Foot-in-Mouth

Odinga Ujinga

2007-10-23T11:15:00.000+03:00

"The issue of corruption also has impeded development in Africa. There is corruption everywhere, but the difference is what the government does especially when it is discovered."
Raila Odinga during an interview with Africa Today's Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Kayode Soyinka http://www.raila2007.com/cms2/index.php?id=107&tx_ttnews%5Bpointer%5D=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=107&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=9&cHash=bbe6979f5f

"I came to Moi’s aid when the Government wanted to take away his houses and sue him over Goldenberg during my days as the Minister for Roads."
Raila Odinga speaking in Kisumu.
Standard Online, Sunday, November 26, 2006
http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143961640

Strange Bedfellows

2007-10-23T10:12:00.000+03:00

"[Musalia] Mudavadi was the Finance minister in 1993. He first paid out the Sh5.8 billion in export compensation and then the Sh13.5 billion. I know what I am talking about. I stand for the truth and the VP and the President should come out and prove me wrong." ....Mr Odinga said he was ready to prove that it was Mr Mudavadi who authorised the Goldenberg payments.
Raila Odinga addressing a NARC rally in Ngong town on 16th november 2002. Musalia Mudavadi is now the ODM presidential candidate's running mate.
Daily Nation, November 17, 2002 http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/17112002/News/mainNews18.html

The Buddhacall

2007-09-05T21:19:00.000+03:00

This is full of hillary!

How Many Dead Americans is Saddam Worth?

2007-08-30T03:53:00.000+03:00

And yes, that is Dick Cheney speaking in 1994 about the first Gulf War.

The Crudiciary

2007-02-17T09:31:00.000+03:00

The Law Society of Kenya has challenged the [recent directions issued by Chief Justice Evans Gicheru which are supposed to govern filing of cases against and by the Government] and even though Gicheru is the respondent in the matter, the case file will appear before him for directions.
The Standard Saturday, 16th February, 2007

Kibaki's Selective Amnesia

2007-02-07T14:22:00.000+03:00

President Kibaki yesterday denied ever promising anybody that he would serve only for one term. And he went on to declare, for the second time in a week, that he was in the race for the presidency for another five years.
(Daily Nation Friday, February 2, 2007)

“It was hard to select the party's flagbearer. We all staked our claims with reasons. The reason that won the day was made by Kibaki after he made it clear he would be president for only one five-year term....Kibaki volunteered that proposal.”
The late Michael Kijana Wamalwa explaining on Nation TV’s StateCraft how the National Party of Kenya (NAK) agreed on a single presidential candidate. Kibaki never sought to correct Wamalwa not refute the allegation.
(Daily Nation Monday, September 30, 2002)

Angel of Death

2006-12-19T13:19:00.000+03:00

"
I am going to stop at nothing until I make sure I express my feelings. I was peaceful until provoked and now I want to let Raila know that fire shall be returned with fire and I will make sure that I stop all the ODM rallies that will take place in Nairobi until I am given a chance to hold my rally....I told Raila to choose the plate he wants to use and from today all the sympathisers of ODM and LDP, who include police officers should know that I am capable of using similar force. This is just the beginning of a long battle... I will show them what I am best at."
Former Mungiki Co-ordinator Ndura Waruinge speaking at a press conference in Nairobi.
The Standard, Monday, December 18, 2006.

"We are living in a society where peace is very important. I stand for peace and I cherish it because it is important for the nation."
Ndura Waruinge addressing the press a day later after being freed from police custody.
The Standard, Tueday, December 19, 2006.

Water load of BS!

2006-11-24T10:29:00.000+03:00

"It is not fair that I myself pay more for water than what a resident in Kibera slum pays,"
Water and Irrigation Permanent Secretary, Mr Mahboub Maalim launching a UN report that says residents of Nairobi slums pay five to 10 times more for water than the rich. According to the Kenya Times, Permanent Secretaries pocket a monthly salary of Kshs. 400,000 per month.
The Standard, Friday November 24, 2006

Let's First Kill all the Lawyers...

