ommotto
male - 28 years
Blog 38
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Private firms must play role in ensuring peace deal’s reac
The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (Kepsa) carried the hopes of many Kenyans when they decided to play an active role in encouraging a deal between the Government and the Opposition, ODM.
What they didn’t realise is that their role was not to be a one off. We had very visible high level meetings and since then, it has been all quiet.
The private sector has always taken a bystander role and viewed politics as too dirty to indulge in. The private sector has even at times insinuated that Kenya’s economy is unaffected by the political happenings in the country. Reality only dawned on us after the disputed election results of December 27, 2007.
Leader after leader has been visiting Kenya, among them the US Secretary of State, Dr Condoleezza Rice. The likes of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who are world renowned, left without achieving anything. The then Head of African Union and the President of Ghana was said to have passed by for a cup of tea. Our own Noble laureate (Wangari Maathai) has not been able to achieve much, even though she has been a lone voice of reason
Our current Constitution is indeed the cause of the problem and the Bomas draft would have sorted us out had we adopted it.
In tourism, we talk about our source markets of Europe and North America lifting or reviewing their advisory, but we are not playing our active role to pressure the two parties to agree on something and spare us another round of skirmishes. It will only take half a day of skirmish and killings for fresh advisories to be put in place.
All along, it has been acknowledged that a political solution was the only way forward. However, some PNU hardliners now seem to be moving away from it. At this rate, the peace talks could be at a risk.
Kepsa cannot afford to be silent on the latest development. So what are the probable scenarios:
ODM takes its role as the opposition and waits for Parliament to resume and fight their case there. This would have been the wish of many Kenyans, including tourism players, but it is highly unlikely.
ODM takes its battle back to the streets and the Government ignores them and they tire out? This is also highly unlikely.
ODM goes to the streets and the Government brutally deals with them, resulting in increasing incidents of violence? This is the most probable outcome.
If the third scenario happens where does that leave us? More advisories, more cancellations. We may end up with evacuations by some of the Western nations as they have clearly indicated that it will not be business as usual. I pray hard that does not come to pass.
As the private sector, we need to ask ourselves if indeed we are playing our role as required. It is evident that the current calm we are enjoying has deceived many that all is well and it is indeed back to normalcy.
Kepsa should not wait and wish that a deal will just come on its own. We have to make it happen without any fear or favour.
If we choose to remain silent and we end up with a fresh flare up of chaos, then history will judge us harshly.
The church groups a couple of days ago admitted that they were indeed partisan. How come since then we haven’t seen them come up and give a middle ground approach to compel the two warring groups to agree.
I am not a doomsday proponent but if the current talks fail, then we should brace ourselves for the worst as the power of brutal force will not stop people who yearn for change.
MOHAMMED HERSI
Chairman, Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers
Coast -
THE RIGHT TO KNOW: Should we know if our leaders are ill?
A section of the “new age media” famously described as sms and blogs had raised pertinent questions over health status of one Kenyan politician, Gitobu Imanyara. To the shock of the many the legislature emerged 3 weeks later, alive and kicking. Ghana's media recently reported that John Atta Mills, presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress, was ill.
One website even claimed that Mills had died. The reports sparked debate across the country. Citizens expressed concern over Mills' ability to lead a country and an MP from his own party even called for him to step down as flag-bearer.
Mills himself, who said he had nothing more serious than a cataract operation on his eyes, described the rumours as "pathetic".
There has been speculation about the health of many other African leaders. In the run up to Nigeria's elections last year, President Yar'Adua had to make a statement from his hospital bed to allay rumours that he was dead.
In Cameroon, in 1997, journalist Pius Njawe was sent to jail for 10 months for asking questions about president Paul Biya's health.
Back to Kenya there are many occasions when former President Daniel Moi silence has thrown the country into panic. At one time prompting the old politicians to say jokingly: “Wanataka kila siku wakisoma magazeti na maredio kusikia tu Moi Moi – they always want to hear speaking in the media so that they can know that all is well.”
Is it the duty of the media to inform the public if leaders are ill? Or, does such reporting just lead to scaremongering and instability? Should leaders declare their health status? -
KENYA: VERY POLICALLY ACCURATE
I HAD AN INTERESTING CHAT ON GMAIL WITH MY A FORMER COLLEGE MATE JESSE MASAI. AT 26 YEARS
THE FELLOW WANTS TO TOPPLE AGRIC MINISTER KIPRUTO ARAP KIRWA IN CHERANGANY CONSTITUENCY of kenya.
