Was the AU Panel of Wise -Unwise on Kenya Pre-election Assessment?

Was the African Union Panel of the Wise and the COMESA/IGAD committee of elders unwise in their assessment of whether Kenya is ready for peaceful elections #choice2013 ?

A priori ,from the reporting of the Kenyan Daily Nation Article entitled "Kenya ready for peaceful elections-panel" it may seem so.But wait a minute Kenya's media houses have been known for sensational reporting was this perhaps one such instance?I cannot say that with certainty as the author actually quotes Dr Simbi Mubako of Comesa as having said "following our assessment, we get the impression that Kenyan people are ready to conduct these elections in a peaceful and free manner that is dignified"

I was just about to forcefully rebut  the opinion of the team with cogent evidence of a Country now waiting with anxious baited breath and properly so as evidenced in the violence, confusion,corruption,bribery and un-democratic  manipulation  witnessed during the recently held nomination primaries.The hard fact is that the Country and its populace is little or ill prepared for the task before it.
Common sense however dictated that i first read the  Communique from the team before i issued the rebuttal. A close look at the communique indicates that the committee has not given the Kenyan republic a clean bill of health as the head to the elections in March 2013.

While the Panel applauds "the strides made during the last 5 years to address some of the structural causes of the [2008] post election violence...the positive impact of the new Constitution and the growing confidence in key institutions that have undergone reforms,notably the judiciary and the security sectors" .It  urges that, and this is the point that " closer attention" be paid to "security sector,media role and responsibilities,civic and voter education,and the management of post election phase including transparency in tallying,professionalism in reporting and management of electoral victory and failure".Their opinion falls short of a clean bill of health, there is not even an iota of a conclusion that Kenya is ready.Rather the thinly veiled warning is for the Country and its institutions to tread carefully and watch out for pitfalls that have been identified within the one week period that the AU panel and committee of elders had to assess the state of preparedness of the Kenyan election year 2013.

In real sense they are addressing areas that many sensible and peace loving Kenyans are apprehensive have not been given due concern that they rightfully merit especially after Kenya being on the precipice of violence and anarchy at the last election.It is important to note that at present Kenya is still balkanized on a tribal and political basis. There is still great intolerance in various parts of the Country to political ideals at variance with those belonging political/tribal leaders from the particular regions.You can almost determine to a person their candidate of choice dependent on the region they come from.At the same time, the campaigns hardly focus on the real issues but on name calling,political vitriol, threats and dares and the likes of what was witnessed some years back save for a sniff of restraint due to the ICC snare.

A wise man once said ,"if you always do things the way you have always done-you will always get the same results you ve always had-in other words expect the same results" and that's true,The truth is even if the elections proceed with no major skirmish...deep in their conscious thoughts Kenyan are at a state of hostility and suspicion with each other based on such insignificant issue as tribe,language, colour or religion.A poor man would rather vote for a known thief simply because he or she belongs to his tribe rather than a person of impeccable conduct and above suspicion as 'Caesars wife' such choice simply based on  ethnicity is a sad state of affair.

As the Dutch/Jewish philosopher Baruch Spinoza(1632-1677) succinctly put it "Peace is not absence of war it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice" and might i add a state of mind and heart that within itself has no element of mistrust.To achieve that state of affairs, a higher and more honorable form of civic education needs to be undertaken but sadly it is beyond the scope of the current regime or human effort to attain that.

Resurgent Clashes in Parts of Kenya(Editorial)

It is clearly disturbing to see pockets of clashes erupting in certain parts of the Country such as Moyale and Baringo especially now as the Country heads towards an election period.Equally disturbing is the fact that the current coalition Government was established with an express mandate to address "the recurrent" and "deep seated and longstanding conflicts" amongst the Kenyan people(See the Preamble of the National Accord and Reconciliation Act text).


Interestingly ,the collective Kenyan conscience/populace often treats the media reports with little or no concern so long as a relative or friend is not involved and so long as the flares happen in a part of the Country that one is not acquainted and least bothered with.But if 2008 is anything to go by these small flares should be treated with utmost seriousness as they depict a psyche among the populace that needs to be changed and addressed.

The Government fails in that it can instigate a war against the Al Shabaab and channel its machinery and resources to that war when a few foreigners are abducted whereas on a daily basis  the media reports of Kenyans loosing their life over conflict on resources and politically instigated boundary issues. It stands to reason that the real threat against Kenyans is domestic-Kenyans themselves and the Government ought not to entertain even at the least bit such altercations and the persons provoking ,arming and financing the different tribesmen involved in those clashes. That is not a request but is essentially the reason for the existence of the current Government;to the extent that they are unable to quickly and effectively resolve this issue to that extent they fail!

