Read on Twitter
Once upon a time, Robert Maxwell, (whose daughter Ghislaine, is involved in the Jeffrey Epstein-Trump scandal) and President Moi got together and decided they would hive off Uhuru Park and construct a 60-storey tower.
1/
---A short thread--- https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/26/world/plan-for-sun-hogging-tower-angers-kenyans.html
1/
---A short thread--- https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/26/world/plan-for-sun-hogging-tower-angers-kenyans.html
2/
Just like with projects we are seeing today, the Kenya Times Complex would be financed by $200mn in loans guaranteed by the govt.
Proposed by Robert Maxwell, the British-designed complex would house a statue of Moi, Kanu party HQs, KTN, conference & shopping facilities.
Just like with projects we are seeing today, the Kenya Times Complex would be financed by $200mn in loans guaranteed by the govt.
Proposed by Robert Maxwell, the British-designed complex would house a statue of Moi, Kanu party HQs, KTN, conference & shopping facilities.
3/
Prof Wangari Maathai immediately filed an injunction at the high court agains the project.
And in language eerily akin to that used by social media trolls today, Asst Minister John Keen quipped, 'I don't see the sense at all in a bunch of divorcees coming out to criticize''
Prof Wangari Maathai immediately filed an injunction at the high court agains the project.
And in language eerily akin to that used by social media trolls today, Asst Minister John Keen quipped, 'I don't see the sense at all in a bunch of divorcees coming out to criticize''
4/
Prof Maathai's application for a permanent injunction was heard by Justice Norbury Dugdale, who dismissed her request, saying that as a private citizen, she had no locus standi to sue on behalf of the public.
He dismissed her application with costs.
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/53011/
Prof Maathai's application for a permanent injunction was heard by Justice Norbury Dugdale, who dismissed her request, saying that as a private citizen, she had no locus standi to sue on behalf of the public.
He dismissed her application with costs.
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/53011/
5/
Dugdale was the same judge who ruled in 1989 that the Bill of Rights as enshrined in the Constitution was “unenforceable”, thus undermining the judicial system. He also threw out Gitobu Imanyara’s bid to nullify Section 2(a) of the Constitution.
Dugdale was the same judge who ruled in 1989 that the Bill of Rights as enshrined in the Constitution was “unenforceable”, thus undermining the judicial system. He also threw out Gitobu Imanyara’s bid to nullify Section 2(a) of the Constitution.
6/
Dugdale was a protege of CJ Allan Hancox, the fourth British CJ since independence and their salaries were partly paid by the British government.
Hancox ensured that political cases were heard by Dugdale, with most rulings in favour of the government.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/kenya-replaces-chief-justice-british-judge-departs-after-bias-accusations-corrected-1452724.html
Dugdale was a protege of CJ Allan Hancox, the fourth British CJ since independence and their salaries were partly paid by the British government.
Hancox ensured that political cases were heard by Dugdale, with most rulings in favour of the government.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/kenya-replaces-chief-justice-british-judge-departs-after-bias-accusations-corrected-1452724.html
7/
So bad was the division caused that an LSK group consisting Nancy Baraza and Aaron Ringera sued the then LSK president, Paul Muite in a bid to stop him making political statements against the Moi Govt.
[Thank you, Rebecca Kerubo, Village Market] https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/analysis/539548-1177384-150hpbi/index.html
So bad was the division caused that an LSK group consisting Nancy Baraza and Aaron Ringera sued the then LSK president, Paul Muite in a bid to stop him making political statements against the Moi Govt.
[Thank you, Rebecca Kerubo, Village Market] https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/analysis/539548-1177384-150hpbi/index.html
8/
It all began in 1983 when the Kanu govt bought Hilary Ngweno's Nairobi Times, renamed it the Kenya Times and brought in Maxwell as a 45% investor in the venture.
Kenya Times was the first full colour paper, selling 70,000 copies a day.
https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/lifestyle/2001305220/robert-maxwell-man-who-almost-built-a-60-storey-skyscraper-at-uhuru-park#:~:text=Robert%20Maxwell%2C%20the%20mercurial%20publishing,was%20crying%20in%20the%20toilet.
It all began in 1983 when the Kanu govt bought Hilary Ngweno's Nairobi Times, renamed it the Kenya Times and brought in Maxwell as a 45% investor in the venture.
Kenya Times was the first full colour paper, selling 70,000 copies a day.
https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/lifestyle/2001305220/robert-maxwell-man-who-almost-built-a-60-storey-skyscraper-at-uhuru-park#:~:text=Robert%20Maxwell%2C%20the%20mercurial%20publishing,was%20crying%20in%20the%20toilet.
9/
When Prof Maathai learned about the plans for the complex, she launched a campaign against the project.
One of those letters was published by the Standard, then owned by British tycoon, Moi crony and irredeemable thief, Tiny Rowland.
https://nation.africa/kenya/nation-prime/robert-maxwell-kenya-media-1444884
When Prof Maathai learned about the plans for the complex, she launched a campaign against the project.
