For Alice Njambi a resident of Kibera slums in Nairobi's Langata constituency, voting is ritual that she has to perform every five years.
She knows as sure as death that she has to participate in the election of leaders whom she really does not understand what they do.
"They (elected leaders) only come around after five years promising us anything they think we need," she told me when I visited her home in Africa's biggest slum.
Despite voting for quite a number of times, there is nothing to show that there is a leadership that cares about the kind of life that she leads.
She lives in a rented two roomed mud walled house, despite the fact that she is in the city and had ran away from rural home in search of glamour in urban areas.
The roomes are shared between her, her nine children and now her grandchlidren who have started arriving.
Looking at Alice I could not help but wonder about the kind of leaders that we have. Is she aware that they have everything to do with her living conditions, are they aware that there are some people whom struggling to make ends meet is their second name?
What about good policy, is there a possibility that the leaders will ever make deliberate moves that will change the way that Alice and many others live?
Why oh why are politicians running up and down, having tea and dinner meetings to discuss who is best suited to be the man living at the house on the hill?
Who will speak for Alice whose sun tanned brow and hollow eyes are crying for change- positive change that will see her live like a human being - with privacy and dignity?
This is the more reason why everybody who has a vote should wake up and throw out the bunch of overpaid, underemployed legalized looters posing as peoples representatives and whose contribution is to skim the taxes that we pay.
We need radical change if not radical surgery through the power of the vote to have people who can make decisions that will benefit the whole society and not individual persons, their families and tribes.
That way Alice and others can start dreaming of a better tommorow.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
RE: Uchaguzi - Swahili for Election!
"Uchaguzi" is Swahili for election.
A group of Kenyan journalists meeting in Nairobi established "Uchaguzi Watch," following concerns that the local media were ignoring some important news stories that would otherwise educate and inform the public.
As Kenyans go to the polls later this year, there are concerns that election violence could easily take centerstage. We strive to inform, educate and entertain.... as an alternative to the mainstream media in Kenya.
A group of Kenyan journalists meeting in Nairobi established "Uchaguzi Watch," following concerns that the local media were ignoring some important news stories that would otherwise educate and inform the public.
As Kenyans go to the polls later this year, there are concerns that election violence could easily take centerstage. We strive to inform, educate and entertain.... as an alternative to the mainstream media in Kenya.
Friday, June 29, 2007
I saw 6.1 economic growth
I was walking along the road when I saw economic growth.
I saw people crowded together like termites living in mud walled houses.
I saw children playing with raw sewage which was passing outside their house.
I saw people eating meat skimmed from cows hides and legs, they couldn't afford meat.
Its true,
I saw, fish remains "mgongo wazi" being served on a Kibanda hotel table.
It was nothing but bones but do I say,
I saw six percent,
It was with the minister,
He was clad in a designer suit custom made from Italy,
He arrived in a shiny sleek mercedes limo imported from Germany.
His shoes were Italian made and the tie was a best selection from France.
And he was ready to present to us,
Six percent economic growth,
The turnaround in his life.
I saw people crowded together like termites living in mud walled houses.
I saw children playing with raw sewage which was passing outside their house.
I saw people eating meat skimmed from cows hides and legs, they couldn't afford meat.
Its true,
I saw, fish remains "mgongo wazi" being served on a Kibanda hotel table.
It was nothing but bones but do I say,
I saw six percent,
It was with the minister,
He was clad in a designer suit custom made from Italy,
He arrived in a shiny sleek mercedes limo imported from Germany.
His shoes were Italian made and the tie was a best selection from France.
And he was ready to present to us,
Six percent economic growth,
The turnaround in his life.
Going places
Uchaguzi watch, Democracy through our eyes is going places.
Less than a week after it was started, the blogspot is attracting international attention and on Wednesday 27 June 2007, radio Deutsche Welle aired an interview with one of the blog authors.
He explained the reasons behind the formation of the blog, citing frustration from media owners, editors and politicians due to what is regarded as either non interesting stories or stories that rub the managers and politicians the wrong way.
He said that the blogspot offers the authors an alternative channel to bring to the fore social economic and political issues affecting our society without the prohibiting shackles of owners and editors tastes.
The interview is attached.
Less than a week after it was started, the blogspot is attracting international attention and on Wednesday 27 June 2007, radio Deutsche Welle aired an interview with one of the blog authors.
