Athor had been travelling on a forged Kenyan passport (number A1760009) under the name of Samuel Otieno Ger when he was killed on Monday evening.

By WALTER MENYA
Daily Nation

The slain South Sudan rebel leader, George Athor Deng, was masquerading as a Kenyan citizen, military sources in Juba have reported.

Athor had been travelling on a forged Kenyan passport (number A1760009) under the name of Samuel Otieno Ger when he was killed on Monday evening.

The passport reveals several anomalies and one wonders how he was able to use it. For instance, its presentation is of the old generation though it indicates that it was issued on November 23, 2011 in Nairobi and was due to expire in November 2012 when the new Kenyan passports have a 10-year lifespan.

Besides, passports currently being issued are the new generation type with several security features that are missing on the one found on Athor’s body.

It had only one watermarked photo of the holder when a genuine one should have two. Other watermark features differ significantly from those on a genuine one.

It indicated that he was born on June 12, 1961 in Siaya.

Athor, who led the Southern Sudan Democratic Movement/Army, a splinter of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army, was shot dead in Central Equatoria State by government forces.

Reports in the Sudan Tribune newspaper quoted military sources in Juba as saying that further investigations would be conducted on how Athor obtained the passport.

Juba officials, who accuse Khartoum of supporting the rebel groups, suspect the passport was provided by the Sudanese intelligence to the renegade general.

Athor’s death came only days after the Juba national parliament approved a military action against his group, and exactly a month after he failed to reach a peace deal with a government delegation in Nairobi.

Bishop Dr Alex Malasusa

By Guardian on Sunday correspondent

As Christians across the country join their fellow believers in the world to celebrate Christmas Day, head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) Bishop Dr Alex Malasusa has said Tanzanians need to turn to God to avoid the evil that is now engulfing the nation.

He said despite its stability, Tanzania has been haunted by corruption, drug trafficking, witchcraft, embezzlement of public funds, poverty and low quality education in the past 50 years.

As part of his Christmas message, Dr Malasusa referred to the malpractices as serious setbacks to national development, and called on Christians to turn to God to avoid the evils, Christmas is about God’s love to mankind and that the latter should treat one another keeping that in mind.

Dr Malasusa said with the birth of Christ mankind is certain of deliverance and called on his believers to welcome Christ in daily life in order to inherit eternal salvation. He appealed to Christians to be true followers of Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago.

While the Tanganyika Independence Diamond Jubilee celebrations are fresh in the minds, Bishop Malasusa asked Lutherans to celebrate Christmas and New Year holidays keeping in focus the church’s own 50th birthday in June 2013 and prepare for it.

The ELCT leader reiterated his call for church members to participate in the process of writing a new constitution, giving views that would lead to the passing of appropriate legislation for the good of the nation.

According to Bishop Malasusa, there has been a remarkable increase in the number of followers of the Lutheran Church in the country and that ELCT is the second largest Lutheran congregation in the world.

Meanwhile, Christmas celebration in the country has been received with different feelings. While some people are uncertain of their shelter following the heavy floods that engulfed Dar es Salaam city a few days ago, others are grateful that they have lived to see the day.

With a broad smile on his face David Yusufu affirmed Christmas to him means only three words, the Savior is born. He would love to have an extravaganza party to celebrate the day, but he nevertheless is grateful to God that he is healthy to celebrate the day.

The 65-years-old Yusufu said as part of celebration, he expects his wife, who was in Morogoro taking care of the farms, to join him in Dar es Salaam late on Saturday. Although they have not yet planned for the meal for Christmas, they would have just a simple meal like roast cassava and some sweet potato leaves for lunch.

“My first Christmas celebration was back in 1956 when I was only 10 years old. I remember it very well since it was the year that I was baptized. It was through the baptism teachings that I learnt about the purpose of Christ’s birth, something which has ever made me appreciate dearly the Christmas festival,” added Yusufu. Despite his disability, which has rendered him a beggar at the gates of St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral, Yusufu has learnt to thank God for everything.

“The festival seasons like these are especially important time for me to sit down and thank God for his provision in my life.”

“Like today (Saturday), I think I will go back home early, around 2.pm since I have got some pretty enough money to buy food to eat with my wife. Usually I leave here around 6pm, but so far I have earned enough money to go back home early.”

The year 2011 has never been easy to Tanzania. The country experienced some of the worst tragedies ever experienced in its history. Early in February, the military base at Gongo la Mboto area exploded leaving many people without residence while a number of others died.

Seven months later, in September, MV Islander capsized in the Zanzibar waters, claiming more than 3,000 lives of people who were on board. While that memory is still fresh, in less than five days to X-mass, heavy rain that resulted into massive floods ever experienced in more than 50 years, claimed close to 40 lives and left many others without shelter.

