Ahmednasir Abdullahi is a commissioner with the Judicial Service Commissioner (JSC) and the editor of Law Monthly Magazine.

On the Ocampo Six ICC cases at the Hague he had this to say:

"I have always said and I am saying it, I mean, the Hague is a political process, it is a European court for Africans and if you look at the legal issues, I don't think there is a case really.....there was no investigations. I think that came out very clearly in terms of the evidence or alleged evidence that he (Ocampo) has is very poor, very poor.......Ocampo should be charged with professional misconduct, because he hasn't done a proper job as a prosecutor.

When you are prosecuting you must have a water tight case. If you don't have a water tight case, you must not prosecute and I think that history will judge him very harshly in my view no matter how the case goes because I think he has let down both the suspects and the victims in terms of what kind of investigations he did.... He is a drama queen really, he really enjoys when he talks on camera, but as a lawyer, I think he was very poor."

Part 1



Part 2



Part 3



Part 4

Miguna Miguna is a former political advisor to prime minister Raila Odinga who was recently unceremoniously suspended from his duties by the office of the prime minister without pay. This may be informing his recent outbursts against the presidential candidature of Raila Odinga. However as a former insider of Raila political machinery, his interviews and articles exposes the weaker side of Raila Odinga. Will Kenyans listen?

Sample this:

"What I regret is the fact that to be honest Raila is a conman, a political conman. Yes, the facade that he puts forward, the quips, the soundbites, this theatrical performance on the stage is all but a facade. There are contradictions that are so fundamental, that unless Raila resolves and untangles them, it would be dangerous if such a person actually ascends to the presidency of this country....and I am not the only one talking about them (contradictions). His own strategists are talking about it, behind closed doors....and I have said in my article, resolve the contradictions, otherwise you either end up nowhere or if you do, you will be a dangerous person to be there."

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Part 4

The Selection Panel for the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, having reviewed the applications to determine their compliance with the provisions of the Constitution and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2011, shortlisted for interview a total of nine (9) candidates for the position of Chairperson as follows:-

1. Bishop Dr. Bonifes E. Adoyo

2. Mumo Matemu, MBS

3. Mary Kimotho M’Mukindia

4. Dr. Arbogast K. Akidiva

5. Dr. Sarah M. Kilemi

6. Erastus Iguna B. N. Rweria, MBS

7. Catherine A. Kola

8. Erick O. Mogeni

9. Job Ogonda

It is notified for general information that the Selection Panel for the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission will be conducting interviews for the post of Chairperson of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission on 8th and 9th November, 2011 at the Public Service Commission of Kenya, Commission House, Off Harambee Avenue, next to KICC.

Isaack Hassan - Chairman

Commissioners

1. Yusuf Nzibo

2. Mohamed Alawi Hussun

3. Abdullahi Sharawe

4. Lilian Mahiri-Zaja

5. Thomas Letangule

6. Muthoni Wangai

7. Albert Bwire and

8. Kule Galma Godana

The IEBC Selection Panel has shortlisted the following (8) candidates for the position of Chairperson of the IEBC who are invited for interviews on the 11th and 12th October 2011

1. Consolata Wanjiku Ngondi

2. Onsando Osiemo

3. Koki Mercy Muli

4. Murshid Abdalla Mohamed

5. Ahmed Isaack Hassan

6. Wakahiu George Njenga

7. Kinuthia Mwangi Wamwangi

8. Wanja Ann Kariuki

The IEBC Selection Panel which is mandated to nominate persons qualified to be appointed as Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) received a total of 15 applicants as follows:

1. Ahmed Isaack Hassan - LLB; Dip (Law); CPS (K)

2. Consolata Wanjiku Ngondi - LLM; LLB; Dip (Law)

3. Koki Mercy Muli - MA (Understanding & Securing Human Rights); LLB; Dip (Law)

4. Kelong Titus Kipkoech - BSc (Applied Statistics)

5. Murshid Abdalla Mohamed - LLM; LLB; BA(Arts); Dip (Law)

6. Wakahiu George Njenga - LLM; LLB; Dip (Law)

7. Nalwelisie Chrisantus - MSC (Procurement); MBA (Finance); BA (Business)

8. Calistus Wanjala - MA (Business Administration);BA (Marketing)

9. Ingwero Japheth Mwange - MBA (Strategic Management);Bed (Arts)

10. Agola Auma Osolo - No degree certificates attached.

11. Chelong Alex Kipkosgei - No IEBC form; No degree certificates; No Law degree

12. Onsando Osiemo - LLM; LLB; Bachelor of Social Legal Sciences; Dip (Law)

13. Kinuthia Mwangi Wamwangi - LLM; MSC (Human Resource Management); LLB

14. Wanja Ann Kariuki - LLM; LLB

15. Kimotho Stephen Kariungi - Master of Science; Bsc.

The death of Nobel Laureate and environmental activist Professor Wangari Maathai has engulfed Kenya with communal grief. She died at 71 years of age and was an iconic Kenyan representative to the world. Kenya has lost one of its caring and protective mothers. After such hard work spanning decades in environmental, political and gender advocacy it is now a time to rest for this Kenyan heroine and mother after a worthy purposeful cause in life.

Notably quiet during this time is former President Daniel arap Moi, who Wangari Maathai made her career out of. He at one moment described Wangari Maathai as a mad woman. She was actually "mad" about Moi's government encroachment of water catchment areas and wanton destruction of the environment.

Were it not for her and other activists, Karura forest and Uhuru Park would now be a concrete jungle. She was vocal about the destruction of indigenous forests such as the Aberdares and the Mau ranges. She was a headache to the Moi government especially during the standoff and stripping with the mothers of Moi's government political prisoners at Freedom corner at the edge of Uhuru park. She was as much a second political liberation activist as she was in the environment circles.

Through her Greenbelt Movement she made a mark of raising the levels of reforestation across the country. Contrary to the current campaigns of planting trees, Wangari Maathai was more than just a tree planter. She ensured that there was a system of nurturing these trees to maturity. She achieved this by enlisting the support of women in the grassroots to plant trees in their localities and take care of them. She also advocated for the planting of indigenous trees and not just planting any other tree.

Last year her endorsement was being sought for the use of eco friendly eco-Jeneza coffins for burial instead of the timber-made coffins. Eco-Jeneza coffins are made from recycled paper and have plastic handles on the side, with their key selling point being environmental friendliness. "Our product will save thousands of trees being cut each year to make wooden coffins," says EAPI Managing Director Cor Roest during the launch recently. For her love of trees, environmental pundits will be waiting to see how Wangari Maathai will be buried, or did she prefer cremation?

Probably the next level of public debate on her life will be how best Kenyans will remember her. There are already tree planting campaigns being organized. Other suggestions include renaming Thika road to Wangari Maathai Highway. However, using her Nobel Peace Prize money Wangari was in the process of setting up a Wangari Maathai Centre in partnership with the University of Nairobi. She was also a staunch advocate of each human being doing his/her part and being themselves.

To read Wangari Maathai's last public interview by Drum Magazine in July 2011 visit this site -
http://www.kenyanmagazines.com/prof-wangari-mathai-nobel-laureate-green-belt-movement/

Rest in Peace Wangari Maathai

On Thursday night thugs raided The Nairobi Law Monthly magazine published by outspoken lawyer Ahmednassir Abdillahi.

They stole computers containing crucial files related to a revealing story that was to be published in its October Edition. Speculation is rife that the story must have rubbed the powers that be the wrong way.

Ahmednasir is a vocal member of the reconstituted Judicial Service Commission that has been vetting judiciary appointees under the new constitution. He is also a former Law Society of Kenya chairperson.

