How rich is Raila, the ODM-Kenya Presidential aspirant
Posted by africanpress on April 26, 2007
The sudden ostentatious display of wealth by Raila Odinga has left many baffled. Unbeknown to the public, Raila is a fabulously wealthy man with a personal fortune estimated to be in excess of Kshs. 4 billion. Read how the man who wants to be Kenya’s next president acquired his wealth which includes investments in the lucrative petroleum industry and in manufacturing.
How Raila acquired his billions
Raila Odinga’s big break came in 2001 soon after he led his party, NDP, into a merger with Kanu, the then ruling party. As Energy Minister in Moi’s government he was introduced to the family of Sheikh Abdukeder AlBakari, one of the richest families in Saudi Arabia with interests in petroleum drilling, petroleum exploration and export in the Middle East, Asia, USA and Africa.
Through the Saudi contacts, Raila was initiated into the lucrative world of oil business and soon enough he had joined the league of gig independent oil importers via his firm Pan African Petroleum Limited.
Industry sources say that one of the things that helped Raila make a quick buck in the oil business was a concessionary petroleum deal he struck with the Al Bakri Group where he was not only incorporated as a silent partner in the local arm of Al Bakri International but was also supplied with petroleum products from Saudi Arabia at subsidized prices which his firm would sell in the market at normal prices. That way, Raila was able to deftly beat the competition in oil business by occasional price undercutting.
While still Energy Minister, Raila re-established and nurtured his links with the Libyan government of Colonel Muammar Gadaffi where again he not only did good business in oil importation but also got substantial material support during the 2002 general elections.
Besides supporting Raila’s political causes, the Libyans also played a key role in stabilizing Raila in the oil business in a couple of ways. Industry sources say that between 2001 and 2002 when Raila served as Energy Minister, he received at least three consignments of petroleum products at very low prices which were later sold locally at market prices.
The overall turnover from the three Libyan consignments is reliably said to have been in the region of over half a billion shillings, a tidy sum of money in any language, enough to ensure that one crosses the Rubicon once and for all.
Raila’s enviable international links
Reliable sources say that Libyans bankrolled the Narc campaign with some US$ 3 million (about Kshs 210 million), thanks to Raila’s good contacts in the oil-rich land of Gadaffi. There is no doubt that if Raila becomes the ODM presidential candidate he can count on massive financial support from the Libyans once more.
Besides Libya, Raila enjoys good links with the South African government of Thabo Mbeki while in Nigeria he is known to have strong links with Olosegun Obasanjo, who was a close friend of Raila’s late father Jaramogi.
That Libyans, South Africans and Nigerians had enough confidence in Raila to channel campaign funds through him although he himself was not a presidential in 2002 is an indication of how highly regarded he is in some international circles.
Evidently, he could certainly count on even more enthusiastic support from his international contacts should he become the ODM presidential candidate.
For Raila, the linkage between politics and business went much deeper than petroleum business. It is significant that the Odinga family business, Spectre International Ltd, acquired the then state-owned Kisumu Molasses Plant soon after Raila started politically cooperating with Moi.
Raila has consistently argued that the acquisition of the molasses plant was a pure business deal which had nothing to do with politics, but his critics point out at the coincidence between the time his family acquired the parastatal and Raila’s shift of political alliance. It is highly unlikely “indeed one may even say impossible-that the Moi government would have sanctioned the Kisumu Molasses Plant deal at the time if Raila had not become an ally of Moi’s.
Former commissioner of Lands Sammy Mwaita offered to sell the 240 acres on which the Kisumu Molasses Plant is built to Spectre International on January 11, 2001 at a price of Kshs 3.6 million at a time when Odinga started working closely with Moi. By June of the same year, Raila was appointed to the cabinet and made Energy Minister.
Significantly, Spectre International had applied for the same land in a letter of February 18, 1999 but the request had been rejected by the government at the time.
Titles were prepared in favour of Spectre International on February 3, 2002 for a 99-year lease backdated to September 1, 2001 and the Odinga family was ready to laugh all the way to the bank.
When the Odinga family started the process that led to the acquisition of the Kisumu Molasses Plant in 2001, Raila had already established good business contacts in South Africa. Energem Resources Incorporated, an international firm quoted at the Toronto Stock Exchange, had been looking for an investment opportunity in Kenya for a long time and the Kisumu Molasses Plant appeared just right.
Soon after taking over the plant from the government, Raila struck a lucrative deal with Energem whereby the Canadian firm bought 55 per cent of the Kisumu Molasses plant. Sources say that the Odinga family was paid over US$ 5 million (about Kshs 420 million) to relinquish the control of the molasses plant. The Odinga family had paid only Kshs 3.6 million for the property.
The Canadians also ploughed in millions of dollars to rehabilitate the plant and it is today one of the largest manufacturing concerns in the country employing hundreds of people and producing at least 60,000 litres of industrial ethanol for local consumption and export.
Ethanol from the Kisumu Molasses Plant is used as a fuel additive in east and Central Africa. Among other products coming out of the plant include yeast, carbon dioxide alcohol and related industrial products.
A valuation of the plant carried out three three years ago placed the Kisumu Molasses Plant at US$100 million (Kshs 7 billion). With the Odinga family owning 40 percent of the plant, putting the family’s stake in the plant in the region of Kshs 7.8 billion. The remaining five per cent shares in the plant are owned by a development trust on behalf of the local community.
