THE UONGOZI CAMPAIGN.

I have said before on this site, and would wish to reiterate that; a better and brighter future surely lies ahead for Kenyans if they take up the initiative to make wise and informed decisions while voting for leaders. I was really elated to learn about the noble UONGOZI campaign, an initiative that seeks to have Kenyans, as Sammy Wambua puts it, break away from a past that saddles them with questionable leadership and the resultant ills. UONGOZI is a Swahili word meaning LEADERSHIP.

CEO's Linus Gitahi of Nation Media Group and John Githongo of Inuka Kenya flag off the campaign.

The campaign, which is intended to engage Kenyans from all walks of life has its slogan as ‘’Ni Sisi!’’ translated to mean “It is Us!”. It is up to the Kenyan people to address the problems facing their nation. And what better way to do this than to start by voting in credible leaders in the upcoming elections? This means that it is up to every Kenyan to value their vote and the positive input they would contribute towards nation building.

UONGOZI seeks to invoke a frank conversation among Kenyans, which will revolve around past occurrences and experiences. It will also be a platform where the citizens can ask straightforward questions, especially those that matter most in their lives. It is from these critical questions that voters will then be motivated to vote in candidates that offer the best answers to the questions. This of course will bring about plausible solutions as opposed to voting along tribal or regional lines while neglecting the main issues.

Then here is yet another exciting twist in the campaign, and which brings a smile to my face! The campaign, which will tour the whole country, will culminate in the selection of individuals who believe they could lead Kenya to a better future. The selected individuals will be engaged in a televised debate on how to deal with the various issues facing the country, and what’s more, the programme is scheduled to run till election time. That way, Kenyans will have all the necessary information to help them make the all important decision!

The UONGOZI logo.

Behind this very noble campaign is the USAID, under the democracy and governance program, DFID (UKAID) the government of Japan in conjunction with the UNDP, the embassy of Switzerland in Kenya and the Nation Media Group. It is also in partnership with the IEBC (Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission), POSTA Kenya, AISEIC, YWCA and the Yes Youth Can Network.

“Real change is all about us and the choices we make, and actions we take as Kenyans”, says John Githongo, the CEO of Inuka Kenya Ltd, and I couldn’t agree more. I urge every Kenyan voter to take time and think about the immense power that their vote wields. That vote could change the life of every citizen for the better if and only if it is put to its best use; voting in credible leaders, who have development track records, no involvement in fraud or other integrity issues and most importantly, capable of uniting all kenyans as opposed to tribal consolidation. 

YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE!!

THE SHAME OF KENYA.

Kenyans, I’m certain, have long lost count of the number of times that the country’s workforces have downed their respective tools of trade. Go slows, industrial actions and crippling strikes are seemingly the only lingo that the government of the day comprehends. Not surprisingly, the country’s economy and citizenry have had to pay the ultimate price and how the two still continue to stay afloat can only, in my opinion, be purely an act of God.

Striking teachers in Kenya hold demonstrations.

Almost every awfully important workforce you can name has had their day. Talk of teachers, those at the primary and secondary school levels. As a matter of fact, they are on strike as I write this article. Then there’re the University lecturers, who’ve recently joined the band wagon and have a history in that chapter as it were. If this next group does not send a chill down your spine; my bad! Doctors and medical staff; can you believe that?! And before you recover from that shock, add public service vehicle operators to the list.

The Medical personnel strike in Kenya in the recent past.

The principal motivation behind these most unfortunate eventualities is what the workforces’ term as “insultingly low pay packages”. They claim the government has since ceased to willingly do what is right until its personnel push it up the wall. On their part, public service vehicle operators cite harassment by police officers and rogue youth groups.  Negotiations, which are almost nonexistent, have long lost their influence in bringing the employer and the employees to an understanding.

Innocent and defenseless school going children have been caught in a major stalemate between the government and the teachers. Currently, pupils and students who attend the public schools in the country are stuck in their homes despite the start of a new school term. Thing is, the teachers have vowed not to go back to the classrooms until the government revises their perks. Rowdy demonstrations by the educators over the same have been witnessed across the country.

Demonstrations by Kenyan educators.

Similar ill fate to that which has befallen the primary and secondary school students could become a reality to the students in public universities and institutions of higher learning in the week next. This will however not be new as it has happened before. The blow suffered by the country’s education sector in the aftermath of these strikes cannot be overemphasized. You know what’s even worse?; The fact that those who suffer the most are the ordinary citizens, who are a majority, and who cannot afford to take their children to private institutions, where learning goes on uninterrupted.

Can you imagine a country where even doctors and medical personnel down their tools and take to the streets to demand their rights of a decent pay? Well, Kenya is sadly one such country. And the result of a strike by this all important group ladies and gentlemen, is not rocket science. Last time it happened, which is in the recent past, patients were left for the dead with no one to neither attend to nor treat to them! And to think that this profession was a calling and as such pay issues hardly arise!

