The API Saga
For those who would like the information on how the African Press International Michelle Obama tape story started and progressed, I have decided to take my posts, edit out the superfluous stuff and present them in a chronological order.
HOW THE STORY STARTED
Originally Published on:
October 15, 2008 at 1:33 pm
The African Press International is reporting that Michelle Obama revealed to them by telephone conversation that Barack Obama was adopted by Lolo Soetero.
Shocking development: Mrs Obama decides enough is enough: “My husband was born in Hawaii and adopted by his step father, does that make him unpatriotic; she asks”, on a direct telephone to API.
Posted by africanpress on October 15, 2008
Accusing API of colluding with American internet bloggers in an effort to bring down her husband, Mrs Obama said she decided to call API because of what she termed, API’s help to spread rumours created by American bloggers and other racist media outlets in their efforts to damage a black man’s name, saying she hopes African Media was mature enough to be in the front to give unwavering support to her husband, a man Africans should identify themselves with.
When API told her that our online news media was only relaying what the American Bloggers and other media outlets had discovered through their investigations, Mrs Obama was angered and she came out loud with the following: “African press International is supposed to support Africans and African-American view,” and she went to state that, “it is strange that API has chosen to support the racists against my husband. There is no shame in being adopted by a step father. All dirt has been thrown onto my husband’s face and yet he loves this country. My husband and I know that there is no law that will stop him from becoming the president, just because some American white racists are bringing up the issue of my husband’s adoption by His step father. The important thing here is where my husband’s heart is at the moment. I can tell the American people that My husband loves this country and his adoption never changed his love for this country. He was born in Hawaii, yes, and that gives him all the right to be an American citizen even though he was adopted by a foreigner; says Michelle Obama on telefon to API.”
The Obama people deny the conversation happened.
That Michelle Obama Report [Byron York]
I’m sure a lot of you have seen references this morning to statements allegedly made by Michelle Obama in an interview with an organization called African Press International. I just asked the Obama campaign whether Michelle Obama did in fact speak to that organization, and spokesman Tommy Vietor answered:
“The answer is no, it’s not real, the report is made up. She did not speak to the organization. ”
10/15 11:04 AM
SOURCE
African Press International added this to the story after it went viral:
ADDED HERE BELOW DUE TO HUGE INTEREST ON THE ABOVE STORY. (TIME 16:08 Scandinavian time)
Verification of the story:
We have found it necessary to publish a telephone number that can be used to reach us should anyone doubt the story. We are doing this because of many requests by many people who want to know more abouth the story.We are able to receive calls tomorrow the 16th of October through to the 18th October. We find it important that our readers get the truth and not be misled in any way. This is a true story and we stand by everyone written.
NB: For verification, we can be reached on 004793299739
Part 2
Originally Published on:
October 20, 2008 at 10:28 am
I have not posted on this subject because of the questionable nature of the assertions made by API. I personally think this is a hoax.
The original story: Shocking development: Mrs Obama decides enough is enough: “My husband was born in Hawaii and adopted by his step father, does that make him unpatriotic; she asks”, on a direct telephone to API.
UPDATE:
The touchy interview tapes of Michelle Obama, the wife of the US Presidential Candidate Barack Obama is soon ready for release in the US and will be aired unedited.The release has taken long due to the fact that API wanted to clear all legal hurdles and be safe from getting sued by any one. API and a US Law firm – LAW OFFICES OF PHILIP J. BERG has just entered into an agreement giving the law firm the right to represent API in all matters that may arise due to the Michelle Obama interview and the release of the tapes in the US.
API has realised that the interview with Mrs Obama is of great significance in the coming elections. The release of the tapes is not intended to derail the elections or to destroy the chances that Mr Obama may have in getting elected the first black president of the United States.
For us in API we wanted to get the tapes released – aired by a news channel that has a good reputation in the US, one that has listeners interested in the elections.
Many networks have contacted us and due to the fact that we in API do not know them from before, it took time to go through all requests from the networks that took contact with us and to choose one that will air the tapes unedited.
API is not interested in selling the tapes to any network. Our demand is that the tapes must be aired unedited by the network that we finally select.
While doing the selection, we have landed into a problem with some networks who have taken upon themselves to inform the readers that they have already got an agreement to air the tapes.
So far, no network has been selected and yet we have received signed agreements by three networks claiming to have been finally given the go ahead to release the tapes.
One kind reader has helped us a great deal by forwarding one email that has been circulated in the US about a deal. We want to state categorically that we are not asking any one for money in exchange for airing the tapes.
After reading the email below, we were very shocked at the turn of events:
From: Ed Hale
To: William Bower
Sent: Friday, October 17, 2008 7:17 PM
Subject: Audio Tape
Hi Will: I have been in contact with the African Press International, who ran the Michelle Obama story. I have talked to them about releasing the audio tape they have of her. It would appear that this is going to happen. The format will be, I will bring the reporter on and let them tell us how they obtained the tape, and then I will run the audio tape, and bring the reporter back on to verify that it is the real thing. Once I have this done, I will place it on my web site, file for and get a copyright on it. Once I have this done, I will contact you with the link. What I would like for you, since you live in Washington DC, to do is contact CNN, Fox, NBC, CBS, ABC and MSNBC. Let them listen to the audio tape. I will then take bid on this tape. The starting bid will be 2 million dollars. Once you have received the high bid, we will break the money down this way, 45% to Bar H Farms Inc, parent copy of Plains Radio network, 45% to African Press International and 10% for yourself. If you can do this, please call me at 806-447-0010. Thanks Ed
It is true that we have been in contact with many news groups because they have contacted us. The email above is talking about money and is send to someone who was kind enough to forward it and alert us us on how we were being potrayed as a news organization that wants to cash in 45% of 2 million dollars.
API wants the readers to know that we are for the truth and such email being circulated in the US makes us look bad. This serves to further delay the release of the tapes because we do not know who we can trust to air the tapes unedited and without cashing in on them.
The same group of people we thought we could trust have gone ahead and signed unilateral agreements binding them and API, agreements stating that API surrenders all the rights to the tapes to them and that the tapes will belong to them and they are the one to decide who should listen to the tapes on cost. This is against API’s principles.
Now that we have an agreement for representation with a US law firm, we think things will move faster in the direction of releasing the tapes. The Law firm will help us get out of the unilateral agreements not signed by us.
We ask the readers to bear with us. We owe you the truth and the tapes being released.
The latest update from API:
Update! API will come with more information on Michelle Obama tapes at 16.00 hours Norwegian time
Posted by africanpress on October 20, 2008
API will reach out with important update to the readers at 16.00 hours Norwegian time. We have been through a lot of pressure after we published the story. The fact that some people want us to take decisions hurriedly does not help us much.
To those who want to listen and take us seriously:
The tapes are there and the truth must be told. If some people want to continue imagining that this may be an hoax or something connected with Nigerian scam, then let them continue believing so because we cannot force any one to believe in us.
There are those readers who have exercised their rights to doubt the story and there are those who believe that the story is true. API wishes to state once more that those who believe us will not be let down finally. We know that things have taken time but we would like you to know that API is not playing with the readers, we just decided to be careful because the same story will become very explosive when all unpublished contents come out.
There are a number of issues we want to clarify so that some commentators do not continue to mislead those readers who are interested in the truth in this Obama matter.
Some have stated that they have checked for information about API and that they are unable to find that API has existed since October 2006. There are those who claim that on the blog roll, the Rainbow Foundation shown there is bogus and we say their claim is saddening because they do so without knowing the real facts.
We clarify:
Rainbow Foundation was founded in Norway in 1995 and officially registered as NGO in the beginning of 1996 with the registration number shown on the top of this site. Rainbow still exists and continues to do a good job.
Rainbow Foundation, together with the Chief Editor of API initiated the establishment of API in the end of September 2006 and API became operational from October the same year. API has no problems using WordPress.com server because we find it very effective and we like it. Some are commenting that it is a cheap looking site but for us that matters less – it is the information we bring out to the readers that we consider to be of importance, not the way a site looks – if some people out there think we want a site that looks fancy, then they do not understand our operational methods and what we like to give priority. We are satisfied being here >: http://africanpress.wordpress.com and will continue using wordpress server because we find it fantastic and it serves our needs.
API is not in any way a scamming organization. We are genuine and those who believe in us make us proud and grateful. We will continue to bring news to the readers without favouring any political groups.
We would urge readers not to be negative when they do not have all the facts. We are not trying to get traffic to our site by constructing a story as some are trying to indicate.
Our important update will clear some of the things bothering some readers. We will not stop until the tapes are out there for the readers to judge for themselves.
Let there be known that we have genuine tapes and the person recorded is Michelle Obama, one who may become the next US First Lady.
Published by the Chief Editor/ African Press International.
Part 3
Originally Published on:
October 20, 2008 at 4:05 pm
African Press International, in an effort obviously intended to try and get out of the jam they put themselves in, posted the following just a few minutes ago:
An open letter to Michelle Obama after API’s discussion with a CIA official in Oslo
Posted by africanpress on October 20, 2008
- To: Michelle Obama,
- Wife to the Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama, US Senator
I have decided to write this open letter and to refer you to our telephone conversation the day your husband was having a debate with his opponent in New York. This has to be an open letter because the story is already out there and many Americans are crying for the truth about what we discussed.
I know our discussion was not meant to harm your husband’s candidacy nor was it meant to derail the US Presidential elections in any way. We both know that our talk was – a sister to brother talk – black to black person talk – in the African perspective. The problem came later when we listened to the taped recording of our talk. API thought it wise to publish some of the contents that are not inflammatory. API did the best to select that which could not cause any chaos and we in API did not expect that waht we chose to publish would have the impact it now has had in the last five days.
Many Americans have surprised us in the way they take the interview very seriously. We want to respect them – as we have promised from day one – to let them know the truth in what transpired between yourself and us. We have realised that the American people want to know you well before you probably become their first Lady.
The intention of writing to you this open letter is to appeal to you to confirm that we had a talk because it is the only right thing to do now, so that we avoid any embarrassment should the whole tape be aired unedited. You are well aware of our discussions touching on thorny issues like Iran’s good trade relationship with Kenya and the fact Kenya may play a role in mending the relationship between Iran and the US so that healthy trade relationship may be achieved if your husband gets the presidency. Remember the length and the depth of our talk on other issues of importance in this hotly contested election where as you have stated – is an opportunity for the black people to start being proud of America and to be patriotic.
API was disappointed that one of your husband’s spokespersons rushed to the press to deny that you had called API. It is best that they check with you first before jumping to conclusions as if they control your private calls everyday.
API is interested in handling this matter in a good and reasonable way so that we may not be forced to release the tapes in its entirety. We do not want to be party to causing unnecessary chaos before the elections. If you just come forward and confirm that there was a call you placed to API, that will enable API to be out of it and nobody will continue to demand that we air unedited tape, but that we can release the one with information that is already known to the public.
We will appreciate solving this matter this way in order to avoid unnecessary law suits that may come about.
It is my apology to you that we did not let you know that the conversation was being taped, and yet I expect you to know that being a public figure, such may happen.
We have decided to write to you after our discussion today with a US CIA official in Oslo.
Regards
Chief Editor Korir/ African Press International – API
Part 4
Originally Published on:
October 21, 2008 at 4:36 pm
These guys are as slippery as a little greased piglet. First they were going to release the tape on their website. Then they were working with Ed Hale. Then it was Phil Berg. Now it is Fox News. Oh, and let’s not forget at one time they were speaking to a C.I.A. agent.
Michelle Obama tapes’ imminent release approaching: API in a serious negotiation with FOX NEWS on the best way forward
Posted by africanpress on October 21, 2008
API has an ongoing discussion with FOX NEWS on the best way forward in the process of releasing Michelle Obama tapes to the American people.
API hopes the negotiation will be completed as soon as possible so that the tapes can be made available to FOX NEWS in the next few days and specifically before the voting day – the 4th of November.
