East Africa

Details: East Africa; 24 January 2023; 700

The US representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, will travel to Kenya, Ghana, Mozambique in the course of the Week from 25^th to 29^th January.

The Ambassador seeks to affirm and strengthen partnerships with key current and former UN Security Council members.

This follows on the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit, and her visit will advance priorities, including addressing regional security, reinforcing commitments to democracy and human rights, strengthening food security, supporting African resilience and recovery, and mitigating the effects of climate change.

In a press statement Monday from United States Mission to the United Nations, Office of Press and Public Diplomacy, in Kenya, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield will receive briefings from the UN country team on humanitarian programs, including the regional drought response and assistance to refugees.

Amb. Greenfield will also meet with refugees pending resettlement in the United States and highlight the Administration’s newly-launched Welcome Corps program.

She will also meet with Kenya-based entrepreneurs at the forefront of the country’s transition to a green economy as well as also focus on the impact Russia’s war against Ukraine continues to have on global food security, which has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. to be the Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations as well as the Representative of the United States of America in the Security Council of the United Nations on January 20, 2021

She had earlier served as the U.S. assistant secretary of state for African affairs from 2013 to 2017. Capital News

Details: East Africa; 24 January 2023; 680

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya spokesperson professor Makau Mutua has affirmed that he does not recognize President William Ruto as the country's president.

In a shared Twitter post, Mutua insisted that he never saw himself acknowledging Ruto as the Head of State.

"As a matter of my freedom of conscience and thought, I can't accept, or recognize, William Samoei Ruto as President of Kenya. I can't and won't," Makau wrote.

Mutua's remarks came barely hours after the coalition's supremo Raila Odinga vowed not to recognise Ruto citing that he was in office illegally.

He also demanded that the Kenya Kwanza government resigns, arguing that it had neither the mandate of the people nor the ability to govern.

Additionally, the opposition leader and other leaders allied to the Azimio faction asked Kenyans to reject the Ruto-led administration.

While describing the policies as “unfortunate and unfair”, Raila said they must be resisted and urged his supporters to start the resistance at once.

He also noted that he did not agree with the electoral commission — which declared Ruto the winner of the August election — and the Supreme Court, which upheld the election. Raila said the two institutions had been hijacked by cartels.

His sentiments have raised political stakes, setting the stage for what could turn out to be a protracted game of wits between the ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance — of which UDA is a member — and the Opposition.

Raila spoke just hours after he returned to the country after a short tour of South Africa. From the airport, he went straight to the historic Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi, where he made an eight-point demand, including for the five-month-old administration to resign.

“We as Azimio reject the 2022 election results,” he said. “We cannot and will not recognise the Kenya Kwanza regime and we consider the Kenya Kwanza government illegitimate. We don’t recognise Mr William Ruto as President of Kenya and we equally don’t recognise any officials in the office with him.”

By Achieng' Mary, People Daily

Details: East Africa; 22 January 2023; 658

Chadema deputy chairman Tundu Lissu who is expected to return from exile in Belgium on January 25. PHOTO | FILE | NMG

Tanzania’s opposition party Chadema and allied movements are planning public rallies to push for review of the constitution after President Samia Suluhu removed a ban on political gatherings.

The rallies, which would be the first legal gatherings in seven years, are meant to refuel the agitation for a new constitution and fire up the parties ahead of next year’s civic elections and the general election in 2025.

There are 19 registered political parties in Tanzania and they are taking advantage of the new political space after President Samia lifted the ban on public political rallies and meetings. Chadema’s first public rally is scheduled for Dar es Salaam.

Chadema deputy Secretary General Benson Kigaila told The EastAfrican that the party will be organising public rallies to push for democracy, rule of law and development agenda in Tanzania.

“We will be co-operating with the government to ensure that Tanzania gets a new constitution before the civic elections in 2024 and the general election in 2025 in a free political environment,” he said.

The party is preparing to welcome back its deputy chairman Tundu Lissu, who is expected to return from exile in Belgium on January 25.

On June 24, 2016, the late President John Magufuli had imposed a ban on public political activities and rallies. President Samia lifted it earlier in January and directed police and other security forces to allow parties and provide security.

According to the president, registered political parties had full rights to organise and hold rallies to discuss political ambitions and criticise her government and criticise the ruling CCM party.

The head of the Baptist Churches in Central Tanzania Bishop Anthony Mlyashimba and the head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania Dr Frederick Shoo have been calling for reforms, and a culture of forgiveness.

Struck conciliatory note

Already, Chadema chairman Freeman Mbowe and the vice chairman of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi Abdulrahman Kinana have struck a conciliatory note.

