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The following pictures were taken by Lillian Muthoni on a visit to Baby Brian’s family. Baby Brian is described as a happy, good natured baby boy who loves mobile phones!
baby Brian and his grandmother
Baby Brian and his Dad Jeremiah. He is definitely a daddy’s boy.
Baby Brian wondering what the fuss is all about, psoing with Lillian’s Nephew Edu and Jeremiah.
Baby Brian’s family
Lillian and Baby Brian’s new found friend Edu
I would like to thank all of you who have contributed thus far to Operation Baby Brian and those who have both donated and highlighted Baby Brian’s plight in their respective blogs and websites.
So far Baby Brian’s family has been supported by your donations in the following ways; food and clothing for Baby Brian and his siblings, Medical attention, and housing assistance to the family. In addition I would like to thank the folllowing members of the Operation Baby Brian Steering Committee who have come on board to provide wisdom, accountability and direction in this project.
Karimi Gituma MD
Njeri Karanja
Laura Litunya
lilian muthoni
Lemayian C. Kimojino
Shamim A. Okolloh
The above members of the steering Committee are working hard to ensure that this project is a success and to provide accountability to the funds donated by well wishers.
thank you for being part of Baby Brian’s life!
I would like to thank Tracy McVeigh, Foreign Editor for The Observer for sending me this video link and for doing an excellent job in covering what the Kenyan Media would not.
Since the Launch of the Operation Save Baby Brian, Jeremiah has been able to conduct a postmortem and bury his wife Grace. Baby Brian still needs your help. Please donate below.
to Donate using Paypal go to VUMA KENYA and click on the PAYPAL BUTTON under Baby Brian’s picture.
For direct Bank Deposits in the US:
Bank Name: Citizens Bank
Account name: Vuma Kenya Initiative
Account number: 1311-791-911
Routing number: 211-070-175
For Bank Deposits in Kenya:
Bank Name: EQUITY Bank
Account Name: Jeremiah Mungai
Account No: 0200190674408
ID No. 7156255.
Hey Guys a quick update on our efforts to help Baby Brian. So far many of you have written or called in to express your support and to give. I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of baby Brian’s family for your response. So far we were able to raise the funds needed to give Grace a proper funeral. We are still far from our goal of $5000 and I encourage you to give. A dollar can go a long way in changing someone’s life. Additionally, I got an interesting email from Tracy McVeigh that I would like to share with you. Tracy is the journalist from the observor that did an excellent story on Brian’s situation that was a catalyst to Operation Saving Baby Brian. Our thanks to her for telling the world about the injustice that occured on that fatefull day.
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 10:45 AM
To: josephkaroki@hotmail.com
Dear Joseph,
my name is Tracy McVeigh and I’m the journalist who went to Kenya after seeing the anonymous photograph of the dead woman to find out who she was.
I’ve just stumbled across your website and I’m really delighted to see that you and your organisation are trying to help Jeremiah Mungai and his little boy Brian, I just wanted to say well done. They’re a lovely family and I had been hoping that someone would be inspired to help them.
I made very short little video when I was in Naivasha if you’re interested.
You can find if you search the guardian.co.uk website or on youtube under my name - see Jeremiah in the flesh!
Anyway, best of luck with the project, thanks.
best wishes,
Tracy McVeigh
Tracy McVeigh
Foreign Editor
The Observer
3 - 7 Herbal Hill
London EC1R 5EJ
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The Observer Ethical Awards 2008 in association with Ecover
Vote for your Ethical Heroes now at www.observer.co.uk/ethicalawards
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Once again here is the info for you to donate. I believe that we are able to make a difference in someone’s life and here is your opportunity.
to Donate using Paypal go to VUMA KENYA and click on the PAYPAL BUTTON under Baby Brian’s picture.
For direct Bank Deposits in the US:
Bank Name: Citizens Bank
Account name: Vuma Kenya Initiative
Account number: 1311-791-911
Routing number: 211-070-175
For Bank Deposits in Kenya:
Bank Name: EQUITY Bank
Account Name: Jeremiah Mungai
Account No: 0200190674408
ID No. 7156255.
