Calls have intensified for the sacking of Education Minister Sam Ongeri and Permanent Secretary Karega Mutahi over the theft of over Sh100 million for the Free Primary Education programme.
At least six Members of Parliament called for stern action against the ‘big fish’ at Jogoo House, the headquarters of the Ministry of Education. MPs Danson Mungatana and Charles Kilonzo said the two top officials had failed in their capacities to safeguard public resources.
“There is no other explanation other than negligence of the highest order. It is very sad that two professors can fail to notice funds being misappropriated under their watchful eye,” Mr Mungatana who is the MP for Garsen said.
“We do not want to see that the small people only are the ones being prosecuted,” Mr Kilonzo, the Yatta MP asserted. “Nobody is going to take this country serious if we don’t take action against the big fish.”
Joining the two at a press conference, Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni threatened that the backbench would petition the Speaker to recall Parliament early to censure Prof Ongeri should he insist to remain in office by mid January.
The lost funds are part of billions of shillings in support of the government’s efforts for free primary education and subsidised secondary education. A report by Britain’s Department for International department (DFID) showed that the monies cannot be accounted for. Despite increasing pressure on the two to step aside to allow investigations, Prof Ongeri on Tuesday dismissed the calls saying he should not be held accountable.
The Kenya Anti Corruption Commission is in the middle of investigations into the scam and has promised to release a report by mid January.
An audit report by the Ministry however accuses officials at the Secondary School section of colluding to siphon the money through forged claims at capacity building workshops. The PS, Prof Karega Mutahi suspended 26 officers over the saga three months ago, but legislators are questioning why he left out officers in the basic education unit under whose docket the funds fall.
Separately legislators Nicholas Gumbo and John Mbadi accused senior officers at Jogoo House of diverting attention from the “real culprits and using innocent people scapegoats in the matter.”
“Even most disturbing and suspicious is that the Director of Basic Education under who the FPE falls is not only in office but a key member of the committee ‘purported’ to be investigating the matter,” Mr Gumbo said.
Mr Mbadi added that the Ministry’s accounting system is weak and provides loopholes for graft.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Kibaki at dinner
Mwai Kibaki on Thursday night joined other world leaders at a colourful gala dinner hosted by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II and His Royal Highness the Prince Consort at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark.
In her welcome speech at the gala dinner, the queen thanked the world leaders for attending the climate change conference, noting that never before has Copenhagen hosted so many distinguished guests on such an important issue.
The queen underscored the need for all nations to work together in addressing climate change challenges and expressed hope that the conference would come out with positive and convincing results for the benefit of mankind.
In her welcome speech at the gala dinner, the queen thanked the world leaders for attending the climate change conference, noting that never before has Copenhagen hosted so many distinguished guests on such an important issue.
The queen underscored the need for all nations to work together in addressing climate change challenges and expressed hope that the conference would come out with positive and convincing results for the benefit of mankind.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
MAGARA OUT
Trade Assistant Minister Omingo Magara has lost his South Mugirango Parliamentary seat after the High Court nullified his election.
Kisii resident judge Daniel Musinga has ruled that Mr Magara’s election was marred by irregularities and ordered a by-election to be carried out.
Poll loser Manson Oyongo Nyamweya, who vied and lost on KANU ticket had filed the petition challenging Mr Magara's election in the last General Election.
Last month, the court dismissed a last-minute attempt to delay the hearing after Mr Magara’s lawyer Katwa Kigen sought an adjournment to prepare affidavits.
Last year Joel Onyancha lost his Bomachoge parliamentary seat in a case filed before Justice Musinga.
Justice Musinga ruled that the form 16 As used in counting votes in the constituency were not signed by the Presiding Officers who counted the election and therefore couldn’t be authenticated.
The judge said due to the anomaly, it was difficult to tell who the winner of the election was.
Mr Nyamweya had alleged that the election process was flawed and petitioned the court to declare him winner.
Mr Magara becomes the second MP to lose his seat after the High Court nullified elections in Bomachoge.
His lawyer Katwa Kigen has faulted the judge for dwelling on technical arguments adding that it was improper for the court to drag the case, having known that it would end in the manner it did.
Earlier in the year, the High Court ordered a recount of the votes in which Mr Magara won again.
Kisii resident judge Daniel Musinga has ruled that Mr Magara’s election was marred by irregularities and ordered a by-election to be carried out.
Poll loser Manson Oyongo Nyamweya, who vied and lost on KANU ticket had filed the petition challenging Mr Magara's election in the last General Election.
Last month, the court dismissed a last-minute attempt to delay the hearing after Mr Magara’s lawyer Katwa Kigen sought an adjournment to prepare affidavits.
Last year Joel Onyancha lost his Bomachoge parliamentary seat in a case filed before Justice Musinga.
Justice Musinga ruled that the form 16 As used in counting votes in the constituency were not signed by the Presiding Officers who counted the election and therefore couldn’t be authenticated.
The judge said due to the anomaly, it was difficult to tell who the winner of the election was.
Mr Nyamweya had alleged that the election process was flawed and petitioned the court to declare him winner.
Mr Magara becomes the second MP to lose his seat after the High Court nullified elections in Bomachoge.
His lawyer Katwa Kigen has faulted the judge for dwelling on technical arguments adding that it was improper for the court to drag the case, having known that it would end in the manner it did.
