This article belongs to the lore of Anteria.

Kaana Tenkel

Jump to navigation Jump to search
Kana Tenqel
Official portrait, January 2023
Official portrait, January 2023
Keomoru'lu
Assumed office
20 January 2023
MonarchDiana II
Representative of the SovereignAilu Apoka Semeia
Preceded byAniara Neileka
Leader of Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa
Assumed office
10 March 2023
Preceded byParty created
Member of the General Kiuva for
Peka
Assumed office
23 January 2023
Serving with Mulone Uota
Preceded byBoni Iasoqe
Mayor of Peka
In office
10 June 2022 – 20 January 2023
Preceded byOffice created
Succeeded byKolau Matau (as Atika'lu)
Leader of Future Citizens[a]
In office
12 March 2022 – 10 March 2022
Preceded byParty created
Succeeded byParty dissolved (merged to form Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa)
Personal details
Born
Sakana Aotola Tenqel

(1977-05-12) 12 May 1977 (age 47)
Weia, Freice
Political partyMulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa (previously Future Citizens)
Spouse
  • Ama Selaia (m. 2023)
EducationTespana School
Criminal details
Criminal statusGuilty
Criminal chargeTrespassing
Misuse of property
PenaltyGR$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)[1][2] is a Freiian 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".[3] 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.[4]

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.[5][6] He has, however, faced criticism from some quarters for his unionist and monarchist stance, and amongst commentators for his perceived political naivety and amateurism.[7]

Early life and education

Kana was born on 12 May 1977 in Weia to Tenqel Meipa and Valeia Tara.[8] 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.[9] 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.[9]

Kana attended Queen Diana University, graduating with a degree in civil engineering in 1998.[3] 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.[9] Between 2010 and 2011, he worked with the Ministry of the Environment, Transport, and Public Works on infrastructure development.[10]

Concrete Mixer Man Case

Kana came to public attention following his arrest on 12 January 2022. Caught with a concrete mixer, poetry books, glue, and three stoats, he was arrested and booked for lewd activity.[11] He was reported to have willingly surrendered himself and his possessions to the police.[12] It was found that the concrete mixer was stolen from a nearby construction site, whilst the glue and books were believed to have been taken from a nearby school.[13] The stoats were of unknown origin.

On 11 February 2022, the Court of Appeal ruled that the man's name could be disclosed.[14]

He was brought to trial on 21 February 2022 on charges of endangering wildlife and indecent exposure.[15] The charges of trespassing and the misuse of property followed the theft of property from a local school, which dropped charges of theft following the return of the property.[15]

In a blog post on his website in September 2022, Kana clarified the events that led up to his arrest. He claimed that his actions were an "historical inquiry into pre-Christian religions in Freice," and that there was no malice intended.[16] He denied any sexual aspect, claiming that he sought to imitate traditional religious practices, whilst also denying that he had stolen anything.[16]

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."[11]

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.[17]

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.[18]

On a Hoterallian TV show, a comedy skit entitled "My Girlfriend Is A Concrete Mixer???" has gained a cult following.[18]

When Keomoru'lu Aniara Neileka visited Anáhuac for talks with the Rugidoan president, pranksters greeted her dressed as stoats and possessing concrete mixers.[19]

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".[20] This was also reported in Freice.[21]

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.[22]

Early 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."[23]

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.[24] He announced on Twatter the founding of the party as a "mass movement" supporting "real social, economic, political, and constitutional change."[25]

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."[26]

Kana led his party to victory in the June 2022 elections, with the party winning a plurality of the vote in the Kivunna election, winning three mayoralties, and leading three district authority administrations.[27]

Mayor of Peka

In the 2022 Peka mayoral election, Kana was elected Mayor of the district with 55.1% of the vote.[27][28]

As Mayor, he promoted sustainable development across all areas of policy-making. He oversaw the protection of the Peka Highlands (the parts of the Sete Hills in Peka), the establishment of new rules regarding urban development, and emphasised happiness and access to basic resources as key indicators over GDP.[29] He also petitioned the national government for greater powers to deal with poverty, and has sought to block plans for fracking in the district.[29]

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.[30] 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.[31] 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.[32] 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.[33]

On 18 April 2023, his government passed the "landmark" Public Order (HIV/AIDS) Act, which prohibits discrimination on grounds of having HIV/AIDS.[34]

Political views

Kana's political views, which have been labeled Kananism by the press, are generally characterised as libertarian, although Kana has himself defined his views as "practical libertarianism with a conscious".[35] He supports strong civil liberties, including same-sex marriage, abortion rights, drug legalisation, free movement, and the decriminalisation of sex work.[35] He combines individualism with a "practical" role for the state, including in the protection of the land (of which the people are stewards) and providing assistance to those who cannot help themselves.[36]

