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Kaana Tenkel

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The Honourable
Kana Tenqel
Official portrait, January 2023
Official portrait, January 2023
Head of the Government of Freice
Assumed office
20 January 2023
MonarchDiana II
DeputyAniara Neileka
Preceded byAniara Neileka
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 District Leader)
Leader of Future Citizens[a]
Assumed office
12 March 2022
Preceded byParty created
Personal details
Born
Sakana Aotola Tenqel

(1977-05-12) 12 May 1977 (age 47)
Weia, Freice
Political partyFuture Citizens
Domestic partner(s)Ama Selaia
(2017–present)
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 Freician politician, businessman, former teacher, former journalist, and public figure who has served as Head of the Government of Freice and Member of the General Kiuva for Peka since January 2023. He also serves as Leader of Future Citizens (formerly Kana's Empowered Citizens) since March 2022 and as mayor of Peka sine June 2022.

Kana came to national and international attention in January 2022, when Radio and Television Freice reported of a man being arrested for "lewd activity" in a concrete mixer.[3] Public interest in the "weird" nature of the case quickly spread across the country.[4] He was brought to trial on 21 January 2022, and eventually found guilty of trespassing and misuse of property.[5] He announced his intention to remain in the public spotlight following his trial,[5] and established his new political party shortly thereafter.[6]

Since entering into Freician politics, he has become a prominent public figure, generating a significant following. He relies heavily on social media, particularly Twatter, to maintain communication with his supporters, and is the most followed Freician on the platform.[7] He is described as a populist, adopting a broad platform that includes economic and social liberalism, civic nationalism, anti-corruption, and political reformism.[8]

Early life and education

Kana was born on 12 May 1977 in Weia to Tenqel Meipa and Valeia Tara.[9] His father was a successful businessman who had served as an economic advisor to Sema T. Anamia, whilst his mother was a housewife.[10] His family enjoyed a long-term prominence within the local community, accumulating vast wealth through its fishing and building businesses.[10]

He went to the fee-paying Tespana School from 1982 until 1994.[9] Following completion of his studies, he took work as a journalist and then as a newspaper editor, becoming chief editor of the prominent broadside publication Maporgo.[11] He left this position in 2000, taking up work as a journalism teacher and later a photographer.[11] He returned to journalism in 2010, working for Tama Adune oe Faio (later Kaposa Tama), until he was fired following his trial.

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.[12] He was reported to have willingly surrendered himself and his possessions to the police.[13]

Upon further investigation, it was found that the concrete mixer was stolen from a nearby construction site, with initial reports indicating that the site was Kana's place of work.[13] It had been reported stolen three days earlier. The glue is believed to have been taken from a nearby college, as were the poetry books. However, it is unknown where the stoats came from. Some news outlets have speculated that Kana owns the stoats himself, with others speculating that they too were stolen.[14]

On 11 February 2022, the Court of Appeal ruled that the man's name could be disclosed.[1]

Kana was brought to trial on 21 February 2022, with details of the charges revealed publicly. Charges of endangering wildlife related to the close proximity of the stoats to the concrete mixer, whilst charges of indecent exposure were made due to Kana's thin cloak, under which he wore nothing.[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]

On 25 February, protestors belonging to the Freedom for Kana organisation protested outside the court, calling for Kana's release.[16]

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.[17] He denied any sexual aspect, claiming that he sought to imitate traditional religious practices, whilst also denying that he had stolen anything.[17]

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."[12]

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.[18]

International response

A Gran Rugidoense 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.[19]

On a Hoterallian TV show, a comedy skit entitled "My Girlfriend Is A Concrete Mixer???" has gained a cult following.[19]

When Head of the Government Aniara Neileka visited Gran Rugido for talks with the Rugidoan president, pranksters greeted her dressed as stoats and possessing concrete mixers.[20]

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".[21] This was also reported in Freice.[22]

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.[23]

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."[24]

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.[6] 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 (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 has promoted sustainable development across all areas of policy-making. He has overseen the protection of the Peka Highlands (the parts of the Sete Hills in Peka), the establishment of new rules regarding urban development, and has emphasised happiness and access to basic resources as key indicators over GDP.[29] He has 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.

Head of the Government (2023-present)

Kana was elected Head of the Government 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.

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".[31] He supports strong civil liberties, including same-sex marriage, abortion rights, drug legalisation, free movement, and the decriminalisation of sex work.[31] 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.[32]

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".[33][31]

Honours

National honours

  • Riamo: Queen Diana II Ruby Jubilee Medal, 2023

See also

Notes

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

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Kana Tenqel named as Concrete Mixer Man". Radio and Television Freice. 11 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022
  2. "Registration for candidacy - Tenqel, Kana Sotola". Kaunio Helito oe Faio. 5 June 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2022
  3. "Man arrested for 'lewd activity' in concrete mixer". Radio and Television Freice. 13 January 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2022
  4. "Concrete mixer man finds public following". Radio and Television Freice. 20 January 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2022
  5. 5.0 5.1 "Concrete Mixer Man Trial: Jury delivers mixed verdict". Radio and Television Freice. 9 March 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2022
  6. 6.0 6.1 "Mixer Man Kana founds political party". Radio and Television Freice. 12 March 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  7. "Concrete Mixer Man becomes most followed in four days". Guri Telegraph. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  8. "What is Kana's new party?". Radio and Television Freice. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  9. 9.0 9.1 "Who am I?". kana.faio. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  10. 10.0 10.1 "Kana: Son of Elite or Man of the People?". Guri Telegraph. 10 April 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  11. 11.0 11.1 "Ask Kana: Your Questions Answered". Kaposa Tama. 15 April 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  12. 12.0 12.1 "Concrete mixer man finds public following". Radio and Television Freice. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022
  13. 13.0 13.1 "Who is Concrete Mixer Man". Riamese Broadcasting Corporation. 22 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022
  14. "Bizaar Freician case reaches international stage". HHK. 20January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022
  15. 15.0 15.1 "Concrete Mixer Man Trial: Defence outlines its case". Radio and Television Freice. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022
  16. "Concrete Mixer Man Trial: Protest outside court". Radio and Television Freice. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022
  17. 17.0 17.1 "What is it with the concrete mixer?". kana.com. 3 September 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022
  18. "Concrete mixer case brings island fame". Gavrilopolis Times. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2022
  19. 19.0 19.1 "Vaquero: I want Concrete Mixer Man movie NOW!". Santa Elisa Live. 22 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022
  20. "President hails 'breakthrough' agreement with G.R.". Radio and Television Freice. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022
  21. "Concrete Mixer Man Trial: Protest outside court". Radio and Television Freice. Retrieved 25 February 2022
  22. "I declared war on Freice's Justice System!". Orajioe Daily. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022
  23. "Two teenagers arrested in Čelanica for stealing Concrete mixer from Construction site". NRSK. 24 January 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2022
  24. @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.
  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. 31.0 31.1 31.2 "Who is Mixer Man Kana Tenqel?". Radio and Television Freice. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  32. "Kana sets sights on green mayorship". Kaposa Tama. 12 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  33. @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.