The truth about the Kenyan Genocide - Reader comments at The New York Sun

73F

Hi 82F
Lo 68F

Recent Blog Posts

Reader comment on:
The Kenya Connection

Submitted by Peaceful Kenyan, Jan 24, 2008 07:00

The international press and the international community are pre-occupied with the results of the recently concluded elections in Kenya while genocide goes on unabated. Innocent children are hacked to death yet everybody is talking about the election results! It is sad to note that we are quick to give justification of the killings while ignoring the historical events that have put us in this predicament.

The opposition is accusing President Mwai Kibaki's party of rigging the election by inflating the results. On the other hand the president's party is accusing the opposition of locking out its (the ruling party's) agents from its strongholds then allowing multiple voting by compromising election officials. A close look at the election results shows that there was an unrealistically high turnout of voters in Eastern Province and Central Province where the president is rated favorably. There was also a very high turnout of voters in opposition strongholds in Rift Valley and Nyanza Provinces. This makes it difficult to tell who the real winner is in that poll that was said to be too close to call in pre-election surveys.

So how did the results lead to violence?

Even before the elections were held, there was propaganda circulating in Kenya pitting the Kikuyu tribe against the rest of Kenyans. Lists of Kikuyu government employees were circulated to create the notion that only Kikuyus were occupying top jobs. Those lists contained names of people from the Embu and Meru communities that live in the area around Mt. Kenya.

Kikuyu, Meru (composed of Meru, Mbeere, Tharaka) and Embu make up 24%, 6% and 3% of the Kenyan population respectively. People from these tribes are lumped together as GEMA and make up over 30% of the Kenyan population. One would expect a people who make up 30% of the population to have a noticeable presence in the job market and in the economy.

As a response to the propaganda, Government spokesman Dr. Mutua issued a 2000-name list of government appointees, that showed a balanced job distribution among tribes and districts. If anything, Kikuyus had a lower proportion than their ratio of the population. By then, the damage had been done , and the perception of Gema domination in government jobs stuck.

Then we propaganda saying that Central Province contributed the least in taxes yet it was allocated the most amount of money for development. This was first revealed in an op-ed by Barrack Muluka (The Standard, Saturday July 29, 2006 and Saturday July 22, 2006)http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143956003http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143955681&date=22/7/2006

Kenya is a unitary state that is mainly funded by income tax and sales tax. From what I understand the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) doesn't keep tally on what each province contributes. Such a figure will be hard to come by because businesses are registered in Nairobi and remit their income tax to KRA in Nairobi no matter what part of the country the companies are doing business. Also a significant number of people working in Nairobi City live in Central province. This means that if we were to look at income tax collected from Nairobi, it will also include residents of Central Province.

Those talking about distribution of wealth present the case as though the distribution should be between tribes. The reality on the ground is that Kenya has a few rich people (made of elites from all tribes) and a majority of poor people. The elites pushing the tribal agenda deflect the issue of equitable distribution of wealth from being a class issue and make it a tribal issue.

A majority of Kenyans living in the slums is made up of people form the Kikuyu tribe. The area around Mt. Kenya where the so-called Gema tribes come from is densely populated forcing it inhabitants to seek land and jobs outside their ancestral lands. Today, the Kikuyu and the Kisii ( another bantu tribe from a densely populated region in Nyanza Province) can be found in all part of Kenya. A majority of Kenyan immigrants in the USA and the UK can trace their lineage to the Kikuyu and Kisii tribes.

In Kenya where tribes are supposed to own regions, migration creates a lot of tension. A Kikuyu doing business in Kisumu is not viewed as just another Kenyan who is working hard to earn his bread but as an alien coming in to dominate the local people. This tension mixed with politics has in the past resulted in tribal cleansing.

Just before the elections were held, members of the Kikuyu and Kisii communities were evicted from Ziwa Market in Eldoret by the Kalenjins who are the major ethinic group in Eldoret. These peoples were accused of dominating the business sector.

Politicians who seek to control their tribes have used ethic identity (an equivalent of ultra-nationalism as in Germany and Russia). These politicians promise their tribesmen that they will establish Majimbo (Federalism) as a way to ensure that the Kikuyu and other "aliens" don't "dominate" over them. To a significant population of Kenyans (mainly in Coast Province and Rift Valley) Majimbo means that Kenyans will go back to their ancestral land and leave behind their property.

The right to own property in any part of Kenya by any Kenyan citizen is a farce. A significant number of Kenyans believe that tribes own regions and those seeking to invest in those regions are temporary visitors who can be ejected at any time. Ejection and murder of "aliens" has happened in the recent past and is always seen as a justified way of dealing with competition.

The following quote points this out:

"They said although ODM pentagon member William Ruto urged residents to observe peace when he visited the area, a politician from the area met youths and held a meeting at Maemba running into midnight, where he supplied them with torches and gumboots.

The politician is reported to have said that those who had bought land in the area had rendered the indigenous people landless and consequently homeless."

http://allafrica.com/stories/200710292039.html

Just before the election, Hilary Ngw'eno -a Samia ( Luhya sub-tribe) veteran journalist- wrote a series of "historical" articles in the Daily Nation on the role of the Gema (Kikuyu) mafia in the late President Kenyatta administration. It is now apparent that Ngw'eno was pushing the Kikuyu vs. non-Kikuyu Kenyans agenda even further. His articles were supposed to remind Kenyans of the "evil" Kikuyus and their conspiracy to control Kenya. President Kenyatta and Raila Odinga's father parted ways politically because Oginga Odinga was pro-communism while Kenyatta was pro-capitalism. People who want to rouse ethnic animosity often leave this fact out and argue that Kikuyus pushed Luos out of the Kenyatta government.