Besides Kenya where Energem is in partnership with Raila in the Kisumu molasses plant business, now renamed Kisumu ethanol Plant, other African countries where Energem’s presence is significant include Sierra Leone, Sao Tome, Congo Brazaville, Angola. Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Chad and Central Africa republic.
Raila’s wealth at a glance
Company/Property/Estimated Worth
- Spectre International Limited (the holding company for Kisumu Ethanol Plant)
Kshs 7 billion of which Odinga family owns 40 per cent whose value is approximately Kshs 2.8 billion - East African Spectre (the gas cylinder manufacturing plant founded by Raila’s late father)
Kshs 500 million - Raila’s family home in Karen Nairobi
Kshs 50 million - Runda House
Kshs 15 million - Pan African Petroleum Company (the firm through which the Odinga family imports and distributes petroleum products)
Has had a turnover in excess of Kshs 500 million.
Check: http://www.mashada.com/forums/politics/39406-how-wealthy-raila.html
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Posted to API by Karuga wa Njuguna – London
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Published by African Press International – API.
Muthoni Kabara said
Raila has proved his worth as a businessman just as he is a tough politician. In business, you use the right contacts to meet your goals. Raila was put to task concerning the acquisition of the Molasses land in 2004, and after a thorough investigation, he was cleared of any wrong-doing. Through his efforts, the local community and outsiders are now employed and earn a living out of his business empire. At least we see his efforts locally, and not in terms of rumours of cash stashed abroad as in the case of many other affluent Kenyans.
Mike Okello said
What good did the Molasses do to Kenyans and The Kenya Revenue Authority for the several decades when it was idle. The Man Should be applauded for pushing against considerable Opponents to do something for the people of Kenya. The article portrays him as a shrewd businessman rather than a corrupt individual. We need more of his kind.
George said
i want to believe that Hon Raila’s vision for kenya is real. he has been able to create wealth “create opportunities” for his family over a very short period of time, we believe if elected he will do the same. he will enroll good policies that will make life better for the people of kenya.
railaanachosha said
Raila, having a good ‘vision’ 4 Kenya, pleez…I wish hm luck coz he need it!
Magak Mimba said
if there was a politician who means well for Kenya, it was Raila. if this is how he acquired his wealth, then the man deserves to lead Kenya. few politician pass the litmus test of corruption especially when they have all the chance to be corrupt. we have seen yesterday’s paupers become bilionaires overnight during the NARC regime. Kudos Raila! you are what Kenyans need in this era. Please take Kenya to greater hights! All the best in your endeavous! We are proud of you!!
Dr Afullo Augustine said
Indeed Raila is the man Kenyans want to lead them to the league of the tiger states of Asia.
The government of Kenya is known to have neglected development in many parts of this country since Kenyatta era, mostly in Nyanza due to political beliefs of the great Jaramogi for social justice in the country. Due to this difference, the government of Kenya decided to alienate Nyanza and other parts of the country. Indeed during the era f Moi, there was a Siaya district commisioner who was under instructions not to facilitate any development in the area. Being the person with the authority to incur expenditure in the then district focus for rural development, nothing could work at all. Every year, the monies budgeted for various developments in the district was returned to the treasury, and wrong records written to give an impresion that there were things done, when there was none. This stagnated the district for many years in all fronts, thus relegating it to the last in almost everything now in Kenya, together with Bondo which wa carved from it in the late 1990s. They now blame Raila for all the social llls in the egion. This is why it was a blessing for Raila to have initiated this great project in Kisumu- the molases plant. The project stalled under the keen watch of the then government for more than 10 years, and at auctuion time, they were keen to carry the parts of the stalled project to Nairobi and Thgika where the kenyan economic elites reside. THGis is why there has been a effort to depict the project as ill gotten. Indeed the government and its allies removed anything you can call an industry / factory from Kisumu, including KICOMI, Kenya breweries, among others so that Kisumu has been just a shell of a city; in fact a big slum. This has been the government’s motive all along, and that is why they are not happy with the molases plant, the only one in kenya’s third largest city. Kisumu peple are proud of this project, and no amount of talking will make their support dwindle. Without it, there are less 6,000 jobs, less 10,000 families without a living, and the city would be a real shell. Tjhanks Raila for the effort. For the only way of reducing influx of people to Nairobi is to improve the lives in other towns, cities and rural environments bearable. More investment is needed, and other elites from Nyanza should emulate the Raila approach. It is the way to go regionally; it has been charity begining at home for Raila, and indeed he can be a good entrepreneur on behalf of Kenyans should he be given a chance to lead this great country. Jaramogi fought for social justice, and was never keen to take anything from anybody because he was powerful, but because he believed that as lewaders they were supposed to be peoples’ servants, srving the interest of the public. This is why despite being the first Kenyan vice president, he died without any electricity or tarmac road to his home. In 1993, the FORD Kenya colleagues had to literally force him from his residence in the Nairobi Eastlands slums where he believed he must live in because that is where Kenyans were (read, poor Kenyans). Raila has in all ways taken after his father, fighting for total freedom of the Kenyan and the African as a pan- African leader. Indeed Raila deserves everything good in this country for the sacrifice he has put in to save Kenyans. How else could the dictatorial KANU have come out were it not fot his wisdom and willingness to work for others on behalf of the nation? He could not have said Kibaki tosha if he were selfish. But he said it, rallied all his troops behind the campaign even when Kibaki was completely disabled. He