THE FLAME OF FREEDOM. Raila Odinga's Autobiography

The Flame of Freedom. This autobiography takes a deeper look at the former Prime Minister, from his childhood, his life journey, family and mostly, his political struggles that landed him at the pinnacle of Kenya’s leadership. Published by Mountain Top Publishers, the book is likely to dominate discussions in the country for the next couple of weeks. What this latest release means is that Raila, however his critics might wish him away, is never far from the pulse of the nation. The book covers only up to campaign time for the March 2013 elections, which will be a bit of a disappointment for readers looking to know what Raila thinks about the elections, which he contested at the Supreme Court. Raila and his supporters maintain that the 2013 presidential election was stolen from him. He however insists in detail on the 2007 election, which he again disputed and whose outcome led to the post-election violence that currently has President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto in The Hague answering to charges of crimes against humanity. Many will be interested in knowing what Raila has to say about The Hague process, the ensuing investigations and former prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo, given that supporters of Uhuru and Ruto claim that he had a hand in taking the two to The Hague. Political analysts also believe that UhuRuto duo played the Hague card to their advantage, which in effect means that this is the single most contributor to Raila’s loss at the last elections. Moreso, Raila’s version of events during his time as Kibaki’s co-principal in the coalition government was a mere figurehead in that government in spite of the fact that he was supposed to be an equal partner with Kibaki. The sensitive topic is of the failed 1982 coup against former President Moi’s government as it was first brought to the limelight after Nigerian scholar Babafemi Badejo wrote Raila’s biography titled Raila Odinga: An Enigma in Kenyan Politics, which was released just prior to the 2007 polls.The Flame of Freedom places Raila at the thick of things regarding the coup. It will therefore be interesting to know what, Raila, in his own words, has to say about this dark period in Kenya’s political history.

The Flame of Freedom, is written with the help of former journalist Sarah Elderkin. Elderkin penned a series of articles, defending Raila, in the Daily Nation following the serialisation of former Raila adviser Miguna Miguna’s book Peeling Back the Mask, which took an unflattering look at the current leader of CORD. This book could be offering a rebuttal to the damage, if any, Miguna’s book did to Raila’s image. Raila Odinga Junior moved the audience when he said how as a young boy, he only came to meet his father for the first time at the age of nine years when he was released from prison."I used to hear about him from my siblings and relatives and at time see his photos. I saw him for the first time when he came home at Kenya High with the media in tow and then knew who the bearded man who was hugging me was". In one of the excerpts, Raila revisits the day retired President Mwai Kibaki nominated, Chief Justice, Attorney General and Director of Public Prosecutions which he opposed with Kibaki being forced to withdraw the names following a ruling by then house speaker Kenneth Marende who ruled that the nominations were unconstitutional. "I fell to the Speaker to make a ruling on the matter, which he did against Kibaki. There was heated discussion in parliament and Uhuru's anger at being thwarted led to one of his famous table-banging episodes. Kibaki was forced to retract the appointments. For this part in the matter Kenneth Marende was never forgiven by the PNU side and he would have no chance of retaining his seat in 2013." The book is now retailing at Kshs 3000/- only. Get yourself a copy.

WHERE WILL HATE SPEECH TAKE US? Politicians, STOP Polarizing Our Kenya!

They said, 'Politics is a dirty game', and indeed, politicians have mastered an art of tarnishing each others name trying to woo more supporters. I categorically want to single out the CORD members who find pleasure in polarizing Kenya for their own selfish gains. During public gatherings, the CORD leaders pathetically wage a battle of words against the President, His Deputy and the Ruling coalition. It seems their only mission and passion is in declaring a political unnecessary war. At a recent rally, Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama publicly talked of how he hated Kikuyus and how he would have made sure that the President and his Deputy could not be the Country's leaders were he the Sec-Gen of the U.N. for their cases at the ICC. On other occasions, the CORD leader was heard painfully and emotionally terming the Presidents' act of issuing Title Deeds at the Coast Province as a secretary's job! One would wonder where the problem with that was! Does it mean that if Raila was the president, he would be a Boss, and not a people's elected servant? This questions begs an answer. I wonder why Muthama has not yet been charged with hate speech or investigated for his utterances. The ongoing trial at the ICC has seen major war on social media between the Jubilee and Cord supporters who brand each other as the enemy, whereas we are all Kenyans. Political Bigwigs have nothing to lose and we strangle each other in the name of supporting! Methinks the only way is to stand by your Leaders/Parties, but not die for them. Ask yourselves, would they or their children do the same for you?