This year it should not be business as usual -the Government should not only exhibit the power to stem this occurrences but also demonstrate to all and sundry its will to do so.On the other hand the Citizens also have the primary obligation to demonstrate that they are beyond politics of violence, racism and tribalism and they are not simply pushed by every wind and whim of influence to do the bidding of selfish leaders who lack hindsight ,foresight and basic wisdom!
(see news items 1. 2  3. 4 )

Kenya ICC Hague Ruling( Download )on 2008 PEV Suspects Case

You can now download the complete version of rulings delivered by the Pretrial Chamber Court II of the International Criminal Court (ICC) case  on the SITUATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA

IN THE CASE OF THE PROSECUTOR V. WILLIAM SAMOEI RUTO, HENRY

KIPRONO KOSGEY AND JOSHUA ARAP SANG  and SITUATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF KENYAIN THE CASE OF THE PROSECUTOR V. FRANCIS KIRIMI MUTHAURA,UHURU MUIGAI KENYATTA AND MOHAMMED HUSSEIN ALI

Please note that the ICC website has been down since Monday 23 January 2012 when the above two rulings were delivered and read in open Court by Justice Ekaterina Trendafilova. Hence we thank MarsGroupKenya for availing a copy of the text for your online consumption.

MISS NESTEA® KIBERA TO BE CROWNED SATURDAY

Nairobi: March 10^th, 2011: The ready-mix iced tea brand under the Nestlé stable, NESTEA® has entered into a partnership with ASHLEYS, the franchise owners of Miss World Kenya chapter to sponsor the 2011 Miss World Kenya. The pageant will be known as NESTEA® Miss World Kenya.

 

 

Miss Nestea Kibera finalists

At the same time NESTEA® is giving opportunities to underprivileged girls from across the country to participate in the NESTEA® Miss World Kenya beauty pageant. Starting March 12, with the crowning of NESTEA® Miss Kibera 2011, NESTEA® will launch a countrywide head hunt for four young underprivileged ladies who will get direct entry into the finals of NESTEA® Miss World Kenya 2011.

“NESTEA® aims to give young women from a less privileged background who meets the criteria of the pageant to participate in the process. This is a life changing opportunity for any one girl, regardless of her back ground or her socio-economic status” said Guenter Spiess, Business Executive Manager - Coffee & Beverages, Nestlé Equatorial Africa Region.

The recruitment for Miss NESTEA® will take place during the NESTEA® road shows to be held in Kibera, Kayole, Kwangware, Githurai, Thika, Machakos, Mombasa, Narok, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu and Kisii as indicated in the route map below.

NESTEA ROUTE MAP
1	12th March 2011	Kibera Grounds
2	19th March 2011	Thika
3	26th March 2011	Kayole
4	2nd April 2011	Kawangware
5	9th  April 2011	Githurai
6	16th  April 2011	Machakos
7	23rd April 2011	Mombasa Public Beach
8	30th  April 2011	Mombasa Chinaina
9	7th May, 2011	Narok
10	7th May, 2011	Nakuru
11	7th May, 2011	Eldoret
12	7th May, 2011	Kisumu
13	7th May, 2011	Kisii

From each of the thirteen locations, one girl will be crowned. Four out of the 13 Miss NESTEA® from the 13 locations will then be selected to attend a two day Nestea Workshop & Mentorship in Nairobi conducted by grooming, etiquette and public presentation experts. These four will then join the NESTEA® Miss World Kenya 2011 finals in August and get a chance to be crowned Miss Kenya and later Miss World. 

“We are not looking at how sophisticated the girls are and that is why we are conducting the head hunts from places like Kibera.  They just need to believe in themselves and meet the selection criteria such as the age limits and the minimum height requirement then they can show up at the events.  NESTEA® will show them how to wear makeup, do their hair, dress them up and give them a chance to be Miss World Kenya and change their world,” Mr. Spiess said.

The contestants will be required to be between 17 and 24 years of age, be of good height (at least 5’’7ft) and be of good dental health.  Weights will also be checked. 

“We want to make the participation to Miss NESTEA affordable to everyone,” Mr. Spiess said. “NESTEA® is retailing at prices as low as Ksh5 a sachet and contestants only need 5 sachets of NESTEA in order to enter the Miss NESTEA competition. Our intention is to make NESTEA® a grass root product, enjoyed by everyone, at any time.”

Natasha Metto, Miss World Kenya 2010 and Guenter Spiess, Business Executive Manager Nestlé EAR, crown Linda Kavetsa as the new Miss Nestea Kibera

Alongside the head hunt for Miss NESTEA® , ASHLEYS will be conducting separate auditions in the 8 provinces to select three finalists from each province who will proceed to the next elimination stage where 20 contestants will be selected to join the Miss World Kenya boot camp.

Kenyans Take To Twitter :#choosepeace, #Kenya28Feb

Its amazing how the internet is readily proving to be an instrument for organizing and coalescing mass action and mass expression . Following the Tunisian and Egyptian protest debacle on the social media site Twitter, Kenyans are coming up with their own rival protests under the following hashtags:

• #Kenya28Feb calling upon Kenyans to voice their discontent with the going ons in the political establishment.
• #ChoosePeace calling on other Kenyans not to follow the ongoing trend of mass protests and disgruntlement, as has been witnessed in the Egyptian protests.

