US 'concerned' by new security law Tweet comment Print

The Obama administration has said it is "disappointed" and "concerned" by sections of the Security Laws (Amendment) Bill.


In a statement from State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki on the Bill that was signed into law on Friday by President Uhuru Kenyatta, Washington however reaffirmed its support of Kenya's fight against terrorism.


"The US government is firmly committed to supporting Kenya's efforts to defeat Al-Shabaab and to ensure security of all of its citizens.


"We are disappointed, however, by the very limited time allowed for debate and consultation on the 2014 Security Laws (Amendment) Bill prior to its passage and enactment into law," the statement read.


"We are also concerned about several provisions in the legislation, including those that appear to limit freedom of assembly and media, and access to asylum for refugees.


"As a key partner in the global effort to counter terrorism, we expect the Kenyan government to ensure that its counterterrorism efforts live up to Kenya’s international commitments and its own constitution.


"Protecting Kenya’s constitution and upholding human rights, democracy, and international obligations are among the most effective ways to bolster security."


The Security Laws (Amendment) Bill was passed by MPs in an acrimonious session on Thursday. Legislators scuffled in the chamber as debate descended into chaos, prompting the chairman of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Mumo Matemu, to announce on Friday that MPs who disrupted the session were being investigated and could lose their seats.


'DEPLORABLE CONDUCT'


In an address to the nation shortly after signing the Bill on Friday, President Kenyatta said they would help boost the government's fight against terrorism and criminal activities such as poaching and cross-border trafficking.


Reacting to the ill-tempered session, the President said Opposition MPs in the National Assembly and senators had exhibited a “deplorable conduct.”


He described Thursday’s session as an “unfortunate incident” that denied Kenyans a chance to follow the House proceedings.


He praised members from the ruling Jubilee coalition for passing the law despite the chaos and mayhem.


On the deregistration of NGOs, Washington said it was seeking "further information" on the decision.


"A strong civil society is vital to democracy, security, and prosperity. We urge the Government of Kenya to ensure the regulation of NGOs is transparent, fair, and grounded in clear criteria that do not limit free expression, association, or assembly," the statement said.

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Govt won’t approve transfer requests by teachers from Mandera, says PS Belio Kipsang

                           
The government will not approve transfer requests by 150 teachers from Mandera County who want to relocate following security threats.

Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang Thursday said the government would ensure that emergency intervention measures are put in place ahead of the re-opening of schools in January 2015.

Speaking after an assessment tour of Mandera County, Dr Kipsang said the government would give the county all the support requires.

“We are not departing from Mandera in its hour of need. We are here to give our support,” Dr Kipsang said during a meeting at the county headquarters.

The PS, who met with Mandera Governor Ali Roba, was accompanied by his colleagues Mutea Iringo (Defence), Monica Juma (Interior), Nduva Muli (Transport) and Director of Medical Services Nicholas Muraguri.

Mandera has witnessed a mass exodus of workers especially civil servants working in the health and education sectors after two attacks that have left more than 60 people dead in the recent past.

Twenty eight people were killed in the first attack after the Al-Shabaab militants raided a Nairobi-bound bus and shot them dead near the Kenya-Somalia border. Most of those killed were teachers and other civil servants travelling home for the Christmas holidays.

A week later, on November 22, 2014, 36 people were ambushed as they slept in tents at Koromey quarry near the same border. All those killed were non-locals and non-Muslims.

RE-OPEN HEALTH FACILITIES

Following the departure of 50 health workers, Dr Muraguri said the government will re-open 20 health facilities that have closed down due to security threats.

This, he said, will be done as a matter of urgency.

“Our ministry will help Mandera stabilise following the security blow.

“I applaud Mr Roba for his efforts in trying to keep the county moving despite all the challenges you are going through,” he said.

Ms Juma appealed to all ministries to fully commit themselves and help the county get back on its feet.

“Mandera is our frontline. We are here to support the county to the end,” she said.

Governor Roba lauded the National Government for its response in ensuring that crucial government services were not further paralysed by the exodus of civil servants.

