Kenya: Does Raila Odinga “hate the Kikuyu community?”
Posted by africanpress on November 19, 2006
<President Kibaki (left photo) and 
the opponent Raila Odinga (right photo>)
(Published earlier / Republished now due to huge interest in the story by our readers. This is happening due to the coming Presidential elections where the two men will battle out in hope to take over State House. ODM-K almost fell apart when it split into two factions one led by Raila (ODM) and the other Kalonzo Musyoka (ODM-K). Chances for the two men in a split position to defeat Kibaki’s PANU is getting slim unless they join forces one way or another.
Raila Odinga, when he was the Minister for Roads in Mwai Kibaki’s government, pulled down many expensive houses in Kenya telling Kenyans that he was doing so, “in the name of roads expansion.”
Many of the houses pulled down belonged to the Kikuyus and non-Luo communities who, on loosing their properties, were denied compensation by the Roads ministry then headed by Raila.
Those who lost their properties had nowhere to go. When the president discovered the infliction Raila was causing to the Kikuyu and other communities, he sacked him from the position of the minister in-charge of roads.
When reports were released on the houses Raila ordered pulled down, there was none on the list downed in Nyanza Province, Raila’s home province.
Now, Raila has continued his campaign to take over power in Kenya and many question what will happen to the landlords should Raila become the President.
Will he use his prerogative as “president” to order road expansions that will cause the pulling down of houses without compensation like he did when he was the Roads Minister? Every landlord should have a reason to worry!
A vote for president, may turn into a vote to demolish their houses!
According to the present constitution, the president is above the law. He can order the pulling down of houses without compensation, without risking to be prosecuted.
Kenya should not forget that when Jomo Kenyatta was president, Raila’s father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was vice-president. A man who wanted so much to become president. His political ambition saw him leave KANU, the ruling party at the time, to form his own party, the KPU, and got the help from Russia in order to distabilise Kenyatta’s government.
When Oginga did not manage to take power from Kenyatta, he waited eyeing for the post from the side-lines. Daniel Arap Moi took over from Kenyatta and Oginga’s frustrations could no longer be hidden.
He became very desperate and decided to engineer the attempted coup in 1982, a coup against Moi which almost succeeded. Oginga was at the time in house arrest in Kisumu, but still managed to communicate with the coup plotters.
Raila is now trying to take over the Nyanza torch eyeing for presidency, hoping to dislodge Kibaki by all means possible.
Recently, we reported on two ODM-K leaders who are planning a coup before the 2007 general elections. We also revealed a secret list distributed abroad by ODM-K on power sharing that could see Raila take over the presidency if ODM-K wins the elections.
The Luo community leaders have been quoted in the past saying that it is time for the Luo people to rule Kenya. It now remains to be seen what methods will be used to make to the presidency by all those aspiring to lead Kenya.
By Korir, African Press Intrenational (API)/ African Press in Norway, (APN)
This story was published earlier: Now edited
April 3, 2007 at 2:44 am
this guy writting seems to be negative who says raila stopped pulling down houses in nyanza do u know what happened in ahero maseno migori guys lets be learned someone once said drastic change comes with hefty catastrophies listen to this tke a walk in kissii town and see was urban misplanning is all about the govts vision 2030 of superhighways will mean serious pulling down ojf almost everything in nairobi so raila should be left out in this argument lets focus on important issues instead i hope korir never owned a plaza in nairobi
April 3, 2007 at 11:32 pm
Thank you for your comment. Welcome. You have a right to think I am negative, but the real thing is that I am not. I am just making a point. And you are entitled to make one too.
Korir, Chief editor APN
April 5, 2007 at 4:16 am
The bone of contention is, were the houses built in the “road reserves” legally built or not? if they were illegaly built, then you don’t have a point Mr Korir!!!!!!!!
This has absolutely nothing to do with raila hating kiux, i bet it has more to do with Raila showing the ex prezzy the door, just LIVE WITH IT!!!!!!!!
April 5, 2007 at 9:53 am
How can houses be legally built up in a road reserve my dear??? Do you know what a road reserve is?????? Oh and by the way, the reason that Nyachae has not pulled down a single building is the same reason the minister for justice has not apprehended a single person on corruption charges as well as the same reason Amos Wako did nothing on Anglo Fleecing &Goldenberg, let me spell it out for you—THEY ARE NOT WORKING—THEY ARE EATING—
That is the elite class and they play for the same team.Kind of rich vs poor. Just dish out some hand outs now and then to a few poor and voila!!!!!! you get re elected to continue stealing.
April 5, 2007 at 10:05 am
To Baba Nanii
Please understand that many houses brought down in Nairobi were legally put up but pulled down by Raila in show of power when he was minister.
Many people lost their homes. The minister who took over from Raila has not pulled down a single house. Do you have an explanation to that?
by Korir, APN
April 5, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Baba Nanii
May be I do not understand road reserve the way you do. However that is no the point here. When I state that he pulled down houses legally built - I mean houses built - it does not matter where - but as long as the owner was given proper documents to put up the house.
Why pull down houses authorised to be built? If Raila wanted to be fair, he should have paid proper compensation to the owners of the houses that he destroyed.
Korir, APN
April 6, 2007 at 12:45 pm
If kibaki today authorises you to build a house on top of the parliament buildings, and gives you proper documents for it by using shrewd methods(ignoring the law).
When the next person comes to power and destroys your house for being, though legally built, Put up in a wrong place, are you gonna cry to be re-imburssed?
Road reserves are sacred places like our national parks and game reserves,KANU was just corrupt and allowed everyone and anyone to grab any piece of land they could and sell it,that’s why these poor people bought road reserves.
We need our road reserves to allow us expand our cities esp Nairobi & that’s why all these illegal structures had to go—”Period”
August 16, 2007 at 2:01 pm
HEY KORIR IS YOUR NAME KORIR OR YOU ARE SOME1 MWANGI, HAVE YOU READ JULIUS CEASER, IF JARAMOGI WAS SO AMBITIOUS TO BE THE PRESIDENT WHY DID HE NOT GO AHEAD AND FORM THE GOVERNMENT WITH KENYATTA STILL IN PRISON, IF RAILA IS SO AMBITIOUS WHY DID HE NOT DECLARE HIMSELF RAILA TOSHA AT UHURU PARK,
August 17, 2007 at 11:39 am
Commentary: Why I think Luos hate Kikuyus
All Luos hate/fear Kikuyus. Raila is no exception.
Actually Raila demolishing houses’s is the only thing most of us remember of him in his short stint as Minister for Roads and Public works. And of course returning money meant for Roads construction back to the then finance minister Mwiraria.
But as he goes out campaigning he reminds “the Orange crowds” everyday that he is part and parcel of President Kibaki’s Government success, or that he played a part, though he never says what it is that he really did.
Like MOST of you Luos, he is driven by fear and Jealousy towards the millions Kikuyus out there.
Now he has the Kambas to worry about too - quite a Nationalist this Raila?
