AHMED ISSACK TO BECOME KENYA'S ELECTION BOSS AFTER PRESIDENT'S SIGNATURE

Kenya has moved a step closer to having a new Electoral Commission after Parliament approved a list of proposed new members. Parliament on Thursday afternoon unanimously approved a list of nine nominees to the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC). The chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on constitution review Mohammed Abdikadir said that the approval marked the beginning of institutional reforms in the country. “This is our country and this House has talked the talk of reforms for so long. The House has adopted a report by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional Review finally sealing the electoral vacuum that has faced the country over the last four months.

"Its time for us to walk the talk and this afternoon (Thursday) we are starting on a good foot, if this House can approve the names of IIEC so that reforms in that sector can be underway once and for all,” he said.Vice chairman Ababu Namwamba said that the team was nominated competitively and on merit.

The report on the proposed Interim Independent Electoral Commission will now be passed on to President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga for appointment. MPs said the team had to work fast and prepare for a referendum as soon as possible, in order to help in the implementation of the much-talked about Agenda Four on reforms. The new team will contend with a packed agenda: voter registration, pending by-elections and a complete overhaul of the electoral system. The MPs also urged the IIEC secretariat to rid itself of tribalism and find a way of settling all political disputes. The House adjourned early at 4.00 p.m. after only a handful of MPs contributed to the Motion expressing their confidence in the new team headed by lawyer Ahmed Issack Hassan. He will replace former ECK Chairman, Samuel Kivuitu who bungled the 2007 Kenya election.

Attorney General Amos Wako gave the new team a thumbs-up and asked them to stick to the law even as they discharged their mandate. Unlike the previous list, which was rejected by Parliament including the PSC members, Mr Namwamba said.“The committee has taken time to have consensus and the list enjoys the full confidence of the members. We have faith in the professionals nominated. We have no doubt that this team will live up to the expectations of Kenyans.”He further said that the committee believed the team would restore confidence in the electoral body following the outcome of the 2007 General Election.“The nominees have an enormous responsibility of reviving and re-installing the faith of Kenyans,” he said, while appealing to the President to quickly assent to the list so that the team can begin its work. “Reform is going to be the guiding star of this team.”

The new team includes revised names of the chairperson and two members to replace those rejected by Parliament on February 18 on grounds of credibility. The House expressed reservations on the nomination of lawyer Cecil Miller for the position of chairperson and two nominees Mr Suleiman Buko and Capt (Rtd.) Charles Masinde after MPs argued that nominees to the electoral body must be persons of ‘high moral character and integrity.’

The PSC chaired by Mr Mohammed Abdikadir consequently re-advertised the chairman’s position and after further interviews picked Mr Ahmed Issack Hussein for the chairperson’s position, Mr Douglas Mwashigadi to replace Mr Buko and Mr Simiyu Abiud Wasike to replace Capt. (Rtd.) Masinde. About 20 candidates were interviewed for the chairman’s position. Assistant Ministers Joseph Nkaissery and Adan Duale led in calling on the IIEC to remain impartial in discharging its duties. The motion was moved Mr Abdikadir who said the team was “the core of institutional and Constitution reforms in the country.”

While seconding the motion, the committee’s Vice Chair Ababu Namwamba had asked Parliament to endorse the matter with utmost urgency “to seal the vacuum that existed in the country” following the dissolution of the ECK. Mr Namwamba asked the MPs to look at merit and not introduce private matters as was the case when Mr Miller was appointed to the seat. Tourism minister Najib Balala called for a “digital voting system” in the country and asked the new team to focus on integrity in the course of their work.

“From registration of voters, the voting itself and the announcement of results…all should be transparent,” he said. “The stability of the country depends on having an independent democratic Constitution. We also need honest leadership.” Vihiga MP Yusuf Chanzu asked the IIEC to consider staff of the former ECK.

The lack of an electoral body had left the country with an electoral vacuum that could precipitate a constitutional crisis in case the presidency falls vacant. The country also lacks both a voter register. The situation is further complicated by an unclear constitution that puts both the vice-president and prime minister in close contention of the presidency. While the constitution says that the VP would take over power for 90 days, the National Accord says the PM is an equal partner to the president.

Attorney General Amos Wako expressed his pleasure with the team as he acknowledged the members’ qualifications and experience.He urged them to efficiently use their expertise to make up for the lost time.“We have lost a few months but I am pleased by the fact that the nominees were appointed through a competitive process. For the first time we have qualifications for who a commissioner should be,” he said. To be considered for the post of commissioner, one must have a degree from a recognised university and must be of high moral character and integrity. One should also be qualified to be a High Court Judge.

Defence Minister Joseph Nkaissery said that the country was in a crisis owing it to the fact that there was no an electoral body and a register. “We are in a damaging situation, we have to pass the list today (Thursday) since there is a constitutional crisis. The next thing is to push the agenda forward,” he said. Tourism Minister Najib Balala emphasised on the need to demonstrate honest leadership that will win the faith of the Kenyan people back.He said it was important for the new team to lead the way and provide real changes that will satisfy the country.Once President Mwai Kibaki signs the list, the new electoral body will begin its work led by former Constitution of Kenya Review Commission member Ahmed Isaak Hassan.

IF SOMALIA COAST PIRACY'S ILLEGAL, Then Check this....

Lawlessness off the Somalia coast involving overfishing and toxic-waste dumping is being ignored amidst the uproar over attacks on international shipping, some analysts are charging. For years, Somalis had complained to the United Nations and the European Union “when the marine resources of Somalia were pillaged, when the waters were poisoned, when the fish was stolen, creating poverty in the whole country,” Kenyan writer Mohamed Abshir Waldo, told a national radio audience in the United States last week. “They were totally ignored."

Beth Tuckey, an activist with the African Faith and Justice Network in Washington, wrote in a recent commentary that focusing solely on one kind of piracy – “holding ships and people for ransom” – distorts the actual situation of Somalis living on the coast.

“Having over-fished in their own oceans, many European, Middle Eastern and Asian fishing companies perceived the 1991 state collapse in Somalia as an opening to begin business in foreign waters, Ms Tuckey says and adds "Large trawlers appeared off the coast, scraping up $300 million worth of seafood every year, depriving coastal Somalis of their livelihood and subsistence. Foreign corporations also saw it as a great location to discreetly dump barrels of toxic waste, thereby causing death and disease among the Somali population.”