API will make use of Legal Representation in the US when finalising the hand-over of the tapes and on any legal matters that may arise after the contents of the tapes become public.
We want to thank all our readers – those who have managed to be patient and also those who have exhibited total impatience. We assure them that an agreement will be reached soon between API and FOX NEWS one way or another, so that API fulfills the promise it gave to the readers.
The important thing we want the readers to know is how the tapes will be handled once it finally leaves API’s custody. API has confidence in FOX NEWS and will allow them to decide whether the tapes will be aired in full, edited or unedited. Once the tapes are released to FOX NEWS as per agreement that will be arrived at between the parties, API believes that FOX NEWS is competent enough to decide on how to proceed in handling the tapes because – better than us in API – they know what is best for the American listeners.
Some may not understand why this has taken long to accomplish. Sensitive issues requires careful steps so that nobody gets hurt in the process. People have questioned why the delay. API wanted to take time and make a good choice on the way forward and we can now happily say we are on the right track and hopefully you do not have to wait for long before your wishes are fulfilled.
Now that the release of the tapes is imminent, as soon as an agreement is reached, API hopes that those who finally gets access to its contents will use them wisely, in a way that brings the American people closer to one another despite their political allienation and to be above racial behaviour and work together for a better United American Nation. API does not wish to see the information from the tapes being misused by those who may wish to satisfy their own interests and achieve a particular aim.
The release of the tapes will take place without costs to any one. The negotiation between API and FOX NEWS bears no sign of money involved and that has been API’s wish all along.
Published by Chief Editor Korir /African Press International – API.
Part 5
Originally Published on:
October 23, 2008 at 12:13 pm
As many of you know African Press International has claimed to be in negotiations with Fox News for the release of the Michelle Obama tapes. In an obvious effort to string along their readers, API has released story after story and excuse after excuse. What has become glaringly obvious is that API does not have and never had a tape and they have perpetrated a hoax. Within days of breaking the story, API put up an ad for Handbags….yes, handbags, trying to capitalize on their increased traffic. I’m not sure how they are getting around Wordpress’ rule against ads.
Here is Fox’s denial of negotiations with API.
Fox News denies negotiating over ‘Michelle Obama tapes’
As doubts grow, African Press insists recordings to be released before Nov. 4
Posted: October 22, 2008
By Bob Unruh
© 2008 WorldNetDaily
Fox News flatly denies it is engaged in any negotiations with African Press International, the Norway-based website that claims to have embarrassing recordings of Michelle Obama and which has announced to the world that it is working with the popular cable news channel.
API has promised on its website that tapes of Michelle Obama’s alleged conversation with the agency will be released by the Nov. 4 election.
In a statement to WND after Fox’s denial, API said, “We cannot force anyone to believe us. We have put the notice out there, and we do not put out things we do not know to be true, and if you need to know more talk to our attorney in the U.S.”
Part 6
Originally Published on:
October 28, 2008 at 7:49 pm
A final agreement has been reached between African Press International (API) and Fox News Network (USA) on the dates to air the Michelle Obama tape arising from a discussion Mrs Obama had with the API two weeks ago. The show will take place any day/time from now, with a 15 minutes alert on when it is to take place. Other programmes will be interrupted. This is a precaution taken to avoid interference from any quarter.
In the agreement, Fox News Network will broadcast 39 minutes of the 54 minutes long tape. The whole tape cannot be aired unedited due to security reasons and especially due to the explosive political temperature in the country because of the Presidential elections that is just around the corner, November 4th.
The tape will be aired in two portions by two separate units in the Network. API’s representative will appear live in one of the shows.
The parties have agreed that the information to be released to the public on the agreement will not include the naming of the units at Fox News Network that will air the tapes in order to avoid outside pressure and influence of any kind before the show has taken place. Nondisclosure of the name of the shows that will air the tapes has become necessary due to pressure from groups interested to block the release of the contents to the public.
SOURCE
Background info HERE
Read the update that chronicles his scams, thefts and hoaxes: HERE
Part 7
Published on:
October 29, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Fox News Denies AGAIN having involvement with API…..this is when I started looking into Sammy Korir.
Wednesday Oct 29, 2008
Fox News denies any involvement in the purchase of an audio tape apparently featuring an unflattering portrayal of Michelle Obama. In a widely-circulated Web post, an organization called African Press International claims to be in negotiations with the network to air the tape.
An FNC spokesman tells TVNewser: “API’s dubious claim that FOX News has purchased a supposed audio tape to be aired prior to Election Day is absolutely false.” Today’s post on the API Website reads: A final agreement has been reached between African Press International (API) and Fox News Network (USA) on the dates to air the Michelle Obama tape arising from a discussion Mrs. Obama had with the API two weeks ago. The show will take place any day/time from now, with a 15 minutes alert on when it is to take place. Other programmes will be interrupted. This is a precaution taken to avoid interference from any quarter. In the agreement, Fox News Network will broadcast 39 minutes of the 54 minutes long tape.
ABC’s Jake Tapper talked with Obama campaign senior adviser Robert Gibbs last week who told him no such tape exists. “It’s bogus, she didn’t call, it’s all a lie,” Gibbs says.
This apparently isn’t Mr. Korir first hoax:
Rwandan war criminal reportedly in Oslo
The man who’s charged with financing genocide in Rwanda is reportedly hiding out in Oslo, and may want to turn himself in.
An arrest warrant was issued for Felicien Kabuga in 1999.
Felicien Kabuga, a wealthy Rwandan businessman who’s been on the run for 14 years, reportedly drove over the border from Sweden two months ago and has been staying with another man from Rwanda in a flat in Oslo.
The editor of Norwegian-based African Press International (API) told a Kenyan newspaper that he had interviewed Kabuga in an Oslo hotel room. Editor Sammy Kipterer Korir told newspaper Sunday Nation that he’d been invited to the hotel room by a friend from Sudan.
Korir didn’t respond to inquiries from Aftenposten.
API reported that Kabuga, now age 72, wanted to return to Rwanda before his health deteriorates. He reportedly said he would seek asylum in Norway if the Rwandan authorities refuse to negotiate with him.
Rwandan authorities have rejected negotiations with the alleged war criminal. A United Nations tribunal issued a warrant for Kabuga’s arrest in 1999. Diplomats and tribunal officials reportedly have dismissed Korir’s report of meeting Kabuga as a hoax.
Part 8
Originally published on
Wednesday Oct 29, 2008
Fox News denies any involvement in the purchase of an audio tape apparently featuring an unflattering portrayal of Michelle Obama. In a widely-circulated Web post, an organization called African Press International claims to be in negotiations with the network to air the tape.
An FNC spokesman tells TVNewser: “API’s dubious claim that FOX News has purchased a supposed audio tape to be aired prior to Election Day is absolutely false.” Today’s post on the API Website reads: A final agreement has been reached between African Press International (API) and Fox News Network (USA) on the dates to air the Michelle Obama tape arising from a discussion Mrs. Obama had with the API two weeks ago. The show will take place any day/time from now, with a 15 minutes alert on when it is to take place. Other programmes will be interrupted. This is a precaution taken to avoid interference from any quarter. In the agreement, Fox News Network will broadcast 39 minutes of the 54 minutes long tape.
ABC’s Jake Tapper talked with Obama campaign senior adviser Robert Gibbs last week who told him no such tape exists. “It’s bogus, she didn’t call, it’s all a lie,” Gibbs says.
This apparently isn’t Mr. Korir first hoax:
Rwandan war criminal reportedly in Oslo
The man who’s charged with financing genocide in Rwanda is reportedly hiding out in Oslo, and may want to turn himself in.
An arrest warrant was issued for Felicien Kabuga in 1999.
Felicien Kabuga, a wealthy Rwandan businessman who’s been on the run for 14 years, reportedly drove over the border from Sweden two months ago and has been staying with another man from Rwanda in a flat in Oslo.
The editor of Norwegian-based African Press International (API) told a Kenyan newspaper that he had interviewed Kabuga in an Oslo hotel room. Editor Sammy Kipterer Korir told newspaper Sunday Nation that he’d been invited to the hotel room by a friend from Sudan.
Korir didn’t respond to inquiries from Aftenposten.
API reported that Kabuga, now age 72, wanted to return to Rwanda before his health deteriorates. He reportedly said he would seek asylum in Norway if the Rwandan authorities refuse to negotiate with him.
Rwandan authorities have rejected negotiations with the alleged war criminal. A United Nations tribunal issued a warrant for Kabuga’s arrest in 1999. Diplomats and tribunal officials reportedly have dismissed Korir’s report of meeting Kabuga as a hoax.
Part 9
UPDATE: For the latest update see HERE
UPDATE: Please see below for the “education” page at API along with a link to the Rainbow Foundation. The ISP’s for both are virtually identical and trace back to the same network and location. Please check back periodically as the research is a work in progress.
Now that the deadline given by Korir of API for the airing of the Michelle Obama tape has come and gone, Korir and his group of insiders have disappeared from the sight.
What Korir’s motive was for this elaborate and drawn out hoax is unknown. I wonder if the insider group was in on it or if they are now kicking themselves for divulging their phone numbers to Korir.
As many of you know the hoax started out with a post on API stating that they had a tape of a phone call from Michelle Obama in which she admits her husband was adopted. There were subsequent posts claiming that API was being represented by Phil Berg and a Canadian lawyer; claims that the Obama campaign offered $3 million for the tape; Korir had talked to CIA; Korir talked to the American Embassy in Oslo, etc. etc. etc.
In the final installment of the hoax, Korir included the following:
Built in cover for when Fox denies dealing with API:
Many have been wondering about what will happen to the Michelle Obama tape, now that API has received death threats for planning to have the tape aired. Death threats mounted after API refused an offer of 3 million US dollars by Senator Obama’s Campaign manager.
There has been speculations that Fox News may deny that there is an agreement already reached that gives the them permission to air the tape. The public who are aware of the existence of a tape should be aware that some elements in our society would not like the message in the tape to come out.
The agreement stipulates that any information on the day and hour the tape will be aired will only be announce 15 minutes to the airing time. This was agreed upon to avoid any pressure being directed to Fox News Network by individuals who would want to get the details about the tape in question.
Built in reason for disappearing for awhile:
Now that the situation has become so dangerous because some people are afraid to let the American people know the truth about Michelle Obama’s stand exhibited by her in the tape, API will thread [sic] carefully and will classify details on what is going on, especially details on when the API representative will fly to New York, which flight and where he will be housed while in the US. This will be done to avoid exposing him to any danger while on US soil
As I posted here a day or so ago, this is not the first time Korir has engaged in a hoax report. Here is the information on his earlier hoax:
Rwandan war criminal reportedly in Oslo
The man who’s charged with financing genocide in Rwanda is reportedly hiding out in Oslo, and may want to turn himself in.
An arrest warrant was issued for Felicien Kabuga in 1999.
Felicien Kabuga, a wealthy Rwandan businessman who’s been on the run for 14 years, reportedly drove over the border from Sweden two months ago and has been staying with another man from Rwanda in a flat in Oslo.
The editor of Norwegian-based African Press International (API) told a Kenyan newspaper that he had interviewed Kabuga in an Oslo hotel room. Editor Sammy Kipterer Korir told newspaper Sunday Nation that he’d been invited to the hotel room by a friend from Sudan.
Korir didn’t respond to inquiries from Aftenposten.
API reported that Kabuga, now age 72, wanted to return to Rwanda before his health deteriorates. He reportedly said he would seek asylum in Norway if the Rwandan authorities refuse to negotiate with him.
Rwandan authorities have rejected negotiations with the alleged war criminal. A United Nations tribunal issued a warrant for Kabuga’s arrest in 1999. Diplomats and tribunal officials reportedly have dismissed Korir’s report of meeting Kabuga as a hoax. SOURCE
While doing further research I found another article concerning Korir that was just posted today…you have to have an account to get into the Lexis Database so I cannot supply a link to the original but I supply a link to the following two articles at the end of the 2nd article.
