It’s a sad day for Kenya
Tears are rolling down my eyes as I’m writing this.
It is a sad day for Kenya when Ruto and Kosgey are the guys arguing for justice and fairness.
It is a sad day for Kenya when Karua and Kibwana are defending rigged results.
It is a sad day for Kenya when Kivuitu is cracking jokes at the state house swearing in ceremony while lives are being lost for people who could care less (10 people already dead in Kisii, 2 dead in Kakamega, at least one in Kisumu).
It is a sad day for Kenya when Kibaki who pledged to be a one-term president and is only president because Raila said Kibaki Tosha can now not be bigger than himself and his cronies.
It is a sad day for Kenya when a cabal that has been in power since independence still controls the countries destiny.
It is a sad day for Kenya when millions of first time young voters have had their voice ignored - how do you tell these people that their vote matters in 2012?
It is a sad day for Kenya that Kenyans will no longer trust the one avenue they have - the ballot box.
It is a sad day in Kenya that the democracy that has been painfully and slowly nurtured since 1992 has been damaged in one day.
It is a sad day.
on December 30th, 2007 at 11:47
KIBAKI HAS BEEN SWORN IN
VERY MARCHIAVELLIAN TACTICS
on December 30th, 2007 at 11:50
Call it KARMA
on December 30th, 2007 at 11:52
I am speechless…
on December 30th, 2007 at 11:52
Really so sad even to us in Tz who know that Kibaki is not supposed to be the presiednt. So sad knowing that blood will be shed just because of one person (THIEVE KIBAKI)
on December 30th, 2007 at 11:53
Ory, I wipe your tears.
Usijali, we will fight. This is a national disgrace and the height of evil. Kenyans will not accept. We don’t care how many dies otherwise we will turn another Somalia.
“Heads must roll for every noble cause.” (Chinua Achebe)
on December 30th, 2007 at 11:53
Is it true that Kibaki has been sworn inn as the president for kenya? you mean it is such fast like that??? My God there is something wrong somewhere
on December 30th, 2007 at 11:54
Kibaki sworn in as he continues to rush past any dictator who ever ruled Kenya. Reuters has reported the story. They were bolder than BBC Africa…used the word “rigged.” It also looks like foreign observers will not help Kibaki pull wool over our eyes. EU observer Alexander Lamsdorff told Reuters that there was “a massive question mark” as far as the tallying of votes was concerned.
on December 30th, 2007 at 11:55
What a bunch of bullocks!!! “They want to run kenya like a police state” I got this quote from BBC ealier. Sad very sad.
on December 30th, 2007 at 11:58
For those who are talking violence… please poa. Who will suffer when the country starts burning? Do you think any of those who attended that swearing in will be around? They have demonstrated that they would rather the country burn than give up power. Why give them what they want? If we burn our home (country) where will we and our children go?
Let us follow the path of mahatma gandhi and martin luther king. there are non-violent ways of registering our protests that do not destroy our country as we try to save it.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:01
this stinks BIG TIME. Why the hurried swearing in? Where is this country heading to? A sneak swearing in? Don’t the people of Kenya deserve a proper state ceremony?
Someone knows he does not have a mandate and therefore cannot risk a public appearance. This stinks BIG. An African country has once again failed, denting once more the continent’s self esteem.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:02
We shall overcome this. God is superior than all and He sees it all. I hate you kibaki and all your old guard, you have failed us, you have destroyed our gains, you have placedyour pot bellies before our lives… we will overcome, power rests with us besides God.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:04
I gather there was:
a) footage of vote stuffing.
b) Kamukunki vote tallies altered by hand e.g. “0″ changed to “6″ in favour of PNU - saw this one on KTN courtesy of Africast myself.
c) Returning officer at KICC who pointed out irregularities.
By the way, what is ECK’s position on those constituencies with results that even it admitted were compromised? The let’s just forget treatment? Are we to believe that 2012 elections will be any different? If vote riggers get away this year, they will only be more rabid in their activities next time.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:04
This reminds me of the 2002 US “hanging chads” elections, that saw Bush been chosen by the Supreme Court. Off course there was tension and people were glued to their tv’s and radio’s awaiting the verdict. However, I don’t recall any deaths as a result, nor Al Gore threatening a coup.
For those of us lucky to be outside Kenya, we need to watch what we write and respect the citizens on Kenyan soil. Your internet rhetoric will not make a difference, other than stress and certainly depress you, lest you move back to Kenya and engage in th fight for justice.
