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These forwaded messages might interest some of rwandanetters. I warn you, it is a long one!
Joe
Agence France Presse
HEADLINE: Moi says a guerrilla group similar to RPF seeks to topple him
DATELINE: NAIROBI, Feb 15
Kenya's President Daniel arap Moi has said a guerrilla movement similar to the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) was in the process of being formed to instigate bloodshed in the country and overthrow the government, the press reported here Wednesday.
Earlier this month, the government issued a statement saying that the February Eighteen Movement (FEM) -- a previously unheard of rebel movement - had embarked on a subversive campaign aimed at toppling government.
On Tuesday, Moi told a gathering in the town of Molo in the Rift Valley province that another rebel group called the Kenya National Patriotic Front (KNPF) was working in collaboration with FEM to cause civil strife in Kenya "as happened in Rwanda and Burundi".
Molo was one of the areas ravaged by tribal clashes which hit the Rift Valley between 1991 and 1993.
He said KNPF was similar to the RPF which he said had caused "untold suffering and bloodletting in Rwanda", the official Kenya Times newspaper quoted him as saying.
The RPF, whose members were drawn mainly from the minority Tutsi tribe in Rwanda, formed the government in the central African country in July 1994 after defeating troops loyal to the Hutu-dominated regime of president Juvenal Habyarimana who was killed in a suspected rocket attack on his plane in April last year.
Habyarimana's death sparked an unprecedented ethnic massacre pitting mainly Hutus against Tutsis. Between 500,000 and a million people, most of them Tutsis and moderate Hutus, were estimated to have been killed.
Moi did not say where the KNPF was based or whether any members had been arrested, but the statement about FEM had suggested that the guerrilla movement was based in Uganda, where its alleged leader a Brigadier John Odongo lives in exile.
Uganda denied that there was any anti-Kenyan government rebels in its territory and said John Odongo was an "ordinary refugee".
Moi also repeated his warning to opposition politicians that they will be arrested and charged if they continued to insult him during their political rallies.
Text of report by the Kenyan news agency KNA
Nairobi, 16th February: The following is the full text of a statement issued by the minister for information and broadcasting, Mr Johnstone Makau, on subversive groups:
The institution of the presidency is the symbol of unity in any country. It symbolizes nationhood and is a driving force for development and change. In our laws it is an offence to ridicule the institution and its occupant. Our penal codes on the abuse of the institution and the person of the president terms the abuse as treasonable.
Current events have shown that some Kenyans, especially the members of the opposition, have taken upon themselves to insulting the president. HE President Moi has been tolerant until now, when he has made it known that enough is enough. Action should be taken to those who are known to have [been] and continue committing the offence, for our laws are clear on the course to be taken. The commissioner of police and the attorney-general should heed the call by the president and the anger displayed by the public on insults on the president. Deterrent sentences should be given to those who peddled rumours about the president recently and those who have made public statements against the person and the institution of the presidency.
Kenyans have taken for granted the peace we have enjoyed since independence. We are an island of peace in a continent in turmoil. HE President Daniel arap Moi has been the mediator of peace in the region ranging from Mozambique, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Burundi. Meetings have been chaired by our beloved president here in Nairobi in search of peace in the region. We commend our president for the role he has played and continues to play to bring peace and stability in the region.
Despite all the efforts HE the president has made to create peace in the region the opposition in league with enemies of Kenya, who are jealous of our peace and stability, are busy with subversive activities. Newspapers published in one neighbouring country have exposed these subversive activities by guerrilla movements calling themselves FERA [ February Eighteen Revolutionary Army] with a Mr Odongo as its leader. Yesterday [15th February] our president exposed another group calling itself Kenya National Patriotic Front. Many opposition leaders have publicly stated that they can organize guerrilla warfare against Kenya. Others have talked of establishing rebel radio. These opposition leaders are known and should be arrested and prosecuted. We have laws on treason which should be applied before the situation becomes worse. The security of our country is paramount and the security forces should act immediately.
I would like to appeal to the opposition parties in this country to resist from being used by foreigners and our neighbours to create chaos in Kenya. We should learn from the "Rwanda example" where a guerrilla group was financed and supported by a neighbouring country and are responsible for genocide that caused deaths of millions of people. Kenyans should condemn those financing and helping these guerrilla movements and in the reports of newspapers of a neighbouring country 'News Vision' and 'The Monitor' issues during the week when Kenya was gripped with "rumours" . One of the newspapers is a "state newspaper" of a neighbouring country.
Let all Kenyans of good will support our president in condemning these guerrilla movements being aided by foreigners and our neighbours. Those involved in these subversive activities should be prosecuted and any opposition party consistently supporting subversion should be "banned" . There is no need of talking about " democracy" if the same will put Kenya in the situation existing in Rwanda. We should act now and not tomorrow to deter those with evil plans to destabilize this country.