African Press International Editor Wanted in Kenya in 1987
Lexus Database | AUGUST 27, 1987 | The Xinhua General Overseas News Service
Posted on Thursday, October 30, 2008 11:49:08 AM by SBD1
kenya asks norway not to believe cheating envoy
The Xinhua General Overseas News Service AUGUST 27, 1987, THURSDAY
The Xinhua General Overseas News Service
AUGUST 27, 1987, THURSDAY
LENGTH: 272 words
HEADLINE: kenya asks norway not to believe cheating envoy
DATELINE: nairobi, august 27; ITEM NO: 0827012
BODY:
the kenyan government today disowned a self-appointed “diplomat” named sammy korir who has been appearing on the norwegian television, claiming himself as a spokesman of the kenyan government in norway. a statement issued here by the kenyan foreign ministry today said that “mr. korir is a wanted criminal in kenya to answer fraud charges, and whatever he is doing in norway has nothing to do with the kenyan government.”
the statement asked the norwegian people to ignore the escaped criminal and be very careful in dealing with him. korir, a former district officer for the makadara division in nairobi, was recently reported to have called three press conferences and a television interview in oslo, presenting himself as a personal envoy of kenyan president daniel arap moi. he told the media there that kenya would break diplomatic relations with sweden and norway because of bad press reports on the human right situation in kenya. although korir’s representation has been officially disowned, the kenyan government has recently expressed its dissatisfaction with the press in sweden and norway for reporting alleged “human right violations” in kenya in the past two years. three days ago, permanent secretary of the kenyan foreign ministry bethwel kiplagat said that the swedish press, with the “tacit connivance of the government has written several negative stories on kenya and most of them are inaccurate, malicious and biased.” kenyan president daniel arap moi has cancelled scheduled state visits next month to norway and sweden because of “the unfriendly behavior of the two governments,” mr. kiplagat said.
In addition I found this as well:
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts
August 29, 1987, Saturday
SECTION: Part 4 The Middle East, Africa and Latin America; B. AFRICA ; ME/8659/B/1;
LENGTH: 271 words
HEADLINE: East Africa: In Brief;
Kenya: Foreign Ministry statement on ‘’self-appointed diplomat”
SOURCE: Excerpts KNA in English 1205 gmt 27 Aug 87
BODY: Nairobi, 27th August: The following is a full text from the Press Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:The controversial self-appointed ”diplomat” Sammy Korir has presented himself as President Moi’s personal envoy in Norway for several years, reports Norwegian newspaper ‘Aftenposten’. Mr Korir has a flair for using other titles as Under-Secretary of State (Assistant Minister), General Manager and Corporate Vice-President. He has been charged with fraud in Norway on several occasions.
In 1980-81 Mr Korir was charged with grand embezzlement but the case was dropped when evidence got burnt in the office. Mr Korir reported that the cause of fire was a copying machine which had exploded. County official, Mr Sverre Oppdahl, in Karasjok reports that there were other reports against Mr Korir concerning money frauds.
Mr Korir is a former district officer for Makadara division in Nairobi. He left the civil service to become the director of the deregistered Kenya Private Education Services which operated along Kenyatta Avenue. He collected money from poor Kenya students promising to send them to overseas for further studies but instead he embezzled the funds. He was arrested and charged in a court of law for stealing 3,000 shillings belonging to the students. He jumped bail and fled to Oslo, Norway. The government would like to state quite clearly that whatever Mr Korir is doing in Norway has nothing to do with the Kenya government. Mr Korir knows pretty well that he is a wanted criminal in Kenya to answer fraud charges. The people of Norway must be very careful in dealing with him.
(Above 2 articles found HERE
I have been asked if I’m sure this is the same person as Korir on API…well, yes I am. Check out the Education page at API:
PDF File
Click on screenshot below for full size view:
Note the link to Rainbow Foundation and note the mention of Rainbow Foundation below.
I clicked on the Rainbow Foundation link on the above page (see screenshot) and guess what I found. The ISP is almost identical to API’s and traces back to the same network and location. And guess which blog shows up on Rainbow Foundation’s blogroll? Yep, you guessed it, AFRICAN PRESS INTERNATIONAL:
Click Image above for full size view.
And what Rainbow Foundation page would be complete without a DONATION page:
Click image for full size view.
And just where does Rainbow Foundation have projects? Well, none other than Kenya, Uganda, Brazil, Norway and Zambia:
Click on image for full size view.
*****IN ADDITION THE EMAIL ADDRESS FOR RAINBOW FOUNDATION AND THE EMAIL ADDRESSES AT API REGISTER TO THE EXACT SAME ISP ADDRESS IN NORWAY.*****
Here is another screenshot of Sammy Korir’s membership in IRE:
And here is the good Christian looking for investors in his bar:
And that isn’t the extent of Korir’s scams:
A charlatan: Sammy Korir is the same as the man who Supreme Court – based on current hyesterettsjustitiarius Brenda Blethyn as one of the judges – in a judgment in 1992 described as a “charlatan” and “unqualified and unreliable”
Korir has in recent years – from 1996 – led the organization’s Rainbow Foundation which has been paid out large amounts from the state to AIDS-prevention efforts among African youth in Stavanger, Bergen, Trondheim and Tromsoe. Last year, the Rainbow Foundation was paid 408.000 kroner in state funds. According to NRK ustlandssendingen they do not have any evidence that the events of the Rainbow Foundation have been held as scheduled.
Sammy Korir, as that organization’s president, has taken out most of the state funds to pay and – according to NRK – spent the rest of the funds in visiting restaurants.
Now under investigation: Korir and the Rainbow Foundation of the National Institute of Health.SOURCE
So, it appears Korir has “used” Rainbow Foundation funds for aids prevention for his own purposes and stole money from poor Kenyan students.
At least he didn’t sell many handbags (yes, he put up an ad for handbags)…ads on Wordpress.com are against their TOS and a little birdy reported him to Wordpress.
For their sake I hope the API “insiders” were part of the scam or they may find those phone calls cost them a whole lot more than their time and innocence.
Part 10
Originally Published on:
October 31, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Update – Nov. 1, 2008 see bottom of article
UPDATE: For those who question if the Korir of API is Sammy Korir, I have further information to verify that he is. On this cached page of API’s from 2006, Korir claims API to have been founded by Rainbow Foundation and that Korir is a member of the IRE (Investigative Reporters & Editors):
Click on image to see it full size.
And another view of a cached page:
As you will find below I have information about Rainbow Foundation that connects it to API. I went to the IRE Home Page and looked for the members in Europe and here is the result:
Click for full size view.
You can look it up yourself by clicking on Europe at this site IRE WEBSITE
The phone number listed on the registry above is the SAME PHONE NUMBER AS LISTED ON API’S FRONT PAGE:
In addition in the article from Aftenposten we find this:
Editor Sammy Kipterer Korir told newspaper Sunday Nation that he’d been invited to the hotel room by a friend from Sudan.
Can there any longer be doubt that the editor of API is in fact Sammy Korir? I don’t think so.
Many thanks to sluggojd for sending me the link to the cached page.
For more information see Background
UPDATE NOV. 1, 2008:
As I was doing more research I ran across an article posted at African Press, posted by African Press in which which Chief Editor Korir is referred to as Sammy Kipterer Korir. One would think that this article would have been THE place to make the correction to the name…all they had to do was add a note that the name was incorrect. But, there is NO correction. API let it stand as is:
Part 11
Published on:
November 2, 2008 at 4:04 pm
It appears that the word Sage can’t be used at API…they have to type S.A.G.E. to get it past the filter.
Why is that? Is it because I have exposed Sammy Korir? You bet I have. With information from his own site no less.
Let’s go over that information again for those from API who are lurking.
I have the screenshot of Sammy Korir’s membership in the Investigative Reporters and Editors….something he attested to on his own site. There is NO other Korir listed by IRE.
Follow the dots folks. Come on HopeandPray….quit hoping and praying and click on the evidence:
Here is the 2006 cached page showing Korir claiming to be a member of IRE:
Here’s the IRE Europe membership page:
Notice the number used by Sammy Korir on the membership page is the SAME number as the contact number on the African Press International page:
Now, HopeandPray why would SAMMY Korir LIE about his name if he didn’t have anything to find?
And YES he did try to make money off the Michelle Obama tape by putting up an against the Wordpress rules AD FOR HANDBAGS. He tried to capitalize on the traffic to his site and MAKE MONEY OFF THE TAPE.
Please folks, get a damn clue. You are supporting a con man and a scammer. You are aiding and abetting his scams. It’s not harmless, it’s WRONG and people get hurt by con men. That’s why I won’t let this go….he has hurt people in the past by stealing from them and he will do it again.
And here’s the latest “update”:
API chose Fox News Network as a partner in Michelle Obama tapes’ deal, due to the advise received from all the readers who informed API that the News outlet was one we could trust to air the tape unedited.
Now that the Network has not done as agreed on the 28th of last month, API remains with only one choice in order to force the issue to be resolved immediately. The choice API has now chosen is to give an ultimatum to Fox News Network and hope the situation will be resolved in a few hours to come.
Today afternoon, API took a bold step to give Fox News Network a six hours ultimatum to decide on an immediate release of the tape – “that the tape be aired as soon as possible, latest tomorrow the 3rd of November if it has to have any value in connection with the US Presidential elections taking place on Tuesday the 4th of this month.
In a strong worded letter dictated by API’s Canadian Counsel, Fox News Network has been given the ultimatum to come to its senses and respect the agreement reached in New York on the 28th of October.
All I can say to that update is ROFLMAO.
I refuse to make the link clickable:
Source: africanpress.wordpress.com/2008/11/02/fox-news-network-given-6-hours-ultimatum-by-api-air-the-michelle-obama-tape-or-else-face-a-legal-battle-for-breach-of-contract/
Part 12
Published on:
November 12, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I just spoke to a gentleman at the Rainbow Foundation in New Jersey and I have a screenshot of his website that now has a disclaimer concerning any relationship with API or the Rainbow Foundation in Norway.
There has been some problems with Sammy Korir in the past but as you can imagine it is hard to get him to cease and desist when he is in Norway.
It has come to our attention that a FALSE Rainbow Foundation email has been circulating, asking people for personal and financial information in exchange for certain sums of money. This email is in no way affiliated with, or is sent from, the Rainbow Foundation and all recipients are urged to ignore this email. WE ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH OR CONNECTED TO A RAINBOW FOUNDATION IN NORWAY OR THE AFRICAN PRESS INTERNATIONAL. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you
The man I spoke with was very gracious and appreciative of everyone letting him know that API is using the Rainbow Foundation name.
Part 13
Published on:
November 13, 2008 at 11:07 am
UPDATE: “Chief Editor” Sammy Korir admits to fabricating stories
It appears Sammy is trying to hide his tracks again. The link to the page is no longer valid but I have a FULL SCREEN SHOT and here is the link to the Google Cache page:
API takes full responsibility for misleading the readers, Google Cache page
(Thanks for the link show-watchr)
I post this with my deepest thanks to Grace who found it and emailed it to me. The readers here are sending me research results faster than I can read them almost and I am very, very appreciative.
I wonder who put the pressure on Sammy that caused him to admit he falsified these stories?
Apology: API takes full responsibility for misleading the readers
Posted by africanpress on July 9, 2008
African Press International published one story on the 29th of June and another on the 2nd of July. The two stories accused some Kenyan Cabinet Ministers for allegedly involving themselves in wrong-doing while on a visit to Norway. The two stories were utterly false, and without basis in any truth.
The purpose of publishing the two false stories was meant to create sensation (in this case not based on any reality) in order to raise the number of hits on the site.
