Ray C - NOT in OSLO

KiN Entertainement Reports

The much advertised performance featuring Ray C and the two Ugandan artists, Weasel & Radio dissappointed several music lovers in Oslo last evening. People had travelled far and wide with the hope of watching Ray C and the two gentlemen live on stage but had to accept the fact that the organisers had played them dirty.

The organisers of the concert were reportedly telling attendees that Ray C was denied a travel visa for Norway. The Chief Organiser blamed Ray C's role in a movie, that according to him, was the main reason for the denial.

Despite having this knowledge earlier enough to be able to beg for apology, the organisers chose to wait until the end of the show. This negligence angered quite a number of ravellers who openly showed their dissappointment. In his conluding remarks, Paul, is said to have thanked those who still were at the concert for helping him. Many had complained that the concert was reduced to the level of a house party for a group of ugandans. Many wondered whether Weasel & Radio had not been informed of the composition of the audience since they kept addressing ugandans and nearly overseeing the rest of the audience.

The sound system management was a total collapse reminding one of a foiled eardrum blowing karaoke. Weasel and Radio tried their best with jumbled DJs' playback and salvaged part of the despite the low attendance. One would be an expert in showbiz to make clear for the technical rider of the night. Zuena was scratched just like Bread and Butter and all the songs performed. The DJs played real with the siren nobes of the mixer during the performance thereby drowning most of the vocal realities of the artists while keeping ravellers waiting for the start.

Needless to add, the Djs 'forgot' to spin any of Ray C's songs. There was no taarab, minimal RnB and least of all, Tanzania and Kenyan songs!

Respect

Born Rehema Chalamila (Ray C) was born in Iringa, educated both in Dar es Salaam and Uganda. The 25 year old talented artist fusions Bongo flava, Taarab, Bhangra and RnB in a unique way blending it all with great belly dance moves that would challenge Shakira, Beyonce and Mira Craig .

The one time Clouds FM Radio presenter and Dj for the Dr Beat program has released three platinum albums, won the Kisima Music Award (Best East African female artist in 2004) and a Kilimanjaro Music Award for Best Female Vocalist for 2006-2007. Ray C has performed at several national and international events like MTV Base alongside Pras, JaRule, Shaggy, TOK and Jay Z. KiN Entertainement expects the organisers of the said concert to show their respect by publicly tendering their apology to those who attended the concert and to Ray C for the mess.

Weasel & Radio plus Ray C - Easter Concert in Oslo

LIVE SHOW !!!!

Date: Thursday 1st. April 2010

Venue: Kirkegata 34, Oslo
Cover Charge: 200,- Norwegian Kroner

Article courtesy: JPV Promotions

World Bank recommends Kisumu airport expansion

Kisumu International Airport

KiN Reports

East African Business Week

By John David - KISUMU, KENYA

The World Bank has called on the Kenyan government to hasten expansion of Kisumu Airport on the shores of lake victorie, western Kenya to accommodate larger aircraft, saying further delay could lead to massive loss of business opportunities.

The facility sits at a strategic location hence direct flights from the airport could see Kenya rake maximum gains in business from exports to the lucrative markets in Europe and Asia, World Bank senior advisor Dr Anil Bhandari said."This facility is a goldmine and its potential is further boosted by its vantage location.

Kenya stand to secure markets for its agricultural products that have lacked efficient mode of transport to the markets," the official told reporters in Kisumu city on the sidelines of a tripartite meeting to access the progress of the project.

The on going project is a joint venture between the Kenyan government and the World Bank at a cost of $62 million (Ksh4.8 billion.). The Bank had already given its share of $39 million (Ksh3 billion) but the Kenyan government is yet to hand in its share of $23million (Ksh1.8 billion), which should cater for construction of an additional length of 300 meters on the runway. Currently, the facility can only accommodate the Boeing 737s but the expansion will ensure the larger 767s ,which are the most popular for international travels are able to use the facility.

The apron and taxiway will also undergo major refurbishment to fit into the requirements. Analyst say the airport has the potential to shore up Kenya's earnings from exports and foreign exchange to EU, Asia and American markets.

Tourism and Agriculture, which are the country's economic back-bone have their base in the western Kenya region where the airport is located thus could provide an incentive for tourists to travel directly from various destinations to the area. "Direct flights into Kenya through Kisumu is a sure bet to earn more revenue as opposed to traveling through other installations like Nairobi.

