Of a Beleaguered President and Desperate Lot

What becomes of a leader who can't read the signs on the wall? How else can you redeem a besieged man courtesy of his own (in)actions? For a long time especially in continental Africa, presidents have made a habit of imposing themselves on their subjects and having their way without much struggle.

Not Anymore
Gone were those days. Times have changed. Anybody who doubts this should cast an eye on the North and ask not if one of Africa's longest serving(dictating) despots will ever see this weekend or worst tomorrow in the throne.
One of the interesting part of this African story is that presidents stick to power, become so unpopular that when time draws nigh for their forceful exit, their closest of liutenants shun them, castigate their actions, join the rebelling force and pave way for the president's exit.
The examples range from Tunis, Egypt and now Libya.

Of a story with a homeward stretch
Does this narrative sound familiar to the Kenyan scenario? Indeed yes and real. Kenya's even worse. For the three African presidents recently deposed, their cumulative time in office comes to 93 YEARS .For president Kibaki, two terms have made him out of touch with his Justice Minister, Attorney General, Judiciary and obviously the larger public. This is a president whose cards have been exhausted and the last he remains with is a Jocker which of cause salvages not a cards player. The man perceived years ago as a likely master of the chase game has lost it all and employs the last of the tactics available for a man under siege, under the guidance of a desperate lot crying foul of framing by an international court.
Any way out?
What Mr.Kibaki would you consider the best option to deal with this impasse as an individual? I see it this way, that perhaps for the umpteenth time you came to the public to raise your concern about the speaker's ruling, you seemed not yourself. Help, somebody is ensnaring the president, boxing him into a corner, left to throw harmless kicks which cannot even scare a coward opponent.

Watch, Mr. President, hear Mr.Kibaki, feel the mood Mzee and strike that last gentleman's cord with destiny and allow reason and the law to carry the day.

The fellows you sent your ever fidgetty assitant, Kalonzo to beg support against ICC are leaving the stage very frustrated, ashamed and sad. Gadaffi, Mubarak and southern Africa's shame, Mugabe are very disturbed men. You do not want to join their league.

A President confounded by realities of a new constitution he proclaimed in August 2010.

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Ruto's attempts to Dethrone PM Misplaced

Days, and years were when boardroom coups was common day in this country. Self-styled politicians and corporate leaders had developed a rather homegrown solution of dethroning those they found unfit or 'unfriendly' for the positions they held. Notable institutions notorious for this kind of practice was the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce which had come of age in this art.

Last week, politicians, and musketeers allied to Eldoret North MP William Ruto came up with a wild idea of deposing the Prime Minister Raila Odinga as the Prime Minister leave alone party leader on account that he no longer commands political auuthority in the House. The last time one bothered to check with the registrar of parties, one found that all these guys shouting at the top of their voices were still members of the very political party they so distance themselves from like plaque. Theoretically ODM, based on the registrar's understanding is the party with the most number of seats in the 10th parliament thus to insinuate that the prime minister does not enjoy a sizeable backing from the house is fallacious.

Numbers, yes, but.....
In practice, the prime minister has been orphaned a great deal since parting ways with with his earstwhile political foe, William Ruto. The latter claims to command a good number of MPs both from ODM and PNU. That, he says is the numbers. It is on this ground therefore that Ruto believes he has the audacity to dethrone Raila from premiership. What this bunch of renegade forces forget is that the Prime Minister's office is an office set under constitution (National Reconcilliation Accord Act).

Kick him as Party Head but not PM
It follows therefore that Ruto's (or his stalwart's) attempts are futile and only take a man who's just landed in the planet to do so. They can perhaps marshall the numbers, if their claim is true, and eject the premier from his position as party head.

Word of advice
The political machinations against the premier courtesy of Ruto and PNU hypocrites, which by and large has the blessings of Kibaki are tunnel visioned and ill informed. Leave the party, seek a fresh mandate and come back. Acquaint yourselves with The Political Parties Act ladies and gentleman.

