Story by BERNARD NAMUNANE
Publication Date: 11/23/2007

All the presidential and parliamentary candidates are set to clear the final hurdle in the dash to the ballot box, with the presentation of their nomination certificates to the Electoral Commission Friday and Saturday.

Mr. Kalonzo Musyoka. Photo/ FILE

The candidates will hand in their papers, including proof that they can read and write in English and Kiswahili, to the returning officers in their respective constituencies. 

The language test is to ensure that those elected to represent their people in Parliament can follow the proceedings.

ODM presidential candidate Raila Odinga will present his papers at Nyayo Stadium Friday before embarking on a rally in Kibera.

Address rally

President Kibaki, the PNU candidate, will present his in Othaya, Nyeri District, Saturday before addressing a rally in the town.

And the ODM-K presidential candidate, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka will present his papers in Mwingi Town Saturday.

Mr. Raila Odinga. Photo/ FILE

The candidates’ appearance before the returning officers is the final step by the candidates to get their names on the ballot papers for the December 27 General Election.

The commission is then expected to announce the beginning of the official campaign period, which normally takes 21 days.

Others in the presidential race are Pastor Pius Muiru (Kenya People’s Party), Saba Saba Asili’s Kenneth Matiba, Mr David Waweru Ng’ethe, of Chama cha Umma, Ms Nazlin Umar, of the Workers Congress Party, Mr Joseph Ngacha Karani (Kenya Patriotic Trust Party) and Mr Jeremiah Nixon Kukubo (Republican Party of Kenya).

Although the presidential candidates were last week cleared by the ECK to seek the top job in the land,  the law requires that they must also vie for parliamentary seats.

On Thursday, the Head of the Presidential Press Service, Mr Isaiya Kabira, said that President Kibaki would seek the ECK nod to run for the Othaya parliamentary seat Saturday. 

President Mwai Kibaki. Photo/ FILE

Some key PNU leaders from Nairobi and Central provinces will escort their presidential candidate to submit his nomination papers.

The ODM secretariat also confirmed that its candidate, Mr Odinga, would present his papers Saturday. 

Secretariat spokesman Salim Lone said: “He (Mr Odinga) has been out of the country, but he will present his nomination papers on Saturday.”

Mr Musyoka leaves for his Mwingi North constituency Friday, but will hand over his documents to the returning officer Saturday.

He said: “I will present my nomination papers on Saturday in Mwingi Town although I am a registered voter in Tseikuru.”

The formal submission of the certificates, which begins Friday and ends at 4pm Saturday, follows chaotic nominations in which dozens of people were injured as members of the key political parties fought pitched battles, damaging property in demonstrations against the results in some constituencies.

The disputes spilled over to the Electoral Commission, through the presentation by the parties to its Anniversary Towers headquarters of candidates’ lists with various amendments. 

More than 15 candidates sought the intervention of the ECK over the irregularities, but a tribunal set up the commission Thursday dismissed all the appeals sent to it.

To resolve the confusion over lists presented, especially by ODM and PNU, commission chairman Samuel Kivuitu announced that they would serve the candidates on first-come, first-served basis and instructed all returning officers to fax to the ECK the names of those cleared.

Initially, the commission had required the parties to submit lists of their candidates by Monday, but the confusion that marred the nominations forced it to change its plans. It is now feared that supporters of rival candidates who may have nomination certificates from the same party are likely to clash during the presentation of the documents. 

But the Electoral Commission said their officers in the field will be given security to ensure that they conduct their work without fear.

Mr Kivuitu also ruled out an attempt by PNU to block candidates cleared by affiliate parties from contesting. They would be allowed to present their papers, having been cleared by their political parties to run. 

Mr Kivuitu has also warned that ECK will not extend the deadline of receiving nomination certificates from the candidates.

More than 1,400 candidates have been cleared by at least 20 political parties to fight for the 210 seats in Parliament in this year’s elections. 

PNU leads with 210 candidates, followed by ODM  (197), ODM-K (150), Safina (102) Kaddu (98), Kanu (90), Democratic Party (83), Narc (75), Mazingira Party (48), Ford People (41), Ford Kenya (39), National Labour Party (25) and Forum for Republican Party (13).

Other parties whose candidates will be cleared to run for parliamentary seats include Shirikisho Party of Kenya (SPK), The Independent Party (Tip), Agano, Kenya People’s Party (KPP), Kenda, Social Democratic Party (SDP), RAP Kenya and United Democratic Movement (UDM).

Signed by supporters

For the parliamentary candidates to be cleared, they will be required to present the nomination Form 9, signed by a proposer, a seconder and between seven and 18 supporters, all who must be  registered in the constituency.

They must also submit genuine nomination certificates issued by the sponsoring party and signed by authorised officials, a statutory declaration Form 10, to abide by the requirements of the commission, and a certificate of proficiency in English and Kiswahili. 