Kenyan organizations abroad have also been mum on the issue, rendering them useless.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:05
Fears have been raised of a plotted Kibaki Assassination within the first month of his new presidency by the Kenyan Army. God help us all as we watch what happens next.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:06
It is a sad day for Kenyans & all those that hoped Kenya was on the way to democracy . Thanks Sister. You did your part.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:06
Two out of three of your predictions have come true.
Private announcement of Kibaki as winner.
Hurried swearing-in ceremony.
I just hope that the third one doesn’t happen
State of emergency.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:09
Unbelievable ! i don’t know whether to laugh or cry. If the voting was really rigged as it is claimed then how could President Kibaki give such speech extoling democracy and truth.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:10
Grace,
Well said…violence just begets violence….it won’t solve anything….what can folks do though? It sounds like protests will swiftly be shut down (even peaceful ones)….
Just a few thoughts/questions:
-I think it will be even sadder if ODM folks jump ship for millions of the new soon to be “PNU government” and forgot the change they were pushing for.
-I respect Kalonzo in some ways…I wonder what his response will be to this.
-Who is the VP going to be? AS sick as the fact that Kibaki is the Presedent under such circumstances makes me…
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:10
This is just unbelievable but not the END!
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:16
Don, I was wondering about the same myself. I had actually asked what was ODM-K’s position on the matter. Mutula Kilonzo as of yesterday appeared to side with PNU. I am hoping that the party leader’s position is different and that he will reign Mutula in before condemning the rigging that went on.
Anything less from Kalonzo Musyoka and he will lose every bit of respect I have for him. If he dares join the PNU government, I hope Eastern Provincers will crush his political career in 2012.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:18
“Congratulations” Kibaki! You have succeeded where Moi failed… Kenya is at the height of tribalism under your “leadership”…You and your greedy cronies have turned Kenya into a statistic overnight (another failed democracy!). What a legacy… I am angry!
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:22
[...] Ory gave some of the best media coverage of the elections, better than the traditional media, on her blog KenyanPundit. MentalAcrobatics claims that something is not right with this election. More coverage on the Thinker’s Room. [...]
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:23
Fox News has also reported the story. They have given the most details on election irregularities that I have seen in foreign media thus far including:
a) reports that a certain candidate actually ran away with ballot papers.
b) A constituency with 115% turn out.
c) EU observer’s comments on the tallying irregularities.
All Kibaki wants is to sit in State House. It does not even bother him that he cannot govern Kenya with 40/210 seats.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:24
I can see this is an ODM zone
Ory - where is the evidence of rigging?
If I believed everything written in this post, I’d think that the only people who voted for Kibaki were Kikuyus and we all know this was not true. He got votes in every province and in nyanza he even got 14% of the vote!
Wipe your tears away and stop being such alarmists. The economy is growing at 7% and will do even better in the next 5 years and I believe when Kibaki leaves, kenya will be a different country (economically, not politically)
kenyanentrepreneur.com
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:25
It is possible that Kibaki might have had more votes than Raila. But even as a neutral observer, I think the confirmed allegations of rigging in places like Maragua and the hurried swearing in make us have major doubts.
Why the sneak swearing in? Don’t Kenyans deserve a proper state ceremony if indeed the government believes that it won the election?
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:25
Jaja that is a very serious sentiment to express. It could be catastrophic, however desperate people have a way of taking desperate measures. A lot of people are of the opinion that 5 years is too long and they want him gone now, through hook or crook. Kibaki is in grim danger as we speak, he will have to tread very careful and beef up his security ten fold if he is ever to survive his full term.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:25
how do you rule with 40 MP’s? I haven’t prayed in a while but tonight I will pray for my country! Am totally refraining from using any profanities on your site.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:27
I AM NOT BITTER…………………….I AM MAD AS HELL.
I AM JUST WALKING AROUND MY HOUSE IN CIRCLES.
I AM CRYING FOR PEACE BACK HOME. I JUST WANT MY FELLOW COUNTRYMEN SAFE.
SI THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR? AND HOW CAN THAT BE ACHIEVED AT THIS TRYING TIMES?
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:27
Here’s my suspicion: going by Kibaki’s speech during this inauguration, he was completely in the dark, totally unaware of the havoc that went on at KICC. Either that or he is the best actor in the whole whole globe worthy to be in Hollywood.
