FAMOUS KAMUKUNJI POLITICAL BATTLE FIELD TO DIE SOON.

The famous Kamukunji grounds in Eastland's will soon acquire a new face and shed off that bad history as the political waterloo and battlefield of Kenyan politics.

The grounds were the venue for the struggle for Kenya's multi-party politics in the 1990's.
The events of Saba Saba, July 7, 1990, will forever define the history of the grounds.
On this day, Kenyans defied KANU and Moi and made their way to Nairobi’s Kamukunji grounds to demand for democracy.

Eugene Wamalwa escaping from teargas.

The Moi regime then responded by using the police to beat up people and an unknown number of people were killed and others brutalized.
After almost a year and a half , the infamous Section 2(A) of the constitution that made Kanu the sole legal political party was repealed.
A year after that, Kenya staged the historic multi-party elections that for the first time since 1969 propelled MPs and councilors from parties other than Kanu into Parliament and other local authorities.
According to the ministry of Nairobi metropolitan website, Kamukunji grounds is an “island” amid densely populated human settlement and business activities.
The ministry said it has undertaken to fence, erect shaded and unshaded seats, build a toilet block, introduce dustbins, greening, landscaping, road improvement, footpath and floodlights in the grounds.
Last week, Kamukunji acting DC Charles Muiruri said hat the government will rehabilitate the grounds.
“We want to rehabilitate the Kamukunji grounds to be good playing grounds. We want to do  away  with the bad history where the grounds have always been labeled as the political battleground. The government has put in 30 million to rehabilitate the grounds.” The DC said during a youth meeting where different youth groups from Kamukunji constituency were given cheques from the Youth Development Fund.
The ministry said that the contractor, MS MONACO ENGINEERING LIMITED has already taken over the site and will do phase one work at a cost of Ksh.29,931,351.80 (Twenty nine million, nine hundred and thirty one thousand, three hundred and fifty one and eighty cents).
These works are slated to take four months from the time of site handover which was done in May 18, 2012.
Two years ago, Saboti MPs Eugene Wamalwa planned rally at the ground was canceled by police over security reasons. Over 400 anti riot police dispersed his rally.
The rally was violently violently broken by police and Wamalwa was teargassed and his supporters dispersed.
Wamalwa stumbled to the ground as he escaped from a teargas canister that had been thrown at him in efforts to disperse his group.
Wamalwa who was accompanied by former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga, activist Tony Gachoka and a host of supporters were forced to flee in the ensuing melee.
This was despite the fact that they had been informed in time that the rally had been canceled for security reasons.
A few days latter Wamalwa was allowed to hold a rally at historic grounds.
"We come to this sacred ground with a deep sense of history and purpose. We come to sound the trumpet and plant the seed of generational and transformational change," Wamalwa said then.
Borrowing from the famous name Kamukunji, Kenya has now many Kamukunjis and more often than not, you will hear of Kiberas Kamukunji, “speakers Kamukunji” and many other Kamukunjis.
Another presidential aspirant Raphael Tuju also plans to hold the first major Rally for the newly crafted HOJA alliance at the Kamukunji grounds.
“Watch this space. We are ready to work with all parties that are ready to work with us. Soon, we are planing a big rally at the Kamukunji grounds for HOJA alliance.” Tuju told reporters at his Lovington POA party office on Sunday.

EX- PRESIDENT SADDENED BY THOSE CELEBRATING SAITOTIS DEATH.

SAITOTIS FUNERAL IN PICTURES BELOW

 Former Ghana President and African Union Envoy to Somalia Jerry Rawlings regretted that some people celebrated Professor George Saitotis death instead of mourning him.

Jerry Rawlings in a somber mood during the Burial of the late George Saitoti on 16-06-2012 in Kitengela Kenya.

 The former president who spoke at the Holy Family Basilica on Friday during the late ministers requim

mass said that Saitoti represented the face of Kenya.

“I was saddened when I saw on Ajazeera that some people were celebrating his demise.” said the former president.

When Saitoti died, Aljazeera reported that the Alshabaab had tweeted on their wall, “"Al-Shabab welcomes the death of the evil minister upon whose authorization thousands of Muslims suffered both in Somalia and in Kenya."

"For the hundreds of Muslims killed and displaced by Kenya's brutal invasion, Saitoti's death is but a droplet of justice in a sea of oppression," Aljazeera said the group tweeted.

Rawlings described the late minister as his friend and a friend of the catholic church adding that whenever he was in Kenya, Saitoti insisted that they had to go to church.

However, its not Alshabaab alone that celebrated the demise of the workaholic minister, the popular facebook platform saw some crazy Kenyans celebrate his demise.