used his personal wealth and his connections to bring Kenya where it is. It is good that he had some wealth. That was a God given wealth to enable him bring change in this country. You can imagine where we could be by now if KANU was still the ruling party. That change was good , courtesy of Raila Odinga. However, the great NARC dream was betrayed by the self seakers who, duruing the time of campaigns, the self seekers went to their constituencies to fight for their personal survival at constituency level, leaving Raila and a small team of nationalists to spearhead the Kibaki presidential campaign. No sooner had the prsidency been deliverd to Kibaki than his self seekers sought to take the status quo way. This was the beginning of the end of the great NARC dream, a dream that many had fought for during the second liberation. The self sekers made kenyans lose hope. It is tha tdream that Raila must deliver to Kenyans. Kenyans must make history by voting for him in the coming general elections. NARC wa already a change from the Kanu rule of 40 years. What Kenyans need now is a significant change of policies to spearhead them towards the great nation it was meant to be, that has been delayed by self seekers. Kenyans need a change for the better. Nobody embodies that change in this country more than Raila. To Kenyans, I say, Vote Raila in and you will celebrate and be proud to be a Kenyan. if you vote in anybody else, do not complain to anybody, because all else represent no change and it will be business as usual. For the ODM leaders also aspiring to be presidents of this country, you will do this country proud by not trying to compete with Raila. God knows, as well as you do, the sacrifice Raila has put in the strugle for this country and there is nobdy qualified to compete with him for the ODM ticket. The only service you can do fr this country, and make a history, is to postpone your presidential bid for 2012, and let Raila fight it out with Kibaki. You should not unnecesarily wear him out- Kenyans will simply judge you harshly as traitors.
For the presidential candidates of ODM, thanks in advance for leaving this thing for Raila.
For Kenyans, thank you for voting in Raila as your president in the december 2007 elections.
bosire said
Raila you are youi are a man of tha people thanks for rebalation we need you, make live better for kenyans.
Propaganda said
What is wrong with you people? You read a story about a minister abusing his position to enrich himself and you think it’s something he should be proud of? This story just shows all politicians — even this new saviour of ours — are thieves. Kweli Kenyans have no concept of ethical behaviour.
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Dennis Okumu said
Kenyan’s need you, It’s high time for kenyan’s have uncorrrupt president who will create employments on merites.
pau said
Hi Raila is an industrialist and visionar leader if elected I know we should gear up for an industrial revolution
kinyanjui said
Common guys, do you believe Raila joined Moi in order to help this country – Kenya?
He only wanted to sort out the family business that wasn’t doing well. After he had done so, he left Moi – talk of a smart man.
Philip Walekhwa said
Raila is the man! I havebeen observing Kenyan Politicians and I now believe, Rails is the right choice to Lead Kenyans. Please note that we do not want leaders who have poor relations with nations that Matter Most. Moi Had a very poor Record, Now Kibaki is least Known. Why not Raila is well connected. Look at South Africa, America-Obama, Libya, UK what else do we need! Any way, That is not the point! The Point is that Rails has Credetials. Areal Politician
Nyatigi said
These clatters about riches won’t hold any water. What has riches got to do with astuteness? What I know is that Raila has proved himself a worthy bureaucrat as well as agent for change. He has revived the once moribund industry and created employment opportunities for people both local, nationally and internationally. What more credentials should people look for?
Besides being a bureaucrat, Raila has a soft heart for the mass. He has witnessed how nepotism, cronyism and chauvinism have infiltrated our society at the behest of the current and past regimes. Together with the orange brigade they have declared to bring a halt to degeneration of our country into a country of chauvinist. They have vowed to reposition equity or fairness back to the centre stage in all deliberations in the country.
This is the desire of all Kenyans. We want to see our country reverting to being civil after decades of inequity or unfairness. ODM under auspices of Raila and ODM brigade have made their statement of intent; they have decided to bring change to our society. They have decided to dismantle the revolting traits hitherto deeply rooted in our country. It is up to the Kenyans to decide to vote for change. This has nothing to do with hummer or otherwise.
Shikuku said
Hard work, clean money if at all true…unlike the thievery well documented in the Kroll report.
barasa said
raila is among the few people who have managed to place kenya where it is hate him or love him but you know what he has struggled for.Any person who was normal in before or after 1982 would have struggled to get kenya out of the woods if moi blames raila on 82 why did he work with him later,the same applies to kibaki it is raila’s time and the wave is unstoppable.goodluck agwambo you deserve the presidency n u will have it
charles said
iwalk talk and eat raila am arailamania
kash said
if you cannot uplift the lives of your constituents ..how can u uplift the lives of all kenyans..????
just a minute said
can someone tell me why raila seems more intent on campaigning (or is it raising funds) from outside kenya.
my take is that the funds remaining after the campaigns can prove to be quite a substantial figure with no questions asked .
infact i would dare say thats why he spends so much time soliciting so that there is enuff to pocket after campaigns and perhaps the bonus of being president.
Mambo said
This is a true answer to the questions that pessimists have been asking. Everytime I read about Raila I get them the answers:
Q: Raila is a non performer… what has he ever done for Kenya?
A: Do you need more?
Ok. Let me elaborate for the die hards:
He is the only politician who has tactfully worked around the regional differences of this country to create the Pentagon. Kibaki is just trying to copy his model with PNU, which is regretably not taking him anywhere.
He was the champion of the No campaigns for the Wako constitution. Many of you wanted the no; at least your votes showed.
