Kenyan Security Minister George Saitoti Reported Killed

[FJM]

That is an idiotic remark - what is your meaning, intelligently put, that it?

The main difficulty in Tanzania is her peoples' non-involvement in governance, due to a variety of reasons, some historical but also due to a corrupt and undeveloped political system that is more about good manners than good substance. Your Political class intentionally locks the population in the heady history of Ujamaa like some sort of Tonic. Critical discourse impossible, plurality of political opinions immature and primitive. Like Kenya was in the Eighties under an all-powerful unitary political system, so today is Tanzania.

This is not helped by the illiteracy levels being higher than anywhere in an expanded EAC except in Burundi Southern Sudan and Somalia.

And Tanzania look across the border at the vibrant and sometimes chaotic social engagement in Kenya, and retreat into their past as if this offers them comfort - delusional, superficial comfort!!
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Delta4, someone may say something that I don't particularly like or dont agree with for whatever reason, but I will try and offer a better explanation (if I have one), but I will not go as far as personalising the issue or talk about his/her society especially if I dont have all the facts about that particular individual.

Tanzania may be "immature and primitive, delusional society with corrupt and undeveloped political system and the highest illiteracy levels in EAC"!,but with all your intellectual powers can you explain the comments made by some of thier MPs (see below). And why do think they gave such comments?


"I am not fully convinced about the story we are being given.." MP William Kabogo (Juja) (also a helicopter pilot)

"Many MPs and ministers have cheated death many times. Accidents happen when they're accidents, not when they've been caused" Mp Nkoidila ole Lankas (Narok South).

"This crash is not ordinary; it is not normal; there are a lot of grey areas that need to be covered. This should be looked at from all angles," Mr Lanka

"Why was it flying so low? Why did it turn back when we all know that a helicopter can land anywhere? Was someone controlling the aircraft from somewhere else?" MP Gideon Konchella (Kilgoris)

"The circumstances in which top security officials died Sunday need to be properly, thoroughly investigated. It threatens national security" MP Cyrus Jirongo (Lugari)

 

[simplemind]

Illustrious Son Saitoti, Sokoine Tz long Live.

 

[livefire]

Ab Tichaz, with as much vigour as you have used to address Delta4; expunged his statement, may the same apply across the divide. Civility is relative, censorship of any form where truth is spoken should be discouraged....this aint the right thread to address squabbles but as a Kenyan i find your statement directly passing a message to one side of the divide, Nyarlego was inadvatently mistaken for a hostile which is understandable in JF with the many attacks on Kenya (i need not to rephrase that but it wasnt a cosy reply considering the topic at hand).... Kazi kwako Ab.

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

Goodbye Professor Saitoti

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By TOM MOSOBA tmosoba@tz.nationmedia.com
Posted Saturday, June 16 2012 at 22:30

A sea of humanity descended on Kitengela on Saturday as thousands of people from all walks of life turned up for the burial of Internal Security minister Prof George Saitoti at his Enkasiti home.

The final send-off ceremony was held at the late minister's expansive farm, just opposite his palatial home, drawing the who's who in government, politics, business and diplomatic circles.

The spruced up grounds were filled to near capacity by mourners who began streaming in as early as 6 o'clock in the morning for what would remain one of the biggest burial ceremonies in Kenya in recent times.

They crammed into huge tents spanning nearly 500 metres long and 100 metres wide, while many more who did not get seats just stood outside under the scorching sun to follow the proceedings.

A giant television screen was mounted for those far off to follow the goings-on. Twenty ministers and more than 90 members of parliament attended the burial. Two ministers from Tanzania and South Sudan were also present.

Tanzania's Home Affairs minister Emmanuel Nchimbi read a message on behalf of President Jakaya Kikwete who said the passing of Prof Saitoti was a loss to integration efforts in the East African Community.

Beamed live on television to the homes of millions of Kenyans, it was a befitting send-off for a man eulogised by the speakers as a legend, a hero and a nationalist who worked and campaigned tirelessly for peace and a united country.

Prof Saitoti died in an helicopter crash in Kibiku area of Ngong forest on Sunday morning, June 10, while en route to Homa Bay district for a church service and a funds drive.

He perished alongside his host and assistant minister Orwa Ojode, their two pilots and two bodyguards. (READ: Kenyan ministers killed in chopper crash)

Ironically, and according to some of his neighbours in Kitengela, the funeral was conducted on grounds that the minister had indicated he would want to one day build a private airstrip.

It was also not lost on the mourners that the helicopter crash happened in his Kajiado North constituency.

A tight security cordon was thrown around the area, with everyone coming in, except the VIPs who entered through a different gate, undergoing thorough screening by police officers lining the field with metal detectors.

