If you are not keen on the music scene then the words 'We are Young' wouldn't strike a lyrical tune immediately on seeing them in the title but these words as immortalised by the American band Fun, capture the symbolic transition of this great nation in these interesting times. Allow me to explain.
Kenya is by no means an old State in the history of independent nations. Turning 50 this year, this country has by far achieved much socially, economically and politically. But no other riveting sphere is there than the political having gradually progressed from Colonisation onto independence multi-party system, single party rule, back to a multi-party 'democracy', a grand coalition government and now a 'digital' nation. Indeed the history of Kenya reads quite fascinating to any novice in African affairs.
The term Jubilee is on that has been on the lips of every Kenyan over the past four months, from the toddlers to the elderly, who were enchanted into believing that the term is of Kenyan political origin rather than Judaic religious tradition which in every sense encompassed a political and social dimension.
In the Biblical times Jubilee was marked on the 50th year after seven cycles of Sabbatical years (seven in number) known as shmita years. In this year, it has been argued, the Israelites were meant to return property to its original owners or their heirs and also free slaves. To some it is considered a year of restoration and which the coming three years are meant to be of plenty. Using this understanding politicians in Kenya have used the term during the campaign period to promise government of plenty or government of restoration depending on the contexts that was favourable.
Present day, Kenya is about to celebrate its 50th year and indeed its can be said its Jubilee year and it has a Jubilee Coalition Government in place. The throne of Government have been restored to the Kenyatta family, the independence politicians have seized the reigns of power to a new generation restoring that youthful vibrancy that the nation had in 1963. Indeed its a year of Jubilee.
However, with all these analogies that could make any religious devotee or political analyst jump to their unknown conclusion, one thing is for certain, Kenya has began on a new exciting path. We have chance again to define our nationhood and aspirations that will chart the course for the next 50 years of this country.
In this Jubilee year we are still not at our Everest economically but have made major gains politically. Socially, we are still crawling towards an integrated and cohesive society. However, with a new Constitution barely three years old and a President barely three days in office, Kenya is optimistic.
What the Jubilee Government under Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto can offer this nation in this Jubilee year is the hope that they will set this country on a trail blazing path to a future where all citizens will be proud to be called Kenyans, where it will not be naive even when you are 50 to dream of a country so technologically adept that 6 year old's go to class with laptops or where every child comes into citizenship not as a burden to the mother but a blessing.
The task lies on the President and his Deputy to make every young person proud to have a country run by its young and yes, we are young.
To watch the Video Click >>> We are Young by Fun
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Election Watch: Party Nominations
In every sense the Kenyan electoral process was reborn after the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution. We had to set up a new electoral commission, register political parties and voters afresh. Now the electoral wheel has been set in motion. With less than 54 days to go till the start of the elections, there still remains a number of critical aspects that need resolution before Kenyans can go to the Ballot.
The electoral process in Kenya allows for two avenues for citizens seeking elective politics are to engage. First is through the institutions of political parties and the second is through independent candidature provided under Article 85 of the Constitution. The former, being the most prevalent in Kenya, is one that has undergone a series of transformation since 2010. First was the de registration of parties which were not able to meet a new stringent set of conditions that were lined up under a revamped Political Parties Act. Second was the approach to general elections under coalitions. Previously in the past, coalition agreements were purely a private affair and which brought much acrimony on claims of reneged agreements made before elections. With the new Political Parties Act, all pre election agreements are required to be deposited with the Registrar of Political Parties. The third transformation is one albeit not so expressly provided for but one envisioned is one that demands internal democracy in the nomination process for candidates within a party. Indeed at the party primaries is where the litmus test of democracy is undertaken. These last two facets have been the cause of great political unease as politicians try to find mechanisms to be able to have a smooth process that assures a formidable matrix ahead of the elections.
The Elections Act demanded that all pre-election agreements need to be deposited by December 4th 2012. Several parties entered into coalitions and had their agreements deposited. Others lost for time ended up formulating agreements that are addendum to the formal coalition agreements. The benefits of pre election coalitions is the ability of the parties involved to negotiate for power sharing prior to the election and to have its constituent candidates be viewed as part of a larger political force to the electorate. Post election coalitions are mainly about galvanising power once elections are over especially when it comes to aspects to do with legislative control and influence in the Parliament and the county assemblies. These however can only be recognised upon deposit to the Registrar
Weeks after the formation of the various alliances the key question has remained as to what becomes of the nomination exercises for the various parties within the coalitions. A new political creature has evolved known as joint nominations which essentially entails bandying all political partners into a single nomination exercise for one position with the winner of that being the candidate bearer and all the constituent parties are not allowed to field candidates on their individual party ticket. Indeed this suggestion has left a sour taste in the mouths of constituent parties especially those that could be termed as the junior coalition partners. The big partners argue that the areas where joint nominations are to be held are regions where either the core parties have equal footing or little footing at all and thus a combined competition would yield the best result. In the areas where the core parties have dominance then the strongest party would be the one to solely undertake nominations under the coalition ticket. In finality no other constituent party can field a candidate under the coalition once the nominations are decided.
The truth of the matter is that neither Elections Act, Political Parties Act and The Constitution mention joint nominations and only assert that each political party needs to carry out nominations ahead of the elections. The constituent parties opposed to scenarios such as joint nominations or other mechanisms are by law free to go ahead and carry out nominations in areas where they see fit. Whether such action offends their coalition agreements will be a matter for the parties to decide. It can then be foreseen that parties within the coalitions upon realising that they have been aggrieved will look to seeking recourse either through internal dispute resolution mechanisms or through the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal. But is this even possible?
