tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43782064414231352552024-03-13T11:36:52.145-07:00The Objective RostrumIssues from Nyagaka Nyakundi's standpointDiversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-17160712966728685412014-06-05T05:11:00.003-07:002014-06-05T05:40:56.676-07:00Joseph Olita: the man who starred the best film I ever saw in the late 90s<h2>
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<b> <span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> By Nyagaka Nyakundi Hesborn</span></b></h2>
When I watched ‘the Rise and Fall of Idi Amin’ for the first time, I was ten years old. It was sometime in 1997. In our part of the country then – as indeed was the case in many other parts here in Africa and elsewhere – a television set, let alone a video cassette player, was not among the common things many households could have placed in the sitting room.<br />
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But my father was a teacher, earning us one of the time’s rarest distinctions of possesing a black and white television receiver and a Video Home Service (VHS) playback machine. Every day at newstime, neighbours thronged into our house to sit and have ‘ a glance of the world’, as one of our neighbours, Rosalia( whom I have failed to forget), would put it. Children sat on the floor in front of their parents, amused more by the machine’s ability to show live images than what the news said.<br />
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This was a highly political time. A general election was approaching; there were screams of careless village bands almost everywhere you went, donning Kanu or Ford branded T-shirts and singing that ‘their candidate would take the election’. Daniel arap Moi ruled the country and almost every boy of my age and even older in my neighbourhood fully understood the word ‘Moi’ was the title by which our country’s president should be called. Political filth was flowing so furiously even little boys could see it. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsu-s5wAMEr_MkE5tqxX7mI3jY7VR142uUzDBRZqlHsM3KN30gkOZRaaED2oMOUSmcXAOb2iSfLXZ8i23EqMf5sflvZtDUtHL9Vf6KaHHcGfxjYcb98DqnKwdC9d0QsvMxuxFRE_Sx0UPh/s1600/Olita.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsu-s5wAMEr_MkE5tqxX7mI3jY7VR142uUzDBRZqlHsM3KN30gkOZRaaED2oMOUSmcXAOb2iSfLXZ8i23EqMf5sflvZtDUtHL9Vf6KaHHcGfxjYcb98DqnKwdC9d0QsvMxuxFRE_Sx0UPh/s1600/Olita.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: red;">Joseph Olita in 'The Rise and Fall of Idi Amin" The actor passed away this week, but I will remember him for a long time to come.</span></b></td></tr>
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A week before, a man had been killed for allegedly not saying ‘Kanu is at the top of everyone else’, as required by reportedly drunk people who had accosted him on his way home. Despite the fact that I knew the man very well, and so had planned to listen to what would be said about his death at the send off, I could not attend his funeral because I was left behind to look after the house along with my brother as the others left. <br />
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But even with this disappointment, the incident had engendered a troubling mystery within the boy I was, which boardered on both fascination and disgust. What was politics? And why would people go to such lengths as killing another over their political belieffs? These thoughts would nag my head through that evening, and my attempts to distract myself by chewing the backs of mauritus thorn seeds – as was my wont strangely – offered no respite.<br />
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I was resting on my favourite branch up Mrs. Rosalia’s guava tree, when the sun suddenly went off. The clouds in the sky darkened and hurried in one direction – as they always did before it rained – as if running from the rain themselves.<br />
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<br />Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-28735001830401861522014-04-09T06:47:00.001-07:002014-06-05T05:44:55.947-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
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Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-85397075106120073032013-05-03T05:12:00.000-07:002013-05-03T05:12:26.259-07:00The tall witch:A boy's learning in the terrifying ambience of Echani<i>"Drr...Drrble!...drooble! droopdrup..lbldru!..."</i><br />
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This happens always where I was born whenever it rains or-like adults put it into children's minds- the winged people in the sky ,on God's instructions,empty His drums up for a downpour or a drizzle below onto both our roofs and farms and even animals or some people,like our neighbor Choni(John) who happens to be present at places without shelter at the time.If the result is a heavy downpour,then the angels would have emptied the smaller drums,otherwise it becomes obvious to every child from a household that still tells children stories that the drizzle came from a pour out of the small drums.<br />
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A boy's normal impulse as the sky roars and flashes in the build up to the fall is always an excited,agile sprint to save the goats from the field , get the dry clothes from the top of the hedge, or sometimes ,in the mother's or sister's absence,the maize that had been spread on a mat outside to dry in the sun for the posho mill and later evening meal.As he runs,his intention is always to save everything else from the rain,except himself;we highland boys -when smaller-enjoy rain falling on us so much so that we secretly hide to be rained on.We pretend to be more informed than our elders who tell us that it is not mosquitoes that infect one with malaria but rain instead.<br />
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<i>'Abaisia baria</i>(stupid boys)!get out of the rain or you will get malaria!",you will hear a father or mother shout after catching boys playing in the rain.The boys will stathen make as if they have obeyed and gone indoors but come out once sure they are out of their parent's gaze.Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-49543973808241668312012-07-09T23:52:00.008-07:002012-07-10T00:36:52.068-07:00Infant Coporate with Eyes Trained on Digital Switch
By Nyagaka Hesborn Nyakundi</b>
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Driven by enthusiasm— or so it appeared--- they flocked into Nairobi’s Uhuru Park on that date in May 2011 in what would turn out to be a memorable stride in their avid entrepreneurial strides. It was slated for 4pm, but with the arrival of attendants ahead of schedule the meeting hit the road at about 3pm.<br />
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It was a soggy afternoon, as attendants later reported, yet more than half of the 2011 journalism class at the Kenya Polytechnic University College turned out.<br />
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At about 6pm the ad hoc launch ceremony for the infant corporate came to a cheerful close, with the appointment of interim officials and staff. They collectively agreed with the late Claire Adhiambo that the organisation be named Bamboo Media Association, a name that was to be dropped later on account of concerns that it sounded as if it were a SACCO.<br />
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So it was renamed Bamboo Media Group, and Edwin Tiego became the first group chairman.<br />
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But unknown to Mr Tiego and all the others, was the fact that this was the beginning of a long, treacherous journey into a future of both challenges and accomplishments.<br />
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But today BMG is well on course having completed a number of projects among them the early episodes of a thrilling television series named Machungu that is yet to première.<br />
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“We have made a lot of strides so far, but we are not yet where we want to be”, says Edwin Tiego.”<br />
“We are actually looking at completely revolutionalising both the television and film industries in the country for the better in this country”.<br />
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Today, barely two years into its birth, the group has about 20 members with professional qualifications and experience in a wide array of specialities in both electronic and print media.<br />
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‘I believe we have some of the best brains the industry can offer working here. We have a very versatile team of professionals, equal to any job in the industry can offer”, adds Tiego.<br />
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According to BMG’s website, the organization consists of trained journalists, photographers, actors/actresses, scriptwriters, PR practitioners, camera operators, among others.<br />
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Ms Maryann Ochieng’, the group’s information officer, says they have a lot to celebrate so far, identifying Machungu as one of the most exciting projects to date. <br />
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‘That was one of my best experiences. You could easily tell we were heading somewhere as our crew set up equipment and worked in amazing harmony. It was so exciting, thrilling even’, says Ms Ochieng’ who doubles up as the group’s assistant video editor. <br />
