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A resounding NO! Until, and unless the public's confidence is won by arresting ,charging and convicting the corrupt high profile members in the society,irrespective of status, elimination of corruption will not be over. The arraignment will set precedent for future public servants with regard to en ...

Ashers j.s, Swaziland


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New law: Raila calls crisis meeting

Brief:

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has called a crisis meeting of ODM ministers and legislators to reassess the party’s “standing in Government” this Wednesday. ...more

User comments(38)

1. On Tuesday January 6, 2009, 10:24 AM , Peter Mumo, Sudan wrote:
  Fortunately the language some vernacular stations used to incite ethnic clashes can be understood by other Kenyans and these Kenyans reported the issues to the government, Waki and to the Commission of the South African retired judge. Nobody wants a repeat of the clashes and we should all support the idea of dealling with these errant media houses hell bent to create chaos along narrow ethnic lines. The logic is simple. There was no control before the ethnic clashes and to create control against interethnic incitement is a great idea.

 
2. On Tuesday January 6, 2009, 10:23 AM , Peter Mumo, Sudan wrote:
  Some media stations broadcasted inciting sentiments during the infamous ethnic clashes before and after the General Elections. This was especially done by the vernacular radios stations who incited those in the language they broadcasted against their perceived enemies. We need to control this problem for Peace and stability in Kenya.

 
3. On Monday January 5, 2009, 16:06 PM , Patricia Oluotch, United Kingdom wrote:
  Indeed, Raila thought that being a PM was an achievement. Mambo Bado.

 
4. On Monday January 5, 2009, 15:40 PM , William O. Makora, Kenya wrote:
  Raila has a good heart. The same Kibaki tricked him in 2003. Six years later, the man is in the trap. It will be the height of folly if Raila calls a meeting to hoodwink ODM members who express concern. All Kenyans can see that the President is not trustworthy. The nation has cried about food prices, only ODM ministers respond. When the media Bill came up only ODM responded. What is Kibaki doing?

 
5. On Monday January 5, 2009, 15:21 PM , William O. Makora, Kenya wrote:
  Let the crisis meeting deliver us out of the crisis we are put in by the President Kibaki when he signed the Communication (Amendment) Bill 2008.

 
6. On Monday January 5, 2009, 13:33 PM , CHRIS, Kenya wrote:
  SHAME ON THEM! The Coalition Gov is letting us down! 1st where were the so-called ODM MPs when the bill was passed? They r always slow learners and confused on parliamentary business, Raila should 1st lead by example, participate and contribute on important motions instead of waiting then come out complaining. Kibaki seems to be too old and his brain is ever directed by unexposed old fashioned Muthaura.

 
7. On Monday January 5, 2009, 0:42 AM , mark, United States wrote:
  Why did some Kenyans vote Kibaki? He is a non democrat he must be pushed. If he became president after Kenyatta he would never made reforms. From banana reforms to disputed elections to media freedom surely let this man go home once. The country must now say NO now even to his VP.

 
8. On Monday January 5, 2009, 0:37 AM , Dave O O, United States wrote:
  Well! There is plenty of blame to go around, this bill was agreed to by the least number of MPs with minimum debate. Whereas the President could have sent it back for modifications, it shouldn't have left parliament in the first place, so MPs failed. The president didn't create this bill, MPs did. While at at, let's give the president line item veto power so he can just scratch through bad clauses

 
9. On Sunday January 4, 2009, 22:50 PM , Brezi, United Kingdom wrote:
  I'm getting a feeling of deja vu. Isn't this the same Kibaki that appointed ECK commissioners without consultations and amid a national outcry? I believe impeachment proceedings if any MUST be constituted on mental health grounds

 
10. On Sunday January 4, 2009, 18:44 PM , s mtu, United Kingdom wrote:
  This article epitomises why media need regulation! The bill went through all the stages in parliament and was voted in by the elected representatives of the people. Why do you want us to see it as a 'Kibaki affair', isolated by everybody else? What do you mean by ODM has taken a clear decision on this? How comes I knew the bill was going though parliament yet I'm not an MP and I live abroad?

 
11. On Sunday January 4, 2009, 16:56 PM , Mzalendo, China wrote:
  I have one question to Kenyans who like being fooled by politicians: Where was the ODM brigade when the damn bill was being debated in Parliament? Isn't the Minister in charge a member of the puerile ODM-K cowards? Just add up and tell us who is fooling who in these reactionary tactics. Foolish MPs, idiots. Kibaki simply did what he had to do after he rejected Kagwe's version of the same Bill.