Practically speaking for the parties who have agreed to being in coalitions that have decided to hold undertake their nominations on the 17th of January 2013, they will in all reality have one day to undertake their nomination before close of the deadline. If they are to seek redress in the event that there is seen to be acrimony then the time frame to do so will be practically impossible unless the lodging of complaint and resolution process within the coalition is undertaken within 24 hours.
In the end, the nomination process will indeed be a true test of whether Kenya has matured in its quest for democracy. The nomination process will be the first step in testing suffrage in a country that once employed a 'mlolongo'(line up) system to undertake nominations and direct nominations in parties prevalent until recently.
As one observer has mentioned before, the days of January 17th & 18th 2013 will be critical to showing Kenyans whether they think they should be part of the electoral process or not and be a true show of whether the country is even remotely ready for an election as it all depends on whether the processes can be adjudged free and fair and whether the losers will accept defeat when it stares at them in their face.
What is your take?
The electoral process in Kenya allows for two avenues for citizens seeking elective politics are to engage. First is through the institutions of political parties and the second is through independent candidature provided under Article 85 of the Constitution. The former, being the most prevalent in Kenya, is one that has undergone a series of transformation since 2010. First was the de registration of parties which were not able to meet a new stringent set of conditions that were lined up under a revamped Political Parties Act. Second was the approach to general elections under coalitions. Previously in the past, coalition agreements were purely a private affair and which brought much acrimony on claims of reneged agreements made before elections. With the new Political Parties Act, all pre election agreements are required to be deposited with the Registrar of Political Parties. The third transformation is one albeit not so expressly provided for but one envisioned is one that demands internal democracy in the nomination process for candidates within a party. Indeed at the party primaries is where the litmus test of democracy is undertaken. These last two facets have been the cause of great political unease as politicians try to find mechanisms to be able to have a smooth process that assures a formidable matrix ahead of the elections.
The Elections Act demanded that all pre-election agreements need to be deposited by December 4th 2012. Several parties entered into coalitions and had their agreements deposited. Others lost for time ended up formulating agreements that are addendum to the formal coalition agreements. The benefits of pre election coalitions is the ability of the parties involved to negotiate for power sharing prior to the election and to have its constituent candidates be viewed as part of a larger political force to the electorate. Post election coalitions are mainly about galvanising power once elections are over especially when it comes to aspects to do with legislative control and influence in the Parliament and the county assemblies. These however can only be recognised upon deposit to the Registrar
Weeks after the formation of the various alliances the key question has remained as to what becomes of the nomination exercises for the various parties within the coalitions. A new political creature has evolved known as joint nominations which essentially entails bandying all political partners into a single nomination exercise for one position with the winner of that being the candidate bearer and all the constituent parties are not allowed to field candidates on their individual party ticket. Indeed this suggestion has left a sour taste in the mouths of constituent parties especially those that could be termed as the junior coalition partners. The big partners argue that the areas where joint nominations are to be held are regions where either the core parties have equal footing or little footing at all and thus a combined competition would yield the best result. In the areas where the core parties have dominance then the strongest party would be the one to solely undertake nominations under the coalition ticket. In finality no other constituent party can field a candidate under the coalition once the nominations are decided.
The truth of the matter is that neither Elections Act, Political Parties Act and The Constitution mention joint nominations and only assert that each political party needs to carry out nominations ahead of the elections. The constituent parties opposed to scenarios such as joint nominations or other mechanisms are by law free to go ahead and carry out nominations in areas where they see fit. Whether such action offends their coalition agreements will be a matter for the parties to decide. It can then be foreseen that parties within the coalitions upon realising that they have been aggrieved will look to seeking recourse either through internal dispute resolution mechanisms or through the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal. But is this even possible?
Practically speaking for the parties who have agreed to being in coalitions that have decided to hold undertake their nominations on the 17th of January 2013, they will in all reality have one day to undertake their nomination before close of the deadline. If they are to seek redress in the event that there is seen to be acrimony then the time frame to do so will be practically impossible unless the lodging of complaint and resolution process within the coalition is undertaken within 24 hours.
In the end, the nomination process will indeed be a true test of whether Kenya has matured in its quest for democracy. The nomination process will be the first step in testing suffrage in a country that once employed a 'mlolongo'(line up) system to undertake nominations and direct nominations in parties prevalent until recently.
As one observer has mentioned before, the days of January 17th & 18th 2013 will be critical to showing Kenyans whether they think they should be part of the electoral process or not and be a true show of whether the country is even remotely ready for an election as it all depends on whether the processes can be adjudged free and fair and whether the losers will accept defeat when it stares at them in their face.
What is your take?
Monday, January 7, 2013
Elections Watch: Voter Register Inspection
In every sense the Kenyan electoral process was reborn after the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution. We had to set up a new electoral commission, register political parties and voters afresh. Now the electoral wheel has been set in motion. With less than 54 days to go till the start of the elections, there still remains a number of critical aspects that need resolution before Kenyans can go to the Ballot.
Even with the IEBC being able to register 14.3 Million voters, which was about 4 million shy of its target, it is vital that the registered voters are able to confirm the details retained by the IEBC to prevent the eventuality of them being turned down from voting on election day.
This very important undertaking is yet to take off three weeks since the close of the voter registration exercise. Even worse is the fact that Kenyans have no idea that the process of voter register inspection and verification exists. Many Kenyans assume that with them having gone through a registration process that utilised the much hyped Bio Metric technology, then the accuracy of the process is assured to the highest degree. All this is indeed quite to the contrary. Voter register inspection is still very important regardless of the confidence levels in the technology employed especially considering that this is the first time a newly established commission has employed the technology relied upon. Every voter needs to verify that the details entered into the IEBC system correlates with their own personal information and the particular centres they intended to take out their vote.