He explained the reasons behind the formation of the blog, citing frustration from media owners, editors and politicians due to what is regarded as either non interesting stories or stories that rub the managers and politicians the wrong way.
He said that the blogspot offers the authors an alternative channel to bring to the fore social economic and political issues affecting our society without the prohibiting shackles of owners and editors tastes.
The interview is attached.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
THE VESSEL Cont....
Ok now we know the race to state house is on.
Different politicians on different parties...typical. so lets take a closer look at the presidential aspirants and maybe backtrack a bit on where they come from....we all know where they are fighting to go.
HON. MWAI KIBAKI
He is the incumbent president. pure and simple....but what does it mean for him as he contests to retain this seat?
President Kibaki comes from a long history in the opposition since the introduction of multi party democracy in the the country.
He boasts as one of the founders of the Democratic Party on which he unsuccessfully vied for presidency twice in 1992 and 1997.
This did not deter the ambitious politician from racing on to state house, but it came as an eye opener to come up with tactic that would match up to the stiff competition posed by the vast experienced political tactician Daniel Arap moi.
Fast forward to 2002, the year of change!
Year.....................2002
Destination........State house
Target.................Remove Moi
Means..................Any means possible.
It was clear that the then president Daniel Moi had overstayed his welcome in statehouse. He had to leave. but after 24 years in power it was tricky for the opposition to individually take him on...so they devised a plan.
In an unlikely event, first time of its kind in Kenya, the major opposition parties came together to form a coalition....THE NARC COALITION.
With a deterroriated economy and over the roof corruption and poor governance, it was not so hard for the opposition to garner support from the Wananchi and come December of the same year, the country took to the polls and historically, with a landslide victory, NARC won!!!
So Narc is the rulling party in Kenya? or not?
Where does Kibaki belong?
First there was his original party DP, then came NARC, then now a baby party has been born claiming the leadership of Kibaki, Narc Kenya......though the president has remained mum over the issue.
Confused? ............. me too!
Stay posted!
Different politicians on different parties...typical. so lets take a closer look at the presidential aspirants and maybe backtrack a bit on where they come from....we all know where they are fighting to go.
HON. MWAI KIBAKI
He is the incumbent president. pure and simple....but what does it mean for him as he contests to retain this seat?
President Kibaki comes from a long history in the opposition since the introduction of multi party democracy in the the country.
He boasts as one of the founders of the Democratic Party on which he unsuccessfully vied for presidency twice in 1992 and 1997.
This did not deter the ambitious politician from racing on to state house, but it came as an eye opener to come up with tactic that would match up to the stiff competition posed by the vast experienced political tactician Daniel Arap moi.
Fast forward to 2002, the year of change!
Year.....................2002
Destination........State house
Target.................Remove Moi
Means..................Any means possible.
It was clear that the then president Daniel Moi had overstayed his welcome in statehouse. He had to leave. but after 24 years in power it was tricky for the opposition to individually take him on...so they devised a plan.
In an unlikely event, first time of its kind in Kenya, the major opposition parties came together to form a coalition....THE NARC COALITION.
With a deterroriated economy and over the roof corruption and poor governance, it was not so hard for the opposition to garner support from the Wananchi and come December of the same year, the country took to the polls and historically, with a landslide victory, NARC won!!!
So Narc is the rulling party in Kenya? or not?
Where does Kibaki belong?
First there was his original party DP, then came NARC, then now a baby party has been born claiming the leadership of Kibaki, Narc Kenya......though the president has remained mum over the issue.
Confused? ............. me too!
Stay posted!
THE REFEREE
Hey fellow frontline soldiers!
(Well we are at the forefront in our continuing struggle for more democratic space aren't we?)
First of all,am greatful for the privilege of meeting your fine selves during the Adenuer Konrad/ DW workshop and I am sure this blogg spot will be the space to watch!
Speaking of the eye,we know there is no fair game if the the referee is not fair! As our beloved country comes of age in democracy,the Electoral Commission of Kenya of course demands mention.
Led by the fearless yet very affable chairman of the Commission,Samuel Kivuitu,the 22 member commission has at many times been nicknamed the toothless bulldog! Why?
