The cases against President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President Ruto and Journalist Joshua Sang has reached a stage where it should be discontinued.
The cases against 6 Kenyan suspects and withered to 3 accused should not continue owing to reasons well-known to the prosecution. Those in the know have already alerted the prosecution on the reasons that should cause the prosecution to discontinue the cases instead of merely allowing it to continue for the sake of face-saving.
The evidence as known to the prosecution was cooked and witnesses couched on what to say. Some witnesses were offered money and houses of the highest standard before they accepted to testify against the accused persons.
In all these, there is only one person to blame: Mr Ocampo, the man who when he discovered there was no genuine witnesses forthcoming initiated a campaign in his own office, as has been revealed by one of his own prosecutors, to go ahead to prosecute for the sake of saving the court’s name.
Money changed hands and promises of promotions were set in motion. Some were threatened that should they not cooperate, they will be left out of participation to prosecute high level cases in the future. There was also the issue of supporting or not supporting who was to take over as the next Chief Prosecutor after him – Mr Ocampo.
“The heads of states who have already arrived include Democratic Republic of Congo Head of State Joseph Kabila, Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his first lady, Tanzanian PresidentJakaya Kikwete and Gabon’s president Ali Bongo. Also in attendance are President Ian Khama (Botswana), President Salva Kiir (South Sudan), Goodluck Jonathan (Nigeria), Joyce Banda (Malawi) and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. Others include former President Mwai Kibaki, Former first lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta, Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Kenya’s Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The visiting dignitaries joined an estimated 60, 000 people at the stadium. Millions of Kenyans are also following the proceedings at the stadium from home through live radio and television broadcasts. On Thursday night, President Uhuru graced the hoisting of the Kenyan flag at Uhuru gardens, an occasion akin to another one on December 12, 1963, which was presided over by his father, founding President Jomo Kenyatta. Uhuru planted a tree close to another one that was planted by the founding President at independence 50 years ago.”
IFJ/FAJ affiliate, the Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA), is on Tuesday, 3 December, led hundreds of journalists in peaceful protests against the oppressive clauses of the Kenya Information and Communication Amendment (KICA) Bill.
“We support our affiliate’s stance and all journalists in Kenya,” said IFJ President Jim Boumelha. “This Bill’s draconian provisions are gagging the media. We call on all journalists and press freedom advocate to gather as one to reject the provisions.”
The KCA says the bill, recently passed by Kenya’s National Assembly, provides heavy financial penalties for journalists and media houses which are designed to gag the media and intimidate journalists into not covering stories deemed critical by the government and the ruling elite.
“We stand by all journalists and call on them to mobilize in order to make the protest successful. This Bill is an attempt to undermine freedoms of expression and association in the country and all journalists and media practitioners must refuse that,” said Mohamed Garba, FAJ president.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) have recently expressed serious concerns about the intimidation of journalists in Kenya and some provisions of the country’s media bill.
It has provisions for a Communications and Multi-Media Tribunal which will fine journalists up to 5,952 US Dollars if found guilty of writing stories considered in violation of the Act, and a fine of USD 238,095 US Dollars in the event that the tribunal finds them guilty of violation of provisions of the act, largely on stories considered critical of the government.
. The KCA says the Bill, which was forwarded to President Uhuru Kenyatta for assent, has now been returned to the National Assembly by the President but with recommendations which are still unacceptable to the media industry.
According to the KCA, the president only declined to assent to the Bill after protests from stakeholders but has sent it back to the National Assembly with a memorandum that reinforces some of the offensive clauses, including entrenching government control of the media.
“We had consultations with the Parliamentary Committee on Energy and Communications and tabled our recommendation on the Bill but we realize there are forces within the executive who are bent on gagging the media,” said KCA chairman William Oloo Janak.
Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua has put investors who had encroached on the riparian land on notice and asked them to move out to conserve the land. He at the same time called for the opening of all access corridors around the water body as the lake is of great economic value to the national and county governments. The governor said the invasion of the land has contributed to pollution of the lake.
