Monday, December 5, 2011
Why I will not be going to Kikuyu in the near future.
For more than five times I had promised my childhood friend Michael Maina a visit in Kikuyu. I decided to make good my promise in November 2008.That idea crossed my mind when I was walking along Moi Avenue in Nairobi. I walked briskly towards Kenya National Archives and caught a 105 matatu near there at 11am.
Half an hour later I was in Kikuyu township. I called my Michael and he joined me a few minutes later. We exchanged pleasantries as he suggested that we get in a café for lunch.
Later on, we left for his home some 500 meters away. We found his wife,Lilian, relaxing in the house.Apparently; she was recovering from a bout of malaria that had brought her down.
“Where have you been all these months, Mwangi?” she asked me.
“I have been busy in my work but at least I have found time today to honor my promise,” I replied.
For the better part of the afternoon, the three were engaged in a jovial chit chat as we caught movies. It wasn’t until 6pm that I realized that it was getting late and I requested to leave.
“Why don’t you spend the night with us here today?” Lilian implored.
“I will do it another day, today you have to excuse me as I have some important matters to attend to tomorrow morning,” I pleaded with her.
With that, I bid her goodbye. Michael accompanied me to the township as we discussed important matters pertaining to our families. When we got near the bus stage, he suggested that we take nyama choma in an eatery a few meters away. This accorded us time to discuss some important matters in a nitty gritty.
At 7.30pm, we walked together at the stage. I was fortunate to find a matatu almost immediately. He bid me goodbye when the matatu was full. I sat on the seat directly behind the driver’s seat.Minutes later, we drove off towards our destination.
Some passengers alighted at Gitaru as others boarded. This took more that five minutes and some passengers started complaining. When we made it to Kinoo, the driver stopped the matatu as more passengers alighted.Meanwhile, the passengers who wanted to board the matatu literally fought to secure seats.
Some hooligans extorted cash from the tout for what they explained as searching for passengers. I learned that is a normal occurrence in Kinoo especially at night fall.Ten minutes later, we drove off.
Hardly had we driven for a kilometer along Waiyaki Way than a dramatic twist of events took place in the matatu.The passenger who was seated near the driver brandished a gun and hit the driver in the head.
He then pulled him out of the driver’s cabin and he took control of the 14-seater matatu.He ordered the driver to pass through the metal contraption behind the driver’s seat. The frightened driver stepped crawled over the passengers until he was got to the rear seats.Meanwhile, three other passengers ordered us to remain silent and hand over money and phones to them. They too had guns.
It occurred to us that the matatu was under the control of hijackers. Everything happened so fast that I thought I was in a dreamland. The hijacker who was behind the wheel swerved from right to left before he could manage to control the matatu.It was so scary considering how dangerous Waiyaki way is.
We were hapless in the hands of dangerous criminals. I gave them the cash I had and also my phone.However,I managed to chuck out the SIM card discreetly. The criminal who assumed the role of the tout, continued picking unsuspecting passengers along the way.
Once inside, their possessions were likewise taken away. The hijackers exchanged some words and decided to divert from the main highway. They drove us along James Gichuru road as they threatened to shoot us should they realize that we could be hiding any money.
We had no idea where the hijackers were taking us and we had every reason to be scared stiff. They drove us to towards Kawangware.Once there, they once again divert the vehicle along a bumpy weather road. I couldn’t tell where we were. Ten minutes later, we made it to the slum dwelling. The four criminals alighted from the vehicle casually and melted into the sprawling slum.
The driver of that matatu drove us to Muthaiga police station where we recorded our statements. Most of us had lost our valuables but amazing there were those had managed to hide money in their inner wears.
As I was wondering how I would make it to my home since I had no money with me, a middle-aged man who I got acquainted to as we drove to the station promised to take care of that.
He told me, “Imagine it is just the grace of God that those criminals didn’t frisk us too much. I have Kshs.12000 I managed to hide in private parts.”
The driver was kind enough and he drove us all the way to Nairobi. I was fortunate in that my newly found friend was going in the same route as myself. He gave me Kshs.200 and I made it home safely. It was such a nightmare.
I called Michael when I made it home. It was hard to convince him what had happened to me. The only conviction that he had was the fact that he had tried to call me when we parted but I was unreachable.
James Mwangi Kanyi.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Fight against terror will be won at last.
The killing of fugitive master of terror Osama bin Laden by the American soldiers in Pakistan on Monday was the best news this year on fight against terrorism. Many innocent people have lost their lives around the world as a result of his wicked plots.
No justifiable reason can stand the ground as to why lives should be taken away by a person who swore enmity with American people. It is good riddance that at last he was smoked out and his extinguished at the height of combating terror globally.
