Role of Media in prevention of conflicts and maintenance of regional peace, security and stability to come under focus

PRESS RELEASE

 

2^ND EAST AFRICAN MEDIA SUMMIT

Movenpick Hotel, Dar es Salaam, 11-12 April 2008

 EAC Headquarters, Arusha, 6 April, 2008: The stage is set for the 2^nd East African Media Summit bringing together over 100 top leadership of the media of the EAC region, Owners and Chief Executive Officers of Media Houses, Media Executives, Publishers, and Editors in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi)  to discuss the role of the Media in the regional integration process to be held at the Movenpick Hotel, Dar es Salaam on 11-12 April 2008 organized by the East African Community (EAC) in collaboration with the East African Business Council (EABC).  

The Rt. Hon Eriya Kategaya, Chairman of the East African Community Council of Ministers and 1^st Deputy Prime Minister/Minister for East African Affairs, Uganda will be the Chief Guest of the Media Summit and will officially open the Media Summit on 11 April at a grand ceremony which will be attended by the members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of international organizations and other local and international dignitaries and leaders of the business community who have been invited to the occasion.

The theme of the Media Summit is “The Role of the Media in Addressing the Causes of Conflict and Instability and their Prevention: The East African dimension”.  Keynote addresses will be made by leading media experts and regional peace and security experts in conflict prevention, management and resolution, including senior officials of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (UN-ICTR). The EAC Media Award Competition intended to promote media coverage of regional integration and development issues will be launched on the occasion

 A Media Practice Workshop on the role of Media in the promotion of peace, security and stability in the EAC region will be held, conducted by the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, basing on the international jurispudence developed in this matter during the world body’s groundbreaking international jurisdiction over the Rwanda genocide of 1994.

 Contact: Mr. Magaga Alot, Head, Directorate of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs,  East African Community (EAC), Arusha International Conference Centre, 5^th floor Kilimanjaro Wing, P.O. Box 1096 Arusha, Tanzania, Tel: (255) – 27 – 2504253/8; Fax (255) – 2504255;  E-mail: eac@eachq.org; Web: www.eac.int

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Send to API by Leo Odera Omolo

Published by Korir, African Press International -api africanpress@getmail.no

Important mediation talks postponed to give way to bickering over cabinet positions

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

These politicians who postpone the crucial mediation talks that is supposed to stabilise the country are thinking of their own positions and stomachs. They would rather be there where the cabinet discussions take place in order not to be left out, rather than be at Serena Hotel or parliament buildings to discus the future of the Kenyan people. Shame on all of them from both parties! There career in politics is not more important than the welfare of the Kenyan people. The Kenyan people who they call upon and misuse in demonstrations that will serve to see their salaries hiked.

By Beauttah Omanga and Caroline Mango

News Update
Mediation talks postponed as cabinet talks resume

 

The mediation talks that were scheduled to resume on Monday failed to take off after PNU and ODM representatives failed to attend.

The spokesperson for mediator Ambassador Oluyemi Adeniji, said both sides sent their apologies.

 

“Ambassador Adeniji has received apologies from the majority members that they will not be able to turn up today for the talks. The talks have now been cancelled until further notice,” said Mr Jens Laerke, the panel of Eminent African Personalities’ media consultant.

Negotiators seem to have lost focus as the bickering over the sharing of cabinet portfolios continued. ODM held a consultative meeting at Pentagon House on Monday morning in readiness for a meeting between President Mwai Kibaki and ODM leader Raila Odinga in the afternoon

Kibaki also cancelled a trip to India to finalise a deal on portfolio sharing with Raila after they failed to reach agreement on Sunday. Even though the two principals announced they would re-convene on Monday to make another attempt, it remains unclear how they would resolve thorny issue.

“We were meant to resume the talks today at 10am but I can’t tell what has kept my fellow mediators away,” said PNU’s Prof Sam Ongeri, who is also the Minister for Education.

Last week, the mediation talks were postponed due to the tension and anxiety caused by the delay in naming of a new Cabinet.

According to Ongeri, the talks were to focus on Item 4, which deals with long-term solutions to land, poverty, constitutional review, formation of a Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission and the Ethnic commission.

Most importantly, the two sides were also set to discuss and decide the composition of the Justice Waki sub-committee responsible for investigating the post-election violence.

ODM had indicated that the two sides were to hold two meetings; one at the parliament buildings and another one at Serena hotel. But both parleys failed to take off owing to the cabinet stalemate.

A member from PNU side Mr Mutula Kilonzo said they were disappointed at the turn of events and the consequent absenteeism by ODM.

