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Mwananchi, Kenyas ambassador to the US, Mr Leonard Ngaithe, has been recalled with immediate effect over an alleged sexual assault incident. The victim, a lady diplomat was part of President Kibakis 94 man entourage that is attending the 60th anniversary of United Nations in New York. The incident sparked rage to theres also a running battle for Transport Minister, Dr. Chris Murungaru who only six weeks ago, was banned from entering British territory, not even on transit. The government of Britain declared Dr. Murungaru dangerous. President Kibaki is currently going through the biggest test since he came to power in January 2002. He was elected with the pledge that he would deliver the new constitution, which was already written to replace the current constitution dating back colonial days within 100 days. Since elections, Kenyans have been taken round the tree in what some see as the Presidents lack of goodwill. His ministers who had promised to root out corruption have since been involved in one scandal after another. November 21 will be a decisive day on the future of this East African nation. The government is accused to have hijacked and changed the people driven constitution delivered as the Bomas Draft. The government invited friendly members of parliament to a luxurious beach hotel in Kilifi, some 25 km away from Mombasa to amend the draft, later dubbed The Wako Draft The government has set up a referendum to pass their constitution which the Vice President agrees is faulty but can be changed in parliament once endorsed. They are therefore asking the public to approve a faulty document, a document that will govern the country for another century, with hope that someone someday may gather a million signatures and two thirds of parliament to rectify the wrongs we should now hurriedly endorse. Most of the cabinet and the friends of the president are leading the Yes or the Banana group while five ministers have ganged up with the opposition to lead the No or the Orange group. Some people have said that ambassador Ngaithe has taken his banana campaign too far. Women activists see this as intimidation by government officials to vote Yes but the result will backfire. Such barbaric acts shall not deter us from voting Orange. The Standard newspaper today reported that another woman was roughed up at the bus stage yesterday morning as she mobilized youths to shout No at the banana Yes team. Only two weeks ago, former ambassador and current head of civil service Mr. Francis Muthaura sent threatening messages to Ministers that they would be sacked if they did not enter the banana bandwagon. He explicitly told Minister Kalonzo Musyoka to say yes to bananas or face the axe. Those of you who understand government structure will know that a cabinet minister is an elected leader and far more senior than a civil servant. In Kenya, orders seem to come from the backdoor. Some political analysts say that forcing women to vote Bananas is a sign of a desperate government that may not see the end of anno 2005. Ambassador Ngaithes acts in New York will go unpunished if this government is allowed to continue with misrule. The president has too much powers in this country, this is unacceptable ! exclaimed a Brussels based Kenyan analyst. She cited two cases where a white colonial settlers grandson was set free by the Attorney General after killing an African government investigator on duty. The investigator had unfolded huge illegal bush meat deals at the colonial ranch. Presidential powers were also abused when Kenyas first lady slapped and wrestled a video journalist when she held a one man stand-off with Kenyas media. One of the contentious issues is the presidential powers stipulated in the new draft. During almost 20 years in opposition, President Kibaki vowed to clip presidential powers. The new draft which he has approved even makes Kenyas president more powerful than now. James Ololo Mamboleo - is a Kenyan based in Brussels and President of Moja, The General Assembly of Africans in Belgium |
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