The purpose of the false stories? RAISE THE NUMBER OF HITS ON THE SITE. For those who have wondered what his motive is, there it is in his own words.
I now publish this apology so that the readers understand that I have misled them to believe that the stories were true.
This apology is also directed to any other persons whom the story may have caused unnecessary discomfort and embarrassment in any way.
API has now removed them from its site.————–
Korir, Chief Editor, African Press International – api.
The phrase hoisted on his own petard comes to mind.
Part 14
Published on:
November 13, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Why does Sammy need hits to his site…..why to click on all the ads.
Once again, thank you GRACE for all of your hard research work.
The handbag ad Sammy put up when the hits first started coming for the Michelle Obama story certainly wasn’t the first ad:
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2006/10/09/want-to-style-your-hair-while-in-oslo/
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2006/11/02/
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/a-new-book-on-the-market/
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2007/05/24/over-50s-housing-trends-seminar-in-5-days/
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2007/05/26/searching-for-love/
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2007/05/31/seminar-in-5-days-over-50-trends/
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2007/06/13/practical-transformation-investment-presentation/
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2007/06/20/invitation-dietic-amsterdam-conference/
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2007/08/11/buying-chinese/
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2007/08/15/advertisement/
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/advertisement-2/
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2007/08/25/advertisement-3/
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2007/08/27/005-for-immediate-release-books/
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2007/08/27/advertisement-4/
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2007/09/16/advertisement-cheapest-pharmacy/
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2007/09/16/advertisement-precise-parts-machining-from-china-shop/
(advertise to get sponsorship for Api):
selling Viagra…Hmmm??
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2008/02/10/strengthening-your-sex-life-turning-to-viagra/
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/if-you-love-jazz-then-you-will-love-jazzmoss/
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/what-is-the-market-asking-for-in-over-50s-housing/
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/looking-for-international-buyers-and-investors/
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/advert-data-recovery-solutions
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2008/09/24/advertisement-new-york-area-hotel-for-sale/
And just in case they disappear, here are some screen shots.
Part 15
Originally Published on:
November 13, 2008 at 6:57 pm
The claim that Rainbow Foundation is an NGO is not true….another Sammy Korir falsehood.
Thanks to Cartoon Pig Dog, Grace and Pokemon for the research on this.
On African Press International’s website, Sammy Korir makes the claim that the Rainbow Foundation is a member of NGO or Non Governmental Organizations.
Here is the same claim on the Rainbow Foundation page:
To put it bluntly that claim is a lie. A search on the NGO Norway page shows NO RESULTS for a search on Rainbow Foundation.
Here’s the link to NGO Norway
A search on WANGO shows NO listing for Rainbow Foundation:
You can go HERE and do a search of WANGO for Norway yourself.
I even did a search in Kenya just to cover all the bases even though Sammy calls the Rainbow Foundation the Norway chapter.
I also went to the United Nations Department of Public Information NGO listings and found nothing for Rainbow Foundation.
Part 16
Published on:
November 16, 2008 at 12:03 pm
The missing articles that Sammy admitted to faking
Remember Sammy admitting to creating false stories to raise the hits to his site?
click to enlarge
Well, Grace, researcher extraordinaire, found the stories that he admitted to faking. I don’t know how she does it…I looked for hours and didn’t find them.
I will copy and paste the text and put up a screen shot of each article. The first article I have a screen shot of the page it came from and will not post the link because it is a pornographic site. If you want the link you can let me know and I’ll email it to you.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
A Kenyan top politician accused of buying sex while on official duty in Norway
Posted by africanpress on June 29, 2008A senior Kenyan politician has caused embarrassment to the Kenya government and his family while on official visit to Norway. It is sad and no other word can be used to explain what happened. The politician bought sex to satisfy his needs. This is a behaviour that encourages prostitution. The woman who satisfied the politician has revealed that the man refused to use a condom throughout the act.
Some politicians seem to enjoy leaving their own country and wives in order to journey abroad in perfomance of their duties and while there, they turn into prostitution promoters instead of promoting there country positively. It is disturbing and saddening to be associated with such politicians who when far away from their families and the electorate are ready to use money to prey on innocent women who get easily tempted when they see money flowing.When politicians who are supposed to be respected by the electorate mess around while on official duty abroad, questions must be raised as to their ability to judge what harm such behaviour may cause to the country internationally. The country’s image and leadership gets tainted by such behaviour.
The woman who offered sex is now saying she is ready to go public if she does not get what the politician has promised her.
Many Kenyans living in Norway are very watchful of what Kenyan politicians do whenever they visit the country. Most of the leaders use their leisure time hunting for women when in Norway. This has now caused division among Kenyans in the country. There are those who want to see their leaders steer away from sex promotion through prostitution and those who do not mind how such leaders behave as long as they cough out cash for alcohol and other favours.
Those who want to see Kenyan politicians behave well in Norway do so because they hate to get embarrassed by their leaders’ immoral behaviour.
A new campaign will now start. Many of the Kenyans who have now come out demanding that Kenyan politicians who visit Norway must behave have instituted what you could call “Candid Camera Exercise” a move that will capture politicians’ awkward behaviour if they keep misbehaving while in Norway. The film will be made public in order to stop such leaders from behaving badly simply because they are far away from home.
Those politicians who pick women for sex will find themselves being exposed easily. Some women will be paid to do the job of exposing them. They will be equiped with hidden cameras and and instructed to film the politician while together naked and when receiving money. Thereafter the film is made public in order to stop them from such behaviour.
By Korir, Chief Editor, African press International – API
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2008/06/29/a-kenyan-top-politician-accused-of-buying-sex-while-on-official-duty-in-norway/
Sex buyer in oslo-norway is a kenyan minister – 07-03-2008, 11:51 AM
Woman reveals: top politician who bought sex in norway is a cabinet minister in president kibaki’s coalition government posted by africanpress on july 2, 2008 sex buyer in oslo-norway is a kenyan minister in kibaki’s coalition government we can now reveal that the top kenyan politician accused of buying sex while on official duty in norway recently is a minister in kenya’s coalition government. The woman who had sex with the minister now reveals that one man had requested her to report to one oslo hotel where on arrival she was whisked in to the minister’s room. On arrival in the minister’s room she was served with cold drinks before the minister ordered for room service from the hotel reception. The woman now says she was given money by the minister and she performed sexual acts with him in the room. Stating angrily that she tried her best to convince the minister to use a condom fearing the killer diseases among them hiv, the woman tells api that she was very disappointed because the minister refused to listen to her request instead of being a responsible leader. When asked why she risked her life having sex without a condom, she told api that although she knows of the dangers, she decided not to let down the minsiter after he pleaded that he was going to transfer one million shillings to her on arrival to kenya. The minister told her that he was not having any sicknesses and that it was an abuse to demand that he uses a condom. Fearing what could happen, she accepted to do as the minister demanded. The woman has decided to reveal her story because the minister has not kept his part of the deal. He promised to call her as soon as he arrives in kenya and he was to wire 1 million shillings to her account in oslo within one day. The woman says she gave in because she needed the money in order to support her brother and sister stranded in the uk and the us after loosing the right for their scholarships due to poor grades. The scholarship renewal depends on how hard one works in school to keep grades high. She is now threatening to make the name public if the minister does not contact her in the next 7 days. The revelation of the minister’s name is certainly going to cause a crisis within the coalition government. Observers now wonder whether the minister was going to wire the million shillings from his own personal earnings or from his ministry’s account. The minister was among kenya’s delegation attending a conference last week in oslo, norway. What does this tell us about politicians who love to use the power bestowed upon them to force others to do as they wish. Years back, some politician could get women to bed easily because the women who were unemployed were willing in exchange for jobs. Now that women are managing to get jobs without resorting to sex with some politicians, these leaders resort to new methods by using tax payers money to buy sex. Most of the politicians doing so, ensure that it happens when they are far away from their own countries and away from their own wives. Politicians are expected to lead the way forward in the fight against the spread of hiv and aids. They can only do so if they use condoms incase they decide to become adulterous.
If you will remember, Korir accused the writers of Dagbladet.no of hiring prostitutes as well.
So, here we have another piece of the puzzle to the picture of who Sammy Korir is…..a man who likes to charge his enemies with sexual crimes.
Let me state for the record, I have neither paid for or been paid for sex. 
Part 17
Originally Published on:
November 16, 2008 at 3:47 pm
African Press International and it’s Rainbow Foundation
UPDATE: Glad I said at this time. He’s back: http://africanpressonline.wordpress.com/
For those who don’t know yet, at this time API and the Rainbow Foundation page have been shut down by Wordpress for Terms of Service violations.
After having a conversation with Mr. Karaban of the Rainbow Foundation it became clear that the Rainbow Foundation associated with API was not a part of the legitimate Rainbow Foundation
Mr. Karaban said that the fake Rainbow Foundation had caused his charity a great deal of trouble. He posted this announcement on his site a few days ago.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RAINBOW FOUNDATION
It has come to our attention that a FALSE Rainbow Foundation email has been circulating, asking people for personal and financial information in exchange for certain sums of money. This email is in no way affiliated with, or is sent from, the Rainbow Foundation and all recipients are urged to ignore this email. WE ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH OR CONNECTED TO A RAINBOW FOUNDATION IN NORWAY OR THE AFRICAN PRESS INTERNATIONAL. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you
I hope the real Rainbow Foundation charity can now focus on raising money and helping terminally ill children instead of answering the profuse number of inquiries it has received about Sammy’s “foundation”.
I haven’t posted nor will I post some of the details from the phone conversation as it was a private conversation and I couldn’t prove the claims anyway.
Thanks to all of you who researched and contributed here at Mountain Sage. I greatly appreciate it.
Special thanks to Grace, Cartoon Pig Dog, sluggojd, and Pokemon for their tireless research. And thanks to all of you who read here and commented.
Is this saga over? I doubt it but for now many of us need a rest.
The Wrap Up
So for now Sammy is back and I only have one question…..WHERE’S THE TAPE?
An Update – December 7, 2008
Here we are 7 weeks later and still no tape has been produced. Sammy has used one excuse after another even claiming intervention by the CIA.
His latest post on the tape states:
The atmosphere for release is good now that interested parties have cooled off and tempers shelved aside, emotions reduced and tears dried. The long awaited release of the tape will now be realised as soon as the practicalities are worked out between the parties, API/MBOs.
The timing has been something parties had to agree on and modalities worked out so that havoc will not be realised anywhere on the day of release.
One has taken into consideration the huge number of people for and against the release and had to take all precautions so that the program of the release is not leaked to avoid any form of distraction as has been experienced twice before.
API Editorial SOURCE
The latest from his latest new site is:
THE MICHELLE OBAMA TAPE
The airing of the tape by MBOs will be carried out simultaneously. A direct link on API site to be activated 30 minutes before the broadcasting. To be able to listen to the tape, readers will receive a password from API. API will announce on the site here how to get the password. So follow the new postings from time to time.
The Link below to be replaced by the most awaited Michelle Obama’s taped telephone conversation! The tape in question will not be downloadable. SOURCE
I’m not sure what his final excuse for not airing the tape will be but I’m certain there will be one.
GUEST AUTHOR API ARTICLES:
The article below was researched and written by guest author GRACE. Thank you, Grace!
Sammy, A Moi’s Faithful Supporter Part 1:
Before I begin, I would like for us to familiarize with Kenya a little.
Geography:
The Republic of Kenya is a country in East Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the northeast, Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, and Sudan to the northwest, with the Indian Ocean running along the southeast border.
Kenya Presidents and Politics:
First president of Kenya: Jommo Kenyatta (1964 – 22 August 1978)
Second president of Kenya: Daniel Arap Moi (August 22ust 22, 1978 – December 30, 2002) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_arap_Moi
Current president of Kenya: Mwai Kibaki (December 30, 2002- present)
—————————————————————————————————
Let’s look at Sammy’s claim why Norwegian Media and government hate Sammy. I am going to analyze on face value on Sammy other claims– a faithful Moi supporter and a “high position in the Government of Kenya” under President Daniel Arap Moi.