For one,the commission like other government bodies has to haggle for it's budgetary allocation from the Treasury.This means the ECK is at the mercy of the government (in terms of funding) for all it's activities-including the elections.Kivuitu and various stakeholders have for years called for financial autonomy.The move would enable the Commission to determine it's own budget and for the sake of transparency all it would have to do is produce audited reports of it's expenditure before Parliament.That,at the moment seems like it will remain a pipe dream.
The other glaring issue is the power to discipline candidates and political parties for violating electioneering rules.The Commission can only shout about misconduct but is literally 'toothless' to bite after barking! So?
If for example the Commission confronted a candidate for bribing members of the electorate(which is a common phenomenon!),and asked him/her to pay a fine.The candidate could say ok,walk away from the ECK office and never show up again! The Commission has no power to discipline and has no arm to enforce the discipline (eg if the commission could use police officers-that could be another story!)
Lastly,the matter of nominating Commissioners.There is currently no legislation which ensures that a cross section of stakeholders-in this case,the main political parties-to have a say in the nomination of commissioners. It's all up to the man in the Big house to pick anyone he thinks is fit to sit on the Commission's board.So all we can do is cross our fingers and hope that those appointed will choose integrity over being lackeys of those who appointed them!
But it's not all doom and gloom,I don't think! With greater democratic space and with more wananchi more infomed and aware of their rights it will increasingly become hard for corruption to rule during the polls.Not with the Media all over the polling stations clicking and filming away with their cameras and the top scribes furiously scribbling away every move our politicians make! We are watching!!
(Well we are at the forefront in our continuing struggle for more democratic space aren't we?)
First of all,am greatful for the privilege of meeting your fine selves during the Adenuer Konrad/ DW workshop and I am sure this blogg spot will be the space to watch!
Speaking of the eye,we know there is no fair game if the the referee is not fair! As our beloved country comes of age in democracy,the Electoral Commission of Kenya of course demands mention.
Led by the fearless yet very affable chairman of the Commission,Samuel Kivuitu,the 22 member commission has at many times been nicknamed the toothless bulldog! Why?
For one,the commission like other government bodies has to haggle for it's budgetary allocation from the Treasury.This means the ECK is at the mercy of the government (in terms of funding) for all it's activities-including the elections.Kivuitu and various stakeholders have for years called for financial autonomy.The move would enable the Commission to determine it's own budget and for the sake of transparency all it would have to do is produce audited reports of it's expenditure before Parliament.That,at the moment seems like it will remain a pipe dream.
The other glaring issue is the power to discipline candidates and political parties for violating electioneering rules.The Commission can only shout about misconduct but is literally 'toothless' to bite after barking! So?
If for example the Commission confronted a candidate for bribing members of the electorate(which is a common phenomenon!),and asked him/her to pay a fine.The candidate could say ok,walk away from the ECK office and never show up again! The Commission has no power to discipline and has no arm to enforce the discipline (eg if the commission could use police officers-that could be another story!)
Lastly,the matter of nominating Commissioners.There is currently no legislation which ensures that a cross section of stakeholders-in this case,the main political parties-to have a say in the nomination of commissioners. It's all up to the man in the Big house to pick anyone he thinks is fit to sit on the Commission's board.So all we can do is cross our fingers and hope that those appointed will choose integrity over being lackeys of those who appointed them!
But it's not all doom and gloom,I don't think! With greater democratic space and with more wananchi more infomed and aware of their rights it will increasingly become hard for corruption to rule during the polls.Not with the Media all over the polling stations clicking and filming away with their cameras and the top scribes furiously scribbling away every move our politicians make! We are watching!!
THE VESSEL
Election is an important event in any country and it goes down in histroy as such.
Mainly it is considered a test of democracy and with it comes hope for the future. With this in mind it is not surprising the attention such an event pulls from all corners of the world and who best to relay this than the watch dog of society?.....THE MEDIA.......
We focus our attention this coming few months to the election process in Kenya.
Kenya is preparing to hold its fourth democratic election in December 2007. The country (Kenya) comes from a history of electing someone pegged on the time he spent in detention, then to a one party rule and eventually multi party democracy.
By the year 1992, the first time Kenya had its multi party election there was only a handful of opposition parties but this was to drastically grow to over 102 political parties in just one decade.
So this brings me to my point of focus and I pose the question....how genuine are these political parties or are they just a vessel to get us through the elections.