Grace Mungai has been laid to rest. This was possible with the overwhelming show of support from all of you who responded and donated whatever you could to lay this woman to rest.This mother, friend of many and wife Grace, was buried yesterday at her Parents home in Kericho. The funeral was attended by a handful of family and a few friends. Grace’s funeral was modest as was the life she led.
The next chapter in this begins. Grace leaves behind a young baby, Brian who was still breastfeeding. Baby Brain needs milk, food, clothing and toys. Kindly visit www.vumakenya.org and donate via paypal or use the account info provided below for direct deposits. Those in Kenya can donate directly to the family at the bank account below. Thank you to all of you who have already contributed. Kazi Iendelee.
For direct Bank Deposits in the US:
Bank Name: Citizens Bank
Account name: Vuma Kenya Initiative
Account number: 1311-791-911
Routing number: 211-070-175
For Bank Deposits in Kenya:
Bank Name: EQUITY Bank
Account Name: Jeremiah Mungai
Account No: 0200190674408
ID No. 7156255.
Finally after a few days of debating, emails and phone calls on how we can handle the donations in a transparent way, a solution has been found. I would like to Personally thank Karimi Gituma, Kelcey Brackett and Lemayian Kimojino for throwing the weight of VUMA KENYA behind the efforts of this Campaign. With their eyes on the money so to speak, I would like to thank them for agreeing to be stewards of the funds that we collect for Baby Brian. So dear friends please feel comfortable donating below and rest assured that ALL the funds will go directly to the family. Our Goal is to raise $5000 in the next 2 weeks.
Thank you for donating and drop me a line at josephkaroki@hotmail.com and let me know that you have supported Baby Brian and I will keep you personally informed of how your donation changed Brian’s life.
to Donate using Paypal go to VUMA KENYA and click on the PAYPAL BUTTON under Baby Brian’s picture.
For direct Bank Deposits in the US:
Bank Name: Citizens Bank
Account name: Vuma Kenya Initiative
Account number: 1311-791-911
Routing number: 211-070-175
For Bank Deposits in Kenya:
Bank Name: EQUITY Bank
Account Name: Jeremiah Mungai
Account No: 0200190674408
ID No. 7156255.
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This is probably the most important post I will ever publish on this Blog. This post goes beyond mere rhetoric and Pictures that capture the plight of a People. This will directly change a life and re-enforce the nortion of the Kenya that we know of loving, caring and a nation that believes we are family. A few weeks ago, we all saw the picture of Grace(below) shot in the head by a rogue Policeman as the security forces carried out Operations in Naivasha. In a baby crib beside her lifeless, bleeding body was a terrified 14 month baby crying in terror. The baby now identified as Brian had just witnessed his mother shot in the head.
In the light of this tragedy, I got together with Lillian Muthoni and Eddie Njogu, my contacts in Kenya and we all whole heartedly sought the whereabouts of Brian and His family. With earnest devotion, Lillian found the village this weekend and managed to meet with Jeremiah, Baby Brian’s father. She was able to get some important information that we desperately needed in order to get assistance for the family. So I commend her for her tireless work.
Folks, we have an opportunity to turn things around in the life of this family and more so, this innocent child! I know many of you visit this site from all over the world and many of your have written offering assistance for Brian. This is the time for that assistance. Carol has offered to pay for the Post-Mortem and I thank her for her kindness. The family needs this post-mortem conducted by a qualified pathologist who may be required to testify in Court. Jeremiah needs to bury his wife so we need funds for the funeral. We also need to get this family basic necessities like food, clothing and toys for Brian. This child’s life has become extremely personal to me and I believe its time to move beyond our dismay and actually do something.I am in this knee deep, but I cannot do this alone, I need you to partner with me. email me at josephkaroki@hotmail.com or get in touch with Lillian at loumso2002@yahoo.com. My Cell Phone number is 214-708-1554.