Another fact being falsely peddled by the media is that Kikuyus have been in power since independence. The truth is that these last five years of Kibak's presidency are the first time a Kikuyu has been in power in the last thirty years. Before then President Moi, a Kalenjin, was in power for 24 years, where he ruled with a dictatorial iron fist before the worldwide push for multi-party democracy helped push him out of power. Indeed, there was only one previous Kikuyu president, Jomo Kenyatta, who reigned for only 14 years after independence.

Yet another lie that was peddled to the other non-Kikuyu tribes by Raila,and subsequently picked up by the press, is that Kikuyus hate Luos and will never let Luo into power. This is not true. The articles by Ng'weno clearly recalled that in the pre and post independence days,Raila's father , Jaramogi Odinga, had a countrywide following that included Kikuyus.

ODM and Raila Odinga's role in the current ethnic cleansing

The background above is what has brought us up to this situation. Raila Odinga exploited the above sentiments to gain support of xenophobic opinion leaders from Rift Valley and Coast provinces. Raila Odinga has never been for Majimbo but he changed his stand a few weeks to election to get the support of William Ruto (hails from the Kalenjin group of tribes), Najib Balala (Coast Province), and William Ole Ntimama (led the 1992 and 1997 ethnic cleansing).

The election results are just an excuse used to execute a preconceived genocide. It is a shame then when Raila Odinga justifies acts of genocide by claiming that those engaging in the crimes are "peacefully" protesting against a rigged election. He has asked the president to step down if he wants the killings stop.

Today I read a chilling report on the Los Angeles Times on the systematic genocide going on in Kenya. Even more chilling was the video of a man being slashed to death. It reminded me of Rwanda and not Kenya -a country where we once lived in peace, love and unity. The newspater quotes a Raila supporter saying:

"We are slaughtering them and we will keep on slaughtering them," said one young protester, Gabriel Okelo, who got up at six and walked nine miles from the outskirts of the city to march in support of Odinga.

As the political violence worsens, tribal fighting and tit-for-tat killings have been going on in Nairobi's slums and in other towns.

Okelo said he killed two people with a machete for the first time Wednesday because "When you are angry, it's easy. If they refuse our president, Raila Odinga to address the rally, it will happen again. We shall slaughter the Kikuyus. It will go on and on and on, in all parts of the country."

By Robyn Dixon, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer 7:19 AM PST, January 3, 2008

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-kenya4jan04,0,4416543.story?coll=la-home-world

When the violence started the media made an initial mistake of not correctly identifying the perpetrators. The people who were shot in Kisumu (Odinga's home and stronghold) were shot by security forces because they were engaging in looting.The media missed the fact that before the looting, these ODM/Luo activists had first killed Kikuyu businessmen resident in the city. The more affluent Asians had already left before the elections or by air as soon as tensions started.

It is only with the church massacre in Eldoret that the media has realised that it is defenseless Kikuyus who are being killed by Luos and Kalenjins supporting Raila Odinga. It is also worth noting that the violence in the big towns is restricted to the slum areas. These are the people who had been promised heaven by Raila,who had also demonised Kibaki as the reason these poor people were stuck in poverty. Political analysts had easily pointed that he was promising more than he could deliver, but he did so selfishly to get their votes.

The following quote from Reuters doesn't show a people who are protesting the election results but a people who are out to commit genocide.

"As black smoke billowed overhead, one crowd waved machetes and yelled "Death to Kikuyus". Young boys swigged looted beer.

"We have just started. We will loot all Kikuyu shops and kill them on sight," said Richard Ondigi, 23, a driver.

http://africa.reuters.com/top/news/usnBAN934960.htmlhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/01/01/wkenya301.xml

There are many reports like these.

In an action reminiscent of the Rwanda, Kalenjin Raiders who are supporting Raila Odinga and the local MP William Ruto (promised to be Prime Minister- a post that currently does not exist in the constitution) torched a church killing more than 50 Kenyans mainly from the Kikuyu tribe.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/02/world/africa/02kenya.html?hp

Raila is yet to talk about the Eldoret massacre. He has denied a instigating a genocide saying, "The security forces are shooting people on sight. It is Kibaki that should be blamed."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/kenya/story/0,,2233890,00.html

The propaganda on Raila Odinga's website seeking to create chaos within the army. Similar rumors were circulated within the armed forces. (click to enlarge)

Until yesterday, the Raila campaign website carried rumors that the Army and Police chiefs had quit. This information has been on the site for more than 3 days. The site had also carried rumors that the Electoral Commission chief had been killed. All this was meant to rally Raila Odinga's supporters and create anarchy. (I can provide saved HTML web pages).

In light of the military precision that the raids in Rift Valley were carried out, one can't help but wonder why the government had taken no action when Raila Odinga's photo inspecting a guard of honor , albeit un-armed, in Nakuru a few months ago. Inspection of guards of honor has traditionaly been the preserve of the disciplined forces not civilians.These are possibly the dogs of war that were let lose in Rift Valley.

(Photo was carried by the Daily Nation)

Raila Odinga, William Ruto and Najib Balala have the power to order their supporters to stop the genocide but they are not ready to. They think that the killings will earn them political capital but that is not going to be the case.

The international community needs to look carefully at the historical data that led us to this.

We should not excuse those committing the genocide by simply pointing out at the election results. In Kenya we have a saying that loosely translates: "the raging river that you see was once made up of streams."

You can access this article here http://kenyangenocide.blogspot.com/2008/01/truth-about-kenyan-genocide.html

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.

Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
you are kikuyu. [MORE]	davids	Feb 27, 2008 10:30
What on earth does that have to do with Obama??! The connections you are attempting to draw are so far... [MORE]	N	Feb 6, 2008 18:03
Odinga said that United States, France, Italy and Spain have urged him not to surrender. He made the comments on... [MORE]	annonymous	Feb 4, 2008 14:12
Do you have faith in the Judicial system? do you have faith in Kenya's institutions? Have you been living under... [MORE]	Justice in Kenya- will bring peace	Feb 6, 2008 09:44
Kikuyus, Indians or whatever tribe or class have a right to live whereever they wish to in Kenya. If they... [MORE]	annonymous	Feb 7, 2008 10:33
THE LAW OF GOD IS APPLICABLE TO ALL. WHETHER EARTHIEST, MUSLIMS, HINDUS, EVEN THOSE WHO DO NOT RECOGNISE HIM AT... [MORE]	jecinta	Feb 12, 2008 04:59
There are obviously several injustices that were carried out against the people by the elite, Kikuyu, Luo, Kalenjin... but to... [MORE]	Maina Ogeto Kimutai	Feb 12, 2008 09:23
look at this in the context that the previous and the current president's of kenya are now in one team..then... [MORE]	Timex	Feb 21, 2008 05:31
German Brown Shirts disrupted society until Hitler was appointed chancellor. Same in Kenya. Odinga will disrput society until he gets... [MORE]	randy stein	Mar 6, 2008 16:11
Odinga said today that he has "fall back plans" if peace talks fail. I am paying heed to his words... [MORE]	annonymous	Feb 3, 2008 11:39
Yes to your last question [MORE]	jona4good@yahoo.com	Feb 5, 2008 02:58
Mr Odinga think again &again of what you are doing to your fellow Kenyans. Think future. [MORE]	Nyahururu	Feb 1, 2008 12:08
I if we had people like you in western media we could not have gone that berserk with killing .... [MORE]	Essy njenga	Feb 1, 2008 09:50
"The established democracies are accepting flawed and unfair elections for political expediency, Human Rights Watch said today in releasing its... [MORE]	Ray	Feb 1, 2008 07:10
There is disturbing news in the press that the Kikuyu may be starting to proactively attack the Luos. It is... [MORE]	John Smith	Jan 31, 2008 20:34
While self-defence is a natural justice, Kikuyus should not go killing. They can set themselves to win in a different... [MORE]	Geni	Feb 2, 2008 02:57
Thanks, John Smith! You have spoken like a true Kenyan. Even if you sound like a scared Luo. But remember... [MORE]	Dave	Feb 12, 2008 09:47
This really worries me that we are just 4 days out of a MAJOR U.S. election and NO ONE IN... [MORE]	Nancy	Jan 31, 2008 16:44
Yesterday at the African Union summit, the top U.S. envoy reported that investigations have revealed that the ethnic cleansing was... [MORE]	annonymous	Jan 31, 2008 10:47
This is a man whose world is full of unfairness immediately he loses.He doesnt support development and its a pity... [MORE]	Chiwana	Jan 30, 2008 13:28
To all Kenyans who may be reading this, we have gone beyond Raila and Kibaki it is time to change... [MORE]	Maurice O	Jan 28, 2008 14:48
I totally agree with you Maurice, We Kenyans have sank so low and put our lives in the line for... [MORE]	Mercy	Jan 29, 2008 04:54
Why do we need to to gang up against anyone, I think its very clear that the fights going on... [MORE]	Lilian M	Jan 29, 2008 09:08
I agree with the comments made by Mercy and Maurice. There is chaos all around and tit for tat killing... [MORE]	annonymous	Jan 29, 2008 15:53
Thanks Daniel Johnson for this article. I believe that each candidates affiliations, particularly the more recent ones, are worth considering... [MORE]	Concerned Kenyan	Jan 26, 2008 06:07
Raila is a true son of Africa who has given his life for Kenya many at times. He can only be... [MORE]	Noel	Jan 26, 2008 00:06
Sorry sir I disagree! He (Raila) has no place for likes of Nelson Mandela. [MORE]	Will	Jan 26, 2008 10:03
Please check out the link below. http://hrw.org/ [MORE]	Will	Jan 27, 2008 15:36
Dear Kenyans, As the facts begin to come out it is becoming apparent that the post election violence was preplanned. There... [MORE]	Ciku	Jan 25, 2008 23:27
we could spend eternity throwing blame back and forth but that will not sort out the mess as it. both... [MORE]	pauline	Jan 25, 2008 12:16
Sure, allegations of rigging were expressed on both sides, but its not factual that odm agreed there was rigging on... [MORE]	Will	Jan 26, 2008 09:56
I am a Kenyan in Englang and I do not belong to either the Luo or Kikuyu tribe but im... [MORE]	LILIAN M, ENGLAND	Jan 25, 2008 06:20
No one denies tribalism exists and will be with us for a long time. All we want is justice regardless... [MORE]	Will	Jan 26, 2008 00:24
It's no secret that Senator Obama has ties with Kenya and with Mr. Odinga, but that does not dictate his... [MORE]	Lilian M, England	Jan 25, 2008 05:55
Lilian, you say you don't want to take sides but you obviously already have. There are those who believe that... [MORE]	Living in Kenya	Feb 5, 2008 04:53
It is encouraging to see that there are people out there who can see through the lies and propaganda being... [MORE]	Anna W	Jan 24, 2008 08:23
Here's a link to the Human Rights Watch view on the violence in the Rift Valley province:- http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/01/23/kenya17859.htm [MORE]	Ray	Jan 24, 2008 18:02
