Khartoum (Sudan) Sudan�s Humanitarian Affairs Minister Ahmed Mohamed Haroun accused by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of war crimes said on Monday that he is not afraid of travelling abroad despite a warrant of arrest having been issued against him.

Haroun told APA that he is not concerned about the International Police (INTERPOL) red notices distributed worldwide asking for his arrest.

However, he said that he has not travelled since the arrest warrant was issued, saying that as a government official �travelling is governed by the benefits sought from such a trip�.

Haroun was in Jordan, the only Arab country that is party to the ICC, for medical treatment when the ICC Chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo announced charges against him in late February. The Sudanese minister returned immediately to Khartoum that day.

The INTERPOL circulated a notice for the arrest of Haroun last June. The ICC has an agreement with INTERPOL enabling it to use its telecommunications network and databases.

The ICC issued their first arrest warrants for suspects accused of war crimes in Sudan�s Darfur region in early May. The warrants were issued for Haroun and militia commander Ali Mohamed Ali Abdelrahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, but Sudan refused to hand over the two suspects.

Haroun said the involvement of the ICC in Darfur is political, not judicial, adding that he ICC prosecutor can do nothing �but talk to the press�.

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Published on September 17, 2007, 12:00 am

By Martin Mutua

President Kibaki will attempt to recapture the presidency through the Party of National Unity (PNU) that he unveiled at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), Nairobi, amid pomp and colour, ending many months of anxiety.

The President also left no doubt that he would use the achievements of his Government to push for his re-election.

By picking PNU as his party of choice, Kibaki leaped the last hurdle in his re-election bid � as required by law.

A section of the crowd waves a banner in support of President Kibaki outside the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi. Kibaki had just announced his party of choice. Picture by Jacob Otieno

For the Head of State, it was a significant step coming as it did having earlier set all systems for his campaigns in motion but was still without a political party after Health minister Mrs Charity Ngilu refused to hand over the National Rainbow Coalition (Narc), a constellation of political parties that emphatically ushered him to power in 2002. Parading Kanu chairman Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, Ford-Kenya chairman Mr Musikari Kombo, Ford-People leader Mr Simeon Nyachae, Shirikisho Party of Kenya chairman Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere and Narc-Kenya chairman Mr Raphael Tuju, the much sought-after face of President Kibaki�s re-election outfit was finally unveiled.Also given a chance to speak along with the top party leaders was Agriculture minister, Mr Kipruto arap Kirwa, who has been using the huge Rift Valley voting bloc to strategically position himself as Kibaki�s VP in waiting, if re-elected. His recognition appeared to have been a deliberate move to send a subtle message to expansive region that it featured in the President�s future plans.

Best hope for Kenya

But Kibaki, who appeared to have finally shut out Narc and Ngilu from his return-to-State House game plan, tactfully avoided mentioning the Democratic Party, Sisi Kwa Sisi, Safina, Agano and Mazingira Party of Kenya � all associated with Central Kenya politicians � as among the coterie of PNU parties that will spearhead his comeback bid.

Even though some of the leaders, including Nobel Laureate Prof Wangari Maathai, were present at the function, they neither sat anywhere near Kibaki nor were they given a chance to speak.

In his live telecast speech, Kibaki announced that he would launch his presidential campaigns on September 29. However, the President along with his rivals for the top seat, are already on the campaign trail. Kibaki will make a return to Western Kenya today only weeks after he recently pitched camp there to ask for votes.

With that, the President gave the most telling hint yet that the Ninth Parliament was on its last stretch.

The President has 90 days within which to call the General Election from the time Parliament is dissolved. A campaign period of 21 days is, however, a must.

Kibaki said he had decided, together with other leaders, to form the alliance of political parties along with those who believe they should give the highest priority to the welfare of individual Kenyans.

The President noted that the alliance of parties represented the desire of Kenyans for a just society, where it did not matter where one was born or where they lived.

He added: “This is an alliance that gives hope for the future. That says it does not matter whether you were born rich or poor, you can go to school and get an opportunity to change your life.”

The alliance, he further noted, stood for accountability and good governance of public resources. It also recognises that major economic and social strides have been made even though it believes there was still a lot of work to be done, the President added.

Saying that the new entity was committed to continuously reducing the levels of poverty and ensuring every Kenyan had access to food, shelter, health and education, Kibaki noted: “In order to safeguard the gains we have achieved to date and to attain the objectives and ideals we have spelt out, .”

Enumerating the achievements his Government had made over the last five years, Kibaki urged Kenyans to support him for the final term.

Said he: “Millions of children who would otherwise be out of school have a hope in life due to the free primary education.”

The President further noted that women who used to walk many miles in search of water now had access to clean tap water, adding that the work was still going on.

He further noted that farmers who had given up on farming now had access to markets and enjoyed good prices for their produce while rural communities that had never been supplied with electricity since independence now had lights.

“Hospital cabinets which were empty are now stocked with medicines and an additional 1,000 health centres have been built to bring healthcare closer to Kenyans,” he added.

