Sunday, 14 April 2013

Raila Odinga Turns Down Government Diplomatic Job Offer

HANDSHAKE: President Uhuru and Raila Odinga
Raila Odinga yesterday politely declined an offer by the Jubilee Government to work as an envoy explaining that his “plate is full.” Mr. Odinga said his focus is to strengthen the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD).

Raila Odinga later on urged those still sympathising with him for losing the presidency, to stop. Speaking in Khwisero constituency on Saturday during the burial of Mama Ellena Andayi, 93, mother to area lawmaker Benjamin Andola, Mr. Odinga said he was ready to soldier on despite losing the Presidency, adding he would re-organise his house.

“Do not tell me sorry for what happened, I do not wish to hear this. When a cooking stick breaks, do you stop preparing your meal? Certainly not! And that is why we want to state that we have enough work to do,” said Raila Odinga.

The meeting yesterday was important to show the people that there is no animosity between the Government and CORD. However, Raila Odinga is firmly in the opposition trenches ready to ensure services are delivered as promised to Kenyans.

Monday, 8 April 2013

PM's Condolence Message on Death of Baroness Margaret Thatcher

It is with great sadness that I have learnt of the death of Margaret Thatcher, the former Prime Minister of Britain.

I take this opportunity to wish well her family, the Conservative Party and the people of Britain.

Mrs Thatcher will go down in history not only as Britain's first female prime minister, but as a pioneer of many important ideas that transformed not only her country but many nations across the globe, including Kenya.

She pioneered a closer scrutiny of what the role of the state should be in the lives of citizens, a debate that rages to date, and which led to improved conditions for many people in many nations.

Many features of the modern economic governance like privatisation, deregulation, size of government, free trade, among others, owe their rise and popularity to her tenure when she tried to stem economic decline in her country.

She popularized the idea that a functioning economy is at the centre of freedom with sayings l like “there is no liberty unless there is economic liberty.”

Margaret Thatcher fired up women’s involvement in politics and public life with famous remarks like; “if you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.”

She may be gone, but the ideals she bequeathed the world will inspire generations to come.

May she rest in eternal peace.

Rt. Hon. Raila A. Odinga, EGH,
PRIME MINISTER; 

Monday, April 8, 2013.

Wednesday, 3 April 2013

Raila Odinga Speaks On Devolution

PMPS
Nairobi, April 3, 2013


Prime Minister Raila Odinga has strongly spoken against attempts by the government to interfere with letter and spirit of devolution saying a situation is developing where some forces in government want county commissioners and other members of the provincial administration to act as legitimate authorities in the countries.


Saying the situation was inconsistent with provisions of the constitution, the PM stated that attempts to make governors either take orders from county commissioners or play subsidiary roles to what he called agents of an outdated order were unacceptable.


Addressing CORD Nairobi County Assembly members today, Mr. Odinga recalled that he had warned about this development immediately the office of the President embarked on appointing county commissioners adding the transitional clause is very clear that the provincial administration would be restructured to fit in the new constitution.


“Let us get this clear. It is the system known as the provincial administration which was to be restructured to fit in to the new constitution, not the other way round,” he said.


He emphasized that CORD as a coalition stood strongly for the full and undiluted devolution of power and resources to the counties adding Kenyans must enjoy what they voted for in the new constitution promulgated on August 27, 2010.


Saying Kenyans must not be caught in unnecessary drama and theatrics, the PM added that Kenyans must be allowed to look up to and hold responsible only people they elected in the last polls to take care of their counties.


He said, “That is why I want to call on all governors and county assembly members, regardless of party to hold their ground, stand firm and demand to be given the full space and mandate to implement the devolution agenda of their voters.”


The PM pointed out that without the full implementation of the devolution agenda, the country will return to the old centralization that is responsible for the inequities dogging the country.


Raila at the same time said he did not need to be pitied after his election loss, saying the many messages of sympathy that he was receiving were misplaced and unnecessary.


Emphasizing that he was still strong and committed to the ideals of democracy for which he will continue championing, Raila made it clear that he will continue to soldier on. “There are many ways of killing a cat,” he added.


The PM, who hosted the county assembly members to lunch at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, reminded them that they had a responsibility and duty to implement the promises CORD made during the campaigns as written in the coalition’s manifesto.

Ends..

Saturday, 30 March 2013

Statement of the Rt. Hon. Raila A. Odinga on the Judgement of the Supreme Court of Kenya

29th March, 2013


 

Fellow Kenyans,

Members of the media,

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

Good afternoon,

You will recall that on 9th March 2013, I issued a statement on the conduct of the elections which had just been concluded.

I expressed my deep gratitude to all Kenyans who had turned out massively to exercise their democratic rights to vote and elect their leaders.