He said the lake is of great economic value to the national and county governments. “We are working with development partners to address the issue of sewer and storm water which is polluting the lake,” he said. He expressed his concern over the sharp increase in cases of poaching around Lake Naivasha and said was as a major security threat to major investments around the water body. “At the moment we are experiencing drought in parts of the country and I call on those around the lake to accommodate the pastoralists by giving them access to water,” he said.
Mbugua was addressing the press in Simba Lodge Naivasha during a consultative meeting on Lake Naivasha which was organized by The Imarisha Naivasha board. He admitted that the lake faced various challenges and praised the Imarisha Naivasha and Lake Naivasha Growers Group (LNGG) for their efforts in conserving the lake. The chairman of the Imarisha board Richard Fox said that the workshop was meant to come up with a road map on conserving the lake. Fox said that the road map would address issues of the riparian land, access roads to the lake, poaching, pastures and water for pastoralists.
“This meeting has brought together various stakeholders and various challenges facing Lake Naivasha will be addressed,” he said. On his part Nakuru County Commissioner Mohammed Birik termed Lake Naivasha as an important body to the country’s economy. The commissioner said that all communities should benefit from the lake warning that conflicts increased during dry seasons. Birik added that deforestation in the catchment area was leading to a bad situation and called for concerted efforts to conserve water towers.
President Barack Obama has been accused of lying. There are those who say he should not have become the US President because they claim he was not born in the US. To be US President one has to have been born citizen.
Those who have accused him of lying say he was born in Kenya and not the US. What is really right and who is telling a lie? And does it really matter, now that the President is soon completing his second and last term in office?
Kisumu Local Interactive Platform (K L I P)has received a massive financial boost from the Swedish Government to cater for the on going scholarship programmes.
Speaking during a colourful event in a Kisumu Hotel the Director of the body who is also the Vice Chancellor of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University Prof Stephen G Agong applauded the staggering 3.7 Swedish Cronar grant.Prof Maria Nystrom who is technical advicer of KLIP from Chalmers UniversitySweden also told the audience during her speech that its under the sterling tulelage of Prof Agong Nowander they will continue with their noble gestures to the body.
The body which is only two years old is so far offering 43 scholarships to PHD students from both Jaramogi University and Maseno University and their specialities covers Eco tourism and market places. Speaking on behalf of Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma,the executive in charge of infrastructure Eng Vincent Kodero vowed to tackle the dilapidated state of roads in the county which he said are a hindrance to KLIP envisaged goals singling out Dunga Beach road as an example.
“We now have the money and the good will is there, count that the said roads as done Kodera told the audience amid applause”.Dunga Beach has been identified as one of the tourist attractive sites.Also through KLIP initiative, another funding to the tune of millions to tackle waste management has also been received and it will soon roll out in the beginning of the year which will be a milestone.
“Ours is to purely champion for residents agenda and im singling out the July 2013 event in Dunga Beach where 25 locals were trained to market their products from within and without the borders”,Prof Agong said.Prof Agong concluded by hailing the county government under stewardship of Governor Jack Ranguma and all the stakeholders for the support and conducive atmosphere which he said has enabled them achieve alot.”With the prevailing atmosphere expect more he crowned.”
NAIROBI, Kenya, December 2, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ –African Ministers and Experts Spotlight Efforts to Incorporate Natural Wealth Accounting in Development Planning
What: Press conference on “Valuation and Accounting of Natural Capital for Green Economy (VANTAGE)” in Africa meeting
When: Wednesday, 4 December 10:30 a.m.
Where: Press Room, UN Compound, Gigiri
Who:
Anne Waiguru, Cabinet Secretary at the Presidency, Ministry of Devolution and Planning, Kenya
Natural capital is a critical asset, especially for low-income countries where it makes up around 36 per cent of total wealth, according to World Bank estimates. For these countries, especially in Africa, livelihoods depend directly on healthy ecosystems.