This trending development is of interest to many pundits as it impacts on the role of social media in voicing discontent, mobilization of mass protests in real time , freedom of expression and whether Governments should take an increasing role in policing , monitoring and or regulation of social media.Will  perhaps the present developments result in greater Government scrutiny of Social media?How that turns out a wait and see approach may be best at the moment.

Kenya WikiLeaks Cables...!!!

 The American Diplomatic cables emanating from the Kenyan US embassy as leaked on Wikileaks  will have a tremendous albeit damaging impact both in terms of foreign relations and domestic politics(what could not be revealed in parliament despite heavy posturing by MP's has found its way to the internet for all eyes to see)

You can now keep updated on the Kenyan Wikileaks Cables(Including a dossier on the drug barons and Ukranian Tanks headed to the Government of Southern Sudan) on  the internet at the following Link:KENYA CABLES(THAT'S BEFORE THE WEBSITE IS SHUTDOWN-TRUST ME IT WILL BE DONE)

For one Wikileaks lend true to the adage "What is done in the dark will be revealed in the light" and "There is no secret where two or more people are involved".The recent arrest of Wiki Leaks founder Julian Assange  further compounds the situation on a global scene as first and foremost it shows that America is not what people perceive it to be:a Country where Justice and Freedom reigns supreme. The " Change You can Believe in " was just a stunt!in reality a change in regime but not the nature of the American Government or its covert policies. America remains the America that it has always been - traditionally "CIA  America" poking its nose into everybody's business.

The  belated arrest infact lends credence to the truthfulness of conspiracy theories that all this is an attempt to shut him up. Julian Assange is being charged  with - "one count of unlawful coercion, two counts of sexual molestation and one count of rape," preferred against him in Sweden last August! Being the public profile he is , i highly doubt he would have been the most difficult person to arrest at the might of Interpol.The arrest comes  after his  releasing over a thousand leaked diplomatic cables in late November.So far Wiki leaks has released 1,193 out of 251,287 cables and the World is already steaming hot from its contents.

I pity the American Government for they cannot simply sweep this under the Government nor will the millions perhaps billions of Internet users allow them to do so,As the cables are released ,the content is spiraling at a viral frequency as more websites prop up with the content ashaming Governments and highly influential individuals. Now this is the "Power of Social Media "it can change perceptions and damage not only brands but Governments, superpowers....best beware!

Interestingly what might follow and i am sure is a  Hollywood movie!I bet the Hollywood  movie producers must now be on its tail as perhaps the biggest movie this decade is "The Wiki Leaks Cables heist" .Aside for its entertainment and informative value what this whole fiasco demonstrates is the folly of human rulership ,   modern technology and its inherent deficiencies .

Flush-- Slush Restaurant?

Oops i just did this ! Yes i reviewed a Restaurant for inept service albeit having good goods and by goods i mean food being the main product they sell. Its important for restaurant and Kenyan business to gauge the feedback of their customers lest they feel the heat of new media that is social in nature.If you are a Business owner kindly watch not only the product but the customer satisfaction that your business does sale.With mobile phones hooked on to the internet, social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare, its important to think of what kind of reputation you are building Digitally;with good cause.

Now back to my post i just flushed of Slush, a nice Indian themed restaurant with nice Indian food with various retail outlets in and around Nairobi.  My particular nasty experience is with its retail outlet at Nairobi 's Kigali Road/Moi Avenue opposite Jamia Mall.Online culinary restaurant reviews is not my forte or usual field of play but this i had to write.

I had a meeting at two P.M, being a Thursday i thought of having something light.After much deliberations especially after having seen a review from a buddy on Foursquare- Slush's maru bhajias with sauce seemed a favourite after muc deliberations. Well the last time i was there my meal was delayed for around 15-20 minutes because of a sloppy waitress, i hoped there would not be a repeat perfomance, but to much dismay it was twice as bad!

I made my order with a request for a drink which came forth with at around 1:20, thirty minutes later the maru bhajias were still on the way coming.I took the menu thought i would order something different only for the waiter to assure me just a minute and i would have my order! Ten minutes later i stood up fuming, paid for the soda and guess what the sloppy lad delayed for another 5 minutes wiping tables until i had to go to the cashier.That notwithstanding there was not even a simple apology.Talk of the non existence of customer service.

Maru bhajias now a foregone histry, lunch hour gone , the poor man with his digestive system rumbling ahead of an expected stormy settlement meeting with clients. The other part of me almost tempting me to litigate.And yes i would not and will not tip for such sloppy service.I Just had to flush Slush (at the least this particular branch)out of my usual fast food joints.Have you had a similar experience with social media you have the power to change things or rather change perceptions.

Kenyan Liza Mucheru Wisner In "The Apprentice Season 10"

 A Kenyan born lady has for the first time made it among the 16 handpicked cast for the Donald Tramp reality TV Series " The Apprentice-Season 10". Wife and mother of two Liza Mucheru Wisner of Corpus Christi Texas will ride the Country's flag high as she demonstrates business acumen, innovativeness and agility in the reality TV show.