I however expressed my dismay that contrary to the expectations of Kenyans, we witnessed the failure of virtually every instrument the IEBC had deployed to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.

I outlined such failures, with concrete examples of the anomalies that all of us witnessed. It was clear that the constitutionally sanctioned process of electing new leaders had been thwarted again by another tainted election. Democracy was on trial in Kenya.

But that has not dented my commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law.

Enforcing the spirit and letter of the constitution remains the only sure way to peace and prosperity for our young democracy.

My decision to file a petition in the Supreme Court to challenge the validity of the election was a testament of my faith in the independence of our judiciary.

We did so for the sake of our democracy and for the sake of all Kenyans who wanted to exercise their constitutional right to elect their leaders through free and fair election.

We were joined in this endeavour by Africog, which separately filed a petition seeking to nullify the fourth of March Presidential election.

This proves that my petition had nothing to do with personal grudge as contended by the IEBC, Hon Uhuru Kenyatta and Hon William Ruto.

In the petition, I expressed our belief that the court would uphold the letter and spirit of our constitution. I pledged to abide by the court decision.

We prosecuted the case to the best of our ability.

Our legal team, led by Senior Counsel George Oraro compiled formidable and logical evidence showing that massive malpractices occurred during the elections.

We unearthed evidence of technology failure that required a full audit, inappropriate conduct on the part of IEBC staff, irregular and unethical arrangements such as the sharing of servers by IEBC with a competitor and unmarked registers.

We regret that the court disallowed evidence on the grounds that it was either filed late or the court did not have time to inquire into these discrepancies. In the end, Kenyans lost their right to know what indeed happened.

Ladies and gentlemen,
 

The court has now spoken. Article 140 of our constitution states that “the Supreme Court shall hear and determine the petition and its decision is final.”

Although we may not agree with some of its findings, and despite all the anomalies we have pointed out, our belief in constitutionalism remains supreme.

Casting doubt on the judgment of the court could lead to higher political and economic uncertainty, and make it more difficult for our country to move forward.

We must soldier on in our resolve to reform our politics and institutions. Respect for the supremacy of the constitution in resolving disputes between fellow citizens is the surest foundation of our democratic society.

And the courts should always act within the evolving constitutional culture.

I and my brother and running mate Hon Kalonzo have no regrets for taking our case to court.

Indeed, it is our view that this court process is yet another milestone in our long road towards democracy for which we have fought so long.

Truth, justice and the faithful implementation of the constitution is our best guarantee to peace and security.

Ladies and gentlemen,
 

It is my hope that the incoming government will have fidelity to our constitution, and implement it to the letter for the betterment of our people. I wish president –elect Uhuru Kenyatta and deputy President elect William Ruto best of luck in this endeavour.

I also wish all the Senators, Members of Parliament, Women Representatives, Governors and others who were elected in the last election success in discharging the expectations of our people.

I want to thank Senior Counsel George Oraro and the members of his legal team for their hard work and devotion in the quest for justice. I would also like to pay special tribute to the Africog legal team led by Kethi Kilonzo for their immense contribution to the rule of law and democracy.

To the Kenyans who supported us and our petition, I want to assure you that I will continue to work for you and with you to build our county, Kenya, and to help you achieve your dreams.

My actions have always been guided by my desire to bring about a better life for all Kenyans, particularly those who are less privileged. The future of Kenya is bright. Let us not allow the elections to divide us. Let us re-unite as a Nation.

Finally, I call on all Kenyans– our supporters and opponents alike – to remember the sacred words of our National Anthem: Justice be our shield and defender;

Thank You and God Bless Kenya.

Monday, 25 March 2013

CORD Petition: Summary of the Substance of the CORD Response to Defence Teams of IEBC, Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto



Monday, March 25, 2013

MEDIA ADVISORY

SUMMARY OF THE SUBSTANCE OF THE CORD RESPONSE TO IEBC, UHURU KENYATTA & WILLIAM RUTO DEFENCE

ON Saturday, March 23, 2013, the Petitioner (Prime Minister Raila Odinga) filed a response to the replying affidavits by the respondents to the Cord petition in the Supreme Court registry.

The full hearing of the petition commences tomorrow at the Supreme Court.  Below is a summary of the reply to the affidavits of the four respondents  — Chairman Isaack Hassan, IEBC, Uhuru Kenyatta, and William Ruto (full documents attached).

The Cord response can be summarized into the following:

a)     Inaccurate transfer and inflating of votes from Form 34 to Form 36:

CORD provides numerous examples of how the number of votes entered in IEBC Form 34 was changed when entered into Form 36.  For example, in Mogongo Primary School polling station in North Mugirango Constituency the original Form 34 figure of 3 votes for Uhuru was entered as 236, an additional difference of 233 votes; Lemelepo Water Project polling station in Kajiado North Constituency shows that while Form 34 originally indicated 2740 for Mr Kenyatta, this figure increased by 264 votes to a total of 3004 in Form 36.