He was minister for roads for only 6 months. None of you have ever heard about the bypasses proposal that was sitting in the Ministry of Roads for nearly a decade. He pulled it out and in just 4 months, the grabbed lands were cleared. Houses brought down without fear or favour. It has taken Kibaki team 3 years to reawaken back to the bypass idea. we all know they stopped Raila to nub his growing popularity.
He bacame the Minister for Energy for 6 months and the Kisumu Molasses Plant that was defunct for 10 years found a kick-start is now standing long after he left.
Lastly, just remember that the question is also skewed since he has never been in the cabinet for more than 6 months in recent history, and while he has demostrated at the highest level in the shortest time how wealth can be created without robbing it from the citizens, we can only expect more.
Walekhwa Juma Patrick said
LETS VOTE FOR THE PEOPLES PRESIDENT
frenzy said
I really don’t understand you people. first of all the reason Raila did not finish the bypass was because people in kibera dared him to. So he organised a revolution in kibera where by the help of Jackson okemo, his thug in Kibich, passed rumors around that tenants should not pay rent. chaos broke loose, because he thought that only luos lived in Kibera. He was in for a suprise, and thats where he halted the Bypass. He then started blaming his asst. ministers for the road construction projects. Right now nobody wants to go ahead with bypass thing because its hard to demolish a slum. Talk of a clever guy
MONOMOTAPA said
RAILA IS A BILLIONAIRE. IN THE MEANTIME:
1: HIS KIBERA PEOPLE SHIT INSIDE PAPERBAGS
2: LUO NYANZA IS CRIPPLED BY POVERTY
3: HE NEVER ADDRESSES WATER HYACINTH PROBLEM
Akech said
Why would a private security/company (Spectre International), a Tronto traded stock company (Energem Resources Inc.), and South Africa mining company (PDN) team up to “nyakua” grab a piece of Kenya’s public property?
Please, you do not have to respond to this question. Kenya, like many other African countries, is up for grab in exchange for bribes to well connected elites. Foreign private armies are there to garantee security of the bribe prone elites and ensure that these elites deliver the goodies or else… Additionally, private armies are also be used to silence any opposition from the general public.
When you see people disappearing without explanation from a government, you must conclude that these international armies are involved. The multinational corporations rely very heavily on them because few citizens in the countries where they operate know what they are upto.
NyaKaksingiri said
So what if Raila is rich? He has worked hard for him to be that rich.
What about Kibaki? Where does he get his wealth from?
nuku said
we really are bonkers all of us kenyans we expect things to change in a blink of an eye.the key to God is patience and we need a dose of that.
on Raila’s wealth i say make the money if u can but all this pple who give him deals dnt do it out of the goodness of their heart so ask urself what does he promise or give in return
kamau said
Railas information is available at http://raila2007.wordpress.com
ochenge said
Can’t believe there are all these people heaping praise on a clearly corrupt unethical deal.How ethical is it for the energy minister to trade in energy resources? Its like Abramovich refereeing a game where chelsea is playing.If all these intelegistia wananchi can’t see any “haram” then it shows how many light years we are from an ebulient Kenya.
Agwambo has no concise economic policy he has not mentioned how he is going to amass funds for the dream infrustracture he is promising kenyans.So far the country is on the right track by not relying on donor funds which come with clauses that wananchi are not aware of. I appreciate that there is corruption in the higher circles but this has a somewhat insignificant value on the kenyan economy as a whole.I am looking at the bigger picture ie kenya in 30 yrs, we need the right economic policy.Contrary to what we hear we are a country with scanty resources considering our population and size.
ceciliah said
let us let Kibaki to continue with the remaining 5 years so that he can be able to finish the task he had them you try 2012
joe said
Raila is shrewd as can be seen by the way he has made money without stealing from anyone. He is the right person to lead kenya and we shall sure be on the road to industrilizatio with him as the president.
Kenyan@heart said
Please people lets look at the big picture here and call a sped a sped. Raila used unethical tactic to aquire a public coporation. He was corrupted by former MO1 so that Raila can turn a blind eye as to what was happing then!
Therefore Raila is as guilty as any other corrupt dude in the current or former government officials! Hey one more thing….Is there any clean player in the race to the house on the hill? I guess not but we have to elect somebody and that somebody is “Hummer”.
Were said
Raila is a shame to kenyan ministers who know how to make quick money from our taxes. A clean record is not good for him and that is why our Mt. Kenya brothers will never like him. If he wants the Mt. Kenya vote, let him prove that at least he can steal something. How the hell will he remain clean with thieves around him. This is totally unfair. PULL UP YOUR SOCKS MAN!
Flockie said
If there is any smart mentor that I would love to identify myself with, it won’t be a Hollywood star but Raila Amollo. Why? Because he is a smart guy, humble, approachable, a man that lets go and one that makes clean money. Even the bible says a leader must be able to manage his house well before he can manage others. How many Kenyan presidents have a family history (from wife to children to admire)? Raila has a legacy, clean profile, something new to offer to Kenya. He has the agenda and he commands respect.
Go Raila, Go . . . Only remember to walk the talk and leave a legacy after you serve your 5 terms. Bless you.
Mutali Kakai said
Hey Guys Vote for a Brave Warrior and let Aqwambo bring to Kenyans a third and final Liberation
joash rabura said
I think Raila did the best thing to buy the mollasses plant coz am sure the plant is giving KRA more taxes thus contributing to the growth of the economy.
