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This blog was set up to offer insight into Kenya and the issues therein after the flawed 2007 elections in kenya. In the last few days, the train of Democracy in Kenya has been derailed and many lives have been lost as leaders play Politics with Kenyan lives.I will put up any credible info and pictures that I can get on the blog. Please be WARNED THE PICTURES IN THIS BLOG ARE GRAPHIC AND SHOULD NOT BE VIEWED AT WORK OR NEAR CHILDREN. email any contributions you may have or use the comment application. God Save Kenya.
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CAN WE TRUST KIBAKI ON ANY POLITICAL AGREEMENT MADE?
The illegitimate government of Kibaki has formed three committees that would oversee peace was attained and the nation reconciled following riots that have rocked the country in the wake of disputed presidential elections.
The Peace and Reconciliation committee are ministers Simeon Nyachae, Soita Shitanda, Musikari Kombo, Njenga Karume and George Saitoti as well as Bumula MP-elect Sylvester Wakoli.
Ministers Mutahi Kagwe and Mukhisa Kituyi as well as assistant ministers Peter Kenneth and Mr Wetang’ula are in the media committee while Justice minister Martha Karua is among those in the Legal Affairs committee.
When you look at this list you see no shift in Kibaki’s view of the people who surround him.
Part of his acceptance speech:
“In conclusion, fellow Kenyans, you have given us a vote of confidence in the values and principles of freedom, equality, and development that we began five years ago.
You have chosen the leaders you wish to serve you during the next five years. You have given us the agenda for change you wish to see implemented for the next five years. I humbly respect your choices and your agenda.
In return, I ask all of us, and particularly all leaders to embrace a renewed spirit of national unity, respect the peoples’ choice, and maintain peace, law and order. Let us choose to live together in the true democratic spirit of tolerance and mutual respect.
Let us all endeavor to build a society that is in harmony and at peace with itself.”
Going by this speech he is not really serious about change. This is the same group which killed the NARC memorandum of understanding (MOU) when the stakes were not that high.So what are they going to do now that the stakes are higher than ever before?
The problem with this whole issue is: CAN YOU TRUST KIBAKI’s word on any issue related to political power?
Kibaki is killing the same democracy that saw him to power. Everyone knows he stole the elections because it was happening right in front of our eyes. Yet Kikuyus are in denial.
Even when events in Kenya continue to prove Kibaki is unpopular.
I have to correct you Ali. Yes Kibaki is killing the same Democracy that saw him to power however, your generalization of Kikuyus is in error. Not all Kikuyus supported Kibaki and not all those that democratically voted for him, support his actions. I myself supported Raila and I happen to be a Kikuyu. So easy on the traibal rhetoric
the speech
You have given us the agenda for change you wish to see implemented for the next five years
his election was not on the agenda for change
this man is a thief and plagiarizes any great idea, starting with multiparty politics (introduced via the Saba Saba events of which he was not a part of)
NARC Rainbow (which he was not a key mover but compromise option), the
economic recovery strategy by Prof PA Nyongo (which he now takes credit for) and now Agenda for change . THis man was never really an economic genius or political giant, but a thief and a scoundrel. and by his actions has tainted the very democratic space he first rejected and the pride and integrity of kenyans. and with it renewed ethnic hatred. may the next unfolding events punish him thoroughly for the unnecessary deaths of hundreds of Kenyans
Kibaki says,
“I humbly respect your choices …” - Wouldn’t that include our votes? When did our (Kenyans) vote to see him and his cronies out of the governments not count as a choice?
We are tired of double-speak and we are tired of your empty promises. We are paying dearly for your lies, corrupt system and greedy, power-hungry officials. Enough! Leave while the world still has some “sympathy” for your antics - or leave, when like Taylor, no one will want to remember your name!
With the level of dissatisfaction and unrest in Kenya, I doubt Kibaki will maintain his position as President. The people have lost confidence and his goverment has no control. The Military has chosen a wait and see approach for now but it could change. The international Pressure is immense if not overwhelming and he will soon fold.
Josephkaroki, I applaud the set-up of this blog. I am a Kenyan abroad and extremely saddened by what is going on.