SO, IT WAS ABVIOUS THAT OUR TALK HAD TO BE HIGHLY POLITICAL THOUGH I NEVER EXPECTED IT TO
BE THIS EXCITING..... COZ HE JUST HINTED THAT RAILA MIGHT WOO NGILU INTO THE FOLD AND YES INDEED
LIKE A BAD WISH IT ALWAYS COMES TO PASS.........
HERE'S HOW IT WENT
me: siku njema mwenzangu, mie natoka sasa kuelekea home... we'll talk more later na usipotee sana
Masai: upo
au watoka sasa
17:38 me: niko for less than 5minutes
Masai: Guys,
Do not get over excited. It is 5 months to the elections. This election will be won in November.
Kalonzo has done well for himself if he wanted to negotiate. However he needs to be careful if he has just played his last card. The problem with his MPs is that they are novices. They keep claiming they have a secret weapon.
The following are my comments:
-Does Kalonzo really have the money to mount a serious presidential campaign or he thinks that Mwau or Uhuru will give him 1 billion? This guy has never run for president so if he wants to try let him go ahead.
- Kalonzo is unlikely to get more than a Minister from Kibaki. How much do you think 20 Mps cost?Ford Kenya and Ford People can attest to this. Once the election is over Kibaki wont need him. He will once again turn to Kenyans. What makes you think a Meru/Embu wont want to run for elections and expect the kuk vote?Kalonzo still has a number of modules to learn in politics.
- Only the foolish ones can write off Raila and Co. 5 months to the election. Ruto- Mudavadi-Raila axis can still win an election with Kalonzo. As long as they can isolate the Kamba vote and beat Kibaki in Western and Coast and still keep their core votes in Nairobi, Rift valley, Nyanza and North Eastern they will still win.
- Moi is doing is best to split the Kalenjin vote. If he succeeds then Kibaki will win. However, dont count on this until you see it.
If you get too excited you might die of heart attack celebrating ODMs death only for the monster to return
17:41 me: so much unlike u
17:42 Masai: y?
Why would one defect from LDP to LPK parties which are all in ODM Kenya..If Kalonzo is man enough let him not buy time..If he is tired of ODM Kenya why not just leave and declare that he is a presidential candidate in LPK period and then ODM-K will ahead and choose their candidate to meet him on dec.2007..Wht cant he just tell ODM=K see you at the ballot box...
Why dilly dally..mara am running away with the certificate..mara Uhuru Kenyatta come back..mara Maanzo run the party...mara his MPs say that we can even support Kibaki..Kalonzo be man and If you are tired of ODM get out and face the public..ask them for votes..
Kalonzo wanted to ride on other peoples back but when he realized that no one wanted to donate his back..he was angered..according to Kalonzo..It was him or nothing..or no one..and this is the guy talking of consensus?
I think ODM-K should move forward get the real officials registered and then kick MAANZO out of the party plus Musyoka and the group..they can join Kibaki if they want....But I assure that Kalonzo will never be President in kenya..he has just blown it off...
17:45 me: we're kedo 4moths to elections alot can happen before then...remember a day in politics means alot
Masai: a wk is too long in siasa.
17:46 that was jst a warning to steve n' kib sympathizers like u.
hwz vic
17:47 me: he's ok, hop u guys are in touch
Masai: we r, but tiz erratic
17:49 me: luo nyanza politics has taken an intresting angle....Mps who hang o n raila for blessings might not have it that smooth...
17:50 there saying we only vote raila lakini wengine mujitete wenyewe na performance yenu so their might be no more ODM damu like it was in NARC damu last elections
Masai: uhmn
that ain't suprising, xpected s it has bin all along.
17:51 me : at least that's the impression u get on RamogiFM and KTN has also done some features on KSM and my home UGENYA jana
17:52 Masai: oh, so u r sidindi boy. i watched it.
if split, both bro-in laws will kam in.
17:53 me: my frend if RAILA endorses u for KASIPUL KABONDO even u just drop Chera coz that is direct ticket to August hse!!! so it was but now table hav changed.... people like Dalmas in KANU ar no longer shaken like it used to be, remember what we did to Orengo, Donde etc
17:54 Masai: lol
1. Immediately they crown Raila as the flag bearer they will cease to be important in their regions thanks to our tribe based politics. These two have just been railas creations and yet to show any clout on their own.