Taking a similar perspective, the US-African Chamber of Commerce is calling on President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to address all forms of “international maritime violations off the Somali coast.”


In addition to stopping the seizure of vessels, the United States and other powers should prevent “illegal dumping of chemical toxic waste [and] illegal fishing,” says Martin Mohammed, the chamber’s president. He traces the upsurge in Somali pirate attacks to the 2006 US-backed Ethiopian invasion of Somalia that initially routed an Islamist force that had established control over broad parts of the country. The Islamists had provided much of Somalia “with rule of law and a functional society,” Mr Mohammed says. Chaos have returned to the country in the past two years, “Leaving the people of Somalia in dire conditions and leaving the coast unprotected,” Mr Mohammed adds.

Allegations of illegal fishing in Somalia waters were raised last year by the United Nations’ special envoy for Somalia. “Because there is no government, there is so much irregular fishing from European and Asian countries,” Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah told reporters in July 2008. He added that the proceeds from illegal fishing help perpetuate the violence that has reigned in Somalia for the past 18 years. Illegal fishers are paying corrupt officials or warlords for protection or to secure fake licenses, Ould Abdallah said.A UN report two years ago estimated that poaching in the rich fishing grounds off Somalia amounts to a $300 million a year enterprise.

The UN envoy for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, has stated that "because there is no (effective) government, there is ... much irregular fishing from European and Asian countries," and that the UN has "reliable information" that European and Asian companies are dumping toxic and nuclear waste off of the Somali coastline. However, he stresses that "no government has endorsed this act, and that private companies and individuals acting alone are responsible." In addition, Ould-Abdallah told the press that he believes the toxic waste dumping is "a disaster off the Somali coast, a disaster (for) the Somali environment, the Somali population," and that what he terms "this illegal fishing, illegal dumping of waste" helps fuel the civil war in Somalia since the illegal foreign fishermen pay off corrupt local officials or warlords for protection or to secure counterfeit licenses. However, Ould-Abdallah noted that piracy will not prevent waste dumping: "The intentions of these pirates are not concerned with protecting their environment," and "What is ultimately needed is a functioning, effective government that will get its act together and take control of its affairs." These issues have generally not been reported in international media when reporting on piracy.

“It’s been like a long gold rush for Thai, European, Yemeni and Korean boats,” Abdulwali Abdulrahman Gayre, the Puntland vice minister of ports and fisheries, told a Chicago Tribune reporter last October.Related Stories“We have some of the richest fishing grounds in the world. Scientists say it is like a rainforest of fish. But our fishermen can’t compete with the foreigners in big ships who come to steal from our waters.”

IS KENYA, A SOVEREIGN STATE AMA IKO NA WENYEWE

Click on the picture to read The Full JOSHUA C. KULEI's Response to Mr. RANNERBERGER'S alledged ban to travel to UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AL SHABAAB "OUTFIT" NOT WELCOME IN NEP KENYA

Kenya on Monday shrugged off threats by the radical Somali Islamic group, Al-Shabaab, that it would launch incursions into North Eastern province. North Eastern Provincial Commissioner Kimeu Maingi is quoted saying the Somali militia and Al-Qaeda had threatened to invade Kenya and introduce Sharia Law. Now the Kenyan Government has dared Al-Shaab militiamen to seize any part of Kenya and face military action.


“Kenya is a sovereign country. We have the capacity and the ability to stave off any incursions,” Foreign Affairs assistant minister Richard Onyonka said on Monday. He was responding to reports that the insurgents were planning to take over North Eastern Province and subject it to the rule of Sharia law. Mr Onyonka said the government would do anything to protect its territory.

North Eastern Provincial Commissioner Kimeu Maingi at the weekend was quoted as saying the Al-Shabaab, a militia group linked to al-Qaeda, had officially communicated to the government, warning “they would stop at nothing, including armed conflict, to invade the province and make it part of their country and rule it using their religious laws”.

Speaking on the sidelines of a Somalia conference in Nairobi exploring the country’s civil service training opportunities, Mr Onyonka said such threats would not deter Kenya from ensuring that the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) is successful in achieving its agenda. Mr Maingi had said the abduction of several Kenyans at the border town of Mandera last month was part of Al-Shabaab’s wider scheme to aggress Kenya.

The Kenya Government has started a training programme for Somalia’s civil servants in efforts to foster development in the war-torn country. Having had no government in place for 18 years, senior civil servants of the Somalia Transitional Federal Government (TFG) jetted into the country to learn public administration, enhancing good relations with neighbouring states and regional co-operation. The week-long training, which is being coordinated by the Foreign Affairs ministry, started Monday at the Kenya Institute of Administration.

Mr. Onyonka while speaking at the opening ceremony of the training programme, said the country was committed to bringing stability and development in Somalia. “Kenya recognises the need to extend technical assistance, inform of training, as part of the broader effort in facilitating national reconstruction and building of the TFG,” he said. Somalia is one of the countries in the world to experience civil unrest for a long time, resulting in the breakdown of various training and learning institutions. “This has impacted negatively on the human-resources base of the country,” Mr Onyonka said. The Kenya Government and the United Nations Development Programme (Somalia office) have teamed up to train all the civil servants.“The officers will learn from the best practices in the country on how they can run their government,” Mr Onyonka added.The first batch is made up of 25 officers and the programme is set to be rolled out in all other departments of the TFG.

The Al-Shabaab "outfit" are said to be Somali extremists, with strong ties to Al Qaeda. They support the imposition of strict Sharia Law throughout Somalia. Mr Onyonka said that the threats from them would not deter Kenya from ensuring that the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in Somalia is successful in achieving its agenda.


The Foreign Affairs Assistant Minister further called on the militia and the transitional government to consider dialogue as a means of resolving their disputes “We hope the group will resolve conflict diplomatically; going to war will not help anyone,” he advised.“The TFG is the only way out and we (the international community) will not accept any other way. It is in the best interest to ensure peace and security of the Somalia,” said Mr Onyonka.


Mr. Onyonka has not expressed similar rhetoric on issues regarding Migingo.... an Island the Ugandan government has already annexed as part of it's country.