Lol, with no pun intended ,ladies from central Kenya often are Business savvy ,its no wonder the first Kenyan to make it to the show hails from the region,we can be certain that she will deliver in the show(...had to include that in this post).As a Country the international media has made it a habit to focus on our downside and weaknesses but as Wangari Mathai,Barrack Obama, David Rudisha, Pamela Jelimo,Liza Mucheru and a bevy of other accomplished Kenyans have proven ,this country is not bereft of talent and positive emoluments.People better recognize.

 
Season 10 of the American Apprentice show premiered on Thursday September 16, 2010.For a certainty ,this show will receive massive attention and viewership from the Kenyan audience.

You can follow Liza Mucheru on twitter @lizawisner

Kenya Referendum Date 4 August 2010 Results

(update) Kenyans have overwhelmingly voted in to adopt the draft New Constitution after almost three decades for a search of a new constitution. The De facto Leader of the No Team Hon. William Ruto  has just conceded defeat after the provisional votes tally by the Interim Independent Electoral Commission indicated that the "YES" team was leading by a whooping 5,234,547(69.3%) votes against the "NO" teams 2,322,169(30.7){latest results}.The Yes Team secretariat and team leaders including the President,Vice-President and Prime Minister are set to address the Kenyan Public at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre Later this afternoon. The 2010 referendum has been remarkably peaceful and seamless with few irregularities if any.


The Interim Independent Electoral Commission has officially announced the Referendum date for the proposed new Constitution of Kenya to be 4th August, 2010.Kenyan voters  will be required to respond to the question
"Do you approve the proposed new Constitution?"  Or in Kiswahili "Je, unaikubali katiba mpya inayopendekezwa?" during the said referendum. See the announcement from the Government Broadcaster KBC Link....



NB:President Mwai Kibaki has declared August, 4th as a National Holiday!

Collins Injera & Humphrey Kayange Make IRB player of Year Award List

This is great news for the Kenya Rugby Team "Virgin Boys"and Kenya as a whole. Our rugby team has a had a series of startling and awesome perfomances over the past five years and for the first time in Rugby histry two Kenyans have been shortlisted for the International Rugby Boards Player of the Year shortlist.


The IRB Sevens Player of the Year will be announced at a function in Murrayfield Stadium at the conclusion of the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens on 31 May, the final event of the 2008/09 IRB Sevens World Series.

This weekend(30 &31 May, 2009) the Kenyan rugby team will be playing in the Scotland Sevens Edinburgh tournament where im certain they will prevail in a major way. In just ten years i have seen rugby move to heights un inmaginable 10 years back.By the way i am a huge rugby fan !Kenyans lets give a shout out to the boys! Kudos guys!15% off perfume

Kenyatta University Strike-Blame Game Begins!

Its only two weeks back when Kenya,s Premier Public University :Kenyatta University was closed but the senate hastily re-opened the university without first addressing conclusively the isues that the students had voiced!The result, death , rape, mayhem, burnt hostels, destroyed properties , a tartered image ...etc.And someone or some people are ultimately responsible. It is true that the acts by the students to burn and vandalize property is criminal and retrogressive but the truth is it could have been prevented if someone or some people made the right decisions starting with the Vice Chancellor Olive Mugenda!

The students want to be consulted before any decision that adversely affects them is undertaken, but that seems to be a curtain call that falls on deaf ears.Some Members of Kenyatta University Students Association (KUSA) were arbitrarily suspended following the previous strike- another decision that was hastily taken by the university senate and now the matter is in Court for Judicial review. The last time we witnessed such suspensions was during the Moi era and clamour for multi party democracy!That tells the university senate something.

Some of the administrative decisions being taken against these cream of Kenya's academia indicates lack of appreciation of what university education really entails. Prescribing uniforms cannot and will not work.Though the students clearly have valid issues with the academia , they should find acceptable methods to articulate their grievances although the university seems hell bent to silence diconsenting opinion by suspending student leaders instead of engaging them in dialogue-the result is the chaos witnessed!

What a shame, but it was seen coming and in the abscence of concrete measures it will still happen!My call dignify the students listen to them, as for the Police -you used excessive force evidenced and captured on national tv and some of this students will be absorbed into the force(see Standard News item Link here) and be your employers---basically you excercise little forethought and it will come back to haunt you, as for the Kenyatta University students there are better ways to articulate problems rather than criminal activities.Simply a sad and shameful affair!

Here's an insider perspective from blog Kenyan Chronicles

Terror Alert-Somali Insurgents & Mandera Military Incursions!

Todays Nairobi Star features a headline indicating that Somali insurgents are planning a terror attack in Kenya and that consequently the security forces have been put on high vigilance.Such calls remind us that our Country is not safe and reminds many Kenyans of the many turmoils ,heartache,Death and loss the Country has experienced since the August 7th terrorist attack on the American Embassy in Nairobi in the year 1998.Fear is slowly gripping back to the County and for a certainty our security forces are ill equipped and adequately apprised to cope with these kinds of human caused disasters.Peace continues to be elusive.For the most part our security machinery is reactive(often coming after the fact) than preventive! I stand to be corrected.