Iam sure raila will not get to power form his own good butfor the good of kenyans.
Mtachaamambhi said
After reading this aticle, Kenya looks like a mafia country !
Hardly can two people be more different than Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki and his predecessor, Daniel arap Moi.
Kibaki (r) is perceived to be elitist unlike Moi (l)
The latter was a ravenous political animal and micro-manager who was obsessed with the tiniest of details.
Mr Moi was a populist par excellence. He was also a manipulator who clearly enjoyed the political game.
Mr Kibaki – who has been abandoned by some of his coalition partners and whose administration is at the centre of a growing controversy over corruption – is the opposite.
He is usually mute – even when a crisis is boiling. The latitude he gives his ministers would simply have been unthinkable under Mr Moi.
Mr Moi, in contrast, learned to rely on his street smarts. He was quite promiscuous in his political contacts
The perception of the president is that he is weak and indecisive, unable to offer leadership in the stern manner of the late Jomo Kenyatta or even, in his querulous way, Mr Moi.
However, his admirers reply that Mr Kibaki is a paragon of tolerance who has allowed an unprecedented degree of democratic space.
Despite Mr Kibaki having been in politics throughout his adult life, one senses a certain distance – even perhaps disdain – towards the hoi polloi.
A favourite word he uses in his speeches is pumbavu (Swahili for fool), and during one public rally he hurled the epithet at his own official driver for impatiently revving up the presidential limousine when a light rain began to fall.
Elitist disposition
Differences in background and outlook help to explain the gulf between Mr Moi and Mr Kibaki.
Protesters in Kenya have been demanding an end to corruption
Mr Moi was a humble primary school teacher when he was catapulted into politics, where he fell under the overarching shadow of Mr Kenyatta and learned to fend for himself as best as he could among political rivals who were more sophisticated and looked down on him.
Though Mr Kibaki was also a product of those times, he suffered no such complexes.
Being one of the few indigenous university graduates of the time, he was headhunted at the time of independence from Uganda’s Makerere University where he was lecturing in economics and then went on to become a star technocrat in the Kenyatta government.
Mr Kibaki’s elitist disposition certainly has something to do with that early feeling of entitlement and the conviction that he belonged to a special generation that laid the technocratic foundation of modern Kenya.
Mr Moi, in contrast, learned to rely on his street wisdom. He was quite promiscuous in his political contacts, not worried at all about what side of the social divide he interacted with.
Mt Kenya Mafia
Mr Kibaki, on the other hand, likes to surround himself with a tight group of friends he has known for a long time.
Their favourite social haunt is the exclusive Muthaiga Country Club in Nairobi where they banter about golf and their latest corporate moves
In Kenya, this circle is referred to, none too flatteringly, as the “Mt Kenya Mafia” for all of them hail from the Central Province, where the mountain that gave the country its name rises from.
Politically speaking, the closely intertwined Kikuyu, Embu and Meru people who inhabit this region are known generically as Gema.
But it is not a homogeneous clique in the sense of the real-life Cosa Nostra that meets to hatch conspiracies and plans.
Instead, it is a loose group of Gema worthies who are tied together by the memory of the community’s marginalisation during the Moi years and have vowed never to let this happen again.
On one side is a conservative wing of elderly, Catholic-school-educated businessmen who forged friendships during their Makerere days in the 1950s.
With few exceptions, they made their fortunes when Mr Kibaki was serving out his long tenure as minister for finance under Mr Kenyatta.
This group consists of corporate titans like University of Nairobi chancellor, Joe Wanjui, the head of the giant freight-forwarding firm Express Kenya, Peter Kanyago, advertising magnate Nathaniel Kang’ethe and George Muhoho, a brother of Kenyatta’s widow, Ngina.
Old guard
The fact that Mr Kenyatta’s own son, Uhuru, leads the opposition Kanu party does not bother this circle.
Their favourite social haunt is the exclusive Muthaiga Country Club in Nairobi where they banter about golf and their latest corporate moves.
They have always been on hand to bankroll Mr Kibaki’s political campaigns – from when he was in the opposition.
Chris Murungaru was forced out of cabinet over corruption allegations
Having largely been frozen out during the Moi era, they made a powerful comeback under Mr Kibaki and act as his sounding boards.
They are also doing very well for themselves in business, with a number of high-profile corporate acquisitions.
Colloquially the press refers to them as the old guard.
Currently the two most powerful members of the cabinet, Security Minister John Michuki and Defence Minister Njenga Karume, are part of this old guard.
There is another batch of younger members, also Gema to the core, who did not rub shoulders with Mr Kibaki at Makerere.
Feathering nests
These young Turks prompted the press to coin the term “Mt Kenya Mafia” because they monopolised power and access to the president soon after he took office when he was briefly hospitalised due to illness.
This is a group of newcomers, whose centre of gravity revolved, for a time at least, around two ministers, Chris Murungaru and Kiraitu Murungi, both of whom have been forced out of the cabinet following allegations of involvement in the Anglo Leasing scandal, which refers to government contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars being awarded to a phantom firm.
This team had meshed with Mr Kibaki during his days as an opposition leader. They served as his strategists and political battering rams.
In power, they soon attracted flak for being arrogant and for constantly antagonising Mr Kibaki’s coalition partners.
The young Turks are quite different from the old guard, with whom they have ferociously vied for influence.
