Mwau not linked to drug trafficking - Ojode

It does look like a fiasco or just a story made in Hollywood. The Kenyan trade in drugs. The Kenyan police have been investigating, combing all the nooks and crannies for evidence to bring those who flood our streets with drugs to no avail. The stones are heavy to turn, it seems. But since when did the Kenyan police find those who traded huge amounts of gold, exporting the same from Kenya when there was none? To help cover up crimes, the Kenyan police havr always played a perfect role, in the name of turning up stones.
Even the media houses, with the excellent investgations and reporting fear digging on this subject. They fear being blacklisted, hauled to court for defamation of character or their reporters becoming targets of the underworld. They can just gloss over the subject. But there are people flooding the country with illicit drugs, the illegal trade turning young men and women into millionaires while turning millions in the streets to zombies.
Today (11/16/2011) Assistant Minister for Internal Security Orwa Ojode has said that Kilome MP Harun Mwau is not linked to drug trafficking.
Ojode said Mwau is infact not guilty of any crime at all as police records show no link or evidence linking him (Mwau) and any criminal acts.
Making a Ministerial statement in Parliament Wednesday, Ojode said police have zero evidence regarding the criminal acts that Mwau is alleged to have been involved in.
It is not Mwau? But then who, is what we want to hear. But for now, no names, just whispers in low tonnes.

Ojode said police investigations showed there was also no link between Mwau and the Akasha family who are suspected drug traffickers.
Ojode went into details about containers that were shipped into and out of Kenya in 2004 and tabled various verification documents stating that the containers were stripped and cleared at the Port of Mombasa before being allowed inland.
He said the containers, which were shipped from Antwerp in Belgium, were found to contain personal effects such as household furniture.
The containers, he said, were then allowed inland and stored at Pepe container depot in Athi River. He said the depot is a customs area and is therefore a protected area.
Ojode said Kenya Revenue Authority, customs officials, CID, Kenya Bureau of standards and police were all involved in the verification of the contents of the controversial containers.
Ojode cleared Mwau of accusations that money was deposited into the controversial Charter House Bank on his behalf.
Regarding the relationship between Mwau and Juja MP William Kabogo, Ojode said Kabogo was not a son-in-law of Mwau.
In self-defence, Mwau said he had never been involved in any criminal activities let alone drug trafficking. He said there was nothing worse than for someone to label another a drug trafficker.

In response to questions by various MPs regarding police investigations into drug trafficking, Ojode said MPs should stop speculating on issues because drug trafficking was a serious crime that should not be taken lightly.
Ojode told Parliament that despite official inquiries, Kenya was yet to receive information that led to the naming of Mwau and businesswoman Naima Mohammed Nyakinyua (Mama Lela) as drug kingpins.
President Obama named Mwau and Nyakinyua as drug kingpins in June this year, a claim Mwau has denied.
In October Mwau alleged there was a plot to have him prosecuted at an international court over allegations of drug trafficking.
Mwau later stepped aside from his Cabinet post as police launched investigations into the claims.
Earlier in July, Foreign Affairs PS Patrick Wamoto said they had received no complaints against Mwau linked to drug trafficking.
Wamoto revealed that his office on June 3, received a note verbale, informing them that two Kenyans, including Mr Mwau, had been named by US as international narcotic traffickers and sanctions imposed on them.
He said they immediately wrote to the US Embassy seeking clarification on information the (US) Government had relied on to name the two Kenyans as international drug traffickers.
Wamoto was testifying in a case where Mwau sued former US Ambassador to Kenya Mr Michael Ranneberger for linking him to drug trafficking.
Mwau claimed that Ranneberger filed a criminal complaint to Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) November 2010, and subsequently held an international press conference and said he had handed over to the commission names of drug barons.
He later delivered the same criminal complaint to Prime Minister Raila Odinga on November 29, 2010.
And Senior Deputy Commissioner of Police Julius Ndegwa, in his sworn statement, confirmed that they had received the criminal report from Ranneberger.
He said they immediately started investigation, which revealed that there was no case reported to police on the allegations that Mwau had been involved in money laundering, tax evasion and smuggling.
The trade in drugs is an extensive network of minds, involving he traders and corrupt government officials. The rich drug cartels are known to use threats to coerce their victims, including high ranking government officials. Some of the drug cartels are more likely to be high ranking officials in government and the larger society, using their powerful clout to navigate the system, undeterred. It is an elloborate network of corruption, involving international players too.
Who, is flooding our nation with drugs?

