Mwakwere wins Matuga Seat

Transport minister and the immediate former Matuga MP Amb. Chirau Ali Mwakwere, was declared the winner at the Matuga District Development Institute, retaining his parliamentary seat. Amb. Mwakwere who was flanked by his Chief Advisor Mr. Omar Ahmed, said he was re-elected due to his development record.

See the 2 video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUqD8Ec162s&feature=user

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_otbARiMafE

Taming Road Carnage

There is no doubt that today transport plays a crucial role in the economic development of any country. In Kenya, the Economy Recovery Strategy Paper identifies transport as the third pillar of the economy expected to play a catalytic role in the development of other sectors of the economy.
Road safety is a global problem that impacts negatively on social, economic and political areas. According to statistics from World Health Organization (WHO), over 1.3 million people die through road accidents worldwide every year and more than twice this number are permanently disabled through associated injuries.
The most frightening thing is that 85% of this comes from Africa, South of the Sahara, despite the fact that the region has only 4% of Motor Vehicles worldwide. Most accident victims are young people aged between 15-45 years, the most active productive segment of our population.
Kenya has one of the highest fatality rates in the world and loses up to 3,000 lives every year, with an average of about 8 people killed everyday. In Economic terms this has cost the country about Ksh. 6 Billion annually. Even more serious is the trauma suffered by those affected directly or indirectly by these accidents through loss of injury of their loved ones. In fact in terms of mortality, road accidents have been taken the third killer position after Malaria and HIV/AIDS.
Available data shows that the majority of accidents on Kenyan roads amounting to 85% are caused by human error on the part of road users, 11% are due to poor vehicle conditions and vehicle failure and about 4% are attributable to environmental factors. Human error occurs through various factors such as:-overspeeding, driving under influence of alcohol or drugs, overloading, reckless driving, careless pedestrians and un-qualified drivers.
It is for these reasons that the Ministry of Transport gazetted Legal Notice No. 161 of the year 2003 and No 65 of the Year 2004. These legal notices spelt our various measures to be undertaken regarding Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) aimed at reducing fatalities and accidents. In addition the Ministry of Transport launched a member National Road Safety Campaigns aimed at creating awareness among various stakeholders.
Over-all, the number of motor accidents and fatalities in the country between 2003 and 2004 declined significantly because of the new road safety measures. A closer analysis of the statistics indicates that the strict enforcement of the new rules and regulations, removed more than 2,000 unqualified drivers who were hitherto using fake driving licences. The following measures have contributed to the reduction of fatalities from 2004 to date.
Fitting of Speed Governors in all Public Service Vehicles and commercial vehicles whose tare weight exceeds 3,058 Kgs.
Fitting of Safety Belts on all vehicles
Employment of drivers and conductors on permanent basis
Issuing of uniforms for Public Service Vehicle drivers and conductors.
Indicating of route details on Public Service Vehicles
Removal of unqualified drivers and unvetted conductors from PSV operations.
The following are some of the achievements resultant of the Road Safety Campaigns:-
Restoration of Order: Order and discipline have been significantly strengthened in the PSV Sector, enabling commuters to travel in greatly improved comfort.
Reduction of Accidents: Accidents particularly in the Public Service Vehicles sector been reduced by between 30% and 40% since the introduction of road safety reforms.
Decline in crime rate: The high rate of crime and drug abuse particularly in the public service vehicle sector has declined significantly. Requirements that Public Service Vehicle drivers and conductors must get certificates of good conduct have helped to reduce presence of criminals in the industry.
Higher rate of compliance: whereby Public Service Vehicles hitherto bothered to comply with traffic regulations or present themselves for licensing.
There has been a reduction of defective or unroadworthy vehicles from PSV operations and activities of cartels and other illegal groups, hence improved safety and profitability of PSV operations.
Many stakeholders appreciate the efforts with the general public assisting the Government by reporting those who are flouting traffic rules through the given hotline and a dedicated SMS 2333, through which more than 1,000 reports are received per month.
The transport Ministry is committed to the enhancement of road safety activities. It will continue to recognize the role played by the Private Sector and NGO’S like the Automobile Association of Kenya, who have remained strong partners in promoting road safety.
The Automobile Association of Kenya has come up with proactive safety initiatives that are being used to enhance safety on our roads. Over the years, The Automobile Association has ensured that drivers receive the required driving skills.
A Driving Academy, the first of its kind in East Africa, has been established by Shell Kenya Ltd. The facility is open to the public who are interested in acquiring defensive driving skills. To date, 1,565 drivers have been equipped with this skill.
By Hon. Amb. Chirau Ali Mwakwere Minister for Transport - Kenya

Ministry not responsible for enforcing traffic rules

Story by NATION Team Publication Date: 12/13/2007

Transport and Communications minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere blamed the recent upsurge in fatal road accidents on the police.
Speaking at Matuga constituency, Mr Mwakwere said it was not his ministry’s responsibility to enforce the law.
He brushed off those who had attacked him for not enforcing traffic rules.
Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli was quoted in the local media as blaming the minister for “his inertia” in dealing with lawless drivers.
Defended himself
But Mr Mwakwere defended himself, saying his critics were politicising the issue yet they knew who was mandated with the responsibility of ensuring traffic rules were followed.
He said drivers, vehicle owners as well as passengers were also to blame for the road carnage in the country.
“If a driver is driving a passenger service vehicle under the influence of alcohol and over speeds the ministry should not be held responsible for that,” he said.

Ministry only involved in transport policy formulation

Published on December 12, 2007, 12:00 am Daily Nation
By Amos Kareithi

Transport minister, Mr Ali Chirau Mwakwere, has told off critics accusing the ministry of failing to curb the escalating number of road accidents.
Mwakwere was angered by suggestions that he had slept on the job and that his ministry was ineffective in arresting the road accidents, whose rates have now reached alarming levels.
"Whenever those accusing me of failing to act , speak, I pity them. They are like students who will never learn. I have tried to explain that my ministry does not run the roads or enforce traffic laws, but they won’t listen," said Mwakwere.
He likened the Central Organisation for Trade Union Secretary General, Mr Francis Atwoli, to a student who would never grasp anything in class.
The Press quoted the trade unionist blaming the Ministry of Transport for its alleged inability to curb the road menace. While reacting to a round of nationwide condemnation and outrage over the re-emergence of road carnage, the minister said his ministry was only involved in policy formulation and had nothing to do with enforcement.
"We do not control the roads nor do we enforce the rules. Other ministries do this. It is the police who should crack the whip on errant drivers," he said. He said the root cause of accidents on Kenyan roads was lack of discipline among drivers and other road users’ disregard of the law.
The minister added that most of the accidents could be avoided if drivers observed traffic rules and the Highway Code.
The country has crawled back to the dark days when road carnage and anarchy were synonymous with Kenya roads.
Last weekend more than 30 people perished in just 12 hours in several smash-ups. Mwakwere’s predecessor, Mr John Michuki, revolutionalised the matatu sub-sector.
Michuki introduced a set of stringent rules that dramatically checked road accidents and restored sanity on the roads.

Port records 9.9 per cent rise in cargo clearance

Published on December 11, 2007, 12:00 am :The Standard
By Benson Kathuri
Cargo clearance at the port of Mombasa rose by 9.9 per cent in the first ten months of this year.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director, Mr Abdallah Mwaruwa, also said container traffic at the port increased by 22.3 per cent in the same period.
He said the port handled 13.16 million tonnes of cargo compared to 11.97 million tonnes in the same period, last year.
Mwaruwa was speaking at this year’s KPA Customers and Stakeholders Annual Dinner at a Mombasa hotel.
He, however, said the year was characterised by cargo congestion mainly due to poor off-take by roads and rail services.
In October, several shipping lines had threatened to impose a delay surcharge to cushion them against costs incurred from delayed offloading of their vessels.
"The port also received a lot of diverted cargo from neighbouring ports which were experiencing higher levels of vessel congestion," said Mwaruwa.
He said cargo to and from the neighbouring countries had recorded a 5.5 per cent growth rates in the past two years.
Mombasa port also serves landlocked Uganda, Rwanda, Southern Sudan and DRC.
Transport minister, Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere, said the port had paid Sh1.3 billion to the Treasury as dividend in the past three years.
A new tariff structure expected to reduce handling costs at the Mombasa Port is to be implemented from February.
However, the Kenya Ships Agents Association Chairman, Mr James Knight, asked for more time for consultations before the tariff comes into effect.
Knight also welcomed the proposed port expansion especially the construction of the second container terminal and harbour channel dredging and widening of the turning basin.

