cautioned optimism
written by Doris Sadera , February 28, 2008

Before I start ullulating and doing cartwheels, I want to know the terms of the agreement and know that an agreement has been signed. This is after all Kenyan politics, where deals can make 180 in the span of five minutes.

Deep inside me though is a little fountain of joy just waiting to erupt! This must be how the allies felt at the end of the second world war.......

Wait and Watch
written by Simba , February 28, 2008

While hoping for the best, we have to realize that while this may be a good first step, it is not the end of the road in the process to national reconciliation and true peace. This is very exciting news, and I am also waiting to see the terms and conditions of this deal. But we have to realize that Koffi is not going to be around to baby-sit our so called leaders, they are going to have to show some initiative on their own. Lets hope for the best though. Definitely good to hear that Koffi's efforts are paying some sort of dividends.

...
written by Wambui , February 28, 2008

Watch live at Cnn.com

ouch!
written by ken , February 28, 2008

I can bet you, someone will get shafted.

Lets see the necessary amendments get stuck in Parliament and Kibaki play dumb like he did on the MOU.

opposition?
written by Stephen Wanyama , February 28, 2008

Eric, sometimes we have to swallow hard. The ODM as made clear by our Aketch and Mwangaza do not care for life, peace or property. Much better that they are in government and have a stake in keeping the peace, than that they are out there preaching Lesotho and violence..

Now we all know that we must plan ahead, and be two steps-ahead of murderers and gangsters, always. We should start preparing even now for this government will not last long.

Now I wonder who the opposition will be, and what does supervise the Cabinet mean? They say the same thing in Tanzania do they not? Supervise the Cabinet. What will Kalonzo's job entail? Seeing as Leader of the Official Opposition is a Cabinet level position, I wonder if someone like Ngilu will take to the opposition benches, or maybe Jirongo?

peace on earth
written by Amir Ibrahim , February 28, 2008

Let the country breathe Eric. The ODM goons really were going to bring it crashing to the ground, they do not care now, they have never cared ever. The crucial bit now is to make sure we are prepared for them, as Ken and Wanyama have said, this is merely a temporary agreement, elections are coming soon.

...
written by manta ray , February 28, 2008

Eric, take it easy.

First, i doubt that Kibaki really gave that much away in as far as his powers were concerned. The KTN and NTV dunderheads were claiming that Raila will be executive Prime Minister but Kofi Annan actually said that the PM will have executive responsibilities. Those are two very different things. The actual words by Annan were "There will be a Prime Minister whose duties will be to supervise and co-ordinate Key Govt functions...". If Raila was to become Executive PM, Annan would have said so explicitly.

Secondly, Raila pointedly implored his supporters to accept the deal as it is, and his body language was that of a take or leave it demeanour. You can make your own conclusions from that.

Thirdly, please appreciate that this may have been the best outcome in the circumstances. Raila always knew he was cornered and Kibaki could draw this out for ever, and everyday that passed by, Kibaki was consolidating his power. Kibaki had to be convinced by Annan and Kikwete to let Raila come out with his ego and dignity intact. In Chinese, He did not lose face. Raila also managed to land some pork for the boys, though whether it is fresh will be determined by the Ministerial portfolios they will get.

All in all, it is better the deal now so that Kenyans can get back to work, and hope that they learnt something about the nature of politicians.

As Wanyama and Amir have said, we now know the nature of the beast so lets be prepared for it.

what does this mean?
written by magothe , February 28, 2008

still awaiting detail, but this may be a dark day in our history...it may mean should any of us stand for elections, lose but believe I won, then provided I kill enough of my rival's voters, I'll eventually have my way into power. If it is that Odinga has some powers and Kibaki some powers, will Martha Karua be willing to report to Odinga on anything?

...
written by manta ray , February 28, 2008

The next round of squabbles will be on the definition of deputy PM. Who will be first deputy PM and who will be second deputy PM?

lack of detail
written by magothe , February 28, 2008

Is this what they've been discussing for 4 weeks? no wonder we lag behind the tiger economies. they should have come up with detail of who gets what in cabinet. what the constitution review will review (note there is no word on when it has to be done by). they should have agreed on who reports to who i.e. does Odinga report to Kibaki or v.v. who will be supervised by Odinga? who will appoint parastatal heads and permanent secretaries? like I said the detail is where we won't go forward and yes, there's no mention of the those ethnically cleansed from North Rift Valley. Kweli Kibaki has sold us down the river...Now whose manifesto will govern? will the hated majimbo/ugatuzi/whatever be part of the equation?

...
written by ciru , February 28, 2008

The problem with all of us Kenyans even when we ask questions of "what does this mean" we do nto knwo how to take baby steps. As always we suffer from instant gratification . Those who are being cynical about this process or the deal should ask themselves why they cannot accept the little progress made. Shame on those who says Kibaki sold or Raila sold, so what! This kind of stance is what brought the chaos we witnessed . Kenya does not belong to Kibaki or Raila .We as Kenyans need to shape our own destiny . We call ourselves resilient, then lets demonstrate that through learning how to take baby steps. I hail this step taken by both not to say it will be smooth sailing but at least we now can tackle other problems as they come one by one. We cannot solve all Kenyan problems in a day C'om now!

...
written by ciru , February 28, 2008

Also this is the time as good as any for of us who have been discussing what they think Kenya needs to put forth those ideas to work. No point in questioning what has been brokered hanging on the fence. If we really care about Kenya, which I trully believelet form movements, lets reach out and preach peace and reconciliations, lets go door to door teaching civic education but sitting behind monitors doing nothing but writing good ideas that cannot be implemented is waste of time. Lets walk the walk now all of us Kenyans .Not just Kenyans in Kenya but in Dispora. This is our chance to help change and to make sure that what we witnessed in kenya will nto be allowed to happen ever again.

Egg on your faces!
written by Sijui , February 28, 2008

Ha! quite a few people on this handle have egg on their faces! Deservedly!

Noone has won in this debacle, least of all the tribal jingoists THANK GOD!

Deal?
written by Isindu Mwangaza , February 28, 2008

Michuki, Karua, Kimunya & Mungatana must be eating humble pie. Interesting to see how this will be implemented before it become entrenched.

...
written by Cicero , February 28, 2008

murky situation indeed. in the midst of all, i hope there is peace for Kenyans.

Text of Agreement
written by anon , February 28, 2008

Read the text of the agreement on this link. Not a word on the violence and any recourse for those affected. A sad day for Kenya indeed.
Link here

yorghurt
written by Stephen Wanyama , February 28, 2008

Ha! quite a few people on this handle have egg on their faces! Deservedly! Noone has won in this debacle, least of all the tribal jingoists THANK GOD!

Sijui, I think you will find you are being a little, more than a little, facetious. Your team won. Spot the difference, Prisoner - Prime Minister. Quite a victory wouldn't you say old chap? !

P.S. I am still looking to meet a single decent person who supports the ODM. Just one.

re: Deal?
written by manta ray , February 28, 2008

Michuki, Karua, Kimunya & Mungatana must be eating humble pie. Interesting to see how this will be implemented before it become entrenched.

Now why am I not surprised you think so? You really excel in confrontation you know.
Why should the above eat humble pie, and how in your estimation has that happened? Do you really believe Raila will be able to order these fellows around? Think again my friend. You obviously have no idea how the dynamics of power work.
The only people Raila can boss around will be ODM Ministers, mark my words. Do you recall Moi's court or Kenyatta's before him? Some Ministers have more clout than others and the above are no exception. In any case, if Raila is serious, he will look to cooperate with the said Ministers to push through the Government agenda and not try to throw his weight around.
Remember also that Raila's actual powers and those of the deputies still have to be negotiated, debated and made into law by parliament. How long do you think that process will take, given the imbecilic nature of our MPs?
Pissing contests should have no place in the new Government, and most certainly not here at Kenyaimagine.

...
written by Mr. Vikii , February 28, 2008

This is a sad day for Kenya. Those telling us to embrace it are missing something.

It is, as sure as hell, impossible for Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga to work together in harmony. These are people from different worlds. What is the point in having peace for a couple months before reverting to backstabbing, blackmail, bullying and sub-ordination?

This is a deal that is bound to create more new problems than those it solves.

Mudavadi and Saitoti now become Deputy Prime Ministers. Very interesting scenario!

re: opposition?
written by a guest , February 28, 2008

Eric, sometimes we have to swallow hard. The ODM as made clear by our Aketch and Mwangaza do not care for life, peace or property. Much better that they are in government and have a stake in keeping the peace, than that they are out there preaching Lesotho and violence..

Now we all know that we must plan ahead, and be two steps-ahead of murderers and gangsters, always. We should start preparing even now for this government will not last long.

Now I wonder who the opposition will be, and what does supervise the Cabinet mean? They say the same thing in Tanzania do they not? Supervise the Cabinet. What will Kalonzo's job entail? Seeing as Leader of the Official Opposition is a Cabinet level position, I wonder if someone like Ngilu will take to the opposition benches, or maybe Jirongo?

Your Aketch can only give you his mind and answer to the provocation above if the EDITORS welcome him back.!

What did the editors do to Aketch? Has he not been most scrupulously indulged? After a not so lengthy examination of the facts, it is evident that Aketch is under no restrictions apart from those imposed by common decency. Eds.

err, Mungatana
written by Stephen Wanyama , February 28, 2008

If Kibaki and the PNU are at all interested in long term tranquility, playing the long and short-game at once, then they should not put in Saitoti, even people like Michuki should be dropped from the Cabinet, Kibaki should be the only one over 55 on the government side. Maybe Mungatana? or is there a young intelligent Kisii MP they can place there? The best dawa would actually be Raphael Tuju.

You see too many Kenyans, even the Sijui cat above, think that people support Kibaki because they are Kikuyu. We must destroy that argument, and the age one as well. We must kick everyone with a hint of scandal to the kerb so we see kina Maina Kiai supporting Raila over Mungatana and saying the PNU is corrupt. Tena that is the perfect name.

...
written by muciimi mbatia , February 28, 2008

Looks like they agreed to implement the Wako draft. The Wako draft borrowed heavily from the Tanzanian constitution.

ODM could have spared the country a lot of agony if they had ratified the Wako draft then instead of rejecting it.

