politicking ended with the last general election.
"The Jubilee administration responsibility is to serve all Kenyans without bias. It is now time for elected leaders to rise above partisan politics and serve the wananchi with all diligence," he said.
See also: Deconstructing Raila's Saba Saba message
The Deputy President said the manner in which the opposition leaders were behaving showed that they do not have an idea on how challenges facing the country can be solved.
He reminded them that there were institutions which were created by the constitution and which can help address issues affecting the country wondering why they were undermining such institutions.
"They neither do not know what Kenyans want nor do they even understand where solutions facing Kenyans are. Surely, their demands for a referendum are unrealistic," said the Deputy President.
Speaking at Enoo Saen primary school in Kilogirs Constituency, Narok County during a funds-drive for the school, the Deputy President said lives of Kenyans can be transformed if the county governments managed resources allocated to them well.
He said leaders at the county level should ensure only projects which can uplift the people's living standards are implemented.
The Deputy President also urged communities in pastoral areas to engage in agricultural activities saying it was only through more emphasis on agriculture that poverty and food insecurity could be solved.
Mr Ruto said the Government will now work together with all leaders in ensuring improved standards of living for all, he added.
====================================
Revealed: Why CORD principals changed Saba Saba tune on the eleventh hour
By Juma Kwayera
Updated Saturday, July 12th 2014 at 10:44 GMT +3 Share this story: Kenya: It has now emerged that CORDâs switch from mass action to a referendum in its campaign to force President Uhuru Kenyatta to agree to hold a national dialogue was an eleventh-hour decision by the Oppositionâs co-principals as they headed to Uhuru Park for the much-hyped Saba Saba rally.
Early Monday morning, CORD convened a meeting at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Upper Hill area, Nairobi to refine its 13-point proposal and it was at this meeting that the referendum proposal was adopted and the âpeople powerâ option dropped.
Even some speakers at the Monday rally learnt of the 13-point demand when Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale read them out to the crowd at Uhuru Park. It is a scenario Ugunja MP James Wandayi admitted in a television interview.
Without giving specifics, Mr Wandayi said some declarations in the 13-point reforms plan were proposed earlier in the day and most CORD legislators were not aware of them. Leaders of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Ford Kenya and Wiper parties say they were forced into a last minute-change of strategy to avoid bloodshed. They claimed the government would have taken advantage of a chaotic situation to arrest opposition leaders and accuse them of incite their supporters to violence.
Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang explains that a strategy of mass action is laden with risks of trigger-happy police taking advantage to kill innocent protesters.
CORD'S threat to mobilise a million people to march to State House to present a petition to President Uhuru after he scoffed at the demands for a national dialogue to address challenges facing the nation, somewhat sent the governing elite into a panic that was dominated by warnings of a plot by the opposition to overthrow the government.
See also: Threats won't work, President Uhuru tells Raila
Mr Kajwang claims the court order issued by Justice Isaac Lenaola warning them against mass action is confirmation of these fears. The order was, however, overturned.
We have changed our approach. No leader who respects himself would lead his supporters into a hail of bullets. It would be the height of irresponsibility. You do not allow people to be murdered,â he says in defence of CORDâs perceived failure to push the government to the wall.
The senator explains that Railaâs statement to Jubilee to be ready âkunyolewa bila majiâ (a Kiswahili idiom for tough test) had placed Jubilee on red alert with talk of a plot to overthrow President Uhuru dominating government discourse. Kajwang says Lenkuâs warning to Raila that he had crossed the red line in the manner he was demanding national dialogue attests to this.
Weare mindful that such an impression would have given CORD a bad name internationally. Jubilee fears a revolution, but we are for a constitutional way of changing the way we do things as a nation,â he says.
Jubilee Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki dismissed the claims as unfounded saying the heavy security presence last Monday was as result of CORDâs request.
For CORD to say they opted to go the referendum way to avoid bloodshed is not true. What they are not saying is that they did not have an agenda that would appeal to their supporters, Tharaka-Nithi County Senator Kithure Kindiki says.
====================================
------------------------------------------
Why Cord's referendum quest faces major hurdles
By PATRICK NZIOKA
More by this Author
The Cord alliance faces major hurdles in its quest for a public referendum on key national issues as outlined in the 13-point declaration made during the Saba Saba rally on Monday.
One of the key demands was establishment of a National Referendum Committee, whose main responsibility would be to frame the referendum question(s), prepare the public for the vote and ensure that as many Kenyans as possible take part.
The team would be tasked to collect the one million signatures needed to initiate the public petition for a referendum.
However, any referendum would have to be conducted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which Cord wants disbanded.
