Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:30:54 -0800 (PST)


Museveni has problems with South Sudan, Rwanda, Congo and now Kenya opposition. Kabila, Kagame and Garang's family don't trust him.

Prominent journalists get death threats as Kenya plunges into darkness Last updated : 31 Jan 2008, Kampala

Death threats have been issued to several leading Kenyan journalists after the murder of ODM MP Melitus Mugabe Were.

According to reports from Nairobi, at least five of the journalists who received email threats are Linus Kaikai, the managing editor of KTN, Joseph Odindo, the MD of the Nation Media Group, Kipkoech Tanui, the managing editor of The Standard newspaper, Robert Nagila, a journalist with NTV, and Paul Ilado, a journalist radio Kiss FM and political news editor of the Nairobi Star newspaper.

The email accused the journalists of being responsible for fanning the chaos in Kenya.

The message read: "Today we invaded Woodley Estate. You are going to see what happens to you." Woodley Estate is where the late MP Were had his home.

Radio Katwe is very concerned about the situation in Kenya because the situation is going to become like Uganda in the UNLF days of President Yusuf Lule and Godfrey Binaisa when many prominent Ugandans were being gunned down and gunshots were heard every night.

Some believe that the email might not have come from the Mungiki sect but from some other people who might be trying to impersonate it.

We are also getting reports that the Nation Media Group is also going to be the target of attacks by shadowy groups because during the election campaign last year, NMG was openly against Raila Odinga and was very pro-Mwai Kibaki.

Those of us who know a man called Yoweri Museveni are worried for Kenyans. This is a man who specialised in planting bombs, landmines, killing prominent Ugandans so that he creates chaos and fear in Uganda. When there is anarchy, then people will be willing to give up anything for a return to order. That is just human nature, which cynical people can manipulate to their advantage.

We have no direct evidence that he is, but don't be surprised if Museveni has been advising Kibaki on creating or allowing maximum chaos and tensions so that Kibaki can declare a state of emergency like in the days of Mau Mau before independence.

We are raising this suspicion because it is hard to believe that the Kenya security forces, both army and police are claiming to be overwhelmed by the rioting groups. And then when the police chiefs say on the news the situation in an area is "under control", you hear later that it is not the case, fighting and roads are still blocked. Kenyans should not be surprised if a state of emergency is imposed, after which Raila Odinga and his top ODM officials will be arrested and detained.

We hope for the best but it is better to assume the worst that Kibaki might have been getting guarantees of military and intelligence support from Museveni if things come to that.

          - Keith Asiimwe


READERS: Please note that this report is UNCONFIRMED by Jaluo Press. We can confirm, however, that (according to National Public Radio) a number of prominent journalists have received death threats.  So have at least nine progressive Kikuyus who have spoken out  against the election irregularities and against Mungiki.   Our thoughts are with these noble individuals who are fighting for justice, peace, and truth.