Incorporating natural capital into national accounts can support better decisions for inclusive development.
Natural capital is not readily captured in markets, so we don’t really know how much ecosystem services contribute to the economy and livelihoods. We often take these services for granted and don’t know what it would cost if we lose them.
Natural capital accounting can provide detailed statistics for better management of the economy.
For example, land and water accounts can help countries interested in increasing hydro-power capacity to assess the value of competing land uses and the optimal way to meet this goal.
Ecosystem accounts can help biodiversity-rich countries design a management strategy that balances tradeoffs among ecotourism, agriculture, subsistence livelihoods, and ecosystem services like flood protection and groundwater recharge.
The international VANTAGE conference – which will take place in Nairobi from 3 to 4 December 2013 – will showcase successful efforts by countries and organizations to value and account for natural capital.
Such pioneering initiatives go beyond the traditional growth and development measurements such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and contribute to building inclusive green economies.
More than 100 participants will take part in the conference, including 5 African ministers and 3 deputy ministers.
The expected outcome document will chart the way forward for the VANTAGE programme, including ways it can support governments in incorporating natural resource accounting in their national wealth indicators.
Kenya managed to secure support from willing Nations enabling for the passing of the amendments. The President and the deputy President will now be able to perform their duties as the constitutional demands of them, without interference and interruption from any quarters.
Exclusive Interview: ONE on ONE with the President of the Assembly of States Parties, Ambassador Tiina Intelmann:
Asked whether she has confidence in the ICC Judges and the Chief Prosecutor, Ambassador Intelmann told African Press International that she has confidence in them, adding that should any Member State raise a complaint against any of them, she will not hesitate taking the matter up, with the Assembly of State Parties, in line with the laid down procedures in the Rome Statute and so far no Member State has raised any complaint against their performance.
With the new amendments passed, Kenya is today a proud Nation having had learned minds and qualified negotiators in their delegation that worked in a focused manner on the issues tirelessly with a desire to ensure success. Lobbying was very important and the delegation managed to make friends with some Nations that were considered hostile to the desired amendments. They finally got their support to the amendments as put forward by the working group.
Some of the Members of the Kenya Delegation to the Twelfth Session of the Assembly of States Parties in the Hague between 20th – 28th November 2013:
The brains that made Kenya and the Presidency proud by carrying the day at the negotiation table in securing the necessary amendments that will contribute to Kenya’s stability.
http://www.africanpress.me/ Some of the members of the Kenya Delegation during the Twelfth Session of the Assembly of States Parties held in the Hague from the 20th to 28th of November 2013
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http://www.africanpress.me/ Some of the members of the Kenya Delegation during the Twelfth Session of the Assembly of States Parties held in the Hague from the 20th to 28th of November 2013
The KenyanNGOs who participated during the Session chose to organise many side events that was meant to derail the negotiation process to secure the new amendments. The passing of the amendments was a big blow to them. Their aim was to impress upon Member States delegates to reject any amendments that would allow the two Kenyan leaders, President Kenyatta and Deputy President Ruto to be excused from continuous presence in the court and only be represented by counsel.
On realised that their efforts were fruitless, most of the NGOs packed their things and left the Conference center hurriedly travelling back to home. This may serve as a lesson to them that they should not pork their noses in everything – a lesson that they should, in some cases, put their country first.
By passing the amendments put forward by the African Nations, the West has now realised that Africa is no longer a push-over, lying down and allowing themselves to be dictated to at all times.
Africa’s unity, through the AU, has now educated the West by telling them that they are able and ready to decide their own destiny at all times.
Kenya has emerged victorious at the twelfth session of the Assembly of States Parties by securing amendments to their satisfaction. This means now that President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy PresidentWilliam Ruto are not required to appear in the International Criminal Court in person but only represented by Counsel.