During campaigns, they beg for your vote but after that, they disappear. Losers or winners in an election or any other competition ought to hug each other and accept that your opponent was better, and not whine of how they did not win accordingly! My own opinion is that if the majority voters feel insecure when offering you that mandate of being their leader, then there's no way they will give that so important role. That was what the now infamous statement,"Tyranny of Numbers" did. By uniting and supporting their leaders, an election was won. Even if becoming 2nd with only a small difference, then you are not the rightfully elected, rather, you are the rightful loser. (#SomeoneshouldtellRaila). During the Post Election Violence, the people who clearly called for the mass protests that led to the death of 1200 kenyans are not at the Hague. Ocampo did a shoddy 'investigation' by relying on the list of 'witnesses' and 'suspects' handed to him by the KNHRC led by Maina Kiai. A case of this magnitude should have been carefully and professionally investigated to the bottom. How on earth did Ocampo conclude that the suspects named were really the masterminds to grant them the ICC ticket? My opinion is that the list was orchestrated by some few people who didn't want their own at the hague. They wanted out of the ICC and the hectic trial that would be. Didn't the Luos, Kikuyus, Kambas, Kisiis and Kalenjins massacare each other? Did all these tribes, which openely were against each other(thanks to the politicians) have different leaders whom they supported? Well, someone should make me understand how it ended up being only two tribe with suspects at the Hague. But that's not my argument here. It should be made clear who the real warlords were. A warlord declares war and his people fight for him first, then themselves. We all know who the warlord in this case is. So, i urge all kenyans to consider their actions first before taking them. Would it benefit you or not? Is there any politician worth dying for? Is there any reason to hate your fellow country men/women because of their ethnicity? Kenya ni Jina, Nchi ni Wewe.

If we Kill each other, then we have Killed Kenya. And to the politicians who care about themselves, let them know that Our country is not their backyard where they can seperate at will. Watch your tongue before spitting that hate line!!!

ICC WITHDRAWAL, LONG OVERDUE: THE TIME IS NOW

Kenya is a sovereign State; this is one of the key contents provided in the preamble of our Supreme Law. This is a critical issue that every patriotic Kenyan must jealously safeguard. To regain our national Independence from colonialist in 1963, our forefathers went to the forest to fight for our nationality and freedom. Thousands were killed, tortured, maimed raped and subjected to slavery, anguish and untold slavery. The freedoms we enjoy today cannot, therefore, be underestimated in honour of the sacrifice of our fallen heroes and heroines. In August 2010, when the current constitutional order was promulgated, it brought along a raft of changes to strengthen our national institutions including the entire justice system. This development has injected new breath in our public institutions thereby restoring the eroded public confidence. Now, we can proudly say, as a country, we have a credible and autonomous judiciary and other constitutionally-mandated structures of government firmly anchored by the Constitution. During the passage of this order, Kenyans, without coercion were cognizant of the overwhelming need to protect their national sovereignty from being subverted. Sadly, in 2010, the immediate former Prosecutor of the ICC Luis Moreno-Ocampo announced that he was seeking summonses for six people: President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto, the then Education Minister, former Industrialization Minister Henry Kosgey, former Cabinet Secretary Francis Muthaura, radio journalist Joshua Arap sang and former police commissioner Mohamed Hussein Ali – all accused of crimes against humanity. The six suspects, known colloquially as the ‘Ocampo Six’ were indicted by the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber II on 8 March 2011 and summoned to appear before the court. On 23 January 2012, the Pre-Trial Chamber II confirmed the charges against Kenyatta, Muthaura, Ruto, and Sang and declined to confirm the charges against Ali and Kosgey. Thereafter, the case against Muthaura collapsed for lack of substantial evidence. Today, the list of witnesses that ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda was relying on, is crumbling fast with scores of witnesses recanting their evidence for varied reasons. The cardinal factor at hand is whether we as a nation expect justice will be served given that majority of the witnesses whom the prosecutor relied on to confirm seemingly flimsy charges against our leaders have recanted their testimony as false. In my opinion, this is one of the serious indictments of the prosecutor’s office of the International Criminal Court showing how shallow and quite possibly, shoddy investigations were carried out. It is on this basis that Kenya, a sovereign state of 40 million people has spoken through their democratically elected leaders to withdraw as signatories to the Rome Statute. During the recent African Union summit on May 26-27, the African Union’s Assembly adopted a decision requesting the Court refer back to Kenya the cases against President Kenyatta and Ruto. The Assembly was categorical that judicial practice must be conducted in a transparent and fair manner, in order to avoid any perception of double standard, in conformity with the principles of international law. This was just the latest in a series of decisions since 2008 in which the AU expressed its displeasure with the ICC. The chairperson of the Assembly, Ethiopia Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said African leaders came to a consensus that the ICC process conducted in Africa is flawed.