Vehicles were packed in rows at a distance from the main dais and guarded around the clock by the General Service Unit and National Youth Service personnel who were called in to lend a hand in crowd control.

Hawk eyed security officers, some with sniffer dogs, arrested scores of trouble makers, including an unidentified man who was found with several rolls of bhang in a suitcase.

He told the police the bhang was for an unspecified demonstration and that he was only in the area to attend the burial.

The function was meticulously planned, with all essential public amenities and services available to mourners to help themselves.

At least eight clean water bowsers were placed strategically around the grounds to quench the mourners' thirst. There were six ambulances and Kenya Red Cross personnel stood at the ready to respond to emergencies.

There were 12 feeding tents with uniformed waitresses on hand to feed, according to the organisers, an estimated 25,000 mourners, 20,000 in the main tents and 5,000 at a nearby primary school whose land was donated by the minister.
Everyone was given the funeral programme booklet containing the latest pictures of Prof Saitoti, highlighting his life's path in family, academic and politics.

He is shown, among others, shaking hands with President Kibaki, conversing with global leaders and personalities and mingling with constituents.

Notable among the pictures is the one with his widow Margaret during their wedding day in 1976 and one with their son Zachary.

The cover of the booklet had a portrait of Prof Saitoti in an exquisite blue suit, plain shirt and orange dotted tie clasping his hands together in a pose. Inside was a full frame of the smiling minister in the same suit and seated.

Some officials of his Party of National Unity said these were intended for use in his campaign posters when he officially announced his presidential bid some time this week, plans that unfortunately did not materialise.

The funeral service was led by Bishop John Oballa Owaa of the Catholic Diocese of Ngong who, in his sermon, said the minister would rejoice in heaven as he had shown and kept his faith.

"He worked for God on earth through many of his charity activities and for caring for the needy," said Bishop Owaa. He appealed that a conclusive investigation be done on the helicopter crash.

Nairobi Archbishop John Cardinal Njue and other top clergy were present and also conducted short prayers. Renditions were led by the St Joseph's choir from Ngong and St Andrew's PCEA Nairobi.

The ceremony kicked off at around 11.30 am when President Kibaki arrived. The dignitaries had arrived and were already seated, except for Attorney-General Prof Githu Muigai, who walked in 17 minutes later in blue jeans and a cowboy hat, drawing some murmurs from mourners.

The hearse carrying the body had arrived at 9.48 am and was driven into the compound where it remained for nearly an hour before some ministers who arrived ahead of the fleet fetched it for a procession to the tents at 10.34 am.

Walking behind the coffin draped in the national flag were the immediate family members led by the widow and son. Black was the standard dress code for many of the ministers and officials who trooped in between 9.30 am and 11 am.

In the crowd were some of the politicians who worked for many years with Prof Saitoti, including retired President Moi, who walked in accompanied by Kanu secretary-general Nick Salat and other party officials.

Others were Joseph Kamotho, John Keen, Hosea Kiplagat and George Muhoho. David ole Sankori was overcome by emotion and failed to complete reading his speech as a family friend. The master of ceremonies, Gideon Konchella, read it for him.

Shortly after 5 pm, the procession was led back into the home where Saitoti's remains were laid to rest. Only the VIPs and a few people were allowed into the home for what was said to be a private interment.

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Goodby.../1056/1429330/-/item/0/-/ibxnlrz/-/index.html

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

Mrs Margret Saitoti (right) the widow of the late Internal Security minister George Saitoti with a close relative at the Holy Family Basilica for the requiem mass June 15, 2012.

Zachary Musengi Saitoti, the son of the late Internal Security minister George Saitoti, at the Holy Family Basilica for the requiem mass June 15, 2012.

The mother of the late Internal Security minister George Saitoti Zipporah Musengi at the Holy Family Basilica for a requiem mass June 15, 2012.

From left: President Kibaki, former Ghana President Jimmy Rawlings and Prime Minister Raila Odinga during the late Internal Security minister George Saitoti's requiem mass at the Holy Family Basilica June 15, 2012.
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[MCHUMIPESA]

R.I.P prof.Saitoti!

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

A billboard on a Nairobi building pays fitting tribute to the late Internal Security minister George Saitoti June,15 2012.

The late Prof Saitoti's brothers at the Lee Funeral Home.

The widow of the late Internal Security minister George Saitoti Margaret Saitoti is comforted after viewing the remains of her husband at the Lee Funeral Home, Nairobi June 16, 2012.

Security personnel keep vigil during the burial of the late Internal Security minister George Saitoti at Enkasiti village, Kitengela, Kajiado County
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[Ab-Titchaz]

Former President Moi arrives for the burial of the late Internal Security minister George Saitoti at Enkasiti village, Kitengela, Kajiado County June 16, 2012.