Before the Elections Act was amended the Principal Register of Voters was meant to be opened for inspection within a span of 30 days. However, with the Elections (Amendment) (No.4) Act, 2012 becoming law, this process has been shortened to a record 14 days. Whether the IEBC can be able to actually be able to inform the 14.3 Million Registered voters of their need to inspect the Register for anomalies and have a substantial majority of them undertake the verification exercise in the 14 day period is a question that needs to be answered. Up until the date of publication of this post, there has been no word as to when the exercise is set to begin.
The only information available is the information contained in law and The Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, 2012 regulating the voter register inspection exercise. The regulations under Part V provide for avenues to follow especially when one needs to make a claim in the event that their name is not included in the register after having undergone the registration exercise. One is meant to submit a claim to the registration officer however according to the regulations Section 17(2), one cannot make such a claim within 90 days to the election. In keeping with this such a claim can only be made before the 4th of January. Unless the regulations are revised, then making of any such claim would be illegal.
As an engaged citizen it is important that you seek out information on the modality of confirming your voter details and the channels of redress. Once you know, help to let others know too.
Act of Convenience: Assessing the Amendments to Kenya's Elections Act towards the General Elections
When Kenyans adopted a new Constitution on the 27th of August 2012, they hoped that all the sins of the past would be left in the pages of history and thus mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Republic.
One of the key transformations hoped for was in the manner in which the electoral process would be handled in the future. It all began with the assessment that the election preceding the adoption of the constitution as being so fundamentally flawed that it would have been impossible to assert who may have won the Presidential election as other electoral positions.
What followed after the institution of the new constitution was the establishment of the successors to the disbanded Electoral Commission of Kenya, largely blamed for the bungled elections. These were known as the Interim Independent Electoral Commission and the the Interim Electoral Boundaries Commission which were later merged into the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission through a Statute. Additional to these changes was the enactment of two key pieces of legislation that would act to complement the work of the electoral commission these being the Political Parties Act and the Elections Act.
The Political Parties Act was enacted and came into operation on the 1st of November 2011 to instil discipline in what was a chaotic organisation in how parties were established and governed. Upon its enactment there were well over one hundred parties. After its enforcement only 51 parties could meet the tighter registration criteria. The Elections Act was a statute enacted and came into force on the 2nd of December 2011 to streamline the conduct of elections, general, referenda or otherwise.
Since their enactment the two pieces of legislation have have been targeted by legislators for a number of amendments many of which have been to cater for their interests ahead of the 2013 general elections. The Elections Act has seen a number of changes to it occur within a period of 13 months of its existence for purposes of politicians expedience as pointed out in a blog by political information website Mzalendo. The key changes that are catered to the politicians are those touching on the timelines that would allow the MPs to hop from one Party to another. Frankly, these changes have enabled the MPs to remain in their parties until the 14th of January 2014. The space between that date and the final allowed date for the carrying out party nominations is only four days. This is a clear example of politicians clinging to power to the very last straw.
Politicians however are not the only culprits in this game of mutilation of the Elections Act. Through the hand of Parliamentarians, the IEBC has been pushing for amendments to the Act in a manner that favours its haphazard operations. The latest has been in facilitating the period of voter register inspection from 30 days to 14 days and increasing the period within which IEBC is to make compilations from not less than 30 days to the election to read "at least 14 days to the election" This means amendments can even be done to the very last date.
It is sad that the 2013 elections are going to be an example in ill preparedness and expediency for large parties and incumbents. So far, IEBC has used the legislative process to seal loopholes in execution of its mandate working at the behest of the political elite. Kenyans must be vigilant to ensure that they monitor each of the activities of the politicians and IEBC and ensure that they conform with the law especially now that Parliament is in its dying days.
One of the key transformations hoped for was in the manner in which the electoral process would be handled in the future. It all began with the assessment that the election preceding the adoption of the constitution as being so fundamentally flawed that it would have been impossible to assert who may have won the Presidential election as other electoral positions.
What followed after the institution of the new constitution was the establishment of the successors to the disbanded Electoral Commission of Kenya, largely blamed for the bungled elections. These were known as the Interim Independent Electoral Commission and the the Interim Electoral Boundaries Commission which were later merged into the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission through a Statute. Additional to these changes was the enactment of two key pieces of legislation that would act to complement the work of the electoral commission these being the Political Parties Act and the Elections Act.
The Political Parties Act was enacted and came into operation on the 1st of November 2011 to instil discipline in what was a chaotic organisation in how parties were established and governed. Upon its enactment there were well over one hundred parties. After its enforcement only 51 parties could meet the tighter registration criteria. The Elections Act was a statute enacted and came into force on the 2nd of December 2011 to streamline the conduct of elections, general, referenda or otherwise.
Since their enactment the two pieces of legislation have have been targeted by legislators for a number of amendments many of which have been to cater for their interests ahead of the 2013 general elections. The Elections Act has seen a number of changes to it occur within a period of 13 months of its existence for purposes of politicians expedience as pointed out in a blog by political information website Mzalendo. The key changes that are catered to the politicians are those touching on the timelines that would allow the MPs to hop from one Party to another. Frankly, these changes have enabled the MPs to remain in their parties until the 14th of January 2014. The space between that date and the final allowed date for the carrying out party nominations is only four days. This is a clear example of politicians clinging to power to the very last straw.
Politicians however are not the only culprits in this game of mutilation of the Elections Act. Through the hand of Parliamentarians, the IEBC has been pushing for amendments to the Act in a manner that favours its haphazard operations. The latest has been in facilitating the period of voter register inspection from 30 days to 14 days and increasing the period within which IEBC is to make compilations from not less than 30 days to the election to read "at least 14 days to the election" This means amendments can even be done to the very last date.