The purpose and principle of ICC was to avoid any kind of impunity but now the process has degenerated to some kind of race-hunting rather than fight impunity. In 2009, Benin’s President Boni Yayi expressed serious concerns that the Netherlands-based court is “chasing Africa”. Claims of inefficiency and unwarranted targeting of African leaders are some of the claims raised internationally against ICC since its inception in July 2002. If this is anything to go by, ICC has depicted itself as a Western court out to try African leaders. Kenya is a stable sovereign State that has retained stability as manifested in the just concluded March 4 General Election. If indeed the ICC is interested in safeguarding justice, why has it turned a blind eye to countries operating in anarchy, massacre of civilians and other serious crimes all over the world? Why have they technically limited their preoccupation to Africa? These are fundamental questions that need interrogation. In any criminal justice system, unless other forces are at play, political or otherwise, quest for justice is the primary objective rather than selective administration of justice. Obviously, for a court with a mandate to investigate and prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, the political stakes are high. However, the objective of such an important institution should not appear to push an agenda for some powerful sates. Kenya’s initial steps to withdraw from the Rome Statute and the solid backing of other African states should inform serious engagement within the African continent to form and finance an African court where African affairs can be handled openly, and without prejudice. Kenya needs home-grown solutions that are genuinely domesticated for betterment of the country, region and African continent as a whole. BY MACHEL WAIKENDA

The Truth on Men bestiality acts with Animals in Central Kenya. Why is all this happening?

It is sad how men from Central Kenya are acting weird and with bestiality to animals! It is an abomination as it is unchristian and inhuman! These news have been hitting headlines on major TV and radio stations in Kenya in the recent days, with a latest one happening yesterday where a donkey was found dead with used condoms left at the scene, potraying that that donkey could have died out of the bestiality done upon. The question that everyone is begging to have an answer is; What is really Happening in Central Kenya? What is happening with men from Central Kenya? Well, a few days ago, a man was caught in the act of bestiality with a cow by his wife, another man caught in the same act with a HEN!, and now, a dead Donkey!?? What or where did things go wrong? According to unconfirmed reports, all these are just feuds gone sour. Women, who have improper relationships or have been cheated on by their husbands come up with such stories to get back at their spouses/relatives. The man from Nyeri was allegedly caught in the act by his 10 years old son, who called his elder brother, whose chicken was the "victim", and reported the matter to the local chief. Sources around the area said that the elder son had a feud with the father, the previous day and did that to nail his dad. The woman from Kiambu county also had differences with the husband and found a way to get rid of him. The stories are now rampant across the Province and i personally neither agree with them nor support the said 'acts', i still give the suspects a benefit of doubt. Ever thought what if the stories were just made up? Or true? If either is true or false, i will just worry a lot.

