President Mwai Kibaki has appealed to Kenyans to embrace tolerance and kindness to one another regardless of their individual political, religious or ideological inclinations.
Addressing a congregation during celebrations to mark the Golden Jubilee for Christ is the Answer Ministries at the Nyayo National Stadium, President Kibaki asserted that God had clearly shown that He has a special purpose for the country and urged Kenyans to remain steadfastly united.
The President urged both wananchi and leaders to be clear and remain genuine on what they want the country to achieve for the sake of the current and future generations.
President Kibaki said: “Accept one another regardless of your individual religious, political or ideological affiliations. Be tolerant and kind to each other because that is the purpose God has for this nation.”
During the occasion the President challenged local churches to fully integrate Kenyans in commercial and industrial activities in order to create enough jobs for the unemployed.
He affirmed that the Church was a partner in provision of technical and business training as well as establishment of small and medium enterprises to benefit Kenyans.
The President commended the church for complementing Government efforts in provision of higher education and creation of high calibre workforce for the country’s development.
He challenged the Nairobi Pentecostal Church to equip and develop the Pan African Christian University, which it sponsors, into a fully-fledged university participating in research and development of skills necessary to exploit the vast natural resources in Africa for the benefit of its people.
“Thus, the Government sees the church as a complementary partner in the provision of education, health, and other social services essential for development. We appreciate the realisation that spiritual enrichment alone is not enough. Provision of basic services by the Government, the church, the community and private sector is essential for faster improvement of the welfare of human life in Kenya, in Africa, and throughout the world,” remarked the President.
The Head of State reiterated that both the Government and the Church need to work closely to promote social dialogue, political tolerance and national cohesion for the common good of the nation.
The President said: “This is an example of what we mean when we call on all religious, political and social organisations to come forward and help create a just society with a national sense of purpose.”
President Kibaki noted that deliberate efforts must particularly be made to ensure that mutual respect, understanding and cooperation become the cornerstones on which the country’s national heritage is anchored on.
He expressed confidence that faith based organisations including the Christ is the Answer Ministries would rise up to the challenge of being instruments of peace and hope for the country.
The Head of State noted that the Government firmly believed that through the Vision 2030 the country would achieve social cohesion, equitable socio-economic and political development in a secure environment for all its citizens.
The President observed: “I take this opportunity to invite religious organizations to partner with the government in building strong social and spiritual foundation for prosperous and peaceful country.”
President Kibaki affirmed that the country had made tremendous efforts in building a vibrant economy and realisation of social justice despite various challenges afflicting the nation, which he said affected other countries too.
He cited rain failure leading to prolonged drought, in most parts of the country, as the most serious challenge facing the nation currently due to resultant hunger and human suffering.
The Head of State, however, assured Kenyans that the Government had instituted both short and long term measures to address the challenge and particularly reduce the reliance on rain fed agriculture.
He reassured, “We are also focused on implementing long term measures that will see a reduction in reliance on rain-fed agriculture. In particular, we have embarked on developing a nationwide irrigated agriculture, while also opening new opportunities in non-agricultural economic sectors to ensure our people realize growing incomes and enjoy decent standards of living.”
Urging Kenyans to continue praying for the nation as the Government makes efforts to secure the interests of the future generations, the President commended the Church and its founders for the tremendous achievements it has realized since its inception in 1959 and reaffirmed the Government’s recognition of the church’s foundation laid by the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
He also appreciated that rich legacy created by the church and its remarkable contribution towards the growth of Christianity in the country.
President Kibaki said, “In your 50 years of existence you have created a rich heritage for the church and greatly contributed to the growth of Christianity in our country. Worth mentioning is the increase in your ministries through Education Academies, Children’s Centers and Hope FM radio station which went on air in 2003.”
The key speaker during the celebrations, Rev Dennis White asserted that Christians in the country have God given abilities, through the Holy Spirit, that could offer lasting solutions to challenges afflicting the country.
Rev White declared that Christians are and must always act as compasses that give direction and pathways to be followed by others but challenged them to forsake wickedness in order to fulfill such mandate.
He urged Christians to spread the fire of passion and commitment to godly ways among fellow citizens but lamented that many of them were cold like freezers and thus never upheld values taught by Jesus Christ in their lives.