"Having lost all confidence in the IEBC, we now demand its immediate disbandment and the establishment of a new electoral body," said the declaration read by Senators Boni Khalwale, Hassan Omar, and Ms Rosemary Kariuki, daughter of assassinated politician JM Kariuki.
In the event the electoral commission is dissolved, Cord has suggested an alternative in the referendum being conducted by an independent body appointed by the United Nations, but Kenya has no law presently allowing such a move, so Parliament might be required to give passage to the necessary instruments.
Lawyers were, however, on Tuesday divided on whether a referendum can be held under Part V of the Elections Act or it would first be necessary to amend the Constitution.
Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang, a lawyer, told Nation that Cord was demanding the referendum as provided for under the Elections Act. But Nairobi lawyer Edward Muriu, who was involved in last year's presidential elections petition at the Supreme Court, said the law only provides for the procedure of conducting the referendum.
According to Mr Muriu, matters that qualify for a referendum are spelt out in the Constitution and include the Bill of Rights, the sovereignty of the people, the functions of Parliament and devolution.
Mr Muriu argues the issues that Cord raised do not qualify for a referendum and can be addressed through laws passed by MPs.
According to the Elections Act, whenever it becomes necessary to hold a referendum on any issue, a notice is issued to the President, who in turn refers the matter to the electoral commission, which formulates the referendum question.
Mr Kajwang' said Cord would collect more than one million signatures and present them together with its notice to the President.
"The referendum will be driven by Kenyans and we will wait to see whether the President can reject the popular will of the people," he said in a telephone interview.
PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL
However, the law also requires the electoral commission to consult the Speaker of the National Assembly, after which the question is put to Parliament for approval.
This is where Cord will face its biggest test because it does not have the numbers in the National Assembly. The Opposition coalition has 129 members compared to Jubilee Coalition's 216.
Mr Kajwang on Tuesday said Cord was aware it would once again be subjecting itself to the 'tyranny of numbers' in favour of Jubilee when the matter comes to the National Assembly.
"Cord will have to come up with an agenda that has a popular appeal and convince everyone that the matter cannot be resolved either through legislation or administratively," said Mr Muriu.
If MPs approve the Motion for a referendum, the electoral commission would then embark on the exercise. That is the same commission Cord wants disbanded.
Mr Kajwang is categorical that in the fullness of time, the Jubilee administration will pay if it refuses to allow the referendum.
"It will be for Kenyans to decide what to do with the Jubilee administration if it refuses to accede to the wish of the majority who are passionate about the issues we have raised," he said, without explaining how Jubilee would be forced to accede.
http://www.nation.co.ke/news/politics/Cord-Referendum-Saba-Saba-Rally-Declaration/-/1064/2377012/-/biejfl/-/index.html
==============================
Challenges facing Kenyans can be solved without referendum, says DP William Ruto
By DPPS
Updated Saturday, July 12th 2014 at 19:21 GMT +3 Share this story:
Deputy President William Ruto. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]
NAROK COUNTY: Deputy President William Ruto has dismissed calls by the opposition for a referendum saying the challenges facing the country can be solved without subjecting Kenyans to another mini election.
Mr Ruto said leaders should focus their energies on development noting that Kenyans are now in dire need of their services instead of engaging in mere politicking.
He said that issues like food prices, insecurity among others cannot be addressed through referendums and asked the opposition to be realistic in what they are talking about.
"When you talk about food prices and insecurity, what will they say about such issues in referendums? We cannot solve such problems in referendums," said M. Ruto.
The Deputy President challenged leaders to shun empty politics and deliver on their campaign pledges saying politicking ended with the last general election.
"The Jubilee administration responsibility is to serve all Kenyans without bias. It is now time for elected leaders to rise above partisan politics and serve the wananchi with all diligence," he said.
See also: Deconstructing Raila's Saba Saba message
The Deputy President said the manner in which the opposition leaders were behaving showed that they do not have an idea on how challenges facing the country can be solved.
He reminded them that there were institutions which were created by the constitution and which can help address issues affecting the country wondering why they were undermining such institutions.
"They neither do not know what Kenyans want nor do they even understand where solutions facing Kenyans are. Surely, their demands for a referendum are unrealistic," said the Deputy President.
Speaking at Enoo Saen primary school in Kilogirs Constituency, Narok County during a funds-drive for the school, the Deputy President said lives of Kenyans can be transformed if the county governments managed resources allocated to them well.
He said leaders at the county level should ensure only projects which can uplift the people's living standards are implemented.
The Deputy President also urged communities in pastoral areas to engage in agricultural activities saying it was only through more emphasis on agriculture that poverty and food insecurity could be solved.
Mr Ruto said the Government will now work together with all leaders in ensuring improved standards of living for all, he added.