They lack the wealth of the old guard, and face accusations – justified or not – of having feathered their nests in an obscenely short time.
More and more, it is to the older, country club crowd that Mr Kibaki has retreated into.
njeri ojuang said
hey kenyans lets not be judgemental because non of them is perfect. Am angry and disappointed by the entire lot. why dont we unite and form a unitary chama ya mwananchi. Notice the difference between us and them? i.e (the kibakis, Railas, Kalonzos etc). to cite a few e.gs the MPs were each awarded 1.5 million yet for the general mwananchi one can only access a third of ones pension and thats after attaining 55 years. how much do you earn and mark you its taxed, you know their package tax free. how many have access to the basic amenities, what of education, how many of their children get educated in our public schools, oh! how about the civil service, how many of their children work for public service for the peanuts? how many can access mortgage for housing? The list is endless…….
Remember we can unite as fellow wananchi and bring a genuine revolution by kicking out the wenyenchi.
We remain brothers and sisters regardless of our tribal backgrounds. Make a point of visiting or is passing by the five or seven star hotels you will find the wenyenchi “dining and wining” discussing how foolish the mwananchi is. They are great pals dont be deceived by their public utterances.
Think about it. We can make it in the next half a decade. As for now may the best crook win, I care less who takes over.
Okumu Martin said
kudos raila
oracha roselyne said
Kudos Raila!Raila is a man.Be strong despite the hard battles that you are in.You will conquer .We are looking forward for you leading this Kenya and getting the poor kenyans out of poverty.Its true you were born a leader.You are not tribalic and this will be seen once you get to state house.
The future is orange
opolle roselyne said
Raila Agwambo
We kenyans love you.
Be strong.
Kenyans want a change.
We want a change.
The change is orange
Coz the future is orange
If only the poor kenyans knew
those who are crying everyday,
those who cant even a food on their plate,
if they knew that Raila is a God sent angel
to deliver the common mwananchi
like jesus ,Raila is being crucified for nothing but saying the truth
Kenyans lets stand with Raila
Lets support him
Lets vote him in
Coz the future is orange
Raila we love you.
My vote is for you
God Bless Raila!God Bless Kenya!
oracha roselyne said
Kudos Raila!We are looking for leaders like you
Be strong
opolle atieno said
Raila we love and respect you for being firm.Wealth rightly acquired is even a blessing from God.Unleash the animals!
chungwa bora maisha bora
opolle atieno said
Peace, love and unity is what we want to rule kenya.
Kenyans want a leader but God chooses .
Raila you have already seen .We hope that you keep your promises true.
We hope you lead kenyans the right way.
We fought for independence en we look forward for mantaining this peace.
Congrats Raila for all the good things you have done.
You were able to unleash the armenians
Fifht on the battle is still on
vidonge said
Raila!
Check your house and clean the mess that is there.
Why defections at this high rate??
What is the problem??
We do not want to make a mistake.
We are looking for a man to fodge the kenyan philosophy of peace love and unity.
Congarats
Amani said
To the great people of Kenya. Please, let us rise up above tribal lines. How come we have lived so peacefully for so long and now we are poinitning fingers at each other.
Anyone know the story of Willie Lynch in America? It is working people… Just take a great look at yourself.
Alex Kyuna said
Guys, as you critic Raila in regard to this story on his wealth, be aware that this story was first published in a Kenyan Weekly Newspaper called the The Leader which is part of Royal Media Services
se Wanyama said
Raila Odinga is an icon of Kenya and our greatest son. Many years ago Kisumu was a desolate city with few and far between opportunities. The govt of the day (Moi) had dried the few industries that existed. Kenyatta and Moi never gave a hoot about Kisumu and when Kibaki came to power, well we all know, he filled up all positions with his kinsmen. Raila will change how we do business in Kenya.
A leader’s family represents the face of morality in a nation. We look towards the leader as one who we can identify as role model. Kibaki lacks that. He has been known to have skipped his home because he was on several occasions “thumped” by his psychiatric wife. Kenya needs no more comedies from such high profile families. We endured some thugs who apparently were in Kenya on behalf of Kibaki’s second missus, and such a shame should be banished.
Raila has a forthright and reasonable wife. We need restore the dignity of the First Family and Ida Odinga will be the best suited. Mama Roocy and her escapades, which boarder on idiotcy and imbecility, should be erased from our memory. May be Kibaki should have stood by Wambui as she has maternal aspect to her politics, well presentable and publicly loved. Not the shame of the style-unconcious tax-payer guzzler Roocy.
We look forward to having Ida as our First Lady. Money never styled Roocy, never offered her class despite the exclusivity of her hubby’s lifestyle. Ida is star and Roocy a drab. Makes me get sick.
Asamm said
EVERYBODY’S VOTE TO RAILA AGWAMBO the peoples presidents…atleast let’s have a change with kenya govt.we love you mr Raila even if the poor boys in the PANUA govt feel’s banged and the rest suppoters,still show them ur the MAN of the moment.the real pentagon leader,hi let’s fix it buddy………..GOD BLESS U.
Iqbal Rehmat Khan said
Raila a true leader to take Kenya to new era,freedom for all,end of tribalism,free of corruption,security for all and amnesty for those who have illegal arms and frighten ordinary citizens.Make Nairobi the most secure and peaceful Cities of Africa.Improve living standards of Kenyans.Creat police force which will help people rather than harasing people and get rid of phrase tova kitu kidogo.