Rev White told worshippers to abandon secular believes and materialism and to instead repent and turn to God to enable them lead purposeful lives and in accordance to God’s purpose.
He said: “Align with Gods divine purpose and radiate with love and always act as a source of light to society. Be a flame that radiates throughout your life.”
In his address Bishop Dr Bonifes Adoyo of the Christ is the Answer Ministries thanked President Kibaki for joining the ministries’ worshippers and gracing the climax of the one-week celebrations.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Police Scared
Anxiety has gripped Police headquarters, triggering a series of secret meetings amongst senior police officers following reports that the government would implement the interim report by the Task Force on Police Reforms which wants many of them sacked.
Informed sources say Police Commissioner Mohammed Hussein Ali and other senior officers have been holding strategy meetings and lobbying since Monday and are in fact making frantic efforts to secure an appointment with President Mwai Kibaki to present their case.
The police chief and all his Assistant Commissioners are reportedly worried that they may lose their jobs if the government implemented the interim report presented to the President last week by Justice (Rtd) Philip Ransley.
“There have been meetings running late into the night since Monday. Senior officers have been meeting both at Vigilance and various other places including people’s residences,” a source privy to the latest state of affairs at Vigilance House said.
The latest remarks by Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Migori seem to have worsened the situation after he declared at a public rally that the report would be implemented by end of this month.
“I think they thought it was a joke initially, they are beginning to see the sense and reality of what is in the report and are now running up and down,” another source said.
Multiple interviews with senior police officers holding the rank of those targeted for the imminent sacking revealed the magnitude of the bitterness in many of them with the task force report.
“It is certainly a shoddy report, recommending that ACPs be sacked is a big joke. There will be a crisis if we were to go home. I am not sure they knew what they meant because we are the driving force in the police,” one of the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) based at Police headquarters said.
Some officers however, concede that there is need to review the appointment of ACPs and other officers above that rank because many of them were appointed unprocedurally or were just rewarded for various reasons.
“Many of them do not deserve the positions they hold. There are those who have jumped ranks more than three folds in a span of less than three years which is against the Force Standing Orders (FSO),” one of the senior officers said.
Curiously, most of the ACPs are supportive of the recommendation to have Maj Gen Ali replaced but are opposed to their own sacking.
“We have been doing our work the way it is supposed to be done. It is him (Ali) who has messed up the force. In effect he should be replaced and a commissioner appointed from amongst ourselves. It is ridiculous to have an outsider leading a law enforcement agency. Ali is a military officer and has failed to lead the police,” a disgruntled ACP opposed to Maj Gen Ali’s leadership said.
It is understood that some of the top police officers have held a series of secret meetings with key government officials and politicians sympathetic to Maj Gen Ali and are trying to influence them to advice the President against implementing the report.
One such meeting is reported to have taken place a week ago involving a senior police officer who spent over two hours at a posh residence of an influential and high ranking ODM politician and government official.
Details of the meeting are scanty but at this point in time, it can not pass as a normal meeting at a time when there is firestorm at Vigilance House where senior police officers are struggling to retain their jobs.
And even as the officers intensified their secret meetings, it has been learnt that some key officials who have previously served in the security agencies or in other government departments have been lobbying to take over police leadership at Vigilance House.
And there are those who are being profiled as potential candidates in the new police leadership while some have already submitted their CVs and testimonials.
“Some names have been fronted but none of them has been settled upon,” another source at the Office of the President said. “Interviews will start very soon but they are likely to be done in secret because of the sensitivity of the matter.”
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director Dr Julius Kipng’etich, former Director of Police Operations David Kimaiyo and former CID Director Joseph Kamau are among probable candidates for Police Commissioner, according to sources both at Harambee and Vigilance Houses.
On Monday, Prime Minister Raila Odinga was quoted in a section of local newspapers saying that the report will be implemented within the course of this month to restore confidence amongst the public.
The report calls for, among other things, urgent change of leadership at the top level and all officers holding the rank of Assistant Commissioner or Commandant in both the regular and Administration Police.
Informed sources say Police Commissioner Mohammed Hussein Ali and other senior officers have been holding strategy meetings and lobbying since Monday and are in fact making frantic efforts to secure an appointment with President Mwai Kibaki to present their case.
The police chief and all his Assistant Commissioners are reportedly worried that they may lose their jobs if the government implemented the interim report presented to the President last week by Justice (Rtd) Philip Ransley.
