Felix Kilonzo

Dear Sir, I have been dreaming of a nation with huge freedom of the press... but what am getting from the Social Media today is shocking. Today, i enjoy the practice of my career not because it pays me but because thats what i Dreamt of attaining. i have seen the evolution of the media freedom in kenya through the last 15years to what we have attaine d in the recent past. As a journalist i am forced to pose this serious question, Is it necessary for the government of the day to impose turf rules and regulations to this field that involves self denial and compassion to undertake? Is the 4th arm of the government under threat and eventual attack? As a journalist who has worked in Both Kenya and Uganda, I have come to believe that however we embark on professionalism there are certain busy bodies in the leadership who would love to use the pre existing laws and legislations to hide their dirty profiles. At 24years i Managed to do many stories for my country and the region, I follow the ca...

When I look at the Ukambani region, I see not only unexploited potential but also the land that has been neglected since independence. I see a vast land full of fertility to feed Kenya and booster the fertility of the country. But successive regimes have left the region to waste since independence for reasons best known to them. The only question that begs to be answered is that, why Kenyan development agenda has has only revolved around the ‘who is who’ in leadership. Back in 2012, I spend my entire industrial attachment in the vast county of Kitui where I was privileged to visit the Malalani in Endau in the Mutito Sub-County where the century old conflict between the Kamba and the Somali has continued despite the existence of security apparatus in the area. What amazed me most was the fact that the area did not have GSM connectivity leave alone the outdated landline. I happened to represent the Ministry of Information in the DSIC (District Security and Intelligence Committ...

With lack of able and responsible leadership in the African Union, the fight against impunity and corruption may not be won. The recent utterances by African head of states over the ICC question is on of the very many problems the continent may continue to experience perhaps for the  next 50 or so years. From time to time we have argued that everyone is equal before the law in regardless of creed or believe. What I don’t understand and most probably will not agree is, is the case in the international Criminal Court a case between the PEV victims and the state of Kenya? Are the victims guaranteed of their justice if the cases are brought back home? Who does the Kenyan attorney General of Kenya represent at the ICC, is it Kenya or Kenyatta? The recent development of the ICC trials if put in to context show exactly serious the court is in the business of fighting impunity and the culture of some people being the so called untouchable. I was among those who pushed for the ICC pro...

What is democracy on the perspective of Africa? What is ‘the rule of law’ when it pertains the administration of justice in the continent? Who do we blame for the negative ethnicity that has divided countries into farther tribal cocoons? Africa has for ages been termed as continent of dark minds, tyrannical regimes, full of impunity and so divided. Africa has on a lighter note been termed as cradle of mankind. We as African continent have from time to time became slaves of few leaders who have always treated their countries as private entity that requires only them to rule till death do them apart. When I look at the Kenyan I government, I see a union of two major tribes that want to rule over the rest and fill all the government position with their tribal lieutenants. When I see this I ask, is the presidency the only way for the tribal chiefs to get recognised by those in power? It’s only in Africa where one’s name is an added advantage in the job market. Theref...

I wish to state that a meeting was called this morning by the Hon Joshua Kutuny in his capacity as the political adviser to the Presidency, to discuss the referendum issue with me, the Chairman of the Council of Governors. During the discussion, it was acknowledged that the referendum debate had become a divisive matter since the two levels of government hold opposing positions on the same and that political interests had invaded what is essentially a national interest issue. As the council of governors, we hold the position that it is our constitutional mandate to be the guardians of devolution and we jealously protect the rights of Kenyans to enjoy the fruits of our new devolved systems of government without undue harassment from any sectors of the society. We advocate for all that is good and beneficial to the people of Kenya, under the new constitutional dispensation. In the meeting, I made it clear that the governors were unhappy with the manner in which...

Barely 4 months after the March 4 general election, are Kenyans experiencing the worst economic hardships due to the massive donor withdraw and the implementation of the 2010 constitution. The recent prolonged Teachers’ strike put the jubilee government in a corner that it was deemed to fail.   The main question that many want answered is; was Uhuru Kenyatta validly elected by the Majority of Kenyans? Did he maintain 50% plus one vote in at least 24 of the 47 counties? I remember during the referendum in 2010 I was on record having opposed the creation of County system of governments with no electoral power. That system was deemed to install a president who does not represent the face of Kenya and therefore its time we correct the said mistakes that we committed in 2010. Sincerely, I am uncertain that Adan Duale didn’t know that Kenyans love the so called mini presidents as they are here to serve us because we elected them to serve us in that capacity and therefo...