While giving his national address to commemorate one year after enactment of the constitution, President Mwai Kibaki poignantly observed that history is being written as the country implements the constitutional.

He observed that the future generations will envy their predecessors for achievements realized in the social, economic and political arena particularly in the birth of the third republic. I could not agree more. I am convinced that this is the time to kick out the outdated politics of mediocrity and stride to the politics of merit and development.

It is crucial for Kenyans to embrace courage and decisiveness in order to occupy their rightful places under the new constitutional dispensation so as to avoid erosion of the gains thereof.

Kenya must be bold to discard unpatriotic cultures, ethos and beliefs that are an inhibition to growth of a progressive, equitable and democratic nation.

The politics of yesterday, where materialism, tribalism and manipulations were glorified at expense of positive leadership qualities must be buried and forgotten. This can only be possible if the people of Kenya agree to change negative attitude and misguided notions in approach to politics and expectation of leadership. Those occupying public must be viewed as public servants with an obligation to pursue national growth as opposed to some demi god’s swimming in privileges at expense of the citizenry.

With such a realization Wananchi must effectively determine who their leaders become by participating in election as positive educators, elective office seekers and or vigilant observers. Under the new constitution it will be an onerous duty of the citizenry to ensure that the political dirt of past is filtered from contaminating the present. This is not easy but it is achievable.

Politicians who pursue tribal based politics must depart the political arena. It is despicable that some politicians are horse trading pretending to carry basket of votes from their tribes. Conspiratorial advocacy urging some Kenyans to drop their political ambition is being voiced by some misguided elements.

The ordinary Kikuyu and Kalenjin is a victim of poverty, high costs of living, unemployment, insecurity, landleness, internal displacements and lack of opportunity .The beneficiaries of post independence Kenya power wilders has been their cronies and kins. What the Kenyans need is leadership that can push development agenda and achieve national stability and social justice.

Kenyan must embrace leaders on basis of their ability, effectiveness and development agenda. The wananchi must seek knowledge to enable them evaluate elective offices seekers.

Institutions such as the church, mosques and other religious bodies must preach values of sound leadership and intergrity.Interest groups should focus to equip citizens with objective information’s on leadership.

A curriculum on leadership and positive values should be introduced in institutions of learning so as to influence the future.

Elitist middle class cluster of the society must agree to move out of urban entertainments joints, air conditioned boardrooms and go to their counties to positively contribute on matters of sound governance rather than trooping there for Christmas festivities

George N. Kimani- Nairobi

(The writer is a lawyer and Executive Director of Kisima Rural Foundation)

1) Hassan, Ahmed Isaack - LLB; Dip (Law); CPS(K)

2) Ngondi, Consolata Wanjiku - LLM; LLB; Dip (Law)

3) Muli, Koki Mercy - MA (Understanding & Securing Human Rights); LLB; Dip (Law)

4) Kelong, Titus Kipkoech - BSc (Applied Statistics)

Subject: Mungiki: Kenya's Largest Criminal Organization

Created: 2007-05-24 07:41

Origin: Embassy Nairobi

Ref: 06 NAIROBI 5282

¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Mungiki, a large criminal organization operating within the Kikuyu community, has a network of supporters within the government bureaucracy and political
leadership. It's use of extreme violence to amplify its influence through terror and its parallel government weakens the authority of the Kenyan state. The Government's professed desire to eradicate the Mungiki is hampered by the organization's political and official connections. Combating Mungiki requires more than merely mass arrests of alleged members. Targeting Mungiki leadership is likely to produce better results, but requires confronting its supporters
within the ranks of Kenya's governing class. End Summary.

From Tent of the Living God to Organized Crime
--------------------------------------------- -

¶2. (SBU) The Mungiki criminal organization has its origins in an offshoot of a small religious sect among the Kikuyu community. Around 1989 a group of younger members split off from the Tent of the Living God, a religious sect operating in Kikuyu-dominated regions of Central and Rift Valley provinces that calls for a rejection of Christianity and Western culture in favor of a return to traditional Kikuyu beliefs and culture. The group broke from Tent of the Living God when the Tent's charismatic leader appeared to be moderating his views in order to win acceptance by Kikuyu elites. The group adopted the name "Mungiki," meaning "the masses."

Ndura Waruinge (see reftel), then about 18 years old, emerged as the Mungiki leader. Waruinge is the grandson of a notable Mau Mau leader during the revolt against the British colonial administration in the 1950s. Under Waruinge's leadership, the group took on Mau Mau trappings (such as oathing rituals, the dreadlock hairstyle, etc.) and an increasingly political orientation.

¶3. (SBU) Like the Mau Mau before them, the Mungiki preach Kikuyu nationalism, not Kenyan nationalism. They identify rhetorically with the "poor and oppressed" against the elites
and the Kenyan state. They often proclaimed in their early years that the task of the Mungiki was to complete the work of the Mau Mau by "cleansing" Kikuyu culture of Western
influence and freeing the state from the grip of corrupt elites serving foreign masters.

¶4. (SBU) The Mungiki grew rapidly during the 1990s, a time of severe political turbulence and violence surrounding the movement to restore multiparty democracy to Kenya. The Moi
regime instigated ethnic violence against Kikuyu communities in Rift Valley Province through private ethnic militias-for-hire in 1992 and then again in 1997.

Radicalized and dispossessed Kikuyu youth who had seen their communities burned to the ground during these attacks flocked to Mungiki for protection and vengeance. Many of these new members, recently having lost their rural homes, relocated to Nairobi slums, especially the Kikuyu-dominated slum of Mathare, which became a Mungiki stronghold.

¶5. (SBU) While many Mungiki followers in rural areas retained a religious and cultural orientation, throughout the 90's, in Nairobi, Nakuru and the principal towns of Central Province
(the Kikuyu heartland), the Mungiki increasingly emphasized radical subversive political rhetoric and adopted a military style organization. The Mungiki became less a militant religious sect and more an urban political militia and criminal gang. Initiates answer to captains who take orders
from local coordinators who in turn serve under national coordinators. Members only know the identity of those in their cell and the captain supervising their cell. Immediate compliance with orders from above is required from all members. Once having taken the initiation oath, members cannot leave the organization. Betrayal of Mungiki is punishable by death.

¶6. (SBU) Urban Mungiki in the mid-1990s became involved in vigilante activity to "protect" Kikuyu slum dwellers. This led to the development of protection rackets first in the slums and housing estates and then on public transport routes. The Mungiki fought successfully for protection turf against smaller traditional extortion gangs, ostensibly in the name of reducing rents and fares for the common man. They also came into increasing conflict with the police.

¶7. (SBU) By the late 1990s, as the Mungiki grew in numbers and wealth, they attracted the attention of political and business leaders in the Kikuyu community. The Mungiki hired out their services to Kikuyu politicians (both ruling and opposition parties) and business leaders (mostly landlords) as enforcers and intimidators. Many members, especially those directly involved in "fund raising," took on a less conspicuous look, shaving their dreadlocks in an attempt to maintain a lower public profile. By 2000 the Mungiki had recruited or infiltrated significant numbers of members and sympathizers within the ranks of the police and state bureaucracy.

¶8. (SBU) In March 2002 a force of about 250 Mungiki attacked the Kariobangi North housing estate in Nairobi, killing 20 residents and maiming over 30. Their particular targets were members of the rival "Taliban" gang, which is made up of members of the Luo ethnic group, but common residents of the estate were also attacked. Following this incident, which the press reported was preceded by numerous warnings to the police, all unacted on, the Moi government banned 18 "vigilante groups," including the Mungiki. Both Taliban and Mungiki leaders were arrested. The Taliban leader was subsequently charged.