By Field Marshall
August 21, 2007 at 3:30 pm
luos doesnt hate or fear kikuyus, if you come to kisumu you will find kikuyus and luos living as brothers and sisters.about Railas work of demolishing houses was not targrting kikuyus but those who built their houses on public land.
if that work raila did wrong all kikuyus then that is an indicator that kikuyus were wrong and should apply good moral
August 23, 2007 at 2:31 am
Raila is just a coward .he had to defect ODM KENYA because he feared Kalonzo would win the Odm k elections. he opted to face akina mudavadi who are weak and akina ruto who also are weak.
August 23, 2007 at 3:34 pm
raila has no good reason to fear kikuyu but the nature of the current kenyan politics is so primitive that nearly everybody wants to surround themselves with their kins.will he be different?but conversely, others may fear raila due to his perceived inconstitencies.
August 24, 2007 at 6:09 pm
It is obvious Raila does not hate Kikuyus. This is an insinuation from a person who harbours pathological hatred. Can’t you question yourself; if he hated Kikuyus then he could have not campaigned for the incumbent.What is all these hogwash? ou appear to be shopping around everywhere for every rubbish you may find with hope of trying to prove no point. This is what I call irresponsible journalism. You can do better than this Mr Korir.
Pulling down of buildings was a government plan to prepare for construction of a super highway, the gentleman was simply carrying out orders.
You seem to be awash with this revolting multifaceted trait comprising nepotism and its cousins’ cronyism and tribal chauvinism currently entrenched and perfected in the system. How does the Luo fit in this jigsaw you tribal bigot?
August 29, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Why cant you Kenyans learn democracy from your neighbouring country Tanzania !
The best performing country economically and democraticaly in central and east Africa:
August 31, 2007 at 5:35 pm
Why lie to drive a point home? Raila was not sacked to bringing illegal down illegal structures..If you feel pain that Moi left the presidency…note that Moi ravaged Kenya for 24 years..we hate Moi and we hate those who helped him rape Kenya for 24 years…now that corrupt Moi has taken to corrupt Kibaki,..Kenyans must reject these two old men misdirecting Kenya and vote Raila Odinga for change
August 31, 2007 at 10:53 pm
Let me dismiss your argument as analogue in a digitized political generation. Seems you can’t learn new tricks.
September 7, 2007 at 12:27 am
The reason that Kenya wil ltake time to mature politicaly is that thing called tribalism. We never consider another Kenyan as a brother because we are not from the same tribe. Guys, the time has come for us to focus our mind on the thing that will contribute to growth of economy. We all know how some of our leaders are[ hungry for power] please don’t give any attention or our vote to these leaders.
September 7, 2007 at 3:39 am
Using journalistic opportunity to cultivate in Kenya what the media did in the pre-genocide Rwanda?. Keep on doing this guys, you will reap what you saw. And, do not forget; the ICTR is active in Arusha.
To me this is propaganda. Let me remind you, there is a price to pay. Endelea kuchokonoana kikabila mtaona matokeo yake. Karibu Tanzania mjifunze utaifa.
September 7, 2007 at 12:11 pm
At last we the Kenyan Muslims will have a leader who will ravage for us. for so long the chirstinas have been playing us down but at last we will have a president who won’t care for the Christian but he will care more for us the Muslims and that is Raila.
Agwambo tosha Raila tosha .kibaki and all Christian will pay for what they have been doing to us Muslims the anti terrorism bill.
I pry that Raila will make it so that we can offer the Christians a iron days. Raila for Muslims
September 7, 2007 at 10:52 pm
To Abdallah !
You are more crazy than Bin Laden himself ! why dont you join him in afghanistan ?
You have a lot of crap in your head, you are a danger to society ! we cant live talking Islam and christianity ! what about budhisism ??
I guess you meant, you pray that Raila comes to Power and not pry ! Pry means “peleleza” in your language.
September 8, 2007 at 11:01 pm
he is just the man we need to deliver us from the bond of trible.i ma self am kikuyu and we need to change the style of one rule clam shame shame to to them
September 10, 2007 at 2:39 am
A message to Kenyans
I support Abdalah Raila for president. I am sure Raila will help us Kenyan Muslims to introduce sheria law. It is only sharia law that can bring justice and make us equal.
“RAILA FOR PRESIDENT - SHARIA LAW TOSHA”
Guys vote for RAILA, he is the hope from Allah.
By Abdi,
September 11, 2007 at 1:13 am
The demolision of houses shows that Raila is a good implementor of policies but not a formulator.His contribution to important motions,or poverty eradition in his constituencies or home place Nyanza are dismal.
Langata has the largest slum while Nyanza languishes in poverty yet in drives expensive cars that guzzles enough to feed thousand of the slum dwellers. He is a glob trotter who preaches kenya evils to other country not knowing the effects that has on foreign investments,tourism etc yet he proclaims to be a patriot. His travels are for compaigns yet he brings no developments to his people. He should be trasversing to seek help for his people and intiate projects. He seeks political power for the luos but not economic power.
Kenyans should know that not all great talkers are doers. Kibaki communicates by action with little talk.There is a mean and ruthless streak in Raila that makes me shudder if he were to be the president.
September 12, 2007 at 2:04 am
korir are supporting kikuyu for what reason raila will bring change to kenya
September 12, 2007 at 7:12 am
Dear Muslims,..
What you need is a president who will build more roads,hospitals and schools,one who will improve the basic infrastructure be it Electricity,Sanitation or safer drinking water that will make it easier for you and your children’s children to better fend for themsleves and live a decent and peaceful life,something that Kibaki has began to do quite well,against all odds,Sharia Laws and other religious extremisms should be the last thing in your minds,this is not Saudi Arabia or Iran,we’re just another poor third world country with a lot of building and healing to do something your Hero Raila seems to be overlooking in his pursuit for your Muslim vote,if in the last 5 years of Kibaki’s rule NO MUSLIM has been able to enter a mosque and say his/her prayers then by all means vote him out,otherwise vote wisely my brothers and sisters,..
September 12, 2007 at 4:32 pm
Let those who believe that Raila hates Kikuyus out of jealousy know that it is the Kikuyus and the few exremely rich ones who got their wealthy during the kenyatta era under unclear means who fear him and the luo lot for being outspoken whenever they see something wrong being cooked.
These are the same people who have for a long time and for their own personal gain fed propaganda on Raila to later generation of kikuyu children that not only Raila, but the whole Luo community is bad and an enemy that they should never entertain.
Let them give substantive reasons why they hate Raila for Kenyans to know who really Raila is from their point of view.
How many kikuyu political elite have been mentioned in regard to corruption in Kibaki’s Government? Let them tell us what Raila has stolen from the Public?.
The demolitions of Houses are still going on two years after Raila’s dismissal from that docket by Kibaki. Do you know this?.
The people have decided and Raila is their choice just as he thrashed Kibaki during the referendum through the people’s vote, so he will again.
God almighty is working through him to liberate Kenyans and no one can stand on the way of God’s mission, not even the millions being contributed by the rich. Remember Kiraitu Murungi’s laughter at ODM’s referendum campaign kitty where he said they will shake every corner of this country with money. What happened?.