Dear Mr. President Kibaki

What, Mr. President is the measure of an educated man? His mastery of his mother tongue, civility, adherence to set standards? Or perhaps ability to articulate issues and present a sober judgment based on an informed decision? Could it be a good legacy for you?To many, these among others could form a bench mark.
Of a rushed decision, roadside declaration
Last week, Mr. President, shortly before you left for Addis Ababa for the AU summit, you scribbled a paper and there we were with the Attorney General, Chief Justice, Director of Public Prosecution and Controller of Budget (all these, provisional). Even before you settled to breath the Abyssinian air, there was hue and cry from many quarters in this country from friend and foe alike. They said you never followed the spirit and letter of the constitution. That you were not faithful to your pledge you made on August 27, 2010 at Uhuru Park.
One thing I understand and would not easily fault you for is that you had a tough date with IGAD heads of states shortly before you proceeded for the AU summit. You had to dangle the carrot in order to sell an idea (described in many quarters as archaic, quite unpalatable and in-congruent with the signs of time). Nonetheless though, you just had to. You had to convince your fellow heads of states that a deferral from the ICC would be a better option for Kenya and the only tinge of evidence that you would be a trustworthy player was to inform them you had even gone ahead, appointed new constitutional office holders, hitting the road for judicial reform to handle the ICC matter.
New Wine, old wine skin
However, what you seemed to have forgotten is that your actions could only have been acceptable if we were operating under the Lancaster Constitution. You did not, or perhaps your henchmen forgot that we had already proclaimed a new instrument of power which tilted the playing field against your actions and made despondency a fossil. Your advisers failed you a great deal sir. They never reminded you for example that the Judges had to be vetted first before any appointment. That is why you justice minister just last week republished the Vetting of Judges and Magistrates Bill 2011 and the Judicial Service Bill 2011 to pave way for this process. At best, you were overtaken by events sir. You witnessed the serving of new wine on August 27, but unfortunately, it was served on old wine skins, you been one this time barred skins. What a waste of a gem!
Lessons from the North
May this be a kind reminder to you sir that there comes a time when people can no longer fathom illicit actions and have to let out their anger. It should not be forgotten or ignored by any one of us that the developments in northern Africa and across the Arab world are not only confined to those regions. It should be an constant reminder to you sir that whereas we may not got the way of Tunisia or Egypt now, it is only a matter of time before everybody shouts at the top of their voices to your chagrin and annoyance and the best you can do would be to fold your regalia and head home wards.

A good legacy to you sir, should be the measure of an educated man.





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What Becomes of Ex-African Leaders?

Despots on the run, arrested and jailed for plunder, exile and/or death? Perhaps the list may be endless. The question still remains interesting to many an observer of this continent. It cannot and should not escape our attention as to what becomes of these men and women who serve in the highest offices of our lands. After the developments in Tunisia which saw the immediate former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali take to the skies in sojourn for refuge, it interests to do some comparative analysis.

Wanted, Warrant of Arrests
Immediately after taking off, the interim government of Tunisia issued a warrant of arrest against Ben Ali and his family for what it calls "illegal acquisition" of assets and "illicit transfers" of funds abroad.Interpol issued a global alert known as 'interpol diffusion' to member countries to locate and provisionally arrest Mr Ben Ali and six others.

Bedfellows
Ben Ali is not the only one. Other classical examples include the former Ugandan dictator Gen Iddi Amin who later died in Saudi Arabia, CAR's former dictator Jean-Bedel Bokassa and the list goes on and on. However, the most interesting could be the despots currently in power whose exit from power may not be any different from Ben Ali's. In an article, 'Worst of the Worst' Foreign Policy magazine released the list of the world's most awful tyrants and without doubt (politics of magazine's origin aside), out of twenty three autocrats, thirteen are from African nations.
Write books, Build a Library and Leave a LegacyWhile comparison with their peers for example in the US may not be scientific, it is though refreshing to do so. Most, if not all former American presidents resign to writing memoirs, setting up charities and world class libraries for use by generations after.In the fullness of time, some of these libraries and foundations are handed over to The National Archives for example The Nixon Presidential Library. Though former president George W. Bush may have left office when ratings were all time low,The George W. Bush Presidential Library is currently on course coupled with a memoir.
Indications
The current wave sweeping through the Mahgreb region is indicative of a despotic nature of governance which has become characteristic of the African continent for eons. Perhaps this justifies why some of these leaders cannot engage in worthy causes other than fight of litigations, take flight to nowhere in search for refuge or live in solitude for fear of recrimination.