A candidate must also produce a voter’s card, and either a national identity card or a Kenyan passport, pay a nomination fee of Sh5,000 and sign the Electoral Code of Conduct.

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<Posted by Pauline Onyango

API/APN in Kenya

ODM presidential candidate, Mr Raila Odinga, has urged party losers during the party primaries to reconcile and forge ahead.

Raila’s apology came a few hours after Pentagon member and running mate, Mr Musalia Mudavadi, apologised on behalf of the party at a Press conference in Nairobi on Tuesday.

The party used the news conference to announce that high profile losers would be co-opted to perform in important functions at Pentagon House.

A confident Raila said ODM would overcome the nomination shortcomings and emerge victorious on December 27.

The former Lang’ata MP condemned violence among party supporters and said leaders should not take the goodwill of Kenyans for the party for granted.

He added, “There should be no bad blood. I admit there were hitches during the nomination, which is regrettable because this was the first experience for our political parties.”

Raila is meeting party supporters overseas.

He thanked Kenyans for accepting the party’s apology over the polls fiasco.

Said he, “The people’s patience, tolerance and forgiveness for the party following the flawed nominations is a reflection that they want real change.”

He said the party did all it could to correct the mistakes, citing cases where popular candidates were rigged out.

“It was a learning experience. We want to assure our supporters that such mistakes will not be repeated,” said Raila, asking candidates let down by the nominations to take it in their stride. “Some cases in Coast Province like the Likoni constituency, which reached the party headquarters in time, were addressed immediately,” he noted.

Raila, who is expected back today, said he would present his papers to the Electoral Commission on Friday.

Raila rallied supporters of ODM with the call, “The battle has begun. Party supporters should not to be swayed.”

He announced that he would meet parliamentary candidates on Monday before starting a new phase of the party’s campaigns on Tuesday.

Said he, “I will meet all the candidates on Monday before launching the real campaign on Tuesday in Coast.”

In Nairobi, Mudavadi confirmed that ODM had summoned party parliamentary candidates for a meeting on Monday. “We have decided to hold a meeting of Pentagon, the National Executive Committee and the National Election Board with the candidates on the strategies for the campaign,” said Mudavadi. He said it was the desire of the party to have the highest number of MPs in the Tenth Parliament.

Mr Stephen Mwanga, who was replaced by former MP, Mr James Orengo in Ugenya, said at a press conference he would battle it out with the lawyer and reformist for the parliamentary seat, but campaign for Raila for president.

“I will support Raila. My rival is Orengo. The people have decided and I am determined to pursue my political ambition through Kaddu,” Mwanga said.

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By Pauline Onyango

API/APN in Kenya

President Kibaki  told the electorate that he was the best among those eyeing the top seat. Kibaki was back to Ukambani.   If re-elected, Kibaki said the Government would tarmac the Tawa-Kiteta-Itangini road. He was addressing rallies at Kitima and Kalawa trading centres in Mbooni constituency.

He said the Government had initiated many development projects in all parts of the country. “Those claiming that my Government has done nothing should say what they have done for Kenyans,” the President said.

He accused his opponents of peddling propaganda, adding that some had served in the Government, but had little to show for it. Kibaki said his Government had revived collapsed industries, which had employed many people. He cited the Kenya Meat Commission, saying it provided a market to livestock farmers.

The President said his administration was committed to revenue collection to fund development projects.

“Those who have not paid taxes will be netted. They should know that their days are numbers,” said Kibaki.

He pointed out that he was confident of clinching a final term, saying this would enable him take the nation to higher levels of prosperity.

Kibaki braved a heavy downpour and poor roads, especially in Mbooni, where many vehicles in his convoy got stuck in mud.

The President, however, used a Kenya Air Force helicopter to crisscross the vast region. Cabinet ministers, Mr Joseph Munyao, Mr John Michuki and Prof Kivutha Kibwana, and Assistant minister, Mr Kalembe Ndile, accompanied him.

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By Pauline Onyango.

API/APN in Kenya

President Kibaki has started a scathing attack on ODM presidential candidate, Mr Raila Odinga, saying he had run out of ideas and was now seeking help from America.

“They have lost the way and are now bringing people to mislead us. Do not worry about those who are lost. He is lost and has found another lost American,’’ the President said.

He said Kenyans were wise and could not be misled by the American that Raila had invited to manage ODM campaigns.

But the President cautioned his supporters against blanket attacks on the US, saying the American, Mr Dick Morris, did not represent all Americans.

“America is a good, developed country and there is a lot to learn from there. We should not condemn it because of one or two Americans,’’ he said.

Kibaki asked Kenyans to avoid putting into power individuals who drag the country back in development.

He said Kenyans knew where they wanted to go — development and education for their children. The President promised to continue with his development agenda, saying he had not discriminated against any region.

