Kampala — THE Kenyan government has invited international bodies to independently investigate the ongoing bloodletting in the country and ensure the perpetrators are prosecuted for "crimes against humanity".
In a pre-recorded interview that was due to be aired on 93.3 KFM Hot Seat programme last evening, Dr Alfred Mutua, the Spokesman of the Kenyan government, accused leaders of the Opposition Orange Democratic Movement of "planning, financing and executing systematic post-election ethnic cleansing", mainly in the Rift Valley area.
Mr Mutua cited the January 24 Human Rights Watch report which indicated that ODM officials planned several community attacks against other tribes, especially local Kikuyu populations, in and around Eldoret town.
"We would like an international inquiry so that any atrocities committed are accounted for...the blood of the innocent citizens that has been spilled cannot be in vain and the perpetrators need to be taken to the International Criminal Court," he said.
Mr Mutua repeatedly accused the Raila Odinga-led ODM party officials of fomenting trouble in the country that has been considered in its post-independence era as relatively more peaceful and prosperous than its fragile neighbours like Uganda, Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi and the DR Congo.
"Democracy is about disagreeing to agree but not using violence. This (post-election tribal aggression) was clearly premeditated by groups of ODM officials to unleash ethnic violence and get to power through the backdoor," Mr Mutua charged.
He added: "Nothing justifies violence of burning shops, raping women and killing people or blocking (trans-boundary) highways".
He said the Kenyan government had obtained incriminating evidence against top ODM officials he did not name, many of who allegedly mobilised and sent out killer youth squads with colour paints to delineate homesteads owned by Kikuyu and Kisii ethnic groups before returning to butcher them at night.
As Mr Mutua struggled to demonise ODM leaders and spruce up the sullied image of President Mwai Kibaki's government, Ugandan Opposition lawmakers yesterday demanded an express withdrawal of President Yoweri Museveni's hasty congratulatory message to President Kibaki.
But Mr Adolf Mwesige, the minister of general duties in the Prime Minister's Office, said on behalf of his Foreign Affairs counterpart Sam Kuteesa that Uganda would "stand by the people of Kenya in their hour of need".
As chair of the East African Community, Mr Museveni was scheduled to fly to Nairobi this morning for the extra-ordinary summit of EAC member states that is widely expected to discuss the bloody meltdown in Kenya besides other regional concerns.
Alongside the ongoing mediation efforts of former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, the meeting of the regional leaders is expected to generate concrete proposals on how to end the mayhem in Kenya that is already hurting economies of inland neighbours.
In a statement to Parliament yesterday, minister Mwesige reiterated government's denial that no Ugandan troops had been deployed to prop up Mr Kibaki's messy victory as alleged by ODM leaders early last month.
"All such speculations are absolute falsehoods (and) let the press and political leaders desist from making inflammatory and reckless statements likely to worsen the situation in Kenya, negatively affect our (bilateral) relations and put our nationals (in Kenya) in harm's way," Mr Mwesige said.
There have been media reports in the past fortnight that wayward Kenyan demonstrators from the Indian Ocean coast to Malaba on the country's western flank were targeting Ugandans and their vehicles for destruction in the violence that has so far claimed more than 1,000 lives and displaced another 304, 000 Kenyans.
Minister Mwesige, however, said Uganda enjoys "excellent bilateral and regional relations" with the government and peoples of Kenya and will do all it can to ensure peace in the region.
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The headline and the content of the article are completely different. It is not poll fraud that is being investigated, NOT poll fraud BUT the bloodletting. Let's get our writing correct and not misleading
The Kenya situation is a very sad thing to happen. It shows that African leaders want to rule for life once they get on top. That it is true, for we see all over Africa happening. No one think of the country they rule but for themselves. Democracy is only lip service but you will not see it put into practice any where in the continent. Why is it ignorance? No, it is greedness, love of self and wealth. Unless one has the fear of God in his heart, he will not turn from killing his fellow human being to get to the top. It shame on our leaders. When I see what is going on in our beloved continent, I am ashamed to call my self to be an African. God have mercy!!!
