Tag: GreatLakesNews

{The members are waiting for their leaders in the county to lead them in the protests.}

Cord members in Mombasa did not take part in the countrywide protests by the opposition that seek to kick out the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

According to the ODM Mombasa branch chairman Mohammed Hatimy, the members are waiting for their leaders in the county to lead them in the protests.

“We cannot do anything because Governor Hassan Joho is not around and he is the deputy party leader.

“We have to wait for him so that he gives us the way forward. We met last week with other leaders to discuss about it and saw the need to wait for the governor,” said Mr Hatimy.

Wiper Party Secretary-General and Mombasa Senator Omar Hassan, when contacted, declined to comment on the issue.

“You can ask other leaders, but for now I do not have any answer to give you.

“I will get back to you when I get a good answer to give you on that issue of demonstrations,” said Mr Hassan in response to inquiries by the Nation about his stand regarding the protests.

Mvita MP Abdullswamad Nassir on his part said there was need for a collective effort from the leaders majority of whom he said are not within the county.
Cord members in Mombasa keep off anti-IEBC demos as Joho is away
The members are waiting for their leaders in the county to lead them in the protests.

“Our deputy party leader and about three MPs are not around, that is why we are waiting to strategise together. We need to ensure that it is a collective step because that is better for all of us,” said Mr Nassir.

For the past one week, Governor Joho has been in Antalya, Turkey for the First Annual Strong Cities Network Global Summit.

Meanwhile, IEBC offices in the county were operating without any hitch.

IEBC West and South Coast Acting Regional Coordinator Hussein Abdulwahid said they were operating with no fear as they enjoyed ‘good relationship’ with politicians from the region.

“We are not worried, our offices are operating as usual and anyone who comes will be served. We have not had any issues with any protesters so far,” said Mr Abdulwahid.

{The United Kingdom (UK) has transferred to Tanzania 7 million US dollars (more than 14bn/-) fine that Standard Bank paid as a result of its failure to prevent bribery, British High Commissioner to Tanzania Dianna Melrose confirmed yesterday.}

The compensation was paid following the ruling by the British High Court in London in November last year over 6 million USD (about 12bn/-) bribery scandal in a treasury bond deal sealed on March 8, 2013 involving the London-based Standard Bank.

The case involved a sovereign note private placement undertaken in 2012-2013 between Stanbic Bank Tanzania Ltd and the UK-based Standard Bank Plc to raise $600 million (1.2 trilion/-) for the Tanzanian government as part of its five-year development plan.

As a result, Tanzania, through the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), conducted investigations into the scandal, which saw former Tanzania Revenue Commission (TRA) Commissioner General Harry Kitilya and two ex-senior officers at Stanbic Bank Tanzania Limited charged at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court.

Apart from the former TRA boss, the other accused are former Miss Tanzania and Head of Investment Banking at Stanbic Bank, Shose Sinare, and Sioi Graham Solomon, former Chief Legal Counsel to the bank.

Yesterday, the UK Government applauded the strong anti-corruption drive by the Fifth Phase Tanzania Government, insisting that it was delighted by President John Magufuli’s representation by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa at the just concluded Anti-Corruption Summit in London.

“The UK is launching an Anti-Corruption Innovation Hub with other countries to encourage collaboration between social innovators, technology experts, data scientists and law enforcement and civil society organisations,’’ said the British High Commissioner in a statement.

Among other issues, the Anti-Corruption Summit agreed the first ever Global Declaration against Corruption, with representatives from over 40 countries stating their commitment to work together to expose, punish and drive out corruption.

“We welcome Tanzania’s country commitments and Prime Minister Majaliwa’s remarks showcasing the government’s actions to tackle corruption.

He stressed that political will is critically important, alongside strong legislative and administrative measures,’’ said Ms Melrose.

According to the prime minister, the forthcoming third phase of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan will focus on involving all stakeholders—schools, civil society, grassroots organisations, the media and private sector in creating an anti-corruption culture.

The British High Commissioner added that UK and Tanzania were close partners working together to tackle corruption, financial and organised crime. A new partnership between Tanzania and the UK’s National Crime Agency was launched at the London summit to share expertise in audit, financial regulation and anti-corruption investigation.

The UK Crown Prosecution Service is assisting work to establish Tanzania’s Special Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court. Mr Majaliwa said in the National Assembly recently that a special Anti-Corruption Court would kick off its operation in July this year.

According to Ms Melrose, the UK Department for International Development supports Tanzania’s institutions of accountability, including the PCCB and the National Audit Office.

She said it also supports grassroots and civil society organisations that assist local communities across the country in taking action to counter corruption, such as demands for bribes by medical staff or those involved in deforestation.