Raila you are God sent masia for all the Kenyan.We are all with you.May God bless you and Ida and give you strength to lead Kenya .
JOHN said
You are my guy Bob! The youth need a change, and the change is YOU. In the next 24 hours Kenya will salute the new president-RAILA!
This guy as fought for long, its time to passionately give him the oppoturnity. Although our older Generation From GEMA hate the idea, we youth need brave shrewd leadership in the interntional markets- which Raila is capable.
Although i am Abroad and that i may not vote, my God responds to my request instantly, and this is a request that he promised in advance. Everybody shout RAILA TOSHA!
Odede kobonyo said
I just love Raila not only because he and i are joluo but because He thinks about issues before saying them publicly,and he is a guy who has the common mwananchi at heart given by the fact that his investments are mojorly based in kenya as opposed to others with most of theres abroad and they claim they love kenya and can make it better,you cant love what you dont invest your all in emillio please leave the you lead we are tired of recyled brains in government offices while bright young brains graduate daily with passion to make there country better,Agwambo you have my blessing and that was in me from before when we told our principle that Tuju and the banana camp cant land in kisumu polytechnic,jadhot anto aheri and i dont expect to be paid any thing in return just make kenya a better place for us guys to be proud of Nyakwar ramogi
alex said
IDIOT AFRICANS THATS THE RICHEST CONTINENT IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE RISE ABOVE YOUR TRIBALIST VIEWS .EVERY BLOG HERE THATS SUPPORTS ODINGA IS BY A LUO AND VICE VERSA FOR KIBAKI
Alex
kelvin were said
Raila is a hard working Kenyan.The Kisumu plant was left in ruins by the then govt. He bought it and made it a world class bussines,and now some people are complaining,thats jeolousy.He has earned his wealth through hard work and sweat.
This is a man capable of leading this country to greater heights.
Does Anyone Know The Number Of Barack HUSSEIN Obama’s Name? « Jesus Christology said
[...] a charming personality with a unifying presence and … well just curious. Yes, the fact that his brother and cousin just happen to be trying to take over oil – rich Kenya right now plays a part. Don’t get me wrong, I really do not think that Obama is the anti – Christ. It [...]
Laura said
Jesus Christology, I do not think your comments are valid even though I have one question for you – are you trying to be the first anti-christ?? We already have one in Kenya.
carole said
Alex you are the idiot. what makes you think its only kikuyus and luos who are on the net, who can take sides. What makes u think we are tribal, tell me of any other country that has lived in peace with each of its 41 other tribes, with a few sparks here n there. we are a society and the fact that the kenyan society reacts like this now doesnt mean we are as tribal as u convince your sorry n pitiful mind.
am kenyan, whether kikuyu, meru, kalenjin, sabaoti, duji, mijikenda, teso, samburu, maasai, kamba, luo, rendile, somali… what the hell.. am still kenyan n wont regret having been in a country with many tribes. did you choose where to be born, you chose who u will be, kind of person u r so dont go ahead calling us idiots with tribalist minds.
tell me what society doesnt support democracy, the fact there there is a controversy over who won or who stole means people are aware of whats happening, people want this sorted out. Didnt the luos vote kibaki in in 2002, and in Dec 2007, and didnt some kikuyus even in kibaki’s constituency vote for raila? werent they exercising their right to choose whom they want. Alex, rise above your narrow mind and dont dare make mention such words in public, its embarrassing to even think of issues in that line.
alex Says:
January 10, 2008 at 5:59 pm
IDIOT AFRICANS THATS THE RICHEST CONTINENT IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE RISE ABOVE YOUR TRIBALIST VIEWS .EVERY BLOG HERE THATS SUPPORTS ODINGA IS BY A LUO AND VICE VERSA FOR KIBAKI
Alex
carole said
the fact that i live in kipipiri doesnt mean Kibaki has done lots for me. Its the govts repsonsiblity to distribute resources, if luo nyanza is poor, what role did the govt of then days play. Raila doesnt have to answer for luo nyanza, he answers for langata constituency, even so the much he could have done is thro CDF. I can say we used the CDF well in kipipiri, not because its a kikuyu land and it was kikuyu govt.
if raila is to account for all the ills in luo land, what will the govt of Moi and kibaki account for, sharing of resources to raila to uplift luo nyanza?
Emali Wanyama said
Carole,
I agree with you on the issues you raise. Kenyans have lived side by side for many many years. This has happened because a few selfish people have paid hooligans to kill people from targeted tribes, but let us not loose hope, God is still in control, and there are very many Kenyans who serve the living God, the almighty, maker of heaven and earth. The way things are now, only God can save Kenya. Let all who serve him continue to pray for peace in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
KINUTHIA JOHN said
i congragulte PRIME MINSTR HON RAILA AMOLLO
its good that now power is being shared, butt time will come when
it wont be shared any more for pnu.
not unless they also demonstrate like the way we did
but i dont think raila will accept.
it will be kibaki for official oppositon.
AND IN US IT WILL BE EITHER A WIN FOR OBAMA OR POWER SHARING DEAL
NO LOOSING
Emali Wanyama said
Excuse me Kinuthia John, just what are you trying to say? it is difficult to understand exactly what you mean, seriously.