 
12. On Sunday January 4, 2009, 16:55 PM , kamingi zabura, United Arab Emirates wrote:
  ODM calling a crisis meeting? They should tell it to the birds! Where were they when the bill was being discussed and passed? This tells you how less these chaps care about parliamentary business. They are the majority in the house, could have made sure it had not passed through if they wanted but do they care? Then they turn around and start crying wolf. SHAME ON THEM!! 2012 beckons, gentlemen!!

 
13. On Sunday January 4, 2009, 16:52 PM , Joe Oketch, United States wrote:
  I don't get this stalemate for the bill to reach the president's desk it had to go through Parliament, where ODM have a lot of representatives why did they not get rid of the bill then? Maybe because most of them were not in parliament on the day! It's about time our MPs took their responsibilities seriously ans start serving Kenyans not their SELFISH INTERESTS!!

 
14. On Sunday January 4, 2009, 16:49 PM , otieno odera, Kenya wrote:
  Raila should first define and understand his job description before plunging into issues that are self serving in the name of quacks masquerading as journalists. Kenya has no journalist so its best they go back to school and learn what it means to be a journalist. Raila needs to also relook at urgent issues like food

 
15. On Sunday January 4, 2009, 15:30 PM , johua bodo, France wrote:
  For those asking where the ODM MPs were, 40 of them are ministers/assts, they have other official duties to attend to the Kibaki leutenants, 25 of them ambushed them and passed the bill. For the prezzi/lieutenants to sign the bill, they are trying to shaw Raila something, he has tampered with the coalition, but believe me they will regret it.

 
16. On Sunday January 4, 2009, 14:48 PM , fareed ahmed, Kenya wrote:
  I believe we already enjoy the best freedom of speach one will have in any third world country. We kindly ask the media to show restrain. For the sake of peace we need this coalition goverment to complete its term and more important finish constitutional reforms.

 
17. On Sunday January 4, 2009, 14:00 PM , Edwin Masita, India wrote:
  Kibaki just continues to dissapoint the country even when it is just at its delicate position.The rule of dictatorship is a thing of the past.We are in an era where citicen's needs should be a priority and not individual view.

 
18. On Sunday January 4, 2009, 13:51 PM , Metal Will, Kenya wrote:
  This isn't about Raila or Kalonzo or Mudavadi. Its is about the rights and freedoms of Kenyans. Address the matter at hand and spare us ur narrow vision!

 
19. On Sunday January 4, 2009, 13:33 PM , Seb M, United States wrote:
  Shame on Kibaki. This reminds us of his comments before Section 2A was repealed: 'Multipartyists Are Dreamers.' This bill embarrasses Kenya before the world and should never have been assented to by a figure of State.

 
20. On Sunday January 4, 2009, 13:23 PM , Francis Mahero, Tanzania wrote:
  It is PM, VP and their MPs who should be vilified for not taking the process of law making seriously. We shouldn't be talking about this if they showed leadership when it mattered. They are all self seekers, shame.

 
21. On Sunday January 4, 2009, 13:05 PM , Martin, United Kingdom wrote:
  Here in the UK, only about two months ago a famous BBC radio personallity had to resigh after uttering obcenities on radio. The director of the programme resigned while one other person was suspended from duty. ...and it wasn't anything close to what you hear on Kenyan FM stations. If Kenyan media cannot regulate itself, and there is no effective independent reguator, the Government comes in handy!!

 
22. On Sunday January 4, 2009, 10:47 AM , Muthomi Thiankolu, United Kingdom wrote:
  Progress, progress indeed. This is the change we voted for in 2002! How marvelous? Our MPs are not only the most highly paid but also the most ardent adherents of democracy. You see, in this our beautiful country, 22 MPs and a President are the most intelligent and benevolent people, they know what is good for us. Our remaining 200 MPs know how to be at the work place at the right time! Great!

 
23. On Sunday January 4, 2009, 7:24 AM , Ken M, Kenya wrote:
  Its just amazing the way you are quoting unnamed sources, at this point one can see clearly how biased your story is. It would help to clearly indicate your sources and make the story credible. Stop dragging the coalition government into this, this is the same irresponsible journalism that got us in trouble in 2007. The issues in the media bill are not set in stone. Ken

 
24. On Sunday January 4, 2009, 5:57 AM , Fredrick Ouno, Kenya wrote:
  Its an believable the Presiodent has appended his signature to this draconian and oppressive law. The gains that Kenyans achieved in the past decades have been taken into the drains at the stroke of a pen. Mr President why are you denying your people the rioght to know?.

 
25. On Sunday January 4, 2009, 5:11 AM , boniface, Kenya wrote:
  There is a process for reversing such things: the media should work with parties that do not support this law to sponsor an amendment bill in Parliament. Going by the comments we are reading, it will easily sail through. I believe ODM can ably perform this role seeing that it is the single largest party and has taken a "common stand" (according to this article) unlike the other parties.