We are called for a time such at this. If you are an attorney in Kenya willing to help or if you know of one who is willing to partner with us in bringing justice to this family, contact me ASAP. Tell your friends, your family, your coworkers. If you are a well wisher who would like to visit the family they are at Gwa Kanywa, Magumu village near Naivasha.
THE FOLLOWING IS WHAT IS NEEDED:
30,000 Kenya Shillings (US$425) for funeral and Mortuary expences
Milk for Baby Brian
Food for his siblings
Clothes, toys and Books
Well wishers to visit and encourage the family
A scholarship/educational fund for Brian and his siblings
A legal fund for the pursuit and prosecution of those involved in the murder of Grace Mungai
Those in Kenya can donate money at the following bank account at EQUITY 0200190674408 under the name Jeremiah Mungai, ID No. 7156255.
we will have a bank account open on Monday on behalf of the family for those in the United States. I would like to thank Lillian for doing a wonderful job this weekend and Eddie for joining me in this. In the meantime we have work to do. Looking forward to hearing from all of you!
For direct Bank Deposits in the US:
Bank Name: Citizens Bank
Account name: Vuma Kenya Initiative
Account number: 1311-791-911
Routing number: 211-070-175
Hillary Clinton is finally revealing her true colors and sensing defeat, her supporters have decided to swift boat Obama by forming a 527 group. The group calling itself, The American Leadership Project, plans to flood the Texas, Pennsylvania and Ohio markets with $10 million worth of Negative ads in a bid to Torpedo Obama’s candidacy. Yesterday Hillary took of the gloves and like an injured pit bull went on a scathing attack on Obama. No surprise for a Clinton. Keep your eyes open for these 5 guys. These names will become a household name in the US in the next few weeks.
These are the Individuals who are trying to stop Obama in a style reminiscent of John Kerry’s swift boat treatment and John McCain’s failed bid 8 years ago. By law they do not have to reveal their money sources and rely on “soft money” for scathing, factually deficient attacks on candidates. By law they are not connected to the candidates and therefore operate freely without fear of reprisal. I live here in Texas so I’ll be seeing these ads starting this afternoon.
Barrack The Vote Ya’ll!!
As i enjoy my rather quiet weekend here in Dallas, watching the heated US Presidential Campaign has become a past time of sorts. So a few minutres ago came across this on CNN.
“A visibly angry Sen. Hillary Clinton lashed out Saturday at Sen. Barack Obama over campaign literature that she said he knows is “blatantly false.”
Clinton jabbed the air with her hands as she told a crowd in Cincinnati, Ohio, that two Obama mailings spread lies about her positions on universal health care and the North American Free Trade Agreement.
“Shame on you, Barack Obama,” she said.”
I don’t know about you guys but I am sick of the “Billary” Syndrome. The Clintons do not like being attacked on their issues. They are fine with negative campaigning on their opponents. Most recently accusing Obama of plagiarism and then herself plagiarizing her husbands own words. Hillary’s brain child is her health care plan which does have a mandate and forces it on people who cannot afford it. Her earlier Universal Health care plan failed when Bill was President because of Hillary’s divisive nature! Americans are tired of divisive politics and this is why she has lost the last 10 caucuses in a row. Partisan Politics only impede her agenda.
This is why I scratch my head when hispanics back Hillary! I understand her positive immigration plans but mark my words, she will not pull this off without the support of Congress! Barrack Obama has the ability to step across the isle and help pass a comprehensive immigration bill that hispanics and Kenyans in the United States would like to see passed.
Keep on showing your true colors Hillary.
in the meantime here are the other 10 ways Hillary can lose the Election. written by Michael Essany, a national television host and columnist for Times newspaper of Indiana.
[10] Paparazzi photos surface of Hillary emerging from Lindsay Lohan’s vehicle without underwear.
[9] Pledges to extend free health care coverage to “anyone injured in the course of Jihad”.
[8] Challenges Chuck Liddell for the Ultimate Fight Championship.
[7] Hires new campaign manager : Michael Vick.
[6] Begins every debate by asking Dennis Kuchinich for Pamprin.