THE RIGGING STORY The international media especially in the EU has taken an offensive position against our nation I am... [MORE]	Civilised Kenyan	Jan 24, 2008 07:08
The international press and the international community are pre-occupied with the results of the recently concluded elections in Kenya while...	Peaceful Kenyan	Jan 24, 2008 07:00
Thursday 24th of January 2008, must have been one of those daysthat we as Kenyans felt good to be in... [MORE]	mercy	Jan 25, 2008 04:00
I refuse to fight for so-called leaders who clearly care nothing about me, the common mwananchi. As we speak, they've... [MORE]	Ray	Jan 23, 2008 09:10
I have read most of the comments and I cant help but boil with anger.I realize that the problem of... [MORE]	Mkenya mzalendo	Jan 23, 2008 01:38
Raila should stand up and apologise to the whole world and more so to his tribe Luos for leading us... [MORE]	Jane	Feb 1, 2008 16:35
The situation in our country is alarming and i feel that Raila should stop the issue of demonstrations and follow... [MORE]	KERRY	Jan 22, 2008 09:00
Let's keep this page for when all is said and done, the Kenyan people will demand justice against all these... [MORE]	Distressed Kenyan	Jan 24, 2008 06:55
1. I am surprised that the western diplomats and the press that is reporting about the state of the Kenyan... [MORE]	Fr. Gabriel Muteru	Jan 22, 2008 02:18
Thank you Father Muteru. You are a man of God and you spoke the truth. If anyone is listening please... [MORE]	annonymous	Jan 23, 2008 10:43
I agree with your analysis of what of going on in Kenya. I am so frustrated with people who think... [MORE]	Wamucii Njogu	Jan 23, 2008 12:05
It seems that Kibaki and a few of his staunchest followers have a messaianic syndrome. They seem to think that... [MORE]	thumbi	Jan 23, 2008 15:56
Which foreign observers have ruled the elections free and fair? So far not one has come forth and agreed to... [MORE]	Geo Pro	Jan 24, 2008 13:27
Kenyans are spiritually starved and that is why they are doing what they are doing. Kenyan religious leaders are to... [MORE]	Kipkemboi	Jan 24, 2008 23:10
Hello Fr, Thank you for the article. I will not give my comments as these matters are still very raw and... [MORE]	A Kenyan who has visited the Camps	Jan 25, 2008 05:17
All you said is true we should help each other regarless of their status in times of trouble God help kenya... [MORE]	tabitha	Jan 28, 2008 07:38
I thank you for the well informed though short article. Your accuracy in inference is impressive. I think Americans have... [MORE]	maingi	Jan 21, 2008 23:07
Thank you Mr.Johnson for the the facts that everybody needed to know.The re-election of president Kibaki was in a prophecy... [MORE]	mbugua	Jan 21, 2008 21:35
Reading through the papers today one is left wondering is Raila really in control of ODM? In one instance he... [MORE]	NIKI	Jan 21, 2008 07:48
Come on Niki don't be naive..the only reason why everyone in the world but a few direct beneficiaries of the... [MORE]	timex	Feb 21, 2008 06:32
infact the journalist is so correct ,you would think he is kenyan. congrats and dig more on raila coz he... [MORE]	eunice	Jan 21, 2008 04:56
Every Kenyan and American of each and every political clime must wonder at the absurdity of this article. Finding a... [MORE]	McOlsen	Jan 21, 2008 02:45
The article on Raila Odinga is very accurate, but I wish to add some two facts. First, in an interview... [MORE]	Ndungu	Jan 25, 2008 04:14
Mr. Daniel Johnson, You have obviously gone the extra mile to paint Kenya's Mr. Odinga as an islamo-fascist, then proceed... [MORE]	McOlsen	Jan 21, 2008 02:33
- Muslims in Kenya have been given the same rights as every other Kenyan. Kenya is full of mosques where... [MORE]	annonymous	Jan 22, 2008 13:27
Odinga was not elected by a majority. If he had the majority, he would be in State Hse right now. Of... [MORE]	K K	Jan 23, 2008 02:12
I am sure that you know the meaning of the word majority. If Raila received less than 50% of the... [MORE]	Fidel	Jan 27, 2008 11:34
Please stop Odinga before it is too late. There are a lot of facts on the ground leading to Islam... [MORE]	annonymous	Jan 20, 2008 11:14
The US Government will not intervene to tell RAILA to stop the Violence since they are FUNDIND him. ODM has... [MORE]	annonymous	Jan 21, 2008 02:34
I've watched the unfolding events in Kenya with great concern. The bias on the foreign media especially CNN and BBC... [MORE]	Wilson	Jan 19, 2008 16:43
Kisumu is or was Kenya's third largest city. 90% of Kisumu's central business district has been destroyed. View images on... [MORE]	annonymous	Jan 19, 2008 15:59
The latest strategy employed by Raila, to boycott products from pro Kibaki companies only confirm what Mr Johnson wrote. ODM... [MORE]	Mercy	Jan 19, 2008 07:54
the killings of Kikuyus and their subsequent displacement in the greater Rift valley was too well orchestraed to be ignored....... [MORE]	Xtine	Jan 21, 2008 02:23
Yes and yes again there is more to these actions than meets the eye. The marauding killers were trained and... [MORE]	maingi	Jan 21, 2008 23:35
I really do not undersatnd why we Kenyans are so forgetful or why we opt to cower away from the... [MORE]	Xtine	Jan 22, 2008 03:10
Just check the names of people supporting this article. They are all Kikuyus. We Kenyans can tell. The check the... [MORE]	anonymous	Jan 22, 2008 04:24
