Labels: Africa, Economics, Elections, Kapsabet, Kenya, Politics

It all started by the Electoral Commission of Kenya crying to have the results from the delaying constituencies mainly from Central Kenya. The European observers raised their eyebrows over the delays.

Kenyans were calm waiting for results. Three days down the line, idleness griped the hard working Kenyans. Shops looted, residences burnt and a number of citizens lost lives across the nation.

On 30^th December, When the ECK chairman announced the results that Mwai Kibaki had won, it took a few minutes and he was sworn in as a president of Kenya.

Raila Odinga on the other hand did not miss the microphone and he announced that he will be sworn in on 31^st December as a president.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS
- European Union

- Commonwealth
- African Union

"We believe that, at this time, the ECK (Electoral Commission of Kenya), despite the best efforts of its chairman, has not succeeded in establishing the credibility of the tallying process to the satisfaction of all parties and candidates," chief EU observer Alexander Graf Lambsdorff said in a statement.

"We regret that it has not been possible to address irregularities about which both the EU EOM (EU Electoral Observation Mission) and the ECK have evidence," he added.

Graf said his mission had evidence of presidential tallies announced in polling stations on the election being inflated by the time they were released by the electoral commission in Nairobi.

WHY IS US AND BRITAIN ASKING FOR ACCPETANCE OF ECK RESULTS?

“We ask all candidates to accept the Commission’s final results and to urge their supporters to reject violence and respect the rule of law. Regardless of the eventual winners of this election, we call on Kenyans across the political spectrum to work together to advance democracy and national development,’’- a statement from US Embassy.

“We are disturbed at the violence surrounding the elections. The British government calls for an end to the violence, respect for the democratic process and for all Kenya’s political leaders to act responsibly,” – a statement by British Foreign Secretary.

This election had an international interest than the local interest.

Watch this space…

Bogs down kenya

Labels: Africa, Economics, Elections, Kenya, Politics

Since it became possible for me to read, history has never repeated itself. Things have been changing not only near me, but even where I can’t scratch. I can say, situations are different but tend to draw similar results.

Reports from within Africa and out of Africa have estimated this continent to be vanishing and soon it might be forgotten. The dirges are War, Poverty, Corruption, Nepotism, Tribalism, Poor media, Torture, Rape, Dictatorship, and so on, please, please sing on.

Yesterday it was General Idi Amin Dada of Uganda, and then Mobutu Seseseko Kuku Mbendu wa Zambanga of Zaire well known today, as, Democratic Republic of Congo, Daniel arap Moi of Kenya, Charles Taylor of Liberia and now, Said Al Bashir of Sudan and Robert Mugabe of Zimbambwe are bracketed to be dictators.

Few weeks ago, Joachim Chisano of Mozambique, got an award of transforming his nation. That is leadership. He is among the best African leaders championing the African agenda. Nelson Mandela the African gold of sincerity and justice.

Africa has produced great athletes who have scooped huge medals internationally. Kenyans, Ethiopians, Nigerians, Algerians, Ugandans, Tanzanians, South Africans, Namibians… are not only experts in climbing the beautiful hills raised above the sea level but race like cheetahs in the short races. No doping.

Let me not talk about the African queens…oh my…they are the best because nature says so. Be it character, the beauty and the complexion that matches the continent’s soils. Have you heard of Alek Wek of Sudan?

Remember, the African minerals have beautified almost all palaces and houses of respect. They still serve important role in the industries in the developed world as raw materials and energy source. If the continent was dark, the minerals would have stayed here. The game is opportunistic.

The wars in the continent too, have perforated African human resource, infrastructures, agriculture, mining, education systems and health facilities. Killer diseases like HIV/Aids and Ebola have proliferated. Somalia no longer produces Bananas and goats for export; Democratic Republic of Congo does not earn much from natural resource because of rebels claiming ownership of the mine fields; Southern Sudan cannot drill oil further because of the tension with Sudan government; and Niger Delta rebels say they will put their arms when the oil contracts become fair for the locals.

Most of these wars in Africa have international dimensions mainly on the supply of the weapons. In some instances, the foreign governments have ventured in having double standards in the sense of supporting coups and some instances fighting the enemies of peace.

If pointing fingers would avail solutions instantly, the continent would be far. Urgent solutions are needed to blunt the sharpness of poverty, war, maladies and levels of illiteracy.

Whether Africa is Nazareth or Jerusalem, we have to concentrate on issues that affect humanity. Let us overlook the borders or water boundaries that separate continents and think of how best we can contribute to the development of Africa and the world in general.

Photos/style.com, associatedcontent.com, smh.com.au

Labels: Africa, Economics, Kenya, Peace, Politics, Tanzania, Uganda