September 12, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Let those who believe that Raila hates Kikuyus out of gealousy know that it is the Kikuyus and the few extremely rich ones who got their wealthy during the kenyatta era under unclear means who fear him and the Luo lot for being outspoken whenever they see something wrong being cooked.
These are the same people who have for a long time and for their own personal gain fed propaganda on Raila to later generation of kikuyu children that not only Raila, but the whole Luo community is bad and an enemy that they should never entertain.
Let them give substantive reasons why they hate Raila for Kenyans to know who really Raila is from their point of view.
How many kikuyu political elite have been mentioned in regard to corruption in Kibaki’s Government?,Let them tell us what Raila has stolen from the Public?.
The demolishions of Houses are still going on two years after Raila’s dismissal from that docket by Kibaki do you know this?.
The people have decided and Raila is their choice just as he thrashed Kibaki during the referendum through the people’s vote, so he will again. God almighty is working through him to liberate kenyans and no one can stand on the way of God’s mission,not even the millions being contributed by the rich.Remember Kiraitu Murungi’s laughter at ODM’s referendum campaign kitty where he said they have money that will shake every corner of this country.What happened?.
RAILA’S TIME HAS COME AND SURELY HE WILL TRIUMPH!!EVEN AFTER CAMPAIGNING TIRELESSLY FOR KIBAKI WHO WAS ON WHEEL CHAIR CAN YOU STILL SAY RAILA HATES KIKUYUS. WHAT WAS KIBAKI BY THEN ,A LUO ? I WONDER.
MESHACK OMBIYO
September 13, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Please Meshack,open your eyes,Raila campaigned for Kibaki with the Executive Premierrship in mind, finally he had found someone who would hand power to him on a silver platter,lots of it,remember the way he overshadowed the rest of the team including the more visionary leader Wamalwa Kijana, I bet my last pair of clean socks he was hoping somehow someway Kibaki doesn’t make it because that would have put him in a very good position to even garner for the presidency, but apparently sad for him it never came to be, G od had other good plans for Kenya.
In ODM, he found a very good platform to fan his thinly veiled anti-Kikuyu philosophies, a dream come true, Picture this: Nazlin Umar is hoarded by marauding Kisumu youth, with a record of opposing Raila, there was no way, according to the youth, she will come to Raila’s home turf to oppose him, no way! The lady needed police escort just to be safe, nobody, not even this Nationalist Raila spoke against that.
Nazlin took it as it is and probably moved on. Now fast forward to Nyeri where Raila and his group are hounded out of a privately owned hotel for apparently the same reasons as Umar’s. Raila goes ahead to hold a few press conferences and make a big deal about it. He even goes back to the same region hoping it happens to him again so that he can come back and hold a microphone and tell the Meshacks and the rest, Oh Look, I told you this people cannot be trusted, they are criminals.
Let us just call a spade a spade here. He is a tribalist and worst of all a populist. The Waswahili say Chema Chajiuza Kibaya ChaJitembeza, that is why this chap is spending so much and cris-crossing the globe in his quest for statehouse, of course the West Love him.
An African leader driving million of shillings worth of a vehicle through one of the largest and poorest slums in the world is what they love to see. He is their guy, anyone to make the Africans look more silly, you will even shake the Queens hand for that..
If God intended for Raila to be President he would have been in his first shot at it back in the MOI days, but he never succeeded. Meshack you seem to have forgotten that, such Blasphemy..!
By The One Concerned voter.
September 14, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Kenya is a large country and a home to many million inhabitants with varied opinions. It has therefore become necessary to part ways with totalitarianism. Despotism is a fertile ground for propagation of chauvinistic traits. Unless this is checked, equity or fairness can for sure be clogged-up. I hope people won’t feel grieved to see many Kenyans taking divergent stands and moving away from rancorous culture of acclamation which characterised Moi’s era.
It is sad to note that already the proponents of status quo feel that those with opposing views are anti kukuyu’s; this pathological fear should be abandoned. People with varying opinions are only seeking for better governance. Let us just relax and allow the parties to market their policies to us. Irrational worries will simply acts as recipes for the genesis of stress and its associated co-morbidities.
September 16, 2007 at 11:15 am
A suggestion for ODM slogan.
‘ Wamekura, na wanataka kuenderea na kukura, pigia ODM ilete majimbo ili wakenya wote wakule’
ODM use this slogan and win election.
September 17, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Am not tribal. Kibaki has killed himself politically courting all power hungry old Kikuyu politicians. We can’t save that. Marsabit is ODM, Garissa is ODM, Moyale is ODM, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Western, Nairobi, North Eastern and of course our beloved Pwani. Count your provinces and come to the next discussion board with better points. Wewe vote na sisi and u will have a democratized kenya and a developed kenya.
September 17, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Isn’t North Eastern that part of Kenya with more than one Narc Kenya MP,ODM/ODM-K couldn’t even win the Magarini byelection down at the coast,Oh!there are not much Kikuyus in this areas to talk about,and if you consider Nakuru genuinely cosmoplitan then Narc_Kenya scooped that one too,..
ODM=Raila(Nyanza),Mudavadi(Western,they’re not sure which parts),Ruto(Kamatusa Riftvalley),Balala(Arab Muslim Coast,Nyagah’s not worth mentioning,the rest of you Kenyans not from this regions you have no choice but to sail along lest you be left behind(see Kalonzo Musyoka),and here’s the kicker,this are the leaders that are going to rescue us from the Yorks of tribalism and ethnic chauvanism and take us to greater heights of Nationalism and prosperity,What!
September 17, 2007 at 10:36 pm
I dont think this is true, Raila is just a man of the people.
Pauline
September 19, 2007 at 1:34 am
First you have to correct the erroneous and misleading statement that Raila was sacked in connection with the housing/roads issue. It had to do with the referendum when Orange prevailed. Hope you’ll get your facts right next time. Merci.
September 20, 2007 at 11:24 am
There is absolutely nothing primitive in one trying to seek solace in social capital. Social capital is taken for granted in this country despite the central role it plays in holding the society in place. It is therefore not prudent to vilify any particular community for naturally seeking their own before resorting to embraces the entire broad-based Kenyan community. This is why I will always insist that the tribes are not the problem in our country.
It is insular to equate tribe with tribalism; tribalism is a trait which can be acquired and the same applies to cronyism and nepotism, whilst tribe as I have pointed out is the fabric through which our country’s rich tradition is interwoven.
The raging debate as to whether so and so from a particular community hates a particular community only helps to advance tribalism and its associated revolting tendencies. These arguments totally pour scorn on the spirit of nationality which was realised at the time of independence. Politics dictates that we disagree to agree or the other way round; it does not call us to turn to chauvinist and start tearing each other into pieces. If the country is enfolded in the spirit of equity; does it real matter who is at the helm? Strive towards normality should not be misconstrued as animosity towards one particular community.
I do want to believe that honourable Raila has learned to equate himself with the mass. Raila together with likeminded individuals have come together to reaffirm the need to reposition or introduce equity back to the centre of all our deliberations. They are simply trying to target legitimate and constructive ways in which the existing inequalities can be dealt with in order to narrow the gap in the geopolitical terrain. The ODM wave intends to cultivate the spirit of civil liberty in our society which has hitherto been denigrated in the past and current curators. To reiterate, I do hope this will not be misconstrued as an act of hatred for any particular community.
