The result: a healthy discourse on military semantics:
Alas, the mystery has been resolved by a friendly pen..
“After asking “the people who know” I am informed that this item on the tender is basically a sewing kit provided to soldiers for use in the field it comes complete with needle, thread, buttons etc. From that I suppose we can work out where the name came from.”
Shailja Patel, Kenyan poet and human rights campaigner, has posted the following information on her blog.
Kenyans for Peace With Truth and Justice (KPTJ) have launched a SMS campaign to urge politicians to fight against a bloated Cabinet. Given the current impasse, there is still an opportunity to urge OUR elected representatives to stop being selfish and to put the nation’s interest before their personal interests.
This is the first step to creating a culture of political accountability in Kenya. MPs need to hear our outrage. Below are all the contact numbers we’ve been able to obtain for the 10th Parliament. The fact that less than 30% of parliamentarians have made their contact details available to Kenyans is, in itself, a tragic statement on the feudal thinking prevalent in Kenyan politics.
Some examples of messages you can send are below. It adds strength to your sms if you personalize it by addressing the MP directly. e.g. “Mr. Saitoti, Kenyans want a lean, clean cabinet.” Feel free to craft your own!
Mawaziri Majambazi!
Siasa Ya Pupa
Njaa Kwetu!
Kenyans Want A Lean, Clean Cabinet
Lean and Clean
Greed is Obscene
Cabinet Feasts
IDPs Starve
Do the Right Thing for Kenya
No More Than 24
Our Country Our Cabinet
No More Than 24
MP CONTACT INFO (last name, first names - constituency - party - cellphone, email)
Abdirahman, H.Ali - Wajir South - KANU - 0721-724746 / 0722-144999 ahassan@tradeandindustry.go.ke
Chiaba, Mohamed Abu - Lamu East - PNU - 0722-410177
Bahari, Abdul Ali - Isiolo South - KANU - 0733-289501
Balala, Mohammed Najib - Mvita - ODM - 0733 333500 /0724 - 650000 najib@mombasa.co.ke
Bifwoli, Wakoli Sylvester - Bumula - PNU - 0733-865323 Wakolib@yahoo.com
Chepkitony, Lucas Kipkosgei - Keiyo North - ODM - 0733-635894 / 0722816064
Ethuro, David - Turkana Central - PNU- 0722-526370 dethuro@yahoo.com
Gesami, James Ondicho - West Mugirango - ODM- 0733 826090
Gisuka, Machage Wilfred - Kuria - DP - 0733-451806/0725834575
Kajembe, Ramathan Seif - Changamwe - ODM - 0721 609777 Langoni@swiftmombasa.com
Kajwang’, Gerald Otieno - Mbita - ODM - 0722-882787
Kamama, Asman Abongotum - Baringo East - PNU - 0731-583303
Karua, Martha Wangari Gichugu - PNU - 0721 623 342 / 0733-747551
Kenneth, Peter Gatanga - PNU - 0722 512996 andykenneth@hotmail.com
Kenyatta, Uhuru - Gatundu South - KANU - 0722 463 891
Keter, Charles Cheruiyot - Belgut - ODM - 0722 530555
Khalwale Boni - Ikolomani - NEW FORD-K - 0721 318722
Khaniri, George Munyasa - Hamisi - ODM - 0722-859341
Kilonzo, Julias Kiema Mutito - ODM-K - 0722-513605 kilonzo@wananchi.com
Kilonzo, Charles Mutavi - Yatta - ODM-K - 0734-621593 ckilonzo@crystalvaluers.com
Kimunya Amos Muhinga Kipipiri PNU - 0722518801 / 520936 kipipiri@wananchi.com
Kinyanjui, Lee Maiyani - Nakuru Town - PNU - 0722 842653
Kiunjuri, Festus Mwangi - Laikipia East - PNU - 0721 600 305