Patients left unattended following the strike by medical personnel.

 That the figure of otherwise avoidable deaths increased is true.  It therefore comes as a shocker to the citizenry to learn that the plans to roll out another strike of the sort are at an advanced stage, and the nightmare could begin at any time. Not long ago, it was widely rumored and feared that the country’s defense forces were on a go slow. It breaks my heart so to even think about it as am sure it does you. It actually came as a relief when the police spokesperson refuted any such claims, but the fact that there was even a mention of it is bad enough!

 The message here is plain simple. Teachers have downed their tools and university lecturers as well as medical personnel are seemingly following suit. Soon all these important institutions will be unable to deliver services as expected. The government MUST take action rather than wait for the workforces to make good their strike threats. Service delivery to its citizenry is the primary role of any government and it must pursue accomplishment of the same. It is also true that most of Kenya’s workforce is grossly underpaid and the government needs to act over this as soon as yesterday rather than resulting to threats of sacking those who participate in strikes.

If all stakeholders work together, the current problems that the country is facing are nothing that good and synchronized teamwork and negotiations can’t solve. This, so we can march towards a more prosperous and democratic Kenya where everyone feels involved and their input is appreciated!! I rest my case.

THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY INTEGRATION DEBATE.

In the week past, I attended and was one of the participants in the 1^st EAC university students’ debate on regional integration. EAC (East African Community), is an intergovernmental organization of the East African states namely; Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and the United Republic of Tanzania. The states have embarked on a mission to gradually integrate economically and ultimately politically to form the East African Federation.

The East African Community logo.

The debate, which was held in Arusha Tanzania, brought together university students from all member states. It is worth noting that the city of Arusha is the headquarters of the EAC. The city has a history as a peace hub in the region, where many peace deals have been struck. It also houses the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).

The debate which lasted from 23^rd to 24^th of August was officially opened by Mr. Philip Wambugu, who is the director of infrastructure EAC Secretariat, and was representing the secretary general of the EAC. Also in attendance was Ms. Heidtmann Miriam, Programme Manager, EAC- GIZ Programme on Promotion of Peace and Security.

During the debate, the participants were put together in groups of five, with each group having only one participant from each member state. The debaters were to interact with their counterparts from other member states and debate as a group to either oppose or propose the motion of political integration of the EAC states. Each member got three minutes to present their point and the group got five minutes for rebuttal after the presentations.

The debaters made it very clear the challenges and benefits that would come with the political integration of the region. Of importance is the fact that suggestions for overcoming the numerous challenges were also raised.

Day two saw a plenary session to recoup what had taken place in day one. Various fears raised on integration were responded to while suggestions were made on how to make the debate even better next time.

The evening of day two saw the gala dinner where participants and stake holders’ dined and danced and exemplary performance awarded. Hon. Jessica Eriyo, who is the EAC Deputy Secretary General, Productive and Social Sectors, was the chief guest. The colorful evening was one to remember.

 I was opposing the motion and my group came in 2^nd of the six groups. Three of the best groups were awarded with cash prizes by the chief guest. The best debaters were awarded with certificates as well as all the participants. 

Hon. Jessica Eriyo also awarded certificates to students who were selected to be the ambassadors to spread the message of the EAC integration in their countries. In her speech, the chief guest applauded all participants for having come that far, and urged them to spread the message of the region’s integration in their countries, insisting that the youth were an integral part of the process. 

The event culminated at a point where everyone was a winner for the roles they had played to make the first ever EAC University students’ debate such a huge success. On our part, all the students were able to create lasting bonds and contacts with their counterparts from other countries. A true spirit of East ‘Africanness’ was realized and it smote the air.

 The 1^st EAC University Students’ Debate on integration was truly a success and if all the issues raised during the event are put into consideration by those charged with the implementation of the integration processes, then better days lie ahead for the region.

LEST WE FORGET.......

It is frightening; the rate at which Kenyan’s forget. The country has barely recovered fully from the aftermath of a ghastly post election violence which was fuelled by negative ethnicity, only for strong forces of the ethnic hate to emerge yet again! I know, I’m having a tough time believing it myself.

Stop negative ethnicity in Kenya NOW!!

Not long ago, I wrote an article urging Kenyans to desist from these vices and believe it or not, mine was not the only voice out there advocating for sanity in politics and leadership in our beloved country. Such messages were reverberating from every corner of the country. It doesn’t get sadder than watching a people totally disregard voices of reason, to take on a dangerous path that they have walked down before, with a devastating aftermath to show for it.

The big question is; who will save Kenyans from themselves? In recent days Kenya’s vibrant social media networks have seen strong ethic groupings rise against each other and worse still, a look at the vulgarities exchanged between the groupings leaves your heart breaking like cheap porcelain. But thank God for the citizens who will not sit back and watch a nation go down that path again. The voices of reason are still amongst us and if we all work together; we will crash the monster that is negative ethnicity in our country.