The casket bearing  the remains of the late proffesor George Saitoti

One Faiz Brek posted on Hon Najib Balalas wall on June 10 12.46 pm, “

Faiz Brek oe mheshimiwa,m nimefurai sanaaa kwa hawa jamaa kufa koz hawana msaada wowote kwetu cc waislamu,wacha wafee mbwa hizi,walimuua samir khan kinyama na wao wacha wafe kinyama.”.

Then followed the responses from some other people.

June 10 at 12:49pm · class="default_message"Like ·

Henry Ragira ‎@Faiz,why should you write rubbish on Balala's wall? You are a saddist and an Al-Qaeda.

June 10 at 12:55pm · class="default_message"Like · 2class="default_message"

Hassan Mohammed ‎@Faiz.muogope Mungu kakangu.kifo cha ndugu yetu Khan na hukumu ya waliomuua viko mikononi mwa Allah.

June 10 at 12:55pm via mobile · class="default_message"Like ·

5Karanja John Kuria It's sad for someone to rejoice when tragedy occurs. Pliz do not misuse fb. Writing such words on Hon Najib's wall is wrong and irresponsible.

June 10 at 1:09pm · class="default_message"Like ·

2Moryn Brandy ‎@feiz u alshabaab follower nkt...dont make me confuse u for onyancha/kinyua why shuld u bring such crap!!! when we are mourning????? styl up u son of judas iscariot!!! nkt somebody shud slap the hell out of u..

June 10 at 1:53pm via mobile · class="default_message"Like ·

1Ramadhan Faki Shame unto those who celebrate the death of those .it is not only irritational but blasphemous !saitoti did not kill khan so people need to think before advertising their stupidity in the social network

June 10 at 4:18pm · class="default_message"Like ·

However, Saitoti was mourned as a great Patriot who loved his country. Below are the emotional moments we were able to capture in Kitengela during the burial ceremony.

Saitoti being buried at his Kitengela Farm

President Kibaki in a somber mood during he burial of professor George Saitoti

Moi in a sombre mood

Uhuru Kenyata and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka lead other Cabinet ministers in carrying the remains of professor Saitoti to he grave. 

Internal Security assistant  minister Simeon Lesirma during proffessor George Saitotis funeral.

Speaker Kenneth Marende during profssor George Saitotis burial 

Charity Ngilu during the burial of poffesor George Saitoti

Chief Justice Willy Mutungas seat remained empty and President Moi put his rungu there

efense asisant minister Julius Nkaisery

Former Ghanaina Presient Jry Rawlings with PM  Raila Odinga during Proffesor George  Saitotis burial

Former Pesident Moi and Musalia Mudavadi.

Members of he Public view the funeral service of the late Poffessor George Saitoti on screen outside his Kitengela house..

President Kibaki, former Ghanaina president Jerry Rawlings, PM Raila Odinga ,VP Kalonzo Musyoka and speaker Kenneth Marende.

President Mwai Kibaki and Former President Moi at George Saitotis burial in Kitengela.

Roads minister Franklin Bett

The presidential motorcade snaking its way to Kitengela township.

Saitoti spent the last days of his life praying.

Saitoti spent the last days of his life praying.

Saitoti and one of the Bishops during the Episcopal ordination of Ngong Bishop Owaa

The late Internal Security minister George Saitoti spent most of his last days praying.

We last caught up with the minister on April 14 during the episcopal ordination of the very  Rev  Fr John Oballa Owaa who was until that Saturday the Bishop elect of the Catholic Diocese of Ngong.

The bishop was ordained as a catholic Bishop and a member of the Kenya Episcopal conference and became the third Bishop of the cosmopolitan Ngong Diocese taking over from Bishop Cornelius Schilder.

The Episcopal Ordination OF Bishop Oballa took place at the Ngong Police Traffic Training grounds in Ngong town and was attended by hundreds of catholic faithfuls among them Professor Saitoti.
After the ceremony, Saitoti whispered to the Cardinal Njue, “You are a church minister, I am the security minister. You do your part and I do my part because our people have to remain united.”
The next day which was a Sunday, the minister headed to Muranga Catholic Diocese and the mass was presided over by Bishop Wainaina.
Retracing his last days, the minister spent most of his time praying because he went to church all the Sundays and until his death, he was headed for a fund raising at St Mary’s Nyarongi Catholic Church in Homa Bay where he was the chief guests.

Saitoti and Cardinal Njue converse after the ordination of Ngong Bishop John Owaa

Saitoti talking to one of the Bishops. 

 

Proffessor George Saitoti with one of the men in Ngong Diocese

Proffessor Saitotis Range Rover in Ngong town

 

Saitoti talking to his constituents

 

Saitotis death changes the face of Kenyan Politics.

The site of the chopper crash in Ngong that killed Proffessor Saitoti

The untimely death of Professor George Saitoti is set to change the direction of Kenyan politics.

Saitoti perished on Sunday 10^th June 2012 together with his deputy Orwa Ojode when a Police chopper they were in crashed in Kibiku area in Ngong forest.

