No seriousness in mediation talks chapter four

Publisher: Korir, api africanpress@getmail.no source.nation.ke

The root course of the problems in Kenya is wealth that is not distributed among all the people. A few people have everything and that was why the post-election turmoil was expected. The rich in Kenya have a lot to loose if they allow the success of the talks covering agenda 4 because most of them have acquired wealth illegally and they fear they may be asked to dispose off properties that they got through the back door. The success of agenda 4 will benefit the poor in the country. It is necessary to look into the problems of injustice and unequality in the country. Otherwise, Kenya has not seen the last of chaos come the next general election. API

Mediated talks stall as teams fail to show up

Story by DAVE OPIYO

 

For the second time in a week, talks aimed at looking into short- and long-term causes of last year’s election violence failed to take place.

The mediated talks have suffered many interruptions since the power-sharing agreement was signed.

On Thursday, it emerged that some members of the National Dialogue and Reconciliation team had accompanied President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga on the peace tour of the Rift Valley.

The talks had been adjourned on Tuesday to allow the negotiators — all Cabinet ministers — to attend a meeting with Rift Valley MPs to prepare for resettlement of poll violence victims currently living in camps. The Head of State chaired the meeting.

Talks’ spokesman Jens Laerke said the meeting had been postponed indefinitely.

“By Thursday morning, we had no confirmation from the parties involved that they would attend the meeting,” he said.

PNU is represented by ministers Martha Karua, Sam Ongeri, Moses Wetang’ula and Mutula Kilonzo, while ODM has  William Ruto, Musalia Mudavadi, Sally Kosgei and James Orengo.

Several reasons have been given for the suspension of the talks, raising fears that the negotiators might have lost focus on cracking Agenda Four.

The talks were first suspended in February by chief mediator Kofi Annan when the teams failed to agree on a power-sharing deal. He decided to engage the President and Prime Minister directly in an effort to end the stalemate.

Deadlock

Other reasons posed for suspending talks include the negotiators breaking off for Easter, and the deadlock over naming of the Cabinet.

The talks were also suspended when the co-chair, the Nigerian diplomat Prof Oluyemi Adeniji, travelled to Ethiopia to brief the African Union on the progress of the talks.

Before the talks were adjourned this week, the negotiators were expected to unveil the names of the two international experts, who will assist Court Of Appeal judge Philip Waki to run the mini-commission on post-election violence.

They were also expected to discuss the draft agreement to seal loopholes that may threaten the unity of the grand coalition Government.

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African Press International – api

No garbage dumping site in Kisumu: The city becomes a major contributor to environmental degradation

Publisher: Korir, api africanpress@getmail.no

Story by Dickens Wasonga 

It is official. Kisumu, the third-largest city in Kenya has been operating without an official garbage dumping site.

 

This admition made by the city’s town ckerk Mr Rashid Mwakiwiwi confirms claims by environmentalists that the local authority was a major contributor to environmental degradation.

 

The council as been collecting garbage which it off-loads near the Moi stadium according to the clerk who was recently posted to the lake side city.

 

The chief officer admitted that the temporary dumping ground was not the ideal site for the waste but the council has been forced to continue to use it for now because of lack of an option.

 

Initially the council had identified a plot at the Mamboleo area which it intended to use as a dumping ground but the national environmental management authority NEMA objected the move saying it was close to an estate and would affect those who reside their.

 

The clerk now say that lack of the site was a real concern which they were putting every effort to address.

 

He said a resolution was recently passed by the council that a plot be bought from any private land owner which will eventually be transformed into a dump site.

 

The council was also planning to buy a coucil truck for garbage collection in the next financial year.  The existing truck,according to the clerk was old and was not economical to repair any more.

 

Mr. Mwakiwiwi also noted that by-laws which the council have been aproving to help in cordinating environmantal issues was still awaiting approval by the ministry of local government to become enforcable laws.

 

He admitted that lack of these laws or failure to implement them have allowed those who pollute the environment to escape the law.

 

” We have been passing by laws but we still lack the teeth to bite. I must agree that enforcement has been a problem her.” he said.

 

So for the residents,they must remain patient with the hope that the city fathers will do something to ensure tha town is claen again.

