tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49493832762440766262024-03-13T14:12:10.579-07:00Digital Democracy in Kenya Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-85952702966812837242017-03-27T13:51:00.001-07:002017-03-27T13:51:06.471-07:00Thoughts on upcoming Kenyan Presidential elections<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><b>Thanks to my wonderful graduate assistant Shem Ngwira for helping me put together this piece. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As
we await the August 8 elections in Kenya, one cannot rule out the possibility
of </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/31/world/africa/31kenya.html?_r=0"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">violent elections</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> as seen in the 2007 Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila
Odinga faceoff. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The International Criminal
Court (ICC) charged Kenyatta with crimes against humanity, which were later
dropped. In 2013, Kenya witnessed a closely contested yet peaceful election. Check out my recent article in Journal of Modern African Studies on hate speech in the Kenyan Election in 2013. Hotly contested issues in the run up to this election include urban youth poverty, domestic terrorist attacks, corruption,
and strengthening the rule of law just to mention a few.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Perennial presidential candidate Raila Odinga
alleges that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) favors Kenyatta’s political party-- Jubilee -- and is not
trustworthy. These suspicions led to </span><a href="http://www.newsweek.com/raila-odinga-kenyas-nearly-man-491093"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">violent
clashes</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> between Odinga’s Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD)
and the police in May 2016. However, the IEBC Chair Issack
Hassan mentioned to a parliamentary briefing that the electoral officials were
willing to </span><a href="http://www.newsweek.com/kenyas-electoral-commission-quit-ahead-2017-vote-after-deadly-protests-487285?rx=us"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">quit</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
prior to elections. This was a result of opposition supporter’s exercising
their right to protest hence creating pressure for the IEBC officials to make a
public announcement on their electoral stance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwY7yAultUuE8yw7nSojuHLvl8pXYEn-MhDjTPjVY6MgYxJpcRNHgVVtRNy-E_W99nMtVIzIWmfAuVL-ajuMjdMgsVc7XixqdtlWE3QqaSubckGDuS_GKhOvek3hIxQbY0O9OZ1G6KZcyN/s1600/IEBC+Chairman+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwY7yAultUuE8yw7nSojuHLvl8pXYEn-MhDjTPjVY6MgYxJpcRNHgVVtRNy-E_W99nMtVIzIWmfAuVL-ajuMjdMgsVc7XixqdtlWE3QqaSubckGDuS_GKhOvek3hIxQbY0O9OZ1G6KZcyN/s320/IEBC+Chairman+.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #5d5d5d; font-family: Georgia, "ITC Century W01 Light"; font-size: 15px; text-align: start;">Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairman Wafula Chebukati in Naivasha on March 9, 2017. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> The Jubilee Alliance has been accused of an
attempt to </span><a href="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001233163/we-are-not-for-sale-northern-kenya-leaders-tell-jubilee" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">buy
politicians</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> from the north of Kenya in a campaign to weaken the
opposition’s stronghold. The opposition politicians argue that only ‘weak’
northern Members of Parliament will fall prey to the governing party’s beckoning
to switch allegiance with the overall aim of reducing votes for Odinga. These
suspicions come at a time when the Jubilee party intends to </span><a href="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/elections2017/article/2001233187/nasa-fear-drives-uhuru-ruto-to-buy-three-new-parties" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">amass
political support from small political parties</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
by sponsoring them to pledge allegiance to Kenyatta instead of the opposition
political parties.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
2017 elections have already been marred by a recent server hacking attempt of
the IEBC servers. Chairman Wafula Chebukati of IEBC addressed informed the
National Assembly’s Legal Affairs Committee but identities of the </span><a href="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2001232988/yes-hackers-attacked-our-systems-admits-iebc"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">suspected
hackers</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> were left anonymous and assured the public that the servers
were protected and not easily penetrated. This may have created further
distrust of the Kenyatta administration and simultaneously elevated Odinga’s
platform as a social change agent to reform such systemic challenges. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
is only but a snapshot of the events occurring in Kenya and how these tie into
the upcoming elections. The tension between Odinga and Kenyatta stemming back
from the gruesome events of 2007 laid a foundation of mistrust and strategic
sabotage campaigns from both camps. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We hope to see successful free and fair
elections such as seen in 2013, which were approved as such by </span><a href="https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/news/peace_publications/election_reports/kenya-final-101613.pdf"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Carter
Center</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and </span><a href="http://studies.aljazeera.net/mritems/Documents/2013/6/6/20136685920611734foreignpolicyinanewregime.pdf"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">European
Union. </span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the
elections and public dissatisfaction in poor performance of the Kenyatta
administration in addressing security issues as well as use of police to
conduct </span><a href="https://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/2016/07/update-four-police-officers-charged-with-killing-christian-lawyer-in-kenya/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">extra
judicial killings</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> of dissenting individuals may have
unintentionally set up Odinga for better poll numbers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-71284810849265040132014-11-29T12:54:00.001-08:002014-11-29T13:10:24.737-08:00Women and politics in Kenya <div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">This story caught my attention. Kenyans do tend to be socially conservative. It is not the first time that women have been attacked for their dress. I think that one issue is this is a matter of men keeping women in their place. I also think Rachel Machua's analysis is more or less reasonable. I think the AP title is incendiary, and sometimes I wonder at the trivialization of African politics by the Western press. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Apparently, several protesters gathered in downtown Nairobi on Monday to protest against the last video posted
online that shows a mob of Kenyan men surrounding a woman who is - according to
them - provocatively dressed, and stripping her naked. Rachel Machua considers
the recent attacks as the result of socio-economic conditions, where
lower-income men attack successful and well-dressed women. About 10 percent of
the protesters were men, marching because they believe in equal rights in
Kenya, a country where women play an active role in the society. Other men,
however, believe that "wearing miniskirts is the devil's work", and
that they don't want "Kenya's women to seduce them by wearing revealing
clothing". (</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Kenya women march for right to wear mini-skirts </i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">by Associated Press, </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The Washington Post, </i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">November 17, 2014.) </span></div>
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Patrick Gathara makes some decent points in a recent article. The 2010 Constitution really expanded the rights of Kenyan women, but getting men to respect them is another. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Gathara analyzes the demonstration which occurred in Nairobi in support of a woman who had her clothes had been stripped
off by a group of men. He says the focus has been on the tension between women's
rights and a societally prescribed morality, but not a lot has been said on
"how it illustrates a residual fear among some Kenyans of the consequences
of respecting individual liberties". In 2010, the country has issued a
progressive constitution, but its implementation has revealed to be harder than
expected. (</span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Kenya's fear of liberty </i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">by Patrick Gathara, </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">AlJazeera</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">, November 20, 2014) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Thanks to my wonderful GA, Paola Cavallari, for doing the research that helps me stay on top of things. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgrBeRZKIjVG7MoCF2i5u5RCGOfQbvJOlQWyPqoM7BxW1ak_GSnQy0CJqBc7kA5SHnTyTjLQgFMG6bWwfGX86XaSbiOQ4JheehxxVDpS8htD743ppuAHVq9xZx4cvtsqu3aNiXLAYdlbO/s1600/kenya-protest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgrBeRZKIjVG7MoCF2i5u5RCGOfQbvJOlQWyPqoM7BxW1ak_GSnQy0CJqBc7kA5SHnTyTjLQgFMG6bWwfGX86XaSbiOQ4JheehxxVDpS8htD743ppuAHVq9xZx4cvtsqu3aNiXLAYdlbO/s1600/kenya-protest.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I am sorry for my extended absence. My beloved sister, Wangeci Bowman, died last year around this time. It has been a rough year. She was an amazing woman with Kenyan roots. She would have cheered her sisters on in their protest for women's rights. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">WMB </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-37821606746744646812013-09-17T12:13:00.000-07:002013-09-17T15:12:40.808-07:00The Slap Heard Round the World <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O0cyWcpoa_k/UjioJvMZJ0I/AAAAAAAAsBo/3iOTsWcoQK8/s1600/1235471_516549568427827_2079695643_n.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O0cyWcpoa_k/UjioJvMZJ0I/AAAAAAAAsBo/3iOTsWcoQK8/s320/1235471_516549568427827_2079695643_n.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Rachel Shebesh, the Nairobi Women’s Representative, as in a Member of Parliament, as in a highly respected public official, was among council workers who stormed Governor Kidero's office on September 6, 2013, in a demonstration over the ongoing county employees strike. The Governor emerged from his office and was surprised to find Shebesh and an estimated 30 people. There is a general consensus on these facts in regards to the incident termed by one newsite as “the slap heard across the nation” (<a href="http://allafrica.com/">http://allafrica.com/</a>). <br /><br />Video footage depicts a heated exchange between Kidero and Shebesh, followed quickly by a now famous slap. Shebesh can be heard sputtering “You have slapped me? You have slapped me?” as she is being led away by aides.<br /><br />This is where the general consensus ends, with contrasting opinions heating up social media. Contradictory statements from the Governor’s office have caused yet more confusion. Kidero’s initial response denied slapping anyone, "I was in my office but I don't remember or have any recollection of slapping anyone. All I know is that a group of people about 30-40 tried to force themselves into my office led by an Honourable Member of Parliament,” said Kidero.<br /><br />The honorable mayor later recanted this statement, claiming instead that Shebesh provoked the incident by assaulting him. While the Kenya Police Medical Examination report corroborates his account of soreness to the groin, the video does not depict any evidence Shebesh attacking him, leading to yet more confusion. Both Shebesh and Kidero have filed police reports. <br /><br />All in all, this exchange has irrevocably impacted the images of both parties. Shebesh, no stranger to conflict, has been defamed further, with individuals expressing sentiments that “she had it coming,” or focusing on her approach. The Nairobi county assembly heard a motion calling for the impeachment of Governor Kidero, a decision that has currently been tabled. Several civil and women’s groups have condemned the incident and his behavior. <br /><br />While the details of the incident remain clouded and controversial, the fact remains that both Kidero and Shebesh are publically elected officials in offices that demand a level of decorum and respect. So, why is Shebesh making a ruckus, and why is Kidero behaving like a violent criminal, or a batterer? <br /><br />S.N.L Kenya has developed a music track labeled “Slap Them Like Kidero,” further solidifying the issue in social media. <a href="http://www.ghafla.co.ke/news/music/item/11391-hot-new-track-slap-them-like-kidero-featuring-dr-kidero-shebesh">Slap them Like Kidero </a> This entire incident has had widely felt implications, both for Kenyan politics, and for the greater discourse on gender. <br /><br />What is my take? I always tell my five year old and three year old that it is not right to slap, punch, or hit anyone (some few exceptions apply). I do NOT believe that Kidero should have slapped his colleague, whether male or female. The video indicates to me that the slap was not prefaced by a squeeze or any assault on Kidero. Shebesh could have demonstrated more decorum in her visit to Kidero’s office, but two wrongs do not make a right. Following as it does on the Sonko imbroglio, I think that it is fair to use this moment to focus on the mis-treatment of women in Kenya. Dr. Kidero, did you receive your doctorate at the school of violence against women? <br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">On a lighter note, this post made me laugh! </span><a href="http://www.nairobiwire.com/2013/09/did-kidero-allegedly-slap-shebesh-or.html">Did Kidero Allegedly Slap Shebesh, or Did He Certainly Do It?</a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-19805647107495275742013-08-13T00:41:00.002-07:002013-09-17T12:14:27.651-07:00Water Shortages and Blackouts <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZyhht9jVqQKDebXcKwcSZOTxNM-6crnUxBoXpgdGuDqGWD8aPE7QUTX-zJdasugXr5JEY4qV06g7f1mBlyQjtylwP636hnp5n-q4NuzP7AYgdaI8sY37iN-vi0aKMrm0CH8cxmQJFXWV/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZyhht9jVqQKDebXcKwcSZOTxNM-6crnUxBoXpgdGuDqGWD8aPE7QUTX-zJdasugXr5JEY4qV06g7f1mBlyQjtylwP636hnp5n-q4NuzP7AYgdaI8sY37iN-vi0aKMrm0CH8cxmQJFXWV/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
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One thing that makes living in Kenya quite difficult is that simple things do not work.<br />
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I live in a middle class neighborhood in Nairobi called Magiwa Estate. At one point this summer I experienced a water shortage that went on for a week. We also had a four day blackout.<br />
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Now, it is possible that the water shortage actually went on for more than one week. We have a very large water tank in front of the house that acts as a reserve. Therefore, it is fairly hard to tell at what exact moment the water ran out.<br />
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I have often asked myself what is worse: no water or no electricity. Sigh. It is hard to tell. In my view no water is worse. No water means cooking is difficult, washing is hard, bathing is impossible.<br />
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But the question here is why are we having these crises? Is there actually not enough water in Nairobi? If it were the dry season, perhaps, but this is the cold season and we have had rain. Is our reservoir empty? What is the rationale behind the water stoppage? No rationing scheme has been announced. Is there an infrastructure problem?<br />
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Kenyans need to start asking KPLC and Nairobi Water what exactly they are doing. In this new government, wananchi need to demand high quality services and demand that government does its job. Mr. Kidero, are you listening?<br />