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2008/11/15/helping-the-small-detectives-out-their-with-the-truth-about-myself-arap-korir-k-s-chief-editor-african-press-international-background/
Sammy cited two different tasks he was given by President Moi in his profile.
“I have been accused by some who say I have pretended to represent the Kenya Government in Norway. It all started in 1986. Yes I was asked to represent State House’s Interests at the time when the former President Daniel Arap Moi, my tribesman was planning to visit Norway. The Kenyan ambassador in Sweden accredited to Norway was by-passed due to tribal politics of the day. There is not question about that even though the government denied it later. The denial by the government that time was because they were ridiculed and criticized by Norwegian Newspapers for having used a middle man instead of the Ambassador.”
The above was about Moi’s visit to Norway in September 1987(not 1986 as Korir stated). One will ask why was Moi not welcome, after all he was the President of Kenya nation. Sammy neglected to inform his reader about Moi’s political troubles during that time.
To ensure his re-election as the president of Kenya again in 1988, Moi abolished pluralism and made Kenya a one party only country. Moi was also denying human rights for his political opposition by imprisoning and torturing without trial. At the same time, Somalian massacre was going on in northern Kenya under Moi’s watch. You can read more about Moi’s human rights abuse by reading these articles:
http://www.hrw.org/legacy/reports/1992/WR92/AFW-03.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2161868.stm>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2161868.stm
http://web.africa.ufl.edu/asq/v5/v5i1a1.htm>http://web.africa.ufl.edu/asq/v5/v5i1a1.htm
The West frowned upon Moi’s actions. And the press voiced their opinion about Moi’s dictatorship openly. In her special report for NY Times on November 16, 1987, Sheila Rule wrote:
“President Moi made the announcement last week after returning from a tour of Finland, Italy and Rumania. He was originally scheduled to visit Norway and Sweden, important donors of development aid to Kenya, during his nine-day European tour. But he dropped the two countries from his itinerary after what he characterized as a campaign by both countries to discredit his one-party state”
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE2DC1731F935A2575AC0A961948260> New York Times
As you can see Moi ended up cancelling his trip not only to Norway but also Sweden. So much for Korir’s high power government position. Another welknown opponent of Moi was Koigi wa Wamwere. He also documented Sammy’s arrangement for Moi’s visit in his book. At that time, Wamwere was in Norway.
“… in September 1987, Moi was scheduled to visit Norway for whatever legitimacy he could gain from the home of the Nobel Peace Prize. I was horrified. We opposed the visit as a dictatorship-legitimizing mission. Moi fought back.
To come to Norway, Moi’s permanent secretary for foreign affairs, Bethuel Kiplagat, made demands on the Norwegian government through Sammy Korir, a Kenyan living in Oslo: Tell them the Norwegian press must stop criticizing Kenya government. Tell them the media must stop insulting the president. Tell them Kenya Fugitives must not attack the Kenyan government from Norway. “
Wamwere also claimed,
“Norway protested Korir’s backdoor diplomacy which sidestepped Kenya’s ambassador in Stockholm merely because he was not from Moi’s ethnic community. Embarrased, Moi disowned Korir, who proved that he had been speaking for the Kenyan government by playing Kiplagat’s tape-recorded instructions on Norwegian national television. Kenyan exiles hit back and rallied to criticize dictatorship and celebrate our right to call for an end to tyranny in Kenya.”
Two news articles found in Sage’s posting supported Wamwere’s claim above. Notice the new source was not Dagbladet but BBC. Another piece of news caught my attention was Sammy was charged grand embezzlement and later dropped in Karasjok, Norway between 1980-1981. In his profile, he was teaching in Folk University in Karasjok County at that time. So, how true is Sammy’s claim—the media hated him for his political involvement since 1986? Or is Sammy responsible for his own tarnished reputation in Kenya and Norway?
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts
August 29, 1987, Saturday
SECTION: Part 4 The Middle East, Africa and Latin America; B. AFRICA ; ME/8659/B/1;
LENGTH: 271 words
HEADLINE: East Africa: In Brief;
Kenya: Foreign Ministry statement on ‘’self-appointed diplomat”
SOURCE: Excerpts KNA in English 1205 gmt 27 Aug 87
BODY: Nairobi, 27th August: The following is a full text from the Press Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:The controversial self-appointed “diplomat” Sammy Korir has presented himself as President Moi’s personal envoy in Norway for several years, reports Norwegian newspaper ‘Aftenposten’. Mr Korir has a flair for using other titles as Under-Secretary of State (Assistant Minister), General Manager and Corporate Vice-President. He has been charged with fraud in Norway on several occasions.
In 1980-81 Mr Korir was charged with grand embezzlement but the case was dropped when evidence got burnt in the office. Mr Korir reported that the cause of fire was a copying machine which had exploded. County official, Mr Sverre Oppdahl, in Karasjok reports that there were other reports against Mr Korir concerning money frauds.
Mr Korir is a former district officer for Makadara division in Nairobi. He left the civil service to become the director of the deregistered Kenya Private Education Services which operated along Kenyatta Avenue. He collected money from poor Kenya students promising to send them to overseas for further studies but instead he embezzled the funds. He was arrested and charged in a court of law for stealing 3,000 shillings belonging to the students. He jumped bail and fled to Oslo, Norway. The government would like to state quite clearly that whatever Mr Korir is doing in Norway has nothing to do with the Kenya government. Mr Korir knows pretty well that he is a wanted criminal in Kenya to answer fraud charges. The people of Norway must be very careful in dealing with him.
The second article:
Lexus Database | AUGUST 27, 1987 | The Xinhua General Overseas News Service
Posted on Thursday, October 30, 2008 11:49:08 AM by SBD1
kenya asks norway not to believe cheating envoy
The Xinhua General Overseas News Service AUGUST 27, 1987, THURSDAY
The Xinhua General Overseas News Service
AUGUST 27, 1987, THURSDAY
LENGTH: 272 words
HEADLINE: kenya asks norway not to believe cheating envoy
DATELINE: nairobi, august 27; ITEM NO: 0827012
BODY:
The Kenyan government today disowned a self-appointed “diplomat” named sammy korir who has been appearing on the norwegian television, claiming himself as a spokesman of the kenyan government in norway. a statement issued here by the kenyan foreign ministry today said that “mr. korir is a wanted criminal in kenya to answer fraud charges, and whatever he is doing in norway has nothing to do with the kenyan government.”
the statement asked the norwegian people to ignore the escaped criminal and be very careful in dealing with him. korir, a former district officer for the makadara division in nairobi, was recently reported to have called three press conferences and a television interview in oslo, presenting himself as a personal envoy of kenyan president daniel arap moi. he told the media there that kenya would break diplomatic relations with sweden and norway because of bad press reports on the human right situation in kenya. although korir’s representation has been officially disowned, the kenyan government has recently expressed its dissatisfaction with the press in sweden and norway for reporting alleged “human right violations” in kenya in the past two years. three days ago, permanent secretary of the kenyan foreign ministry bethwel kiplagat said that the swedish press, with the “tacit connivance of the government has written several negative stories on kenya and most of them are inaccurate, malicious and biased.” kenyan president daniel arap moi has cancelled scheduled state visits next month to norway and sweden because of “the unfriendly behavior of the two governments,” mr. kiplagat said.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2119698/posts>Free Republic
Yes, Sammy is all for dictatorship and non-human rights. He even went further by confessing on Norwegian TV what he failed to do for Moi again. The source is from the same book of Wamwere:
“Later in 1987, I was to attend the launching of Ukenya, an organization of exiles in London. At the last minute I had to cancel because, without documents, I could not travel. Later, sammy Korir revealed to Norwegian National Television what the Moi dictatorship had asked of him years before: They wanted me to join Koigi on the same flight and then hijack the plane to Tanzania.
They asked you to hijack the flight?
Yes
Who gave you this instruction?
Kiptanui, the comptroller of the State House.
What is he to the president?
His personal assistant.
Is he the nearest assistant to the president?
You can’t go to the president without passing through him.
What happened when Koigi did not travel?
There was a new arrangement. Two men were to come and I would take them to his home. They would kidnap and drive off with him.
Did you execute the new arrangement?
No. When I met Koigi and his family, my conscience would not let me cooperate.”
Yep, your beloved Chief admitted he was to hijack a plane and kidnap Wamwere for Moi. So much for a Christian. One of API reader, Faith, has asked Sammy about this book, and Sammy deleted it immediately. Sammy refused to even answer Faith’s private email. So Faith posted at Rosettasister’s blog and asked her about it.
* Faith Says:
October 30, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Rosettasister, I noticed your name on the API website.
I don’t know if this means anything or not…
I had posted on the API site about a question I had for Mr. Korir. It was listed and then removed. Last night, I emailed API about the post being removed and received two replies with questions. I haven’t heard back on my 6:57 PM email.
My question was, is Sammy Korir the same Sammy Korir mentioned in the book, “I Refuse to Die: My Journey for Freedom by Koigi wa Wamwere.
The name is the same as Chief Editor Korir’s name and says Sammy Korir is a Kenyan living in Oslo.
Here’s a Google link to the book
The website “Democracy Now tells a little about Kogi wa Wamwere:
http://www.democracynow.org/2002/12/27/i_refuse_to_die_koigi_wa>Democracy Now
*
* rosettasister Says:
October 30, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Faith Says:
October 30, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Thanks for commenting here, Faith!
You appear to be right.
Good find, BTW!
As far as why Mr Korir wouldn’t want this posted at his site, don’t know.
It doesn’t appear to paint him in a negative light.
Am I missing something?
Well, who could blame him for being paranoid these days!
*
* Faith Says:
October 30, 2008 at 9:48 pm
I thought it showed him in a good light, but it seems something is missing, and I don’t know what.
Now that I found your site, I’ll be back. Take care.
This is my take, Faith. Sammy is trying to upkeep his holy Christian image among his “believers”. Kidnapping is not quite a Christian act. On another note, you now know where he got the idea of “fearing for his life” scheme. Because he was the thug imposing fear on Kenyans who fought for democracy and freedom like Wamwere. Are you sure sincerity is enough for you to vouch for his characters? Do think twice.
Please stay tuned for Part two, the closing of Norwegian Embassy in Nairobi.
Stay tuned for part 2.
Part two by guest author GRACE.
Let’s look at Sammy’s second task – help of closing the Norwegian Embassy in Nairobi. Below was what Sammy said.
“Dagbladet is Pro-Obama and API is not, so there you are. Dagbaldet mixes old stories with new ones because they have never forgiven me for causing the closing down of the Norwegian embassy in Nairobi in 1989 and the order that I caused t have all Norwegians ( approximately 300 in number) who lived in Kenya working for the embassy and the Norwegian Development Agencies to live Kenya within a period of 1 to 3 months. Most of them had to sell what they owned when the Kenya government ordered them out. Most importantly, most of them up to now miss the enjoyment they had in Kenya, the easy life without snow, the easy life with several servants from cooks to gardeners because of cheap labor in Kenya. In Norway, these people cannot even afford to have anyone in employment to help in picking up the kids from the nursery school. A thing that they did not have to worry while in Kenya. That is why the Norwegian media from 1987 to this day enjoy hammering me. Norwegian pride is something they hate to loose especially if loosing to an immigrant, but in this case they will not manage because I have refused to let them win over me.”