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African Press International – api

Tanzania to identify an investor to produce sponge iron

Publisher: Korir, api africanpress@getmail.no

By Leo Odera Omolo

 

Tanzania, an African country believed to be one of the richest in yet to tap and exploit mineral resources is to start producing sponge iron using its own iron ore as soon as a local investor to run it is identified.

 

The project is to use iron ore resources at Maganga Matitu in Ludewa district in the southwest part of the country

 

According to a document sourced from the National Development Corporation [NDC}, the production will start as soon as a local partner is identified.

 

The NDC will undertake the project, but intends to invite local companies to partner with it in implementing development and production of sponge iron through a public and private partnership agreement.

 

“We shall go into full scale production as soon as the partner to run the joint venture is identified,”says the document.

 

The CDC disclosed that the total cost of the project, which is envisaged are estimated to cost USD 3.5 billion. Mchuchuna will cost USD 600 million , iron ore extraction in Liganga will cost USD one billion and soda ash extraction in the Lake Natron about USD 600 million.

 

Design, financing, building and operation of a new sponge plant at a location, which is to be selected by the investor will commence soon.

 

The local firm undertaking the joint venture will be free to partner with a foreign investor experienced in mining activities, particularly in iron ore, the NDC statement says. The statement was released by the secretary of the board of directors.

 

This particular project fall under the Multinational Mtwara Development corridor {MtDC}, which straddles Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and  Zambia.

 

Geological exploration reports have shown that apart from iron ore body contains vanadium and titanium in economically; extractable grades. The NDC says investors are expected to mine all economically extractable minerals in order to maximize commercial exploitation of the Maganga Matitu iron ore deposits.

 

Sponge iron is the product created when iron ore is reduced to metallic iron usually with carbon, at tempratures below the melting point of iron. This is resulting in spongy mass, sometimes called a bloom, consisting of a mix of incandescent wrought iron and slag.

 

The NDC holds a prospecting licence for coal mining in Mchuchuna, and iron ore in Liganga, operated within the  Regional Special Development Initiative {RSDI},which is being implemented by the South African Government’s Development and industry and other development partners.

 

The RSDI programme facilitates investments potential in specific southern African locations which are under the auspices of the SADC by enhancing their attractiveness for investment.

 

According to a draft document entitled ”Strategic perspective of the MtDC process in Tanzania” the country has already identified a total of 100 economic projects worth around USD 7.9 billion in Mtwara development corridor. The projects will be spread over 15 sectors.

 

ENDS

Leoodereaomolo@yahoo.com 

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African Press International – api

Kibaki, Kalonzo and Raila on tour to meet IDPs: Raila fights to seniority! Is being closer in authority, being closer bodily?

Publisher: Korir, api africanpress@getmail.no source.nation.ke

It has been reported that Raila Odinga was fighting for seniority when the three – Kibaki, Kalonzo and himself were together yesterday meeting and addressing the people. It was a question of who is next in line to the president. For sure we all know that the next in line is the VP and yet Raila wants the people to believe otherwise. He was to prove a point that he has more authority than the VP. Is that really important than helping the needy Kenyans? So these men are just interested in how powerful they are. Most probably they dream when sleeping on how to acquire more power than the next man.

Read here what the Nation writes: “A protocol hitch was displayed in the open when Mr Odinga criticised officials for not recognising that he was closer to the President than the VP in terms of authority. He wanted Mr Musyoka to address the rally before him so that he (Mr Odinga) could invite the President.”

Is this important?

Look at the photograph below: They are almost squeezing the president to death in their effort to show who is closer. They are seeking attention of the president like babies who want the father’s attention. They are boxing Kibaki in – Kalonzo the VP on the left and Raila the PM on the right. Kibaki must have had a long laugh with wife Lucy later that evening.

Let the healing begin

Story by JULIUS BOSIRE

Leaders of the Grand Coalition Government came face-to-face with the sorry state thousands of internal refugees live in when they visited camps for displaced families in the Rift Valley Thursday.   