Earlier in the year, the High Court ordered a recount of the votes in which Mr Magara won again.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Kibaki on climate change
Mwai Kibaki on Thursday challenged the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to live up to its noble principle of protecting the climate system for the benefit of the present and future generations.
Speaking when he addressed the high-level segment of the ongoing United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Copenhagen, Denmark, President Kibaki said delegates negotiating the future international climate regime must ensure that they do not lose sight of the key tenets of the Convention as they seek to come to an agreement on a post-Kyoto regime.
“At this conference, we are also guided by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This framework is very clear with regard to equity and responsibility of different actors,” President Kibaki noted.
The President called on developed countries to assist developing countries like Kenya , to access appropriate technologies at realistic cost to enable them effectively address Climate Change concerns. He stressed that industrialised countries should provide support to developing countries through capacity building programmes.
The President, at the same time, restated Kenya’s support for the strengthening of the United Nations Environment Program based in Nairobi.
“We stand ready to host a revamped UNEP that will have the mandate to help lead the global fight against environmental degradation,” the President said.
President Kibaki noted that only partnerships among developed and developing countries will guarantee the future of planet earth, saying they should work together towards a fair and equitable deal at the conference.
The Head of State cited the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change which states that ‘The Parties should protect the climate system for the benefit of present and future generations of humankind, on the basis of equity and in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.
The President pointed out that the globally accepted principles of democracy and good governance that apply at national level should also apply at the international arena. Saying Africa collectively advocates for this position while the entire G-77 and China are in agreement, the President said the voice of the majority needs to be heard and to be respected.
On Kenya’s position regarding climate change issues, President Kibaki said, like that of the other African countries, the country is guided by the Bali Roadmap with its five pillars of adaptation, mitigation, technology transfer, capacity building and finance.
Noting that Kenya’s economy relies heavily on Climate vulnerable sectors such as Agriculture, Water, Energy, Transport and Tourism, the President said efforts to address climate change concerns have been stepped up including the formulation of a National Climate Change Response Strategy. He observed that the strategy details key measures and actions as well as a resource mobilization plan.
President Kibaki added that through relevant ministries, the Government has developed a programme that will guide an environmental investment plan, at an estimated cost of 2.2 billion dollars per year over a 20 year period.
As a result, the President said Kenya will, among other things, achieve a 10 percent forest cover by the year TWENTY THIRTY, a sharp rise from the current 2 percent. As part of this environmental investment plan, President Kibaki said Kenya also plans to shift to a low carbon emission development pathway, as its contribution to the fight against climate change.
“We are also committed to making further investments in renewable energy technologies such as wind and geothermal power production,” the Head of State pointed out.
Noting that the estimated cost for green energy production in Kenya is 25 billion dollars over the next 21 years, the President underscored the need for transfer of technologies, financing and capacity building.
Speaking when he addressed the high-level segment of the ongoing United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Copenhagen, Denmark, President Kibaki said delegates negotiating the future international climate regime must ensure that they do not lose sight of the key tenets of the Convention as they seek to come to an agreement on a post-Kyoto regime.
“At this conference, we are also guided by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This framework is very clear with regard to equity and responsibility of different actors,” President Kibaki noted.
The President called on developed countries to assist developing countries like Kenya , to access appropriate technologies at realistic cost to enable them effectively address Climate Change concerns. He stressed that industrialised countries should provide support to developing countries through capacity building programmes.
The President, at the same time, restated Kenya’s support for the strengthening of the United Nations Environment Program based in Nairobi.
“We stand ready to host a revamped UNEP that will have the mandate to help lead the global fight against environmental degradation,” the President said.
President Kibaki noted that only partnerships among developed and developing countries will guarantee the future of planet earth, saying they should work together towards a fair and equitable deal at the conference.
The Head of State cited the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change which states that ‘The Parties should protect the climate system for the benefit of present and future generations of humankind, on the basis of equity and in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.
The President pointed out that the globally accepted principles of democracy and good governance that apply at national level should also apply at the international arena. Saying Africa collectively advocates for this position while the entire G-77 and China are in agreement, the President said the voice of the majority needs to be heard and to be respected.
On Kenya’s position regarding climate change issues, President Kibaki said, like that of the other African countries, the country is guided by the Bali Roadmap with its five pillars of adaptation, mitigation, technology transfer, capacity building and finance.
Noting that Kenya’s economy relies heavily on Climate vulnerable sectors such as Agriculture, Water, Energy, Transport and Tourism, the President said efforts to address climate change concerns have been stepped up including the formulation of a National Climate Change Response Strategy. He observed that the strategy details key measures and actions as well as a resource mobilization plan.
President Kibaki added that through relevant ministries, the Government has developed a programme that will guide an environmental investment plan, at an estimated cost of 2.2 billion dollars per year over a 20 year period.
As a result, the President said Kenya will, among other things, achieve a 10 percent forest cover by the year TWENTY THIRTY, a sharp rise from the current 2 percent. As part of this environmental investment plan, President Kibaki said Kenya also plans to shift to a low carbon emission development pathway, as its contribution to the fight against climate change.
“We are also committed to making further investments in renewable energy technologies such as wind and geothermal power production,” the Head of State pointed out.