According to the director of the Foreign Services institute Prof Phillip Mwanzia these officers will be trained on methods of public administration, diplomacy and other sectors relevant to their government. “At the end, the officers will develop sharp negotiation skills, project management, monitoring and evaluation,” he said.

CAN WE DECIDE ON "GUDNIINKA FIRCOOWNIGA".......FGM ONCE AND FOR ALL

NOTE: Pic for illustration only...

46-year-old Mrs Abdow Ahmed retorts: “They are telling us to stop circumcising our girls; where on earth are we heading to? Do they want our girls to run mad?”

It is a classic case of the law finding itself caught between modernity and tradition. A Wajir woman has been arrested and is awaiting arraignment in court after her daughter died in a female circumcision gone wrong. Also in court is a traditional female circumciser who presided over the botched operation. The two cannot be named for legal reasons, but in Wajir, local clan elders and religious leaders are up in arms over the arrests. They say it was just an accident, and do not see why anyone should face charges of murder or manslaughter in a case they say should be handled traditionally by elders.

After more than a week in custody at the Wajir Police Station, the mother is yet to come to terms with the double tragedy — the death of her seven-year-old daughter and the prospect of spending time in jail. “This is just God’s case, and it has no appeal,” relative who identified himself as Abdi told the Nation. “No parent would like to cause death of her own child. “This is like an accident. Clan elders can settle the issue,” Abdi said, echoing other family members who want the women released. The case has now generated controversy in Wajir. Police insist the two caused the death of the girl and must face the law. But elders and religious leaders say the arrests are unfair and an affront to local cultural and Islamic sensibilities.

Female circumcision, formally known as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is widely practised in the Somali community, with more than 97 per cent of girls going through the ritual. Local and international pressure groups have long campaigned for an end to the practice, which is also common in some other communities in Kenya including Central, Eastern, Nyanza and Rift Valley provinces. During the current school holidays, hundreds of girls have gone through the ritual in North Eastern Province, despite the spirited campaigns by the government and activist groups against the rite of passage.

In much of North Eastern, anti-circumcision campaigners have faced hostility and accusations of trying to kill age-old cultural practices. One of the most prominent local campaigners against the practice is nominated councillor Rukia Abdille. “It is a second degree felony that needs to be eradicated,” she said firmly. But 46-year-old Mrs Abdow Ahmed retorts: “They are telling us to stop circumcising our girls; where on earth are we heading to? Do they want our girls to run mad?”

Many women in Wajir, even the educated, embrace circumcision. “It is something every girl in our community should pass through. It is a way of preserving our womanhood,” Said Mrs Alasa Hussein, a 39-year-old mother. And anti-FGM campaigners acknowledge they are making little headway in the conservative community.

“We are facing an angry backlash from the community who believe that we are coming with a foreign ideology,” said Ms Ardo Mohamed, Wajir district anti-FGM and gender coordinator. “When we are talking about the thorny issue of FGM, women herders know we — women campaigners — have been circumcised too. Why do we have to preach now, they wonder?”

Even religious leaders strongly resist any move to eradicate girl circumcision. “We are doing what is called for by our religion,” says Wajir branch Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem) chairman Sheikh Abdullahi Ubied. “This is Islamic culture and it is part of our religion”. The Supkem official, however, advocates that infibulation, the most extreme form of female circumcision practised in the region, should be avoided. The rite is, however, not practised by all Muslims, and according to some scholars, seems to have cultural rather than Islamic roots.

The death of the young girl seems not to have moved locals to abandon the female cut. And neither has the arrest of her mother and the “surgeon” shaken their belief in the rite of passage. The difficult question is: will FGM be with us in the coming years?

FIRST COMMUNITY BANK KENYA EYES INVESTMENT BANKING

Competition for multi-million shilling corporate deals is set to increase as fast growing First Community Bank (FCB) joins the fray. The fully-fledged Islamic bank said it has applied to the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) for an investment banking licence to tap deals in Islamic structured finance, issuing of bonds and overseeing mergers and acquisitions.

"We are close to getting a licence for a Sharia compliant investment banking subsidiary that will be up and running soon," said Mr Nathif Adam, the Chief Executive.

He added the bank has fulfilled all the requirements, the regulator has completed a due diligence of its operations and the licence should be granted soon. FCB’s foray into investment banking is part of a fast growth stra tegy that the bank has opted for in its quest to offer a one-stop-shop solution to its Islamic niche market. Last week, FCB, which launched operations last year after receiving approval from the Central Bank to operate as a Sharia (Islamic law) compliant bank, opened two more branches in Nairobi, bringing its total branch network to nine. Plans are also underway to open eight more branches across the country within the next seven months.

"Expanding fast is a strategy that we hope not to go wrong with because we are doing our mathematics well," said Adam.

Recently, it launched a product dubbed Labbeyk Hajj Savings Account that would enable Muslims save for the Hajj pilgrimage.

Islamic banks were allowed to operate after an amendment to section 53 of Banking Act in 2006 that removed prohibitions in trading in and holding of fixed assets. They have been opening branches in particularly Muslim-dominated areas in Nairobi, Mombasa and North Eastern, which would explain their financial performance due to heavy initial capital investment.

FCB customer deposits stood at Sh2.1 billion by end of December compared to Sh1 billion in September. Loans and advances increased from Sh1.8 million in September to Sh18 billion by December 31. The bank, therefore, increased its loan loss provision from Sh4.1 million to Sh8.7 million in the same period. Its core capital stood at Sh775 million compared to the statutory minimum of Sh250 million.

It was earlier reported that First Community Bank has recorded a pre-tax profit loss of Sh307 million for the year ending December 31, 2008. According to the bank's financial report signed by the chairman Hassan Varvani and chief executive officer Nathif Adam, FCB’s loss increased from Sh191 million recorded by September 2008. This was the first financial report by the fully fledged Islamic bank that was provided with a licence to operate by the Central Bank of Kenya on May 29, 2007 and opened its doors to customers in June 2008. It means the bank results are based on the six months that it has been in operation. It was reported that Gulf African Bank, the other Islamic bank operating in the country, and which was licensed almost at the same time, last week also posted a loss in its first year of business.