CORD also cites similar examples from Garsen, Igembe Central, Chuka Igambang’ombe, Manyatta, Ol Jorok, Mukurweini,  Kabete, Kapseret, Tinderet, Tiaty, Kajiado North, Chepalungu, Konoin, Luanda, Funyula among others.

b)   Inflating of votes for Uhuru Kenyatta in form 36 in the Final Tally:

An affidavit sworn by ODM executive officer Janet Ongera also presents cases where the Form 36 entries were further altered to inflate Uhuru Kenyatta’s votes in the final national tally announced by IEBC at Bomas of Kenya.

Quoting examples from Kisauni, Tigania East, South Imenti, Runyenjes, Mavoko, Othaya Nyeri Town, Kiharu, Lari, Kajiado West, Lurambi, Hamisi, Mr Elgon
Webuye West, Seme, North Mugirango among others, CORD exposes a “scheme of inflation” of Uhuru’s votes in the figures announced in Bomas.

Among quoted examples is Lari Constituency where results entered at the Constituency tallying centre and the ones announced in Bomas show an increase of 1,367 for Uhuru Kenyatta. South Imenti is shown to have announced 62,481 at the Constituency’s Form 36 and 63,271 at Bomas National tally giving Uhuru Kenyatta 790 additional votes.

In Kisauni, Uhuru Kenyatta gained an additional 528 votes. While Form 36 indicates 10,366, IEBC’s final tally at Bomas indicates 10,894. In Mt Elgon, Uhuru gained an extra 500 votes (Form 36 shows 28,786 while the Final Tally shows 29,286).

c)    Reduction of Raila Odinga’s Votes
 
 Raila Odinga’s votes were also reduced in Form 36 logs (Constituency results) in spite of Form 34 (Polling Station Results) indicating he had a higher number of Votes. Examples are attached from 38 constituencies where Raila Odinga’s results at the polling stations (Form 34) were tampered with and reduced when the final constituency results were lodged into Form 36.

The 38 constituencies include Kisauni, Bura, Matayos, Tigania West, South Imenti, Manyatta, Runyenjes, Kitui, Makueni, Mathira, Juja, Nyeri Town, Turkana Central, Samburu, Aldai, Tiati, Baringo Central, Laikipia West, Laikipia East, Kajiado North, Chepalungu, Mumias East, Shinyalu, Luanda, Emuhaya, Sirisia, Webuye West, Tongaren, North Mugirango, Othaya, Roysambu among others.


d)   Use of Electronic Voting

In his reply, Odinga also states that

        i.            the use of technology in the elections was intended to act as a check and control system and its failure affected the results fundamentally.
      ii.            that the explanations given by the IEBC downplaying the failure of the system and its effect on the elections “takes the common intellect of the people of Kenya for granted”
     iii.            that the IEBC explanations about the failure of the system are not factual

Mr Odinga also has attached a sworn affidavit from an ICT expert whose testimony shows that the Kencall Relationship with IEBC and TNA compromised data management.

a)     Kencall EPZ used a single IP address 196.1.26.40 for both the IEBC and Uhuru’s Kenyatta’s TNA. In its evidence CORD says Nicholas Alexander Nissbit (A Kencall Director) does not deny the fact that both the IEBC and TNA were hosted and operated on a single IP address as has been claimed by CORD. They also will provide proof that Kencall EPZ Limited, in reality was a call centre that was used as a gateway that linked the First Respondent’s database titled African Focus and accessed through the following web address or URL https://www.intranet.kencall/apps/iebc and The National Alliance (TNA) database known as Market Race CRM and accessed through the web address or URL https://www.intranet.kencall/apps/tna.
b)     The IEBC by agreeing to this arrangement compromised the elections on the basis of requirements for a an impartial, neutral, transparent, efficient, accurate, accountable and verifiable manner.

e. IEBC System Failure Explanation – NOT FACTUAL

a)     Claims made by the IEBC have no basis whatsoever as regards to alleged failure of the technology according to CORD’s expert witness affidavits. One expert describes the IEBC claim that the server failed as “entirely preposterous”.
b)     CORD’s Spanish expert’s affidavit describes as either “pure fiction” or “entirely inconceivable” IEBC’s claim that the batteries of the hand held devises used at the polling stations for bio metric identification of voters either failed or were not charged or could not hold charge for a sufficient period of time
c)      The CORD experts’ affidavits will also present evidence to show that IEBC claims that the transmission system failed due to data overload has no basis in technology terms in this day and age.
d)     CORD also questions IEBC claims that their officers has forgotten passwords does not make sense as there exist mechanism in place for password reminder which standard technology industry practice as seen worldwide on social network websites like Facebook.
e)     CORD will also present a sworn affidavit by an International Technology expert who states “This system in my personal knowledge, has the capability to deliver up the election result within a period of around 4 hours with very negligible error”. 