AN INDEPEDENT OPINION: - WAKEUP KENYA AN INDEPEDENT OPINION ON KENYA CRISIS: - WAKEUP KENYA Jackson Olusegun Freelancer cabletelcom@yahoo.com If you do not agree with me you can email me.
Awake!!! Awake!!! My beloved African brothers and sisters: Kenyans worldwide wakeup. Recent mediation should not go in vein; grab the opportunities world is giving you now, if not it is going to be too hard for the poor Kenyans to swallow. You are going to benefit more, if your leaders can swallow defeat and let go. Mr. Kibaki is a good man, but his advisers are the problem, they want to hang on to power they are used to enjoy for the past 40to 45 years. Most politicians are to be prosecuted. They all have hands in this craze tribal hatred that surfaced after the election. We were aware of this during the time of Colonial warlord president Jomo Kenyatta, who started this tribal division favoritism and let the country other tribal short changed for so long. Now, what can we do clean this mess to restore the country we all love back to her mother footing and glory? New election may not solve the problem, but it can add stimulus to the co-habitation and renew love among your ethnic divided people. Another thing to allow power sharing among the warring parties as explained below or you can setup an interim government for a year under the eyes of international observers, most importantly UN to setup another election and during that time to settle the ethnic grievances. There is nothing impossible for a WILL MIND. This difficult situation but you all can now swallow what you created in the name of peace. After that, you can then begin to repair all that divide your country. You need to stop this bloodshed as soon as possible. Your country world class glory is being tarnish, your cash flow is gone, and it is going to take a while to restore it. Over 1000 lives untimely put into an end, unacountable wounded innocent lives and almost a million homeless with no where to call a home. You need to wake up to world reality and arrest these entire politicians and put all into life imprisonment with hard labor. Do not let the mighty fall when there is still hope. The World is watching and time to heal the country you LOVE so much. Think about your children, Country the world is watching. Defeat the pride and bring harmony into your motherland. Many are dying because of self pride and immaturity thinking, preserve the image of your country, do not let her fall, if you do it will take year to regain her place in the world stage, look at Zimbabwe with 4000% inflation rate and many are dying and poverty is everywhere and innocent are dying everyday. The pride of Kenya is in your Hand hold it to your heart. We are strong entity we are bold and mighty in thinking dont let self centered thinkers manipulate you and bring the Country down, Kenya my beloved country no more bloodshed, no more cry let civility reigns let us come together like brothers and sisters and bring the country up into civilized world remember what happened to Zimbabwe. Hey! Look at Nigeria with all their Oil, with all their fertile land, education, their Naira is valueless, devalued because of instability and still not recovering with all their fast economy and growth and manpower are they not suffering. Do not cloud yourselves into economy slavery. No matter what you have to do come together as one nation under God do and spread it now to the wise. Think about your children tomorrow do not think about yourself today. Remember when one dollar used to be one shilling and now it is now Eighty to one dollar. If the instability continues am afraid it will be one fifty (150) to one dollar and it is going down that way. If thats what you want there is no recovery, do not say l did not warn you. Do you want to be stuck in blood of poverty where there is no going back after the devaluation of your currency and buying power and you will be subject to world economy slavery?