Tourists will come and spend money hence ensuring circulation," said James Otieno, a lead consultant with Nyanza Economic Forum, an outfit working to boost the regions economic fortunes.Kisumu is also regarded as a commercial hub and a gateway to the EAC.

Govt targets a million men for the cut

KiN Reports

Written by Margaret Kalekye/KNA

The Ministry of Health is targeting to circumcise one million men in the next four years.

Minister for Medical Services, Prof. Peter Nyong'o says Nyanza Province alone will account for about 430,000 of the men to be circumcised between the ages of 15 to 49 years of age.

The Minister in a speech read on his behalf by Kisumu Town West Member of Parliament, Olago Aluoch, during Nyanza stakeholders meeting on Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Programme (VMMC) at Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu, said the Government was working with development partners to increase the number of health workers and facilities to cope with the increasing number of those keen on undergoing the rite.

"We have modified the provision of services in the form of outreaches in various outside the health facilities" he said.

The Minister said over 90,000 men had been circumcised since September 2008 when the programme was initiated.

The rush for the cut in Nyanza began two years ago when researchers tabled evidence at a conference in Kisumu, showing that male circumcision reduced HIV infections by 60 per cent.
Prime Minister, Raila Odinga graced the launch of the programme in Kisumu in September 2008, where he called on the youth to go for the cut to tame the increasing HIV-Aids pandemic in the region.

Prof. Nyong'o hailed concerted efforts by the political leadership, local leaders, elders, the media and health workers for mobilizing uncircumcised youths to go for the cut.

Medical experts say circumcision reduces chances of contracting the HIV/Aids virus by 60 percent.

"Circumcisions should be seen as an intervention to prevent HIV alongside the other practiced methods such as abstinence, being faithful and correct and consistent use of condoms"
The minister however cautioned that male circumcision does not offer complete protection against HIV infection.

He encouraged members of the public to seek VMMC services from the public health facilities and other private sectors with professionally trained health workers where their safety is guaranteed.

Tiger Woods interview transcript

KiN Reports

ESPN's Tom Rinaldi interviewed Tiger Woods on Sunday in Windermere, Fla. The interview was the first one granted by the world's No. 1-ranked golfer since his Nov. 27 car accident outside his home. The following is a transcript of that interview.

Rinaldi: What's the difference between the man who left Augusta national a year ago and the one who is about to return?

Woods: A lot has transpired in my life. A lot of ugly things have happened. Things that.....I've done some pretty bad things in my life. And uh, all came to a head. But now, after treatment, going for inpatient treatment for 45 days and more outpatient treatment, I'm getting back to my old roots.

Rinaldi: For a lot of people, the spark of those bad things is Nov. 27. Early that day, what happened?

Woods: Well, it's all in the police report. Beyond that, everything's between Elin and myself and that's private.

Rinaldi: Why did you lose control of the car?

Woods: As I said ... that's between Elin and myself.

Rinaldi: If it's a private matter, why issue a public apology?

Woods: Well, I owe a lot of people an apology. I hurt a lot of people. Not just my wife. My friends, my colleagues, the public, kids who looked up to me. There were a lot of people that thought I was a different person and my actions were not according to that. That's why I had to apologize. I was so sorry for what I had done.

Rinaldi: You've said you've made transgressions. How would you, in your own words, describe the depth of your infidelity?

Woods: Well, just one is, is enough. And obviously that wasn't the case, and I've made my mistakes. And as I've said, I've hurt so many people, and so many people I have to make an amends to, and that's living a life of amends.

Rinaldi: You said you were in treatment. The simple question is, for what?

Woods: That's a private matter as well. But I can tell you what, it was tough, it was really tough to look at yourself in a light that you never want to look at yourself, that's pretty brutal.

Rinaldi: What'd you see?

Woods: I saw a person that I never thought I would ever become.

Rinaldi: Who was that?

Woods: Well, I had gotten away from my core values as I said earlier. I'd gotten away from my Buddhism. And I quit meditating. I quit doing all the things that my mom and dad had taught me. And as I said earlier in my statement, I felt entitled, and that is not how I was raised.