Former President Moi (left) and former Ghana leader Jerry Rawlings (right) during the burial of the late Internal Security minister George Saitoti at Enkasiti village, Kitengela, Kajiado County.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga condoles the widow of the late Internal Security minister George Saitoti Margaret Saitoti during his burial at Enkasiti village, Kitengela, Kajiado County.

John Cardinal Njue performs the last rites on the casket containing the remains of the late Internal Security minister George Saitoti at Enkasiti village, Kitengela, Kajiado County June 16, 2011.

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[Kachanchabuseta]

Hivi mbona Jakaya hajaenda kwenye mazishi maana hizi ndo dili zake

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

Cabinet colleagues of the late Internal Security minister George Saitoti carry the casket containing his remains during a requiem mass at the Holy Family Basilica.

The hearse carrying the remains of the late Prof Saitoti leaves the Lee Funeral Home June 16, 2012.

Pallbearers with the casket arrive at Kitengela Kajiado County on June 16, 2012.

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[FJM]

Shukran Abi-Titchaz,

Mama mzazi wa Saitoti pamoja na Mrs Saitoti na mtoto wake wameonesha moyo wa uvumilivu sana. Very composed kitu ambacho mara nyingi ni vigumu sana hasa kama kifo chenyewe ni cha ghafla. Mungu azidi kuwapa nguvu.

 

[Tusker Bariiiidi]

Jamani jamaniiii Kikwete hakuhudhuria?

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

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[Ubungo]

RIP Professor George Saitoti

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

Jamani jamaniiii Kikwete hakuhudhuria?

Jibu hili hapa....

Tanzania's Home Affairs minister Emmanuel Nchimbi read a message on behalf of President Jakaya Kikwete who said the passing of Prof Saitoti was a loss to integration efforts in the East African Community.

 

[Roulette]

It is so sad, it is such a loss. Naona hapo walio beba sanduku were not only his colleagues but potentially his opponents as presidential candidates (or wagombea wa uchaguzi ulio pita). Uhuru Kenyata, Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi, Kiraitu Murungi, William Ruto, Raila Odinga... Lile bango la juu limesema vema: time to put their country first [and forget the differences]. RIP...

 

[Otorong'ong'o]

RIP George Saitoti.

 

[Bukyanagandi]

hahaha.sasa unaadhani ni alshabaab?!!!..kuna mtu mmoja aliyekuwa anaenda kanisani mdawa saa tatu asubuhi ..aliiona hiyo helkopta ikiyumba huko angani na baadae kidogo ikaanza kutoa cheche kisha ikaanguka na kulipuka kwenye huo msitu wa kibiko ,Ngong......hata ukiona eneo ilipoangukia inaonekana kweli imelipuka na kuwaka moto....huo mlipuko umesikia ikiwa imeanguka na sio ikiwa angani

Poleni sana wenzetu, mimi ajali hii imenisikitisha saaana kuwapoteza Viongozi na abiria wote waliokuwa kwenye Chopper hiyo (R.I.P), kinacho nisikitisha zaidi ni kule Viongozi wa Wizara moja kusafiri pamoja - nafikili hapa watu wa usalama walikosea kidogo.

Hivi hizi chopper zinatumia injini za GAS TURBINE au resprocating? Kama ni GAS TURBINE? b

 

[simplemind]

Poleni sana wenzetu, mimi ajali hii imenisikitisha saaana kuwapoteza Viongozi na abiria wote waliokuwa kwenye Chopper hiyo (R.I.P), kinacho nisikitisha zaidi ni kule Viongozi wa Wizara moja kusafiri pamoja - nafikili hapa watu wa usalama walikosea kidogo.

Hivi hizi chopper zinatumia injini za GAS TURBINE au resprocating? Kama ni GAS TURBINE? b

sidhani ni gas turbine more likely reciprocating two or four stroke engine. Are gas turbine engines more reliable than reciprocating type? (Lesser moving parts)

 

[livefire]

Alpha Charlie down? WTH is cooking around here, seriously lift the ban on Delta4 as i take it to be a sinister move targetting a specific quadrant in JF.
As i said earlier, villification shouldnt be selective, if Tanzanians spew foul dirt on Kenyans they should expect a rapid and fiery response right back... Anyway, wasnt the Kenyan subforum meant for Kenyans and everything Kenyan? (the targetted assetts) or sth??? ...'alas, i was wrong! Still Tanzanians flock the 'sub' forum and call the shots here too!! Apparently I was/am smoking something heavy...Effin nonsensical, everything daent feel right one bit and i strongly detest!!!..... The site/sight (whichever) now sucks on geopolitics, nkt!!! Hakuna balancing of the the act!!..