London Dinner With ODMK Presidential candidates

Dear all,

The ODMK Presidential candidates are coming to London at the beginning of March. This is the time to know whether they support strong majimbo or not. The announcement has been made in a Kenyan run website, Mr Seed.

The gist of this is that people are already positioning themselves for posts in ODMK government once it is formed next year. Some want to be High Commissioner to London, some want to stand back home in the coming elections.

Three issues have caught my attention in all this.
1. Kisumu Airport.- The report from Kenya is that the Kogony clan want compensation for this land on which the Airport stands which was taken by the colonial government in 1942.

I think this is in order, but they should strive to have the Land only leased by the government or KAA, paying annual rent to the clan or land owners if they can be identified, instead of outright sale.

Alternatively there should be a profit share agreement with the developers. Airports don't have to be developed by the government. Kisumu City Council can source funds to develop the Airport as part of Economic empowerment of Nyanza.

The same should go for the sugar factories, Molasses project etc. In my opinion, currently they are only used for Patronage and not economic empowerment of Nyanza

2.The TOTAL Man Biwott says he is there to fight for Kalenjin economic Empowerment. This is interesting as he and Moi could not achieve this in a quarter Century when Moi straddled the Kenyan Landscape like a colossus, while his people languished in Poverty. He was shouting empty slogans like Nyayo juu, Moi juu, juu saana, Kanu will rule for 100 years etc.

Moi and Biwott have now woken up to the reality facing them, that their people are caught up in poverty. But our Kalenjin Brothers should wake up to the reality that these two have no solution to Kalenjin Poverty. They presided over massive exploitation of their own people, killed agriculture and agro- business such as KCC, KFA, KMC, Rivertex, Raymond, Furfural, EATEC, Timber Milling Industry etc.

Simultaneously with this, their pockets got fuller every day, from meager living as School teachers and Public Servants to Multi Billionaires in a span of ten years, 1978 to 1988, without investing the stolen money to uplift their people from poverty.

If they are serious about economic transformation of their land then they must support Regionalism, otherwise the same way they swayed their people to cling to power for themselves will just continue.

3.Order to PC's, DC's and DO's to compile intelligence on strengths and weaknesses for Parliamentary candidates throughout Kenya, and pass over the same to government is ominous. Kibaki brigade is in panic. It means also that Provincial Administration is prone to abuse with immunity by those in power.

Dismantling of this set up as it obtains presently requires a strong Regional Government in Place.

4.The current call by stake holders for lifting of ban on further developments in Masai Mara, suggests there is a Policy gap and complete lack of consultation when Politicians sitting in Nairobi arbitrarily proclaims Laws like banning developments. They act even more arbitrarily when they lift the ban.

This matter should be left to the Local Authority in the area, with sound advice from the experts. Land matters should be a Local issue, in consultation with experts on conservation. Hence the need for Regional Governments to coordinate such activities.

Presidential candidates should not just be busy on how they will share posts once in Power next year. We need to be told how we shall be empowered locally both economically and politically when they ascend to power. At the end of Presidential tenure, say five or ten years, then what? We would be back to square one. The change we aspire for must be real, fundamental and Permanent, not cosmetic just to enrich a few at the expense of ordinary man.

below is the announcement for ODMK London Rally and dinner.

ODMK Presidential candidates London Visit 09-11  /03/2007

The ODM-K presidential candidates' team Comprising Hon. Raila Odinga, Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka, Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, Hon.William Ruto, Hon. Najib Balala, Hon. Musalia Mudavadi and Hon. Dr Julia Ojiambo, are making a joint three day visit to London from 09th to 11 March 2007, for a serious of engagements with ODMK - -UK Chapter; both to fund raise for underwriting their election expenses, and to market Investment Climate in Kenya after the elections later this year, which ODMK is confident of winning.

Kenyans in UK have all been invited to attend a rally on 10/03/2007 so as to engage the Presidential Candidates during this trip; getting to know their vision and reform strategy; and to help boost election funding efforts and campaign for foreign direct investment (FDI), when ODMK takes power.

The ODM-UK Publicity Secretary says, "the aim is therefore, to showcase the human face of ODM-K leadership with the purpose of cultivating support from potential party funders and potential investors after ODM - K takes over government in 2008, and from the thousands of Kenyans in the UK who will in turn influence their families in Kenya to vote for ODM-K".
To the ODM-K presidential aspirants this will be an opportunity:


(*)  To meet and interact with potential financial donors of the party's Presidential campaign once the party's flag-bearer has been chosen.
(*)  To interact with and favorably influence key opinion leaders among Crucial publics that have an impact on Kenya.
(*)  To engage with Kenyans in the Diaspora keenly interested in developments in the political, economic and social aspects of Kenyan society.

ODMK UK chapter cordially invites friends of Kenya, potential investors and Kenyan citizens to attend the functions described below which will enable them to achieve the following :
(*)  To meet and interact with the likely next President and Senior Cabinet Ministers, in the next government of Kenya in order to understand the prospective business and political environment after the current impasse.
(*)  To facilitate existing and potential business, investment, political and social partnerships in Kenya, both at individual, corporate, and public levels.
(*)  To network with other key players interested in Kenya in the political, economic and social fields.

ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE

(*)  Friday 9th March 2007 Investors Workshop & Dinner at an exclusive Hotel. Bookings to be made in advance. Dinner costs will be  £100; but to have exclusive access to the presidential candidates at the high table will cost  £1,000 depending on the sitting proximity to the presidential candidates.

(*)  Activity no. 2 will be on Saturday 10th March 2007. This will be a public rally for all Kenyans, friends of Kenya, invited UK MPs, councillors and other dignatories. The venue will be at Oakington Manor School Hall, Oakington Manor Drive, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 NF (Off Harrow Road A404). Nearest Tube Station Stonebridge Park Station, Barkaloo Line, Wembley Park (Jubilee line and Metropolitan line) and bus no 18. This occasion will be free entry, refreshments and snacks will be available.

Friday 9th March 2007 - - Dinner that gives a one to one exclusive access to Presidential Candidates. Bookings range from  £100 -  £1000 depending on the sitting proximity to the presidential candidates.

To book for the exclusive Dinner, payments are to be made to Account name: Kenya Helping Hand  Sort Code 30-99-32    A/C 001042602  Lloyds TSB. After paying the money to the account, please fax prove of your payment, your full name, mailing address and your telephone number to 0208 9037090. A ticket will be sent to you by post detailing the venue and how to get there. If you want to book to stay at the same hotel, indicate on your fax. For further details contact: +44(0)7920562953

STOP PRESS:

ODM-Kenya dinner with the presidential candidates scheduled to take place on Friday 9th March 2007 at a price range from  £100 the lowest going up to a  £1,000 for those who want to sit next to the presidential candidates in the high table.

By Monday 19th February, 2007 over 10 people had booked for the  £1,000 and over 20 had booked for  £100. Two Kenyan ladies had booked  £1,000 to seat with Uhuru Kenyatta as as large number of others want a seat next to Hon. Raila.

The list of the candidates at the dinner include Hon. Raila Odinga, Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka, Mr. Musalia Mudavadi, Najib Balala, Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto, Henry Kosgey, Mtula Kilonzo, Dr. Julia Ojiambo and Professor Anyang' Nyong'o among others.

A Kenyan lady was asked "How come you have paid  £1,000 to seat next to Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta?" the lady replied: "You see, it is not just a matter of politics, it is also a matter of business connections." A Kenyan businessman in London has already offered to provide the team with free Limousine service free. If interested, you can ring 07920562953 to book your ticket

Joseph Okumu
London


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