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~WMB<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-52122627972773762962013-06-12T02:09:00.003-07:002013-06-12T02:09:34.644-07:00Analog Kenya This past weekend, I went upcountry to see one of my favorite relatives, my Uncle Githaiga. In Kenya, when people say they are going to the rural areas where their ancestral village is, people say they are "going upcountry." People may also say that they are going to "Gichage" or shags.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUbfjEitK62YO5jrSyp26Y0VeL1B6gUjF9meqP4XL9R_JcYukYCRH9VT3k7E3-EOLntR0OD7mDhd4CQj0mlt7GZfwgBTgFXj_GmnJWhf-Z04FE8Kw_Vk4q4HeWNeVGgmEEh4xUwow25ep/s1600/The+beautiful+farm+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUbfjEitK62YO5jrSyp26Y0VeL1B6gUjF9meqP4XL9R_JcYukYCRH9VT3k7E3-EOLntR0OD7mDhd4CQj0mlt7GZfwgBTgFXj_GmnJWhf-Z04FE8Kw_Vk4q4HeWNeVGgmEEh4xUwow25ep/s320/The+beautiful+farm+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My upcountry is in Othaya. My mother was from a small village called Karema. That land is now in the hands of a male cousin. When I go to shags, I go to a place called Kihome, near the Aberdare Forest. That is where my uncle lives, and one of my cousins on that side.<br />
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That area in Kenya used to be completely analog. But now, analog and digital realities exist side by side. My uncle's place now has electricity. You can plug things into the wall, and they get charged which keeps your cell phone running. Electricity only came in the past five years. There is no Internet in the house, which is somehow a welcome relief. There is a small TV, which has about three channels.<br />
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I remember that not so long ago there was no electricity there. My uncle, who is very scientifically minded, figured out how to run the TV off of a car battery in those days. Some might mistake him for a simple teacher turned farmer, but my uncle personally built a biogas mechanism which converts cow manure into cooking gas that is piped into the house and connected to the stove. He uses artificial insemination to breed his cows, and picks the seeds best suited to his region.<br />
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Even now that some more modern conveniences exist, the main activities are walking to the forest, walking to the river, milking the cows, and picking tea. Conversation is a means of communication still very much used. As we stood in front of the store, an mzee even older than my uncle spoke to my uncle about getting reparations for my uncle's time in detention during the Mau Mau period.<br />
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As my cousin Wacira and I walked through the town, we ran into a cousin of ours on Uncle Githaiga's side. We also ran into an mzee who taught Wacira how to drive. We shopped at Muiru butchery for our meat, because that is where my uncle shops. Carcasses of freshly slaughtered sides of beef and goat hung in the window. I told the butcher in Swahili that I wanted one half of a kilogram of beef, chopped small. He went to one of the sides, and carved off the appropriate piece, put it on his cutting board, and diced it for me.<br />
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We went to the Othaya green grocery market, and bought watermelons, kale, onions, tomatoes, and other foodstuffs, buying a few items from one vendor, and moving down the line, buying a few items from another vendor. The green grocery market was a project by the government, to bring the vendors inside into an orderly and clean place for selling their wares.<br />
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Othaya town has grown. The roads are now tarmacked throughout the town, an event which has occurred in the past five years. The town is much cleaner and more orderly with tarmacked roads. Even the road up to my uncle's house is mostly tarmacked. We rode up from town to my uncle's farm in a matatu, which had about four people in it.<br />
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The hills are green with tea, and coffee. The long rains came this year. The cows were grazing down by the small stream on the bottom of the property. We bought my uncle a hen and a rooster so he would not have to go to town to buy his eggs. The children played delightedly with the small mutt dog on the farm, who had no name. The children decided his name would be Scooby. They named the rooster Theodore, and the hen Sparkle.<br />
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It gets quite cold in the Aberdares. We had to bundle up in sweaters, and also we made a fire in the large fireplace in the sitting room. We drank hot tea, made with lots of fresh milk from the cows. For dinner, we made a chicken stew out of a chicken not as lucky as Sparkle. Our main seasonings were tomatoes, onions, green pepper and carrots. We ate the stew with brown chapati, an indian flatbread that has become a staple in Kenya. When it was time to sleep, we turned out all the lights, and bundled under layers of wool blankets to stay warm.<br />
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I am sure if I traveled to Turkana, that their place would be even more analog still. But there is no place that technology has not penetrated to some extent. Even in Turkana, you should expect to see a cell phone. Somewhere in the town, there is likely at least one cyber cafe.<br />
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So how do we balance the beauty of our pastoral past with the rapid technological advances we experience? How do we integrate those issues? I like the perspective of Richard Sclove in his book <u>Democracy and Technology</u>. He suggests that we choose what technology we find appropriate. We should decide what technologies make our lives better. He argues that the general public should become involved in all phases of technological decision making. This model can work for Kenya, and for Africa too. We must not be hamstrung by nostalgia, nor should we blindly accept every technological change floated our way.<br />
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~WMB<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-13432151895110380552013-05-12T14:47:00.004-07:002013-05-12T14:47:37.753-07:00The emerging face of Kenya's new Cabinet under Uhuru
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_j3otg7j5CiEggPOayH5cR7ND9Aj9yiFXS-qiPJy_9ibcLC0sGSCWUBUXyfkz4fS-nqMlO95_QyGlzvENrKTFFH-9t249iOxFqF-PBYgR257kQlTSN7PtaRq7XzormwPGEDiTj3VYQSQ/s1600/DNJubilee0302x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_j3otg7j5CiEggPOayH5cR7ND9Aj9yiFXS-qiPJy_9ibcLC0sGSCWUBUXyfkz4fS-nqMlO95_QyGlzvENrKTFFH-9t249iOxFqF-PBYgR257kQlTSN7PtaRq7XzormwPGEDiTj3VYQSQ/s320/DNJubilee0302x.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabinet Balala, Ngilu, Ruto, Uhuru and a cute kid!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Since the March
4, 2013 election, significant changes in the government and how it will move
forward have been in the spotlight.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">This last week Kenyatta’s
government has taken a refreshingly unfamiliar look. The executive branch has
reduced the cabinet from 44 ministers to 18, removed many figureheads from the
previous power-sharing coalition, and added six women. </span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">For those who
appreciate technocrats, as I do, the media is calling it a “cabinet of
professionals” because a majority of the members is from the business world </span><a href="http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21577099-country-has-promising-new-governmentwith-few-exceptions-bright-new-faces"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Economist, 2013)</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">. A few notable appointments include
Amina Mohammed, a former UN official, to the foreign ministry, making her the
first woman and first ethnic Somali to hold the post. Further, Raychelle Omamo,
was appointed as Kenya’s first female defense minister </span><a href="http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21577099-country-has-promising-new-governmentwith-few-exceptions-bright-new-faces"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Economist, 2013)</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The nominees
will have to go through a vetting process before their job placement is
official. They must answer a serious of questions, ranging from their sources
of income and assets they own to charges form the courts, to secure
confirmation by the National Assembly (This is the Kenyan equivalent of Senate
confirmation). A questionnaire, submitted May 8, 2013, will kick off a 12-day process
t determine whether those nominated will be confirmed for their positions </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Ndegwa & Kimutai, 2013).</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The questionnaire will ask about their
wealth, tax statuses, charges of corruption and any investigatory reports by
Parliament, and their overall conduct, i.e. if they are linked to nepotism and
gender bias. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Once the
personal information is collected, public hearings with a summarized document
on the suitability of each nominee will be available. Each of the nominees will
appear before the Committee of Appointments and respond to any issues raised. A
full report on the nominees will be available May 14<sup>th</sup> in the House
for a debate </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Ndegwa & Kimutai, 2013).</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">While Kenyatta’s cabinet is off to a good
start, he still has two vacant positions, and there are concerns about a few
appointees lack of experience, as well as a few old faces keeping their post.
Charity Ngilu and Najib Balala remain even though they were both defeated in
the election to the Senate, but Kenyatta included them because he had weak
electoral support among their constituencies among Kamba and on the coast. Some
observers fear Ngilu will block land reform </span><a href="http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21577099-country-has-promising-new-governmentwith-few-exceptions-bright-new-faces"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Economist, 2013)</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">, although in my view, there are plenty
of politicians in Kenya with an interest in blocking land reform </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Overall Kenyan
citizens are looking forward and people are trying to support progress. For
example, Kenyatta has vowed to protect media freedom. A range of politicians have
offered their thoughts on how to fix major issues such as land ownership and
ethnic divisions. Kenyatta promises to implement polices, programs, and
initiatives that promote freedom of the media. <span style="color: #262626;">“We
expect the media to be at the forefront in educating, and informing Kenyans so
that they hold the government to account from an informed point of view,” said
Kenyatta. He also stressed that the media needs to uphold the highest standards
of professionalism remaining free, fair, and objective </span></span><a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/1799494/-/wlqts1z/-/index.html"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Leftie, 2013).</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";">At
a conference last week Raila Odinga suggested a way to end the country’s strong
ethnic divisions: by switching from a Presidential to Parliamentary system. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">He explained that the Presidential system
allows for an environment where communities pin their hopes on individuals
based on their ethnicity and other policy issues and merit are not as big as a
factor as they should be </span><a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/-/1064/1765550/-/b2jynn/-/index.html"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Mutinga, 2013).</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="color: #262626;">Odinga
stated that Kenya should focus on deepening reforms and strengthening
institutions and switching to a parliamentary system, members from the smallest
community has a chance to be president. An obvious critique of Odinga’s
argument is that it would require a massive revision of the recently passed
Kenyan Constitution (2010), which he was at the forefront of supporting. In my
view, he should have made this argument about five years ago, not now. The
horse has already left the barn. </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-24380267010906775252013-04-25T17:36:00.000-07:002013-04-25T17:36:39.116-07:00Detailed Review of the Kenyan Supreme Court Decision<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAErX5uRIAJ6PAAPGKh0Cxj-oM6v8WwGxcb2vMFLj7vJCdTYl8UfCsWE8mga1zEZkt8Vmgbv72KUjl8wH4kCvY-7UPN6JNk93bV2Kn37xFoh3C1zDLk_AETZi4ZlRLi-nvN4w58OzZKUS/s1600/CORD+seeking+to+nullify+Kenyan+election+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAErX5uRIAJ6PAAPGKh0Cxj-oM6v8WwGxcb2vMFLj7vJCdTYl8UfCsWE8mga1zEZkt8Vmgbv72KUjl8wH4kCvY-7UPN6JNk93bV2Kn37xFoh3C1zDLk_AETZi4ZlRLi-nvN4w58OzZKUS/s1600/CORD+seeking+to+nullify+Kenyan+election+.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Wananchi</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Kenyan Supreme Court decision about the March 4, 2013 General Election was very long. It was 113 pages total.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Accordingly, with the assistance of my wonderful GA, Jillian Underwood, I have taken on the task of giving you a blow by blow of what the opinion said. <i><b>A future post will give my analysis of the same.</b> </i>But do to the length of the opinion, this post will simply tell you what was in the opinion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Please note that I am a licensed lawyer. I graduated with honors from the University of Texas School of Law. I also clerked for Justice Jack Hightower on the Supreme Court of Texas. Finally, I was an honors trial attorney for the United States Department of Justice. I am not licensed in Kenya. However, both Kenya and the US are essentially common law systems. Accordingly, I do have enough knowledge to comment intelligently on this topic. However, what follows below is an outline of the court's decision. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">*****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The IEBC was created by article 88 of the Kenyan Constitution (2010) and the IEBC is
responsible for conducting free and transparent elections.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Three Petitions were filed. On March 25<sup>th</sup> all three
petitions were consolidated. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Complaint One was filed on March 14 by Moses Kiaarie Kuria, Denise
Njue Itumbi, and Flowrence Jematiah Sergon. Claim:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Respondents’ decision to include rejected votes
in the final tally had a prejudicial effect on the percentage of votes won by Kenyatta. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Complaint Two was filed on March 16 by Galdwell Wathoni Oteieno
and Zahid Rajan. Claim:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>The election was not conducted in accordance
with the Constitution</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>i.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>IEBC failed to establish and maintain accurate
voter register that was publically available, verifiable, and credible as
required by the Constitution. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>ii.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>IEBC is obligated under the constitution to tally
and verify the results and the polling stations, give electronic transmission
of the provisional results and include party agents in the National Tallying
Centere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>The true number of registered voters was unknown
and without the credible principal voter register the validity of the election
is tampered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IEBC
failed to meet the mandatory legal requirements to electronically transmit
election results. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Filed on March 16, 2013 by Raila Odinga. Claim:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>The process was so fundamentally flawed that the
presidential results must be reconsidered. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>i.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Evidence included the IEBC changing their
official tally of registered voters several times and the final total of
registered voters differing from what was recorded n the Principal Register.
Some polling stations reported higher numbers than those registered. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Main Issues:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Whether Kenyatta and Ruto were validly elected.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Whether the election was free, fair,
transparent, and credible in manner in compliance with the Constitution.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Whether rejected votes should be included in
determining the final tally votes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>What consequential declarations, orders, and
relieves should the Court grant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rejected Votes</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>The petitioners state the respondents unlawfully
used a format that included rejected votes as a basis for determining met the
threshold as stipulated by 138, or at least their understanding of the article.