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Raila summons elders with Homa Bay seat on the card

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga addresses delegates during the National Governing Council held at the Bomas of Kenya on December 5, 2014. Odinga has called a meeting of Luo elders at his Opoda home in Bondo, on Sunday, to discuss a wide range of issues, including suggestions by a section of leaders that he should seek the Homa Bay Senate seat. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
In Summary

A few members of the Homa Bay county assembly have also been invited to the meeting where the possibility of Mr Odinga’s candidature will be on the table.
He said that if Mr Odinga offers himself as a candidate, it will provide him with a forum to reach out to millions of Kenyans.
The county is home to most of the MPs branded rebels for agitating for internal change with the ODM establishment. They include Mr James Rege (Karachuonyo), Mr Sylvance Osele (Kabondo Kasipul), Mr George Oner (Rangwe) and Mr Augustinho Neto (Ndhiwa). advertisement

By ISAAC ONGIRI
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ODM leader Raila Odinga has called a meeting of Luo elders at his Opoda home in Bondo Sunday to discuss a wide range of issues, including suggestions by a section of leaders that he should seek the Homa Bay Senate seat.


Despite opposition to the proposal for the former Prime Minister to enter the Senate, some of Mr Odinga’s allies are determined that he contest the seat left vacant by the death last month of one of his key lieutenants, Otieno Kajwang’.


The by-election is slated for February 2, but political parties are expected to confirm their candidates by December 19 in primaries. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission gave January 5 and 6, 2015 as the dates for receiving nomination papers.


The elders being assembled at Mr Odinga’s home Saturday have been carefully selected from the entire region and include elected leaders.


The Sunday Nation has learnt the group will include the new ODM chairman and Suba MP John Mbadi, the Director of Elections and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, Homa Bay County Woman Representative Gladys Wanga, Homa Bay Central MP Opondo Kaluma, Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga, nominated MP Dr Oburu Oginga and at least 50 elders.


NO COMPETITION
A few members of the Homa Bay county assembly have also been invited to the meeting where the possibility of Mr Odinga’s candidature will be on the table.


When contacted Mr Mohammed said: “This is a routine exercise. We will be strategising on how to handle the Homa Bay senatorial seat broadly and also planning for the Kajiado Central seat.


We have already asked the Jubilee side not to field a candidate — they have poached our MP (Interior Cabinet Secretary nominee Joseph Nkaissery) and we must be allowed to sponsor a candidate unopposed.”


Mr Mohammed will be squarely in charge of the two by-elections after the National Governing Council on Friday picked him as the party’s director of elections moments after Mr Odinga proposed the creation of the new powerful office.


On Wednesday, a group of ODM MPs urged Mr Odinga to consider running for the Homa Bay seat. But the former PM is yet to comment on the matter.


On Saturday, Mr Kaluma, who is in Arusha on official business, said the Opoda meeting is not meant to confirm Mr Odinga’s proposed candidature.


“We have expressed support for Mr Odinga to run. This is not unusual, there are so many other world leaders before him who did the same previously after holding higher offices. You know the story of Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, Gordon Brown of Britain and many more,” he said.


SERIOUS PROPOSAL
He said that if Mr Odinga offers himself as a candidate, it will provide him with a forum to reach out to millions of Kenyans.


“I know Mr Odinga is not interested in coming to the Senate. Moments after we addressed the press last week he called me. He was concerned that we did it without consulting him. Remember, I had even offered to resign for him to take over my parliamentary seat,” Mr Kaluma said.


And Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga who also spoke to The Sunday Nation moments after he came back from the United States said the matter required time to be thoroughly discussed.


“We should consider it if it is going to add value to our politics. I do not want to be in the group that is opposing it if somehow it is going to help us achieve something. But if in some way it will not help us then we must drop it,” he said.


Nyatike MP Omondi Anyanga, who first suggested that Mr Odinga should run, said more meetings will be held in four counties in Luo Nyanza to come up with a firm decision on the matter.


He dismissed those who have said the idea was a joke.


“We are serious we want Mr Odinga to contest as part of our preparation for the 2017 elections. Candidates in Homa Bay who are interested in this position must swallow their pride and look at the bigger picture,” he said.