Stoning, Any Nyongo responds

Nov

15

Columnist article attacked me unfairly

In an opinion piece published in The Standard on Saturday (November 12), Barrack Muluka deliberately misquotes me just like Chepalungu MP Isaac Rutto did in Parliament on Thursday (November 10).

In both cases the misquotation has been deliberate to fit a well rehearsed thesis that presidential aspirant Raphael Tuju’s convoy was stoned by ODM youth sent to do so by ODM leadership.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga and I (ODM Secretary-General Anyang’ Nyong’o) condemned the stone throwing and called for peaceful campaigns devoid of violence.

However, during the Parliamentary Group meeting of the ODM on Tuesday last week, a discussion on the violence revealed the youths had claimed the stone throwing was most likely stage-managed.

MPs, therefore, demanded this aspect of the ugly incident be investigated so that all Kondele youth are not maligned unnecessarily.

During the press conference that ensued, I reported this aspect of our discussions and added, emphatically, that "stage-managed or not, ODM condemns any form of violence and calls upon party members and supporters to allow everybody to campaign peacefully".

It is interesting that during the discussion of this matter in Parliament when Rutto abortively sought a ministerial statement, Gichugu MP Martha Karua also told the House she had experienced a stage-managed heckling by youths in her own constituency at a funeral.

Since the Kondele incident is under probe, it would only be fair to put all allegations on the table rather than harangue all and sundry, who express points of view contrary to the one expressed by Tuju.

United democratic front

Mr Muluka, of course, had a completely different agenda. That is to go back to the hackneyed theme of dynastic tendencies in Luo politics. Fortunately, Raila, (Lands Minister) James Orengo and myself emanate from the Luo community but we are not simply Luo politicians. We have wider constituencies outside our birth places.

At a wider level, the three of us have an ideological, Pan-African and international constituency where we play in the same league. It would be artificial to fake any difference at this level.

At the home level, we have a Kenyan constituency which goes back many years in the struggle for democracy. This struggle was for a long time led by Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. We identified with Jaramogi and worked with him till he died. This fact nobody denies nor can anybody, except those who oppressed Kenyans, hold it against us.

After that period there were times when we had our differences and parted ways for some time. We had differences on tactics and strategy of winning the struggle against presidential authoritarianism.

Finally, however, Raila managed to bring all progressive forces together in 2002. We came together again and have remained in that broad united democratic front to date.

Muluka, on the other hand, thinks of Orengo and I simply as yo-yo men, who follow a political trend simply to survive in politics. He is incapable of doing a more convincing sociological analysis beyond the perceived dogma, which was always used by the regimes of yesteryear to disenfranchise Jaramogi.

I am afraid it is rather late to apply this dogma to the post-2002 politics. History is still fresh in our minds to be confused by right wing intellectual bigotry of any kind.

{Anyang’ Nyong’o, ODM Secretary General}

Parliament debates demolition,Syokimau

Parliament debates Land Fraud, Sykimau

It was a heated debate in parliament (11/15/2001), when the fiery legislator, who is also the Narc Kenya chairperson and presidential flag bearer sought to know why the government was impoverishing Kenyan, through unprecented demolition of settlements. A recent case in mind was the ongoing demolitions of palatal houses by the Kenya airports authority, constructions which were authorized by the fast growing Mavoko municipality.
A section of MPs were accused of colluding with fraudsters to allocate Kenyans public land.
Although the legislators were not named, Cabinet ministers James Orengo and Amos Kimunya imputed that some MPs who appeared not to want the truth of the Syokimau allocations to come out had worked in league with some known groups that allocated land to the people who in turn built homes that were demolished by the government at the weekend.
The Lands and Transport ministers, amidst interruption to their contributions by MPs in Parliament, said all the documents including title deeds issued to the victims of Syokimau demolitions were all fake.
“All of these papers that have been flying around are fake and do not exist in the ministry. I am prepared to prove to this House that they are all forgeries and all the documents that have been tabled before this House must be interrogated,’’ Mr Orengo said.
The minister spoke in reference to documents tabled by Kathiani MP Wavinya Ndeti and her Embakasi counterpart Ferdinard Waititu intended to prove that the allocations were done legally and the plot owners had documents of ownership from the Lands Ministry and rate payments from the Mavoko Municipal Council.
But Mr Orengo described as fraudsters a company by the Mlolongo Brothers and Uungani, saying they sold land to unsuspecting buyers using fake documents.By the time of writing this story, the alleged frausters, who have operated for years had not been arrested, while families whose houses were mowed down were spending another night in the cold.
He said all the land in which the houses stood was owned by the Kenya Airports Authority and had never been exercised.
Saying he did not support the manner in which the Syokimau buyers were evicted, the minister called for the arrest of “those who have caused this misery and affliction to Kenyans.’’
He said there were known cases where people who were no longer employees of ministries using letters purpoted to have been signed by the minister to defraud.
Said Mr Kimunya: “I am very saddened by these people who do not want the truth. The truth is clear there is a court order saying there is no development.
“There are MPs in this House who are friends of the crooks and are coming to the House to protect their ill gotten wealth. Instead of seeking the truth, all they are giving us are rude interruptions.”
He explained that KAA went to court in 2004 to seek an order restraining any settlement on its lands. Mr Kimunya asked MPs to lead from the front, in discouraging people from encroaching on government land “because they are poor.’’
The two spoke during a heated debate on the issue, raised by Gwasi MP John Mbadi to discuss the Syokimau as a matter of national importance.
The MPs were mainly concerned by what they described as a callous, inhuman and heartless manner in which the government demolished houses on the controversial land.