[5] New Campaign Slogan : ‘The Clinton with balls”.
[4] Promotes her frigid demeanor as the remedy of global warming.
[3] To prove she is tough on drugs, throws out Bill’s Cialis prescription.
[2] Comes out of the closet, then backpedal with “JK!”.
[1] Goodbye pants suits, Hello Bikinis.
Ababu Namwamba, an ODM spokesperson issued a statement to day saying that ODM will embark on a “Mass civil disobedience next week” if ODM demands were not met on the negotiating table. The contentious issue at hand being the role of the Prime MInister in respect to Executive Powers. This throws out hope that a deal would be made today and any announcement of a consensus.
In a related news story, Raila Odinga has myseriously left the country but is available by phone for any consultations. His destination is Nigeria and his mission unknown. His trip caught the Government side by surprise and the Nigerian Information Minister seemed unaware of Odinga’s trip.
There is hope as William Ruto said that talks will resume on Monday and some progress had been made. So we’ll wait and see!
Kenya’s government tentatively agreed Thursday to create a prime minister’s post to be filled by the opposition, moving the East African country a step closer to ending weeks of deadly clashes over the disputed presidential election.
A political deal was expected Friday after weeks of international pressure on both sides to share power, government negotiator Mutula Kilonzo said.
“We have more or less agreed on a non-executive prime minister but with some substantial meaningful responsibilities,” he told The Associated Press.
Kilonzo said there were several other elements of a power-sharing deal to be resolved, but he could not give details.
Calls to the opposition were not immediately returned.
“I am beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel,” former U.N. chief Kofi Annan, who has been mediating in the political negotiations, said in a statement.
Both sides “outlined a joint proposal, that had been largely agreed, on the governance structure,” Annan said.
Kenyans are expecting for a formal announcement which will include the intricate details of what the powers the new Prime Minister will have. The International pressure led by the United States government Secretary of State Condi Rice, seems to have had an overnight reversal of heart by the PNU hardliners.
With the Pronouncement by Kenya’s “President” Mwai Kibaki that there was no constitutional Vacuum for the creation of an Executive Prime Minister Position, the country seems to be headed for a fresh eruption of violence. The Opposition has threatened to renew call for mass action and already armed groups are mobilizing in anticipation of a stalemate. Today Violence erupted in Mathare and Kibera. The man in the picture below was beat up by Luo Men who suspected him of being a Mungiki member.
In a related story Najib Balala a senior leader in the Opposition was quoted as saying that Central Province would be isolated and suggested forming another Lesotho in Kenya.
Over the last few days, key government leaders like foreign affairs minister Wetangula and Justice Minister Martha Karua have accussed the West of international strong arming. However the United States Secretary of State correctly stated that the pressure was from ordinary Kenyans calling for power sharing and an end to the violence. It will be a sad day for Kenya if the talks fail this week because of hard line positions by Kibaki, Martha Karua and Wetangula.
Call on Kenya’s leaders to respect and protect human rights
An international day of public and online action this month will demonstrate solidarity with the people of Kenya and call on the Kenyan government to protect people from politically-motivated and ethnic violence.
Please click on the link below for further details
http://www.amnesty.org/en/appeals-for-action/kenya-action
These questions about Kenya were posted on a Kenyan tourism portal by potential tourists from various western Countries and
were answered by the website owner.
Q: Does it ever get windy in Kenya? I have never seen it rain on TV, so how do the plants grow? (UK)
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching
them die.
Q: Will I be able to see elephants in the street? (USA)
A: Depends how much you’ve been drinking.
Q: I want to walk from Mombasa to Nakuru - can I follow the railroad
tracks? (Sweden)
A: Sure, it’s only two thousand kilometres….take lots of water.
Q: Is it safe to run around in the bushes in Kenya? (Sweden).
A: So it’s true what they say about Swedes!
Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in Kenya? Can you send me a list
of them in Nairobi and Mombasa? (UK)
A: What did your last slave die of?
Q: Can you give me some information about
Koala Bear racing in Kenya? (USA)
A: Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific.