The Mungiki leader, Waruinge, was released without charge. Waruinge called on Mungiki
followers to support Moi's KANU and its Kikuyu presidential candidate, Uhuru Kenyatta, even though many Mungiki were the victims of Moi-directed communal violence only five years
earlier.

Mungiki Ideology, Aims and Practices
------------------------------------

¶9. (SBU) Mungiki ideology is often contradictory, opportunistic and incoherent, but it contains a powerful appeal to Kikuyu youth in the slums who feel alienated from the Kenyan state and mainstream Kenyan society. Mungiki theology calls for a return to the worship of Ngai, the
Kikuyu god resident on Kirinyaga (Mount Kenya). It vociferously rejects Christianity as an alien import responsible for holding the Kikuyu in "mental slavery" to "the West." And yet, Mungiki rhetoric is full of images and verse citations from the Old Testament meant to justify Mungiki actions and beliefs.

¶10. (SBU) The Mungiki political agenda is confused, but essentially calls for ethnic federalism in which all Kikuyu-inhabited areas will be united under the authority of the elders, the pre-colonial Kikuyu political system. This "Kikuyu state" may or may not be affiliated with similar ethnic states for Kenya's other communities. The political agenda is short on specifics and long on scathing critiques of the Kenyan state and the traditional elite it is held to serve at the expense of the common man in general and Kikuyu youth in particular.

¶11. (SBU) Mungiki arose in the context of the Moi administration's explicitly anti-Kikuyu policies. The fact that Kenya is now led by a Kikuyu-dominated government has taken some of the wind out of the sails of Mungiki's resentment-laden political rhetoric. That rhetoric has less
relevancy today as Mungiki de-emphasizes religious, cultural and political purposes and now acts purely as a criminal organization existing only for the financial benefit of its leadership and members. Religious and political themes are used as a means of binding members to Mungiki identity, but do not appear to represent a sincere religious, cultural or political program.

¶12. (SBU) Multiple press reports refer to the Mungiki 12 Commandments. These commandments are illustrative of the Mungiki ethos, its military-style organization and modus
operandi. Several recent incidents of Mungiki violence reflect this code:

-- You shall not smoke cigarettes, take frothed beer, wines and spirits but instead take traditional brew. That liquor remains prohibited to all unmarried but snuff is allowed to all, male and female members.

-- It is an abomination to be an uncircumcised Kikuyu male or female. (NOTE: Mungiki are infamous for forcible female genital mutilation. END NOTE.)

-- Never rape or defile or make love to a woman who is not your wife.

-- Never let any member be persecuted, humiliated or be taken hostage by any force, no matter how powerful that enemy is. Always fight back and if overwhelmed, retreat and seek reinforcement.

-- Any life of our member taken by an aggressor, or any of our property destroyed by that aggressor shall be avenged. Revenge at all times will be tenfold. In this, we are all bound by the sacred blood of our veins through an oath.

-- Enemies are traitors, deserters and any force that confronts us. Traitors are members who betray us, deserters being those who abandon our cause. Their punishment shall be death by beheading and their heads shall be dumped where they can be found as a testimony but their torsos should never be found. (NOTE: Several recent suspected Mungiki murders have observed this protocol. END NOTE.)

-- Sect's secrets shall not be discussed with non-members. Any member who contravenes this shall be punished severely.

-- All times observe peace, spreading our doctrine to our brothers and sisters, recruiting many to our cause and binding them through administration of the oath.

-- Always endeavor to raise resources to fund any of our calling and all our regional coordinators must at all times be on the lookout and utilize those avenues that will generate resources.

-- There shall be a set target for all regional coordinators, besides the resources that will be kept for sharing out by the unemployed members.

-- All our efforts shall be the recovery of our lost lands, the land of our forefathers where there was no hunger since water, milk, honey and meat were in abundance.

-- The sect's trademarks shall at all times be a club and a sword to clobber and slay its identified enemies.

-- All members shall at all times be at the ready, to be called at short notice to timely execute directives as shall be communicated to members through their respective regional leaders.

-- The hierarchy of the cause's command shall at all times be respected and the decision and resolutions of the national council shall be final and non negotiable, to be executed without question.

The Mungiki Today: Kenya's Largest Criminal Organization
--------------------------------------------- -----------

¶13. (SBU) The Mungiki today are a large criminal organization with a network of supporters within the government bureaucracy and political leadership. It uses extreme violence to amplify its influence through terror. Some of the academic literature on the Mungiki paint its members as harmless rastafarians with a thirst for social justice. If this was ever the case, it certainly is not now. They are vicious, sadistic killers. Kenyan newspapers up until recently routinely referred to the Mungiki as a "banned sect," emphasizing its roots as an unorthodox religious
group. These same newspapers, quite appropriately, now refer to Mungiki as a criminal gang.

The Mungiki operate in significant portions of Central province, some parts of Rift Valley province (Nakuru area, for example) and much of Nairobi, especially along transportation routes. (NOTE: Official Government of Kenya figures show the public transportation sector clearing over USD 1.5 million a day nationwide. END NOTE)

¶14. (SBU) The Mungiki rule territory as vigilantes (keeping out rival gangs), cultural police (enforcing prim Mungiki dress codes on women, for example), extortionists (collecting monthly fees from residents and business owners) and a parallel judiciary (arbitrating family disputes and
renter/landlord conflicts). The Mungiki raise funds through extortion, kidnapping, hiring out their gangs to politicians and business people, and charging for the use of public services (public latrines, for example) or illegal utility hook-ups (water and electricity). When under threat from
either the police or the common citizenry, the Mungiki react savagely, with beheadings and public display of mutilated corpses. They employ terror as a means of intimidating opposition.

¶15. (SBU) The number of Mungiki members is very difficult to determine. Some press and academic speculations put the number at 1.5 million, but this seems to be a gross exaggeration. The Mungiki are a purely Kikuyu affair. The Kikuyu number about eight million out of a Kenyan population of 32 million. The total number of currently active Mungiki, including rural members not routinely involved in urban criminal activities, is likely under 100,000. Most observers
believe that membership is static, hence the emphasis on intensifying activities. Members of Parliament from Mungiki-dominated areas are largely silent about the organization, due to intimidation, complicity or support. Minister of Defense Karume, who represents a Central Province constituency infamous as a Mungiki stronghold, recently called for the government to negotiate with Mungiki (drawing sharp criticism from the press). The general population is
intimidated into silence and non-cooperation with the police.

On occasion, however, Mungiki victims strike back. Public transport drivers and local residents in a small town outside Nairobi recently burned the homes of a number of Mungiki members in the area. The resultant battles left a policeman dead.

¶16. (SBU) Ndura Waruinge, the supposed Mungiki founder, claimed conversion to Islam in 2000, stating that henceforth any move by the government against Mungiki would generate the
fierce opposition of the worldwide Muslim community. Waruinge claimed in 2004 to have left Mungiki and to have converted to Christianity and become a pastor. Little credence is given to either "conversion." It is widely believed that Waruninge covertly directs the movement while
his assumed status allows him to publicly move in political circles. He has formed a political party (Youth Empowerment Association) and announced plans to run for a seat in parliament.

The alleged overt leader of the Mungiki is Maina Njenga. His large estate in rural Central province is said to include facilities for administering the Mungiki oaths and conducting Mungiki "baptisms." Although the police claim to be in the midst of a crackdown on the Mungiki, Njenga
continues to come and go as he pleases.

Comment: Threat to the State?
-----------------------------

¶17. (SBU) Are the Mungiki a unique phenomenon in Kenya? Yes and no. There are plenty of other vigilante/extortion outfits, murderous gangs, political militias, and thugs-for-hire. What makes Mungiki different is the scope, comprehensiveness and cohesiveness of the organization. No other criminal organization is as large. No other criminal organization is involved in so many diferent criminal enterprises. No other criminal organization is as well connected in politics and the bureaucracy. No other criminal organization has Mungiki's religious/cultural/political mystique with which to bind its members.