JS
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:29
Its better an harried swearing in ceremony as it has happened, than waiting for a huge state ceremony that will defenately see hundreds of lives lost! trust me…
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:29
I think we are back to dictatorship. Maybe like uganda and idi amin. I doesn,t matter what party you support it is very clear what has happened here. am sorry to say that blood will run and it has started
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:29
Niky and Bruha-man - get real. 22 Commissioners can be wrong because they decide to compromise their integrity and ignore tallying irregularities. Where have the two of you been? Haven’t you been watching T.V.? Are you serious you are willing to accept the results without question after all that we have seen with our own eyes? Ladies and genetlemen, this is the problem with Africa. People here are too quick to push certain issues under the carpet. This means that the foundation upon which subsequent processes are built is very weak.
In addition, we have to be concerned because there will be another election in 2012 (hopefully) and most of the same commissioners and their attendant laxity will be presiding over the process again.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:30
Assasinate him cause he won the election? Is that your version of democracy?
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:32
Kenya damu what about those ODM guys caught with ECk stuff…isn’t that suspect too?
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:32
Jackie i understand your desperation as well as i am..
But what i can tell you is just get into the house, go to the furthest corner and pray for Kenya the way yu have never done b4…am serious..
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:33
It is no longer a question of who had the most votes. The system must not only be fair, but it must be seen to be fair. Announcing the results from a hidden location to a select few and a ’swearing-in’ ceremony away from the public with only your supporters and perceived facilitators create the impression that the system was not fair.
Would it have been so difficult for the ECK to review the vote tallies from all the constituencies in public with all the returning officers present? Would it have been so difficult for Kibaki to come out advocate for that? If all were so sure of the results and the numbers they were reporting, why not do a recount in public?
This is all academic now. The deed is done and it appears that the country is already reacting with violence and those who are dying are not the political elite but those innocent who are now seen to represent the face (read tribe) of these political elite.
Is this truly what we want for our country? Are those in power so greedy for it that they will sacrifice the lives of the innocent?
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:33
Kenyans left their homes and lined up for hours to excercise their democratic rights. I think they waisted their time because democracy has failed them.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:34
Ke, stop assuming that all posters are ODMers. You should also cease from asking Ory for evidence of rigging. Where have you been since the 27th of December? Don’t you have a television set?
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:35
Since you are the lawyer, watchdog and whatever name you call yourself, why dn’t you give us the evidence and real facts of the how it was rigged and so happens now you do not have faith in ECK after your guy lost.Talk of double standards in the making. Why can’t y ou report what is fair without being biased ? YOu are the type of people who have cause violence in Kenya and would like that too by inciting people when you lose. It is not Kibaki’s fault , PNU or otherwise that you declared yourselves winners foolishly without waiting for real result. When you were winning , you didn’t seem to have a problem with the so called rigging. Why is it only ODM seemed wronged when there were so many other parties vying for the seat! Please report what is not what you want to sensationalize so you can appear as the martyr of KBW .Shame on youI used to think your havard education taught you to be objective at all times regardless!
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:36
In a vote there are winners and losers, maybe its because you did not imagine your candidate losing that you may be emotional.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:37
Bruha-man thank you for demonstrating just how disconnected you are from reality. Those forms were flown in by charter (at ODM’s expense) and displayed openly in front of the cameras at KICC for all to see how Kibaki has stolen the election.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:37
It is catastrphic and failure of democracy in Kenya. The good thing is that everybody knows the injustice that has taken place. Kibaki has joined the bunch of African leaders who seized power by force. What a terrible situation indeed. Kenyans cannot accept injustice. Kibaki is responsible for the deaths as a result of the flawed elctions. He will regret sooner or later.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:41
Abdi…you forget that PNU supporters are Kenyans too who voted for someone else. Not everyone voted for ODM.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:41
Tough talk here. I am for peace and support non-violent revolutions. But the question is: how realistic is that in the context of this year’s elections? People started fighting well be4 the nominations. Peace has been elusive in most parts of the country and Kibaki just gave rhetoric. Non-violent revolution is a culture that develops over time. No leader has ever come out to demonstrate that it is possible in kenya. We have no hero here. by the way, the culture of non-violence starts in times of peace and not conflict!
Kalonzo Musyoka’s miracle may have come to pass-he will join government. May be as Vice-president. Actually as VP. What happens to his integrity polemics? Washed under the bridge. Mutula Kilonzo should also understand that the law has limits and a revolution in most cases, going against the law/status quo to serve the intrest of the larger society. So the ans to the stalemate in Kenya today is more political than legal.