“There have been meetings running late into the night since Monday. Senior officers have been meeting both at Vigilance and various other places including people’s residences,” a source privy to the latest state of affairs at Vigilance House said.
The latest remarks by Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Migori seem to have worsened the situation after he declared at a public rally that the report would be implemented by end of this month.
“I think they thought it was a joke initially, they are beginning to see the sense and reality of what is in the report and are now running up and down,” another source said.
Multiple interviews with senior police officers holding the rank of those targeted for the imminent sacking revealed the magnitude of the bitterness in many of them with the task force report.
“It is certainly a shoddy report, recommending that ACPs be sacked is a big joke. There will be a crisis if we were to go home. I am not sure they knew what they meant because we are the driving force in the police,” one of the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) based at Police headquarters said.
Some officers however, concede that there is need to review the appointment of ACPs and other officers above that rank because many of them were appointed unprocedurally or were just rewarded for various reasons.
“Many of them do not deserve the positions they hold. There are those who have jumped ranks more than three folds in a span of less than three years which is against the Force Standing Orders (FSO),” one of the senior officers said.
Curiously, most of the ACPs are supportive of the recommendation to have Maj Gen Ali replaced but are opposed to their own sacking.
“We have been doing our work the way it is supposed to be done. It is him (Ali) who has messed up the force. In effect he should be replaced and a commissioner appointed from amongst ourselves. It is ridiculous to have an outsider leading a law enforcement agency. Ali is a military officer and has failed to lead the police,” a disgruntled ACP opposed to Maj Gen Ali’s leadership said.
It is understood that some of the top police officers have held a series of secret meetings with key government officials and politicians sympathetic to Maj Gen Ali and are trying to influence them to advice the President against implementing the report.
One such meeting is reported to have taken place a week ago involving a senior police officer who spent over two hours at a posh residence of an influential and high ranking ODM politician and government official.
Details of the meeting are scanty but at this point in time, it can not pass as a normal meeting at a time when there is firestorm at Vigilance House where senior police officers are struggling to retain their jobs.
And even as the officers intensified their secret meetings, it has been learnt that some key officials who have previously served in the security agencies or in other government departments have been lobbying to take over police leadership at Vigilance House.
And there are those who are being profiled as potential candidates in the new police leadership while some have already submitted their CVs and testimonials.
“Some names have been fronted but none of them has been settled upon,” another source at the Office of the President said. “Interviews will start very soon but they are likely to be done in secret because of the sensitivity of the matter.”
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director Dr Julius Kipng’etich, former Director of Police Operations David Kimaiyo and former CID Director Joseph Kamau are among probable candidates for Police Commissioner, according to sources both at Harambee and Vigilance Houses.
On Monday, Prime Minister Raila Odinga was quoted in a section of local newspapers saying that the report will be implemented within the course of this month to restore confidence amongst the public.
The report calls for, among other things, urgent change of leadership at the top level and all officers holding the rank of Assistant Commissioner or Commandant in both the regular and Administration Police.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Tribal Politics
Prime Minister Raila Odinga Saturday censored some leaders for propagating negative ethnicity while seeking political mileage among their community.
He warned Kenyans to be cautious of such divisive politicians but embrace cohesive virtues that foster unity of all the tribes in the country.
The premier told fellow countrymen to exploit and harness the diversity of different ethnic groupings for the good of the nation and future generations.
"We must be wary of these leaders who go about daggling their tribal tag in their political moves and this was evident during the just concluded Bomachoge and Shinyalu by elections" he said.
Odinga told mourners when he attended burial ceremonies in Khwisero and Sabatia constituencies respectively that the country could no afford a recurrence of events that characterized the aftermath of 2007 polls.
Reforms
He announced that the coalition government had embarked on radical institutional reforms in key sectors of governance to review and formulate sound policy guidelines to rectify anomalies in the current system.
"We want new constitutional dispensation in the country to address the loopholes and hurdles that have perpetuated bad governance" the premier said.
He said the coalition had put in place commissions to review the boundaries, electoral laws, while others were instituted to come up with recommendations on reforms in the police and the judiciary.
Odinga hinted that the country was likely to adopt a devolved system of governance when the constitutional debate comes up and said the recent budget was tailored within the framework of the system.