¶18. (SBU) The parallel government set up by Mungiki in parts of rural Kenya, certain Nairobi housing estates and slums, and in the transport sector is made possible by weak and ineffective governance. The operation of the "Mungiki state" then further weakens governance in those areas. The apparent collusion of politicians and officials with Mungiki hampers moves by the partially infiltrated police to confront the organization.

The Mungiki are not a revolutionary, subversive organization, despite their early rhetoric. Mungiki does not pose a direct challenge to the state because it does not need to do so. Rather, Mungiki acts as an insidious force that counters efforts to improve governance and security in Kenya. Mungiki weakens the state as it bullies and extorts the "poor and oppressed masses" it
purports to serve, while defying the state to do anything about it. It is a sad commentary about Kenyans' lack of faith in state institutions that so few consider recourse to the official administration when they suffer Mungiki crimes.

If the Kenyan state ever became a credible threat to the Mungiki's existence, then the organization might indeed pose a direct security threat to the country's leaders. The Mungiki does not hesitate to attack and kill police officers who they have been unable to co-opt or coerce into
ineffectiveness.

Comment: What Can Be Done?
--------------------------

¶19. (SBU) The membership of such a large group cannot be simply rounded up, arrested, tried and incarcerated. The government's current crackdown is resulting in many arrests of young men in Central Province who have no apparent affiliation to Mungiki. Mungiki members who are caught up in these dragnets are routinely bailed out by their fellows, who then pose a threat to the arresting officers. Several police officers have been murdered in confrontations with Mungiki
over the last few weeks.

¶20. (SBU) A more effective approach would be to go after the leadership. However, the political and official connections of the Mungiki leadership make this difficult. Kenya's two
largest daily newspapers, The Standard and The Nation, have both printed editorials accusing the administration of lacking the political will to confront Mungiki. Multiple reports indicate increasing disaffection among Kikuyu voters with the government's lackluster performance in reining in Mungiki oppression. That vote is an absolute necessity for this government's re-election plans in December. That set of circumstances increases the odds for meaningful government action to curb the Mungiki.

¶21. (SBU) If the missing political will to confront the Mungiki leadership is ever found, then the Kenyan authorities may want to consider an approach successfully employed by United States law enforcement officials against our own large criminal organizations. Kenya's criminal statutes are often lax and difficult to prosecute. Internal Security Minister Michuki has publicly complained about this. Its tax laws, howver, are draconian. Mungiki leaders would be hard pressed to explain the source of their income (as would a number of Kenyan politicians and officials). Confiscation of property and imprisonment for tax evasion of Mungiki leaders would put a serious dent in Mungiki operations to the relief of Kenya's battered citizenry in Nairobi, Central Province and elsewhere.

RANNEBERGER

Source: http://wikileaks.org/cable/2007/05/07NAIROBI2215.html

In this part of the world, news of riots in London are surprising and shocking. It is inconceivable that the first world and the godfathers of democracy can turn to riots, violence, looting and hooliganism for any reason at all.

One cannot even imagine that the London metropolitan police is somewhat overwhelmed (and the prison cells full) by the hundreds of young people turning up for the riots.

We are almost getting self-righteous about the whole fiasco. At least we riot for a cause. The Tunisians, Egyptians, Libyans and Syrians are out on the street for a noble cause. What about the London youth? From the international press coverage, one may be fooled to think that the London youth are just in it for the DVD players and 'HD ready, 42" plasma TVs.

However, on digging deeper, the London youth are probably in it for a higher cause. Sample this from Penny Red, a London blogger;

".....

Most of the people who will be writing, speaking and pontificating about the disorder this weekend have absolutely no idea what it is like to grow up in a community where there are no jobs, no space to live or move, and the police are on the streets stopping-and-searching you as you come home from school. The people who do will be waking up this week in the sure and certain knowledge that after decades of being ignored and marginalised and harassed by the police, after months of seeing any conceivable hope of a better future confiscated, they are finally on the news.
.....

Riots are about power, and they are about catharsis. They are not about poor parenting, or youth services being cut, or any of the other snap explanations that media pundits have been trotting out: structural inequalities, as a friend of mine remarked today, are not solved by a few pool tables. People riot because it makes them feel powerful, even if only for a night.

People riot because they have spent their whole lives being told that they are good for nothing, and they realise that together they can do anything – literally, anything at all. People to whom respect has never been shown riot because they feel they have little reason to show respect themselves, and it spreads like fire on a warm summer night. And now people have lost their homes, and the country is tearing itself apart.
...

Noone expected this. The so-called leaders who have taken three solid days to return from their foreign holidays to a country in flames did not anticipate this. The people running Britain had absolutely no clue how desperate things had become. They thought that after thirty years of soaring inequality, in the middle of a recession, they could take away the last little things that gave people hope, the benefits, the jobs, the possibility of higher education, the support structures, and nothing would happen. They were wrong. And now my city is burning, and it will continue to burn until we stop the blanket condemnations and blind conjecture and try to understand just what has brought viral civil unrest to Britain. Let me give you a hint: it ain’t Twitter.

...."

The Kenyan government and leaders should be very worried at this time. In our villages and town estates, there are hordes of young people, idle, jobless, angry, hungry and with nothing to lose. They have pent up anger with everyone and everything. This is our Kenyan time bomb. It is ticking and as political tensions and temperature begins to build up towards 2012 general elections it is bound to blow up if it is mishandled.

Ukiona cha mwenzio cha nyolewa, chako tia maji so says a Swahili proverb (If you see your friend's hair being cut, prepare yours for you are next). With the first world burning, what chances are there for the third world to escape this wealth inequality and leaders callousness judgement?

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, 2011

In the Matter of the Approval, by the National Assembly, of the Persons Nominated to
Serve as Members of the Selection Panel Section 1(1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) of the First Schedule to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, 2011

SUBMISSION OF MEMORANDA

The following persons have been nominated to serve on the Selection Panel in terms of section 1(1) and (2) of the First Schedule to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, 2011-

1. Nominations made by His Excellency, the President

• Prof. Marion Wanjiku Mutugi
• Ambassador Mwanyengela Ngali.

• Dr. Ekout Ekuru
• Ms. Rosa Akinyi Buyu.

• Hon. Mr. Justice Isaac Lenaola
• Hon. Ms. Emily Ominde.

• Ms. Irene Cheptoo Keino
• Mr. Charles Kariuki Wambugu.

• Dr. William Okello Ogara
• Ms. Sophie Njeri Moturi.

The following MPs have paid up their tax arrears and we hope will continue remitting taxes:

1. Peter Kenneth - Gatanga (2012 Presidential Hopeful)

2. Johnstone Muthama - Kangundo

3. Raila Odinga (Prime Minister) - Langata (2012 Presidential Hopeful)

4. Rev. Mutava Musyimi - Gachoka (2012 Presidential Hopeful)

5. Bishop Margaret Wanjiru - Starehe

6. Gideon Mbuvi aka Sonko - Makadara

7. Ferdinand Waititu - Embakasi

8. Wavinya Ndeti - Kathiani (Paid First Installment of KShs 200,000)

9. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka (Vice President) - Mwingi North

10. Mwai Kibaki (President) - Othaya (Press reports says he paid last week)

11. Lenny Kivuti - Siakago
% of tax compliant MPs (incl nominated & ex official members) = 11/224 x 100 = 4.91%
The Kenya Parliament currently has 210 elected MPs, 12 nominated ones and 2 ex-official members

Further to the Public Notice on the above mentioned subject matter, we wish to clarify as follows:

- The importation of maize on duty free basis runs from 10th June to 31st December, 2011 and does not require a Legal Notice - all Customs entry points have been advised accordingly;

- The facility is open to everybody;

- The importation of GMO Maize will be done by Gazetted Millers only on approval by the National Biosafety Authority; and

- The approval of the level of discoloration of maize will be done by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) in consultation with the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation.

