Thursday, January 24, 2008
Kenya’s Police Chief Can Be Investigated
The performance of the Kenyan Police Commissioner Major General Ali in matters of high public importance and his stance on political issues are determinant factors for the conclusion that his actions are in contravention of law and disobedience of public duty. Major General Ali failed to eradicate corruption and inculcate efficiency in the Police especially at the Traffic Department. Ali disregarded any major steps, such as setting up an investigative team to investigate and eradicate corruption. The outcome was that due to lack of serious traffic law enforcement hundreds of Kenyans continued losing their lives in road carnage majority of which involved Public service vehicles and heavy commercial vehicles. Even now it still remains evident how Matatus continue contravening laws with impunity under the noses of the Traffic Police.
Opposition Officials Helped Plan Rift Valley Violence - Report
Human Rights Watch investigations indicate that, after Kenya’s disputed elections, opposition party officials and local elders planned and organized ethnic-based violence in the Rift Valley, Human Rights Watch said today. The attacks, targeting mostly Kikuyu and Kisii people in and around the town of Eldoret, could continue unless the government and opposition act to stop the violence, Human Rights Watch said. Human Rights Watch called on the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leadership to take immediate steps to stop its supporters from committing further attacks. At the same time, Human Rights Watch said the Kenyan police should urgently deploy extra officers to the region to protect displaced people and resident Kikuyu communities.
Museveni proposes power sharing deal to Raila, Kibaki
President Museveni yesterday handed three proposals, including a power sharing deal, to his Kenyan counterpart, President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader, Raila Odinga, in his renewed push to quell a polls dispute that has left hundreds dead. Mr Museveni’s press secretary, Tamale Mirundi told Daily Monitor yesterday by telephone from Nairobi that the first proposal the Ugandan leader tabled was the creation of a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate “areas of contention as provided on both sides, especially on the claims of vote rigging.”
Two kllled, scores injured in clash-torn slum
Tension was high after two men were killed in the violence-torn Kariobangi estate in Nairobi. Five people have been arrested following the early morning orgy on Wednesday, which left scores of Darfur residents injured. One of the victims was slashed to death while the second was stoned in the chaos. A third man was also attacked and seriously injured before being taken to hospital. On Wednesday, majority of residents were virtually prisoners in their houses, as they could not venture out for fear of attacks.
MoreDisplaced aliens to be relocated to UN camp
More than 300 foreigners who fled their homes due to post-election violence will be moved to the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Turkana District. The UN High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) has completed arrangements to move the refugees from Nairobi’s Jamhuri Park. They are mainly from Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi and had joined 1,200 displaced Kenyans at the park. The first group of 150 refugees will be ferried to Kakuma on Friday. The others will be moved next week and alternative accommodation will be arranged in Nairobi until then.
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.