Finally, Kenyans are anxiously awaiting the action of the commissioner of police and the security agents together with the attorney-general in response to HE [the] president's directives on the insults on the president and the guerrilla movements. The laws are there, please act and immediately. We have laws on sedition, treason, detention, etc. The registrar of societies should "ban" with immediate effect any opposition political party or organization which is engaged in subversion and in league with countries out to destabilize Kenya.
I would like to appeal once again to all Kenyans to be vigilant and support HE President Daniel arap Moi who over 40 years has been a leader interested in the welfare and the future of all Kenyans.
Text of report by Kenyan radio
The ruling party KANU [Kenya African National Union] has reminded ambassadors accredited to the country that Kenya is a free and independent state and that public policy matters are formulated in the interests of the majority of wananchi [citizens] and the cardinal principle is the unity of Kenyans.
Reacting to a report attributed to American ambassador Aurelia Brazeal in the press today urging the government to liberalize the media and, in particular, urging parliament to enact legislation before June to facilitate the same, KANU Secretary-General Mr Joseph Kamotho said it is the prerogative of the government to liberalize the media when it felt it was appropriate and in the interests of all Kenyans and at a pace it chose. Mr Kamotho noted that any external interference in the licensing of radio and television was tantamount to interference with the country's sovereignty and freedom. He said: KANU fully supports the minister for information and broadcasting, Mr Johnstone Makau, for the courageous, forthright and articulate manner he has expounded the media policy and for defending public policy, which is in the interests and for the good of the Kenyan nation.
The British Broadcasting Corporation
February 17, 1995, Friday
HEADLINE: KENYA;
Minister criticizes US ambassador's treatment of information minister
SOURCE: Source: KBC radio, Nairobi, in English
1600 gmt 15 Feb 95
Text of report by Kenyan radio
The minister for agriculture, livestock development and marketing, Mr Simeon Nyachae, has cautioned ambassadors and high commissioners accredited to Kenya against assuming partnership roles in matters concerning the management of this country. Mr Nyachae was responding to instructions issued by the US ambassador to Kenya, Ms Aurelia Brazeal, to Information and Broadcasting Minister Johnstone Makau yesterday [14th February] during a courtesy call she paid the minister.
Addressing a press conference in his office today, Mr Nyachae said the US ambassador should have used proper diplomatic procedures to express her feelings about issues she needed clarified. The minister, who said he was speaking as a Kenya politician, added that he was especially disturbed by the ambassador's arrogance towards Minister Makau and lack of courtesy. Mr Nyachae said that, while Kenya appreciated the help it received from friendly nations, the government did not expect to receive instructions from ambassadors, an act he stressed was unheard-of in diplomatic circles.
The print media today reported that the US ambassador had given Mr Makau one month to have a legislative package on private TV and radio stations [ready] for debate in parliament.
The British Broadcasting Corporation
February 17, 1995, Friday
HEADLINE: KENYA;
MP arrested for criticizing claim that guerrillas trying to overthrow
government
SOURCE: Source: KTN TV, Nairobi, in English
1000 gmt 15 Feb 95
Text of report by Kenyan KTN TV (commercial)
Kisumu Rural [western Kenya] MP Prof Anyang' Nyong'o was arrested this morning by a team of criminal investigation officers and taken to Lower Kabete [suburb of Nairobi] police station, where he was questioned in relation with a statement he made of a guerrilla warfare in the country.
Prof Nyong'o, last week at a funeral in his Kisumu Rural constituency, criticized claims that there was a guerrilla movement, led by a Sgt Onyango, operating from a neighbouring country and aiming to overthrow the government of Kenya.
Police confirmed the MP's arrest and said they questioned him over what he knew about Sgt Onyango. The parliamentarian told KTN from his Mountainview [residential district] home that a team of CID [Criminal Investigations Department] and Special Branch officers raided his home at midnight and camped at the gate until morning when they took him away for questioning.
The British Broadcasting Corporation
February 17, 1995, Friday
HEADLINE: KENYA; Radio comments on "constant abuse" directed at presidency
SOURCE: Source: KBC radio, Nairobi, in English
1600 gmt 15 Feb 95
Text of "news commentary" by Kenyan radio
Ever since multiparty politics was reintroduced in the country three years ago, the institution of the presidency has been subjected to constant abuse and prolonged insults, particularly by leading members of the opposition. Apparently, the objective of all this has been to belittle the current holder of that office and water down the significance and respect accorded to the institution he presides over, with the ultimate motive of making selfish political capital out of it. Be it in licensed or unlicensed public rallies, informal meet-the-people tours, funeral ceremonies, fund-raisings, church functions or press conferences, opposition activists have utilized all available forums to pour vitriol and scorn while perfecting in the game of mudslinging HE President Daniel arap Moi and his popularly elected and legally constituted government.