“We have to realise that the country is bigger than a cabinet or two ministries which are being fought over by the two sides. We are doing a great injustice to Kenya by postponing these crucial talks,” said Mutula.

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African Press International – api

Press Release: Memorandum from Nyanza church leaders to Nyanza Provincial Commissioner

Send to API by Bishop Washingston Ngede(right photo) 

1. A Success of Capital Investment in Nyanza has been a serious concern to the leaders and residents of this region for long. This matter has made us, Nyanza Church Leaders, to make an urgent and passionate appeal to the government and leaders especially from this region to ensure that Economic growth of the residents were placed as a priority. 
2. It is on this ground that we feel it is crucial for us as religious leaders to present this Memorandum to the government through you as PC of Nyanza in a bid to attracting more investments to Nyanza and safeguarding those we already have in this region.
3. We feel it is important for leaders from this region, residents and the investors who have put huge sums of money into projects especially in Nyanza to have confidence in one another if the projects are to fully benefit the people. 
4. One of these key investors is Dominion farms who have a huge project in Siaya/Bondo Districts of Nyanza Province in Kenya. Currently, there is a debate about the farms operations in the area, a situation we feel is unnecessary as we believe it is just geared towards scaring away investors from region. 
5. The church is aware that there are under hand maneuvers by certain local leaders in Siaya and outside who are engaging Dominion Farms seeking financial favors and are threatening the farm with unwarranted measures or actions.
6. The church has intercepted certain letters written by some councilors from Siaya County Council (Names withheld) who have colluded to demand huge kickbacks and other favors pretending that they can protect the interest of Dominion farms.
7. We as the Nyanza Church Leaders condemn the actions of these local leaders and call upon the government to investigate this circus of corruption immediately and the culprits brought to book and justice to be seen to be done in this matter.  
8. We have reliable information that the investor at Dominion Farms is being coerced into paying monies to the Siaya County Council for services that are dubious. The church has in custody of such payment proceeds and is alarmed at the rising corruption at the council. We heard from the investor that he paid Siaya County Council the sum of 6 million shillings and that money was deposited in a bank in Kisumu and can not be traced. 
9. We, the church uphold transparency, accountability and honesty in the dispensation of public services and promotion of investor interest, wherever such investment take place in the Nation of Kenya. 
10. It would be in bad taste for our local leaders to be seen as frustrating the efforts made by the Government of the Republic of Kenya of attracting Foreign and Local Investments. Particularly our leaders in Nyanza will come out to protect and attract investors from wherever.  
11. As the church leaders we will always invite investors such as Calvin Burgess of Dominion Farms to feel and appreciate the need of consulting before going public.   
12. We welcome investors around the world to come and invest in Kisumu and other parts of Nyanza and Kenya at large and their interest will be fully protected.

  

SIGNED ON BEHALF OF NYANZA CHURCH LEADERS BY:

 

NAMES                                                                      

1. Bishop Dr. Washington Ogonyo Ngede -Power of Jesus Around the World Church. 
2. Arch Bishop Dr. Matthew Ajuoga -  Church of Christ in Africa 
3. Arch Bishop Silas Owiti – Voice of Salvation and Healing Church 
4. Bishop Francis Mwai Abiero – Anglican Church Maseno South Diocese 
5. Bishop Joshua Koyo – Chairman N.C.C.K Nyanza Branch 
6. Arch Bishop Julius Otieno – Living Water Church 
7. Bishop Zephaniah Ouma Orao – New Wine Church 
8. Bishop Mark Kegohi – Redeemed Gospel Church. 
9. Bishop Felix Ochieng Oruwa – C.C.M.I. Church. 
10. Rev. Reuben Dali – Salvation Army 
11. Bishop Hesbon Omwandho Njera – St. Meshack Church 
12. Rev. Richard Odongo – P.A.G Nyanza 
13. Bishop George Obul – Genesis Church 
14. Bishop Hannington Okoth Olambo – Miracle and Wonders Church. 
15. Bishop Lister Okinda – Word of Life Church. 
16. Bishop Jasper Ogello – Gospel Fellowship Ministry 
17. Bishop Jason Gor Mirambe – Children of God Church 
18. Bishop Barrack Agalo – Great Commission Ministry 
19. Rev. Benjamin Ochieng – Disciple of Mercies 
20. Bishop Eliakim Mbata – Water of Life Church. 
21. Rev. William Osen – Kisumu Covenant Church. 
22. Bishop John Onyango Ober – Church of God and Prophecy.