However, FCB's CEO Mr. Nadhif dismissed reports that the bank had recorded a pre-tax loss of Sh307 million for the year ending December 31, last year as a fallacy because set up investment cannot constitute a loss. "The reality is that it was not an operating loss. It is a fallacy because we are growing," he stated. Since its launch in May, FCB has extended banking services to areas erstwhile ignored by conventional banks like North Eastern Province where it has one branch and plans to open three more branches before the end of the year. To date, FCB has disbursed more than Sh2 billion in loans and is one of the four banks picked to work with the Youth Enterprise Development Fund in dispersing Sh1.5 billion to empower the youth.

The Other Islamic Bank, Gulf African Bank has also opened several branches in various towns among them an able team in the Garissa branch headed by my freind Ali Noor Shabure, formerly of KCB, now the branch manager. Shabure has previously been working for KCB and his last posting was in Moyale. He is required to harness his past relationships and knowledge of the business community to add value to our services in Garissa for the Islamic Bank. The Garissa branch is the 7th to be opened since Gulf African Bank started operations in January this year. The target is to have 11 operational branches by end 2008 and we are on course.

First Community Bank Ltd. (FCB) has previously stepped up its recruitment of key personnel with the objective of commencing operations. The bank, which has links to Kuwaiti investors has recruited senior personnel to head its risk management, operations, treasury, corporate and retail banking arms as it opens branch networks through out the region. In May 2007, it was granted approval by the Minister of Finance to conduct “banking business’’ under the Banking Act. First Community is now a fully fledged Islamic Bank.

In 2006, Section 53 of the Banking Act was amended to enable the Minister of Finance exempt institutions from provisions of Section 12 of the Act that prohibit trading and holding of fixed assets. This amendment was intended to promote the introduction of innovative products in the banking sector, including Islamic Banking products that may require an institution to hold a fixed asset such as in the case of mortgage financing or goods and commodities in the case of consumer financing. Among the banks waiting for the approval of operating licenses are Dubai Bank and Gulf Bank. A number of local banks already offer Islamic banking products targeting the country’s estimated 11 million Muslims. Since the amendment, several banks have opened up windows offering interest free-based accounts to accommodate religious sensitivities of some Muslims.

Globally, HSBC and UBS have created separate brands for Muslims while Maybank in Malaysia and Samba Financial in Saudi Arabia have opened special branches that sell only Islamic banking products.

Kenya's first Islamic lender-First Community Bank has set out branches across the country under it's the appointment of veteran banker Nathif Adam as the chief executive officer. With a Sh1 billion capitalisation - four times the statutory base -the bank will hit the ground running in anticipation of intense competition from other banks that have unveiled products targeting Muslims.

"It was in line with our business strategy. With this kind of money, we are leaving nothing to chance," Mr Adam told Business Daily.

The bank has opened branches in the Coast and North Eastern provinces which have largely Muslim populations and in city estates such as Eastleigh where Muslims are the majority.

"Our plan was to have as many branches as possible in all the Muslim-dominated regions of Kenya, including North Eastern Province and as many branches as possible in Coast Province," says Mr Adam, adding that the new bank has also opened a branch in Garissa last February. The move is seen as a major step in opening up the regions to the financial sector which comprise a substantial proportion of the unbanked rural population across the country. The initial roll out targets a branch in Eastleigh -Kenya's "Little Mogadishu" - another in Mombasa and a third at Prudential House within Nairobi's Central Business District. The bank has already hired 55 members of staff across all ranks.

Prior to his appointment, Mr Adam, 58, was the Senior Vice-President and Head of Investments at Sharjah Islamic Bank in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A career Islamic banker, he insists that he was the pioneer of Islamic banking in Kenya.

"It is not true that Islamic Banking came into vogue in 2005 . I had already indicated my desire to start an Islamic bank to the CBK way back in 1984," he said. Apart from FCB, the Gulf African Bank is the other bank in Kenya with a licence to operate as a fully Islamic bank.

The La Riba account offered by Barclays Bank was the first ever Sharia compliant account in Kenya. The account was set up in December, 2005, and is reported to have attracted nearly Sh560million from traders over the past year.

Mr Adam, however, says there are challenges to be overcome if the new bank is to make an impact in the country. Chief among them is association of Islamic banking with terrorism.
"We have to be realistic. Getting rid of the notion that Islamic banks are conduits for financing terrorism will be one of my biggest challenges," he says. The other is to open up the bank to all Kenyans.

"As a matter of priority FCB will offer shares to the public through an IPO at the Nairobi Stock Exchange," Mr Adam said. Under Kenyan laws, a company has to be in existence for at least five years before it can be listed unless if it is floated at another stock exchange.

Currently, FCB's main shareholders include Sharjah Islamic Bank of the UAE, Al- Madina investment & Finance and Zummoroda Investment company (both of Kuwait) and a number of Kenyans (30 per cent).

Although the bank will be open to people outside the Muslim faith, its main target will be the Somali community who are known as astute international traders. "If we get them and more, we will be a force to reckon with in Kenya's banking industry," Mr Adam said.

The Somali community in Kenya is estimated at more than 2 million and has a savings base in the region of Sh800 million. Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), K-rep Bank and Dubai Bank, also offer shari'a compliant products targeting the Kenya's 1 million Muslims. Other banks such as Imperial Bank are also in the process of introducing similar products before the end of the year.
The emergence of shari'a complaint bank products was made possible through amendments made to section 53 of the Banking Act last year, removing prohibitions on trading in and holding of fixed assets.

Again, Path Solutions, the leader in the provision of high quality integrated Sharia-compliant software solutions to the world's Islamic banking industry announced that First Community Bank (FCB) Kenya has gone live using iMAL Islamic Banking & Investment System, only 4 months after the project kick off date.

FCB was granted an approval to pioneer Islamic banking in the country by the Central Bank of Kenya in May 2007 and immediately chose Path Solutions' iMAL System after extensive and competitive vendor selection process that included other major global solutions' providers. By deploying iMAL, FCB will provide premium Sharia compliant Retail, Commercial services and Investment banking solutions to meet the diverse needs of its clientele.

Hassan Muhammud, Head of Business Technology & Project Manager at FCB said:

'It was important to select a partner that shares our bank's grand vision on Islamic finance. Indeed, Path Solutions understood our business model, are adaptive and flexible in perceiving Kenya's dynamic financial requirements - with special attention to Shariah principles and compliance'. And he added: 'We are proud to have chosen the right technology solution not only to cater for our current business requirements but also to support us in the fast dynamic growing Islamic finance industry. Last but not least, we thank Allah for this achievement as we usher a new era in Kenyan banking with the birth of FCB. Verily, this success is an enormous blessing to everyone in the East African region.'Commenting on the Go Live, Raida Hafez, Path Solutions' Project Director said: 'The whole implementation process went extremely well, largely because of the quality and commitment of both teams'.