A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe which
does not…oh forget it. Sure, the Koala Bear racing is every
Tuesday night in Koinange Street. Come naked.
Q: Which direction is north in Kenya?(USA)
A: Face south and then turn 90 degrees. Contact us when you get here
and we’ll send the rest of the directions.
Q: Can I bring cutlery into Kenya? (UK)
A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.
Q: Do you have perfume in Kenya? (France)
A: No. We don’t stink.
Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can
you tell me where I can sell it in Kenya? (USA)
A: Anywhere where a significant number
of Americans gather.
Q: Can you tell me the regions in Kenya where the female population is
smaller than the male population? (Italy)
A: Yes, gay nightclubs.
Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in Kenya? (France)
A: Only at Christmas.
Q: Are there killer bees in Kenya? (Germany)
A: Not yet, but for you, we’ll import them.
Q: Are there supermarkets in Nairobi and is milk available all year
round? (Holland)
A: No, we are a peaceful civilisation of vegan hunter-gatherers. Milk
is illegal.
Q: Please send a list of all doctors in Kenya who can dispense
rattlesnake serum. (USA)
A: Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca, which is where YOU come from. All
Kenyan snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make
good pets.
Q: I was in Kenya in 1969 and I want to contact the girl I dated while
I was staying in Mombasa. Can you help? (USA)
A: Yes, but you will probably still have to pay her by the hour.
Q: Will I be able to speek English most places I go? (USA)
A: Yes, but you’ll have to learn it first
the annointing..
Keep an eye on these 2 guys. Lemayian Kimojino and Karimi Gituma are what I would definately endorse as Kenya’s upcoming leaders. Love these guys to death
Chini kwa chini!
Shu, Shu, SHu… you are the reason I don’t introduce my girl to everyone. Guys watch this guy blow up in the music world. Exceptional talent, exceptional Kenyan!
wasn’t there a song written about this?…ebony and ivory..nah just kidding. 2 good friends hangin out at Vuma.
for those who have been asking for more positive pictures on this site, the pictures I am about to upload can not get any more positive than this. A few weeks ago Karimi Gituma, a 5 th year med student at Harvard contacted me about taking steps to help folks back home. What followed was a well orchestrated effort by numerous Kenyans in Boston and around the States to organise the Vuma concert. Folks , this concert was the bomb!!! Artists like shu, Eric Wainaina, Super Model and Singer Miriam Chemmoss, the sensational Sali Oyugi, Kenya’s own Hip Hop King Bamboo, my good friend and fantastic guitarist Raja Kassis, my good friend and world reknown Jazz Violinist, David Eure and lets not forget the wonderful duo Les Nubians. It was a pleasure sharing the stage with these incredible talent. Many of the powerful pictures on this blog were featured at the concert in a slide show that, if I may qote the MC, “set the mood” of the evening and reminded us of the reason we were holding the concert. Thank you for all that attended and/or donated. This is just the beginning, we just got started. Brian Solomon Ingozi Mungai, help is on the way son! Many around the world have been touched by your loss and we will by God’s help set you up for success. God bless you child and may God save Kenya!
Many people around the world were shocked on seeing the picture below of a child crying as his dead mother lay beside him in a pool of Blood. Thanks to Reuters Journalist George Phillipas, The child, Brian Solomon Ingozi Mungai has been tracked down and is alive and well!! Brian is living with his relatives in a wooden house in Wakamwa Magumo village, about 45 km (27 miles) west of Nairobi. He is Fourteen-months-old and is the son of Jeremiah, a Kikuyu.The child escaped unhurt when his mother Grace, a Luyha, was shot dead in front of him during post-election violence in a nearby town.
Guys, this was so heart breaking. We need to do something to secure this kid’s future. what are your suggestions?
Children from the Kikuyu tribe pray in a tent in a camp for Internally Displaced People (IDP) in Kirathimo February 10, 2008.