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Orengo confirms that ODM followers are qualified mass demonstrators. That is what you know best, he has told them

Published by Korir, api africanpress@getmail.no source.nation.no

Orengo has made it clear that if PNU does not act soon ODM will summon the supporters to do what they know best: Demonstrate! The other day we wrote that ODM supporters, most of them are jobless and are ready to be called upon to loot and demonstrate becasue they have nothing to loose. Now it has come out clear from their own spokesman. Is Kenya going to have a party that uses the citizens to demonstrate aimlessly and everytime things do not go their way?

Orengo says coalition water-tight

The law creating the Prime Minister’s post and its powers is so water-tight that no party or individual can undermine the Prime Minister designate, Raila Odinga, Ugenya MP Mr James Orengo has said.

 

 

Ugenya MP, James Orengo. Photo/ FILE

Mr Orengo assured Kenyans that no amount of pressure and underground deals by those bent on scuttling the efforts to create a grand coalition will succeed as the contents of the National Accord and Reconciliation Act sealed all the loopholes.

Junior partner

He was speaking Sunday at Ramunde village in North East Ugenya location, Siaya District, during the burial of his late stepmother, Mrs Damaris Odhiambo.

The burial was also attended by former area MP Archbishop Stephen Ondiek.

Mr Orengo said that the Orange Democratic Movement, led by Mr Odinga, was serious with the formation of a grand coalition government based on equal sharing of power but warned that the party will resist any attempt to relegate it as a junior partner.

The lawmaker, who is a member of the ODM negotiating team, said the party would still call on Kenyans to resort to mass action if PNU activists tried to sabotage the agreement. “We will come back to you to do what you know best” he said. (KNA)

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African Press International – api

Pushing Uhuru Kenyatta out of Local Government is Raila and ODM’s strategy

Published by Korir, API africanpress@getmail.no

Uhuru Kenyatta (right photo) is a dissappointed man these days. ODM wants his ministry badly. He knows the power that the municipalities and councils has. His sister Margaret Kenyatta was Nairobi mayor at one time. Now he is walking on a tight rope!

ODM knows very well that the man or woman who will have the Local Government docket will be able to gain popularity in the whole country through the councils and municipalities.

By using such opportunity, the 2012 presidential election can easily be won if the Local Government minister plays the cards well.

Uhuru Kenyatta is poised to stand for presidency in 2012 and because he stood down for Kibaki last year, all Kibaki supporters will fight for him to get the high seat in the country when the time comes. ODM wants to stop this by forcing him out of that minsitry and give it to their own inpreparation to use the ministry to build up Raila for presidency in 2012.

Raila and his men will want to fight it out hard in 2012 because that will be the last chance Raila can ever have if any. If the seat does not go to Luo land in 2012, it is most likely that it will never go there. And those who support Raila know that very well and they see Uhuru as a coming stumbling block who might spoil for them if he remains the minister for Local Government in the Grand Coalition.

So Kibaki will be forced to keep his part of the deal between himself and Uhuru. When Uhuru gave him support late last year, there was a deal struck between the two men, with former president Moi’s help. Kibaki will be seen to sabotage Uhuru’s chances if he accept to give Local Government ot ODM during the formation of the Grand Coalition Government.

Annan’s effort was to enable the two, Kibaki and Raila to work together. But now it seems Raila and ODM are using the opposrtunity created by Annan’s negotiation to gear towards the presidency by insisting to get Local Government.

The deal states that the ministers appointed cannot be sacked by the president. That is okay for now in the effort to achieve peace in the country. May be Kibaki should accept ODM demands and because there is nothing in the deal that states that he cannot reshuffle the cabinet, he can simply reshuffle them and give back the minsitry to Uhuru after a few months.

A president has full rights to reshuffle the cabinet at any time, only that the deal will not allow him to dismis them from ODM group.

 

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African Press International – api

Kibaki will not leave Kenya to the summit

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

Yes, this is good news. It shows that Kibaki is a Statesman. He knows when to give priority to his people and not leave them when in need of a cabinet. Now it remains to be seen whether he will manage to ensure that a cabinet with strong ministries overseen by the PNU trusted folks will carry the day. API

By Caroline Mango

 

President cancels trip to India

The Cabinet stalemate has made President Kibaki cancel a scheduled visit to India.

Instead, Foreign Affairs minister, Mr Moses Wetangula, last night flew out of the country to represent Kibaki at the Ministerial Conference and the Heads of State Summit.

Kibaki was expected to be among 13 African presidents attending the India-Africa Heads of State summit.