Mombasa Port in massive growth

Lumiti Khabuchi:
Kenya Times
December 11, 2007

The Port of Mombasa has recorded a 9.9 per cent cargo growth in the first ten months of this year compared with those of the same period last year, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) managing director, Abdallah Mwaruwa has reveled.
At the same time, Mwaruwa said container traffic at the port increased by a record 22.3 per cent when the two periods are compared. According to Mwaruwa, total port throughput in the first ten months of this year amounted to 13.16 million tonnes while in the same period last year it was 11.97 million tonnes.
During the same time, the port handled total container throughput of 484,462 TEUs compared with 396,556 TEUs last year. Speaking during this year’s KPA customers and stakeholders annual dinner at a Mombasa hotel, he, however, noted the year has been a difficult one characterised cargo congestion mainly due to poor off-take by roads and rail services.

The port also received a lot of diverted cargo from neighbouring ports which are experiencing high levels of vessel congestion already. Mwaruwa, who thanked customers from neighbouring countries for their faith in the port of Mombasa, also recognised the remarkable average growth rates of 5.5 per cent achieved by the same countries in recent times.

In a speech read on his behalf by the KPA board chairman, Gen (rtd) Joseph Raymond Kibwana, the minister for Transport, Chirau Ali Mwakwere, praised for coming a long way into prosperity. He said this enabled KPA to pay dividends amounting to Sh1.3 billion to the Treasury for the last three years.
The function which was also attended by the Attorney-General, Amos Wako and the Permanent Secretary for Treasury, Joseph Kinyua, was attended by many executives from the port and shipping fraternity in Mombasa and Nairobi.

The chairman of the Kenya Ships Agents Association, James Knight, while appreciating the need for KPA to look for additional revenue to invest in major infrastructural projects, appealed for more time for consultation before the new KPA tariff comes into place on 1st February 2008. He said there are concerns to do with interpretations of the tariff as opposed to actual costs. Knight praised the proposed port expansion and improvement plans that are already in place especially the construction of the second container terminal and harbour channel dredging and widening of the turning basin.

The chairman of the Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association, Me John Gardner said KPA had succeeded because of involving all stakeholders in discussions and critical decision making processes.
Meanwhile, Mr Kinyua, who earlier attended the Friday stakeholders meeting at the KPA headquarters, said KPA deserved a pat on the back for turning around a poor performing port into excellence in a short period of six years.
He said recent loan of Kshs 16 billion signed between KPA and the Japanese Bank for International Cooperation to build the second container terminal was basically on sound managerial and financial capability of the Authority. Accompanied by the PS for transport, Mr Gerrishon Ikiara, Mr Kinyua underpinned the role played by individual stakeholders in the KPA success and said it augured well for all.
Meanwhile, East African region importers have claimed poor performance at the port of Dar es-Salaam is undermining efforts to ease congestion at the Mombasa port.

The importers said while Mombasa has significantly reduced the number of days that vessels are taking to dock at the port, waiting time remains unchanged at Dar-es-Salaam.
A report compiled by the Inter Governmental Standing Committee on Shipping said what goes on in Dar has a direct impact on Mombasa because there is heavy diversion to Mombasa. These delays are forcing ships to divert to Mombasa, adding to the congestion crisis that the port has been trying to resolve.

The shipping lines now say they will have to introduce the decongestion measures agreed earlier this year upon the expiry of the moratorium period on December 31.
Part of the proposed measures include the introduction of a vessel delay surcharge on the port managers - a move that is expected to increase costs to port users.
Poor performance at the two ports prompted shipping lines to issue a notice of intention to impose a US$201 fine for every extra day that a ship spends waiting to offload its cargo.
The shipping lines said they had been forced to introduce the measure to shield themselves from the losses incurred from extended turnaround times in the two ports. The amount chargeable was to be reviewed and adjusted in tandem with the additional costs accruing to the shipping lines.
It is estimated that failure to reduce congestion at Mombasa port would have forced Kenya Ports Authority to pay $18.8 million to the 21 registered shipping lines this year alone.
Implementation of a 24-hour working schedule in Mombasa has seen congestion ease at the port, saving the management the surcharge penalty.
KPA has also appointed two container freight stations (CFSs) - Consolbase and Mitchell Cotts –as agents to handle new duty- paid local containers.
The port has also set aside berths 13 and 14 for Maersk Line -the world’s biggest shipping line – and talks are on with six local truck companies to have them dedicate some of their trucks to transporting Inland Container Depots-bound cargo through bills of lading arrangement.
Such cargo is currently moved by rail but an acute shortage of wagons has increased the pile-up. It now takes three days to transfer containers from the CFS yard to the container terminus.
In the past five years, KPA has concentrated on upgrading its cargo and marine equipment at the port in a $117 million programme.
Vibrancy in economies of hinterland countries - with average economic growths of 5.6 percent per annum – poses challenges on faster connectivity with the international markets.
Last month, KPA received a $250 million loan from the Japanese Government to more than double the port’s current container handling capacity through construction of a second container terminal, near the existing one.
Under the 10-year project, the port’s harbour channel is to be dredged to an average depth of 15m and the turning basin also widened to enable Mombasa handle larger vessels.
The additional container terminal - to be built on some 100 hectares of land next to the Kipevu Oil Terminal – is expected to handle over 1.2 million units.
On completion in 2018, the project is likely to make Mombasa one of the 20 top ports in the world in terms of performance and reputation.

Other Business News
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African nations urged to harmonise aviation laws

African states should harmonise their aviation regulations to attract financing needed by the continent's carriers to compete in in the gobal market, Nigeria state minister for air transport said on Tuesday.

"I wish to propose the harmonisation of the regulatory framework through the integration of the African aviation systems," Felix Hyat told a meeting of industry leaders and financiers in Nairobi.This, he said, would get rid of obstacles, bottlenecks, and obsolete laws that scare away potential investors. He added that over 65% of the continent's fleets are acquired through financing facilities.

Kenyan Transport Minister Ali Mwakwere said African governments, operators, manufacturers and donor agencies should develop a common plan for financing the growth of the industry.Africa committed to open up its skies to foreign carriers in a 1999 agreement signed in Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire But airline executives complain that foreign carriers are hurting their businesses.

"The major problem is globalisation. It is putting our small carriers on the same footing as mega carriers of the world for competition," said Christian Folly-Kossi, head of the African Airlines Association.David Savy, the chairperson and chief executive of Air Seychelles, told Reuters the entry of Gulf-based airlines into the African market had led to lower profits and aggressive competition.Africa has become a recruiting ground for many Middle East and some Asian carriers, who lure away pilots, engineers and cabin crew staff trained African airlines, he said."This is an issue because investment is done by African carriers and the fruits are being reaped by predators."

Experts say Africa has the world's highest rate of air accidents, while accounting for just 4,5% of global air traffic. - Reuters

Speech at KICC Nairobi, Kenya, October 2007

Speech By The Minister for Transport, The Honourable Ambassador Chirau Ali Mwakwere, During The 2nd Humanitarian Development Summit - KICC Nairobi, Kenya, 17-19 October 2007