2006-11-20T13:36:00.000+03:00

Vice-President Moody Awori today presided over the start of Law Society of Kenya's Legal Awareness/Legal Aid Week. Also present was LSK chairman Tom Ojienda.
NTV News At 1, 2o November 2006

“LSK, in the absence of the AG acting within reasonable time to bring the perpetrators of grand corruption to book, shall move to court and commence private prosecution proceedings against the named culprits without fear or favour.”
LSK chairman Tom Ojienda reading a statement following a meeting of the full LSK Council. Though the LSK did not specifically mention whom they would target, in the same statement the Council defended John Githongo's Anglo Leasing dossier, saying the fact that he was a permanent secretary in charge of Ethics and a presidential adviser on corruption makes his evidence credible, cogent and, prima facie, enough to sustain a charge in a court of law. The ministers named in that dossier include Vice-President Moody Awori. Kenya Times, 7 February, 2006

FiM in Celebrityville: Advanced Intelligence-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

2006-11-19T15:54:00.000+03:00

"I'm not interested in going in there like an idiot and going, 'OK, I'm going to build ten orphanages and I'll see you guys later.' I could've joined the UN and become an ambassador, visited various countries and just showed up and smiled and looked concerned. But that's not getting to the root of the problem. And neither is building orphan care centres."
Superstar Madonna criticizing Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie for their involvement in building an orphanage in India. stuff

"After learning that there were over one million orphans in Malawi, it was my wish to open up our home and help one child escape an extreme life of hardship, poverty and in many cases death, as well as expand our family."
Madonna reacting to criticisms of her adoption of a baby, David Banda, from Malawi. BBC
Madonna funds six orphanages through her Raising Malawi charity and is setting up an orphanage for 4,000 children in a village outside the capital, Lilongwe.

FiM in Europe - Schizophrenia

2006-11-17T17:02:00.000+03:00

Wednesday , 03 May 2006(Emre Ozkan-JTW/Ankara) - The European Union broke off talks on closer ties with Serbia on Wednesday, May 3rd, over its failure to arrest and transfer fugitive genocide suspect Ratko Mladic to the U.N. war crimes tribunal. According to BBC News, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said he was disappointed Belgrade had not detained Mr Mladic. The deadline set by the EU expired on Sunday. Read More.

KIGALI, 17 Nov 2006 (IRIN) - A military tribunal in Rwanda has found a priest, resident in France, guilty of rape and involvement in the 1994 genocide and sentenced him in absentia to life in prison....Rwanda has accused France of hosting many genocide suspects. According to the government, 937,000 Tutsis and politically moderate Hutus were killed during the 1994 genocide. Read More.

Verbal Diarrhoea

2006-11-01T10:49:00.000+03:00

There is no examination leakage, but students have had prior access to exam materials, the Kenya National Examinations Council has said.
The Standard,Wednesday November 1, 2006

FiM in The Middle East: Miscarriage of Justice

2006-10-22T13:39:00.000+03:00

"We know that such measures increase hatred between the two peoples, but we have to defend and protect our civilians."
Amira Aron, director of the Arab Media Department in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacting to reports that pregnant Palestinian women are often prevented by Israeli forces from reaching hospitals to receive appropriate medical attention, causing many miscarriages and the deaths of some women. Just how the Israelis hope to protect their civilians by increasing Palestinian hatred is beyond me!

Moi on 1pm News

2006-10-16T11:20:00.000+03:00

"The way the appointment has been announced should raise eyebrows. There has been no formal communication. You do not appoint a former president in a casual manner."
Former President Daniel Arap Moi in a statement issued by his Press Secretary Lee Njiru reacting to the offhand manner in which the Government announced his proposed appointment as a special envoy. During his tenure, Moi was notorious for appointing and disappointing cabinet ministers on the 1.00 pm KBC news bulletin, mostly without consulting with the affected individuals.
Daily Nation, Friday, October 13, 2006.

FiM on the Sub-Continent 2

2006-10-09T16:18:00.000+03:00

"We are deeply concerned at the reported nuclear test conducted by the DPRK. It is unfortunate that the DPRK has conducted such a test in violation of its international commitments, jeopardizing peace, stability and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. The test also highlights the dangers of clandestine proliferation. We are monitoring the situation and are in close touch with several countries." Indian official spokesperson's statement issued today, Oct. 9, 2006.

India and Pakistan were roundly condemned after they stunned the world with back-to-back nuclear tests in May 1998, sparking fears of an arms race on the sub-continent

FiM on the Sub-Continent

2006-10-09T15:53:00.000+03:00

"Pakistan deplores the announcement by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea that it has conducted a nuclear test. It is regrettable that the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) chose to ignore the advice of the international community not to test a nuclear weapon," Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam told a news conference today, Oct. 9, 2006 in the capital, Islamabad. India and Pakistan were roundly condemned after they stunned the world with back-to-back nuclear tests in May 1998, sparking fears of an arms race on the sub-continent.