2. I guess part of the kibaki campaign strategy is to give any important raila supporter enough to worry about locally to keep them busy.
3. Further more Kibaki does not need to win more 40% to make it in the said regions and going by the current events he may even get more.
4. Since the exit of Matiba, kibaki was always the candidate to beat in central, Nairobi and eastern (even in eastern when Ngilu mounted a serious challenge). I have not seen anything to suggest that this trend would now change (the danger to him is only of kalonzo or ngilu would deliver votes to raila).
4. Nyachae is in the picture so raila does not even have 100% of the nyanza vote under lock.
5. Kalegins on there part will vote which ever way they please, some voted for kibaki before when Uhuru was the tribal choice so it is expected that more may join him this time round because his incumbency status .
17:55 But as I said one cannot completely write Raila off. What tricks do you think he should employ this give kibaki a knock out blow?
1. I think he should snatch the support of moi from Kibaki, by doing a deal with Gideon the way Uhuru was to. Papa will have not choice but to support the raila after this deal.
2. Find a way to appease Nyachae, this should be easy since nyachaes has even talked about retiring, by being out of the picture he will do Raila a lot of good. He just has to give Nyachae something in return (MOU to nominate and appoint his child a minister)
3. Make sure he has enough spin masters so that whatever happens the image of united solid ODM is maintained, this way he will have his grip on western …..I am not sure of coast because of recent magarini but it is the best one can do.
4. if kalonzo does not mend his ways, replace him with ngilu.
5. The most important thing is to continue with country wide rallies; and with his talent of finding issues to accuse the system for, on regular basis, many may be won into voting him the savior come November
17:57 me: that's exactly how dirty politics has become
17:58 Masai: tiz clan, only folks like ba jimmy n' uncle dan make it the reverse plus their disciples.
17:59 me: MO1 needs everybody right now, he's only no-contesting candidate who desperately cant afford to lose this election.........
Masai : lol
18:00 u r spot on.
18:04 me: have to go bt that was refreshing talk.....thanx alo -
10 GREAT RULES THAT WILL HELP YOU REMAIN POOR ALL YOUR LIFE
By Joachim Buwembo The east African June 4th- 10th 2007
1. Never wake up early: Keep stretching and turning in bed until you get too hungry to continue dozing. If there are no bedbugs, why hurry to get up?
2. Never plan how to spend your money: Whenever you get money, start spending it right away and when it is finished, try to count and recall how you spent it.
3. Don’t think of saving until you have real big money: How can you save when you earn so little? Those telling you to save are not sympathetic to your burning needs.
4. Don’t engage in activities usually reserved for the “uneducated”: How can you, a graduate, engage in petty trade or home- based production? That is for people who never went to school.
5. Don’t think of starting a business until an angel comes from heaven and gives you capital: How do they expect you to invest before you get millions of shillings? Even though more than half the businesses in your town were started with a few hundred shillings, you as a smart person can only start with millions.
6. Complain about everything except your own attitude: Blame the system, the government and the banks that refuse to lend you money. They are all bad and do not want you to get rich.
7. Spend more than you earn: To achieve this, buy consumer products in credit and keep borrowing from friends and employer.
8. Compete in dressing: Make sure you wear the latest clothes among all the workers in your office. Whenever your neighbour buys a new phone, get one that is more expensive.
9. Get yourself a nice second- hand car that costs more than three times your gross monthly pay: That will surely keep you in debt long enough to hinder the implementation of any bad plans that could make you accumulate capital.
10. Give your children everything they ask for since you are such a loving parent: They should not struggle for anything because you do not want them to suffer. That way, they will grow up lazy and hence poor enough to ensure they cannot help you in your old age.
If you diligently implement these 10 great rules, you will not fail to invite poverty in great measures to your homestead. That way, all important leaders, from East or West, will spend al lot of hours thinking about you, planning how to uplift your daily expenses above one dollar. Isn’t it nice to be the subject of concern of all those leaders and scholars? -
UNITED NATION'S EXPERT RESPONDS TO NAIROBI BANN ON POLYTHEN
THIS WEEK I EXPRESSED MY FEARS TO A UNITED NATIONS EXPERT ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES DR. SURESH RAJ CONCERNING THE BANN ON POLYTHENE USAGE IN KENYA AND THIS WAS HIS RESPONSE............
