somalia's president and kenyan foreign affairs minister escape unhurt

There has been a suicide attack at the gates of a hotel in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, where the new president was staying.

A BBC reporter says at least seven people died in the attack, including the two bombers who targeted the hotel.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who has been based at the Jazeera hotel near the airport, was unharmed.
The al-Qaeda-aligned group al-Shabab said it had carried out the attack.
On Tuesday, the group said the president's election, which is the latest step to end decades of war, was organised by the "enemies of Somalia".
It was the first time for years that a president has been chosen on Somali soil.

"This atrocious attack comes only two days after a milestone vote where the Somali parliament overwhelmingly and transparently elected Mr Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as president, giving to Somalia a renewed hope for a better future," UN envoy to Somalia Augustine Mahiga said in a statement.
"Such attempts to push the country back into chaos and violence will not deter the Somali people's determination to move forward."

"There has been a blast around the hotel where the president was. The president is safe. All the people who were inside the hotel are safe," Col Ali Houmed, a spokesman for the African Union force in the country, known as Amisom, told the AFP news agency.

One witness told the BBC Somali Service that two militants parked a vehicle near the hotel and walked towards the building.

One man blew himself up at the gate as the second man ran into the hotel firing a gun which wounded a policeman, he said.
The second attacker was shot dead before there was a further explosion.
The BBC's Ibrahim Aden in Mogadishu says two Somali soldiers were killed in the first blast and two civilians were killed in the ensuing shoot out.
In a statement, Amisom said one of its soldiers had died and three others were injured.
Six civilians were also wounded and are being treated in hospital for bullet wounds, our reporter says.
The blasts took place as President Mohamud was holding a press conference in the Jazeera Hotel with visiting Kenyan Foreign Minister Sam Ongeri.
"When we just started the press conference there was a suicide bombing outside and gunshots which were heard from outside the hotel," a woman inside the building, who asked to remain anonymous, told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.
"We could see them from the window," she said.
The Kenyan foreign ministry confirmed that there was an attack whilst Mr Ongeri was delivering a "goodwill message" to the new president.
"The meeting however went on successfully after the thwarted terrorist attack with Minister Ongeri and his entourage are expected back to the country later this evening," the statement said.
Kenya sent troops to Somalia last year, saying that it wanted al-Shabab defeated because the militants threatened its security.
Kenyan soldiers have since joined the Amisom force in the country, boosting its numbers to nearly 18,000.
Just over a year ago, al-Shabab was largely driven out of Mogadishu by African Union forces and Somali government troops.
But militants still stage occasional attacks in the city.
Since the overthrow of President Siad Barre in 1991, Somalia has seen clan-based warlords, Islamist militants and its neighbours all battling for control.

US to investigate Benghazi assault

 

The US is investigating whether the attack in Libya that killed the US ambassador and several other people was planned in advance, officials say.

The assault had earlier been thought to have been a spontaneous reaction to protests over an anti-Islamic film.
US President Barack Obama has called the presidents of Egypt and Libya to urge cooperation over security for diplomatic staff.
There have been further clashes outside the US embassy in Cairo overnight.
Thousands of people gathered outside the building in the Egyptian capital, chanting and starting fires.
Police and troops fired tear gas to break up the crowds, some of whom were seen carrying petrol bombs.
On Wednesday, demonstrators in Cairo angry at the film - Innocence of Muslims - had breached the walls of the US embassy and torn down the flag.
President Barack Obama has vowed to bring those behind the attack to justice, but said the US would not "break bonds" with the new Libyan government.
The White House says Mr Obama spoke to Libyan President Mohamed Magarief on Wednesday evening and agreed the two countries should work together to identify the attackers.
In a further call to Egypt, President Mohammed Morsi promised to ensure the safety of American staff in the country, the White House said.
Security has been tightened at US embassies across the world.
A marine anti-terrorism team is being deployed to Libya to bolster security there, a US defence source told reporters in Washington.
The US says it is also sending two destroyers to the coast of Libya as a precautionary measure.
Militia suspicions Armed men stormed the consulate in the city of Benghazi on Tuesday night.
It is believed Ambassador J Christopher Stevens died of smoke inhalation. Three other Americans and up to 10 Libyans also died in the attack.
Officials have now said the attack was complex and professional, and reports suggest the perpetrators may have had links to jihadist groups.