Once you get into that club no going back, remember Its going to be a miracle then and do not blame it on any one, you created it and you have to stomach for a long time. Oh my people my mighty nation let us stand together and embrace one another to build our country and Africa we are one Family. Although, it is not easy to feel cheated it is a pain when someone or group or entity cheated you out of your right as a result many lives and properties pride of the Nation are dying everyday. Awake let us work together as true Africans!!! An independent opinionated suggestion. Africa Stop bloodshed, come together to work out your differences. If, you LOVE YOUR COUNTRY come to negotiating table for fatherly, brotherly and sisterly talk. Forget about age old ethnic differences you may be Jaluo, Kikuyu, Digo, Luhya or Kalenjin or whatever you may be we are all Africans. I will love to come to Kenya one day to see a prosperous, upscale technologically powerful country in the near future. I love you Kenyans. God Bless Kenya We can create premiership (Prime minister) and Presidency to bring the portfolio together and nobody is left out so we can build our country together. On one platform equal structured governmental portfolio to the satisfaction ODM and PNU and other small parties
President - Father of the Nation with presidential power explicitly: The President is the head of the executive branch and plays a large role in making Kenyans laws. His job is to approve the laws that parliament creates. When the Senate and the House approve a bill, they send it to the President. If he agrees with the law, he signs it and the law goes into effect. If the President does not like a bill, he can refuse to sign it. When he does this, it is called a veto. If the President vetoes a bill, it will most likely never become a law. Parliament can override a veto, but to do so two-thirds of the Members of Parliament must vote against the President. Despite all of his power, the President cannot write bills. He can propose a bill, but a member of parliament must submit it for him. He serves as Head of State, meaning that he meets with the leaders of other countries and can make treaties with them. However, the parliament approves any treaty before it becomes official. The President is also the Chief of the Government. That means that he is technically the boss of every government worker. Also, the President is the official head of the Military. He can authorize the use of troops overseas without declaring war. To officially declare war, though, he must get the approval of the Member of Parliament. The President is the only official chosen by the entire country. Not just anyone can be President,
Prime minister Management portfolio economy and goal of the nation Official duties of the Prime Minister The election of the Prime Minister The Prime Minister is elected by Parliament and thereafter formally appointed to office by the President of the Republic. Before the Prime Minister is elected, the groups represented in Parliament negotiate on the political programs and composition of the Government. On the basis of these negotiations, and having heard the views of the Speaker of Parliament, the President informs Parliament of the nominee for Prime Minister. The nominee is elected Prime Minister if supported by more than half the votes cast in an open vote in Parliament. If the nominee does not receive the necessary majority, another nominee is put forward in accordance with the same procedure. If the second nominee also fails to receive the support of more than half the votes cast, the Prime Minister is elected by a third open vote in Parliament. In this event the candidate who receives the highest number of votes is elected. Prime Minister's duties in brief The Prime Minister directs the work of the Government and oversees the preparation and consideration of Government business. When the Prime Minister is prevented from attending to his or her duties, these are taken over by the Minister designated as Deputy Prime Minister, or, when the Deputy Prime Minister is also prevented, by the Government's longest-serving minister. Directing the work of the Government The Prime Minister chairs plenary sessions of the Government and has the right to decide the days and the order for the presentation of business in the sessions. The Prime Minister may also require presentation of a particular item of business to the Government plenary session by a set date. On the proposal of the Prime Minister or the minister under whose competence the matter in hand falls, the Government plenary session may transfer a matter coming under the competence of an individual ministry for decision in plenary session. When a vote in plenary session ends in a tie, the Prime Minister's casting vote is decisive. The Prime Minister chairs all the statutory Cabinet Committees, namely the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy, the Cabinet Committee on European Union Affairs, the Cabinet Finance Committee and the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy. He or she also chairs sessions of the Economic Council, the Science and Technology Policy Council and the Title Board. Prime Minister is the head of the functioning council of the government and Head of the Prime Minister's Office The Prime Minister is head of the Prime Minister's Office. The role of the Prime Minister's Office is to ensure that the activities of the Prime Minister and Government flow smoothly in all circumstances. The Prime Minister's Office is responsible for the monitoring of the implementation of the Government Programs and assists the Prime Minister in the general management of Government functions. The Prime Ministers Office also coordinates government policy and handles issues related to the development of the of the entire local government Political leadership of the Government The Prime Minister is the political leader of the Government and is responsible for reconciling the differing views on Government policy held by the various groups represented in the Government. The Prime Minister is also responsible for coordinating the work of the Government with that of Parliament. The President of the Republic may dissolve Parliament and call fresh elections only on receipt of a reasoned request from the Prime Minister and having first consulted the party groups in Parliament. The President appoints the other ministers of the Government in accordance with a proposal by the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Standing in for the President The Prime Minister stands in for the President of the Republic Kenya, In practice, the Prime Minister only stands in for the President in cases where it is known in advance that it will be necessary during the course of a presidential trip abroad for the President to take decisions in presidential sessions of the Government, or where such a need arises after the President has gone abroad and the President does not consider he or she will be able to return to Kenya parliamentary session in person. Vice President 1. Coordinate national and parliamentarian duties and assist the President on national level 2. Develop the Program of Activities and serve as an ex-officio (none voting) member of the Parliament. 3. Coordinate all committee work and work closely with the president and advisor to assess progress toward meeting the nation common goals.