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The comprehensive production of Machungu gets underway in June<br />
With the much hyped ongoing digital switch for television broadcast, the group hopes to fill the huge gap the country faces in producing the demand for local content that is set to rise.<br />
According to the law laid down to facilitate the digital migration, it would be mandatory for television stations to air a huge percentage of their content as local programmes, a requirement Ronald Nyakweba,who writes scripts for BMG, is worried about as the government has not made plans to meet with the demand.<br />
‘I personally feel that as a country we are not ready for the shift in the broadcast platform. I am particularly concerned about the lack of sufficient local content .We all know that our local film industry is growing now, and unless something is done the government might be forced to rethink its self-imposed deadline.”<br />
BMG says it is one of the corporate groups, however small, alive to the challenge that will undoubtedly affect the digital switch and doing something about it.<br />
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As part of its ambitious effort to improve the film industry, BMG is intent on producing several works, already scripted. They include: Tears of Love, Tongues of Fire (a film on the post-election Violence), and others making up the group’s long list of programmes and films it hopes to produce.<br />
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“One of the reasons why we feel we can make this content contribution is the fact that we have staff that can adequately do the job”, says Helen Scandy, the group’s event organizer.<br />
” We have every reason to make the contribution, with foreign productions flooding our market. It is incumbent on us as Kenyans to create our own industry, tell our own stories to the world”, she adds.<br />
However, BMG is facing a huge financial challenge which it hopes to beat through partnerships with training institutions as well as media organizations.<br />
“We will not let anything dampen our hope for the future. Our greatest hope is that our local film industry gets to its feet”, says Tiego<br />
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<br />Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0Nairobi, Kenya-1.2920659 36.8219462-1.5460594 36.5060892 -1.0380724000000001 37.1378032tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-80165658008970416312012-06-05T07:05:00.004-07:002014-01-15T23:07:11.769-08:00Dreaming into the Real New World<h3> Dreaming into the Real New World </h3><h4> <i> Toward Universal power and peace</i></h4><h4> <i> </i></h4><h4> By Nyagaka H Nyakundi</h4><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="color: cyan; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
T</b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">he World as we know it today has gone through numerous transformations and developments throughout the time it has been in existence. Life and even circumstances have substantially changed over time so that what seemed impossible tens to hundreds of years ago is utterly possible today. Populations have grown .Better and useful technologies have been developed and, of course, worse war machines. The level of technology is nothing but unprecedented.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If our forefathers rose from the dead today, it would be very difficult for them to recognise this World. Despite the fact that this New World was part of the dream they dreamed in their day, several developments and innovations and inventions would be, to them, beyond imagination! This is the future they talked about in their day and we are their children, heirs of this future of their dreams.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We are indeed living in the future created by selfless efforts in the past. We are, without doubt, living in a future of possibilities certainly unheard in say, 1930.Who would have imagined the world would later enjoy relative peace after the first and second World Wars? Who would have thought---except Martin Luther jnr. (of course)—that an Afro-american would once occupy the White House? Who in Berlin and elsewhere would have imagined in 1884 that Africa would one day fly independence flags?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">These would have been obviously called wild dreams, yet they are now this future’s realities. This is indeed the New World of our forefather’s dreams. Their dreams and efforts gave birth to the future that is today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thus, the world today is a far cry compared to the Old World that solved problems through bloody wars. Although there are remnants of this old scheme of things it is safe to bet that should our forbearers resurrect they would actually call this the New World of their dreams .They would happily celebrate that their collective dream came to pass. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy should be their children!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the run-up to the end of the devastating World Wars, leaders from the then free world came together to create what is the United Nations today. There is no doubt that the most important issue prompting the creation of this organisation was ---and still is---World Peace. Through this effort the world has since experienced relative peace and unprecedented developments in all circles. This alone is enough to convince those of us that are privileged to be part of this generation that peace predicates a better future. Those who came before us knew that the future of their dreams would be impossible without peace and created sustainable frameworks for peace. This should never be lost on us as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But since our grandparents dreamed about a New World it is incumbent on us to dream of something better. Their dreams looked like hopeless illusions, but since we are privileged to learn from their experience we have the confidence to dream into the future. A future of even greater peace and prosperity: a Real New World! Those who came before us were responsible for this future; we have to create a better future for ourselves and those who would come after us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In creating that future the world desires, and badly so ,I consider a few things important: . peace , empowering the people of the world in all aspects ,protecting and conserving the environment ,which is home to all of us. Ensuring the above-named factors are established and sustained, both individual and collective effort is necessary.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At my personal or individual level, I look forward to making efforts in that direction. I am a trained, but jobless journalist living here in Africa, Kenya.And let me say at this point that my personal dream is at all inseparable from that of my country ,continent and world.Based on this conviction,Am currently engaged in activities aimed at creating peace through advocacy,empowering people(economically,politically and intellectually),and sensitizing populations in my neighborhood and even beyond on the need to conserve and protect the environment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Indeed,this was the motivation behind the creation of Bamboo Media Group ,an organization I founded alongside my former college mates .At BMG we daily strive along that course through campaigns and programmes Although hamstrung by a lack of funds ,BMG has actually succeeded in teaching the youths and even older folks on the importance of establishing and keeping keeping peace.We have also succeeded in identifying and developing talents in the hope that this would ultimately empower people to depend on themselves.This includes a mentorship programme which has helped mentor young school leavers into skilled camera people ,actors/actresses,campaigners ,motivational speakers an so on.Our main tool is the internet where we use various platforms to reach our audience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The collective journey into the Real New World is that simple to us.We cannot separate our individual dreams from that of that collective hope for our country and world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We believe that it is the small things done by ordinary people like us that would later convert the New World of our grandpa</span>rents into Real New World for this and coming generations.Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-42715416164013966812012-01-24T23:55:00.000-08:002012-02-06T08:29:12.846-08:00The Late Adhiambo's Bamboo Dream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlUwACTK5AV-Ee80CCQpsarTFMa_IJt8MsuGEtWMI0HzWmOSUvftudg5yeI5jU3ZyLWrA-cK0j9Fla42t226JhE9lqXQlElYRsp04_x9BsA5cJNEueBNpbU0U2e0GVyVYN6-ty-HfCuwv/s1600/claire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlUwACTK5AV-Ee80CCQpsarTFMa_IJt8MsuGEtWMI0HzWmOSUvftudg5yeI5jU3ZyLWrA-cK0j9Fla42t226JhE9lqXQlElYRsp04_x9BsA5cJNEueBNpbU0U2e0GVyVYN6-ty-HfCuwv/s1600/claire.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Late Adhiambo's Bamboo Dream</b></span><br />