By Kilonzi Titus I am distigusted by the spontaneous obsession by Jubilee adherents over Uhuru's flirtation with China. Some comments by Jubilee supporters border on paranoia. What's so new in China that should excite even the least bizzarre?. China has been there before and Kenyans should not be overly exuberated by the nascent overtures of "facing East" by the Uhuruto regime. For those who may not know, China built Kasarani Stadium way back in 1985! China has had a presence in Africa since early 1960's! If China was the panacea to African countries' economic woes. Then the oldest Chinese friends like Tanzania would not be hosting Obama,Bush to seek economic/financial leverage from the West! China may be fast growing economy but she has a sizeable gang of suitors offering similar services thus she may not be that keen a bride! China.s socio-political arena is fast changing and sooner the people of China will be demanding democratic practices from their l...

When I see Mutula Kilonzo jnr, I see strength of a person who is chosen by the people to lead them. I don’t see just a young  lawyer but a prolific equal of the biblical King Solomon. He reminds of a lady who defied all odds and challenged the long serving president Paul Biya of Cameroun, Wallah Kah.  I remember wallah kah when she said that the time is now and not tomorrow. Its a great gesture to see a brother and sister fitting in the shoes of their father and take up the challenge head on. When I first saw Kethi at work, I was convinced that the Late Mutula Kilonzo was a Hero. They say you know a man by the children and for sure for people of Makueni County requires both of you to complete the agenda. I endorse Mutula Kilonzo jnr  as the senator for Makueni County for the following reasons. To begin with, I am well aware that politics is an open game of numbers that has the Electoral Commission as the referee and has a stipulated timelines. For Mutu...

PRESS RELEASE/STATEMENT ON THE SUMMONS ISSUED BY THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT (CID) AGAINST ELIUD OWALO FOR ALLEGED PLANS TO DISTABILIZE THE JUBILEE GOVERNMENT. Fellow Kenyans as the Country marks and discusses the 100 days of Jubilee government it is only fair that we issue a caution Kenya must not revert to the dark days of repression, indeed many a Kenyan are scared, worried, and concerned about the perception that individual liberties and freedoms are being rolled back and curtailed not only for the lowly person but unbelievably even for principals and icons of democracy in Kenya. It is only two days ago that the Deputy President William Ruto was quoted in the media calling for the possible arrest of the Prime minister Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga because of serious issues he raised concerning the IEBC. As they say the guilty are afraid, barely days after Hon. Raila Odinga chastised the disgraced commission his aide Eliud Owalo is being accused by the Criminal Investigation...

US president Barrack Obama’s continental visit to Africa is significant not only to Africa as a continent but also to the leadership. This is not a new trend to Africa when it comes to US-Africa relations. President Obama is not the first US chief to come to Africa but joins the club of the world leaders who use their state visits to the continent as a tool to foster democracy and bring to an end to the impunity that is grossly protected by our tribal and religious affiliated governments. But as much as I agree with the US foreign policy, I think there other issues that they should consider to foster a symbiotic kind of relations with the African nations. If I take you back to the Mobutu seseko days in Zaire (now DRC), the US supported the Dictator despite the obvious that they were supposed to foster democracy. Going with Obama’s history as the president of USA, snubbing Kenya is not a new thing. In his first term as president, he visited Ghana only and ignored Kenya. Analysts...

Whoever overlooked the governors terming them as P.O Box county headquarters should reconsider the thought. This is simply because Kenya governors may be the highest paid politicians in Kenya if the current trend in Bungoma County is anything to go by. Apart from being paid by the state, Governor Kenneth Lusaka will enjoy a total of ksh53Million in the fiscal year 2013/14. Kindly have your calculators out, take 53m divide by 12 months. It’s surprisingly that the office of the governor shall be entertained by kes4.42M. If you disagreed with the Mpigs then you won’t even argue with this new Excellencies in our counties. They told you and they are now implementing the said talk. I do remember the Naivasha retreat, of course I should remember because it was the last official duty as a reporter for Chimpreports, the governors asked the SRC to review their packs to prevent what came out yesterday. I would be politically correct to say, “Kusema na Kutenda” is the govern...