UNFORTUNATE PROPOSAL
It is not the first time Mr Odinga’s allies are pushing for a way to have him back in Parliament.


In 2013, some allies of the ODM leader were said to have approached Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura to step down for him.


“Yes I was approached to step down for Mr Odinga. While I would not refuse to give way to him, I thought it would not have been a bright idea to have him as minority leader (in the National Assembly) while Mr Aden Duale is majority leader,” Mr Obura said, alluding that Mr Duale is junior to the former PM.


After he declined to give way, pressure was turned on Kibra MP Mr Ken Okoth who also declined to resign.


At the same time 17 ODM officials from eight constituencies in the county issued a statement condemning attempts to drag Mr Odinga into the race.


“We the chairmen and secretaries of all eight ODM branches that make the county branch hereby reject the unfortunate proposal by a section of ODM MPs principally from outside Homa Bay that the party leader contests for the Homa Bay senatorial seat,” read part of the statement.


The group led by the party’s Suba branch chairman Ken Oure told Mr Odinga to be conscious of a local agreement among the eight constituencies on how to share the top county positions. In 2013, a pre-election pact on key elective positions was arrived at among the three blocs in the county.


The greater Rachuonyo was to get the governor’s slot; Homa Bay town, Rangwe and Ndhiwa constituencies were to provide a candidate for the Woman Representative while Mbita and Suba constituencies were given the Senate seat. Positions in the county assembly were also divided.


“This is demeaning to our party leader. We are warning these MPs to keep off the affairs of Homa Bay County. The only county in the ODM strongholds that elected its governor, senator and MPs from ODM,” read the statement.


HOME TO REBELS
Elders from the region led by the Chairman of the Luo Council of Elders Mr Willis Otondi and his predecessor Mr Riaga Ogallo urged Mr Odinga to ignore the appeals of the MPs.


“We have been so hopeful that Mr Odinga will become President after the coming election. It is so destructing that while we put focus on the presidency someone wants him to become a mere senator,” Mr Otondi said.


And Mr Ogallo said Mr Odinga does not come from Homa Bay County and that it would be embarrassing for him to get into confrontation with county leaders.


Several candidates including two of Mr Odinga’s former aides, Mr Caroli Omondi and Mr Silas Jakakimba, have already hit the ground running as they campaign to succeed Mr Kajwang’.


Mr Jakakimba has been endorsed by Suba elders. The late senator’s brother Moses Kajwang’ and former National Social Security Fund Managing Trustee Fred Rabongo, who comes from Kajwang’s Waondo village, have also announced their intention to run.


The race may also include former MPs Philip Okundi and Martin Ogindo, Dr Kenneth Kambona, Mr Herbert Ojwang’, Mr Hillary Alila and Mr Odoyo Owidi.


“It will be unfair for Mr Odinga to attempt to seek a position from this side while he knows very well he is not a resident of Homa Bay County. If he does I will contest and am sure I will give him a run for his money,” Mr Owidi said.


The county is home to most of the MPs branded rebels for agitating for internal change with the ODM establishment. They include Mr James Rege (Karachuonyo), Mr Sylvance Osele (Kabondo Kasipul), Mr George Oner (Rangwe) and Mr Augustinho Neto (Ndhiwa).


THE FINAL SAY
Mr Magwanga, Mr Mbadi, Mr Kaluma and Mbita MP Millie Odhiambo are considered Mr Odinga’s allies in the county.


Meanwhile, the ODM leadership could go for direct nomination to pick a candidate to contest the Homa Bay seat in the February 2 by-election. The IEBC gave all parties until December 19 to nominate their flag bearers.


A number of MPs have floated the idea of party leader Raila Odinga contesting the seat to replace the late Senator Kajwang’.


In light of this, those who had shown interest in the seat are said to be holding secret discussions with Cord affiliate parties to get nomination certificates just in case the ODM certificate goes to Mr Odinga.


But Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi who is also ODM secretary for political affairs said the people of Homa Bay will have the final say on who becomes their senator.