Please view BBC Hard Talk interview (Jan 17) with opposition leader Odinga. In his interview, he defends burning of Eldoret... [MORE]	annonymous	Jan 18, 2008 16:04
A true leader never sets the International community againt his country. It is selfish A real honest & WISE leader, worth... [MORE]	fm	Jan 18, 2008 13:47
i think the chaos in kenya were planned for and according to your column to some extent its true. Raila... [MORE]	purity	Jan 18, 2008 05:03
Any one who believes the presidency is HIS doesnt deserve that position. I hear they say "kuna wenye nchi na... [MORE]	mchezo	Jan 18, 2008 00:37
The stakes in the battle for Kenya are much greater than most realize. If the free world loses Kenya to... [MORE]	E. Sanders	Jan 18, 2008 00:27
Bw. Thumbi, I see your points clearly. But you argue from both sides of your mouth. Nobody is perfect and that... [MORE]	Wanjohi	Jan 17, 2008 21:11
Kikuyus are being killed (more than 400 people)all over Rift Valley as well as in Nyanza. Their properties are being... [MORE]	Githure	Jan 18, 2008 03:10
It's a shame of what has become of country, through the instigation of ODM and the fueling of tribal politics... [MORE]	W'Njeri	Jan 21, 2008 09:23
We tend to argue from different perspectives when it comes to the current situation in kenya. I am not ashamed... [MORE]	kagiri	Jan 21, 2008 15:51
W'Njeri Please don't resort to violence to avenge the death and destruction of your loved ones and your property. The Kenyan... [MORE]	annonymous	Jan 22, 2008 13:39
The major disagreements I have with Kibaki are three. First he avoids communicating directly and clearly with wanainchi. Example, when Odinga... [MORE]	Thumbi	Jan 22, 2008 14:49
It's good to see that people are beginning to see that Raila Odinga is not an innocent victim of election... [MORE]	Toni D	Jan 17, 2008 20:19
Its very dishertening to see the kind of Genocide that has been going on in kenya sinc dec 29th. We... [MORE]	Mbugua	Jan 17, 2008 14:26
Oh, and sorry in my response to Mbugua who asked why Kenyans hate Kikuyus, I failed to see the last... [MORE]	Okello	Jan 21, 2008 09:33
Dear Okello: Very sad to note that you are making this a "tribal" battle. You are happy that the Kikuyus have... [MORE]	annonymous	Jan 23, 2008 15:17
We Kikuyus are not desperate to be loved by any tribe which suffer from superiority complex but r ready and... [MORE]	Wamutiri	Feb 21, 2008 06:25
Kenyans and others, don't be mislead to do the bidding of the author of this article (the Kenyan connection). His... [MORE]	thumbi	Jan 17, 2008 11:58
Thumbi I live in Kenya and you should be aware that there is an Islamic connection -- appears that the port... [MORE]	annonymous	Jan 18, 2008 02:58
Finally, the world gets to hear truth from a journalist. I have been dismayed and utterly insulted by the propaganda... [MORE]	GQ	Jan 17, 2008 08:17
Being a Kenyan here in Kenya and witnessing first hand the suffering that Raila's continued call for demonstrations is causing... [MORE]	Andrew	Jan 17, 2008 05:25
Since Obama supported his cousin and also funded his campaign, he should feel responsible for what is happening to Kenyans.... [MORE]	annonymous	Jan 17, 2008 15:16
Here's the deal. It is evident that emotions onthis issues run way deep, but it is important for citizens of... [MORE]	lost child	Jan 16, 2008 19:59
I only wish stuff like this and Obama's church would have came out earlier. I fear with all this Obama... [MORE]	Al Dupp	Jan 16, 2008 17:53
Writer quotes the fake MOU that has been circulating the web, as facts. Writer talks about Raila converting Kenya into... [MORE]	Nick	Jan 16, 2008 15:27
Nick I live in Kenya and let me tell you an MOU was signed because it was in the newspapers. The... [MORE]	annonymous	Jan 16, 2008 17:54
The real Memoradum of Understanding made between Obama's cousin Odingo (Obama is not denying this) and the Islamic group has... [MORE]	B.L. Eave	Jan 17, 2008 13:41
For what it's worth, it doesn't really matter who did what and to whom. What we need to right now... [MORE]	Celia	Jan 16, 2008 08:02
Celia: Most Kenyans want to embrace PEACE. Raila is now sacrificing the lives of his supporters by calling rallies. He has... [MORE]	annonymous	Jan 16, 2008 17:32
Why don't you try sending a letter to Kibaki and Ojinga and then come back and share the response you... [MORE]	SM	Jan 18, 2008 20:09
the problem with many is that they refuse to accept reality and facts especially if they do not favor them.... [MORE]	grace	Jan 16, 2008 04:14
The crisis in Kenya is about greed for power, we either rule it or burn it. Kenyans are not fundamentally... [MORE]	Mercy	Jan 17, 2008 04:37
I must thank you for that report on Raila. Raila is a communist. He has no known interest in anybody... [MORE]	Mumbi	Jan 15, 2008 10:13
Those claiming that if Raila won there would be violence are not serious! For with the violence we are witnessing... [MORE]	Evans	Jan 16, 2008 01:12
Daniel Good research. You should perhaps take a look at where the funds for Odinga's campaign came from. There is a... [MORE]	annonymous	Jan 16, 2008 17:39
elections results were just a vehicle that has unearthed greater issues in our country, land issues, tribalism, ignorance and hooliganism... [MORE]	agigated kenyan	Jan 22, 2008 11:06