On the other hand as this cloud of gloom faces us especially considering that a suspect was apprehended yesterday ferrying over 600 bomb detonators from Eastleigh on a bus bound for Wajir-there is definately cause for alarm(Ogopa Eastleigh).
But what makes it worse is the fact that we have a military regime ,officers and personnel who still employ stone age tactics to respond to modern day crime! Its like that jua kali mechanic who has different sizes of nyundo's(hammers) and even when your car has an overflow insists on pounding the engine in order for the car to start! When defeated the mechanic always implores a bigger hammer trying to pound away the problem until he has no further strength.
My former lecturer and kinsfolk Professor P.L.O Lumumba would state"you do not respond to a mosquito bite with the pound of a hammer".Unfortunately our military commanders believe in brute force and are out there in Mandera maiming, injuring,brutally abusing men ,raping women and children under the guise of dealing with the long outstanding problem of inter clan(Murule and Garre clans) cattle rustling in North Eastern Province of Kenya.Shame on them we are now in the 21st Century! The Human Rights abuses being carried out in Mandera & Garrisa as we speak is chilling and appalling!

I believe there is need for more brain than brawn at the Department of Defence (DOD)of the Kenyan Military .Even the USA with all its military might and nuclear weapons learnt that for them to be effective and minimise losses in Iraq there was need for them to work along with the Indigenous communities alongside with the Community of Likeminded States.For our military the approach is beat everything in sight including farm and wild animals.I believe that is a cowards move. Useless fellas....the North Eastern problem is not the same as that of the Sabaot Land Defence force or Mungiki Menace.The personalities and phsyches involved are different.The present action by the military will cause more insecurity than security after all no Govermnent that fights its own Citizens has ever succeded.The students who have seen their teachers, chiefs,Imams being clobbered are now fertile minds for Al qaeda and other fanatical groups to recruit just from accross the borders and just like a snake they are bound to retreat into a hole and strike back with precision and venomous attack in due time.... Major General Kianga please tell your boys & girls to think, think and think some more!Create allies not enemies. Intelligence is not a weakness it is a strength and as long as all humans continue to bleed and die...your officers are no safer or better! Peace always prevails over war, friendship over enmity and measured responses over fanatism !

By the way how come the Human Right organizations,Newsprint, Politicians and other Kenyans are mum over the abuses happening to Kenyan Citizens by the military...are they not also humans or perhaps they are second class Citizens only to be remembered come elections?

Zimbabwe Elections/Poll Results 2008

There is mounting tension in Zimbabwe as the Electoral Commision delays announcing the election result.Of the 6 seats already announced officially.The oposition has 3 and Mugabe's Zanu PF taking the other three.To avoid a similar scenario as was witnessed in Kenya, there is already heavy Police and military patrol of the cities and yes there are already fears of a coup if the opposition wins. This lends itself to the question:"why vote?"

The Movement for democratic change on the other hand is claiming that the poll delays is actually an attempt by the Government to rig the poll.Unfortunately African Countries never seem to meet the test of Democracy nor do African leaders empathise with their electorates due to the many problems they drag them into.But a time comes when each one has to account for his actions before the Almighty and thats the time that humans recognize they are but mere dust.

For updated news links see:
http://theusdaily.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=345988&type=home
http://allafrica.com/stories/200803310016.html
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=4554873

Unfortunately it is impossible to access the official website from outside Zimbabwe at :http://www.zimbabweelectoralcommission.org/This tends to illustrate the censorship,mitrust and backwardness that accompanies certain egocentric and despotic leaderships in Africa

Kenya's FM Radio Stations!

Unfortuantely most of our FM radio stations are turning out to be audio tabloids with little wholesome information save for puerile,derogatory , sexually suggestive and or immoral comments!I especially have a beef with Kiss 100 FM which has been airing this uncouth comment from one Nairobi guy about what should happen to a certain lady.The worst thing is that they keep on repeating it as an advertisement!I am among many fair minded Nairobians who are not impressed by this ad.Keep it off air,its not funny!

Mr Patrick Quarco ,kindly get better people who will give us better content rather than obnoxious stuff that the station is churning.Man do i miss those days of guys of substance such as Jimmy Gathu.You can make a name by keeping it proffesional.Todays Kiss 100's breakfast show featured an item on an event that transpired to a female friend of the new guy Larry Asego as if that is news!!!I mean...Kiss reinvent yourself ,re-engineer the station.The public can easily be turned on and off and you will loose audience!I mean it where there is smoke there is fire.The customer is king

Nation Media's Easy Fm (96.4)is not faring so well too,Munene Nyaga seems to be laughing at anything that has sexual connotations and some section of the public seems to be loving it.Worse is many women and young teens seem to be calling with a frenzy especially when the subject is "dogging" i.e. unfaithfulness to one's mate!True -Sex sells but sex kills too,a carefree life often leads to lack of self worth and myriads of mryiads of other social problems to those who indulge.It doesnt take a rocket scientist to see that no progressive societyhas been found in the abscence of acceptable morals.At the same time the marketing department must be careful about which niche of the market they seek to address and their purchasing power.If its iddlers and those out to just hear something new or debauched then they watchout on their sales and reputation.Advertisers want to use advertising media that is reputable and ugurs well with their brand.CallingAmerica.com Free USA Calls !

