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Political pundits have a saying. A day is an eternity in politics. In Kenya, we’re witnessing a transformation of what a day can bring in politics.
Last week, the whole country was engulfed in the Azimio la Umoja-led anti-government protests. But this week, the Baba nation and Hustler Nation are singing kumbaya in their newly-found bromance.
But let’s take a look at what happened last week.
Journalists attacked During Azimio Anti-Govt Maandamano Protests.
The second week of the Azimio la Umoja-led anti-government protests came with bad news for the media fraternity in Kenya and severely tested the freedom of the press and fidelity to the rule of law among government agencies.
On Monday and Thursday, journalists covering the protests in various counties found themselves in the hands of ruthless goons masquerading as demonstrators.
On Monday, a media car owned by Royal Media Services (RMS) was viciously attacked. Journalists from different media companies who were in the vehicle were injured. The goons also stole their valuables, including two live transmission cameras, phones, and wallets. One international journalist’s press card was torn into parts and beaten up.
Thursday, March 30, was the worst day as the attacks on the media intensified. Police officers suppressing the protests charged their water canons at the media cameras. The police also beat up some journalists from NTV and KTN News. Their cameras were destroyed in an perhaps an attempt to destroy evidence of police brutality.
The worst and goosebumps-raising attack on the media happened on Thursday. In a viral video captured by Africa, Uncensored media company, three police officers surrounded a vehicle carrying the press team. They broke the land cruiser’s windows with their guns. One of the officers then shot a tear gas canister into the car.
The Media Council of Kenya weighed in on the matter, saying: “March 2023 remains the darkest month for Kenyan media since the clamour for multiparty democracy. We have so far documented 25 cases of attacks on local and foreign journalists at the hands of State and non-State actors since the onset of the demonstrations.”
The council said that the most targeted are camerapersons and photographers who have been targeted by the perpetrators of acts of hooliganism and criminality whose interest is to destroy any evidence of their acts captured on camera.
The council asked the office of public prosecution to order urgent investigations against the blatant hooliganism towards the media.
On Friday, Meg Whitman, the US ambassador to Kenya, said: “The United States is deeply concerned by recent reports of attacks against journalists. Protecting press freedom and safety is a cornerstone of democracy.”
The same day, the Foreign Press Association—Africa, a body of journalists covering Africa for international media, said:” FPAA condemns the continued targeted attacks on journalists by the Kenya’s security officers. These attacks are unacceptable and violate the fundamental rights of journalists to report freely and without fear.”
Northland’s and Kedong Farms attacked
On Monday, March 27, intruders invaded former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Northlands farm in Ruiru, cut down trees using power saws, set the farm on fire, and stole hundreds of sheep.
That day, an undated video clip of Kimani Ichungwa, the Kikuyu MP and majority leader in the National Assembly, emerged. In the now viral clip, the Kenya Kwanza allied MP is warning Kenyatta that people will attack his farms if he doesn’t stop financing the demonstrations of Azimio, led by Raila Odinga.
“Mali ya Mkenya ikivamiwa, hata hiyo mashamba yenu tutazivamia na wenye hawana mashamba wapate mashamba Kenya hii. Msifikiri ni Wakenya wa kawaida ndio watapoteza mali. Even you will pay the price if you continue to instigate violence and bloodshed in this country. And that is my message to none other than Uhuru Kenyatta, sole sponsor, singular financier of Azimio, and the mercenary that is Raila Odinga,” Ichungwa said.
The day the Northlands farm was invaded, Odinga’s vast business in Embakasi, Spectre International company was also attacked by goons captured on CCTV and ferried by two vehicles. The group of about 30 men threw stones at the building and broke glasses before they were repelled by the private security guards at the business.
In both attacks, the police did not respond until after the day had ended. They then went to Kenyatta’s farm, surveyed, and went back. Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome released a shallow statement that said little about the attacks.
“We also received reports of invasion and destruction of a Farm in Kiambu County. Relatedly, we received reports of the invasion of a private company within the Embakasi area in Nairobi, to which Our Officers responded swiftly and prevented further crimes. Our investigation into the destructions and injuries caused has begun, and those found culpable shall face the law,” the statement read in part.
On Thursday, a group of youth tried to invade the Kedong Ranch located at the border of Narok and Nakuru counties. The ranch is said to be owned by the Kenyatta family.
