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Why did we vote the way we did? PDF Print E-mail
Written by Amir Ibrahim   
Friday, 28 December 2007

The results of the election are quickly coming in and reports from around the country indicate very high turnouts. However, it still not clear to me exactly what inspired voters around the country.

High turnouts are a traditional indicator that voters are passionate, that they are not apathetic, that they are involved and want to take charge of their destiny. I want to join with people around the country in their pride about this election, especially in the results on the parliamentary seats. I want to say we are a democratic people, that we have set an example for other third world countries, that all that is left is ensuring accountability, but was there any design to yesterday's vote, or were factors like tribe, manipulation and euphoria more important than an analysis of the candidates?

I want very badly to join with the happy voices and declare that the Kenyan voter is not immature as this report in Newsweek suggests, Messing with Success.  I want to think that there was some reason to the procedure, an immunity from lies and deceit, that the Kenyan electorate realised that they were the masters and that MPs and the President are their servants.

chaos_theory.jpg
 Chaos theory; is there a design?

But what do I come up with instead? Well, John Michuki of the rattlesnakes is back in Parliament. He is a great hero of press freedom, and dare I say of human rights. Ephraim Maina, one of the most infamous of the road barons has made it into parliament too, from which lofty position I am sure he can make smooth Wanjiku's path to progress and development. Have you heard of Harun Mwau of Nakumatt, that intrepid slayer of corruption? Yes, preliminary reports show that he too has made it back to Parliament, along with Reuben Ndolo and Otieno Kajwang, two other politicians with the straightest backbone, showing the greatest resolve against our national ailments, wizi wa mali ya umma and abuse of public office.

Musalia Mudavadi of Goldenberg fame is also back, and likely to be sitting pretty as the Vice President, perhaps doubling as Minister for Finance the perch from which he dispensed his goodness on all of us.  William Samoei Ruto, famous for among other things dodgy land dealings, including deals that enriched the coffers of the National Social Security Fund will not be on a bench too far away, especially as he has been promised the Premiership. It is not yet clear where Henry Kosgei will be sitting, but there is plenty of evidence that he would give an arm, and a leg to the people of Kenya, just as he did to those constituents of his on whose behalf he is holding all that land. I suppose he will be instrumental in the arrangement of an Olympics, just as he was in the handling of the All Africa Games, we have long memories us Kenyans, and one good turn deserves another. I will not even say anything about the debt of gratitude we owe to him for his hard work at the Kenya National Assurance Company.

Speaking of insurance, the good people of Kabete seem to have resolved to offer to Kenyans, the services of Lewis Nguyai who you will remember for his knightly benevolence towards the public good and his constant care of his employees at his health insurance firm MediPlus .  Another loyal servant of the people is Sally Kosgei who served so diligently and kindly that some of her subordinates were moved to sue her in court for nepotism.  She rose to the very pinnacle of a government that had crushed the dreams of Kenyans underfoot, serving as its Chief Civil Servant and the secretary to its cabinet. It would be rude to spoil your fun, so maybe Google NSSF,  Sally Kosgei, Guardian International and Kenya Railways.

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 the butterfly effect

 

Let's try to be fair, why don't we? The people have after all kicked out David Mwiraria and Chris Murungaru. George Saitoti also seems to be in a pretty pickle, and the Moi boys and their uncle Nicholas Biwott are all in the rubbish heap. No? We have rejected Kamlesh Pattni and Fred Gumo, give us some  credit. But Uhuru Kenyatta still roams the halls of Parliament as prominent as ever with his influence in Central Kenya likely to grow and grow. And another friend of the larger family, Mutula Kilonzo has landed a direct ticket to parliament. Then there is Zakayo Cheruiyot, who is famous for among other things being one of the primary signatories of the Anglo-Leasing contracts . What joy his service will be to Kenya. I can see him making our borders safe, either at the Ministry of Immigration or the Ministry of Defence, maybe even the Ministry of Forensics. He can of course serve alongside the famous Sammy Mwaita, whose prodigous talents are loaned to us by the good people who previously gave us Daniel Moi that famous professor, magician, farmer and teacher. Sammy Mwaita will be crucial to our efforts at land reform, especially after his distingusihed service as the Commissioner of Lands. He was once co-accused alongside William Ruto and is also one of the staunchest defenders of Raila Odinga's Molasses land deal. This link here should take you to a report on the Ndungu Report. How many of those happy people are going to be your MPs?

I want to write here about the Presidential candidates. One who is one of the largest landowners in the country with massive estates he gained when in public office. By all accounts he had full knowledge of the Anglo-Leasing crimes, if not before their commission then definitely after John Githongo informed him. Then there is the other chap, the one whose name I daren't mention for if history is anything to go by, his violent supporters would crush my skull. His business partners are foreigners but they are not Armenian, they are only rich foreigners and he has over his recent political career become immensely wealthy, properly joining the billionaire leagues of those we love to hate.

But still we cry that we want change, we say that we are voting for change and now we are celebrating change.