It is sad that the 2013 elections are going to be an example in ill preparedness and expediency for large parties and incumbents. So far, IEBC has used the legislative process to seal loopholes in execution of its mandate working at the behest of the political elite. Kenyans must be vigilant to ensure that they monitor each of the activities of the politicians and IEBC and ensure that they conform with the law especially now that Parliament is in its dying days.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Mischief on the Finance Bill 2011 (Letter to Business Daily Editor)
The Finance Bill has been one that has invigorated much debate both within Parliament and in the public domain. Since its introduction on budget day 2011, there has been much intrigue going on about the Bill. On Friday's April 6th Business Daily Letter titled "Law empowers KRA to collect taxes prior to enactment of Finance Bill", the Senior Deputy Commissioner of the Kenya Revenue Authority correctly asserted that even though the Finance Bill 2011 has not been passed, the enforcement of tax collection by KRA stands legal by virtue of The Provisional Collection of Taxes Act Cap 415 Order 2011 in which the Finance Minister invoked on the 8th of June 2011. However, it must be noted that the Act in itself does not envision a scenario as the one that is being played out at present. In fact the act explicitly provides under section 3 that such an order invoked by the Minister would cease to be valid if the Bill is not introduced into Parliament within four months after order is made, on the expiration of six months after the order is made, on passage of the Bill or if the Bill is either rejected by Parliament, withdrawn or on consideration of the Bill by the National Assembly, the bill is adjourned sine die (without delay).
It is quite evident that the order has been in place for more than six months but what KRA could be banking on to maintain the order is the aspect of the various adjournments by the National Assembly on debate of the Bill. However, it must be noted that the adjournments have not been "without delay" seeing that four months into the new year, 2012, the Bill is yet to be effectively debated. The last time the Bill came to the house for debate on 15th of March 2012, the Deputy Speaker deferred discussion on the Bill espousing that it was not the role of the Chair of the National Assembly to move Bills but rather the Government. In fact, the Deputy Speaker went as far as asking the members of Parliament to go to court or amend the law.
The Government has erred in not fulfilling the law and indeed on the basis of the fact that much of the adjournment has been due to lack of pro-activity by Treasury to move the Bill then indeed it is quite clear there is mischief involved. But then again, unless Kenyans go to court to stop this mischief, there can be pretty much little that can stop the KRA from collecting these taxes.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
49 Years on...
Am not proud to say am glad the Kenya is finally 49. We are a disgrace. There exists a huge illusion of democracy and rule of law. Quiet anarchy is what exists and although as a nation we can be proud to have one of the best Grundnorm's in the planet, we still have individuals who still trod on the liberties that are envisioned to be esteemed and espoused.
We have a citizenry that's so beaten that it fails to take its place in running the country and is instead either apathetic or plain left to be spectators in the theater of decadence that is our politics.
We have a nation with leaders who play economics from the lavish greens of Kenya's top golf courses with tee off times taking priority over serving their ultimate employers, the people of Kenya.
All I can say to this end is that the keen responsibility lies with the people of Kenya. Frankly I wish I can have hope in a demographic but unless they can look beyond their blog spaces, mailing lists, walls and their tweets and take to seeking a vote based revolution that looks to selective choice of leadership that is visionary and one that gets to get the job done, our remaining hope lies with the pulpit speakers, collective gender organisers and political hawkers & mercenaries for hire who know no better than to look close to safety of the known than demand change that they have no time to ever come to believe in because they have become creatures of habit cultured over election cycles spanning a one party rule and mediocre paper democracy.
I rest my case but trust me am patriot enough to be standing at Nyayo stadium come the 12th because love for my country behooves me to recognise our 49 years of state-hood. Nitakuwepo!
We have a citizenry that's so beaten that it fails to take its place in running the country and is instead either apathetic or plain left to be spectators in the theater of decadence that is our politics.
We have a nation with leaders who play economics from the lavish greens of Kenya's top golf courses with tee off times taking priority over serving their ultimate employers, the people of Kenya.
All I can say to this end is that the keen responsibility lies with the people of Kenya. Frankly I wish I can have hope in a demographic but unless they can look beyond their blog spaces, mailing lists, walls and their tweets and take to seeking a vote based revolution that looks to selective choice of leadership that is visionary and one that gets to get the job done, our remaining hope lies with the pulpit speakers, collective gender organisers and political hawkers & mercenaries for hire who know no better than to look close to safety of the known than demand change that they have no time to ever come to believe in because they have become creatures of habit cultured over election cycles spanning a one party rule and mediocre paper democracy.
I rest my case but trust me am patriot enough to be standing at Nyayo stadium come the 12th because love for my country behooves me to recognise our 49 years of state-hood. Nitakuwepo!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Middle Class 2.0
My dear friend Nancy Muigei @kenyangriot only yesterday got me thinking on whether our middle class does in any way hold the key to unlocking the indifference that exists in our society. She went on to mention that its alarming that while the middle class is the most heavily taxed, it does not relate such huge tax deductions to scandals such as those involving the Free Primary Education and in that sense rise up to demand better accountability and responsibility. The lingering question is should we leave the quest for social justice to a handful of activists or should it be the battle led by the middle class?
Frankly, it is disappointing to see that little or no effort is made by the middle class to play a role in shaping the future of this country. Ten years ago we could have blamed it on a stifled political environment that hindered engagement but now the space is as wide as it can ever be. In just three years we have experienced not only a a wider engagement space but we have also seen the doors burst open to a world of information. We are now a society that has free and unrestricted access to information. Now with space and information access why is the middle class still not playing its part?