September 20, 2007 at 3:34 pm
.”.Kenyans looked at with suspicion in tanzania” whos fault was it? Kikuyuz. see you have yuorself to blame for that.Did raila give the tanzanians the kikuyu names or they were kikuyus? Why not any other tribe in Kenya not even the ones at the border?same thing happened with demolitions.MAGENDO NYINGI na WIZI.AS for the other comments about raila,you have a right to your opinion.
September 20, 2007 at 3:41 pm
to this guy claiming if God wanted Raila to be president he would have become president first time. Just a question.kibaki tried how many tmes?wacha ufalla!!!!!!!
September 20, 2007 at 5:07 pm
I was googling..and my, what I have come across is some sickening way of looking at things in terms of Kenyan politics through raw and rude propaganda. The originator of this post seems to live in some medieval times where things were very dark and not comprehensible. “Does Raila hate the kikuyu community?” What kind of question is this surely?.
I believe the originator is somebody belonging to the ICT age. Can you next time make a post that brings togertheness instead of divisiveness…for how long will we keep on looking at things in terms of tribe.. If we the young people are misusing the advantages of internet to show our lack of pan africanism and common brotherhood wisdom through ill informed and poor analysis of where we started and where we going then we have a big problem!
Korir please don’t end up being an instrument for total annihilation of the youth through cheap propaganda which will make us look at each other with despise. West African states have embodied the spirit of pan africanism more compared to east africans (tanzania excluded..) Korir look at issues in a broader way. We need to build Kenya and raise our children irrespective of the tribal we come from….Thank you and be a Kenyan to the core.. Tribal affiliation doesn’t make one more Kenyan than the others!
September 20, 2007 at 6:42 pm
To Jacques,
I agree in most of the things you are pointing out. However, I am afraid that some leaders may decide, if they get power, to do things in a way that will put Kenya into the list of countries having ethnic cleasning. Let us hope Kenyans make a good choice in the coming elections so that the country does not get thrown into tribal conflict.
Chief Editor
September 21, 2007 at 10:16 am
I concur with Jacques. What is needed is to do more to bring to the discussion table issues that will help us bury once and for all this monster tribalism and not to try and fuel it up like it is happening. Accussing leaders of hating other tribes is the below the belt.
We do not blame those who grew up in those days of Kenyatta and Moi. The truth is that the youth only hear and see tribalism when you point it out to them. Let us be A tribe called KENYANS, where a leader is elected because he/she can deliver and not because he/she is of a particular tribe.
September 22, 2007 at 2:23 pm
It is indeed exciting to notice that the editor of the press is finally becoming more open minded. In the modern society responsible journalism is educative whilst irresponsible journalism argues against productivity. From the turn of events this press will surely be a joy to behold.
Keep on with the same tempo; look at pros and cons and avoid being skewed in your analysis and reporting. All these virtues will endear this press to the readers. Remember it becomes monotonous if people are preoccupied with one particular individual and it is even worse if we can only specialise in fault finding to justify our selfish egos. This sort of stench is not acceptable in our modern world. It simply shows how politically stunted we are compared to the rest of the global family.
September 22, 2007 at 11:06 pm
Korir, you are really wrong. I must assure you that Raila will beat Kibaki with his Panya Nguruwe na Uhuru party badly.
To the Muslims, just vote for Raila but don’t think a civilised country like Kenya would be governed by retrogessive and barbaric laws you call Sharia. You bettter live in Somali, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq where your believes are tolerated. Kenya is not an Islamic State and with such thinking as Abdi’s, Muslims will remain a minority group just like the Ogieks.
September 23, 2007 at 3:10 am
To Nyatigi,
Yes you are right, however, Iam of the belief that people deserve a second chance. In this case, leaders should be givern a second term if they have not caused disaster in the land.
If a leader rules the country badly, without progressing then such leaders deserve no second chance. I have a feeling that Kenya now in peace and progressing should probably continue that way at least for now.
It is however, for the Kenyan people to choose wisely and give powerre to lead to the one they so desire and trust, not on tribal basis.
Korir, Chief Editor
September 24, 2007 at 12:59 am
Commentary:
Since and after the referendum Raila has run all his Presidential campaigns on an Anti Kikuyu platform. No matter how well disguised he tries to make it. That is the reality. Why did he feel he had to tell us his son was marrying a Kikuyu? What was the point?
We do not know or care to whom Kibaki’s sons and Daughters are married to. Be they married to tribalists or Racists persons, to us is not our matter. Some will always try to show you he\she has friends of other tribes or skin colours. They know it’s a good camouflage for their true opposite feelings,…
Well it might get him to Statehouse, (key word here is might) he seems to know or assume the only way to wrestle power from the Kikuyus is to demonise them and pit the other tribes, including his against them, though he had no problem supporting Kibaki a while back, but we all know the rest.
He has gone around the country with that “Us versus them” mindset infecting everybody and anybody who’s willing, it’s very easy to convince that poor man\woman in Busia or Keroka,Kilgoris or Kibera that his or her life has taken that kind of a turn because of “them” and earn yourself some votes.
People nowadys hardly remember Moi was in power for 24 good years, and despite directing most of the country’s little remaining resources to Rift valley and looting, he never did much for this country. Oh! he named a couple of Streets and Institutions “Moi”, much good that did us: What has the current “Kikuyu” President tried to do in the last five stormy years? YES we all know the good, but some of us don’t want to accept it, because too much hate has been planted amongst us.
So for Raila’s case, it is not really a yearn for change nor for the good of the country, (come on, he’s been a leader all his life, does he have anything concrete to show in Kibera where he represents, or he has to be a President first), and if it means planting seeds of hate so be it.
This kind of leaders usually know if anything goes wrong and mwananchi’s blood flows you’ll look for them and their families to ask WHY and you won’t find them, anyway, I still think Kibaki is the right man to continue.
He has kept a cool head while all this has happened, not for his sake I believe, but for all our sake as a Nation. We are so lucky to have such a head of State. I look at Zimbambwe and I despair, knowing where the country was before, and what it is now, simply because they have a bad leader at the helm, giving them a new and different leader today, it will still take them years to rebuild.
I look at Kenya and smile with hope knowing where the country was before and where it is now and still heading,
VOTE WISELY and ensure Kibaki gets a second term to continue leading us into continued prosperity!
By Wei Wei
September 24, 2007 at 2:18 am
Swaya is a lost tribalistic soul. Just because Kikuyus or guys with Kikuyu names got shot in Tanzania then that automatically means every Kikuyu man, woman, son or daughter is as much bad and deserves the same? But I understand, before Kibaki we had a president who never invested in schools or anything so that the citizenry can benefit, the more foolish and ignorant the more better it was for him and his cronies, those were the days when only the local MP was the bearer of News and especially of what was happening in Nairobi. Everybody else knew nothing, I think you’re still stuck there Swaya, and unfortunately for you those days ended in December 2002..