Using the blog to change lives

Tough times call for tough choices. Across the world, inflation is biting and many energetic young people are jobless, unsure of where the next mean will come from.
But people with skills, natural or earned, will continue to exploit their environment to fight on, changing lives of others in the process.
Do I spend my time face booking only, during my spare time or use my writing skills to earn a few dollars, not only for myself but also to support the less fortunate in Africa.
I have always wanted to write stories, comment and write analysis on topical issues. Writings becomes a hobby, to interact with a wider audience, to engage the mind and sooth the soul of attentive readers. To be visible and attract a following, Writers must capture the mood of their audience(swing mood) and the prevailing events.
It gives room to examine self and be current, as you engage leadership, institutions and governments on governance, justice, human rights and other social issues we encounter constantly on our lives. Bloggers are part of bystanders who join efforts, to probe government, to encourage civic participation and influence change.
I want to share my blog with charity, engaging in philanthropy and supporting projects. When you visit my blog and click on an advert on the side bar, you help me to survive. The little Google pays me will definitely change lives. I will dedicate a portion of the earnings, to plough back from the society I grew up from, which I still consider struggling and very underprivileged.
Women walk long distances to fetch contaminated water, children go to sleep hungry, some housed in dilapidated shelters. Society owes them, but even the philanthropic souls are overwhelmed by the demands they have to cope with.
Support my cause, each time you visit my blog by clicking on the ads. You will surely change lives, feed orphans, drill water and help the poor with medications and warm clothing.