Joseph K. Kinyua, CBS
Permanent Secretary/Treasury
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of Finance

This new constitution is proving to be a great thing. It is grinding slowly but surely. In just a month, the judiciary has been revolutionized, a silent revolution. More drastic changes are emerging daily.

Now, out of the blue, and in accordance with the new calm but deep dawn, KRA is demanding that MPs must be compliant and must therefore pay tax. Not just pay tax for their future salaries, but also for the salaries received since the promulgation of the new constitution.

To no avail, we have taken to the streets and shouted ourselves hoarse that our MPigs must pay tax. The day of reckoning has finally come.

The only two MPs who pay tax voluntarily are Kangundo MP, Johnstone Muthama and Gatanga MP and presidential hopeful Peter Kenneth. The rest have to feel the pain that Kenyans feel of paying tax out of meagre resources and have the money misappropriated by tax non-paying MPigs.

Kenneth Marende, Kenyans are watching you. Dare you go against the grain, this time you will not be forgiven. Tax paying is not a philanthropic task!

The Principles Boss – Hon. John Harun Mwau practises in Kilome

Some of you will call it ignorance of surrounding, others will call it insensitive but after careful consideration I call it FOCUS.

Did you know that as the rest of the country was busy burning Kilome was a bee hive of activities? Besides the newly elected member of parliament Hon John Harun Mwau engaging a company to ensure that electrification was being installed at the time, he also mobilised hundreds of youth, to join colleges at this time as he was well aware that the rest of us were too busy with battles that were not our own and would not be attending college until Koffi Annan brokered peace.

After reading an article on a certain website titled John Harun Mwau, the King Solomon you will get to know and fall in love with earlier this month, I purposed to do a bit of investigation for my own satisfaction. A friend of mine who plays Golf with Mr Anderson Matheka, Managing Director – Treadsetters, agreed to arrange a meeting for me after I mentioned to him about this article and that its content bothered.

I needed someone who could shed some light to what I thought was a PR exercise. The article seemed to speak of a totally different person in comparison to the one we hear about on conventional media. I must say it was interesting, and somewhat refreshing to sit across a table with an individual who knew Msheshimiwa not from gossip or newspaper columns but on a one on one.

Mr. Matheka, started by laying down the 1st basics principle by which Mheshimiwa (Boss) lives by in as far as his vision for Kilome is concerned. I thought it a principle you and I knew yet am not sure we have practised it. For people to make wealth they have to earn money. He told me, in his inaugural meeting as CDF Manager with The Boss, he was taken through a simple calculation. If 10,000 young adults get work outside Kilome and every month each of these sends back home Kshs 2,000, monthly, Kilome will monthly attract a wealth of Ksh 20Million. This made me sit up.

I was starting to enjoy myself. Anderson, as he kept on requesting me to call him, requested his PA to hold all his calls to avoid interruptions. The 3rd principle struck me and left me dump founded. It is a biblical principle based in the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-28.

If you are Bible reader I am sure you recall very well that the master rewarded the guy who had the five talents with and extra five, the guy with two, with two extra and the guy with one because he did nothing with his he was called lazy and evil and in Matt 25:29 it says, For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.

Anderson told me of an incident that happened just after he took over the running of the CDF Fund. Boss called him into a meeting with some expatriates who were interested in investing in an orphanage in Kilome. He too could not believe, when Boss said NO. Then he told them, instead of investing that money in an orphanage invests it in a Polytechnic or a Tertiary Training Institution. And he gave them his reasoning, how much effort will it require to help one poor person. Isn’t it better to put your effort in helping those with potential and capacity to expand and in turn they can help pull the others up?

Strange as it may sound, it amazed me to think of our banking institutions they seem to follow this principle to the letter. . . . . I had never thought of the application of this parable this way but I must say I was excited. Was convinced that Boss was where he is because he sees things differently and besides we all know if people cannot understand you they will label you anything.

By the time we were tackling the 4th Principle I knew beyond a shoulder of doubt that, what the writer had stated in the article I had read was not only reporting a true finding but the sincerity of the heart of one man who has been grossly misinterpreted and misrepresented.

Yes, 4th Principle Kilome Constituency Development Fund is run like a business. Before funds would be allocated across over 250 projects meaning each project would receive barely enough, to paint one wall in a school for example. Currently the structure is such that only about 12 to 15 projects are dealt with in a year. The funds are managed by the society. Each and every division sits in a baraza and gives in order of priority 5 projects they would want to be considered for funding. The proposals are written and forwarded to Boss who in turn after going through approves the same and send them forward for funding.

The plight of the internally displaced PEV victims is an ugly eye sore in the Kenya political landscape. The manner in which the state has dealt with the whole issue is sickening and inept. The recent resettlement debacle at Endebess and Mau Narok should be a wakeup call.
The government should rethink of a better methodology of dealing with the IDP menace otherwise this issue just like unemployment, poverty and general national discontent among the citizens remain a time bomb awaiting explosion
The IDPS are products of selfish political competition and diet of tribalism a delicacy of a click of Kenya's privileged political elites. The thinking that the government can unilaterally buy parcels of land for the victims, hound them in Lorries and transport them to unwelcome areas is misguided and irrational.
This unfortunate policy reminds one of the infamous colonial government Native Removal policies from the white highlands to Native settlements. However the colonialists were better of as they were executing their evil mission within an unpopular frame work of their then laws.

The country's constitution allows Citizens to settle anywhere within the land, however the rights of the inhabitants in specific regions must be respected. The government must avoid engaging in divisive and suspicious policies which overtly seem to provoke local communities in the proposed resettlement areas.
Such communities and their leaders must be consulted before settling IDPs in their regions so that the social economical and political implications of the resettlement can be appreciated. Indeed such openness cultivates mutual trust among a people coexisting together.
The IDP concerns must be addressed under a clear legal frame work as opposed to an amorphous rudderless actions propagated by the Ministries of the Special Programme, Finance and Lands.

The unending blame game between the concerned ministries in regard to availability of funds or purchasable land add no value to the plight of the IDPs.An effective way of resolving the IDP menace must be evolved. The Ministry of Special Programme seems to be a den of opaque policies.
Acts of dishing out money handouts and building materials may be beneficial but cannot effectively tackle the persistent manace.In the past the main beneficiaries of this misguided mission have been dubious characters either masquerading as IDPs and or associates of some corrupt provincial administrators and NGOs.
The office of the Attorney General must formulate a bill for debate and enactment by parliament to address the historic circumstances of the IDPs.The Bill should set standards of determining who qualify to be an IDP, prescribe suitable and relevant remedies to the victims, give directions on the manner of handling assets including lands previously owned by the IDPS among other things.

Indeed there is no reason why progressive members of parliament should not take a similar initiative through a Private Members Bill. Such legislation can establish a special court mandated to invite and adjudicate IDP petitions.
The court should give directions on when and how to close all the IDP camps, prescribe penalties to thieves of the IDP resources and likeminded imposters. The court ought to be limitlessly accessible by IDPs and be without elaborate procedural and technical emphasis.
It should set a reasonable time frame of receiving petitions from those who consider themselves as IDPs.Expidient adjudication of such petitions must be cardinal policy of the court
The special court on basis of the tendered evidence should ably quantify the financial, psychological and social loss of victims and prescribe equitable remedies and compensation.