A senior US official quoted by AFP news agency said the Benghazi attackers appeared to have used the demonstrations as a pretext to staging an assault.

"This was a complex attack," he told the news agency. "They seemed to have used this [protest] as an opportunity."
US officials told Reuters news agency there were suspicions that a militia known as the Ansar al-Sharia brigade was responsible, although the group has denied the claim.
They said there were also reports that al-Qaeda's north Africa-based affiliate, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, may have been involved, the news agency reports.

President Obama: "There is absolutely no justification for this type of senseless violence"

The consulate compound began taking heavy fire at about 22:00 local time (20:00 GMT) on Tuesday night, and the main building was in flames soon afterwards.
Libyan and US security forces tried to retake the compound several times, US officials said, but only succeeded early on Wednesday.
One of the Americans killed was Sean Smith, a state department employee. The other victims have not yet been identified.
Seventeen-year-old Hamam, who took part in the attack, told Reuters that Ansar al-Sharia cars had arrived at the start of the protest but later left.

"The protesters were running around the compound just looking for Americans, they just wanted to find an American so they could catch one," he said.

"We started shooting at them, and then some other people also threw hand-made bombs over the fences and started the fires in the buildings."
Little is known about the origins of the film, including about a man named as Sam Bacile, reported as being behind its production.
BBC reporters probing his background on Wednesday were unable to confirm personal details.
Egypt's Coptic Church has issued a statement condemning the production, after reports that some Copts in the US had financed the film.'Especially tragic'

Libyan officials have condemned the attack and pledged to investigate.

Interim leader, Mohammed Magarief, apologised to the US, adding: "We expect the rest of the world to help us face these cowardly criminal acts."
Speaking in the Rose Garden at the White House on Wednesday, President Obama praised the ambassador for his work in Libya after the overthrow of the late Col Muammar Gaddafi.
He said it was "especially tragic that Chris Stevens died in Benghazi because it is a city that he helped to save".

GOVT SPOKESMAN ALFRED MUTUA LETTER OF RESIGNATION

" I held a meeting with His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki and we discussed my resignation and subsequent candidacy for, Governor Machakos County.

I resign as the first Government Spokesperson of the Republic of Kenya. I have engaged for over eight years of service at a time when Kenya has undergone tremendous changes and faced many experiences.

The people of Machakos have requested me to be their first Governor because they want someone who is young, corrupt free, energetic, visionary and with the ability to transform the County into an economic and social power house. I have humbly accepted their request.

Today is my last day in office (2ND SEPTEMBER) . I thank all those who have supported me in my tenure in office, especially President Kibaki, Vice President Stephen - Kalonzo Musyoka, Prime Minister - Raila Odinga and my good friend Amb. Muthaura among others.

In the campaign period, I call upon all politicians to preach peace and national cohesion. I also request the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to enforce the Elections Act to the letter so as to rid our country off impunity and bad leadership.

We are a poor country but sitting on riches. Our people and our land is rich beyond measure. We only need to harness and direct this wealth so that it can mature our people prosperously and free them from poverty.

As I leave office, I have learned a lot and have kept a lot of notes. I am currently working on a book, “Shooting the Messenger.” I will however not be peeling any masks but will reveal the truth about what has been happening in Kenya.

I wish to thank the media for their support during my tenure.

I have decided that the most important and powerful party in Machakos and soon in the whole country is WIPER DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT PARTY. That is the party I am going for my bid as the first Governor of Machakos County."
Was this a credible platform of competency from the former govt spokesperson turned politician to quite office??..well it seems in Kenya politics is paying a lot than service to the locals. we need a revolutionary and not an emissary who is coming to lean on one direction in favour of a "certain ideology", which, in fact isn't one.. we need reformist not by talks but by actions and not yip yapping all round the place.

CAN KALONZO MYSYOKA CLINCH THE PRESIDENTIAL SEAT IN 2013???

Vice president Kalonzo Musyoka’s presidential bid got a boost  when leaders, elders, professionals from five constituencies in Embu, Isiolo and Kirinyaga counties declared their support for him.

The leaders among them former assistant minister Joffana Mokku said Mr. Musyoka was ideal candidate who can steer the country’s economy to further heights of growth if given the mandate.