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This is good news for African Union who had pushed for the deferral because they did not want to see Kenya’s Commander-in-Chief and President of the Republic of Kenya humiliated, sitting daily in the court instead of serving the people of Kenya.
Today is a celebration for those Kenyans and friends of Kenya who supported the amendments because they do not want the Head of State and his deputy to be humiliated.
However, there are those who are disappointed like the NGOs and some members of the Kenya opposition parties who wanted to see the humiliation of the President and his deputy carried through.
Ambassador Amina Mohamed informed the media that the amendments also allows for the Video link in other cases in the future. She hopes the video link trials can be extended to cover Mr Joshua Arap sang since his case is already ongoing.
When asked if the trial via video link will be extended to Mr Barasa whose warrant of arrest has been issued by the ICC accusing him of confusing witnesses, the Cabinet Secretary stated that there was no discussion in that direction. Mr Barasa, therefore, will have to face the ICC in person to answer the charges if he is exported to the Hague by the Kenyan authorities. He has gone to court to block exportation. Mr Barasa recently told the media that he worked with ICC investigators on witnesses and that they turned against him when he was considered hostile to the needs of the ICC prosecution. Barasa is a Kenyan journalist who has claimed that he was being paid by the prosecution investigators whenever he gave them the help they needed.
Did Mr Barasa break the code of conduct as a journalist in any way?
UN DEPUTY HUMANITARIAN CHIEF KYUNG-WHA KANG TO VISIT SOUTH SUDAN, ETHIOPIA AND KENYA
GENEVA, Switzerland, November 15, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ – UN DEPUTY HUMANITARIAN CHIEF KYUNG-WHA KANG TO VISIT SOUTH SUDAN, ETHIOPIA AND KENYA
WHO: Kyung-Wha Kang, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator
UN Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Humanitarian Affairs Kyung-Wha Kang will visit South Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya from 17 to 25 November.
In South Sudan, from 17 to 20 November, ASG Kang plans to travel to Bor and Pibor counties in Jonglei state to visit communities who have been affected by conflict and floods. She is scheduled to meet Government officials, including the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, local authorities and humanitarian partners to discuss ways to strengthen disaster response and find sustainable solutions for affected communities. A press conference is planned in Juba on 20 November.
On 21 November, in Ethiopia, Ms. Kang is expected to attend the 14th Session of the UN-African Union Regional Coordination Mechanism and engage with decision-makers to discuss partnership opportunities and humanitarian action in the continent.
In Kenya, from 22 to 25 November, Ms. Kang is scheduled to co-chair the Great Lakes consultations with UN agencies and humanitarian partners aimed at continued improvement of humanitarian work and coordination in the region. She is also expected to visit the Mathare informal settlement in Nairobi, where an estimated half million people live with limited access to clean water, sanitation, health care and education.
It now remains to be seen what action the AU will take because it had decided that if deferral is not granted, the AU member states may pull out of the Rome Statute that established the International Criminal Court.
During the vote at the Security Council, 8 countries abstained while only 7 voted for the deferral. To win a vote at the UNSC, one requires to get 9 votes and no veto.
Mr Kenyatta’s case is set to start on February the 5th 2014 while Mr Ruto’s case resumes next week on the 21st November 2013.
There are many analysts now who say there is a possibility that Mr Kenyatta may not turn up when his case starts, Those who want him well, however, fear that if he does not meet up the ICC will issue a warrant of arrest, something many say will not be good for the country. These group is encauraging the president to atten the trial.
Berieved Nyakach Mp Aduma Owuor is to be sued by his political opponent Erick Ouma Okeyo over his utterances in parliament this week that Okeyo is deeply involved in insecurity in the constituency.The mp recently lost both parents in a barbaric arson attack in what many believe was a retaliatory response.
