LOLIONDO LAND DISPUTE ERUPTS FEAR AND DISMAY ,AS MINISTER FOR TOURISM STANDS ON HIS WORDS ,

TANZANIAN government has decided to tear the disputed Loliondo Game Controlled Area into two parts--one belonging to villagers and the other in government hands.

The minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Khamis Kagasheki, told reporters this week that the division offers the best prospects for a lasting solution to the 20-year-old conflict.

Local civic leaders are threatening to resign if the government goes ahead with the plan. Ngorongoro MP Saning’o ole Telele said  that they resolved at a meeting on Monday to resign en masse should the government go ahead with the plan to partition the area.

The dispute is complex and involves various interested parties, including some from neighbouring Kenya.

The dispute revolves over the ownership of the Loliondo Game Controlled Area and the rights of villagers to graze their cattle, access water sources and move freely between villages.

The investor in question is the United Arab Emirates-based Ortello Business Corporation, which has operated in the area since 1992.

According to Mr Telele, villagers claim the area rightly belongs to them and they have a right to conduct their business freely. “We are just awaiting the government’s official communication and then we will act,” he said. “We also plan to mobilise the people for a return to the Serengeti plains, where our fathers resided before being relocated to Loliondo by the British.”

The government plans to retain 1,500 square kilometres that borders the Serengeti national park, according to Mr Kagasheki. It is a water catchment area and a drinking place of wild animals--and also part of the migration route for animals moving to and from the Maasai Mara national park in Kenya. Wildebeest also go to the area to give birth.

But Mr Kagasheki is clearly in combat mode. : “If the civic leaders want to resign, they can go ahead. But there is no government in the world that can just let an area so important to conservation to be wasted away by overgrazing.”

Some 2,500 square kilometres will still be in the hands of villagers. They consist of dry plains but the government intends to build dams and boreholes so pastoralists can access water for their animals.
There are also plans to nurture green pasture for the animals and laws will be enacted to officially divide the area. Mr Telele says the villagers will cut ties with the investor.

In the meantime, Mr Kagasheki has warned politicians and neighbouring countries who are supposedly supporting the conflict to declare their interest.

He accused neighbouring countries, particularly Kenya, of inciting the villagers but said Tanzania would not be intimidated by pressure from non-governmental organizations.

Many of the NGOs operating in the area are not local, he claimed, and are only pushing their interests.

“It is amazing for a small area like Loliondo controlled area to have more than 30 non-governmental organisations if they are not after their own benefit,” the minister added. “But now the end has come and the nation cannot be driven by the pressure of individuals or NGOs.”

The government cannot let go of the land, he said, just because of the invaders due to the potential it holds,including water sources and animal hatcheries. Misuse of land is one of the causes of conflicts in the country.

“Poor usage of land has led to disputes sometimes engineered by our own people and politicians but even neighbouring countries have interfered in their own interests,” Mr Kagasheki said. “But seeing the potential Loliondo carries for water sources, animal breeding and migration routes, we need to protect it.”

Read More

EAC URGED ON EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY FORMULATION AS 4TH HEALTH AND SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE OPENS

 The 4th EAC Health and Scientific Conference and International Trade Fair & Health Exhibition opened today in Kigali, Rwanda, bringing together more than 300 health researchers, scientists and policy-makers from all over the world.

The 27 to 29 March conference at the Kigali Serena Hotel has been organized on the main theme Regional Health Priorities and Opportunities: “Evidence for Action in the Changing Global Financial Situation and has four sub-themes namely: Maternal and Child Health (Achieving the MDGs for Maternal and Child Health); Non-Communicable Diseases and Trauma; Health Systems Strengthening and Quality of Health Care.

Rwandan Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Pierre Damien Habumuryemi officially opened the conference and observed that it was an important platform through which the region’s scientists and policy makers would exchange information on areas of common concern for the EAC countries, namely maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases, quality of care and health systems.

The Rwandan Premier lauded the move to establish the East African Community Health Research Commission, which he said would promote research-based decision-making and policy formulation.

“Once fully operationalized, this Commission will be especially resourceful with regard to the development of sustainable regional mechanisms for addressing issues related to health research, the utilisation of research findings for technological and sustainable healthcare delivery, as well as for translating the research findings to policy formulation and practice within the region,” Rt. Hon. Habumuryemi said.

Speaking on the issue of tobacco control, a subject that features prominently among the main discussion topics in the three-day conference, the Rwandan Prime Minister reiterated his country’s support for the implementation of the relevant provisions of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control but highlighted the need to take on board concerns from different sectors in regard to this matter.