{President Museveni has advised soldiers and other security personnel to start rearing pigs, instead of expecting high salaries.}

Speaking to security personnel at the weekend in Kololo, Kampala, to thank them for securing the country during the elections, Mr Mueseveni said high salaries were the main cause of weakness in security and defence of past governments and as a strategy, the NRM cannot repeat the same mistake.

“In the past, soldiers used to drive cars on loans and have big salaries but when the war came, they realised that big salaries and cars don’t fight,” he said.

“… the first thing you must do is to avoid high salaries for policemen and soldiers, otherwise we will not have money to buy weapons,” he said.The president advised soldiers to join their respective Saccos and save the little they get to access loans.
“Go and rear pigs to augment your income. My sisters (soldiers’ wives) can look after them. Even in the barracks where you stay, start some income generating activity. Let your wives engage in something,” he said.

The gathering was convened to appreciate the security forces for the “good work” during and after the elections.

Mr Museveni used the function to remind security forces of the NRM’s strategy in building national security, saying the party has always had its own unique method which has enabled it to set up a defence and security system with a small economy.
He warned soldiers against thinking that outside actors, especially the UN, have good intentions for the country.

“Poor nations call up the UN to defend them but what the UN does is to misdefend (sic) them,” he said.

{{Highlights at the celebrations}}

Defence: The President says the West comes to Uganda to fund NGOs and homosexuality but they refuse to fund defence which is why government has decided to fund it using internal sources.

Entertainment: The ceremony, which lasted approximately four hours, was entertained by Chameleone and Bebe Cool. Soldiers took to the floor to dance to the music from the duo.

{The problem is not the time to look for alternative housing, but the money to pay rent.}

Eunice Awuor was in the crowd on Saturday afternoon when Public Service Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki visited Huruma to relaunch the National Youth Service activities in the area.

As acrobats, singers and dancers entertained the CS and other ministry officials, the 30-year-old mother of five stood impatiently, waiting for the speeches to commence.

She had hoped that Ms Kariuki would announce jobs for people like her, who have been rendered homeless after the government demolished the houses they used to live in when they were declared unsafe.

For Ms Awuor, the demolitions have meant she is homeless since she cannot afford the rent that has escalated since the demolitions started.

“I used to pay Sh2,500 for a one-roomed mabati house, which was demolished because it was right next to the river,” Ms Awuor said.

“I tried to find a new home for myself and my children but I could not afford the Sh4,000 that landlords have been asking for houses that were Sh2,800.”

A single mother with no regular source of income, she has been forced to move in with a friend whose house has so far escaped demolition.

Her benefactor, Maureen Achieng’, 26, is a mother of two whose one-roomed house, also made of iron sheets, must now accommodate eight people.

“It is uncomfortable to have that many people living in such a small space,” said Ms Achieng’.

“But we are lucky to still have a roof over our heads because I know people who have been sleeping outside since they lost their houses.”

However, this luck may soon run out because Ms Achieng’s house is also on the chopping block and she has received several warnings from the local ward administrators to move out to allow for demolitions.

“I pay Sh2,500 for this house; any other one in the neighbourhood now goes for more than Sh4,000, which I cannot afford.

“I hope to be recruited into the NYS community service because that will give me a source of income.”

(Read: Over 150 affected after building collapses in Huruma)

WE NEED JOBS
The sharply raised rent is the consequence of the government’s push to take down all buildings that have been marked unsafe after a six-storey flat collapsed in Huruma recently, killing more than 40 people.

Last week, Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero halted the demolitions for seven days to allow the affected people to move.

And with the work set to begin Monday, City Hall on Sunday said yesterday it would publish a schedule today (Monday).

For most of Huruma residents, however, Dr Kidero’s ‘generosity’ is of little help since the problem is not the time to look for alternative housing, but the money to pay rent in any of the buildings that have escaped the big ‘X’ that government inspectors draw on unsafe buildings to be demolished.

Ms Teresia Waithera’s house was also demolished over safety concerns. The former neighbour of Ms Awuor used to pay the same rent for a mabati single room.

“I am also living with a friend who has a house across the river in Area 3 of Mathare slum. I don’t want to live there, and I’m uncomfortable sharing such a small space with so many people,” the single mother of two told the Daily Nation.

Ms Waithera’s host lives with her three children.

{The government has lifted the ban it imposed last month on restaurants, cafes and food vendors after cholera out-break which has claimed 57 lives and affected more than three thousand people.}

Speaking at the weekly media briefing on the ‘state of cholera’, the Director of Prevention – Ministry of Health, Dr Mohamed Dahoma, said that restaurants and the popular Forodhani Public Park in stone town (classified as area A), have been conditionally allowed to open business.

“We have been recording a decline in cholera cases down to 99 patients from 199 recorded in previous week and 245 a week before. Cholera has been ending gradually, but we still need to keep observing health precautions,” said Dr Dahoma on behalf of the anti-cholera campaign team.