They also cite Rule 77 of the 2012 General Election Regulations that state
rejected paper ballots should be void. Therefore, if they are not counted
towards a particular candidate, they should not be factored into the overall
counting and percentages. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>The respondents argued that the basis for the
first petition is invalid as the Constitution does not directly say that
rejected votes should not be included in the threshold percentage for the
win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HOWEVER, they do urge the Court to
settle the issue as it will likely arise in future elections. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Voters’ Register</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Petitioners argued that there can be no free and fair election is
there is no credible register. The Voter Register provisional numbers, the
numbers announced by the IEBC, and the numbers released upon the inspection of
the machines were inconsistent (each number higher than the last). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>The petitioners further argued that Kenyans have
the right to vote but they must be registered to vote and that no provision
under the law allows for non-biometric (referred to a “green-book” or the
“primary reference book” hat was used in some constituencies) register and
therefore, there is no valid reason for the numbers to be inconsistent. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>The Respondents explained that under the
Constitution the IEBC was to deploy appropriate technology in the performance
of its function, including the Biometric Voter Register (BVR), however, the BVR
was not mean to completely replace the manual system of registration, but was instead intended to add an
additional layer of efficiency. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Further, the respondents urged that the voter
registration is a critical tool for enforcing universal suffrage and the
special register was a tool aimed to ensure no disenfranchisement of the
citizens that had the right to vote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
example, if someone is disabled and their fore-limbs are unavailable for
capturing their biometrics or those whose fingerprints are scarred or lost
impression such as the elderly or people who participate in physical labor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>The IEBC claimed that they were transparent as
they issued press statements and provided notices on its website regarding
information all aspects of the electoral process. Further, they stated they
took robust measure to involve members of the public and the political parties
in verifying the integrity and accuracy of the Voter Register.<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">-
</span></span></span>In fact, all political parties received a copy
of the provisional register of voters in the form of a CD and all political
parties agreed that in the event of failure of the electronic voter-identifying
(EVID) device, the print out from the electronic register would be used in the
election. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Electronic Support
for the Electoral Process: Validity</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Petitioners claim that all electronic processes
adopted by the IEBC failed- primarily the transmission of results, and
therefore did not meet the 2011 election regulation guidelines – Section 39 and
regulation 82 of the 2012 general election regulations. Without electronic
transmission, there was not basis for verification of the results as
verification requires provisional results to be compared to final tallies and,
therefore was susceptible to manipulation and corruption. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Petitioners claim that since the BVR
malfunctioned- the procurement process was taken over by the Government and
therefore led to the loss of independence. Since, they argue, the procurement
process was illegal, the EVID kits were inevitably faulty and since they failed,
“millions of voters” did not have their votes counted accurately. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Further, they argue that the consistent gap
between the leading candidates is scientifically impossible if they were truly
being randomly delayed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Overall, the petitioners argued that the
machines should have already had the bugs worked out- i.e. – have the ability
to automatically subtract from the main register voters who has already voted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>The respondents argued that under the
constitution, IEBC is only required to process, tally, and transmit the final
results and no where does it explicitly say what means are to be used-
electronically or manually. The IEBC suggests the technology was only to be
used as an added layer to the process and was to be utilized as part of other
numerous check and controls not as a complete replacement. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>The respondents did acknowledge the technologies
deployed experience challenges, but such challenges were not catastrophic and
did not impact negatively on the outcome of the election. They have learned from
the challenges and will provide a basis for strengthening the electoral
process. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Analysis of Court- voting process most technical
of claims- petitioners argue that the act of voting is the totality of the
electoral process and therefore a weal link ensure total collapse and therefore
the results are likely to be inaccurate. Respondents argue that the voting is
the action of marking the ballot paper and the process before and after only
ascertains the voter’s choice. The respondents cite cases from the Philippines
to argue that even there was failure in the support of the process, the right
to vote is not defeated. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Analysis of Court- Regulation 60 of the
Elections regulation, 2012 reveal that voting may be done by marking the ballot
paper OR electronically. Therefore, the voting system envision was to be
manual. Polling stations in rural areas have “distant dream” of a reliable
supply of electricity but voters still conduct their civil duty via paper
ballots. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Vote Tallying:
Reflect Voters’ Choice</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Petitioners argued that the tallying exercise
was seriously marred by irregularities. Specifically: material alteration of
documents used in the tallying and verification exercise; inconsistent numbers
between those registered and those tallied; exclusion of Presidential
candidates’ agents and accredited observers from the National Tallying Center;
overall inflation of votes for Kenyatta and deflation of votes for Odinga</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Petitioners evidence- 26 polling stations where
the number of valid votes casted exceeded the number of registered voters. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Argue that the respondents did not put in place
measures to ensure the accuracy of vote-count, after the failure of the
electronic results-transmission system.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Respondents: maintain the counting, tallying and
transmission was efficient and lawful and they went well beyond the thresholds
of the Elections Act by establishing an elaborate audit process. They stated
they resolved many issues as they arose. The results and forms were verified by
multiple officers. As for the National Tallying Center, the officers were
allowed in the room, however, they came rowdy and threatening, and thereafter
moved to a separate room. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Some Issues of Facts: THE COURT’S FINDINGS</span></b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>On March 25th, the court ordered scrutiny of all Forms
34 and 36, which were used in all 33,400 stations to gain a better sense of the
electoral process and its integrity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aggregated results of Form 36 voters from 75
counties were missing. Forms 34 were missing in a handful of polling stations.
They specifically cite 10. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>The court also ordered a re-tallying of 22 poling
stations. It was determined that 5 of the stations had discrepancies. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>The court also found that in <span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">some instances, the number of
registered votes was not reflected in Forms 36. In other instances, there were
two Forms 36, attributed to the same constituency and both were counted during
the tallying process. Even after the register of voters was closed, there were
instances where voters were still being registered. In several polling
stations, the number of votes cast exceeded the registered voters as per Forms
34. The results from these polling stations should have been nullified but they
were included in the tallying of results.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>This evidence and data, as the court conducted
it, now overrides the results expressly relied on by the petitioners and
respondents. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>The court stated that the respondents answered each of the
discrepancies highlighted in the court’s report.<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>While there were some missing forms, it was not
in bad faith, merely an oversight given the limited time-period the
respondents hand to deliver the documents. For forms 36 that were provided
twice, they were not included in the tallying process. In some instances the
second form was merely used during correction of mistakes where then the first
form would not be counted.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>In every instance where more votes cast than
registered voters, the Green Book, which contains the manual register, was
given to the court for scrutiny.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>As for the 22 polling stations, these were
spread out through the country, giving no advantage to one specific candidate.
While there are clerical errors, no foul play can be attributed.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u>Burden of proof vs. standard of proof:</u> <span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">While it is conceivable that
the law of elections can be infringed, especially through incompetence,
malpractices or fraud attributable to the responsible agency, it behooves the
person who thus alleges, to produce the necessary evidence in the first place –
and thereafter, the evidential burden shifts, and keeps shifting.</span></span><br />
<ul><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">The lesson to be drawn from the several authorities is, (stated the court) that the Court should freely determine its standard of proof, on the
basis of the <i>principles of the Constitution</i>, and of its concern to give fulfillment
to the safeguarded electoral rights. The threshold of proof should, in
principle, be <i>above the balance of probability</i>, though not as high as
beyond-reasonable-doubt.</span></span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 75.0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u>Judicial Restraint:</u> <span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">the facts and special
circumstances of this case (86% turnout, no loss of life, peaceful) require restraint
in the judicial approach. The institutions of democracy and constitutionalism requires a certain degree of public confidence which, for the
judicial process, is a treasure, that can only be nurtured through restraint,
where the electoral will has been made known.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Technology-</b>
(See page 86) The technological failure was<u> </u>the main argument of the petitioners. Technology is rarely perfect and
those employing it must remain open to new technologies.<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>It is clear the failure of these systems
primarily rose from<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> the
misunderstandings and squabbles among IEBC members during the <i>procurement
process </i>– squabbles which occasioned the <i>failure to assess the integrity
of the technologies in good time.</i></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">The </span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">acquisition
process was marked by competing interests involving impropriety, or even
criminality: and <b><i><u>(THE COURT STATED) We recommend that this matter be entrusted to the
relevant State agency, for further investigation and possible prosecution of
suspects.</u></i></b></span></span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Integrity of the election itself in regards to
the technology, there was no other option but to revert back to the manual
system. </span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">The court noted from the evidence that the manual system, though it
did serve as a vital fall-back position, has itself a major weakness which IEBC
has a public duty to set right. The ultimate safeguard for the voter
registration process, namely “the Green Book,” has data that is not backed-up,
just in case of a fire, or other like calamity<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. <b><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">(THE COURT STATED)We signal this as an
urgent item of the agenda of the IEBC, and recommend appropriate redressive
action</span></b>.</i></span></span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Since
such technology has not yet achieved a level of reliability, it cannot as yet
be considered a permanent or irreversible foundation for the conduct of the
electoral process. This <i>negates the Petitioner’s contention </i>that, in the
instant case, <i>injustice, or illegality in the conduct of election would
result, if IEBC did not consistently employ electronic technology</i>. It
follows that the Petitioner’s case, insofar as it</span> <span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">attributes nullity to the
Presidential election on grounds of failed technological devices, is not
sustainable.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><u>National Tally Center</u>- the respondents
admit that the officers were taken to a different room. The IEBC has an
obligation to operate transparently without retreating from public visibility
and without disengaging stakeholders of the electoral process. However, the
values will operate only in conditions of good order. The Court concluded that the <span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">tallying was indeed conducted
in <i>accordance with the law</i>, and the relocation of political party agents
<i>did not </i>undermine the credibility of the tallying, nor provide a basis
for annulling the outcome of the Presidential election.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><u>Voter Register</u>- The court found no mystery about
the “Special Register” which was used throughout the country and diverse are.
There is no proof that this register served any improper cause that favored any
particular candidate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><u>Rejected Votes</u>- With regard to the marked ballot papers that
fail to comply with the approved marking format. Article 138(4) of the 2010
Constitution states that the a candidate will be declared President if he
receives half of “all the votes cast.” The wording indeed presents a problem of
interpretation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the 1969 election,
the world “valid” is included in the clause. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l8 level2 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>This interpretation is significant to Kenyatta
for the reason, <span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">as he believed, that if all the “rejected votes” were
included in the computation of vote-tally percentages, then it would raise the Odinga’s
towards the 50% mark, and lower his own tally to a figure below 50% – the
direct effect being that the Court would have to order a <i>run-off election </i>between
the two leading candidates.</span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Petitioner in Petition No. 3 of 2013
had moved the Court not only to exclude the “rejected votes” in the
Presidential-election tally, but to go further and, on that basis, <i>order a
re-calculation and re-tally of the votes properly attributable to each of the
candidates. </i>His hopes were that the Court would, in this way, reach a
finding that Kenyatta’s percentage vote-tally was significantly above 50%. We
have <i>already held, </i>however, that such a process of re-tallying of votes,
re-computing and re- assignment of value, falls beyond the election-contest
mandate of this Court, and is excluded by the “rule of remoteness”.</span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">The </span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Legislature, nor IEBC, had attached any significance to
the <i>possibility of differing meanings; </i>which leads us to the conclusion
that a ballot paper marked and inserted into the ballot-box, has consistently
been perceived as a <i>vote; </i>thus, the ballot paper marked and inserted
into the ballot-box will be a <i>valid vote </i>or a <i>rejected vote</i>,
depending on the elector’s compliance with the applicable standards.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l8 level2 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Need to answer the question: <i>why
should such a vote, or ballot paper which is incapable of conferring upon any
candidate a numerical advantage, be made the basis of computing percentage
accumulations of votes</i>, so as to ascertain that one or the other candidate
attained the threshold of 50% + 1 – and so such a candidate should be declared
the outright winner of the Presidential election, and there should be no
run-off election?</span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>The court interpreted the Constitution in a manner
that contributes to good governance. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l8 level2 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Go back to the 1969 Constitution- refer only to <i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">valid votes cast</span></i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">, and does not include ballot
papers, or votes, cast but are later rejected for non-compliance with the terms
of the governing law and Regulations.</span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l6 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><u>Possible reliefs- “fresh election”</u>-
Determined that if the Court finds the President-elect to be invalid, a “Fresh”
election would only involve the candidates that participated in the original
poll, rather than new nominations. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Determination of the
Petitions</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">The court came to the conclusion that, by no means can the conduct of this election be
said to have been perfect, even though, quite clearly, the election had been of
the greatest interest to the Kenyan people, and they had voluntarily come out
into the polling stations, for the purpose of electing the occupant of the
Presidential office. </span></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">In
summary, the evidence, in the court's opinion, <i>does not disclose any profound
irregularity </i>in the management of the electoral process, nor does it
gravely impeach the <i>mode of participation </i>in the electoral process by
any of the candidates who offered himself or herself before the voting public.
It is <i>not evident, </i>on the facts of this case, that the candidate
declared as the President-elect had not obtained the basic vote-threshold
justifying his being declared as such. </span></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">The court, therefore, chose to <i>disallow </i>the Petition, and uphold the Presidential-
election results as declared by IEBC on 9th March, 2013.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-46957548539950896712013-04-17T14:38:00.003-07:002013-04-17T14:40:59.618-07:00The Supreme Court ruling on the Kenyan presidential election<style>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwgutdtYXblqZAsoYa2QZ5us4awU80TaDOyYi1W5CRiBdIYIBmPgLPuY-n-gkLzB0dPBGZxrCdKQ-nUwdzf37ZklnUoHDQa760y4CRE6HB0pKE3oHzJEARTECkSKxNqkKH4wP8GugbaXb/s1600/741587-01-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwgutdtYXblqZAsoYa2QZ5us4awU80TaDOyYi1W5CRiBdIYIBmPgLPuY-n-gkLzB0dPBGZxrCdKQ-nUwdzf37ZklnUoHDQa760y4CRE6HB0pKE3oHzJEARTECkSKxNqkKH4wP8GugbaXb/s320/741587-01-02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kenyan Supreme Court members on the bench </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the beginning of this week the Supreme Court released
a report that described their full judgment in detail. This report explained
that simply there was not enough evidence that supported the claims that the
technology errors would have influenced the results of the election <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201304161747.html">(Mayabi-election, 2013)</a>.