Rinaldi: Why not seek treatment before all of this came out?

Woods: Well, I didn't know I was that bad. I didn't know that I was that bad.

Rinaldi: How did you learn that? How did you learn it?

Woods: Stripping away denial, rationalization. You strip all that away and you find the truth.

Rinaldi: How do you reconcile your behavior with your view of marriage?

Woods: That's living a life of amends and that's just working at it each and every day.

Rinaldi: Given all that's happened, what's your measure of success at Augusta?

Woods: Well, playing is one thing. I'm excited to get back and play. I'm excited to get to see the guys again. I really miss a lot of my friends out there. I miss competing. But still, I still have a lot more treatment to do, and just because I'm playing, doesn't mean I'm gonna stop going to treatment.

Rinaldi: What reception are you expecting from fans?

Woods: I don't know. I don't know. I'm a little nervous about that to be honest with you.

Rinaldi: How much do you care?

Woods: It would be nice to hear a couple claps here and there. But also hope they clap for birdies, too.

Rinaldi: Eleven months ago, here at Isleworth, I asked you, 'How well does the world know you?' What's your answer to that now?

Woods: A lot better now. I was living a life of a lie. I really was. And I was doing a lot of things, like I said, that hurt a lot of people. And stripping away denial and rationalization you start coming to the truth of who you really are and that can be very ugly. But then again, when you face it and you start conquering it and you start living up to it. The strength that I feel now, I've never felt that type of strength.

Rinaldi: In the last four months, Tiger, what's been the low point?

Woods: I've had a lot of low points. Just when I didn't think it could get any lower, it got lower.

Rinaldi: An example?

Woods: When I was in treatment, out of treatment, before I went in, there were so many different low points. People I had to talk and face like my wife, like my mom.

Rinaldi: What was that moment like, either one?

Woods: They both have been brutal. They've both been very tough. Because I hurt them the most. Those are the two people in my life who I'm closest to and to say the things that I've done, truthfully to them, is ... honestly ... was ... very painful.

Rinaldi: What was your wife's reaction when you sat down and had that first conversation?

Woods: She was hurt, she was hurt. Very hurt. Shocked. Angry. And, you know, she had every right to be and I'm as disappointed as everyone else in my own behavior because I can't believe I actually did that to the people I loved.

Rinaldi: I ask this question respectfully, but of course at a distance from your family life. When you look at it now, why did you get married?

Woods: Why? Because I loved her. I loved Elin with everything I have. And that's something that makes me feel even worse, that I did this to someone I loved that much.

Rinaldi: How do you reconcile what you've done with that love?

Woods: We work at it.

Ray C, Weasel and Radio in Oslo

Ray C of Nipe Love, Sikuhitaji.... Sogea Sogea and many more, yes she is on her way to a grand concert in Oslo.

Sogea Sogea

Sogea sogea we cheza nami aha

Nikikutizama nawe upate raha

Usitazame pembeni jua, you are my man

Usitazame pembeni jua, you are my man

Joining Ray C is another great african duo, Weasel and Radio, the team that rocked Sweden over the weekend. Their hit songs Zuena, Kiduula plus Bread and Butter promises to keep ravellers dancing the Easter in style. If you miss the duo in Oslo, usilalamike, they will proceed to Denmark and further on to Amsterdam and finally wind up their tour in Brussels.

This group has been described as "talented, hit makers, Uganda's version of Chaka Demus and Pliers among others. "

More about them?

Moze Radio, real names Moses Nakintije and Douglas Mayanja, commonly known as Weasel are members of the Goodlyfe Crew. The duo hit the music charts in 2008, ushering in a music revolution that has taken Ugandans by storm. 26-year old Radio is the crew's R n B crooner whereas 24-year old Weasel brings ragga to life in all their songs.
The three time 2008 Bell Pearl of Africa Music Award winners, famed for chart hitting songs like Zuena, Nakudata, Lwaki Onumya and Nyambura, are now basking in the glory of their newly found fame. Radio and Weasel have left their fans yearning for more, proof that they are a great force to reckon with in the Ugandan music industry.

Visit KiN for more updates and details of the concert.