We all recognise that an effective and efficient transport system is an important prerequisite in facilitating national and regional integration, promoting trade, economic growth, poverty reduction and wealth creation. Our ultimate goal as a country is to have an effective, efficient and modern transport system that will enhance Kenya’s development in terms of integrating production and population centres, facilitating mobility in rural and urban areas, facilitating trade promotion amongst countries in the region, improving the overall welfare of the people and Kenya’s competitiveness.
But before we realise our dream we need to overcome some inhibiting problems and challenges related to management, policy and structural/institutional and legal aspects among others. Kenya’s transport sector consists of Road Transport, Rail Transport, Maritime and Inland Water Ways Transport, Pipeline Transport and Non-motorised and Intermediate Means of Transport (NMIMTS). The challenges to overcome include among others:
One, the modes of transport are administered/or their services are provided by several institutions. The Ministry of Transport is responsible for overall multimodal transport sector policy as well as being responsible for Air Transport, Railway, Maritime, Transport Licensing Board (TLB), Transport Appeals Tribunal and the Motor Vehicle Inspection Unit with one leg in the Ministry and the other in the Police Department. The Ministry of Roads and Public Works is in charge of road sub-sector policy formulation and coordination, while the Roads Department is the implementing agency for works on classified roads. Ministry of Local Government is responsible for policy formulation for Local Authorities which in turn are implementing agencies responsible for urban and unclassified rural roads. The Registrar of Motor Vehicle is administratively under the Kenya Revenue Authority. Pipeline Transport comes under the Ministry of Energy. Traffic Police which enforces traffic rules are under the Office of the President. The Kenya Roads Board, a statutory body is under the Ministry of Roads and Public Works and coordinates all maintenance works. This fragmentation coupled with numerous statutes many of which are outdated or in need of urgent review to deal with inconsistencies hamper the effective operations of the transport sector.
Two, the modal split is in favour of Road Transport due to its comparative advantage in terms of speed, flexibility and accessibility. Reflecting this popularity and increased realisation of the significance of road transport for rural development and poverty alleviation, road development has continued to receive major attention of the successive governments since independence at the expense of other modes of transport. A good example is the amount of resources we allocate to non motorised transport. There are no dedicated lanes for bicycle users in urban areas and foot paths are almost non existent. The result is that bicycles compete with vehicles for the same space with the attendant dangers to the former.
Third, in Kenya different transport modes are not fully integrated and each mode operates largely on its own without an initiative to establish efficient logistic chains between origin and destination. A transport mode is increasingly considered only as a link in the chain from the origin to the ultimate destination. The need to have integrated systems allowing for provision of a seamless transport services is important. The same can be said of railway systems across countries in the region. They are of different gauges which makes it difficult to have seamless services. Even where movement is possible on different gauges, the operations at interchange points are so inefficient that they make it impossible to transfer goods from one gauge to another.
Fourth, although local authorities ranging from the city to county and town councils are expected to be responsible for the provision and maintenance of urban infrastructure, including roads nearly all of them have been experiencing critical financial constraints, poor resource management and lack of quality personnel in specialised areas. For the classified roads developed and maintained by the Central Governmental there is a large backlog of road rehabilitation and maintenance that arises due to inadequate funding. There is also over-dependence on development partner assistance and there is no clearly developed mechanism for private sector investment in the funding of road development or maintenance.
Fifth, the urban air pollution is becoming a major environment problem affecting the city of Nairobi due to vehicular emissions. This has arisen due to poor and inadequate road systems, high traffic density causing congestion, lack of proper monitoring and strategies, policies and enforcement of existing rules and regulations.
Sixth, IT has not been embraced fully in the transport sector; very few trucks are fitted with GPS for purposes of tracking cargo.
Seventh, overloaded heavy goods vehicles contribute to road destruction which consequently affects the operating conditions of all vehicles. The level of service at weighbridge sites is poor while the weighbridge equipment and infrastructure is in poor condition. The current penalties are not directly linked to the damaging impact on road pavements. Vehicle specifications, including the addition of a 4th axle to trailers are out of step with those used in other parts of the region and encourage operators to overload.
In spite of all these challenges the Government is taking action to overcome them.
The Government intends to reform the roads sub-sector. The Ministry responsible for roads shall continue to provide the regulatory framework, coordination, oversight, supervision, liaison with other Ministries and any services necessary for the smooth functioning of the reformed roads sub-sector. A bill to establish the Kenya National Highways Authority to be responsible for the development and management of major roads, the Kenya Rural Roads Authority to be responsible for development and management of roads in cities and municipalities was passed by Parliament and assented to by the President.
Second, the Government has enhanced the budget for road infrastructure development from Kshs. 24 billion last year to Kshs. 40 billion in this financial year. The possibility of tapping long-term capital from the private sector including pension funds, floating road bonds and other financing instruments is being explored. The Government will also encourage public/private partnerships (PPP) to tap private financing once the new institutional/legal framework being developed by the Ministry of Finance is in place.
Third, the Government has already concessioned the Kenya Railways and is in the process of implementing the Nairobi Urban Road concessioning project. All this is aimed at expanding sources of funding to meet the growing needs of infrastructure rehabilitation and development.
Fourth, the Government through the Kenya Ports Authority will develop and expand port facilities (Container Terminal) to be able to handle large vessels and interface with hinterland growth in line with regional trade requirements. Already the Kenya Ports Authority has completed the modernisation of handling equipment at a cost of Kshs. 7 billion and plans are underway to expand the Container Terminal to handle 1.1 million TEUS from the current 480,000 TEUS.
Fifth, the Government is determined to strictly enforce axle load regulations in order to protect the roads from damage. Already the Government has gazetted new Axle Limits which outlaws the fourth group axle and puts the maximum gross vehicle weight at 56 tonnes. These new vehicles specifications and axle load limits become effective in December and they are in tandem with those of other countries within the COMESA region. In addition the Government will enhance private sector participation in axle load operations with a view to improving axle load management. Also weigh in motion equipment shall be introduced and the existing specific weigh bridges modernised.
Sixth, countries across the region need to agree and adopt a standard railway gauge so that future developments adhere to this standard for purposes of compatibility.
Seventh, we need to enhance the use of ICT systems for efficient development and management of the transport sector. In this regard the Government of Kenya has approved the introduction of the new generation driving license and new motor vehicle number plates. This is a major step forward in the use of ICT for gathering traffic information for planning, monitoring and control purposes.
Lastly, let me conclude my remarks by saying if we are to continue meeting the demands our transport customers expect, then we will have to maximise the use of existing facilities, develop a facilitative legal, institutional and regulatory framework for the sector, bring in efficiency in transport project investment, enhance transport safety and security, expand transport sector capacity at all levels, strengthen multi-modalism, and apply innovative transport techniques for improved transport sector performance.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Honourable Ambassador Chirau Ali MwakwereMinister for Transport

Mwakwere opens the special Fleet Forum at the Humanitarian Development Summit

Humanitarian Development Summit17-19 October 2007 Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC)Nairobi, Kenya



The Fleet Forum hosted a special conference morning on Day 2 of the summit, with sessions devoted to private sector collaboration, safely, clean fleets and issues of vehicle leasing and fleet financing. This special session was opened by the Kenyan Minister of Transport Chirau Ali Mwakwere, who addressed many concerns regarding transport within the region.
One of the key strengths of the Humanitarian Development Program is the forming of close relationships with leading organisations through an Official Steering Committee, established to extend the reach of the established network and ensure the highest possible level of representation from all relevant areas.

This year's Humanitarian Development Summit managed to build further on the great success of last year's event, reiterating the HDPs' commitment to the region and engaging the aid and development community and the international private sector to discuss best practice and the achievement of progress across all sectors.
The HDP will be holding the next HDP Nairobi Summit in Autumn 2008, with plans also afoot to use the successful summit model for a series of other interrelated events from early 2008.

For more information about any of our projects please email us on: info@developmentprogram.org

Shirikisho will continue to back PNU

Published on October 29, 2007, 12:00 am :The Standard;
By Patrick Beja

Shirikisho Party of Kenya (SPK) is back in the Party of National Unity (PNU) family after a week of sharp divisions.
After a meeting at a Mombasa hotel on Saturday, party officials including leader, Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere, and national chairman, Mr Mashengu wa Mwachofi, said they had ironed out their differences.
Last week, Mwachofi and party vice-chairman, Mr John Safari Mumba, announced that Shirikisho had pulled out of President Kibaki’s PNU and would join a party that backed majimbo.
But at the weekend, Mwakwere, Mwachofi, Mumba, deputy party leader and Tourism minister, Mr Morris Dzoro, Assistant ministers Mr Anania Mwaboza and Mr Joseph Kingi and former Magarini MP, Mr Harrison Kombe, said they were in PNU. But Mwachofi and Mumba rushed out of the venue, leaving the ministers to talk to the Press.
"SPK advocates for economic majimbo that ensures fair distribution of resources and not to chase people out of the region," said Mwakwere.
The party, however, insists it would field civic and parliamentary candidates.

Shirikisho still in PNU, says Mwakwere

Published on October 25, 2007, 12:00 am
By Standard team
Transport minister, Mr Ali Mwakwere, the party leader, on Wednesday said Shirikisho was still a member of Party of National Unity (PNU).
"We cannot pull out of PNU as the decision was taken during the party’s National Delegates Conference," said Mwakwere, in the company of deputy party leader, Tourism minister Mr Morris Dzoro, when he addressed a PNU rally at Kinango, Coast Province.
Mwakwere said the decision to pull out of PNU could only be reversed by the NDC and not an individual.
On Monday, a party organ announced that Shirikisho had severed ties with PNU, saying President Kibaki’s party was opposed to majimboism.
National chairman, Mr Mashengu wa Mwachofi, announced that the party was no longer an affiliate of PNU and would instead campaign for a presidential candidate who is pro-majimbo.
Meanwhile, Mwakwere has called on the party to convene a National Executive Committee meeting to discuss the conduct of the two dissenting party officials.
He said the NEC should discipline Mwachofi, and vice-chairman, Mr Safari Mumba. Mwakwere was speaking at Nyali Beach Hotel.
He said Mwachofi should also be punished for failing to attend the party’s meeting for eight days without sending apologies.
—Stories by Ernest Ndunda, Willis Oketch and Ngumbao Kithi.