Kenyans have now begun making fun of the men from Central Kenya, branding them 'Dogs, Cows and Chicken rapists', which is totally out of concept. Nobody cares whether it really happened or twas just a relationship gone sour. If one was caught in the act by a couple of people, and neither relative or close friend, then that is totally 'acceptable', and the DNA samples should be taken from both the suspect and the victim to determine the truth. Developing stories on social medias suggest that a certain politician from Central Kenya affiliated with the opposition party, who's name i would withhold for now as it has not yet been confirmed, allegedly paid some goons to transport a donkeys' carcass to Maragua and leave four opened condoms beside it, to suggest that the animal was acted on with bestiality and died as a result of the act by some 'four men'. Although no witnesses yet, the incident is now being used to lash a scathing attack on men from the said area for their 'bad' behaviour. Could this be a ploy to taint the whole region, which happens to be the home province for the president? Should the government worry about this ploy? Who knows how the said goons operated? Who paid them? If it's true that someone is orchestrating the said wrongs, what are the authorities doing and will they act fast? What about the DNA samples, have any been taken from the animals and the said offenders to determine the real truth? Why are some people so bitter to a point of tainting innocent Kenyans image because of politics? Many question, yet no answers yet, but, they said, the truth shall be known. Sooner or Later.

President Obama Snubs Kenya. Should We Worry?

U.S President Barak Obama has evidently snubbed his ancestral home and roots country, Kenya. This has not come as a suprise to many as it has been associated with Kenya having elected the current President and His deputy, who have cases at ICC. A Source from the White House was earlier quoted saying that Obama would side-step Nairobi due to the ICC cases as “it would be unseemly for him to appear with ICC indictees.” Kenyans especially from the Lake region have received this news with mixed feelings pondering why 'our son' would not come home and greet his granny and fellow villagers. Kenya on the other hand, through the Govt Spokesman Kariuki has downplayed the news and said, "Kenya is moving on with its development agenda and we continue being part of the League of Nations. We are not worried that he is not coming to Kenya. We are fine,there have been rumours that President Obama is avoiding Kenya because of the ongoing ICC cases. These are unfounded accusations.” Kariuki told AFP. This issue has now become a social hotissue with discussions ranging from all views as to why Obama's skip should not worry Kenyans in any way. I think Obama had his own reasons not to include Kenya in his African Tour, but critics argue that it was because his choice for president of kenya didn't win. He, through his secretary of State John Kerry, warned of dire consequences on Kenya if the ICC indictees would win the race. Kenyans Voted overwhelmingly and showed the world that they've got control of their country and no one, even the U.S, would dictate anything on them. What Obama should have done, is to accept the peoples verdict, and visit Kenya in a diplomatic way and strengthen ties that bind the two countries. This will hurt the Kenya-U.S ties, and the Asian continent are now treating this in a very good way. Kenya has continually accepted China and Indian countries to develop and invest in Kenya, way more widely than before. Kenya used to transact most business with the West, but after the former govt led by Rtd Pres. Mwai Kibaki, bonded the relationship with the East, the West kept loosing the its grip day by day. But all in all, nothing is lost as Kenya continues building Her wealth and developing her territories, we will just take it that Obama, he's got no love for Kenya. PERIOD!!

ALL HAIL THE 4TH PRESIDENT OF KENYA, UHURU MUIGAI KENYATTA

Today, March 9 2013, i have witnessed the President elect of the republic of Kenya give his acceptance speech at the Catholic University of East Africa. He humbly accepted the peoples choice and faith in him and at the same time, said that Kenya was greater than anybody. He also invited his challengers in the presidential race to his camp, the Jubilee Coalition, and forge a partnership in building this Great nation of Kenya. In addition, He also congratulated the Media for giving Kenyans a positive reporting of the elections process. He celebrated today as being the day that Democracy and Nationhood triumphed, to the applause of his audience at the CU EA auditorium. His Deputy, Hon William Samoei Ruto, was the man of the day. He was simply speechless and happy! He tirelessly stood behind him and campaigned for a better tomorrow. We believed in them and armed with our votes, we put in place this government-in-making and our trust to them to lead us to the promised land. I believe we made the right decision and any person who thinks that they were shortchanged, feel free to visit the Supreme court and place your grievances. Media should be neutral, but Citizen TV is clearly biased to one candidate: the No. 1 loser. But this should not drive us back to 2007-08. As Kenyans, we have a milestone to get over and rebuild our nation. So, let the courts do their work and we continue building our nation. God Bless Us and God Bless Kenya!!

