Kenyan members of parliament are greedy

By Mars Group

Kenyans have every right to March on Parliament on Tuesday afternoon (July 31st 2007) to express their disgust and displeasure at the question of the proposed payment of gratuity to current Members of the Parliament of Kenya. It is their constitutional right to object to this greedy action by people who already live the glamorous life at our collective expense.

Our view is that it is criminal for 222 MPs in the 9th Parliament to conspire against over-burdened Kenyan taxpayers by plotting to award each other Ksh 1.4 billion - an amount equivalent to the annual disbursement under the famous Youth Fund; which was intended to raise 79.1% of the population of Kenya who are youth out of poverty. 222 MPS want to award themselves an amount equivalent to what they gave to 21,248,984 Kenyan youth. A shocking example of raw greed!

The payment of gratuities to MPs in the 9th Parliament is unwarranted first and foremost because they are under-performers who are already paid much more than almost all parliamentarians in the world. This Parliament has distinguished itself by being the only Parliament since Independence which has had no constitutional input – neither adding nor taking away a single comma or full stop to our Constitution. It has done this despite having the people’s explicit mandate given on December 27th 2002 when Kenyans voted for them to change our Constitution to enhance freedoms of the individual and to entrench equity and good governance.

The 9th Parliament has failed to provide leadership in constitutional reform and has actually served to obstruct whatever progressive acts have emanated from outside the House. It has suffered from lack of quorum to the extent that it has been hard to find 30 of them willing to attend the chamber to debate matters of national importance. Just recently, Kenyans saw the national budget for 2007/8 being debated by less than 10 MPs and billions of shillings passed completely unscrutinised by our so called representatives. This is taxation without representation.

MPs in the 9th Parliament seem to think they are above the law and have attempted to steal public funds before. Though they are recidivist repeat offenders, perhaps they actually are above the law! Only last October the Attorney General said that 65 MPs (one out of every four) could have been charged for mileage fraud, and decided to “temper justice with mercy and forbear prosecution.”

The 9th Parliament has also failed to check Government corruption and has done nothing to resolve such corruption cases as:

Goldenberg and Anglo Leasing which sucked up over 200 billion combined and their predecessor scandals such as

Ken Ren Fertiliser which cost Ksh 4.4 billion with over 265 million passed by this same 9th Parliament in the Budget for the Consolidated Fund Services (Vote No. R 50 External Debt Redemption Vote Head 164)

If they are passed these payments will further deplete public coffers even as more urgent national priorities for parliamentary attention go unattended. We call on Parliament and the Government of Kenya to first address matters of national importance, interest and value to Kenyans such as the fact that 46% of Kenyans live in absolute poverty earning less than Ksh 70 per day according to the Government of Kenya’s own poverty estimates. This means that over 20 million Kenyans live in unacceptable poverty which manifests itself in the form of – No employment or employment as wage slaves.

Homelessness, Landlessness, and Hopelessness

Kenyans recall that the MPs of this 9th Parliament have already disregarded the views of Kenyans and shamelessly ignored the poverty of Kenyans and enhanced their salaries to about Ksh 1 million per month. This is over 2 times what was paid to MPS during the entire 8th Parliament five year term (1997-2002). Further most MPs have abandoned the political parties on which they were elected and thereby betrayed both voters and the spirit of pluralism.

Parliament is currently engaged in a fraudulent act, namely the unconstitutional abuse of its legislative power for the direct personal benefit of 222 MPs. Among the intended beneficiaries of this fraudulent and unconstitutional abuse of office are the President and his cabinet, and the Leader of the Official Opposition.

It is clear that there is a conspiracy by MPs against the people of Kenya whose taxes are being illegally voted for a very private purpose. MPs are in a situation of conflict of interest and are unable to exercise objectivity on the matter of their personal financial interests. Despite public outrage at three previous attempts to tax Kenyans for selfish reasons, it appears that the 9th Parliament is hell bent on voting on Tuesday July 31st 2007, as a bloc against the national interest.