Mwakwere and Dzoro Advocate CDF as vehicle for faster growth

Story by MATHIAS RINGA and AMINA KIBIRIGE Publication Date: 10/24/2007 : Daily Nation

A Party of National Unity government will strengthen the Constituency Development Fund to accelerate growth in all areas of the country, two Cabinet ministers said on Tuesday.
The CDF would play a bigger role in development than the majimbo system ODM was pushing for “since funds are disbursed to every constituency” said Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere (Transport) and Mr Morris Dzoro (Tourism) at a rally in Mariakani on Monday.
“The CDF system has no difference with the majimbo, which Shirikisho Party of Kenya has been advocating. Funds have reached all parts of Kenya for development. What we ask for is the disbursement of CDF funds to be enhanced so that all constituencies could carry out tangible development for benefit of Kenyans,” said Mr Mwakwere.
He said President Kibaki’s government had achieved a lot for the Coast region.
The Matuga MP noted that the Government revived the Kenya Meat Commission factory at Kibarani, Kenya Co-operative Creameries plant at Miritini, while Ramisi sugar and Mariakani dairy plant would be re-opened soon.
“Thousands of squatters in the province have been settled and issued with title deeds. I am sure the country will prosper more if he retains his seat,” he added.
Mr Dzoro said: “Make sure you vote in President Kibaki to enable this country achieve greater heights of development.”
The ministers said the majimbo concept lobbied by Mr Odinga would disrupt harmony among Kenyans, who are co-existing regardless of their ethnic links.
Mr Mwakwere and Dzoro were accompanied by Laikipia East MP, G. Kariuki and Msambweni MP Abdalla Ngozi.
President Kibaki is expected to return to Coast Province in two weeks to lay a foundation stone for revival of the collapsed Ramisi Sugar factory in Msambweni constituency.
Mr Mwakwere made the announcement on Sunday during a rally at Waa Primary School.
He called on women, the youth and other groups to prepare their memoranda to be handed over to the President.
Mr Mwakwere also asked the residents to join Shirikisho Party so that the entire Coastal region could unite under one party.
He said the party advocated economic federalism, “which can bring about development to the people through their own decisions as it happens in CDF and not bring about clashes”.

Mwakwere opens second terminal at Wilson Airport

A second terminal has been opened at Wilson Airport.
The Sh178 million terminal, which is expected to ease congestion at the airport, was opened by the Transport minister Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere on Thursday evening.
Opening of the terminal also doubled as the official launch of a new airline, Executive Turbine.
Speaking at the launch, the airline’s Group Managing Director, Mr Mohammed Nyaoga, said the company would offer aircraft leasing, charter services, aircraft contracts and medical evacuations services.
"We will invest and support the aviation industry through training of pilots, engineers and cabin crew," said Nyaoga.
Mwakwere said that the entry of the airline in the country would spur competitiveness in the aviation industry.
"In the short period Executive Turbine has operated in the country, it is encouraging to note that it has put in place facilities to enable it offer excellent services," Mwakwere said.
Nyaoga urged the Government to implement measures aimed at creating a suitable environment that would enable the aviation sector to flourish.
"The Government needs to emphasise on improvement of management and human resources skills in the sector, modernisation of the aviation infrastructure," Nyaoga said.
Wilson is the second busiest airport in Africa, with planes landing and taking off every minute.

The Standard, October 20, 2007, 12:00 am By Brian Adero

Mwakwere to lead one of the Eight PNU Campaign Teams

A day after striking a deal on parliamentary and civic nominations, an energised PNU unveiled members of eight national teams to spearhead President Kibaki’s re-election campaigns.
The Head of State leads one team while leaders of PNU affiliate parties, among them Kanu chairman, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, lead the other eight.
As this was being unveiled, President Kibaki was on the campaign trail in Kajiado District for the second time in a week. Here, he expressed confidence that he would win the election.
Kibaki, who made a whistle-stop tour of Kajiado North constituency, said his bid for a second term had received overwhelming support.

A provisional list of officials of the eight teams — to be unveiled today at the PNU secretariat in Nairobi — which was obtained by The Standard and leaves out Vice-President Moody Awori and powerful Cabinet ministers from the Mt Kenya region.

President Kibaki to lead one team

Members of the President’s team include MPs Mr Henry Obwocha, Mr Moses Wetangula, Mr Kalembe Ndile, Mr Danson Mungatana, Mr Katoo ole Metito, Mr Mwangi Kiunjuri, Mr Peter Munya and Ms Amina Abdalla. Others are Mrs Linah Kilimo, Mr Hussein Maalim, Ms Njoki Ndung’u, Mr Daniel Khamasi, Mr Stephen Tarus, Mr Taib Ali Taib and Mr George Nyamweya. PNU affiliate party leaders are to join the team at their convenience.

Shirikisho Party of Kenya leader Amb. Chirau Ali Mwakwere heads the sixth group. Its members are Dr Mukhisa Kituyi, Ms Martha Karua, Mr Abdalla Gonzi, Mr Ananiah Mwaboza, Mr Nick Salat, Mr Ali Wario and Mr Wafula Wamunyinyi.

Uhuru Kenyatta heads one group, whose members are MPs Mr Paul Sang, Dr Naomi Shaaban, Dr Abdulahi Ali, Dr Bonny Khalwale, Ms Jayne Kihara, Mr Asman Kamana and Mr Joseph Kingi.
Ford-Kenya chairman, Musikari Kombo heads the third group. Its members include MPs Mr Kipruto Kirwa, Mr John Munyes, Mr Mutahi Kagwe, Mr Kembi Gitura, Mrs Linah Kilimo, Mr Isaac Shabaan and Mr Wakoli Bifwoli.

Ford-People leader Simeon Nyachae heads the fourth group, whose members include MPs Prof Kivutha Kibwana, Mr David Mwiraria, Mr Suleiman Shakombo, Mr Mohamed Kuti, Mrs Beth Mugo, Mr Ekwe Ethuro and Mr Maoka Maore.

Narc-Kenya chairman, Raphael Tuju leads the fifth group. Its members are Mr Otieno Karan, Mr Peter Kenneth, Ms Cecily Mbarire, Dr Josephine Ojiambo, Mr Abdulrahman Hassan, Ms Alicen Chelaite and Mr Jimmy Angwenyi.

The chairman of New Ford- Kenya, Soita Shitanda, heads the seventh group, whose members include Dr Noah Wekesa, Mr Gideon Konchellah, Mr Mutua Katuku, Mr Henry Obwocha, Dr Wilfred Machage, Mr Justin Muturi and Mr Joshua Toro.

Democratic Party of Kenya (DP) vice-chairman, Joseph Munyao, who is also the Livestock and Fisheries minister, heads the last group. Members of his group are Education minister Prof George Saitoti and MPs Ms Adelina Mwau, Mr Raphael Wanjala, Mr Stephen ole Ntutu, Mr Abdullahi Dahir, Mr Nderitu Gachagua and Mr Abdikadir Sugow.

The ninth team would comprise youth groups and lobbies campaigning for President Kibaki’s re-election, among them Vijana Na Kibaki lobby.
_____________
Published on October 12, 2007, 12:00 am
By Joseph Murimi and Isaac Ongiri

Crucial Nairobi Summit Looking to Further the Role of the Private Sector in International Development

_____

Humanitarian Development Program (London)
SPONSOR WIRE10 October 2007Posted to the web 10 October 2007

All sides of the aid and development community will be meeting in Nairobi next week for the 2nd Humanitarian Development Summit, which will take place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on 17-19 October 2007.

The summit is organised to bring together the various components within the developing world and to encourage greater cross-sector collaboration, including an increased role for the private sector in assisting the work currently being carried out by NGOs, donors and UN agencies.
The summit is organised in partnership with both the Inter-Agency Working Group on Disaster Preparedness (IAWG) and the Fleet Forum.

The prestigious opening ceremony will feature keynote addresses by the Kenyan Minister of Transport Hon. Henry Obwocha, Minister of Education Hon. George Saitoti and Minister of State for Special Programmes Hon. John Munyes.

