My Writings. My Thoughts.
It’s Not Too Late
// July 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized
With just 5 days left until the referendum, you still have time to make sure you are well informed about the constitution. Do not vote yes or no just because your MP says so! Vote because you agree or disagree with the new draft. Make a conscious decision. This is important for the future of our country.
A few links where you’ll get more information:
Soma Hiyo Something: the constitution explained with cartoons
http://www.kuweniserious.org/soma-hiyo-something/
Great information and analysis on the Mzalendo blog
http://www.mzalendo.com/blog/
Download the proposed document itself on the Capital FM website
http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/downfile.php?downId=37
All the issues explained on the referendum’s official website
http://kenyareferendum2010.com/
An analysis of the referendum’s risks and opportunities by Reuters
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LDE65H0LQ.htm
Guest blog: The Case of The Ex
// July 21st, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized
By our guest blogger Titus Maina:
I was born and raised under the Moi regime and if you had asked me back then, I’d have told you corruption is nothing to be worried about and that it was a way of life. It was a way of making sure that everyone got a piece of the pie. I also believed that you shouldn’t criticize the government if you love your life because you were bound to disappear off the face of the earth if you did so. This was the gospel according to me and majority of those fortunate enough to have been born in my generation.
Time passed and I grew a little older and a little bit wiser. It’s because of this reason (the fact that I am a little bit older and wiser) that I can’t help but get pissed every time one Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi opens his mouth to give the country some “advice”. I mean seriously, Mr. Moi, do you think you have a right to tell Kenyans anything after all that you’ve taken us through?
I guess most Kenyans’ relationship with Mr. Moi is like that of a bad ex who emotionally and physically tormented you throughout your forced marriage that seemed to last for eternity. And every time you attempted to get a divorce, you ended up with broken ribs and a black eye. But that’s not the issue since the past will remain just that, the past! What irks me is that Mr. Moi still thinks he’s in a position to dictate to Kenyans on what to do especially when it comes to the proposed draft referendum.
Mr. Moi, you have no right to tell us what to do. You had your chance, 24 years to be exact. And with all due respect, look where your “advice” and “foresight” led us. As much as you have a right as a Kenyan to speak your mind (something we couldn’t afford to do during your regime), please don’t tell us what we ought to do or should be doing! Simply don’t! It’s because of you and your cronies and all the selfish decisions you made during your regime (including illegally dishing out Mau forest) that Kenyans keep finding themselves in a fix.
Guest blog: A Message to the EA Community
// July 16th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Uncategorized
By our guest political blogger Titus Maina:
On July 11th 2010, two explosions rocked Kampala, killing dozens of people and injuring more than 70. Clearly this was a barbaric act of spinelessness by the Al Shabab extremists but that’s not why I am writing this blog. I am doing so because of two reasons.
First, because of the ripple effect that is being felt by the Somali community all across East Africa. Let us not prosecute our fellow East Africans of Somali decent just because a few bad apples decided to terrorize us. Al Shabab is definitely Somali but definitely not every Somali is an Al Shabab. Somalis have been active and equal members of our East African community since time immemorial and we shouldn’t let a few misguided individuals change our perception of them now.
But at the same time, I think the occurrences of July 11th in Kampala carry an even bigger message than we care to admit, especially to the newly formed East African community. Clearly, if we are going to disregard the problems in Somalia and just focus on protecting our borders, we will simply just postpone the inevitable. To begin with, Somalia is a part of the East African community whether we like it or not. The way I see it, as long as there will be insecurity in Somalia, there will be insecurity in East Africa. It’s never been a question of whether the East African community should get involved in Somalia but a question of when; and the time is now!
Last but not least, let me take a moment to talk to the Al Shabab. I don’t know if you read history but one thing that is clearly highlighted in it is that you cannot rule by fear. Never! It always tends to backfire on you. I can bet that your attack on Kampala will only mean more troops from Uganda and other nations are headed to Somalia to put you down. And if these foreign countries do not topple your shameful regime soon, the Somali people definitely will in time. You wait and see.
Guest blog: Why I am saying “YES” to the Land-Holding by Non Citizen Clause
// July 13th, 2010 // 5 Comments » // Uncategorized
By our guest political blogger Titus Maina:
Once again, let me revisit the land clause in the draft constitution which I am sure holds a lot of interest to many. But before I begin, let me state categorically that I am neither a racist nor a “hater”. “Hater” in this milieu meaning: - someone who discriminates foreigners or foreign corporations that own properties in this country. That would be plain ignorant considering we need investors both local and foreign to grow our young nation.
That having been said, allow me to indulge you. If you are a Kenyan, eighteen and above, I am pretty sure there have been instances in your life that you were too annoyed with either a foreigner or a foreign corporation owning property in this country for what you felt was their lack of ethics or humanity for that matter. Whatever the reason, only you know.
In my case, what irks me is the fact that there are foreign individuals and corporations that own vast amount of land in this country that they do absolutely nothing with while some of our fellow brothers and sisters live in shacks by the road side due to lack of land. I know the same case applies with local “land lords” but that’s a blog for another day. What makes it even worse is that most of these individuals have a 999 years renewable lease on the land and pay some ridiculously low land rates per annum for these unutilized lands.