<b> by Nyagaka H Nyakundi</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>T</b></span>he news about Claire Adhiambo's mysterious demise struck me-and indeed all of us present at the hospital that afternoon to visit her -as painfully as a hornet's sting.<br />
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It was January 24,2011,a busy day for us at Bamboo Media Group(BMG) in whose formation Ms Adhiambo had played a crucial part.This was going to be a busier day with so much to discuss about underway shoots.But with the news that our colleague had not responded to medication yet,we collectively resolved to shelf our plans to visit her.<br />
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At about noon Edwin Tiego,Ronald Nyakweba ,Maryanne Ochieng' and myself left for the Kenyatta National Hospital(KNH) where Ms Adhiambo had been hospitalized for a while.And as fate would have it,we were the first group of visitors to receive the sad news:she had passed on three hours before our arrival.The announcement,made by a very unruffled doctor,struck us hard.All of us were visibly shaken,dazed,bewildered.A young lady who had not joined us in the briefing room broke down as soon as she learnt the sad news through us outside .<br />
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I first met the late Adhiambo in 2009,shortly after my fortunate admission into the Kenya Polytechnic University College to pursue my journalism dream.And as if that was what fate had ordained,I was organized into the same classroom with her.However,our friendship did not spark immediately.Given my raising at the heart of a hamlet in the outskirts of a rural town,I was quick to dismiss her as one of those flashy,snobbish girls Nairobi harbored.Consequently,I eschewed her ,kept her at arms length,and never venturedbeyond her always warm greetings .<br />
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However,a few months into the course,I was struck by her humility and amity.She raised smiles wherever she went,her very presence in our classroom causing a sort of ambience that-if nobody else did-I at least felt.Adhiambo was inquisitive,talkative and at all whimsical.Adhiambo lived her life with unparalleled passion,which suddenly started to seep away,or so I saw, after 2010.<br />
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But to return to the robust Adhiambo with whom I fell into great friendship,this is why am going to miss her.Sometime in June last year,shortly after we completed our journalism course,she was in the number of tens of enthusiastic former students of the Kenya Polytechnic University College class of 2009/2011,eager to form an entrepreneurship outfit which we afterward named Bamboo Media Group (BMG).Now I was not present physically on that day to know who suggested we use "Bamboo".But from my close and yet discreet association with Ms Adhiambo ,I had come to note her love of the bamboo tree.She loved yellow and green.And she often dressed in yellow and green clothes.She once had a yellow phone and studs.To her the bamboo tree and its colors was a symbol of resilience and hope.<br />
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For those of us who were fortunate to be in contact with her , especially at BMG we mourn this unbearable loss of an untimely death. But at a personal level,I will forever miss her easy laughs,witty humor and adorable humility.Rest in Peace,Unforgettable ,madam.Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-50245997676449026282011-12-22T00:31:00.000-08:002011-12-22T00:31:56.690-08:00Bamboo Media Group(BMG) Six Months on<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;"><b> </b><span style="font-size: small;"><b>by Nyagaka Nyakundi Hesborn</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;">T</span>hey came in droves to that meeting that incidentally set the stage for a momentous and equally challenging time for an infant corporate named Bamboo Media Group(BMG).I had personally planned to attend that first meeting,but with Stacey effecting her plans to move to a new house I felt obligated to give a hand,missing out what I had expected to be an impressive meeting turn-out out of the curiosity of those who would attend.<br />
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Drawn mainly from our 2011 journalism class at the Kenya Polytechnic University College,this was a meeting that Henry Onyango ,now of <i>The Truth Weekly</i>, later described to me by phone <br />
as mamoth.Offhead,Henry counted Edwin Tiego,Onesmus Mulinge,Maryann Ochieng',Ronald Nyakweba,Peter Mungoma,Miriam Njeri,Claire Adhiambo as present, in and endless list that only ended with the beep in my phones earpiece,a sign my airtime had come up.<br />
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It was an informal launch meeting at Uhuru Park,and so leaders had to be picked by vote.In the ad hoc plebiscite ,Edwin Tiego was elected chairman,much as I had hoped,Peter Mutachi as vice chairman although he later resigned unceremoniously at an ABC Cafe meeting citing no reasons for the action.There was also Ronald Nyakweba,Maryann Ochieng',Hellen Scandy,Claire Adhiambo and myself on the list of officials.<br />
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But to return to Peter Mutachi's perhaps eccentric resignation.Weeks following his action our challenges intensified.Many defected from the group ,leaving a handful of us holding on to what appeared to be nothing,groping in endless darkness.More defections. So that it now came to only officials attending our fortnightly meetings.During our last meeting held in November,there was only three or four from the officials number attending.We had been toying with the idea of doing away with meetings and set about working from our homes.It was at this trying moment that an idea struck us:Drama Programme! <br />
At that meeting I have alluded to,our script writer Ronald Nyakweba arrived clutching scripts he had done.We agreec something had to get going!<br />
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To make the long story trim,we closed the year last week with auditions for two tv Programmes<i>:Machungu </i>and<i> Tears of Love </i><br />
The next year -next month in fact-we hope to produce these series .<br />
However,we desperately need funds to facilitate our activities.We still believe we will make it!For those of us in BMG,2012 is going to be the year of sacrifice.See our group on facebook for details<br />
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Merry Christmas and Happy 2012!Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-69325407006374383822011-11-04T08:14:00.000-07:002011-11-04T08:14:46.078-07:00Why acute joblessness in Kenya is fresh fodder for media scammers<b>Just </b>a year after he opened an e-mail account ,James Mutua has closed the account cursing those who advised him to be connected online.A month ago he received a message from a lady who identified herself as just "Blessing".In the e-mail Blessing was asking James to assist her deposit some millions of dollars 'because Blessing wanted someone to transfer the money owing to the political climate in her country" and then flee to Kenya and get married.<br />
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This was a secret James would closely guard until recently when he heard from a friend that a person with a similar name had contacted him and he was actually opening an account-on Blessing's advise- to kick-start the process.Although James was now becoming suspicious,he never opened up to the friend.He only saw a 'competitor' in him and promised himself to outdo him by talking to Blessing gently.<br />
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But all this changed when the two James Google-searched "Blessing" only to find the name and the photo she was purporting to be hers listed among the world's deadly online scammers. It was at this point that he talked to his friend about it ,cutting short their journey to regrets.<br />
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With the advent of the internet several years ago the number of people using it has risen from a few thousands to millions.But this is a double-edged sword.whereas the internet is a useful too,it has an ugly flip side. Scammers are now online promising people jobs and other transactions to make them rich.This has been compounded by joblessness making job-seekers easy prey to this criminals.<br />
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But in the face of all this,one tip will help you:Never trust any one you don't know in person online.For he/she might be using a criminal pseudonym to con you.Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-3608486603808588142011-09-26T08:08:00.000-07:002011-09-27T02:43:31.083-07:00Heroine who won Battles for Nature Succumbs to Cancer at 71<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1IF-MhmVfkRIYAuzJpGwCXdrV6cgx6xVhdtx4nLhajqm_Pbhul9sJaUvI7jcaYHF5PALA4p93X1uckiJtToawEXALAF9kLY_ktMXlcyrZNeoscVjNsxgVGPyvLeEM6i_8M70qfHiqevW/s1600/maathai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1IF-MhmVfkRIYAuzJpGwCXdrV6cgx6xVhdtx4nLhajqm_Pbhul9sJaUvI7jcaYHF5PALA4p93X1uckiJtToawEXALAF9kLY_ktMXlcyrZNeoscVjNsxgVGPyvLeEM6i_8M70qfHiqevW/s320/maathai.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>T</b></span>he death of prof. Wangari Maathai on Monday at Nairobi Hospital-Kenya, brought an end to the life of a symbolic figure and role model for many whose very portrait told volumes about her love of nature and the environment.<br />