Mr. Mokkhu said it is time leaders in both lower and upper Eastern rally behind the Vice President as he embarks on his quest for the highest office.

"We need a leader like you who can unite all the Kenyan communities if we are to realize national cohesion," said Mr. Mokkhu.

Among the speakers, former permanent secretaries Sammy Kyungu, Sammy mbova, youth leaders, civic leaders, and women representatives vowed to mobilize voters in their respective areas to support Mr. Musyoka.

Acknowledging the delegations move, Mr. Musyoka promised to ensure that agriculture which is the country’s economic backbone is given the necessary support including provision of subsidies to address the escalating farm inputs.

He particularly singled out the need to revive the coffee industry noting that in the past the crop was doing well in the region.

"I want to assure you that our farmers will be empowered through agricultural subsidies," he said.

The Vice President who hosted the group at Kenya youth hostel in Nairobi reiterated that Kenyans should this time round vote in individuals basing on their leadership qualities and capabilities and not along tribal lines.

Mr. Musyoka once again said Kenyan had great potential of economic prosperity and promised to ensure a 24 hour economy id elected to the presidency.

He assured Kenyans that he is ready to work with other like minded leaders with an aim of consolidating political parties with a common agenda so as to have a formidable force that will win the general election in the first round.

The Vice President commended people from Eastern region for maintaining peace after the last general election urging all Kenyans to maintain peace and harmony during this electioneering period.

Likes and Dislikes About Political Conventions

Convention Dislikes

Boos.  Mere mention of an opponent or his policies brings a chorus of forced, obligatory “boos” from hyper-partisan activists.   Canned convention boos are like laugh tracks on a bad sitcom — automatic, artificial, and mindless.   Conventions should be about winning over the moderate swing voters who will decide the General Election.  Well, for middle-of-the-road viewers who tune in to see if the party in question is serious about solving the country’s problems, or just planning on more petty partisan gamesmanship, the boos give them their answer.  So self-defeating.
Revisionism.  In the alternative universes that exist in political convention halls, Reagan wasn’t too liberal to be nominated by the GOP today. Clinton never pissed away the opportunity to pass progressive policies over a cheap thrill.  JFK wasn’t a relatively unaccomplished President.  Those realities are glossed over.  At conventions, parties ignore historical reality, and build up their Presidential icons and lore.   For people who care about accuracy in history, it’s excruciating.
Call and Response.   This is when the speaker makes a series of red-faced claims, and the crowd is trained to respond with a canned line, such as “yes,” “no,” “that dog won’t hunt,” or, I don’t know, “set it and forget it.”  Maybe somebody did it before Ted Kennedy, but he is the first person I remember using the now tired call-and-response gimmick at conventions.  I get that the crowd likes to be involved after sitting through 500 consecutive speeches saying roughly the exact same thing.  But the tactic is badly overused by both parties.  While people inside the hall apparently love call-and-response games, to viewers outside the hall, it makes Tampa and Charlotte look like Jonestown.
USA, USA, USA.  Ostensibly, this chant that both parties love so much is supposed to translate into “we love our country,” which is touching.  But let’s be honest.  The actual translation is “we love our country more than the America-haters in the other party do,” and that is tiresome and ugly.  Enough.

Convention Likes

The JV.  It’s kind of fun to watch Junior Varsity pols get some playing time on the national stage, at least on C-Span.  Usually they’re barely watchable. Occasionally they’re terrific.  Either way, it’s entertaining to see someone other than the overexposed top-of-the-ticket politicians.
Real People Speakers.  They can’t speak off a teleprompter in a natural way.  They step on every applause line.  They sweat through their brand new clothes.  But after listening to 500 consecutive speeches by over-programmed elected officials, reality TV is a real treat, and it reminds us that policies impact real people, not just politicians.
The Unexpected.  Very little about conventions is unexpected.  They are heavily scripted and choreographed.  That’s why it is so delicious when brief moments of spontaneity creep in.  For instance, sometimes an old man starts talking non-sense to a chair in prime time.  How cool is that?  Or sometimes the crowd applauds at an unexpected spot for unexpected reasons, such as when the crowd went wild over Obama pointing out that he is the President.  Let’s face it, we all secretly watch NASCAR hoping for crashes, and attend weddings secretly hoping the flower girl picks her nose to liven up the starchy ceremony.  Similarly, I watch political conventions hoping for the handlers’ orchestration to fall apart.
Delegates.  Conventions make for great people watching.  When TV cameras pan the delegates, I’m always struck by the fact that:  1) We’re a wonderfully diverse nation; 2) These delegates truly are the unwashed masses, and not just the privileged elites; 3)  Whether you agree or disagree with them, these folks really care about their country.   The delegates and their actions are not always beautiful, but if you worry whether Americans still give a damn about their democracy, political conventions offer a beautiful answer.