 

President Kibaki, VP Kalonzo Musyoka (second left), Prime Minister Raila Odinga (second right) and Agriculture minister William Ruto (left) walk to the Eldoret Showground camp for internal refugees on Thursday. The leaders later addressed a rally at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret Town where they urged communities to live in harmony. Photo/ JARED NYATAYA

For the first time since the disputed December presidential elections, President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka took time to acquaint themselves with the squalid conditions in the refugee camps in the province, which was rocked by clashes attributed to grievances over land distribution.  

 

With a message of peace, reconciliation and forgiveness, the leaders began their first day of the national healing at the Eldoret Show Ground and later moved to Cherangany, 70 kilometres away, where more refugees have been camping after they were displaced from the homes in violence that erupted shortly after the presidential election results were released on December 30.

Poll violence

The disturbing experience was visible on the faces of the leaders as they peeped into some of the tents where the refugees have been consigned since the poll  violence in which more than 1,200 people were killed and 350,000 others displaced.

The conditions at the camps have been worsened by rains. In Eldoret where they began what they dubbed the “New Kenya” message, the President declared: “Tusameheane na tupendane (Let us forgive and love one another). There is no any other way of developing our nation. This is the message I am taking to all Kenyans in the next three days.

“We are all Kenyans and our home is in Kenya and solutions to our problems will have to come from among us”.

His message was echoed by Mr Odinga: “We cannot deliver as a Government if the people are not united. What remains is for our people to unite and lead the nation to prosperity”.

Mr Odinga said the Government would discuss the resettlement with various players, including elders, women and the youth to find a lasting solution to the causes of the violence.

President Kibaki pointed out at the leaders from various ethnic communities and political parties, saying: “We are all Kenyans and we have resolved to live together, work together forgive one another and live as friends. We have decided to have a united Kenya.

“I am optimistic that we shall achieve peace and settlement of displaced persons,” the President added.

He said his Government would ensure that agriculture was improved for sustainable food production.

“We want to assist farmers so that we don’t have any food shortage in the future,” the President told the rally at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium.

Protocol hitch

A protocol hitch was displayed in the open when Mr Odinga criticised officials for not recognising that he was closer to the President than the VP in terms of authority. He wanted Mr Musyoka to address the rally before him so that he (Mr Odinga) could invite the President.

Earlier, the leaders visited the Eldoret show ground where internal refugees have been living since December 30.

The President said the problem would be sorted out soon and the families would return to their homes.

And Mr Odinga noted that the election-related violence caused pain among Kenyans, leaving children orphaned and women widowed.

He said that although the majority of Rift Valley MPs wanted to first hold a meeting with the local people before his visit, he insisted on the visit due to the urgent need to resettle the families suffering in the camps.

“Let us not harbour grudges. This is the first time we have a grand coalition government and we want to test its workability,” he said. Mr Musyoka said the process of national reconciliation and healing had started. He told a section of the crowd which was jeering him as he spoke: “This is the time of forgiving. Even you (pointing at the group) I forgive you. This is a new Kenya my friends.”

He introduced industrialist-cum-philanthropist Manu Chandaria as one of the people who had helped internal refugees.

Agriculture minister William Ruto urged the President to direct the release of people arrested on suspicion that they took part in the post-election violence. The Government should also reinstate chiefs and assistant chiefs interdicted over their failure to execute their duties or preventing violence.

And Industrialisation minister Henry Kosgey said: “A lot of water has gone under the bridge. We need to tell the truth and see justice done. We shall not forget, but we can forgive”.

Prof Saitoti, the minister for Internal Security, said he envisaged a Kenya with no more bloodshed. “The hatred of the times of politicking is over”.

Dr Naomi Shaban, the minister for Special Programmes, urged the youth and women to uphold peace since they were the ones who suffered most when violence broke out.

The leaders are Friday expected to hold other rallies and visit camps for displaced people in Kipkelion and Sotik before heading to Molo Saturday.

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African Press International – api

Comoro hires French lawyer to help extradite former Anjouanese president

Publisher: Korir, api africanpress@getmail.no source.apa

The Comorian government has hired the famous French lawyer, Jacques Verges (right photo), to defend the extradition of Col. Mohamed Bacar (left photo) to Moroni, Foreign Affairs ministry sources said on Wednesday.