“We want to see the majimbo system in place so that resources are decentralized and retained within respective administrative units making local authorities more relevant than it is the case at the moment,” he stressed.
The premier made the criticism during the funeral of James Ambundo, the father in law to nominated ODM MP Rachel Shebesh in Khwisero.
He later joined mourners to bury Mama Salome Adira who was the grandmother of Hamisi MP George Khaniri in Sabatia.
He warned Kenyans to be cautious of such divisive politicians but embrace cohesive virtues that foster unity of all the tribes in the country.
The premier told fellow countrymen to exploit and harness the diversity of different ethnic groupings for the good of the nation and future generations.
"We must be wary of these leaders who go about daggling their tribal tag in their political moves and this was evident during the just concluded Bomachoge and Shinyalu by elections" he said.
Odinga told mourners when he attended burial ceremonies in Khwisero and Sabatia constituencies respectively that the country could no afford a recurrence of events that characterized the aftermath of 2007 polls.
Reforms
He announced that the coalition government had embarked on radical institutional reforms in key sectors of governance to review and formulate sound policy guidelines to rectify anomalies in the current system.
"We want new constitutional dispensation in the country to address the loopholes and hurdles that have perpetuated bad governance" the premier said.
He said the coalition had put in place commissions to review the boundaries, electoral laws, while others were instituted to come up with recommendations on reforms in the police and the judiciary.
Odinga hinted that the country was likely to adopt a devolved system of governance when the constitutional debate comes up and said the recent budget was tailored within the framework of the system.
“We want to see the majimbo system in place so that resources are decentralized and retained within respective administrative units making local authorities more relevant than it is the case at the moment,” he stressed.
The premier made the criticism during the funeral of James Ambundo, the father in law to nominated ODM MP Rachel Shebesh in Khwisero.
He later joined mourners to bury Mama Salome Adira who was the grandmother of Hamisi MP George Khaniri in Sabatia.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Maathai on Mau
Hours before a Secretariat formed to oversee the restoration of the Mau complex was launched, Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai has dismissed it as of little significance.
The world-famous environmentalist held that the Secretariat was a political move and a ploy by the government to buy time and divert attention from the Mau evictions.
“The (secretariat) should tell the Prime Minister, ‘you do not need a committee, you have had a committee before, you have all the data you need to make a decision’. The only reason you are not making a decision now is because you are under pressure from your political friends,” she said.
Prof Maathai added that the government should put the lives of Kenyans first and stop holding citizens at ransom.
“And the question is now; who comes first, the friends or the country?” she posed.
The Nobel Laureate called on Kenyan leaders to stop succumbing to political pressure holding that they should deal with the Mau issue and stop focusing on winning the 2012 general elections.
“That is not what you expect from leadership; in leadership you have to make tough, sometimes painful decisions in order to save the country.”
She also explained that the Mau forest would start recovering from the damage caused by human invasion, if the settlers were evicted.
“The Kenyan government should start looking for long term solutions to avert future threats and crises. Once forests are left alone, they can very quickly start to regenerate on their own. But as long as there are people there, digging, burning charcoal, grazing; these forests will never recover!” she insisted.
Prof Maathai argued that the government’s inaction on the Mau and other environmental issues reflected negatively not only on Kenya but on the African continent as a whole.
“It is extremely important that politicians in Kenya realize that we are focused on as a country. People will judge us on what we do rather than what we say,” she explained.
Prof Maathai also faulted the government’s preparation for the expected El nino rains.
“We are expecting these rains but what has the government done to prepare the farmers?”
“Has it prepared any water storage facilities, have they cleared the silt-filled dams?” she charged.
Danish ambassador to Kenya Bo Jensen echoed Prof Maathai’s sentiments explaining that Kenya should prepare itself for the climatic changes being experienced the world over.
“We can only blame the floods and droughts in the world on the climatic changes that the world is experiencing. The Kenyan government should brace itself for the effects that these changes will bear on Kenya.”
He also noted that Kenya should trivialise the environment at its own peril, and explained that the Mau issue should be resolved
The world-famous environmentalist held that the Secretariat was a political move and a ploy by the government to buy time and divert attention from the Mau evictions.