The Fleet Forum will be hosting a special conference day, with the morning devoted to private sector collaboration, safely, clean fleets and vehicle leasing/fleet financing. This will be followed by an afternoon of private one-to-one meetings between Fleet Forum member organisations and international delegates in the transport and logistics sector. The Fleet Forum Day will be opened by the Kenyan Minister of Transport Hon. Chirau Ali Mwakwere.

The Humanitarian Development Summit will be holding a special vehicle exhibition and a series of meetings-based and social events throughout the three days, giving enormous opportunity for international companies to develop business in this important strategic market.

In addition, Day 3 of the summit will be hosted by the Inter-Agency Working Group on Disaster Preparedness (IAWG), with sessions focusing on Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Emergency Response and Peacekeeping & Security. These sessions will feature contributions from IAWG member organisations such as World Vision, Catholic Relief Services, UNHCR, OCHA, UNAIDS and CARE, as well as contributions from the International Peace Operations Association (IPOA), UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the African Command Office of the US Department of Defence (AFRICOM).

Other strong areas of focus include Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, with contributions from the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, the World Health Organisation’s Stop TB Partnership and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), while a special session on Information & Communication Technology will welcome speakers from the likes of the International Telecommunications Union, Telecoms Sans Frontieres, the UN satellite communication agency (UNOSAT) and the New Partnership for African Development’s NEPAD E-Africa Commission.
The summit will place a strong focus on the importance of face-to-face exchanges between organisations from all sectors, in order to establish how best to work together for the fulfilment of development projects and programmes.

The summit has an unrivalled line-up throughout the aid and development community and attendance is strongly recommended for all organisations working in these relevant sectors. For more information about the summit and details of how to register please visit: http://www.hdpsummit.org/

Meeting the Cameroonian Prime Minister in his Office

Pictorial: Cameroon at the Prime Minister's Office

Shirikisho nomination three weeks from now

Shirikisho Party of Kenya will conduct its parliamentary and civic nominations in the first week of November, said the party’s national executive committee yesterday.
And the party’s secretary-general, Mr Yusuf Abubakar, gave aspiring parliamentary and civic candidates up to October 22 to return their nomination forms to enable it to prepare for the nomination.

Mr Abubakar made the remarks at Mombasa beach hotel, during the party’s NEC meeting, which was attended by first national vice-chairman John Mumba and assistant minister for Immigration and Registration of Persons Anania Mwaboza.

Civic wards

The NEC resolved that the party will field parliamentary and civic candidates in all constituencies and civic wards as agreed by parties under the umbrella of Party of National Unity (PNU). Mr Abubakar said parliamentary hopefuls seeking SPK ticket are required to pay Sh100,000 nomination fee and Sh10,000 for civic seats.
“Aspiring candidates eyeing SPK tickets for both parliamentary and civic have up to October 22 to forward their nominations forms,” he said.
General Election
“This is because, we would like to conduct the nomination exercise in the first week of November in readiness for the December General Election.”
The NEC also resolved that members who were dissatisfied with the stand taken by the party in backing President Kibaki’s re-election should leave the party.

Agreeing that there were members who were opposed to the decision, Mr Abubakar said the move by SPK officials to join PNU and rally behind the President for a second term was final and not open to negotiation.

Story by NATION Correspondent Publication
Date: 10/8/2007

President Kibaki assures Land owners,

President Mwai Kibaki has said that the government has no intention of forcibly taking over peoples' land as alleged by a section of the opposition.
He stated that the government had a duty to protect people and their property and would not contradict itself by repossessing private land.

Speaking at Afraha stadium, Nakuru where he addressed one of the largest gatherings to be witnessed in the town in the recent past, President Kibaki dismissed talk that the government would take over peoples' land as naïve.
Said the President, "We do not have such an intention, indeed the government is encouraging Kenyans to develop their pieces of land as one way of ensuring the growth of wealth in the country."

The Head of State particular asked residents of the Rift Valley Province to ignore prophets of doom roaming the Province peddling lies that wananchi would be evicted from their land saying no one should feel threatened by such talk.
"Indeed we have mounted a national exercise to issue title deeds to land owners in the whole country, and anyone without the document is advised to go for it from the nearest government office," he said.

President Kibaki who was accompanied by First Lady Lucy Kibaki said it was unfortunate that some politicians had resorted to unorthodox means of soliciting for votes including peddling lies saying the credibility of those aspiring to leadership positions in the country must be beyond reproach.

In this connection, President Kibaki asked the electorate not to gamble with their lives by electing people with dubious distinction, noting that some of those seeking elective positions had failed to deliver in the past when they were in government.

He said it was in realization of the need to provide good leadership that eight likeminded political parties recently coalesced under the Party of National Unity (PNU) to give Kenyans a continuity of the development that has been evident in the country in the last five years.
Said he, "Through PNU, we have formed a strong and visionary party and those who subscribe to it should rest assured of a win."

The rally was also addressed by the Vice President Moody Awori and chairpersons of alliance of parties under the PNU including Chirau Mwakwere, Musikari Kombo, Uhuru Kenyatta, Raphael Tuju and Kalembe Ndile.

Mr. Awori said the youth who form a majority of Kenyans were the greatest beneficiaries of President Kibaki's leadership from free primary education and the youth development fund among others.

Addressing the rally, Mr. Mwakwere, shirikisho party leader said his party had joined the alliance of parties under PNU out of the realization that it was the only vehicle with policies to devolve resources to the grassroots level.

Mr. Kombo said Ford Kenya would support the re-election of President Kibaki because he had shown that he is a visionary leader whose development track record was impeccable.
On his part,Kanu chairman Uhuru Kenyatta said Kanu had joined the winning team because they would like to be in the next government. He also lauded the government for bringing peace, security and stability to the country.

While Narc Kenya's chairman Raphael Tuju said the country had enjoyed increased democracy and freedoms under President Kibaki's stewardship.
President Kibaki also spoke about the general development of the Rift Valley Province saying that in the nearly five years that his government has been in office, farming and other economic activities in the area had recorded unparallel growth.

He noted that harvests had improved and prices of farm produce more than doubled with farmers enjoying good profits from their activities. He pointed out that maize farmers had consistently been paid shs. 1,300 per bag of 90 kilogrammes over that period and things were looking bright.
On livestock, President Kibaki noted that since the revival of the Kenya meat commission and the Kenya cooperative creameries beef and dairy farmers had a ready market for their products at competitive rates.

He said the government would improve on the infrastructure in the province including improvement of the road network to ensure the farmers accessed markets easily.
The President also touched on the youth and the women enterprise funds saying the government would increase the money allocated to each of the funds in the next financial year to spread the benefits to a majority of youth and women.

Also present were Cabinet Ministers Prof. George Saitoti, Martha Karua, Peter Ndwiga, Suleiman Shakombo and John Munyes and several local leaders.
________________
Sources: State House, & PPS
Nairobi

Don’t gamble with your lives, says Kibaki

President Kibaki says Kenyans should not gamble with their lives in choosing the country’s leadership.
Speaking in Nakuru where he took his re-election campaign on Saturday, the President urged Kenyans to carefully scrutinise his opponents’ track record before casting votes in their favour.
“You should not experiment or gamble with your lives. You need to ask yourself what some of these leaders have achieved in the past, some of them having been in the government,” the president said.

The outcome of the elections, the President said, would have profound impact on their future lives of Kenyans, and urged them to choose wisely and cast their votes in large numbers.
The President said his opponents had failed in their responsibilities when they served as government ministers and had nothing useful to offer Kenyans.

The President, who addressed a huge rally at Afraha Stadium, said his government had revived vital sectors of the economy and improved the lives of Kenyans.
Present were Vice-President Moody Awori, Kanu chairman Uhuru Kenyatta, Ford-Kenya chairman Musikari Kombo, DP chairman, Joseph Munyao, Shirikisho party leader Chirau Ali Mwakwere and Narc-Kenya chairman Raphael Tuju.