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Wangari was an icon in her homeland, Kenya, what with her gallant campaigns and confrontations against those whose activities threatened the environment.This passion led to her recognition in 2004 with the prestigious Nobel prize,becoming the first African woman to become a Nobel laureate.<br />
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Educated in the USA and Germany Prof.Maathai had until her death become synonymous with nature and rights through her activities through The Green Belt Movement which she founded in the 70's.<br />
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At the news about her death a barrage of statements have been issued describing Maathai as an outstanding woman whose activities can be nothing but heroic,including that of president Barrack ObamaDiversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-66946852032746613162011-07-18T11:38:00.000-07:002011-07-18T11:38:12.513-07:00Where is the Media's Mandela?The world today celebrated the birthday of the world's greatest statesman alive:Nelson Madiba Mandela.This is a man who clearly broke ranks with most of his contemporaries and to set an example of what a true statesman should be.<br />
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For starters Mandela was incarcerated for 27 years at the notorious Robben Island prison for agitating against the racially discriminative Apartheid.A lawyer by profession ,Mandela was deeply concerned by the plight of his people and mounted a struggle that finally laid the foundation of South Africa as the world knows it today .<br />
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Coincidentally,Madiba's birthday celebration comes at a time when the world is deep in a controversial discussion regarding a media malpractice that might lay the ground to several criminal prosecutions involving journalists ,politicians the police and even politicians and celebrities.The News Of the World has been accused of hacking into a victim's phone for information in a saga that has seen a publication's folding and a series of resignations .<br />
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But here's a quote fom Madiba that should give us how we should approach the media particularly in Africa"<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">“<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black;">I have fought against white dominance and I have fought against BLACK dominance. I have kept by my ideal of a democratic and free community where everyone can <u>live together</u> in <u>harmony</u> and with the <u>same possibilities</u>.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">”</span></span></i></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiST7XmS47jP8bDR8l0K2rkmAa467mxiBw57VAmB9mWuIMeTuwS-PLmqz2lZYh7oOtUTpNf4KA4Tl3fkTI4skovM3fsR4QeayiPhRyjgkxvHzRtOVLPKUj9fmARJ4FLFhYf3zD71VnTWF4W/s1600/609mandela.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiST7XmS47jP8bDR8l0K2rkmAa467mxiBw57VAmB9mWuIMeTuwS-PLmqz2lZYh7oOtUTpNf4KA4Tl3fkTI4skovM3fsR4QeayiPhRyjgkxvHzRtOVLPKUj9fmARJ4FLFhYf3zD71VnTWF4W/s320/609mandela.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>The ideal society should be devoid of media dorminance and government dorminance.Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-57704709237343237512011-06-11T00:35:00.000-07:002011-06-11T00:36:49.725-07:00The Great African Literary Controversy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjsR-W4depvtz-s_UHllvUoqO4fgHJiExXJ0pK0_H7BqyOu_9oHLGeCUvpY8ROdGto3S0ttUFfPMH9mKvfbbvuOI03WpxgpnSqbaBVzxzjRT0rBnMMY3G7I-LL5Z0k_j8wk2Sr4pWjJBt/s1600/ngugi2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjsR-W4depvtz-s_UHllvUoqO4fgHJiExXJ0pK0_H7BqyOu_9oHLGeCUvpY8ROdGto3S0ttUFfPMH9mKvfbbvuOI03WpxgpnSqbaBVzxzjRT0rBnMMY3G7I-LL5Z0k_j8wk2Sr4pWjJBt/s320/ngugi2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7juXwwR6dDTQRUXNH7MUDoxKpHgYTygJLoFjVO7qqppWapEubu_S1X2ftcoEQ8X9d3rC9ISAb75sUwzvmD-QYBeyPnDXt59hL77aejbNeeUGZLh9V2RBZvxebGtkMPoR33B4Jm2Sv8KDu/s1600/ChinuaAchebe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Ngugi wa Thiong'o has been at the center of literary controversy</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">A</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span>few years into his career,novelist James Ngugi shocked the literary world when he stopped writing in English to write in his Kikuyu Vernacular.He was later to follow this radical shift with changing his name to Ngugi wa Thiong'o ,scrapping the English part of his African identity.<br />
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In many of his books that followed Ngugi fought injustices and pointed out mistakes in his mother-tongue ,plunging into what appears to be an endless controversy .He has also in his career written numerous articles and essays advocating for what he calls "freeing culture from Ethnocentrism" .<br />
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According to Ngugi,who recently published an installment of his lengthy childhood memoir,<i>Dreams in a Time of War,</i>,language and culture are part of the struggles aimed at moving the center from Europe ,and decolonizing of the minds of the people.<br />
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"The tradition of Africans writing in European language particularly those of the former colonizers is clearly a product of of the fatal encounter between Africa and Europe ,"argues Ngugi in his collection of essays entitled <i>Moving the Center</i><br />
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In the book Ngugi discusses in detail the motivation behind his ardent advocacy on language suggesting that language is entrenched in a peoples culture.<br />
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The globally renowned scholar's pressing for use of people's own languages in literature has over time drawn criticism with some literary analysts and fellow scholars on record saying 'Ngugi is fighting a losing battle".<br />
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Ngugi adds that literature in African languages suffers from a lack of strong tradition.<br />
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"Everyone in the world has a language,either the language of his or her parents or one adopted at birth at a later stage in life,"writes Ngugi.He continues:"So when we consider English as a language for the world,we are all drawing from the languages and cultures in which we are rooted."<br />
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Ngugi's position on the matter of language has attracted interesting criticisms among them respected Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe,and the two have had a long fight over the language in which African literature should be written.<br />
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In 1990 Achebe lashed at Ngugi in an essay ,saying 'English is the most viable language to represent African hopes and fears in literature.The essay ,republished in Achebe's latest book,<i>The Education of a British-Protected Child</i>, serves to re-affirm Achebe's unwavering stance .<br />
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As Ngugi describes Achebe's argument as 'fatalistic logic' in <i>Decolonizing the Mind,</i>Achebe ,in 2009,described Ngugi's argument as comprising of 'fatal snags of the single-minded"<br />
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While Ngugi adfvocates for local languages only,Achebe supports the use of English and local languages as well.<br />
"The difference between Ngugi and myself on the issue of indigenous or European languages is that while Ngugi now believes it is <i>either/or</i>,I have always thought it was <i>both,</i>"Achebe said.<br />
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As the debate continues to rage,perhaps another notable difference the two could be that while Ngugi seems angry and serious in his essays,Achebe adopts irony and humor coupled with sayings and proverbs to drive his message home.<br />
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Also,Achebe's <i>Politics and Politicians of Language </i> could be a mischivous rejoinder to <i>Ngugi's The Politics Of Language in African Literature</i> ,a subtitle in <i>Decolonising the Mind</i>.<br />
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</i>Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-90100738281884855102011-06-07T01:12:00.000-07:002011-06-11T00:39:09.102-07:00Hero Who Reclaimed Africa's Literary Desert<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4fr-Rz2vMsJpXX8srkhienWJSNVFu9hs_7r27w2hiuqu-A6BsdDjsS2r8Ie08Vl6J_Y7M-W_GVv4hFcZESuKzES8ka4eJLWk01qVDS7CU9H_zweJ-Mkrse_G0JUPOUH9UgCujqIFY7xM/s1600/achebe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4fr-Rz2vMsJpXX8srkhienWJSNVFu9hs_7r27w2hiuqu-A6BsdDjsS2r8Ie08Vl6J_Y7M-W_GVv4hFcZESuKzES8ka4eJLWk01qVDS7CU9H_zweJ-Mkrse_G0JUPOUH9UgCujqIFY7xM/s320/achebe.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><span style="background-color: blue; font-size: x-large;">W</span>hen Chinua Achebe published his first novel,it suddenly occurred to the world that Africa could express herself through literature ,and in her own voice and terms.<br />
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An enduring masterpiece<i>,Things Fall Apart ,</i>published in 1958,received and continues to receive global acclaim<br />