By Maureen Sambu (June 2011) ‘Life is at its best described as an illusion’, those are words Felix Kilonzo. Felix is among young students who have had their story neglected. He looks charistimatic and a little bit nervous when I met him for interview. He is currently a student at the Mount Kenya University (2011).  Felix was born in on 1st January 21 years ago (2011) and is the last born of the family of  3 of the late Mr. and Mrs. Kilonzo of Machakos district currently Machakos county. Like any other child, he attended his elementary education at various schools namely St.Monica preparatory school in Kajiado County and Mung’ala Primary School 1997 before his mother transferring him to kyumbi primary in 1999. Asked why he transferred from school to school, he says, ‘my mother wanted I get closer to her because she thought I was getting out of hand.’ The year 1999 to Felix, remain a year that made him what he is perusing today. He realized his dre...

In the first part of this inside story we talked about the ceasefire and commitment of the cease fire documents signing Do you think recent attacks allegedly by Rwasa Agathon forces of national liberation (FNL) will affect the A tenuous peace reached in 2005? And Finally, what is the stand the head of the Government of The CNDD-FDD Excellency Pierre Nkurunziza on NL rebels who did not signed a cease-fire in 2005?   According to Evelyn the fragility of the peace is often threatened by the rampant rebels who have threatened the peace of the people of the country. She said in a one to one interview “I think the FNL only now does not have sufficient force to cause a release any BUT very sure that yes, the fragility of peace is already assigned!”, she adds, “I know not if you live here in Burundi but I'd say that there are no security.  People are killed from day to day especially those belonging to opposition political parties by whom it is said by the police, I ...

As Africa marks the Day of the African child today the 16 th June the main challenge that has continued to pressure the African leadership is the unchartered for orphans who have been used as a bait by NGO’s. Many orphans have been registered by the so-called NGO’s with the aim of purportedly assistance for them to access basic needs like any other child in the continent. Just the other day, I was having a conversation with my grandmother who is 83. She is the one who brought me up since I was 2yrs old and took charge of me when I lost my mother in 2000. I was 10 then and she had a huge role of ensuring that I had education and later get my dream career. She asked me, “Do you think this people who enroll our children to their organizations with the aim of helping them do so?” I understood what she meant and it was rather tricky to answer. But on a journalistic point of view I gave her my opinion. It is the same opinion I wish to share with you. My cousin was reg...

With the gradual withdrawal by the foreign aid to East Africa, the EAC member states retreated to increasing revenue collections in order to face the constraint of the growing economy head on. The 4 east African member states Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania read their fiscal estimates which did not only underline their urge to attain their respective MDG goals that was crafted on economic sustainability. Kenya’s Treasury secretary Henry Rotich presented a Kes1.645Trillion budget that analyst’s term as ambitious and dangerous to implement the historic budget that came along with the devolution.     On the other part, Tanzania’s Finance minister William Mgimwa presented the Tshs18, 249 billions with the aim of fostering economic growth. In Rwanda Finance Minister Claver Gatete presented a RWF1,653.5 billion fiscal estimates where the government shall raise 60.2% from local sources and external funding resting the remainder. On the other hand the Ug...

Uganda’s fiscal year 2013/14 was set in line with the current global economy that according to finance Minister Maria Kiwanuka, GDP grossly impacted in the drafting of the fiscal expenditures. In her speech, Kiwanuka said ‘the framework has been developed in line with the recent trends in the domestic, regional and international economy.’ She farther added that the framework has been impacted by GDP sluggish recovery of the global economy, the performance of domestic revenues and expected level of external support from development partners. Important points to note are as follows, the Uganda Government roots to fund the budget locally amounting 81.1% representing Ugsh10,509billion while it expects Ugsh2,660 billion in external aid representing close to 20% of the total Budget in the FY2013/14. However the Treasury projects that the Taxman is expected to remit UShs8,486bn in form of taxes and Non-Tax Revenues of UShs275bn in addition projecting it at Ugsh8,761 represent...

The Uganda Budget which was unveiled at the Parliament buildings by the Finance Minister Maria Kiwanuka was said to be in line with the new blue print of vision 2040. In her opening remarks to the long budget speech Kiwanuka said that the budget seeks to provide a roadmap to transform Uganda from a low income to a modern middle income country within 30 years. The NRM government underlines that Vision 2040 requires a fundamental change on the way of doing things by Government and the Private Sector, to unlock the binding constraints to Uganda’s progress. Like Kenya’s Treasury Secretary Henry Rotich,  Kiwanuka noted to the Uganda Parliament that the budget is faced by several constraints and however the challenges are to be dealt with positively. “There are no quick answers to the challenges that face us today. The economic and social challenges we are working to address happened over several years and will take time to resolve. This requires patience and coordinati...