Suzanna Owiyo in Norway

KiN Reports

Suzanna Owiyo, the celebrated Kenyan singer visits Norway for the Mimeta launch. She has performed in different capacities in Norway not to forget the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Concert where she joined Oprah and Tom Cruise in celebrating the Nobel laureate, Prof. Wangari Maathai. Suzanna has also performed at the Yara Prize Ceremony in Oslo.

The main reason for her current visit is to present her work to the music industry, festivals and press. She is also part of the Imagine Africa CD with the track "Tich en Tich" which is currently available on sale.

Suzanna arrived in Oslo this Monday morning.

FILM AFRIKANA IN OSLO

KiN Reports

Here is the program for this year's films from the South week in Oslo. Find time to visit MS Innvik for 'Film Afrikana'.

Program and Times

Thursday 25
18.00 Pumzi 20 min, Kenya

18.25 Motherland 120 min, various countries

20.30 – 21.00 Q&A Owen Alik Shahadah

21.00 Opening night after party

Friday 26
18.00 – 18.55 Mere-Bi 55 min, Senegal

19.00 – 20.40 From A Whisper 100 min, Kenya

20.45 - 21.30 Debate: The Role of African Film and Cinema

21.00 Zwai Mbula - "My Heritage Concert"

Saturday 27
12.00 Pastinha! Uma Vida pela Capoeira 70 min, Barzil

13.10 Capoeira oppvisning med Aquinderreis Capoeira Angola Norway, 20 min

13.45 Black Stars: And African Football Odyssey 55 min, South Africa/Ghana

15.00 Faro - Goddess of the waters 90 min, Mauritania

16.45 Awaiting for Men 55 min, Mali/Burkina Faso

18.00 Men II Boys 44 min, USA19.00 Good Hair 96 min, USA

20.45 Roaring Lion 57 min, Jamaica

22.00 After Party

Sunday 28
09.00 – 11.00 Breakfast

11.00 Kirikou og trollkvinnen 76 min, Guinea

12.30 My Secret Sky (Izulu Lami) 90 min, South Africa

14.30 Barakat 96 min, Algerie

16.15 Zanzibar Soccer Queen 87 min, Mauritius

18.00 Ezra 102 min, Nigeria

Uniting Kenyans in Norway

KiN Reports

A clear message from a concerned Kenyan in Norway

The need to organise Kenyans in Norway has been discussed severally within and beyond the borders of Norway. It is apparent that there is an underlying problem that needs to be tackled and cleared to pave the way for a united Kenyan group to thrive in this country. Many have tried to organise Kenyans here and started several organisations but within short periods the organisations simply die off. It is time we agree to disagree for the sake of uniting Kenyans in Norway.

Autumn and winter of 2009 saw Kenyan news hit the front pages of major media houses around the world, thanks to President Obama and the Nobel Peace Prize. At the same time, Kenyans in Norway failed to organise a major reception and or a simple uniting party to celebrate the achievements of one of their own. President Obama would have been happy to meet Kenyans in Norway or at least wave to a specific and strategically positioned group of Kenyans waving their beautiful flag to him during the reception of the prize. The problem is only that there was no such organised grouping.

The Nobel Institute got several lists from Kenyans claiming they were leaders of equally several Kenyan welfare organisastions. The result was that most if not all the lists received were dumped and none of the self proclaimed leaders made it to the reception. However, a very small group of Kenyan lobbyists made it to the official ceremony and also attended the Nobel Concert.

I am a Kenyan and am convinced that we can change this negative trend. We cannot continue living behind the curtains when the whole world is focusing on our country. We are able and must take the center stage and contribute positively to Kenya's development. We have to avail ourselves and form a strong Kenyan Organisation in Norway that can be a constituency to educate on all topics touching on Kenya. We have Kenyans with enormous energy, positively burning desire and the urge to organize and lead such an organisation, but it is needless to say that without you Kenyans living in Norway, all that goes to waste. Wake up Kenyans lest we be left sleeping when all our neighbours are developing both individually and as a nation within the state of Norway. We need a strong and well oiled Kenyan Organisation in Norway.

It is time we take the mantle and lead the way to an organised Kenyan society in Norway irrespective of office beareres. I am aware of the good work being done in Bergen through the Wazalendo Bergen group of Kenyans.... keep it up and move it on to Oslo...kudos.