“The seat is precious to us; we will stop at nothing to recapture it; nomination of a satisfactory candidate is the answer to getting the seat,” he said.


ODM is the dominant party in the county and whoever gets the ticket is likely to carry the day.

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Uhuru rallies MPs to pass Bill to fight terrorism and banditry

 


President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, Mr William Ruto, on Wednesday rallied Jubilee MPs to pass an amendment Bill to fight terrorism and banditry.

The President hosted the MPs and senators at State House, where he explained why he needed more powers to deal with terrorism and asked them to pass the Security Laws (Amendment) Bill.

MPs who attended the meeting said the President said he was being blamed by the opposition, civil societies and the clergy for failing to tame insecurity yet the law did not give him the authority to deal decisively with the attacks.

“The President said everyone was saying the buck stopped with him but the Constitution did not give him enough powers to fight terrorism,” said an MP who requested not to be named.

A senator said the President argued that since the buck stopped with him, he deserved the powers that would allow him to deal decisively with government officials who failed in their duties.

He made it clear that he needed the powers to come down hard on the Inspector-General of Police and the two deputies, the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) director.

SECURITY TENURE

The Bill, which is expected to be taken up for debate in the House on Wednesday, proposes to take away the security of tenure of the Inspector-General of Police and the two deputies, the NIS director and the DCI.

The proposed law comes two weeks after suspected Al-Shabaab militants killed 64 people in Mandera in two separate incidents.

Opposition leaders and the public heaped pressure on the President and called for his resignation.

President Kenyatta responded by nominating Kajiado Central MP Joseph Nkaissery as Interior Cabinet secretary in the place of Mr Joseph ole Lenku. Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo retired and is yet to be replaced.

National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale told the House that the Bill would go for the second reading and possibly allow for the third reading at a later date or on the same day.

Jubilee MPs meet this morning to discuss how to rally their colleagues to pass the Bill.

Said Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria: “There will be a meeting tomorrow (Thursday). We want to make it clear that when the Bill comes to the House, there will be no coalitions, religious affiliations or partnerships. We ask Kenyans to watch out for those who will be on the side of freedom and democracy and those who will be on the side of terrorists and killers.”

The opposition has criticised the amendment Bill, arguing that it infringes on freedom of expression, freedom of the media and Kenyans' right to privacy of Kenyans.

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3.6bn/- used for Mara hospital projects

ABOUT 3.6bn/- has been issued for the implementation of Mara Regional Hospital projects in the financial years 2011/12 and 2013/14.


The Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government, Mr Aggrey Mwanri, said 256,173,000/- was spent on compensations and 3,365,939,000/- was spent on construction.


He said that in 2014/15 the government has set aside 2.2bn/- and already the region has been given 287,145,000/- to continue construction work at the hospital.


The Deputy Minister said that preparations to get a contractor for the second phase of the project is still on, and the government will be setting aside funds as they are available.


Mr Mwanri was responding to a question by Musoma Urban MP (Chadema), Mr Josephat Nyerere, who wanted to know if the government will fund to complete implementation of the projects.


Mr Nyerere also questioned the government’s plans to employ the Public Private Partnership (PPP) so that Appollo Hospital and other private partners be involved.


Mr Mwanri said that the issue of PPP is among the government’s policies in implementing developmental projects and already it has started involving the private sector in various education and health projects.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the government has managed to build 249 hospitals, 716 health centres and 5,960 dispensaries countrywide.

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MPs decry ‘Escrow’ report spill

Led by nominated MP James Mbatia, legislators termed it as intrusion of Parliamentary powers and thus in contravention of Parliamentary Powers, Rights and Privileges Act No.3 of 1988 Soon after the morning Questions-and-Answers session, Mr Mbatia raised the matter that had led to the weekend’s arrest of the suspect who was found with the documents.

Mr Mbatia said the suspect was arrested on Sunday following a complaint filed by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Dr Thomas Kashilila.

The suspect was found with three different documents, two of which bore the official rubber stamp of the office of the Clerk. The other one did not have any stamp.