IS KHALWALE TAKING IT PERSONAL AGAINST KIMUNYA??

Parliament is set to censure Transport minister Amos Kimunya as members embark on the debate of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report on the money printing scam.
Also tied to him on the hip in this latest Sh1.8 billion De La Rue money printing payment query, just like was the case with the controversial sale of Grand Regency Hotel to the Libyan government is Central Bank of Kenya Governor Njuguna Ndung’u.
The report to be moved by PAC chairman and Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale recommends Kimunya be surcharged for transactions, the House teams say Kenyans lost the money.
Debate on the report was put back to allow Parliament to conclude six Bills meant for the implementation of the Constitution that had a deadline of last Friday.
deputy Speaker Farah Maalim ruled that debate on the report be the only business in the House this afternoon after Khalwale stood on a point of order to complain it had been relegated to the last business on the order paper.
Khalwale, who stood after question time, pleaded with the Deputy Speaker to use his powers under standing orders number 36 and redirect that the PAC report be brought forward as a matter of urgency.

Tender
Khalwale tabled a letter from the Treasury PS Joseph Kinyua expressing concern in the delay in concluding the matter, saying it was affecting the printing of new currency yet the ones in the market were dirty and mutilated.
Khalwale further said the practice in the Commonwealth and traditions of the House were that such a report needed to be disposed off urgently.
He noted the particular report was as a result of a directive by the Speaker.  MPs John Mbadi, Julius Kones, Adan Keynan, Charles Kilonzo and Martha Karua supported him.
Finance Minister Njeru Githae was the only one in opposition but was overruled. The current report follows another debacle that caused public outrage after Kimunya, who was appointed to the Transport docket after spending time in the cold could hardly wait before he made highly tribalised appointments at the Kenya Ports Authority’s board.
The appointments were said to favour members of his Mt Kenya community in total disregard of the ethnic balance in appointments to high offices. Kimunya is also on the spot over a Sh56 billion tender for the expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) that saw Kenya Airport Authority (KAA) managing director Stephen Gichuki suspended by the board to make way for investigation.

Three Parliamentary committees are currently probing the scandal following a directive by the Speaker and are due to also table their report next week. According to the PAC report, Kimunya misled the committee that President Kibaki had told him to tell CBK not to launch new generation bank notes in an election year.
But acting former CBK Governor Jacinta Mwatela, who met Kibaki on January 11, 2007, is said to have raised the issue with the Head of State.
“The President, however, denied having ever told Kimunya to tell CBK not to launch new generation currency in an election year.
In his wording, the President said “hapana sikusema” (no, I did not authorise that), adds the report.

Termination
A fortnight ago, Kimunya rejected a move to have the report tabled for debate in the House when he chaired a meeting of the powerful House Business Committee, arguing he needed time to consult with the Cabinet and the Speaker.
However, this was against National Assembly Clerk Patrick Gichohi who had advised such a report needed to be dispensed by the House expeditiously in accordance with Parliamentary practice and tradition.
Kimunya, who is no stranger to controversies in his Cabinet portfolio, starting off with his 2003 declaration as Lands minister that title deeds were mere pieces of paper, is on a spot over claims he facilitated suspect money printing deals through which the taxpayer lost Sh1.8 billion.
PAC has recommended the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission investigate Kimunya and Ndung’u over the cancellation in 2006 of a cheaper long-term contract in favour of expensive single-sourced multiple interim orders to print Kenyan currency. PAC has further recommended their removal from office saying they are “not fit to hold public office” following their conduct in the deal.
PAC has also called for the termination of the appointment of Ndung’u and a tribunal set up by the President to investigate his conduct over the deal for the supply of 1.71 billion pieces of banknotes.