Others were Cabinet ministers Professor George Saitoti, Mr John Munyes, Mr Suleiman Shakombo, Ms Martha Karua, Mr John Michuki, Mr Njenga Karume, Mr Peter Ndwiga and Mr Amos Kimunya.
Also in the meeting were Kerio South MP Nicholas Biwott and assistant ministers Moses Wetang’ula, Stephen ole Ntutu, Jayne Kihara, Alicen Chelaite, Koigi Wamwere, Mwangi Kiunjuri, Danson Mungatana, Petkay Miriti, Wilfred Machage, Peter Munya, Kalembe Ndile and Muchiri Gachara.
Kanu MPs present included Paul Sang and Nick Salat. Other MPs were Macharia Mukiri, Waithaka Mwangi and Peter Gichohi Mureithi. Mr Mungatana, Dr Naomi Shabaan, Mr Ndile, Mr ole Ntutu, Mrs Chelaite and William Mirugi addressed the meeting.
The President left State House Nakuru at around 1.45pm and headed to the stadium in a convoy of over 100 vehicles. He waved to hundreds of people along the road to the stadium.
Leaders who addressed the rally urged Kenyans to re-elect President Kibaki.
“The President should be given another term to consolidate the foundation he has been laying. He is the only person who is not motivated by hatred and greed for leadership,” Mr Kenyatta said.
President wondered what new skills the presidential aspirants had acquired since they left the Government to warrant Kenyans to entrust them with the task of leading the nation.
He said those seeking the presidency lacked a clear agenda for the country and specialised in peddling falsehoods and propaganda to get votes.
The President said his government respects the sanctity of title deeds and urged the residents of Rift Valley Province to disregard those claiming that their land would be taken away from them.
He cited his government’s major achievements as the introduction of free primary education, provision of water, rural electrification programmes, road construction and improved prices for agricultural commodities.
He said the economy had registered an impressive 6.5 per cent growth while revenue collection had improved fivefold resulting in 93 per cent of government expenditure being funded with local taxes.

Mr Awori said the Kibaki administration would in future focus its attention to the welfare of the youth who constitute 60 per cent of the country’s population.
Mr Kenyatta, who said Kanu was united and committed to ensure that the President received another term, invited Mr Biwott to address the gathering.
Mr Biwott said President Kibaki was a nationalist who had rejected attempts by some Kikuyu chauvinists who sought to block former President Moi from ascending to power upon the death of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
Leadership wrangles
Mr Kenyatta said Kanu would spearhead the President’s re-election bid in the expansive Rift Valley Province.

Mr Kenyatta said the party had resolved its leadership wrangles and its members were prepared to re-elect the President for the party to be in the government.

Mr Mwakwere said Shirikisho party had resolved to back the President’s re-election bid as his government had achieved most of the things outlined in the party’s manifesto.

Mr Tuju said some of the leaders seeking the presidency could plunge the country into anarchy.
“Some of these leaders have been using hired goons to harass and intimidate leaders who are independent minded and are going to reverse the democratic gains the country has achieved under President Kibaki’s leadership,” Mr Tuju said.

Mr Kombo said those seeking the presidency were motivated by greed for power, and urged Kenyans to re-elect President Kibaki for the country to continue enjoying peace and stability.
“Most Kenyans want the President to be given another term to continue with his development agenda. Ford-Kenya resolved to back the President as we know that unity is strength,” Mr Kombo said.

Story by WATORO KAMAU and KENNEDY MASIBO
Publication Date: 10/8/2007

President spells out PNU vision

H.E President mwai Kibaki’s rivals cannot be trusted with top post, say PNU leaders Party leaders and members of the Party of National Unity turned the launch into a forum to demonise presidential aspirant Mr Raila Odinga

Shirikisho endorses Kibaki’s re-election bid at a stormy delegates conference

Shirikisho Party of Kenya yesterday endorsed the re-election of President Kibaki following a stormy national delegates conference held in Mombasa.
The conference, that was attended by party leader Chirau Mwakwere, his deputy Morris Dzoro and other leaders from the region, formally passed a decision that had earlier been passed by the national executive council (NEC).

The party leaders, who also included secretary general Yusuff Abubakar, had a difficult time convincing delegates that it would benefit Shirikisho.
Sauda Loda, a delegate from Galole in Tana River, sought to know President Kibaki’s stand on majimbo, since the party supported a federal system of government.

The delegates wanted to be assured of the stakes the party will have in the alliance.
But the party leaders said they had set out conditions, which must be met in the coalition.
“We joined the Kibaki team because our efforts to get entry into ODM were thwarted by their insistence that the party must be dissolved. That could not happen because we need to have our own identity. “Shirikisho is not going into the union as an under dog, but as an equal partner and one of the conditions that must be met is that we be supported and allowed to field civic and parliamentary candidates,” party leader and minister for transport Mr Mwakwere said.
He said President Kibaki showed support for Shirikisho when he campaigned for their candidate, Mr Harry Kombe, in the Magarini by-election.

“This is a chance of a lifetime, to ensure that the region is in the next government and be able to claim a stake in the sharing of national resources,” he said.
Mr Abubakar claimed the majimbo issue, which was the party’s rallying call, was being used for propaganda by ODM. “We are challenging these other parties that have been saying that Kibaki is not for majimbo to show us their manifestos. If President Kibaki supported the Wako Draft during the constitution review, which propagated for a devolved government, how can one go ahead and say that the president did not support majimbo?” Mr Abubakar asked.

A parliamentary aspirant, Mr Fedinand Mwarandu, who opposed the endorsement to support President Kibaki’s re-election was thrown out of the venue when the party’s national vice chairman, Mr Safari Mumba, put the proposition before the delegates for approval.
While most delegates supported the move by to join the Party of National Unity (PNU), Mr Mwarandu shouted saying Shirikisho did not back Kibaki.

Youths beat him up and evicted him from the hall. Complaining about the harassment, Mr Mwarandu said the decision to back President Kibaki was being forced on members.
“I am an aspirant in Kaloleni constituency and as people on the ground we know what people are saying. They support Shirikisho, but they do not back president Kibaki’s re-election bid,” he said.
Know fate of the party

Mr Abubakar, however, said Mr Mwarandu was not a delegate and was only in the meeting as an observer.
“We have also come to learn that the man is an ODM candidate and was only in the meeting to cause chaos,” he said.
Earlier, a section of the delegates demanded to know the fate of the party after backing President Kibaki and expressed reservations that the matter was being rushed without proper consultation.

The delegates also endorsed the party’s manifesto and constitution, which have been reviewed to also allow a provision for party leader and deputy party leader.
Other leaders who spoke in support of the Kibaki re-election were assistant minister Joseph Kingi. He said Shirikisho would enable Coast residents to bargain on national issues.

Story by MAZERA NDURYA Publication Date: 9/30/2007

PNU unveils a committee to run Kibaki's campaigns

Written By:Carol Gakii , Posted: Wed, Sep 26, 2007

The Party of National Unity has unveiled a 29-member committee to run president Mwai Kibaki's national campaign.

The committee, which hits the campaign trail next week after the president officially launches his campaign, comprises members from the PNU affiliate parties.

The party leaders also announced that the party's symbol will be unveiled over the weekend.
Led by agriculture minister Kipruto Arap Kirwa the leaders also clarified that the party's abbreviation is PNU and not Panu as it has been referred in the past.

Addressing a press after a daylong meeting the party leaders dismissed claims the alliance was divided saying that the party will remain united so as to ensure the president recaptures his seat.

Kirwa also said the party's colours are blue Red and white.
He said the team would focus on president Kibaki's development record, which he said speaks for itself.

Members of the committee include vice president, Moody Awori, NARC-Kenya chairman, Raphael Tuju, his Ford people counterpart, Simeon Nyachae, KANU's Uhuru Kenyatta and Ford Kenya's Musikari Kombo as well as Shirikisho leader, Chirau Ali Mwakwere.

Kaya FM supports Kibaki re-election

____

A radio station linked to President Kibaki’s re-election campaign has been established in Coast.
The FM radio station, Kaya FM, is based in Matuga constituency in Kwale District and has started test runs.

Confirming the existence of the radio station in his constituency on Friday, Transport minister Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere described it as a ‘blessing’, saying it informs and educates the public.
The establishment of Kaya FM, brings to six the number of radio stations broadcasting at the Coast.

President Kibaki supports get backing

__________

Shirikisho Party Kenya national chairman, Mr Mashengu wa Mwachofi, has been told to back President Kibaki’s re-election campaigns or quit.
The party director of programmes, Sheikh Juma Ngao, tore into the party chairman, whom he accused of failing to work with party leaders, Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere, and his deputy, Mr Morris Dzoro.

SPK is divided over its support for President Kibaki’s re-election, with a section of leaders led by Mwakwere strongly supporting the President for a second term.
Mwachofi has openly disagreed with other SPK leaders backing Kibaki, saying the matter has not been discussed conclusively.

"You have an option, stick with us and support Kibaki or pack and go," Ngao said.
Mwachofi is currently out of the country.