“We shall continue despite people who want to drag us back. We know Kenya will develop equally,” he said.

Kibaki spoke at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, where he addressed a rally after presenting his nomination papers to the Electoral Commission.

He arrived at the stadium to a rousing welcome by thousands of PNU supporters. The President was escorted by his deputy, Mr Moody Awori, and leaders of PNU affiliate parties Mr Uhuru Kenyatta (Kanu), Mr Simeon Nyachae (Ford-People), Mr Chirau Mwakwere (Shirikisho), Mr Raphael Tuju (Narc-Kenya), Mr Joseph Munyao (DP) and Mr Musikari Kombo (Ford-Kenya), among others.

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Posted by : Mzee Jarateng    :
____________
Published on November 18, 2007, 12:00 am

By Mutahi Ngunyi

*This is a letter to Mr Raila Odinga:*

Sir, I will go straight to the point. I write to you for three reasons.

One, you are the last local revolutionary. Everybody else in opposition is just a flower girl. And like Muammar Gaddafi told Yoweri Museveni the other day, “revolutionaries, (like you) have no expiry date”. You, my brother, are like the Energiser Battery. No fear, no limits, just energy. Keep going bro!

However, I must warn you that this unlimited energy is also your main handicap.

Two, I write to you to convey a message from a young fan of yours in Tanzania. I met this fishmonger in Nancio, the capital city of a small island called Ukerewe on Tanzania side of Lake Victoria. The young fellow was worried that you might botch it between now and December 27. He sent me with this warning to you sir, ” fish begins to rot from the head”. His point? If ODM does not win, it will be because of Raila Amolo Odinga.

My third reason is based on nothing. It is just a hunch. Sir, Kibaki will not win this election. You will lose. My hunch is that your lack of inhibitions will result in a fatal error. This will not be a common error. It will be a dosage of fate, administered by the gods. This, sir, is your destiny. But you can change it. Before I make my case on how to avoid it, I have to give you the story of a chap called Sisyphea recorded in Greek mythology. My intention is to illustrate the gravity of your impending fate.
My hope is that you will avoid it.

This guy offended the gods and he had to be punished. He was condemned to rolling a huge log up a steep hill. But before he could tip it over to the other side of the hill, something would happen. A few metres to the tip, Sisyphea would run into a ‘fatal error’. Instead of tipping the log over to the other side, it would roll back to the bottom, where he would start pushing it up the hill again.

You, sir, are where Sisyphea was. You have already rolled the log up the hill. All you need now is to tip it over on December 27 and become King. But the question is this: will you do something foolish between now and then?
Will you commit the Sisyphus error, and let the log roll back to the bottom of the hill? My hunch is that this is where you are headed. But you can avoid it.

Sir, your ‘fatal error’ will come from one of two blind spots. The first one is your political mouth. You talk too much. My counsel to you is, whenever you get an opportunity to shut up, grab it with dear life. I’m compelled to say so by only one reason  whenever you open your political mouth, you show a double personality. Of the two Railas, ‘Raila One’ is vengeful, ruffian and bad. ‘Raila Two’ is winsome, forgiving and charming. Between now and December 27, you must, therefore, hide your ‘tail’ and show us your good side only. Can you do that?

Your second fatal error will come from the Rift Valley. If you become King, it will be because the Kalenjins said so. Of the ODM vote, 50 per cent is Kalenjin. In other words, they have 50 per cent share in ODM. They are not voting for Raila: they are voting against President Kibaki. It is a protest vote.

Similarly, they have gleefully settled on the idea of William Ruto becoming president in 2027, after you and Musalia Mudavadi. Sir, this kind of high sacrifice does not make sense in politics. My conclusion? The Kalenjins are deeply wounded by Kibaki.

My counsel to you is this: Keep them hostage to the anger against Kibaki. Their wounds must not heal, and they must not break away from the anger spell. This is important because, apart from the anger, they have nothing else against Kibaki.

Now you must allow me to play ‘devil’s advocate’ against you to the Kalenjins. I will do so through a story I have narrated before. There was this little bird whose wings were frozen from the snow. As it lay desperately on the ground waiting to die, a cow passed by and pooped on it. Buried in the massive poop, the bird was sure to die. But as it said its last prayers, the warmth of the poop began to melt the ice in its wings. In a short while, the bird started to flip its wings frantically, calling out
for someone to help it out of the poop. Fortunately, a cat was passing by and it responded to the distress call. On realising that the struggling ‘thing’ in the poop was a bird, the cat removed it and ate it promptly.

The moral of the story? Not every one who poops on you is your enemy; and not everyone who removes you from poop is your friend. And this is the lesson to the Kalenjin also.

Although Kibaki has angered you and pooped on you, he is not necessarily your enemy. Similarly, although Raila has promised to get you out of the poop, he is not necessarily your friend!

The writer is a political scientist with The Consulting House, a development aid think tank.

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