Relevant NGOs should also court the spirit of seeking a permanent solution to the IDP challenges and liberate themselves from insatiable greed for donations uselessly utilized in rhetorical boardroom seminars on IDP topics.
It is backward to keep on pestering the Government to resettle the IDP while at the same time celebrate proceeds of the menace while administering hypocritical boardroom solutions.
The political class should also stop politicizing the IDP issue for selfish benefits. The IDP issue cannot be solved through political rhetoric's and cheap popularist utterances designed to gain political mirage.
The work of legislators is to enact relevant laws capable of confronting emergent social political challenges in the society. It is not in dispute that enacted laws are the strongest tools for social economic and political change.Harambees and handouts to IDPs may only bring solace for a day.
Buying communal land for victims by the government is ridiculous and makes one smell of a corrupt to benefit certain individuals. The government is the sovereign owner of hundreds of thousands of hectares of land lying idle in various counties.
It is pertinent that the identity of vendors of the resettlement project land be unveiled and costs of logistics thereto be disclosed. The government must respect the victim's right to settle where they would want to buy lands and the quantification of the terms of compensation should be determined through evidence in a special court.
The standard form of such compensation to the IDPs should be monetary. Upon compensation an individual IDP should be free to buy land at any area of choice. Heaping people together on IDPs settlement is not stigmatizing but amount to discrimination and ethnic profiling. This beast of IDP must be strangled and be removed from the face of the country.
George N. Kimani (The writer is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya)

Email-gkihingo @yahoo.com

My primary school civics teacher taught me that Kenya is a sovereign nation. He emphasized to me that sovereign nations have independent institutions such as the executive, legislature and judiciary to man their affairs of governance. He also taught me that acts of poking fingers in other nation’s affairs despite protest are called intrusion. The governments clamor to set up a local court to adjudicate on the PEV issue should be respected and given a chance.

Kenyans must decisively deal with the PEV and the resultant issues which threaten to divide the nation. Political leaders must spare the country ugly dramas as they engage in unnecessary noises politicizing the PEV issues to suit their selfish power struggle missions at the expense of the country’s dignity and sovereignity.No one should hoodwink Kenyans. The lives of forty million citizens is not dependent on the anti or pro Hague process, however the political lives of majority of the current breed of politicians hangs on the manner in which the PEV issues are handled. The country is far superior to fears, aspirations and political ambitions of individuals and it will survive them.

This week marks one of the most disgraceful events in Kenya political history. After systematic reckless handling of the legislations intended to resolve the ugly aftermaths of 2007 elections, the country nudity will be exposed at the Hague, a foreign jurisdiction. This will be a clear
manifestation of the country leadership ineptness and outright ridicule of Kenya independence struggle. Tribalism, raw political greed and wild political power struggle amongst a small cable of political elites and opportunists risk delivering this country to dogs of neocolonialism.

Whether any of the Ocampo six is guilty or not is immaterial. Kenyans must be tried in their country for any crime committed within the country so long as the country professes to be independent. Jaramogi odinga, Masinde Muliro, Harry Thuku, Dedan Kimathi, and many of the
founding fathers of this nation must be turning in their graves as they mourn the betrayal of the nation by power hungry political bootlickers.

On 28/2/2008, I wrote an Article in the Daily Nation, “Constitution and Legal Reforms Are the Solution” and stated that the PEV and other past political injustices should be resolve under a reformed constitutional dispensation. I underscored the importance of respecting Kenya’s political sovereignty and the self determination by the citizens to realizing a new constitution to effective fully address historical injustices and dark history of the nation. I stated that Kenyans have capacity to shape their own destiny, coexist harmoniously and pursue national growth and development for national good.

Whereas the country must earn its dignity by honoring its obligations under the international treaties and conventions, it is contemptuous for friendly nations or individuals to campaign and administer alien prescriptions to cure maladies affecting the country. It is perilous and reckless for our legislators and leaders to mortgage this country sovereignty by blindly absconding their duties of passing patriotic legislations that would effectively address social economic and political
challenges facing Kenyans.

The enactment of a reformed constitution presented the country an unprecedented golden opportunity to soberly address the genesis and the effects of PEV.However negative attributes of anti reforms, tribalism, political expedience, foreigners worship, and misplaced political priorities have significantly contributed to making Kenya a symbol of international ridicule and shame among communities of nations.
The circumstances facing the Ocampos six are of their own making and whatever the outcome of the process they like other Kenyans must be prepared to embrace ethos of patriotism in future.
Similarly the current uncertainties facing the nation have been greatly contributed by Kenyans whose indolence and absolute lack of vigilance has glorified political elites into demi gods.

Kenyans must abandon the despicable culture of hero worshipping politicians but rather wake up and participate in national affairs reasserting their rights under the new constitution by seeking remedies and interpretation of national policies within the rightful institutions. This will definitely hold the leaders and political leadership into account castrating their selfish political agrandisement.

The Hague trials are of absolute no value to this nation much more so when the obvious key culprits are left sitting pretty, enjoying dividends of the PEV in warmth of plum public offices. These trials are of no benefit for realization of justice for the victims of the PEV or perpetrators of the heinous acts of the violence. These trials do not add value to growth of Kenyans institution of justice or jurisprudence.

It is not debatable whether perpetrators of PEV should be subjected to court process, the answer is yes. It is obvious that genuine victims of PEV should be compensated whereas bogus IDPs manufactured by misguided provincial admistrators as cash cows must be isolated and
punished. The stolen funds must be returned.

However the PEV challenges should serve as a renaissance for Kenyans to evaluate their levels of patriotism, build trust in their institution of governance and endeavor to put in place credible leaders to manage the public affairs. Kenyans must decree that any leader who negates the aspirations of the founding fathers of this nation be not worth the name and be ejected from office. Similarly leaders who push clandestine agendas betraying their country, ridiculing local institutions to achieve selfish political gains must also be ostracized and their demons cast in deep see of political oblivion. Every Kenya has the business and onus of making this country and its institution great for posterity. It is high time an Act of parliament on Patriotism and Nationalism is enacted.

George N Kimani, Nairobi (The writer is an Advocate of the High Court. Email gkihingo@yahoo.com)

The Kenya National Examinations Council wishes to inform parents/guardians, candidates and all stakeholders that the 2010 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination results will be released on Monday, 28th February 2011 starting 9.00 am during a ceremony to be presided by the Minister for Education, Amb. Hon. Prof. Sam K. Ongeri.

The release ceremony will be held at the Kenya National Examinations Council offices located at Caledonia, off Denis Pritt Road, Nairobi.

All Provincial Directors of Education (PDEs) are invited to attend the ceremony and thereafter pick the results for the schools in their respective provinces for distribution.

Due to limited space, attendance will be strictly by written invitation.

To receive results in real time, candidates, parents and teachers are asked to pre-subscribe by sending the index number to 5052 to Safaricom ONLY but will not be charged until the results are sent on Monday 28th February 2011.

For Airtel and Orange, subscribers are advised to send their SMS on Monday February 28, 2011.

The results will be sent immediately after the announcement by the Minister for Education.

The Kenya National Examinations Council wishes to inform parents/guardians, candidates and all stakeholders that the 2010 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination results will be released on Monday, 28th February 2011 starting 9.00 am during a ceremony to be presided by the Minister for Education, Prof. Sam Ongeri.

To receive results in real time, candidates, parents and teachers are asked to pre-subscribe by sending the index number to 5052 to Safaricom ONLY but will not be charged until the results are sent on Monday 28th February 2011.

For Airtel and Orange, subscribers are advised to send their SMS on Monday February 28, 2011.

The results will be sent immediately after the announcement by the Minister for Education.