Anyway, it is what they have decided. I will live with it.

the coalition
written by Frankie , February 28, 2008

Am holding my breathe because in Kenyan politics events are really unpredictable.I agree some people in the two parties will get seriously shafted.And who will appoint and fire ministers,ass.ministers and Ps's?

Tagore via Kwani
written by Daniel.Waweru , February 28, 2008

Where the mind is led forward by thee
into ever-widening thought and action;
into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

Rabindranath Tagore. (from the cover of Kwani 4)

re: The goodies from the agree
written by observer , February 28, 2008

One of the goodies coming with this agreement is that nobody is going to eat anymore to the point of vomiting on donors' shoes.

I would not bet on it, remember how quick these guys are to put aside their differences in order to give themselves raises and perks? Havent these very same people been enemies and partners at one time?

Anyone that has the idea that these agreements were done for the benefit of the Kenyan people is delusional. Wanjikus interests were and will always be an after thought. Everything the antagonists have done prior to and after the elections shows that never had the interests of the Kenyan people at heart. If they are then it

re: The goodies from the agree
written by observer , February 28, 2008

One of the goodies coming with this agreement is that nobody is going to eat anymore to the point of vomiting on donors' shoes.

I would not bet on it, remember how quick these guys are to put aside their differences in order to give themselves raises and perks? Havent these very same people been enemies and partners at one time?

Anyone that has the idea that these agreements were done for the benefit of the Kenyan people is delusional. Wanjikus interests were and will always be an after thought. Everything the antagonists have done prior to and after the elections shows that never had the interests of the Kenyan people at heart. If they are then its a very cynical and perverse view of the Kenyan people interests.

re: ouch!
written by a guest , February 28, 2008

I can bet you, someone will get shafted.

Lets see the necessary amendments get stuck in Parliament and Kibaki play dumb like he did on the MOU.

Michuki, Karua, Kimunya & Mungatana must be eating humble pie. Interesting to see how this will be implemented before it become entrenched.

Now why am I not surprised you think so? You really excel in confrontation you know.
Why should the above eat humble pie, and how in your estimation has that happened? Do you really believe Raila will be able to order these fellows around? Think again my friend. You obviously have no idea how the dynamics of power work.
The only people Raila can boss around will be ODM Ministers, mark my words. Do you recall Moi's court or Kenyatta's before him? Some Ministers have more clout than others and the above are no exception. In any case, if Raila is serious, he will look to cooperate with the said Ministers to push through the Government agenda and not try to throw his weight around.
Remember also that Raila's actual powers and those of the deputies still have to be negotiated, debated and made into law by parliament. How long do you think that process will take, given the imbecilic nature of our MPs?
Pissing contests should have no place in the new Government, and most certainly not here at Kenyaimagine.

There you go throwing spanners all over the place. The above mentioned had no intent whatsoever to see this process come to fruition. I'm certainly not naive to the politics nor comfortable with the arrangement. It is in many ways a guided path to a gridlock.

I'm cautiously optimistic given the retraction tendencies of your aligned affiliates. It's not about control Rumpelstiltskin, its about grave issues of reconciliation, resettlement, reconstruction, legislation and imperatively about Kenya as we all want it

peace is all we want
written by Ben Ngetich , February 28, 2008

Looking intently at the process, I regret to say that the common mwananchi has no clue of what is going on especially with the power sharing deal and therefore is best if Kenyans only ask for peace since politicking is the source of all civil rife, it can only be solved politically.

Let us be optimistic
written by Nyabs , February 28, 2008

With Raila and his friends in government , at least tensions are diffused, mass action is unlikely and normalcy can return and we can all be engaged in earning livings and creating wealth.

However, I hope we will not have the acrimony and wranglings we witnessed with the NARC coalition.

We also need action on the perpetrators and funders of the ethnic cleansing in the Rift Valley and elsewhere, however high up in the new government they might be.

We also need a clean government. People with corruption cases in court should not be in the new government. Of course, I know I am dreaming.

I am optimistic that we have stepped away from the brink of anarchy and the most urgent task of government and parliament should be to put systems and structures in place that ensure that we never, ever have to undergo what we have undergone the last two months.

The test of leadership they will need to pass is the number of laws, policies and actions they will have taken to ensure a harmonious Kenya where all ethnic groups are interdependent and interact positively. If they show signs of failing this test, then we, who are the owners of Kenya, need to beat them back into line with instant feedback, condemnation and threats of voting them out.

And all of us need to live the words of our national anthem, especially the first stanza:

Ee Mungu nguvu yetu
Ilete baraka kwetu
Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi
Natukae na udugu
Amani na uhuru
Raha tupate na ustawi.


Amkeni ndugu zetu
Tufanye sote bidii
Nasi tujitoe kwa nguvu
Nchi yetu ya
Kenya tunayoipenda
Tuwe tayari kuilinda.


Natujenge taifa letu
Ee ndio wajibu wetu
Kenya istahili heshima
Tuungane mikono pamoja kazini
Kila siku tuwe nashukrani.

future
written by mainat , February 28, 2008

Being an investor, I can only hope these guys hit the ground running and agree on issues that matter to those in the slums and those in the rural areas i.e. govern cleanly without BS.
My one big prayer, since we can't have all 42 tribes in the cabinent, is it possible to actually be sensible and just get 7 ministers from each side plus the farrago at the top? Btw, how come we didn't get two veeps?

re: re: Deal?
written by Isindu Mwangaza , February 28, 2008

Michuki, Karua, Kimunya & Mungatana must be eating humble pie. Interesting to see how this will be implemented before it become entrenched.

It is abit naive to start calling these people names. Do you realise that to entrench the PM position in the consitution ODM needs PNU to garner a two thirds majority? What happens if they antagonise akina Karua? The bill is shot down and then will only come back to parliamanet after 6 months!!
You need to realise that Parliament will have the final say on the creation of these positions and their embending into the constitution. 165 MP's are required to make the deal a reality. And as many have said, the devil is in the detail of what will be drafted into a bill of what exactly 'cordination of ministries' entails.

If you read my post, AGAIN, I said they must eat humble pie. That's by no means name calling. It defines their previous position and perhaps, the prevailing position.

Both Kibaki & Raila must go to the people, together, in the villages, along borders of ethnic tension, to business people and the greater public and seek redress, seek reconciliation and above all else, seek forgiveness. Eating humble pie my suggests they must tone down any rhetoric to the contrary and be seen to undermine this feeble attempt at something new. I'm by now means insulting them because in doing so, I insult their constituents and thats is not what my post is about, not by a long short.

capability
written by observer , February 28, 2008

We really need to get away from this tribal our time to eat mentality!!! It is taking us no where fast. The US has 14 ministries so why does a country like Kenya need over 30 when our total government expenditure is less than what GM spends every year on advertising?

Did the work of folks like Donde benefit only his tribe or all Kenyans? Did the KANU mishandling of the economy not affect us all? What does having idiots like Ndile as assistant ministers help anyone? We need for parliament to vet each minister/assistance Minster and senior government officials appointed not on ethnic but capability.

In re Kalembe
written by Daniel.Waweru , February 28, 2008

Did the work of folks like Donde benefit only his tribe or all Kenyans? Did the KANU mishandling of the economy not affect us all? What does having idiots like Ndile as assistant ministers help anyone?

In times past, every respectable court had a jester, Kalembe was ours.

in re Donde
written by Daniel.Waweru , February 28, 2008

Did the work of folks like Donde benefit only his tribe or all Kenyans?

Also, you're quite right about Donde. His bill was pretty much the salvation of SMEs in Kenya.

Reconciliation
written by mkosakabila , February 28, 2008

Both Kibaki & Raila must go to the people, together, in the villages, along borders of ethnic tension, to business people and the greater public and seek redress, seek reconciliation and above all else, seek forgiveness.

Very well said. Lets start seeing some concrete steps at cooperation, across as many arenas as possible.
Let the memories of all those that died and the living victims of such tragedy have some reprieve. Its our responsibility to demand justice on their behalf.
Meanwhile, the hawkishness of supporters of both sides (yes, both sides, both sides, still), even here on KI is alarming. God knows, the deal may not be optimal, but when did anyone ever get anything right at the first shot? Especially in politics and governance?
Lets give this thing a chance!

Shame
written by ndungu , February 28, 2008

Kibaki has alot of Explaining to do.Is this what we get for voting for Kibaki .What of the thousands who have lost everything In Rift valley Mr Kibaki i want to hear what you have to say .This is how you repay us.Britain got what it wanted Kisumu is celebrating tonight what about us .Those who voted for you and paid the Most .what about us?

re: Deal?
written by pndiangui , February 28, 2008

Michuki, Karua, Kimunya & Mungatana must be eating humble pie. Interesting to see how this will be implemented before it become entrenched.

It is a bit naive to start calling these people names. Do you realise that to entrench the PM position in the constitution ODM needs PNU to garner a two thirds majority? What happens if they antagonise akina Karua? The bill is shot down and then will only come back to parliament after 6 months!!
You need to realise that Parliament will have the final say on the creation of these positions and their embedding into the constitution. 165 MPs are required to make the deal a reality. And as many have said, the devil is in the detail of what will be drafted into a bill of what exactly 'coordination of ministries' entails.

...
written by Eric , February 28, 2008

Kalonzo is now an empty shell. Those who voted for Kibaki regret doing so because they wanted him to lead, not to sleep and give the power away. Those who voted for Raila wanted him to be president, not PM.

This is a sad day for Kenya. The deal means that in the future, if one loses an election all one needs to do is kill and displace people of some other tribe and they will be rewarded. A sad day in deed.

Kibaki is a curse to Kenya. He has killed what the freedom fighters fought for, an independent nationed ruled by law, not street matches!

I am angry!

Peace good people
written by Adhiambo , February 29, 2008

The problem with all of us Kenyans even when we ask questions of "what does this mean" we do nto knwo how to take baby steps. As always we suffer from instant gratification . Those who are being cynical about this process or the deal should ask themselves why they cannot accept the little progress made. Shame on those who says Kibaki sold or Raila sold, so what! This kind of stance is what brought the chaos we witnessed . Kenya does not belong to Kibaki or Raila .We as Kenyans need to shape our own destiny . We call ourselves resilient, then lets demonstrate that through learning how to take baby steps. I hail this step taken by both not to say it will be smooth sailing but at least we now can tackle other problems as they come one by one. We cannot solve all Kenyan problems in a day C'om now!

