Henry Midega Dieto: Stage set For Messi Vs Christiano

Henry Midega Dieto: Stage set For Messi Vs Christiano

Stage set For Messi Vs Christiano

WEMBLEY could host the biggest 'El Clasico' game in history if Barcelona and Real Madrid meet in the final of this year's Champions League. The two Spanish giants avoided each other in today's semi-final draw and could now end up playing each other on 25 May.


But there is also the possibility of an all-German final after Barcelona were pitted against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid were paired with Borussia Dortmund.

An all-Spanish final would, however, have more than one plot-line. The draw also paves the way for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to stage the latest instalment in their dispute of the title of the world's best player - as well as adding considerable value to the tickets.

However, there is a long way to go before the prospect of a Clasico final becomes a reality. Dortmund are the only unbeaten team left in this year's competition and beat Real Madrid in the group stages. Bayern are last year's beaten finalists.

The semi-final clash between Barcelona and Bayern adds another layer of intrigue as it pits Pep Guardiola's old team, Barca, against the side he will manage next season.

As for Real Madrid,many suggest that their manager Jose Mourinho will be happiest with the draw.
With their league hopes over, the Champions League has become Los Blancos top priority this season. Of all the three sides they could have faced, they will perhaps consider they have drawn the weakest of the sides that remain.

Dortmund have a daunting task, but are looking forward to it. "We are happy with this draw - not because we think it's an easy one, but because the Champions League is an international competition and we wanted an international game rather than a national tie against Bayern," said general manager Hans-Joachim Watzke. · 

Read More: www.henrymidega.blogspot.com

The Mountain Before UhuRuto

The economy has just survived an election fever and everything is slowly regaining momentum to surge forward.

It is a very blissful scenario in almost all sectors of the economy especially the financial side.

With a new government in place, there are certain decisions that have to be made in terms of appointments. A new cabinet has to be formulated and this entails appointing persons to run government affairs, envoys must be send to foreign stations to represent the nation internationally and directors for various parastatals and government agencies need to be selected. All these persons will form a team that will make policies and implement them so as to drive the country.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has the task of ensuring that he has a good government that meets its targets and objectives.

However, on the other hand, he has the political obligations of rewarding his close allies.

On another scale, he wants to play safe by keeping a close battalion of his confidants, not forgetting the constitutional order that requires every assembly constituted by the constitution to have no more than 2/3 of either gender.

His Excellency the president and his deputy, Hon. Ruto find themselves in a fix. They want a lean cabinet but at the same time one that is legally constituted.

On the other hand, they also want to reward their buddies but keep their confidants close to them; what option do they have?

This is a hurdle of unprecedented magnitudes because citing all those angles he does not forget the importance of having persons who will enable him secure a second term simply because of their ethics, professionalism and proper adherence to laws. Well there is no way all these attributes can be found in a single individual.

People might have one or two at most three of all the attributes being searched for by the president and yet the size they intend to manage is quite small.

Clearly, the president has no clear cut options but to play a safe juggle and ensure that he does not touch the political live wire by not considering diversity in ethnicity of the appointments.

That is what might engineer his efforts to foster cohesion and harmony within communities. He must be seen to play fair when appointing people to various offices because this is not only expected by Kenyans but demanded by the constitution.

Well, the president is the custodian of the law as far as his duties are concerned.

Clearly looking at the state of affairs in president Uhuru and deputy president Ruto’s hands, they have a difficult case.

They ought to be very careful in their moves over the next few days lest they start fumbling and facing challenges from commissions and civil society that are ready to file suits anytime of any day.

This situation calls for wise thinking, probably even a visit to religious leaders and special advisers to seek word on how to carry out affairs.

They can even go further to approach the former presidents just to be sure of the possible outcome of their engagements.

Well, with this mountain of a problem, they still seem to be adapting well to other functions like hosting foreign dignitaries and conducting meetings.

They have also done well in trying to keep up with the pace familiarizing with staff and premises.

Let us hope to see more work getting done as days move on since we are literally behind schedule in almost all our agenda and targets.

As Kenyans, let us all maintain the stability and continued smooth recovery from an election period that slowed down activities.

My Land Kenya

Where as one enjoys the taste of being a Kenyan citizen, a casual look at our crop of leaders paint a hellish picture of this country's leadership.

Key among mannerisms that have been widely regarded as impunity is the hunger for taxpayer's money, not only because it falls way beyond tangible human experience, but also because it lacks a sense of reality

The filthy hands of this republic have never failed to amaze me. Society would expect leaders who are selfless in the course of service delivery; but when I see the degree of selfishness among our leaders,my body shakes to its very core and squeezes out any iota of hope in me.

  First were the Members of Parliament demanding hefty perks. Now our governors are jeopardizing the county governments by their unnecessary outcry for pay increase. I just can't stop at internalizing the kind of economic poison our leaders are spewing forth.

A lover of money is a dangerous man or woman. He/she can murder, sell his/her country or lose sense of justice because of money. Hypocrisy therefore runs lose in the minds of Kenyan politicians who shamelessly demand pay-rise at the expense of service delivery.

Most of our leaders have diplomas, first degrees, masters degrees and even PhDs. At their backyards, they are opinion leaders whose word is taken as the gospel truth. These are people with whom Kenyans have elected because they believed that together, they could make a better Kenya putting into practical their varied intellectual capacities. What follows is disappointment, breed of fear and exclusion that have become blankets to cover all sorts of poor governance.

If, indeed, our leaders believe in the words of former internal Security Minister George Saitoti (1945-2012) that a times come when the needs of the nation come before individual needs of the nation come before individual needs, then I think it's time our leaders sat down and talked about Kenya. It's time they put put aside their interests and listened together to the heart-beat of the nation.

The Salaries and Re-numeration Commission has structures, systems and instruments to make accurate diagnosis of the nation. The commission, I am sure, can defuse the tension arising from the current state of affairs. However, our leaders are busy pulling us back to where we began. It's, therefore, only a matter of time before we pay the price.

I appeal to our leaders to awaken to the need to chart a new course towards greater economical development. Kenya cannot realize any useful gains in the current economic climate. We may choose to maintain the status-quo and endure the prevailing economic climate, but the truth is, failure to deal with substansial issues, whether real or perceived, will eventually run the full course of our detriment.


"My Land is Kenya, So Warm, Wild and Free"

First Lady

The photo speaks for itself. Conspicuously missing is our beloved First Lady. Surely, where is she??

Inauguration Report

-->

As Kibaki's tenure reached its tether the other day, I kept switching in between the various leading braoadcast stations to get a glimpse of the Kasarani proceedings. It was going to be an eventful day whose significance shall forever stick in the minds of Kenyan people.

Full of wisdom and ordination of faith, various religious leaders walked onto the dais to offer powerful prayers to a new government which now ushers in a youthful and digital age.

Unlike the humiliating send-off of Moi a decade ago, Kibaki witnessed a smooth and harmonious power transfer to individuals he termed competent.

He took stock of his gains while saluting the grand coalition and the Kenyan people for their good will. Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka couldn't miss in his list of accolades.