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The rise of structured finance in investment banking

US AMBASSADOR IN KENYA MR. RANNERBERGER SHOULD STICK TO HIS "OFFICIAL" DUTIES. HE SHOULD LEAVE US ALONE

It has not passed a week before it was reported that Molo MP Joseph Kiuna accused the US ambassador in Kenya Michael Ranneberger of visiting his Molo constituency in the Rift Valley without his knowledge accusing the US envoy and some NGOs of "criss-crossing" his constituency in the name of peace building. Just around One month ago, Former President Moi’s aide Joshua Kulei Kulei had a problem again with the US Ambassador arguing that Ranneberger(The US Ambassador) is using his diplomatic immunity to propagate falsehoods in Kenya by saying:

"Ranneberger’s conduct is in bad taste, theatrical, less than honest, pervasive and cowardly," while admitting that the US envoy had abandoned the US cause and redirected his energies to taking sides in Kenya’s politics. Kulei had even dared the envoy to waive his diplomatic immunity if his allegations had merit and face him in court.

This week, it was our time for people of NEP. It was reported by BBC Somali that Kenya's Deputy Speaker, Farah Maalim has been refused a US Visa to travel to United States by the US Embassy, a fact that Hon Farah himself denies ever requesting a visa to travel there, but then, you tend to ask, what happened to the US Ambassador of Kenya official roles and why is he interfereing in our state of affairs....?

A short reminder

If it's about leasure and holidays and Mr. Rannerberger thinks US is somewhere people go for nice travel and holidays, Kulei had reminded him that US Citizens, Europeans and others travel to Kenya for holidays and even indicated that he was not interested in travelling to America with or without a visa ban. While Hon Farah may share the same theme as previously Martha Karua once described, America is not heaven....The question remains, what is the official duty of foreign embassies in Kenya...Why are they trying to cause issues when there are no issues at all....

Speaking in Nairobi once, Kiuna, The Molo MP said protocol dictated that before officials(Local+Foreign) who visit his constituency, they should inform him. He said: "I deserve to know who is coming to my territory and for what reason. That’s just but courtesy. Even when the President visits Molo he has the courtesy to tell me." It could be wise, if the ambassador followed laid down protocols of the country and helped unite the communities by involving the person they elected to the parliament. Otherwise, what does he gain without Kiuna's Involvement in his own constituency?

Sometime back, The presense of US Marines in North Eastern province of Kenya has been questioned by Hon Farah Maalim (Lagdera, ODM) asking the Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula to clarify whether the 80 marines in his constituency were doing more than drilling boreholes for the residents. Mr Maalim, who is also the deputy Speaker in the Kenyan National Assembly and whose constituency he is representing and where the activities were taking place wanted to know what the marines are doing there. He said the marines had been in the arid area for over a year and had not succeeded in getting water for the residents.

What are they supposed to be doing there, he asked? Are they depositing Nuclear wastes there?

The ODM MP asked whether the marines were there to bury nuclear waste. He accused the marines of operating under a lot of secrecy, saying that local leaders, including the provincial administration and councillors were in the dark about the activities of the US soldiers. It was then, that former Justice minister Martha Karua, who was by then, the deputy leader of Government Business, gave an undertaking to communicate the request for a ministerial statement to Mr Wetang’ula. We are still waiting for a formal communication from Wetangula, which until now was not sufficiently dealt with. Rumours are rife about US Marines missions in NEP kenya. Some residents are convinced that the marines are "polluting" the vast arid area with nuclear wastes while pretending they are drilling boreholes. Hon Farah Maalim had asked (in parliament) Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang'ula to clarify whether the US marines in his constituency were doing more than drilling boreholes for the residents.. He accused the marines of operating under a lot of secrecy, saying that local leaders, including the provincial administration and councillors were in the dark about the activities of the US soldiers and asked whether the marines were there to bury nuclear waste.

The return of United States marines in North Eastern Province has raised eyebrows among the local Somali Muslims amid fears that the province is likely to be used as the launching pad for the wider war on terror, albeit covered in the clothes of humanitarian assistance. Their unexpected arrival in a convoy of trucks with sophisticated military and engineering equipment had previously caused a stir in Garissa town.

"We thought we had seen the last of them when they left the province late 2004 after completing the humanitarian projects," said Mr Hussein Issa, a Garissa branch Narc chairman. "Now that they are back, it seems they have a special attachment to Northern Kenya — probably due to its proximity to Somalia," he added.

Political analyst say, it looks that some of these issues may have led to the rumours that Hon. Farah Maalim must have developed some bad blood with the US Operations in and around Kenya and that is part of the "supposed" refusal of the US Visa.... But this should not worry NEP or kenyan citizens residing over there. It should worry the US even more. Residents are construing to mean that, because Hon. Farah spoke about their activities, the US is punishing him for that and this will not be taken easily in that area.

Although the US Counter-Terrorism operations is helping residents of the vast province, The last time the marines were in town, the Government was forced to publicly declare their mission after the predominantly Muslim residents ejected them from a Garissa hotel. The rare spectacle when the Americans landed in town caused commotion as hordes of curious residents milled around the Garissa Kenya Military Barracks, where the marines have made temporary base. In one incident, the marines were forced to abandon medical and veterinary services to the residents.There were claims that their drugs could cause infertility. The residents feared that the drugs were meant to reduce and subsequently wipe out the Muslim community.The propaganda was even spread in local mosques and coffee shops. Many residents took the fears seriously and stayed away from a free medical camp at the Kenya Red Cross Society camp.

The North Eastern Provincial Commissioner, Mr Kiritu Wamae, was at times forced to call an impromptu public meeting to dispel the negative perception about the presence of the troops in town. He had on several occassion insisted that the marines were on a humanitarian mission in the region and were working in partnership with the Kenya Army officers. Wamae said the soldiers planned to drill 10 boreholes in Garissa District. We can't confirm this has been done upto date.