I can’t believe it, Kenyans get shot in the TZ,all you can see is their tribe, and by theway that’s one way of telling if you’re a tribalist or not, incase you stand in the mirror every morning and ask yourself,….anyway it’s not very hard to spot an ODM guy nowadays, is it? All he needs to do is open his mouth.
Kibaki should continue. He’s proved himself, despite all the hostilities towards him and his community, he’s stayed the course and managed to Develop Kenya while at it, and most importantly kept a cool head (see Zimbabwe and Rwanda) unfortunately the Kibakis, Mandelas, Nyereres and the Rest never stick around for long. Instead it is the Mois, Musevenis, Mugabes, Bongos, Sseseko’s, Gaddafis, Mubaraks and many more other vultures to come that do and plague and stain this continent, sometimes with blood..
September 24, 2007 at 2:38 am
saw this posting in Kumekucha blog and was appalled. The post was contributed by Joseph Oloo Obiero who says he managed to corner Raila Odinga in a Denver hotel hallway last week and asked him questions about his real agenda for Kenya.
It confirms Raila as what I have always believed, a two faced politican who will ride any back to get to State House. His rude comments about his running mate, Luhyas, William Ruto and kalenjins in general are especially shocking. Read on!!
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Raila Reveals His Plan For Looters At A Private Meeting In The US
Raila Amollo Odinga: Next President of Kenya?
I am grateful to Joseph-Oloo Obiero of Denver, USA who has provided this blog with excerpts of a personal interview he carried out recently with ODM presidential aspirant Raila Amollo Odinga.
Joseph Obiero said…
I was one of the fortunate few who managed to engage ODM luminary Raila Odinga after his visit to Denver. I have been resident in the US after obtaining my green card in 1996 and starting my career as a Walmart line stores clerk. I landed home over the weekend and the politics that I’ve found here are as hot as I could not have imagined.
After his keynote address at Denver, I and a group of about 6 friends engaged Raila for about 15 minutes in the hallway next to the auditorium. I will replicate our conversation and his answers. They are not verbatim, but give the gist of all what he said as accurately as my mind can remember.
JO: When you talk broadly about radical changes, can you tell us in specifics, without resorting to generalities?
Raila(R.O): The changes I envisage and that I have promised to address within my first 90 days in office are; Dismantling the cabals of tribalism that are choking our country and resulting in runaway corruption and frustration for the people of Kenya.
Since the Moi era, or ‘error’ as I call it, prime jobs have been stuffed with semi-literate Kalenjin herdsmen. I imagined that Kibaki would correct this but in fact he maintained many of them, and those he sent home were replaced by his kleptocratic tribesmen. As we all know, 90% of all thievery is perpetrated by one tribe in Kenya and these are the people I must put behind bars and later on catch up with the Goldenberg and the Anglo-leasing – we call it anglo-fleecing – crooks.
J.O: But people see the likes of William Ruto in your team?
R.O: The matter of bringing in corrupt leaders was started by Kibaki, and in truth, do not be surprised if you find that the likes of William Ruto find themselves behind bars after the elections, because he has cases pending against him. I will not interfere with the courts at all. For now, Ruto is a political necessity, but you know in politics we do have blind loyalties and if we are to win this battle, we have to use all options available. With Uhuru running against Kibaki, the Kikuyus will be divided for sure.
Note: This has since changed, since Uhuru joined Kibaki, but I am certain from what I have heard on the ground, the situation is even worse than opposing Kibaki.
J.O: You seem to have won over Western province, with Musalia as a running mate, but are you sure they will not blackmail you like they did Kibaki when Kombo forced certain key appointments on him especially after the referendum?
R.O: In my case, this will not happen. Musalia has a much weaker character in person than Kombo, and you know the joke about humble Luhya servants as cooks and watchmen…Anyway, jokes aside, Luhya disunity is a blessing for us and I would never have wanted it any other way.
Had the Luhyas united, my plans would have been impossible to fulfil because my nomination was at stake, and if someone like Musalia ruled Kenya, he would not be able to effect the radical changes I talk about. His father was a Moi loyalist and even now if you look carefully, Musalia, like Kalonzo, still behaves as if he is beholden to Moi and cannot talk ill of, much less put Moi behind bars where he belongs. Musalia was created by Moi and given his seat after his father’s death since Musalia’s was one of Moi’s key men and a beneficiary of the grand corruption of the day. I am aware of this but I recognize that I cannot get perfect partners, and truly my friends; there is an election to be won.
JO: When are you planning to go back home?
RO: I am scheduled to be back by Saturday 22nd/Sept/2007 and I would wish to take this opportunity to invite you home for Easter next year, and I assure you that it will take you a long time before you interact with the Kikuyu or Kalenjin officials you used to see everywhere—unless of course you plan to visit Kamiti!
In closing, I want to tell you that Hon Muite prepared a long list of charges against Moi and his sons way back in the 90’s when we first thought liberation was at hand. That list is still valid in 2008 and you will read about it in the future. Many of these retired Rift Valley barons will spend their last days incarcerated.
JO: How are you prepared to handle the crisis being created by the Kibaki team regarding your involvement in the 82 coup, since they are using media such as the Government owned media and other media owned by friendly partners like Kenya Times to smear your name?
RO: I truly do not regret my role in the 82 coup, in fact I relish my contribution to that struggle. Those who died are martyrs, and every free country; Cuba, Venezuela, etc had its share of revolutionary martyrs. Even here in America! If it was needed, or was an only option, I would do the same again for the sake of my people. We cannot shy from confronting forces of evil by armed means if need be. That was the beginning of the struggle that got Moi out and the continuing struggle to now get Kibaki out. Kenyans have waited for too long to get rid of these dictators.
Joseph-Oloo Obiero, Denver.
September 24, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Author : Kioi Wa Nagi
Commentary: a reaction to: http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2006/11/19/kenya-raila-odingas-hate-for-the-kikuyu-community/
I am a Kenyan of Gikuyu descent and I do not regret that like former AG, Charles Njonjo. There is nothing wrong with anybody belonging to any community in Kenya. What is wrong, my fellow Kenyans, is to lump all your frustrations on Kibaki and by extension, the Gikuyu.
Just like the rest of the Kenyan ethnic groups, we, the Gikuyu, have our share of smart people, stupid people, lazy people, busy bees (by the millions), cute women, handome men, ugly women, ugly men, thieves (by the thousands) and even saintly people. In a word, we are like everybody else and we are not begging to be from the Railas, the Luo, the Luhya, or from anybody else.
We only beg from God not from anybody. And unlike many other ethnic groups, our bonds are lose in times of peace and we prefer each to be on his own; doing their stuff and leaving the rest to cater for their own. Yes, this trait is somewhat ‘unAfrican’ (where societies have strong but losening bonds), but you’ve got to re-visit Kenyan history to learn that the British had an insatiable appetite for our lands and took everything that we had.
The impact of British rule, you ought to know, was heaviest in Kikuyuland than anywhere else in Kenya. By the time they were leaving, as attested by the book, ‘British Gulag’ they
had killed + or - 100,000 of us. They also ‘uprooted’ us, which is why you find us all over Kenya and elsewhere.