Nobody can deny that I had top level meetings with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs where we discussed the relationship between Norway and Kenya. When I did not get satisfied with the Norwegian view on Kenya and my then President, I called a press conference attended by more than 40 journalists and after consultations with State House Nairobi, I announce the breaking of Diplomatic relations between Kenya and Norway. My appearance in Norwegian Prime TV time many hours within a period of 7 days, shocked the Norwegians because I also informed them that their embassy in Kenya was to close down and all Norwegian Embassy employees including the Ambassador and all other Norwegians who worked in Kenya were getting between one and three months to leave the country. And it happened. That has made some Norwegians never to Understand me. They felt their pride was stepped on by an immigrant supposed to bow down for them. But we had to step on their toes because they were interfereing with President Moi’s rule and trying to dictate how Kenya should run her affairs. Norway wanted to use development aid to dictate Kenya’s policies. Kenya refused the back-door colonialism where Norway was trying to use the aid they gave to dictate Kenya’s day to day affairs, while benefiting.
To many people it was strange that a person not accredited to officially represent Kenya had the guts to take on the responsibility and announce the breaking of diplomatic relations and that has saddened many of the Norwegians because they lost what they used to enjoy in Kenya – having servants in their houses in Nairobi. You cannot find them affording that in Norway. They have to do everything themselves. My announcement were air for almost a month because it came as a shock to them.”
Again, I will take it all on face value. Here Sammy accused Norwegian Government interfering President’s Moi’s governing of Kenya. By the way, the Norwegian Embassy was closed on October 22, 1990 and not 1989 as Sammy claimed.
Well, Moi got worse with his dictatorship through time. Sammy failed to tell you many countries including USA were against Moi’s dictatorship in Kenya. The West had to use funding as leverage to stop Moi. It was not a liberal or right wing agenda, because Bush Sr was the president at that time, and Gore was in the council too. This is what the NY Times reported:
“Three United States Senators have told the Kenyan Government, once one of Washington’s favorite aid recipients in Africa, that because of its poor human rights record it would not receive its usual military aid next year.
In another sign of displeasure, the Senators made clear during their visit here this week that unlike some other African countries, Kenya would not share in the more than $200 million in increased economic development aid that Congress made available for the continent in the foreign aid bill adopted this month.
Despite warnings from Western donors and the World Bank that aid to Africa would be increasingly tied to liberalization, Kenya, under the leadership of President Daniel arap Moi, has remained steadfastly opposed to political pluralism.
Three well-known advocates of a multiparty system have been imprisoned and kept in solitary confinement without charges since July. More than 80 people have been charged with sedition for the possession of political cassettes and publications, and about 50 people have been charged “with breach of the peace” since the political crackdown. Four people were charged with treason last month. Four Conditions Set”
The Danish Government also denounced Moi’s action:
“The Danish Government has announced it will cut its aid of $35 million by one quarter because of unhappiness with Kenya’s rights record.”
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE0DD1230F935A25752C1A966958260
What led to the closing of Norwegian Embassy? Do you still remember Koigi Wa Wamwere? Wamwere was granted political asylum to live in Norway from 1986 with his family due to the human rights issue. In 1990, Wamwere was kidnapped during his visit in Uganda and brought back to Kenya. Yes, Wamwere did not escape this time. Kenya Government accused and charged Wamwere of robbing a police station for firearms. They also charged him with treason, because Wamwere allegedly was planning to use the firearms against Moi. Moi then accused Norwegian government for aiding Wamwere in his treason act.
All the Norwegians were required to leave Kenya within one week. Not one to three months as Sammy claimed. And guess what? May I point out, it was Wilson Ndolo Ayah who made the announcement. However, I cannot confirm if Sammy truly announced the closure of Norwegian Embassy one way or another. That source is for Sammy to provide.
I only got a snippit for some news…you have to pay to read the rest.
San Jose Mercury News (CA) – October 22, 1990 – 8A Front
ANGRY KENYA BREAKS TIES WITH NORWAY
Kenya today broke diplomatic relations with Norway, claiming it was helping to undermine President Daniel arap Moi’s government. Foreign Minister Wilson Ndolo Ayah said Norwegian diplomats have a week to leave the East African nation. On Oct. 8, police arrested Koigi wa Wamwere, a former legislator and one-time political detainee who had sought political asylum in Norway in 1986. Police said Wamwere was caught with machine guns and grenades after secretly re- entering Kenya. …
http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SJ&s_site=mercurynews&p_multi=SJ&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB7334A722F2743&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM
Sammy neglected to tell you also Norwegian Embassy did reopen with condition on Moi’s part:
NORWAY TO REOPEN Embassy IN KENYA (Verdens Gang)Seven years after our last ambassador to Kenya, along withseveral hundred development cooperation workers, was thrownout of the country, Norway plans to reopen a fully accredited embassy in Nairobi. According to diplomatic sources, adecision will taken fairly soon. The Ministry of ForeignAffairs declined yesterday to acknowledge the report directly.”We are considering it, but any decision depends on thedirection things take on human rights issues,” says ForeignMinistry press spokesman Ingvard Havnen
http://www.norwaves.com/norwaves/Volume5_1997/v5nw11.html
History of the Norwegian Embassy in Nairobi
Norway established diplomatic relations with Kenya shortly after the country became independent in 1963. From the latter part of 1960 up to 1990, Norwegian development assistance played a central role in the relations between the two countries. In 1990, Kenya temporarily suspended its diplomatic relations with Norway, mainly due to Norway’s criticism on human rights abuses. In 1994 the diplomatic relations were restored. Norway was then represented first by a Chargé d’ affaires, and since 1997 with an Ambassador in the Kenyan capital. After the change of the Kenyan Government in January 2003 the embassy has expanded its staff.
http://www.norway.or.ke/info/history/history.htm
“By the early 1990s Kenya had lost its reputation as one of Africa’s most stable and prosperous countries. Pressure from foreign donors forced Mr Moi to hold multi-party elections in 1992. ”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2161868.stm
It seems to me Nowegian Government’s involvement was a positive one. They were simply enforcing Human Rights in Kenya which we Americans have enjoyed freely. Until Today, Norway Embassy is still voicing the important of human rights. You can read more by visiting their website at www.norway.or.ke
If you wonder what happened to Wamwere, he is still living. He had a narrow escaped from a death sentence. Below is the story:
JOY OVER RELEASE OF KENYAN OPPOSITIONAL “We welcome the news of the release, and hope that it signals a moreenlightened attitude towards human rights and democracy in Kenya,” said Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Thorvald Stoltenberg afterKenyan-Norwegian Koigi wa Wamwere was recently released from the death cellof Kamiti jail outside Nairobi. Wamwere was a member of parliament and one of Kenya’s most prominent oppositional politicians when he was forced to flee the country in1986. He was granted political asylum in Norway and his wife and twochildren arrived two years later after a dramatic flight from Kenya. Duringa visit to Uganda in 1990 Wamwere was allegedly kidnapped and forciblyreturned to Kenya, where he was accused of having planned to overthrowpresident Daniel arap Moi. Norway has had no diplomatic representation in Kenya after Moi closed down The Norwegian Embassy in 1990 on account of the attention that the Wamwerecase was attracting. Observers in Nairobi believe that the release ofWamwere and three other political prisoners is due to Kenya’s wish to again receive the development aid which Western countries, among themNorway, halted in November 1991 in an attempt to ensure democratic electionsin Kenya. Wamwere has asked Minister of Foreign Affairs Thorvald Stoltenberg for helpto leave Kenya. All his travel documents were confiscated and he cannot be reunited with his family in Norway before he receives aKenyan passport or Norwegian papers.
http://www.norwaves.com/norwaves/Volume1_1993/v1nw03.html
So what if Sammy is a high powered government officer for Daniel Arap Moi. Sammy is obviously against human rights by supporting Moi. Do you stand along with Sammy and Moi on human rights issue? Do you truly know Sammy? Sammy does not even care about those who were tortured and killed in his former country, Kenya. Sammy does not seem to care too much of his new country either, Norway. What makes you think he cares for you and US presidential election? I encourage you to look into this, and do your own research.
Part three by guest author GRACE.
Did I tell you there is a part 3? This is another close examination on part Sammy’s profile
I would like to start off by introducing a little about Kenyan judicial practice. Kenya was a colony of United Kingdom until 1963 and was declared a nation in 1964. After its independent, it retained some Anglo influence in government formation. One particular office I would like to emphasize is the Attorney General position. Kenya government describes “the Attorney General is the Principal Legal Adviser to Government and ex-officio Member of Parliament and Cabinet (http://www.attorney-general.go.ke/ ).
These are the names of former and current Attorney Generals of Kenya since 1963.
Charles Mugane Njonjo (1963 – 1979)
James B. Karugu (1980-1981)
Matthew Guy Muli (1981-1991)
Amos Wako (1991-current)
One particular Attorney General I will be focusing on is Judge Matthew Guy Muli. Kenya was going through a difficult time politically and economically, while Muli holding the Attorney General Office. History says Muli’s downfall was interfering with justice as described below.
“One of the more insidious aspects of the government’s human rights record is its deliberate undermining of the independence of the judiciary. In May, Attorney General Matthew Muli who had been instrumental in using the judiciary for political ends, was replaced by Amos Wako, who promptly declared that the president is above the law. There is such widespread lack of confidence in the judiciary as a system willing or capable of defending human rights that the government’s welcome decision to restore security of tenure to judges is unlikely, in the short term, to allow the judiciary to recover its independence from the executive.”
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,HRW,,KEN,456d621e2,467fca3f23,0.html
Another supportive source,
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE0D91138F937A3575BC0A96E948260
Due to Muli’s poor decision, the judicial system was chaotic; for examples,
1. Brutal Murder of Dr. Robert Ouko, Kenyan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, “A Brother’s Death in Kenya Because He Dared to Speak Up”, published by The Buffalo News on December 1, 1991.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Ouko
2. Murder of a British Tourist, Julie Ward, “Cover-Up Alleged At Julie Ward Inquest”
http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-21166644_ITM
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1536258/%27Fresh-evidence%27-in-Julie-Ward-murder.html
You are wondering what Muli has to do with Sammy? Well, Sammy claimed that he received mistreatment from Kenyan police officers and Attorney General in 1985. And guess who was the Attorney General at that time? It was Matthew Muli. You can go back to Sammy’s profile and read his claim under the passage “We made a mistake”.
According to Sammy, he kept two students’ educational fund even when they did not obtain a place in 1985. Sammy claimed that was the rule of his company and the amount was Ksh, 30,000.
According to an article in 1988, 16 Ksh = US $1; therefore, Ksh 30,000 should be about US $1875 at that time. If George Obama is only making US$12 annually, Sammy was keeping a lot of money from those two students and their families. The students reported Sammy’s act to the authorities.
http://nzdl.sadl.uleth.ca/cgi-bin/library?e=d-00000-00—off-0envl–00-0–0-10-0—0—0prompt-10—4——-0-1l–11-en-50—20-about—00-0-1-00-0-0-11-1-0utfZz-8-00&a=d&c=envl&cl=CL3.17&d=HASH01d7edfa220a5fd6f8fd5f48.3
As the result, all of Sammy’s personal and students’ money was allegedly confiscated by force ( total of Ksh 344, 290) since he refused to bribe the police. He also claimed that he took the police and Muli to court and won the case in September 1985. According to Sammy, the court declared Muli owed Sammy for damages of closing down his business also. Sammy’s constant demand of his money back had caused him to be locked up for 3 days and charged for embezzlement in return. The charged was allegedly dropped a few months later and he left for Norway quietly in January 1986. Til this day, Sammy never did get the money.
If Sammy’s claim was all accurate, his human rights was indeed invaded by Muli and the police force. But who was ultimately responsible for Human Rights invasion? It was nobody else but President Daniel Arap Moi. Shocking, isn’t it? Moi was the president of Kenya from 1978 until he retired in 2002. Muli was one of Moi’s true high powered executives who changed the judicial laws to fit Moi’s dictatorship.
Sammy recounted his misfortune many times:
“During those days the Kenya police had a different kind of power dictated by corruption. When they get such a case, they jump into it and investigate but hoping to be offered bribes so that they leave the accused and the accuser gets nothing.”