The evidence of conspiracy and fraud is obvious. For instance, the budget which was only read last month did not provide for any gratuity for MPS. Rather the amount MPs intend to vote themselves on Tuesday afternoon, were disguised as salaries and benefits for an additional 70 MPs.

We are concerned that the current crop of MPs are engaged in a blatant attempt to appropriate to themselves millions of shillings each in campaign funds ahead of the general election that is less than 4 months away.

We would recommend that any legal provision for gratuity should be applied to the 10th Parliament. At this stage Kenyans attention is also drawn to the miserable situation of many decent and honest Kenyans who have served in the past 8 Parliaments since 1963. That some exist on pensions amounting to Ksh 3,000 per month is a national disgrace. We are sure that Kenyans would prefer that Parliament focus on addressing the plight of these forgotten heroes before taking care of an already pampered and ungrateful lot.

We call on all Kenyans of goodwill to support former parliamentarians and civil society as they peacefully protest this national scandal. We also make a final appeal to each individual MP to vote with his or her own conscience. We will watch and tally the vote.

There is a case to be made for a campaign to vote out all 210 elected MPs should they commit this crime. But for the moment, the Parliament of Kenya, each and every single member therein, should take notice that Kenyans ultimately reserve their democratic rights which are not limited to the vote.

SAY NO TO THE ROGUE PARLIAMENT.

STOP THIS STEALING!

Posted by Karuga wa Njuguna

Published by API*APN africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525

N’djamena meeting - an important step in the search for the restoration and strengthening of peace in Chad

N’Djamena (Chad) President Idriss Deby Itno of Chad on Monday met a delegation of about 20 exiled opposition leaders, led by the former head of state Goukouni Weddeye, APA has learnt.

As Gabon mediated this move, its vice-premier Jean Ping accompanied the delegation of opposition leaders to N’djamena, the Chadian capital.

The N’djamena meeting is an important step in the search for the restoration and strengthening of peace in Chad, the Gabonese mediator said.

“I urge all Chadian citizens to adhere to this initiative, notwithstanding their political affiliation, to enable the country achieve its socio-economic progress,” President Deby said.

According to him, this move is a great gift for the Chadian war-stricken people.

“We will from now on do everything possible to contribute in the search for peace in our country,” former Chadian head of state Goukouni stressed after his meeting with President Deby.

Goukouni, who in April discussed for a few hours with President Deby in Libreville, expressed his readiness to return home. He also announced his initiative to bring together the opposition leaders and the government.

He ran the country as president of the broad-based government of the Chadian transition (GUNT) from 1980 to 1982 before Hissen Habre toppled him.

Goukouni and the other delegates also expressed their intention to return to their home country after their three-hour discussions with President Deby.

The N’Djamena meeting has enabled the two delegations (exiled opposition leaders and government officials) to brainstorm on a global peace plan to be submitted to the political and military groups, according to corroborating sources.

The Chadian stalwart rebel leaders immediately rejected the proposal made then by Goukouni in Libreville .

Since then, the government had triggered negotiations with the leaders of the main rebel movements in Tripoli, Libya under the aegis of the Libyan guide, Mouhammar Khadafi. These planned negotiations failed because of certain prerequisites imposed by the rebels.

The Goukouni-led delegation comprised Adoum Togoï, Antoine Bangui, Fidel Moungar (Deby’s former premier), and Ahmat Yacoub. They returned to Libreville Monday afternoon.

Published by Korir, API*APN africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525 source.apa

Prime Minister Guillaume Soro confirmed Monday, in a broadcast interview, his determination to get to peace

Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire) Some 130 days after heading the Ivorian government office within the implementation of the Ouagadougou peace agreement signed on March 4, 2007, Prime Minister Guillaume Soro confirmed Monday, in a broadcast interview, his determination to get to peace, refusing however to fall into a “quarrel of dates”.

“I do not want to be involved in a quarrel of dates. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. I am not in a speed race. The calendar was only information. We are progressing. The Prime Minister has a direction, he wants to get to peace,” he had said on TV, the eve of the “Peace Flame” event.