Whereas Kibaki was cautious in his speech, Uganda's Yoweri Museveni could not afford a soft spot for the International Crimminal Court. His bad manners pushed him to the dais (full of high profile dignitaries)to hurl abuses to this distinguished international institution. Contrary to my expectations, Museveni even rebuked the Kenyan people, West Pokot in particular, for their uncouth and archaic cattle rustling tendencies. I won't forgive Museveni for this, though

The gathering was attentive and eager to his parting shot as dictator Robert Mugabe nodded his head; as a way of concuring with his (Museveni's) statement.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, however, was smarter than his Ugandan counter part. Full of wisdom and authority, Kenyatta gave an eloquent speech that could even get to a deaf man's ear. I was tremendously impressed by the manner in which he committed himself to the country. The son of Mzee Jomo vowed to uphold and live up to the promises he made to the distinguished kenyan people (but am yet to see if my younger sibling, “Leo”, will own a laptop in the due course of next year).

As the ceremony stretched way beyond late afternoon, I digested Uhuru's speech. Unfortunately, I found no reason to concur with him. “Waiganjo managed to impose as a senoir police officer for five solid years, what can prevent a politician from being an 'Angel' for a mere four year period?” I asked myself. Certain things must be done (or left undone), but one thing that is clear to a layman that I am is that Kenyatta's projects aren't feasible. If we raise our expectations, then we shall be preparing ourselves for a rude shock.

GOD BLESS KENYA...........

My President

Let us not believe despite of all the apparent evidence to the contrary in the present character and conduct of our central government that the virtue which raised us from dictatorship to an expanded growing democracy, clasping a country in its embrace, has ceased out of the land.

Let us accept the alternative explanation of the crimes and inconsistencies that are at this moment startling the majority in this country and world at large, that ‘we have been extremely negligent in the appointment of our rulers’. But, Kenyans, admissible as the plea of negligence may be for the past it will not avail you for the future.

I propose now not to institute the thorough searching examination which I ask you to make-for, to do this, time would fail us- but I propose to direct your attention to the great facts of the case at hand, and then to glance at the platforms and the candidates that are offered for our support; and while I confess an interest in this great subject, that dates from my boyhood, and has strengthened with my strength, I will endeavor, as much as possible, to let my remarks be calm, careful, truthful and impartial.

Uhuru Kenyatta, a greenhorn politician, has always played politics of “putting Kenya first”, contrary to the wishes of his handlers. Prior to his endorsement as the sole presidential candidate for the new KANU that earned him the tag, ‘project’, he had not display hunger for power. He conceded defeat and took a back seat as the official opposition leader in the ninth parliament. He’s remembered as one of the immediate and great critics of NARC’s president, Mwai Kibaki whom he once described his leadership as off-hand, off-eye style. Kamwana did not disappoint in the 2005 national referendum when he teamed with Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement to oppose the draft constitution. A move many viewed as suicidal as it antagonized the Kiambu power house with the Nyeri’s.

In 2007, Uhuru shocked the world when he joined the incumbent for a re-election not minding his official position to take on the sitting president. Uhuru saw the Kenya first and not him, besides being tactful, as the late Kijana Wamalwa once said during the burial of Kenya’s doyen of multiparty politics, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, “to be a great leader, one must stand on the shoulders of great leaders.” Uhuru stands on the shoulders of the former philanthropic dictator Moi and the outgoing president, Mwai Kibaki. Remove Kimemia’s, Muhoho’s, Wanjohi’s and the entire Mount Kenya Mafia that surround him then he remains my best bet to lead this country. Raila’s needed input in the modern Kenya is not basically leadership per se, but dismantling the corrupt networks, majority of whom hail from the Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities.

Raila Amollo Odinga is my most admired politician and for over straight one decade, has held headlines in mainstream dailies. Raila is a political leader, a pan-Africanist, a social democrat and an afro-optimist. Whether you are a Kikuyu or a Luo, it remains a fact that Raila is the most discussed political personality in Kenya, the most respected Kenyan leader in the world and the most hated symbol of the ethnic Luo republic by the Kikuyus.  His radicalism is a creation of the unjust system of governance and not quest for power.

At 26, he was a lecturer at the University of Nairobi. He had just came back from Germany to find when the Kisumu massacre occasioned by the Luos waving KPU salute (dume) at president Kenyatta, occasioning his father to be detained for one and a half year without trial. In both 1974 and 1979 general elections his father, Jaramogi was denied yet another chance to participate in the elections.
Even the heartless act of Ougo who resigned as Bondo MP for Oginga to join parliament in 1981 bore no fruit when KANU denied him clearance to participate in the by-election.
In 1982 his father was invited to address the house of commons in London where he let the cat out of the bag that he was coming back to Kenya to form a new party forcing the government to pass the Souko Tuore bill in a record time to make Kenya a de jure one party state. The manifesto was ready. Many people were arrested most of them lecturers later to be refereed to us ‘seven bearded sisters’.
August 1st, came the failed coup and Raila was charged with treason and remanded for six months then government entered a nolle prose cue after a team of lawyers from Britain had been hired by Raila’s friends put their defense ready. The same year Raila was released and before he could leave court, he was rearrested and detained without trial for six years.

Raila was released and six months later in August 1988 arrested over Mwakenya. He was taken to torture chambers in Nyayo house where he spent 10 days in waterlogged cells before his wife, Ida, made habeas corpus application that saved his life. He was then detained for 1 year.
In 1989 Raila was released and joined Matiba and Rubia in 1990 to put pressure for section 2A to be repealed. Moi government asked them to consult the people and before they could go for the rally they were arrested and sent to detention for another one year.
In 1991 he was released and joined forces that formed FORD. The security agents tipped him that this time the government was plotting to assassinate him. He went in exile in Norway for six months. This was the time the Berlin wall fell and the wind of change was in the air. He opened offices in London, Paris and Bonn. Finally in 1992, section 2A was repealed and FORD became a party.

This is the man a certain ethnic republic court no shame to demonize and ask the Luo republic to “Move On”
Some pieces of unsolicited advice have been, without a dig of consideration, advanced that the lake republic should accept the current affairs as they are. On this I put it that I would rather live in the streets fighting for a just course than to live on my knees begging since the stakes are too great for me to achieve

With the obnoxious supreme ruling, I have, great Kikuyus, Kalenjins, Kambas, Luos etc (My conscience does not allow me to use the generality, Kenyans), the most profound respect for the president of the Supreme Court of Kenya for his learning (not intellect), his integrity and his patriotism, and yet I find in his ruling, as expounded upon the one side and the other, that this country is to be taken from the people by artifice and not by fair dealing.

Institutions exist for the people, not the people for institutions, and the ultimate test of any system of politics, body of opinions, or form of belief, is the effect produced on the conduct and condition of the people. This is scarcely a question for a popular assembly. This is not the place to decide a question serious as the one under consideration.