Sylvia said
Mmmh! no wonder Gadaffi endorsed Raila as the Winner of 2007 Elections.Anyway props Bro you are worth a fortune!,for me as a business woman i get to see the importance of networking.
mwenda.m.n said
am now echoring you not for declaring your wealth but for accepting the power sharing though we know u emerged the winner of 2007 elections.
mwenda.m.n said
am now echoring you not for declaring your wealth but for accepting the power sharing though we know u emerged the winner of 2007 elections.I know you can change kenya for better coz its already good
izo said
it seems that raila and the odm guys have a knack for making lucky guesses. two months ago Odm and Pnu were fighting over the ministry of Finance, Raila let the President to hog it, and now the whole Pnu brigade is stinking of corruption. We as the young people, however, want more than a lucky bird, we want someone who can give Kenya a sense of heritage, a sense of backbone. Raila is doing good so far, but time always tells.
Jarateng said
As a young man, i do admire Raila, it is same old script he has read, thats why our entire political echelon is largesse. Raila is no exception.
Mollasses Plant is what killed Hon.Robert Ouko in 1991, for Raila & Odinga family to acquire it in 1999/2001, it tells you the political trade and whose soul was sold and who was bought. Raila’s Karen House is land belonging to Posta Kenya to-date, that why Sam Waita (former lands commissioner) sits pretty in parliament as ODM MP.
Mollases Plant was bought by Odinga’s and sold to Energem Resources, their CEO Mr.Tony Texeira is well known mafioso, he is a director in Executive Outcomes, which is a militia/mercenaries for-hire-group, they have another under cover company in Nairobi, pausing as corporate research agency, but it is an espionage outfit.
professional said
Hello. I think you are eactly thinking like Sukrat. I really loved the post.
Godwin Opati Sitati said
I cant wait for you as our President in the year 2012 for prime minister select someone from ODM in short 2012 ODM PRESIDENT ODM PRIME Minister Hatutaki Madoadoa Agwambo Keep On Keepin On
David John said
Raila is like any other politician. It is silly to think one will get a plant for ksh3,600,000 and sell it for sh100,000,000 and call this a clean deal. Unless someone did not go to school or is simply blind, this is corruption (as good as it gets!).
We love Raila but all those who acquired public property at a price less than Market Price should surrender the same to the government. There is no justification of what Raila did. It is simply immoral.
We can’t say mollasses plant transaction is good business. May be in the land of fools. A return of 2678% is abnormal. That smells corruption.
Let’s keep Raila as a leader but we should not forget he is a corrupt as others. Give us a break on how good he is.
sadique kariuki said
RAILA will be next presdent
kim said
The problem with us kenyans, we will never come out of our tribes. The kenyatta’s, the Moi’s , the Kibaki’s all have come and done themselves good not the kikuyu’s and kalenjin’s, NO them selves, I am a kikuyu but nothing has helped me from having 2 kikuyu’s presidents. I am still strugling with life like any other kenyan. If we do not wake up and realise that Raila or Ruto or saitoti kalonzo kibaki have been in this politics since kenya started to go down and at one point or the other, they were in the goverment. we will realise that they are there for theselves. But how many times have we been told this. For once stop looking at the person in that top seat and look at yourself. Nothing is going to change unless we change. The saying goes “Nothing but ourselves can free our minds”. I have had enough with these people I do not care one bit who is president all I care is that i have decent living for my family and kenyans who work for it. But as long as we see ourselves as kikuyu,luo,kalenjin. we will die poor. The worst thing is that the leader always play with tribalism so that they can continue molesting us. They know that once all kenyans decide that they do not want a tribe but want a leader regardless of tribe. that will be over for them. because they will have to perform or get out. Kenyans let us free our minds.
AMMANN ja Alego said
The WORLD must know that ethnicity is a reality of life but in the 21st century we have citizens of the world i.e Internationalization,because nationalization has became natuarilization.eg Egyptian born, American educated, Kenyan raised, Italian, with Indian mother, based in Jamaica,works in Dubai,married to Armenian ,has Swedish origin, with Jewish decent,and Russian roots.The WORLD faces the biggest challenge.Egoism,Nepotism,Tribalism,Racism,Tensions between Natives and Immigrants,Blacks and Whites,Jews and Muslims.One dilema the world faces is that Rich and Poor dont fight because they both rob each other in time of need.THAT WHY JOIN ME IN PRAYERS/VOTE FOR BARRACK OBAMA TO BE IN WHITE HOUSE COME 2009 THOUGH IT WAS NOT MEANT FOR BLACK PEOPLE THATS WHY THEY NAMED IT WHITE HOUSE !!!! ?????
The Politics of “Change” in Kenya « Quuzlfut said
[...] named his eldest son Fidel, he comes from a capitalist family and clearly has a taste for making money, but his often violent and corrupt methods of gaining said money and the power to make it place him [...]
David Ikuwah Ngugi said
HEKO RAILA
For those few month Raila have been the Prime Minister i personally have seen the potencial in him,now let give him a chance to be the next President of kenya in 2012.
David Ikuwah Ngugi said
I have also admired Prime ministers fortune
BUT, RIGHT HON.RAILA are you aware there are some people there like me who suffered totally because of supporting you in the last general election?.DAVE 0722293777
A Picture Tells A Thousand Words » Winds Of Jihad said
[...] to have been set up in the oil business by the al Bakri Group and Muammar Quaddafi (“How How Rich is Raila-The ODM Kenya Presidential Aspirant?¡± African Press 4/26/2007) Abdel Qader Bakri (or- Abdulkader al Bakri) was listed on the infamous [...]