US Ambassador’s term in Kenya is over: Go home Ranneberger!

According to Kenya Standard Online, Mr Kilemi Mwiria, MP for Tigania West and Assistant Minister, Ministry for Higher Education, Science & Technology says,  “Ambassador Michael Ranneberger’s tenure as America’s point man in Kenya has finally come to an end. He had his share of friends and enemies for his unconventional style. Sometimes he lectured us a bit too much on all manner of subjects and made trips to constituencies without adequate consultations with area MPs.”

Imagine this former envoy visiting constituencies and caring less by not informing area members of parliament. Even President Kibaki informs area MPs before visiting their constituencies. It is called courtesy and respect for local area leaders, something Ranneberger thought he was above simply because he was using American tax payers money to push for his own agenda – to be made an elder in every stop in the country. The way he used the money in Kenya deserves an investigation by the US Senate.

This is true of the man who tried to be colonial governor in the country instead of being diplomatic just like the other diplomats in the country. He was so vocal, and his behaviour overshadowed diplomats  from other countries. He lectured and abused Kenyan leaders and denied some visas. One could almost question whether he was a racist who used his position to mistreat Kenyan leaders.

Kenyan leaders will now have a more cool person taking over, one who hopefully may not choose to run around the country asking Kenyans to crown him elder by using tax payers resources – dishing out money to the youth. This action of running around the country dishing out money made President Kibaki and the PM Raila Odinga unhappy. Both castigated him for doing so telling him to stop wooing the youth to destabilise the country.

It should not go unnoticed that Ranneberger, in a letter published by Kenya Standard online on the 3rd of May,  he wrote “I am delighted to be followed by such a worthy successor, Ambassador Scott Gration.” It is good to know that his successor is a worthy man, and hopefully the new worthy man will not terrorise Kenyan politicians as Ranneberger enjoyed doing. Many Kenyans API has got contact with welcome the new ambassador and hope he will not follow his predecessor’s footsteps to terrorise Kenyan leaders.

By Chief editor Korir.

Norway concerned over the human rights situation in Bahrain

“I am deeply concerned about the deterioration in the human rights situation in Bahrain,” commented Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre.

The Foreign Minister is particularly concerned about the fact that four protesters were sentenced to death for their alleged involvement in the killing of two policemen during the protests in the country in March. “The fact that the trial took place behind closed doors in a military court gives cause for concern. The accusations against the four protesters are serious, and for that reason it is important that the trials are held in civilian courts, in accordance with the conventions that Bahrain itself has acceded to,” said Mr Støre.

“Norway is opposed to the use of the death penalty in general, and I would like to encourage the Bahraini authorities to introduce a moratorium on executions,” Mr Støre commented.

Foreign Minister Støre is also very concerned about the fact that so many healthcare workers have been arrested in Bahrain, and finds it unacceptable that the Bahraini authorities have threatened in recent weeks to ban opposition parties in the country.

“Dialogue is the only way of solving the political conflict in Bahrain. It is therefore crucial that a national dialogue between the royal family and the protesters on necessary reforms gets under way as soon as possible. The Bahraini authorities must respect freedom of expression and protect human rights defenders in the country,” Mr Støre said.
By the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway
Duty Press Officer: Date:   May 5 2011

Kenya: THE ROT IN MILITARY PROCUREMENT MUST STOP

By Tom Alila

In the past few months most people have not noticed the rot in military spending.  This has attributed to the facts that a lot of Kenyans are preoccupied by other events either in political arena or the rising food prices and lately shortage of fuel.

It would be interesting to note that some decorated high-ranking military officers are laughing all the way to the bank at the
expense of tax paying Kenyans. In that a few Generals from one ethnic community have a massed billions of shillings due to the secrecy in military procurements.

The government imported military wares worth 12 billion late last years in a secret consignments disguised as transport machinery. This is evidenced by treasury expenditure statements and IMF documents.

This procurement shot up the total public debt to over half the value of the economy. This was brought to attention of an incidence, which took place in Angola where a Kenyan bound ship was detained by Angolan authorities on claims that the cargo it had was undeclared military equipment.

Who is fooling who on this saga? It raises queries on the priorities when treasury is faced with an urgent need to tame the ballooning budget deficit and most critical money to finance the implementation of new constitution.

In his budget policy statement tabled in parliament on march 23, Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta implied that rising military spending guarantees an environment for sustained economic growth. Such a statement coming for one of those endorsed by forces of impunity to become a presidential candidate for this country is laughable. Instead for utilizing our military personnel for some good use in development of this country like helping in building infrastructure and aiding in enhancing security rather than being fattened in the military barracks. It sad to imagine that an institution of high cadre like military has become one of the breeding grounds of corruption by a cartel of both defense officials and their counterparts in office of the president.

Agreements signed by both treasury and International Monetary Fund last year, and made public February, discloses that the government ordered a consignment of military wares, which was factored in the budget in November as transport equipment. Kenya s public debt is now estimated at 1.3 trillion or 51%of GDP, thus warning from IMF that borrowing was veering towards unsustainable limits, partly driven by defense spending.  If you analyze critically the data of transport equipment from November, it totaled Sh 22.3 billion, doubles the previous month bill of Sh 10 billion higher than any single import item for the year. The new constitution has envisaged transparency in both military spending to avoid the so-called secrecy veil being exploited by corrupt vices at the helm of defense.

The US state department first reported this all circus that Maersk Constellation, a ship with 20 US citizens on board was being detained at Lobito port in Angola on demand that Kenya government declares the wares in those containers.  These monies can be directed to critical services as improving health facilities and free primary education not to mention agricultural sector.

In addition, anti corruption commission should focus their radar on this suspicious military spending rather than being used to fight one-sided war on other partners of the coalition government while a few Generals rake billions of shillings in the name of military procurements. This must stop and the government should prioritize the needs of its citizen and direct its budget in critical areas to uplift living standards of its cherished citizen as stipulated in the new constitution.

The writer is KANU Chairman Ndhiwa.

Foreign Minister says sanctions against Syria should be considered

“I condemn the Syrian authorities’ arrests, violence, and killing of civilians. Political leaders who turn their military forces on their own people lose their legitimacy. In cases like this the international community should consider responding with sanctions,” commented Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre.

The Syrian authorities have clamped down brutally on the demonstrations that have taken place in recent weeks. The international media’s lack of access to Syria makes it difficult to give an accurate account of the situation, but there are reports that several hundred people have been killed and several thousand arrested.

“Norway urges President Assad in the strongest possible terms to enter into dialogue with the protesters in order to meet their legitimate demands. It is crucial that the Syrian authorities now open the way for a political process that can lead to free elections,” Mr Støre said.

Norway actively supported the decision by the UN Human Rights Council on 29 April to task the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights with investigating all alleged violations of human rights law and crimes committed against civilians in Syria as soon as possible. The purpose of the investigation is to establish the facts and ensure that those responsible for human rights violations are brought to justice.
By the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway
Duty Press Officer: Date:   May 6 2011