“…they ordered our company closed down.”
” Before we closed down, they visited my office and took me to the bank where I was asked to withdraw all the money without a court order.”
“People who know how the system was at the time can testify to the fact that the Attorney General and the police were all the time misusing their power and whenever it pleased them, could ignore any High Court orders instead of obeying them.”
“This action from me demanding the money back through the court and getting the order to serve the police and the Attorney General, irritated the police and they visited me at home, arrested me, locked me up for 3 days and released me after charging me for what they called embezzelment.”
I could not find any source to support Sammy’s claim. On the contrary, BBC and Xinhua reported Sammy was a wanted criminal who embezzled the students’ money in Kenya. You can read them in my Part 1 article.
I have many questions in my mind if this was indeed true on face value.
1. How could Sammy agree to support Moi’s dictatorship, when he has experienced Human Rights abused?
2. How could Sammy suppressed his conscience and be supportive of Muli’s policy of no freedom in media publication when Muli had allegedly shut down his business and took his money? Yes, Muli was the one originated the banning. (http://www.personal.psu.edu/pjk12/pub/frpost.html )
3. Did Sammy forget his own terrible experience so quickly within two years that he was willing to kidnap Wamwere not once but twice? Was Sammy only against human rights if his was abused
4. How can Sammy has no remorse of his despicable action in supporting Moi’s policy and recounted it as his glorious past?
5. How come Sammy has not gone back to Kenya since January 1986 if he was falsely accused? Wamwere has gone back and ran for office. Odinga who was imprisoned by Moi for most of 1980s and granted asylum in Norway has gone back to Kenya. He is now the prime minister of Kenya.
My conclusion is Sammy will do anything to advance himself for money, power and stature. Sammy can be described at best an opportunist.
Again, can you trust an opportunist like Sammy for anything?
The following is by Guest Author John Dean aka SluggoJD:
The following research is the sole research and efforts of John Dean, aka SluggoJD. He has an amazing amount of information and I’m deeply grateful to him for sharing this with us. Thank you John!
As I said, this is his research, his conclusions. Decide for yourself!
Know Your API Accomplices – Meet Jotojingi and Beckwith
By John Dean, aka SluggoJD
Please Note – I’ve written this in a step-by-step style, so that anyone can see how to connect the various dots and arrive at only one conclusion. Please forgive any typos, and especially my writing style…I’m a troll hunter, not a best-selling author.
API’s ACCOMPLICE BACK IN FEBRUARY, WHO STARTED THE “FRIENDS OF OBAMA” HOAX
BACKGROUND
Jerome Corsi, one of the many Obama-haters out there who engages in lies and deception on a daily basis, recently posted this article at the nutty site known as World Net Daily.
Corsi claims “Sen. Barack Obama, with a donation of nearly $1 million, and a son of Libyan dictator Muammar Gadhafi were among the biggest contributors to the presidential campaign of controversial Kenyan leader Raila Odinga, according to an internal document obtained by WND.” Hilariously, Corsi turns right around and modifies the hell out of his claim into “…Friends of Senator B.O. as having donated 66,000,000 Kenyan schillings, about $950,000…”
Both Corsi and this hoax have been thoroughly demolished by truth-seekers online, including Snopes and Politico, but nobody destroys Corsi and this stupid hoax better than Terry Krepel at “conwebwatch.” Terry’s article is fully sourced, and I urge folks to read it and study it, as a perfect example of how to destroy a hoax with the truth.
What folks don’t know however, is who actually started this hoax. Corsi didn’t start it. Neither did Loren Ministries, who was circulating the same hoax back in April.
API and a partner did, in a scarcely-noticed article from February 6th, 2008. Please note that the article is signed “James Kipkorir,” and also notice “Laura,” the first responder, who adds additional information in a non-chalant manner, and actually coins the phrase “Friends of Obama.”
MEET API’S BUDDY, JOTOJINGI, WHO PLAYS BOTH SIDES FOR WEBSITE HITS
When I research trolls, one of the things I do is look hard for connections at other sites. I became aware of this particular article, shortly after we all became aware of API and the Michelle Obama hoax tape, around October 15th, as I began looking into who was really behind API. These days, I can’t deny Sammy Korir’s involvement, but I was determined to find out who else was involved, and as you will see, my research has paid off.
One full day prior to API’s publishing, for the first time anywhere online that I can find, of the “Friends of Obama donated $1,000,000 hoax,” Jotojingi crafted the hoax at scribd.com. Please note that the article is not signed by “James Kipkorir,” and by scrolling down and clicking on “MORE INFO,” you can see that the document was uploaded on February 5th, 2008, at 10:08 AM from Central Time Zone (-0600).
API posted the same article, by “James Kipkorir,” on February 6th, 2008, at 2:55 PM (whatever time…clearly more than 24 hours after Jotojingi). Was Jotojingi actually Sammy Korir? Was Jotojingi behind API, and pretending to be Sammy Korir? Was there more evidence of a direct connection between two different “entities?” At the time, I had lots of questions, and few answers.
AN EARLIER API ATTEMPT TO FRAME OBAMA?
Before I researched Jotojingi and “its” connections to API, I discovered what I believe is a much-earlier attempt to frame Obama from 2006. According to this API article, “Senator Barack Obama of the US Writes to African Press in Norway!”, API as “Sammy” received an email from Barack Obama, thanking him for his support. As anyone in the US knows, you don’t get this kind of email out of the clear blue sky.
In the email, it says “…we have seen a tremendous outpouring of support from the johnkerry.com community. You’ve raised over $350,000…”
Why would Sammy Korir be paying attention to johnkerry.com? Perhaps to imply that he donated money, which as everyone knows, is illegal? I cannot think of any other reason why, other than to craft an early hoax about Obama…and perhaps he was not acting alone.
OK, BACK TO JOTOJINGI, MORE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN API AND JOTOJINGI, AND OTHER SCREENNAMES
I decided to look at Jotojingi’s other uploads at scribd.com, to see what interesting connections I could find. Here’s a sample:
A Senior Pentagon Member Addressed Attackers Before Election – Jotojingi, and API, supposedly from Racheal Kurgat.
How smart is Raila – Jotojingi, and API, supposedly by Joe Kibet.
Raila had no options – Jotojingi, and API, supposedly by Joe Kibet.
Open Letter to the Churches – Jotojingi, and API, supposedly by Joe Kibet, and truekenyan.com, giving us a new lead. I’ll come back to it soon.
How can Raila accept No. 3 Position – Jotojingi and at Mashada.com by “thegodfather”. Another clue.
RUTO DOES NOT DESERVE THE SEAT – Jotojingi and “thegodfather” again at Mashada.com.
TRIBALISM WAS DISAPPEARING IN KENYA UNTIL 411 – Jotojingi and a new name, “sepetuka” at Mashada.com.
Well, you get the idea. Jotojingi, API, Mashada.com, truekenyan.com…definitely connections there.
“But John, what makes this all so sinister?”
What makes it all sinister is that Jotojingi apparently started the hoax about “Friends of Obama” donating nearly $1,000,000 to Raila’s campaign” back in February, and API published it the next day – more than 8 months prior to API’s Michelle Obama tape hoax, and more than 8 months prior to Jerome Corsi spreading the same hoax.
JOTOJINGI AT MUSHADA.COM, PLAYING BOTH SIDES
This is funny…
Here Jotojingi tells the world he owns kenyacabinet.com. And here Jotojingi ridicules a different website, ruto2008.com. Let’s look at the WHOIS data for both 
KenyaCabinet.com
Registrant – Zubedi Pele (fake name) of “Zudi, Pele.”
Ruto2008.com
Registrant – wow, look at that…it’s Zubedi Pele again! “Zubedi” only owns 4 websites per WHOIS, and we just happened to stumble upon one of them that Jotojingi owns, yet ridicules! LOL
Clearly, Jotojingi is trying to get hits at his websites…just like API.
Let’s look for more connections…
Here’s Jotojingi pushing truekenyan.com, which we already know posted some Jotojingi articles. Here’s Jotojingi pushing mungikinews.com. He’s really pushing mungikinews.com here.
“Yea, but is the Jotojingi who crafted the Friends of Obama hoax the same Jotojingi?”
Of course…”Condoleeza and photos” – Jotojingi at scribd, and Jotojingi at Mashada, on the same day, February 20th. “A brief history of coalition governments” – Jotojingi at scribd, and Jotojingi at Mashada, on the same day, February 19th.
JOTOJINGI REVEALED
Since I am a guest at this blog, I will go right up to the point of revealing who Jotojingi is, without actually naming him. Anyone can take the next step to determine who he is.
****I am adding in the name of Jotojingi now – Jeremy Ongeri.******
I previously mentioned that Jotojingi was also pushing truekenyan.com, and especially mugikinews.com. The only logical explanation is that he owns/owned them as well, and was trying to get hits at his other websites, just like ruto2008.com.
I’ll say now that he also owns/owned whyraila.com, mtambo.com, mwanyagetinge.com, jemgeeks.com, kengeeks.com, e-designjobs.com, plus around 50 other domains.
Here is WHOIS for mtambo.com.
And here is historical WHOIS information, for those who do not pay a WHOIS service to be able to do historical research, on whyraila.com, truekenyan.com, and mungikinews.com.
By the way, it costs $15.00/month through domaintools.com in order to be able to look at older WHOIS information. I don’t own the site, just letting interested folks know how to do it lol.
One last thing – it looks like I’m not the only one who has researched Jotojingi. And remember truekenyan.com and adol77dai51? Just scroll down and look at the “Blogroll.”
For part 2 please see Top 10 Bad Guys
This article is the work of guest author GRACE. Thank you, Grace.
Once again, I will be re-examine parts Sammy’s self-composed “humble” biography, since Sammy repeatedly encourages me to write with his life-long motto, “sometimes bad publicity is good publicity.” Furthermore, I have been forgiven so many times by Sammy, I personally feel I owe him at least one more article. Yes, Sammy indeed a “gracious” person who have in the past black-mailing Dagbladet reporters with prostituting charge and lawsuit, after they reported about his shady past in June, October and November of this year. I was personally threatened by “merciful” Sammy numerous times from lawsuit to physical harms. Please understand those who still believe, Sammy is not one bit bitter nor has sleepless night according to his biography and recent article. I hope this article will help you to determine if Sammy is really living a guilt free life and has attained sainthood in Norway.
According to Dagbladet, Sammy, a Kenyan man, first stepped on Norwegian soil in 1975 to attend District College of Molde. Unlike many predicted that Sammy lives in a dungeon with no family members, Sammy does have family members. Dagbladet also stated that during this time, Sammy married a native Norwegian woman but ended divorcing her. I suspect Sammy obtained his Norwegian citizenship through this marriage, this fact is yet to be determined.
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=no&u=http://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/2008/06/02/536925.html&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=3&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsjarlatan%2Boslo%26hl%3Den
From all the information I have gathered, Sammy perhaps remarried again in the mid 80s, and have at least 4 children from both of his marriages. Most of them are grown adults now and some with established career/family. His youngest is in her teens. Sammy’s current marital status is unknown. Since his family members are not part of Rainbow Foundation/API scam, I will leave their names out unless proven otherwise in the future. Therefore, I will not be enclosing my source about his family members.
According to Adult Education to Samis, “the Sami Conference in 1971 expressed that folk high schools, voluntary education and adult education for Samis should be promoted” (http://home.online.no/~sveilund/skole/adeden3.htm). The Samis live in Karasjok County in Northern Norway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karasjok) . According to Sammy, he started to work for Karasjok County as a teacher from August 1978 until June 1979. From July 1979 to March 1981, Sammy was promoted to be the district adult education officer for Karasjok County. It was recorded by BBC on August 29, 1987,
“In 1980-81 Mr Korir was charged with grand embezzlement but the case was dropped when evidence got burnt in the office. Mr Korir reported that the cause of fire was a copying machine which had exploded. County official, Mr Sverre Oppdahl, in Karasjok reports that there were other reports against Mr Korir concerning money frauds.”