Kuti Mohammed Abdi - Isiolo North - NARC-K - 0733 235914
Lesirma, Simeon Saimanga - Samburu West - ODM - 0722-719946 simeonlesrima@yahoo.com
Magara - James Omingo - South Mugirango - ODM - 0722 911274 jomingo45@yahoo.com
Katoo, Ole Metito J - Kajiado South - 0721-640175
Midiwo, Washington Jakoyo - Gem - ODM - 0721 504 040 / 0733 421277/ 0722 935761
Mohamed, A.H.M - Mandera West - ODM - 0722-779942
Mohammed, Haji Yusuf - Ijara - KANU - 0722-709395
Mugo, Beth Wambui - Dagoretti - PNU - 0722-205753 bmugo@kenyaweb.com
Mungatana, Danson Buya - Garsen - NARC-K - 0722-411971 mungatana@wanainchi.com
Munyes, John Kiyonga - Turkana North - PNU - 0721-339094 johnmunyes@yahoo.com
Murungi, Kiraitu - South Imenti - PNU - 0721-240863 waziri@kenyaweb.com
Musila, David - Mwingi South - ODM-K - 0722 571117 davidmusila@yahoo.com
Musyoka, Stephen Kalonzo - Mwingi North - ODM-K - 0722 523 872 / 0735 161 588
Mwangi, Onesmus Kigumo - PNU - 0722-778581 kiharamwangimp@yahoo.com
Mwatela, Andrew Calist - Mwatate - ODM 0733 719 871
Mwiria, Valerian Kilemi - Tigania West - PNU - 0733-657562 kilemimwiria@africanonline.co.ke
Ndambuki, Gideon Musyoka - Kaiti - ODM-K - 0720-384553/0734-758567 gndambuki@wananchi.com
Githae, Robinson Njeru - Ndia - PNU - 722514837
Nkaisserry, Joseph Kasaine - Kajiado Central - ODM - 0721-356786 nkaisserry@wananchi.com
Nyong’o, Peter Anyang’ - Kisumu Rural - ODM - 0733 454 133 pan@africaonline.co.ke
Odinga, Raila Amolo - Langata - ODM - 0733 620 736 railaaodinga@yahoo.com
Oginga, Oburu Bondo - ODM - 0733 818517/ 0724-105493 oburu_oginga@yahoo.com
Odeke, Sospeter Ojaamongson Amagoro - ODM - 0733 967345 / 0722 813819
Ojode, Joshua Orwa Ndhiwa - ODM - 0722- 514830 Ojode7@hotmail.com
Okemo, Chrysanthus Nambale - ODM - 0733-608895 Chrisokemo@yahoo.com
Olweny, Patrick Ayiecho - Muhoroni - ODM - 0722-734187/0733-784633
Onyancha, Charles - Bonchari - ODM - 0722-248190 jonyancha2002@yahoo.com
Oparanya, Wycliffe Ambetsa - Butere - ODM - 0722 521856
Osebe, Walter Enock Nyambati - Kitutu Masaba - N LP - 0722 724 556
Poghisio, Samuel Losuron Kacheliba - ODM-K - 0722-520663 / 0734-200836 poghisio@wananchi.com
Ruto, Samoei William K. - Eldoret North - ODM - 0722 517 997 info@williamrutto.com
Shaban Naomi Namsi Taveta KANU 0722 814 412
Shitanda, Peter Soita - Malava - NEW FORD-K - 0721-341241 soita-shitanda@yahoo.com
Sugow Ahmed Aden Fafi KANU 0721-596726
Twaha, Yasin Fahim - Lamu West - NARC-K - 0722-925108
Wekesa, Noah Muhlanganga - Kwanza - PNU - 0722-774374 noahwekesa@hotmail.com
Were, David Aoko Matungu - ODM - 0722 707548/0733 569180 scorpionwere@yahoo.com
Wetangula - Moses Makisa Sirisia - PNU - 0722 517 302 / 806 363 mwetangula@hotmail.com
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF KENYA
Amos Wako 0722 772 453
We are citizens drawn from different groupings of grassroot Kenyans meeting under the umbrella of Bunge La Mwananchi. We want to state that the ongoing celebration of the grand coalition is wholly a political class affair that the ordinary Kenyan has no part in. The grand coalition government has concentrated on rewarding regional balance among the political elite without any social balance amongst Kenyans.