Here, then, are good reasons why I should have either not written at all, or else should have chosen some other matter to talk about. In excuse for persisting I can but say that the subject is one about which I have been led by circumstances to follow considerably; and though undoubtedly each of us knows more about himself and his own affairs than any one else can possibly know, yet a stranger’s eye will sometimes see things which escape those more immediately interested, and I allow myself to hope that I may have something to say not altogether undeserving your attention.

I shall touch as little as possible on questions of opinion; and if I tread by accident on any sensitive point I must trust your kindness to excuse my awkwardness.

When politically instigated assassinations were the order of the day, there was always a lamenting voice. The old Kenyatta was adversely associated with the brutal murder of Nyandarua legislator, JM Kariuku (a kikuyu), TJ Mboya (a Luo), Pio Gama Pinto (Indian), and many undisclosed. That was the legacy of his 16 year rule. The baton was passed to Moi who pledged to follow in the footsteps, welcoming the most regretted and infamous Nyayo era, and did not hesitate to eliminate a number of dissenting voices.
Today, the country still seeks justice on the stage-managed road carnage the claimed the life of the vibrant Bishop Alexander Muge (a Kalenjin), the highly dramatized murder of the former foreign affairs minister Robert Ouko (a Luo), whose assassination catalyzed the agitation for multiparty democracy, Masinde Muliro’s soft murder at the JKIA (a luhya) and hundreds of Kikuyus, Kambas, Luos, Luhyas, etc (still won’t call them Kenyans) who lost their lives during the saba saba uprisings. Again there was a lamenting voice.

Moi’s enriched his injustices with torture and today, Nyayo House stands tall in the middle of our largest city as a monument to symbolize a nation crying for redemption.

Kibaki, as VP, before getting the state house baton, was adversely mentioned in the assassinations of the 1988 Gem MP-elect Owiti Ongili and the presumed heir –apparent to the same seat, Otieno Ambala. It is also whispered among some public quarters that his desire to cut short the tenure of his boss through plotted assassination resulted in an abominable act of executing his own father. Coming to power, the chair of committee in devolution at Bomas, Prof. Odhiambo Mbae, and Embakasi MP elect Mugabe Were fell for the bullets from his lieutenants.

Kibaki was to outdo the founding President in presiding, meekly, over massacre of thousands of people during the 2005 referendum campaign in Kisumu courtesy of Raphael Tuju and PEV of 2007/08 courtesy of Uhuru and co., compared to Kenyatta’s insensitive shooting of school children in 1969 Kisumu massacre.

I take leave, for pleasurable pressure, to admit cowardly though that the deaths of TJ Mboya, Argwings Kodhek, Robert Ouko, DO Makasembo, Owiti Ongili, Otieno Ambala and many other fallen heroes of the Luos were only mourned in the Luo republic, was it so for the deaths of JM Kariuku, Bishop Alexander Muge, Pio Gama Pinto, Masinde Muliro, and many other non-Luo victims?

When the government coffers were shamelessly emptied through the Goldenberg deals, there was a lamenting voice, someone went to the courts, not streets with stones, to seek justice and the former VP George Saitoti was the respondent. When Kenya’s security system was greatly compromised, someone lamented, but then the members of an ethnic republic rubbished it only for our history site to host the Artur’s brothers. The members of this ethnic republic today coax Luos, Luhyas, Rendilles, Wardeis, Pokomos, Ormas, Elmolos Turkanas to embrace peace and ‘Move On”. They clothe their evils guarded by, the current vocabulary from their think-tanks, ‘tyranny of numbers’ with call for PEACE!!

What peace?

Peace, not to go and uproot railway, but fail to access dissent housing!
Peace, not to go and shout, including throwing stones, in the streets, but fail to get enough sleep for fear of the future!

Peace, to call members of some large ethnic republics brothers while when they retreat to their castles they demonize my ethnic republic!
What piece, Citizens of the Kenyan land?

And as Sunday Nation’s Fifth Columnist, Philip Ochieng, writes in his ‘Democracy can’t be premised on numbers alone’, whether the numbers describe an overwhelmingly large social class or whether only to a coalesce of large tribes (like the Kikuyu and Kalenjin today), the theoretical formula is the same: it licenses the numerical majority to impose their will upon everybody else. The single thread that runs through all theories of democracy is that an overwhelmingly large majority should singlehandedly wield a huge political bludgeon to force material justice on the whole society.

The majority can be as dangerous to society as Germany’s Nazi crowds who consigned 50 million Europeans to the grave between 1933 and 1945. Numbers can become functionally democratic only when they are also armed with knowledge of the objective needs of society.

If Uhuru’s government will raise the retail price for unga and milk, there would be no token to grant Kipkemboi from Litein, Bomet County to buy the commodities at a lower price than Oketch from Othoch Rakuom, Homabay County and submitting that in my mid thirties, all the legal forms I have ever filled at various places, never have I come across where I am required to fill in the name of my president, I must, for now, and as long as the prevailing circumstances allow, live as a passive captive who accepts everything said, regardless of who says it, but remain not to recognize the president since on 4th March 2013, I queued for hours to vote, not to participate in population census.

Facing The Consequences of Kibaki's Presidency

Satisfied, Emilio Mwai Kibaki handed over power to President Kenyatta man.
His legacy as the man who rejuvenated the Kenyan economy after decades of malaise under President Daniel Arap Moi is secure. His signature achievements were investments in infrastructure and the freeing up of political space.

As president he was the Delegator in Chief.

His biggest failure was the disastrous 2007 general election. Many believe he unfairly robbed outgoing Prime Minister Raila Odinga of victory. Following the election violence erupted in the country in which 1300 people died and 300,000 were displaced from their homes. Many of the displaced are yet to return to their land and homes 5 years later.

When all is said and done, Mr. Kibaki’s record on the economic front stands out. The question of how equitable the growth was under his watch is up for debate – many think it wasn’t.

What is unassailable is just the sheer amount of wealth that was created during his 10 years in State House.

Hongera Mzee. Ji-enjoy in retirement (although I think your retirement package is totally ludicruous...)

The New Regime Must Restore Sanity

First, came the PEV after the contested elections of 2007, killing close to one and a half thousand innocent Kenyans.

Exactly seventy two hours later, following the unceremonious announcement of the presidential elections: mother Kenya descended into untold chaos.

Trauma embraced every soul. Mother Kenya (considered one of the most stable and economically developed states in Africa), was on the verge of tearing apart.

In almost every corner of the republic, neighbour turned against neighbour. Old scores were settled with machetes and pangas.

Across the awesome land, beyond the spell binding and beautiful highlands; rapes, mutilations and communal violence gripped the country with such awesome might.

Children were orphaned, neighbours were pulled apart, and friends were separated. Couples were disunited and thousands lost what they had called home all their miserable years here on earth. Communities lost trust it had on each other. Marriages were forcibly broken. A robust economy was hence dealt a severe body blow; it will take years, blood and sweat to recover.

Then there was the Mungiki menace, the subsequent extra-judicial killings and the dreadful S.L.D.F Militia which embarked on a killing spree, butchering fellow tribesmen, drinking their blood and eating parts of their bodies...

The world watched, we waited, time tickled, passing by carelessly and uncaring and still; we were proud to be Kenyans: we hoisted the national flag happily and sang the national anthem with exaggerated enthusiasm.