“The (secretariat) should tell the Prime Minister, ‘you do not need a committee, you have had a committee before, you have all the data you need to make a decision’. The only reason you are not making a decision now is because you are under pressure from your political friends,” she said.
Prof Maathai added that the government should put the lives of Kenyans first and stop holding citizens at ransom.
“And the question is now; who comes first, the friends or the country?” she posed.
The Nobel Laureate called on Kenyan leaders to stop succumbing to political pressure holding that they should deal with the Mau issue and stop focusing on winning the 2012 general elections.
“That is not what you expect from leadership; in leadership you have to make tough, sometimes painful decisions in order to save the country.”
She also explained that the Mau forest would start recovering from the damage caused by human invasion, if the settlers were evicted.
“The Kenyan government should start looking for long term solutions to avert future threats and crises. Once forests are left alone, they can very quickly start to regenerate on their own. But as long as there are people there, digging, burning charcoal, grazing; these forests will never recover!” she insisted.
Prof Maathai argued that the government’s inaction on the Mau and other environmental issues reflected negatively not only on Kenya but on the African continent as a whole.
“It is extremely important that politicians in Kenya realize that we are focused on as a country. People will judge us on what we do rather than what we say,” she explained.
Prof Maathai also faulted the government’s preparation for the expected El nino rains.
“We are expecting these rains but what has the government done to prepare the farmers?”
“Has it prepared any water storage facilities, have they cleared the silt-filled dams?” she charged.
Danish ambassador to Kenya Bo Jensen echoed Prof Maathai’s sentiments explaining that Kenya should prepare itself for the climatic changes being experienced the world over.
“We can only blame the floods and droughts in the world on the climatic changes that the world is experiencing. The Kenyan government should brace itself for the effects that these changes will bear on Kenya.”
He also noted that Kenya should trivialise the environment at its own peril, and explained that the Mau issue should be resolved
Thursday, September 3, 2009
MPs and Ringera
Another showdown looms in parliament on Thursday afternoon as backbenchers seek to amend the appropriation bill by denying funds to the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission- KACC until the controversy surrounding the re-appointment of three anti-graft czars is resolved.
The backbench shot down the adjournment motion Wednesday evening demanding to discharge the Appropriation bill before the house takes a break.
The MPs were angered by the government's decision to withdraw the bill at the 11th hour.
The bill is expected to be tabled in the House for debate but Mandera Central MP, Abdikadir Mohammed has given notice of his intention to move an amendment to the bill to deny KACC funds as parliament approves funding for government programmes.
If Abdikadir's amendment is adopted by parliament, over 1.3 billion shillings proposed in this year's budget to fund programmes by KACC will be withheld until the re-appointment matter is resolved.
This could derail the war on corruption in the country.
On Wednesday , members of the backbench backed by some ministers and assistants put up a spirited campaign to defeat an adjournment motion arguing that the reappointment of Justice Aaron Ringera and his two assistants was illegal and must be urgently addressed.
The backbench shot down the adjournment motion Wednesday evening demanding to discharge the Appropriation bill before the house takes a break.
The MPs were angered by the government's decision to withdraw the bill at the 11th hour.
The bill is expected to be tabled in the House for debate but Mandera Central MP, Abdikadir Mohammed has given notice of his intention to move an amendment to the bill to deny KACC funds as parliament approves funding for government programmes.
If Abdikadir's amendment is adopted by parliament, over 1.3 billion shillings proposed in this year's budget to fund programmes by KACC will be withheld until the re-appointment matter is resolved.
This could derail the war on corruption in the country.
On Wednesday , members of the backbench backed by some ministers and assistants put up a spirited campaign to defeat an adjournment motion arguing that the reappointment of Justice Aaron Ringera and his two assistants was illegal and must be urgently addressed.
US on Ringera
The American Government has expressed displeasure with the re-appointment of Justice Aaron Ringera as Director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC).
United States Ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger said on Thursday that his government was deeply concerned about the unilateral reappointment of Ringera.
"The reappointment, and the manner in which it was done, raise profoundly troubling questions, particularly given the poor record of performance of the KACC over the past five years" said Renneberger in statement.
He said the re-appointment of the anti-graft boss showed lack of government's commitment to end the culture of impunity through decisive steps to fight corruption and to implement key reforms.
He added "The very negative public reaction to the reappointment shows how little confidence the Kenyan people have in the KACC".