My question is, how many of these foreign individuals and corporations in this category really acquired the said land legally? But once again, that’s a blog for another day. Isn’t what they are doing the same as “unfair brand competition”? Think about it, some individual comes with dollars from their developed strong economy countries to buy all the land in a developing weak economy country and does not use that land to create employment for the locals by utilizing it? Because if it’s not; then my reasoning is, we all know that land appreciates with time. Why not buy all the land you can, sit on it and sell it when it appreciates especially when you have a 999 years lease? Two reasons on why not from me,
1. We are still a young democracy with a not very strong economy and most of the citizens don’t have the financial might to buy vast pieces of land meaning majority of those individuals who can actually afford to, are foreigners from more developed countries with strong economies.
2. If this was to be the case, it would simply result in the monopoly of land by a few individuals and hence rendering the majority landless, poor and dependant on a few. A perfect recipe for chaos.
Hence the need for there to be a mechanism of regulating who can own land in this country and under what conditions. This is why I had a big grin on my face when I read the landholding by non- citizens clause which read.
Landholding by non-citizens
65.
(1) A person who is not a citizen may hold land on the basis of leasehold tenure
only, and any such lease, however granted, shall not exceed ninety-nine
years.
(2) If a provision of any agreement, deed, conveyance or document of whatever
nature purports to confer on a person who is not a citizen an interest in land
greater than a ninety-nine year lease, the provision shall be regarded as
conferring on the person a ninety-nine year leasehold interest, and no more.
(3) For purposes of this Article –
(a) a body corporate shall be regarded as a citizen only if the body
corporate is wholly owned by one or more citizens; and
(b) property held in trust shall be regarded as being held by a citizen only
if all of the beneficial interest of the trust is held by persons who are
citizens.
(4) Parliament may enact legislation to make further provision for the operation
of this Article.
This clause combined with other clauses that dictate for you to utilize the land you own eliminates the scrabble and partition of Kenya by land cartels who buy land just for the sake of monopolizing it.
It’s because of this my fellow Kenyans that I am saying a big “YES” to the landholding by non-citizens clause and to the proposed draft constitution in the upcoming referendum. What about you? Do you wish to make a better Kenya? If so, what will your vote say in the upcoming constitution referendum and why?
Director James Kanja in Kampala
// July 8th, 2010 // 3 Comments » // Uncategorized
On June 26th, our Director James Kanja travelled to Kampala to participate in a media workshop organized by the Open Society Institute East Africa.
By James Kanja:
I arrived in Entebbe at about 2:15pm and we immediately made our way to Ridar Hotel where the workshop was being held.
On arrival at the hotel, I was immediately briefed on my presentation and what was expected of me.
I was to present to the students/media practitioners a one-hour presentation on what it entails to create the XYZ Show, how we create our content and the challenges that we face. I also had to show them a video of some of the work we have done in the past.
At the workshop which was attended by about 50 participants, we discussed the XYZ Show and how it has affected and influenced the society. We also discussed editorial interference and the freedom of the press.
After presenting a video clip of XYZ (EP 13 S1, behind the scenes, EP4 S1 Alfred Mutua & Fred Opolot) we got down to discussing the technicalities of producing the show. This was followed by a Q&A session.
Coincidentally, the participants had just been taught how to shoot on green screen (Chroma Key) that morning and they were thrilled to see the demonstration prepared by Pete, our visual effects director, of how we chroma our green screen scenes.
It was a great opportunity to interact with upcoming media practitioners as well as get an insight on how popular and highly regarded the XYZ Show is within the EA Community. I actually wished I had more time to share my production experience with the enthusiastic participants.
Guest blog: A Funny Joke
// July 7th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized
By our guest political blogger Titus Maina:
A few weeks ago I had the best and longest laugh I’ve had in years. I was watching news and I heard the funniest joke ever. I am sure you’ve heard it by now. It goes like this “Kenyan MPs have decided to increase their salaries to Ksh 1 million a month after ‘taxes’…!” Come on, that is hilarious!
Allow me to tell you why I think this is the funniest joke ever! First, we still have IDPs camping by the road side somewhere. Reason? Because the government doesn’t have enough cash to resettle them. Don’t you think it’s funny for MPs to propose salary increment when we still have such a scenarios lurking around? Come on, say it with me now: Ha! Ha! Ha!
Second, we are fast approaching the draft referendum and still very few Kenyans understand what the new constitution is all about. Reason? The government has no money for civil education… You still don’t think our MPs have a great sense of humor with their salary increment joke? All together: Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
Third, teachers and other civil servants are still waiting for their salary arrears to be paid while others are still waiting for their salary increments which were promised years ago. Imagine how a civil servant earning Ksh 12,000 a month and one who has been waiting for a Kshs. 1000 salary increment for the past three years reacted on hearing the MPs salary increment gag?
I call it a funny joke because there is no way that a clinically sane human being living in our current Kenya and earning what our MPs are currently earning can under their rightful mind be serious when asking for a salary increment! Period! It’s got to be a joke.
- ujo said: Yaaaaay!!! Al "Bash" ir the Party Animal! I like t...
- ujo said: Hehehe Nice one! I'm also Vuka-ing; its the most c...
- Lydia said: Tito yah SICK!!...
- Nigel said: Its time safaricom learned a HARD LESSON!...
- andrew said: u guys rock!...
- Gerald @ Masai Mara Safaris said: this is just too funny....its true a picture speak...