Even before anybody talks about Gikuyu leaders, they’ve got to understand the internal dynamics of the community and its class system, which has, more than any other community, produced extremely rich people living side-by-side with extremely poor, but hard-working and hopeful ‘holoi poloi.’ Again we are like every other Kenyan community.
And I’d like to reiterate that we do not go around begging the Railas of this world. We like doing our own stuff, which is why we are silently going about our business and saying nothing even with all this anti-Kikuyu activities.
The reason? It is simple, we do not consider this to be any threat to us. Indeed, most of us will definitely vote for Kibaki and if all other Kenyans want to sack him, then let them go ahead and do so. After all, those who have cared to check electoral statistics will realise that when other communities came out in large numbers to vote for Kibaki in 2002, only about one million of us (a mere 30 % of registered voters) came out to vote. The figure was less during the 2005 referendum.
This apathy is why Kibaki had to go to Nyeri over the weekend to plead with us to go out and vote in large numbers. But why the apathy? It is simple; most of us, -probably unlike other communities- know the deceit with which politicians treat ordinary people and we are not convinced that electing the Kibaki’s, the Railas or the Mois will add any more sufurias in our homes.
Kibaki might have done some good for the country, but millions of ordinary Kikuyus know this can only be translated into real benefits for themselves if they worked hard. We know and teach our children that nothing can come out of laziness. Just imagine, what would a road do to a community if its members do not have things to transport to the market. How would taking electricity to remote areas help much if people do not tap such electricity for productive purposes.
We, the Gikuyu realised long ago that what can benefit from our own sweat. That is why millions now own one or a few grade cows or planting coffee again after uprooting it when Daniel Arap Moi destroyed the coffee subsector.
So Kenyans can go ahead and elect Raila if that is what they want. But they should ask him to seek votes by some other means rather than pegging his campaigns on anti-Gikuyu sentiments. We are not moved!
Raila should also know that for 24 years, Moi tried to kill everything Gikuyu (banks, tea, coffee, schools, land-buying companies, our sons and daughters in the clashes of 1992 and partly 1997 etc..) We did not surrender! Before Moi, the British killed hundreds of thousands; subjected millions of us to untold sufferings and nearly destroyed the entire community in a genocidal campaign that has little historical parallels.
Following what took place, we are no longer moved by mere posturings or shadow boxing..which is why we prefer to keep quiet; ignore these anti-Kikuyu campaigns, and go about our business as if Raila has never been. Raila will only be a threat to us if he wins elections and goes ahead to try what Moi did. But we will welcome his presidency if he leaves us alone to do what we’ve always done; produce wealth for this country.
Those who care to re-visit history will realise that we, the Gikuyu, taught everybody else in Africa how to start an uprising and stick to some common understanding. That was then, yes, and we now want peace to bring up our kids like everybody else in Kenya. We also want a peaceful coexistence with our brothers and sisters in Luo-land, Luhya-land, Kalenjin-land and elsewhere.
We have lived harmoniously this far and our brothers and sisters have a lot to offer to us and we believe we have a lot to offer too. Please let us not be misled to think we can ostracise the Kikuyu simply because Raila says so. He is one person and if at all he gets to power, he will need all communities to pay taxes so that he can pay the police and the army, fund road projects or even get a salary.
He should not think we owe our existence to him. We only reflect our attention to God and will be there even after Raila has come and gone, (that’s if at all he comes.)
By Kioi Wa Nagi
September 24, 2007 at 7:22 pm
am sorry to THE ONE,for DISCLOSING the open secret about what happened in TZ.as for which party i belong to you damn right its ODM.
AND i am very sure you are PNU.small politics set aside,lets talk serious issues now that we both agree that tribalism should be a thing of the past.one thing we all need to understand is that its not the MP in kenya that develop the area he represent but the goverment,his is to point out areas that need development,having pointed that out,my question to this guys who keep on asking what has RAILA done to the people of kibera,is what has KIBAKI done for the people of kibera?what had kibaki done to the people of othaya and nyeri for the 3 decades he had been in parliament before he was elected?to tell you the truth, nothing!not even his brother in law expirienced development.so pls lets not reason as if we burnt all the history books.lets ask more question about this so democratic and development conscious KIBAKI.What happened to madam ngilu when she rescued an activist from police custody?michuki believed tv footage.situation no. 2 nyachae hired or is it trained goons injures MPs and what is michukis respond,”i dont believe in television”please,this kind of goverment again,wakenya lets vote this old folks out.
September 25, 2007 at 1:52 pm
The anti-Kikuyu sentiments are being used by the pentagon to win votes. There is one thing these guys should know, ‘What goes around comes around’. When Nazlin went to Kisumu, she was barred from holding a press conference by irate youth chanting pro-Raila. In retrospect, Raila faced the same wrath in Karatina.
This should be a learning to the guys that whatever seed they are plant they reap from it. If this anti-Kikuyu campaign succeeds, the same measure will come to haunt them one day.
September 26, 2007 at 9:35 am
Raila’s Role in the coup
In his biography, Raila’s biographer, Babafemi Badejo says Raila facilitated the acquisition of a house on Ngong Road, which was used as a command centre by the 1982 coup plotters.
What Wikipedia says
A biography released in July 2006 suggested that Raila was more involved in the coup than previously thought. After its publication, some MPs called for Raila to be arrested and charged [2], but the statute of limitations had already passed and, since the information was contained in a biography, Raila could not be said to have openly confessed his involvement. [3].
‘82 Coup Plot Revelations: Raila Odinga’s Biggest Political Mistake Ever
As I write this, events are still unfolding after the bombshell revelation concerning Raila and his father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s involvement in the failed coup of August 1st 1982.
In a Raila biography written by Nigerian, Babafemi Badejo that would have been the ideal campaign tool and weapon in his bid for the presidency, Agwambo confirms what many have suspected all along. And that is the fact that he was involved in the 1982 coup attempt to topple President Moi’s constitutionally established government.
Local newspaper columnists have either completely missed the point or have deliberately pretended not to see it. Raila should never have allowed the book to be published in the first place. While everybody would like the truth to come out, these revelations have for all intents and purposes ended any serious chances Raila ever had of becoming the next president of Kenya.
On a personal level I love Raila. In my book he is the candidate with the cleanest record out of all those who have declared interest in the presidency so far. But it seems that my friend has just shot himself in the foot for no apparent reason.
His admission of involvement in the 1982 coup plot ruins everything by introducing some very disturbing questions on the minds of Kenyans.
Military coups are all about killing and taking over power by military, forceful and unconstitutional means. This means that Raila and his late father were prepared to kill to get political power. They did not succeed but many innocent Kenyans lost their lives in the process. Those who don’t think this is serious should face the Kenyan mother who had a son in the regular armed forces and one in the Airforce. She was praying that both survived. She found the bodies of both at the City Mortuary. Not to mention the thousands of other Kenyans who lost their lives on that black August 1st. Many others who will carry the scars for the rest of their lives from watching people being killed or wives and daughters being raped. And for what?
