Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NAIROBI356
2008-02-01 13:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:
KENYA'S ELECTORAL CRISIS: SECOND OPPOSITION MP
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UNCLAS NAIROBI 000356
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM KE
SUBJECT: KENYA'S ELECTORAL CRISIS: SECOND OPPOSITION MP
MURDERED
REF: A. NAIROBI 00309
B. NAIROBI 00196
C. NAIROBI 00185
UNCLAS NAIROBI 000356
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM KE
SUBJECT: KENYA'S ELECTORAL CRISIS: SECOND OPPOSITION MP
MURDERED
REF: A. NAIROBI 00309
B. NAIROBI 00196
C. NAIROBI 00185
1. On January 31, Orange Democratic Movement
(ODM-opposition) Member of Parliament for Ainamoi (Kericho
District, Rift Valley) David Kimutai Too (ethnic Kalenjin)
was shot dead in Eldoret by Police Constable Andrew Moache
(ethnic Kisii). The police maintain this was a "crime of
passion," with Chepkony the subject of mutual affection
between Too and Moache. Senior ODM figures are convinced,
however, that the government is whittling down the ODM
majority in parliament through murder. It is too early to
know the true story. The murder of a second ODM MP in the
space of four days has sent Kenya's already-tense political
atmosphere through the roof. After the killing violence
struck Kericho, Eldoret, Kisumu, and Kakamega. Reacting to
news of the murder, Kofi Annan ordered a temporary suspension
of negotiations between the government and the opposition
(they have since resumed).
2. The police commissioner was quick to conclude that this
was a crime of passion. Too quick for the opposition.
However, a journalist with the Nairobi Star buttressed the
love triangle theory. He stated that Too had spent the two
nights prior to his murder with the woman police officer in
an Eldoret hotel. Other sources indicate likewise. This
corroborative evidence does not exclude other possible
motives and incentives for the killer.
3. Regardless of who - if anyone other than Moache - is
behind the murders, the balance of power in parliament shifts
slightly as a result, at least in the short term. The
election of an ODM MP as Speaker on January 15 reduced the
number to 206 (ref c). The murder of the two ODM MPs reduces
it further to 204. ODM controls 96 of the 204 seats.
Together with its NARC ally (three seats),ODM controls 99
votes. PNU and its affiliates stand at 94. With ECK
credibility in tatters, its ability to hold by-elections
within the 90 day period required by law is uncertain. This
may force parliament to operate with reduced numbers for a
longer period. ODM's reduced advantage may permit PNU to
assemble a parliamentary majority on a vote-by-vote basis
(ref b).
RANNEBERGER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM KE
SUBJECT: KENYA'S ELECTORAL CRISIS: SECOND OPPOSITION MP
MURDERED
REF: A. NAIROBI 00309
B. NAIROBI 00196
C. NAIROBI 00185
1. On January 31, Orange Democratic Movement
(ODM-opposition) Member of Parliament for Ainamoi (Kericho
District, Rift Valley) David Kimutai Too (ethnic Kalenjin)
was shot dead in Eldoret by Police Constable Andrew Moache
(ethnic Kisii). The police maintain this was a "crime of
passion," with Chepkony the subject of mutual affection
between Too and Moache. Senior ODM figures are convinced,
however, that the government is whittling down the ODM
majority in parliament through murder. It is too early to
know the true story. The murder of a second ODM MP in the
space of four days has sent Kenya's already-tense political
atmosphere through the roof. After the killing violence
struck Kericho, Eldoret, Kisumu, and Kakamega. Reacting to
news of the murder, Kofi Annan ordered a temporary suspension
of negotiations between the government and the opposition
(they have since resumed).
2. The police commissioner was quick to conclude that this
was a crime of passion. Too quick for the opposition.
However, a journalist with the Nairobi Star buttressed the
love triangle theory. He stated that Too had spent the two
nights prior to his murder with the woman police officer in
an Eldoret hotel. Other sources indicate likewise. This
corroborative evidence does not exclude other possible
motives and incentives for the killer.
3. Regardless of who - if anyone other than Moache - is
behind the murders, the balance of power in parliament shifts
slightly as a result, at least in the short term. The
election of an ODM MP as Speaker on January 15 reduced the
number to 206 (ref c). The murder of the two ODM MPs reduces
it further to 204. ODM controls 96 of the 204 seats.
Together with its NARC ally (three seats),ODM controls 99
votes. PNU and its affiliates stand at 94. With ECK
credibility in tatters, its ability to hold by-elections
within the 90 day period required by law is uncertain. This
may force parliament to operate with reduced numbers for a
longer period. ODM's reduced advantage may permit PNU to
assemble a parliamentary majority on a vote-by-vote basis
(ref b).
RANNEBERGER