Dearest, thanks! You are one of those that give some of us reason to stick in the thick of things, to still think and argue for Kenya, even when smoke billows in the motherland. God knows I have had to expound on all manner of stuff read by americans in the media.

Your maturity, and 'Lets forge on' attitude works for me. Another sister thumbs up!

I do not understand why intelligent young people here fail to see reason in this compromise...yes, the ones stuck on looking back as the door hits them back in the face instead of walking on and out.

Today, I took time to review the development of other nations, and what just happened in Kenya is part of 'growing up'.
Especially with human-run governments, there is ego, greed et cetera that factors in.

It reminds me of Lincoln's emancipation that freed blacks from slavery.
Freeing blacks meant splitting America(for Southern slave states lke Kentukcy would not hear of free slaves, akin to 'no free labor'), but then, the damn notherners were abolitionists.
And so the damn civil war had to happen.
Again, these knuckle headed southern states were ready to peach on the constitution writers to Britain (treason acts) if black people were consireded full human beings. And so it was written that they were 3 fifths of a person.

Like Ciru calls them-baby steps. Slowly, but surely, the good shall prevail. Think of it, is there anyone who today can say they are proud because their forefathers owned slaves? Noooo...but were they ready to let them go? Noooo!

A nation goes thru this sad moments like we have, for a nation is made of people, people with an innate goodness and evil.

My fellow young turks, now is not the time to churn and bubble of who lost or gained, but that we band together and learn how not to go back where we were, and what we can do to pull our nation from rubble.
All manner of help is needed in Kenya now. Lets face it, we the supposedly enlightened spewed tonnes of gibberish on the internet as evidenced by the standard newspaper.
We used our priviledged situations to commit mental mayhem, and we should be ashamed.

Lastly, check out my little bro at #38 top 100 students in KCSE, and honk as you drive home!
He has made me proud!

Potatoes
written by mkosakabila , February 29, 2008

For your consumption, youtubers:

Link here

Kenya escaped an apocalypse n
written by Wuod Aketch , February 29, 2008

Eric, take it easy.

First, i doubt that Kibaki really gave that much away in as far as his powers were concerned. The KTN and NTV dunderheads were claiming that Raila will be executive Prime Minister but Kofi Annan actually said that the PM will have executive responsibilities. Those are two very different things.

Here is what was written in the draft

There will be a prime minister of the Government of Kenya, with authority to coordinate and supervise the execution of the functions and affairs of the Government of Kenya.

The prime minister will be an elected member of the National Assembly and the parliamentary leader of the largest party in the National Assembly, or of a coalition, if the largest party does not command a majority.

Each member of the coalition shall nominate one person from the National Assembly to be appointed a deputy prime minister.

The Cabinet will consist of the President, the Vice-President, the prime minister, the two deputy prime ministers and the other ministers.
The removal of any minister of the coalition will be subject to consultation and concurrence in writing by the leaders.

Bonyeza hapa

Stop spitting into the soup and be happy with the outcome. The announced nationwide mass demos would have been worse than a real apocalypse now.

Kibaki cornered
written by Mzembwe Kenya , February 29, 2008

PNU and Kibaki were finally cornered by the international forces arrayed against them. The ODM side were masterful in their negotiating tactics bringing in the international community to witness the duplicity and deceptive nature of Kibaki and PNU.
Rest assured that once this deal is consummated, the government will finally get the international recognition it so desperately sought but that hitherto was denied it by all save Uganda and the rump Somali regime restricted to Mogadishu.
Kibaki's desperate attempts to steal an election and hang on to power at all costs will forever serve as the test case for those who study the subject.

PNU and Kibaki finally realised that Kenya is not sovereign. That when the chips are down Kenya and its elites are very susceptible to real pressure from the major Western powers.

No more shenanigans Kibaki and PNU. The world's eyes are firmly focused on YOU.

A good neigbor?
written by Wuod Aketch , February 29, 2008

Did this man have a stern message from W. Bush or is he just a good neighbor?



Le prsident de l'Union africaine, Jakaya Kikwete, jeudi 28 fvrier 驠 Nairobi

Wuod. Bloody Hell. Stop trolling; go and drink yourself silly like any self-respecting Kenyan on this, of all days. Eds.

re: opposition?
written by aeichener , February 29, 2008

Eric, sometimes we have to swallow hard. The ODM as made clear by our Aketch and Mwangaza do not care for life, peace or property. Much better that they are in government and have a stake in keeping the peace, than that they are out there preaching Lesotho and violence..

Do you know just how you sound?

Like von Papen and the DNVP guys in Germany of early 1933.
:-(

Alexander

Decency in ODM?
written by Mr. Vikii , February 29, 2008

Steve, have you been looking for decent people in the ODM. I can now see you are really determined to replace Barrack Muluka as the dreamer of dreams.

Well, that's not an easy one. It may take a few generations before decency creeps into ODM.

re:
written by That Kenyan Loser , February 29, 2008

Kalonzo is now an empty shell. Those who voted for Kibaki regret doing so because they wanted him to lead, not to sleep and give the power away. Those who voted for Raila wanted him to be president, not PM.

This is a sad day for Kenya. The deal means that in the future, if one loses an election all one needs to do is kill and displace people of some other tribe and they will be rewarded. A sad day in deed.

Kibaki is a curse to Kenya. He has killed what the freedom fighters fought for, an independent nationed ruled by law, not street matches!

I am angry!

Eric,
In a way, everyone lost and won. That is what we need to learn -- how to give up some to win some.

It is a proven fact that absolute power leads to tyranny. People live much more peacefully when everyone is eating, even when the share of the cake is not proportionate.

...
written by Kamale , February 29, 2008

Terrible deal for Kenya - fantastic deal for Raila and Kibaki....all I can say!

Fantastic for Raila because he comes out with something out of the election. Even better for Kibaki who signed a deal he cannot enforce for the simple reason thatg unlike Raila, he has no MPs he can call his own!

So when parliament kills the bills, Raila may go home empty handed, and it is not Kibaki that he will be blaming for doing him in this time, but parliament!

I would really love the deal to pass for tghe simple reason it allows Kenyans to get along with their lives, but I will not celebrate just yet!

In the meantime, please join me in mourning the death of democracy in Kenya - we just lost the opposition in parliament, now the government can do all it wishes!

...
written by Eric , February 29, 2008

I still think it was a bad deal. It has no reference to all the violence and killings that made the deal the only hope for all peace-loving Kenyans. The deal was signed under the threat of violence and mayhem.

Kenyans lost their democracy, constitution, homes and sense of security. Raila and Kibaki got away with all of it. Now we shall never know; were the elections stolen and by who, who planned and financed the killings in RV and more importantly, why did people have to wait so long for such a simple deal.

With this deal, violence is now an official political tool in Kenya and whichever way people vote, the guys at the top decide to share the cake amongst themselves. Now Kibaki is President, Kalonzo Vice president and Raila Prime Minister. Pius Muiru should also threaten mass action if he doesn't get a share of the cake.

The only good thing out of this deal was peace, bad peace because we all know what will happen in RV come 2012. I just hope that Kibaki's boys will slow down from their corrupt ways now that the boys from the lakeside and watching.

Elections
written by James Macharia , February 29, 2008

It's weird, we had an election and 3 major contestants end up in the 3 senior most post of govt. Folks I think we might have something here. Lets enshrine that in the constitution. The winner becomes president, the runner up the Prime Minister and the third placed the Vice President. Ministerial positions shared according to party strength, of course. What a joke. What a sad day for Kenya. We might rejoice now but I foresee chaos ever time we hold that farce called elections.

...
written by Wuodabiero , February 29, 2008

I'm disappointed nobody's looking at the significance of the deal beyond the myopia of ethnic gains and losses. This has the potential to kill the politics of the Big Man in Kenya. Already I'm sure (or at least I would hope) the "presidential succession" will be thrown out of whack. I certainly look forward to a Kenya where whoever aspires to lead must craft together a political party with the widest possible appeal aiming to achieve the greatest number of seats. I look forward to independent institutions which will survive changes in government without bracing for the kifagio of a new all-powerful Big Man President, to a parliament which will really will check the executive, to a judiciary that will not play the tune of the master. Isn't this the Kenya that we all cried for in 2002 before we were duped by 'liver-juggling' politicians keen only to rid the country of Moi and who jumped on the reform bandwagon to install "one of our own?" (Whatever else I may feel about John Njoroge Michuki I have to concede that speech exhibited a level of honesty absent in most politicians).

Next, relocate Refugees back i
written by Ernest Maina , February 29, 2008

If the best News is that we have a coalition in the making, the worst news is that all we seem to think about is the coalition. Kenyan refugees in Uganda and Tanzania are waiting as we try to "get comfortable" with every nuance of the coalition pie sharing.

On the other hand, our leaders know well that not all of Kenya was on fire even on the worst day of the post electoral chaos. All I ask now is - send the army to the borders and escort the refugees back to temporary camps within Kenya and take care of them there. The government has to show an example of building the trust by taking care of ordinary Kenyans. If we can afford to keep Somali and Sudanese refugees for what seemed like an eternity, we can afford to take care of our own.

...
written by Isindu Mwangaza , February 29, 2008

That is why the Bomas Draft suggested that the President ought not be an MP nor affiliated to any party.

Kibaki cornered
written by James Macharia , February 29, 2008

PNU and Kibaki were finally cornered by the international forces arrayed against them.

I disagree. It's not so much the international pressure but the failure of the security forces to contain the situation. 1-0 ODM. But don't rejoice too much because this is a dangerous precedent for the future. We won't forget.

The ODM side were masterful in their negotiating tactics bringing in the international community to witness the duplicity and deceptive nature of Kibaki and PNU.

Brilliant and masterful indeed. Railas blasphemous self did indeed turn water into wine. It's no wonder that his fanatic supporters worship him. Lose an election and yet still get you and your cronies plump govt. jobs. According to Kivutha Kibwana, in yesterdays Nation, ODM were offered the option of retallying all 27 500 form 16As. They refused. They were offered the option of counting the ballots one by one under an independent organ. They refused. And of course they famously refused to seek legal recourse and offered instead in the public domain, what can just been described as laughable evidence for anyone with a critical eye. They belittled their brothers and sisters called to serve in the judiciary and instead went to bed with foreigners. Quite the true patriots. They sold us down the river for 30 pieces of silver and they have the knack of calling Kalonzo Judas. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Sir Isaac Newton. History has a knack for repeating itself. ODM has now sent a precedent that someone else will surely call up in the future. I wish Kenya well. I agree though, brilliant. 2-0 ODM.