I hope the media council reins on some of these radio stations.Their editorial staff must censor the content because the comments are aired live and are accessible to all members of family.For now Capital FM(you can actually listen to it live online at here and Homeboyz Radio are the channels of choice.Though they are not also out of the woods but one can clearly see that they have some editorial standards to maintain and do not capriciously handle issues. Keep it up dont lose sight of why you are on air!

Queer Activity in Mathare Slums!

Violence has returned to Mathare Area 1 following what residents are claiming to be forceful evictions of tenants belonging to certain ethnic communities allegedly for non-failure to pay rent. It is stated that this was done yesterday under police supervision although this allegation is uncornfirmed!

This latest event has sparked the anger of residents from the communities concerned and is threatening the peace that was prevailing due to the Koffi Annan mediation talks.Certain actions are ill advised and illegal.As the Government insists"the law must be followed".As far as i know of ,there is no provision of law that requires a resident to be forcefully evicted out of a premise save under police supervision following a Court Order which is not the case herein.

This selective application of the law and capriciousness threatens the stability of Kenya and the East African Region.It may as well lead to despondency and scuttle the talks if not closely watched !The Citizenry is charged and nothing should be undertaken that could result in more violence and or tension.Life is just too precious to be handled in a carefree manner.The pain and suffering is just too much but all responsible will be held to account before the universal court that God has been constituted to judge human governments(Dan 7:9&10,11,13&14,2:44,) and the result is fatal.This prophecy is certain and must be fulfilled.In fact in Mathew 6:10 Jesus as the King designate urged his disciples to pray for God's Kingdom(Government) to comewhich is the true solution to human governments since they have failed and are beyond repair.Too bad Christendom masses and their leaders have no faith and keep on turning attention to entities that are bound to fail!

Kenya-Keeping the Hope Despite A Crisis!

Kenyan political crisis chief mediator Mr.Koffi Annan and his team are set to announce a partial agreement after a retreat at the prestigious Tsavo national park!However as the public and the international community eagerly anticipates an end to the current political crisis a segment of the Kenyan media and some politicians seems to be failing in their mandate to keep hope alive !

Todays Eaststandard Newspaper bears the title 48 Hours Later and No Deal Yet!whereas its counterpart and chief competitor The Daily Nation bears a more positive headline" Annans team strikes half -way deal in talks".Itis this kind of responsible journalism that Kenyans are looking foward to and proud off!We should not always paint the picture to be gloomy or grim!I would advise the same thing to Minister Martha Karua whose face potrays obstinancy and pessimism!Kenya is at crossroads on the brink of disaster!We are on a make it or break it state.It therefore stands to reason that the normal uphanded kind of responses must be toned down!We cannot afford to loose this country due to interests that countermand the will of the marjority lest we steer forth into a course of disaster.Failed states were once great !mistakes upon other mistakes are what often leads to failed states and so does arrogance.We need the Peace despite personal interest,ideo-pyschofancy,name calling ,grand standing amongst other things within the political class who will soon realise that like proverbial Humpty Dumpty they are sitting high up on a wall and can fall with fatal consequences if they forget the nature of Humans response to bad leadership!

The issue before Kenya is commanding greater international attention than ever before.The German Minister of State Mr. Gernot Erler is currently in the Country to assist the mediation parties not to have a grim picture of Grand Coalitions especially in times of crisis .Germany as a developed Country has had experience with grand coalition in times past with a measure of success and this seems to be the stand the international community is taking with regards to Kenya.American Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice is expected to butress this position in her visit next week .She will be here to lend weight to the position that the mediation must work and must represent the collective will and diversity of the Kenyan People.PNU and ODM-K and KANU the core members of the current government are perceived not to represent the diversity and face of Kenya in fact they represent a minority!That is the stark reality and perception of many Kenyans and more or less a precipitate for the current violence!If only the political protagonists could empathise and feel the pain in their own heart of the many people who have lost loved ones,property and belongings then the grandstanding,obstinancy,pursuit of power would cease!

At the same time certain precerpts and principles of Law such as equality of States,principle of Non-Intervention are a de facto fallacy!Kenya, the African Union and Countries such as China should come to grasp with it.Otherwise Saddam Hussein would be still in power,there would be no elections in Pakistan and Iran would be making use of nuclear power for militaristic purposes but that is not the case.If the Mwai Kibaki Administration stiffens its neck, it may just soon break under the weight of international"concern".

Homeboyz Radio-Coming Home to Roost!

Kenya's premier Dj Group;the Homeboyz yesterday added a new addition to their homeboyz franchise:the radio chanel 96.5,homeboyz radio(complete with a new website found at http://www.homeboyzradio.co.ke/) and the new station has taken the media market by storm.

