Comments on: I Cry. My Country Has Been Robbed http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2007/12/i-cry-my-country-has-been-robbed/ Unique - just like everyone else. Manufactured and bottled in Kenya Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:15:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Charles S.Mwakambonja http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2007/12/i-cry-my-country-has-been-robbed/comment-page-2/#comment-111354 Charles S.Mwakambonja Thu, 03 Jan 2008 10:01:06 +0000 http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2007/12/i-cry-my-country-has-been-robbed/#comment-111354 What Kibaki has done is disturbing and embarrasing.It clear that he has rigged the votes. The Chairman of the electoral commission says he do not know Kibaki won the election. What more explanation you want here.Kibaki has no shame, he should voluntarily step down.Presidents of the East African Community should not accept him as a member because no one elected him. What Kibaki has done is disturbing and embarrasing.It clear that he has rigged the votes. The Chairman of the electoral commission says he do not know Kibaki won the election. What more explanation you want here.Kibaki has no shame, he should voluntarily step down.Presidents of the East African Community should not accept him as a member because no one elected him.

]]> By: aplo http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2007/12/i-cry-my-country-has-been-robbed/comment-page-2/#comment-110591 aplo Tue, 01 Jan 2008 16:46:25 +0000 http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2007/12/i-cry-my-country-has-been-robbed/#comment-110591 @john charo There is now widespread evidence on the ground that this is indeed so. See kenyanpundit for example: @john charo
There is now widespread evidence on the ground that this is indeed so. See kenyanpundit for example:

]]> By: Kevin http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2007/12/i-cry-my-country-has-been-robbed/comment-page-2/#comment-110574 Kevin Tue, 01 Jan 2008 15:40:54 +0000 http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2007/12/i-cry-my-country-has-been-robbed/#comment-110574 I'm not Kenyan or even African. I just want to express my sorrow at what is happening now in Kenya. I hope that the good people of Kenya can contain their anger and frustration and channel their energies into rectifying the injustice they have suffered at the hands of Kibaki and his fellow criminals. A couple of points i'd like to make: 1. Be very wary of the USA getting involved in your problems. I find it very suspicious that they congratulated Kibaki then changed their tune after the EU pointed out their concerns about disarities in the count. They done the same thing at the time of the coup attempt in Venezuela a few years back. America is no friend of democracy. 2. Joe says the violence is unnacceptable but urges people to accept the election outcome as it stands. Joe, why don't you find the denial of the Kenyan people's right to self determination, equally or more unacceptable? I’m not Kenyan or even African. I just want to express my sorrow at what is happening now in Kenya. I hope that the good people of Kenya can contain their anger and frustration and channel their energies into rectifying the injustice they have suffered at the hands of Kibaki and his fellow criminals.

A couple of points i’d like to make:

1. Be very wary of the USA getting involved in your problems. I find it very suspicious that they congratulated Kibaki then changed their tune after the EU pointed out their concerns about disarities in the count. They done the same thing at the time of the coup attempt in Venezuela a few years back. America is no friend of democracy.

2. Joe says the violence is unnacceptable but urges people to accept the election outcome as it stands. Joe, why don’t you find the denial of the Kenyan people’s right to self determination, equally or more unacceptable?

]]> By: anotherM http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2007/12/i-cry-my-country-has-been-robbed/comment-page-2/#comment-110288 anotherM Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:27:48 +0000 http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2007/12/i-cry-my-country-has-been-robbed/#comment-110288 joe, fellow kenyans et al. the argument isn't whether kibaki or raila is a better leader. the argument is that the democratic process has been tainted. whether he is a dictator, statesman, king-maker, tribalist and all the name tags you can give him, the bottom line is raila is the people's choice. kenyans believed in democracy and made the voice heard in the polls. kibaki should respect that, save lives and democracy. joe, fellow kenyans et al. the argument isn’t whether kibaki or raila is a better leader. the argument is that the democratic process has been tainted. whether he is a dictator, statesman, king-maker, tribalist and all the name tags you can give him, the bottom line is raila is the people’s choice. kenyans believed in democracy and made the voice heard in the polls.
kibaki should respect that, save lives and democracy.