Noting that the estimated cost for green energy production in Kenya is 25 billion dollars over the next 21 years, the President underscored the need for transfer of technologies, financing and capacity building.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
MESSENGER OF PEACE
Wangari Maathai accepted her new status as the UN Messenger for peace even as she called on world leaders to seal an ambitious deal at the ongoing climate change summit in Copenhagen.
‘I am excited, greatly honoured and privileged to be accorded this status…it is with a lot of pride that I accept the award,” said the Nobel laureate amidst applause from her admirers.
The award was conferred to her by UN Secretary General Mr Ban Ki-Moon at the Bella Centre, the venue of the ongoing climate change talks. Also in attendance was the United Nation’s Environmental Program boss Mr Achim Steiner.
Added Prof Maathai, “I will hold this title with lots of pride and determination to ensure that wherever I go, I will make a difference…I will give my all to ensure that I succeed in this mandate.”
She spoke just moments before the high level segment of the climate change negotiations kicked off, where ministers from all the 193 countries participating in the talks will be seeking to iron out a deal that will at the end of the week be endorsed by heads of states and governments.
At least 120 world leaders including US President Barrack Obama and his Kenyan counterpart President Kibaki are expected to grace the meeting, which comes to an end on Friday.
Prof Maathai however said that despite the numerous expectations many had for the outcome of the conference, everything might not work out as planned.
But this, she added, should not loose hope but continue pushing for the ambitious deal.
‘It is important for us to remember that there’s no conference I have attended in the world where people get an absolutely perfect outcome. We might not get all the money we desire but we must also not loose hope. We must get an ambitious deal in Copenhagen,” she said amidst applause.
“I am an optimist…I don’t believe that so many presidents will come here to Copenhagen for fun. Keep your hopes high and we shall prevail,” she added.
The UN recognised Prof Maathai for her exemplary work in support of the environment, democracy and women’s rights. She now becomes the UN special messenger for peace for with a special focus on climate change and the environment.
With her new status, Prof Maathai will join eleven other UN messengers of peace who advocate on behalf of the UN.
They include Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan, Argentinean born/Israeli conductor and pianist Mr Daniel Barenboim, Actor and director George Clooney, Brazilian Author Paulo Coelho, actor Michael Douglas and Dr Jane Goodall.
Others are virtuoso violinist Midori Goto, Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Academy Award-winning actress Charlize Theron, Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel and Grammy Award-winning songwriter and musician Stevie Wonder.
Messengers of peace are individuals who possess widely recognised talents in the field of art, literature, sport and entertainment, helping to raise worldwide awareness of the UN’s ideals and activities.
Through their public appearances and contacts with the international media and humanitarian work, they expand public understanding of how the UN helps to improve the lives of people everywhere.
UN Secretary General paid a glowing tribute to the Green Belt Movement founder, describing her as ‘a living example of a passionate and dedicated individual who can make a difference to the world.’
“She has earned every accolade that has been conferred to her,” said Mr Ban adding, “I therefore take great pleasure in proclaiming her our special ambassador.”
He went on, “You are a true champion for the environment. We in the UN are excited to be associated with you and are optimistic you will do well to bring peace in the world.”
His sentiments were also echoed by Mr Steiner who said; “We are proud of you…you never give up in whatever you are undertaking even in the most difficult times. Keep the fire burning.”
Prof Maathai has been at the forefront of environmental conservation, not only in Kenya but abroad too. It is due to her exemplary work as an environmental conservationist that the Greenbelt movement founder was appointed goodwill ambassador for an initiative aimed at protecting the Congo Basin forest ecosystem.
In November 2006, she spearheaded the UN Billion Tree Campaign.
‘I am excited, greatly honoured and privileged to be accorded this status…it is with a lot of pride that I accept the award,” said the Nobel laureate amidst applause from her admirers.
The award was conferred to her by UN Secretary General Mr Ban Ki-Moon at the Bella Centre, the venue of the ongoing climate change talks. Also in attendance was the United Nation’s Environmental Program boss Mr Achim Steiner.
Added Prof Maathai, “I will hold this title with lots of pride and determination to ensure that wherever I go, I will make a difference…I will give my all to ensure that I succeed in this mandate.”
She spoke just moments before the high level segment of the climate change negotiations kicked off, where ministers from all the 193 countries participating in the talks will be seeking to iron out a deal that will at the end of the week be endorsed by heads of states and governments.
At least 120 world leaders including US President Barrack Obama and his Kenyan counterpart President Kibaki are expected to grace the meeting, which comes to an end on Friday.
Prof Maathai however said that despite the numerous expectations many had for the outcome of the conference, everything might not work out as planned.
But this, she added, should not loose hope but continue pushing for the ambitious deal.
‘It is important for us to remember that there’s no conference I have attended in the world where people get an absolutely perfect outcome. We might not get all the money we desire but we must also not loose hope. We must get an ambitious deal in Copenhagen,” she said amidst applause.
“I am an optimist…I don’t believe that so many presidents will come here to Copenhagen for fun. Keep your hopes high and we shall prevail,” she added.
The UN recognised Prof Maathai for her exemplary work in support of the environment, democracy and women’s rights. She now becomes the UN special messenger for peace for with a special focus on climate change and the environment.
With her new status, Prof Maathai will join eleven other UN messengers of peace who advocate on behalf of the UN.