I have a hunch. The gains we now have indeed are far much better than those that existed in Tunisia and Egypt. We are now a true democracy (at least in the purely theoretical sense excluding the free and fair polls part which is yet to be put to the test next year). But still we are too young. We are like a techie who just stumbled upon this amazing new gadget and is still fumbling around about how it works, adjusting settings and all the amazing features, reading reviews and all before they actually get on to adapting it to their day to day lifestyle and using it as a solution tool. That's what I see our middle class grappling with. A new Constitution, open space to now picket & demonstrate, new justice dispensation, social media to learn share and vent, access to media and content, discovery and adventure. But soon this should change, at least that's what am betting on.
Demographics are plain and obvious. 40 Million Kenyans of which 14 million are aged between 18-35 and are taking up technology with speed. With 25 Million Mobile phone subscribers , there is indeed time and chance to see a new middle class evolve. Soon we will be done being amazed about internet access on our phones and wherever we go and begin to ask how can we use these tools to improve our lives and well being. Already there have been pacesetters such as the good folks at ushahidi.com who have made technology work for this country and the world over and now with the many new innovations coming up we will soon see that the middle class will find in technology an engagement tool. But my question then becomes how do we drive people from tech advocacy to action. Or is tech enough?
The opportunity does lie, as has been witnessed with the jasmine revolution, in the ability to move from agonising (in social media spaces) to organising on the ground and making our voices heard.
So is there anyone out there with skills enough to code Middle Class 2.0?
Twitter: @mwakesi
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Eating Stress for Breakfast:::Ranneberger on Kenya and youth - Mindspeak Edition
Saturday morning 22nd January, I woke with a zeal to make sure that I do make it for the Mindspeak Edition run by Financial and Geopolitical Guru Aly Khan Satchu. Location: Westgate. But things did not actually go as planned. 45 minutes after my departure from my house I found myself staring at the words Nakumatt Junction. That's when it hit me that 'This is not Westgate Mall.' We all have our blonde moments but its amazing that I had mine of the "Mindspeak" Day.
Honestly speaking, why I chose to attend the mindspeak session that had Amb. Ranneberger (US Amb. to Kenya) was driven purely out of a desire to be around thinkers for the better part of my Saturday morning and what better way to spend the morning other than to sit and listen to the representative of the Worlds Super Power jabber on about the Geopolitical dynamics of the East and Horn of Africa Region plus titbits of US Foreign Policy.
The fact is I have always viewed the presence of the United States in Kenya as one that has always brought about a push for all the values that an ever changing and eveolving democracy like Kenya would need. Of course such a viewpoint is not generated without consideration of the strategic interests that the US is concerned about in the region. In this regard its not hard to figure out that the US Amb. in Kenya has always been an important figure in the Socio-Political scene of Kenya.
I came to the meeting with several expectations. First to understand the man that is Amb. Ranneberger, second the FP attitude towards Kenya and the larger East and Horn of Africa Region, third the American driven agenda for youth in the country and finally what next for the man following rumours he could be well on his way departing from the country. I wasn't sure if all these were going to be answered or touched upon but I guess being the optimist I am I couldn't loose hope. Sad fact though is after my whole episode of mixing up Junction with Westgate I arrived at the venue one hour after the start of the two hour session. Lucky for me @alykhansatchu was always on hand to bring out the latest quips. So much of the aspects on this post will dwell on the man and the youth agenda and they stood out in the one hour or so that I was there
If you have followed my blog before you will notice that I have never really had kind words for the US embassy's intervention on the youth landscape in the country. Matter of fact I have viewed it with suspicion and often believed that the better approach would be to work with Government rather than directly with youth. It must be said that this by no means puts to the fore an inbuilt general distrust or misgivings on the part of the American Governments intervention in Kenya. Matter of fact, I do hold it in much the high esteem for all the great and straightforward straight and tough-talking support and standpoints it has always had for this country. As a partner on the reform agenda, Kenya could not have found a better partner not forgetting the massive impact on support to the health care system especially with regard to community HIV AIDs Programs. A personal favourite of mine was the intervention in the Mau Forest Affair and its generous support. But the devil has always been on the youth question.
The Reform Ambasador (@USAmb4Reform) did take time to put across why the US government felt it prudent to intervene in Kenya and especially with the youth. The all famous 2006 by Sen. Obama at the University of Nairobi never fails to be brought up. Of course I must admit it is indeed a brilliant piece of inspiration and telling sign of the later speeches that led him to the White House. The African Leaders meeting at the White House and the US Presidents advise to the youth leaders present that went something like 'You are the Future of Africa. It starts with you...' also did not escape the Amb. mind. But the real reason, according to him, was drawn out of the countless town hall meetings that the Amb had with the youth all across the country and this lead to the strategic direction that the US Embassy took with the youth.
The whole idea as I understood it was this, the US established a $45Mil. programme that is aimed at forming a correlation between political reform and economic development. Central to this is the provision of support to grassroots organisations. On the Political reform aspect there is the establishment of national youth coalitions that are non partisan and multi ethnic. Thus already established is the National Youth Forum. That was where my concerns began. However, the Ambassador did take time to mention that this intervention was necessary owing to the changing political climate that has taken root in the country and that this change requires an active intervention to ensure that the youth are not manipulated and utilised out of turn. To this I agree. The Economic front of course is by all means the most well crafted and suitably packaged to empower the youth economically.