The legal authorities in Moroni are gathering evidences including testimonies as well as photographs to back up charges against Bacar and 22 of his companions.

A court in Saint-Denis (Reunion) freed the Comorian prisoners on 17 April.

The Union of the Comoros thus has up to 4 May to bring all the crime evidences which Col. Bacar and his collaborators are accused of.

They are expected to be prosecuted for rape, murder, torture and assault and battery and would risk life imprisonment in Comoros.

According to the public prosecutor Mohamed Mze Azad, despite having the death penalty in the Comorian criminal code, Mohamed Bacar is not likely to be executed.

“In this case, it is only about murder. Premeditation is at least needed in order to have an assassination,” he said.

The self-proclaimed president Bacar was overthrown in March by the loyal troops backed by African Union forces.

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African Press International – api

According to the constitution, Raila is number 3!

Publisher: Korir, api africanpress@getmail.no source.standard.ke

Raila is reported to have fought to be recognised as nr 2 but the constitution cannot allow that. He should know. They are fighting for power when people are dying of hunger. They even fought infront of them in Eldoret yesterday, what a shame.

Heckling, confusion at Kibaki, Raila tour

 

By Biketi Kikechi and Osinde Obare

Heckling, protocol hitches and tension threatened to mar President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s tour of displaced people in the Rift Valley even as leaders accompanying them preached peace.

Differences of seniority between Raila and Vice-President, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, were displayed in public at a rally as the President watched in disbelief during the peace tour to reconcile communities in the Rift Valley.

The largely emotional visit, which was expected to kick off a healing and reconciliation process, started on a bumpy and hostile note when President Kibaki, Kalonzo and Internal Security minister, Prof George Saitoti, were booed. An angry President restrained himself after a section of the crowd in Eldoret walked out on him, while others apparently made remarks the Head of State said were a result of ignorance.

“Sina haja ya kukasirishwa na mtu ambaye hajui anachosema (I will not be angered by those who don’t understand what they are saying,” said Kibaki.Confusion over protocol

 

President Kibaki (centre) and Prime Minister Raila Odinga (second right) arrive at Eldoret ASK showground camp. With them are Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka (second left), Agriculture minister, Mr William Ruto, and his Special Programmes colleague, Dr Naomi Shaban. Picture by Peter Ochieng

Trouble at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret started when Raila rose to address the attentive crowd and then went ahead and invited the President to speak, ignoring Kalonzo.

But the President instead allowed the VP to speak first then invite him. Raila, protested, saying there should be a distinct line of protocol between his office and the VP’s.

The PM told the rally that the VP’s position was a tier below the PM’s and the President’s.

But under the Constitution, the VP is the principal assistant of the President and is the one who should invite the Head of State to a function whenever present.

This was acknowledged during the swearing in ceremony of the new Cabinet a week ago. It was also followed by the former UN Secretary-General, Dr Kofi Annan, on February 28 when the National Accord was signed.

The agreement states that the Cabinet comprises the President, VP and PM third, among others.

But Government Spokesman, Dr Alfred Mutua, declined to comment on who was senior between the VP and the PM.

“I would rather not comment on the matter,” said Mutua when contacted.

However, Raila said the national accord was clear that PNU and ODM were equal partners in Government. He was, therefore, concerned that officials were not observing protocol.

“Mheshimiwa Rais, hiyo ndiyo inasumbua hawa watu. Ni afadhali ukweli usemwe, kwa sababu ukisemwa, uwongo hujitenga (Mr President, that is where the problem is. Let the truth be told),” said Raila.

That notwithstanding, when Raila invited the President to speak, the Head of State invited Kalonzo to address the gathering.

There was heckling and booing when the VP took the microphone. A section of the crowd waved him away shouting: “Kwenda! Kwenda! (Go away! Go away!).

But Kalonzo braved the hostility and said: “Let those who think that I’m hurting them when I speak forgive me.”

The VP assured the gathering that Agriculture minister, Mr William Ruto, would not be mistreated as they were doing to him (Kalonzo) if he visited his Mwingi constituency.