Hey my people I want you to forget about ethnic diversity, if one invest a lot, educated, knowledgeable that is his/her nature you cannot change them because its in their blood but others that are not privileged for instance Ibibio are very! Very!! Very!!! Hard working educated, business minded with economy focus but others are just standstill log and shouting for their own share of the fruits of the Nation without toiling for it. I am a Nigeria from the South, I know my people the only thing we know is shouting with no roots and saying the Ibo and Hausas taking our land and fighting for nothing. Am not saying that we are not educated, we are the most educated tribe in Africa, but we are very jealous of each others with no progress made, instead of investments and progress for the Nation, only yawning for free tickets and to move on the fast lane of failure. I love justice, hate illegal grab but think wisely and this the violence down Kenyan criminals needs to be investigated and those concerned brought to book as soon as possible. Let those who asked their supporters to destroy property be prosecuted. Politicians should put aside their selfishness and greed and work together in the interest of Kenyan citizens. Good Nation can not be built under this type of cloud with these type political utterances and actions innocent citizens are the one vastly affected, the bosses still live in gold and diamond pouch.
My Africa sisters and brothers I want you all to come to the table of reasoning to help the country you vow to protect, cherish and love for the sake of coming generations. This present administration did her best, compare to those that were there for 24 years. I am not in any way support rigging of an election or stolen ballots, it is a crime beyond any reproach or human civilized world. New election will practically do no one any good at this stage, but it is the only credible way out of this dishonored mess. Think about lost of innocent lives, destruction of properties, already fragile economy, once the only stable country in Africa sent 25 years backward in one day. LET STAND TOGETHER IN ONE ACCORD, LOVE,GLORY MOTHER KENYA AND OUR CHILDREN.
on should not go in vein,grab the opportunities world is giving you now,if not it is going to be to hard for the poor Kenyans to swallow. You are going to benefit more, if your leaders can swallo defeat and let go. Mr. kibaki is agood man,but his advicers are the problem, they wantto hang on topower they are used to enjoy for the past 40to 45 years. Most politicians are to be proscuted. they all have hands in this craze tribal hatred that surfaced after the election. We were aware of this during the time of Colonial warlord president Jomo Kenyatta, who started this tribal division favouritism and let the country other tribal short changed for so long. Now, what can we do clean this mess to restore the country we all love back to her mother footing and glory. New election may not solve the problem,but it can add stimulus to the co-habitation and renew love among your ethnic divided people. Another thing to allow power sharing among the warring parties as explained below or you can setup an interem goverment for aleast a year under the eyes of internation observers, most importantly UN to setup another election and during that time to settle the ethnic grivances. There is nothing impossible for a WILL MIND. This a difficult situation but you all can now swallow what you created in the name of peace. After that, you can then begin to repair all that divide your country. you need to stop this bloodshed as soon as possible. Your country world class glory is being tarnish,your cash flow is gone, it is ging to take a while to restore it.Over 1000 lives untimely put into an end,unacountable wounded innocent lives and almost a million homeless with no where to call a home. You need to wake up to world reality and arrest alll these politician and put all into life imprisonment with hard labor. Do not let the mighty fall when there is still hope. The World is watching and time to heal the country you LOVE so much. Think about your children, Country the world is watching. Defeat the pride and bring harmony into your motherland. Many are dying because of self pride and immaturity thinking, preserve the image of your country, do not let her fall, if you do it will take year to regain her place in the world stage, look at Zimbabwe with 4000% inflation rate and many are dying and poverty is everywhere and innocent are dying everyday. The pride of Kenya is in your Hand hold it to your heart. We are strong entity we are bold and mighty in thinking dont let self centered thinkers manipulate you and bring the Country down, Kenya my beloved country no more bloodshed, no more cry let civility reigns let us come together like brothers and sisters and bring the country up into civilized world remember what happened to Zimbabwe. Hey! Look at Nigeria with all their Oil, with all their fertile land, education, their Naira is valueless, devalued because of instability and still not recovering with all their fast economy and growth and manpower are they not suffering?. Do not cloud yourselves into economy slavery. No matter what you have to do come together as one nation under God do and spread it now to the wise. Think about your children tomorrow do not think about yourself today. Remember when one dollar used to be one shilling and now it is now Eighty to one dollar. If the instability continues am afraid it will be one fifty (150) to one dollar and it is going down that way. If thats what you want there is no recovery, Do not say l did not warn you. Do you want to be stuck in blood of poverty where there is no going back after the devaluation of your currency and buying power and you will be subject to world economy slavery?