Ngao, who is also the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem) in Mombasa, accused Mwachofi of failing to market the party at the Coast and added that the inclusion of Mwakwere and Dzoro had made the party popular.

"We are fielding candidates in all the 21 constituencies in the province and have received several inquiries from aspirants from other regions seeking to stand on our party," he said.
Ngao defended the move to back Kibaki and said the party’s National Delegates Conference slated for October 6 would just rubberstamp the decision. "We have made our stand known and Kibaki is our man come sun, come rain," Ngao said.

Apart from Mwachofi holding different views, SPK Kwale branch, led by Mr Mohamed Khamis Mwasengesa, has denied that a decision was reached to support Kibaki.

"We never met and agreed on Kibaki. In fact, our supporters on the ground are telling us to back ODM’s Raila Odinga for the presidency since his aspirations for a majimbo system of governance are appealing," Mwasengesa said.

Kibaki party may break Shirikisho

By Ngumbao Kithi and Patrick Beja

Hon. Mwakwere

Controversy over support for President Kibaki’s candidature is threatening to split Shirikisho Party.
Emerging cracks continue to widen after three top Shirikisho officials trashed the party’s membership to the Party of National Unity (Panu).
National chairman, Mr Mwashengu wa Mwachofi, his deputy, Mr John Safari Mumba, and organising secretary, Mr Kassim Juma, said Shirikisho had not agreed on a deal to enter into the pro-Kibaki coalition.
They said negotiations were expected to start, but the Sunday announcement that the party was in Panu was premature since the National Executive Committee had not endorsed the decision.

Juma said Party Leader and Transport minister, Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere, and his deputy and Tourism minister, Mr Morris Dzoro were pushing Shirikisho into a coalition before a deal was cut.

He said it would be difficult to claim a stake in Panu should Kibaki win.
On Sunday, the President announced that he would be seeking re-election on Panu, whose main partners are Democratic Party, Ford-Kenya, Ford-People and Narc-Kenya.
But it now appears the move to back Kibaki could deal a deathblow to the Coast-based party. Mwakwere has told those dissatisfied with the move to quit. He insisted that Shirikisho NEC unconditionally endorsed Kibaki as its presidential candidate long before Panu was launched.
"In any decision-making, it is normal for some people to oppose. Even Mr Raila Odinga could not win all the votes during his nomination as ODM presidential candidate. In fact, he failed to win the support of 1,000 delegates," Mwakwere argued.

The Matuga MP dismissed recent defections following the decision to back the President.
"We want to remain with those who are committed to the party. Those who want to go to other parties are free to do so," he said.
But on Tuesday, the party officials said the top decision-making organ must ratify such a decision.
"I wish to inform our members that Shirikisho is not a member of Panu as that decision has to be made by the national delegates conference expected on October 6," said Mwachofi.
Sources at the party said camps allied to Mwakwere and Mwachofi were lobbying delegates ahead of the conference.

The sources added that either of the opposing camps could face disciplinary action following the delegates’ stand.
The conference is also expected to approve the positions of Party Leader and his deputy, which were created for Mwakwere and Dzoro upon joining the party three months ago.
Others who joined Shirikisho then were Msambweni MP, Mr Abdalla Ngozi, and Assistant ministers, Mr Anania Mwaboza and Mr Joseph Kingi.

Mumba confirmed that a team was appointed to lead the talks with Panu, but no meeting took place. "None of these members was consulted. As far as the party is concerned, Shirikisho has not entered into any coalition with anybody," Mumba said.
He warned that the party could not be ignored since it has united the Coast region, which has for long been a fishing ground for political parties.

SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY HON. MWAI KIBAKI, C.G.H., M.P.,

President Kibaki (centre) in a show of unity with leaders of key parties in the Party of National Unity coalition. They are from left Shirikisho leader Ali Mwakwere (partly hidden) Ford-P leader Simeon Nyachae, Vice-President Moody Awori, Ford-K boss Musikari Kombo, Kanu chairman Uhuru Kenyatta and Narc Kenya chairman Raphael Tuju.
___________

PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA DURING THE INTER PARTIES COOPERATION ANNOUNCEMENT AT KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, NAIROBI 16TH SEPTEMBER, 2007

Fellow Kenyans,

I want to begin by thanking you for the support you have given me over the last four and a half years. I am humbled by your overwhelming endorsement and support for me and my leadership.
I also want to thank my family; in particular my wife, the First Lady, Lucy and our children for their love and encouragement. I thank the Almighty God for his guidance and for enabling me to serve you.

Fellow Kenyans,

As a country, we are grateful to God for supporting us during some of our most difficult and sometimes tragic times. We still remember with weary hearts the loss of Vice President Kijana Wamalwa and Cabinet Ministers Geoffrey Parpai, Mohammed Khalif and Karisa Maitha.
We also remember the leaders who left us as a result of the Marsabit air crash and many other Kenyans. We feel their absence, especially at this moment. I am very grateful to be accompanied by leaders of political parties that are represented here.
I thank them most sincerely for their support and for joining hands with me and fellow Kenyans as we continue to develop our beautiful country in an environment of peace, stability, unity and progress for all Kenyans.
Today, I am pleased to announce that I will be running for a second and final term as your President.

I will, therefore, be seeking the support of all of you Kenyans so as to continue making our country an even better and greater home for all of us. KAZI IENDELEE.
I am asking for your support because despite the many challenges that have faced us in the last few years, the spirit that makes us Kenyans and our dedication to success has resulted in many achievements for all Wananchi.
For example:

1. Millions of children who would otherwise be out of school have a hope in life due to the Free Primary Education Programme.

2. Women who used to walk for kilometers in search of water now have access to clean tap water. NA KAZI INAENDELEA.

3. Farmers who had given up on farming now have access to markets and enjoy good prices for their produce.

4. Rural communities who had never seen electricity since independence now have lights. NA KAZI INAENDELEA.

5. Hospital cabinets which were empty are now stocked with medicines and an additional 1,000 health centres have been built to bring healthcare closer to Kenyans.

6. We have empowered our communities in every part of Kenya through the CDF programme.

7. Thousands of Kenyans who have lived as squatters since independence have now been empowered through issuance of title deeds. NA KAZI INAENDELEA.

8. More than 4,000 kilometres of roads have been constructed and rehabilitation of our transport network means better movement of all Kenyans.

We have been able to achieve all these because of the support of all Kenyans and focused leadership that placed the needs of Wananchi first. Leadership is about delivery of development, the improvement of the lives of all Kenyans.
Leadership is NOT about vindictiveness and empty politics. It is also NOT about empty propaganda and tribal politics.

Fellow Kenyans,

I am saddened by the fact that some politicians are polarizing the country along tribal lines. These politicians do not want to focus on the real issues that affect Wananchi. That is not the direction we want to see Kenya going.

As a patriot and as your leader, I will continue to dedicate myself to the ideal of national unity.
The foundation of my leadership is guided by the words of our national anthem: JUSTICE BE OUR SHIELD AND DEFENDER, MAY WE DWELL IN UNITY, PEACE AND LIBERTY.

Having considered the issues and challenges that face the future of our Nation, we have decided to form an Alliance of Political Parties who believe that we should give highest priority to the welfare of individual Kenyans, peace unity and development of our country.

• An Alliance of Parties that represent the desires of the people of Kenya.
  
• An Alliance that says we want a Kenya that is JUST. A Kenya where it does not matter where you were born or where you live because you are a Kenyan and should be Proud to be a Kenyan.
  
• An Alliance that gives hope for the future. That says, it does not matter whether you were born rich or poor, you can go to school and get an opportunity to change your life.
• 
  An Alliance that stands for accountability and good governance of public resources.
• 
  An Alliance that says that yes, we have made major economic and social strides but there is still a lot of work that remains to be done.
• 
  An Alliance that is committed to continuously reduce the levels of poverty and ensure every Kenyan has access to food, shelter, health and education.

An Alliance that says every Kenyan, Man and Woman, Young and Old, DESERVES to live in a stable and united country.

My Fellow Kenyans,

In order to safeguard the gains we have achieved to date and to attain the objectives and ideals we have spelt out, I have decided that I will seek re-election as President of the Republic of Kenya under an Alliance that we have named THE PARTY OF NATIONAL UNITY.

The members of this alliance shall include KANU, FORD KENYA, FORD PEOPLE, NARC-KENYA and SHIRIKISHO, among others. I would like to emphasize that each party will retain its identity and we will work together as an alliance of distinct parties. We also invite other parties who hold similar objectives to join hands with us.