====================================
Revealed: Why CORD principals changed Saba Saba tune on the eleventh hour
By Juma Kwayera
Updated Saturday, July 12th 2014 at 10:44 GMT +3 Share this story: Kenya: It has now emerged that CORDâs switch from mass action to a referendum in its campaign to force President Uhuru Kenyatta to agree to hold a national dialogue was an eleventh-hour decision by the Oppositionâs co-principals as they headed to Uhuru Park for the much-hyped Saba Saba rally.
Early Monday morning, CORD convened a meeting at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Upper Hill area, Nairobi to refine its 13-point proposal and it was at this meeting that the referendum proposal was adopted and the âpeople powerâ option dropped.
Even some speakers at the Monday rally learnt of the 13-point demand when Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale read them out to the crowd at Uhuru Park. It is a scenario Ugunja MP James Wandayi admitted in a television interview.
Without giving specifics, Mr Wandayi said some declarations in the 13-point reforms plan were proposed earlier in the day and most CORD legislators were not aware of them. Leaders of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Ford Kenya and Wiper parties say they were forced into a last minute-change of strategy to avoid bloodshed. They claimed the government would have taken advantage of a chaotic situation to arrest opposition leaders and accuse them of incite their supporters to violence.
Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang explains that a strategy of mass action is laden with risks of trigger-happy police taking advantage to kill innocent protesters.
CORD'S threat to mobilise a million people to march to State House to present a petition to President Uhuru after he scoffed at the demands for a national dialogue to address challenges facing the nation, somewhat sent the governing elite into a panic that was dominated by warnings of a plot by the opposition to overthrow the government.
See also: Threats won't work, President Uhuru tells Raila
Mr Kajwang claims the court order issued by Justice Isaac Lenaola warning them against mass action is confirmation of these fears. The order was, however, overturned.
We have changed our approach. No leader who respects himself would lead his supporters into a hail of bullets. It would be the height of irresponsibility. You do not allow people to be murdered,â he says in defence of CORDâs perceived failure to push the government to the wall.
The senator explains that Railaâs statement to Jubilee to be ready âkunyolewa bila majiâ (a Kiswahili idiom for tough test) had placed Jubilee on red alert with talk of a plot to overthrow President Uhuru dominating government discourse. Kajwang says Lenkuâs warning to Raila that he had crossed the red line in the manner he was demanding national dialogue attests to this.
Weare mindful that such an impression would have given CORD a bad name internationally. Jubilee fears a revolution, but we are for a constitutional way of changing the way we do things as a nation,â he says.
Jubilee Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki dismissed the claims as unfounded saying the heavy security presence last Monday was as result of CORDâs request.
For CORD to say they opted to go the referendum way to avoid bloodshed is not true. What they are not saying is that they did not have an agenda that would appeal to their supporters, Tharaka-Nithi County Senator Kithure Kindiki says.
====================================
Kenya 'failing' poll violence victims, Amnesty says
Accueil | AFP.com
3 hours ago
Nairobi (AFP) - Amnesty International on Tuesday condemned what it said was the Kenyan government's continued failure to properly investigate and deliver justice and compensation to victims of the 2007-2008 post-election violence.
"Six years after post-election violence rocked Kenya, the victims are still awaiting justice. It is vital that their voices are heard and urgent action is taken," said Amnesty secretary general Salil Shetty.
About 1,000 people died and 600,000 others were displaced when ruling party and opposition supporters clashed over disputed poll results, in the worst unrest to hit the east African country since independence in 1963.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, his deputy William Ruto and radio boss Joshua Arap Sang are facing crimes against humanity charges at The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC), although no alleged ringleaders have been pursued in Kenya.
"Many of the displaced have yet to be resettled or compensated, many of the injured or the families of those killed have yet to receive reparation to help rebuild their shattered lives and most of the perpetrators have yet to face justice," Shetty said.
Amnesty said its report, based on interviews with victims of the violence and consultations with civil society groups, found that many victims were desperate for assistance to help them recover from injuries sustained and property and livelihoods destroyed in the violence.
View gallery
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) and his deputy William Ruto have been charged with crimes aga …
It said victims felt disillusioned with and excluded from the justice system and frustrated that perpetrators are still at large.
"I know the people who took my property in Kericho. Our children were raped and we know who raped them," one victim was quoted as saying.
The report said some victims did not go to the police for fear of reprisals, and that others who did were asked for money or threatened.
"Justice delayed is justice denied and the victims of Kenya's post-election violence have waited long enough," said Muthoni Wanyeki, regional director for East Africa at Amnesty.
"Both the Kenyan government and parliament have consistently obstructed efforts to investigate and prosecute those suspected of committing crimes under international law.
"It is time to end impunity, to provide reparation for those who have suffered and to finally bring this shameful chapter in our history to a close."
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