Close associates of suspended Higher Education minister William Ruto are bragging that their man will emerge politically stronger and more powerful once the ongoing cases against him are concluded. They are so confident that they are now claiming the International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo does not have evidence to prosecute him over the post-election violence. They are saying they have got their hands on whatever little evidence Ocampo may have had on their man.

***

Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka reportedly held their recent meetings in the dark in Libya because Gaddafi is afraid of being assassinated. Street lore has it that Gaddafi's obsession with his personal security started in the 1980s when a US attempt to assassinate him resulted in the death of his daughter. According to our moles in the VP's delegation, the street lights are switched off whenever the self-proclaimed Brother Leader is passing and are switched on after he has gone his way.

***

A foreign company on Thika Road in Nairobi subjected its staff to humiliating body searches and illegally held them overnight after some Sh378 million in UK Sterling Pounds went missing from the premises. The company security personnel locked in all the staff, strip-searched them and did not allow any of them to go home until morning. But the missing money was not found. The workers are afraid to report to the authorities as they fear losing their jobs.

***

Two clans in Mandera — the Murule and the Garre — are wrangling over the awarding of tenders for the construction of roads in the district. One clan which lost out on the tenders claims a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Roads who comes from the rival clan influenced the awarding of the tenders to his clansmen. They claim that a company associated with the former PS was awarded a Sh200m contract even though it had not presented the lowest bid.

***

There was high drama at the African Union headquarters last month when the commission chairman Or Jean Ping publicly clashed with Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Addis Ababa after the latter held a Press conference ahead of the Peace and Security Council Summit convened to discuss the situation in Cote d'Ivoire.

According to the story posted on the All Africa.com website, Raila was supposed to brief his superiors in the Peace and Security Council first after which they would deliberate on his report and any other reports pertinent to the Cote d'Ivoire crisis before holding a Press conference to announce their decision.

Ping who had received a rapping from the leaders over his handling of the Cote d'Ivoire issue was peeved by Raila's breach of protocol and summoned AU security details to stop the press conference.

"There was some shouting, pushing and shoving with the clearly discomfited Kenyan premier attempting to rush through his statement before handing out copies to journalists who were being dispersed after which he left the scene in a huff," the story says. It is strange that none of the Kenyan media who were present at the AU summit picked up on this.

***

Spotted in a Nairobi yesterday: The CEO of a prominent media house, his top managers and a senior manager of the Central Bank of Kenya enjoying lunch at a city hotel. This set the rumour mills turning as speculation grows that the CBK official might soon be shown the door.

***

A board member of a foreign company which was recently awarded a multibillion-shilling contract by Communication Commission of Kenya is under siege from creditors who are demanding that he pay his debts. The individual has accumulated debts in excess of Sh 100 million and spends much time and resources trying to fend off his creditors who want to have him declared bankrupt.

***

We are told the Party of National Unity is grappling with the dilemma — will the Attorney General appeal against the High Court ruling that declared that President Kibaki breached the constitution in announcing his nominees for the new Chief Justice, Attorney General and Director of Public Prosecutions? Remember Amos Wako signed the Judicial Service Commission statement that condemned the nominations as null and void. The PNU has enlisted a senior lawyer who is friendly to the Judiciary to appeal against Justice Daniel Musinga's ruling. The top lawyer who has represented top politicians in high-profile cases is said to be favourable to the Bench.

***

The government will find itself tied down to a contract with a foreign company having the monopoly of printing the country's currency and other security documents. The deal is expected to be sealed soon. According to our moles, while some government officials involved in the negotiations were opposed to the 10-year contract, they were persuaded to accept the deal when they were informed that the foreign company would form a joint venture with local representatives.

***

PNU politicians are bragging that they will soon "teach" Prime Minister Raila Odinga a political lesson. The politicians believe that the moment they have been waiting for to fix Tinga (Raila) once and for all has come since the political pendulum has swung in President Kibaki's favour. They plan to push through the names proposed by President Kibaki before they introduce a motion of no confidence against Raila.

***

Are the decisions being made by the Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura being coloured by the fact that he is one of the six people suspected to have masterminded the post-election violence? Those working with him say the man is annoyed with some senior government officials who he claims gave information to ICC chief prosecutor which was used to fix him.

***

A well-known city lawyer is in trouble after he threw his wife and child out and married another woman. The man has been sued by his wife, whose lawyers are convinced they have a credible case against their flamboyant and uncaring colleague. The woman intends to air all the dirty linen in public once the matter comes for hearing in court.

***

JUSTICE and Constitutional Affairs minister Mutula Kilonzo was surprised when he confronted by a Star journalist who wanted to get his comment on the re-insertion of a controversial clause in the re-published Vetting of Judges and Magistrates Bill, 2011. "I'm shocked because no other journalist has realised it or is likely to!" said Mutula before confirming and taking full responsibility for the same.

Almost a year later, Joseph Hellon, Esther Arunga and Quincy Timberlake seem to have had a
massive fallout

By Grace Kerongo

It's almost a year after the controversy that snared ex-TV anchor Esther Arunga, saxophonist Joseph Hellon and rapper Quincy Timberlake hit the proverbial fan.

Esther Arunga shocked many fans when she made the decision to dump her fiance just weeks ahead of their planned wedding, under advice from leaders of the Finger of God cult.

She then went ahead to quit her job at KTN - a job she had described on her Facebook page as, "The best job ever, I love my job"

Esther then refused to go back home even after the police were called by her concerned parents to get her from Runda, where musician Joseph Hellon, the Church leader lives.

(Veronica Agape, Joseph Hellon, his wife Wagikuyu and Quincy Timberlake's former bodyguard Joel Masiga on Tuesday when they visited the Star office.)

At the time Hellon told the world with Esther by his side that she was old enough to make her own choices.

The controversy caused quite a social commotion with many people thinking the trio had lost their senses.

Now Hellon has come out to speak about the controversy describing the whole affair as "a well-planned, elaborate con carried out on me, Arunga, and the Finger Of God congregation."

Quincy meanwhile is keeping silent and refusing to comment on the affair. Attempts to reach him failed when he refused to respond to calls and messages.

The musician turned spiritual leader spoke in detail about his interaction with Quincy, and when it finally dawned on him that he had been had.

Hellon first met Quincy in childhood. Quicy's family lived 100 metres from Hellon's mother's Kokuro village home, located a few kilometers from Awendo Town in Nyanza Province. Quincy was raised by his grandparents Joel and Rael Madanji.

The two were deskmates since class two at Kokuro Primary School. Back then, Quincy was registered in the school as Joginda Singh. Since then, Quincy has gone by many aliases.

When he was in Kanda King's band he was a Congolese known as Dezato, and to the late rapper Krupt, he was Fizzle Dogg. Now with Hellon he goes by Quincy Wambita Zuma Timberlake.
In an exclusive interview this week, Hellon came clean about all the too good to be true deals that he was sucked into Quicy's orbit by.

The first deal that grabbed Hellon's attention was a contract with Pepsi Cola, the deal was further sweetened by an acting deal with Hollywood actor Mel Gibson and finally an interview on Larry King Live's show on CNN.

"When Quincy came to me he told me he had a contact at the Pepsi Cola Company in the USA and they would be interested in sponsoring my jazz career. Immediately, I started receiving phone calls from people saying they were Pepsi's managers for Africa. I could see the number was South African for real and so I believed."

Even when soon afterwards Quincy went to prison and was released on bail, after a case of obtaining money through false pretence, Hellon stuck by him.

"When he got out, I told him 'Look, let's get on with Pepsi Cola deal' and he told me all these court cases were slowing the deal down. That is when I started thinking there must be something wrong.

"The various people who called never wanted to meet in person. When after a while nothing happened, it occurred to me that the many Pepsi Cola managers, and others who claimed to be Larry King and Mel Gibson had been inventions of Quincy Timberlake all along.