He thanked people and institutions for supporting the war against cholera and the multiple interventions including closing of all restaurants, cafes and banning food vendors, a move which has helped to control the epidemic.

“We have decided to lift the ban, starting with restaurants in Stone Town after physical verification of about 39 restaurants with 228 workers which have met the health conditions set including having toilets, enough space, safe and clean water,” Dr Dahoma said.

However, he said, the restaurants should apply afresh for permission to operate by proving it meets the conditions, while other cafes and food vendors will have to wait for ‘new conditions’ after inspection.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has provided the Zanzibar Ministry of Health with water testing device, in efforts to make sure that the supplied water is safe for domestic use.

According to the WHO officers, the device would help detect whether the water distributed to public is safe for consumption so that water borne diseases like cholera can be averted.

The Minister of Health, Mr Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, thanked the WHO and other development partners who have been helping to control cholera in the Islands, which prompted ban of food vendors and even fresh food at weddings and funerals.

{The Congolese government on Saturday denounced as an “outright lie” claims in a UN confidential report its soldiers and police have been equipped with pistols from North Korea in violation of international sanctions.}

KINSHASA: The Congolese government on Saturday (May 14) denounced as an “outright lie” claims in a UN confidential report its soldiers and police have been equipped with pistols from North Korea in violation of international sanctions.

“It’s an outright lie. There hasn’t been any cooperation with North Korea since the death (in 2001) of (Laurent) Kabila,” referring to the father and predecessor of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s current President Joseph Kabila, government spokesman Lambert Mende told AFP.

A UN panel of experts had found that “pistols with characteristics similar to those produced in DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) were issued to certain members of the FARDC (armed forces), as well as to Congolese national police that were deployed to MINUSCA,” the UN mission in the Central African Republic, according to the report seen by AFP Friday.

Congolese soldiers and police said the arms were delivered in 2014 as part of a training programme of the presidential guard and special police units carried out by some 30 North Korean instructors.

The same type of pistol is sold on the black market in Kinshasa, said the report.

North Korea is banned from selling weapons under UN sanctions.

Washington has in the past noted that the DRC has cut back its relations with pariah countries like North Korea.

In late 2001, the US embassy in Kinshasa said that “since Joseph Kabila took power after his father’s assassination, the government of the DRC has behaved in a much more responsible manner,” in relations with North Korea, Libya and Cuba, according to a US diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks.

But this latest accusation against the Kinshasa government comes as it is facing mounting international criticism for suppressing political opposition and seeking to delay the next presidential poll.

Britain warned on Friday it may seek EU sanctions over “acts of repression” in the DRC as police clashed with supporters of a key opposition figure accused of hiring foreign mercenaries.

The warning came after the mineral-rich African country’s Constitutional Court this week ruled that Kabila can stay in office beyond 2016 without being re-elected, if a vote is not held by the time his mandate expires in December.

{The Nation has compiled a list of 40 funerals held since the Al-Shabaab raid.}

Kenyans will have to wait longer to know the number of soldiers killed by Al-Shabaab militants in the January 15 El Adde dawn attack in Somalia.

Today (May 15, 2016) marks exactly five months since the attack that inflicted the worst blow on Kenyan troops since Operation Linda Nchi began on October 16, 2011.

Contacted, military spokesman Col David Obonyo said he was not in a position to divulge casualty figures.

“I don’t have the authority to do so. That can only be done by my bosses,” Col Obonyo said.

Days after the attack, Chief of Defence Forces Gen Samson Mwathethe promised to make public the number of soldiers killed.

The military set up a board of inquiry to look into what led to the attack, and why the casualty figure was high but the report has not been made public.

Sources within the military say the report is ready.

The Nation has compiled a list of 40 funerals held since the Al-Shabaab raid.

BODIES BADLY MUTILATED

During a press conference in January, Gen Mwathethe said some bodies were badly mutilated and could only be identified through DNA, a process he said would take long.

This meant more agony for missing soldiers’ families.

The militants said they killed more than 100 soldiers, a figure disputed by Kenya Defence Forces.

Some survivors have since gone back to work.

“I have been on duty for more than a month now,” said a soldier who requested anonymity because he is not allowed to speak to the press on military matters.

Though he survived the bloody attack with minor injuries, he said he had been assigned a new post with lighter duties.

“I don’t know if I will be picked to go and fight in Somalia again soon but if the call comes, I will answer it. It will be for my country and for my fallen comrades,” he said.

The Kenya military, now operating under the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom), has stepped up ground and air attacks against the militants.

The United States has also joined in the fight and uses drones to hit Al-Shabaab camps and members.

Ugandan, Ethiopian and Burundian troops have also suffered mass casualties in other Al-Shabaab attacks in and around Mogadishu.