FiM-Iran (Halo-tosis)

2006-10-04T09:21:00.000+03:00

Partial translation (courtesy Online NewsHour): "On the last day when I was speaking before the assembly, one of our group told me that when I started to say 'In the name of God the almighty and merciful,' he saw a light around me, and I was placed inside this aura. I felt it myself. I felt the atmosphere suddenly change, and for those 27 or 28 minutes, the leaders of the world did not blink. When I say they didn't bat an eyelid, I'm not exaggerating because I was looking at them. They were astonished as if a hand held them there and made them sit. It had opened their eyes and ears for the message of the Islamic Republic." Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad describing his 2005 speech at the UN General Assembly.

Foot-in-Mouth in the US (aka Mad Cowboy Disease)

2006-10-04T03:47:00.000+03:00

"I wouldn't have sent troops to Haiti. I didn't think it was a mission worthwhile. It was a nation-building mission. And it was not very successful. It cost us billions, a couple of billions of dollars, and I'm not so sure democracy is any better off in Haiti than it was before. . . . I don't think our troops ought to be used for what's called nation-building. . . . I think what we need to do is convince people who live in the lands they live in to build the nations. Maybe I'm missing something here. I mean, we're going to have a kind of nation-building corps from America? Absolutely not." -Republican Presidential Candidate George W. Bush during a debate with then-Vice President Al Gore on Oct. 11, 2000, in Winston-Salem, N.C. During his administration, the US has spent over US$300 billion in sending troops on nation-building missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Haiti. For a guy who had only left North America 3 times before the 2000 election, who could not name the leaders of India and Pakistan, and who thought Nigeria was a continent, it's remarkable (and perhaps alarming) that his tenure has been dominated by foreign policy issues. A former alcoholic and now born-again Christian, it seems Bush does not believe in half-measures.

Betrayal in the City

2006-09-02T20:03:00.000+03:00

"If you rattle a snake, you must be prepared to be bitten by it," Internal Security Minister, John Michuki, speaking to reporters after hooded policemen seized equipment, halted TV broadcasts and burned thousands of newspapers belonging to the Standard media group.

Emillion Lies

2006-08-26T13:25:00.000+03:00

"It is quite ridiculous to have a chief executive who does not sit in Parliament to answer questions from the members,"

Opposition Leader, Mwai Kibaki, explaining DP’s call for an elected president with reduced powers and a prime minister who will be answerable to Parliament. (Daily Nation Friday, March 1, 2002)

"Mambo yanaendeshwa na katiba na yule ambaye amechaguliwa na watu, ambaye ni Rais wa nchi hii, anayesimamia kikamilifu na wala sio nusu nusu (Matters are governed by the constitution and the person elected by the people, who is the President of this nation, takes charge fully not partially)."

President Kibaki issuing his strongest public statement yet against the creation of a post of Executive Prime Minister. He said there can never be two centres of power in the country. (Daily Nation Monday, September 8, 2003)

Liar, Liar

2006-08-18T11:22:00.000+03:00

"My Government pledges to support this process in every way. We shall not interfere with the review process.”

President Mwai Kibaki speaking on April 30, 2003 when he opened the Bomas talks. A few months later, on November 17, the Narc Government sent mounted police to stop Prof Yash Pal Ghai and a group of delegates from reopening the third sitting of the national conference at the Bomas of Kenya

Charity Begins at Home

2006-08-18T11:01:00.000+03:00

"What will be the future of Kambas if they continue being used as 'briefcase carriers' in the government and fail to focus on the presidency? It is useless. Very useless indeed."
National Party of Kenya leader Charity Kaluki Ngilu pledging support for Kalonzo Musyoka if he runs for the presidency. (Daily Nation Thursday, January 17, 2002)

"We were appointed individually by the President and I'm therefore against any minister engaging in politics instead of assisting to fulfill the pledges we made to Kenyans during the elections,"
Cabinet minister Charity Ngilu, who along with Martha Karua and Njeru Ndwiga dismissed proposals that Minister Kalonzo Musyoka stand for the presidency in 2007 for as "misguided and ill-timed". They insisted that President Mwai Kibaki would defend his seat in 2007. (Daily Nation Thursday, December 18, 2003)

Kiraitu: Foward to the Past

2006-08-14T18:49:00.000+03:00

“Within the first 100 days, the NARC government will ensure all the institutions the Constitution envisages are in place.”