In Conjunction with
During the tribal clashes and their aftermath Slum TV has documented the stories on the streets of Mathare. We believe that the focus on inter-tribal violence only tells half the story. Our films show the other side, telling stories of hope. The newsreel includes:
Tell Tale for Peace – Young men who took part in the violence came together for a workshop for peace. They discussed why they had been swept up in the violence, and how they could prevent this ever happening again.
Nancy’s Story – During the troubles Nancy, 7 months pregnant, was evicted from her home. She was left with no food or shelter. 2 months later Slum TV went to find out from the people of Mathare how we could have let this happen, and why.
The newsreel will be followed by the prize winning film from the ‘Mtaa Film Fest’, an inter-slum 48 hour film competition. Dear Mama tells the story of a single mother living in the Mathare IDP camp, and how she is forced to hustle for her survival.
The screening ends with a forthcoming episode of Makutano Junction. Here a fictional Kenyan town becomes divided and former friends turn on one another. It explores how resolution comes about and peace returns.
Makutanto Junction is produced by Medeae. Airs Thursdays, 7:50 on KBC.
Slum TV trains young people in audio visual skills to enable them to tell their story in their own words. Our mission is to document the stories and histories of the people of Mathare. We share these stories through public screenings, the slum video booth network and online at www.slum-tv.info
For further information contact Emily Hughes on +254 711256177 or info@slum-tv.org
Or visit Slum TV's website: http://www.slum-tv.info/
"Bunge La Mwananchi (People's Parliament-Kenya) would like to inform you that even after notifying the Kenya Police of the intended rally according to the laws of our land, the OCS of Shauri Moyo Police Station, commanding at least 50 "rioting police", tear-gassed the citizens who had braved the morning cold to attend the citizens' rally. The police clobbered the leaders of Bunge La Mwananchi and the wananchi as soon as we had set up the public address system and put up the banner for our meeting which was to discuss the government heavy expenditures on the Members of Parliament's salary, the cost of running a bloated cabinet, the lack of jobs, deplorable housing conditions and high inflation that is causing basic commodities price increase amongst other issues. The Bunge leaders were later released on police bond and required to report to the OCS on Tuesday 22nd April, 2008 at 8am, having been charged with the following: i) organizing an illegal meeting, ii) planning to incite the public and iii) causing disturbance.
Six leaders of Bunge La Mwananchi were taken hostage by the police for close to 8 hours at the Shauri Moyo police, according to the OCS he told us that he had received orders from above to stop the meeting and make arrests and we would have to wait until 5pm for him to communicate with his superiors. Thankfully, advocates Mbugua Murithii and Harun Ndubi came to our rescue.
Bunge La Mwananchi is concerned that even after the grand coalition government, Kenyan are yet to start experiencing grand reforms. Further, we are also concerned that the coalition governments is pushing hard for regional balance in the power sharing deal but the ordinary Kenyans wants to see social balance too. For instance, Ordinary Kenyans who earn Ksh. 25,000/- are experiencing a 40% inflation and such income is ussually geared for food whose prices have sky rocketed. To urgently begin addressing the lack of jobs, we want the coalition government to urgently make laws that will look at this problem as an emergency, for example, a new bill should be put in parliament to require all Government departments, Corporate, Embassies, Churches, CSOs, and NGO among others to employ at least 4 more people from the "pool of unemployed youth". On matters of equity and equal distribution of national cake, Bunge La Mwananchi is concerned that the Government of Kenya can afford the expensive Social Welfare Program for the Members of Parliament (see
http://www.bulamwa.co.ke//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55&Itemid=56 ) however, the government cannot afford to make available basic services for it is people such as electricity, sewerage, water and sanitation.
Bunge La Mwananchi will on 22nd April, 2008 be notifying the Kenya Police through OCS Shauri Moyo once again of another citizens' rally to be held on Saturday 26th April, 2008 as from 10am at Kamukunji grounds to dramatize the abovementioned issues and make our demands known to the coalition government of
Bunge la Mwananchi
As the founder of Ladies in Action, my mother was keen that her memory should be marked through life and what better way to do it than provide a space for children to receive what they deserve.