They include Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan, Argentinean born/Israeli conductor and pianist Mr Daniel Barenboim, Actor and director George Clooney, Brazilian Author Paulo Coelho, actor Michael Douglas and Dr Jane Goodall.
Others are virtuoso violinist Midori Goto, Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Academy Award-winning actress Charlize Theron, Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel and Grammy Award-winning songwriter and musician Stevie Wonder.
Messengers of peace are individuals who possess widely recognised talents in the field of art, literature, sport and entertainment, helping to raise worldwide awareness of the UN’s ideals and activities.
Through their public appearances and contacts with the international media and humanitarian work, they expand public understanding of how the UN helps to improve the lives of people everywhere.
UN Secretary General paid a glowing tribute to the Green Belt Movement founder, describing her as ‘a living example of a passionate and dedicated individual who can make a difference to the world.’
“She has earned every accolade that has been conferred to her,” said Mr Ban adding, “I therefore take great pleasure in proclaiming her our special ambassador.”
He went on, “You are a true champion for the environment. We in the UN are excited to be associated with you and are optimistic you will do well to bring peace in the world.”
His sentiments were also echoed by Mr Steiner who said; “We are proud of you…you never give up in whatever you are undertaking even in the most difficult times. Keep the fire burning.”
Prof Maathai has been at the forefront of environmental conservation, not only in Kenya but abroad too. It is due to her exemplary work as an environmental conservationist that the Greenbelt movement founder was appointed goodwill ambassador for an initiative aimed at protecting the Congo Basin forest ecosystem.
In November 2006, she spearheaded the UN Billion Tree Campaign.
UHURU ON DRAFT
The grand coalition committee on consensus building on constitution reforms Tuesday held its third meeting with little progress to note.
Deputy premier Uhuru Kenyatta who was chairing the meeting said they had agreed on a hybrid government combining both presidential and parliamentary system, prime minister to be the leader of party with the highest representation in parliament, and the establishment of council state which shall resolve disputes between the president and the premier in the case that they are from different political parties.
However the committee remains deadlocked on the roles of the president and the premier under the proposed constitution, the executive functions, and the composition of the cabinet and the harmonization of policies in circumstances where the president and the prime minister are from different parties.
Transitional provisions and representation of people in parliament including whether there should be a senate, its composition and size continue to dog efforts by the coalition parties to present a single document on proposals on the Harmonized Draft Constitution before it goes to Parliament.
On Monday Miguna Miguna, the coalition adviser to Prime Minister Raila Odinga, walked out of the meeting saying his PNU colleagues had failed to work within guidelines agreed on the week before.
The six-member technical team, is expected to agree on a common Grand Coalition position on some of the thorny issues in the draft constitution ahead of the Thursday deadline for the public and political parties to present their views to the Committee of Experts.
Deputy premier Uhuru Kenyatta who was chairing the meeting said they had agreed on a hybrid government combining both presidential and parliamentary system, prime minister to be the leader of party with the highest representation in parliament, and the establishment of council state which shall resolve disputes between the president and the premier in the case that they are from different political parties.
However the committee remains deadlocked on the roles of the president and the premier under the proposed constitution, the executive functions, and the composition of the cabinet and the harmonization of policies in circumstances where the president and the prime minister are from different parties.
Transitional provisions and representation of people in parliament including whether there should be a senate, its composition and size continue to dog efforts by the coalition parties to present a single document on proposals on the Harmonized Draft Constitution before it goes to Parliament.
On Monday Miguna Miguna, the coalition adviser to Prime Minister Raila Odinga, walked out of the meeting saying his PNU colleagues had failed to work within guidelines agreed on the week before.
The six-member technical team, is expected to agree on a common Grand Coalition position on some of the thorny issues in the draft constitution ahead of the Thursday deadline for the public and political parties to present their views to the Committee of Experts.
GEMA SAYS NO
With only two days before the expiry of the 30 days debate period on the harmonized draft constitution sharp divisions continue to emerge over the system of governance.
The Gikuyu, Embu, Meru Association has Tuesday threatened to distance itself from the draft should the committee of Experts on Constitutional Review settle for a parliamentary system of governance.
GEMA executive committee maintains that a president elected directly by the people should be more powerful than the Prime Minister.
Speaking to the press in Nairobi, the members said power-sharing between the President and Prime Minister would be creating two centers of power which they argue was dangerous for the country's democracy.
Led by the group Patron Njenga Karume, the group dismissed claims of an executive president abusing power as witnessed before saying proper checks and balances will be created.
This comes amid differences between the Grand Coalition Government partners PNU and ODM over the system of government.
ODM proposes a parliamentary system of governance while PNU prefers a presidential system.
Elsewhere, Gender and Children Affairs Minister, Esther Murugi Mathenge says the executive powers of the President should be maintained and not curtailed within the new constitution to enable the Presidency to be accountable to the affairs of the Nation.
Speaking in Nyeri during a sensitization workshop on the harmonized draft constitution to grassroot leaders, Murugi said Kenyans should borrow a leaf from well managed economies like the United States of America where the President has executive powers.
Murugi cautioned leaders against politicizing the Constitution saying it will be used by future generations and those compiling it should be concerned about the future of this country.
The function was attended by religious leaders, women leaders, representatives from the Jua kali and Matatu sector, women group leaders, and Civic leaders.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) says the proposed government structure in the draft constitution is bloated and will be an added burden on the taxpayer.