The truth about Kenya is that we have fought several years for democracy and equal opportunities to all, and we... [MORE]	Tarko	Jan 15, 2008 02:35
This is the time of grieve in Kenya! Kibaki's winning (if he actually won) is Kenyan loss. More than 500... [MORE]	John Kajwang	Jan 15, 2008 01:48
John You have taken the words out of the mouth of most Kenyans. We don't care whether the election was rigged... [MORE]	ANNONYMOUS	Jan 16, 2008 18:04
Thak you for shedding the light . Americans should be very careful to who they are voting for. America do... [MORE]	njeri	Jan 17, 2008 05:11
Thanks for that article, The elections were just an excuse and you are right the western media are being played by... [MORE]	Mukami	Jan 14, 2008 19:54
There are in reality 4 problems. 1) the more obvious political stalemate: a flawed election VOTE COUNTING/TALLYING. NB: not a... [MORE]	Nairobian	Jan 14, 2008 09:59
Obama may be vying for Presidency in America, yes, but that has nothing to do with Kenyan politics and the... [MORE]	Charles Warria	Jan 14, 2008 05:13
I read with pity some of the reactions to this story and hope and pray that some day that the... [MORE]	LNK	Jan 14, 2008 04:27
Anybody who knows kenya would realize that kenyans are very hard working and well educated lot. Civic education already undertaken... [MORE]	Bwana Ogle	Jan 13, 2008 17:32
The link below goes to the Kenya server showing the actual document signed by Odinga. http://www.eakenya.org/AAEAKUpdate/RAILA_MUSLIM_MOU.pdf [MORE]	Marty W.	Jan 13, 2008 16:28
You are the first Western Journalist who has truly seen what Raila is about. I don' t think the kikuyu... [MORE]	Njeri Mwangi	Jan 14, 2008 14:43
This article is well thought out. At least we get a glimpse of the man who thinks he has the... [MORE]	Ken Ndirangu	Jan 13, 2008 05:43
That, a Kikuyu commenting on this article would side with Daniel Johnson's article. Most likely, a Luo would disagree with... [MORE]	Kiplimo	Jan 12, 2008 20:35
Kiplimo As much as the election results are questionable, it will never justify atrocities against any community or person either by... [MORE]	pauline	Jan 15, 2008 08:29
Your article is the first to capture Raila's destructive spirit. If he won the elections (which he did not seeing... [MORE]	Njeri Mbugua	Jan 12, 2008 15:56
Just watch this. Thanks for bringing these issues to the forefront.. Raila and his compatriot Rutto should be accused for crimes... [MORE]	Mwana Mpotevu	Jan 12, 2008 14:27
There is one very worrying part to all of this: the Memorandum of Understanding between Raila Odinga and the Moslems... [MORE]	The perfect storm	Jan 12, 2008 03:57
while I think it is a stretch to associate Obama's candidacy with Raila's claim that the two are related, Raila... [MORE]	John Onyango	Jan 11, 2008 22:37
To: New York Sun From: Randy Stein Your "Kenya Connection" article stimulated a truly educational response from commenators who largely... [MORE]	Randy Stein	Jan 11, 2008 18:48
Obama and Raila are very different. I hope that Raila is not affecting Obama's chances. Raila has consistently used violence to... [MORE]	Peter M'Thuranira	Jan 11, 2008 18:40
I have read for the first time today the articles in this column with great concern and I felt obliged... [MORE]	Stephen	Jan 11, 2008 18:09
You must understand that ODM has bought all the media and so the government voice is not coming out. So only... [MORE]	Tito	Jan 12, 2008 06:52
I am very glad to see some sense now reappearring in the western press who are begining to see Raila... [MORE]	Ian	Jan 11, 2008 16:34
What you wrote: In August 2006, Mr. Obama visited Kenya and spoke in support of Mr. Odinga's candidacy at rallies... [MORE]	s schafer	Jan 11, 2008 15:52
There is no such document or agreement between Raila and the National Muslim Leaders' Forum. That is sheer propaganda being... [MORE]	nel	Jan 11, 2008 15:43
Mr. Johnson does more than tell the truth about why we must be leary about Obama, who has not told... [MORE]	maggie	Jan 11, 2008 15:25
What those defending Raila Odinga are not telling you is that when the issue of the MOU with NAMLEF[an extremist... [MORE]	The Perfect Storm	Jan 11, 2008 15:16
It is interesting to note that the comments to this article are (for those claiming to be Kenyan), very visibly... [MORE]	Even More Concered Kenyan	Jan 11, 2008 14:13
we are all from the same country regardless of our tribes killing one community will not help any one. Why... [MORE]	tabitha	Jan 22, 2008 02:40
we are all from the same country regardless of our tribes killing one community will not help any one. Why... [MORE]	tabitha	Jan 22, 2008 02:40
Even if Odinga won there would still have been genocide but with great government cover-up. He promised the Muslims an... [MORE]	jim	Jan 11, 2008 12:50
finaly some one has seen the light [MORE]	jm	Jan 11, 2008 10:12
Not sure where you are going with your article. It just didn't make much sense except to bring in a... [MORE]	carolyne	Jan 11, 2008 10:11
The author of this article simplifies the complex nature of kenyas woes to discredit a man who has no firm... [MORE]	Joram	Jan 11, 2008 10:01
JULIAN ASSANGE Wikileaks investigations editor The Sun editorial "The Kenyan Connection" quotes extensively from a purported memorandum of understanding leaked by... [MORE]	Julian Assange	Jan 15, 2008 12:53