We continued priding in our leadership and hoped for the better.

Nearly five years down the line, Al-Shabab descended upon our ‘haven of peace’, spreading terror, shelling buildings, and denying our economy a chance to flex its muscles through tourism and other vital activities.

What started as rag tag army in Somalia was slowly revolutionizing into a sophisticated guerrilla outfit.

True, it was believed to be sending the government security personnel into desperation as they chase what could only be declared as 'shadows of invincible enemies of the people'.

It was well equipped and fully backed by the residents of Somalia.

The inevitable ‘Operation Linda Nchi’ came with mixed fortunes: the world now thinks we are a little safer (that they can trade freely without worrying about their precious necks), yet still their sympathizers are sending shivers across the peace-loving nation as they bomb churches, Matatus, business  premises and  hell knows where else!

Just a few days ago, the Samburu Bandits claimed close to fifty security personnel in what has been described as the worst fatal ‘mission-impossible’ ever undertaken by our Police men and women!

We are getting used to it, or so it may seem. 

Deaths of innocent Kenyans under the now ever-cruel and merciless arms of Al-Shabab, bandits, and armed robbers and law-breakers; doesn’t stifle any one anymore.

It’s so natural and the government machinery seems helpless, or even unwilling to lift their ‘burden –loaded’ fingers. Talk of the symptoms of the end of the world or simply a society gone t0 the dogs...whichever the case, we must think hard as a nation and embrace sanity and sobriety!

Well, at least Kenyans behaved before, during and even after the elections despite the many fears and jitters that had engulfed everyone.

Now is the turn of the new regime to make sure we surge forward meaningfully as a people, united and in peace.

Living Along The Lines of Negative Ethnicity

I share the frustration felt by my fellow compatriots in seeing our political leaders deliberately dividing Kenyans along ethnic lines.

The subject has been on for decades yet, it seems like a case of two steps forward and three steps backward. This has prevented Kenyans from attaining a meaningful degree of unity and exploitation of diverse cultures.

The saddest part of the tale is that leaders, without mentioning names, vehemently condemn negative ethnicity on public platforms while propagating it at their backyards. As a matter of fact, I have noticed with considerable amusement that ethnic consciousness is a slogan that oozes nicely from our leaders' mouth. Fighting it, however, seems to be a journey that shall never come to an end. Lest we champion peace and unity, a terrible blow looms to the country's prestige and standing.

The experience has been that ethnic consciousness, tensions and conflict leave indelible marks and threaten growth, development and integrity of the state. Although other factors play a significant role, one thing that seems clear to the mind of a layman that I am, is that negative ethnicity tops the list of this country's drawbacks. This is a matter of national importance that requires thoughtful and independent conscience.

It's time to build bridges, accommodate one another, embrace our diversities and cultivate good will with our neighbors. Use Rwanda's example as a wake up lest we lose an entire nation to ethnic clashes.

What's Next For Raila

After the death of Kenya's first president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, the country witnessed the birth of a new era in politics. The then president Daniel Moi had not expected such heavy demonstrations from university students.
The likes of James Orengo emerged as a source of headache for the regime of that time.

It wasn’t long before Moi witnessed the entrance of a new hard player; Raila Amolo Odinga. Born in the house of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Raila dived in to the murky water of politics while teaching in the university. He was arrested for attempting to overthrow the government of the day. This landed him a cool prison sentence that saw him come out after 6 years.

It was not until Raila went to exile that the government let him off the hook. However he came back to some ruthless and hostile reception as the Nyayo torture chambers served as his home for sometime. The learned Engineer had come to the brink of it all when he decided to play some safe politics. After vieying for presidency in 1997 and failing, Raila decided to tone down to strategise on building his own dynasty.

With this thought, Odinga organised a merger between his party NDP and KANU. The merger was a success and from there Raila started lobbying the KANU die-hards like the late Saitoti, Kalonzo, Ntimama and many others including the UDF party flag bearer, Musalia Mudavadi.

This mass exodus left Moi with no support base in close to two thirds of the country. Uhuru Kenyatta was the only card Moi had and he had to play it whatever the outcome. The whole country was experiencing a tide and Raila had marshaled all his stolen soldiers in Kibaki’s camp. It was humiliating for Moi.

Raila led the troops against Uhuru and this led to Kibaki garnering a over 60% of cast votes. No one would dare interfere with the polls at that time because the whole country was in a movement kind of environment thanks to Raila Odinga.

The government that was formed after the 2002 General Election had promised so much but what was at the heart of it all was a new constitution. When Kibaki took over the reigns of power, he formed a government and quickly embarked on developing and implementing the pledge of a new constitution. Raila was in the cabinet where he was regarded as a key player in the government; however, this did not seem to calm his critics.

After a long journey by the Bomas delegates to arrive at a constitution that was worth adopting, it is alleged that some powerful players in government did not like some tiny bits of it and therefore went with the draft to Naivasha and then Mombasa in a bid to alter the few clauses. This did not go down well with Raila and some of his like-minded fellows. During the referendum, Raila was very vibrant in urging Kenyans to reject the document and with him was a contingent of ministers, assistant ministers and government side MPs. They went to the extent of dining with Uhuru Kenyatta who by then was the opposition leader.

A humiliating defeat was handed to the government. No doubt, Kibaki had had enough. He wanted nothing to do with the traitors. Raila’s move had cost the entire cabinet ministers their jobs. The president reshuffled the caibnet and threw out Raila and his troops. Two years later and Raila would be facing it off with Kibaki in the most contentious election ever since independence. It was to an extent of causing violence. This time, Raila was handed a seat closer to State House than any other. He was regarded as co-principal in government where he coordinated all government’s activities from his Office of the Prime Minister.

Recently, Raila vieyed for the top seat for a record third time.After a defeat by Uhuru’ Jubilee, the prime minister filed a petition at the Supreme Court to dispute Kenyatta's victory. However the verdict upheld Kenyatta’s victory and will therefore be sworn in on 9th April 2013.

What's next for Raila? One would ask.

He is a farmer and a multimillionaire in terms of business entities. The son of Jaramogi has so much on his plate domestically. Internationally he might also play some key roles in the ranks of peace ambassador, eminent personality or UN chief observer. He has risen to very senior ranks in government business and political engineering that he can be of use in very many sectors of this world. Nonetheless, he has his brother in the Senate and his sister as governor for Kisumu. He still has some cards to play in terms of power plays and policy formulation.

The ODM gurus will also consider him for advice in terms of political navigation and his insights will be of great impact.

He might even vie for a fourth time but that is highly unlikely considering his age and the lengthy stay away from politics.

Whichever way he decides to go, Raila has and will remain to be one of Kenya’s most influential politicians of our times. He has rocked powerful presidents and dismantled their ships in search for democracy and equality.

Kenya will miss his antics and theatrics on the political arena.  LONG LIVE RAILA    ….........................

