Kaana Tenkel

Kana Tenqel KM
Official portrait, January 2023
Keomoru'lu
Incumbent
Assumed office 20 January 2023
Monarch	Diana II
Representative of the Sovereign	Ailu Apoka Semeia
Preceded by	Aniara Neileka
Leader of Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa
Incumbent
Assumed office 10 March 2023
Preceded by	Party created
Member of the General Kiuva for Peka
Incumbent
Assumed office 23 January 2023 Serving with Mulone Uota
Preceded by	Boni Iasoqe
Mayor of Peka
In office 10 June 2022 – 20 January 2023
Preceded by	Office created
Succeeded by	Kolau Matau (as Atika'lu)
Leader of Future Citizens
In office 12 March 2022 – 10 March 2022
Preceded by	Party created
Succeeded by	Party dissolved (merged to form Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa)
Personal details
Born	Sakana Aotola Tenqel (1977-05-12) 12 May 1977 Weia, Freice
Political party	Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa (previously Future Citizens)
Spouse	Ama Selaia (m. 2023)
Education	Tespana School
Criminal details
Criminal status	Guilty
Criminal charge	Trespassing Misuse of property
Penalty	GR$50,000

This is a Freician name. The last name is patronymic, not a family name; this person is referred to by the given name Sakana

Sakana Aotola "Kana" Tenqel KM (born 12 May 1977) is a Freician politicial who currently serves as Keomoru'lu since January 2023. He graduated from Queen Diana University in 1998 and worked as a civil engineer until 2023, when he was fired after being embroiled in what became known as the "Concrete Mixer Man Case". Kana entered politics following his trial, founding a political party and serving as Mayor of Peka from 2022 to 2023. He was elected Keomoru'lu (head of government) in 2023, succeeding Aniara Neileka.

Considered the most well-known Freician, Kana has been credited with raising the international profile of Freice. He is seen as a maverick politician and a populist, having largely shunned the conventions of political leadership and taking advantage of social media. As Keomoru'lu, he has earned international praise for his handling of the HIV/AIDS crisis, and has been celebrated at home as a protector of Freician sovereignty in his dealings with the Riamese federal government. He has, however, faced criticism from some quarters for his unionist and monarchist stance, and amongst commentators for his perceived political naivety and amateurism.

Early life and education

Kana was born on 12 May 1977 in Weia to Tenqel Meipa and Valeia Tara. He was the youngest of three children, having two older sisters. His father was a husbandman who briefly served as a representative in the village's local council. His mother was a housewife, having previously worked as a medical assistant at the local health centre. Kana has described his family as "loving but dysfunctional", relating how his parents separated when he was ten and only reconciling once he had left for university.

Kana attended Queen Diana University, graduating with a degree in civil engineering in 1998. He returned to Freice on graduation and worked with a succession of construction companies. In 2001, he joined Bray and Colley as a junior assistant engineer, working on several projects, including the restoration of Kaimo Potio'i. Between 2010 and 2011, he worked with the Ministry of the Environment, Transport, and Public Works on infrastructure development.

Concrete Mixer Man Case

Kana first came to public attention following his arrest on 12 January 2022. He was caught with a concrete mixer, poetry books, glue, and three stoats, and was arrested and booked for "lewd activity". He was reported to have willingly surrendered himself and his possessions to the police. It was later determined that the equipment used in the event were stolen, with the concrete mixer likely taken from a construction site he was working at. The stoats were of unknown origin.

Kana's name was revealed publicly for the first time following a Court of Appeal ruling on 11 February 2022. He was brought to trial on 21 February 2022 on charges of endangering wildlife and indecent exposure. Charges of trespassing and misuse of property were also pressed, although theft was dropped after a local school, believed to be the owner of the glue and books, dropped charges.

In a blog post on his website, written in September 2022, Kana clarified the details of the event. He claimed that his actions were an "historical inquiry into pre-Christian religions in Freice," with no malice intended. He denied any sexual aspect, saying that he had sought to imitate traditional religious practices.

Response

Domestic response

The Freician government's response has largely been to support the legal process. Justice minister Taqame Natpiau said in a written statement to the Island Meeting that the government will "keep up to date" with the case where necessary, and ensure that the "the law has been followed in determining whether it has been breached."

National broadcaster Radio and Television Freice has created a separate link on its website dedicated to the case, which is reported to have upwards of 50,000 hits a week.

International response

A Anáhuaca politician Francisco Javier Vaquero, when asked about the case, humorously declared that a movie should be made about the unusual criminal. He later added that any movie should win awards for its storyline.