Tell the truth. Elections in kenya were stolen and is aknowdleged by the electral commission chairman samuel Kivuitu. Kenyans will... [MORE]	wycliffe	Jan 11, 2008 09:20
Thank you so much for the article. The truth about Raila is coming out at long last in the international... [MORE]	Jane P	Jan 11, 2008 09:17
The writer is sadly looking at Kenya through the prism of an ethnic community. Such attitudes have let us down... [MORE]	Paul	Jan 15, 2008 10:04
Dear Daniel, Before you slander a man who has no influence whatsoever on the direction of your life, it would be... [MORE]	Concerned Kenyan	Jan 11, 2008 09:06
It's very easy for any crook to use the word democracy to advance their evil agenda. It's even easier when... [MORE]	Dedan Kimathi	Jan 11, 2008 08:52
I do think that its this kind of negative publicity that will put Obama to the top. Americans are smarter... [MORE]	Kasichana	Jan 11, 2008 08:30
I warn you americans,,,Do not elect a luo as your president. Period. [MORE]	jeff wanyoike	Jan 12, 2008 11:14
you are the kind of people we do not need in Kenya-this is not about what tribe a person is-it... [MORE]	dissapointed kenyan	Jan 14, 2008 06:11
if you all go to scribd.com and search "leaked ODM poll strategy", it is all there in the document. This... [MORE]	Mary	Jan 11, 2008 00:27
when all kenyans joined force agaist moi, we had hope that the billions looted from kenya tresury will be uncoverde... [MORE]	murungi	Jan 12, 2008 03:21
Let me state that I am not a member of Raila's Luo tribe and I have been and continue to... [MORE]	Lugonzo	Jan 20, 2008 15:18
Lugonzo: You do not seem to get the message. No one is claiming that Kibaki won the elections -- we are... [MORE]	annonymous	Jan 21, 2008 01:13
Lugonzo, Just because Raila won 6 provinces doesn't gurantee him the presidency! The Kenyan Constitution mandates one win the popular vote... [MORE]	Justice Seeker	Jan 22, 2008 00:24
the argument on 2 out of 8 provinces voted for kibaki so he was not voted for by a majority... [MORE]	tabygal	Jan 24, 2008 05:31
It is unfortunate that people are falling for ODM's propaganda that Raila won in 6 provinces. The truth is he... [MORE]	Emily Muchemi	Jan 24, 2008 09:25
This world has true philosophers, like the author, Daniel Jonson. I wonder where he got this information from! Is it... [MORE]	superman	Jan 10, 2008 23:41
Kenya is in a crisis right now, but this opinion does not reflect the real situation. Raila Odinga is not... [MORE]	Clement Ndole	Jan 10, 2008 23:11
According to this article (and published before this article) Obama's relatives indicate that Raila and Obama are not related: Odinga... [MORE]	John Karau	Jan 10, 2008 22:04
Indeed Obama has fresh Luo blood in his veins. A Luo's behaviour is the same whether educated or in a... [MORE]	Christine Wathira	Jan 10, 2008 21:38
I lived in Kenya for about 2 years and have some understanding of the beautiful country. What is happening is... [MORE]	Mike P.	Jan 10, 2008 20:32
at last someone from the west not hoodwinked by Raila! [MORE]	patrick manyeki	Jan 11, 2008 01:18
I understand that in your need to try and link Obama and Raila you may be wrong in a few... [MORE]	Disgusted Kenyan	Jan 10, 2008 20:04
Your article is totally biased and full of hearsay! Take time to either visit Kenya (I'm sure the NYSUN can... [MORE]	Mzee	Jan 10, 2008 19:02
Thanks for a most informative article. Barack Obama is a true internationalist with ties to Kenya and Indonesia where he... [MORE]	john lang	Jan 10, 2008 18:47
I am a Kenyan (from Kibakis tribe) and find it appalling that this innuendo is bring touted to tarnish Obama.... [MORE]	FM	Jan 10, 2008 18:24
Politics is about how much you can present your opponent as dirty and filthy as possible while Democracy is about... [MORE]	Ben	Jan 10, 2008 17:36
Would you please stop with the fear~!...We the people of the United States are sick and tired of the establishment... [MORE]	Maria Gjonaj	Jan 10, 2008 16:53
Maria: Take a good read of the comments coming directly from Kenya. Real people in real life are dying from the... [MORE]	Vince P	Jan 11, 2008 03:54
What comments from Kenya are you talking about? Kenyan love Obama and a lot more Kenyans love Raila than the... [MORE]	Shaking my head	Jan 11, 2008 23:04
Daniel Robinson, I am originally from Kenya and I feel it is in your best interest that I educate you on... [MORE]	Fred	Jan 10, 2008 16:49
They spent a great deal of time together when sen obama visited kenya. Sen Obamas organisation was among the biggest... [MORE]	kamau	Jan 11, 2008 23:39
@DANIEL JOHNSON You should do your homework well before jumping into conclusions. What I see in your article is a... [MORE]	Mokimo Simon	Jan 10, 2008 16:41
Sir, I am a kenyan who read your article with great relief that finally, someone in the West is seeing... [MORE]	peter	Jan 10, 2008 16:27
I am a Kenyan and I have been following the politics of the day. I am no analyst neither journalist... [MORE]	Celina	Jan 11, 2008 03:31
I hope the International Media can bring out the truth about Raila and his such for power. I believe a... [MORE]	I wish	Jan 11, 2008 09:18
There is a history behind the Luo/Kikuyu conflict. The other tribes can work together with the Kikuyu. There are many... [MORE]	Tired Kenyan	Jan 11, 2008 12:53