The radio station is churning out mad vibes that will definately keep most of the youth and middle ages listeners listening on!The move is likely to send the leading radio station such as Kiss 100.3 F.M(famous for its Caroline Mutoko and Walter Mongare alias Nyambane morning shows)Capital 98.4 F.M,Nation Media's Easy 96.4 F.M(with presentors such as Munene Nyaga,Talia Oyando etc),and Classic 105F.M (famous for its Maina Kageni and Churchill who doubles up as Mwalimu Kingang`i and Philgoneas) back to their drawing boards as the DJ's have vast experience and unequaled music resources to keep the crowd up and listening and the past one day has just demonstrated that! The Homeboyz group has grown in Leaps and bounds and now encompasses Homeboyz Radio,Homeboyz Eventing Company,the Music Technology Academy(MTA),Homeboyz DJ Agency,Homeboyz Record Label,Soundtraxx Limited,Beats Per Minute(BPM) Magazine,Club Bpm...the boyz are now men and surely going places.

The traditional stations have one main disadvantage;they frequently and repeatedly play a song(dubbed local hit) until it becomes sore to the ears!The same can hardly be said of Homeboyz Radio except that they need to tone down on the scratching bit a little. Radio music is a different niche from a club gig.But here at a Nairobians Perspective we would like to congratulate the Homeboyz group for their innovativeness,creativity and entrepeneurship psyche that has seen them grow in heaps and bounds(now employing over 40 staff).

Word of caution though ,keep it real,keep it competive because the sky is the limit.We look foward to the launch of Homeboyz TV!

Pss:Just had to add this to this post,Homeboyz are really representing the streets with the likes of Sheila Rabala,G Money in the morning, Koi,DJ John,DJ Hassan,DJ Wesley,Dj Nruff,DJ Kaydee.I listened to DJ John on Friday evening and the musi was awesome!The station is really setting the standards in the industry, no overplaying of songs like kiss does.Its the place to tune @ for Well mixed grooves,Genge,latest Local remixes,Club H2O,Bongo...etc.Homeboyz keep it up, n if you are reading this express your appreciation for homeboyz mad beats by commenting here and letting them know u are appreciating nuff ! sawa....proudly Kenyan!

Tis also good to see that they are sponsoring this years Impala Floodlit Rugby Tournament(2008).Thats what we call giving back to society!The real Deal !

CallingAmerica.com Free USA Calls !

Chronicles to a Kenyan Catastrophe !

I verily agree with the Government and human rights organisation that nothing happens by accident.Often events happen due to premeditated steps and events.But there is alot of culpability on the part of those in authority towards the human rights abuses,death and mayhem witnessed in Kenya.The following is a chronicle of events that may have contributed to the current impasse:

1. December 27,2002: the election of Hon Mwai Kibaki by a grand coalition on a platform of reforms and zero tolerance to corruption facilitated (at the time and as still is Kenya was ranked as one of the most corrupt nations on earth.With a growing level of the educated class corruption is least tolerated)by a Memorandum of Understanding(MOU)between the then opposition parties.
2. January 2003, appointments of ministers and other civil servants against the spirit and content of the MOU signed by the Narc Constituent parties leads to mistrust and infighting within the NARC government.
3. September 2003:Hastily done radical surgery of the Judiciary resulting in dismisal and resignation of a number of Judges(6 out of the 11 Court of appeal Judges,17 out of 36 High Court Judges,82 out of 252 magistrates suspended).The move aimed at instilling discipline in the Judiciary ends up creating a polarised partialised judiciary one which is poised to favour the political masters and lacks the overwhelming confidence of the opposition and major sections of the citizenry.Allegations of witch hunting permeate the exercise.
4. November 21, 2005:The Referendum:Government side looses having sidelined the Bomas Constitution draft that was arrived at after a very thorough consultative forum of Kenyans from all walks of life.The then minister for security rubishes some of the insitutions proposed by Kenyans to devolve power stating that the same were not necesarry at the moment as they were aimed at removing President Moi.Negative ethnicity starts to set in.
5. November, 2005:The demise of NARC(national alliance rainbow coalition) following defeat at the referendum,the Government sacked all renegade ministers.Tribal cabals begin to emanate leading to the formation of Orange Democratic Movement(ODM) party.
6. January to May 2006:The Armenian(Artur Saga) that results on affront on Kenya Media(Standard Media Raid).This was not only a public shame but an insult to the sovereignty of the Kenyan people.Kenyans feel scorned by how the Government handled and facillitated the gross abuse of the Kenyan laws by the armenian duo.Signs of a government facing turbulent times.
7. January 21, 2007"Compose mentis"(intent to commit felony)The unilateral appointment without any consultation of Nine Electoral Commisioners by the President against the spirit of the 1992 Inter Parliamentary Political Parties agreement(IPPG) that all the political actors be involved in the selection of commisioners .This done under the backdrop of a lost referendum and mounting pressure on the President to consult indicates something is aloof!and that there is determinedness by the political class to go against the will of the people at all costs.
8. November to December 24 2007:Election campaign period marked by intense propaganda,shameless name calling,abuses especially from the Government side"with the domo domo"slogan being used.
9. December,23, 2007 Dispatch of administration policemen through public transport and in civilian clothings to oversee the election under the cover of darkness!allegations of advance rigging are raised by the opposition through the media.A number of administration policemen are arrested and killed by mobs who claim they will not allow any rigging.Police Commisioner decries that these deaths were not really necessary and could have been avoided.Investigative journalism gets audio-visual statements from administration policemen about the impending rigging.This statements are aired on national TV.
10. December 28, 2007:Election day marked by various irregularities especially in some stations such as Langata constituency.
11. December 31, 2007 Election results announced declaring Honourable Mwai Kibaki as Presidential winner amidst protest from the Orange Democratic Movement of massive flaws.The President is hastily sworn in at state house shortly thereafter .
12. The 2007 elections tallying process fail to meet the standards of modern democracy as per the international observes and domestic observers.ECK commisioners and chair allege that there could have been irregularities and that it is impossible to determine the winner.This being done after the fact.
13. All hell breaks loose!Civil unrest,Police brutality,Ethnic cleansing,looting... etc
14. January, 2008:ECK through paid newspaper announcements try to justify the results and through legalese(subject to interpratation)try to revoke the statements of the chair made after the election.