Kibaki pointed out that his Government had also empowered local communities in every part of the country through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

“Thousands of Kenyans who have lived as squatters since independence have now been empowered through issuance of title deeds. Na kazi inaendelea (The work is ongoing),” he added.

Noting that more than 4,000km of roads have been constructed and that rehabilitation of the transport network meant better movement of all Kenyans, Kibaki observed: “We have been able to achieve all these because of the support of all Kenyans and focused leadership that placed the needs of wananchi first. Leadership is about delivery of development, the improvement of the lives of all Kenyans.”

The President further pointed out that leadership was not about vindictiveness and empty politics or empty propaganda and tribal politics.

He told the gathering at KICC that some politicians, whom he did not name, saddened him as they were polarising the country.

He added: “As a patriot and as your leader, I will continue to dedicate myself to the ideal of national unity. The foundation of my leadership is guided by the words of our national anthem: Justice be our shield and defender, may we dwell in unity, peace and liberty.”

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Story by SAMWEL KUMBA
Publication Date: 9/17/2007�

Pressure is mounting on President Kibaki not to assent to the Miscellaneous Amendments Bill that seeks to cushion politicians from public scrutiny.

The Bill has been termed as containing many mischievous provisions designed to free politicians from being accountable to Kenyans.

�The bad news for the thieves is that private prosecutions are possible and available for citizens in other jurisdictions. Italy, Spain, France and Britain have received such proceedings and this avenue is also open to Kenya,� said non-govenmental organisations.�

Yesterday, 31 NGOs urged the Government, through attorney general Amos Wako�s office to repeal the amnesty clause passed in the Bill.

The NGOs faulted the performance of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) boss, Mr Justice Aaron Ringera, and told him to resign or be subjected to removal procedure under the law of incompetence.�

They termed President Kibaki�s resolve to fight corruption when he took office as having not been implemented, accusing Parliament of now legitimising theft of the billions of shillings looted in the past 40 years before March 2003.

�Miscellaneous Amendments Bills are intended to clean up existing statutes so as to make their objectives more explicit or make them operable. It cannot be allowed that MPs manipulate this process to render the original intent of the law null and void,� read their statement in part.��

They took a swipe at the Government for having previously misused the said miscellaneous procedure to undermine and manipulate the intent and spirit of the law.

Organisations represented

The organisations represented included National Convention Executive Council, Kenya Land Alliance, Covaw, Cradle, Independent Medico-Legal Unit, Cemiride, Centre for Governance and Development, Creaw, Release Political Prisoners, Ujamaa Centre, Kendren, Youth Agenda, International Commission of Jurists-Kenya, Clarion, Citizens� Coalition for Constitutional Change and Haki Focus.

The others were Umande Trust, East African Human Rights Institute, Haki Jamii, Kenya Human Rights Commission, Sorec, Muhuri, Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, Global Coalition Against Poverty and the Coalition of Young Kenyan Voters.

The Kenya Youth Community Empowerment Programme, Coalition for Common Sense Constitution, Mars Group Kenya and Africa Centre for Open Governance were also represented.

The NGOs claimed that more than Sh1 trillion had been looted. They identified some of the looting avenues as contractors pending bills (Sh89 billion), Anglo Leasing (Sh56 billion), Ken Ren Fertiliser (Sh6 billion), Kroll report (Sh130 billion), Goldenberg (Sh100 billion) and Charterhouse Bank (Sh70 billion).

The NGOs further claimed banks and public corporations where billions were looted and land grabbing as documented by the Ndung�u report showed the extent of the plunder.

They accused MPs of moving to protect themselves from public scrutiny on their wealth declarations on the pretext of� rendering them vulnerable to criminals.

They also accused the Government of insincerity in the fight against corruption.

The NGOs stated that as the Kenyan Parliament was passing the Miscellaneous Amendments Bill, which they have interpreted as �unilateral forgiveness for past thieves�, Joseph Estrada was jailed for life for his theft from the people of Philippines.

Mr Estrada, the former Filipino president, was found guilty by an anti-graft court more than six years after he was ousted from power, accused of among other things, receiving huge amounts of money from illegal gambling.

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Story by LUCAS BARASA and MUGUMO MUNENE
Publication Date: 9/17/2007�

President Kibaki has formally declared that he will seek re-election on a Party of National Unity ticket.

The President�s decision gave a new momentum to the race for State House. He is being challenged by Lang�ata MP Raila Odinga of ODM and Mwingi North MP Kalonzo Musyoka of ODM Kenya.

President Kibaki (centre) in a show of unity with leaders of key parties in the Party of National Unity coalition. They are from left Shirikisho leader Ali Mwakwere (partly hidden) Ford-P leader Simeon Nyachae, Vice-President Moody Awori, Ford-K boss Musikari Kombo, Kanu chairman Uhuru Kenyatta and Narc Kenya chairman Raphael Tuju. Photo/JOSEPH MATHENGE

Shortly before 4pm yesterday, the� President made history when he decided to join another party in his re-election bid after he ditched Narc which sponsored him in 2002.