Thus Hon Farah Maalim's Visa refusal claim by US Embassy, it seems to residents as america's bullying tactic to silence the leader not to question the US military presence in Lagdera constituency but why deny him a simple Visa to such a valuable person in the country? Farah Maalim, the Lagdera elected member of parliament is one of the few out spoken Kenyan-Somali, who will never shy off on issues that are of national interest and has on several occasions told Kenyans to solve their problems internally while rebelling the waki report. We like him because he understand the problem afflicting people of Northern Kenya. He is one of our few important Member of Parliament. Mr Aden Abdi; a constituent from Lagdera said that the US field officer should respect our leaders if not he should advice Americans not to step a foot on Lagdera constituency without the permission of the locals.


Hon Farah Maalim had once bravely accused western countries of a conspiracy to turn Kenya into a failed State for their own "selfish" interests. He said “ before the peace deal was signed, he and a group of ODM leaders visited a diplomat of a western superpower and instead of assisting to end the violence, he told them the due process of law must be followed. US media across the Atlantic, shade more light on Mr Maalim’s sentiments. An article by Karen Rothmyer on The Nation, a US newspaper in New York, claimed that Mr Ken Flottman, who was IRI country director sat on the exit poll when Kenyans needed it most. Mr Flottman said, Ranneberger appeared to try to help Kibaki’s chances. In one case, when a poll done by a local leading pollster showed Raila pulling ahead, "the ambassador was keen to release our poll, which showed Kibaki was more popular".

It is time, our Kenyan leaders need to stand up for their democratic rights and work together to mobilize their constituents against US interventions and subsequent actions of causing further tensions within communities. Kenya is sovereign and the US Ambassador must know NEP is trying to cope with three decades marginalization and we don't need further issues that will harm our development. NEP residents and Kenyans are urged to stand firm, strong and united against these kind of arm twisting by the US and it's officials in the name of democratization. This can be counter-productive at times and especially in NEP Kenya and the US Ambassador in whose nation he is working for must know this.

Editor

KENYA ON A VERY "THIN" TIGHT ROPE.........

SUMMARY:

President says issue of Leader of Government Business closed by writing a "final" letter to the Speaker of the parliament . ODM insists that "it will do everything" to take parliament as it has majority members of parliament, even if going back to elections. There is currently no electoral board to oversee any elections....

Coalition partners ODM and PNU remained hopelessly divided on Saturday over the raging dispute over the Leader of Government Business that has paralysed Parliament. The political temperature is likely to rise on Sunday when PNU leaders address a press conference at Serena Hotel in Nairobi to respond to Prime Minister Raila Odinga. On Saturday, it emerged that the standoff in the House last week was a sign of a deeper struggle over control of government affairs.

On the one hand, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has identified Parliament as the perfect launch pad for its new strategy to force President Kibaki and his Party of National Unity (PNU) to consult the Prime Minister as an equal partner in the Grand Coalition government. On the other PNU views the move as targeted at grabbing presidential powers, a form of a “civilian coup” against the President.

At the heart of the dispute is the position of Leader of Government Business in Parliament, which is being claimed by Mr Odinga and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka. The President wrote to the House Speaker Kenneth Marende endorsing Mr Musyoka for the position, but Mr Odinga sent another letter stating that as supervisor of government affairs, he was the rightful holder of the post.

The standoff paralysed parliamentary business for two days this week as MPs from both sides argued on who between the President and PM should appoint the Leader of Government Business.

On Thursday, Mr Marende announced that he would rule on the issue on Tuesday, if the two principals would not have arrived at an amicable solution.

FORMER KENYA PARLIAMENT SPEAKER, FRANCIS OLE KAPARO SAYS:

“The House Business Committee sets the agenda for the House. Whoever sets the agenda controls what comes to the floor of the House,” Mr Kaparo said. “But this is a strange phenomenon. Ordinarily there is a government and an opposition. In this particular case it’s a government fighting itself. It cannot be resolved through legalities, it has to be solved politically.”

PNU SIDE SAY:

“Traditionally, the President’s principal assistant (the vice-president) has been taking that role. That means that Mr Musyoka was rightly appointed leader of government business in Parliament by President Kibaki. His duties do not go beyond the House,” said Mr Kilonzo.

“Raila is actually fighting Kibaki for power. Kalonzo is a nominee of the President. However, think of the football analogies the PM loves to use all the time... about overcoming the defences around the goalkeeper, then making the shot into goal. On this (parliamentary) appointment we have drawn a red line,” one of the participants told the Sunday Nation but adamantly refused to discuss the actual deliberations.

“Why did he not address the House during the State opening? The Head of State is head of government. The leader of government business is basically the President’s deputy. If the PM wants to lower himself to take that position, then he should not insist on equal power-sharing,” said Mr Nyamweya.

“Look, ODM already has the Speaker’s position and the deputy’s. The push for the Leader of Government Business is something the President cannot ignore. Let nobody forget that the President’s office is executive. After all, he dissolves and prorogues the House,” said the official, who like the others did not want to be identified on this sensitive matter.

And last evening State House issued a Press statement saying that the President was not ready to negotiate over the matter. “Having executed (his) Constitutional responsibility, His Excellency the President considered the matter closed and therefore deemed further consultations on the matter as unnecessary,” the PPS statement read.

“The truth of the matter, even in the last session, it was the President who appointed the Leader of Government Business who became the chair of the HBC. It is his constitutional right to do so,” Mr Kenyatta said. The minister said that a critical look at the National Accord shows that Mr Odinga signed for ODM while the President signed for Government/PNU, Kenyatta added.

Lastly PNU’s Mutula Kilonzo said: “We will abide by the ruling from the Speaker which I expect will define government as used in the Standing Orders.

ODM SAYS

The ODM party said that it has staked a claim to the powerful positions in order to take charge of the reform agenda. Assistant Foreign Affairs minister Richard Onyonka said the coalition government is a first in the country and therefore tradition cannot be invoked when dealing with House matters. Kenyans are agitating for more reforms and reforms must be given priorities.

Although Kanu chairman said it was erroneous for ODM to compare Kenya with other countries because the grand coalition government had been formed “in exceptional circumstances in which he says, It is clear who is supposed to be the head of government”. ODM Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo, one of Mr Odinga’s key lieutenants, said that ODM “will fight to the bitter end” over the dispute.