The trail of events leaves overwhelming evidence of citizen discontent that cannot be wished away by even the die hard supporters of the incumbent.True nationhood however presupposes that Kenya must accept and come to face the glaring maladministration and eventualities that have led to the massive loss of life,inequalities ,pain and suffering of iits citizenry most of whom have no political affiliations and did not even vote!Failure to address the gross injustices is not only demonic but a recipe for future skirmishes, rebellion etc that will have greater fatalities and effects than has been witnessed.The Kenyan population is too educated to merely gloss over disparities and injustices that they witness from leaders of whatever political or religious affiliation.Corruption past and present must be addresed and just solutions be reached.

Political leaders must be reminded that it does not require one to pull a trigger to be judged a murderer.Any act or ommision that places Kenyan citizens in grave or fatal danger constitutes murder.The sanctity of the vote and the will of the Kenyan electorate must be respected.Anyhing short of that is a recipe for chaos.

The Biblical David sent Uriah to the front battle lines knowing so well he would die and for that he was branded a murderer.Hence things are not O.K or returning to normal,it is not business as usual, the religious clergy unlike the biblical prophet Nathan are bipartisan and hiding the truth away from the leaders who truly bear responsibility for the skirmishes,murder and untold suffering that Kenyans have experienced.All this could have been avoided and peace maintained if the electoral process had not been tampered with.The consciousness of the perpatrators condemn them despite grandstanding statements and machismo being propagated around.Our worst enemy and best friend is our conscious which will always condemn us even if we put up a front.

Maintaining the status quo against the background of the above chronological events will result in greater harm,entreching of enmity and hatred and a turbid future for this Country!That is hard talk and a reality that cant be wished way not even with the stringent critisicm and ignorance of facts!

Another ODM M.P. Shot!

Newly elected ODM Member of parliament for Ainamoi Constituency in the Northen Rift of Kenya Mr.David Kimutai Too has been shot dead in circumstances pointing to a domestic dispute.Honourable Too was shot by a traffic Policeman for allegedly having an illicit affair with the policeman's girlfriend!This deals a huge blow to the Orange Democratic Movement.Police are investigating the incident and have arrested the traffic Policeman.

Meanwhile tension remains high in Kisumu and Kericho with many shops and businesses shutting down!With the situation in the country being volatile,this incident is sure to raise eyebrow even though they be misplaced!

A Deeply Troubled Nation!

Kenyans have woken up to deeply troubling news following the post election violence that ODM's newly elected Member of Parliament for Embakasi Hon Mugabe Were has been murdered!From where i am at the office tension is rife.Just 15 minutes ago i heard several gunshots and women wailing.It may be police dispersing persons demonstrating against the killing of Were who was gunned down by uknown assailants yesterday evening as he was driving to his compound.The Kenya police are treating the incident as murder according to the official statement read by Mr Eric Kiraithe.

The senseless killing that has been witnessed around the Country has now mutated to involve political killing , now the fear of reprisals is hanging around the air in Nairobi.All ODM MP,s are currently holed up in a meeting at Orange house before proceeding to the late Were's home in woodley.In the meantime marauding youths have taken control of Ngong Road and are engaged in running battles with the police thereby bringing that section of Nairobi to a standstill. The streets in the city centre have few persons.

We are sinking into a hole as a nation that we will all live to regret due to our actions and inactions and more so due to failure of religious clergy to educate and spiritually nourish its adherents leading to anarchy!The state of anarchy trigered by the elections have a deep lesson to teach us Kenyans and need quiet reflection !Kenyans need to ask themselves the question are we willing to learn from our mistakes for the sake of posterity?May Peace and serenity prevail !