Politics,not for the faint hearted

Politics: a graveyard or a goldmine?
This may sound like some kind of political obituary, painstakingly following the trails of danger lurking in politics. Many have been lured to politics, leaving behind stable jobs/careers only to end in political graveyards, forgotten and miserable. Families have been left desolate, with resources plundered by big spenders chasing their political dreams. My sympathy goes to the families of those who have lost their lives serving our nation diligently, choosing to die for their ethical ideals rather than shelve their selfish interests. They are heroes who deserve plaques in their honor and do not merit being lamped with failed politicians dotted across the country with struggling careers.
Our politics is murky; it is not for the faint hearted. It may look like a path lined with gold, all the trappings of power, stardom yet Kenyan politics is not a bed of roses. I may not have had the opportunity to sit with the likes of Raila odinga, Samuel Somei Arap Ruto, Omingo Magara or President Kibaki but telling from their sullen faces, you can see pain, anxiety and a troubled mindset. Do they enjoy sound sleep, share time with their families and relatives? If I was to judge by the number of honorable members “resting” their eyes in the chambers, I can rightly conclude it is because of lack of sleep, pain and troubled brains. They are always fighting some battles, even in their sleep.
Kenyan politics can change suddenly and very rapidly, with close friends going for each other’s throat. Take for example William Ruto and Raila Odinga. The two enjoyed a close working relationship in the run up to the last election with Ruto vigorously campaigning for Raila across the country, including delivering a sizeable number of legislators and presidential votes to ODM from his backyard. When the presidential election results were bungled, Hon Ruto was the man to beat as he argued the case of his boss at KICC. Today, the two erstwhile friends do not see eye to eye, having differed on the best collective approach to adopt as a party on Mau reclamation and on the impending trial of the PEV suspects. They have literally differed on almost any national issue, reading from different scripts. I keep asking why and I know it will be long before I can put this question to rest. At the moment, we can only speculate.
Irrespective of the outcome of the referendum, it is most unlikely that Raila and President Kibaki will retain any soft spot for Ruto and his associates. For many in the No camp, the writing is already on the wall and they will have to work extra hard to re-invent themselves to remain relevant or risk being part of the political graveyard. A recent cabinet reshuffle was a veiled warning on the direction the two may adopt against renegade politicians who have joined the church to shout NO.
A few months, the country sympathized with Raila Odinga, aka Agwambo, Tingatinga. His political career was at its lowest, at its death bed. It was as if all dogs of war had been left loose to maul him. He was accused of hijacking project Mau, undermining the spirit of coalition government by demanding too much, and exceeding his powers by suspending high ranking government officers, powers which could only be exercised by the president. For once, I thought the man was on his way to Kibera, to make real his threats of going back to his people to set up a thriving bakery business. He survived the onslaught and today with his enemies scattered, he must be having the last laugh, temporarily enjoying the breathings space there disunity has brought. His ability to survive changing political times reminds me of the late Paul Ngei who represented Kathiani until illness robbed him the energy to soldier on.
Many have not been granted the proverbial nine lives of cat like Raila. Omingo Magara who until recently was a high flying politician had his political career jolted and scuttled by the court. A week ago, he was kneeling by the roadside, seeking the support of President Kibaki, a man he had vigorously campaigned against in 2007 to a point that he nearly lost his life to the menacing chinkororo youths at his own backyard. Omingo’s political career is at crossroads, having been alienated by his party the ODM, which he now finds himself faced with at the polls. Both sides have no kind words for each other, a sign that their friendship is lost, for now. It is for this reason that he was patiently waiting for the president’s entourage in Suneka, expecting a kind ward that would sway the crowd to his side. Omingo may be a victim destined for the political graveyard unless he can convince his people to grant him a new lifeline.
Where did Norman Kingangi Gathakari Nyaga, alias Kinara, the most powerful man in the country disappear to? His people of Kamkunji had great love for him; they were dying for his leadership. He made those who cared to listen that the people of Kamkunji badly needed his leadership and they could not do without him even when it was apparent he had sensed his powers evaporating. With all the powers bestowed on him by parliament and unlimited access he had to state house, all his friends in PNU ditched him when he needed them most. In the end, he did not have kind words for his own party, describing the PNU secretariat as “corrupt, incompetent and a club of mercenaries”. Nyaga exited the scene full or rage, angry as Kalembe Ndile handed him the last straw to hang on. Today, after a sojourn in TIP, his whereabouts is unknown and we are yet to know what happened to his excessive powers he was enjoyed. One thing is certain, if you travel the countryside, his political heart is deeply buried somewhere, waiting for a miraculous resurrection.
This piece cannot be exhaustive without looking for the skeleton of some powerful personalities who once walked the corridors of power. I recently heard that Hon Kituyu is trying to make a comeback after a short sojourn in the flower party. He did not like the scent of Roses and went back to resuscitate a struggling Ford-Kenya, a party that today is confined to Bungoma area only. What a way for one to reinvent a political career. He reminds me of one JJ Kamotho who hip hoped several parties in the last election, seeking an alternate party just for his name to be on the ballot. I know JJ Kamotho and Kituyu are not so lonely where they are. They have Hon. Kivuta Kibwana, Hon. Tuju and Hon. Murungaru to lean to when they feel too lonely.
For those flying executives with dreams to join politics, know what you really stand for before you paddle in the murky waters. If society has given you an avenue to serve people as a preacher, if you have a thriving business or enjoying your current work, you may want to re-evaluate the pressure from “people’ to join politics. You can serve people without setting foot in parliament and you will leave behind a rich legacy. My advice to those keen on joining politics is simple, look before you leap or risk joining the graveyard.
Patrick L Opondi,
Wasio Pacho.

Leaders lack integrity

Leaders lack integrity
I highly applaud the press for their untiring efforts to expose the increasing decay in our midst, particularly the plunder of our national resources by public trustees. Without viable opposition, the press must not cease to condemn what they believe are injustices to the people of Kenya by those entrusted with power and authority to govern and safeguard public interest. Challenging our institutions, either by private citizens, churches or through the press is not an assault against those institutions but a mere attempt to provide an alternative interpretation that may be hidden from those charged with responsibility to govern. Criticisms often provide a funnel view, enlarging the scope of issues for healthy debates and solid policies.
Over the years, the governed have watched with disbelief, the growing culture of our leaders to lie to the public, believing their audience is highly gullible and will entertain their garbage without question. From the helm of our leadership sits hypocrisy and impunity, a decay which will sink Kenya to the ranks of failed states. In parliament, public meetings and in courts, our leaders have chosen to ration truth even when they are guilty.
Overwhelmed by power and money, our leaders are hardly in leadership to cushion the poor from adverse effects of power imbalance, poverty or diseases. They are instead perched up high, like vultures looking for pray to pounce on, all for their own gains. Power has become an avenue to wealth, not service to the people.
What is propelling the culture of rot amongst our most trusted leaders? Why is impunity so entrenched in government that public servants can hardly own up when they are caught up in a web of decay?