Rest assured that once this deal is consummated, the government will finally get the international recognition it so desperately sought but that hitherto was denied it by all save Uganda and the rump Somali regime restricted to Mogadishu.

I'd personally tell them to shove their recognition where the sun don't shine. What worth is this recognition anyway when they still have their consulates and ambassadors in Nairobi? If you don't recognize us, go all the way and break diplomatic ties, until he who you recognize gets into power. We've seen it though and history or its projection into the future is infinite. One day they'll be seeking our recognition, I'm sure. I hope the scribes have jotted down the transpirations in the year of our Lord 2008 for posterity. What goes around comes around. Wahenga walisema, and we won't be down trodden forever. Our time will come.

Kibaki's desperate attempts to steal an election and hang on to power at all costs will forever serve as the test case for those who study the subject.

PNU and Kibaki finally realised that Kenya is not sovereign. That when the chips are down Kenya and its elites are very susceptible to real pressure from the major Western powers.

No more shenanigans Kibaki and PNU. The world's eyes are firmly focused on YOU.

Indeed. We have nothing but a puppet regime controlled from Washington, Brussels and London. Hardly any grounds for any sane Kenyan to rejoice. Instead put your sack cloth on and go mourn in the streets. But then there are those who secretly wish that the Mzungu was still amongst us and secretly wish for his return. Ni sawa tu, you can rejoice now, he's back.

I'm not sure there are any grounds to rejoice here. With Raila 'supervising' the ministers, I foresee bitter fights ahead. With two different ideologies, one fiercely pro western, seeking to enslave us forever and one seeking true independence, I doubt that we'll find a middle ground. But then I could be wrong and for the sake of the country, I hope I am because when the coalition finally blows apart, 2007/8 will look like a cake walk. The amount of bad blood flowing will be ridiculous.

...
written by wjunior , February 29, 2008

Power-sharing agreements between embattled incumbents opposition in the face of violence has emerged as the West's preferred instrument of peace making in Africa. Mistakenly, Kenya's post election violence has been portrayed as "tribal killings" between the Kikuyu and Luo. This has served to effectively split international opinion on Kenyan politics and hone pressure by its external partners for far reaching power agreements between Kibaki and Raila. The danger is that Kenya's collective demands have been problematised and inadvertently shifted from genuine local problems to domination by its partners.
At the same time it may mean that in future Kenyan presidential elections, should any candidate lose, but believe they won and manage to convince the international community through violence, they will eventually have their way into power.

Prime Minister
written by James Macharia , February 29, 2008

Speaking of the parliamentary system, before we fully embrace it, 2 things we need to change. The number of constituencies so as to achieve equal representation. The deficit between Nyanza, 63,000 voters - 1 MP and central 75,000 voters - I MP, creates works out to 5 seats if the 2 are equalized.
Secondly, the number of MPs has to be uneven, so that someone always has a majority. In our current set up, we could actually end up with both parties having 50/50 MPs. In that case they'd have to toss a coin, I guess.
I still find this form of government not the right one for us.

re: re: what does this mean?
written by James Macharia , February 29, 2008

This is where we wanted to put Kibaki. now that he has signed the power sharing agreement he now a slave to Raila and the international community.KUDOS RAILA THIS TIME YOU GOT THIS UNTRUSTED BLOKE OF A GUY.

Methinks it's the other way round. Raila does the donkey work, Kibaki takes the credit. It's still his government. Raila is just the part of government that makes sure that things get done and people are on the same page. No more than a manager really. Actually to Kibaki being the hands-off guy that he is, it probably makes little difference to him, whether Raila is supervising and coordinating or not. It's just an inefficient system that introduces one more tier of bureaucracy, because if we are really hones, you don't really need the guy. It's not like the president is overworked. What ODM wanted was a guy who runs the show, formulates policy and picks his team. In other words an executive. What they got is a manager, which is alright. I'm not arguing that the chap, Raila, has done very good for himself. I'd be proud of him too if I was a supporter. He still managed to create a win out of a loss. Th proverbial turning water into wine. Exit Kalonzo's miracle, enter Raila's. The only part where Kibaki really did himself in was the clause about the dissolution of government and presumably the following general election in case of government collapse. That does nothing for Kibaki personally. Presumably his term will then be over. ODM has a gun on his head, but lets wait to see what is actually passed by parliament.

...
written by Eric , February 29, 2008

Anon wrote:

So you actually knew that Kibaki boys are corrupt? And that the only reason they had to be in power is to continue with their corrupt ways? Thanks for being honest.

Wee wacha, surely they must have been. Not a single high profile conviction, Kibaki never mentioned the "c" word in his entire campaign, I thought it was obvious. The difference between PNU and ODM was that PNU did not want to talk about it and ODM just pointed out the other sides failure. ODM had and still has its share of corrupt individuals. People like Kosgey sucked live out of public institutions in the 80s, Ruto in the 90s just to name a few.

The only reason I supported PNU and Kibaki was because they did not advocate ethnic cleansing. ODM did, that was the main reason I could not support them. They said that they would stop corruption in high places but they would also burn my house and kill me.

Now it could go either way, the thieves join hands and milk the country dry and try to blame each other or jealously watch each others move and fail to carry out the reason they fought so hard to get state powers... THE TREASURY!

...
written by Eric , February 29, 2008

The devil in the detail...

So, the PM will be voted for by the Parliament but has to be the leader of the party with a majority or the leader of the coalation of a majority. If Kibs delays the opening of the house until after the by-election, PNU and affliate parties could easily get the PM post and after that, it would need a 2/3 to remove him. That day RAO would be shagted so bad that he would not politically recover, ever...

With the P, VP, PM and D PM on his side, Kibaki would then apoint weak or moderate ODM MPs to cabinet positions with departments rather than ministries to run. In that way, he would have kept his word and all the power.

Someone tell me that it is not possible?

Ruto MIA?
written by anon , February 29, 2008

Did anyone notice the loud absence of one William Ruto in the final countdown with Annan and Kikwete? He was replaced by Balala, and unconfirmed reports suggest that Karua could no longer face working with the 'murderer', and least of all being in a coalition with him! ODM's proposal for the PM and his Deputies stipulates they should be immune to criminal charges, I'm guessing this last clause was inserted purely for Ruto's benefit, and Martha was just not having it!

Eric, Macharia, etc
written by Stephen Wanyama , February 29, 2008

I know I am being accused of appeasing, but no pride or principle measures up to the destruction ODM would have brought or would like to bring on this country.

We must not at all do anything to jeopardise the peace, or to upset the baby until a cot big enough and strong enough has been constructed to restrain it. I suppose I need not remind you of Raila's trip to Nigeria, or his friends who have friends in the Congo? These people could land us in serious trouble, and as Mwangaza and Aketch keep reminding us, they just do not care, every death is justified to them, every eviction is righteous.

Let Raila keep his position, let them rejoice and dance in the streets, let them celebrate their triumph, while we steadily build a new Kenya that will wipe away their darkness. We cannot help it, these people are our country-men, they live in our villages and work in our offices and on our farms, they have married our sisters, they are our landlords (unlikely) and our employers (even more unlikely) but they are us. The only way to defeat the ODM is to win them over, to persuade them that their way can only lead to hell. It is not to difficult.

The most important use of shame, however, is where the law does not reach.

50/50 Power Deal
written by Aggey , February 29, 2008

Macharia,
I agree with you that a 50-50 power sharing agreement is not the right form of government for Kenya. The idea of having two centres of power is disturbing to say the least, especially after the displays of "leadership" we've witnessed during this crisis.

At the early stages of the mediation process, Gernot Erler, Germany.

Aggey, do bear with us. Kindly repost your comment, making sure to avoid using dashes, quotation marks and apostrophes. Thank You, Eds.

...
written by Eric , February 29, 2008

Why are people reading so much in the 50-50cabinet? Kibaki's minister will stay and the remaining will go to ODM but if the current constitution is to be followed, Kibaki will appoint the ODM Mps to his cabinet. In addition,

There will be a Prime Minister of the Government of Kenya, with authority to coordinate and supervise the execution of the functions and affairs of the Government of Kenya

does not really mean that PM will appoint the cabinet, not even his half, he just supervises and co-ordinate the affairs of GOK, whatever that means? It doesn't say he can fire ministers who fail to co-operate, not does it specify which ministries each side gets.

If I were a Raila supporter, I would be very careful with this document. I can't believe Orengo and wako draft such a shallow document.

ODM has lost 2 Mps and one of their other seats is vacant after marende was "openly" elected Speaker. With six by- elections pending and many petitions some of which ODM might lose (like the Bishop Wanjiru seat), this deal was a dangerous path for ODM to take.

Now someone will go for the kalenjin Militia, IDP will beresettled and security forces reorganised, then the rude awakening, I have no doubt in my mind that Kibaki can betray Raila without blinking, he has done it before and he can do it again.

The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers can only be removed if the National Assembly passes a motion of no confidence with a majority vote

Why are people talking of 2/3 majority? Is it in another deal that I haven't seen?

The best way forward would be an immediate rettling of the displaced people, another look at the ECK with aim to implement the IPPG and then a snaop election. That would be the best thing for Kenya.

ODM gave
written by Stephen Wanyama , February 29, 2008

Actually, both sides were really generous and were looking for an end to the crisis more than anything. It is clear in the document that there was a desire more than anything to move on and it is important that we all work toward that.

Can IDPs be replaced? Even if we want them to be? Until Kenyans are as a nation given the opportunity to reject the ODM, in an election, there will be no resettlement of IDPs, at least not the Rift Valley ones. Farm workers in Central have already been asked to go back, and I am sure the damage there is not so severe as to kill lifelong relationships. The Rift Valley is a different story. Here is why!

The victims know exactly who it was that killed their families, that kicked them off their land and burned their homes. Those who kicked them out know that they know, many have already taken over the property of the Kikuyu, Kisii, Bukusu folk they expelled.