A man holds a knife during post-election violence in the outskirts of Molo, 180km (110 miles) west of Nairobi, February 10, 2008
man tries to extinguish a fire at a house set ablaze during post-election violence in the outskirts of Molo, 180 km (110 miles) west of Nairobi, February 10, 2008. Kenya’s rival parties geared up on Sunday to thrash out a power-sharing agreement to end a deadly crisis over President Mwai Kibaki’s disputed re-election.REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra (KENYA) 
News reaching Insight Kenya has been confirmed that ODM and PNU have agreed to form a coalition government. There has been reports of excitement in the capital Nairobi and chief mediator Koffi Annan will be updating news agencies in a short while. More information about this huge peace breakthrough will be posted soon as we gather more details
“This mad woman walks in screaming and started throwing punches at me. She was not wearing shoes, she was half naked, wearing pyjamas. The president is seated there, everybody is watching, ‘nobody goes to State House without my permission!’.”
Gitobu Imanyara as he described to reporters being assaulted by the first lady 3 weeks ago at State House.
A mother sits with her child in front of their belongings at a temporary shelter for people displaced during post-election violence outside a church at Naivasha’s prison compound, February 4, 2008.REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra (KENYA)
Children displaced during post-election violence stand in line to receive food at their temporary shelter outside Tigoni police station, near Nairobi, February 4, 2008. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra (KENYA)
An internally displaced child looks out of a bus window at a police station in Limuru, near Nairobi, Kenya, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008 prior to being transported with other people to their home areas in western Kenya after they took shelter at the police station..(AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Residents of a shanty town in the western Kenyan town of Kericho watch their home go up in flames after members of the Kikuyu group set them ablaze during ethnic clashes, February 3. (AFP/Yasuyoshi Chiba
A member of the Kalenjin points his bow and arrow as he battles against warriors from the Kisii group during ethnic clashes in the western Kenyan town of Chebilat on February 3.AFP/Robert Schmidt)
Residents of a shanty town in the western Kenyan town of Kericho watch as their homes go up in flames after members of the Kikuyu group set them ablaze during ethnic clashes, February 3. .(AFP/Yasuyoshi Chiba
A Kalenjin man shots an arrow at a group of Kisii in a field adjacent to the western Kenyan town of Chebilat, February 3..(AFP/Roberto Schmidt)
Members of Kisii tribe fight a battle with Kalenjin tribe in the town of Chepilat, west of Nairobi, February 3, 2008. Former U.N. chief Kofi Annan brought Kenya’s rival sides together again on Monday after a weekend of clashes cast a pall over a skeleton deal meant to stop a month of post-election bloodshed.
(Peter Andrews/Reuters
A Kisii warrior armed with a bow looks for looters in the town of Chepilat February 4, 2008. Former U.N. chief Kofi Annan brought Kenya’s rival sides together on Monday to try to end a month of post-election bloodshed, but his efforts to solve ethnic strife hit a new setback when a top mediator quit.
(Peter Andrews/Reuters)
According to Reuters news, Resolving the conflict in Kenya has a “long way to go,” but negotiations between Kenya’s government and the opposition were a start, White House national security adviser Stephen Hadley said on Monday.
U.S. diplomatic efforts were also underway, with an objective “to put pressure on both leaders to recognize what their dispute is doing to their country and to agree, if you will, to a time out, an agreement between the two sides that will stabilize the situation,” Hadley said.
The goal is to have the leaders call on followers to not resort to violence, allow humanitarian assistance in and reach a point where elections could be held, he said at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN0461766320080205
A few weeks ago, Insight Kenya received news very early in the morning that Gitobu Imanyara, a prominent Kenyan Lawyer had been slapped by Lucy Kibaki. The slap was allegedly returned by a punch by Imanyara who was then jumped by State House Security, seriously injuring Gitobu. We briefly published the develpoing news but pulled it after getting no confirmation.
Well, today Gitobu Imanyara admitted for the first time that he was assaulted by the first lady. Imanyara said President Kibaki had invited 35 MPs under the auspices of the Small Parties Parliamentary Group to a meeting at State House ahead of the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
This is what the East African Standard reported on the issue today.