I challenge you Karanja, Makogango, Agnes, Karumbe, Ombwayo, Kabir, Korir, Odeck, Waithera, Benter, Wanjiku, Dorris, Erick, Jane, Gordon, Melissa, Kamau, Mohammed, Jeff, Stella, Mwangi, Naomi, Joyce, Wazalendo Bergen and all Kenyans living in Norway to take this seriously and contribute towards the formation and running of this organisastion. We have to start a single uniting Association of Kenyans in Norway.


By Makosir,
Concerned Kenyan in Norway

TO ALL OUR READERS

Be informed that the newly formed facebook group with the same name as this blog has no relationship whatsoever with this blog and that KiN is not a member of that group as of today.

We wish you a great day.

KiN Board

Hon. Ruto dropped from HBC

Agriculture Minister, Hon. William Ruto

KiN Reports

The Kenyan Parlimanet saw a tug of secret wars taking center stage after the wrangles between the PM and his party deputy, William Ruto, appeared at the Tenth Parliament’s Fourth Session. The latter has lately attacked the PM after he was shown the doors to allow for proper investigations in among other issues, the maize scandal.

Members of parliament unanimously voted to form the House Business Committee (HBC) thereby openning for the already overdue constitutional review. The vote locked out Agriculture Minister, Hon. William Ruto and his allies from the HBC. Party chairman, Henry Kosgey got the docket therby replacing his party colleague, Hon. Ruto. According to Ruto's allies, this was deemed a slapp on the face of the minister due to him being a fierce critic of Hon. Raila Odinga.

HBC is an important committee that sets the agenda for the house and no business can be discussed or tendered in Parliamnet before its constitution. The original list of 21 names that was tabled on the opening day of parliament was approved in its original form despite cries from Ruto's allies.

With the formation of HBC, eyes are now set to the review calender with the chair of PSC indicating that he is ready to table the Draft Constitution on Tuesday. However, there are fears that the review could be derailed if the commitee does not get the much needed support.

President MWAI KIBAKI on Graft fight

President Mwai Kibaki

KiN Newsroom
SPEECH BY H.E. HON. MWAI KIBAKI, C.G.H., M.P., PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA DURING A WORKSHOP FOR PERMANENT SECRETARIES /ACCOUNTING OFFICERS AND CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF STATE CORPORATIONS ON STRATEGIES TO FIGHT/ELIMINATE CORRUPTION IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE.
KENYA INSTITUTE OF ADMINISTRATION, NAIROBI, 5TH FEBRUARY, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to join you this morning to deliberate on the subject of integrity and eradication of corruption in our public service. This is a subject of high priority to the Government and indeed the people of Kenya. It is also in line with the Government’s commitment as outlined under VISION TWENTY THIRTY to have an efficient and modern public service.

While it is evident that we are capable of achieving this goal, it is clear we can only succeed if we have a public service that manages public resources prudently and ethically and which operates efficiently with a clear sense of direction. The theme of this workshop ‘Leadership and Integrity in the Public Service’ is appropriate.

It underscores the urgent need for a national integrity system that seeks;1.To eliminate corruption that increases the cost of investment and the cost of production to the detriment of the economy and living standards, and2. To provide focused leadership in public service.It is for this reason that you are gathered here to reflect on what you are collectively and individually doing to eradicate corruption and provide leadership in the public service.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
As Government, we are committed to the elimination of corruption. In the last 7 years, we have passed major legislation aimed at dealing with corruption in the Public Service. This includes the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003 and the Public Officers Ethics Act, 2003. These Acts established the Kenya Anti Corruption Commission with the mandate to combat corruption and economic crimes through law enforcement, prevention, public education and recovery of corruptly acquired wealth.

The Acts also provided for wealth declaration by all public servants. Yesterday, Cabinet approved the Witness Protection Bill that seeks to establish an autonomous agency. The agency will among other issues safeguard potential witnesses in corruption cases and other crimes. At the same time, the Government has taken measures to improve governance of public finances by enacting the Public Audit Act 2003, the Government Financial Management Act 2004 and the Public Procurement and Disposal Act 2005.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Despite tremendous anti-corruption efforts, incidences of corruption still prevail in the country. More concrete action is needed in the fight against this vice. What is required of you is a clear resolve and commitment to individually and collectively create a public service built on high moral values and integrity.