Now, let me round off by mentioning some gallant soldiers on Wanjiku's behalf who have fallen by the way side. There is  Wangari Maathai who was to put it mildly, humiliated. Then there is Joe Khamisi who has been said to run one of the best CDF programmes anywhere in Kenya. There is Raphael Tuju, the indefatiguable, unbwogable former Rarieda MP, again humiliated by an ungrateful public.  There is Maoka Maore who brought CDF to parliament and managed it well in his home constituency. 

P.S. I was unsure how to react to the news that former Police Commissioner Edwin Nyaseda is the ODM security boss. Its election board chair is also a colourful personality Richard Kwach.  

Now let's huddle together and congratulate ourselves, or someone a little more optimistic can tell me what reason we have for celebrating. 

Sincerely

Party pooper. 

 


Amir Ibrahim
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written by Kamale , December 28, 2007
That is why I think the Newsweek report was perhaps too true.

But as Kenyans, we MUST accept and take responsibility for the leaders that we elect. You have enumerated all sorts of people who should NEVER claim leadership anywhere in Kenya if we are to ever develop. But Kenyans in very huge numbers came out and voted these characters, and in the process got rid of some real good characters. We get the leaders we deserve.

The question is whether after 5 years they will have learnt anything that would not warrant such an article in Newsweek.
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written by aeichener , December 28, 2007

But as Kenyans, we MUST accept and take responsibility for the leaders that we elect.


Ntimama seems to have been re-elected.

Wow. Kenyans would have made a better choice with the Arthur brothers as MPs.

A.
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written by halisi , December 29, 2007
Great article! I don't know how former plunderers and goons in the Moi Kleptocracy managed to repackage themselves as advocates for change!

Raila, the tsunami of change is as dirty as the aforementioned players through his shady molasses and energy supply contract deals. But Kenyans have failed to see through the smoke again and used the power of democracy to oust both development consious leaders in the likes of Tuju as well as scum of the earth types such as Murungaru.

Then they have elected the likes of Kosgeys, Ruto's, Mwau's, a fresh set of barons muddied by blood and dirty money. The latter will of course bring sweeping changes in our countries policy framework and infrastructure and catapult us closer to vision 2030. Not.
When will you foolish Kenyans take off your blinders and realize the game is only in favour of tribe rich.

My uncle, whom i lived with during my campo days, was one of the
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Kirwa
written by Stephen Wainaina , December 30, 2007
KIPRUTO KIRWA

The former Agriculture minister met his waterloo in Cherangany at the hands of 29-year-old Joshua Kutuny who ended his 15-year career with an advantage of 2,195 votes. The new MP got 13,458 votes to the latter
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written by Stephen Wainaina , December 30, 2007
KIPRUTO KIRWA

The former Agriculture minister met his waterloo in Cherangany at the hands of 29-year-old Joshua Kutuny who ended his 15-year career with an advantage of 2,195 votes. The new MP got 13,458 votes to the latters 11,263 votes.

Mr Kutuny, who graduated from Moi University last year with a Political Science degree, put to Mr Kirwas dominance of Mr Kirwa in the cosmopolitan constituency. The former minister had been the area MP since 1989 when he defeated Mr Masinde Muliro in a controversial by-election.

The constituency has the Kalenjin, Luhya, Kisiis, Turkana and Kikuyu. Though he was not expecting all Kalenjins to vote for him, he had anticipated to get votes from other tribes and reclaim the seat unlike other candidates who were depending on their kinsmen only. Mr Kirwa had put into proper use the Constituency Development Fund and bursary fund but it surprised many when Mr Kutuny who is said to have been offered a government job at one time so that he does not run for the seat felled the former.

The minister was credited for lobbying for the construction of Kapsara Tea factory in the constituency while he was also credited for reviving institutions like Agriculture Finance Corporation (AFC), revitalising National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) which the Cherangany and Trans Nzoia residents as a whole depend for maize farming but it seems that the voters did not want to see that.

Most of the residents also praise him for setting Sh1,300 as bench mark for a 90 kg bag of maize but local people accused him of championing the draft constitution in 2005 which they understood to have been targeting their land to their chagrin.

At the onset of campaigns Mr Kirwa who was seen as President Kibakis pointman in Rift Valley alongside retired appointed President Moi was appointed PNU spokesman, but did not issue any statement prefering instead to retreat to his Cherangany backyard for campaigns. Indeed signs that things were not going well for Mr Kirwa is when he defected to Ford Kenya, an action which was seen by many as a survival tactic.

Sixteen candidates were eyeing the seat including former Kenya Seed Company Nathaniel Tum, a former son of the late Muliro Mwambu Muliro and former Maendeleo ya Wanawake chairperson Zipporah Kitony.
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Miss.
written by Gillian Mobegi , May 26, 2008
Hon. Joshua Kutuny
I would first of all wish to congratulate you. Thumps up to this soft spoken guy but very authoritative.
I meabn he aint a dictator but has got leadership qualities.
I love his guts and the way he deals with matters at hand.
You are just a bomb.
We needed change and for sure, this was a great iopportunity.
I wish Hon Kutuny all the best as he serves his term in the 10th parliament.
Big up Cherangany Guys. You've got a leader.
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