Imanyara said he had cut short a trip to South Africa to attend the meeting, also graced by Vice-President, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, and Internal Security minister, Prof George Saitoti.
Imanyara said after going through the security checks at State House, they were ushered into a conference room.
After taking a seat and introducing himself to the President, the MP said, State House Comptroller, Mr Hyslop Ipu, came in and whispered to him that he should leave the room.
“I thought this was quite rude for a junior officer to come where the President was and ask me to leave the room,” said a visibly angry Imanyara.
Shortly afterwards, Imanyara recounted, the Head of the Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet, Mr Francis Muthaura, came to ask whether they could talk outside.
“At this time, I could hear loud screams of a female shouting all kinds of words. I did not know who it was,” said Imanyara.
The Imenti Central legislator said as he was talking to Muthaura, the First Lady burst into the scene screaming: “This is the man that took the First Lady to the courts. Nobody comes to State House without my permission!”
Imanyara said she went on: “You are a friend of the Luos. Foolish Merus voted for you.”
At this juncture, said Imanyara, the First Lady came forward and started throwing punches at him, which he ducked.
“Nobody takes the First Lady to court. Nobody gets away with it,” Imanyara quoted her as saying.
He said Mrs Kibaki vowed that he would not get any Government appointments as long as she was at State House.
And on allegations that he was punched, Imanyara said: “The First Lady is too short and no punch touched me, neither did I return any.”
Imanyara said security at the corridors of State House stood by and watched as the whole episode unfolded.
The MP said at some point, he was asked to leave State House and he obliged.
Speaking at the Serena Hotel, Nairobi, Imanyara lashed out at the First Lady for trying to create an impression that State House was her property.
“At this rate, we don’t know who is in charge at State House. Kibaki needs to remove the First Lady from State House,” said Imanyara.
This stunning admition 3 weeks after the fact begs the question as to why Imanyara chose to speak up now. Shortly after incident, we tried to get some kind of comfirmation about his whereabouts but was told that he “had fallen ill”. hmmm. It is interesting that He downplays the incident somewhat and is obviously embarrassed that he was assaulted by a woman. It is also curious that the Presidential Press Service was quick to come out with a rebuttal minutes after Imanyara spoke out. What was their fear? There are reports that the Lucy camp sent emissaries to quiet him down before he went public. Kumekucha has more on the story.
Now the obviuosly mentally disturbed Lucy, through the tax payer funded Presidential Press Service, is threatening to sue all those who report on this story. Come on Lucy give me ya best shot! Don’t they sell Zoloft in Kenya?
The highly aniticipated Vuma concert that was held on Feb 2nd can only be described as exhilerating and out of this world!! Eric Wainaina, Bamboo, Sali Oyugi, Shu, Les Nubians,Miriam Chemmos and your very own moi. It was a very exiting night, the first class perfomance by those artists was evident in the high energy the crowds had that evening. There will be pics posted later. thanks for everyone who came out and supported this great cause, I believe our target was reached and there is talk of more concerts coming to a city near you. VUMA!!
ok, I am at the Roxy, downtown boston. The musicians are doing their rehersals and sound checks. I am just amazed at the talent here! Eric Wainaina, Sara Oyugi, Bamboo……the list of who is who in kenyan music is impressive. This place is beautiful I could not believe that we managed to book this venue! The choice of music speaks to comfort and encourage. Guys make it down here tonight. Its well worth it!
Its Official!!! Eric Wainaina will be at the Vuma Concert in Boston Tonight February 2nd at the Roxy Downtown Boston. This is the place to be tonight! Tickets are $25 at the door. Guys, I just met with a few of the artists that will be playing tonight and everyone is pumped up and ready for tonight. Karimi is running around doing her best to put the last minute touches.What a great event and I have to admire the Kindness of Kenyans who deeply care for our country. Remember all the proceeds from tonight are going to benefit the Victims of the Violence that has plagued Kenya. All the artists including Eric are volunteering their talents and resources.