By thus saying this, the Prime Minister of the Cote d’Ivoire wants to avoid past errors or the pressure of a calendar with activities confined on precise dates which he would have to respect despite possible difficulties.

He reassured his compatriots, so as not to “discredit” his mission, by urging them to be patient.

After the symbolic ceremony of weapon incineration Monday in Bouake, the Prime Minister will be working on the signing of the appointment decree of the sub-prefects for their redeployment.

Thus, the public hearings, an important stage of the process, will resume, he added in substance.

The identification of the people, the establishment of electoral rolls and the holding of the elections proper, are amongst others the main files which await Guillaume Soro and his team.

Published by Korir, API*APN africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525 source.apa

Tanzanians to be educated on the benefits to visit South Africa

Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) South African Tourism Board (SATB) said Tuesday that it had launched a campaign to market South Africa as a preferred tourist destination for Tanzanians.

Speaking at a press conference held in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, SATB trade relations manager Hulisani Thabela said deliberate efforts will be made to educate Tanzanians about the benefits of visiting South Africa as traders and consumers.

Thabela said SATB would continue to invest in its country\’s tourism market, which is believed to hold a great deal of potential as a tourism and business destination.

“Deliberate efforts are in process to educate traders about the benefits that South Africa can offer Tanzanian traders and consumers in terms of tourism packages, products and business opportunities,” she said.

According to Thabela, Cape Town and the Western Cape Province has experienced 13.1 percent growth in tourist arrivals from Africa, mostly from East Africa.

“East Africa is a fairly new market for us and we are still establishing our presence in the region to strengthen trade borders.

“We are glad last year we had 70 tourist and travelling agents from Tanzania who showed interest with SATB,” she added.

According to Thabela, last year South Africa received 12,738 visitors from Tanzania, many of whom showed interest in business activities, although the popular activity remains shopping and leisure.

She said that the tourism industry in Western Cape regards the African market as an important tactical market, especially in the run-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

She said that in preparation for the 2010 World Cup, the Western Cape tourism industry is expecting to bring 400,000 visitors to the country.

“This focus is also in line with New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD\’s) drive to give tourism priority in order to diversify economic opportunities and generate income and foreign exchange earnings for African countries,” she added.

Published by Korir, API*APN africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525 source.apa

United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) extended

Washington DC (USA) The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) for six months to say 31 January, 2008.

Under a resolution that was unanimously adopted by 15 members, the United Nations Security Council urged both countries to respect the peace agreement that they signed, and to diffuse the situation by bringing the number of their troops to its level on 16 December, 2004, and refraining from any threat of use of force against each other.

The resolution by the United Nations again urged Eritrea to immediately withdraw its troops and its heavy military kits from the temporary security area, and lift all the restrictions imposed on the UNMEE’s freedom of movement and operations.

For its part, Ethiopia has been urged to reduce the additional military forces it recently introduced in some regions next to the temporary security zone.

While urging both parties to respect their commitment not to violate the temporary area’s integrity, the Council also stressed that the restoration of a sustainable peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea is a precondition to fully achieve common border demarcation.

The council further urged them to fully implement the commission’s decision to limit the border and consider further appropriate measures so as to resume and achieve the delineation operation.

The United Nations also called Eritrea and Ethiopia to fully cooperate with the UNMEE in a bid to enable the coordinating military commission, the leading body, to consider the “most urgent” military or safety issues and to “immediately” resume its works.

The United Nations Security Council further hailed both the pursuit of efforts by the Secretary-General and the international community to help Eritrea and Ethiopia to restore their good relationship, to promote stability between both parties and set up the basis towards a sustainable peace in the region.

Published by Korir, API*APN africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 and +47 6300 2525 source.apa

Creating employment for 20,000 young Mauritanians

Nouakchott (Mauritania) The Spanish Labour and Social Affairs Minister, Jesus Caldera Sanchez, at a press conference Thursday emphasised the positive impact of the agreement signed with his Mauritanian counterpart Cheikh El Kebir Ould Chbih, particularly the possibility of creating employment for 20,000 young Mauritanians.