The Powerful Men Behind RAILA

By Henry .N.M. Dieto

The term ‘Kitchen Cabinet’ was coined some 200 years ago by opponents of US President Andrew Jackson to describe an informal coterie of trusted friends, associates and advisers on whom the leader relied upon to govern.

Members of kitchen cabinets enjoy inordinate access to the leader and are often in a position to influence – formally and informally – the leader’s thinking, policies and decisions on critical issues of the moment.
Raila Odinga has been a central player in Kenya’s politics for over three decades now and during this period he has built, discarded, re-built or freshened up his kitchen cabinet many times over.
So, who are the members of Raila’s kitchen cabinet today? Who are the people he has relied upon in moments of crisis and moments of good tidings to help him think through and move forward? Here we go.

Mohamed Jaffer: Most probably few Kenyans would recognize him even if he appeared on their doorstep with a briefcase full of cash. But the 65-year old Jaffer, the proprietor of the multi-million dollar investment that is the Grain Bulk Handlers Limited is a businessman extraordinaire. He is one of the wealthiest and best-networked tycoons in Coast region and beyond.
Jaffer enjoys a close friendship with Raila Odinga, which dates several years back.

Those in the know say Jaffer is perhaps the only living person, besides President Kibaki or retired President Moi, who can call the Prime Minister and request him to go to his home and the PM will invariably and obligingly honour the request. That is the ultimate definition of a powerbroker in any political lexicon.
Besides being politically suave, Jaffer draws significant influence from the fact that he has also been one of the largest – if not the largest – financial benefactor to political courses associated with the PM for years.
“Some ODM politicians often go to Jaffer to have him convince the PM on an issue they fear facing Raila directly on,” confides an insider, adding “the general public thinks Hassan Joho is the main guy at the Coast but nothing could be further from the truth.”
Caroli Omondi: He is regarded as one of the smoothest operators in the Prime Minister’s office. As the PM’s Chief of Staff, Caroli is not just the gatekeeper but also holds the keys to sources of political fundraising.
Omondi has something of a fairly chequered history though. After graduating from the law school in 1991, Caroli worked at the State Law Office – Treaties and Agreements Department –  for eight years where he established a very close relationship with the then Attorney General (now ODM senator) Amos Wako. While at the Treaties and agreements Department, Omondi, then working with Nicholas Biwott’s daughter, was trusted by Wako to craft and draft the law that created independent power producers, something that introduced Caroli to the world of big money. And from that point he never looked back.

Omondi’s initial influence around the PM emanated from the fact that he was one of the earlier ‘investors’ in Raila at a time when the PM did not have much money. Besides contributing significant amounts of money to fund Raila’s campaigns, Omondi also donated premises to house ODM and other political outfits associated with the PM. These acts of  carefully planned ‘generosity’ gave Caroli inordinate hold on the political machinery around the PM.
Omondi was the man entrusted with resource mobilisation during the presidential campaign as well the man who was in charge of distributing money to party agents countrywide during the elections.
At the PM’s office, Caroli has been feared, loathed and loved by some in equal measures. Nevertheless, he appears to have grown umbilical-cord-like kind of links with the PM such that the two are almost permanently intertwined and none may survive without the other.
George Opondo: Everyone in Raila’s inner circle refers to him simply as the ‘Kulei’ of the PM – in reference to Joshua Kulei, then powerful Personal Assistant to retired President Moi during his days in power.  To be mentioned in the same breath with or be compared to the former PA to retired President Moi is in itself a good pointer one’s discreet power and influence behind the scenes.
Opondo, who hails from Uyoma in Rarieda, has been with the Odinga family for many years and initially served as PA to Raila’s father.
He is one of the very few people Raila trusts to collect, handle and disburse funds for political operations. He is fiercely loyal to Raila while at the same time studiously avoiding the limelight preferring to operate from the shadows and never speaking unless spoken to.
However, the very fact that the PM trusts him with crucial matters of finances has given Opondo much clout in Raila’s inner circle and anyone who does business – political or otherwise – with the PM on a regular basis is bound to have to deal with Opondo at some point.
Eliud Owalo: He is the man Raila trusted to run his presidential campaign. Owalo, a management consultant, initially served as founder member of Friends of Raila (Fora) lobby group before he was tapped by the PM to be his Chief Campaign Manager. Not being an original member of Team Raila, Owalo had several run-ins with politicians who wanted to influence decisions to serve their own selfish ends while sacrificing the PM’s larger interests. This did not endear Owalo to a political clique from Nyanza but he soldiered on leading the campaigns, thanks thumbs up from the PM.
Owalo’s strength around the PM has often been his independence of mind and apparent lack of political ambitions, something that meant Raila could count on his (Owalo’s) dispassionate judgment on crucial issues.
Perhaps a good measure of Owalo’s credentials as a member of the trusted inner circle is the fact that Candidate Raila Odinga trusted him enough to designate him as the person to spearhead the presidential election petition. The PM later amended the petition to become the direct petitioner.
By virtue of his position as Chief Campaign Manager, Owalo has enjoyed unlimited access to the PM.
Sarah Elderkin: She is a former journalist with the defunct Weekly Review magazine. Like some other members of Raila’s inner circle, Sarah’s relationship with the Odingas dates back to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s days.
She enjoys direct access to the PM. Sarah is Raila’s personal speech writer who cheerfully adopts the role of political attack-dog penning sharp articles in the media when the PM’s integrity is question or is at stake.
As the PM’s trusted communications advisor, Sarah wields significant influence on what Raila says. She is regarded as one of the few people in the inner circle who will not shy away from telling the PM he is wrong and firmly stand her ground on a matter of principle. For this reason, Raila values her judgment. Former journalist Salim Lone also happens to be a close confidant of the PM but his influence is mainly focused on maintaining international links for the PM. Those close to the PM describe Salim Lone as someone who approaches politics “too officially” to fit in well in the murky world of politics.
James Orengo: A lawyer by training, Orengo’s relationship dates back to late 1980s when the two led the struggle for the country’s second liberation. At some point in the 90s, Orengo and Raila were political rivals competing for supremacy in Nyanza. Raila emerged tops in that contest while Orengo lost his parliamentary seat.
To make a comeback Orengo had to eat humble pie and concede that he was not Raila’s equal. Since then, the two have become something of political Siamese twins. Today Orengo is one of the PM’s most trusted political operatives.
Raila relies on him not just for legal advice but also on a wide range of political and business issues. This has made Orengo one of the most powerful players around the PM today.
Those in the know say Orengo completely eclipsed other political players previously close to the PM such as Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o and Dalmas Otieno whose influence these days is determined on an issue by issue basis or the prevailing politics of the moment.
Ida Odinga: Besides being the PM’s wife, Ida is a powerful political player in her own right. She often influences key decisions including party issues.
Ida is someone few politicians around Raila would dare to cross because she doesn’t take prisoners.
There are other peripheral players around the PM such as the chairman of Royal Media Services SK Macharia and Charles Njonjo whom Raila has occasionally used to try and reach out to business elites in Central Kenya.
Johnston Muthama is another player who has gained access to the inner sanctums of Raila’s power network.
Muthama’s clout grew tremendously when he delivered Kalonzo Musyoka and his Wiper Party to team up with Raila and form the CORD team.
Business tycoon Peter Muthoka of Andy Forwarders is also another player with an inside track within Raila’s circle.
His influence grew during the elections by virtue of the resources he managed to contribute towards the Raila Odinga-Kalonzo Musyoka presidential bid.
Standard Media

 By Henry .N.M. Dieto

The term ‘Kitchen Cabinet’ was coined some 200 years ago by opponents of US President Andrew Jackson to describe an informal coterie of trusted friends, associates and advisers on whom the leader relied upon to govern.