While addressing a public rally at Ndui [phonetic] Primary School in Baringo District during the KANU grass roots elections early this week, President Moi issued a stern warning to all those in the habit of abusing him. He said: Enough is enough, and directed the police to forthwith apply the laws to the letter.
The institution of the presidency in any country is held in high esteem. In the Kenyan context, the president is the highest authority in the land. He signifies our statehood and sovereignty. He is a uniting factor. As an elected authority, he is an epitome of popular will and confidence, since his appointment is based on majority consensus. Abusing or maligning the person of the president amounts to abusing the state, the entire population and all that he epitomizes.
It is for these reasons that everyone, big or small, rich or poor, is called upon to respect the holder of the institution of the presidency. The law, on its part, recognizes that in the presidency lies the very life of the nation. The nation, on the other hand, looks to the president to steer it through the present and into the future. To guarantee the survival of the nation in relations to the functional and symbolic role of the president, the laws of Kenya are explicitly clear on how to protect him. It is with this in mind that President Moi categorically said that the law will from then on be left to take its course.
For the sake of those who may not know how the law protects the president against adverse reference, the penal code categorizes the various levels under which one is liable for punishment. The law of treason, for instance, is the harshest. Section 40, subsection one, of the Penal Code regarding treason says, and we quote: Any person who, owing allegiance to the Republic of Kenya or elsewhere, encompasses, imagines, invents, devises or intends the death, maiming, or wounding, or imprisonment or restraint of the president and expresses, utters or declares any such (?compulsion) is guilty of treason, punishable by death. End of quote.
On sedition, Section 56 of the Penal Code, Chapter 63 of the laws of Kenya, says that any utterances, remarks, words or insinuations which carry a seditious intention is a criminal offence punishable for [as heard] a term not exceeding 10 years. A seditious intention is described in Section 56, subsection one, as one whose objective is to overthrow by unlawful means the government of Kenya by law established and any words, expressions, remarks, utterances or insinuations which are likely to bring into hatred or contempt, or to excite disaffection against the person of the president or the government of Kenya as by law established.
The penal code also provides lighter sentences if the offence committed is considered a misdemeanour. Section 66, subsection one, for instance, commits one to two years'imprisonment when an untrue statement which causes alarm and despondency among the public is made . Section 94 and 95 on conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace commits one to six months'imprisonment if the utterances, expressions or conduct is disparaging to the president [sentence as heard].
From the furore going [as heard], it is clear that the law has no leniency for those in the habit of using abusive language in reference to the head of state. For three years now, the barrage of insults against the president, which started with the legalization of political dissent, has continued unabated, despite calls for restraint and respect for the presidency. The opposition is required to provide responsible criticism, which is quite different from mudslinging, as has been the case.
Finally, it must be understood that multipartyism does not change the law [and] neither does it tone down its application. The existence of many political parties will not deter the enforcement of relevant provisions of the penal code which protect the president. If the penal code has not been fully utilized since 1991, it has been primarily due to the tolerance of President Moi as a person. But, as President Moi has repeatedly said, the tolerance should not be mistaken for weakness or cowardice.
A dispute has erupted between the United States and Kenya on allowing private radio and television stations to broadcast from the East African country.
The U.S. ambassador in Nairobi, Aurelia Brazeal, earlier called for the complete deregulation of the radio and television sector in Kenya.
Kenyan Information Minister Johnstone Makau reacted Wednesday by accusing Washington of interfering in the country's internal affairs.
"The Kenyan government will not be influenced by any person or group regarding the issue of electronic media licensing," he was quoted as saying by the state-run Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.
In a meeting with Makau on Tuesday the U.S. ambassador emphasized that "the information age is here with us and there is no way of stopping it". She said she wanted to meet again with the minister within a month. dpa rg
Uganda has been endorsed by countries of the nile basin to host a secretariat to coordinate the implementation of an action plan for the sustainable use of water resources in the basin. the plan, according to the local daily "the new vision" today, is codenamed tecconile (technical cooperation for the promotion of the development and environmental protection of the nile basin) and it will last three years from 1995. during the third meeting of ministers of the nile basin countries that ended here last saturday, uganda was also empowered, as host country, to sign funding agreements with donors to facilitate the tecconile. the meeting was attended by ministers from uganda, kenya, burundi, tanzania, egypt, ethiopia, sudan as well as representatives from canada, the united nations and the world bank. the action plan aims to urgently address the problems facing lake victoria, river nile and the nile basin countries such as environmental degradation, population explosion and global drought. a panel of experts will be set up within six months to review and recommend an appropriate permanent basin-wide cooperation framework under the auspices of the tecconile. according to the report, canada has offered one million us dollars to support initiatives by the nile basin countries including the tecconile to ensure the sustainable use of the nile basin waters.
Joseph Munyaneza
jneza@iastate.edu