Ironically, most of these leaders enjoy world class treatment while in power, operating on run-away budgets at the expense of desolate and impoverished citizenry. Towards the end, it dawns on them that they may have to spend the rest of their lives very troubled. It's no wonder some of them succumb to death whilst in power for reasons sometimes seen as combined spell.

The Rise of the Incumbents

The recent developments in Ivory Coast, formerly one of Africa's bread basket, with attendant countries such as Zimbabwe is indiacative of a return to the post colonial African struggeles which featured between the 1960 and late 80s.
It is a sad reminder and perhaps a spirited return to the dark ages of the continent shortly after the long fought for independence was attained. This was a time when the dreams of many, which had just come to view were disappearing at disturbing rates as the oligarchs who had just been weaned by the colonial master took over power.

Lessons from Previous Classes

It is perhaps interesting to note that though the tactics employed by Gbagbo do not necesarily replicate the gorilla tactics of the 70s, its inidicative of lessons learned from the over 70 coups which took place in the aforestated period strongly come in handy. The rise of the incumbents would best title this argument.

There is a growing realisation by incumbets of the need to stay another day in power to safeguard interests acquired during the (il)legimitate terms. In a bid to protect these interests-both individual and communal, they have earnestly and faithfully drawn lessons not only from fellow African heads and former but also got inspiration from such other places as Latin America.

The Three Tier Approach

 The tactics takes a three tier approach: Manipulate and own the electoral stystem, terrorise and endear parliament to change constitutional provisions for extension of term limits or as a last resort, act arrogantly, throw caution to the wind  and deny ever losing any elections even when the whole world is cock sure you lost the count.
The million dollar question is, did Laurent Gbagbo have to scratch his head on choice of these options? Obviously not. He only had to engage in a picky pong game, close his eyes and there he was with the third option skillfully crafted as a hybrid system by borrowing a little from the first option.

 Who thou art inspired thee?

But how and where did he get this idea of sticking to power? Fellow octogenarians and faithful students of the yester year schools of politics were a great inspiration to admire. Zimbabwe, which is still grappling with a fledgling coalition governement wasn't far to draw inspiration from. However, research requires a corroborative design and to achieve this end, Kenya, the maiden example of bungled elections came in handy.
Now the irony is that the home of phony politics provides the best choice for African Union as a mediator.
Not a bad choice though as he(the Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga) can apply some of the skills by Koffi Annan to box him into a power sharing deal.

But what becomes of Africa after the Ivory Coast affair? Your guess is equally as good as mine.

Mixed Fortunes, Infidelities Unearthed and Faith Unfailling

The final rescue of the thirty three Chilean miners on October 14, 2010 heralded more surprises than relief.
After seventy days underground, gambling and mastering courage from the deepest of their hearts, men of fortune finally came back to the other side of the earth where fellow human beings inhabit perhaps with a totally different world view.
It was dramatic, heart rending, chilling, ecstatic and at some point orgasmic as the world turned its attention to the plight of these miners in Latin America. The media chewed the cane hard as they tried to outdo each other and scoop the competition with the latest exclusives in what was largely seen to be a godsend fortune for ratings especially after the economic slump for the last two years.

Cameras and Notebooks on the Beat: San Jose Mine.

Media houses all over the world, especially the networks trained their cameras and notebooks on the Chilean beat for the last twenty on so days as the rescue mission intensified with the prospects of a christmas day final rescue. The small media scattered the world over relied on wire services and obviously the major networks. Breaking Story, Exclusive, became the by-word as others sexed up the story to give a much more captivating view. Ratings went high. Over 2,000 journalists descended on San Jose for real-time coverage.