Secondly, Kenyan civil society has taken sides against the IDPs. Kenya's intellectual class is silent as ignoramuses pretend that there exist as a justification for the expulsions historical grievances over land in the Rift Valley. So the ODM and its supporters, in the media and the university have decided that these 'foreigners' stole this land, or gained it fraudulently. Until that matter is settled, until papers like the Standard can stop preaching hatred, there will be no return for the IDPs.

Wanyama
written by Eric , February 29, 2008

Wanyama, in Kikuyu we have a saying that goes like this, "ngoma inanaga ciathinjirwo" in English, the devil gets more notorious if appeased.

On one hand I do see your point on the need to uphold peace and kazi iendelee but on the other hand I see bad precedent in which violence and intimidation becomes the way to get to power.

I think that the only reason ODM gave up on a new election in six months or was it one year is because they realised that the MK, KM and UK team had the numbers and the $ to win.

Anyway, let them dance and sing before the next session of work and sweat. Nothing comes easy and it is time to deliver on the promises. I cannot wait to see a reform-minded people's Prime Minister at work with a flag on his Hummer!

...
written by Stephen Wanyama , February 29, 2008

Do I have this properly? Ngai ni agatu rihiria?

The ODM is already threatening mayhem if the deal does not go through, basically we have the knife at our throat. We must isolate the hatred of Mwangaza, Balala and Odinga first before we make any steps against them. That is really the most important thing. We must disarm them, we must make political alliances against them, we must demonstrate goodwill to their constituencies. Here is Raila.

...
written by Salama , February 29, 2008

The agreement is a good move so that a NEW CONSTITUTION is passed.. Which will be great for the COUNTRY. If you followed the news the VP was in Rwanda and i think they will borrow heavily on their constitution regarding "Inflammatory statements" and prosecution of people like Kibor and Balala who want to reduce some people to an Island....

The PM's role will not be superior to that of the Prezi..The constitution is still as is with the President as the Head of State, Head of Government and commander in chief.

On another note since there are 5 Key High Positions in the govt. Three of which (President, VP & PM) are NOT VACANT. I am waiting to see which party will nominate A WOMAN as the Deputy PM. The time is NOW and we all know which party is less likely to do....but they could surprise us.

Parliamentary Payroll
written by Msenangu , February 29, 2008

We really need to get away from this tribal our time to eat mentality!!! It is taking us no where fast. The US has 14 ministries so why does a country like Kenya need over 30 when our total government expenditure is less than what GM spends every year on advertising?

What this means for Kenya a 3rd world country is the Parliamentarians have created additional posts that pay themselves obscene amounts of salary. But, we have no one to blame but ourselves. If we complain that taxes are too high, how then do we explain how much we are paying our elected officials. This money is coming from our pockets and if we don't insist on results, then we deserve everything we get. The folks at the top have campaigned for their pay packet on our dime. Wake up Kenya! We are being taken for a ride. That's all I have to say.

Simple Majority
written by Johnny B. Goode , February 29, 2008

The devil in the detail...

So, the PM will be voted for by the Parliament but has to be the leader of the party with a majority or the leader of the coalition of a majority. If Kibaki delays the opening of the house until after the by-election, PNU and affiliate parties could easily get the PM post and after that, it would need a 2/3 to remove him. That day RAO would be shafted so bad that he would not politically recover, ever...

With the P, VP, PM and D PM on his side, Kibaki would then appoint weak or moderate ODM MPs to cabinet positions with departments rather than ministries to run. In that way, he would have kept his word and all the power.

Someone tell me that it is not possible?

You only need a simple majority to remove the PM. That is why the parliamentary system is so unstable. I really don't understand peoples fascination with it. Considering how corruptible our politicians are the majorities could be changing every other day. Just look at what went on in the 9th parliament. A government based on this system is just that much easier to betray. PNU doesn't even need to win more by elections. What if Ngilu and Raila have some falling out and she takes her 3 seats to Kibaki's side? I mean the most she'll get out of this whole saga is probably her health docket back. Not exactly an upscale move.

power sharing & democracy
written by mkosakabila , February 29, 2008

I dont see what everyone is moaning about. There never really was a democracy! Some kind of media freedom, a GNU, plus an election fraught with irregularities, a democracy does not make. Not to mention the pangas, arrows and rungus.
What I'd be moaning about right now is how a bunch of urban elites have just happily shared the spoils of our pseudo-democracy. All very good for now, we can start breathing. Sort of.
As well meaning citizens, what we should be thinking of is our next task, which is how to dump them all in the next election.
Stupid fools, signing papers, smiling and shaking hands,yet look at what they put us through. Oh, how I hate them all!

...
written by manta ray , February 29, 2008

What are Raila's actual "executive" powers according to those who aver that he is indeed an executive PM, including the media?
Raila cannot appoint the Cabinet nor can he fire Ministers either just as, say, the British PM can. He can nominate ODM MPs as Ministers, but he cannot fire them, parliament would. Has it even been clarified that this applies to PNU Ministers as well? Who would fire them, Kibaki or parliament? I highly doubt that Kibaki will allow parliament to remove this power from him.
Also, who will authorize the new ODM Ministers portfolios, won't it be in a negotiation with Kibaki? A true executive PM would simply appoint Ministers across the board and nobody would dare object.
Secondly, If Michuki, for instance, and other PNU Ministers defy Raila or belittle his supposed authority, what would Raila do, since he can't fire them? Can he demand that Kibaki fire them? Would he succeed? I doubt it.
With regard to the 50/50 cabinet sharing, PNU will argue that it is already in a separate coalition with ODM-K as far as Cabinet positions are concerned. In this case, if there are 40 cabinet positions on offer, Kibaki could appoint 5 - 10 ODM-K Ministers leaving 30 - 35 positions to be shared equally between PNU and ODM. ODM will then object.
ODM-K, however, will not accept to be defined as part of PNU but an independent and separate entity. We can therefore expect to see a new round of squabbles, Kenyan style. Stay tuned. The saga continues.

...
written by Eric , February 29, 2008

Wanyama
you are so right, scary!! I do not know what we are drinking to, the threat postponed or the threat gone! I see red around the corner...

Poor PNU Try \'12
written by Savant , March 01, 2008

Hopefully by 2012, you folks would have learned how to steal an election without leaving all the incriminating paper trail and assorted evidence. For now, just suck it up and await further instructions from Condi.

Is Kenya a mandate?

re: Poor PNU Try \'12
written by James Watt , March 01, 2008

Hopefully by 2012, you folks would have learned how to steal an election without leaving all the incriminating paper trail and assorted evidence. For now, just suck it up and await further instructions from Condi.

Is Kenya a mandate?

The myth of the stolen election. Alas if we could only see this "incriminating" paper trail and "assorted" evidence. I'd be first in line to call for Kibaki to quit and for Raila to take up his rightful position as the president. Truth be told, there is no incriminating paper trail. ODM would have availed it by now.

Unlike PNU they have a very strong presence in the internet. Condi will be gone by the end of the year. What Condi wanted was just a signed deal.So did her European counterparts who now can't out do each other with congratulations. I'm sure she'll now disappear into oblivion from whence she came. We are no sovereign state though, I agree. If any one had any illusions, this whole sagfa should have shed enough light. The EU and the US call the tune.

Executive PM
written by James Watt , March 01, 2008

What are Raila's actual "executive" powers according to those who aver that he is indeed an executive PM, including the media?
Raila cannot appoint the Cabinet nor can he fire Ministers either just as, say, the British PM can. He can nominate ODM MPs as Ministers, but he cannot fire them, parliament would. Has it even been clarified that this applies to PNU Ministers as well? Who would fire them, Kibaki or parliament? I highly doubt that Kibaki will allow parliament to remove this power from him.
Also, who will authorize the new ODM Ministers portfolios, won't it be in a negotiation with Kibaki? A true executive PM would simply appoint Ministers across the board and nobody would dare object.
Secondly, If Michuki, for instance, and other PNU Ministers defy Raila or belittle his supposed authority, what would Raila do, since he can't fire them? Can he demand that Kibaki fire them? Would he succeed? I doubt it.
With regard to the 50/50 cabinet sharing, PNU will argue that it is already in a separate coalition with ODM-K as far as Cabinet positions are concerned. In this case, if there are 40 cabinet positions on offer, Kibaki could appoint 5 - 10 ODM-K Ministers leaving 30 - 35 positions to be shared equally between PNU and ODM. ODM will then object.
ODM-K, however, will not accept to be defined as part of PNU but an independent and separate entity. We can therefore expect to see a new round of squabbles, Kenyan style. Stay tuned. The saga continues.

Raila is no executive PM as the media types both national and international are fawning it to be. As you said, an executive PM, basically runs the show. He hires, he fires and has the last word on government policy.

Now the vague part of this, is this supervision thing. Basically the big Q is who formulates government policy? Who decides whether defence contracts go to China or to the UK? Who decides which road is built where? In a true power sharing deal, that would be the president and the PM in collaboration with the relevant minister.

On the other hand, the minister could have almost complete control like they had in Kibaki's first administration. In this case the PM would just be an unwelcome annoyance. Truth be told, we don't actually need this post, it is one post too many. The funny thing is that as of right now, ODM doesn't actually have the majority in parliament. There are 204 MPs right now. In the election of speaker, ODM and affiliates had 105 votes, PNU and affiliates 101 with one spoilt vote. Assuming this one spoilt vote was on the PNU side and ODM has since lost 3 MPs, then the strength in parliament as of right now is 102 to 102.

...
written by manta ray , March 01, 2008

Raila is no executive PM as the media types both national and international are fawning it to be. As you said, an executive PM, basically runs the show. He hires, he fires and has the last word on government policy. Now the vague part of this, is this supervision thing. Basically the big Q is who formulates govt. policy? Who decides whether defence contracts go to China or the UK? Who decides which road is built where. In a true power sharing deal, that would be the prezzy and the PM in collaboration with the minister. On the other hand, the minister could have almost complete control like they had in Kibakis first administration. In this case the PM would just be an unwelcome annoyance. Truth be told, we don't actually need this post, it is one post too many. The funny thing is that as of right now, ODM doesn't actually have the majority in parliament. There are 204 MPs right now. In the election of speaker, ODM and affiliates had 105 votes, PNU and affiliates 101 with one spoilt vote. Assuming this one spoilt vote was on the PNU side and ODM has since lost 3 MPs, then the strength in parliament as of right now is 102 to 102.