At the time, Moi had ruled for a mere 4 years and one of the reasons why the coup happened in the first place is that his style of leadership then was very laid back and non-confrontational (sound familiar?) Nobody likes a weak leader. So what the coup plotters announced on the radio that morning, to the effect that the long dictatorial rule of President Moi had come to an end was propaganda nonsense. There weren’t even any political detainees at that time.
Meaning that the people behind the coup had no justification to use armed means to gain power. It means that they were after power for the sake of power. For Raila to be associated with such a group is nauseating to say the least.
There are times when an armed struggle is justified; this was definitely not one of those times. If anything it would have set a dangerous precedent that may have turned Kenya into another Nigeria where bloody coups have for many years been an accepted way of life.
This is the man who will ask Kenyans for their votes in 2007. It is true that Kenyans have a short memory and Raila should have taken advantage of that and left his past exactly where it was.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
The Chaos That Was the 1982 Coup And The Terrible Purge That Followed
There were many horror stories on that day. Some half jokingly say that Senior Private Pancreas Ochuka, the junior airforce officer who is said to have been the leader (there was definitely a major personality behind him, but who was it?), went to his grave having ruled Kenya for at least 30 minutes. Ochuka was hanged at Kamiti Prison for his role in the coup attempt.
Details of the bloody attempted coup of 1982 are still classified information. The exact body count was never even given. What followed was a different Moi keen on crushing all opposition, real or imagined. In retrospect the attempted coup was definitely one of the events that helped drive the country more and more off track.
Then there were the Maasai moran looters who caused great laughter. While others went for valuables, like precious stones and jewelry, Some Maasais were spotted breaking into a butcher’s shop and carrying away meat. Apparently this seemed to be the most valuable of assets they could identify.
Other slum dwellers looted TV sets only to find themselves stranded with them since they did not have any electricity in their tiny slum dwellings, something they momentarily forgot as they made off with the TV sets.
One the man (armed with a gun and probably believed to have been a member of either the air force or the army) went straight to the Hilton Hotel. His objective? To have sex with a white woman. Which he apparently fulfilled but on his way out died under a hail of bullets.
But there was nothing funny about the rapes, plunder and killings that went on in many parts of the city of Nairobi. Nor is there anything funny about the numerous bodies that people had to step over while walking the streets of Nairobi the next morning, which was a Monday. Everybody had to walk the streets with their national identity cards held high over their heads. There was also a dawn to dusk curfew that went on for at least a month after that.
The air force troops apparently took over the KBC TV and radio station and a few other strategic installations in the early hours of Sunday morning August 1st 1982, before the Kenya Army support battalion stormed into the city centre and recaptured the installations with heavy casualties, mainly from the air force side. Many air force soldiers fled, stripped their uniform and hid by mixing with ordinary civilians. The army hunted them down for days. It is said that a section of the air force that had taken control cheered when they saw the army arriving in town, since they had been made to believe that the entire armed forces were supporting the attempted coup. They were taken completely by surprise when their would-be accomplices opened fire instead, killing many of them.
It is said that Moi was at his Kabarak farm when the attempted coup happened and after it was defeated, was brought back into the city by a well armed army escort in an operation code named Operation Maji Machafu (swahili for dirty water). There is a story that did the rounds to the effect that he was brought back inside a military tank.
He appeared live on KBC TV (then called Voice of Kenya - VOK). He was visisbly shocked but thanked all the security forces. He was flanked by the then police commissioner Ben Gethi.
The paranoid Moi who emerged after the events of that August day, was a very different man from the Moi Kenyans had known in the past. From then on, all political opponents and enemies, real or imagined were dealt with ruthlessly. The dreaded Mwakenya purge where many innocent Kenyans suffered in torture chambers at Nyayo house on suspicion of being dissidents was to follow, peaking in 1985/86.
Many older Kenyans and families still have scars of ‘82 and the consequences that followed. Prof. Anyang Nyongo, now an MP and formerly in the Kibaki cabinet, once admitted in parliament that his private parts were squeezed by special branch officers torturing him. This blogger was arrested and detained for one endless weekend where I was transferred from police station to police station in a mistaken identity mix-up. Security officers at one point stripped me naked and threatened to shoot me dead if I did not confess. Had I known what I was required to confess, I would have speedily obliged.
It is important to understand that everybody and anybody was picked up at the least excuse during the great Mwakenya purge of the mid 80s. The late humour columnist Mutahi Wahome (better know as Whispers) was jailed just because somebody mentioned that he happened to be around when others were reading a copy of a seditious document in his university days some years before.
September 26, 2007 at 11:29 am
I have had an opportunity to read the comments that are posted on this site prior to this one. May I take this opportunity to remind you all that we should live above the current level of thinking. First of all, let us strive to understand the force that drives one to seek leadership in any capacity and for one to show his ability, he/she must show the capability through what the masses can be able to understand. That will be the yard-stick. Unfortunately this comes through comparing what those who are at helm have done and failed to do. In this case HON. President KIBAKI happens to be the one and fortunately or unfornately he is also a Kikuyu.
Let me assert here that there is nothing wrong for Kibaki being a Kikuyu at all. Neither is there anything wrong Raila being a Luo. They are all great Kenyans with the natural ego to be leaders of this great country, Kenya. They may use tribe as a vehicle to the top seat, but the bottom line remains the same. The electorate have the right to choose whoever they feel is good for them.
Kikuyus! nobody is fighting you. The Odingas have, over the years, felt that they have what it takes to lead this nation. Kenyans have not previously given them the opportunity. If given the opportunity, they have no bitterness, but just to continue building this great nation. I hope you will be in a position to appreciate that with the level of literacy that is in kenya, no president will load anything on the citizens as before. Be calm.
September 27, 2007 at 5:16 am
These lies will fly in the faces of those who peddle them.
RAILA DOES NOT HATE THE AGIKUYU or any other Kenyan tribe. Raila is simply honest in his fight for injustices meted by Kenyatta, Moi and Kibaki governments. Why marginalise any Kenyan as if they do not deserve any space to live comfortably in Kenya. Problems face by common Kikuyu are no different from those faced by other people from all corners of the country. Resources must be distributed equally to all regardless of their ethnic background. Raila has been brave enough to stand up and tell the government of these injustices - whether he was not an MP, Minsiter or an ordinary man. Raila has been steadfast in standing with the people. At no time has Raila fought Kikuyus. At no time has Raila hated Kikuyus. If anything, it a few old Kikuyu and confused politicians like Nyachae who go round misinforming our brothers and sisters to hate Raila and more painfully all Luos simply because they are honest and are principled. During 2005, our brothers and sisters from GEMA were told to stand up and defend the presidency from getting out of their backyard. All Kenyans were astonished that they believed the lies peddled by old GEMA politicians who were only interesting in entrenching tribalism, corruption and their crimes. The majority of our GEMA brothers and sisters believed these old politians’ lies, confusing narrow politics and ended up isolating themselves from the rest of Kenyans who stood up to be counted. A few others were brave enough, stood up, especially the youth who identified with the rest of Kenyans. These were patriots who knew that Kenya belongs to all of us regardless of the ethnic background. If any problem Kenya faces (be it disasters, diseases, bomb blast, etc) does not and will not discriminate any person based on ethnic background.