I would like to see more action in the fight against corruption, including but not limited to:
1. Fast-tracking the use of I.C.T., as a weapon in the fight against corruption.
2. An emphasis on preventive measures to stem corruption with public involvement in the fight.
3. Innovative intelligence collection strategies on unethical practices in the public service.
4. As accounting officers you should also recognize, reward and protect whistle-blowers and officers with integrity.
5. Institute Integrity testing systems in ministries and departments.
6. Prompt legal and disciplinary measures against officers involved in corruption.
7. Transformation of closed-up government offices into open work-stations to ensure more transparency.

I also call upon respective accounting officers to revamp mechanisms that assure efficient service delivery systems and processes, including records management systems and service charters. I expect you to immediately institute reforms that will seal corruption loopholes and address delays in service delivery.

In addition to this, government programs should be monitored continuously to ensure that incidences of corruption are dealt with early and remedial action taken immediately. As Accounting Officers and Chief Executive Officers, you have a responsibility to enforce systems which are intended to ensure transparency and accountability.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our country is today grappling with major development challenges and our resources are limited. As Accounting Officers, you are entrusted with enormous resources to manage on behalf of the Kenyan public. It is critical therefore that you take your responsibilities very seriously and ensure that there is no wastage, and abuse of resources.

Finances entrusted to you should be used strictly for the purposes for which they were intended and be spent within the budget and defined time-frame. If you fail to do that, you will be undermining our country’s development agenda. Part of this agenda is employment creation for our youth. I therefore do not expect you to continue purchasing expensive imported furniture when our young people are making quality goods locally.

You should therefore support our local furniture industry and help create jobs for our youth.By the end of your deliberations, I expect you to formulate a Plan of Action with a time-frame and measurable strategies that have specific inputs, outputs and outcomes in the war against corruption. As I conclude, I expect you all to discharge your respective mandates with integrity, courage and utmost professionalism. As accounting officers, it is your duty to mainstream anti-corruption initiatives and good governance practices in your organizations.

You should take appropriate action against officers in your organizations who are found to be involved in corrupt and unethical practices. We will not allow situations where irresponsible officers are transferred from Ministry to Ministry to spread their vice of corruption.

I expect you to have zero-tolerance to corruption because that is Government policy.

Administrative procedures should be simplified and streamlined to eliminate opportunities and loopholes for corruption. As Accounting Officers, you must also lead the fight through your personal integrity.

Act urgently to stem corruption. Quick action on your part will ensure that public funds are not misappropriated. Transparency and accountability in the Public Service is a critical pillar for government to attain credibility in the eyes of tax-paying Kenyans.With these remarks, it is now my pleasure to declare this workshop officially opened and to wish you fruitful deliberations.

Thank you and God bless you all.

Obama's aunt maybe deported from USA

KiN Newsroom

President Barack Obama's Kenyan aunt appeared before a U.S. immigration judge in Boston today, taking the stand for more than two-and-a-half hours to explain why she should not be deported back to the president's ancestral hometown in Africa. Zeituni Onyango, 57, (the half sister of Obama's late father) is fighting a 2004 removal order by seeking asylum in the US, a status granted to those who cannot return home out of fear of being persecuted.

The closed hearing concluded without a final decision by the judge, who now either can issue a decision in the coming months or continue the case on May 25. Zeituni first applied for asylum in 2002 "due to violence in Kenya," but was denied and ordered to leave the country. Instead of returning home, the woman who helped raise the president's half brothers and sister in Kenya and whom Obama affectionately referred to as "Auntie Zeituni" in his memoir extended her stay in Boston living in subsidized public housing.

Zeituni arrived at the courthouse in a wheelchair, and Mike Rogers, a spokesman for her lawyer, Margaret Wong, said Onyango's medical conditions would be part of the case. Two doctors also were expected to testify.

The case, which first surfaced in October 2008, just before the presidential election, once again is drawing international attention and sparking speculation about whether Obama will intervene on her behalf.

"President Obama must either deport his aunt or destroy his own credibility by showing her favoritism," said William Gheen of the conservative Americans for Legal Immigration PAC.
The White House has insisted that it has no involvement with Onyango's case, leaving it to follow an ordinary course before a federal judge who will apply the rule of law.

