Are there traitors inside ODM?

Commentary

The revolt within ODM seems to be taking a tragic turn. News just in shows that a group of about seven of the ‘moderates’ who have been talking to PNU ‘moderates’ were about to issue a statement this week asking Raila to accept to go to court so that the violence must stop.

ODM diehards have dubbed this group traitors who have been promised Ministerial posts. Apparently, Late Hon. Were was one of the ‘traitors’.

By Mohammed Farah

Published by API africanpress@getmail.no

A talk about the late MP for Embakasi

There are reliable stories that the late Were had confirmed to a top PNU Minister of his willingness to defect to the Government in exchange for an Assistant Minister post.

The Westlands MP Fred Gumo is said to have been privy to and mentored the talks.

By Bruce Oduk

Published by API africanpress@getmail.no

The recently murdered MP Were was to join the government side?

On the day the Speaker was elected, while Kenyans were busy glued to their TV’s watching the event live, a number of sideshows were going on. The Government side had managed to poach a small number of ODM MP’s and were expecting a razor thin margin of victory.

What they did not know is that ODM had not been asleep, and with the strategic genius of Raila, had also managed to poach some Government MP’s to their side. Two of them are Government MP’s who had an axe to grind with Kaparo from the previous house.

Our sorce has confirmed that Were was among those who had been ‘poached’ by Government. This was achieved through a prominent Luhya MP who spent long hours with Were in the days before Parliament opened.

Money is understood to have changed hands, and promises of a ‘big seat’. Were was seen as a good catch because, as a Nairobi MP and former councillor, he stood a chance of influencing councillors to be sympathetic to Government in the forthcoming mayoral elections. His grassroot influence is considerable and the Government has also been keen to bring on board various ODM ‘liberals’.

Unfortunately for Were, this plan had been suspected. In the final round, he went ahead and voted for Kaparo, unaware that the ballot was not so secret after all.

The strategically seated diminutive George Khaniri was carefully monitoring every ODM vote, and Were’s ‘betrayal’ was duly noted by him. Khaniri was entrusted with this job since he is a diehard loyalist of Raila, having been given an ODM certificate inspite of losing the nomination.

Khaniri reported Were’s vote to the ODM top brass, and the implications of his plans of co-operation with the Government now became obvious.

Whether this ‘betrayal’ led to his death remains a matter for speculation now.

By Ouko Odhiambo

Published by API africanpress@getmail.no

ODM blocked from addressing AU

ODM barred from addressing the AU meeting

African Union (AU) Commission chairman, Mr Alpha Konare, said the Opposition would not be allowed to address the Summit on the ongoing violence in Kenya.ODM Secretary-General, Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o, said on Monday that party leader, Mr Raila Odinga, would have liked to be given an opportunity to address the gathering of African leaders to solidify the AU mediation.

“We should be allowed to address the Summit if Kibaki is allowed to attend. But we are not going to hassle. If Raila attends, it should be in a dignified manner,” Nyong’o told journalists in Addis Ababa.

Foreign Affairs minister, Mr Moses Wetangula, met with Konare on Monday to discuss the post-election violence in the country.

Asked to elaborate on the details of his meeting with Konare, Wetangula said: “The AU Commission President has re-affirmed that Kenya will send only one legitimate delegate. The Opposition will not be represented here. They attempted to attend, but were turned away.”

Wetangula on Tuesday addressed a special seating of the AU Foreign Ministers committee at which he admitted “both sides” (PNU and ODM) had been involved in the ongoing political violence.

“It takes two to tango. The violence is by both sides,” he said.

Sources at the meeting said his report was not immediately discussed because the update was slotted in before the ongoing discussions on the AU’s financial accounts were complete.

Published by Korir, API africanpress@getmail.no source.standard.ke

Kenyan MP shot by police

BREAKING NEWS
Ainamoi MP shot dead

Published on January 31, 2008, 12:00 am

Ainamoi MP David Kimutai has been shot dead. sources at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital said the body of the late MP is lying at the hospital’s mortuary. The late MP is said to have been killed by a police officer in Eldoret. Also shot was a female companion who is currently in ICU in at the hospital. The legislator was shot outside an Eldoret hotel. Reports from Eldoret indicate that members of public have jammed the Moi Teaching and Referral mortuary following the incident.

The late Kimutai was elected on an ODM ticket in the December 27 general election. Before plunging into politics he was a former Boywek Secondary School principal.

Published by Korir, API africanpress@getmail.no source.standard.no

Kenya on the brink of collapse

<<Faces that hold key to Kenya’s future

By Standard TeamThe fate of the country appeared to lie with the ‘Big Six’ picked by bitter rivals PNU and ODM to sit around former UN chief Kofi Annan’s mediation table.On Wednesday night, the Party of National Unity (PNU) side that hinges around Justice minister, Ms Martha Karua, Education minister, Prof Sam Ongeri, and Mbooni MP, Mr Mutula Kilonzo, were understood to be still studying the Annan talks framework and terms of reference. It was yet to complete its report.

However, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) side, led by Pentagon members, Mr Musalia Mudavadi and Mr William Ruto, and MP, Dr Sally Kosgei, are said to have concluded and submitted their report to the Annan team.

The Standard reliably learnt that four items top the agenda to be tabled in the Annan mediated talks between President Kibaki and Mr Raila Odinga. They include immediate action to stop violence and restore fundamental rights and liberties.Talks will also centre on measures to be taken to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis and promotion of reconciliation and healing.Discussions on the political crisis would include power sharing, constitutional review and reform of the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK).

But with a political settlement for the disputed December 27 presidential election still far off the radar and with a breakdown of law and order threatening the very fabric of the nation, police issued a shoot-to-kill order.

Already, the Government has partially involved the military in restoring order in spots perceived as highly volatile as the crisis that has claimed more than 800 lives and displaced at least half a million continued to spiral out of control.

On Tuesday, military helicopters swooped on marauding gangs in Naivasha, which witnessed perhaps the worst flare after Nakuru at the weekend.

The shoot-to-kill order outlined the categories of law-breakers the police will target.

“There are four categories of people who will face tough police action: Those looting property, burning houses, carrying offensive weapons and barricading roads,” AFP quoted a commander of police, who sought anonymity, as saying.

The officer added: “We have orders to shoot to kill these categories of people if they are caught in the act.”

On Wednesday night, Commissioner of Police, Maj-Gen Hussein Ali, said police were now under instructions to “enforce the full force of the law”.

“Any person found engaging in these crimes (as categorised above) must be prepared to face the full force of the law. Police will take robust action at all times to protect the lives and property of Kenyans in accordance with the law,” the top cop said in a statement.

The order was conveyed to all police commanders a day after Annan launched crisis talks between President Kibaki and Raila.

The shoot-to-kill order followed an announcement by President Kibaki that officers would “firmly” deal with criminals who destroy property or breach the peace.

Earlier, Raila had expressed concern over what he described as an unofficial shoot-to-kill order being “applied selectively”.

“There is a shoot-to-kill order which is being selectively applied in parts of the country friendly to ODM,” the Lang’ata MP said. “Illegal gangs are enjoying the backing of police in Kibera and perpetrating violence.”

Marauding militia gangsThe last 24-hours saw post-election crisis intensify in some areas, with at least 15 people killed and thousands evicted as an uneasy calm returned to some of the worst hit towns.Kibera remained a boiling point, with at least 10 people killed in the past two days by militias, who took over parts of the slum.

The main highway to western Kenya remained unsafe, with armed gangs taking over sections of it.

Internal Security minister, Prof George Saitoti, gave an assurance that police would intensify highway patrols and provide armed escort to convoys heading to Uganda.

But even as Saitoti spoke, Kikuyu township exploded into violence as marauding militias evicted members of some communities, blockaded roads using boulders, lit bonfires and robbed motorists at will.

Police responded using batons and teargas.

“We have decided to act tough on those manning extortionist roadblocks. We have put in place measures to make sure our roads and those that link us to Uganda and other countries are cleared of any interference,” Saitoti said.

Adding to Saitoti’s voice was Defence Permanent Secretary, Mr Zachary Mwaura, who said the military would continue operating within the law under their mandate according to the Military Act.

Mwaura said the Government had made arrangements to provide military escort to trucks and trains carrying goods.

But there was no sign of security at Kikuyu, where most of those evicted from tea plantations near Limuru headed into local police stations with their belongings.

At least 6,000 evictees, including women and children, jammed the Tigoni Police Station where others have been sleeping in the cold under freezing temperatures in one of the most chilly highlands.

Nakuru District remained volatile as three more people, including a child, were killed and scores others injured in a night-long orgy of violence that hit villages in Njoro.

Following the attack, hundreds fled their homes, with a large group camping at Egerton University Njoro Campus.

In Juja, one person was shot dead at Gachororo as police battled youths evicting non-indigenous residents.

Police had to intervene on Monday night when raiders stormed homes of people from other communities and shot a youth dead.

In Nandi North District, a man was killed and a police vehicle set on fire after security personnel confronted a mob that was set to invade Kaiboi Technical Institute on Monday night.

A deputy OCPD was held hostage for more than 36 hours by angry youths who barricaded the college at 8pm, claiming the students were members of an outlawed sect.

Meanwhile, the crisis of the displaced kept rising, with some refugee camps stretched dangerously. A major crisis loomed in two camps hosting more than 8,000 people in Naivasha after three days of chaos.

