A Political Kenya: Latest Politics and Kenya Economy News

It may have essentially provided for just a photo-opportunity, but the first direct encounter Thursday between President Kibaki and Opposition leader Raila Odinga, since the disputed elections, may well have been a giant step towards resolving the political standoff and halting the slide towards anarchy and national disintegration.

Just getting the two protagonists to shake hands in front of cameras and publicly commit themselves to the search for a peaceful solution, is a significant achievement by the mediator, former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan.

In their short addresses, both President Kibaki and Mr Odinga conceded that Kenya needed to resolve some very serious problems. Both also issued appeals for peace and calm while the talks that seek a solution proceed.

Yet, we must not delude ourselves that anything stupendous has been achieved. What we witnessed, at best, was just the first tentative step in a long journey. Even the brief speeches delivered indicated that there is still a deep gulf to be breached.

President Kibaki started with the reminder that he was duly elected president, the bone of contention, and littered his speech with references to “my government.” His speech also focused on security and the right of every Kenyan to live in peace anywhere in the country.

Mr Odinga’s speech, by contrast, focused not merely on peace but the need for justice, with emphasis on resolving the post-election dispute.

Maybe that was just both men staking out their ground before the real hard bargaining starts. It could be a long, hard, slog, as acknowledged by Mr Annan when he intimated that the talks could go on for weeks and months.

It would be unrealistic to expect a quick fix to a complex problem that goes way beyond who between President Kibaki and Mr Odinga won the right to State House.

Establishing the truth about the elections outcome, a probably impossible task given that documents may have been altered or destroyed, is just a small element in a process that may also involve investigations into the post-election violence.

Ultimately, the assignment is about the search for a new constitutional and social order that provides adequate rights and protections for all groups; addresses historical grievances and ensures equity and fairness in allocation and distribution of public resources.

www.nationmedia.com (editorial - 25 Jan 08)

Nithi (Meru North)

Registered 2002	Registered 2005	Registered 2007
91,846	103,886	123,972

Votes – ECK Figures 2002	Votes- ODM Figures 2007	Votes – ECK Figures 2007
64,351	68,854	98,202

Turnout – ECK Figures 2002	Turnout – ODM Figures 2007	Turnout – ECK Figures 2007
70.06%	55.54%	79.21%

Juja (Thika)

Registered 2002	Registered 2005	Registered 2007
103,856	111,819	163,397

Votes – ECK Figures 2002	Votes- ODM Figures 2007	Votes – ECK Figures 2007
51,854	54,873	114,641

Turnout – ECK Figures 2002	Turnout – ODM Figures 2007	Turnout – ECK Figures 2007
49.93%	33.58%	70.16%

Molo (Nakuru)

Registered 2002	Registered 2005	Registered 2007
83,105	96,593	126,372

Votes – ECK Figures 2002	Votes- ODM Figures 2007	Votes – ECK Figures 2007
49,625	69,981	99,140

Turnout – ECK Figures 2002	Turnout – ODM Figures 2007	Turnout – ECK Figures 2007
59.71%	55.38%	78.45%

City businessman Karanja Kabage was being suggested as a possible PNU candidate for Nairobi's mayor's seat.

Kabage, who failed to win the Molo parliamentary seat was hoping to be nominated as councillor to run against an ODM candidate. ODM leaders suggested business-woman nomination of Esther Passaris who would then run for the Mayor's seat.

Kabage said he would consider to run for city mayor if nominated. "But I have not been nominated as councillor so thinking of being mayor is unimaginable at this time," he said.

The possibility of a nominated taking over the mantle of the city has received opposition from elected councillors, majority of whom are from the ODM party.

They would rather choose a mayoral candidate from those elected. The ODM councillors have expressed a preference for Baba Dogo councillor Geoffrey Majiwa to run for mayor.

The jockeying for position is taking place even though the Electoral Commission of Kenya is yet to announce and gazette the names of the people elected during the last month's General Election.

Three weeks down the line, city residents are still in the dark as to who their civic leaders are. It is also unclear whether the civic election would be repeated in Kamukunji constituency where the ECK nullified the results due to disruption of the tallying exercise by agents of the more than 20 parliamentary candidates who vied for the seat.

Yesterday, ECK officials said they were still harmonising the list of elected councillors. Commissioner Jack Tumwa declined to explain what was causing the delay.

Provisional results indicated that the seats were shared largely among the two leading political parties - ODM (36) while PNU and its affiliate shared the remaining 22. The city has 58 civic wards with 20 seats preserved for nominated members.

ODM will have 12 nomination slots while PNU shall have eight.

Kenya Economy at the Risk of Dying

§ Kenya’s tourism stakeholders have worked tirelessly over the last seven years to rebuild the industry after the slump of 1997, earning the country Kshs 65.4 billion in 2007

§ Tourism is now Kenya’s leading source of foreign exchange, directly employing 250,000 people while supporting an estimated 3 million people indirectly

§ Tourism has a huge impact in all aspects of national economy, especially agriculture, transport and communication, aviation, oil companies, breweries, manufacturers, technology firms. Insurance companies. Advertising agencies, construction firms, artisans, handicraft makers, community projects, the small business and informal sector amongst many others

§ Tourism generates approximately Kshs 20 billion in tax revenue for the government each year

§ A big percentage of tourist bookings for the first half of the 2008 have been lost. Those for the rest of the year hang in the balance awaiting the outcome of political developments. An average of Kshs 5.5 billion in revenue is expected to be lost every month.