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Chinua Achebe has confessed that his greatest motivation to become a writer was the indignation he felt at the skewed depictions of Africa by some English writers such as Joseph Conrad and Karen Blixen.<br />
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"The story of my people was not going to be like one of those written by adventurous Europeans in which the white man was always the winner" Achebe said of <i>Things Fall Apart.</i><br />
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Before 1958 ,among others ,Joseph Conrad and Karebn Blixen had painted Africa as utterly exotic in what has come to be seen as a deliberate attempt to attract European tourists and settlers to the continent,and raise financial prospects in return.<br />
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But<i> Things Fall Apar</i>t <i>,</i>which has since sold over nine million copies worldwide adequately told off Conrad's <i>The Heart Of Darkness, </i>and Blixen's<i> Out Of Africa</i>.<br />
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In their books both Conrad and Blixen draw Africa as a continent without order with Blixen at one point likening her cook to her dog.<br />
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Educated in Nigeria and Britain,,Achebe read Conrad's <i>The Heart Of Darkness</i> for his degree,and was henceforth determined to counter the falsehoods .He would later--in an article --accuse Joseph Conrad of racism.<br />
"The novelist is a teacher who needs to re-educate people"Achebe said in an article.<br />
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Born in 1930 among the Ibo People ,Achebe ,who also writes poetry,is probably Africa's most read and discussed writer.<br />
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During the Biafran War that broke out in 1966 with the abortive attempt to establish an independent Republic of Biafra by Eastern Ibos,Achebe put paid to to the writing of his sixth book,<i>The Anthills Of the Savanna to </i> publicize his people's tribulations through poetry.His efforts culminated in <i>Beware Soul Brother ,</i>a collection of poems on the Ibo experience in the three-year war<i>.</i><br />
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</i><br />
The book apeared in the United States of America as<i> Chrismas in Biafra and Other Poems..</i>When he published <i>A Man Of the Peopl</i>e in 1966,he was forced to flee to exile as the novel implicated him in a coup it preceded due to its prophetic ending.<br />
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Achebe escaped arrest narrowly and fled to The United States Of America<br />
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While in America ,he became editor of <i>Okike</i>,an influential African literary magazine .He also became professor of English at Massachusetts at Amherst .<br />
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Achebe's other books include:<i>Arrow Of God</i> (Which he says is the novel he is most likely to be caught sitting to read again),and <i>Chike and The River </i>,which Achebe describes as 'a novel for boys'.<br />
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In 2001,Achebe published<i> Home and Exile </i>,and most recently in 2010 ,<i>The Education of a British-protected Child</i>,in which he tells his own story growing under colonialism .<br />
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On his return to Nigeria in from exile in 1976,Achebe became professor of English at the university of Nigeria .And in 1990,he was involved in a fatal road accident that would see him on a wheelchair for the rest of his life.<br />
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But although the tragic accident rendered his legs useless,Achebe continues to shake the literary world ,churning out ideas on social life politics and language.He has received dozens of accolades in international circles.<br />
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For this man ,it can be said,the center continues to hold.Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-44110746676789883062011-05-22T23:37:00.000-07:002011-05-22T23:37:52.524-07:00Money:Solution to all problems or direction to all problems?<span style="font-size: x-large;">F</span>or a fortnight today,the media has devoted acres of space and airtime holding a spotlight to the life of a fortunate or unfortunate millionaire,depending on your standpoint. Readers,listeners and viewers alike have been told stories fronted on various accounts that probably led to the demise of young,resilient Samuel Wanjiru. <br />
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While the death of Wanjiru remains shrouded in mystery, for now,money points to this death, with sociologists and editorials calling for a fresh approach in helping people who get too rich when they are too young to handle the fortune.<br />
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In the build up to his death,Wanjiru's woes spilled out. Only this year,there was a divorce threat by his wife,Trizah,on grounds of a strained relationship with her mother-in-law.However ,things appeared to cool down when,weeks ago,The couple was seen on TV and in the papers announcing their reconciliation. <br />
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In retrospect,it is now an open book that Wanjiru displayed this gesture to save his career,nay,marriage to Triza.To me,this was done to enhance his image to the world.And soon returned to his WWW world--- wealth,women and wine.In aword,if anybody should be blamed for Wanjiru's death,it is his manager.For how could he sit and watch Wanjiru,24,get lost in money?I don't understand.I f I were he or she I would have sought out a way of helping this youngster survive in a world of wealth at a tender age.<br />
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Having said that,I think it is time closer attention is accorded to helping young people who are favored by providence to fall on fortune <br />
cope with it.There are many in this list.Musicians,artists ,footballers,and professionals in lucrative ventures.Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-43870911447145270542011-05-07T04:36:00.000-07:002011-05-07T04:53:05.638-07:00The Sungu Sungu Bloodbath in Kisii County<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXQjuHdWqTWSUaphesRzJibohk_4YEcH2IO9zfq4U2TN0TFOEmOphJA4_ViYFfB_jTkgWLIB1iqK6WdlGYJ6kT161kbZ__UCpF9ar1YTq71vZT4EhEHqIV3c8hZzRyt3Lv6UBhpRjbRZT/s1600/Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXQjuHdWqTWSUaphesRzJibohk_4YEcH2IO9zfq4U2TN0TFOEmOphJA4_ViYFfB_jTkgWLIB1iqK6WdlGYJ6kT161kbZ__UCpF9ar1YTq71vZT4EhEHqIV3c8hZzRyt3Lv6UBhpRjbRZT/s320/Picture.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;">B</span>eneath this deceptive landscape that speaks of calm,peace and plenty lie overly heartrending stories.They are stories of pain,sorrow, and bitterness.They are stories told by different men and women here,but the subject is invariably the same---Sungusungu.<br />
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A common statement among those whose lives have taken sad,new permanent paths ,thanks to the bloodcurdling attacks by the outlawed group here is this:"the government has neglected us",and this said in whispers---to a trusted listener.For the group is rather rash, thin-skinned to criticism and fast to anger and action.<br />
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Despite the spate of killings meted out on witchcraft and robbery suspects over the years here,the government does not--according to residents--"seem keen to help them".The residents say government officials participated in the community policing project that gave birth to Sungusungu,but has now given the victims a wide berth as things get worse by the day.And the killings continue,albeit in a measured frequency.<br />
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Established in the late 90s in what was then intended to reduce crime levels in the Gusii region,Sungusungu has over the years slowly but steadily spread its claws here,becoming synonymous with terror and bloodletting across the region.It was in a secret deal between the local chiefs and residents that the group was initiated.<br />
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Residents have often woken up to scary and brutal beheading of suspects.And this is a fact that is only too well understood and known by those who have had the misfortune to experience its callous,deathly claws. And here,no one is spared.From witchcraft and robbery suspects to those critical of the group's operations,one feeling is palpable---Fear.<br />
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Although no official record exists regarding the number of people whose deaths point back to the gang,dozens have been killed in night attacks.The only evidence fatherless homes and frustrated folks.<br />
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A source who asked the<i> Hard-nosed Column </i>to name her Damaris said no victim wants to talk about them(Sungusungu) for fear of reprisal attacks or victimization.<br />
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"We live in fear.Most of the people killed are obviously innocent,but we have no recourse.None.The government is just watching,"she said<br />