Once you get into that club no going back, remember Its going to be a miracle then and do not blame it on any one, you created it and you have to stomach for a long time. Oh my people my mighty nation let us stand together and embrace one another to build our country and Africa we are one Family. Although, it is not easy to feel cheated it is a pain when someone or group or entity cheated you out of your right as a result many lives and properties pride of the Nation are dying everyday. Awake let us work together as true Africans!!! An independent Opinionated suggestion. Africa Stop bloodshed, come together to work out your differences. If, you LOVE YOUR COUNTRY come to negotiating table for fatherly, brotherly and sisterly talk. Forget about age old ethnic differences you may be Jaluo, Kikuyu, Digo,Luhya or Kalenjin or whatever you may be we are all Africans. I will love to come to Kenya one day to see a prosperous, upscale technologically powerful country in the near future. I love you Kenyans. God Bless Kenya We can create premiership (Prime minister) and Presidency to bring the portfolio together and nobody is left out so we can build our country together. On one platform equal structured governmental portfolio to the satisfaction ODM and PNU and other small parties
President - Father of the Nation with presidential power explicitly: The President is the head of the executive branch and plays a large role in making Kenyans laws. His job is to approve the laws that parliament creates. When the Senate and the House approve a bill, they send it to the President. If he agrees with the law, he signs it and the law goes into effect. If the President does not like a bill, he can refuse to sign it. When he does this, it is called a veto. If the President vetoes a bill, it will most likely never become a law. Parliament can override a veto, but to do so two-thirds of the Members of Parliament must vote against the President. Despite all of his power, the President cannot write bills. He can propose a bill, but a member of parliament must submit it for him. He serves as Head of State, meaning that he meets with the leaders of other countries and can make treaties with them. However, the parliament approves any treaty before it becomes official. The President is also the Chief of the Government. That means that he is technically the boss of every government worker. Also, the President is the official head of the Military. He can authorize the use of troops overseas without declaring war. To officially declare war, though, he must get the approval of the Member of Parliament. The President is the only official chosen by the entire country. Not just anyone can be President,
Prime minister Management portfolio economy and goal of the nation Official duties of the Prime Minister The election of the Prime Minister The Prime Minister is elected by Parliament and thereafter formally appointed to office by the President of the Republic. Before the Prime Minister is elected, the groups represented in Parliament negotiate on the political programme and composition of the Government. On the basis of these negotiations, and having heard the views of the Speaker of Parliament, the President informs Parliament of the nominee for Prime Minister. The nominee is elected Prime Minister if supported by more than half the votes cast in an open vote in Parliament. If the nominee does not receive the necessary majority, another nominee is put forward in accordance with the same procedure. If the second nominee also fails to receive the support of more than half the votes cast, the Prime Minister is elected by a third open vote in Parliament. In this event the candidate who receives the highest number of votes is elected. Prime Minister's duties in brief The Prime Minister directs the work of the Government and oversees the preparation and consideration of Government business. When the Prime Minister is prevented from attending to his or her duties, these are taken over by the Minister designated as Deputy Prime Minister, or, when the Deputy Prime Minister is also prevented, by the Government's longest-serving minister. Directing the work of the Government The Prime Minister chairs plenary sessions of the Government and has the right to decide the days and the order for the presentation of business in the sessions. The Prime Minister may also require presentation of a particular item of business to the Government plenary session by a set date. On the proposal of the Prime Minister or the minister under whose competence the matter in hand falls, the Government plenary session may transfer a matter coming under the competence of an individual ministry for decision in plenary session. When a vote in plenary session ends in a tie, the Prime Minister's casting vote is decisive. The Prime Minister chairs all the statutory Cabinet Committees, namely the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy, the Cabinet Committee on European Union Affairs, the Cabinet Finance Committee and the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy . He or she also chairs sessions of the Economic