ODM is a mass movement party of the people regardless of their ethnic background. ODM and Raila Amolo Odinga represent the aspirations of the people whether Kikuyu, Luos, Dorobo, Turkana, Somali, Swahili…all Kenyans.
September 27, 2007 at 8:59 am
Let’s Face it. Raila Represents Change…Whatever change it is a change for the better some may think or a change for the worse (many would think). I advise people to vote wisely, very wisely. A person who dictates who should be MP in Nyanza and now Rift Valley will most definitely be a forceful dictator whether or not that is good is arguable. I dread to see the day where he is ‘beaten’ via a referendum and his popularity dwindles – do you think he will struggle politically from a back foot to recover politically or will he finish up his competition. What we have here is a Moi reincarnate (before Moi is even dead). People of Kenya Vote on the side of caution, your children’s lives can be changed for the better or worse.
Ng’ombe ya maziwa huwa haichinjwi kama inakamuliwa. Mine stays with Ubako-Kibaki Abaki!!
September 27, 2007 at 11:26 am
please someone help me understand,who is fighting kikuyus.is it the mungikis?who killed many of their own?the goverment that watched as they were being killed?or is it the wealthy tribesmen from the previous goverments and current one who took their land from the colonialists and istead of giving it back to the pple, kept it to themselves?or is it raila?????let me tell you the truth ,those who are still fighting for the reelection of the incubent.since his election he has made few millionares and over 29million beggers,it doesn’t need a rocket scientist to see that.given a chance this goverment will impinge into our freedom,as his cronnies have been trying to do,thaks to the media for SHOUTING OUT LOUD.funguwa macho na utaona.WHY DO YOU THINK MOI WANTS KIBAKI BACK.i will tell you for free,NDIO AZIDI KUJIENJOY.hope you don’t need tuition to understand that.
September 27, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Listen guys guys, Kenyans in the diaspora need to understand one thing, I think Kenyans in Kenya have tried to go beyond this crap of tribalism put forth by our half literate leaders or the ancient tribal warlords we call politicians. Please get over this tribal nonesense and let us be mature. Kenyans outside the country have the luxury of talking down from the high horse outside because, incase of civil strife, they are not the ones to get hurt!!
Let us try and build a new nation where my kids will be able to play with your kids regardless of whether kikuyu, luo, luhya etc. For the first time in history, majority of us are marrying “outside the box”. So the kids resultant will be Kenyans or Africans for that matter. May the best leader win the next elections and please, no divisive politics!!
September 30, 2007 at 8:44 am
My Fellow Kenyans, While we are here debating tribal politics, The western developed nations are debating economic politics. Is it a wonder then,that these nations have and always will be more economic prosperous than us. When will we as a people realize that tribal affilitions should only come after economic prosperity. What we need in Kenya and in all third world countries is freedom from poverty. I would care less if the president of kenya was Lou Dobbs just as long I have a good job, my Brothers and sisters too and a good job outlook for my children. I want to tour my beautiful country and drive on an interstate highway free of potholes from the vast Tsavo national park to the remote area surrounding lake Turkana. I want to live in a good neighbourhood free of crime. I want to see my people taken out of kibera and put into decent govt. housing projects as they await training for jobs placement in a sound economy. I want my govt. to provide education assistance to those in need. I want accountability, Funds allocated for useful projects ought to fund the projects at the end of the day, I want to attend a soccer game on the weekend with my family in a beatiful “Nairobidome” and so forth. Why is this so difficult to achieve, Kenya is atually smaller than Texas yet we cant even compare to the poorest county in Texas. So my people until all these things are resolved i will not be discusiing whether Raila is a Luo, Kyuk hater or whatever.
October 1, 2007 at 2:27 am
The British brutalised the Kikuyus more than any other community in Kenya during their “missionaries” days here,they met a hellish resistance,Moi spent a good chunk of his 24 year rule fighting and stifling the Kikuyus economically and when he couldn’t crack them he handed power back to them,Central province remains the best performing region economically to date,when they’re not “stealing” Kikuyus are a hardworking and enterprising lot,Raila is trying to enter state house by ‘you guessed right’ riding on an anti Kikuyu wave that HE created,you should see the number of anti Kikuyu websites with all manner of hateful sentiments that have sprung up recently,and if you read through you’ll realise they’re tied to a Railas presidency,guys like Swaya will be quite at home there,has history taught you nothing yet?…
October 1, 2007 at 3:30 am
How are we a land of 29 million beggars Swaya?could you point them out to us,a beggar to me is someone who sits in a street corner with arms stretched out asking for a handout from anyone passing by,because he or she has nothing for himself,so we have 29 million of those right?anyway..Kibakis CDF programme is taking care of that gradually touching every corner of this nation whether you support him or not,its not an Othaya\GEMA\Kikuyu only thing,am sure some would have wanted it to be so,then we will never hear the end of it,in layman terms Kibaki is giving back and empowering the mwananchi down there in the grassroots who had nothing before,you don’t need to hold a harambee nowadays to construct a community health center,school or dig a small thing like a borehole for your daily water needs,Kibaki is taking us away from that kind of mess that we were in for 24years,..
Kenya has changed for the better i can’t believe guys are still trying to fight this obvious fact,we scored very well in the economic reforms sector worlwide recently so that means even the outside world can also see the few positive changes taking place here,those Kenyatta,GEMA,Kikuyu arguments are meant to hide this sweet realities and are always easy to bring up when we have nothing else to say,
if i was Raila or Kalonzo i’d also envy Kibaki,and wish for lightning to strike him!but thats the ODMs way of life isn’t it? which nearly destroyed it,remember?Kibaki remains a blessing for Kenya..Vote Wisely!
October 3, 2007 at 8:41 am
Fools who participate in this forum,Take people for what they are not their tribes or wealth.Every where we have rich and poor people even in America.All that kenya needs is to have equal oportunity to all and a super high way for success.
October 4, 2007 at 10:28 am
I’m impressed by all the debate going on here. I wonder how many of you live in Kenya and can give a real picture of what’s happening here?
How many were there during the Raila-planned coup that killed more than 2,000 innocent Kenyans?
As for those calling for Sharia law - Kenya’s population is 7% Muslim. What justification is there for subjecting the other 93% who are NOT Muslim to your laws? This is a secular country and will remain so.
In the last 4.5 Kibaki years:-
-> free medical treatment for all children under age 5 years, regardless of what they’re suffering - this includes immunisation
-> free maternity delivery and antenatal care
-> free mosquito nets for all children under 5 years and pregnant mothers
-> free treatment for ALL tuberculosis and HIV AIDS cases, regardless of age, gender, etc
-> free primary education to ALL children
-> free secondary [tuition] education to ALL children
-> Women’s Fund worth Kshs. 2 Billion for women’s business projects, and Kshs. 1 Billion for youth projects, ALSO open to women
-> Government initiating legislation to establish and protect women’s rights to inherit
-> Government tried to get legislation for 50 parliamentary seats, set aside for women alone
Now tell me this - if you were an average, ordinary Kenyan woman IN KENYA, would you vote for anyone other than Kibaki?
Raila organised for Nazlin Omar [a wh