This is a quote from the Guardian:
“Kibaki’s image has already been badly stained by the flawed poll. Apart from the US, which later withdrew its comments, no leaders, even on the African continent, have publicly congratulated him on his election win. To agree to a process that could show that the election was rigged would risk further humiliation.”
The Military is indeed not taking sides and is waiting to see what happens before they have to move in.
I am curious on your thoughts on how Kibaki may not maintain his presidency. Do you really think he will step down? International pressure is increasing: US, UK, EU, UN and AU (the Chairman, the president of Ghana, is arriving in Nairobi today) and also the people of Kenya are showing their dissatisfaction.
In 2006 I visited Kenya with a dear friend of mine. Visited family and friends in Thika and Nairobi. Unfortunately didn’t made it to Kisumu that time. But what I saw was a wonderful country. Here in germany I have friends from the Kikuyu and Luyha Tribe. And all of them are in deep concern about whats going on in their homeland right now. Concern what could happen to family and friends. I just deeply deeply hope, that the majority in Kenya will not fall into blind tribalism… it will just lead to suffering and pain and destroy this beautiful country. But I myself dont have a solution what might be better for Kenia.. another round with Kibaki or with Odinga. Will a recount be enough? Or need the election to be repeated? Sometimes I wish there would be a third or fourth candidate. To all Kenyans I have to say: Please dont let your country burn in anger and hate.
These photographs are amazing. Who is the photographer? Feels sick to be appreciating art at a time like this…
This all remninds me of what happened in Uganda years ago. Are we seing history in East Africa repeat itself? The pictures are truely heart wrenching. Maybe this is the begining of a new path for Kenya, petty cheap institutionalised corruption is finally about to be confronted head on. Kibaki and his cornies will loose. Keep up the blog Joseph…
It’s pretty much clear that this was a very flawed election process.Kibaki should step down or let an interim gvt to go and have a reelection in 3 months
Great job Joseph. I will definitely include some of your comments and coverage on African Path. Check out our Kenya Elections section - http://www.africanpath.com/p_blog.cfm?blogID=136
If you have a piece you want to submit, please let me know and I will publish it. Thanks.
The election was flawed and there is no doubt about that but what I can’t fathom is the killing of innocent Kikuyu’s for expressing their democratic right to vote! Most us participating on the blogs/discussions are living in a secure abroad and we should be preaching peace and stopping of the killings. These scars will take generations to heal.
Joseph - Great blog!
Hello,
I’m a journalist from Holland and would like to ask you some questions if you have time, but can’t find any email. Could you please contact me as soon as possible? Thanks in advance,
Regards, Jikke
Hi, thanks for this. I have placed a link on my blog to this site.
Guys, never give up! We never thought we would get democracy here in South Africa in our lifetimes. But we did.
In spite of the problems that we experience, it is a vibrant democracy. I can’t do much to help except post stuff on my blog, and to let you know that all over the world, very ordinary people in their millions are standing behind you in your fight.
It might take time, it will be painful, but democracy in Kenya WILL triumph because the will to do it is there in the people of Kenya.
Shane.
Best wishes to all of you in Kenya at this difficult time.
172. Kenya 5 - on corruption and a crooked election
While everybody except the few Kikuyus(not all) accepts the fact that the elections were not free and fair.We as kenyans should try to maintain peace in our country.I don’t think what we are experiencing right now has anything to do with Democracy.Am saying this because i believe Democracy does not involve burning houses of innocent kenyans who have nothing to do with elections’ rigging.Most of those who voted for Raila are the same people suffering.If this situation continues,am afraid things are going to move from worse to worst.Kenya,a once peaceful nation is heading to the likes of Somalia,Rwanda,Burundi,Sudan and so on.
To our leaders more especially Raila and Kibaki,which is more important,Democracy or Peace?You all want to lead the country and am sure you both have good plans for our beautiful country(kenya).Do you want to lead a country of ethnic violence?I don’t think so.While it something to be proud of that so and so fought for Kenyan Democracy,it will be very bad to go the books of History that so and so led to the Genocide of a peaceful nation.
There is a saying that when two bulls fight,the grass suffers most.In this case Kibaki and Raila are fighting,but the common man is the one suffering.