“I’m just about to leave for India where I will represent the President who will not travel as earlier planned. I believe that the two principals will reach a decision that will be in the best interest of Kenyans,” said Wetangula.

Ironically, Wetangula’s ministry is one of those at the centre of the dispute on portfolio balance. PNU insists that the ministry is a department under the Office of the President, while ODM is adamant that it belongs to them.

The other ministry at the centre of the Cabinet controversy is Local Government held by Kanu chairman, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta.

Wetangula maintained that the Foreign Affairs ministry was supposed to be under the President.

“I cannot say much, but Foreign Affairs is a department under the President,” Wetangula told The Standard at Harambee House, the venue of the talks between Kibaki and Raila.

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African Press International – api

Cabinet deadlock breaks Kenyan hearts.

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

By Standard Team

 

Heartbreak over Cabinet deadlock

Hardliners have told President Kibaki he risks being “in the dark” internationally and “out of touch” locally if he relinquishes the Foreign Affairs and Local Government dockets to ODM, The Standard can report.

Government Spokesman, Dr Alfred Mutua (left), with ODM Pentagon member, Mr Joe Nyagah (centre), and party Secretary-General, Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o, at Harambee House, ON Sunday. Picture by Moses Omusula

And with this, two more ministries suddenly assumed strategic importance at the weekend. If these are added to Finance and Internal Security, which ODM have pointedly been told are the President’s turf, then it begins to get clearer why in spite of yesterday’s public show of camaraderie between President Kibaki and ODM leader, Mr Raila Odinga, there was still no Cabinet.

For Kenyans, it was another day of heartbreak for thousands who remained glued to their TV sets waiting for the proverbial white smoke.

Even though the two principals announced they would re-converge today to make another attempt, it remains unclear what miracle they will use to navigate the increasingly thorny issue of portfolio balance.

ODM was last night on the racks, literally. First, it let go of Finance and Internal Security after an attempt to pair the two for equal distribution with PNU failed. This was on the understanding that it would get Foreign Affairs, Local Government, Energy and Transport.

But on a weekend of flying brickbats and hard tackles by both sides, someone added Foreign Affairs and Local Government to the list of PNU’s “you-can’t-touch” ministries, forcing back to the table an issue that had been put to rest.

Dr Wilfred Machage, the Kuria (PNU) MP and East African Community minister, told The Standard: “We can’t let go of Foreign Affairs and Local Government. You can’t cut off the President internationally and also from the grassroots. The Foreign minister represents the President in international fora, while councils are an important link with the grassroots.”

With ODM viewing itself as having ceded too much ground, this new tussle over key ministries is likely to deepen the controversy around portfolio balance and further delay the naming of a new Cabinet.

Last night, there was an outpouring of outrage and even fear due to the uneasy sense of what the future held. The international community must have also looked on bewildered.

Fresh presidential elections

Curious wananchi await the outcome of the Cabinet talks outside the Office of the President at Harambee House. Picture by Tabitha Otwori

The Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) said the failure by Kibaki and Raila to name a Cabinet was an indication that there were serious fundamental problems in the political leadership that can only be resolved by fresh presidential elections.

Sheikh Mohamed Khalifa, the organising secretary of the CIPK, said last night: “There is need for a fresh mandate to conduct the affairs of the country. What we are experiencing now is a game of musical chairs. It isn’t just about to end. It can only get worse.”

And in Eldoret, the disappointment over the stalemate was even deeper, even turning into anger. Mr George Korir, 56, who owns a veterinary medicines’ store in Eldoret town lashed out: “We are getting tired of this circus. For how long are these meetings in search of a new Cabinet going to be held? Kenyans have more serious issues to attend to.”

On a day of heightened expectations, Kibaki and Raila met three times at Harambee House, but were still unable to break the deadlock. They called off consultations till today.

“We have had lengthy consultations throughout the day on the formation of a grand coalition. In this regard, we have made substantial progress but we have decided to adjourn the consultations until tomorrow afternoon,” a three-paragraph statement signed by President Kibaki and the Prime Minister-designate, read.

Both appealed to Kenyans to be patient and assured them that they expected to successfully conclude the matter today.

“We would also like to assure Kenyans that the final outcome will be in the best interest of all wananchi,” the joint statement, added.

The meeting at Harambee House started as early as 11am and went on for four hours before the two principals took a one-and-a-half hour break.

However, by the time the last meeting was concluded at 5.35pm, it was clear that Kenyans would have to wait a little longer for an agreeable Cabinet.