Nyakach is marooned by cattle rustling activities and since his election early this year the Mp formed a vigilante group to stump out the vice but no meaningful success has been seen because he has been doing it without the involvement of local police and other government agencies all of which he has dismissed as very complacent and allegedly operate as part of the entrenched conduit.Other stakeholders are however of the view that the Mp shouldn’t tire but continue engaging with the local police if anything is to be achieved.Last month the Mp took a cattle rustling victim and dumped the body at the Regional Commissioners office a move which shocked many but the Mp remained adamant and justified that he had no option but to do exactly that.
Back to the claims in parliament, Okeyo hurriedly convened a press conference where he described Owuors claims as cowardly,hollow and shocking.”I sympathise with the Mp for the most tragic manner in which he lost his dear parents and ive personally and elsewhere conveyed my heart-felt condolences to him, while he remains my political opponent i do not ascribe to the view that our political battles transcend the borders of the personal relationship”, Okeyo told journalists. “Even as he continue to mourn the death of his parents he’s expected to observe basic standards of decency,decorum and utmost respect to the law and others”, he thundered.
Still on the remarks in parliament, he concluded by saying that those are abuse of parliamentary privileges and demonstration of how a legal coward the mp is.Okeyo has lined up very influential legal team led by Prof Tom Ojienda and justice Richard Otieno Kwatch to take up the matter. Owuors late parents will be buried on 23 Nov and a major fundraising where Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Odhiambo Kidero is the Chief guest is slated on the 19th at All Saints Cathedral Nairobi.
GENEVA, Switzerland, November 11, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ – Nearly half a million registered Somali refugees in Kenya will get support when they return to their homeland in an orderly fashion — if they choose to do so — under an agreement signed Sunday by the UN refugee agency and the governments of Kenya and Somalia.
“It’s very important to underline that no one is forcing Somalis to leave Kenya,” said Raouf Mazou, UNHCR’s representative in Kenya.
“The government and people of Kenya have tirelessly provided protection and assistance to Somali refugees for two decades. The agreement we signed on Sunday does not mean Kenya is no longer willing to do so.”
The agreement, known formally as a Tripartite Agreement, establishes a legal framework and other support for Somali refugees in Kenya who might eventually wish to return to their homeland. It defines the roles and responsibilities of the three parties in accordance with international standards.
“Among other things, this means any refugee has the right to choose whether to go home, after they have been given information about conditions on the ground in Somalia so they can make an informed decision,” Mazou added. “It also means returns should be conducted in safety and dignity.”
In the five camps that make up the Dadaab refugee camp complex in north-eastern Kenya, there are more than 388,000 Somali refugees. There are 54,000 Somali refugees in Kakuma camp in north-western Kenya and 32,500 living in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, for a precise total of 474,483.
UN High Commissioner António Guterres, on a visit to Somalia earlier this year, acknowledged that Somali refugees are already voting with their feet and returning home by themselves to areas they deem safe. He said it would be inconceivable for refugees themselves to decide to go home and UNHCR not be there to assist them. For this reason, the Tripartite Agreement adopted an incremental approach to repatriation, starting with the provision of support to refugees who return on their own, leading to formal returns organized by UNHCR whenever conditions are right.
“This also means the agreement acknowledges the need for continued protection of Somali refugees in Kenya, and the need for other durable solutions to their plight,” Mazou said.
Signing of this agreement became possible after formation of the Federal Government of the Republic of Somalia in August 2012 that allowed for open dialogue to gradually find solutions to Somali displacement. Consolidating peace in Somalia is challenging and the situation in parts of the country remains fragile. The process, however, is moving in the right direction and there are positive signs paving the way for solutions to displacement.
“We ask the international community to support efforts towards the creation of conditions conducive for safe and dignified voluntary return to Somalia,” said Alessandra Morelli, UNHCR representative for Somalia based in Mogadishu. “No one wants to see refugees go home and have to flee again, or become displaced inside Somalia” She added that:
“UNHCR will work closely with the donor community and development actors to ensure sustainable reintegration in areas of return.”
African Press International (API) 