How much faith do Kenyans have in these political parties and how about our politicians, they seem to be jumping ship with every wave that comes, do they really believe in political parties and their ideologies?
I will be following the vague existance of political parties in Kenya and their incredibly short lifespan..that is hoping I can catch up before they form another coalition or simply dissolve.
Stay posted .......and enjoy the political party Vessel ...before it topples over.......
Mainly it is considered a test of democracy and with it comes hope for the future. With this in mind it is not surprising the attention such an event pulls from all corners of the world and who best to relay this than the watch dog of society?.....THE MEDIA.......
We focus our attention this coming few months to the election process in Kenya.
Kenya is preparing to hold its fourth democratic election in December 2007. The country (Kenya) comes from a history of electing someone pegged on the time he spent in detention, then to a one party rule and eventually multi party democracy.
By the year 1992, the first time Kenya had its multi party election there was only a handful of opposition parties but this was to drastically grow to over 102 political parties in just one decade.
So this brings me to my point of focus and I pose the question....how genuine are these political parties or are they just a vessel to get us through the elections.
How much faith do Kenyans have in these political parties and how about our politicians, they seem to be jumping ship with every wave that comes, do they really believe in political parties and their ideologies?
I will be following the vague existance of political parties in Kenya and their incredibly short lifespan..that is hoping I can catch up before they form another coalition or simply dissolve.
Stay posted .......and enjoy the political party Vessel ...before it topples over.......
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Free Education: A Right For All
Collis Vodimus is a resident of Kibera slums in the Langata constituency. The 18 year old teenager is a school drop out. He is supposed to be sitting for his ‘O’level exams this year.A former student of Nakuru High School, Vodismus says he dropped out of school last year because his parents were unable to pay his school fees.
Vodismus is one of many teenagers in the Kibera slums who face the same predicarment. His father is for example not only jobless but also an alcoholic.His mother who is self-employed is the bread winner for his family of four children -- two boys and two girls. Unless something is done Vodismus who represents the majority of the Kibera youth could sink deeper in to the myriad of social problems.The Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which aims to reduce poverty in Kenya’s 210 constituences, has not come into the attention of Vodismus and his life. Vodismus who resides only a stone throw away from the Langata CDF office has never even heard of this fund and what it can do to help people like him.
After my visit to his home and a long conversation discussing the importance of this fund with him, he has undertaken to visit the CDF office to check out what they can do for him and his peers in dire need of support.
Since free education is a right for all one can only hope that Vodismus and his friends won’t be disappointed.
Tired of Election Violence
Hi guys,
Great week and intresting things we have done in the past few days. I have been tackling election violence in Kenya and it's a topic that is of great concern to many people in the country. In the past few months tensions have been escalating in the country and a lot of violence has been experienced. Many people have lost their lives and it was intresting to go out and hear the voices of Kenyans and their take on violence especially at a time when elections are six months away. It's intresting to note that violence has been attributed to all the elections that have taken place in the country since the early 90ies.
The tensions start rising up early and it is sad to note that many times it is the most vulnerable groups that are affected. Especially, the women and children. It will be good if leaders in our country and in the continent steered off from making remarks that will incite people to violent acts. It would be good to hold elections that are free from violence.
As I gear up to go out and tell the story for the upcoming polls I hope that I will report a different story -- less tear gas watering my eyes and rowdy youths opposing different political camps throwing stones at each other. I want to tell the story of an election free from violence.
I only hope that our leaders will be sensible enough to freign themselves from any violent remarks.
Great week and intresting things we have done in the past few days. I have been tackling election violence in Kenya and it's a topic that is of great concern to many people in the country. In the past few months tensions have been escalating in the country and a lot of violence has been experienced. Many people have lost their lives and it was intresting to go out and hear the voices of Kenyans and their take on violence especially at a time when elections are six months away. It's intresting to note that violence has been attributed to all the elections that have taken place in the country since the early 90ies.
The tensions start rising up early and it is sad to note that many times it is the most vulnerable groups that are affected. Especially, the women and children. It will be good if leaders in our country and in the continent steered off from making remarks that will incite people to violent acts. It would be good to hold elections that are free from violence.As I gear up to go out and tell the story for the upcoming polls I hope that I will report a different story -- less tear gas watering my eyes and rowdy youths opposing different political camps throwing stones at each other. I want to tell the story of an election free from violence.