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Damaris,a mother of three,lost her husband in an operation that left five men beheaded and left lying on the road.She was eight months pregnant then.Letters went round warning against night vigils ,and ordering burials at cemeteries.<br />
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"It was about 3am when they came.One of them knocked at the door,calling out my husband's name.He made as if he was in distress,and so my man offered to help.He went ion to open the door,and that's how they killed him"the 20-year old widow said adding that they suspected that husband of robbery.<br />
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"I knew him very well.He was very hardworking.He everyday woke up early to crash stones.That was how he started out.Later he set up a grocery before setting up shop successfully as a shopkeeper dealing in electronics",she said<br />
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Damaris story replicates itself in Gusii region,with several households losing their loved ones in mysterious circumstances.While people here loathe Sungusungu,no one dares to challenge their operations.<br />
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Further out in the outskirts of Kisii town,we meet Johnson* at Suneka township.He shows us deserted buildings in what remains a constant reminder of the 2003 crackdown by Sungusungu operatives on witchcraft suspects.In the operation,Johnson says,several people were killed with scores fleeing the area never to return.<br />
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The people who fled this area have since come to be called "Sungusungu fugitives".Their property remains unused as forests cover the land and buildings cave in.<br />
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Years on,this group continues to visit terror and destruction of families of innocent people --all in the name of security.And the question is:for how long is this going to last?For the residents ,the government is the only savior near at hand.Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-76903468571464608902011-04-05T00:39:00.000-07:002011-04-05T00:43:58.614-07:00Anxiety as Hague Six Jet Out<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">A</span>nxiety has gripped the country firmly as suspects believed to have engineered the 2007 electoral mayhem prepare to leave the country for the International Criminal Court(ICC) at the Hague today.<br />
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The suspects who include suspended Higher education minister William Ruto,deputy prime minister Uhuru Kenyatta,head of civil service Francis Muthaura ,postmaster general Hussein Ali and radio journalist Joshua Sang are expected at the Hague Thursday for their initial appearance.<br />
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The sextet leaves the country at a time when leaders are sharply divided over the trials with some rooting for a mechanism to try the suspects within the country.<br />
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Last week,the six were issued with special visas permitting them entry to a handful of countries in Europe.<br />
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Prime minister Raila Odinga has been on the receiving lately as politicians continue to blame him for their Hague tribulations.There have been concerns too that the six might be detained at the ICC.<br />
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However,the court has already indicated that the politicians and journalist will be free to return home after the initial appearance.<br />
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In the run-up to today's historic 78-hour journey ,the suspects exuded confidence that they will be proved innocent since they did not take part in the violence that saw over 1000 people dead and property worth millions destroyed by fire.<br />
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Defense lawyers set foot at the Hague yesterday ahead of the appearances with some promising the ICC a "real legal battle".The lawyers have also expressed confidence that their clients would be exonerated.<br />
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The team of lawyers arriving at the Hague yesterday included prof. Kithika Kindure,Kitwa Kigen, among others ,arguably the cream of Kenya's legal brains.<br />
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The visit to the international court of justice is significant as it is the first of its kind in the country's history and its outcome could determine how leaders handle disputes in futureDiversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-50952639706301369572011-03-26T01:08:00.000-07:002013-05-28T00:34:35.862-07:00ICC Pending Trials Raise Odinga's 2012 Stakes<div style="background-color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">T<span style="color: yellow;">his ending week has seen politicians from the two factions of Kenya's coalition government engage in a war of words over the waiting trials of the suspected masterminds of the post-election violence of 2008.</span></div><div style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Already,ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo has indicated he has a strong case against the six suspects perceived to have had the greatest responsibility in the electoral mayhem that caused the death of over 1000 people.</div><div style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There has been a lot of argument here lately among politicians with some rooting for a local tribunal to try the suspects while others expressing confidence in the ICC.</div><div style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The trials,apart from putting key politician's careers on the line,have been seen as an influential factor in the elections to be held next year with Prime minister Raila Odinga still topping as the most preferred candidate ,according to surveys.</div><div style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But even then ,the premier's popularity has seemingly diminished in what can be attributed to his latest advocacy for the ICC.The Orange Democratic Movement(ODM),the Pm's party is apparently in jeopardy with many members condemning it. </div><div style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Pm said Thursday that the party was not going to foot legal expenses for its members implicated in the 2008 mayhem.On Friday the party through Ababu Namwamba said it was to hep them.</div><div style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span></span></div><div style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mr William Ruto of Eldoret North ,the most obvious of the ODM party rebels,and a suspect in the ICC case ,has already turned down the offer ,accusing the party of hypocrisy citing a letter allegedly written to the ICC by the party calling for stern action.</div><div style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">These latest developments will in all likelihood reduce Mr Odinga's popularity in the lead up to next years polls,making the outcome of the plebiscite overly unpredictable. </div><div style="background-color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-38789003848225766872011-02-28T08:08:00.000-08:002011-02-28T08:08:56.302-08:00Rail Firm Rolls out New Tarrif FrequencisThe Rift Valley Railways company has launched new tariff frequencies that will in all likelihood change the landscape of the transport industry in Kenya.Under the new scheme set to affect commuter trains,RVR has increased the trains' frequency from eight to 18 daily in what will likely ease congestion.<br />
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This development comes at a time when Kenyans are grappling with high costs of basic commodities and transport with recent media reports indicating that Kenya has the highest cost of living behind only Pakistan.<br />
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In the transport industry,matatu owners increased fare two weeks ago arguing the move was meant to absorb the high cost of fuel.This has in recent days led to a large number of passagers flocking train stations owing to the locomotive's relatively low commuting fare.<br />
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In an announcement issued today,RVR management said the new tariff frequencies seek to meet passenger convenience.<br />
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Last year, the rail company announced an intended construction of a modern network to mitigate traffic jams for which major city roads are famous by a big margin.This announcement came amid concerns that the company was insoluble.<br />
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The company, previously dubbed Kenya Railways ,is currently working a strategy to increase its profitability .<br />
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Last year,the firm announced losses running in millions occasioned by widespread vandalism of rails by vandals dealing in scrap metal.<br />