Members of kitchen cabinets enjoy inordinate access to the leader and are often in a position to influence – formally and informally – the leader’s thinking, policies and decisions on critical issues of the moment.
Raila Odinga has been a central player in Kenya’s politics for over three decades now and during this period he has built, discarded, re-built or freshened up his kitchen cabinet many times over.
So, who are the members of Raila’s kitchen cabinet today? Who are the people he has relied upon in moments of crisis and moments of good tidings to help him think through and move forward? Here we go.

Mohamed Jaffer: Most probably few Kenyans would recognize him even if he appeared on their doorstep with a briefcase full of cash. But the 65-year old Jaffer, the proprietor of the multi-million dollar investment that is the Grain Bulk Handlers Limited is a businessman extraordinaire. He is one of the wealthiest and best-networked tycoons in Coast region and beyond.
Jaffer enjoys a close friendship with Raila Odinga, which dates several years back.

Those in the know say Jaffer is perhaps the only living person, besides President Kibaki or retired President Moi, who can call the Prime Minister and request him to go to his home and the PM will invariably and obligingly honour the request. That is the ultimate definition of a powerbroker in any political lexicon.
Besides being politically suave, Jaffer draws significant influence from the fact that he has also been one of the largest – if not the largest – financial benefactor to political courses associated with the PM for years.
“Some ODM politicians often go to Jaffer to have him convince the PM on an issue they fear facing Raila directly on,” confides an insider, adding “the general public thinks Hassan Joho is the main guy at the Coast but nothing could be further from the truth.”
Caroli Omondi: He is regarded as one of the smoothest operators in the Prime Minister’s office. As the PM’s Chief of Staff, Caroli is not just the gatekeeper but also holds the keys to sources of political fundraising.
Omondi has something of a fairly chequered history though. After graduating from the law school in 1991, Caroli worked at the State Law Office – Treaties and Agreements Department –  for eight years where he established a very close relationship with the then Attorney General (now ODM senator) Amos Wako. While at the Treaties and agreements Department, Omondi, then working with Nicholas Biwott’s daughter, was trusted by Wako to craft and draft the law that created independent power producers, something that introduced Caroli to the world of big money. And from that point he never looked back.

Omondi’s initial influence around the PM emanated from the fact that he was one of the earlier ‘investors’ in Raila at a time when the PM did not have much money. Besides contributing significant amounts of money to fund Raila’s campaigns, Omondi also donated premises to house ODM and other political outfits associated with the PM. These acts of  carefully planned ‘generosity’ gave Caroli inordinate hold on the political machinery around the PM.
Omondi was the man entrusted with resource mobilisation during the presidential campaign as well the man who was in charge of distributing money to party agents countrywide during the elections.
At the PM’s office, Caroli has been feared, loathed and loved by some in equal measures. Nevertheless, he appears to have grown umbilical-cord-like kind of links with the PM such that the two are almost permanently intertwined and none may survive without the other.
George Opondo: Everyone in Raila’s inner circle refers to him simply as the ‘Kulei’ of the PM – in reference to Joshua Kulei, then powerful Personal Assistant to retired President Moi during his days in power.  To be mentioned in the same breath with or be compared to the former PA to retired President Moi is in itself a good pointer one’s discreet power and influence behind the scenes.
Opondo, who hails from Uyoma in Rarieda, has been with the Odinga family for many years and initially served as PA to Raila’s father.
He is one of the very few people Raila trusts to collect, handle and disburse funds for political operations. He is fiercely loyal to Raila while at the same time studiously avoiding the limelight preferring to operate from the shadows and never speaking unless spoken to.
However, the very fact that the PM trusts him with crucial matters of finances has given Opondo much clout in Raila’s inner circle and anyone who does business – political or otherwise – with the PM on a regular basis is bound to have to deal with Opondo at some point.
Eliud Owalo: He is the man Raila trusted to run his presidential campaign. Owalo, a management consultant, initially served as founder member of Friends of Raila (Fora) lobby group before he was tapped by the PM to be his Chief Campaign Manager. Not being an original member of Team Raila, Owalo had several run-ins with politicians who wanted to influence decisions to serve their own selfish ends while sacrificing the PM’s larger interests. This did not endear Owalo to a political clique from Nyanza but he soldiered on leading the campaigns, thanks thumbs up from the PM.
Owalo’s strength around the PM has often been his independence of mind and apparent lack of political ambitions, something that meant Raila could count on his (Owalo’s) dispassionate judgment on crucial issues.
Perhaps a good measure of Owalo’s credentials as a member of the trusted inner circle is the fact that Candidate Raila Odinga trusted him enough to designate him as the person to spearhead the presidential election petition. The PM later amended the petition to become the direct petitioner.
By virtue of his position as Chief Campaign Manager, Owalo has enjoyed unlimited access to the PM.
Sarah Elderkin: She is a former journalist with the defunct Weekly Review magazine. Like some other members of Raila’s inner circle, Sarah’s relationship with the Odingas dates back to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s days.
She enjoys direct access to the PM. Sarah is Raila’s personal speech writer who cheerfully adopts the role of political attack-dog penning sharp articles in the media when the PM’s integrity is question or is at stake.
As the PM’s trusted communications advisor, Sarah wields significant influence on what Raila says. She is regarded as one of the few people in the inner circle who will not shy away from telling the PM he is wrong and firmly stand her ground on a matter of principle. For this reason, Raila values her judgment. Former journalist Salim Lone also happens to be a close confidant of the PM but his influence is mainly focused on maintaining international links for the PM. Those close to the PM describe Salim Lone as someone who approaches politics “too officially” to fit in well in the murky world of politics.
James Orengo: A lawyer by training, Orengo’s relationship dates back to late 1980s when the two led the struggle for the country’s second liberation. At some point in the 90s, Orengo and Raila were political rivals competing for supremacy in Nyanza. Raila emerged tops in that contest while Orengo lost his parliamentary seat.
To make a comeback Orengo had to eat humble pie and concede that he was not Raila’s equal. Since then, the two have become something of political Siamese twins. Today Orengo is one of the PM’s most trusted political operatives.
Raila relies on him not just for legal advice but also on a wide range of political and business issues. This has made Orengo one of the most powerful players around the PM today.
Those in the know say Orengo completely eclipsed other political players previously close to the PM such as Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o and Dalmas Otieno whose influence these days is determined on an issue by issue basis or the prevailing politics of the moment.
Ida Odinga: Besides being the PM’s wife, Ida is a powerful political player in her own right. She often influences key decisions including party issues.
Ida is someone few politicians around Raila would dare to cross because she doesn’t take prisoners.
There are other peripheral players around the PM such as the chairman of Royal Media Services SK Macharia and Charles Njonjo whom Raila has occasionally used to try and reach out to business elites in Central Kenya.
Johnston Muthama is another player who has gained access to the inner sanctums of Raila’s power network.
Muthama’s clout grew tremendously when he delivered Kalonzo Musyoka and his Wiper Party to team up with Raila and form the CORD team.
Business tycoon Peter Muthoka of Andy Forwarders is also another player with an inside track within Raila’s circle.
His influence grew during the elections by virtue of the resources he managed to contribute towards the Raila Odinga-Kalonzo Musyoka presidential bid.