The report also noted that further investigations and possible prosecutions of
the IEBC tender committee members who participated in the procurement of faulty
technologies during this presidential election is needed <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201304170428.html">(Mayabi-IEBC).</a> In
response to the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the IEBC, a website,
“People’s Court” that contains all the evidence used in the Supreme Court was
launched by Gladwell Otieno and Zahid Rajad from Africa Center for Open
Governance and Maina Kiai from Inform Action <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201304150226.html">(Mwangi, 2013).</a> The
creators hope the website will allow for members of society to engage in an
open debate about the transparency of the government.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am going to try to closely examine the Supreme Court opinion and get back to you with my thoughts. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trying to press on, Kenyatta and the new administration have
a long road ahead. On top of facing the challenges with the ICC and a slow
economy, Kenyatta must tackle corruption and ethnic divisions during his term.
Bonny Khalwale, a newly-elected senator explained that it’s not the tribes that
divide the country, but the unequal distribution of resources, specifically
land<a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201304160974.html">(Ngugi, 2013)</a>.
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Kenya has one of
the most unequal societies in the worlds: 30% of all citizens live in
poverty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, food insecurity,
unemployment, and corruption, must, Khalwale argues, be on the top of
Kenyatta’s agenda. Economists and policy exerts explain that some of the
promises made during Kenyatta’s speech aren’t feasible with the challenging
economy, and instead, open dialogue about ethnic divisions and corruption is
needed <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201304160974.html">(Ngugi, 2013)</a>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~WMB </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-81946662141994624912013-04-15T10:11:00.000-07:002013-04-15T10:13:37.056-07:00Moving past the election controversies in Kenya<style>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBT6y74rn5k7nesXESjFxoT8Nb3-UoUDDV7zLiMDR9CNyd5pD0sI4x1LCcJwSf1CWvECbW1rWrY09Tfsj20Of5BkQsivDr1xSwAZgaI2CKX0RQRPXkrstc1gXxYh8hFNlRpYfE3fgogiDf/s1600/SNFRONTUHURU1304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBT6y74rn5k7nesXESjFxoT8Nb3-UoUDDV7zLiMDR9CNyd5pD0sI4x1LCcJwSf1CWvECbW1rWrY09Tfsj20Of5BkQsivDr1xSwAZgaI2CKX0RQRPXkrstc1gXxYh8hFNlRpYfE3fgogiDf/s320/SNFRONTUHURU1304.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Uhuru Kenyatta his Deputy William Ruto share a light moment
with Former Prime Minister Raila Ondinga and his running mate Mr Kalonzo
Musyoka at State House Nairobi. Photo credit, the Daily Nation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In
the past week Kenya is slowly moving past the election controversies and the
Supreme Court ruling that upheld Kenyatta as the newly elected president. The
Carter Center released a report that heavily criticized the election procedures
and the IEBC but also praised the handling of the situation by the candidates
and the government. Overall, the Center argued, </span>the results of the
election are "an expression of the will of Kenyan voters" <a href="http://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/news/pr/kenya-tally-040413.pdf">(Carter,
2013).</a> I am particularly gratified by the Carter Center's results, because I have said since the beginning that the technological problems were very dissapointing, but the election was free and fair. I hope we can look forward to even better elections in the coming years. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Chairman of the IEBC, Issack Hassan, stated that despite the
problems of this past election that have been painfully scrutinized, they will
be continuing the use of electronic technology after a full audit of the equipment
is completed. Hassan stressed, “Overall the election was credible and
transparent; we did not hide anything; all the failures were seen by the
public” <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201304081508.html">(Mayabi, 2013)</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Moving
forward, on Tuesday, April 9<sup>th </sup>, Uhuru Kenyatta,</span> was sworn in
as the nation’s fourth head of state. Although the ceremony went well and was peaceful, there were concerns about violence during the ceremony earlier
in the week when reports of youth being recruited to create chaos were made.
Eighteen areas of potential threat were identified and four people who were
accused of being behind the plans were taken into custody <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201304070409.html">(Burrows, 2013).</a> <span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">During the Ceremony, criticism
of the ICC trials emerged during various speeches. </span>During his speech,
Kenyatta made a slight reference to the court but moved quickly on to other
items such as giving a list of his goals and plans for his presidency. He
congratulated Kenya for a successful election, although presidential opponent
Odinga was not in attendance <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/10/world/africa/kenyatta-sworn-in-as-president-of-kenya.html?_r=0">(Gettleman,
2013).</a> Many have hailed Odinga as a statesman for giving a concession speech. In my personal opinion, which you may not like, it is not statesmanlike at all for him to boycott the inaugural. It lacks style, class and distinction. I for one, am dissapointed. </div>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now that the election is over, the issue of the ICC trial is
front and center. Since the election over a dozen witnesses have been dropped
from the cases <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201304070144.html">(Ndonga,
2013),</a> there is sharp criticism over media coverage, and the government has
been accused of not cooperating with the ICC prosecutors. The ICC prosecutors
stress that the country must follow their protocol and no one, even head’s of
state, will be given immunity. Attorney General Githu Muigai exclaimed that
since the accusations made by the court have serious implications, the
complaints of no-cooperation should be on notice to give Kenya a chance to
respond, which has not been done <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201304110166.html">(Kaberia- Sabotage, 2013).</a><br />
<br />
Fergal Gaynor, representative of victims in the ICC case against Kenyatta,
backed the ICC’s accusations and asked for the Chamber to speed up Kenyatta’s
trial due to claims of witness intimidation. Gaynor claims that charges against
former head of state of civil service Francis Muthaura were dropped on basis of
witness intimidation and the prosecution should have prevented this and its now
an incentive to those who seek to undermine the court through bribery and
intimidation. Kenyatta’s council has requested the case be referred back to the
pre-trial chamber. Fergal expresses that this is just a tactic to delay that he
argues, carries enormous risk <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201304040541.html">(Kaberia -hurried, 2013).</a>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kenyatta and Ruto still claim the ICC trials will not
interfere with their work and that their trial is only a minor, and temporary distraction.
During his inauguration speech Kenyatta offered words of hope and stressed that
politics should not divide the nation. He promised that he will lead all
Kenyans to prosperity and peace and his government will be inclusive, which
will reflect the “true face of Kenya” <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201304091297.html">(Matata & Omino,
2013).</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During his first 100 days is office, Kenyatta promises that he will
reallocate the SH6 billion ($70 million) he put aside for a possible run-off
election to a youth and women’s fund. He also promised to provide free maternal
health care as well as making laptops the standard for students next year <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201304091297.html">(Matata & Omino,
2013).</a> As an educator who studies technology, until all children in Kenya have the benefit of free standard secondary education, I do not think that laptops are a good investment. The best investment is that every Kenyan has mastered reading, writing and arithmetic at high levels by age 18.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Analysts and economists, however, wanted to focus on Kenya’s economic
growth and bridging the gap of inequalities, realistically. On March 5<sup>th</sup>
Kenya implemented a new devolved system of government where decisions affecting
the 47 countries will be addressed at the local level rather than the national
and during his speech, Kenyatta has promised to create a million jobs (<a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201304110899.html">Gathigah, 2013</a>, <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201304110286.html">Lattus, 2013). </a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Analysts speculate that the economic
environment looks promising and with the implementation of the constitution and
government spending, investor’s confidence will likely boost and therefore
bring economic growth <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201304110286.html">(Lattus,
2013).</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Further, the most logical
place to expand jobs is in the government sector, due to the local government
offices being built because of the devolved system of government, which will
improve distribution of resources <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201304110899.html">(Gathigah, 2013). </a>Unfortunately, expanding government jobs will not strengthen the Kenyan economy, but will place an additional burden on Kenya's already top-heavy government. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In other news, Kenyatta has made it clear that no cabinet members
from Mwai Kibaki and former PM Odinga’s coalition government will serve under
him. He stated their tenure has came to an end and all members should vacate
their offices immediately. Permanent secretaries and accounting officers will
continue to look after affairs until new appointments are made. He did offer
since gratitude to the Ministers for their service. <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201304110130.html">Burrows, 2013</a> Further, Vice President William Ruto has been given the
responsibility to coordinate and supervise ministries in the next government.
Ruto will name <span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">half the
Cabinet under the terms of the Jubilee coalition agreement while his URP party
has large blocks in both the National Assembly and the Senate. Kenyatta has
delegated supervision of government to Ruto, which will allow him to deal with
other components of the Presidency. Since both are on trial at the Hague, and
have been denied video-conferencing, this consultation is crucial. It was noted
that Ruto called former PM Odinga and discussed range of topics, including the
need for Odigna to work with the Kenyatta administration to unite the country.
It was reported that Odinga wished him nothing but the best in the new
position. </span></div>
<a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201304121394.html">Mathenge, 2013</a><br />
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<br />
Huge thanks to my fabulous GA, Jillian!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-9719294935618849022013-04-01T14:55:00.000-07:002013-04-01T14:55:00.546-07:00Uhuru na Kazi In the Shadow of the Election <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtLJUOtaLHKGy6BBoCe9ClxwR2WZXA4XPav0MONE8fzle07R9E9B1rZAaliuDT5KPMOH20r9sMMvOF7ItKw9fMsKDQerKDQXLEE6X7r0abpIbBXZfcj7bIFO3Jf2pX3mIecG9ePA1j9mO/s1600/919768129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtLJUOtaLHKGy6BBoCe9ClxwR2WZXA4XPav0MONE8fzle07R9E9B1rZAaliuDT5KPMOH20r9sMMvOF7ItKw9fMsKDQerKDQXLEE6X7r0abpIbBXZfcj7bIFO3Jf2pX3mIecG9ePA1j9mO/s320/919768129.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, with his son, Uhuru. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you do not know by now, the Kenyan Supreme Court upheld the election results this Saturday. <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21979298">Kenyan Supreme Court upholds Kenyatta's Win </a>The decision was unanimous, which gives Uhuru Kenyatta some political capital going into the presidency. <br />
<br />
<i>Uhuru na kazi</i>. This phrase variously means Freedom and Work or Independence and Work. That was the motto of Kenyan independence, and some say it was one of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta's favorite phrases. Kenya attained independence in 1963. That makes 2013 the Jubilee year of Independence.<br />
<br />
<br />
Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta was born the son of Jomo Kenyatta--who would become Kenya's first President-- in 1961. He was named Uhuru, in anticipation for Kenya’s upcoming independence <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkO1R_noFRiD1-94HFv74ctKnWtqRKY6edhuurQNKnNcWnp2uN4-6w9fdp7JjEqvxapsA4NTYYYakYji3O5aF7sVXlrWD-WtOmzstVrg7u6Okl31BNxRDr_OtMJpLD-kn-yUrX48OlRkeN/s1600/image002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkO1R_noFRiD1-94HFv74ctKnWtqRKY6edhuurQNKnNcWnp2uN4-6w9fdp7JjEqvxapsA4NTYYYakYji3O5aF7sVXlrWD-WtOmzstVrg7u6Okl31BNxRDr_OtMJpLD-kn-yUrX48OlRkeN/s1600/image002.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kenya's National Flag </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I took my time to write about the Court's decision, because I needed time to think about what it meant. I was happy at a visceral level, because as an observer, I saw a free and fair election. So I was happy to know my observations were not mistaken. I was also very happy that the Court took its time to make a thoughtful decision, that they ordered a partial recount, and that the errors which were present in the election were not so severe as to prevent it from being free and fair. I am sad, however, that we have simply elected another representative of the Black Colonials, the political class, which knows no tribe. <a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/Wanjiku-is-dead-but-who-will-mourn-her/-/440808/1735496/-/5rynh7z/-/index.html">Who Will Mourn Wanjiku? </a><br />
<br />