Of Hidden Infidelities and the Untimely Revelation

As the miners and the rest of the world crossed their fingers on what would be one of the most unnerving experience of a lifetime, one of the miners, Yonni Barrios cursed the collapse of the mines not for the unfortunate situation he was in but because of the rat squeezing itself out of the bag. One of man's most confidential secrets(even acknowledged by the law of confidence) was about to be revealed. His wife, was to learn that her husband was not only an expansionist in search of fortunes underground but also one with an ever expeditious spirit, out to conquer the world in many ways, this time round, the power of love (or its attendant-lust).
The collapse indeed proved a (mis)fortune for families as this additional report came in: One of the 33 trapped Chilean miners will have an extra family member waiting for him when he makes it to the surface. Ariel Ticona's wife has given birth to a baby girl, the couple's third child. The couple had planned to name their first daughter Carolina but will now name her Esperenza—Spanish for "Hope."

Faith Unfailling

True to their faith and believe in super natural power, the miners kept on strong, despite the nerve chilling fear of the unknown as the clock ticked. Even they, who believed not in God may have had a chance to gamble over an unforeseen force.

Another Blow to Kenyan Justice?

Kenya, or perhaps a section of governement has declared that it does not need the services of ICC after all. This comes shortly after the governement signed an agreement with the prosecutor's office at ICC which granted it (ICC) unfettered access to information, sources and victims of the post election violence(2007) in quest for the long awaited justice.
Through its justice minister, the governent has indicated that with the endorsement and subsequent promulgation of the new constitution a month ago, the government of Kenya had acquired the right and adequate instruments to met justice on its on based on the standards of the Internation Criminal Court. in what appears to be a calculated move to protect status quo or perhaps the high and mighty in and outside government, the minister noted that the Kenyan case was more complex."I am not out to undermine the ICC and its obligations, but the fact is that the Kenyan case is complex and it will be better dealt with locally," he said.
The question is, is this the final blow to attempts by ICC to hit the last nail on the coffin? Is it coincidental that Louis Ocampo, the ICC chief prosecutor is coming to town in October? Is there a conspiracy in government to frustrate Ocampo's efforts? And, doesn't this raise eye brows given that it comes barely four days after a Cabinet meeting?
All these conspiracy theories combined scare the rat out of innocent Kenyans whose property were pillaged and  lives destroyed by blood letting thugs in 2007/2008 violence.

Al Jazeera English - LISTENING POST - Media spin on the Iraqi elections

Al Jazeera English - LISTENING POST - Media spin on the Iraqi elections

Of Two Centres of Power and a Citizenry in Limbo

The recent developments in Kenya pitying a frustrated prime minister and a don't care-wait and see president last this week once more opens sour and seemingly healing wounds of indifference which characterized the political aura in 2007/09.

Kenyans though are no stranger to this tussles on who exactly wields power between the president and the prime minister but a reminiscence of the post election violence a year or so ago whose memories still linger in the minds of many is the most worrying to say the least.

The country was once more treated to the theatre of the absurd, perhaps not just a fight against corruption but an indication of a spectre which has always done rounds in government circles since the signing of the now controversial National Accord which led to cessation of hostilities by both sides of the divide and an embrace of a union which still holds fragile. 

The Honey Burger, ferocious snout and honey in plenty

The most disturbing thing though is not whether the prime minister acted ultra vires but the fate of corruption which remains the single most undoing bedeviling the coalition government. Many have argued against the prime minister's actions which perhaps hold water, much more corroborated by the Attorney General on whose backyard executive authority rests. This argument stands legitimate but one thing lost in the process of this argument is the fate of millions of school going children and the country's grains reserve system which is alleged to have been robbed of millions of dollars through phony practices in the parent ministry. It is also in order to appreciate that official corruption does not end there.  A number of ministers and other senior officials in government corporations are on an eating spree laughing all the way to the bank and driving fuel guzzlers in the name of rewarded hard work.

