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written by aeichener , January 10, 2008

I wish and would certainly hope that the handover to Kofi Annan would lead to a conciliation of the factions, but let me be honest:

I expect nothing from it. Raila missed his chance. This chance would have been to enter a Government of National Unity, and then to strengthen his forces and allies, and his support. But greedy and egomaniacal, he stood aside, thumped his chest, played the insulted schoolground bully, and now he is being sidelined.

ODM is not coherent, no ideology nor even ideals unite them (same is true for PNU of course); their liidaahs and their peons could hardly be more apart. So, they will crumble, as least part of them. The lofty promise has evaporated, and the goal seems less and less reachable, the more Kibaki consolidates his position. Plus, the previous hate-mongering, the deeply evil and divisive "41 against 1" campaign theme, and the ensuing violence have now worked against ODM.

Alexander

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written by Kobangoshe , January 10, 2008

There is so much suspiciuon and mistrust between the Government and the ODM leadership, such that President John Kufuor of Ghana and Chairman of African Union was unable to bring the two parties on the table for dialog. These two antagonistic parties have taken positions, and have not made any reasonable attempt to move toward the middle ground, at least from where they can begin to see eye to eye with each other. They have lost a golden opportunity under the wise facilitation of President Kufour despite his extended stay in Kenya.

What makes it so difficult for dialog between the two groups work? ODM has insisted that the president is in office elegally and ought to step down, for a care taker government to come in and run affairs leading to an other election within 90 days. That is a very clear and precise demand. However, it's practicality and the consequence of such an approach.

The bottom line: Whatever is done in terms of finding a way for the two parties to dialog, all internal and external parties interested in the matter, must realize and respect the fact that Kenya has established laws that are entrenched in the present constitution that is in force for handling election disputes. The High Court of Kenya are the only one with jurisdication over election petition matters, in as far as new elections is concerned. Unless the president, passes on, resigns of his own accord, declared unfit for the office as per the constitution or is impeached by Parliament, there are no side evenues to dislodging him from the presidency.

Foreign countries, UK and US included, as well as International Agencies of the United nationa and others such as EU, AU, EAC, COMESA etc, must realize Kenya welcomes their help as well as advice in areas she shall indicate from time to time. beyond that, there is a limit to which they can hope to direct how Kenyans should conduct their bisiness and life.

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written by a guest , January 11, 2008

@aeichener;

Did you say a government of national unity? NO. We do not need that in Kenya. That will lead to the death of Multipartism that Kenyans have fought so hard for.The merging of ODM-K and PNU was a game well planned long before we went to polls, and Kalonzo confirms that when his first reaction to him being named VP is "I knew it and it does not come as a surprise to me". Even so, Kibaki had to merge with Kalonzo chiefly for the sole purpose on numbers in parliament.


@Kobangoshe:-{Kenya has established laws that are entrenched in the present constitution that is in force for handling election disputes. The High Court of Kenya are the only one with jurisdication over election petition matters, in as far as new elections is concerned}.DO YOU BELIEVE IN THIS INSTITUTIONS?

re: What GNU means
written by aeichener , January 11, 2008

@aeichener;
Did you say a government of national unity? NO.

Yes I did. But not in the sense that this would be any desirable "solution" for the entire crisis, until 5 year later when new elections (hopefully) take place. Not so!

Neither I nor the British government (sequence in order of dignity... ;-) think that one could simply load all the old and new crooks into a (motorless) boat and continue to drift aimlessly in the stale sargasso sea of the status quo.

The idea when comtemplating a GNU way out of the dilemma, was only to found a t6emporary (!) governm,ent that comprises the will of both election fractions, and shares power until bnew elections are set up. This idea is now buried, due to Raila's egoism. Kibaki has instead formed a givernment of Natioal Majority (GNM) and it is increasingly unlikely that he will step back voluntarily in thenext weeks or months. Had Railka immediately reacted, he would have had the leverage to force himself into a GNU, and the foreign powers would have sided with him. Now this chance has passed under the bridge, and Raila is at the sidelines.

Kalonzo confirms that when his first reaction to him being named VP is "I knew it"

Of course he knew the possibility from teh boutset. IODM who had treated him so shabbily and callously would never have shared power with him, so a vice presidency with Kibaki was a rather well possible outcome. After Raila had blocked all doors to negotiations, nailed them shut with loud "hammer" blows, this was the only optioon left.

The High Court of Kenya is the only one with jurisdication over election petition matters, in as far as new elections are concerned. DO YOU BELIEVE IN THESE INSTITUTIONS?

I believe in the paramount importance of institutions beyond men, beyond governments. But I do not believe in *these* institutions as they stand, and I absolutely do not believe in the women and men in these institutions. Kenyan High Court judges are far less qualified and competent (leaving aside the immense corruption) than every 2nd year European law student. Habe you ever read their judgements? Abysmally bad.

The only way out, to revitalize the judiciary, and to make it work and deliver as expected, would be a massive hiring of hundreds of qualified expatriate judges.

Alexander