At the Naivasha GK Prison, where more than 5,000 victims were camping, there were no washrooms or clean water yet more kept streaming in.

Published by Korir, API africanpress@getmail.no source.standard.ke

Displaced persons will be catered for by the State

President launches humanitarian fund

Written By:pps 

President Mwai Kibaki Wednesday launched the National Humanitarian Fund For Mitigation of Effects And Resettlement of Victims Of Post-2007 Election Violence.

Speaking during the launch of the endowment fund that will have an initial capital allocation of one billion Kenya shillings at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, President Kibaki said that the fund will assist those whose lives have been shattered by the recent violence.

He pointed out that fund will address the plight of Kenyans whose livelihoods have been destroyed by the violence by catering for their basic needs and by providing the support needed to enable them reconstruct and restart their normal lives.

“The object and purpose of this fund is to provide funding for the resettlement of persons displaced as a result of the violence; the replacement of basic house-hold effects destroyed as a result of the violence as well as providing the resources needed to enable victims of the violence to restart their normal lives,” President Kibaki said. 

The President said the fund will also provide funding for the reconstruction of basic housing, rehabilitation of community utilities and institutions destroyed as a result of the violence, adding that the fund shall consist of monies appropriated by Parliament as well as grants and donations.

In view of resource constraints, President Kibaki appeal to the country’s development partners, relief organizations and men and women of goodwill to assist the Government in meeting the needs of those affected by contributing generously towards the fund.

He also appealed to all Kenyans to extend a helping hand, in cash or kind, to their brothers and sisters currently suffering as a result of the violence. 

The President observed that the violence that has been experienced in the country in the last few weeks has resulted in a serious humanitarian crisis that is unprecedented in the history of the country. 

President Kibaki said: “Over 800 Kenyans’ lives have been lost.  The senseless violence has also forced nearly 300,000 Kenyans to flee from their homes.  Indeed, during my visits to console displaced persons in Cherangany, Eldoret and Burnt Forest, I was dismayed by the suffering of these innocent Kenyans.”

“I am particularly saddened to note that children and women have borne the worse effects of the violence,” the Head of State added.

Saying his Government is fully aware that addressing the humanitarian crisis is treating the effects rather than the real cause of the problem currently afflicting the country, the President stressed that he will remain fully committed to the national dialogue being spearheaded by Kofi Annan, Benjamin Mkapa and Graca Machel.  

“As I clearly pointed out yesterday during the launch of the process aimed at addressing the political situation in our country Kenya, I reiterate my unwavering support and that of my entire government to this process,” President Kibaki said.

He urged all other parties to uphold the same commitment in order to work out long-term solutions to the underlying issues that have caused the current crisis.

While the national dialogue process moves on, the Head of State appealed to all leaders and Kenyans in general to maintain peace, law and order. 

President Kibaki particularly urged politicians and their supporters to avoid making pronouncements or engaging in violent activities and instead to commit themselves to maintaining and promoting peace in the country.

The President also encouraged leaders at all levels of society to reach out to their followers and preach peace.

On its part, the President said his Government will not waver on its statutory obligation to maintain law and order, adding that those who have no respect for human life or private property will not be tolerated. 

He said the Government will not hesitate to take strong measures against those who attempt to create or perpetuate situations of insecurity in order to loot property belonging to others.

“Moreover, our country believes in the rule of law, and therefore those who are victims of violence should not take the law into their own hands, but should report the perpetrators to the law enforcement authorities,” President Kibaki said.

President Kibaki, once again, assured Kenyans that the country’s security agencies are under strict orders to take stern and firm action against those financing, inciting and engaging in actual acts of violence and sabotage.

He thanked the United Nations Agencies and all those who have already contributed towards addressing the humanitarian crisis in the country.

The President also commended the Kenya Red Cross, who have been the Government lead agency in offering humanitarian assistance in the affected areas.

Other speakers included Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Special Programs Minister Dr. Naomi Namsi Shaban.

 

Published by Korir, API africanpress@getmail.no source.kbc.ke

Former president Moi still in hospital - to receive more attention

Moi to spend more days in hospital

Written By:Margaret Kalekye 

Former president Daniel Arap Moi will have to spend more days in hospital where he has been admitted for the last two days.

Moi was admitted to Nairobi Hospital on Monday after suffering severe pains on the left side of his lower back.

He was expected to leave the hospital on Tuesday.

Doctors at the hospital however say Moi will remain at the hospital for purposes of closer monitoring and also continue with physiotherapy.

His personal physician Dr Silverstein said Moi’s condition may be as a result of old age or an injury he suffered following a road accident two years ago.

He however assured that the former president was in good shape.

No one including politicians has been allowed to visit the former president in hospital.

Published by Korir, API africanpress@getmail.no source.kbc.ke