§ The view that the current economic crisis can be readily and quickly overcome is erroneous. Tourism recovery is a long and expensive process that needs a supportive and proactive leadership willing to achieve this.

Why should the above concern Kenyans?

There may be a temptation to view the above issues as a “tourism industry problem” but the truth of the matter is that all Kenyans irrespective of their political affiliation who will suffer because:-

§ Hotel and lodges are recording low occupancies and some are almost empty. There are also, very few visitors to the National Parks and Reserves. As a result, 120,000 people face imminent unemployment and their families will be plunged into poverty regardless of how they voted.

§ There will be a ripple effect hitting suppliers in agriculture, industry and other supporting sectors. These sectors will suffer loss of businesses and jobs. Airlines are also recording losses as tourists fail to come to Kenya.

§ The tourist informal sector supports an estimated 250,000 jobs in several areas such as handicrafts, transport, supplies, etc. a vast majority of these workers (especially at the Coast) stand to suffer immediately regardless of how they voted.

§ Several Government projects are supported (directly or indirectly) by revenues derived from tourism. The viability of such projects may well be affected

§ Several Local Authorities (e.g. Narok, Trans Mara, Isiolo and Samburu) are almost entirely dependent on tourism. The livelihood and incomes of persons resident in these areas are at risk.

Kenya’s reputation as a leading tourist destination is being damaged in the global market place with our competitors taking away our prospective clients.

Do our leaders care?

OUR MESSAGE:

To Kenyans

Our Honourable Members of Parliament have shown us the way. Despite their difference, when they met in parliament, they did not engage in demonstrations and violence. They observed the rules of the House and in so doing have now secured their salaries and by extension, their livelihoods. Why do you want to destroy yours?

Shun violence and hooliganism … Give dialogue a chance … You can make a difference.

To Politicians

§ There are more Kenyans trying to get to work and earn their living than there are those trying to demonstrate on the streets. Let us separate the political problems currently being experienced from the right of all Kenyans (of whatever political persuasion) to earn a decent living.

§ Every day that the political impasse continues is another deathblow to the economy. While negotiations continue to falter and the disagreements spill over into our street with calls for demonstrations, millions of innocent Kenyans are losing their livelihoods. Their hopes and dreams for the future are being shattered regardless of how they voted.

We specifically appeal to H.E. the president, Hon Mwai Kibaki and Hon Raila Odinga to demonstrate their statesmanship and save this great country from economic disaster. Show Kenyans that you care about our country and act now by meeting and effecting a political settlement to this political crisis.

Tourism must be given priority to rebuild our economy and our leaders need to address this issue immediately.

Tourism Creates Wealth … Tourism Creates Employment … Tourism Alleviates Poverty!

Please restore peace and maintain peace!!!

Kenya Tourism Federation

23^rd January 2008

Tel: 601343, Fax: 604730, Tourist Helpline: 254-020-604767, Cell: 0722 745645/0733 617499, Email: safetour@wananchi.com

UGANDA HIGH COMMISSION

NAIROBI

The Government of Uganda wishes to address itself to the political situation in Kenya. The current situation in Kenya not only affects Kenyans but also their brothers and sisters in Uganda, and indeed, the region.

Since the current situation emerged, H.E. Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda has talked to both President Mwai Kibaki and Hon. Raila Odinga in an effort to reach a peaceful resolution of the situation, in the spirit of good neighbourliness and based on the historical bonds between the two peoples. H.E. President Museveni has also been in constant consultation with other leaders in the region on the situation.

It is in the interest of Uganda that a peaceful solution is found to the situation in Kenya. Uganda cannot, therefore, engage in any activity that would go against that spirit, as has been stated in some Dailies in Kenya.

The Government and people of Uganda wish, therefore, to assure our brothers and sisters in Kenya that there is no truth whatsoever in the allegations that the Government of Uganda deployed or intends to deploy its troops in Kenya or even engage in activities that would endanger the lives of our brothers and sisters in Kenya. On the contrary, Uganda is hosting a number of Kenyan refugees and is doing everything to ensure their safety and welfare, during this time of need.

Our bilateral relations with Kenya have always been excellent and the two countries have cooperated closely at bilateral and regional levels at EAC, IGAD, COMESA, GLR and together with other partners, we have been able to attain many positive achievements in the socio-economic and political spheres. These relations are premised in our two peoples’ natural and cultural similarities as well as social economic inter-dependence.

Uganda takes cognizance of the turbulent situation with the political divide, and that as a brotherly neighbouring country, Uganda wishes to appeal to all the belligerents to desist from any situation which may incite and interfere with the free movement of Ugandans and movement of goods from Kenya.

Uganda will continue to stand by our brothers and sisters in Kenya in the quest for a peaceful and lasting solution of the situation which Uganda is confident that the political warring parties in Kenya have the capacity to sort our their differences peacefully.

21 January 2008

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Of the Republic of Uganda

KAMPALA