f. Voter Registrar:

The Petitioner also contends that:

        i.            IEBC has failed to present a closed register for the March 4th Elections.
      ii.            IEBC resolve that “a special register is to be generated and will be used to allow the voters to vote” but never presented any proof or minutes of a meeting where this special register was finally approved and when it was gazette.
    iii.            A questionable voters register cannot be a foundation of a free and fair election conducted in accordance with the law.
    iv.            IEBC own staff and figures show incidents where IEBC allowed votes that exceeded the number of registered. This latter category of incidents include; Lomerimeri polling station in Tiaty Constituency where the form 36 itself shows 68 registered voters against 163 valid votes cast; King’atua Primary School in Lari Constituency where the form 36 itself shows 319 registered voters against 762 valid votes cast; Boroon Primary School in Marakwet West Constituency where the form 36 itself shows 218 registered voters against 228 valid votes cast.

CORD petition through various documents finally seeks to show that President Elect Uhuru Kenyatta did not meet the 50 + 1 threshold, and the declaration by IEBC was the result of inaccurate tallying and unwarranted additional votes



PETITION COMMUNICATION TEAM LIAISON

NB: For further updates on the petition visit the official cord sites

Twitter: @Kenya_Democracy (https://twitter.com/Kenya_Democracy)
You Tube Downloads: KDemocracyOnTrial (https://www.youtube.com/user/KDemocracyOnTrial)

Sunday, 24 March 2013

PM Odinga Cautions Governors to Beware of Anti-Reform Forces

PMPS 24th March 2013.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has cautioned governors that the forces that have persistently resisted the reforms the country had realized since the new constitutional order was promulgated are not comfortable with the devolved structures of governance.

He told the county leaders to stand their grounds in defending the implementation of the new constitution to ensure that the devolved structures were fully operational.

“The constitutional dispensation is here but we still have some resistance from these forces .You must be firm as the governors to resist their attempts to bring back the old order to secure your position” Odinga said.

He expressed fears that the introduction of County Commissioners was part of wider scheme by such forces to undermine devolution instruments of governance at the local level.

Odinga decried that the nation failed to register tangible transformation since independence until recently because the same forces were not comfortable with the reforms in the new laws.

“Kenyans have experienced the struggles between two forces pulling in opposite direction pitting reformers and others who inherited the colonial privileges at independence and insist on retention of status” he said.

The premier who was accompanied by his family including his spouse Ida Odinga made the remarks when he joined worshippers for a Sunday mass at St Stephen Cathedral church in Kisumu.

He again sent a passionate appeal to residents to remain calm despite the unexpected turn of events after the general election saying matter was not for discussion because a petition challenging the poll results was in the hands of the Supreme Court.

Speakers at the church exuded confidence that the Supreme Court to deliver just verdict over the petition filed over the disputed results of the just concluded general elections and urged residents to remain calm.

Other leaders among the congregation included Kisumu Governor, Jack Ranguma and his deputy Adhiambo Odinga, M.Ps Ken Obura, Jakoyo Midiwo, Fred Outa, Aduma Owuor and Assistant Ministers Oburu Odinga.

Ends…

Saturday, 23 March 2013

Raila: Grand Coalition Remains in Office Until 4th President Is Sworn

Prime Minister Raila Odinga addresses Mourners at Ranalo Village, Rarieda, Siaya County during the Burial service for Mama Selina Odoyo the Mother to William Osewe the proprietor Ranalo Restaurant Nairobi.
Picture Domnic Odhiambo
PMPS 23rd March 2013.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga maintains that the coalition government remains in office until the fourth president of the republic is sworn.
 

He insists that the lifespan of the coalition comes to an end when the new government legitimately assumes office.

“The coalition government is still in power because the president, the Prime Minister, and the Vice President will remain in office until the next government takes oath of office” Odinga said.

He cautioned the public servants especially the Permanent Secretaries to stop taking ‘political decisions’ in the presumption that they could oversee the transition period.

The premier clarified that his decision to shelve making public his opinion about the petition he filed dismissing the results of the recent polls was not driven by the recent purported directive by the bureaucrats.

“I only thought it was descent to suspend such talks in public gatherings to allow the legal process flow without prejudice” he explained.

Odinga gave his position today when he joined mourners for the burial of Mama Selina Guda, the late mother a renowned Nairobi hotelier Mr. William Ragegni village in Siaya County.


Notable guests at the funeral included Siaya Governor elect Rasanga Amoth, Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo and Bondo counterpart Gideon Ochanda.
Ends……..