“There is a need for a balance between public health, fiscal policy, trade and agriculture realities and the impact of the guidelines of this Convention on the national revenue, livelihoods and foreign exchange earnings in the short and long term,” the Premier asserted.

“I therefore, call on the EAC Partner States to come up with a common position on this matter and present to the next meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control”.

The conference also features five symposiums covering subjects that include population, HIV & AIDS, sexual and gender based violence, disaster preparedness and tobacco control.

Also speaking at the event, Uganda’s Minister for Health and Chairperson of the EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers of Health Hon. Dr. Christine Ondoa challenged the region to formulate a health research agenda, and recommended that a mechanism be put in place to implement the resolutions of the conference, while the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors Hon. Jesca Eriyo observed that the Partner States share similarities in their healthcare delivery systems which necessitates a collective response to health problems.

“This requires a strong mechanism for sharing health related information, harmonizing policies and practices and building consensus among Partner States,” Hon. Eriyo said.

Prof. Khama Rogo, Lead Health Specialist at the World Bank who made the opening presentation on Regional Health Priorities and Opportunities- Evidence for action in a changing global financial situation challenged the EAC to focus on results, training and health insurance provision.

During the conference the EAC Open Health Initiative to Improve Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health will be officially launched. The Open Health Initiative aims to support the Partner States reach their goals for women’s and children’s health by focusing on three thematic areas: ‘Accountability for Results and Resources’, ‘Results-based Financing’, and ‘Innovation’.

The 4th EAC Health and Scientific Conference and International Trade Fair & Health Exhibition sponsors include: Rwanda Ministry of Health; USAID East Africa (Makerere University Regional Centre for Quality of Care); Population Council; EAC Secretariat; LVBC Secretariat; ECSA-HCS Secretariat; HEALTHY FUTURES Project and QWeCI Project; Sida; WHO and SACIDS.

Those in attendance at the conference also include Hon Dr. Agnes Binagwaho, Minister of Health, Rwanda; Hon. Haji Juma Duni, Minister of Health, Zanzibar, United  Republic of Tanzania; Hon. Monique Mukaruliza, Minister of EAC, Rwanda; Members of the East African Legislative Assembly; Members of the Rwandan Parliament; development partners, researchers and businesspeople, among others.

Read More

Uhuru Kenyatta wins Kenya presidential election

THE long  awaited presidential  results  in Kenya came to an end mid night today  making it clear that  Uhuru Mwigai  Kenya is a big man in Kenya.

With all 291 constituencies reporting, Uhuru had 6,173,433 valid votes (50.03%) against Raila’s 5,340,546 (43.28%) - Total Vote cast - 12,338,667

Kenyatta, who faces international charges of crimes against humanity, secured the victory over his main rival, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who secured 43.28 percent of the vote.

The first round win, which must be officially confirmed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, means Kenyans who waited five days for the result of the vote will not face a run-off that would have prolonged the uncertainty.

To secure an outright win, a candidate needed more than 50 percent of the votes.

Kenyatta achieved that by a margin of just 4,100 votes. About 12.3 million votes were cast. Such a narrow win will almost certainly prompt legal challenges from Odinga's camp, which complained about the election process throughout.

Kenyatta, the deputy prime minister, secured 6,173,433 votes out of a total of 12,338,667 ballots cast, the provisional figures showed, indicating a margin of 50.03 percent.

Western donors had warned before the vote that diplomatic ties would be complicated with a win by Kenyatta who, along with his running mate William Ruto, is facing charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court in The Hague related to post-election violence five years ago.

Kenyans hoped this vote would restore their nation's reputation as one of Africa's most stable democracies after the tribal slaughter that followed the disputed 2007 vote that Odinga said Mwai Kibaki stole from him.

The test will be whether any challenges to the outcome are worked out in the courts of the newly reformed judiciary, and do not spill over into the streets, as they did in 2007.

Read More

UHURU KENYATA ASHINDA UCHAGUZI RAIS KENYA

Uhuru Kenyata  aameshinda  kiti cha urais kupitia Muungano wa Jubelee  katika uchaguzi ulio malizika  kwa kura kuhesabiwa na kuhakikiwa katika makao makuu ya ya kuhesabu kura  katika eneo la Bomas  Jijini a Nairobi.

Kufikia  saa  8:30 usiku  Uhuru alikuwa mbele kwa kura 6,173,433 dhidi ya mpinzani wake Raila Odinga aliyekuwa na kura 5, 340,546 ikiwa ni tofauti ya kura 832,887 na majimbo yaliyo kwisha kutangazwa ni 291/291.