One of those letters was published by the Standard, then owned by British tycoon, Moi crony and irredeemable thief, Tiny Rowland.
https://nation.africa/kenya/nation-prime/robert-maxwell-kenya-media-1444884
10/
The government through local govt Minister, William ole Ntimama proceeded to then lied that no part of Uhuru Park would be hived off
By that time a perimeter wall had been erected occupying what is now known as Freedom Corner.
http://www.greenbeltmovement.org/node/910
The government through local govt Minister, William ole Ntimama proceeded to then lied that no part of Uhuru Park would be hived off
By that time a perimeter wall had been erected occupying what is now known as Freedom Corner.
http://www.greenbeltmovement.org/node/910
11/
Ntimama even praised President Moi as “the greatest environmentalist…recognised internationally as the protector of environment”.
He went on to add: “Greenbelt Movement is seriously bogus…it is conning the international community to get funds for unknown reasons”
Ntimama even praised President Moi as “the greatest environmentalist…recognised internationally as the protector of environment”.
He went on to add: “Greenbelt Movement is seriously bogus…it is conning the international community to get funds for unknown reasons”
12/
John Keen then layered it on:
“The complex is for the benefit of the children of Kenya… I do not see why a bunch of divorcees, women of no standing at all should come forward to criticise the efforts that are being made by the government,”
Sound familiar?
John Keen then layered it on:
“The complex is for the benefit of the children of Kenya… I do not see why a bunch of divorcees, women of no standing at all should come forward to criticise the efforts that are being made by the government,”
Sound familiar?
13/
Long story short, international condemnation brought on by Prof Wangari Maathai's resistance and that of other crusaders brought the project to a halt in February 1990 and Uhuru Park was saved. https://nation.africa/gender/The--mad-woman--who-stood-up-to-Moi/5362750-5447690-format-xhtml-hogtbx/index.html
Long story short, international condemnation brought on by Prof Wangari Maathai's resistance and that of other crusaders brought the project to a halt in February 1990 and Uhuru Park was saved. https://nation.africa/gender/The--mad-woman--who-stood-up-to-Moi/5362750-5447690-format-xhtml-hogtbx/index.html
14/
President Moi never forgave Prof Maathai and his regime continued to brutalise her for years thereafter.
He even called her “a mad woman” who was “a threat to the order and security of the country”.
She never relented, and eventually won the war. https://nation.africa/kenya/news/unbowed-maathai-stood-against-moi-and-won-249494
President Moi never forgave Prof Maathai and his regime continued to brutalise her for years thereafter.
He even called her “a mad woman” who was “a threat to the order and security of the country”.
She never relented, and eventually won the war. https://nation.africa/kenya/news/unbowed-maathai-stood-against-moi-and-won-249494
15/
As for Maxwell, a former Labour MP, who was faced by mounting pressure over the financial position of his Co.s, his body was found floating in the Atlantic (after disappearing from his yacht) on the day before he was to meet with the Bank of England
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/sep/09/robert-maxwells-sons-say-tycoon-was-to-meet-boe-the-day-he-died
As for Maxwell, a former Labour MP, who was faced by mounting pressure over the financial position of his Co.s, his body was found floating in the Atlantic (after disappearing from his yacht) on the day before he was to meet with the Bank of England
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/sep/09/robert-maxwells-sons-say-tycoon-was-to-meet-boe-the-day-he-died
16/
Secretly, Maxwell had been plundering the Daily Mirror’s pension fund – of which he was the proprietor – to support his other failing businesses. In total, more than £400 million was missing. Maxwell became known internationally as the archetype of a criminal tycoon.
Secretly, Maxwell had been plundering the Daily Mirror’s pension fund – of which he was the proprietor – to support his other failing businesses. In total, more than £400 million was missing. Maxwell became known internationally as the archetype of a criminal tycoon.
17/
His daughter Ghislaine, (after whom he named the yacht-The Lady Ghislaine) was recently discovered hiding at a luxury mansion in New Hampshire, US.
She's been accused of human trafficking alongside Jeffrey Epstein. https://www.tatler.com/article/robert-maxwell-ghislaine-maxwell-tom-bower-the-final-verdict
His daughter Ghislaine, (after whom he named the yacht-The Lady Ghislaine) was recently discovered hiding at a luxury mansion in New Hampshire, US.
She's been accused of human trafficking alongside Jeffrey Epstein. https://www.tatler.com/article/robert-maxwell-ghislaine-maxwell-tom-bower-the-final-verdict
18/
“In the course of history, there comes a time when humanity is called to shift to a new level of consciousness, to reach a higher moral ground. A time when we have to shed our fear and give hope to each other. That time is now.”
--Prof Wangari Maathai
Have a great day!
“In the course of history, there comes a time when humanity is called to shift to a new level of consciousness, to reach a higher moral ground. A time when we have to shed our fear and give hope to each other. That time is now.”
--Prof Wangari Maathai
Have a great day!