So then you may ask, what's really changed? Do you have any misgivings still? Well, the answer to those questions are simple. Let me elucidate. First my viewpoint on the man, Amb Ranneberger had changed. He is quite the candid man, upfront and firm in his believes and truly one who beyond his JD seems to really care about the reform agenda of this country. It must be said that indeed he does take the time to listen and share with Kenyans an attribute seldom found in other Foreign Representatives. Second is my viewpoint on the youth program that has been established by the US Embassy has somewhat changed. The overall objective is indeed sound. I do have misgivings on why such a hugely funded program would bypass government systems and directly target youth but then again different paths are always open to adoption. I reserve the idea that this may be an affront to sovereignty but am sure there must be a way of trying to work with the system even if its broken because the shift for thinking amongst the youth should be away from associating development with politics but more with policy because even the best or trustworthy of politicians who have no clue on sound policy drives will not deliver the change that's needed. The youth must see the benefit of having good politicians who understand the shaping of overall policy for the benefit of this country. Vital point would be to make it clear that Government is not the politicians of the day. Government functions with or without politicians and it is the custodian of policy. Therefore Government as an institution is not the enemy and the youth must work with the Government to shape long-term policy as they advocate for a leadership of integrity. My case rests on the fact that if we invest to much on political reform that is devoid of making it clear to the youth of this country the link that politics has to policy and how to translate that link into the selection of leadership then this agenda that's driven by the US is bound to fail.
I must also point out that even the NYF in itself has not been quite reaching out platform thats its envisioned to be. Frankly, I for one have never interacted with either one of its leaders or members yet apart from maybe seeing them on TV or the occasional briefing email on acts long done. But then again you can never reach everyone, or can you?
The title of this post is fashioned from the statement of the American Ambassador. I must say I do admire his courage and work ethic. He does make it clear that he does have more than his fair share of stress. 7 stress areas as opposed to the general 3, he puts it. Well, when you are dealing with the current calibre of politicians as we have here then you are bound to bear those stress levels. But thanks for hanging in there for Kenya.
And so there you have it. Am shocked what a mindspeak edition can do in shaping viewpoints. It must be said Aly Khan Satchu is on to something. Join me for the next on, wont you?
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Why we need Action on the Drought Situation
In 2009 Kenya witnessed one of the most severe droughts that have ever hit the country. The result of the drought was millions of Kenyans facing starvation as others lost livelihoods owing to the death of both cattle and crops. The impact was indeed severe and an outright evidence of the effects of climate change especially in vulnerable regions such as Africa.
Come 2011, situation hasn’t change as Kenya begins to experience yet another drought spell that could inevitable render millions facing hunger and starvation and millions worth of cattle dying. Already over 1.6 million Kenyans are already receiving relief food from the World Food Programme while it is anticipated that the figure could escalate to 5 million within the next three months. What’s bewildering is that at the same time we have tons of food wasting away in the fertile regions of the nation. This has been blamed on the lack of a comprehensive early warning system that would be able to see more food reserves in place in anticipation of drought. However this is not the matter at hand.
Unless something is done fast quick and in a hurry, we will see millions of Kenyans going hungry and staring death in the face. There is need to make concerted efforts to get emergency relief food to those who need it, not in three months time but right now. In addition there is need to take measures to ensure that there is provision of safe clean drinking water and available medication to fight off related diseases. Hunger and starvation breeds conflict as the fight for resources gets more and more vicious with each turning day. This cannot be allowed to happen.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The Ocampo Six and the circus that is Kenya's political Class...
Fellow Kenyans,
Its despicable really that such an important matter as the seeking of justice for the victims of the post election violence has been reduced to a circus of 2012 presidential ambitions and the curtailment thereof. I am convinced more and more each day that although we changed the forest we forgot to change the monkeys that lived in it and now the monkeys roam free mutilating the new forest.
Its amazing that even after we now have a new constitutional dispensation with very clear guidelines on the aspirations of the Kenyan people on how they want their future determined, we do have some leaders who seem to think that Kenyans have time to forget about the development agenda of this country and focus on fund-raising for suspected criminals on matters that they are not only privately capable of financing but also fit to handle on their own. Its quite amazing that they would ask Kenyans, most of whom are hardly capable of putting food on their table, to reach into their pockets and chip in to legal fees of some extremely wealthy individuals who have made money out of cheating Kenyans out of their sovereign rights.
The two principals have again failed to uphold the constitution that they so vehemently put a case for. They instead go out in record time to offer up support to suspected criminals with blatant disregard to the import that public service must be accorded. Why would we as a country allow ourselves to have a public service ran by a man looking over his shoulders? Why should we entrust a finance docket to a man who is in desperate need of financial flows to sustain his court case at the hague and why should we let our industrialisation be dependent on a man who is fighting for a battle in innocence? This is indeed impunity of the highest regard.
My take is simple on what would amount to a concrete youth position. Fire all those mentioned who draw their pay from the Consolidated fund. Secondly, Parliament through the House Business Committee and the speaker should throw out all frivolous motions which go against common sense and public interest. Third is for the ICC to act with speed and render justice. Fourth is a stern warning to the MPs who think there's nothing else better to do with Parliament except banter on about six individuals, its time they know that they are being put on notice. At this rate they can more than be sure that they will no longer hold the title honourable except to stroke their egos on days long past. Finally its for the youth of this country to stand up and make it clear that we have had enough of this hanky panky about overdrawn politicians who keep making Kenya a documentary on their issues. We just don't care. You commit a crime you take the bite. Let Kenyans move on with nation building.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Kenya Openly supporting South Sudan Cessation
Alarmed I must say I am that Kenyan MP's would go out openly on the weekend (11th/12th December 2010) and support the cessation of southern Sudan. My position on this matter is clear, every people have a right to self determination and so the cessation of southern sudan in my opinion is quite in order only if conducted in a democratic manner.
However, that a bunch of MPs from Kenya's Parliament together with their East Africa Legislative Assembly counterparts led by an Assistant Minister in Kenya's Foreign Affairs Ministry, is the strongest affront to the Khartoum government that has been seen yet.
That Kenya has always seen the cessation as strategic for the growth of the region, this new move is set to put in motion a series of events that would definitely mark a defining point for the outcome of the referendum.