Thank you for writing this story. I received the official documents that ODM leader signed with the muslim leaders in... [MORE]	Winnie Lyons	Jan 10, 2008 16:23
Thank you Daniel for your article. Kenya and President Kibaki have been tarnished in this past week due to lack... [MORE]	Jean	Jan 10, 2008 16:20
cnn had a bio of Obama's father and his Kenya family shortly before the election. Maybe people saw that and... [MORE]	nancy	Jan 10, 2008 16:05
Mr. Raila Odinga's party, have been fanning ethnic hatred in this diverse poor nation of east africa. And he has... [MORE]	Siri Eirletsen	Jan 10, 2008 15:10
Raila Odinga had absolutely nothing to do with the attacks in the church or anywhere in Kenya after the election... [MORE]	Clement	Jan 11, 2008 03:10
I fail to understand why the Luos and the kalenjins are so obsessed with the Kikuyus and what they have... [MORE]	Gaitho	Jan 11, 2008 11:52
Kenyans are not happy with the 6 percent growth of the economy, which just benefited Kibaki's buddies. It's only Kibaki's... [MORE]	Sir Priced!	Jan 11, 2008 22:41
Mr. Johnson, It sounds like someone of the Kibaki camp sent you an article and then you simply paraphrased it and... [MORE]	Eric Katua	Jan 10, 2008 15:05
Katua, in requiring the author to be objective, you have unfortunately proceeded to show your lack of understanding of the... [MORE]	SM	Jan 10, 2008 20:44
you clearly don't understand kenyan politics and never bothered to cross check the information you were fed. the details of... [MORE]	zab	Jan 11, 2008 06:57
Raila Odinga's pro-Americanism is just a ploy to hoodwink the West and it's obsession with democracy. His own history as... [MORE]	Dedan Kimathi	Jan 11, 2008 09:16
Obama should denounce it! [MORE]	Clint	Jan 11, 2008 09:41
All you have said here is support lies SM, Raila did not promise to turned Kenya into an Islamist country,... [MORE]	Pakana Panya	Jan 12, 2008 04:07
just before the elections a poll was conduted on media stations it was evident that the most fair / unbiased... [MORE]	tabygal	Jan 23, 2008 10:10
Mr Odinga the Kenyan opposition leader claimed that Obama was his cousin and this has hurt Obama terribly. I spoke... [MORE]	Obama supporter	Jan 10, 2008 15:02
Before you call anyone uncivilized, please show us you understand the situation in Kenya. Luos have nothing to do with... [MORE]	Civilized Luo	Jan 11, 2008 01:03
The author of this article is totally misinformed about the facts of what is happening in Kenya. Obama DID condemn... [MORE]	Laila Msambwezi	Jan 11, 2008 01:23
HIV has marginalised the Luo...and for your information, government does not give handouts....you have to work hard for everything...How do... [MORE]	Disgusted Kenyan	Feb 19, 2008 13:27
Most Kenyan Americans have be disappointed at how the American media has been completely mis-led by Mr. Odinga. He began... [MORE]	JW	Jan 10, 2008 14:33
Sad and sorrowful to see what a family can do ,Raila was also leader in the 1982 coup in kenya... [MORE]	nelly	Jan 10, 2008 13:44
If you were old enough and living in and around the city of Nairobi in 1982 then you know what... [MORE]	Christine	Jan 10, 2008 21:59
Unlike most of you commenting on this thread, I am NOT Kenyan. I am interested in the truth! Kamau, if... [MORE]	marie thomson	Jan 12, 2008 14:20
I feel saddened that people are dying in our country as a result of the irregular elections. I'm not luo... [MORE]	victor	Jan 29, 2008 07:50
Thank you for telling the truth about raila at one and the only international press who have done his his... [MORE]	george ngari	Jan 10, 2008 12:42
A long scholarly response is not necessary but I would like to say the following. Is that what the international focus... [MORE]	N. Wafula	Jan 10, 2008 11:08
Thanks, Mr. Johnson. I had no idea of any of the information you outline. [MORE]	H Brando	Jan 10, 2008 10:24
Mr. Johnson's observations and questions point out a fearful, sad, and ironic phenomenon presently occurring. It is a common enough... [MORE]	John Spencer Yantiss	Jan 10, 2008 10:01
I agree but not fully with you! I'm a Kenyan and i supported raila! In your article you say luos... [MORE]	KAMAU	Jan 10, 2008 20:45
I am appalled at the levels to which you would stoop in tarnishing Hon Raila Odinga's name.You know very well... [MORE]	william overton	Jan 11, 2008 02:43
Mr. Johnson's article shows a lack of understanding of the world that plagues Americans. Here is a country whose media... [MORE]	Edwin Okong'o	Jan 10, 2008 08:38
Even after Obama was briefed about Kenya during his visit in 2006. He Choose to ignore that and instead lecture... [MORE]	Jan	Jan 11, 2008 04:18
Those who are switching from Obama support to Clinton should remember what Bill Clinton did during the Rwanda massacre. ..nothing... [MORE]	Benard Nyamasi	Jan 11, 2008 15:02
i can only hope obama is diffrent, he's educated like most kenyans. why did he disrespect kibakis goverment on his... [MORE]	mike	Jan 20, 2008 20:52
When Barrack Obama visited Kenya the last time, he was recieved a cerebrity welcom, however, he appeared very misinformed about... [MORE]	neema	Jan 21, 2008 00:57
Do you do any fact checking before you publish articles...because this just takes the cake! [MORE]	IM	Jan 10, 2008 06:58
I'm glad to read this article. Raila Amolo Odinga is the curse of Kenya and is a power hungry man.... [MORE]	mariam	Jan 11, 2008 03:18