Kwa mujibu wa tume ya uchaguzi nchini Kenya IEBC jumla ya kura zote zilizopigwa na kuhesabiwa  kwa nafasi ya Urais ni kura 12,338, 667 kutoka katika majimbo yote ya Uchaguzi 291 huku kura zilizoharibika zikiwa 108975 na kura halali zikibaki 12,222,980.

Katika kinyang’anyiro hicho Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi anashika nafasi ya tatu akiwa amejikusanyia kura  483,981 nafasi ya nne ikienda kwa Peter Kenneth mwenye kura 72,786.

Mgombea wa Alliance for Real Change,Mohamud Abduba Dida anashika nafasi ya tano akiwa na kura  52,848 akifuatiwa na Mwana mama Martha Karua wa National Rainbow Coalition mwenye kura 43,881 hadi sasa.

Nafasi ya saba katika wagombea hao Urais inakwenda kwa James ole Kiyiapi wa Chama cha Restore and Build Kenya ambaye ana kura 40,998 huku nafasi ya ya nane na mwisho ikishikwa na Paul Kibugi Muite wa chama cha Safina.

Matokeo hayo yatatangazwa rasmi leo saa saa 5  asubuhi,

Read More

Kenya election,Jubelee candidate Uhuru Kenyatta has maintained his lead in the official presidential vote tallying,

Uhuru Kenyatta has maintained his lead in the official presidential vote tallying, after opening a lead of over 535,413 votes against his closest challenger, Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) presidential candidate, Raila Odinga.

As at 9am on Thursday, Kenyatta maintained the lead with 2,416,321 votes against Odinga’s 1,880,908 votes, as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission continued releasing the official presidential vote tally.

The Jubilee leader held onto the lead with 76 out of 291 constituencies having been announced by IEBC at the National Tallying Centre at the Bomas of Kenya.

By early on Thursday morning, 215 returning officers had arrived at Bomas to file their returns for the presidential vote.

IEBC said that the remaining few were due any time, with the results which they said would ensure the final presidential results were out by Friday.

Commission Chairman Issack Hassan had on Tuesday directed all Returning Officers to present themselves at the National Tallying Centre to present official results for presidential, gubernatorial, senatorial, MPs, women and county assembly representatives.

Hassan had initially said that the results would be relayed 48 hours after Monday’s vote but following several hitches, the commission has kept postponing the release. IEBC said it is allowed by law up to seven days after the close of polling, meaning next Monday, to announce the results.

Orange Democratic Movement Secretary General Anyang’ Nyong’o meanwhile has called on the IEBC to urgently remedy logistical difficulties affecting the vote count so that results can be released at the earliest.

Nyong’o at the same time encouraged patience amongst Kenyans.

“We call upon Kenyans to have confidence in us and we shall do our best to solve the different problems we are having with the release of the results,” Nyong’o stated.

Read More

KENYAN ELECTION ,UHURU KENYATA IS TAKING THE LEAD AS PROVISIONAL RESULTS SHOW

Deputy prime minister, Uhuru Kenyatta is taking the lead in the Kenya presidential elections 2013, provisionalresults say.

According to the Independent Boundaries and Electoral Commission (IBEC), Kenyatta has been leading at most polling stations in the country. Some of the provisional results show Kenyatta leading in more than ten polling stations. For example, he won in Meru with 59, 031 votes while Odinga got 4, 365 votes. In Laikipia, Kenyatta got 35, 840 votes while Odinga managed to scoop 6,223 votes. In Baringo, Kenyatta won again with 55, 057 votes while Odinga got 5, 990 votes.

Kenyatta also won in Nandi with 54, 153 votes while Odinga got 4, 678 votes. He also won in Nakuru with 138,114 votes while Odinga got 26,803 votes. However, Odinga managed to win in Samburu with 11,199 votes while Kenyatta got 5, 1813 votes. In Marsabit, Odinga won with 2,321 votes while Kenyatta got 1,651 votes. In Kitui, Odinga also won with 74,799 votes beating Kenyatta who got 11,836 votes.

Kenyatta so far is leading with a 54% lead followed by Odinga with 41% of the votes. Musalia Mudavadi has 3%, Peter Kenneth has 1%, Martha Wangari Karua – 0%, James Legilishho Kiyiapi – 0%, Paul Kibugi Muite – 0% and Mohamed Abduba Dida – 0%.