Narok County Commissioner Isaac Masinde confirmed the incident saying the youths tried to destroy the fence, but their efforts were thwarted.
“We received reports that some members of the youth from the neighboring community planned to invade the more than 75,000-acre expansive land and destroy property. We deployed anti-riot officers from 6 am. They thwarted the attempt by the youths to invade the land,” the County Commissioner told the press on Friday.
On Tuesday, a day after the invasion of Spectre and Northlands property, Odinga said: “The last time we witnessed such an invasion of farms and companies in this part of the world was by Robert Mugabe, who claimed to be compensating freedom fighters in Zimbabwe. It ended in the total collapse of Zimbabwe’s economy, and it’ll not be any different here.”
A church and mosque in Kibra burnt
On Monday night, a church and a mosque in Kibra were burnt by rowdy youth. Tension was high in the area, and the police gave it a wide berth for a long period before they were allegedly deployed to the site.
After about two hours of the fire, Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja said he had dispatched a fire brigade team to contain the inferno.
“We dispatched our officers and fire engines who had earlier feared for their own safety given the dimensions prevailing. We’ve asked leaders to ensure their safe passage to prevent the fires from spreading further. We’re only interested in saving lives and property,” he said.
Sheikh Al Haji Ole Nado, the chairperson of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims, regretted the events and asked Kibra residents not to be divided by politics and cause destruction.
“It is unfortunate that the incident (burning of a mosque and a church) is taking place during the Holy Month of Ramadan. The people of Kibra should not be misled and used as tools for political fights,” Nado said.
At the same time, The Mutahi, a leader in the PCEA church that was burnt, exonerated religious differences as the causes of the torching of the church and termed it a criminal activity.
“It will cost us a lot in rebuilding what has been brought down. What we witnessed last night are not religious fights, but criminal offenses aimed at destroying property and dividing Kenyans,” Mutahi said.
The clergymen asked President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga to dialogue to avert further destruction.
“Ruto and Odinga can still meet and talk without a handshake. We are urging the president to use his powers to make Kenya habitable for everyone,” Mutahi said.
African Union say they are disturbed by the events in Kenya
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki, on Monday, March 27 said he was deeply concerned at violence following public protests in Kenya since March 21 2023, “which has resulted in the loss of life, damage to property and the interruption of certain economic activities in the capital, Nairobi”.
Faki urged all stakeholders to exercise calm and engage in dialogue to address any differences that may exist in the supreme interest of national unity and reconciliation.
“In this regard, the Chairperson wishes to recall the successful conduct of General Elections in August 2022 in Kenya and the subsequent unanimous confirmation of the election outcome by the Supreme Court,” the AU statement read in part.
The Union said it is in total solidarity with and support to the Government and the People of Kenya’s efforts working towards national unity, peace, and stability.
Odinga has already said that he can only dialogue with President Ruto on conditions. “I have said there are conditions which must be fulfilled before we can have any meaningful discussion,” he said on Tuesday.
“Mr. Ruto must first respect multiparty democracy. Secondly, he must agree that the server will be opened so that we can examine what is in the server. Thirdly he must stop the reconstitution of the electoral commission before we can sit down and talk. And finally, he must agree to jointly address with us the issue of the cost of living of our people,” he said.
IG Koome “bans” demonstrations in Kenya
A stern Japhet Koome, the Inspector General of the police, on Sunday, March 26, addressed the media and thundered that he had banned Azimio protests in the country.
“There will be more personnel all over the county to ensure safety for all. We will not be intimidated by anyone,” the IG said.
He also said he would arrest anyone, regardless of their standing in the society, a statement that was thinly veiled to intimate he would go after the Azimio principals, among them Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Martha Karua, among others.
“Whichever level you are in society, whichever status you are. I have enough land cruisers to put you behind the cruisers. Tomorrow I am not putting anyone in a Prado. Whoever I will arrest tomorrow, I will put you in a Landcruiser; you will go to jail and stay there forever,” Koome said.
Koome’s statements were challenged from various quarters, as people asked the authority of the IG to ban protests, which is a right in the Constitution of Kenya.
Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) lashed at the IG, mocking his statement.
In a statement, the human rights body said the IG is not constitutionally mandated to ban demonstrations which are allowed by the law under article 37.