Thats right, James. Some people do not seem to have digested the full import of the so-called deal. As they say, the devil is always in the detail, and most of the euphoric talking heads, from the media to ordinary citizens, have no idea that imps are lying in wait around the corner.
Word on the street especially from ODM supporters is that Raila and Kibaki are for all intents and purposes equals, and that Raila has finally tamed the hated old goat. I can tell you it is one of the funniest sights to behold. Grown men gloating like little kids who have been given the keys to the candy shop.
It is also a tragedy in the making, for when these poor folks realize that they are celebrating what is essentially a masquerade, their disappointment could be catastrophic in its expression.
This is where i condemn Kenya's mainstream Media. Their idiocy and sheer ignorance knows no bounds and is simply astonishing. None of them seem to see that what they are promoting is a Potemkin Village of distorted facts, and which is a recipe for taking us right back to where we have just come from.
It is better to know the truth now rather than later, and the Kenyan media is incapable of taking up that responsibility.

D-students
written by Stephen Wanyama , March 01, 2008

Manta,.
That is why KenyaImagine exists, putting our minds together we can make a new Kenya. The Kenyan media is made up of D-students who do no research, who do not explore, discover or understand anything more than the average fisherman or mutura salesman. This is part of the reason for why we are currently stuck here.

The Deal
written by James Watt , March 01, 2008

LOL Manta,
I laughed when I saw the "Kenyans" celebrating. They were celebrating in Kisumu, Kakamega and Eldy. Conspicuously absent were any celebrations in Nyeri, Meru or even Nakuru. The media made no effort to see what the "Kenyans" in those place felt about the whole deal. This is the amateurish media that we have. I'd have imagined that this are obvious logical things to do, just like I was surprised that no one went to sought the controversial returning officers in Molo, Juja or Nithi. In the western world, this cats would have had the media attention for days.

re: D-students
written by manta ray , March 01, 2008

Manta,.
That is why KenyaImagine exists, putting our minds together we can make a new Kenya. The Kenyan media is made up of D-students who do no research, who do not explore, discover or understand anything more than the average fisherman or mutura salesman. This is part of the reason for why we are currently stuck here.

True Dat, Stephen. You are correct that the Kenyan media has a mutura mentality; non-inquisitive, a generally donkey like contentment and irritating self righteousness.
Question though, is how can we get Kenyaimagine out in the streets to as many people as possible? Can it be a newspaper?
It would be really exciting to see ordinary Kenyans discovering that there is indeed alternative, informed and intelligent Kenyan discourse that would put the politicians and media to shame. The value would be in enabling ordinary Kenyans to debunk the awe and fear they have for authority figures, and that makes them sitting ducks for the gangsters and brigands in 1000$ suits who hog the limelight.
I believe that for Kenyaimagine to make a real impact, it needs to get out to the ordinary people, and especially so young Kenyans.

re: re: D-students
written by Paul Kimani , March 01, 2008

Question though, is how can we get Kenyaimagine out in the streets to as many people as possible? Can it be a newspaper?

That is indeed a fabulous idea. Having been forced to subscribe to the nation and the standard for the last couple of weeks, I'm more convinced than ever that we need a third force. I'm actually surprised at the pro ODM bias. It makes no economic sense. A clever newspaper would provide a balanced diet of articles from both sides. Whatever happened to the Kenya times?

Odinga will not waste time
written by Wuod Aketch , March 01, 2008

Odinga is going to take Kenya to economic nirvana. Kibaki can now sit back and see how a country is run.

Look at how he addresses investors:

Odinga said that now that the dispute over the elections had been resolved, calm had returned to the country and people could start going back to work in the coming days.

Soothing international nerves might take a little longer, the Orange Democratic Movement leader told Reuters in an interview at his party headquarters in Nairobi.

"It's going to require quite a bit of campaigning internationally to restore the confidence of the international community in Kenya. Because it is also going to depend on how fast the coalition government gets to work," Odinga said.

TURN THE CORNER

"But I know that it is possible to campaign successfully and that within six months we should be able to turn the corner and to see that tourism is back ... and also investor confidence in the country generally is restored."

As for the Chinese, I advise them to go back to their country to repair the great wall.

re: Odinga will not waste ti
written by a guest , March 01, 2008

Odinga is going to take Kenya to economic nirvana. Kibaki can now sit back and see how a country is run.

Look at how he addresses investors:

As for the Chinese, I advise them to go back to their country to repair the great wall.

Dream on bro. The more likely scenario is that nothing will get done as ministers and the PM carry out long protracted battles, as he tries to "supervise" them. If he was such an economic wonder kid, why hasn't he done anything meaningful in Kibera? You'll also seems to be under the impression that Odinga is running the ship alone. Nothing in the brief says that. In fact we really don't know who'll be making the policies, that Mr. Odinga is supposed to supervise. I have experienced first hand what it is to be in a relationship where each partner wants to have a say. The outcome is disaster.Watch this space.

Amos Wako
written by Wuod Aketch , March 01, 2008

There are people in this government that we should get rid of immediately, Wako for example should be the first to go. The man is real dead wood.

Stanley
written by mkosakabila , March 01, 2008

Dear, dear Stanley. I share your frustration. We now have to move beyond Raila and Kibaki for the sake of Kenya. Neither Raila nor Kibaki were personally injured and now they both get to rule, with their idiot lieutenants, even after 1000 deaths. That is the problem. So supporters of Raila, like yourself, and supporters of Kibaki (not me) need to demand that we are not put in a situation where a stolen cow results in 1000 or more deaths among many other atrocities. We need them to make sure that we get the legal and political reforms that we need, otherwise your nice post here will have been a waste of your good time.
We also should never ever let them forget their respective roles in the ugliness that has recently visited Kenya.

Government spokesman
written by Wuod Aketch , March 01, 2008

Government spokesman, aka Dr Alfred Mutua should then follow Wako suite.

A PNU government minister has been denied visa to travel to Switzerland, on official assignment. The pressure is still mounting. Where are those arrogant PNU memebers?

The Swiss deny minister visa. link

Disgusting!
written by kenyamoja , March 02, 2008

I just finished reading the comments on this thread and I must admit that I am disgusted by pessimism of the majority. So what, you would have wanted the killings and mayhem to go in Kenya? Kenyans wanted this deal because they were tired of the uncertainity created by the post-election violence. My hope is that this deal will lead to comprehensive reforms in all facets of the Kenyan political landscape. As for Kenyan Imagine (which I dearly appreciate as forum that gives everyone a voice) I must admit that it has become a partisan battleground (and a predominantly anti-raila for that matter). Give the devil its due. Raila (power-hungry as most of you would like to portray him - ambitious just like any other politician I see him) has been in the fore-front of liberation politics in Kenya all his life. Kiraitu Murungi just admitted as much in today's SN. What's wrong with fighting for a equality and/or constitutional reforms?

re: Disgusting!
written by aeichener , March 02, 2008

I must admit that I am disgusted by pessimism of the majority. So what, you would have wanted the killings and mayhem to go in Kenya? Kenyans wanted this deal

You are mistaken.
Kenyans did not "want" this deal. They wanted a stop of hostilities, a ceasefire, and were willing to accept (grudgingly) any even foul deal if it would somehow accomplish this. The ultimate hope is for peace and for a real solution (in the skies?); this "deal" which one can hardly comment with any other than bitter words, is only a stepstone, and a rather wobbly one at that.

Alexander

Switzerland denies visa
written by aeichener , March 02, 2008

A PNU government minister has been denied visa to travel to Switzerland, on official assignment. The pressure is still mounting. (...)
The Swiss deny minister visa. link

Well done! An excellent step. I hope that more will be ostracized.

Who is this minister?

Alexander

...
written by manta ray , March 02, 2008

post should be given to Eldoret North MP William Ruto. Speaking in the Kalenjin dialect, Mr Sirma said Mr Ruto had done a lot for the party hence deserves the slot.

How is this demand for the deputy PM from the ODM side going to be sorted out? Sirma is one of Ruto's closest sidekicks, so you can take that as Ruto speaking, if you understand Moi's political students and how they learned to manouvre at the old fox's feet. Making the demand now even before parliament has sat to enact the legislation necessary for creation of the post is classic posturing to illustrate that he means business.
It is certain that Mudavadi, in typical laid-back but naive style, would have assumed that the position was his for the taking by dint of party seniority. Now that Ruto is demanding it, and given that he brought more votes to ODM than even Raila, leave alone Mudavadi, what will be the outcome? So Raila thought his headaches were over, right? This so funny i have to stop and take a breath first!
Mudavadi's western base will not take kindly to any perceived belittling of their son, and neither will Ruto's RV supporters. So what to do, Raila? Remember, Raila can only nominate the names of cabinet members to be appointed by Kibaki. He cannot appoint them himself, inspite of the ignorant rantings of the media. That is the truth.
What is to stop Kibaki with playing havoc in ODM if, for instance, he is given both the names of Mudavadi and Ruto as nominees for cabinet positions, with the agreement to appoint Ruto deputy PM, but appoints Mudavadi instead? Will Mudavadi refuse? Will Ruto accept it? What will be the reaction of their supporters, starting with ODM MPs?
Is there a whiff of Moi in the shadows? What was the discussion with Annan all about?
As we said before, you ain't seen nothin' yet. Stay tuned.

Are Africans lazy?
written by Wuod Aketch , March 02, 2008

Where are our African engineers? There is a problem with our education system.

Chinese engineers are invading Africa to work on several government projects while many local populations especially youths are pushing mkokotenis or selling sukuma wiki in Kiosks.

The city of Kinshasa alone is going to bring in more than 200 Chinese engineers to work on building the infrastructure.
What are our governments doing to produce local engineers?

This is one of the problems that Raila should tackle. Kenyans can not just be reduced to the roles of cooking, doing laundry and cleaning toilets for the bwana.

Implication of China in five government projects: the city of Kinshasa alone is expecting 200 Chinese engineers!
Sorry the article is in French.