Following the three big tragedies that struck the country this year’s Christmas will never be the same to many people. To some individuals, perhaps the dinning time might refresh the memories of their loved ones who they would love to share the Christmas celebration with.

Polycarp Cardinal Pengo will conduct Christmas Eve Mass at the Msimbazi Catholic Church and at national level Christmas High Mass will be conducted in Tabora by Bishop Paul Luzoka at Saint Theresa Church.

Flood victims guard their belongings at a classroom at Hananasif Primary School in Dar es Salaam yesterday. The school has been converted into a temporary camp for flood victims. PHOTO | FIDELIS FELIX

By Mkinga Mkinga
The Citizen Reporter

Dar es Salaam. The government will immediately relocate 2,800 flood victims to new homes in the outskirts of the city, it has been confirmed.Reports yesterday said some 200 acres of land have been secured ready to settle families formerly residing in the areas prone to flooding.

In total, more than 4,500 people were displaced and a majority of them would require assistance to resettle following flooding that has been billed as the worst to hit Dar es Salaam in recent history.President Jakaya Kikwete who visited the victims at temporary camps on Thursday confirmed the new development soon after with a posting on his Facebook page.

The Head of State also twitted: “Dar es Salaam regional administration has already secured about 200 acres of land enough for 2,800 plots to settle those whose homes were destroyed by the floods.”

Yesterday the Kinondoni District commissioner, Mr Jordan Rugimbana, told The Citizen on Saturday that it was indeed true that land has been secured for the purpose. He said the area has been identified in Mbopo, close to Madale in Kinondoni Municipality. Regional Commissioner Said Meck Sadick was expected to shed more light on the relocation modalities.

“Every district has been asked to find descent areas to accommodate all those living in the valleys and provide them with permanent residential areas,” Mr Rugimbana said.

He said legal procedure would be followed but hinted that the Treasury would have to get prepared for compensation since the demarcated area was previously owned by people who used it for farming. He said people who would be considered include those living in Jangwani, Chamazi and Tabata Matumbi valleys.

Reached for comment yesterday, Finance and Economic Affairs minister Mustafa Mkulo said the government was prepared financially to respond to the needs of the victims.

“We normally don’t set a specific amount of money for disasters as its unexpected… but whenever they occur, we normally give them a special attention and I can assure you that if there is anything in the form of compensation it will be done immediately,” Mr Mkulo said.

The Finance minister said his ministry would act responsibly on the order the President made when he visited flood victims at Jangwani and Mchikichini, along Msimbazi and Jangwani valleys.Contacted yesterday for comments over a crisis meeting with the Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda on Thursday, permanent secretary Peniel Lyimo referred all questions to the regional commissioner.

A worshipper is screened at the entrance of the Holy Family Basilica Nairobi December 25, 2011. The Christmas Mass was disrupted following a bomb scare. ANTHONY OMUYA

By PETER OBUYA
Daily Nation

The Christmas Mass at the Holy Family Basilica, Nairobi was temporarily disrupted after faithful raised alarm over the presence of a bomb.

Worshippers were preparing for the mid-morning sermon when police ordered everybody to evacuate the building.

Nairobi PPO Anthony Kibuchi, who led the security agents including those from the General Service Unit (GSU) and anti terror unit, said they received a tip off from one of the church members who said there was a suspicious man in the congregation.

“We got information that a suspicious character was among the congregation and we could not take chances”, Mr Kibuchi told reporters at the church compound Sunday.

He said officers conducted security checks in and around the church and found it safe.

“We have done our checks and I can say that the place is safe for the church sermons to proceed."

Those who had been evacuated were later screened and allowed into the church.

The scare comes days after Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere had cautioned Kenyans to be alert and report any suspicious characters to the police amid fears of an impending attack over the festive period.

Somalia militia Al-Shabaab Kenyan sympathisers are said to have targeted churches, shopping malls and clubs among other places likely to be frequented by the public.

Dar es Salaam Floods

Tanzania Army saving people during the floods at Jangwani

The container been swept away by floods at Mandela Road

MP of Mafia Abdulkarim Shah helping with the rescuing of the floods

A Tanzanian, left, is rescued by a life saver, right, in yellow jacket in flood water following fresh flood in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011. According to an official at least 8 people are reportedly killed and many others are missing after the city was hit by the worst floods in decades for two consecutive days (AP Photo/ Khalfan Said) Photo: Associated Press, Khalfan Said / AP

A man and a woman take shelter on a roof top of a house following fresh flood in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011. According to an official at least 8 people are reportedly killed and many others are missing after the city was hit by the worst floods in decades for two consecutive days.(AP Photo/Khalfan Said) Photo: Associated Press, Khalfan Said / AP