What would have been better would have been the holding a neutral standpoint by the Government rather than the outright positioning. The fact that Kenya helped father the CPA, any position separate from the neutral one is bound to be viewed in bad light by the North and the fact of tanks from Kenya highlighted in Wikileaks doesn't help much.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Of Youth and Foreign driven youth agenda for Kenya
Watching keenly the recent developments with regard to making clear the youth agenda for this country it must be well said that there are way too many forces pulling from each end trying to make headway with the largest demographic group in the country.
It must be well recognised that over the years there has been very little focus in ensuring that youth target policies are driven by youth and instead the policy map is drawn by both local and foreign bureaucrats and implementation baggages so associated lumped upon the youth. Of course then we have become experts at implementing donor driven agendas and not really shaping the overarching policy frameworks.
The story has twists. Two prongs cross my mind. The first being the overwhelming amounts being thrown at the youth for processes that can be well termed on the verge of political. It must be said that the Yes Youth Can Scheme has been the epitome of credible intervention by a foreign player in youth empowerment but in the same breathe it is quite unnerving that the same chooses to bypass conventional channels that would allow for coherent monitoring and transparency especially by the constitutional appointed guardians of the people of Kenya, the Government. The rhetoric will always play loud of how the Kenyan Government is corrupt and incapable of fully addressing the question of youth empowerment but what is evident is such an intervention by anyone that does not look towards strengthening the Government to commit to its duty to serve the youth of Kenya should always be looked at with an eye of suspicion. As mentioned aptly before, the Government through the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports as well as YEDF, have been at the forefront promoting youth empowerment through enterprise as well as other very credible channels. Notwithstanding the qualms that may be raised about both bodies, why not then ensure that these processes are strengthened and streamlined because the opposite, as carried out, would only intimate that one power seeks to subvert the efforts of the other and the subverting power doing so at the home of the subverted.
In finality, I would encourage that any foreign actor should not seek to directly engage the people of the country without due consent from the Government. We are a sovereign state and our Government should be esteemed. Secondly, it should be stated that the Government of Kenya has to indeed act with speed in ensuring accountability and good governance not for the sake of pleasing the money pipers but to please its masters, the People of Kenya. It is imperative upon the Government to recognise that the youth are a very important factor in the future of this country and we shall not baby sit incompetency in Governance. However, it should be made clear that we are more than willing to support the Government in all manner of ways and we are doing so as a united front and we will commit all our energies to doing so. I love my Country and the love of it comes first and trust must we all build in the one and only Government that we have because every other belongs to its own.
Over to you...
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Offshore oil Drilling and whether Africa should play ball
In this day and age of climate change, the discovery of oil and its mining ceases just to be a sigh of good news to the discovering nation but rather an issue of consideration of various ethical standpoints that have to be balanced with the desire for economic growth that is poised to be generated out of the drilling and processing of the oil.
In Africa the issue has always been one of whether with each new discovery there opens a new script of the resource curse that would plague the people of the continent into more poverty and conflict than there existed prior to the discovery.
Oil in Africa is viewed as the elixir that could well cure the economic woes of many a country and so the idea that it would be plausible to take the idea of placing a ban on offshore drilling to the African elite is to indulge in an exercise in futility as these governments predicate much of their existence in their ability to generate revenue and oil drilling is one very large opportunity.
It cannot be lost to me that the recent issue of the Horizon Deep water spill cast a taste of anti offshore drilling sentiment all across the globe. These sentiments are valid as when considered in light of the heavy environmental impact that such a spill would have especially in any of the African shorelines considering the low level of technological advancement. Thus there is need to be alarmed and caution plausibly raised against any form of offshore drilling. Matter of fact, as intimated earlier, in this age of climate change, what a farce would it be that the continent that keeps demanding to be compensated for effects of climate change indulged in the risky front of offshore drilling for purposes of export of the pollutant petroleum thereby exacerbating their own dilemma.
So what then becomes the viable option? For me a viable option is a realistic option that recognises that societies are driven by commerce and not moralistic ideals. That global politics have a huge bearing on the decisions adoptable by our African leaders and that sometimes the survival of most regimes is predicated on their ability to tow the line with the big boys. Thus it would in any realistic sense be a good bet if the African states did carry out the exploration studies and make adequate plans of engaging in off shore drilling.
But the fact that exploration and drilling is suggested does not mean to imply a throwing out of all forms of responsibility. Thus in my opinion the future lies in moderating these explorative quests with government and international scrutiny that seeks to dilute corporate greed and work towards maximum benefits of the resource to the particular nation and continent at large.
My contention is that if offshore drilling by African governments is advanced alongside transparent government to government advisory especially from nations who have not only experience but also the moral tenacity to work towards a positive development trajectory for the continent then there could be the writing of a whole new story where resources are concerned in Africa.
The quest is also up to the African nations to make a critical choice only to enter into agreements that show a clear outright commitment to not only utilize the technology with the ability to highly limit the emmitive capacity of the oil so drilled but also to be able to well invest in the country's economy through active social programmes that are well past the PR Social Responsibility cloak.
Having said that, I will not by any means betray my conservative roots. The fact of the matter is that citizen action is necessary to keep vigil on all the agreements that Governments enter into in the guise of resource development for Africa. These agreements have in the past proved to be phoney and riddled with corruption. Thus the civil society has got to be awake and stand guard. There is need for the opening of more resource dialogue spaces where there is created a collective bargaining agenda between a nations government, private sector and civil society. Finally, what the world needs is less exploration for oil fields but more investment and innovation in renewable energy. There must be a reinforced global commitment to completely phase out fossil based fuels and replace it with commercially viable renewable energy sufficient to run our world and keep the planet safe for our future
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Of sex boycotts and what not...