LET KENYANS DECIDE.

#OWN OPINION. Every Kenyan,irrespective of tribe, race, religion, sex, height or anything to go by has every right to voice their opinion. In such instance, I share mine: In the ongoing campaigns, the CORD & JUBILEE presidential aspirants have been waging a cold war of words on each other, blaming the opponent of historic & other injustices conferred upon them and Kenyans at large. Such instances include, Land grabbing, Your father did this to my father, my family was attacked by your family, the ICC case, corruption, etc. As a very observant Kenyan voter, am wiser now. Long ago, before I attained the qualified age to vote, I'd buy such crap. I'd blindly and foolishly agree with such. Not now. But what am focused on is, My future. My Children, My grandchildren, their offsprings future and of every other Kenyan. Indeed, none of the Presidential candidates leading the polls is a Messiah. Infact, they should not be trading accusations on each other! When Jesus Christ came onto a crowd that was about to stone an adulterous woman, He asked of the most pure at heart be the first to cast a stone. No one dared. I'd ask of the same from the 2 Candidates. Instead of preaching ills of another(read Uhuru), in the Name of his Father-who even never got to show his son how to gather riches-to acquire votes, please preach to all Kenyans on how you(read Raila) are going to lead us to the promised land: how you are going to deal with poverty: how you are going to improve our country's GDP and our future too! Am tired of all this fuss about the land tht keep coming up in major rallies! My father-May his soul R.I.P-toiled hard to own the land that we currently live on, yet he never told me how the elder Kenyatta stole land from his father!! Why don't you address the plight of the IDP's in camps now tht you are both in the government?? Sarcastically, one is the boss to the other in the pecking order. I'll ask, can't you use tht position to 'reclaim', if thts the word, what you think the other's father stole? In a sovereign country like Kenya, there is the Judiciary, the courts. There is a Ministry of Lands. Funnily, tht docket lies under your office. Could this mean tht you only came to notice of this issue just a few weeks ago? Having been Kenya's longest serving Prime Minister-the former being Jomo Kenyatta who served shortly before becoming the first President-you never addressed that issue, in this case, regarding Uhuru or Kenyattas family large tracts of land. Instead, u played along quietly, only criticizing your coalition co-principal, H.E the outgoing president E.M.Kibaki, on issues of appointments. Nearly a third of campaign trail has seen you fight against Uhuru either because of his immense wealth, or his Father's injustices upon your family. This shows how eager you are to revenge. My opinion, you are a time bomb ready to explode in the name of revenge. You are so tied up to the past, tht the future will leave you behind. Am speaking entirely based on your current campaign methods of wooing voters. Your development and other issues concerning the well being of our country, I'll leave it for Kenya to decide. My only plea to CORD & Raila, is to tell Kenyans why we should vote for them and how they shall raise the standards of every Kenyan, young or Old, and not how you are going to reclaim others land in the name of acquiring bck 'stolen' property. To my Knowledge, The Portuguese and the Arabs dominated the Kenyan land before the British Colonialists came and owned all the land under the British Monarchy; King and later Queen Elizabeth 2. If legal documents are not legal before the courts, then I'd b convinced of tht phrase, 'stolen land'. I'd say, constructive campaign is by dealing with how to fulfill your manifesto promises, Mr P.M. Let Kenyans vote, and their voice be heard through the outcome. I'd be happy to work under Your or Uhuru's government, as long as you both toe along the constitution and the rule of law and Kenyans. Again, this is my own opinion, am only Voicing it. Kenyans are the judges,they have the last laugh.As a promising youth, I'd be happy to have a government in place that recognizes the young Kenyan who has a lot to offer towards the development of Kenya and in achieving Vision 2030. Its only 7 days to the historical elections, and your vote counts. Vote wisely, and put in place the government you'd be happy to govern you! Never again shall Kenya and Kenyans bleed and suffer in the name of Hate Speech and Smear Campaigns!!! God Bless You and God Bless Kenya! #OWN OPINION