OUR DISCOURSE WAS PUBLISHED IN DETAIL IN UNEP WEBSITE IN THE LINK HERE.... http://www.unep.org/experts/Default.asp?Page=h...
What policies have been lied down in solving the problem of industrial pollution in Africa?
As an expert do you think that banning the usage of polythene bags in law is adequate to solving the green house effect? (such a law has been passed in Nairobi)
How can we participate in solving global warming, especially in Africa?
oliver ommotto (from Kenya)
Dear Oliver,
Many thanks for all your questions. Although I am no expert on environmental issues in Africa, I have attempted to answer all 3 of your questions as best as I could. May I suggest that you raise these issues again when “UNEP Expert of the Day” is better placed to provide more substantive responses.
Kind regards,
Suresh
What policies have been lied down in solving the problem of industrial pollution in Africa?
To raise awareness and develop a framework for action to address the growing urban air pollution in Africa, UNEP, the World Bank’s Clean Air Initiative for Africa (CAI-Africa), the Air Pollution Information Network for Africa (APINA), the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) jointly organizing a regional conference entitled “Better Air Quality for African Cities (BAQ-Africa 2006)”. You can find out more about this and other relevant policies by visiting www.cleanairnet.org/ssa/
You are also welcome to visit the UNEP website which has relevant information on the above subject.
As an expert do you think that banning the usage of polythene bags in law is adequate to solving the green house effect? (such a law has been passed in Nairobi)
I recall reading about Kenyan policy aimed at banning the use of polythene bags in the country. If my understanding is correct then the policy deters manufactures from making plastic bags. I believe this policy was put in place because there were concerns that the continued manufacture and use of polythene bags had greatly contributed to environmental degradation in the country.
Waste Management is widely recognized as a major concern for Pacific Island countries (PICs) with the potential to cause negative impacts on national development activities, including tourism and trade, food supplies, public health and the environment. Conversely, the benefits from good waste management can include reduced raw material costs, enhancement of the tourism experience, reduced health care costs. Effective measures now will also avoid the need for expensive clean-up operations in the future.
Key elements of waste management in the PICs is based around the following three major strategies:
· Institutional activities, including policy development, capacity building, information exchange, and public education and awareness.
· Improvement and upgrading of existing waste management and disposal systems.
· Development and/or enhancement of waste minimization activities such as recycling, so as to reduce the quantities of wastes being produced.
As you will appreciate the policy development component may include the banning of imports of polythene bags in some PICs
In addition, emphasis has been given to the development of activities embodying some of the key requirements for sustainability, including the use of appropriate technologies and management systems, and with a strong focus on self-help and in-country capacity building.
How can we participate in solving global warming, especially in Africa?
Some of the actions may involve:
· increase energy efficiency in home, workplace, school, and means of transportation;
· expand the use of renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on oil and coal;
· plant new trees and to join with others in preserving and protecting forests;
· buy from businesses and support leaders who a commitment to solving the climate crises and building a sustainable world for future generations.
You may like to visit the folowing weblink to obtain additional information:
http://www.unep.fr/en/branches/energy.htm
THESE ARE THE PROFILES FOR DR SURESH RAJ
Suresh Raj - National and Regional Environmental Policies in the Pacific Region
Suresh Raj is a Fiji Islander with 20 years work experience in a wide range of environmental and sustainable development issues including waste minimisation and management, ozone depletion, climate change, and energy planning. He has worked for the Fijian Government and regional organizations in the Pacific such as the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). He joined UNEP in January 2001 as a Capacity Building Manager in the Division of Technology, Industry & Economics. Since May 2007, he has moved back to the Pacific on reassignment as UNEP Representative/Programme Officer for the Pacific Islands. -
NAIROBI UNIVERSITY REPORTS ON EARTH TREMORS THAT HIT KENYA
After Kenya experience its 8th earth tremor in series of 5 days (since thursday) the government requested the geology department at the university Of Nairobi to prepare a detailed report on the matter. Here is the summary
a. The Earthquakes have originated from lake Natron – Ol Doinyo Lengai Area
b. So far they are 9 major ones which have been spread between 12th and 18th of July 2007
c. These major ones range in magnitude between 4.4 and 6.0 on the Richter scale
d. Last night, 17th and 18th of July the effects of 2 major quakes which hit the country were felt at 5.15 p.m. (local time) and 9.27 p.m. (local time)
They measured 6.0 and 5.0 on the Richter scale respectively
e. Effects of smaller tremors were felt during the night
f. Nobody can predict whether a major earthquake is coming or not
g. Kenyans are requested to be vigilant as we monitor the situation
h. Localities of origin (epicenters) of these tremors and earthquakes is northern Tanzania
For more details on the earth quakes visit webite of the official govt spokesman at http://www.communication.go.ke/media.asp?id=41... -
joke on RAILA< KIBAKI< NGILU< KARUA kenyan politici
Raila, Kibaki, Ngilu and Martha Karua are traveling in a train.