We are More than those images
We are capable of much more than just watching, Mailing, sharing, waiting, hoping
We can do a lot more and “THIS IS The TIME.”
Karoki you are doing your part
You are doing what Karoki is blessed to do
Put the word out, images too. Karoki Asante Sana.
The rest of us who are inside and outside do your best.
Let us DO, YES SOMETHING. Here is a letter I wrote to those who are near.
Habari Nyote,
(Anaglia Kenya Yetu, hawa ni ndugu zetu) Tafadhali soma.
Hapa Dayton tuko na wakikuyu na wajaluo wengi na makabila mengine kidogo, lakini sote ni wakenya. Najua kuna chuki baina ya wengi. Chuki ambayo haina msingi wakati ndugu zetu wanauana bure. Natuma barua na picha kila wakati nikijua wengi wanasoma. Sababu kubwa ya kutuma ni kuhakikisha milango ya mawasiliano iko wazi.
Jina langu ni Mohamed, ndio mimi ni Muislamu na wengi wenzangu ni Wakristo, lakini ukiuliza mtu yeyote ambaye ananifahamu, atacheka nakujibu, “huyo Mohamed Mkenya.” Pia wewe na wengine, majirani wako wanakujua kama Mkenya.
Barua hii singeweza kuandika, isipokuwa tuko pahali pabaya sana wakenya wenzangu. Tusingojee mambo yaharibike kabisa na Kenya kubadilika iwe kama Somalia ama nchi zingine duniani ambazo ziko katika habari kila siku. Najua wengi hawataki Kenya izungumzwe vibaya. Tusimame kama binaadamu walio barikiwa, tufanye kazi ya haki. Mungu ametuchagua kuwa pahali ambapo tunaweza kufanya makubwa. Tusaidie nci yetu na ndugu zetu.
Basi nawaomba musimame tufanye kazi. Leteni maoni.
Kama kazi yako ni kusaidia wengine, simama uisabiwe
Kama wewe ni mwalimu, simama uisabiwe.
Kama wewe ni daktari, simama uisabiwe
Kama wewe ni fundi simama uisabiwe.
Kama wewe ni mwandishi, simama uisabiwe.
Kama wewe ni mwanafunzi, simama uisabiwe.
Kama wewe ni tajiri, simama uisabiwe.
Kama wewe ni masikini, simama uisabiwe.
Kama wewe ni muhubiri, simama uisabiwe.
Kama wewe ni Mkenya, LAZIMA usimame uisabiwe.
MVUKA itasimama iisabiwe. Huu ndio wakati wakutumia MVUKA.
Asanteni sana na Mola akubariki,
Mohamed Ahmed
aka: Kamau Onyango
Why is it that Kibakis Government has to look bad? Dont forget the last 5 years there has been significant growth in the economy and about 2 million people moved out of the poverty line and a lot of good things has been done by this government. The policies they set out are now taking shape and in the next 5 years can further boost this economy drastically.
These elections were always going to be tight from the beginning and could have gone either way hence the opposition should not set high expectations that they will definatley win.
If elections were not free and fair then the true Democracy spirit is to diplomatically resolve the issue - Violence and tribalism is not Democracy and its not right for the opposition to use tribalism and ethnic cleansing as a tool, to me its barbaric.
We need the power hungry elite to drop their egos! and we need to pray for our beloved country!
The problem is that we have allowed our egos, the part of us which believes that we are separate from God and separate from each other, to dominate our lives.
Dr. Wayne Dyer Quote
http://www.kenya360.net
It clearly appears that President Kibaki is the only one trying to open a dialouge and initiate moves and suggestions to call for peace.
If the opposition leader Raila Odinga is not willing to negotiate it makes matters worse and it will instigate further violence from some of his supporters, it seems like he does not want to make any effort for peace.
Thank you for the great blogging. I am following the sad situation closely and am working hard to raise awareness and money. Please join the facebook group I have created to help spread the word. We must act fast - children are in need.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8563806021
Thank You,
Hussein Fazal
Hello,
I’m an online journalist from London. There are a couple of things I want to ask you regarding your very interesting posts. Can you pleasr contact me as soon as you get this, it will be of a great benefit to your blog.