He said the US was concerned that the reappointment was apparently made without proper consultation noting that the KACC Advisory Board has the responsibility to make recommendations for candidates for Director and Assistant Directors to the Parliament.
"The board is the one which vets and approves those candidates, and sends the names of approved candidates to the President for him to appoint" the ambassador noted.
He urged the government to re-examine Justice Ringera's reappointment in accordance with appropriate procedures and through a process of broad consultation.
The envoy reiterated United States support to the country's fundamental reforms as agreed in the National Accord of 2008.
KACC board
Meanwhile, the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission advisory board chairman Okong'o Omogeni has come out strongly to defend the board against allegations that it held a secret meeting with Ringera on Wednesday.
Omogeni says there was nothing sinister about the lunch meeting held at a city hotel saying that they were just keeping with the tradition of sharing a meal with the director after a board meeting.
The chairman and some members of the board were caught on camera at a city hotel but left in a haste when they saw journalists.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday Omogeni accused the media of misleading the public.
The Wednesday lunch meeting came shortly after the board held a press conference where they resolved that Justice Ringera and his assistants Fatuma Sichale and Smokin Wanjala would continue to serve until the controversy surrounding their reappointment is resolved.
On Tuesday, Omogeni termed the re-appointments as illegal. The board has written to President Mwai Kibaki seeking audience with him to discuss the matter.
United States Ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger said on Thursday that his government was deeply concerned about the unilateral reappointment of Ringera.
"The reappointment, and the manner in which it was done, raise profoundly troubling questions, particularly given the poor record of performance of the KACC over the past five years" said Renneberger in statement.
He said the re-appointment of the anti-graft boss showed lack of government's commitment to end the culture of impunity through decisive steps to fight corruption and to implement key reforms.
He added "The very negative public reaction to the reappointment shows how little confidence the Kenyan people have in the KACC".
He said the US was concerned that the reappointment was apparently made without proper consultation noting that the KACC Advisory Board has the responsibility to make recommendations for candidates for Director and Assistant Directors to the Parliament.
"The board is the one which vets and approves those candidates, and sends the names of approved candidates to the President for him to appoint" the ambassador noted.
He urged the government to re-examine Justice Ringera's reappointment in accordance with appropriate procedures and through a process of broad consultation.
The envoy reiterated United States support to the country's fundamental reforms as agreed in the National Accord of 2008.
KACC board
Meanwhile, the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission advisory board chairman Okong'o Omogeni has come out strongly to defend the board against allegations that it held a secret meeting with Ringera on Wednesday.
Omogeni says there was nothing sinister about the lunch meeting held at a city hotel saying that they were just keeping with the tradition of sharing a meal with the director after a board meeting.
The chairman and some members of the board were caught on camera at a city hotel but left in a haste when they saw journalists.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday Omogeni accused the media of misleading the public.
The Wednesday lunch meeting came shortly after the board held a press conference where they resolved that Justice Ringera and his assistants Fatuma Sichale and Smokin Wanjala would continue to serve until the controversy surrounding their reappointment is resolved.
On Tuesday, Omogeni termed the re-appointments as illegal. The board has written to President Mwai Kibaki seeking audience with him to discuss the matter.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Raila Not Sorry
The Prime Minister has dismissed media reports that he had apologised to Rift Valley MPs over Mau during an ODM National Executive Council meeting on Tuesday.
The PM said he only agreed that there were critical issues in the party and by accepting to pursue them, some people felt agitated.
“The PM made a statesman's statement saying there have been a number of critical issues in the party and in the process of pursuing them some people felt he stepped on their toes. He said if there were any such cases, he was prepared to apologise. But since nobody raised any such issues, there was never an apology,” the statement read.
Mr Odinga said in the meeting the 27 ODM MPs resolved that action should be taken on Mau noting that it was a crucial step to conserving the country’s water towers.
“The PM considers saving the Mau and other water towers a serious national duty for which he believes only history will judge him against the rest,” he said.
Last month Mr Odinga overruled a fourteen-day eviction notice given by the Kenya Forest Service on Mau settlers.
The Premier told the settlers to wait for the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee that will lead the restoration of the water tower.
The contradicting orders came barely a month after Forestry and Wildlife Minister Noah Wekesa asserted that his Ministry was the one charged with spearheading the resettlement program of the water tower.