Assasination talk, I think is far fetched. PNU guys will want to use that to create fears among kenyas. So ODM watch out.
I was just thinking that perhaps Kibaki is looking for an exit strategy before his term is over. So he wants to put some stuff in order before he leaves. I have always wondered what is contained in the Artur brothers report.
God bless kenya
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:41
Bloggers, we need to shift to the next gear, call ODM to move a vote of no confidence in Kibaki on the first day of business when the parliament convenes
I am sure with majority MPs, ODM can make the motion deliver.
We need change, we need change now, we need new leadership, not leadership that has been tainted by Angloleasing …
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:42
Kibaki Juu, other parties may have been affected - that is true. However, ODM was PNU’s most formidable threat and the latter wasted no time in going for their jugular.
This election must join that of 1966 and 1988 as being one of the most laughable in Kenya’s history.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:43
@ Kibaki Juu, Clearly Kenyan Pundit is not for you. Please go to Kenyanlist and get all insulting over there. You need to understand that all comments posted here should be of respect regardless if you are an ODMer or PNU. There is Zero tolerance for people like you.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:46
Kenya juu and brutha-man
Watch the tones my bruuuthas you are sounding rather defensive this is about what is right it doesnt matter what party. It is clear what has happened
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:46
My fellow Kenyans, we are missing the point here, it is not about who has won or lost, it is about the way the whole election has been carried… issues were raised, ECK ignored, and matters worse, ECK boss remained arrogant….we cannot rule out rigging. It not about being an ODMer or PNU but transparency… whoever can call the outcome of this election fair, has something terribly wrong….Raila has never been my favourite but I feel ECK ought to have taken the alleged accusations seriously and stop behaving in a hush hush manner. ORY, No matter what people say, you did a good job and we thank you for this….
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:47
Change is not always good especially when acquired through some other un meaningful manner!! but the right way…Let those who believe Justice was denied go to Justice system….Going to the streets wont help any further…it will only fuel more chaos..
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:47
thanks catt well said. You go girl
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:47
You guys who are supporting the re-election need to think it through. The facts are that:
1. How many MP’s were voted out including the VP, that is quite a clear message to the government regarding the lack of confidence.
2. Kibaki only won in 2 provinces out of the eight, again the lack of confidence and the question on the “number” of votes in those two provinces. I leave you to decide on that.
3. How can Raila be winning all through and Kibaki takes the lead abruptly?
4. Did u listen to the PNU guys? They were clearly guilty.
5. The president was sworn in quite quickly don’t you think? I must say they were all well prepared. But maybe he wanted to get sworn in before 12 PM.
Whatever the case these elections were not true and fair and democracy was not exercised.
Lets all pray for Kenya at this trivial time.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:47
The main contention put forward by odm was that the so-called “form 16A” had been ignored in favour of doctored figures. While announcing the results, Kivuitu clearly said that the results he was reading were based on the signed form 16 A. I am inclined to believe him.
Also at a loss to understand the references to machiavelli and dictator when referring to kibaki. Let’s be honest, people.
Peace to all.
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:50
I dont thinking attacking this blogger for reporting the obvious makes any sense! I dont think the post is either PNU or ODM, it is just a report of what happens!
I agree with Big Ben, ODM and other parties (even PNU members who won fair and square and are unhappy with the goings on)have enough quorum to impeach him once he opens parliament!
That should be the next step and not assassination! that is just plain stupid
on December 30th, 2007 at 12:59
Thanks Ory for excellent coverage of the elections you were very fair and Balanced.
the irregularities were obvious for all to see and it was a pity that ECK brushed the concerns so casually, the victory cannot be legitimate unless fairness is seen. we must all pray for peace fo Kenya
on December 30th, 2007 at 13:54
I am surprised at the hysteria. Honestly, I expected more from you, KP. As a neutral observer, I would like to submit a few considerations in regard to claims of rigging:
1) Isn’t this the same election commissioner that the opposition earlier insisted they wanted? When his term expired, he was being lionized as a fair person by ODM. The same person is now being cast as a bad guy by the losers.
2) Isn’t it true that the latter results were predominantly from Central Province, with the expected benefit for Kibaki?
3) If Kibaki had a plan to rig the election, why would he stop at just the presidential results? He could have included all his cronies and closest associates.