Mr Mwai Kibaki the National Rainbow Coalition's presidential candidate.

(Daily Nation Monday, November 27, 2002)

The Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, Mr Kiraitu Murungi,…insisted Narc did not promise Kenyans a Constitution within 100 days.
(EA Standard Friday, February 7, 2003)

Muite's Constitutional U-turn

2006-08-14T18:21:00.000+03:00

"They ought to have had the guts for any eventuality,"
Safina Party leader Mr Paul Muite, arguing that Ufungamano could easily have declared a new, legitimate constitution without the endorsement of parliament as the initiative had the backing of about 80 per cent of Kenyans.
(East African Monday, March 26, 2001)

Section 47 vests that power to alter only in Parliament. If you need to empower another body (like Bomas) to alter the constitution, then logically Section 47 must be amended."

Mr Paul Muite, chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on the constitution review.

(Sunday Nation Sunday, February 15, 2004)

Kibaki & Co. on Accountbility

2006-08-12T01:57:00.000+03:00

"We want to tell the World Bank and the IMF that they have no business dealing with the Moi regime when it cannot accept to investigate and prosecute those named in the report…It is naive to think that those who have looted the economy can sit and judge themselves while they still hold executive power."

Statement signed by, among others, the leader of official opposition, Mr Mwai Kibaki, petitioning the World Bank and IMF to end aid negotiations with Kenya over the rejected List of Shame which recommended that Prof Saitoti should be investigated with a view to prosecution for his role in the Goldenberg. (Daily Nation Saturday, July 22, 2000)

Kibaki 2007?

2006-08-12T01:31:00.000+03:00

“It was hard to select the party's flagbearer. We all staked our claims with reasons. The reason that won the day was made by Kibaki after he made it clear he would be president for only one five-year term....Kibaki volunteered that proposal.”

Michael Wamalwa explaining on Nation TV’s StateCraft how the National Party of Kenya (NAK) agreed on a single presidential candidate (Daily Nation Monday, September 30, 2002)

Kibaki on the "List of Shame"

2006-08-12T01:04:00.000+03:00

“[KANU] used its majority in Parliament to throw away the so-called "List of Shame". The majority of those in the [Select Committee on Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes] will be in the NARC government, this time to implement – and not simply to talk about – what they recommended in that report. We shall have zero tolerance for corruption on our very first day in office.”
Mr Mwai Kibaki the National Rainbow Coalition's presidential candidate. The Committee report recommended that Prof Saitoti should be investigated by the Kenya Anti-Corruption Authority with a view to prosecution for his role in the Goldenberg scandal. Fred Gumo was also named. (Daily Nation Monday, November 27, 2002)

"I am pleased that the Cabinet team sworn-in today truly represents the Republic of Kenya in all aspects. I welcome you into your new jobs, knowing that Kenyans are looking up to you because they believe you are up to the job."
President Mwai Kibaki speaking after Narc's newly-appointed ministers took their oath of office. Prof. Saitoti and Fred Gumo were among those sworn in. (Daily Nation Tuesday, January 7, 2003)

Raila on Kibaki

2006-08-12T00:54:00.000+03:00

“Coward and hypocrite… [His tenure as the] Finance Minister and later as Vice-President for over a decade was nothing to brag about.”
Energy Minister Raila Odinga on Democratic Party chairman Mwai Kibaki. (Sunday Nation Sunday, February 17, 2002)

"We have a President who sees ahead. He is not a tribalist but a visionary. That is why we said "Kibaki Tosha,"

Cabinet Minister Raila Odinga on President Mwai Kibaki (East African Standard Saturday, July 19, 2003)

Kibaki on NARC

2006-08-11T23:59:00.000+03:00

Some prophets of doom have predicted a vicious in-fighting in Narc following this victory. I want to assure you that they will be disappointed.

Mr Mwai Kibaki on his inauguration as President of Kenya. (Sunday Standard Sunday, January 11, 2004)

“Narc is the most powerful democratic coalition in post-independence East African history.” Mwai Kibaki (East African Standard Thursday, April 10, 2003)

"If you go to the registrar of societies today, you will realise that all parties affiliated to Narc no longer exist," Mwai Kibaki (Daily Nation Tuesday, December 30, 2003)