]]> By: kibakiout http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2007/12/i-cry-my-country-has-been-robbed/comment-page-1/#comment-110271 kibakiout Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:39:30 +0000 http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2007/12/i-cry-my-country-has-been-robbed/#comment-110271 I am sick and tired of people who continue to speak about Kenya's economy "growing" by 6 percent, etc. Most of you saying this, belong to one of 2 categories. People who have benefited directly from the looting that has gone on in Kenya under Kibaki, and thus don't feel the financial pinch, or those living out of the country. At what expense will this so called "growth" continue? As far as i am concerned, Kenya has become too expensive for many things due to this so called "economic growth". How can a simple bottle of wine cost over 1,000 Shillings? I have purchased many bottles of whine in the US and the UK lately, and Kenya charges more than 2-5 times for such items, than it costs in the US and UK. Even tourists are complaining that things cost more in Kenya than in many European countries. As a Kenyan, my salary has not increased, but the salaries of those theives in government have. So do they feel the pain?... No is the answer, its not enough for them to steal our hard earned money, but to increase their salaries and allowances, is to add insult to injury. Kibaki and his 6 percent growth can go to hell. Trying to show the international bodies numbers and leaving his people to suffer...? I would rather have slow but steady economic growth, where what you earn can allow you to live a happy life in your own country. House prices have sky rocketed... why?... Has a brick become 2-5 times more expensive all of a sudden, or is it simply that the same idiots who steal our money then give themselves pay rises, are not saticefied enough that they want whatever we have left in our pockets for our families (hard earned), in paying them rent, etc. Kibaki must leave right now, and give the majiority of Kenyan's who voted their chosen president, president Raila the opportunity to govern our country. I am not Kikuyu, neither am i Luo but Raila won fair and square. If we made a mistake chosing him, its still our right to decide for ourselves... Anyway, we made a mistake with Kibaki last time didnt we..? So there you go. Thats what voting is about..freedom to make and learn from our mistakes. Have a Happy New Year, but dont forget, kibaki must go!!!. I am sick and tired of people who continue to speak about Kenya’s economy “growing” by 6 percent, etc. Most of you saying this, belong to one of 2 categories. People who have benefited directly from the looting that has gone on in Kenya under Kibaki, and thus don’t feel the financial pinch, or those living out of the country. At what expense will this so called “growth” continue? As far as i am concerned, Kenya has become too expensive for many things due to this so called “economic growth”. How can a simple bottle of wine cost over 1,000 Shillings? I have purchased many bottles of whine in the US and the UK lately, and Kenya charges more than 2-5 times for such items, than it costs in the US and UK. Even tourists are complaining that things cost more in Kenya than in many European countries. As a Kenyan, my salary has not increased, but the salaries of those theives in government have. So do they feel the pain?… No is the answer, its not enough for them to steal our hard earned money, but to increase their salaries and allowances, is to add insult to injury. Kibaki and his 6 percent growth can go to hell. Trying to show the international bodies numbers and leaving his people to suffer…? I would rather have slow but steady economic growth, where what you earn can allow you to live a happy life in your own country. House prices have sky rocketed… why?… Has a brick become 2-5 times more expensive all of a sudden, or is it simply that the same idiots who steal our money then give themselves pay rises, are not saticefied enough that they want whatever we have left in our pockets for our families (hard earned), in paying them rent, etc. Kibaki must leave right now, and give the majiority of Kenyan’s who voted their chosen president, president Raila the opportunity to govern our country. I am not Kikuyu, neither am i Luo but Raila won fair and square. If we made a mistake chosing him, its still our right to decide for ourselves… Anyway, we made a mistake with Kibaki last time didnt we..? So there you go. Thats what voting is about..freedom to make and learn from our mistakes. Have a Happy New Year, but dont forget, kibaki must go!!!.

]]> By: trails of http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2007/12/i-cry-my-country-has-been-robbed/comment-page-1/#comment-110259 trails of Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:14:28 +0000 http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2007/12/i-cry-my-country-has-been-robbed/#comment-110259 JOE, The media (even your own very own pro-gov NatioMedia) reports that the dead in kisumu were killed by gun wounds (GSU). You are clearly a government agent out to fan falsehoods. Where is your source? M. i believe in freedom of speech, but the likes of JOE are the those who fan hate. If they hack your site, talk to me i will help set up ASAP. JOE,
The media (even your own very own pro-gov NatioMedia) reports that the dead in kisumu were killed by gun wounds (GSU). You are clearly a government agent out to fan falsehoods. Where is your source?

M. i believe in freedom of speech, but the likes of JOE are the those who fan hate. If they hack your site, talk to me i will help set up ASAP.