4) Does anyone doubt that there was some small-scale rigging going on on both sides which effectively neutralized the bias?
on December 30th, 2007 at 13:58
According to KTN right now, John Michuki has ordered all television stations to stop all live broadcasts “until further notice” - are these people serious? How can they muzzle the press at a time like this? This is only further testament to their guilt.
on December 30th, 2007 at 14:04
The government has reportedly now BANNED all independent LIVE media broadcasts including KTN and NTV. Probably a state of emergency next. Kibaki, why must you get us into all this?
on December 30th, 2007 at 14:13
It seems that Kibaki orchestrated the outcome to favour him regardless from back in the day. Kivuitu was compromised as his term was about to come to an end and it was extended - as a ‘favour’. Another person could have been appointed but that would have been way too obvious. It has been shown that the other commissioners were also compromised. That took care of the electoral process. Then wholesale sacking of judges and their replacement, that took care of any legal avenue that ODM might attempt to pursue. Add a delay in communicating results to maximise confusion, then a hasty announcement and an immediate and secret swearing in - I definitely think Machiavellian is the word. He has this sewn up tight, and short of a coup or revolution there is nothing Kenyans can do about it right now. ODM can take it to the courts since the ECK has absolved itself of responsibility for the rigging, but since the judges are Kibaki appointees it probably won’t get anywhere. So let’s just swallow it and carry on the culture of corruption for another five years - it will be life as usual after all. May God grant us the the serenity
to accept the things we cannot change;
the courage to change the things we can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.
God bless Kenya!
on December 30th, 2007 at 14:15
I hate to do this, but here’s a quote from EU election observers on BBC:
“Observers from the European Union said the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) had failed to ensure the credibility of the poll.
“We believe that… the ECK… has not succeeded in establishing the credibility of the tallying process to the satisfaction of all parties and candidates,” chief EU observer Alexander Graf Lambsdorff said in a statement.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said London had “real concerns at the irregularities reported by the EU observers and others”.
on December 30th, 2007 at 14:56
First I applaud you for the fabulous work on covering the Elections, You’ve been very effective and transparent and thats why you are unique and my best reporter
.
Secondly, I am disappointed with ECK They have misrepresented and failed Kenyan voters and a quest for atrue , fair and transparent results and thats intolarable . To me this is an act of cowardness and under no circmstance should we let this prevail .
It is and will only be fair to mandate a recount, esp after all the inconsistency in tabulating the final votes analysis.
Somehow, we all have to deal with this anguish but should not deter from PEACE, LOVE and UNITY for fair and just democratic state.
on December 30th, 2007 at 16:09
The saddest part is that it does not matter what you and I say (ordinary Kenyans)…….Kibaki and his cronies are too arogant…..we do not matter.
Kenya does not matter.
Period
on December 30th, 2007 at 17:18
US congratulates Kenyan president on re-election
2 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AFP) — The US State Department Sunday congratulated Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki on his re-election, and called on all sides to accept the results despite opposition allegations of ballot fraud.
“We obviously congratulate the president on his election,” department spokesman Rob McInturff told AFP.
“Again we would call on the people of Kenya to accept the results of the election and to move forward with the democratic process,” he said.
Kibaki was sworn in Sunday less than an hour after Kenya’s electoral commission announced he had defeated opposition leader Raila Odinga, who has accused Kibaki of stealing the election by rigging the tallying process.
The result’s announcement triggered riots in bastions of Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement in the capital Nairobi and western Kenya.
“I think the electoral commission in Kenya and the commissioner there would be the ultimate authority, and we would look to them to investigate any claims of fraud or mismanagement,” McInturff said.
“That said we would also, given that the results are out, congratulate and support the president and look forward to working with the people of Kenya in the coming years.”
on December 30th, 2007 at 19:38
Kenyan Election Conclude In Riots…
This is what I was afraid would happen due to the situation on the ground being so ethnically charged ahead of the elections. This latest report is claiming “vote rigging”, but originally the elections were determined “free and fair&…
on January 7th, 2008 at 6:25
You know what makes me sadder, the fact that the very same people who investigated the violence Read Ruto and Kosgey move you with their pleas. Do you know to which extent ODM rigged the elections, it is as strange as Bondo with 102%
Kibaki rigged for sure but they also tried to rig him out with the so called hatred against Kikuyus. We are totally hurt here.
on January 7th, 2008 at 6:26
sorry instigated the violence
on January 27th, 2008 at 9:44
[...] have they done?‘. The day wears on and Kibaki is announced as the winner of the elections. It is a sad day for Kenya. People are killed in various parts of the country, houses are torched in Eldoret, on the 30th and [...]