The evident contradiction angered a section of MPs from the Rift Valley who said this was creating more confusion and anxiety.
The legislators dismissed the notice and demanded that the government puts its act together on the resettlement program.
He is on Friday expected to launch a Coordinating Secretariat of the Mau Forest Complex.
A statement from his office on Wednesday indicated that the meeting will convene stakeholders from ministries concerned with Water, Environment and Agriculture among others.
“The Secretariat will bring together key ministries that will oversee the restoration and conservation of the Mau,” the statement read.
The launch of the Secretariat on Friday comes after President Mwai Kibaki ordered the Prime Minister to speed up the restoration and conservation of Kenya’s biggest water catchment area.
The Secretariat will draw the restoration and conservation programme which will include identification of genuine settlers, compensation, the eviction process and other technicalities that will see the water tower fully restored.
But the Secretariat will face a challenge of finding where the evictees will be resettled.
The shamba system resettlement had been floated but was criticised by environmentalist Prof Wangari Maathai saying it is what led to the destruction of other forests.
She said settlers on shamba system always try to expand where they are allocated and as a result, they cut trees and clear bushes to give themselves more space.
The PM said he only agreed that there were critical issues in the party and by accepting to pursue them, some people felt agitated.
“The PM made a statesman's statement saying there have been a number of critical issues in the party and in the process of pursuing them some people felt he stepped on their toes. He said if there were any such cases, he was prepared to apologise. But since nobody raised any such issues, there was never an apology,” the statement read.
Mr Odinga said in the meeting the 27 ODM MPs resolved that action should be taken on Mau noting that it was a crucial step to conserving the country’s water towers.
“The PM considers saving the Mau and other water towers a serious national duty for which he believes only history will judge him against the rest,” he said.
Last month Mr Odinga overruled a fourteen-day eviction notice given by the Kenya Forest Service on Mau settlers.
The Premier told the settlers to wait for the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee that will lead the restoration of the water tower.
The contradicting orders came barely a month after Forestry and Wildlife Minister Noah Wekesa asserted that his Ministry was the one charged with spearheading the resettlement program of the water tower.
The evident contradiction angered a section of MPs from the Rift Valley who said this was creating more confusion and anxiety.
The legislators dismissed the notice and demanded that the government puts its act together on the resettlement program.
He is on Friday expected to launch a Coordinating Secretariat of the Mau Forest Complex.
A statement from his office on Wednesday indicated that the meeting will convene stakeholders from ministries concerned with Water, Environment and Agriculture among others.
“The Secretariat will bring together key ministries that will oversee the restoration and conservation of the Mau,” the statement read.
The launch of the Secretariat on Friday comes after President Mwai Kibaki ordered the Prime Minister to speed up the restoration and conservation of Kenya’s biggest water catchment area.
The Secretariat will draw the restoration and conservation programme which will include identification of genuine settlers, compensation, the eviction process and other technicalities that will see the water tower fully restored.
But the Secretariat will face a challenge of finding where the evictees will be resettled.
The shamba system resettlement had been floated but was criticised by environmentalist Prof Wangari Maathai saying it is what led to the destruction of other forests.
She said settlers on shamba system always try to expand where they are allocated and as a result, they cut trees and clear bushes to give themselves more space.
City Death
A man in his mid twenties or early thirties fell off an office block building in Nairobi and died on the spot, causing panic and anxiety in the City.
Police said they were yet to establish if the man worked or studied at any of the private and public universities located at the 20-storey View Park Towers on Uhuru Highway.
Witnesses gave contradicting statements, with some saying the man was one of the cleaners who fell off from one of the floors on the 15th floor where they were cleaning windows.
Others told police and journalists that the man may have jumped off a window from one of the floors but none of the theories was immediately substantiated.
A senior police officer from the Central Police station who visited the scene said they were pursuing reports that “the man was working at the building when he suddenly fell off.”
“There are many theories and versions here, many of the witnesses have told us he was one of the cleaners and we are keen to establish that. Our detectives are still interrogating people here to get more information,” the officer said.
The incident that occurred shortly after 1 pm attracted a crowd which milled at the scene for nearly two hours as they jostled to catch a glimpse of the man’s mutilated body.