Chairman of the Civic United Front (CUF) Professor Ibrahim Lipumba said that his party will launching its political public rallies soon.

Police spokesperson David Misime said that police officers were ready to manage the gatherings.

By Apolinari Tairo and Mohamed Issa, The East African

Details: East Africa; 23 January 2023; 740

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has hit out at the Azimio leadership over planned rally slated for tomorrow.

Speaking during a church service in Kirinyaga on Sunday, the legislature instead called the Azimio leader Raila Odinga to ensure his family is at the forefront of the planned rallies and demonstrations.

Nyoro said President William Ruto cannot be intimidated or coerced by calls for demonstrations, adding Raila’s plan was to extract personal benefits by calling for the demonstrations.

“Wewe uite maandmano hata kesho lakini kama maandamao ni kitu ya manufaa na kabisa unaezakuza uchumi ya kenya na maandamano, kesho tukuone na jamii yako kwanza msitari wa meble mkipeleka hiyo maandamano mbele,” Nyoro said.

He said calls for rallies and demonstrations will not intimidate the President but further challenged the Azimio brigade to ensure businesses are not affected during the rally.

“…na kwa hiyo mandamno mimi nitakuombea ruhusa hata kwa Rais wetu ikiwezekana hata serikali ipelekee watu maji pale, na hata soda wakiandamana wanakunywa kidogo wanarudi maandamano,” he said.

This is translated to mean, ‘I will ask for permission from our President if possible the government to take water and sodas there so that the demonstrators can take as they continue with their demonstrations’.

Nyoro further called on the opposition chief to learn from the leadership late South African leader Nelson Mandela.

Azimio leader is expected to issue a compressive statement on Monday on claims by a whistleblower that the 9 August 2022 presidential election was rigged.

His spokesman Dennis Onyango said Raila will issue the statement at a rally in Kamkunji Grounds in Nairobi upon his arrival from South Africa.

In a statement to newsrooms, Onyango said Raila is expected to land at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 11 am and thereafter proceed to Kamkunji for the People’s Baraza.

“Odinga appeals to Kenyans to show up in large numbers at the Kamkunji Baraza in the interest of the country,” the statement said.

Raila has been out of the country for slightly over a week having left the country on January 13 for South Africa. - MAGDALINE SAYA, The Star

Details: East Africa; 22 January 2023; 839

An image of President William Ruto (left) and ODM leader Raila Odinga (right). KENYANS.CO.KE

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga ostensibly called for a rally at the famous Kamukunji Grounds on Monday, January 23, after a dossier by a whistleblower on August 9, 2022, presidential election.

On Saturday, January 21, Odinga’s spokesperson Dennis Onyango, in a statement to newsrooms, announced that the Azimio leader would land at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Monday, January 23 at 11 am.

“Mr Odinga appeals to Kenyans to show up in large numbers at the Kamukunji Baraza, in the interest of the country,” Onyango stated.

On Friday, January 20, the Azimio leadership challenged the electoral commission (IEBC) to allow a forensic audit of its servers to dispel claims by a whistleblower that Raila Odinga won.

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka (centre) with other Azimio leaders during a media briefing at his Karen office on January 19, 2023. TWITTER

KALONZO MUSYOKA

Led by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his Narc Kenya counterpart Martha Karua, Azimio alluded that it had demanded full access to the servers during the presidential petition but this was denied by both the court and IEBC.

Azimio cited a document provided by a whistleblower allegedly working at IEBC that indicated Odinga garnered 8,170,353 votes (57.3 per cent) against Ruto’s 5,915,973 (41.66 per cent).

However, speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Political Analyst Martin Andati termed the push back by Odinga as lethargic and uninspiring.

“Raila is looking for relevance after Ruto announced that the previous administration was after kidnapping Chebukati, recently, they released unbelievable figures alluding to an Odinga win which was unrealistic.

They do all this because they have to react to Ruto’s attacks in order to maintain their support base,” he added.

Andati further remarked that political dynamics had changed in the country and that Ruto had started making inroads in opposition bases.

“Ruto has done three months already, and he has already reached out to Odinga’s bases. Further, the Supreme Court ruled on the August 9 elections and its decision was final."

According to Andati, Raila can only do rallies as long as they do not end up destroying people's properties.

“Ruto will clamp down on the opposition if they are to hold rallies that would destroy people's properties. They can however hold their rallies as Ruto has been advocating for a robust opposition in the country,” he opined.

Odinga has been in South Africa since January 13, where he held meetings as the AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa.

He also held meetings with government leaders, NGOs and business leaders. By ANZUGIRA PEREZ, Kenyans.co.ke