The bilateral agreement will also support a technology transfer and the possible creation by Spain of a vocational training centre in Mauritania.

The Spanish minister reaffirmed his country’s intention to consolidate and strengthen its co-operation with Nouakchott mainly on the fight against unemployment and illegal migration.

He described the Mauritanian community living in Spain as “honest and correct”.

On his part, Ould Chbin said the agreement just signed with Spain on the regulation and the management of labour migratory influxes between the two countries, will allow the Mauritanian nationals living in Spain to enjoy all their rights recognised by the legislations of both contracting sides.

Published by Korir, API*APN africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525 source.apa

Liberia’s Information Minister Dr. Lawrence Bropleh has challenged his countrymen

Monrovia (Liberia) Liberia’s Information Minister Dr. Lawrence Bropleh has challenged his countrymen, especially those contemplating subversion, to eschew such activity and close ranks for the rebuilding of their nation.

In a statement syndicated to all media institutions on Saturday, Dr. Bropleh said the government was determined to restore Liberia to its past glory, and called on Liberians to prop up the government as it strives to bring about the much needed development.

The statement was ostensibly to help diffuse the clouds of subversion that have been looming over the country since a couple of months, culminating in the arrest and trial of several former military officials from Grand Gedeh country.

He made the statement as the country climax celebrations of the nation’s 160th independence anniversary with a fireworks display to be executed by four Chinese experts from the Simba Fireworks Company of China.

Dr. Bropleh said the fireworks display was intended to bring back memories of the good old days, and called on residents of the capital Monrovia who are traumatized by years mayhem, not to panic upon hearing the loud explosions.

Hundreds of traumatized residents of the port city of Buchanan, the venue of this year’s independence anniversary, had taken to their heels upon hearing loud explosions from the fireworks display executed there Thursday on Independence Day.

Published by Korir, API*APN africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525 source.apa

Ivorian Prime Minister Guillaume Soro has pledged to support the Moroccan peacekeeping forces deployed in Bouake

Bouake (Cote d’Ivoire) Ivorian Prime Minister Guillaume Soro has pledged to support the Moroccan peacekeeping forces deployed in Bouake, the former rebels’ stronghold, following the suspension of their operations since Saturday by the UN to allow “internal investigations over alleged cases of exploitation and sexual abuse”, sources close to the former rebels told APA Thursday.

Meeting about 10 Moroccan officers in his Bouake residence on Wednesday, Soro expressed his “great regrets facing the allegations brought against the Moroccan peacekeeping contingent”.

“I have heard about the matter from the media and I was surprised for not being briefed (before this suspension) as Prime Minister. I am so surprised to see these incidents break out just a few days before our “Peace flame” ceremony,” the sources said, quoting Soro.

“I believe we still have special relations with the Moroccan soldiers with whom we have always worked in a good atmosphere”, the Ivorian Premier added.

Keeping the Moroccan contingent is reassuring to us, for the achievement of the peace process. We are supporting you and this meeting falls within our readiness to encourage you to keep your spirits up. We also hope that these incidents will in no way affect the moral status of your overall staff, Soro said.

Reacting to the Ivorian Premier’s words, the Commandant of the Moroccan officials, Chief Colonel Hamzaz hailed Soro for the warm welcome.

“We reassert that the Moroccan contingent will continue to operate serenely and continuously for the return of peace in Cote d’Ivoire under the aegis of the United Nations,” Col. Hamaz said.

Col. Hamaz had already met General Soumaila Bakayoko, the chief of staff of the former rebels.

The sixth Moroccan contingent was deployed in Bouake (379km north of Abidjan) since December 2006 within the UN peacekeeping operations in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI).

After Bangladesh, Morocco is the second country that provides the largest contingent for UNOCI with 732 soldiers.

Published by Korir, API*APN africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525 source.apa