“I was passing near Utalii House when I heard a loud bang and ran to check, that is when I found this man lying dead here and his body parts scattered all over,” Abdul Ali, a witness who is also a student at a city college said.
The man landed on the bonnet of a vehicle that was parked on the front side of the building.
Police confirmed that an initial investigation had shown the man had died from the fall and not from any injuries prior to the incident.
“It is pathetic,” Linda Okelo, a witness said. “It is one of those scenes you don’t want to see or be told about.”
Police recovered a copy of what is believed to have been the deceased man’s identification card from his pockets and pleaded to journalists not to broadcast or print its contents until the next of kin are notified.
Police said they were yet to establish if the man worked or studied at any of the private and public universities located at the 20-storey View Park Towers on Uhuru Highway.
Witnesses gave contradicting statements, with some saying the man was one of the cleaners who fell off from one of the floors on the 15th floor where they were cleaning windows.
Others told police and journalists that the man may have jumped off a window from one of the floors but none of the theories was immediately substantiated.
A senior police officer from the Central Police station who visited the scene said they were pursuing reports that “the man was working at the building when he suddenly fell off.”
“There are many theories and versions here, many of the witnesses have told us he was one of the cleaners and we are keen to establish that. Our detectives are still interrogating people here to get more information,” the officer said.
The incident that occurred shortly after 1 pm attracted a crowd which milled at the scene for nearly two hours as they jostled to catch a glimpse of the man’s mutilated body.
“I was passing near Utalii House when I heard a loud bang and ran to check, that is when I found this man lying dead here and his body parts scattered all over,” Abdul Ali, a witness who is also a student at a city college said.
The man landed on the bonnet of a vehicle that was parked on the front side of the building.
Police confirmed that an initial investigation had shown the man had died from the fall and not from any injuries prior to the incident.
“It is pathetic,” Linda Okelo, a witness said. “It is one of those scenes you don’t want to see or be told about.”
Police recovered a copy of what is believed to have been the deceased man’s identification card from his pockets and pleaded to journalists not to broadcast or print its contents until the next of kin are notified.
raila sorry
Prime Minister Raila Odinga looked at his Orange Democratic Movement MPs with a straight face and apologised to those on whose toes he may have stepped.
He, however, told the party’s long-awaited National Executive and Parliamentary Group meeting that conservation of Mau Forest Complex, which has rocked the party, was his national duty.
He explained it was neither a Luo nor Kalenjin affair as its destruction portended danger to all communities.
He, however, told the party’s long-awaited National Executive and Parliamentary Group meeting that conservation of Mau Forest Complex, which has rocked the party, was his national duty.
He explained it was neither a Luo nor Kalenjin affair as its destruction portended danger to all communities.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
No Flights to Kisumu
Kenya Airways will temporarily suspend daily flights to Kisumu effective September 7, 2009.
In a statement, KQ said the move was meant to pave way for the ongoing repairs and renovation of the Kisumu Airport runway by the Kenya Airports Authority.
The repairs are expected to be completed by the end of November 2009.
"The length of the Kisumu runway will become much shorter during the repair and renovation period. Therefore the Embraer E170 jets which ply on this route will not be able to take-off and land during this time," Kenya Airways Commercial Director, Mohan Chandra said.
"The runaway repairs are expected to improve the operations of the Kisumu Airport. Our aircrafts are not able to take full loads on the short runway," he added.
Chandra said the airline will resume operations once renovations are complete.
The airline flies to Kisumu twice every day.
Kisumu Airport is the third busiest airport in the country after the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the Nairobi Moi International Airport, Mombasa.
In a statement, KQ said the move was meant to pave way for the ongoing repairs and renovation of the Kisumu Airport runway by the Kenya Airports Authority.
The repairs are expected to be completed by the end of November 2009.
"The length of the Kisumu runway will become much shorter during the repair and renovation period. Therefore the Embraer E170 jets which ply on this route will not be able to take-off and land during this time," Kenya Airways Commercial Director, Mohan Chandra said.
"The runaway repairs are expected to improve the operations of the Kisumu Airport. Our aircrafts are not able to take full loads on the short runway," he added.
Chandra said the airline will resume operations once renovations are complete.
The airline flies to Kisumu twice every day.
Kisumu Airport is the third busiest airport in the country after the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the Nairobi Moi International Airport, Mombasa.
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