"If it wasn't for the way things happened early last year (the raids and court cases) we would have discovered this a lot earlier.

"It was hardly a month after meeting him that we got raided and arrested and now we have been saddled with the legal aspect of everything. We have bills and lawyers to pay and our names to clear.

"So basically, attention shifted from him. That gave him a lot of time to work with whomever his accomplices were to keep us deceived. And I do admit we were fully deceived."

The final confrontation leading to the breakup between Hellon and Quicy took place on December 8 last year.

"When I asked him about all the deals that never happened, he became upset and said he was leaving.

"One of the reasons I had believed him initially was because Quincy never hid details of his former life or on how he earned his money.

"He convinced us he needed help. He wanted to be part of the church as well," explained Hellon.

Hellon claims that Quincy somehow managed to hack into his e-mail and pretend he was the televangelist Benny Hinn and order Hellon's Finger of God church to do various things.

"Finger of God had been partners with the Benny Hinn ministries for many years. And Benny Hinn used to send us letters every month. How Quincy was able to somehow hack into that mail to the extent that instead of getting mail from Benny Hinn we got it from him, we don't know.

The wording, format and message was the same.

"We were oblivious, thinking we were still receiving original messages from Benny Hinn. We only realised this was not the case towards mid-last year."

During his 12-month stay with Quincy at his Runda and later Kitisuru homes, Hellon said he began to notice the "peculiar habits" of his erstwhile friend.

"We started to realise that he regularly destroyed or got rid of his computer hard drives. This got us wondering what is he trying to hide," Hellon said.

After the confrontation with Hellon, Quincy left the house in Kitisuru that Hellon, his wife Wagikuyu, Esther Arunga and a female UN employee friend of theirs shared and he rented a place of his own in New Kitisuru.

Later on December 12 a blog claiming to detail the gang rape of a Finger of God congregation member allegedly posted online by fellow Finger of God member, Veronica Agape. These claims have since been denied by Agape who says she suspects that an imposter posted the blog to hurt Hellon.

Hellon, his wife Wagikuyu and Veronica Agape recorded statements at CID headquarters on Tuesday, in which they threatened to sue Quincy.

By Grace Kerongo - The Star 'Word Is'

Controversial Finger of God church founder Joseph Hellon has denied claims that he raped a member of his church.

This comes after the allegations were posted in the blog www. agapehellon.blogspot.com saying that he had repeatedly raped Veronica Agape.

Hellon, who was accompanied by Veronica Agape and his wife Wagikuyu for the interview with Word Is, yesterday said he had reported the matter to the CID for further investigations.

Veronica also denied creating the blog.

Hellon confirmed that he has fallen out with former buddy Quincy Timberlake and that he has quit the Placenta Party. He was set to be the party's presidential candidate in the 2012 polls.

According to the jazz musician, the big fallout came after the "utopic promises" made by Quincy failed to come to fruition.

Quincy had approached Hellon with a deal allegedly from Pepsi Cola, claiming that the soft drink company was interested in signing him (Hellon) as brand ambassador and all he had to do was feature Quincy in the videos of his songs. Quincy also told Hellon that Irish American film actor and producer Mel Gibson wanted to feature him (Hellon) in one of his movies.

Another unfulfilled promise was getting an interview with legendary CNN talk show host Larry King. Quincy also claimed that Sarah Palin was to pay for Esther Arunga's child delivery bills - all promises never materialised.

Esther gave birth at Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi, on December 27.

Hellon apologised to the public over the Esther Arunga saga.

He also said that he had reconciled with Arunga's parents and that he was working on a way to reunite her with her family.

Implementation of the constitution must remain a paramount agenda in the year 2011. The Parliament should urgently put into place the necessary legislations to effect the process. However, there are some critical institutions which yearn for urgent reforms and reconstitution.

The institution of cabinet as currently constituted in size, credibility and integrity cries for urgent reconstitution at least to be in consonance with the spirit of the constitution. Kenyans deserve progressive and reformed institutions. Establishment of strong institution will earn citizens confidence and avoid embarrassing situations where foreigners have in the past intervened to give prescriptions on issues of governance and internal disputes resolution on matters such as PEV.

Public office holders must be men and women of integrity. President Kibaki should submit to the spirit of the constitution and appoints a dignified council of ministers. The new constitution calls for a lean, credible and efficient cabinet. Chapter 6 of the constitution provides that all public officers including ministers must be people of sound morals and integrity.

Individuals with retrogressive ideas: tainted morals, questionable history in public/private service or known disgraceful political records should exit the cabinet forthwith. It is despicable that people whose names are synonymous with corruption, nepotism and outright incompetence continue to sit in the government.

Cabinet ministers who are suspected of perpetrating mega scams have no business masquerading as leaders and should resign and or be forced out of office. Land grabbers, thieves of public monies, tribalists and other barbarians should be ejected from the cabinet.

It is ironical that a culture of stepping aside is creeping in the public service; suspected public office abusers must upon resigning must be replaced with men and women of honour.

Public servants must demonstrate high level of leadership both in their public and private engagements. They must remain patriotic and sensitive to real challenges facing the nation and its citizens. A leader who seems indifferent to plight affecting Wananchi and the nation has
no business sitting in a public office. Arrogant comments attributable to some members of cabinet leave one wondering whether they live in the same society with the rest of Kenyans.

Recently I read a documentary of a cabinet minister who was quoted priding himself of owning 1500 hectares ranch and several others in Nakuru, feeding a lion at 1.4 million shilling and shamelessly making joke of naming a cheeter cage in his ranch as Hague. Such a minister is in the same category as his colleague who rudely belches in an air condition office castigating poor workers for not remitting premiums for NHIF funds and announcing his lunch date worth 2500/= shillings.

This altitude is not good for public servants since public service is honour which should be courted with dedication, humbleness and patriotism.

Ours is a capitalist society and there is nothing wrong with leading affluent lifestyles, however in a country afflicted by IDP menace, landlessness, abject poverty, insecurity, alcoholism, unemployment and other myriads social economic and political challenges a sensible leader should keep to himself issues which would appear to ridicule ordinary citizens.

It is pertinent to remind such leaders that this country is seating on a time bomb as the social economic gap in our society continue to widen due to inequitable distribution of public resources and opportunities. Sound policies to narrow this social-economic gap must be found to avoid an imminent explosion.

As the country struggle with the best solution to address the PEV and how to redeem its image in the international forum particularly on issue of seeking justice for victims and suspects of PEV and enhancement of national reconciliation, peace and sovereignty. It is abominable for some leaders make dry jokes of The Hague issue and or celebrate the circumstances of the suspects. Rather such leaders should engage their minds in exploring suitable ways of settling this issue
including establishment a special domestic court

Politicians who wine tribalism, dine nepotism, dream corruption should be uprooted from the cabinet. Ministers who crusade against settlement of IDP at certain parts of the country represent dark days of yester politics. This is contrary to express constitutional provisions allowing citizens to live and coexist anywhere in the country. Equally disgraceful are ministers who hold misguided thinking that government tenders, contracts and appointments are a preserve of their kin and kith. Kenyan should be spared such people as their leaders..

As the country address itself to the issue of public service appointments, it will be repugnant to hold a belief that certain fellows have monopoly of occupying cabinet slots due to their political
associations, dynasties and affiliations. A casual observation reveals that at least three quotas of the sitting ministers are unsuitable for office.

Recently the country witnessed sound political contribution from first timer’s legislators in parliamentary committee. This is clear confirmation that this country is not short of capable leaders. Men and women who have in the past demonstrated impeccable credentials in the reform process should serve in the government and not otherwise.

George N. Kimani,(The author is an Advocate of the High Court, Email.gkihingo@yahoo.com)