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), working in conjunction with the Cyber crime Unit, has promised a crack down on the people behind this unbecoming trend. On our part, my friends and I have embarked on sensitizing our peers over the issue and why we should not retract back to voting along tribal lines or spread negative ethnicity. I kindly urge all citizens of good will to join in this cause wherever they are.

Advocating for a peaceful and democratic Kenya is a noble cause that I will never pull back nor relent from. Having used some photos in my last article which I hoped would remind us of where we’ve come from, I settled on using a video clip this time round in the hope that we can pick a few lessons from it.

 I really hope that the powerful message contained in this clip serves as the last nail in the coffin of negative ethnicity, so we can bury this impious vice once and for all. This is the only way to initiate a positive turn of events for a better and brighter future for Kenya.

The following dear readers, is a short video clip of Kenya’s post election violence. Viewer discretion is advised.

 Source of video clip;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPecFhwfSMw

Play your part in stopping negative ethnicity NOW so we can heal this our land and nation!!

GHOSTS OF RULINGS PASSED.

On the fateful new year’s eve of 2012, a woman went shopping at one of the exclusive shopping malls in Nairobi. As is norm in these times of high alert in Kenya, a security guard at the gate sought to subject her through the ordinary security checks. The woman found it offensive and she unceremoniously made her way into the shopping mall, upon which the security guard followed her insisting she follows laid down procedure. A debacle ensued. The woman is alleged to have fished out a gun from her hand bag and threatened to shoot the security guard. This was preceded by her pinching the nose of the guard and strongly advising her that “she should know people”.

That woman was Nancy Baraza, Kenya’s Deputy Chief Justice. The security guard was Ms. Rebecca Kerubo.  This incident hit news headlines and was followed by a huge wave of public outcry, prompting the Chief Justice to convene an emergency meeting of the JSC (Judicial Service Commission). The commission advised the president to immediately suspend the Deputy Chief justice from office and form a tribunal that would probe into her conduct after which it would make recommendations. 

Lady Justice Nancy Baraza.

Ms. Rebecca Kerubo at her work station.

Just the other day, the tribunal completed the task assigned and concluded that there were substantial grounds to believe that the Lady Justice Nancy Baraza assaulted Ms. Rebecca Kerubo. As such, the tribunal has recommended that the president relieves her from duty as Kenya’s Deputy CJ, citing that she is unfit to hold office.

One line; “TIMES HAVE CHANGED AND THE MIGHTY DO INDEED FALL”.

Thing is, Lady Justice Nancy Baraza will not be the first member of Kenya’s judiciary to be prematurely removed from office. CHANGE is the one word that best describes the on goings at this all important arm of the government. You might want to add that this change is very welcome though truth be told, it has been long overdue. You see, recent reforms introduced in Kenya’s Judiciary in a bid to restore public confidence in the institution have made immense progress.

For some time now, The Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board has been separating grain from chaff!! The board investigates the past and present conduct of Judges and magistrates and evaluates their suitability to hold office. Based on its findings, the board either clears one as fit to hold office or if found unfit, then one faces the sack. How cool is that!? # Pun totally intended! #

Formed by an act of parliament to assist in the implementation of the new constitution, the board has delivered resounding and unequivocal resolutions that have left the bench reeling in awe. 

Mr. Sharad Rao, Chairman of the Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board.

The sober panel does not mince its words when pronouncing its verdict. As expected, judges have been found unfit to hold office on grounds of having issued questionable rulings at any point in time during the execution of their judicial duties. Talk of ghosts from their pasts coming to haunt their present!! That’s not all. Judges and magistrates who let cases pile up without acting on them or those that use their judicial powers inappropriately are most definitely not going to be allowed to continue serving in Kenya’s judiciary!  These acts, the board has said, erode the public’s confidence in the institution.

Turns out that neither eminence nor years of practice in the judiciary can save you from the board’s axe. Who better to demonstrate this than justices Riaga Omollo, who by the way was the president of the Kenyan appellate court, Judge Samuel Bosire, court of appeal Judge Emmanuel Okubasu, Judge Joseph Nyamu and most recently High court Judge Jeanne Gacheche? These are some of the casualties of the judicial reform process. They have been sent packing and the Kenyan public knows only too well that this is just the beginning of the process of restoring their confidence in the institution.

Dr. Willy Mutunga, Chief Justice of Kenya's revamped Judiciary.

I have nothing but optimism in the positive changes that are taking place in Kenya’s judicial arm. Moving forward, the Legislature and the Executive arms of the government should totally borrow tips on how to win public confidence from the Judiciary. One step at a time, Kenya is finally moving towards becoming a wholesome democracy!!