Kenya has proven that it can run a peaceful, free and fair election. Kenya has shown the world that it has strong democratic institutions, a strong and free press, and a competent and even-handed judiciary. Kenya has shown that it can maintain peace in a sea of conflict, even as wars rage in nearby Somalia and the Congo. Hongera. Mungu ni Mwema. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9mjhmu2ytZLjEZUtV0CVQuIdqjWUR6n5ci2nBY1hyvaS6gZ6X8rnpZLwZsn_VmWVvei8uYHD9nlktDs1PdO5N_Ux5D1vvgELW3ZkjBaZ8WaUd9mIUeXyeII_xebN0zii5q5ww9jdibEt/s1600/rawr.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9mjhmu2ytZLjEZUtV0CVQuIdqjWUR6n5ci2nBY1hyvaS6gZ6X8rnpZLwZsn_VmWVvei8uYHD9nlktDs1PdO5N_Ux5D1vvgELW3ZkjBaZ8WaUd9mIUeXyeII_xebN0zii5q5ww9jdibEt/s320/rawr.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The election has just ended, however, I also think that now is as good a time as any to reflect on whether dynastic succession
is what is best for Kenya. One could argue that even if this election
went peacefully and (relatively) fairly, the victors are not likely to
implement major political change. Both Uhuru and Ruto were politically groomed by President Moi. <a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/Why-former-President-Moi-is-a-political-genius/-/440808/1734840/-/item/0/-/8y8ok1z/-/index.html">Why former President Moi is a political genius. </a>Rather, they are likely to maintain
the status quo. Their incentive is to protect the "political class" and
not the common wananchi.<br />
<br />
Now that we have gotten through an election
in one piece, the next challenge is to elect a person, whether male or
female, who can challenge the extreme inequality in Kenya, and represent
the aspirations of the people. Kenya has a robust constitution, with well laid out rules and procedures. The challenge will be to implement its vision, and give the document a lived meaning. This election, with all its flaws, is a good first step. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibv82vDpa2NhUXnuPFtbxkdQLrJgNSg5QvsSrV9rD_27E3mdy2zvVdhXnWWaGcM6xGaVLyNQLFpRJvm5tfoFzJBypdjW1gvWJ4C9cchGAZFieUx97Bx93zNkYTS_DcqlqDHeBq35gknKeO/s1600/images-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibv82vDpa2NhUXnuPFtbxkdQLrJgNSg5QvsSrV9rD_27E3mdy2zvVdhXnWWaGcM6xGaVLyNQLFpRJvm5tfoFzJBypdjW1gvWJ4C9cchGAZFieUx97Bx93zNkYTS_DcqlqDHeBq35gknKeO/s1600/images-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So now we have had a free election and we have some kind of Uhuru, yet, I suggest, it is not the real <i>Uhuru </i>the Mau Mau fought for. Now comes the <i>kazi</i>, the work. And indeed, it will be <i>kazi kwa bidii</i>. Can we all pull together to reach that vision of a free and independent Kenya that so many have fought for? <br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-46658183323359832812013-03-29T13:20:00.001-07:002013-03-29T13:20:54.293-07:00Technology and the Kenyan Elections Dear readers<br />
<br />
I do not know if you have seen <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/03/2013329135519365308.html">my op Ed</a> <i>Al Jazeera</i> today. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXD0jZamyilgDQkx0jry0U8hB0QCFYNOPOAFCZYNzAgIQyql1LWV3Pu-3LcdyBpmoEVIhFmF9lu26OXiGBiZgKyj2s7quFR_4ldMoI3GG-bjHaJMnGl4tXCuBc3btFY8mJR2veMxDmcV2/s1600/2013221114517355734_20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXD0jZamyilgDQkx0jry0U8hB0QCFYNOPOAFCZYNzAgIQyql1LWV3Pu-3LcdyBpmoEVIhFmF9lu26OXiGBiZgKyj2s7quFR_4ldMoI3GG-bjHaJMnGl4tXCuBc3btFY8mJR2veMxDmcV2/s320/2013221114517355734_20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is my big takeaway.<br />
<br />
The Kenyan election of 2013 can teach scholars, and observers of
democratisation numerous lessons. First, a completely successful
election in Kenya as well as other parts of Africa depends on large part
on processes with high levels of transparency, consensus, and a careful
chain of custody of votes. Second, technology must be carefully tested
far in advance of elections, and care should be taken to identify
weaknesses. Third, governments and civil society can work together to
create independent institutions with clear rules, and well-trained
voting officials. Finally, the 2010 Kenyan Constitution has helped to
create institutions and laid out rules to promote democracy, which has
already led to improved electoral outcomes. <br />
<br />
For the rest, click <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/03/2013329135519365308.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
~WMB<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-38859373883727125562013-03-27T14:30:00.003-07:002013-03-27T14:30:37.933-07:00Tension as Supreme Court Reviews Election Results <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8PIDvNCQ_dGeGx5lFeLaSO-1ZV3UEmqb_y3N7diL7reYllvejp10bKXplePPdhVPRl9q70GJp6R0-z7ZltA9ooq-IBdwA9KK_DRQy0N248FVtGxI-W_3YovYZuAVES49V3ulyQoToRja/s1600/dn+FRONT+2503+px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8PIDvNCQ_dGeGx5lFeLaSO-1ZV3UEmqb_y3N7diL7reYllvejp10bKXplePPdhVPRl9q70GJp6R0-z7ZltA9ooq-IBdwA9KK_DRQy0N248FVtGxI-W_3YovYZuAVES49V3ulyQoToRja/s640/dn+FRONT+2503+px.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chief Justice Willy Mutunga (third from left) leads the Supreme Court
during the pre-trial conference on March 25, 2013. he other judges are (from
left) Njoki Ndung’u, Jackton Ojwang’, Philip Tunoi, Mohammed Ibrahim and
Smokin Wanjala Credit. Nation Group. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My cousins tell me that Nairobi is at a standstill as all wait for the Kenyan Supreme Court to issue its ruling on Saturday</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span>The Kenyan Supreme Court ordered a
recount of votes cast at 22 polling station. The re-tallying is meant to
determine if the votes casted exceeded the number of those registered. The
court also ordered the inspection of all forms 34 and 36 used by the IEBC in
tallying the results. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">AFRICOG and Odinga argued before the Supreme Court
that various polling stations had increased Kenyatta’s number between when
local polling stations announced publically their totals and when the numbers
reached the tallying center. Since Kenyatta only hit the 50% mark by 8,400
votes, they are demanding the votes to bee invalidated. For example, in once
center, Nyeri Country, they announced publically that Kenyatta won 53,252 votes
but the election commission reported that he won 55,726. They are asserting
that this would trigger a run-off election. (Washington Post, March 27, 2013) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The African Centre for Open Governance (AFRICOG),
which is generally viewed as being on the CORD side, requested that the IEBC
produce marked voter registers used during the March 4 election. They allege
registers the court currently has in their possession (electronic) are not the
registers actually used during the election (manual). Africog’s lawyer argued
that over 70,000 voter discrepancies exist between the electronic and marked
registers. Counsel Kethi Kilonzo explained that it was only the principal
register that could verify the actual number of registered voters. IEBC’s
lawyer Paul Nyamodi stated that the request to supply the registers was
unreasonable and was filed late, therefore cannot be accommodated. He said that
to gather all the registers in the 33,400 polling stations would take about 2
weeks but would gladly avail them at the petitioner’s expense. Chief Willy
Mutunga said the court would decide on Wednesday. (All Africa, March 26, 2013) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">At the end of the day, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Kenyan Supreme Court rejected an
application by Odinga to carry out a forensic audit of the IEBC information
technology systems used during the election. The court stated the application
was time-bared as it was filled 4 days after filing the petition. The
application would require production of the IEBC’s entire IT system, which is
not feasible. If the application would have been submitted at the time of the
initial filing, it would have been possible for the court to order IEBC to
provide the audit. (March 26, 2013) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Justice Philip Tunoi ruled that an additional
affidavit (nearly 900 pages long) filed by Odinga will be removed from the
records as they were filed after his initial petition. “The court said that it
could not shoulder the burden of the omissions of the petitioners, who failed
to make available all the affidavits in time or seek through an oral application,
the leave of the court to file the affidavits.” There is no provision for
additional affidavits in the Supreme Court rules, it is left to the court’s
discretion.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The judges ruling on Saturday will focus on four core issues. </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The first issue, he said, is: Whether the Third and Fourth
Respondents (Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto) were validly elected and
declared as President-elect and Deputy President-elect of the Republic
of Kenya, respectively, by the Second Respondent (Ahmed Issack Hassan)
in the Presidential Elections held on the 4th of March 2013. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The second is: Whether the presidential election
held on March 4, 2013 was conducted in a free, fair, transparent and
credible manner in compliance with the provisions of the Constitution
and all relevant provisions of the law. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The third is: Whether the rejected votes ought to
have been included in determining the final tallies of votes in favour
of each of the presidential candidates by the First and Second
Respondents (IEBC and Chairman Ahmed Issack Hassan). </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The fourth is: What consequential declarations, orders and reliefs should the court grant based on the above determinations. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">~WMB </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-56128612288330700032013-03-27T07:41:00.002-07:002013-03-27T08:27:06.269-07:00Technology, Transparency and Tallying <style>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mDQUOa0XnvLDYt_vxb0pO5mpqhAi75eVwh7ol1kDdgck6iybj_os96tfBbvR42QrseZxD3sWU4GCOxv5vRxnY07iRxTZ0tAV8wNhnclhvaI5ERpO2VfBgjBT3r_JLnK85QCGizs803Ez/s1600/tech.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mDQUOa0XnvLDYt_vxb0pO5mpqhAi75eVwh7ol1kDdgck6iybj_os96tfBbvR42QrseZxD3sWU4GCOxv5vRxnY07iRxTZ0tAV8wNhnclhvaI5ERpO2VfBgjBT3r_JLnK85QCGizs803Ez/s320/tech.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edge of a computer screen </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Big Caslon"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Two things stand out in the Kenyan General Election of 2013: IEBC’s late procurement of both services and equipment related to the
election, and the fact that all technology should have been tested and debugged
far in advance of the election. The failures that occurred were both
foreseeable and preventable. Of note was the failure to plan for backup power. Electricity
fails routinely in Nairobi, and is often absent in rural areas altogether. In
addition, the cell phones and biometric scanners were not procured until
approximately one month before the election, and were most likely not tested
sufficiently for either load or other stresses. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Professor Makau Mutua asks whether the
collapse of the computer systems during vote tallying was due to incompetence,
technological illiteracy, or lack of adequate preparation. The most likely
answer is a lack of adequate preparation, combined with a failure to follow
good advice. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Big Caslon"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Despite the massive
technological failures, it can be argued that their main impact was a
significant delay in reporting the results, not the integrity of the election
itself. Importantly, the physical count of votes was the final and official
record of the election. The manual voter register worked well to identify
voters at the polling station level. No vote count was finalized at the polling
station level without agreement of the presiding officer and political party
agents. This process was repeated again as all presiding officers reported
their numbers to the reporting officer in full view of political party agents
and observers at the constituency level. All marked and unused ballots were
locked into the transparent tally boxes with final numbers. Those boxes were
tracked from polling station level to the constituency level, and eventually
flown to Bomas to ensure that the final vote was correct.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Big Caslon";">The idea that manual
ballots trump electronic systems is widely accepted internationally. A
symposium on Voting, Vote Capture, and Vote Counting was held at the Harvard
Kennedy School of Government in June 2004 in the wake of the counting failures
in the Bush vs. Gore presidential race in the US. At that event scholars
indicated that best practices for a secure voting system include a hybrid
system that includes paper for audit and an electronic system for speed and
flexibility. Ironically, their study noted that digital systems can actually
produce more complex failure modes and concluded that paper ballots, carefully
tracked through a custody chain remain necessary to ensure accurate voting
outcomes. The Kenyan election of 2013 illustrates those conclusions well. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-35090376299303159392013-03-19T14:49:00.002-07:002013-03-19T14:50:38.689-07:00Global Justice, Accountability and the Kenyan election<br />
<br />