But the protocol issue was sorted out at the Kachibora camp in Cherangany, Trans Nzoia, where the President addressed another rally later in the afternoon.

Here, Saitoti invited Kalonzo before Raila addressed the meeting. Then President Kibaki followed. The PM was widely cheered as he thanked the crowd for overwhelmingly voting for ODM.

Message of forgiveness

 

Raila said some politicians had told him not to go to the Rift Valley allegedly because the atmosphere was not conducive.

“I decided that we should start efforts to reconcile communities so that displaced persons can be resettled,” said Raila.

Saitoti had a difficult time with the crowd that kept booing him as he addressed them.

However, Kibaki and Raila asked people in places hit by post-election violence to live in peace.

The President said every Kenyan had the freedom to live where he or she pleased as long as the land was rightfully acquired.

He asked those who may have differed to forgive one another and continue to live in peace. On this, the President said those opposed to IDPs’ resettlement were wasting time as the Government would ensure that they went back.

“We have decided to live together and the Government will ensure that it is done. Let’s accept each other and live in harmony,” said Kibaki.

He promised that those living in IDP camps would be helped to reconstruct their homes and plant this season so that the country could produce enough food.

Among those who accompanied the President were Cabinet ministers Ruto, Mr Henry Kosgey, Dr Sally Kosgei, Prof Sam Ongeri, Mr Samuel Poghisio and Dr Naomi Shaaban.

Before the rally, the President, the VP, PM and a host of local MPs and leaders, including former Keiyo South MP, Mr Nicholas Biwott, met at the Eldoret State Lodge before visiting IDPs at the ASK showground.

At the grounds, the leaders were met by hopeful IDPs, who seemed eager to be resettled.

The President and the PM are on a three-day tour of the Rift Valley that was worst hit by post-election violence.

The leaders will tour Eldoret, Trans Nzoia, Kipkelion, Sotik, Molo and Naivasha.

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African Press International – api

Martine’s body to be returned

Publisher: Korir, api africanpress@getmail.no source. aftenposteneng

The body of the murdered Norwegian student Martine Vik Magnussen will finally be returned to Norway for burial.

A funeral will be held in Asker Church, outside of Oslo, next week, reports Aftenposten.no.

The body of Martine Vik Magnussen (photo), murdered in London several weeks ago, will finally be returned to Norway. PHOTO: PRIVATE

 

The Seafarers’ pastor Torbjørn Holt, who has functioned as a spokesperson for the family, said: “They knew this would take a long time, but they didn’t know how long. The family is relieved and happy to have the body released.”

The formal investigation into the murder began in London a month ago, and as long as the investigation was underway, the body could not be released.

British police have been keeping very quiet about the development of the case. The 21-year-old Farouk Abdulhak is still being sought for questioning.

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Related articles:

•  Tribute to murdered student
• Inquest delays return of student’s body
• Family of man sought in student’s death hires a lawyer
• Norwegian student probably strangled, Egyptian sought
• Murder probe launched into London student’s death
• Norwegian student feared dead in London

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African Press International – api

Norwegian student feared dead in London

Publisher: Korir, api africanpress@getmail.no source.aftenposteneng

The 23-year-old daughter of an affluent couple living in suburban Oslo disappeared after visiting a trendy nightclub in London last week. It’s feared she was killed while on her way from the club to a late-night party.

This is the building, at 220-222 Great Portland Street in London, where the body of a woman was found on Sunday. PHOTO: CHARLOTTE WIIG

The young woman was part of the Norwegian student community in London and was last seen on Thursday night at the chic Maddox nightclub in London’s fashionable Mayfair district.

She was reported missing Friday after she failed to return home. Aftenposten has been told she attended the prestigious Regent’s College in London.

Fears she had met with foul play mounted Sunday when police investigating her disappearance arrived at an address just north of Mayfair and found the body of a dead woman. They wouldn’t say, however, whether the body was that of the missing Norwegian student, who hasn’t been publicly identified.

Officials at Norway’s foreign ministry said they could only confirm that a Norwegian woman had been reported missing in London. “We have not been informed that a Norwegian woman has been found dead,” a ministry spokeswoman said Sunday night.

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African Press International – api