With this latest development ,RVR is set to raise profits and possibly restore clear roads in rush hours.Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-29278538943406625992011-02-27T04:34:00.000-08:002011-02-27T04:35:54.253-08:00Political Regroupings Taking Shape in Kenya<div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>P</b></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">o<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">litical temperatures are rising in Kenya ahead of general elections scheduled for next year with further new alliances clearly in the offing.</span></span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">According to local media reports,Prime minister Raila Odinga is still the man to beat in the 2012 presidential race set to pit a number of former allies against each other.</span></span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Already,several politicians have declared their interest in the topmost job,indicating a possibility of further re-alignments to capture the top job.</span></span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A survey conducted recently shows that none of the contenders mentioned in connection with presidency can muster up enough votes as required by the constitution to be president if elections were called today.</span></span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But even with that,politicians have embarked on their characteristic early campaigns calculated to galvanize support ahead of the plebiscite that is set to be fiercely competitive.</span></span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It is still unclear as to whether top politicians mentioned in the 2007 election violence will participate in the race.</span></span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The just-ended week saw prime minister Raila Odinga hold rallies in various parts ,calling on citizens to reject politicians implicated in crimes .</span></span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This remark has prompted a war of words with some politicians terming the premier's remarks as improper.Yesterday,Information minister Samuel Poghisio called om Mr Odinga to withdraw the remarks and apologize.</span></span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The impending election has also seen strange groupings as politicians hitherto viewed as political foes appearing together at Rallies.</span></span></div>Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-79542378365204875292011-02-22T23:42:00.000-08:002011-02-22T23:44:57.503-08:00Ambience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsZqg2sD1acPWUab82Z8rfTdQ3Pyai_qPxlLEqsUiIpY5lcKnZ7ImtvZVAKFr0xQ7ojXlJ37GFQduG2xhs0vfJ4htHs8B4ziCZBfA4sX2qMGC7-R-Bn1FLWk6LSa27CifBgx9EgAzvyd8/s1600/IMG_7349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsZqg2sD1acPWUab82Z8rfTdQ3Pyai_qPxlLEqsUiIpY5lcKnZ7ImtvZVAKFr0xQ7ojXlJ37GFQduG2xhs0vfJ4htHs8B4ziCZBfA4sX2qMGC7-R-Bn1FLWk6LSa27CifBgx9EgAzvyd8/s1600/IMG_7349.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjW-3jYF8DyhuVaDSVTTuQFGgPL9XV5ohoiJSzcsSSCoQemljFUpIs65i27xieGSkcBM4Limm3MreOVvTBP4VHOWa4cyLZRbW3ESH4miTBPnA1O9i3uv9cMnjnppiXdTTuS3Bs7zGGUaMI/s1600/IMG_7351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjW-3jYF8DyhuVaDSVTTuQFGgPL9XV5ohoiJSzcsSSCoQemljFUpIs65i27xieGSkcBM4Limm3MreOVvTBP4VHOWa4cyLZRbW3ESH4miTBPnA1O9i3uv9cMnjnppiXdTTuS3Bs7zGGUaMI/s1600/IMG_7351.JPG" /></a></div>Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-49183470264255937422011-02-21T08:19:00.000-08:002011-02-21T08:19:55.776-08:00Lessons For Africa From Uganda ElectionPresident Museveni has probably been re-installed as the president of Uganda,putting his rule at the second longest in Africa behind only Libya's Gaddaffi.By and large the plebiscite was marred with widespread rigging or what the most conspicuous contender might call massive 'voter buying'<br />
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For us in Africa who want to be honest,the outcome was expected.Dr Besigye was the main competitor in the presidential race,which is not something new.Museveni warned against protests ,this is also in a sense yesterday's news in Uganda.But aside from these there were strange developments in this election,among them the victory of the incumbent in opposition strongholds, and general peace in the process.Besigye can also clap hands for his former employer for not finding himself in hospital this time round.<br />
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Analysts have already pointed at the apparent lack of strategy on the part of opposition as their major Achilles heel.This is possible,but Museveni's advance scheme to steal the victory is probable. In the run-up to the polls,Museveni exuded a rare sort of confidence which raised eyebrows among thoughtful Ugandans and others elsewhere as his popularity was already taking a hit..His victory in areas that the opposition commanded a considerable following can easily pass for the irony of the century too.<br />
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Will Museveni run for president in the next election?Yes,and he is going to comfortably secure another term in office if the opposition doe not regroup creatively.I want to look at it this way because we black Africans love power albeit slightly less than Arab-Africans.Tell me:who has ever won an election fairly here?Very few.Almost all presidents in this continent are illegitimate.This is not to say there are none elsewhere,but our elections are shockingly ironical.<br />
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Uganda might dislodge Museveni thus:change institutions.But who is going to do that job when Museveni has made Uganda almost a kingdom?Well,its difficult but considering recent examples,it is very possible.I agree,Uganda needs a president with a military background.But Museveni's tenure has gone beyond what can be endured.This is unacceptable ,even if the people wanted him to stay.<br />
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To the rest of Africa Uganda should serve to remind us that our leaders will not give up power.We should force them to do so.Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-27850218331531320112011-02-18T08:24:00.000-08:002011-02-18T08:24:53.221-08:00High Cost of Fuel In Kenya Consumer's Burden <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;"><b> <span style="color: lime;"> By Nyagaka Nyakundi</span></b></span><br />
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Fuel prices have once again hit the roof in Kenya this ending week,in a development that has seen business owners here offload the burden on defenseless consumers.<br />
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The business owners have now increased prices for some essential commodities and services ostensibly to contain the increase ,but underlying is the fact that the prices have been inflated to levels that can pass for consumer exploitation. <br />
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The most affected of these consumers are Kenyans living in the outskirts of Nairobi and thus have to commute to work daily.A spot check by The Hard-nosed Column has established that matatu operators have increased fare by 100 per cent,an unprecedented phenomenon. <br />
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Earlier this year,a body was set up to regulate fuel prices here,but that seems to have not borne fruit as reports indicate the recent increase is beyond fuel prices in other international markets.<br />
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The country lacks a strong consumer-protection organization,something that exposes consumers against exploitation.<br />
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Currently,the price of unleaded petrol stands at ksh100 per liter in many gas stations,a sh8 increase from ksh92 previous cost.<br />
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But even then consumers here are not complaining,a situation that could cause more lethal consumer exploitation.Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-86347591669895426752011-02-06T02:07:00.000-08:002011-02-06T02:25:09.718-08:00The End Of Despots In africa is Approaching Fast<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: blue;">The End Of African Despots Is Finally Here</b></span></div><br />
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The recent current of revolutions here in Africa should be a warning sufficient to cause both obvious and subtle African dictators adequate jitters.Like in the olden struggles for people- backed political systems,the latest wave of unrest here shows clearly what happens when people are fed up.They can mount a mammoth protestation march that may serve to enlighten the dictator one or two things about the source of his power.In the effort of revolutionaries of old ,the issue was wrenching power from demigods claiming the power had been accorded to them by the divine.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now it is about taking the power from people who have made themselves gods,callously oppressing the people who have,curiously,given the power to them.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let us begin our examination with an interesting case of a not-so-obvious dictator who was caught mid stride grooming his son to take up dictatorship from him after a three-decade stay at the helm.Folks,we are talking about President -impose Mubarak--I forget his first name.In the past few years the signs of an impending political upheaval has been very apparent in Egypt.But Mubarak has always seen it as something small.The president has used the country's economic strength as a justification for dictatorship.He is likely to be toppled,not by a coup,but by the people.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In Tunisia the president took to his heels after an unnerving protestation at his leadership.Now,Am not very familiar with Tunisia's system ,but I have it at the back of my mind that African leaders of a certain generation behave alike.They are heroes when they are given power,but they soon become wolves when they realize how much power they have.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Talking about generations,let's journey together to Zimbabwe.President-impose Robert Mugabe(he has more names)will probably let go of power in his death.The only struggle he is familiar with is that against colonialism.He forgets we are now in post-colonialism or,better still,neo-colonialism.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If the things we are seeing happening here are anything to go by,Mugabe will most likely realize presently that power is not from himself but the people who are now suffering in the name of sovereignty.These are signs of things to come.Amnesty is on offer for Mugabe and his type now.</span></div>Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-80177063506720945992011-01-16T05:10:00.000-08:002011-01-16T06:11:23.958-08:00S.Sudan Cessation Victory Means a Lot More <b> By Nyagaka Nyakundi</b><br />