Kibaki retired and comfortabl
written by Wuod Aketch , March 02, 2008

I think that everybody has understood that we need everyone in the nation building and we are all interdependent.This inter reliance is already seen in tea (especially in Kieni) and flower growing areas (eg. Naivasha), where most farm owners are losing a lot after people from western Kenya that picked tea and flowers there escaped massacre and returned to their ethnic regions.
Now, for the doubting Thomasses who promise Raila long protracted battles as he tries to "supervise" his ministers, I say they are going to live a big surprise.
Remember that Kibaki is no longer going to be candidate in the next presidential elections - the constitution limits this to two terms. Consequently, he will have no reason to fight Raila. He also needs to polish Raila's shoes and be on his side, if he wants to end up getting good retirement benefits and etc.
This might have been what the Tanzanian president Kikwete and other retired personalities told Kibaki and that is what might have made him change his mind on the executive prime minister deal.

re: Parliamentary Payroll
written by a guest , March 02, 2008

What this means for Kenya a 3rd world country is the Parliamentarians have created additional posts that pay themselves obscene amounts of salary. But, we have no one to blame but ourselves. If we complain that taxes are too high, how then do we explain how much we are paying our elected officials. This money is coming from our pockets and if we don't insist on results, then we deserve everything we get. The folks at the top have campaigned for their pay packet on our dime. Wake up Kenya! We are being taken for a ride. That's all I have to say.

The way I see it, either way, Kenyans will have to pay for all this political nonsense....this is nothing new, by the way. The only question is how much. When you have a lean cabinet that does not accommodate every village leader, we are incited by our leaders to complain that there is tribalism in government and that it is not accommodating our people. The response of the few in power is to try to steal as much as they can so that they can bribe their way back into power in a hostile environment.

The alternative is a bloated cabinet, that accommodates all the idiots. At the end of the day, I'd rather we spend 400 million on salaries of a bloated cabinet than spend 200 million on salaries and lose another 2 billion to corrupt deals. So I say if a bloated cabinet can bring peace and decrease corruption, bring on the ministries of weather, public holidays, and traffic reduction.

That said, don't be shocked to see us spend 500 million on a bloated cabinet and and still have the idiots robbing us blind.

investors
written by mkosakabila , March 02, 2008

Funny how we are prattling on about economic nirvana, investors etc yet we are not thinking about what happened in Helldoret and other places. no justice, no peace? I suppose we've moved on.
I think the priority should be in fixing ourselves, reducing uncertainty and the mistrust that is so high amongst our own. external investors are just that, external, which is where the loot goes anyway. same with the poverty industry.
about china...couldn't agree more with Wuod (especially now that he's happy that we signed papers, shook hands,smiled). ditto in Mozambique as in the Congo. china even wanted all forest concessions in Liberia terminated in favor of them, in return for huge sums of money, unconditionally of course. looking to the east is just as risky as looking to the west. a millennium version of the cold war is in the making.
and yes, where are our African engineers? they cant even design a fix for highly predictable flooding events in western Kenya. buy a microscope and find them.

...
written by manta ray , March 02, 2008

There are people on this forum who still haven't really understood what really goes on in Kenyan politics[Aketch comes to mind]and are caught up in euphoric self delusion they are incapable of shaking off.

Yesterday I wrote:

Some people do not seem to have digested the full import of the so-called deal. As they say, the devil is always in the detail, and most of the euphoric talking heads, from the media to ordinary citizens, have no idea that imps are lying in wait around the corner.

Seems I was going to be proved right sooner than I expected. Sample Sirma's statement in today's Sunday Nation:

Former Eldama Ravine MP Musa Sirma urged Kenyans to remain cautious until the power-sharing proposal was enacted into law. Mr Sirma said one of deputy prime minister post should be given to Eldoret North MP William Ruto. Speaking in the Kalenjin dialect, Mr Sirma said Mr Ruto had done a lot for the party hence deserves the slot.

How is this demand for the deputy PM from the ODM side going to be sorted out? Sirma is one of Ruto's closest sidekicks, so you can take that as Ruto speaking, if you understand Moi's political students and how they learned to manoeuvre at the old fox's feet. Making the demand now even before parliament has sat to enact the legislation necessary for creation of the post is classic posturing to illustrate that he means business.
It is certain that Mudavadi, in typical laid-back but naive style, would have assumed that the position was his for the taking by dint of party seniority. Now that Ruto is demanding it, and given that he brought more votes to ODM than even Raila, leave alone Mudavadi, what will be the outcome? So Raila thought his headaches were over, right? This so funny I have to stop and take a breath first!
Mudavadi's western base will not take kindly to any perceived belittling of their son, and neither will Ruto's RV supporters. So what to do, Raila? Remember, Raila can only nominate the names of cabinet members to be appointed by Kibaki. He cannot appoint them himself, in spite of the ignorant rantings of the media. That is the truth.
What is to stop Kibaki with playing havoc in ODM if, for instance, he is given both the names of Mudavadi and Ruto as nominees for cabinet positions, with the agreement to appoint Ruto deputy PM, but appoints Mudavadi instead? Will Mudavadi refuse? Will Ruto accept it? What will be the reaction of their supporters, starting with ODM MPs?
Is there a whiff of Moi in the shadows? What was the discussion with Annan all about?
As we said before, you ain't seen nothin' yet. Stay tuned.

By-election dilemma.
written by manta ray , March 02, 2008

There are five by-elections coming up. If PNU wins three of them, as they are likely to, it means that they will have a parliamentary majority.
According to the recent agreement, the PM will come from the party with a majority in Parliament. Under this arrangement, what is to stop Kibaki from appointing a PM from this majority? Will Raila accept it?
These are some of the little imps around the corner I was talking about yesterday.

re: By election dilemma.
written by Wuod Aketch , March 02, 2008

There are five by-elections coming up. If PNU wins three of them, as they are likely to, it means that they will have a parliamentary majority.
According to the recent agreement, the PM will come from the party with a majority in Parliament. Under this arrangement, what is to stop Kibaki from appointing a PM from this majority? Will Raila accept it?
These are some of the little imps around the corner i was talking about yesterday.

I thought I saw Kibaki sign papers in front of world cameras, may be like aka Dr Mutua would have said, you are now telling me that this was an illusion?
Kibaki is an old and tired man so your imagined battles will not take him anywhere.
You are miscalculating the real power of PNU in parliament. They actually have about 42 MPs and ODM 90 something. You cannot count on the affiliated ones. They are free electrons.
With the signing of the peace deal, power has changed hands. There are many of those PNU MPs that would like to explode Kibaki's head. There are also some like Gitobu Imanyara that have personal vendetta with the Kibaki family.
So I do not see where your dilemma comes from.

re: re: By election dilemma.
written by manta ray , March 02, 2008

There are five by-elections coming up. If PNU wins three of them, as they are likely to, it means that they will have a parliamentary majority.
According to the recent agreement, the PM will come from the party with a majority in Parliament. Under this arrangement, what is to stop Kibaki from appointing a PM from this majority? Will Raila accept it?
These are some of the little imps around the corner i was talking about yesterday.

I thought I saw Kibaki sign papers in front of world cameras, may be like aka Dr Mutua would have said, you are now telling me that this was an illusion?
Kibaki is an old and tired man so your imagined battles will not take him anywhere.
You are miscalculating the real power of PNU in parliament. They actually have about 42 MPs and ODM 90 something. You cannot count on the affiliated ones. They are free electrons.
With the signing of the peace deal, power has changed hands. There are many of those PNU MPs that would like to explode Kibaki's head. There are also some like Gitobu Imanyara that have personal vendetta with the Kibaki family.
So I do not see where your dilemma comes from.

Aketch, you really are one truly strange character. Please try to overcome your bitterness and hatred for Kibaki and those who support him. It is eating you up alive.
You have this single minded knack for creating your own little realities in the mind in order to get into a personal comfort zone where you can soothe your bruised ego and political disappointments.
You have failed to accept that your hero Raila has not lived up to your stratospheric expectations, and are very afraid that he has most probably sold you down the river.
My advise to you is to learn to deal with reality as it is, not as you wish to be. I suggest that you start by accepting that no real powers were transferred to Raila by Kibaki. Raila's power ends at the ODM door. That is the reality. Please understand this:

1. Raila has merely been appointed a Ministerial Prefect, thats it.

2. Real power still lies with Kibaki.

3. Raila cannot appoint ANY Cabinet Minister. He can only NOMINATE ODM MPs for appointment by Kibaki. His jurisdiction is limited to ODM Ministers and MPs, not to PNU Ministers. He will, of course, try to "supervise" them.

4. Raila CANNOT FIRE any Minister. As a prefect, Raila can recommend sacking to Kibaki of a Minister, but Kibaki has to agree. I doubt that he will accept the sacking of a PNU Mnister merely on Raila's recommendation. That is the reality, and that is life.

5. If PNU only has 42 MPs in parliament, why has Raila accepted to share Cabinet Ministers with them on a 50/50 basis? Please explain that one. Have you considered that he knows something that you don't, like that it is possible the PNU and its affiliates can actually garner enough MPs to counter the ODM majority?

I look forward to hearing, as always, your astute commentary.

re: Disgusting!
written by a guest , March 02, 2008

Give the devil its due. Raila (power-hungry as most of you would like to portray him - ambitious just like any other politician I see him) has been in the fore-front of liberation politics in Kenya all his life. Kiraitu Murungi just admitted as much in today's SN. What's wrong with fighting for a equality and/or constitutional reforms?

There is nothing wrong with fighting for equality etc. However, I have a major problem with someone who fights for equality by running a tribal campaign that consolidated support by demonizing another group of communities. I, like you, would like to see lasting peace in Kenya, but this agreement means nothing if tomorrow, they are going to resort back to their tribal war mogering. The next step we need to make is reforming the constitution. Tell me, where does ODM stand on Majimbo/Ugatuzi now, given what they have shown us in Rift Valley? What happens to all those in Rift Valley residents who engaged in killing, looting, burning and raping? Will the ODM rift valley MPs still be running around inviting IDPs back and preaching peace when the IDPs and other PNU supporters demand justice. Already, I see the RV MPs protesting to arrests of suspects and telling us to forget the past, like what happened there was just a little distraction.