The National Civil Society Congress (NCSC),
Kenyans for Peace with Truth and Justice (KPTJ) and
The Movement for Political Accountability (MOPA):Mr. Kibaki and Mr, Odinga:
As Kenyans, we gave our mandate to ONE of you to govern this country for the next five years. However, the OTHER one of you attempted to STEAL this mandate. Massive and brutal repression of protests ensued. Hundreds of lives were lost. Hundreds of thousands of Kenyans were displaced. They remain so to this day. To prevent further killing and disruption of lives, Kenyans accepted the imperfect but timely solution offered by the mediation process. This gave you both a LIMITED AND TRANSITIONAL mandate for reform, reconciliation, and reconstruction. However, we now see politicians misusing the crisis to create illegitimate sinecures at our expense.
THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
SHAME ON YOU BOTH.
We emphasise the following points:
The overwhelming majority of Kenyans want NO MORE THAN 24 MINISTERS. Some have endured tear gas for this demand.
94% of Kenyans reject the appointment of corrupt officials and urge vetting of prospective appointments.
We urge all MPs with a conscience to join tax payers in rejecting the blackmail.
The time has come for a TOTAL RENEWAL OF LEADERSHIP and for the people's voice to be heard and respected.
- All MPs pay taxes, like other Kenyans
- VAT be reduced to 4-5% on food and consumer goods, like cooking oil, petrol and kerosene
- The lower limit for taxable income be raised to Kshs. 20,000
- MP salaries be cut from Ksh. 800,000 to Kshs. 400,000
- The number of Ministers be fixed at a maximum of 24, but ideally, less
- Only one Deputy minister, with a clear job description, be assigned to each ministry
Mr. Kibaki, Mr. Odinga:
The people of Kenya will not be blackmailed, bullied, or looted, by you and your political allies. For you to build wealth and political power on the bodies of over a thousand Kenyans killed, on the suffering of half-a-million Kenyans who are refugees in their own country, is an obscenity that beggars description.
We, the people of Kenya, will use every peaceful and democratic means available to us to build the Kenya that so many have suffered and died for. Our first steps in a sustained ongoing campaign of pressure:
1) We will petition all international donors, and the international community, to withhold every form of non-humanitarian aid to Kenya
2) We will create platforms and forums for Kenyans to have the substantive debate they should have had at Independence on the number and portfolios of ministries Kenya really needs. They were deprived of this debate by the greed of politicians.
3) We will launch a national and international sms and mail campaign, for Kenyans and friends of Kenya to say directly to every parliamentarian:
KIBAKI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES!
GRAND COALITION EXPOSES ITS TRUE COLOURS
IN SCANDALOUS CABINET FORMATION
THE KENYAN NATION EXPRESSES SHOCK AND DISMAY
THE DEVILS ON THE CROSS WILL RESURRECT ON SUNDAY
And then – my bubble burst and I found myself feeling quite naked and infuriated in my awakening.
Which is how I came to be staring up at a tear gas cannister this morning (but only for an umph of a second)!
Democracy you say? Your electorate takes responsibility for how this country is governed and speaks to you. Your response? Tear Gas?? Well – I suppose we ought to thank you for it as you put us on the front page of the news! But the only suitable response is “shame on you”! And really – what is your message exactly? That you don’t agree with the call for a leaner, more efficient Cabinet…or…you don’t agree that we should start re-channeling our resources away from lining the mansions of a very few to…well…perhaps the IDPs or the impending famine…or maybe even the security…roads…Or perhaps – you simply don’t like the tree that our Nobel Prize Winner planted? Oh …I know – you’ve got an endless suppy of tear gas cannisters that you simply must use before they expire. Yes. That surely must be it.
And to the trigger & rungu happy Police. Did it occur to you that we might actually be on the same side? I understand that your lives must be miserable…. Earn very little in order to terrorize and be terrorized by the Wananchi….but stop…listen. The Wananchi are calling for more funds for security…believe or not – that means You!
And to the rest of ye Ostriches…come out of your middle class bubbles….Surely even you can see the futility of an educated discourse in the safety of your homes…
Don’t you think it’s time we gave back to Kenya a little of what she’s given us?
Mine Pabari - An (un) Usual Suspect
(Photos courtesy of Georgina Goodwin)