From today, a co-ordinating group of the Alliance will prepare for the formal launch of my Presidential Campaign on September 29.

Fellow Kenyans,

Four and a half years ago, you entrusted the leadership of our country to me. I thank you for giving me this opportunity because together we are transforming Kenya. Things have become better but we are far from where want to be.

That is why I am requesting you to give me and our Alliance an opportunity to continue building our nation. KAZI IENDELEE.

GOD BLESS YOU
GOD BLESS KENYA

I will vie on Party of National Unity, says Kibaki

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President Mwai Kibaki has named the Party of National Unity as his campaign vehicle in his quest for a second term in office.
In a live address to the nation from the Kenya International Conference Centre ( KICC), the President named parties: Kanu, Narc Kenya, Ford Kenya, Ford People and Shirikisho among others as those that he will work with in the run-up to the Genearal Elections later this year. These parties also form the constituent parties of the Party of National Unity, which is an alliance of parties.

He thanked God, his family and Kenyans for their support for the past four-and-a- half years he has been in power especially for the tragic and difficult times his rule has endured- the deaths of Vice President Kijana Wamalwa, Cabinet ministers Geoffrey Parpai , Mohammed Khalif and Karisa Maitha and Members of Parliament.

In his speech the President enumerated the achievements of his regime such as the Free Primary Education, Constituency Development Fund, rural electrification, issuance of title deeds to squatters, fair prices for farmers' produce and construction of over 4,000 km of roads.These achievements have been made possible by what the President termed as "focused leadership aimed at delivery of development" as opposed to "empty and vindictive politics."

The President said that he was saddened by the politics of his political rivals, which were polarising Kenyans along tribal lines and which are a bad direction to national politics.As a patriot and leader, President Kibaki has seen it fit to unite Kenyans under the umbrella National Party of Unity and hence his decision to run for re-election under its banner.
The president also announced September 29, 2007, as the date when his re-election campaign will kick off countrywide.
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By ANTHONY MACHARIALast updated: Sun,
September 16, 2007 16:56 PM

Be patient with RVR, Mwakwere tells House

Bunge

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The Government has defended the performance of the Rift Valley Railways (RVR) — the firm that won the railway service concession.
At the same time, Kenyans will have to wait a little longer for a free port area.
Transport minister, Mr Chirau Mwakwere, told Parliament that it was "too early to judge the company’s performance". He also defended the tendering for the concession, saying RVR emerged the winner out of nine bidders.
Last week, MPs claimed the firm, which took over from Kenya Railways Corporation in running the railway business, was underperforming and asked the Government to cancel the deal.
MPs claimed railway services had continued to deteriorate despite the restructuring programme and questioned the tender. Through the concession, RVR will run the railway services for 25 years.

According to the contract, Mwakwere said evaluation of the concessionaire’s performance, starts after two years.

The nature of the industry required adequate time to put in place reforms due to delays in delivery of spare parts, added the minister.

Source:

The Standard

Coast residents stuck with swing vote

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The war for the Coast Province vote in the General Election has intensified with the major political blocs positioning themselves for a share of the cake.

With no politician of note in the province contesting the presidency, contestants think the region could provide the important swing vote.
This explains why all the presidential contenders have visited the Coast.

A few weeks ago, a group calling itself the Muslim Leaders Forum met in Mombasa and announced that the Muslims will support ODM flagbearer Raila Odinga. This elicited an immediate response from President Kibaki's side with Narc Kenya chairman Raphael Tuju holding talks with another set of Muslim leaders in Mombasa last week to win their support.
Led by Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya Secretary-general Sheikh Mohamed Dor, the first group said they had decided to back Mr Odinga because he roots for the federal system of government and had pledged to address problems facing the Muslim community.

A section of Muslim leaders have accused the Government of harassing members of their community through indiscriminate arrests and deportation.
But a faction seen to be behind Supkem Coast region chairman Sheikh Juma Ngao said they will support President Kibaki for another term.
The other group expected to chart the path for the Coast voter is the Shirikisho Party which has its roots in the region.

However, the decision on who the group will support had divided it down the middle.
It all started two months ago when a number of Coast MPs, including two Cabinet ministers, joined the party and took over its leadership.
The move by Transport minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere and his Tourism and Wildlife counterpart, Mr Morris Dzoro, immediately transformed Shirikisho from a fringe party to a big player in national politics.

Executive council

But the going has been less than smooth for the Mwakwere team since a National Executive Council meeting announced that the party will back President Kibaki.
The party’s founder members differ with the Mwakwere group on two issues.
First, they reckon that Mr Mwakwere position of part leader and that of his deputy, Mr Dzoro, do not exist in the Shirikisho constitution. Due to this, the founders argue that the two have no mandate to chair party meetings.
Secondly, Shirikisho’s key campaign plank is the push for majimbo yet the Kibaki team is opposed to it.

This fact was reinforced during last weekend’s Narc Kenya rally in Mombasa when speakers poured cold water on the majimbo idea, claiming it will balkanise the country into tribal blocs.
Some Shirikisho members say the party should work with Mr Odinga’s Orange which has declared that it will push for implementation of the Bomas Draft constitution which advocates devolution of power to regions.

But the takeover has brought the once moribund party into the national limelight. Mr Mwakwere and Mr Dzoro joined the party together with assistant ministers Joseph Kingi, Anania Mwaboza and MP Abdalla Ngozi.
Before their defection from Narc-Kenya, Mr Harrison Kombe was the only MP allied to Shirikisho.

For a party that had been shunned, its transformation could easily be seen in the manner other Coastal leaders like Mvita MP Najib Balala reacted.
After the break up of ODM Kenya, Mr Balala approached Shirikisho secretary- general Yusuf Abubakar for an alliance with the Odinga group.
However, the party spelt out conditions under which it can build any alliance.
First, said their would-be partners must agree to let the party singly field candidates for the 21 parliamentary seats in the province.

And if the alliance forms government, the Coastal party should be given key positions such as that of premier proposed in the Bomas Draft.
The tension was heightened when its national director of programmes, Sheikh Ngao, announced that they will back the President. He said the decision was agreed at a National Executive Council meeting held in August.

Back president

“We resolved as NEC to back President Kibaki because of his development record and we are certain that the issues that Shirikisho has been fighting for would be articulated by his government,” said Sheikh Ngao.
But Shirikisho founder member Mwakio Ndau who is now firmly on ODM advised the party against abandoning the majimbo agenda.
“When they brought in Mr Mwakwere and his team in an arrangement that is not in the party structure, we kept quiet but this time round, it is not acceptable for the officials to support President Kibaki who was openly opposed to the federal system of government,” he said.
Party national chairman Mwashengu wa Mwachofi says they had not declared support for any presidential candidate.

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Story by MAZERA NDURYA

Publication Date: 9/13/2007

Kibaki reaches out to Muslims

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Boniface Ongeri and Ibrahim Mohammed
President Kibaki landed in North Eastern Province for the third time in his term and upped his campaign with a conciliatory message for Muslims.
The President directed that a Muslim cleric deported recently over terrorism claims be allowed back for "negotiations with the Government".
"The Government is not out to oppress anyone who wants to propagate religion. Let the cleric come back and we will negotiate," he said.
In his speech, he sought to dispel fears that his regime was oppressive to Muslims.
He was reacting to demands by Muslim leaders who had expressed concern that the Government was oppressing Muslims over terrorist allegations.
In Garissa, the President commissioned the construction of the first 20km of the more than 1,200 km Garissa-Wajir-Mandera Road.
The road is constructed with grants from Saudi Arabia.
Accompanying the President were Cabinet ministers Mr John Michuki, Mr Mohamud Abdi, Mr Morris Dzoro, Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere and Mr John Munyes.
The Head of State also commissioned the Garissa Urban Water Supply before officially opening the North Eastern Province ASK Show.
He asked residents to take farming seriously, saying the Government would invest Sh4.2 billion on livestock and agricultural extension services.
As conditions for re-electing Kibaki, the leaders raised concerns over the closure of the Somalia border since last December.
They said this had denied residents business opportunities.
The President is today expected to officially open the Wajir Airport.
He said 390 boreholes had been sunk in the province at a cost of Sh350 million in the last three years.
While opening the show, Kibaki said though the province was often associated with aridity, it had enormous potential for commercial livestock production and agro-processing.
This could be possible through substantial irrigation along the Tana and Daua Rivers for food crops, Kibaki said.

Published on September 7, 2007, 12:00 am