Thanking you in advance. I’ll be waiting to hear from you soon.
Best,
TK
The problem with we kenyans is that, we have let the politicians to manipulate our minds, when they say jump we jump. in raila’s case where is he now when people are lining up in the slums of kibera to get food handouts. do we as kenyans believe that he is capable of taking as to the next level? and what is going to happen to all the displaced families? is he going to rebuild them or just ignore the?
JK,
This is an outstanding blog, Mr. Karoki- thank you for your efforts is getting images to add to this unfolding story…
Fab blog… Only recently found it and I’m now checking in on a daily basis. Some images are just so much clearer than words could ever be. Keep them coming Joseph! I hope and pray that soon there will be positive images on Insight into Kenya.
I’ve been working with some other Kenyans to create a site where people can report incidents of violence in Kenya (http://www.ushahidi.com). Consider adding one of the buttons found on the “about” page to your blog.
Please call, text and email your friends and family in Kenya about Ushahidi. You can now SMS an incident report in to +447624802635 or email tips to tips@ushahidi.com.
Hash
Thank you.
Most of the women on my floor in my builiding are from Kenya. They are not from the same tribes and speak Swahili amongst each other. Thanks to them I do know that Kenya has been quite stable and normal. I have been away so haven’t had much chance to speak with them since the election. So far:
One is from the large tribe (Kikuyi?) associated with the fellow who won or “won” the election. She described her tribe as representing the large majority of of Kenyans, not to be of any particular religion (different religions) and generally more likely to have a better education, more worldy and adaptable, She described the others as more insular and fearful. She says of course he won, everyone knows he would win. She says he made great improvements in the economic situation in Kenya since he’s been in office. She also said the other defeated leader is trying to gain the support of people of far regions, that maybe don’t know what’s going on.
Another I spoke to, who was home for a month or two this summer, (I didn’t get what tribe she’s from) said the ones who are getting hurt are drawn to “meetings” and this is where/how they get hurt.
The main problem in kenya is all about jealousy, just becoz you neighbour has something that you dont have you either call him/her a thief .
The story starts like this 2 young men from opposite sides of the country decides to leave and search for a better life in the capital.Otieno who is from kisumu arrives in Nairobi and his lucky to get a job at the industrial estate, the other lad called kamau who is from muranga also arrive in nairobi and his lucky to get ajob as a kitchen potter in a busy restaurant(kiosk) which is situated near the industrial estate(the main costumers are employees at the estate), the two continues with their work well and soon otieno is pomoted to a supervisior, kamau on the other hand ,works very hard and soon is able to open a small business , selling roasted maize and fruits just close to where he works.
But out of the two lads only a manages to send some money home, and thats otieno, kamau on the other hand has never sent a penny back home or even call to say how he is, thus because onething he promised himself before leaving his home town was that he will alway want to be self employed(of which he is now),but also make it big in his bussiness(which happens to be doing well).
Otieno is also lucky enough (well he is a hard working lad) get another promotion and he becomes the manager of the company he works for, this islike a dream come true (becoz as a young lad he always wanted to build a big beautiful house near his home town), so he saves money and sends home to finance the building project, which at a blink of time the building project is done and dusted ,and all the furnitures and everything he imagined of is all in place.(God bless him for his determination and hard work).
Kamau’s businees also happens to be doin well, he manages to save up money and expand his business this time buying off the place he started working at first.His business gets on well , until on day he decides that his had enough of being a tenat, so he purchases a small piece of land(near the industrial esatate) and builds a smal house just for himself.
Years pass and both lads are doing well in their life(by now they are all family men) Kamau decides to expand by building apartments in his land, otieno on the other hand sees it as a good ideal to rent off Kamau ,since he only works around the courner and this will also as a way of saving money(no more using the merc coz it consumes alot of fuel,but also he likes to be near the job just incase something happens and his needed urgently) so life goes on Kamau being the landlord and Otieno being the tenant .