As we move forward please consider the following views by scholars. I am personally familiar with the work of all three of these scholars, and I respect their views. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKwndxtkIx7eZG7eDQBYMxyBaJwhdDOtelYseXB6KBj2ZDR0E9_eB2RVVHgHWT4va9wtnJmzOVnNMSN8mI4Rj7xdvTId4zye80utxBCc-VSy9pedi0rJeyJ2nGaGPn1uJ4fPnilbc23LK/s1600/images-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKwndxtkIx7eZG7eDQBYMxyBaJwhdDOtelYseXB6KBj2ZDR0E9_eB2RVVHgHWT4va9wtnJmzOVnNMSN8mI4Rj7xdvTId4zye80utxBCc-VSy9pedi0rJeyJ2nGaGPn1uJ4fPnilbc23LK/s1600/images-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jendayi Frazer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Jendayi Frazer--former US Assistant Secretary for State for African Affairs, former Harvard Kennedy School Professor, and current adjunct senior fellow for Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations-- critiques the role of the ICC in the recent Kenyan election. She makes several important points that I think are worth noting. First, she notes that The Supreme Court of Kenya correctly allowed Uhuru Kenyatta to run on February 15, 2013 because the ICC cannot bar candidates. Second, she argues that the ICC was pre-emptively trying to try and convict Uhuru Kenyatta in the court of public opinion. Further, she states that the ICC's legitimacy has been compromised by the fact that Luis Moreno Ocampo has only found cases of atrocities and crimes against humanity in Africa. <a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/-/440808/1722100/-/k4rufnz/-/index.html">ICC has Fallen Fromt the High Ideals of Global Justice, Accountability, Jendayi Frazer <i>Daily Nation</i>, March 16, 2013</a>. Most importantly, she states that "Kenya's new institutions must be respected and allowed to operate autonomously."<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIL1MSCqE8O1h9WhgYzK2YA4uISlAOUlBzmGf6BdRn8lnIAazdZ6WD27iawHaWXcBnpVlz2O4AXj0JzNV0LlprBCvo6mcD3aD1_dlvMe7frqbBNNS5fVTgSKgWdaGMIzNXoVvZ84y75sH/s1600/images-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIL1MSCqE8O1h9WhgYzK2YA4uISlAOUlBzmGf6BdRn8lnIAazdZ6WD27iawHaWXcBnpVlz2O4AXj0JzNV0LlprBCvo6mcD3aD1_dlvMe7frqbBNNS5fVTgSKgWdaGMIzNXoVvZ84y75sH/s1600/images-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mahmood Mamdani</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The world renowned Africanist Mahmood Mamdani, whose work I teach in my class, ( I recommend <u>Citizen and Subject</u>, among other books) weighs in as well. He argues that there were two key issues in this election, land and the ICC. Indeed, tragically, the three largest landowners in Kenya are its three presidential families, Kenyatta, Moi, and Kibaki. <span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">(As an aside, this fact breaks my heart, and it indicates to me that since Independence, Kenya has been more of a predatory state than a developmental one.)</span> </span>Mamdani notes that the explanation for the ethnic reconciliation which occurred this March the 4th between the Kalenjin and the Kikuyu can be found in the domestic impact of the ICC. He argues that the ICC re-ethnicised Kenyan politics, re-dividing the country into two large ethnic coalitions. <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/03/20133982222657687.html">Kenya 2013: The ICC Election, Mahmood Mamdani, <i>Al</i> <i>Jazeera</i> March 15, 2013</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxYcZXkQI4qaMKnFnpyIgMWHY_s1K9Aimc0dBJyh6XDZWpSiIqirsMXp5mC_SuslrHoLSvPcXfYoYFcW3PAFUKwoBaEAJ7CV2wLAEMyJXWcw1HuuI5ePNfa4CdgReqrh8LmHw3sCPi5av/s1600/images-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxYcZXkQI4qaMKnFnpyIgMWHY_s1K9Aimc0dBJyh6XDZWpSiIqirsMXp5mC_SuslrHoLSvPcXfYoYFcW3PAFUKwoBaEAJ7CV2wLAEMyJXWcw1HuuI5ePNfa4CdgReqrh8LmHw3sCPi5av/s1600/images-3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Makau Mutua</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Makau Mutua is Dean and SUNY Distinguished Professor at SUNY Buffalo Law School and Chair of the Kenya Human Rights Commission. (He has an excellent book entitled <u>Kenya's Quest for Democracy</u>, Lynne Rienner Press) He emphasizes the need for the candidates to accept the court's opinion, even if they disagree with it. He notes that for an election to be gree and fair, there must be universal suffrage. All eligible voters must be able to register in credible, verifiable, tamper proof rolls. Candidates must enjoy an environment free of repression. The state must not favor a candidate or doctor the process. He emphasizes the need for the IEBC to be independent. <a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/What-is-Odingas-case-against-Uhuru-Kenyatta-/-/440808/1722018/-/item/1/-/ej0efvz/-/index.html">What Is Odinga's Case Against Uhuru Kenyatta? Makau Mutua, <i>The Daily Nation</i>, March 16, 2013</a> Importantly he notes<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">"The Supreme Court would most likely nullify the presidential vote if it's proved the numbers tampered with were sufficient to cannibalise the 'will of the voters.' But this is a tall order, and the statistical evidence must be damn near impeccable." </span><br />
<br />
<br />
Food for thought, indeed. <br />
<br />
~WMB Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-86320617773284059742013-03-15T15:49:00.003-07:002013-03-15T15:51:30.520-07:00Trouble at Kenyatta University and other news The Daily Nation reports that<br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="color: purple;">Kenyatta University students on Friday went on the rampage after unused election materials were discovered in the institution.</span><br />
</div>
<span style="color: purple;">
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: purple;">The students smashed windows and broke into the Business Students Service Centre where the materials had been kept.</span><br />
</div>
<span style="color: purple;">
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: purple;">However, the administration explained that the materials were in a room that had been used as a tallying centre by the IEBC.</span><br />
</div>
<span style="color: purple;">
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: purple;">The commission had hired the university facilities
from February 22 to March 15 and election officials were to clear up
yesterday when the rental ended.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;">The IEBC materials included jackets, stamps, marker pens, ballot boxes,
ballot papers for presidential, governor and women representative for
Nairobi County. </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/Riots-in-Kenyatta-University-over-unused-IEBC-materials/-/1064/1721264/-/ojrr3e/-/index.html">Read more at "Riots at Kenyatta University"</a><br />
<br />
Unless the students found actual unused ballots, this is a non-starter!<br />
<br />
I do hope there are no riots. From what I saw, the police and military are very well trained. I am praying things do not get out of hand. <br />
<br />
In other news, the VOA reports that <a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/kenya-prime-minister-filing-election-challenge-saturday/1622113.html">Raila will be filing his election challenge on Saturday </a><br />
<br />
<span class="dateline">After the Supreme Court receives the petitions, it will have 14 days to make a ruling.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="dateline">The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human rights has congratulated the government and people of Kenya for the broadly successful national elections on March 4. <a href="http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13144&LangID=E">Press Briefing on Kenya</a></span><br />
<span class="dateline"><br /></span>
<span class="dateline">And of course, everyone is reading Ngugi <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/15/opinion/a-dictators-last-laugh.html">A Dictator's Last Laugh</a>. In a moment of irony, everything in Kenya comes for full circle. The funding for my dissertation was, let us say, suboptimal. Accordingly, I did a stint at <a href="http://www.kabarak.ac.ke/">Kabarak University </a>for nearly two years in Eldama Ravine, Nakuru, Rift Valley. I taught a book by Ngugi to one of my courses on writing, sort of to stick it to Old Man Moi, who would ride around in a blue van, with a rose corsage in his smart suit. But that, my friends, is a different story. </span><br />
<span class="dateline"><br /></span>
<span class="dateline">If things can cool down, maybe I will have a minute to write about technology! Here is a teaser <a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/-/1064/1718828/-/view/printVersion/-/1ay1o8/-/index.html">IEBC and CORD ordered to agree on documents (Daily Nation)</a></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;">Cord has also withdrawn a demand that Safaricom release a printout of
all messages sent through the hand-held transmission devices; contracts
signed with IEBC in connection with the General Election and
information transmitted to the IEBC server on March 4 and 5<span style="color: black;">.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="xmsonormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;">Safaricom welcomed the withdrawal of the petition.</span></div>
<div class="xmsonormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="xmsonormal">
That would have been a lot of text messages . . . </div>
<br />
<br />
~WMB </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-81096607333313571452013-03-15T15:12:00.004-07:002013-03-15T15:55:14.429-07:00That Pesky ICC Matter <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeB_BCAYECGmhVajjZTwTUqOXwU2xMiXD9M5Od7fARQId5UKSa44-A_Il3WDz3ug8ZyH4eEjNluHogaht5ofpD9FgL3eKK0H1GsnExTZPuezDB0EtCceraolJotp1JwPJV1v0Z_mPYKuw/s1600/international-criminal-court.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeB_BCAYECGmhVajjZTwTUqOXwU2xMiXD9M5Od7fARQId5UKSa44-A_Il3WDz3ug8ZyH4eEjNluHogaht5ofpD9FgL3eKK0H1GsnExTZPuezDB0EtCceraolJotp1JwPJV1v0Z_mPYKuw/s1600/international-criminal-court.bmp" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Logo of the ICC</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I was a professor at the American University in Cairo during the year of Revolution (2011). I loved all my students, and I have taught a leadership class there every summer since. But one thing I noticed is that Egyptians do not know how to have a conversation. I love you guys, but every small dispute becomes a shouting match. Parliament is dismissed, and Tahrir has become the parliament of the streets. One thing I love about Kenyans is how calm they are. Perhaps it is innate, and perhaps it is the British influence, but Kenyans are generally a reserved and controlled people.<br />
<br />
One of the issues that is really raising temperatures in the post-election environment is the debate about the Hague.<br />
<br />
One of my good, helpful ICT colleagues whom I respect enormously said to me<br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;">"the fact that the new President is in the Hague should be the main<br />
focus of ALL press coverage!" </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHViHORXOvXf-PwiXAm8dC22lCtB8XJT1OctKuhcICAJLd26PDAO4T38L0ou-ouKF1TKyt3hbm8f2bHkTbH81U5hzW-yAH-pHU6qCBBqo3S6LoMKH0eF0TUgNX-s8550FDquaUCAbRR-I3/s1600/TNA+campaign+poster+in+Kikuyu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHViHORXOvXf-PwiXAm8dC22lCtB8XJT1OctKuhcICAJLd26PDAO4T38L0ou-ouKF1TKyt3hbm8f2bHkTbH81U5hzW-yAH-pHU6qCBBqo3S6LoMKH0eF0TUgNX-s8550FDquaUCAbRR-I3/s320/TNA+campaign+poster+in+Kikuyu.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TNA Campaign Poster in Kikuyu (photo credit the author)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And my beloved GA wrote (I requested her views on this matter) states <br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;">"I think it's ridiculous that the main political figures have charges as
severe as "crimes against humanity." During the second debate [the candidates] spent
quite a bit of time talking about everyone's numerous acts of
corruption and it was quite frustrating to see everyone complacent. "Eh,
it wasn't as bad as it sounds, or that was the other prime ministers."[ .. . ] Not to say that politics/
politicians aren't similar everywhere, but it seemed so blatant. I chew
on how severe the phrase <b>sounds</b> (and in reality should be: <b>the charge</b> <b>is</b>):
crimes against humanity. It seems like something out of a science
fiction novel. So yes, the fact that people were worried of whether or
not Ruto and Kenyatta would be "distracted" by the court hearings and
w<span style="color: black;">h</span>ether they could run the administration from Skype is a slap in the
face to how serious these charges are, or should be. If Odinga should
have been charged too, then yes, it's ridiculous that he was running [ . . . ] I saw articles talking about how citizens had
amnesia. Apparently!" </span><br />
<br />
Then Gathara reminds us of this point. <a href="http://gathara.blogspot.com/">Gathara's World</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;">We had already normalized the abnormal, making it seem perfectly
acceptable to have two ICC-indicted politicians on the ballot. At the
first presidential debate, moderator Linus Kaikai had been more
concerned with how Uhuru Kenyatta would “govern if elected president and
at the same time attend trial as a crimes against humanity subject” and
not whether he should be running at all. Any suggestion of consequences
for Uhuru’s and William Ruto’s candidature had been rebuffed with
allegations of neo-colonialism, interference and an implied racism.
People who had spent their adult lives fighting for Kenyans’ justice and
human rights were vilified as stooges for the imperialistic West for
suggesting that the duo should first clear their names before running
for the highest office in the land.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HbL7kVFeR-kcchqyaflhoVf6utDOvExe3kcMN6XDlndtOUinj4xhbnffvTy01Bq51u6IfxiUJcGn6RJvDZwG689_di78ugW-hJzvW8QNumx0auYMHYSPm6s-UgAei4PPgNkn2MWI1WJW/s1600/Uhuruto+Campaign+Poster+English.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HbL7kVFeR-kcchqyaflhoVf6utDOvExe3kcMN6XDlndtOUinj4xhbnffvTy01Bq51u6IfxiUJcGn6RJvDZwG689_di78ugW-hJzvW8QNumx0auYMHYSPm6s-UgAei4PPgNkn2MWI1WJW/s320/Uhuruto+Campaign+Poster+English.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uhuruto Poster in English (photo credit the author)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So my question to the audience is, given that the Kenyan people elected two persons who have been indicted by the ICC, how do we move forward? Kenyans have spoken. Even if the court decides that there were serious election violations, and that a runoff is needed, Kenyatta won by a large margin. Kenyans may be wrong, but this is what they decided. Now what?<br />
<br />
The last line of a recent <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/world/africa/kenyan-reaction-to-disputed-election-is-far-calmer-than-last-time.html?pagewanted=all">Jeffrey Gettleman </a>piece in the New York Times caught my attention. <br />
<br />
<div itemprop="articleBody">
<span style="color: purple;">Now that the two have won, many supporters wonder why the International Criminal Court cases are even necessary. </span></div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div itemprop="articleBody">
<span style="color: purple;">
“If Uhuru and Ruto have succeeded in reconciling warring communities,
isn’t that the point?” asked Edward Kirathe, a real estate developer.