Meanwhile, key advisors to the coalition principals said the parties would respect the Speaker’s ruling which will set a precedent in the House and shape the future of Kenya’s politics.

“We shall respect the Speaker’s ruling. It is something that must be respected,” said the ODM secretary general, Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o.

PNU says “We will abide by the ruling from the Speakewhich I expect will define government as used in the Standing Orders.

A NEW NAVAL ANGLO-LEASING: SURELY WHAT IS HAPPENING IN KENYA....

The Kenya Government is engaged in parallel negotiations to secure a controversial naval ship after it was slapped with claims of Sh6.46 billion by the contractor for the vessel held at a Spanish shipyard, the Sunday Nation has learnt. In addition to arbitration at the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), the government is also involved in secret negotiations with Euromarine Industries who were awarded the contract to construct the ship in April 2003 in a deal linked to the Anglo Leasing scandal.

Well-placed sources say the government is conducting parallel negotiations with the firm to have the matter settled out of the international court.

A source, who cannot be named for fear of reprisal, said military officers, who face possible questioning by Euromarine, want the government to withdraw the case from UNCITRAL. Euromarine claims Sh6.46 billion, but the government is willing to pay only Sh3.3billion. It has already paid Sh1.3 billion for the KNS Jasiri. A high-powered Kenyan team visited Europe in February for negotiations, and early this month lawyers representing Euromarine visited Nairobi.

The visit coincided with a statement by Britain’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) announcing the end of its probe into the Anglo Leasing scandal in which Kenyan taxpayers are believed to have lost Sh54 billion in 18 shady contract deals. Five companies, including Euromarine, which is not a constructor, were identified in May 2004 as having tendered. Euromarine was awarded the contract for Sh4.1 billion (euros 51,997,000).

Last week Spanish Defense minister Carmen Chacon Piqueras visited Kenya and said her country was ready to release the ship.

The negotiations went into high gear following the release of a Pricewaterhousecoopers (PWC) report on the 18 Anglo Leasing contracts in which PCW recommended that the government renegotiate with Euromarine to pay them 40 million euros (Sh3.1 billion) and not the 51 million euros (Sh4.1 billion) it committed to in 2003. The report says the selection process was seriously flawed and that Euromarine’s bid was not the best.

In February 2008 Euromarine, linked to Sri Lankan tycoon Anura Pereira, wrote to the head of public service Francis Muthaura complaining that the government was stalling on payment and threatening to sell the vessel. 

Spain’s ambassador to Kenya Nicolas Martin Cinto declined to comment by telephone; his secretary said he would not be available until Monday. 

Department of Defence (DoD) spokesman Bogita Ongeri also declined to comment on the issue. 

MAMA SARAH PROCEEDING TO HAJJ IN MECCA

The businessman behind the takeover of English Premier League side Manchester City Football Club has pledged to sponsor Mama Sarah Obama, the grandmother of US President Barack Obama, to the Hajj pilgrimage later this year. Billionaire Dr Sulaiman al-Fahim — the point man of mega-rich Abu Dhabi United Group — said on Friday he would be taking Mama Sarah to Mecca for the annual pilgrimage alongside his wife.

 

“I have a wife but not a mother so she (Mama Sarah) can take that place and join us to the Hajj,” he said after paying a courtesy call on Mama Sarah at her Kogelo Village home.

 The pilgrimage falls in November, this year, a good time for Mama Sarah to visit the Islamic Holy city of Mecca, he said. Dr Al-Fahim is the ambassador at large for Inter-governmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition (Iimsam) while Mama Sarah is its goodwill ambassador.Iimsam director-general Remigio Maradona accompanied Dr al-Fahim.

Speaking through a translator, Mama Sarah accepted the Hajj offer. “I will go,” she said. “If it’s possible, I will make it.”

Dr Al-Fahim pledged to help the organisation realise a world free of malnutrition and hunger by mainstreaming the use of Spirulina to eradicate malnutrition, achieve food security, and bridge the health divide. 

This comes after a failed Seventh Day Adevtist Baptism of Mama Sarah into their congregation.

WHO IS DENYING HON. FARAH MAALIM A VISA......?

Since last week, there is a story going around that Kenya's Deputy Parliament speaker, Hon. Farah Maalim, a long time freedom activist, has been denied a US visa. Nevertheless, Farah himself has denied those rumours and no news media has reported anything on that except a BBC Somali Correspondent in Nairobi who went to check on the facts and here is what Farah replied....in the following detail.....

"Haddaba waxaa BBC u suurta gashay inay wareysato guddoomiye ku xigeenka baarlamaanka Kenya, Faarax Macallin, oo sheegay in aanay jirin wax codsi fiiso ah oo uu gudbiyay safaaradda Kenya, isagoo intaa sii raaciyay in warkaasi aanu soo gaarin isaga, meel laga keenay ogeyn. Faarax Macallin waxa uu sheegay in aanay jirin wax qoraal oo ay usoo qoreen safaaradda, wixii hadda kadib ahna, waxa uu yiri " waa wax iyaga u taallo".

Hon. Farah is a respected politician from NEP Kenya and reverred in the country. He is a renowned ethnic Kenyan

Somali politician with almost two decades of experience on the Kenyan political scene. He is the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya. In addition, he belongs to the Orange Democratic Movement and was elected to represent the Lagdera Constituency in the National Assembly of Kenya since the Kenyan parliamentary election, 2007. This is his second stint in the Kenyan Parliament, his first being the 7th Kenyan Parliament. For anyone with sinister motive to deny such a long standing second liberation member a US Visa...it means is like it has become a joke. For that matter, it should also be known that Farah Maalim is a democrat and has fought for democracy. He is entitled to any opinion of any kind and has no anyone questioning his freedom. Thus we joke when we say Hon. Farah has been refused a US Visa.

The BBC continues as:

"Safaaradda Mareykanka ee Magaalada Nairobi ee Dalka kenya, ayaa sheegtay in ay u diiday Fiiso ama dal ku gal uu ka codsaday in uu ku gallo dalka maraykanka guddoomiye ku xigeenka barlamaanka ee Kenya Faarax Macallin oo isla markaasna ah mudane laga soo doorto gobolka Waqooyi Bari ee Kenya. Safaaradda Mareykanka waa ay ka gaabsatay in fahfaahin ka bixiso sababta ay tallaabadaas u qaadatay balse wargeys ka soo baxa magaalada Nairobi ayaa ka hadlay arrinta oo ku tilmaamay in guddoomiye ku xigeenka sababta loogu diiday Fiisaha ay tahay wax uu ugu yeeray xiriirka uu la leeyahay kooxaha Soomaaliya.