In the plane were two ministers, two bodyguards and two pilots.

They here headed to Orwa Ojode's Ndhiwa constituency when they met their death.

Perhaps the Internal security minister had a premonition of his death because on many occasions, he never declared that he will run for presidency until recently when he did so.

Kenyan Politics asked him in June last year if he will go for the country's top seat but the minister said,

“Its time to serve Kenyans. We have to ensure that we work first and when the time comes, we will make the big announcement.” the minister said while distributing bursary funds to schools in his Kajiado North constituency.

Described by many as a man of two worlds- politically a Maasai and ethnically a Kikuyu, Saitoti was viewed as a seasoned politician and a graduate of the Moi School of politics.

Although the former President Daniel Arap Moi told him off and instead anointed Uhuru Kenyatta as his possible successor in 2002, many viewed Saitoti as a possible Kenyan president.

But Saitoti said then, “There comes a time when the nation is bigger than an individual.” and instead allowed Moi to anoint Uhuru.

With the trials for the Ocampo Four at the Hague likely to start in September and the ICC prosecutor's office advising witnesses to be ready for the trials from September, Saitoti was seen as a man who could be entrusted with Central Kenyan votes in the absence of Uhuru Kenyata at the ballot.

On learning that Saitoti had perished in the plane crash, all presidential aspirants led by Prime Minister Raila Odinga yesterday canceled their rallies and flocked to Lee Funeral Home.

Now that Saitoti is no more, its back to the drawing board for Central Kenya power brokers if there was any scheme to throw their weight behind Saitoti in the absence of Uhuru Kenyatta.

Its also back to the drawing board for presidential aspirants who had schemed to form alliances with the PNU chairman.

Saitoti is being mourned as a great national who served his country diligently and president Kibaki has declared three days of mourning with flags flying half mast.

Speaking on behalf of Maasai elders, outside the Lee Funeral home, Alex Ole Magelo said,

“We Maasai leaders send a message of condolence to Mama Margaret and her family. We have lost a dear leader and a friend.” Ole Magelo said.

Magelo added that the government of Kenya must carry out thorough investigations to establish the cause of the crash since the plane was new.

“We the Maasai have lost one of our own. He served the country diligently. He was our hope and our life.” said Hassan Ole Kamwaro.

Saitoti and Ruto doing a jig during the Burji Night held in April at the Bomas of Kenya..

 

Saitoti , Ruto seek Support from the Burji community.

Internal security minister George Saitoti and Eldoret North MP William Ruto last Saturday night asked the Burji community to support them in their race to state house.

The two were speaking during the Burji night that was held at the Bomas of Kenya and was turned into a political rally as the two hijacked the occasion and addressed a packed Bomas of Kenya auditorium.

Saitoti who had been invited as the chief guest arrived at 9pm but William Ruto, Aden Duale, and Francis Ole kaparo arrived minutes latter amid wild cheers from the crowd.
“To be proud as Kenyans, you must be proud as a Burji. Inst it true. Let me tell you, as I know many Kenyans from the pastoralIST community, they need peace in order to do business. As leaders, its our responsibility to ensure that there is peace.

“I am a URP member. You have to know that.We say as we act. I am here with my brothers. The way we have celebrated tonight, there are some people who will ask Us why we are here. They will say we are tribal .They should be defeated. Kenyans are free to gather and celebrate their culture. Our aim is to unite all Kenyans” Ruto said.
Dujis MP Aden Duale told the crowd that inorder for them to defeat Raila Odinga in the coming elections, they should stay united.

“We will not be able to defeat Raila without your support. Now that Musalia has also quit ODM, let s form a United country.” he said.
On his part internal security minister George Saitoti thanked the Burji community for inviting him as the chief guest at the occasion.

He said that such occasions provide for an opportunity for the members of the community get to now each other.

He said that security in Marsabit will BE increased and assured the community that the government will fight bandits in the area.

Saitoti told the Burji that this is the only chance they have to ensure they have one of their choice in leadership and that their interests will be taken care of.
“The next elections stay together. The decision is yours and lets bury our differences as pastralists. Let s not throw away this opportunity.” he said.

He said that the government will ensure that the constitution is upheld and that the law will not be broken while fighting bandits and cattle rustlers in Marsabit.

“Saitoti is here. He is telling the Burji to support him. I will not relent.” he said.

During the cultural night, most speakers dwelt on the issue of insecurity in Marsabit County and urged the minister to increase security on highways in the vast county.

They asked the minister to have a GSU camp established in the area.

“ You have been the vice president. We will support you in your presidential bid but please help our people who have schooled and have no jobs.” said Mohamed Fayo a youth leader from Marsabit.
Former speaker Francis Ole Kaparo also urged the Burji to end cattle rustling and stay united.