“What other interest does the I.C.C. have?” </span></div>
<br />
~WMBAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-82881458782985268682013-03-15T14:33:00.002-07:002013-03-15T15:24:07.778-07:00Moto Sana, Cool Down <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOBilgUTsEG8NvTsY-QWOn8hii_W049mw-RSPOR4A1sAf0jTYuUGSRuw5A1REa32oWlnmwWEGVRi9Q1TKWbsvLwhHqixpXFVob4qdbukf6YMROId_XkA-kAV01_iBgj1G_ujSHu-OgVSu/s1600/536335_3617152157533_706351731_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOBilgUTsEG8NvTsY-QWOn8hii_W049mw-RSPOR4A1sAf0jTYuUGSRuw5A1REa32oWlnmwWEGVRi9Q1TKWbsvLwhHqixpXFVob4qdbukf6YMROId_XkA-kAV01_iBgj1G_ujSHu-OgVSu/s320/536335_3617152157533_706351731_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found a cool image for the above. Check these bad boys out. Maybe they know what they are doing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Wenzangu, can we make an agreement with each other? Can we just have a conversation? I feel that the coverage of this election is polarizing folks. The media,journalists, observers, activists, and scholars are as stressed out and angry after the election (such that it is) as CORD and Jubilee candidates going in. We all need to just take a deep breath and relax. As my very calm Kenyan cousins are always telling me, "Cool Down." <br />
<br />
There is a war of words going on regarding media coverage. I research the nexus between science and technology and the state, and lately, have spent a lot of time on information and communications technology (ICT). ICTs include television, radio, and yes, print media, which is increasingly carried online.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
To paraphrase Nelly, "it's getting hot in herre" (C'mon, I am in the diaspora) or as a Kenyan might say, "moto sana." <br />
<br />
Poor Michela Wrong, she is just inciting the wrath of the Kenyan blogosphere. But it is a fair matchup, World class author, New York Times blogger and well recognized British journo against the beautiful Kenyan TV journalist Terryane Chebet. <br />
<br />
Terryanne is not too happy. <a href="http://missterryannechebet.blogspot.com/2013/03/wrong-is-wrong.html">Wrong is Wrong</a> You really need to read Terry's piece for yourself, but here is the rundown. She writes "being a reporter in Africa does not make you an expert in African matters." In this sentence, she echoes a sentiment which my former classmate, BBC Reporter Komla Dumor made in a recent talk <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfJn8HCKO8g">Telling the African Story. </a>(Disclaimer- I am stealing this link from Terry, but Komla and I went to the JFK School together, so forgive me dada.)<br />
<br />
So back to Terry. She is rightfully incensed that for some reason African journalists do not get to run coverage on Africa. I was a little puzzled about this in the coverage of the Kenyan election. Damn, I miss Jeff Koinange. That voice! <a href="http://www.nairobiwire.com/2012/12/its-official-jeff-koinange-resigns-from.html">Koinange at Arise </a>. Why was he not front and center on the coverage? I just do not get it. <br />
<br />
Terry is unhappy that Michela Wrong has, in her view, unfairly insinuated that the Kenyan media is corrupt. She notes that "there is a weighing scale that measures the peace and economic future of an entire country against the telling of anxiety that couldn't really be filmed, as really nothing had happened yet."<br />
<br />
Okay, so read Terry's article and tell me what you think. Then, there is Gathara. He makes some valuable points. I linked to his article in a previous post, so check out his work. I like his thoughts here, although I am not sure I agree with them. <br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;">It is said that truth is the first casualty of war. In this case the war
was internal, hidden from all prying eyes. Who cares about the veracity
of the poll result? So what if not all votes were counted? We had
peace. “The peace lobotomy,” one tweet called it. “Disconnect brain,
don't ask questions, don't criticize. Just nod quietly.”<br />
<br />What maturity is this that trembles at the first sign of disagreement or
challenge? What peace lives in the perpetual shadow of a
self-annihilating violence?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
So Gathara, ndugu, I watched the election. I think if not all the votes were counted we need a recount for those contested areas. That is the normal procedure. I am not just nodding quietly, really, I am not. I am just saying that let the process play itself out.<br />
<br />
<br />
So what I am disagreeing with or challenging is this. Is the fix in? Call me crazy, but I saw a peaceful, free and fair election in the 5 polling stations I was at. That is my story and I am sticking to it. I went to one out of 290 constituencies and then to Bomas. I am waiting to hear about the other 289.<br />
<br />
I am beginning to feel like I am considered an "apologist" or a brainless, knee-jerk Jubilee advocate for stating this position. (I think I made it clear in an earlier post that I hold no truck with UK) But I refuse to let my views conform to the hegemonic discourse when that is not what I saw. Let's count the 30 constituencies that are having problems. Lets see what happened. Let's let our well trained, highly capable Kenyan jurists have their moment. Lets have a discussion about the spoiled ballots, and how to handle that, and rafiki, lets not panic.<br />
<br />
<br />
~WMB <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-17947965235682948662013-03-14T12:18:00.000-07:002013-03-15T14:38:00.848-07:00Legal Battles in the Kenyan Election <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJX-ERxVPjgucFZnkmpeyWEcJQMjLpea4EywZ37U1iPbX7QmLnpxCFLC1yETbun0xbaoDuoQT5R8RYTd1veJkFZdfXeIWDRkL1JjmP8BRxlSNKCTIJBx9dralxcxxZJUtlkH6jFzAq1_mZ/s1600/bench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJX-ERxVPjgucFZnkmpeyWEcJQMjLpea4EywZ37U1iPbX7QmLnpxCFLC1yETbun0xbaoDuoQT5R8RYTd1veJkFZdfXeIWDRkL1JjmP8BRxlSNKCTIJBx9dralxcxxZJUtlkH6jFzAq1_mZ/s320/bench.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supreme Court judges from left: Njoki Ndung'u, Jackton Ojwang, Philip
Tunoi and Chief Justice Willy Mutunga during a November 15, 2011
sitting. Photo by PAUL WAWERU. Photo Credit: Daily Nation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">As previously noted, according to the IEBC, Uhuru
Kenyatta has (arguably) won the presidency as he received just over 50 percent of the vote,
avoiding a runoff election with rival Raila Odinga. At least for now . . . . . Immediately after the IEBC made this announcement, Odinga stated that he would challenge the result with a petition to the Supreme court citing
irregularities and asserting that the IEBC supporting a “tainted” electoral process </span><a href="http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Uhuru-victory-and-the-legal-battles-/-/2558/1715838/-/item/1/-/p8l45i/-/index.html"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Mutai)</span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">. Odinga is expected to file an official
petition sometime this week. Odinga has seven days </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">after the election results are announced
to file a grievance and the Supreme Court has another 14 days <span style="color: #1a1a1a;">to rule whether a recount or new election is warranted (</span></span><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324735304578352033628920260.html"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Wallstreet
Journal</span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Many praised Kenya’s election process as it was peaceful. However, the
technical problems have raised concerns. These challenges have been confirmed
by the IEBC including the electronic voter identification kit failing, forcing
the IEBC to switch to manual identification. Also, the electronic transmissions
of votes malfunctioned. </span><a href="http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Uhuru-victory-and-the-legal-battles-/-/2558/1715838/-/item/1/-/p8l45i/-/index.html"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Mutai)</span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">. The IEBC however, denies any foul play or
wrongdoing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Claims
have been made by CORD (Odinga's party) that over 30 constituencies in which voter turn out total was
more than 100%. A political consultant told Al Jazeera, “purely from a legal
point of view, they have a very strong chance of success- they have pretty
good, solid grounds for filing the case” (</span><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/03/201331014341081445.html"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Aljazeera</span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">). Others agreed, Joel
Barkan, a renowned African scholar (whom I have met) at the Washington, D.C.- based Center for Strategic
and International Studies, acknowledges that the breakdown and delays have given
people a right to question the election’s validity. “Odinga’s supporters have
legitimate questions that have to be answered before this election an be
accepted. Kenyatta may in fact have won the election, but that hasn’t been
demonstrated to supporters of Odinga nor to logical people watching the
election” (</span><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324735304578352033628920260.html"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Wallstreet
Journal</span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">). Professor Barkan, their questions should be answered, but I am a logical person who watched this election. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">All
are pleased that the dispute has been brought to the court instead of the
streets, in my view a real sign that Kenya's legal institutions are strengthening, but some believe the results are credible and nothing good will come
from Odinga’s claims or a court ruling. The Court may order the districts that
are accused of foul play or errors to recount or order a completely new
election, which many urge against as they country is quite fatigued. Even with
a recount, tensions are expected to mount. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“With Kenyatta's total count just over 8,000 votes above the
50 percent mark, and with around 100,000 rejected ballots, a recount in these
areas could cause Kenyatta's tally to drop below the crucial 50 per cent
threshold, triggering a run-off election” (</span><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/03/201331014341081445.html"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Aljazeera</span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">). </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The petition will test Kenya's judicial
reforms and the independence of its high court. However, </span>Chief Justice
Willy Mutunga declared that the supreme court will handle any challenge in a
fair, impartial, without fear, and speedy manner that is in accordance to the
constitution (<a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/11/us-kenya-elections-idUSBRE92A0GV20130311">Reuters</a>).
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
issue of Kenyatta and his running mate on trial for the ICC is also of major
concern. New York Times explains that western powers, including the U.S., have
congratulated Kenya on a peaceful election, but has yet to identify, or
congratulate Kenyatta directly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It is
not clear what the West will actually do given that Kenya has become such a
strategic partner in a volatile region” (</span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/world/africa/kenyan-reaction-to-disputed-election-is-far-calmer-than-last-time.html?pagewanted=all"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">New
York Times</span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman";">~WMB (with assistance from Jillian Underwood) </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-10747705157032298772013-03-11T18:42:00.003-07:002013-03-11T18:42:52.110-07:00Stressed OUT!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylJ8O-3MWttq1nzXkMBZT2G3w8pc_3Bn2SsT6E_T7R7bIRA1yG9J5Edic5AzJT7JNrcm2SV9b2BXOW7kSJ07ematQeojBCadtfwgRPmXxIrIF_iGto2BDFFocUtxZDewedO8GQKdsZpBi/s1600/DN+RAILA+0903+e+px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylJ8O-3MWttq1nzXkMBZT2G3w8pc_3Bn2SsT6E_T7R7bIRA1yG9J5Edic5AzJT7JNrcm2SV9b2BXOW7kSJ07ematQeojBCadtfwgRPmXxIrIF_iGto2BDFFocUtxZDewedO8GQKdsZpBi/s320/DN+RAILA+0903+e+px.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raila Odinga flanked by CORD party members. Photo Credit, Nation Media. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Just finished chatting with a Masai friend and a Luo friend, and both are in an uproar. Good grief. Can this election just stop turning from sweet to sour? <br />
<br />
My Luo friend says that if the Supreme Court does not rule correctly, the Luo may secede from Kenya!<br />
<br />
My Masai friend says "the CEO and Chairman of IEBC got bribed and were threatened if they refused to take the bribe."<br />
<br />
I am really struggling with their version. I am struggling because if it is true, everything I thought I saw is a sham. I am also struggling because I just do not want to believe things can go this wrong, this fast. <br />
<br />
<br />
I am not going to rely on rumours. Going back to a technical level, here is my logic.<br />
<ol>
<li>Lets assume that
the vote was valid at the polling station level. I think it was, because at the five polling stations I was at
all political party agents had to agree on the vote.</li>
<li>Let's assume the vote
was valid at the constituency level. I think it was, because agents and
politicians were there, and scores of observers, and it is quite a trick to get 10 presiding officers to tamper with the vote in full view of the media, observers, political party agents (hundreds) and the candidates themselves. </li>
<li>Then, at that point,
you have to demonstrate that a sufficient number of votes were tampered
between the constituency level and Bomas to really turn the election. Remember that there were 290 constituencies. </li>
</ol>
I want to hear from the following sources 1) the Carter Center 2) the European Union and then . . . . .<br />
<br />
Here is the preliminary EU report <a href="http://www.eueom.eu/eu-eom-kenya-2013/home">EU election observer mission to Kenya</a> <br />
<br />
Here is the ELOG report <a href="http://www.elog.or.ke/index.php/108-elog-statement-on-pvt-results-and-final-turnout">Elections Observer Group </a><br />
<br />
I am just going to hang tight and see what the Kenyan Supreme Court has to say. <br />
<br />
~WMB Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-30122072893195956242013-03-11T17:26:00.000-07:002013-03-11T17:26:14.853-07:00Some good reading <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherZCHsSR9frBq-64cGgP34qVOo04jTdlorv8t1LTay1QuEkvjDE4NZzyHqJeGLSXSUasWuU9M_XqsZx901h7WG9Waksdh4Ee4ai2twV8xhP4NQuGfNu_mK6pmyWUoDon9UXKD5QJoa0SG/s1600/images-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherZCHsSR9frBq-64cGgP34qVOo04jTdlorv8t1LTay1QuEkvjDE4NZzyHqJeGLSXSUasWuU9M_XqsZx901h7WG9Waksdh4Ee4ai2twV8xhP4NQuGfNu_mK6pmyWUoDon9UXKD5QJoa0SG/s1600/images-3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Habari wananchi <br />
<br />
While I get my head together, check out some good reading. Mostly different than what I have to say. But you know what the best part of democracy is? Having a good conversation. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://gathara.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-monsters-under-house.html?m=1">The Monsters Under the House </a>(Gathara) <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/b1ec88d0-76bc-11e2-8569-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2NHOBKOQc">Expat Lives: The London of Africa </a>(Katrina J. Manson) <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/OpEd/comment/Peace-vs-truth-A-story-of-unnecessary-trade-offs/-/434750/1715496/-/pnxq5h/-/index.html">Peace vs. Truth: An Unnecessary Tradeoff </a>(Muthoni Wanyeki) <br />
<br />
Thanks to my friend AB. She publishes this. <a href="http://www.ratio-magazine.com/">Ratio Magazine</a><br />
<br />
Here is her take <br />
<br />
<a href="http://andreabohnstedt.blogspot.com/2013/03/post-election-thoughts-pet-silence-or.html">Post Election Thoughts: Silence or Sensationalism? </a><br />
<br />
Enjoy.<br />
<br />
~WMBAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-67224508406632727632013-03-11T16:50:00.001-07:002013-03-11T17:03:23.383-07:00Tuko Pamoja <div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdymEEL4Lpl7KaOuFlEE1XmPp5S-U5DyI_ZpzaTxpqKFE8PXPExq_dhVfpDFz6ox2JX_OVAY9EdFwvCt4hrndPNFxMiUM03Oze-7wyUjcJ-L62LJijDaI9sXPn0G_TOAkzSGiQUpyuCSq/s1600/dedan_kimathi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdymEEL4Lpl7KaOuFlEE1XmPp5S-U5DyI_ZpzaTxpqKFE8PXPExq_dhVfpDFz6ox2JX_OVAY9EdFwvCt4hrndPNFxMiUM03Oze-7wyUjcJ-L62LJijDaI9sXPn0G_TOAkzSGiQUpyuCSq/s320/dedan_kimathi.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dedan Kimathi</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I am trying to get back to that irie space I was feeling a few days ago, so just some positive music and some restful vibes. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A few days after the last election, I wrote an op ed in the Boston Globe called <a href="http://www.wcfia.harvard.edu/node/2400">Moving Forward in Kenya.</a> In January 2008, these were my words. </span></div>
<br />
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For hundreds of years, 42 ethnic and linguistic groups have lived
peacefully together in Kenya, with high rates of intermarriage, trade,
and in-migration. This violence [referring to the violence of the 2007 election] obscures deep social inequities in
economic distribution that cross ethnic lines among all groups.</div>
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For 40 years, Kenya has been as a haven for refugees and a broker for
peace settlements, avoiding the type of wrenching violence that has
torn neighbors Sudan, Rwanda, and Somalia apart while earning a
reputation as the most democratic nation in the region. Without immediate efforts toward national reconciliation [. . . ] Kenya risks descent into autocracy and civil war.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">A few days after the 2013 election, I am grateful to Baba Mungu that my words today are happier.</span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> During the election period, I looked at my own family. We do not comprise 42 groups, but we represent many sides of this great nation. I looked at my office, and I looked at my sister in law, and I said, you know what, in our family, we have nchi mzima: the whole nation. My mother, a Kikuyu, married an mzungu (a white American). One of my aunts married a Kamba. My cousin married an African American who is Jewish. My husband is technically Kikuyu, but was raised on the coast. His brothers are Muslim, and are married to Wanawake waswahili. My children's last name is Ngaruiya, which means they have Maasai blood. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">So in my immediate family, we have Jews, Christians and Muslims. In terms of communities, we have </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Kikuyu</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Kamba</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Swahili</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Kizungu (white)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Masai</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Sheng </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">and our chief officer manager is a Kao! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">You know what the phrase I heard the most during this election period was? </span><span style="font-size: small;">"Tuko Pamoja". </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Yes, that is right, we are together. Because at the end of the day, as a people, as African people, as Kenyan people, as the diaspora, as people of different languages, communities, and histories we did this together. </span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whatever
else you have to say about technological failures or court cases or the
ICC, we got through this election peacefully, and that, my friends, is
worth celebrating. </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-28996413346169014522013-03-10T10:21:00.001-07:002013-03-11T19:13:33.528-07:00Feeling Frustrated with Change in Press Tone about Kenyan Presidential Election <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLPBoXOk9aEL8xUXV8zzw85Z9L3Fh_gbobXla-i-_CCW_huzA4cPTCEv5o74fQb5DObWl-a77HD5kTfTt5yMr5QcSpBmZlMgRaPnn4MgZNCcL8HMZKSEWwjdA9rtpNQ-0BnCbJ1OWStTw/s1600/Polling+Booth+in+Thika+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLPBoXOk9aEL8xUXV8zzw85Z9L3Fh_gbobXla-i-_CCW_huzA4cPTCEv5o74fQb5DObWl-a77HD5kTfTt5yMr5QcSpBmZlMgRaPnn4MgZNCcL8HMZKSEWwjdA9rtpNQ-0BnCbJ1OWStTw/s320/Polling+Booth+in+Thika+.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polling Booth in Thika. Election Day March 4, 2013. Photo Credit: the author. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
The happiness just could not last. For seven days, I have been very
happy, thrilled to participate in a peaceful, transparent election in Kenya with a
clear outcome. Now, the happiness is fading.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
What I
saw with my own eyes was an election that was more fair and transparent
than many American elections that I have participated in. Were there
problems? Yes. Did they mar the integrity of the election as a whole?