ODM leaders raised the expectations of their supporters a bit too high....many ODM supporters are right now hallucinating that power has changed hands....that raila is now running the country. I'm no expert on the going ons in the agreements, but commonsense (and the language in the agreement) will tell you that Kibaki will probably retain most of the executive powers, and that there are many issues that are yet to be resolved. What happens when ODM supporters realise that power has not entirely swung to their side? What happens when a year or two down the line, ODM supporters start realizing that all the miracles they were promised by their leaders cannot be delivered...that they are still poor, unemployment is still a challenge, etc? What will happen is that ODM leaders will figure that to survive, they will need to find a scapegoat......this will probably be GEMA again.

Don't get me wrong, Kenyamoja, I do hope that the agreement lasts and peace prevails. Personally, I am torn between what I feel should be my stand and a Kenyan and my stand as a Kikuyu. I think that Kenya is big enough for all of us. Since 2002, I believed that Kibaki's biggest failure and regret as a leader would be refusing to honor the MOU, and refusing to negotiate an acceptable power sharing arrangement that kept presidential powers in check. The wasted Moi years were also a result of similar leadership failure by Kenyatta...he failed to look into the future and make the necessary reforms to ensure an equitable and prosperous Kenya after his death. I really do hope the agreed upon post of PM and parliament combined are strong enough to keep the presidency in check.

Today, however, there are very many unresolved issues....now more so than in 2003/4 when they last tried to reform the constitution. We are now very tribally polarized. We are now at 1000 people dead and 300k displaced. As a Kikuyu, I'm very bitter about the violence against GEMA, particularly in the Rift Valley. I feel that it has become a habit for the Kalenjin communities to target the GEMA communities in Rift Valley every election year, since 2002. Before December 2007, over 1500 Kenyans had already lost their lives in RV in similar circumstances. I feel that so far, nothing has been done about it. The Kalenjin have never had to answer for the rape, murder and arson. To me, any solution that does not adequately address this issue, in terms of totally disarming these militia groups, arresting those who engaged in violence and eliminating those that resist they way mungiki was dealt with a few years ago, is unacceptable. I also feel that tribal politiking that encourages violence against one community should be oulawed and dealt with ruthlessly. It is unacceptable that comments like Balala's we'll reduce them to an island like Lesotho should go unpunished.

I support constitutional reforms, a more broadly based government, etc. However, I have seen the results of tribalism and will never support leaders who expoit tribalism the way Raila has to achieve these ends.

That said, I still have hope that we will resolve our issues.

re:
written by Paul Kimani , March 02, 2008

How is this demand for the deputy PM from the ODM side going to be sorted out? Sirma is one of Ruto's closest sidekicks, so you can take that as Ruto speaking, if you understand Moi's political students and how they learned to manouvre at the old fox's feet. Making the demand now even before parliament has sat to enact the legislation necessary for creation of the post is classic posturing to illustrate that he means business.
It is certain that Mudavadi, in typical laid-back but naive style, would have assumed that the position was his for the taking by dint of party seniority. Now that Ruto is demanding it, and given that he brought more votes to ODM than even Raila, leave alone Mudavadi, what will be the outcome? So Raila thought his headaches were over, right? This so funny i have to stop and take a breath first!
Mudavadi's western base will not take kindly to any perceived belittling of their son, and neither will Ruto's RV supporters. So what to do, Raila? Remember, Raila can only nominate the names of cabinet members to be appointed by Kibaki. He cannot appoint them himself, inspite of the ignorant rantings of the media. That is the truth.
What is to stop Kibaki with playing havoc in ODM if, for instance, he is given both the names of Mudavadi and Ruto as nominees for cabinet positions, with the agreement to appoint Ruto deputy PM, but appoints Mudavadi instead? Will Mudavadi refuse? Will Ruto accept it? What will be the reaction of their supporters, starting with ODM MPs?
Is there a whiff of Moi in the shadows? What was the discussion with Annan all about?
As we said before, you ain't seen nothin' yet. Stay tuned.

Ruto should get the post. I mean he practically forced Kibakis hand through the violence he is attributed to him and unleashed in the Rift and especially his own constituency in Eldoret. At the end of the day, I think the Kalenjin warriors are scarier than anything Mudavadi and the Luhyas have in their repertoire.

re: By-election dilemma.
written by Paul Kimani , March 02, 2008

There are five by-elections coming up. If PNU wins three of them, as they are likely to, it means that they will have a parliamentary majority.
According to the recent agreement, the PM will come from the party with a majority in Parliament. Under this arrangement, what is to stop Kibaki from appointing a PM from this majority? Will Raila accept it?
These are some of the little imps around the corner I was talking about yesterday.

Actually it is 6 By-elections. Embakasi, Kamukunji, Wajir North, Ainamoi, Kilgoris, Emuhaya. ODM will win 3 and PNU will win 3. What people don't seem to realise is that even as of right now, both parties and their affiliates might be tied at 102 MPs a piece.

incentives
written by daniel.waweru , March 02, 2008

Ruto should get the post. I mean he practically forced Kibakis hand through the violence he is attributed to him and unleashed in the Rift and especially his own constituency in Eldoret. At the end of the day, I think the Kalenjin warriors are scarier than anything Mudavadi and the Luhyas have in their repertoire.

No. The circumstantial evidence (see KI's Muciimi Mbatia) that Ruto was involved in the planning, directing, and funding of the violence is decent. In general, rewarding behaviour increases the likelihood of its future incidence.

Who is the opposition?
written by Wuod Aketch , March 02, 2008

By the way, the so called opposition in Kenya is not one. It is the majority if we were living in a real democratic world. So it is not just possible to extrapolate what is happening in the German political arena (The grand coalition) to the Kenyan one.
Consequently a new term should be found for the aka opposition (ODM) otherwise it will be misleading to many.

here is the text
written by Wuod Aketch , March 02, 2008

Kiraitu: I will work with Raila

Published on March 2, 2008, 12:00 am

By Patrick Muriungi

Energy minister, Mr Kiraitu Murungi, says he is ready to work with ODM leader, Mr Raila Odinga and members of his party in the Government.

The minister said he knew Raila since their days of political activism in the 1990s, describing the Langata MP as a good man.

"I have known Raila for a long time. We share an eventful long history since when we struggled to liberate the country from the dictatorial single party rule in the 1990s. I even represented him in court," said Kiraitu.

He hailed the power-sharing deal between President Kibaki and Raila, saying it augured well for the restoration of peace and national unity, after the unprecedented post-election violence.

re: Disgusting!
written by a guest , March 03, 2008

I just finished reading the comments on this thread and I must admit that I am disgusted by pessimism of the majority. So what, you would have wanted the killings and mayhem to go in Kenya? Kenyans wanted this deal because they were tired of the uncertainty created by the post-election violence. My hope is that this deal will lead to comprehensive reforms in all facets of the Kenyan political landscape. As for Kenyan Imagine (which I dearly appreciate as forum that gives everyone a voice) I must admit that it has become a partisan battleground (and a predominantly anti-raila for that matter). Give the devil its due. Raila (power-hungry as most of you would like to portray him - ambitious just like any other politician I see him) has been in the fore-front of liberation politics in Kenya all his life. Kiraitu Murungi just admitted as much in today's SN. What's wrong with fighting for a equality and/or constitutional reforms?

I think the pessimism is well founded, considering the parties were in some form of agreement before and that the collapse of that working arrangement brought us to where we are today. Highly bitter rivals, a highly polarised card with people pulling out the race card to gain an advantage. That subsequently led to all the blood letting. The present agreement is fraught with mine fields and when they fall out this time, somewhere in the middle of the road to 2012, the repercussions will not be pretty. What Kenyans wanted the deal btw? I only saw Raila fans in ODM strongholds chanting ODM slogans. Raila has been at the fore-front of liberation politics. Well and good the man is indeed ambitious even not shying from using the military to overthrow the sitting government in 82. Indeed, give the Devil his due. The killing may have stopped for now, but and I hope I'm wrong, when this forced political marriage of strange bedfellows falls apart, God help us.

re: borrowing
written by Wuod Aketch , March 03, 2008

The agreement is a good move so that a NEW CONSTITUTION is passed.. Which will be great for the COUNTRY. If you followed the news the VP was in Rwanda and i think they will borrow heavily on their constitution regarding "Inflammatory statements" and prosecution of people like Kibor and Balala who want to reduce some people to an Island.....

If the Rwandan constitution was so good why was there genocide? If they wrote a new one then it has not yet been tested enough. I think that many African countries would have wanted to borrow our constitution before more than 1500 people were killed and 450k displaced in Kenya!!!

On grand coalitions
written by Aggey , March 03, 2008

At the early stages of the mediation process, Gernot Erler, Germany's Deputy Foreign Minister was invited to advise the mediation team on the feasibility of a coalition government at the behest of Chief mediator Kofi Annan.

Erler being a member of the German coalition of the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats, was well placed to explain the workings of such an arrangement and it's viability for the Kenyan situation.

In his findings, he concluded that a grand coalition was not the best solution for Kenya and if endorsed, cannot be a solution for a long period.

All in all i believe grand coalitions to be untenable due to human nature and not legal provisions. Since they depend largely on political goodwill, my fear is that the economic, political, social and cultural gains that Kenyans are looking for may not be tangible in this term, given that the main parties (PNU and ODM) will each be looking to assert their power in decision making. In other words, if our leaders continue with their displays of pride and arrogance, Kenya will end up in deadlocks all round for the next 5 years!

There's a saying that captures this thought point blank "It's a Grand Coalition, if it does not move in any direction".

However, i remain optimistic that the country has and will continue to overcome the challenges we'll face.

re: On grand coalitions
written by aeichener , March 03, 2008

At the early stages of the mediation process, Gernot Erler, Germany's Deputy Foreign Minister was invited to advise the mediation team on the feasibility of a coalition government at the behest of Chief mediator Kofi Annan.

Erler being a member of the German coalition of the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats, was well placed to explain the workings of such an arrangement and it's viability for the Kenyan situation.

In his findings, he concluded that a grand coalition was not the best solution for Kenya and if endorsed, cannot be a solution for a long period.

I suggest to read Erler first hand, such as to listen to his own take of the situation. Here is the interview:

http://www.gernot-erler.de/cms...?idart=652

Ad here is a Podcast, for those who can use it (Quicktime needed):

http://www.gernot-erler.de/cms...&idart=650

Alexander