Time and again, we have be bombarded by lists of shameful deeds by honorable Mps, civil servants etc yet those adversely mentioned continue to serve, without even seeking apology from the people they purport to lead. There is little remorse in them as they continue to plunder the meager resources of our nation, gluttonously grabbing all in their path as if there is no tomorrow, as if the destiny of 40 million Kenyans is not an issue to them.
Kenyans are appalled by the breed of leaders our country has been cursed with, people who are greedy, insincere and self centered. Each time they are confronted with their ills, they stoke the anger of their kin for protection. Their personal problem becomes a burden to the constituents, asking them to rally behind their man (Tribe), against their tribal enemies. In doing so, they have continuously used us a shield to protect them from due process of the law. It is the cheap politics of publicity that our elected leaders prefer to hold public rallies instead of having constructive debates in parliament. Rallies have become avenues to incite or seek public sympathy rather to engage the audience in any constructive debates.
The greatest plunder of our resources occurred under the previous regimes and the trend has continued unperturbed. Leaders, particularly those in political good books have witnessed the decay, as they pledge loyalty to powerful office bearers. Today some are senior cabinet ministers with sight still set for higher offices. For a song they have acquired huge chunks of land, prime city plots and big jobs for their relatives while the rest of the nation sinks deeper into oblivion. Power and wealth has since independence becomes a preserve a select few, who continue to perpetuate the status quo through a firm grip at the top.
In comparison to many other countries, Kenyans do not have any sense of guilt. Corruption and plunder is adored and rewarded not condemned. In other parts of the world, public outcry even by junior citizens is not taken lightly by public trustees. In this regard, many in developed nations are highly sensitive and tread carefully to avoid the wrath of the public.
As long as we continue to equate wealth with leadership, we will reap the fruits of poor governance.
PATRICK OPONDI
WASIO-MIGORI

Politicians intimidate civil servants

The debate over the allocation of land to alleged squatters in Mau Forest has once more exposed an imbalance in leadership between politicians and policy makers.
It is ironical many who benefited from the Nyayo regime forest allocation were civil servants, although some have since disowned the claim. It is not clear whether the allocation to senior civil servants was a token for their hard work or a bribe.
Whatever the case, it is apparent the mighty names in the report did not deserve the land meant for squatters. These were men and women of ability.
But how did the scam go unchallenged within the ranks of experts in Government?
Though the boundary between politicians and the executive is thin in terms of providing services, it is the latter that is assumed to hold expert knowledge and guide politicians in policy matters. Whereas politicians derive their mandate from the citizens, the executive authority must never follow the path of the politicians, but be guided by their expert knowledge.
The public service has been seen as lacking independence because appointment of key officers is never based on merit. Special interest supersedes qualifications.
Once engaged, they operate under fear and influence resulting into poor judgement. It is an admission that justice is often sold to the highest bidder.
Parliament has exceeded its mandate by entrusting the MPs with power beyond their call of duty. It is this excessive power that they use to demean the position of the unelected public officers, leading to lack of morale and poor services.
Today, civil servants have lost control of management of events in their stations. How can politicians develop policies and implement them at the same time? Ours is a lopsided democracy that has usurped other arms of governance, resulting in parliamentary dictatorship. Can directives from above be ignored by civil servants?
The position of any public service office holder is well defined. Policy interpretation and implementation must not be in conflict with the Constitution. When there is a breach of the Constitution, it is the responsibility of the technocrats (civil servants) to bear the burden of advising the elected office holders.
The Mau issue should not have happened in the first place, had technocrats from the Ministry of Lands failed to bow to demands of an individual against the impending consequences.
However, citing intimidation, civil servants often make decisions in haste, ignoring their implications. They are decisions that disregard the public, who bear the brunt of taxes.
This was evident when Mr Samuel Kivuitu and his disgraced Electoral Commission failed to act in accordance with the law, making hasty judgement under political dures. This plunged the nation into unrest.
Had he employed correct judgement, Kenya could have taken a different path. It is therefore important for public office holders to be firm, abide by the law and place public interest ahead of their personal gains.
Action that violates the law of the land is punishable irrespective of the voice of command, particularly when they trample the common good.
{Patrick opondi,Wasio, Migori}

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/letters/InsidePage.php?id=1144021384&cid=17&