�To safeguard the gains we have achieved to date and to attain the objectives and ideals we have spelt out, I have decided that I will seek re-election as President of the Republic of Kenya under an alliance that we have named the Party of National Unity,� the President announced.

The members of the coalition, which was revealed exclusively by the Daily Nation last Wednesday are: Kanu, Ford Kenya, Ford People, Narc Kenya and Shirikisho among others, the President announced. Each party will retain its identity.

Welfare of Kenyans

President Kibaki said the party was formed to address the challenges facing the country including tribalism.

�We have decided to form an alliance of political parties who believe that we should give highest priority to the welfare of individual Kenyans, peace, unity and development of our country,� he said.

The President said the alliance represented the desires of Kenyans, gave hope for the future and stood for accountability and good governance.

It is, in his words, �an alliance that says yes, we have made major economic and social strides but there is still a lot of work that remains to be done.�

He said his re-election vehicle was committed to reducing poverty and ensuring every Kenyan had access to food, shelter, health and education.�

It also advocated for a stable and united country.

The President was flanked by his key supporters, including leaders of various Government-friendly parties.

They included the leader of the Official Opposition, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, who is Kanu chairman, Ford Kenya chairman Musikari Kombo, Narc Kenya�s Raphael Tuju, Ford People leader Simeon Nyachae, Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere (Shirikisho) and DP�s Sam Nyamweya.

President Kibaki did not name DP � a party he founded in 1991 and which nominated him to Narc in 2002. The DP played a key role in the formation of PNU.�

The President only listed Kanu, Ford Kenya, Ford People, Narc Kenya and Shirikisho but invited other parties �who hold similar objectives to join us.�

He said a coordinating team of PNU would prepare for the formal launch of his presidential campaigns on September 29.

The President cited his Government�s achievements as some of the reasons he was seeking a second term in office, to complete the projects he had initiated.

Among the success stories he enumerated were free primary education, which has seen millions of children go to school, increased access to tap water, revival of agriculture and provision of markets for farmers� produce, expansion of rural electrification and equipping of hospitals.

According to him, 1,000 hospitals had been built to take health care closer to people, communities empowered through the Constituency Development Fund, thousands of squatters issued with title deeds and 4,000 kilometres of roads built and transport network rehabilitated.

�We have been able to achieve all these because of support of all Kenyans and focused leadership that placed the needs of wananchi first,� the President said.

Leadership, he added, was about delivery of development and improvement of lives of all Kenyans.

�Leadership is not about vindictiveness and empty politics. It is not also about empty propaganda and tribal politics,� he said.

Hitting at the opposition, the President said he was saddened that some politicians were dividing the country on tribal lines.

�These politicians do not want to focus on real issues that affect wananchi. That is not the direction we want to see Kenya going. As a patriot and your leader, I will continue to dedicate myself to the ideal of national unity,� he said.

The President said his leadership was guided by the words of the national anthem: �Justice be our shield and defender, may we dwell in unity, peace and liberty.�

He thanked Kenyans including his family and First Lady Lucy, for the support they had given him in the last four and half years he has been at the helm.�

The President also remembered his key allies who died after Narc came to power including vice-president Michael Wamalwa, Cabinet ministers Geoffrey Parpai, Mohamed Khalif and Karisa Maitha.

He also paid tribute to the Marsabit plane crash victims.

Government-friendly MPs and lobby groups campaigning for President Kibaki, including Vijana na Kibaki, welcomed the new party saying they would now hit the road to ensure PNU won.

Vijana na Kibaki leader Joseph Kioko said: �We will now mobilise the youth to vote for President Kibaki under PNU.

Yesterday�s launch brought together key leaders in President Kibaki�s political game plan, including Mr Kenyatta, who in the 2002 General Elections, gave President Kibaki a run for his money and ended as runner-up.

Vice-President Moody Awori, Mr Kombo, Trade and Industry minister Mukhisa Kituyi are President Kibaki�s key men in Western Province while Agriculture minister Kipruto Kirwa, Noah Wekesa (Science and Technology), George Saitoti (Education) and John Koech (East African Community) will spearhead PNU campaigns in Rift Valley.

In Coast, President Kibaki will rely on Mr Mwakwere, the Shirikisho chairman and Cabinet ministers Morris Dzoro and Suleiman Shakombo while in Eastern Province, the President�s pointmen include ministers Kiraitu Murungi, David Mwiraria, Mutua Katuku, Njeru Ndwiga, assistant minister Kalembe Ndile and MP Justin Muturi.

Mr Tuju, Mr Nyachae and Planning minister Henry Obwocha will sell PNU in Nyanza while President Kibaki�s pointman in Nairobi remains Sports minister Maina Kamanda.

Mr Kenyatta and ministers Amos Kimunya, Mutahi Kagwe and Martha Karua will campaign in Central Province.

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Written By:KNA���,�Posted: Sun, Sep 16, 2007

Caption: Health Minister Charity Ngilu : ‘I will apply my 2002 magic that brought together president Kibaki and the late Wamalwa Kijana to unite Kalonzo and Raila.