Council, the Science and Technology Policy Council and the Title Board. The Vanhanen Cabinet appointed the Information Society Council that is chaired by the Prime Minister. Head of the Prime Minister's Office The Prime Minister is head of the Prime Minister's Office. The role of the Prime Minister's Office is to ensure that the activities of the Prime Minister and Government flow smoothly in all circumstances. The Prime Minister's Office is responsible for the monitoring of the implementation of the Government Programme and assists the Prime Minister in the general management of Government functions. The Prime Ministers Office also coordinates government policy and handles issues related to the development of the of the entire local government Political leadership of the Government The Prime Minister is the political leader of the Government and is responsible for reconciling the differing views on Government policy held by the various groups represented in the Government. The Prime Minister is also responsible for coordinating the work of the Government with that of Parliament. The President of the Republic may dissolve Parliament and call fresh elections only on receipt of a reasoned request from the Prime Minister and having first consulted the party groups in Parliament. The President appoints the other ministers of the Government in accordance with a proposal by the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Standing in for the President The Prime Minister stands in for the President of the Republic Kenya, In practice, the Prime Minister only stands in for the President in cases where it is known in advance that it will be necessary during the course of a presidential trip abroad for the President to take decisions in presidential sessions of the Government, or where such a need arises after the President has gone abroad and the President does not consider he or she will be able to return to Kenya parliamentry session in person. Vice President 1. Coordinate national and parliamentarian duties and assist the President on national level 2. Develop the Program of Activities and serve as an ex-officio (none voting) member of the Parliament. 3. Coordinate all committee work and work closely with the president and advisor to assess progress toward meeting the nation common goals.
Hey my people I want you to forget about ethnic diversity, if one invest a lot, educated, knowledgeable that is his/her nature you cannot change them because its in their blood but others that are not privileged for instance Ibibio are very! Very!! Very!!! hard working educated, business minded with economy focus but others are just standstill log and shouting for their own share of the fruits of the Nation without toiling for it. I am a Nigeria from the South, I know my people the only thing we know is shouting with no roots and saying the Ibo and Hausas taking our land and fighting for nothing. Am not saying that we are not educated, we are the most educated tribe in Africa, but we are very jealous of each others with no progress made, instead of investments and progress for the Nation, only yawning for free tickets and to move on the fast lane of failure. I love justice ,hate illegal grab but think wisely and this the violence down Kenyan criminals needs to be investigated and those concerned brought to book as soon as possible. Let those who asked their supporters to destroy property be prosecuted. Politicians should put aside their selfishness and greed and work together in the interest of Kenyan citizens. Good Nation can not be built under this type of cloud with these type political utterances and actions innocent citizens are the one vastly affected, the bosses still live in gold and diamond pouch.
My Africa sisters and brothers I want you all to come to the table of reasoning to help the country you vow to protect, cherish and love for the sake of coming generations. This present administration did her best, compare to those that were there for 24 years. I am not in any way support rigging of an election or stolen ballots, it is a crime beyond any reproach or human civilized world. New election will practically do no one any good at this stage, but it is the only credible way out of this dishonored mess. Think about lost of innocent lives, destruction of properties, already fragile economy, once the only stable country in Africa sent 25 years backward in one day. LET STAND TOGETHER IN ONE ACCORD, LOVE, GLORY OF MOTHER KENYA AND OUR CHILDREN.
This is Bimbola Dare from Nigeria,went through your write up and it was great..Could you pls help me out in this topic *POST ELECTION CRISIS IN KENYA and IMPLICATIONS FOR REFUGEE CRISIS IN EAST AFRICA.
Thanks
I think Mr cabletelcom is just under informed on matters regarding Sourthern African countries especially Zimbabwe where he is putting inflation at 4000% instead of the 26 000% as of November 2007. An inquiry into the ballot system by independent parties is welcome but why is there any need of an inquiry when Kibaki rigged and is Killing innocent blood from the opposition?
Harare
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