Thursday, January 24, 2008
Editors give State 24-hour ultimatum
Editors have given the Government a 24-hour ultimatum to lift the ban on live TV and radio coverage. The Kenya Editors’ Guild warned that it would mobilise media practitioners if the directive were not rescinded. The editors said they had many options, including court action and silent protest, to pressurise Government to withdraw the ban. On December 30, the Government suspended live broadcasts, a day after President Kibaki was declared the winner of last month’s disputed and so far discredited presidential election and sworn-in.
Food shortage looming
Economists are warning that violence in Rift Valley will affect food production, supply and dampen foreign exchange earnings from tea exports if the political stalemate is not resolved soon. Maize, tea and milk production stand to suffer most resulting in inflation and reduced foreign exchange revenue. Group Economists — the research arm of South Africa Standard Bank which has interests in Stanbic Bank — gave a grim verdict on the Kenyan economy including the weakening of the shilling due to decreased foreign exchange.
MoreHelp resolve raging conflict instead of issuing threats
A new war front of sorts has opened lately as the Government and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) accuse each other of gross human rights abuses in ongoing post-election violence with threats of taking their opponents to the International Court of Justice at The Hague. These threats, that have become louder as the political crisis enters a new phase are, to say the least, making Kenya a laughing stock among international legal practitioners. It speaks volumes of our leaders’ understanding of the state of geo-politics and the role therein of international institutions.
Loans default imminent
State overpowering people
Post-election politics in Kenya has become a war of attrition, and President Mwai Kibaki seems to be winning it, the cost to the image and economy of the country notwithstanding. “How long can poor people continue to protest on empty stomachs and against the gun power of the state?” says James Mwangi, a bartender whose shack in the Kibera slum was destroyed last week during 3 days of protests called by the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). “This is not the first time polls have been rigged in Kenya, and it’s not the first time that we’ll see an incumbent government carry on regardless,” Mwangi told IPS.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Kenya crisis: Support Kofi Annan
A presidential election tainted by vote-tampering - now Kenya’s future hangs in the balance, with over 600 killed and 250,000 made homeless. We need to act fast. The world can play a crucial role, by supporting Kofi Annan’s mediation efforts and refusing to recognize any government until it is legitimately established - so let’s send a wave of messages to our leaders asking for this. To make sure Kenya’s politicians hear us too, we’re taking out a full-page ad in the East African Standard, a respected newspaper.
Petition
Raiders kill six more people in North Rift
Six people were killed in Nandi South District Tuesday and a shopping centre was razed in Trans Nzoia East as a new wave of violence hit the North Rift. Seventy houses were set on fire in Aldai constituency of Nandi South, uprooting more than 2,000 people. It brought to 80 the number of houses razed in two days of violence. The raiders also made away with 200 animals.In Trans Nzoia, 30 shops were burnt down at Salama Trading Centre a day after five people were shot dead in the area. The latest attack sparked an exodus of people estimated at 1,400 by yesterday afternoon. Residents interviewed insisted that the attackers were dressed in military uniform and were armed with AK-47 rifles.
Government MPs say clashes driven by ethnic cleansing
Government MPs Tuesday asked ODM leader Raila Odinga to distance himself from hardliners in the party who are not interested in a peaceful end to the political crisis. The MPs claimed Mr Odinga was under siege from forces beyond the disputed presidential elections results.
Approach talks with humility
As we get set for the mediation led by former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, it is imperative that both sides in the political divide call at least a verbal ceasefire. It must appear, to observers from outside, quite childish of Kenya leaders from both the Government and Opposition sides to be threatening each other with prosecution at the International Court of Justice, for the calamities that have befallen their respective supporters.
MoreMaathai says State has failed on security
The Government has failed to provide protection for its citizens and their property in the wake of post-election violence, Nobel laureate Prof Wangari Maathai said Tuesday. Speaking at her Green Belt Movement offices in Nairobi, Prof Maathai said it was unfortunate that many Kenyans had lost their lives and property in violence triggered by the disputed presidential election results.
Violence curtails Kenyan memorial
Skirmishes between police and youths have broken up a memorial service for opposition victims of the post-poll violence in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. Tear gas was fired into the crowds of mourners after supporters of the Orange Democratic Movement stoned police cars. Meanwhile, former UN chief Kofi Annan began a fresh attempt to end the chaos arising from the disputed election. ODM leader Raila Odinga later said he had called off mass protests in Nairobi planned for Thursday at his request. “We believe as ODM that given a good chance, we can get out of the quagmire that our country is embroiled in,” ODM MP William Ruto told KTN television afterwards. Before the meeting, Mr Annan said he would insist on a solution for the “sake of Kenya and its people and for the sake of Africa”. His main goal is to establish a dialogue between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga who says his election victory was stolen.
MoreAnnan urges Kibaki, Raila to embrace dialogue
Former UN Secretary General Mr Kofi Annan pleaded for good faith, and genuine dialogue in search of reconciliation and a lasting solution to Kenya’s political crisis. Annan, who arrived in Kenya on Tuesday night, appealed for co-operation during the talks and asked both the Government and ODM to maintain respect for the rule of law and human rights. Annan addressed the media at Serena Hotel, Nairobi, moments after arrival to spearhead the talks, warned of political disaster for the country that has been a beacon of peace and stability in Africa if the dialogue flops. The former UN boss said innocent people are the losers during crisis and promised to reach out to the warring parties to find a lasting solution.
Violence slows down high speed Internet project
Consumers of Internet services will have to wait much longer for faster and cheaper access that was to come through the National Fibre Optic Backbone. Industry insiders said construction of the terrestrial fibre optic cable that was commissioned last year is running behind schedule as a result of political skirmishes that followed the December 27 presidential election raising the prospect of delayed launch.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Banks raise alarm over Kenya
The World Bank and African Development Bank (AfDB), acting to “raise an alarm” over the turmoil in Kenya, said on Tuesday they may have to adjust lending programmes there if unrest persists following a disputed poll. “We wish to continue working with the people of Kenya ... but it is difficult to do so effectively in an environment of instability,” they said in a joint statement. “Accordingly ... we will make necessary adjustments as the situation evolves.” “Accordingly we will continue to monitor developments closely, keep our programmes under review and make necessary adjustments as the situation evolves.”
MoreMuseveni, Graca arrive for talks
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni and Mozambique’s Graca Machel have arrived in Nairobi as part of international mediation efforts to resolve political disputes over the Kenyan presidential election. Former UN chief Kofi Annan is due in Nairobi later this evening to lead the talks. The other mediator is retired Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa who has been in Nairobi.