KEPSA says the government has been unable to fully finance the budget, hence the proposed government structure that seeks to add more institutions might impoverish Kenyans further.
In a statement to the committee, KEPSA calls for the scrapping of the proposed Senate due to the cost associated with running the House and its functions to be carried out by the parliament.
Kepsa also says that the creation of more constitutional offices such as the Supreme Court is unnecessary and that only reforms are needed in the existing structures.
KEPSA adds that the proposed regional governments do not have a clear structure of functions and would only drag the country into ethnic blocks, since most of the counties will be created around ethnic communities.
The Gikuyu, Embu, Meru Association has Tuesday threatened to distance itself from the draft should the committee of Experts on Constitutional Review settle for a parliamentary system of governance.
GEMA executive committee maintains that a president elected directly by the people should be more powerful than the Prime Minister.
Speaking to the press in Nairobi, the members said power-sharing between the President and Prime Minister would be creating two centers of power which they argue was dangerous for the country's democracy.
Led by the group Patron Njenga Karume, the group dismissed claims of an executive president abusing power as witnessed before saying proper checks and balances will be created.
This comes amid differences between the Grand Coalition Government partners PNU and ODM over the system of government.
ODM proposes a parliamentary system of governance while PNU prefers a presidential system.
Elsewhere, Gender and Children Affairs Minister, Esther Murugi Mathenge says the executive powers of the President should be maintained and not curtailed within the new constitution to enable the Presidency to be accountable to the affairs of the Nation.
Speaking in Nyeri during a sensitization workshop on the harmonized draft constitution to grassroot leaders, Murugi said Kenyans should borrow a leaf from well managed economies like the United States of America where the President has executive powers.
Murugi cautioned leaders against politicizing the Constitution saying it will be used by future generations and those compiling it should be concerned about the future of this country.
The function was attended by religious leaders, women leaders, representatives from the Jua kali and Matatu sector, women group leaders, and Civic leaders.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) says the proposed government structure in the draft constitution is bloated and will be an added burden on the taxpayer.
KEPSA says the government has been unable to fully finance the budget, hence the proposed government structure that seeks to add more institutions might impoverish Kenyans further.
In a statement to the committee, KEPSA calls for the scrapping of the proposed Senate due to the cost associated with running the House and its functions to be carried out by the parliament.
Kepsa also says that the creation of more constitutional offices such as the Supreme Court is unnecessary and that only reforms are needed in the existing structures.
KEPSA adds that the proposed regional governments do not have a clear structure of functions and would only drag the country into ethnic blocks, since most of the counties will be created around ethnic communities.
YOUTH=PASSING CLOUD
Raila Odinga has maintained that attempts by people with large tracts of land in the Mau to frustrate the ongoing reclamation were futile.
He said the influential people were inciting settlers who had earlier been evicted from the forest not to return to their original homes and were using them as a buffer to protect grabbed land.
“It is unfortunate that these people have incited settlers who were willing to go back to their homes to instead stay by the roadsides so as to protect those big people from eviction. But this is all futile, “he vowed.
Reiterating that those who had already been ejected were occupying gazetted forest land and did not have title deeds, Mr Odinga emphasised that the exercise would go on progressively to cover even those with title deeds in degazetted forest.
The PM said among those to be affected in the exercise are former President Daniel arap Moi who owns tea estates and the Kiptagich tea factory in the area, former powerful Permanent Secretary for Provincial Administration and Internal Security and MP for Kuresoi Zakayo Cheruiyot - who has said had more than 5,000 acres of land - and the MP for Chepalungu Isaac Ruto.
Noting that conservation of the environment was a matter of life and death, the PM pointed out that if temperatures in the country were to rise slightly then the country would ‘turn into an oven’ or if the water levels of the Indian Ocean were to raise even by one millilitre some of the coastal towns would be submerged in water.
The PM at the time exonerated himself from blame for spearheading the exercise and for allegedly failing to protect youths in the Rift Valley who were arrested over the post election violence saying the chaos was not only in the Rift Valley and arrests were made all over the country.
“Why then would someone blame me for not intervening in the case of the Rift Valley youths when other youths from other parts of the country were also arrested?”he wondered.
He added: “I’m not insensitive to let my supporters to suffer innocently. We shall resettle those removed from the forest while ensuring that justice is done to those arrested over post election violence.”
Mr Odinga who is the ODM party leader called for party unity saying as the lead party, ODM needed all the support it can afford to deliver to the people. “Internal wrangles would only weaken our party and give our competitors an edge over us, “he added.
On the constitution the PM expressed confidence that the country would realise a new constitution next year and said it was imperative that a consensus is arrived at before the referendum.
He asked ODM supporters in his constituency to cease hostilities and appointed a 20-man team, 10 from each warring side to harmonise any issues of misunderstanding in the branch.
In the same vein, Mr Odinga said even though the youth had a role to play in the leadership of this country they should respect their elders. He said, “They should not disrespect old people, because being young is like a passing cloud and they will soon be old themselves.”
Mr Odinga was speaking at his treasury building office when he addressed leaders from Langata constituency at an end of year meeting.
He said the influential people were inciting settlers who had earlier been evicted from the forest not to return to their original homes and were using them as a buffer to protect grabbed land.