So Please join us tonight and have a good time. I also wanted to add an interesting thing that happened on my flight to Boston from ATL. I met a Kenyan called George. His was also on his way to Boston and he painfully told me that his mother is living in a refugee camp. She fled the violence in Molo. He described vividly the struggle in the camps, and how his mother was worried she might not live to see her son. George is trying to get her to the US. Folks, This is real. Real People. Real Suffering. Let our love for them be real too.
Kagame: Army should step in
Last updated: Wed, Jan 30, 2008 22:24 PM (EAT)
Kenya’s military should intervene to halt the country’s escalating ethnic bloodshed, Rwandese President Paul Kagame says.“This is a case of emergency where certain things have to be done very quickly to stop the killings that are going on.
There’s no time to go into niceties and debates when the killings are taking place,” President Kagame, who heads a nation recovering from a 1994 genocide that claimed nearly a million citizens in three months, told Reuters.
Unrest in Kenya since President Kibaki’s disputed re-election last month has killed about 850 people and uprooted more than 300,000 from their homes.
Though Kenyans are horrified by the brutal events in their usually peaceful nation, the situation is far from the ethnic slaughter that killed 800,000 in Rwanda in a three-month killing spree that shocked the world 14 years ago.
President Kagame said the Kenyan army might have to take over before things get worse.
“I know that it is not fashionable and right for the armies to get involved in such a political situation. But in situations where institutions have lost control, I wouldn’t mind such a solution,” he said.
“I tend to believe that the Kenyan army is professional and has been stable,” he added in the interview on Tuesday.
Mediation efforts
Mr Kagame, a former rebel leader who marched on Kigali as the genocide was taking place, said he backed mediation efforts headed by Mr Kofi Annan, and that any military takeover should only be temporary.
“I tend to suggest that maybe whatever in terms of leadership that is there should be swept aside and space be created for people to go back on the drawing board and settle their grievances,” he said.
As with other countries in the region, Rwanda’s economy has been affected by the chaos in Kenya, as goods and fuel which travel by road from the Indian Ocean coast have been blocked.
He said Kenya ought to learn a lesson from the central African country’s bloody history.
“It starts with five deaths, then 10, then 50, shortly it grows to 100, then it goes to thousands… By the time you realise, it has a dimension that is wiping out life in villages and communities and is getting out of control and the whole political situation is in a mess,” he said.
“There’s a serious tragic situation taking place in Kenya, especially when you look at the numbers of people that are being killed, how they are being killed. Despite all mediation efforts you see a situation not getting better but worse.”
Finally someone is echoing what I have been saying all along! Where is our Military??
more ODM Assasinations http://eyesonkenya.org/blog/?p=58
On Monday 25th of January, the Minister of Internal Security withdrew the bodyguard of Nobel Laurete and Prominent Kenyan Leader, Wangari Maathai. In a cowardly move by the Kibaki administration, the safety of this world Icon was jeopardised in a move seen by many as retaliation for Wangari’s critisism of the regime.
It is shameful to say the least and unacceptable that Police Comissioner Ali allowed this to happen. Now, Wangari’s life is not worth more than the average Kenyan. However, her position, prominence and her voice to thousands of disadvantaged People and the environment deserve better treatment than what she has been given by Kibaki.
On the other hand, shame on our military. Many Kenyans were proud of our military which is regarded by many as disciplined and highly trained. In the past the Kenyan military has been called upon to keep the peace in Sudan, Kosovo and other dangerous regions around the world. But the military’s inaction has left many disappointed and questions unanswered about their role in the defence of the mwananchi.
What happened to the oath to protect Kenyan from external and internal enemies? Has our fine military forgotten the pledge they made to their Country when many have died in ethnic cleansing. Is there any autonomy of the Military from Kibaki? When is the line drawn from a common thief to a commander in chief? When will you rise up and defend the honour of Kenya as she bleeds.
NAIROBI, Kenya — The top U.S. envoy to Africa called the month of post-election violence in Kenya “ethnic cleansing” and said today Washington was reconsidering hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to the country.
Much of the violence has pitted other tribes, including Odinga’s Luo, against