The train suddenly goes thru a tunnel and it gets completely dark. Suddenly there is a kissing sound and then a slap! The train comes out of the tunnel. Ngilu and Raila are sitting there looking perplexed. Kibaki is bent over holding his face, which is red from an apparent slap.
All of them remain diplomatic and nobody says anything.
Ngilu is thinking: "These men are all crazy after Martha Karua. Kibaki must have tried to kiss her in the tunnel. Very proper that she slapped him."
Martha Karua is thinking: "kibaki must have moved to kiss me,and kissed Ngilu instead and got slapped."
Kibaki is thinking: "Damn it, Raila must have tried to kiss Martha Karua, she thought it was me and slapped me."
Raila is thinking: "If this train goes through another tunnel, I could make another kissing sound and slap Kibaki again."
laughing matter -
KIBAKI, RAILA, NGILU, KARUA: joke about kenyan politics
Raila, Kibaki, Ngilu and Martha Karua are traveling in a train.
The train suddenly goes thru a tunnel and it gets completely dark. Suddenly there is a kissing sound and then a slap! The train comes out of the tunnel. Ngilu and Raila are sitting there looking perplexed. Kibaki is bent over holding his face, which is red from an apparent slap.
All of them remain diplomatic and nobody says anything.
Ngilu is thinking: "These men are all crazy after Martha Karua. Kibaki must have tried to kiss her in the tunnel. Very proper that she slapped him."
Martha Karua is thinking: "kibaki must have moved to kiss me,and kissed Ngilu instead and got slapped."
Kibaki is thinking: "Damn it, Raila must have tried to kiss Martha Karua, she thought it was me and slapped me."
Raila is thinking: "If this train goes through another tunnel, I could make another kissing sound and slap Kibaki again." laughing matter -
KENYAN KILLER SECT LAUNCHES WEBSITE
IT IS LAUGHABLE THAT THE GOOD FOR NOTHING Mungiki as they are popularly known for commiting murders and robbing innocent people in Kenya, have launched a website in which they will be able to propagate their infamous views...
The site EVEN makes ridicule of Kenya's BRILLIANT unity slogan: Najivunia kuwa mkenya (iam proud to be a kenyan). Even going to the extent of interrogating the validity of such a slogan by using question symbols ??????
I will continue to disseminate more info on the development of this useless abuse of important technology as soon as i come across more details.
Meanwhile you can visit there site through this link http://mungikinews.com/disclaimer.php
The first kenyan blogger to break the news was http://mkenya.kenyanblogger.com/blogger.php?op...
here is how the bogus story was first told
A new website, Mungikinews.com has been launched. I came across it as i was Googling for the latest information on Mungiki. The website looks cool and seem like it is intent on supplying the latest news about the Mungiki sect in Kenya. Infact the header and graphics are well thought of.
At first i thought the site had anything to do with either the government or the Mungiki. But it looks like the site is an indipendent site. According to the site, The information within the Mungikinews.com archives has been collected to offer the public a resource concerning the Mungiki group.
It looks interesting and i will be keen to watch the progress of the site as it seems like it is still in progress. Lets see what happens next......
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WHY WE STILL HAVE VIRGINS; alfu lela ulela
i love "ALFU LELA U LELA"y fav novel
because it talks of reality not magic and
fiction like "Harry Potter and the 40 thieves"
when king @@@ decided that he was going
to be marrying a new virgin everyday and killing them
the following morning because he was avenging for being
cheated on by the wife (queen)
his own brother hatch a plot to rescue virgins from coming to extinction
....so he requested the king to allow him his program of picking girls
and that night he picked a girl who could spins tales like the writer
of Harry Potter series
that girl told one interesting story that ran for 1001 nights
and the king could not stop him coz he was captivated
until the time of his death
that is why we we still have virgins until moment
otherwaiz they'll all have died....THANK GOD!!!!!