“It is unfortunate that these people have incited settlers who were willing to go back to their homes to instead stay by the roadsides so as to protect those big people from eviction. But this is all futile, “he vowed.
Reiterating that those who had already been ejected were occupying gazetted forest land and did not have title deeds, Mr Odinga emphasised that the exercise would go on progressively to cover even those with title deeds in degazetted forest.
The PM said among those to be affected in the exercise are former President Daniel arap Moi who owns tea estates and the Kiptagich tea factory in the area, former powerful Permanent Secretary for Provincial Administration and Internal Security and MP for Kuresoi Zakayo Cheruiyot - who has said had more than 5,000 acres of land - and the MP for Chepalungu Isaac Ruto.
Noting that conservation of the environment was a matter of life and death, the PM pointed out that if temperatures in the country were to rise slightly then the country would ‘turn into an oven’ or if the water levels of the Indian Ocean were to raise even by one millilitre some of the coastal towns would be submerged in water.
The PM at the time exonerated himself from blame for spearheading the exercise and for allegedly failing to protect youths in the Rift Valley who were arrested over the post election violence saying the chaos was not only in the Rift Valley and arrests were made all over the country.
“Why then would someone blame me for not intervening in the case of the Rift Valley youths when other youths from other parts of the country were also arrested?”he wondered.
He added: “I’m not insensitive to let my supporters to suffer innocently. We shall resettle those removed from the forest while ensuring that justice is done to those arrested over post election violence.”
Mr Odinga who is the ODM party leader called for party unity saying as the lead party, ODM needed all the support it can afford to deliver to the people. “Internal wrangles would only weaken our party and give our competitors an edge over us, “he added.
On the constitution the PM expressed confidence that the country would realise a new constitution next year and said it was imperative that a consensus is arrived at before the referendum.
He asked ODM supporters in his constituency to cease hostilities and appointed a 20-man team, 10 from each warring side to harmonise any issues of misunderstanding in the branch.
In the same vein, Mr Odinga said even though the youth had a role to play in the leadership of this country they should respect their elders. He said, “They should not disrespect old people, because being young is like a passing cloud and they will soon be old themselves.”
Mr Odinga was speaking at his treasury building office when he addressed leaders from Langata constituency at an end of year meeting.
Kibaki out one more time
Mwai Kibaki left the country on Tuesday to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen Denmark.
The plane carrying President Kibaki and his entourage departed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 9am.
The United Nations Climate Change Conference which begun on December 7 will continue until December 18 and it is expected to lay down comprehensive mechanisms for combating climate change.
President Kibaki is expected to underscore the need to address the issue of Climate Change alongside the deep rooted consequences of poverty including access to energy, food security and conflict resolution.
The President has demonstrated the seriousness which the Kenyan Government attaches to environmental conservation by initiating comprehensive strategies to protect vital water towers in the country and reforestation programmes.
Kenya has in the recent past hosted and attended regional forums aimed at building consensus among African leaders and to consolidate Africa's position during the Copenhagen Conference because the continent has suffered shocking effects from Climate Change despite its minimal contribution to the global threat.
President Kibaki has asked African leaders and world leaders at large to join hands in pushing for the strengthening and upgrading of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) into a fully-fledged World Environment Organisation in order to execute its mandate effectively and to remain in Nairobi.
During the African Summit of the Group of Ten on Climate Change last month, President Kibaki noted that the severity of the environmental catastrophe and related challenges in Africa justifies the enhancement of the UNEP capacity.
President Kibaki wants African countries to present new initiatives aimed at enhancing global dialogue and support for environmental solutions for the good of humanity.
The President has always emphasized that Africa's priorities for sustainable development, poverty reduction and attainment of the Millennium Development Goals must guide its engagement in the negotiations at the Copenhagen Climate Change conference.
President Kibaki asserts that Africa must talk with one voice to ensure continued commitment and support to the Kyoto Protocol as the only legal and political basis for dealing with devastating effects of climatic change.
The President observes that access to adequate and predictable financial resources would help redress the damage already done through global warming as a result of excessive carbon emissions by the industrial world.
President Kibaki appeals to African countries to go to the Copenhagen negotiations with clearly articulated and budgeted programs and projects to help the continent meet its climate change mitigation and adaptation challenges.
He says Africa must demand that industrial countries meet their carbon reduction targets within specified timeframe and the main polluters to assume their moral obligations to significantly scale-up financial and technological resources in support of least environmental polluters on the world, especially Africa.
The plane carrying President Kibaki and his entourage departed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 9am.
The United Nations Climate Change Conference which begun on December 7 will continue until December 18 and it is expected to lay down comprehensive mechanisms for combating climate change.
President Kibaki is expected to underscore the need to address the issue of Climate Change alongside the deep rooted consequences of poverty including access to energy, food security and conflict resolution.
The President has demonstrated the seriousness which the Kenyan Government attaches to environmental conservation by initiating comprehensive strategies to protect vital water towers in the country and reforestation programmes.
Kenya has in the recent past hosted and attended regional forums aimed at building consensus among African leaders and to consolidate Africa's position during the Copenhagen Conference because the continent has suffered shocking effects from Climate Change despite its minimal contribution to the global threat.
President Kibaki has asked African leaders and world leaders at large to join hands in pushing for the strengthening and upgrading of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) into a fully-fledged World Environment Organisation in order to execute its mandate effectively and to remain in Nairobi.