On a Hoterallian TV show, a comedy skit entitled "My Girlfriend Is A Concrete Mixer???" has gained a cult following.

When Keomoru'lu Aniara Neileka visited Anáhuac for talks with the Rugidoan president, pranksters greeted her dressed as stoats and possessing concrete mixers.

Orajioe Daily reported that one Hoterallian man, Konoda Hajimoto, announced that he had "declare[d] war" on the justice system in Freice, due to what he perceived as a "violation of human rights". This was also reported in Freice.

Kana with Kono Takaida in Orajioe, June 2022

Copycats

The international coverage of the case has led to a number of copycat cases being reported. In Kentalis, broadcaster NRSK reported of two teenages being arrested for stealing a concrete mixer.

Political career

On 10 March 2022, Kono Takaida, leader of Taihago, Twatted that he had spoken with Kana, describing him as "intriguing on so many levels" and "one of the greatest men I have ever met."

On 12 March 2022, Kana formally registered a new political party called Kana's Empowered Citizens, the first political party to be established since the Court of Appeal ruled that a ban on parties was unconstitutional. He announced on Twatter the founding of the party as a "mass movement" supporting "real social, economic, political, and constitutional change."

Speaking on Radio and Television Freice's radio show Tara Pona Faio'se (Good Day, Freice), Kana rejected claims that his party was a joke or political satire, arguing that the mass movement organised to support him in his trial convincted him of the need to "use this popular energy for good."

Kana led his party to victory in the June 2022 elections, with the party winning a plurality of the vote in the General Kiuva election, winning three mayoralties, and leading three district authority administrations.

Mayor of Peka

In the 2022 Peka mayoral election, Kana was elected Mayor of the district with 55.1% of the vote.

As Mayor, he promoted sustainable development across all areas of policy-making. He pressed the protection of the Peka Highlands (the parts of the Sete Hills in Peka), established of new rules regarding urban development, and emphasised happiness and access to basic resources as key indicators over GDP. He also petitioned the national government for greater powers to deal with poverty, and has sought to block plans for fracking in the district.

Kana announcing ministerial appointments, January 23 2023.

Keomoru'lu (2023-present)

Kana was elected Keomoru'lu in the 2023 Freician general election, with his party winning 14 seats in the 21 seat assembly. He was also elected a Member of the General Kiuva for Peka, succeeding Boni Iasoqe. He was formally sworn in by Speaker of the General Kiuva Kiso Toma on 23 January.

On 10 March 2023, Future Citizens merged with the MURO Alliance to form Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa, with Kana serving as leader of the new party. It also adopted a new logo.

Kana's government became embroiled in the Freician Issue, which saw international condemnation of the Riamese government following its condemnation of Anáhuac and Hoterallia for sending medical aid to Freice. As a result of the ongoing crisis, Kana's, and Freice's, profile was raised, with a significant increase in followers of Twatter profiles for Kana and for Freice government and civic organisations.

On 18 April 2023, his government passed the "landmark" Public Order (HIV/AIDS) Act, which prohibits discrimination on grounds of having HIV/AIDS.

The Freician Issue

Kana once again came to international attention when his government entered into conflict with the Riamese federal government over foreign aid to Freice. The Riamese government criticised the decision of Anáhuac to send medical aid to Freice to address the HIV/AIDS crisis, declaring it to undermine Freice's constitutional status within the federation.

Kana's stance has received applause from domestic and international audiences for standing up for Freice's self-determination and for putting healthcare above politics.

Personal life

Kana married teacher Ama Selaia in 2023, having been in a relationship with her since 2015. He had previously been in a relationship with from 1995 until 2010, producing one child, Nuisela Sakana, a former athlete. His son is currently a member of Peka District Administrative Council

He has one living sister, Tami, who is a nurse two years his senior. His late sister, Elaki, died of cancer in 2016. She had previously worked as an assistant in the local school.

Kana's religious views have attracted some attention, particularly because of his claimed efforts to rekindle pre-Christian practices that caused his arrest. He has made no direct statement on what religious beliefs he holds, but has confirmed that he does believe in God. Speaking in 2023 before he was elected Keomoru'lu, he said: "I do believe in something bigger than me, and I call that thing God. I don't know exactly what it is and I don't want to. Religion is a private matter and something that is between myself and God. As far as government is concerned, the only beliefs that are important are political beliefs, and religion should play no part in that."

Honours

National honours

• Riamo: Queen Diana II Ruby Jubilee Medal, 2023

See also

• Future Citizens
• Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa
• Aniara Neileka
• Kiso Toma