“Every person has the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and present petitions to public authorities. One then wonders, who gave Mr. Koome the right to usurp the rights of Kenyans as stated in the constitution and execute them as he wills, as he purports to? We live in a country governed by the rule of law, and every Kenyan should follow the law to the letter,” MUHURI said.
The lobby group poked holes at the IG’s professionalism and character and threatened to sue him for gross violation of the Constitution.
“We are seriously disturbed by the character of the inspector general, who has taken sides in a matter of national and public interest, and a matter as critical as security. Therefore, his tough talk on Sunday, which can easily pass as hot air, is a red flag in his character as the IG of the police. But again, it is no coincidence that Koome is hellbent on spreading unprofessionalism in the national police. His history in the National Police is dark and raises serious questions,” MUHURI added.
Azimio leaders Martha Karua and Raila Odinga dared Koome to arrest them.
“Police, including IG koome, have no authority to ban a peaceful demonstration. The National Police Service, read the constitution, or get someone with legal literacy to read for you. Any officer who contravenes the law will be liable individually,” Karua responded.
“I’m ready for the arrest, and don’t send any other officer, come arrest me by yourself,”
Odinga told Koome.
President Ruto, speaking in Germany later in the week, said: “The riots in Nairobi are not so much about the cost of living. It is so much about election results that are actually settled. But of course, because the cost of living is a pregnant issue, is an emotive issue, our competitors are trying to take advantage of it.”
AFRICA
Lesotho lays claim of part of South Africa
On Wednesday, March 29, Lesotho’s parliament debated a motion to claim vast swathes of territory from its much larger neighbor, South Africa.
An opposition MP wants to declare Free State and parts of four other provinces of Lesotho’s territory.
“It’s time for what is ours to be returned to us,” Tshepo Lipholo, the MP behind the motion, told Lesotho’s parliament.
“History has a record of what was taken from our people and that people were killed in the process. It is time to correct that,” he said.
The people of Lesotho, called Basotho, lived in these areas until the 19th Century when they were seized by Afrikaners – white South Africans. Many Basotho still live in South Africa, especially in Free State.
Parliament has adjourned until Thursday, when the debate will continue, the BBC reported.
US VP Kamala Harris Visits Africa
The US Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman to hold the position in US history, and the first person of African and Indian descent ever elected Vice President, began her 3-nation African on Sunday, March 26, in Ghana, before heading to Zambia and Tanzania.
https://twitter.com/VP/status/1642188587255975938/video/1
On Wednesday, Harris flew to Tanzania, where she was was warmly received by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the first woman President of Tanzania. In Tanzania, announced plans to boost trade and investment in Tanzania.
According a White House readout of the meeting:
“The two leaders discussed opportunities to boost U.S. private sector investment and make it easier for American investors to do business in Tanzania. In addition, the Vice President reaffirmed U.S. support for Tanzania’s infrastructure development.”
They included a new pact between the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) and the government of Tanzania that will facilitate up to $500m in financing to help US companies export goods and services to Tanzania in sectors including infrastructure, transportation, digital technology, climate and energy security, and power generation.
Harris also mentioned a new partnership in 5G technology and cybersecurity, as well as a US-supported plan by LifeZone Metals to open a new processing plant in Tanzania for minerals that go into electric vehicle batteries.
In Ghana, Harris met with President Nana Akufo-Addo where she announced several aid packages, including $139 million for economic and cultural development for the region. Harris also toured the Cape Castle, the notorious building where enslaved Africans were housed before loaded on ships through the “Door of No Return” and sent to the Americas, in what is historically known as the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Harris gave an emotion speech outside the castle recounting the pain her ancestors went through.
“Cape Castle is a place of horror. Men, women, and children were kidnapped and taken there to become enslaved people. Their stories must be remembered. History must be learned,” Harris said in a tweet.
In Zambia, President Hakainde Hichilema, welcomed Harris and called her visit to the country a “homecoming.” Harris recounted her special connection with Zambia.
“My visit to Zambia has a special significance for me,” Harris said. “As you know, I visited Zambia, Mr. President, as a young girl when my grandfather worked here. My grandfather was a civil servant in India. And in 1966, shortly after Zambia’s independence, he came to Lusaka to serve as a director of relief measures and refugees.”
the US Vice President discussed rapidly finalizing the country’s massive debt restructuring.
The U.S. has been pushing for creditors, including China, to ease the country’s estimated $17.3 billion foreign debt. Zambia defaulted in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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