A few years down the road some unfotunate thing happens and the company that Otieno works for relocates to another country due to high taxation and expences of running the business. Otieno is left unemployed and the situatoin is kinda of turf (since all his money he send back home, untill his retirement days> but that years to come coz his only35)
The only job thats available for Otieno he has to take a pay cut by almost a half of his normal pay. Its also hard to relocate back home since he has adopted to life in the city and he knows for sure that it will be hard for the family to move back to kisumu with him especially the kids who by now are in secondary school and the wife was a city gal when they met so thats another task of convincing her to go to the country side. All is hell for Otieno in the city, the life is too expencieve and the dollar is too small. and maid you he is still a tenant of mr Kamau so he has to keep up with the rent, since it keeps on hicking evrey year.
In otienos mind the question he asks himself is how did kamau end up where he is today and he was only a friut vender and a kitchen potter.
But for sure if Otieno had thought about doing tahe same as kamau and investing his money in anirobi first since this was his home for now ,he would be living his life happily.
so my answer is this instead of calling the neighbours thieves, just because they moved from their home and decides to settle in another place whre they started their small business and its doing okay. be like them and think like them and grap the chances while you can.
Most of the pple that are young pple and they think that by chasing away pple from another tribe that came and settle in teir land, that they will be doing themselves a favour.But i fill sorry for the thats not the way things happen. The pple you are killing saw an opportunity that you guy did not ,they took it and made it better for themselves, but you guys think that they stole from you. Almost everyone of this pple that were living in Eldoret or kisumu they bought the land with their hard eraned cash.
So start living and loving one another and stop living and killing.
Take a look at Kisumu pple are starving in their on home land, just because there was a roit and the neighbour was killide or chased away.
pple think twice before you act for the betterment of tommorow. thank you for reading this
To Crowings, your friends info is at best inaccurate. Kikuyus are not the majority of Kenyans but are the largest tribe. In addition, as a Kikuyu it would be foolish to consider myself more western or more likely to get an advanced education based just on my tribe as your friend so claims. Lastly there is strong evidence that Kibaki was not legitimately elected to office and infact committed a crime that would prompt anyone to correctly classify him as a thief. Now, when he was in office, Kenya’s economy did grow and he should be properly credited for that. However, grand theft of public resources grew with hefty contracts offered to ghost companies, insecurity increased, media freedoms were curtailed among other issues that saw the majority of Kenyans dissatisfied with his leadership. Its sad that his legacy of economic progress has been tainted by his mis-adviced electoral actions
HeLLOOO,DO you want to exchange links in blogroll with my website?thanks a lot
http://www.giornale.fm
Hey, Joseph.
I lost track of this and just discovered (after having the thing for nearly a year) that we have a record of comments to anyone else on WordPress in the dash of our own WordPress blogs -and voila, there you were.
Yes, I was just reporting what I had gathered from two of my Kenyan neighbors so far, not assuming it to be accurate or particularly what I would agree with if I knew as much as there is to know, nor assuming it to be the whole truth. I haven’t been home much lately so still haven’t had a chance to discuss this more there.
Being bothered to hear about it and wanting to know what’s going on, I really appreciate having found your blog here.
Surprise surprise: there is a decent article in today’s New York Times about Kenya, the web version goes on for three pages. The link is too long to include here but here’s the title:
‘Signs in Kenya That Killings Were Planned’
And Joseph, you should get yourself on Global Voices. I have a link to Global Voices in the ‘People’ section of my blogroll, please check it out. (I’ve added a link to your blog there too)
Crowings
http://crowings.wordpress.com
Hi Joseph,
I am writing to you on behalf of Internews who are organising a forum for journalist next wednesday at the Stanley. The topic will be media’s handling of the post election crisis then and until now. Let me know if you will be available. It will be from 9am to 1.15 pm and lunch thereafter. Thanks.
Regards,
Redemtor
Houston Kenyans are trying to organize help for Kenyans
http://www.kedopec.org/home
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
Hey
My name is Grace Kerongo, I work for a Kenyan newspaper called Nairobi Star.
For a while now, I have been thinking of doing a feature story, based solely on Kenyan Bloggers.
I have a couple of questions I would like to ask you, and if you will oblige me I will send them to you ASAP.
Thanks