I couldn't help it I just had to. When the Group of Kenyan women under the aegis G-10 came calling for urgent reforms nobody expected that their choice of weapon for waging war would be to demand for sex boycott. Granted the idea is novel. But would the situation as per now warrant such a reaction this early in the quest for a total change of the system? Personally an arsenal so vicious should have been kept for later but I do reckon they just couldn't hold on to it.
Please do not get me wrong. I do greatly understand that the reforms as needed should be urgent and be so demanded by any means necessary. It goes without saying that our women have greatly borne the brunt of the atrocities brought about by the insufferable greed of these hyena like politicians. But if you haven't considered the impact of such a call for a sex boycott then you would not understand how effective and potent the call is as an arsenal.
Without going too far to bore with how effective it is as I am already blogging on it, how about we consider why it was just one launched too early in the offensive. The argument lies on perceptions. these women in all due regard constitute some of the most highly educated ladies in the country and opinion leaders at that. But what their passionate call has done is to render their call to be law in the households. it is on this premise that the strategy of G10 lay.
However, in it also lies the poison. Kenya isn't ready. There is a cry but no boiling point. So when our mothers and sisters deny the men their conjugal rights, their protest falls on deaf ears and imperceivable by the men. Inevitably the anger and frustration of these men on what they consider their basic right turns on the women and I would not shut my intuition to the advent of domestic violence. reverse progression if you ask me.
That some youths emerge days later with the dimly creative name Y10 demanding some resignations while blatantly leaning on one side stood to show how much there is need to work on the psyche of the youth. The time for partisan activism died the moment goodwill on the part of the coalition goverment receeded. Down with the Y10 and for crying out loud get smart!
Please do not get me wrong. I do greatly understand that the reforms as needed should be urgent and be so demanded by any means necessary. It goes without saying that our women have greatly borne the brunt of the atrocities brought about by the insufferable greed of these hyena like politicians. But if you haven't considered the impact of such a call for a sex boycott then you would not understand how effective and potent the call is as an arsenal.
Without going too far to bore with how effective it is as I am already blogging on it, how about we consider why it was just one launched too early in the offensive. The argument lies on perceptions. these women in all due regard constitute some of the most highly educated ladies in the country and opinion leaders at that. But what their passionate call has done is to render their call to be law in the households. it is on this premise that the strategy of G10 lay.
However, in it also lies the poison. Kenya isn't ready. There is a cry but no boiling point. So when our mothers and sisters deny the men their conjugal rights, their protest falls on deaf ears and imperceivable by the men. Inevitably the anger and frustration of these men on what they consider their basic right turns on the women and I would not shut my intuition to the advent of domestic violence. reverse progression if you ask me.
That some youths emerge days later with the dimly creative name Y10 demanding some resignations while blatantly leaning on one side stood to show how much there is need to work on the psyche of the youth. The time for partisan activism died the moment goodwill on the part of the coalition goverment receeded. Down with the Y10 and for crying out loud get smart!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
100000000th SOLUTION, THE
Information is undoubtedly power, trust me, I now know that more than ever. If you haven't met my acquaintance then it would be prudent to let you know that I started pursuing a law degree mid this year and am wowed each time the study of law presents a new element concerning governance, the constitution and much more.
Am now convinced more than ever that the solution to our current problems lies not in bulky strategic documents and dispensations of god knows what.
A change in the moral, social and cultural perceptions (simply put for me nowadays..Kukuza utu) and providing the much needed access to information are the two ways that for me provide a solution to our problems.
Do not let the ease of the phrase trivialise the meaning for you. Access to information not only involves making the said information available but also implanting its importance to the people whether they asked for it or not. It boils down to duty, to your country and fellow man
If you are reading this as a young Kenyan and do have access to information that will raise information for the masses share it out. If you are a youth seeking to make a change do not yap about out of sheer ignorance....seek for information...read.
And when you have the information synthesis it and share it. We are rightly called the information sharing generation by taking on that trait we may eventually be the force of change in this nation
Caucus and champion your MP on the Freedom of Information Bill that it may be passed into law.
Am now convinced more than ever that the solution to our current problems lies not in bulky strategic documents and dispensations of god knows what.
A change in the moral, social and cultural perceptions (simply put for me nowadays..Kukuza utu) and providing the much needed access to information are the two ways that for me provide a solution to our problems.
Do not let the ease of the phrase trivialise the meaning for you. Access to information not only involves making the said information available but also implanting its importance to the people whether they asked for it or not. It boils down to duty, to your country and fellow man
If you are reading this as a young Kenyan and do have access to information that will raise information for the masses share it out. If you are a youth seeking to make a change do not yap about out of sheer ignorance....seek for information...read.
And when you have the information synthesis it and share it. We are rightly called the information sharing generation by taking on that trait we may eventually be the force of change in this nation
Caucus and champion your MP on the Freedom of Information Bill that it may be passed into law.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Well....
I've been thinking...rapidity.. thats what we have in our Kenyan society.....of thought...of circumstances..of life of political parties but never of keeping appointments. of death maybe.
Why talk of rapidity...its because of the nature in which we rapidly let go of what we as Kenyans within a particular space of time collectively consider to be ideals....what happened to constitutional reform.....youth representation, participation, empowerment? And dont rapidly elucidate your response by castigating our political class...we are even more to blame than anybody else......think of how rapidly the youth ministry, the fund and lofty ideals of representation we built and rapidly cast into the sea of rapid forgetfulness. Well..... just a thought!
Why talk of rapidity...its because of the nature in which we rapidly let go of what we as Kenyans within a particular space of time collectively consider to be ideals....what happened to constitutional reform.....youth representation, participation, empowerment? And dont rapidly elucidate your response by castigating our political class...we are even more to blame than anybody else......think of how rapidly the youth ministry, the fund and lofty ideals of representation we built and rapidly cast into the sea of rapid forgetfulness. Well..... just a thought!
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