Read More

UGANDA FIRST DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER DIES IN HOSPITAL

Uganda's first Deputy Prime Minister Eriya Kategaya reputed as a
historical member and an ideologue of the ruling NRM party on Saturday
night breathed his last at Nairobi Hospital, Kenya, where he had been
hospitalised for weeks. He was 67.

“The government, with deep sorrow, wishes to announce the death of
Kategaya,” Information Minister Karooro Okurut said.

“This is a tragedy both for the family and the country. His death is a
massive loss to Uganda and has robbed the country of an exemplary
freedom fighter and true statesman.”

The cause of death was not immediately clear, but Sunday Monitor was
told doctors had previously discovered a blood clot in Kategaya’s leg
that was suspected to drift toward his brain.

The deputy premier simultaneously held the ministerial docket for East
African Affairs but had been in bad health for months, on occasions
being admitted to Kampala’s upscale Nakasero Hospital after episodes
of blackouts.

Kategaya, a childhood friend of President Museveni, was considered the
country’s de facto Number Two until 2003 when acrimonious debates
about lifting of the constitutional provision on presidential term
limits, which he opposed, polarised him and the President.

Political life

Together with other dissenting and outspoken ministers such as Maria
Matembe, he was subsequently fired from Cabinet, where he had served
uninterrupted under Museveni.

The presidential term limits were scrapped, clearing the main hurdle
that has kept the President in power to-date.

After quitting government, Kategaya maintained an uncompromising
stance and was understood to hobnob with opposition activists, vowing
he would never become a political turncoat.

“Men only turn in bed but not on their words,” the former Rwampara
constituency MP said, quoting a popular fable among his kins,
ostensibly to underline his steely resolve at the time to keep out of
what he considered a tainted regime.

Time proved him wrong and Kategaya struck a back-door deal with
Museveni, and was to join cabinet and be assigned the First Deputy
Premiership slot, one of several distinguished positions he had held
before the 2003 fallout.

“We have lost a patriot, a very transparent person and a man with many
special leadership qualities,” said Gender Minister John Nasasira, a
long-serving Cabinet colleague and personal friend.

“He was always for the unity of Uganda, and we shall remember his
contribution to the freedom enjoyed in this country today.”

The departed deputy premier belonged to the political wing of the
National Resistance Movement, whose military wing; the NRA, won a
five-year guerilla war that brought President Museveni to power in
1986.

He and Museveni were understood to be close friends, having first met
at the same primary school and moving on to graduate from Dar es
Salaam University in Tanzania.

It was there that they crystalised their plans for armed liberation of
Uganda, leading to the violent ouster of Gen. Tito Okello Lutwa’s
military junta.

State International Affairs Minister Okello-Oryem, a son of toppled
President Okello Lutwa, said he visited Kategaya at Nairobi Hospital
on Thursday, and conferred with him for about an hour on wide-ranging
themes including the financial scam in the Office of the Prime
Minister, the prickly parliamentary debate on the Marriage and Divorce
Bill, 2009, and resolutions of NRM Caucus at the recent Kyankwanzi
retreat.

Read More

KENYANS OF ASIAN ORIGIN FLEE THEIR COUNTRY IN FEAR OF POSSIBLE VIOLANCE AFTER GENERAL ELECTIONS

A number of Kenyan of Asians origins are currently flocking to the
Tanzania's northern tourism circuit in fear of the possible break down
of law and order in their country's general election session scheduled
next Monday.

A random survey by our reporter in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a hub
of the world popular Tanzania's northern Tourism circuit, revealed
that a number of Kenyan Asians with their families are crossing the
border to the Tanzania's national parks over security concerns.

Majority of them who interviewed in Ngorongoro Crater's main entrance
gate, they cited signs  of violence that has been witnessed during the campaign and in the previous   general elections as a practical reason for their departure.

According to the group chief, his delegate was among several groups of
such kind that have been crossed the borderline to various tourists
destination in Northern Tanzania that comprise, Tarangire, Manyara and
Serengeti National parks as well as the world's eight wonders
Ngorongoro crater.

Another Kenyan of Asian origin who came across with this reporter in
the middle of NCA, said they will stay in Tanzania until the heat of
general elections in their country is slumped.

"We should not be considered as unpatriotic citizens, but we fear if
tribal violence occurs, we might be the most targeted group due to our
neutral position in politics" the Kenyan said.

According to him, few Kenyan of Asian origin have remained in Kenya at
the moment as majority of them have traveled to most of East African
countries of Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.

Read More