]]> By: Maina http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2007/12/i-cry-my-country-has-been-robbed/comment-page-1/#comment-110244 Maina Mon, 31 Dec 2007 22:30:23 +0000 http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2007/12/i-cry-my-country-has-been-robbed/#comment-110244 I really hope for the future of our country that Raila cares more about Kenya and her people, than his ambition to power. By all accounts, rigging on both sides accounted for or not, Raila and the Baks had a pretty even split in total votes. No matter which one really won, it was by the slimmest of margins. IN NO WAY WOULD THESE RESULTS BE A MANDATE FOR A POPULAR UPRISING, OR 'ORANGE' REVOLUTION. Kibaki has roughly as much support as Raila. This is not to discount inconsistencies in the electoral process. All verifiable claims of rigging ON BOTH SIDES should be investigated, and dealt with in a legal and constitutional way. Only by respecting the rule of law, and placing the lives of Kenyans above personal ambition can Odinga prove that he is more of a Statesman than Kibaki, and allay the fears of those who perceived him as too militant and tribal. The self-same fears that probably drove some misguided PNU supporters into pro-Kibaki rigging. The Kikuyu, and all other Kenyans have been robbed, just as surely as Raila and the Luo have been, because we will probably never know for sure who would have won a free and fair election. The ODMites had, however, raised the stakes, and political temperatures so high with their unwillingness to accept anything other than an ODM victory, that their self-fulfilling prophecy has come to pass. I really hope for the future of our country that Raila cares more about Kenya and her people, than his ambition to power.
By all accounts, rigging on both sides accounted for or not, Raila and the Baks had a pretty even split in total votes. No matter which one really won, it was by the slimmest of margins. IN NO WAY WOULD THESE RESULTS BE A MANDATE FOR A POPULAR UPRISING, OR ‘ORANGE’ REVOLUTION.
Kibaki has roughly as much support as Raila. This is not to discount inconsistencies in the electoral process. All verifiable claims of rigging ON BOTH SIDES should be investigated, and dealt with in a legal and constitutional way.
Only by respecting the rule of law, and placing the lives of Kenyans above personal ambition can Odinga prove that he is more of a Statesman than Kibaki, and allay the fears of those who perceived him as too militant and tribal. The self-same fears that probably drove some misguided PNU supporters into pro-Kibaki rigging.
The Kikuyu, and all other Kenyans have been robbed, just as surely as Raila and the Luo have been, because we will probably never know for sure who would have won a free and fair election. The ODMites had, however, raised the stakes, and political temperatures so high with their unwillingness to accept anything other than an ODM victory, that their self-fulfilling prophecy has come to pass.

]]> By: JOE http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2007/12/i-cry-my-country-has-been-robbed/comment-page-1/#comment-110236 JOE Mon, 31 Dec 2007 22:05:23 +0000 http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2007/12/i-cry-my-country-has-been-robbed/#comment-110236 The events in Kisumu, Kibera, and Eldoret have shown that Kenyans are yet to outgrow tribalism. Entire communities are being punished for crimes that they did not do. As I write this, non-Luo residents of Kisumu are either dead or fear for their lives. The targets are mainly Kisii and Kikuyus. I spoke to a friend of mine who is a Kisii born and raised in Kisumu. His extended family is holed up in kisumu. His uncle’s house and car were reduced to shells by marauding youths. He told me that the only crime the Kisii committed in not voting for Raila en mass. The sad part is that some of those who are being punished in Luo Nyanza may have been staunch supporters of Raila Odinga. My friend’s dad openly campaigned for Raila and even spent his own money on Raila’s campaign. That his life is in danger is a shame. Raila Odinga promised us that he would form a government that is democratic and protects the interests of all Kenyans. His and his supporters’ actions tell us that he was speaking just for the sake of it. As an ODM supporter, I felt betrayed by Raila when he gave a statement saying that only his supporters have died in Kisumu. He claimed that his supporters were holding peaceful protests when police shot and killed them. I felt betrayed because Raila did not mention the scored of innocent Kenyans who have been killed by his supporters. I felt betrayed because Raila did not ask his supporters to respect the sanctity of life and the right by others to own property. I felt betrayed by Raila and ODM because they don’t respect other Kenyans’ right to vote for whoever they want to. I could have voted for ODM if I was in Kenya but somebody could have killed me because he has already passed judgment that I was Raila’s enemy because of my tribe. Is it democratic for Luo ODM supporters to demand 100% votes from all Kenyans? I feel this is dictatorship! The Luos voted 99.999% for Raila Odinga. The Kikuyus voted 99.999% for Kibaki. They did so for their due to their own reasons. The ordinary Luo has no influence on ODM’s decision to use violence to prevent PNU agents form witnessing voting in Luo Nyanza. Only a few goons engaged in this violence. It will be wrong if PNU supporters killed any Luo on the basis that a few goons carried out Raila’s orders. The Ordinary Kikuyu may have voted for Kibaki but he has no influence in the blatant rigging that we witnessed on live TV. Why then should be hold Kikuyus accountable for crimes committed by Kibaki, Michuki and other goons? Raila has an opportunity to come out as a statesman but his failed. ODM has the majority in Parliament. What Raila and his supporters should do is pass a vote of no confidence on Kibaki as soon as parliament is sworn in. We will then go for fresh elections. Turning tribe against tribe and expecting to gain from that is wrong. There are many Kenyans who support Raila and are not happy with the way Kibaki openly stole the election. Raila will continue getting this support if he stands up and behaves like a statesman. The Kisii, Kikuyu, Luhya, Kambas, etc who are targets will pull away because you can’t support a man who is not asking his tribesmen to respect your right to life. No sane Kenyan can support Raila when Raila’s supporters in are killing his family. Raila should act or lose my support and that of may people who think like me. The events in Kisumu, Kibera, and Eldoret have shown that Kenyans are yet to outgrow tribalism. Entire communities are being punished for crimes that they did not do. As I write this, non-Luo residents of Kisumu are either dead or fear for their lives. The targets are mainly Kisii and Kikuyus.