Laid Back, chewing Cane and Rarely Heard

One man, suggestive of innocence seats on the fence pulling strings and lavishing the dance, not disturbed and not uttering a word safe for occasional statements issued through the official media vessel. The man is the president, Mwai Kibaki. This is a politician who has thrived for long and perhaps cherished the cancer of corporate thinking and its attendant-amnesia in Kenya. Nobody seems to be questioning his position on the fight against corruption but instead the country's attention has been diverted to the prime minister who is at pains to explain to Kenyans aspects of consultation in the coalition.

Ask this man Kibaki 

It's time Kenyans demanded of political responsibility from the president since he comes in as minister number one and therefore ought to take responsibility as the PM or any other minister would. To the PM, an afternoon well spent at Nyayo stadium after cracking the whip on the two cabinet ministers and later on an official trip to Japan was the best thing to have happened to him. 

A divided government, a blood boiling party serves not as the best welcome scenario for the PM  from Japan. Be it as it may, your cards must always remain on your chest.

Too Early in the Day, Hat off my Head

Finally, the curtains have unceremoniously come down, with awe and sadness, the sun has set early in the afternoon. From this stage of life dominated not only by scribes of your ilk but also all and sundry from many a sectors in the society.
Black Saturday the 28th of November is the day when my friend, brother and confidante Wilkins alias Producer exited leaving many groping for facts about his untimely and 'unannounced' departure.
Down Memory Lane
I, fellow scribe and friend have mourned all this days but have grown and found it not only fit but also wise to celebrate you, journey with self down memory lane, share the moments despite the killing nostalgia and more so learn to make the best of this life, for short are man's days an equivalent of a passing shadow and a wilting leaf.
Dark, it Became
You endeared the qualities and virtues of a good man in this world, blooming with talent and promising to hit the skies in a while but just before that happened, the bud was nipped and like the sparrow from the skies short of breath, you came tumbling down from body and soul to the amazement and chagrin of all of us. The dreams and vision you had long ago written in the tablet of your hand had just shown signs of fruition. In the prime of your youth you had just learned the ropes of the trade and was ready to immerse yourself into the profession to prove not just your salt but also confirm God's promise of prosperity and hope. You had just realised that mention of the future had come and no more would one say to you of the old and patronising claims of the 'future leader'. You were just out to inform them, to surprise them that, that future had finally come.
Time Running out
Just before all these happened, the clock went-tick, tick, tack tock and ultimately the lights went off, the stage was deserted and many an audience were left wondering that maybe you had missed the lines, sometimes characteristic of a refined thespian. They thought you had employed many of your rib cracking ways to liven the auditorium as you would sometimes especially when you played 'Pieces of Chalk'. It was no strange to many anyway because you had invoked such before.
For the Umpteenth Time......
This, apparently was not the normal joke. It was real- the stage was to remain silent and the audiences gripped by fear, worry and gloom as they learned that it was not that you had missed the lines but that you had lost them. Your breath was no more and like orphaned children, the audience gathered in groups whispering in low tones as they tried to come to terms with the development.
To your Maker you left
Perhaps, we never knew that time was running out. Indeed for me it took long to realise that our meeting was actually crucial. We kept postponing every time, with flimsy reasons of course to support our argument. Little did I know that you were operating on borrowed time and that the bells of exit were beginning to ring from a distance. Soon the sound of the bells went high and high though not loud for me and you to hear. It was just reserved maybe for your hears only if at all you heard it at the last minute.
Then it was
Ultimately, the day of fire came and you had no option but to respond to that calling of eon which none of the mortal being can resist. The last line of the long verse was just being read, and out, you exited the stage.
To your maker you returned. Unto those left behind, we can't mourn you my friend anymore. I have learned to celebrate your life and grow stronger, learn many other lessons especially on procrastination.
Fare thee well my friend, brother and confidante.