I only hope that our leaders will be sensible enough to freign themselves from any violent remarks.
Monday, June 25, 2007
KIBERA: A TALE OF TWO EXTREMES
Nairobi's Kibera slum – the home to more than 100,000 residents of the city – is a place to behold. Poverty is manifest in the face of virtually every resident you come across. None existence of streets, piped water, lighting and a host of other social amenities belie the fact that Kibera is part and parcel of the Kenyan capital, known to many as the seat of modernity and all that is fashionable.Be the foregoing as it may, make no mistake about the people of Kibera. That the people here are poor is given. What is not is the intelligence of many who reside here and their resolve to make the best they can of life. Intellectually, the people of Kibera are as rich as any. Anybody doubting this, only needs to listen to the following interview with a woman Kibera resident. A visit and such as the interview of the team of journalists reveals Kibera slums as a tale of two extremes.
Chirau is Gone
The period of defection is here with us again and to start with Chirau Mwakwere has bolted from NARC Kenya. Apparently the minister whose performance is as colourless as mineral water ( a columnist in a local daily says the man has the ability to squeeze life out of any vibrant institution and turn it into a mummy). He has now joined an outfit he was once an official of and ran away - the majimbo oriented Shirikisho party of Kenya. I can hear him sing "Jipapa jipapa Lamukani Kudzacha!" but that is as far as the song can go.
The Minister and his allies led by colleague Morris Dzoro have joined the party after a long period of dalliance with Shirikisho and the realization that a new crop of leaders much more popular than the old guard has emerged in Chirau's and his cronies long period of absence and slumber.
He who laughs last laughs longest and Constitutional affairs Assistant Danson Mungatana must be having the last laugh. Giving a fright to a bunch of tribally inclined politicians who have no grass root support than to resort to their tribal cocoons. Of course they can always say that they are not the first to shout tribe.
We are going to witness more of these defections and Chirau Mwakwere should not surprise anybody. Expect more from NARC Kenya and ODM K. Watch this space I will keep you posted.
The Minister and his allies led by colleague Morris Dzoro have joined the party after a long period of dalliance with Shirikisho and the realization that a new crop of leaders much more popular than the old guard has emerged in Chirau's and his cronies long period of absence and slumber.
He who laughs last laughs longest and Constitutional affairs Assistant Danson Mungatana must be having the last laugh. Giving a fright to a bunch of tribally inclined politicians who have no grass root support than to resort to their tribal cocoons. Of course they can always say that they are not the first to shout tribe.
We are going to witness more of these defections and Chirau Mwakwere should not surprise anybody. Expect more from NARC Kenya and ODM K. Watch this space I will keep you posted.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Saturday, June 23, 2007
What a week- RNJ
Hey guys,
It was a great training session this past week as we engaged in Election Reporting workshop.
Wasnt it exciting when we had Dr Wolf, Gerd Bossen and Felgona of course not forgetting the iron woman of the media, Susan for their inspiring and otherwise exciting sessions.
What about the short stint at Karen shopping centre where we did live interviews. We did complain about Kenyan women voters; " Mimi sioni kama nitapiga kura, kwani nimepoteza kadi yangu... ai.
Or the cheeky Mzungu lady: "aah am not prepared," she would say. showing contempt for her own right.. That's the right to give Kibaki, or is it Kalonzo, Raila, Uhuru..aah confusing the mantle to play with the huge taxes she pays...enjoy guys this is just a testing communications. Cheers Monday..........
It was a great training session this past week as we engaged in Election Reporting workshop.
Wasnt it exciting when we had Dr Wolf, Gerd Bossen and Felgona of course not forgetting the iron woman of the media, Susan for their inspiring and otherwise exciting sessions.
What about the short stint at Karen shopping centre where we did live interviews. We did complain about Kenyan women voters; " Mimi sioni kama nitapiga kura, kwani nimepoteza kadi yangu... ai.
Or the cheeky Mzungu lady: "aah am not prepared," she would say. showing contempt for her own right.. That's the right to give Kibaki, or is it Kalonzo, Raila, Uhuru..aah confusing the mantle to play with the huge taxes she pays...enjoy guys this is just a testing communications. Cheers Monday..........
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