 
26. On Sunday January 4, 2009, 3:31 AM , Gilbert Omido, United States wrote:
  The ODM is now paying for poor negotiating the terms of Coalition with PNU. Everyone, except ODM, knows that PNU outnegotiated ODM and that the so called "power sharing" exists only in the minds of simpletons. A majority of Kenyans are not simpletons. All Kenyans wish for is a new constitution followed by fresh peaceful elections.

 
27. On Sunday January 4, 2009, 1:36 AM , JUHUDI OMWANDA, United States wrote:
  President Kibaki did the right thing. The media can only be regulated by such laws. This is very good for the country and I think Kenyans, particularly the media should not read politics in all issues.

 
28. On Sunday January 4, 2009, 0:27 AM , ANSET MWAKIO, United States wrote:
  I have been reading about this communication bill with a lot of concern. The political culture in Kenya especially by our leaders is that of greedy aimed at protecting their own selfish interests. Consider the fact that the same ODM MPs who were liward to support the wrong bill by their opponents only to realise that they were not only surpressing citizens interests through the press but also the citizens.

 
29. On Saturday January 3, 2009, 23:36 PM , jane doe, United States wrote:
  What does the constitution of Kenya state concerning the media? The Bill would not be law if it was not in conjunction with what is clearly stated in the constitution. No laws have been broken.

 
30. On Saturday January 3, 2009, 23:25 PM , George Aranda, Haiti wrote:
  Kenyans dont eat peace. Kenyans must not be made to suffer in silence for the sake of grand coalition government that is not working. The signing of the accord was to make life better and that could only work if the two principals were to work together in private and public for the good of the country. This is not the case and ODM needs to call it quit.

 
31. On Saturday January 3, 2009, 23:25 PM , owili Nyatawo, United Kingdom wrote:
  ODM action is nothing other than a PR exercise. Where were they when this bill was being passed in Parliament? It is a clear confirmation that the PM and party were caught sleeping on the job and making futile noises at this stage is nothing other than trying to shut the stables when the horses have bolted. If he was up to the job, the party should have stopped this bill before it was passed.

 
32. On Saturday January 3, 2009, 23:22 PM , Savia Gukhu, Germany wrote:
  Raila and Kalonzo should firstly re-read their job descriptions. If they really cared about the Media Bill they (including their party MPs) should have been present in parliament during the bill’s debate and voting to ensure that it did not sail through. The president has the right as per his job description either to sign to or reject the bill. You did not do your job. The president did his.

 
33. On Saturday January 3, 2009, 23:10 PM , mwangi ngamate, Kenya wrote:
  Politicians politicians, now ODM can take time to take over power through a civilian coup, the government can be the sum total custodian of all freedoms, I am sure there were ODM MPs who voted for the motion. If Raila is who he claims to be why throw the media out of his office?

 
34. On Saturday January 3, 2009, 23:07 PM , stephen kinyanjui, United States wrote:
  Raila and his group should stop taking Kenyans for a ride. MPs were elected to Parliament to make laws. This Bill went through all the phases before it landed on KIbaki's desk for signing. Where were these MPs including Raila, Kilonzo, Mudavadi and the rest who are making noise now? Give Kenyans a break. We are busy thinking about where to get the next meal and how to take our children to school.

 
35. On Saturday January 3, 2009, 22:25 PM , andayi mushenye, United States wrote:
  Now the sleepy ODM wakes up to find out that Kibaki out-maneuvered them again. Then they run around like chickens with heads cut off after the fact. The begging question is: Where were the ODM MPs when the bill passed parliament? They wait around sleeping and wake up when its usually too late. For how long will they continue wasting time going over issues again and again when they had all the time?

 
36. On Saturday January 3, 2009, 22:01 PM , Saimz, Kenya wrote:
  Shame on our legislators.

 
37. On Saturday January 3, 2009, 22:01 PM , Thomas Gitau, MBA, CPA(K), United Kingdom wrote:
  It is difficult to understand how Kenya politics work. "Who passed this draconian law?" The same legislators made up of the coalition partners, who are now accussing the President for signing the bill into law. MPs passed this bill to punish the media, because they dont want to be philanthropic as held by the speaker. Come 2012 this bill will haunt you, selfish MPs, pay taxes like everyone else.

 
38. On Saturday January 3, 2009, 21:16 PM , Eric Seda, United States wrote:
  President Kibaki has made a horrible blunder by signing the Communication Bill. Kenya had gone many miles from such draconian laws. ODM and affiliates in Parliament must resist this by introducing a parallel bill to strike out all the offensive clouses. Freedom is costly and Kenya must not allow Kibaki to squander it. We resist his evil plans.

 

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