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If Southern Sudan successfully pulls away from the north,, then that eventuality would be the latest development in the world history of nationalism.In many ways, the prospect is similar to the re-establishment of Poland years after it was annexed by its greedy European counterparts in the run-up to the second world war.<br />
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Further,it would sound reprieve to millions South Sudanese,scattered in all directions of the world as a result of war occasioned by unending disputes to become what is now euphemistically referred to as 'S.Sudanese in the diaspora'.From their horrendous accounts and testimonies it is apparent that the southerners have over the years been victims of oppression and marginalization.<br />
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The northern region ,led by President El Bashir,has been widely blamed for using resources to develop Khartoum at he expense of the southern part.The voting was largely inspired by this belief.<br />
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Initial results currently indicate an overwhelming support for a break-up with over 70 per cent of those who cast their votes rooting for an independent South Sudan.Asked about their feelings about the moment and the possibility of establishing their own country,the southerners display emotional optimism.They cannot imagine staying as part of the north.<br />
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While casting his vote at Juba on first referendum day, the leader of the south briefly recounted the long journey to the cessation vote which began with the arduous negotiations in Kenya.However,it was clear that peace cannot be compromised.<br />
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As witnessed,all eyes are now on South Sudan.And there are many reasons for this.One of the possible reasons could be the region's enormous resource endowment.Besides oil and a myriad of other minerals,S.Sudan boasts fertile soils and a climate that supports Agriculture,putting her at a greater possibility of becoming the latest African economic hub.<br />
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Abyei,rich in oil deposits,lies on the border between the two regions.The north has already indicated a possible war if the south does not let go of it.However,Abyei will go to the ballot soon to decide where it belongs.This is one of the hurdles the leaders of a possible independent S.Sudan are mulling over.<br />
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For the rest of the world,S.Sudan remains a pleasant anticipation that is expected to end bloodshed.,Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-23286751388254581512011-01-04T05:21:00.000-08:002011-01-04T05:30:58.076-08:00Kenya AG Takes Uncharacteristic DecisionIn a development that is in all ways unusual for Kenya's longest serving Attorney General,Mr Amos Wako has directed the arrest and prosecution of a high-profile politician in Kenya's coalition government.<br />
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Mr wako has never recommended a prosecution of government officials at all during his time despite cases forwarded to him for approval.<br />
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But now Wako,who completes his tenure as stipulated in Kenya's new constitution in the course of the year, has given Kenya's anti- corruption body-Kacc -the green light to charge Mr Henry Kosgey for abuse of office which allegedly happened in his tenure as industrialization minister,taking the number of cases against the minister to two.<br />
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The case involves the importation of vehicles under Kosgey's authority , which the attorney general claims did not follow the law hence corruption.<br />
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Confirming the corruption case recently,Kenya's anti- corruption body director prof. ,PLO Lumumba said Kosgey was indeed in the number government officials with pending prosecutions waiting for the attorney general's approval for hearing in court.<br />
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The minister was also mentioned in connection with the county's post-election skirmishes that left over 1000 people dead in its wake by international court prosecutor Luis Moreno -Ocampo.According to Ocampo who has already made the names public, the minister is among the key suspected perpetrators of the 2008 electoral mayhem.<br />
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However,Kosgey,who has served consistently as member of parliament since 1979, has dismissed both of the charges leveled against him saying the first has no truth, and that he did nothing wrong in the latter except exercising his official discretion.<br />
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The ICC has promised to prosecute six key suspects in two years on account of the magnitude of their responsibility in the violence,a reality that late last year sparked discontent in parliament resulting in Mps passing a bill to withdraw Kenya from the Rome Statute which makes the country party to the ICC.But even then the president has not signed the bill into law.<br />
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If prosecuted,Mr Kosgey will become the first person to be taken to court on Wako's consent in his(Wako's) lengthy period as the country's second attorney general.<br />
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Mr Wako faced backlash two years ago when he acquitted a British baron who had allegedly shot an African mason dead citing lack of sufficient evidence. <br />
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To many,this latest action is new for Wako.Is Wako out to clear his legacy?Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378206441423135255.post-7239315159014743872010-11-19T05:00:00.000-08:002010-11-19T05:04:12.071-08:00United States America---Hard up For Food?The world's wealthiest country is currently facing a food deficit unprecedented in many years of the super power's history.<br />
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One out of four families are on food stamps, a situation that will in all likelihood go down to President Obama's challenge box ,and an additional string on the bow of his detractors as well.He might now be forced to rethink the country's food policy,and rightly so,in the interest of the American people.<br />
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But on a broader perspective,this situation is not so much about America.Rather,it is about Third World countries that are so often dependent on food aid.<br />
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If the CNN fox pop undertaken recently is anything to go by,Americans are not going to continue devoting much of their food in aid while their own citizens have not enough food to eat.They can only do so if there is a surplus,which is not the case now.In this situation,countries must now brace themselves to meet their own citizen's food requirements in a sustainable way.<br />
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Africa--for the bulk of the countries belong here--must now set both long-term and short-term measures in place aimed at ensuring that the situation is mitigated.We are a continent endowed with all sorts of resources,ranging from minerals to fertile soils and favorable weather for agriculture.Yet every year colossal sums of money is spent on importing food.<br />
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There are many success stories that our leaders can emulate ,Egypt for instance,so we can change from relying on rain-fed agriculture to sustainable agriculture through properly organized irrigation.<br />
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For how long shall we catch a cold when the Big Brother sneezes?We have all the means to feed our people.The trouble is that we are not willing in the least!Diversity Columnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627080765183965086noreply@blogger.com0