I spoke to a friend of mine who is a Kisii born and raised in Kisumu. His extended family is holed up in kisumu. His uncle’s house and car were reduced to shells by marauding youths. He told me that the only crime the Kisii committed in not voting for Raila en mass. The sad part is that some of those who are being punished in Luo Nyanza may have been staunch supporters of Raila Odinga. My friend’s dad openly campaigned for Raila and even spent his own money on Raila’s campaign. That his life is in danger is a shame.

Raila Odinga promised us that he would form a government that is democratic and protects the interests of all Kenyans. His and his supporters’ actions tell us that he was speaking just for the sake of it. As an ODM supporter, I felt betrayed by Raila when he gave a statement saying that only his supporters have died in Kisumu. He claimed that his supporters were holding peaceful protests when police shot and killed them. I felt betrayed because Raila did not mention the scored of innocent Kenyans who have been killed by his supporters. I felt betrayed because Raila did not ask his supporters to respect the sanctity of life and the right by others to own property.

I felt betrayed by Raila and ODM because they don’t respect other Kenyans’ right to vote for whoever they want to. I could have voted for ODM if I was in Kenya but somebody could have killed me because he has already passed judgment that I was Raila’s enemy because of my tribe. Is it democratic for Luo ODM supporters to demand 100% votes from all Kenyans? I feel this is dictatorship!

The Luos voted 99.999% for Raila Odinga. The Kikuyus voted 99.999% for Kibaki. They did so for their due to their own reasons. The ordinary Luo has no influence on ODM’s decision to use violence to prevent PNU agents form witnessing voting in Luo Nyanza. Only a few goons engaged in this violence. It will be wrong if PNU supporters killed any Luo on the basis that a few goons carried out Raila’s orders.

The Ordinary Kikuyu may have voted for Kibaki but he has no influence in the blatant rigging that we witnessed on live TV. Why then should be hold Kikuyus accountable for crimes committed by Kibaki, Michuki and other goons?

Raila has an opportunity to come out as a statesman but his failed. ODM has the majority in Parliament. What Raila and his supporters should do is pass a vote of no confidence on Kibaki as soon as parliament is sworn in. We will then go for fresh elections. Turning tribe against tribe and expecting to gain from that is wrong. There are many Kenyans who support Raila and are not happy with the way Kibaki openly stole the election. Raila will continue getting this support if he stands up and behaves like a statesman. The Kisii, Kikuyu, Luhya, Kambas, etc who are targets will pull away because you can’t support a man who is not asking his tribesmen to respect your right to life. No sane Kenyan can support Raila when Raila’s supporters in are killing his family. Raila should act or lose my support and that of may people who think like me.

]]> By: anotherM http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2007/12/i-cry-my-country-has-been-robbed/comment-page-1/#comment-110199 anotherM Mon, 31 Dec 2007 20:19:53 +0000 http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2007/12/i-cry-my-country-has-been-robbed/#comment-110199 the white house is holding off accepting the rigged polls. keep up the pressure wananchi! the white house is holding off accepting the rigged polls. keep up the pressure wananchi!

]]> By: John Charo http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2007/12/i-cry-my-country-has-been-robbed/comment-page-1/#comment-110160 John Charo Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:29:45 +0000 http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2007/12/i-cry-my-country-has-been-robbed/#comment-110160 M It would be helpful to point out that there are also allegations that there were several opposition strongholds that had voter turnout exceeding 100%. My point: Both sides seem to be throwing allegations and counter allegations against each other. The solution: A sober and independent mind needs to sit down and look at all these allegations. I'm glad that ECK has called for an independent review of their process. I suggest we all get proactive and try and come up with suggestions on the way forward. M

It would be helpful to point out that there are also allegations that there were several opposition strongholds that had voter turnout exceeding 100%. My point: Both sides seem to be throwing allegations and counter allegations against each other. The solution: A sober and independent mind needs to sit down and look at all these allegations. I’m glad that ECK has called for an independent review of their process.

I suggest we all get proactive and try and come up with suggestions on the way forward.

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