The full clipping can be found on http://mountainsageblog.com/2008/10/31/apis-chief-editor-sammy-korirs-shady-past-and-present-2-2/#more-1601 Sammy left Norway very quickly, and went back to Kenya for his high Kenyan government positions from June 1981 to September 1985. Five years later, Sammy faced the same charges by Kenyan Government in 1985-86. In the same article,
“He was arrested and charged in a court of law for stealing 3,000 shillings belonging to the students. He jumped bail and fled to Oslo, Norway. The government would like to state quite clearly that whatever Mr Korir is doing in Norway has nothing to do with the Kenya government. Mr Korir knows pretty well that he is a wanted criminal in Kenya to answer fraud charges. The people of Norway must be very careful in dealing with him.”
In January 1986, Sammy moved back to Norway to start his new life and hoped everyone has long forgotten his deed in Karasjok County. And Sammy also thought most probably no one will ever find out about his criminal background in Kenya. While waiting for his political career to surge, Sammy humbly working at a school as an English teacher from 1986 to 1987, and post office from 1987-1990. Sammy learned very quickly “sometimes bad publicity is not necessarily good publicity”. His troublesome background has caused him an opportunity working for President Moi in 1987. President Moi publicly denounced his relationship with Sammy after international news media mocked and shamed Moi for using a con man as his envoy in Norway. In 1990, Sammy made another attempt to win Moi’s favor by publicly supporting Moi’s decision of shutting down Norwegian Embassy in Nairobi. Sammy was brushed aside by Moi once again. You can read more about it from my older articles –
http://mountainsageblog.com/2008/12/03/sammy-a-mois-faithful-supporter-part-1-by-guest-author-grace/
http://mountainsageblog.com/2008/12/04/sammy-a-moi%e2%80%99s-faithful-supporter-part-2-by-grace/
http://mountainsageblog.com/2008/12/05/sammy-a-moi%e2%80%99s-faithful-supporter-part-3-by-grace/
Sammy did not post any jobs between 1990-1996 in his resume. In 1992, Sammy became infamous in Norway when he was declared a “sjarlatan” by Supreme Court. In 1996, Sammy resurfaced from 6 years of hiatus. From supporting Moi’s violating human rights, Sammy switched gear and formed a humanitarian organization, Rainbow Foundation, in 1996. Sammy was and still is a classic case of an opportunist. Sammy gained some attention by publicly condemning the Norwegian Health Department not doing enough for the African residents in Norway. It is the same tactic he used for condemning all local and international media for boycotting Moi in 1987.
Sammy said in his biography, “The Norwegian State has poured a lot of Money to the organization and we have done our job.” Not so according to Norwegian board of Health. In the early stage of Rainbow Foundation, “the organization had used a hundred thousand dollars in violation of the conditions”. Against their better judgement, Norwegian board of Health gave Rainbow Foundation 1.5 million worth of state fund to organize workshops pertaining AIDS education between 1996-2000. All the workshops supposed to be held in Stavanger, Bergen, Trondheim and Tromsoe did not happen. The fund was distributed to himself as income, and the rest as entertaining fee—dining in fine restaurant and drinking in pubs.
Despite of Sammy’s claim in his biography, “there was no truth in the accusation. If there was, I would have been punished.” Norwegian news media, NRK, reported Rainbow Foundation was investigated. When Rainbow Foundation being investigated in 2000, Sammy’s computer conveniently crashed and lost all the account information. As the result, Norwegian board of Health immediately stopped their funding to Rainbow Foundation. Sammy did try to appeal, but to no avail. Sammy applied for state fund in 2001 and was rejected again. In 1996, Aftenpost reported Rainbow Foundation was not registered with NGO. All NGO non-profit organizations can be found on NGO Norway, except Sammy’s Rainbow Foundation. Sammy claimed he was unjustly reported by his “enemies”, the Norwegian media—in this case Aftenpost, NRK and Dagbladet, due to their jealousy of him; however, Sammy failed to disclose the reasons of such immense jealousy.
Please read Sage’s coverage of Rainbow Foundation for further information.
http://mountainsageblog.com/2008/11/12/the-real-rainbow-foundation
http://mountainsageblog.com/2008/11/13/the-claim-that-rainbow-foundation-is-an-ngo-is-not-trueanother-sammy-korir-falsehood/
http://mountainsageblog.com/2008/12/21/the-rainbow-foundation/#comment-12912
Poor Sammy, he is the most unlucky man in this Universe. So far, Sammy claimed he has been wrongly accused and charged for grand embezzlement twice in the 80s, declared a Charlatan and his Rainbow Foundation was investigated a few times in the 90s. All Norwegian media is very jealous of him for no good reason. OR is Sammy refused to take responsibilities for his own actions? Is Sammy’s lifelong motto, “sometimes bad publicity is good publicity” pending out for him so far? Shouldn’t Sammy be thanking the media for giving him bad publicity all these years? Why would he black-mailing Dagbladet reporters November this year, if he truly measure his success by bad publicity? If so, Sammy should not be complaining for being “abused” when the media uncovered the truth about Sammy, a fraud.
More to come in Part 2.
The following is by Guest Author Grace. Many thanks to Grace for her tireless and amazing research.
I found the first part of this article was much easier to put together due to limited information on Sammy’s earlier life. I believe Sammy did much more than I can find on line. Having said that, I had a headache trying to sort Sammy’s activities from year 2000 onwards. I was literally buried with information.
Sammy has been known in Norway to be a bar dweller. According to Ham Galabuzi, a prominent Norwegian-Kenyan businessman, “Korir was in Eskpressen pub, where he normally sits four days every week for the past 10 years…”. You can read more about his encounters with Sammy HERE. In 2002, Sammy decided owning a bar was the way to go and opened Safari 54 Club in Oslo. I have yet to meet any devout “Christian man” who owns a night club. Do you notice Sammy is always the exception in all scenarios? Sammy possibly faced financial hardship in the midst of it, and sought business partner in Mashada, a Kenyan forum (SOURCE).I only found one other source concerning Safari Club, HERE .
According to Sammy’s profile he owned the business until 2003, and after what appears to be a failed business, Sammy tried many ways to make himself visible in his community. Sammy has created an intellectual façade by actively vocalizing his bizarre opinions over current events through news media; for examples, Sammy wrote to Dagbladet editor and blasted the UDI director, Trygve G. Nordby ridiculously in March 2003.
19. March 2003
UDI and illegal work
I read it 13 March a post signed by the UDI director Trygve G. Nordby, titled “UDI does not accept illegal work. ” I agree with him that UDI fundamentally do not agree illegal work, but I also think that he knows much more than that he expresses, because it is illegal workers in many Norwegian home. Therefore, I choose the cardinal to support criticism against the Norwegian families who use foreign Hushjelper to resolve their own problems. Associate Professor Lise Widding is right. This happens, and it is not impossible to trace the families that make it. These families should be arrested and punished. They help to weaken the law that must be practiced equally to all. Most which make use of illegal maid are people in high positions in this society. I ask now UDIs director specifically what he will do if he received tips on some high-ranking Norwegian families who use
of illegal maid.Sammy Korir
Illegal MARKET: Most people who avail themselves of illegal maid, are people in high positions, writing submitter. Dagbladet 10 March
Through my research, I have found Rainbow Foundation to be chameleon like and frequently conformed to suit Sammy’s agenda. When he formed Rainbow Foundation in 1996, he never truly defined the role of Rainbow Foundation other than it was a humanitarian organization. Below are some examples I have discovered online.
Health
* Involving in AIDS awareness between 1996-2000. Refer to Sammy’s good life in Norway Part 1.
* Recently Sammy claimed it to be a Norway Chapter of Rainbow Foundation in New Jersey. Please read Sage’s coverage HERE.
* Current Rainbow Foundation blog:
“Promoting health education focusing on Protective measures on the spread of HIV and assisting AIDS affected people through health programmes. The Foundation also gives direct help to children and youth who have become orphans on loosing their parents to AIDS.”
Immigration/Politics:
* A document in 1990s stated
Sammy Kourir in the Rainbow Foundation was disagrees: “We immigrants have nothing to hide. Only research on us. The problem for immigrants with other opinions than the majority is that we are not regarded as “one of us” longer “
* Current Rainbow Foundation Blog:
“Promotion of programmes that enhance cultural understanding between Immigrants and Norwegians living in Norway”
Community Social Club:
* In Senter for Frivilligs I Levanger (Volunteer Center in Levanger) 2005 newsletter,
Rainbow Foundation
Rainbow Foundation is an organization for individuals and
organizations, and will assert their view above society powers and major players. Rainbow Foundation also serves as competence in matters relating to culture and integration to do.
Journalism/Investigation:
* Sage first uncovered Sammy is a member of Investigative Reporters and Editors(IRE) back in October 31st, 2008 (The API Sage , Part 10). No information was given when he became a member. Possibly as early as 1994 when he became part of Press Club (presseklubben) in 1994. Notice Rainbow Foundation is in a different form, Rainbow New Bureau International.
Name:
Sammy Korir
Affiliation:
Rainbow News Bureau International
Address:
Oslo ZZ 1006 Norway
Phone:
(+479) 3299739
Interests:
Courts and the Law, Crime, Education
http://bolles.ire.org/dij/by-continent.ptmpl?continent=Europe
Sponsor:
* Prior to the shutdown of African Press International in mid November this year, API was described as “A Daily Online News Channel” established on 30th.September 2006 by Rainbow Foundation (NGO) Reg.no. 976593510″
* Current Rainbow Foundation blog:
“Promotion of small scale business ventures for the needy and assistance to the needy to set up small businesses in order to take a step forward and become self-reliant”
Education:
* The description below is identical to his educational business back in Kenya.
Current Rainbow Foundation blog page
“Promotion of cultural and educational exchange programmes”
“Promotion of Education for the less fortunate”
Since Rainbow Foundation lost its credibility through the years, Sammy had to find a new substitute. In September 2006, Sammy found a new medium–blogrolls for his schemes. With Mr. Osewe’s help and a few attempts, African Press in Norway (APN), was created on October 6th, 2006 using Wordpress. Sammy later changed the name to African Press International (API) on May 20th, 2007. Sammy stated API was opened by Rainbow Foundation. To gain attention and popularity, Sammy committed plagiarism and fabricated stories on API. Details about its formative years can be found below:
Email exposing Sammy Korir plagiarism
Through Sluggo’s research, he found Sammy teamed up with Beckwith and Ongeri conjuring up the “Michelle Obama Tape” hoax as early as February 2008. The hoax caught on American blog community on October 15th. Many people cast their hope on API’s empty promises for months. Sammy probably did not expect the attention. On the other hand, Sammy also received much resistance after failing to fulfill his promises, hence, our investigation began. I truly believe Sammy’s angle on Michelle Obama tape was always money. Beckwith and Ongeri’s are yet to be determined. Sage and Sluggo have more details:
The API Saga
Please bear in mind Sammy seems to be the sole member of Rainbow Foundation, no sign of even one staff or volunteer. Is it possible for one person to run such diversified organization? A non-profit organization generally has board members holding those in charged accountable financially and ethically. Board members and annual financial report are usually made public. Where is Rainbow Foundation’s annual financial report? Who is on the board? Who is holding Sammy accountable?
Many unidentified API staff pictures are found on API FrontPage. I have a sneaking suspicion most of them do not exist, much less his 19 monitors. How does Sammy run his daily business without help? Sammy claimed all the advertisement found on API sites were free, how did he pay his alleged 19 staff and expenses? My logical mind says it is impossible. My conclusion API is just like Rainbow Foundation, a shell to cover up Sammy’s true identity, a fraud.
Please stay tuned for the final part of my research.
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