Letter To Kethi Kilonzo

Madam Kilonzo,forgive those little angry people who are judging you by “your forehead” ,they simply forget that ITS NOT ABOUT HOW YOU LOOK that matters,But WHAT YOU OFFER!

Madam Kilonzo,Forgive those little ,bitter people who are judging You by your weave…insulting You for your hairstyle…they forget that ITS NOT ABOUT what is ON your HEAD but what is IN your HEAD that matters! Forgive them,Baby Girl!
My dear,Forgive those little cheap people who are dismissing You JUST because You were born into a rich and “connected” family…they forget that many,many children from wealthy and famous parents have let their parents down by being drug addicts,hardcore criminals,school drop-outs and internet pornography superstars!
Baby Girl,Forgive those little brainless fellows who believe that ONE MUST be born in a wealthy and powerful family to be where You are…they forget that women like Martha Karua and Wangari Maathai were born by dirt-poor parents ,who sold potatoes in the villages AND YET they rose to the pinnacles of their careers WITHOUT any family wealth or connection!
Forgive them,Darling! Forgive them for dismissing You JUST BECAUSE You are representing a political opinion/stand that is different from theirs….forgetting THAT BRAINS ARE BRAINS whether they are applied in Hell,Heaven,In the Air,Earth or Jupitar!
My Dear,
DO WHAT YOU WERE CALLED TO DO.
MAKE Your Daddy Proud.
Inspire the Ladies.
Show off Your skills.
Apply what You Learnt in School.
Do what You DO BEST!
While they are busy judging You by your ‘forehead’ and hairstyle,OTHERS are BUSY finding inspiration from You,learning from You,believing in You and finding PRIDE IN YOU.
Go,Keith,GO!
WE GOT YOUR BACK,Baibe!!!

The Nairobian Chic

I must admit, Nairobi is blessed with some pretty ladies. Some are good, while some others… Well. In this exclusive post, you will be guided on how to date a lady from Nairobi.

1. Do not take her for walks next to shoe shops or shoe vendors. Nairobi chics are shoe junkies. Just look at them, they all have huge hand-bags. Besides using these bags as ‘baby stealing accesories’ (Yes, they do this in hospitals), Nairobi chics also carry shoes in there.

I was once surprised to witness a lady get gumboots, a shower cap and an umbrella(apparently this one was 10,000 bob) a parachute and protection goggles when it was raining heavily. Okay, that’s besides the point.

Don’t walk past people who sell shoes unless you want to be asked “Just wait for a minute as I try these on…. Do they look good?” Then proceeding to buy none of them after she wasted an hour trying all of them out.

2. When you go for a date with a Nairobi chic, be prepared for two extremes.
A) she either eats too much Or B) she either eats too little
On a date, be prepared to judge her habits within the first five minutes so that you can know how to behave. If she eats too much, suddenly become full and offer her your food.

If she eats too little, celebrate deep inside but do not look excited on the outside. Proceed to help her to finish her meal using the excuse “Some Kenyans are dying of hunger”. If it is a classy resturant, ask them to pack for you the food.

3. Nairobi women all claim to be independent but can’t fix a bulb. Nairobi chics are obsessed with the ‘strong’ or ‘I am an African woman’ image… Deal with it. Funny enough, after projecting this image they seem to be very emotionally vulnerable.

4. The average Nairobi chic will do second-hand shopping when she is single but when she hooks up with you she only shops at Nakumatt Junction or The Village Market. Okay, I said most. There are those high status chics that actually shop for new clothes without breaking a sweat, but they are not the majority. She used to go to ‘e-NGARA-sha’ but is now obsessed with flaunting an Enkarasha bag.

5. Nairobi women have a false perception of foreign men. Whether its Europeans, West Africans or Americans. I happen to have many friends from all over the world and the only major difference is the accent or just the cultures. But at the end of the day they are just men.

It still blows my mind when I hang out with one of my American friends who is just a broke college student coming for a visit and Nairobi chics will assume that he is some rich prince whose dad owns America. The chics proceed to ignore me because ‘I am a broke Kenyan dude’ while they take advantage of my broke friends body. This is a timeless story that will probably happen again this weekend.

6. The Nairobi woman also has an emergency food supply and a bottle of water in her hand bag. To think of it, the only thing you can’t find in there is a mobile toilet. Entrepreneurs, you now have a new idea. I will demand 30% of your profits after you make money from this idea.

You always see a Nairobi chic chewing gum, crisps, tic-tac… Ground nuts, githeri…. To think of it, few of them ever eat chapatis… Lol. So guys, when you take her for a picnic, don’t worry. You will be sorted by her hand bag supply. You can survive a drought with a Nairobi chic.

7. A Nairobi chick will proudly say that she can’t get in to a Vitz yet she takes a matatu to work. Yep, you guessed it… She is rich but she won’t spend her money to get a car because the matatu conductor is ‘enter’taining… If you know what I mean.

8. The Nairobi chic is not the same one on her avi or photos. Thank photoshop for this. Those pictures of her doing the ‘Duck face’ at skylux have been altered by those booty underwears, tights and some excessive make up.

9. The average Nairobi chic has 3 pairs of ‘Condom shoes’. To think of it, the Nairobi chic also wears a pair of heels when she knows that she will be walking around the city the whole day then comes complaining “oh my feet hurt” while leaning on your shoulder for support.

10. The average Nairobi chic has poor fashion sense. Yes, a Nairobi chic thinks that tights are trousers, wears winter boots when its sunny and may even go as far as re-cycling her friends weave which is smelly.

Okay ladies, I am sorry. I just wrote this to entertain.  Nairobi women are beautiful.

Hundreds of Household Affected By Floods Countrywide

Several parts of the country especially the Coast and Western Kenya regions have been affected by flooding following an increased heavy downpour countrywide. In the Western Region, at least 330 Households (HH) with a population of 1650 people have been affected by heavy rains as revealed by a Kenya Red Cross Society’s (KRCS) detailed assessment with houses destroyed and livestock lost. 

Over the Easter period, River Auji and Nyamasaria in Kisumu broke their banks causing unprecedented damage. The affected HH were mainly in Nyaori, Kassagam and Manyatta B in Kisumu East, Gem Rae and Wangaya, Nyando, Nyakach and Rachuonyo Districts.  