Not in my view.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Of course, I am only one person. We do
need to wait and see what the Carter Center has to say. I ran into
several Carter Center observers in the course of my travels. <a href="http://www.cartercenter.org/news/pr/kenya-prelim-030613.html">Carter Center Congratulates Voters on Peaceful Elections</a>.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
I
feel a little bit as though the international media was looking for
problems, and when they could find violence, they had to focus on
allegations of rigging. My friend Mwanicks and I agree on this. <a href="http://mwanicks.wordpress.com/2013/03/09/press-statement-09032013-for-immediate-release-to-the-international-media/">Press Statement March 9, 2013 for Immediate Release to the International Media</a></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Al
Jazeera is really focusing on the Odinga perspective. Sigh. As I
mentioned at the beginning of this blog, I am not a big fan of either
Odinga or Kenyatta. I really liked Martha Karua and Peter Kenneth, and
would have been very happy with Mudavadi. Of course, they all did not
make it. So, I am not starting from a position of having believed that
Kenyatta "should" have won. But, as an observer what I saw is that from
the very beginning, Kenyatta had a sizeable lead, 10 percentage points
at its largest. So, the idea that he did not "win" even when all
irregularities are taken into account, is somewhat surprising.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
I
do not think it is inflammatory or unfair to characterize Odinga as
"dramatic." He likes a good narrative, and frankly, from my
observations, he likes trouble. I am very glad that he has taken his
case to the Kenyan Supreme Court. <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/03/201331014341081445.html">Kenya's Odinga: From the Polls to the Court</a>
It sounds like the case will be presented on Tuesday or Wednesday,
which is fast. Again, I am annoyed that the international press is
making it sound like that is slow. I am an attorney, and people need
time to prepare their cases.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
I participated in a
symposium on voting, vote counting, at Harvard in 2004. We argued that
at the end of the day, manual results are what matter. I cannot figure
out how to link it, but here is the cite, and you can pull it up easily
from Google. <span style="color: purple;">L. Jean Camp, Warigia Bowman &amp; Allan Friedman </span><q style="color: purple;">Voting, Vote Capture &amp; Vote Counting Symposium,</q><span style="color: purple;"> Proceedings of the 6th Annual National Conference on Digital Government Research, 15-18 May 2005 (Atlanta, GA). pp. 198 .
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Indeed, Al Jazeera notes</div>
<div style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
After electronic vote tallying meant to provide provisional results
within 48 hours collapsed the day after polling day, the system was
abandoned, and officials reverted to a manual count - which had always
been the planned method to establish the definitive result.</div>
<div style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="color: black;">Odinga
alleges there was massive tampering with the voter register. I find
that a bit hard to believe, as each voter register was locked into the
ballot box at the end of the tally, so I will be interested to see what
evidence CORD provides to prove this. </span></div>
<div style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="color: black;">If
the Supreme Court agrees with CORD's evidence, there may be a runoff,
which will expensive and destabilizing, and may, in my view, heighten
the probability of violence. </span></div>
<div style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="color: black;">What
I feel good about is that my perspective as an official elections
observer matches nicely with that of both ELOG and the European Union. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
But such cases [of electoral irregularities] remain isolated examples, said election observers.
European Union observers praised Kenya for "demonstrating a strong
commitment to democratic elections" in an "ambitious undertaking".</div>
<div style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Kenya's own Elections Observation Group (ELOG) said the results
announced fell within the expected range for each candidate. "ELOG is
confident the process was generally credible," the group's chairman,
Kennedy Masime, told reporters. </span><br />
<div style="color: blue; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="color: black;">I
just hope that the international media and international multilateral
organizations are willing to let Kenya have its success. Let the
country, (and the IEBC) have a day in the sun. Let us all get back to work. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">~WMB </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-5674008521984445662013-03-09T04:20:00.000-08:002013-03-09T04:20:48.243-08:00Hongera Uhuru!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCDW4Zjd3_5k_dLUGcJJ82xHr9Q06HDOUfSwBAMjk3d1qRd4j_5WW51xNDBefqYm6KWJI7Yg5zlUKAXp8PYbCgoXTA1C20ag6edy8_7dqH2mNGtQPmBf6G6GPs3ATqQI8BXN6feN50KKZ/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCDW4Zjd3_5k_dLUGcJJ82xHr9Q06HDOUfSwBAMjk3d1qRd4j_5WW51xNDBefqYm6KWJI7Yg5zlUKAXp8PYbCgoXTA1C20ag6edy8_7dqH2mNGtQPmBf6G6GPs3ATqQI8BXN6feN50KKZ/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The <i>East African</i> is reporting that Uhuru Kenyatta has been declared Kenya's fourth president elect. The IEBC has declared Kenyatta the winner of Kenya's election.<br />
<br />
According to the <i>East African</i>, <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Mr Kenyatta garnered 6,173,433 votes out of 12,330,028 total votes cast in the March 4 General Election.</span></div>
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</span><br />
<div style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This translates to 50.07 per cent of the vote.</span></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Mr Odinga came second after polling 5,340,546 which represents 43.31 per cent of the vote.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Both candidates met the other requirement of
winning at least 25 per cent of the vote in more than half of the
country's 47 counties.</span></div>
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I am proud and excited and exhilarated to have been part of this historic process, which in my view as an accredited observer was free and fair. <br />
<br />
Hongera Uhuru!<br />
<br />
~WMB</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-9275079223154357882013-03-08T05:27:00.002-08:002013-03-08T05:27:31.824-08:00Days pass as we wait for the Kenyan Presidential Results<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiTbnAkvxW9rfINHW3FlmIgbFWYUr7NtdHdbmQG_CEyJ8rz7P3ZtbbCsaCmTBjqO9mUwbmJ45zsn3HyIYXWkVrQbkzW0otStGIgw9G-M50PRBMP61ONZGn82juvze67ROHxWVcqAoWmVp/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiTbnAkvxW9rfINHW3FlmIgbFWYUr7NtdHdbmQG_CEyJ8rz7P3ZtbbCsaCmTBjqO9mUwbmJ45zsn3HyIYXWkVrQbkzW0otStGIgw9G-M50PRBMP61ONZGn82juvze67ROHxWVcqAoWmVp/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Dear readers<br />
<br />
I am back in the US now. I feel that my experience watching the Kenyan elections was exhilarating and overwhelmingly positive. Personally, from what I saw, I have a high level of confidence in the IEBC process from what I saw. We still are praying for peace.<br />
<br />
When I left Nairobi, over 24 hours ago, people were getting tense waiting for the presidential results. I noticed that the news media were not reporting total percentages for the presidential race anymore. Instead they were reporting official results constituency by constituency. I <b>SPECULATE</b> that this was done to keep things calm both inside and outside of Bomas.<br />
<br />
I cannot even get onto the Daily Nation, which is my preferred paper (owned by the Aga Khan). Perhaps the Internet load is too high. The standard is up, and the IEBC is up, although I hear they are updating results to their website manually. I am going to use the East African, which is owned by Nation Media group, as a proxy for the Nation. <br />
<br />
I just want to note that, as a matter of logic, the votes from the presidential election must be in and tallied at Bomas. They have already announced the MPs for all 47 counties. Because I watched the votes being counted I know that they counted the presidential race first, before the MP race. Thus, logically, it stands to reason that the numbers of the presidential race are known. I <b>SPECULATE</b> that the delay is being caused by friction between CORD and Jubilee about the final vote count. <br />
<br />
The IEBC is reporting results from 14176/31981 of polling stations, in other words, about one half of the votes have been officially verified. The IEBC website, which you can find <a href="http://vote.iebc.or.ke/">here </a>is showing TNA candidate Uhuru Kenyatta leading with 53% with 2,900,198 votes, at the time I am writing this. Conversely, Raila Odinga of the CORD coalition has 2,278,602 votes, for 42% of the total presidential vote. Mudavadi has 3% with 156, 296 votes, Peter Kenneth has 1% with 32,391 votes, and Martha Wangari Karua of Narc Kenya with 20,002 votes or less than 1 percent.<br />
<br />
So, the Standard Newspaper is generally considered to be a bit more pro-CORD, whereas the Nation is considered to be a bit more pro-TNA. Nonetheless, the Standard is a reputable media house, so lets see what they say. They are reporting that with results from 153/290 constituencies by 10.20 p.m. Kenya time, Uhuru Kenyatta maintained a lead of 318, 610 votes. The Standard writes that<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">"Mr Raila Odinga’s Coalition for Reforms and Democracy protested over
the incoming results, questioned the process at which they were arrived
at, and called for cancellation and fresh start of totaling."</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Based on what I saw, I think that the technical failures in the election were dissapointing. However, I think the integrity of the election was very sound, and that the manual process was nearly impossible to rig. I observed tallying at the polling station level, and at the constituency level. I also went to Bomas. It is my view that the only way to rig this election was to steal trucks with ballot boxes (which did actually occur in Mombasa) or to somehow agree at the constituency level among all presiding officers. This would be enormously difficult to pull off, given that at the constituency I went to the POs worked in full view of an audience of 300 political party agents, candidates, and swarms of media and observers. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The East African (Nation Media Group) is reporting 237 of 290 constituencies reporting. Uhuru Kenyatta has 49.7 percent votes, (5115704) and that Raila Odinga has 43.9 votes (4513233). Under the Kenyan constitution, to win in the first round, a candidate must have 51 percent of the vote, as well as at least 25 Percent of the vote in half of the counties (24). Uhuru has reached this threshold in 31 counties, and Raila has reached this threshold in at least 29 counties. The issue then will be whether Uhuru makes it to 51 percent. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I ran into Muthoni Wanyeki at Bomas of Kenya thsi week. Writing before the election in the East African, she said <a href="http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/OpEd/comment/Let-us-hope-for-the-best-prepare-for-the-worst-/-/434750/1709162/-/sop2biz/-/index.html">Let's hope for the best, prepare for the worst</a>. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Another issue that was raised is whether the 51 percent should be out of all ballots cast, or out of valid ballots. I will address that in a different post. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My reporters in the field tell me that people think "<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Uhuru might win this thing.</span>" They tell me that tension in Nairobi is not bad and that "</span></span>guys jus' want this thing over & done with." </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Signing off now to deal with my jet lag. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">~WMB </span> </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949383276244076626.post-12104486393929402582013-03-06T08:05:00.000-08:002013-03-06T08:05:13.635-08:00A long day at Bomas waiting for Kenyan election results<br />
I spent a few hours at Bomas of Kenya today, which is where the tallying center for the General Election Kenya 2013 is. <br />
<br />
The Bomas tallying center was very quiet. In the time I was there, they only announced results of two constituencies: Rongo (in Nyanza- a Raila stronghold) and Undanyi (on the Coast-voting is mixed). The depressing thing is that hours after I returned home, the news is still reporting these same results, with the addition of Kajiado Central (where Raila won)<br />
<br />
My understanding is that the electronic machinery at Bomas really stopped working, so now they are going back to manually verifying the tallies.<br />
<br />
The downside is that the technology failed. Another huge downside is that the delay is painful and may be causing <i>wananchi </i>(citizens) to panic. Rumors are flying on facebook.<br />
<br />
The upside, and the big upside, in my view, is that the election remains peaceful. People are going to work. Streets are not empty, but they are not full eitheri. The manual technology works perfectly well. And from what I saw, the procedures implemented make rigging extremely difficult.<br />
<br />
So, I prefer to see the glass half full.<br />
<br />
Results have changed little from my last report. Due to the manual tally occuring in Bomas, this process could be slow. Based on what I have seen, I think they have reports of all the votes that have been cast. What is likely delaying the process is that agents must agree on the vote before they release it to the press.<br />
<br />
At this rate, this vote counting could take a week.<br />
<br />
I am going to be boarding a plane in a few hours, but I will keep posting my analysis.<br />
<br />
~WMB Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0