President Kibaki was the first to arrive at his Harambee House office at 10.30am before Raila arrived 24 minutes later.

Along the way, what was expected to be a meeting between Kibaki and Raila turned out to be a discussion between the two and their allies.

When Kibaki arrived at his office, Vice-President, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, Local Government minister, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, and Internal Security minister, Prof George Saitoti, were waiting for him.

Four minutes after his arrival, Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister, Ms Martha Karua, walked into the office.

At 10.54am, the Prime Minister-designate’s motorcade drove in accompanied by ODM pentagon members. Head of the Civil Service, Mr Francis Muthaura, was outside Harambee House to receive Raila.

Pentagon members, Mr Musalia Mudavadi, Mr William Ruto, Mr Najib Balala, Ms Charity Ngilu and Mr Norman Nyaga, followed them in.

Also in tow were Westlands MP, Mr Fred Gumo, Kisumu Rural MP and party Secretary-General, Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o, and Mr Omingo Magara, the party treasurer, who is also South Mugirango MP.

Narok North MP, Mr William ole Ntimama, and ODM Chairman, Mr Henry Kosgey, joined them.

Private discussion

Government Spokesman, Dr Alfred Mutua, later issued a statement saying the President and Prime minister-designate were holding a one-on-one private discussion.

“The delegations from the two sides are waiting for further communication from the two principals,” said Mutua’s statement.

Mutua said the President had invited Raila to discuss “names of individuals to be included as ministers and assistant ministers in the formation of the Cabinet”.

Three and a half hours into the meeting, ministers started arriving one after the other. First to arrive was Machage, who was followed by Prof Sam Ongeri (Education) and Mr John Munyes (Water and Irrigation).

Mr Kiraitu Murungi (Energy), Mr Yusuf Haji (Defence), Mr Chirau Mwakwere (Transport), Mr John Michuki (Roads), Dr Naomi Shaban (Special Programmes), Mr Samuel Poghisio (Information and Communication), Dr Noah Wekesa (Science and Technology), Mr Moses Wetangula (Foreign Affairs) and Mr Amos Kimunya (Finance) also joined.

Even as it emerged that Foreign Affairs and Local Government were in dispute, other sources told The Standard that PNU was also unwilling to cede Transport and Energy ministries.

Uhuru is understood to have told the meeting at Harambe House that it was not fair to focus on his ministry as “if some ministries were more special than others”.

But ODM is said to have asserted that there would no Cabinet if they were not given the two ministries (Foreign Affairs and Local Government) as initially agreed.

“We are still in talks. We have a problem agreeing on two crucial ministries, but things don’t look bad,” a minister, who spoke from Harambee House, is reported to have said.

Outside Harambee House, Mudavadi said: “We are still on and the deal has not been sealed at the moment.”

Balala, his Pentangon colleague, added: “The issues ODM raised have not been resolved and we think we shall continue to demand the same.”

On Saturday, Muthaura wrote to the ODM head of Secretariat, Dr Mohammed Isahakia, telling him that President Kibaki and Raila had “agreed” on a list that had been presented to the ODM leader when they last met for lunch.

In the latter, Muthaura had purported that the ‘Saitoti list’ was agreed upon by Kibaki and Raila when they met last Thursday. But ODM’s position is that no such list was agreed upon.

Reports by Ben Agina, Cyrus Kinyungu, Beauttah Omanga, Ayub Savula, Caroline Mango and Isaac Ongiri

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African press International – api

Finland and Sweden look to Africa for opportunities

Published by Korir, api africanpress@getmail.no source.apa

Finland and Sweden-based officials from StoraEnso, one of the world leaders in forestry, have been visiting Mozambique to explore opportunities in the Southern African country.

The visiting mission ended their week-long visit on Sunday and were received in Maputo by Centre for Investment Promotion, CPI officials after touring parts of central and northern Mozambique in search for land with adequate agro climatic conditions.

StoraEnso, a company made up of Finnish and Swedish capitals, has been investing heavily in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

Visits to Mozambique by international forest industrialists have been regular this year.

A top CPI official told APA on Sunday that his agency has come under an early pressure from foreign investors submitting investment applications or seeking information about how and where to invest in Mozambique.

“Last year, the agency successfully processed nearly 200 projects worth over eight billion US dollars”, the official said.

CPI is a goverment agency which offers a package of services to assist national and foreign investors establish their businesses.

It promotes investment opportunities, providing institutional assistance to investors in the approval and implementation of investment projects, receiving and registering investment projects, promoting business linkages, identify potential financial partners and technological partners for joint ventures.

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African Press International – api