Further, several learning institutions including Kassagam Primary and Secondary School, St. Alloys Primary School and St. Joseph Secondary School in Kisumu East District were also affected, thus disrupting learning. In Nyando District, Miruka Primary was hardest hit. Several businesses as well as transport flow along the main Nairobi-Kisumu Highway were also affected after a section of the Nyamasaria Bridge was swept away. River Nyando as well as Ayweyo, Nyamasaria and Ombeyi, which are seasonal rivers, are currently flowing at high speeds and in case of any more rains, the rivers are likely to break their banks and further disrupt human and animal livelihoods.

Meanwhile, the Coast Region has also been experiencing heavy rains from Wednesday 20th March 2013. Heavy rains were received in Voi on 20th March; 2013 evening in areas of Sofia, Mabomani and Sikujua villages affecting 22 HH. Most of the affected HHs were integrated into the community. St. Kelvin Primary School was one of the hardest hit institutions with two classrooms being destroyed, hence affecting the learning process. There were also reports of loss of livestock.

On Tuesday 19th March; 2013, Tsangatsini in Kilifi County experienced strong winds coupled with heavy downpour resulting to the falling of four electric poles in Ndatani Area; one house also fell in the same incident. On the same day, in Mulanjo, Madogo Area of Tana River, one village was also affected by

In Taita Taveta County, an elderly woman drowned and her body was found at Mabomani village in the outskirts of Voi town on Wednesday evening.

In Lower Eastern Region, flash floods were reported on Wednesday 20th March 2013 in Kiboko area along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway after River Kiboko burst its banks. The KRCS Kibwezi team rescued five people who had been trapped by the floods. In Rongai, three people died after a matatu they were travelling in was washed away by floods. 

In another incident, a man was swept away by floods in Thika after heavy rains experienced in during the night hours of 20th March 2013 and his body recovered early the following morning. 

Meanwhile in Ole Polos Ngong, floods swept away a vehicle trapping one person who sought refuge on the roof of his vehicle while another person swam to safety. The KRCS Emergency Operation Centre informed the Kenya police and the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) who responded and rescued the trapped person.

In Central Region, 10 HH were affected by floods in Kiambu and Riara areas. The KRCS Kiambu Sub – Branch carried out a rapid assessment. On 1st April 2013, a Church also collapsed in Ngurubani town in Kirinyagi, leaving two people injured.

In the Rift Valley heavy rains in Kalokol Area, Turkana, rendered at least 33 HH homeless. 

Heavy rains have also hit the entire Region of Dadaab Refugee Camps since 20th March; 2013, damaging tents and flooding roads. At least 14,280 people were affected by the floods.

Dangerous Millipedes

Farmers in Laikipia are decrying foul over increased number of millipedes which have been wrecking havoc in their farms.

The pests which have invaded myriads of farms in Laikipia East and Laikipia Central Districts have been feeding on all types of crops during germination.

Speaking to the media in her office on Wednesday, Laikipia County Director of Agriculture Anne Kimaita said that the Ministry of Agriculture is aware of the menace caused by the millipedes, saying that they are conducting a research.

However, Kimaita said that some farmers use blood, sugar and pesticide concentrations to wipe away the pests from their crops.

“As a ministry, we don’t know the exact concentration they mix, but they usually spray their crops in the evenings. When they visit their farms in the morning, they find the millipedes dead and wipe them away,” Kimaita explained.

The director also said that the millipedes have always been adding value to the soil, adding that they have not been eating the crops.

“We think the reason as to why these pests have started feeding on the crops is because of climate change,” added  Kimaita.

She said that a researcher has already visited the farms around the region so as to establish a solution.

Kimaita further said that the farmers are demanding for the subsidised fertilizers which have not yet arrived the county.

“Currently, the fertilizers from the retail shops go for about KES 3 600 to KES 4 000 and some of the farmers are even planting without fertilizers," she added.

Kimaita urged all farmers in Laikipia to make use of the current downpours to prepare their farms by applying other cheap and available fertilizers as they wait for the subsidised ones from the Government.

Milipedes

 

 

PR Vs Social Media

Today, businesses of every size are realizing the importance of having qualified, capable, full-time staff engaging and elevating their social media presence. However, because this role is still relatively new, some people think the job is best suited for a young intern or their tech-savvy granddaughter.
But let me tell you from experience, social media is a tough gig. It’s a vital role that’s demanding, constantly changing, and often a career that has many misconceptions.
Lets discuss some of them, shall we?

1. It can be done by anyone.

Theres a specific skillset and dramatic learning curve. Techniques are key when it comes to managing your online reputation and to be frank, not everyone has the natural knack for communicating your messaging appropriately. The Social Media manager is responding to customer service questions, setting the tone and personality for your brand and curating content that your followers will resonate with. If the person you hired is not immersed in the industry you’re targeting, chances are you’re going to get a whole lot of inspirational quotes and internet memes for content.

2. All we do is “play” on social media all day.

There’s always “that person” who will ask you what you do for a living and if you reply that you work in social media, they sometimes will say (or think), “So are you just playing on facebook and twitter all day?” And after I imagine myself pouring hot grease on them, I calmly tell them about how social media management requires a tremendous amount of strategy in order to yield a positive ROI. A Social Media Manager’s performance should be measured with inbound marketing analytics from campaigns, content and engagement.
Integration with the company’s overall marketing strategy should be an intricate part of the goals and objectives. Identifying and nurturing leads should be among the primary goals of a social media strategy, and the sharpest brands are working to find ways to identify and reward their brand evangelists.

3. That our job stops at the end of the workday.

Wouldn’t that be nice! Alas, there is no 9 to 5 in the social mediasphere. A Social Media Manager is expected to be “always on.” There are constant notifications popping up on my iphone. Between customer service questions on Twitter, thoughtful comments that need responses on Facebook, and notifications on Linkedin, there really is no down time. And don’t even get me started on Instagram. It’s a common theme among my family and friends that I instagram, like, everything. The perfect shot, the right angle, the perfect crop, the artistic photo filter, the compelling caption and just the right hashtag. I probably put more thought into my instagram account than I do what I’m making for dinner.

4. It’s a job with no pressure.

Social media managers are tasked with building out the personality and reach of the brand, yet some professionals still don’t value the role. It’s our responsibility to stay up to date on social topics, trends, changes and tools. Our strategies and platforms are always changing, being added to and growing in influence. We’re putting out fires where there’s a fire and even shaping perceptions about brands that need to repair their online reputation.

5. Our mistakes are the biggest mistakes.

Forget the pen, the send button is mightier than the sword. Every email you send goes right to the recipient. Every tweet I send goes to tens of thousands of people. It’s critiqued, talked about, torn apart, praised or shared. For most of you, your completed tasks go straight to your boss – whereas mine go to several different clients across hundreds of networks. Just about every day you hear about a Social Media Manager that gets fired for posting the wrong post or tweeting the wrong tweet.
Don’t think for a second that this article is all about a “woe is me” attitude when it comes to my job. I do this because I love it. I love the pressure, I love the pace, and I love the reward of engaging people online.
So for my fellow social media mavens, twitterholics and facestalkers –  I salute you.