Mr Mbatia called on the Speaker, Ms Anna Makinda, to first suspend the day’s Bunge activities to open the floor to debate on the matter, including how the documents had left the Parliament’s precincts.

Ms Makinda intervened saying it was not yet clear how the suspect acquired the said documents, but that it would be more procedural if the House left Police to first investigate the matter.

“Discussing it here before police conclude the investigations is not procedural. They are grilling the suspect, with intention to make him say where he got the documents.

Whoever is found culpable will be held accountable even if they are from my office,’’ she said.

Mr Mbatia told the House that some opposition MPs had alerted Parliament that some people were circulating documents plucked from the CAG report that is due for tabling starting tomorrow.

According to the information lodged with the clerk, the documents being circulated were plucked from pages 57,58 and 59 of the CAG report.

The matter lingered on with Mr Tundu Lissu (Singida Rural-Chadema), saying it was important to debate the issue yesterday to clear the confusion that had been brought about by the matter.

But the Speaker stuck to her guns, stressing that discussing a matter that was already under investigation was not procedural, further asking the legislators to be patient as the PAC report on the CAG –IPTL content would be officially tabled for discussion starting tomorrow (Wednesday).

Ms Makinda also said MPs will be given contents of the report prior to its tabling by the Public Accounts Committee. She made this particular ruling following the concern raised by Simanjiro MP (CCM) Christopher Ole Sendeka that the report’s content may leave the MPs half informed if they do not get it prior to the debate -- to read it and broadly reflect on its content.

It is understood that legislators will discuss the report on the escrow account on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The IPTL saga revolves around a contestable withdrawal from the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) of a whopping 306bn/- in taxpayer money that was shared among a few individuals.

It had been withdrawn to facilitate the sale of Independent Power Tanzania Limited (IPTL) to Pan Africa Power Solutions (PAP).

On Thursday, Kigoma North MP (Chadema), Mr Zitto Kabwe, who chairs PAC, said his team was ready to table the report for discussion and action by the National Assembly after Wednesday’s interrogation of the CAG, PCCB and TRA chiefs.

The National Assembly insisted that the IPTL’s escrow account report by the CAG will be discussed starting tomorrow after the PAC had made its statement.

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State’s financial support to farming reaches 1tri/-

TANZANIA has stepped up the state’s financial support to the agriculture sector, which at the moment is clocking 1 trillion/-, according to the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) Governor, Professor Benno Ndulu.

“Although it is still low, the share of lending to agriculture to total lending to private sector by the banks has increased from the average 9.6 per cent in 2008 to nearly 12 per cent by the end of 2013, against the backdrop of rapidly expanding total credit to the private sector,” stated Prof Ndulu.

Speaking at the ongoing 17th Conference of Financial Institutions (COFI) taking place at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) here, the central bank chief pointed out that in absolute terms, credit to agriculture increased from an average 700 billion/- in 2008 to over one trillion/- at the end of last year.

The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Financing Agriculture and Agribusiness in Tanzania: Challenges and Opportunities’ and reflects the need to increase financial resources to agriculture, which was stated during the event to be the major activity of the majority of Tanzanians.

To that effect, therefore, Governor Ndulu pointed out that the government has already made significant strides in providing financing to medium and large-scale agriculture through guarantee schemes operated by the BoT and ‘Kilimo Kwanza’ initiatives.

“Local financial institutions have also played a sizeable role in this endeavour,” he noted, adding that more efforts were being made to ensure that more grants are pumped into the farmers’ coffers to boost productivity.

The Vice-President, Dr Mohamed Gharib Bilal, officially opened the conference and stated that the importance of agriculture cannot be underestimated on that the sector accounts for 30 per cent of export earnings and about 25 per cent of the Nation’s Gross Domestic Product.

“And when looked in real terms, the sector provides backward and forward sectoral linkages and is key in controlling inflation, because food contributes about 44 per cent of the total consumer’s expenditures,” pointed out Dr Bilal.

COFI is a biennial forum that was created by the BoT in 1980.






The conferences bring together heads of financial institutions and other stakeholders to exchange views and experiences on matters related and relevant to the financial system and the country’s economy.

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