During the African Summit of the Group of Ten on Climate Change last month, President Kibaki noted that the severity of the environmental catastrophe and related challenges in Africa justifies the enhancement of the UNEP capacity.
President Kibaki wants African countries to present new initiatives aimed at enhancing global dialogue and support for environmental solutions for the good of humanity.
The President has always emphasized that Africa's priorities for sustainable development, poverty reduction and attainment of the Millennium Development Goals must guide its engagement in the negotiations at the Copenhagen Climate Change conference.
President Kibaki asserts that Africa must talk with one voice to ensure continued commitment and support to the Kyoto Protocol as the only legal and political basis for dealing with devastating effects of climatic change.
The President observes that access to adequate and predictable financial resources would help redress the damage already done through global warming as a result of excessive carbon emissions by the industrial world.
President Kibaki appeals to African countries to go to the Copenhagen negotiations with clearly articulated and budgeted programs and projects to help the continent meet its climate change mitigation and adaptation challenges.
He says Africa must demand that industrial countries meet their carbon reduction targets within specified timeframe and the main polluters to assume their moral obligations to significantly scale-up financial and technological resources in support of least environmental polluters on the world, especially Africa.
MIGUNA WALKS OUT
Efforts by the Grand Coalition to agree on a common position on the draft constitution suffered a setback on Monday after an ODM negotiator stormed out of the talks.
Mr Miguna Miguna, the coalition adviser to Prime Minister Raila Odinga, walked out of a meeting called to resolve differences between ODM and PNU on the roles of the president and the premier under the proposed constitution.
The meeting of the six-member technical team, which was to prepare the guiding document for Tuesday’s final meeting of the Grand Coalition Management Committee, was called off as PNU prepared to present its own position to the Committee of Experts.
ODM presented its position last week.
On Monday, Mr Miguna said he walked out because his PNU colleagues had failed to work within guidelines agreed on last week.
“I realised we were just going round in circles,” he said.
The talks were expected to agree on a common Grand Coalition position on some of the thorny issues in the draft constitution ahead of the Thursday deadline for the public and political parties to present their views to the Committee of Experts.
Officials who attended Monday’s talks said Mr Miguna, who was leading the ODM team of legal experts, objected to a move by the two PNU representatives, Prof Kivutha Kibwana and Mr Justin Muturi, to table findings on how 53 African nations manage Cabinet appointments.
Prof Kibwana is President Kibaki’s adviser on coalition affairs, while Mr Muturi is a Kanu official.
When the two rose to speak, Mr Miguna insisted that they table the constitutions of the 53 nations for their positions to be verified.
When the PNU side maintained that they found it unnecessary to carry all the constitutions to the meeting because they were available on the Internet, Mr Miguna walked out. The move caught his co-negotiator from ODM, Mr Kangu by surprise.
The meeting would have continued but Mr Kangu expressed discomfort at proceeding in the absence of his colleague.
“He told us he did not feel comfortable enough to represent his party alone,” one of the officials at the meeting later said.
But contacted, Mr Miguna accused his PNU counterparts of trying to sneak their party’s position into the day’s agenda.
Besides Mr Miguna, Prof Kibwana, and Mr Muturi, the other members of the technical team in yesterday’s meeting included law lecturer Mutakha Kangu of ODM; and Mr Gichira Kibara and Mr Kathurima M’Inoti, both seconded to the committee by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
ODM’s third negotiator, Mr Caroli Omondi, did not attend the meeting as he was overseas on official duty.
Legal experts from the two partners had hoped to use the talks to study how various countries manage appointments to the Cabinet under a hybrid system of government where the Prime Minister’s party enjoys majority in Parliament.
This is after the Grand Coalition management committee, comprising Cabinet ministers from ODM and PNU, agreed on a hybrid system of government with a popularly elected president and a premier elected by parliament.
The technical committee was to consider four main methods of appointing the Cabinet.
The first was where the PM exclusively appoints the entire Cabinet; the second was one in which the PM appoints all ministers with the exception of the Minister for Defence and the Finance Minister; the third would have involved the president and premier sharing the appointments on a 50:50 basis while the fourth method would have involved the sharing of seats based on the parliamentary strength of each party.
PNU has reportedly been unhappy that ODM presented its proposals to the Committee of Experts despite the ongoing talks aimed at reaching a common government position.
But Mr Miguna accused his PNU counterparts of trying to sneak their party’s position into the day’s agenda.
He accused Prof Kibwana of trying to introduce to the meeting resolutions arrived at during a PNU coalition meeting held at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Nairobi earlier in the day. He also accused PNU negotiators of basing their research findings on failed states.
“We were supposed to study how functioning democracies across the world go about forming their respective governments, but they started presenting examples from Sao Tome, Togo and Morocco, which are all failed states,” he said.
It was not clear what criteria Mr Miguna used to describe the countries as failed states.
Last night, a section of the technical committee expressed fears that today’s meeting of the management committee of the grand coalition would not achieve much given what transpired on Monday.
The Grand Coalition management committee is co-chaired by Deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia Mudavadi. Its members are Cabinet ministers Mutula Kilonzo, James Orengo, William Ruto, George Saitoti, Charity Ngilu, Sally Kosgei, Beth Mugo and Sam Ongeri.