Haddaba waxaa BBC u suurta gashay inay wareysato guddoomiye ku xigeenka baarlamaanka Kenya, Faarax Macallin, oo sheegay in aanay jirin wax codsi fiiso ah oo uu gudbiyay safaaradda Kenya, isagoo intaa sii raaciyay in warkaasi aanu soo gaarin isaga, meel laga keenay ogeyn. Faarax Macallin waxa uu sheegay in aanay jirin wax qoraal oo ay usoo qoreen safaaradda, wixii hadda kadib ahna, waxa uu yiri " waa wax iyaga u taallo".

Waxa kale oo uu ka hadlay guddoomiye ku xigeenka baarlamaanka Kenya Faarax Macallin, inuu taageero u hayay maamulkii maxkamadaha Islaamka ee ka jiray Soomaaliya 2006, oo uu ku eedeeyay Mareykanka iyo dowladdaha deriska ah in si xaq darro ah ay ugu duulleen Soomaaliya"....

Hon Farah Maalim has severally been critical of US Army in NEP Kenya.....

HOUSE BUSINESS COMMITTE IN WHICH ADAN KEYNAN AND ALI MOHAMUD FEATURE REJECTED

Business in Parliament has kicked off to a rocky start after Cabinet Ministers and backbenchers joined hands to oppose the composition of a key House committee.

The list comprised of the following.

1. Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, M.P.2. Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, M.P.3. Kiraitu Murungi, M.P.4. Shakila Abdalla, M.P.5. Esther Murugi, M.P.6. (Prof.) George Saitoti, M.P.7. Mutula Kilonzo, M.P.8. Moses Wetangula, M.P.9. Adan Keynan, M.P.10. George Thuo, M.P.11. Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, M.P.12. William Ruto, M.P.13. (Prof.) Anyang’ Nyongo, M.P.14. Charity Ngilu, M.P.15. Henry Kosgei, M.P.16. (Dr.) Sally Kosgey, M.P.17. Ali Mohammed Mohammud, M.P.18. Francis Chachu Ganya, M.P.19. Thomas Ludindi Mwadeghu, M.P.20. Robert Monda, M.P.21. Jakoyo Midiwo, M.P.

Speaker of the National Assembly Kenneth Marende urged Mr Musyoka to ensure proper consultations are done to come up with an acceptable list. The HBC is the committee that determines the order of business in Parliament.

KENYA DISMISSES ACQUISITION OF SOMALIA TERRITORY

The government on Wednesday dismissed as unfounded allegations by a section of Somali politicians that Kenya is trying to acquire Somali territory through the signing of the Maritime Boundary Agreement. A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that the memorandum of understanding signed in Nairobi on April 7 between Kenya and the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia does not establish a maritime boundary.

“The memorandum therefore does not establish the maritime boundary between Kenya and Somalia; it only leaves the matter of delimiting the boundary to the future when Somalia will be ready to undertake the exercise with Kenya,” read the statement.

Paul Ndungu, an aide to Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Thuita Mwangi has explained that through the MOU the states are granting each other the No-Objection with respect to submissions on the outer limits of the continental shelf.

“The claims must be submitted by 13 May, 2009,” he said. “The CLCS requires states that have adjacent coastlines to each other to conclude agreements on the delimitation of their maritime boundaries”. “The Memorandum solely wishes to facilitate the presentation of submissions to the CLCS and does not in any way prejudice future delimitation of submissions to the commission before the scheduled deadline of May 13,” read the statement.

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, coastal states intending to define the outer limits of their continental shelf beyond the 200 nautical miles are required to submit scientific and technical data to the Commission on the Limits of Continental Shelf (CLCS). The government has said that this does not affect future delimitation of the maritime boundary in the un-surveyed area, and shall be agreed between the countries after the commission examines the separate submissions to be made before May 13. The preparation of Kenya's claim for submission requires the cooperation of its neighbours Tanzania and Somalia.

This is because, UNCLOS provides that states that have adjacent coastlines to each other need to conclude agreements on the delimitation of their maritime boundaries for their Territorial Sea, Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelves by means of an agreement in order to achieve an equitable solution.

GENERAL MESSAGE ON AIDS IN NEP KENYA.......TO SOMALIS EVERYWHERE

click on the picture to view video.....

MAYBE IT WAS NOT HER MISTAKE.....................................

In Somali community, one can marry 4 and again divorce and re-marry.....therefore if someone has a 4 women and he develops HIV ama AIDS because of Zina(Adultery) sleeping with women and prostitutes..........and then you go to your wife and infect her...Imagine if you have 4 wives.......Hio family na wengine wamekwisha....This should be a very big story for Somalis everywhere, In kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Muslims all over the world.

Take care about yourselves and your families........

This is a general message to all of us.....Thanks for that KTN(Kenya Television Networks.

AFTER ALSTON'S REPORT, MUNGIKI SECT NOW A FULL CRIMINAL GANG

Since Prof Philip Alston, the UN Special Rapporteur on extra-judicial, summary and arbitrary executions released his report in February, the outlawed Mungiki sect has been emboldened and become active in most parts of Central, Nairobi and Rift Valley provinces.

Police say Mungiki have become bolder and stronger. Police Spokesman Eric Kiraithe said their analysis had shown that the release of the Alston report made the followers think they were above the law and can continue to terrorise Kenyans. Today, Mungiki gangs killed more than 25 Kenyans.

"You can even see them calling for a protest against the Government since the report was made public. These are criminals who want to govern Kenyans," said Mr Kiraithe, yesterday.

Sufficient proof

In his report, Alston noted there exists a police death squad that was particularly formed to fight the Mungiki sect and cited a report compiled by Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, saying over 500 youths were killed for being members of the movement. A police unit called Kwe Kwe Squad was formed in 2006 to fight the sect following macabre beheadings. Prof Alston said confessions by a former police officer that he and his colleagues in the squad participated in the killing of 58 suspects were sufficient proof of the same. Before the UN official had issued the report, Mungiki activities were unheard of in most areas, as the squad suppressed them.