"We would continue to say that everybody in this country should and must follow the law," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said today. "We have not been involved at all in that hearing."

Gibbs also denied that the first family is helping pay any of Onyango's legal fees.
Onyango told The Associated Press she has not been in contact with anyone from the White House or been contacted by them.

Onyango did not respond to ABC News' requests for interviews.
"She hasn't been in touch with the president. He can't help her," Rogers told ABC News.

The Department of Homeland Security, which is part of the Obama administration, is prosecuting the case, which was heard in a closed hearing before U.S. Immigration Court Judge Leonard Shapiro.

Shapiro is a civil service employee and not a political appointee, according to the court.
"The lawyers aren't discussing any strategy, but they feel confident," said Rogers. "Margaret Wong feels 95 percent certain that she will prevail."

Source : ABC, AP & KiN Newsreel

MPs overstepped their mandate (Letters from Nairobi)

KiN Debates

Eric Ngumbi writes:
Section 32 of the Constitution of Kenya Review Act 2008 provides that, the Committee of Experts shall "within 21 days of the expiry of the 30 days for public debating on the draft, present the draft Constitution and the report to the PSC for deliberation and consensus building on the contentious issues on the basis of the recommendations of the Committee of Experts"
Pursuant to the above section, PSC concluded its deliberations and handed back its report to the CoE. While the job they did is commendable, its move to delve into issues that were non-contentious and outside its mandate was illegal.

An example is the expunging of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission from the Draft Constitution.

The justification for the entrenchment of this anti-graft body into the supreme law of the land cannot be overemphasised. It is in the public domain that Constitutional constrains having been one of the greatest challenges facing the anti-corruption war.

It is on this basis that the anti-corruption commission was entrenched into the draft.
The chapter on leadership and integrity, which establishes the anti-corruption commission, has never been contentious to warrant the MPs deliberation and purported consensus.

On what basis did the PSC delete it? In its report to the CoE, PSC said, "...the Committee deleted Article 95 relating to the establishment of Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission in this Section since it is provided by an Act of Parliament." Was this reason enough to expunge the body from the Constitution?

Are other commissions like the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights entrenched into the Constitution not also provided for by Acts of Parliament?

It is in public interest that the anti-corruption Commission be entrenched in the Constitution. The CoE should therefore reject PSC’s proposals touching on issues outside its mandate .


And Phillip Orwa writes:

It was wrong to include the four presidential hopefuls in the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) that was deliberating constitutional matters in Naivasha.

Deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia Mudavadi, Minister William Ruto and Martha Karua have expressed interest to run for the top seat in 2012 and I doubt they would make a constitution that does not favour them.

The number of MPs at the PSC was 21. The four means 19 per cent of the members had conflict of interest in the deliberations.

That is why they watered down the CoE’s proposals that there be two centres of power. They removed the Prime Minister’s position because they seem convinced they might ascend to power and would never wish to share it with anyone.

The issue of devolution was well put, but that there are going to be additional 80 constituencies is worrying. If it were my wish, no MP should sit on a select committee but a people’s committee incooperating all Kenyans’.

MPs have interest in this constitution making and given the chance, may alter everything in their favour.

Kenyans have cried foul that a powerful president without checks and balances is unpopular since he wields so much power and cannot be questioned. Kenyans do not want a presidential system.

KiN Debates

A means for reconciliation and justice? The case of Kenya

KiN Newsroom

There are several documentary films to watch in Oslo at the moment. Join Maina Kiai at a seminar today where he will also present his masterpiece documentary.

4. februar kl. 09.00, Litteraturhuset, Oslo
Time: 09:00 – 11:00

Agenda for the hour:
"Documentary films: a means for reconciliation and justice? The case of Kenya"

The 2007 presidential election in Kenya resulted in a political, economic, and humanitarian crisis that has not yet been resolved. International, regional, bilateral and national initiatives have failed. Recently, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, arrived in Kenya to request an investigation into suspected crimes against humanity. So far, Kenya has failed to conduct its own effective investigation into the matter. This seminar will look into documentary films as a means for reconciliation and justice, based on the experiences of Kiai and Hannan.

Organisers: The Norwegian Peacebuilding Centre/Norsk Ressurssenter for Fredsbygging (Noref) and International Law and Policy Group (ILP).