Meanwhile, PNU has agreed to present its position to the Committee of Experts. The party favours a strong presidency. It is also pushing for the National Accord to be dispensed with once the new constitution is adopted.
The Accord stipulates the rules governing the grand coalition. It was signed by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga on February 28 to end two months of post-election violence.
PNU wants more powers given to the president who will be elected by voters. The powers include appointing the premier, Cabinet ministers, judges and diplomats with the approval of parliament.
The party also wants a president who “has the prerogative to chair cabinet meetings, but delegates the job to the PM.”
PNU proposes the PM to be the most senior Cabinet minister and leader of government business in Parliament. The premier will coordinate and supervise the work of ministers and will chair Cabinet meetings at the request of the President.
Mr Miguna Miguna, the coalition adviser to Prime Minister Raila Odinga, walked out of a meeting called to resolve differences between ODM and PNU on the roles of the president and the premier under the proposed constitution.
The meeting of the six-member technical team, which was to prepare the guiding document for Tuesday’s final meeting of the Grand Coalition Management Committee, was called off as PNU prepared to present its own position to the Committee of Experts.
ODM presented its position last week.
On Monday, Mr Miguna said he walked out because his PNU colleagues had failed to work within guidelines agreed on last week.
“I realised we were just going round in circles,” he said.
The talks were expected to agree on a common Grand Coalition position on some of the thorny issues in the draft constitution ahead of the Thursday deadline for the public and political parties to present their views to the Committee of Experts.
Officials who attended Monday’s talks said Mr Miguna, who was leading the ODM team of legal experts, objected to a move by the two PNU representatives, Prof Kivutha Kibwana and Mr Justin Muturi, to table findings on how 53 African nations manage Cabinet appointments.
Prof Kibwana is President Kibaki’s adviser on coalition affairs, while Mr Muturi is a Kanu official.
When the two rose to speak, Mr Miguna insisted that they table the constitutions of the 53 nations for their positions to be verified.
When the PNU side maintained that they found it unnecessary to carry all the constitutions to the meeting because they were available on the Internet, Mr Miguna walked out. The move caught his co-negotiator from ODM, Mr Kangu by surprise.
The meeting would have continued but Mr Kangu expressed discomfort at proceeding in the absence of his colleague.
“He told us he did not feel comfortable enough to represent his party alone,” one of the officials at the meeting later said.
But contacted, Mr Miguna accused his PNU counterparts of trying to sneak their party’s position into the day’s agenda.
Besides Mr Miguna, Prof Kibwana, and Mr Muturi, the other members of the technical team in yesterday’s meeting included law lecturer Mutakha Kangu of ODM; and Mr Gichira Kibara and Mr Kathurima M’Inoti, both seconded to the committee by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
ODM’s third negotiator, Mr Caroli Omondi, did not attend the meeting as he was overseas on official duty.
Legal experts from the two partners had hoped to use the talks to study how various countries manage appointments to the Cabinet under a hybrid system of government where the Prime Minister’s party enjoys majority in Parliament.
This is after the Grand Coalition management committee, comprising Cabinet ministers from ODM and PNU, agreed on a hybrid system of government with a popularly elected president and a premier elected by parliament.
The technical committee was to consider four main methods of appointing the Cabinet.
The first was where the PM exclusively appoints the entire Cabinet; the second was one in which the PM appoints all ministers with the exception of the Minister for Defence and the Finance Minister; the third would have involved the president and premier sharing the appointments on a 50:50 basis while the fourth method would have involved the sharing of seats based on the parliamentary strength of each party.
PNU has reportedly been unhappy that ODM presented its proposals to the Committee of Experts despite the ongoing talks aimed at reaching a common government position.
But Mr Miguna accused his PNU counterparts of trying to sneak their party’s position into the day’s agenda.
He accused Prof Kibwana of trying to introduce to the meeting resolutions arrived at during a PNU coalition meeting held at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Nairobi earlier in the day. He also accused PNU negotiators of basing their research findings on failed states.
“We were supposed to study how functioning democracies across the world go about forming their respective governments, but they started presenting examples from Sao Tome, Togo and Morocco, which are all failed states,” he said.
It was not clear what criteria Mr Miguna used to describe the countries as failed states.
Last night, a section of the technical committee expressed fears that today’s meeting of the management committee of the grand coalition would not achieve much given what transpired on Monday.
The Grand Coalition management committee is co-chaired by Deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia Mudavadi. Its members are Cabinet ministers Mutula Kilonzo, James Orengo, William Ruto, George Saitoti, Charity Ngilu, Sally Kosgei, Beth Mugo and Sam Ongeri.
Meanwhile, PNU has agreed to present its position to the Committee of Experts. The party favours a strong presidency. It is also pushing for the National Accord to be dispensed with once the new constitution is adopted.
The Accord stipulates the rules governing the grand coalition. It was signed by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga on February 28 to end two months of post-election violence.
PNU wants more powers given to the president who will be elected by voters. The powers include appointing the premier, Cabinet ministers, judges and diplomats with the approval of parliament.
The party also wants a president who “has the prerogative to chair cabinet meetings, but delegates the job to the PM.”
PNU proposes the PM to be the most senior Cabinet minister and leader of government business in Parliament. The premier will coordinate and supervise the work of ministers and will chair Cabinet meetings at the request of the President.
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