Because of the policies he has promoted as Mayor, including an active role for the district authority in combating pollution and poverty, political opponents have described Kana's political philosophy as "ill-defined" and "fluid".[37][35]

Honours

National honours

  • Riamo: Queen Diana II Ruby Jubilee Medal, 2023

See also

Notes

  1. Kana's Empowered Citizens (March-July 2022)

References

  1. "Kana Tenqel named as Concrete Mixer Man". Radio and Television Freice. Retrieved 14 February 2022
  2. "Registration for candidacy - Tenqel, Kana Sotola". Freice Elections Commission. Retrieved 6 June 2022
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Who is the 'Mixer Man' taking Freician politics by storm?". Guri Telegraph. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  4. "Kana sweeps to office; MURO collapses". Mulo'i Puineta. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  5. "Freice government commits to combating HIV/AIDS discrimination". HHK. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  6. "Freice: HIV/AIDS anti-discrimination bill proposed". The Eastern Sun. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  7. "Opinion: Kana is all bluster and little more". Kaposa Tama. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  8. "Who am I?". kana.faiose. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Kana: I know what it's like to not have a lot". Radio and Television Freice. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  10. "Kana: Man of the People?". Guri Telegraph. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  11. 11.0 11.1 "Concrete mixer man finds public following". Radio and Television Freice. Retrieved 29 January 2022
  12. "Who is Concrete Mixer Man". Riamese Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 January 2022
  13. "Bizaar Freician case reaches international stage". HHK. Retrieved 29 January 2022
  14. "Kana Tenqel named as Concrete Mixer Man". Radio and Television Freice. Retrieved 14 February 2022
  15. 15.0 15.1 "Concrete Mixer Man Trial: Defence outlines its case". Radio and Television Freice. Retrieved 23 February 2022
  16. 16.0 16.1 "What is it with the concrete mixer?". kana.com. Retrieved 5 September 2022
  17. "Concrete mixer case brings island fame". Gavrilopolis Times. Retrieved 24 January 2022
  18. 18.0 18.1 "Vaquero: I want Concrete Mixer Man movie NOW!". Santa Elisa Live. Retrieved 23 January 2022
  19. "President hails 'breakthrough' agreement with G.R.". Radio and Television Freice. Retrieved 4 February 2022
  20. "Concrete Mixer Man Trial: Protest outside court". Radio and Television Freice. Retrieved 25 February 2022
  21. "I declared war on Freice's Justice System!". Orajioe Daily. Retrieved 27 February 2022
  22. "Two teenagers arrested in Čelanica for stealing Concrete mixer from Construction site". NRSK. Retrieved 27 January 2022
  23. @KonoTakaida (10 March 2022). "It might be one of my greatest moment in the week, talking to Kana Tenqel from Freice. He is so intriguing on so many levels, his political ideas and the way he expressed them definitely make him one of the greatest men I have ever met. Seeing him with his supporters really makes me think about my way to run the Taihago back home!" - via Twatter.
  24. "Mixer Man Kana founds political party". Radio and Television Freice. 12 March 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  25. @kana (12 March 2022). "Empowered Citizens is a mass movement, calling for serious and real social, economic, political, and constitutional change. This is not a joke – Freice seriously needs help to recover from years of neglect, and only the people united can give it that help." - via Twatter.
  26. "Kana: Party 'not a joke'". Radio and Television Freice. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  27. 27.0 27.1 "Election 2022: KTP defies odds, takes first place". Radio and Television Freice. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  28. "Aniara takes top job, Kana wins Peka race". Kaposa Tama. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  29. 29.0 29.1 "Is Kana destined for a head-on collision with Aniara?". Kaposa Tama. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  30. "Kana sweeps to office; MURO collapses". Kaposa Tama. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  31. "Freice: Kana party merges with MURO". Riamo News. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023
  32. "'The Freician Issue' explained". Old Republic News. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  33. "Kana, Freice sees more Twatter followers as international crisis continues". Kaldaic Sun. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  34. "HIV/AIDS discrimination bill passes Kiuva vote". Mulo'i Puineta. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  35. 35.0 35.1 35.2 "Who is Mixer Man Kana Tenqel?". Radio and Television Freice. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  36. "Kana sets sights on green mayorship". Kaposa Tama. 12 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  37. @ame1_ (3 July 2022). "Kana has no sense of what he stands for. His ill-defined political philosophy is as undeveloped as his understanding of Freician politics." - via Twatter.