This should serve a lesson to his henchmen who are hiding in various countries like Somalia, Afghanistan and Iraq. The message to those terrorist is that their days are numbered and they will be exterminated no matter how they feel safe at the moment. It has taken more than a decade to catch up on Osama but at last he is resting in misery (oops! peace) somewhere under the sea in Pakistan.
No stone shall remain unturned in the quest for terror combat.
James Mwangi Kanyi
olewakungu@gmail.com
Nairobi.
No justifiable reason can stand the ground as to why lives should be taken away by a person who swore enmity with American people. It is good riddance that at last he was smoked out and his extinguished at the height of combating terror globally.
This should serve a lesson to his henchmen who are hiding in various countries like Somalia, Afghanistan and Iraq. The message to those terrorist is that their days are numbered and they will be exterminated no matter how they feel safe at the moment. It has taken more than a decade to catch up on Osama but at last he is resting in misery (oops! peace) somewhere under the sea in Pakistan.
No stone shall remain unturned in the quest for terror combat.
James Mwangi Kanyi
olewakungu@gmail.com
Nairobi.
Need to reform Petroleum industry.
The footage of long queues by the motorists around the country to buy fuel from the filing stations last week was very embarrassing to say the least. It depicted a state of confusion and irresponsibility by the key players in the Energy sector.
To start with, there has been no disruption of supply of the precious commodity on local or international scale. The unavailability of petrol in the filing station was by and large attributed to unethical trade practices such as hoarding.
Therefore, it is very important that Government’s intervention in this sector should be aggressive to avoid such a recurrence. The loss in revenue collection for the four days the shortage was there runs in billions of shillings.
Even as the President Mwai Kibaki directed that the Energy and Finance ministers to put their act together to ensure that supply is done normally and at an affordable price, there need to be radical reform in this sector. In the past, the petroleum industry has been run by cartel-like operators and this is the main reason the oil prices have been adjusted upward in an arbitrary manner.
Now that South Sudan will be an independent country on July 9th this year, it is imperative to grab the opportunity of outsourcing the precious commodity from there on a long-term plan. This will go a long way in reducing the costs and thus matching the prices.
James Mwangi Kanyi,
Nairobi.
To start with, there has been no disruption of supply of the precious commodity on local or international scale. The unavailability of petrol in the filing station was by and large attributed to unethical trade practices such as hoarding.
Therefore, it is very important that Government’s intervention in this sector should be aggressive to avoid such a recurrence. The loss in revenue collection for the four days the shortage was there runs in billions of shillings.
Even as the President Mwai Kibaki directed that the Energy and Finance ministers to put their act together to ensure that supply is done normally and at an affordable price, there need to be radical reform in this sector. In the past, the petroleum industry has been run by cartel-like operators and this is the main reason the oil prices have been adjusted upward in an arbitrary manner.
Now that South Sudan will be an independent country on July 9th this year, it is imperative to grab the opportunity of outsourcing the precious commodity from there on a long-term plan. This will go a long way in reducing the costs and thus matching the prices.
James Mwangi Kanyi,
Nairobi.
Government should address police needs.
In the year 2006, I reunited with a bosom friend in Nairobi.Naturally; he recounted to me his whereabouts for the last nine years. He informed me that since we sat for our KCSE exams in 1997, he stayed at home for two years after which he was enrolled at Kiganjo Police Training College in 2000.
That time we met, he had just been posted at Wilson Airport police station. He was optimistic that his new station would give him a new lease of life having spent about five years in Meru.
I took the opportunity to ask him about his working conditions in the police service now that was an “afande”.I knew for sure that he was the best suited person to disclose to me the nitty gritty of the career I had given a thought in 1998.
He candidly told me, “Kanyi, I am frank with you; I have been in the police service for close to six years and I can tell you that I’m truly disappointed about the working conditions. We work long hours at night and in the process we get exposed to dangerous criminals with sophisticated weapons.
“We are not provided with bulletproof jackets and you can be sure that death is imminent should there be a shotout.What irk us is that there is no insurance policy to cover us for any eventuality. If one of us dies in the line of duty, he is on his own.
“Another thing that troubles us is that it takes so long for one to be promoted. You can’t imagine I am still a constable and I have no idea when I will be promoted to a corporal. By and large, promotion in the police is on a who-do-you-know basis.
“I don’t want to talk about the salary issue because it simply sucks! We just hope the Government will review our package so that we can lead a decent life to avoid temptations of engaging in crime to make ends meet.”
I spent the whole day with him and I learned how frustrated the police officers are with their work. I urged him to soldier on and maybe one day he will smile all the way to the bank.
Fast forward this month, a police officer at Parklands police station shot dead his boss and fatally injured his colleague before he turned the gun on himself. Such an incident happened in Naromoru police station on March this year. It is a worrying trend that police officers—administration and regular—have in the recent years taken the law into their hands and killed their colleagues and civilians over unexplained reasons.
Evidently so, there are a lot of challenges facing police officers and it is the high time that the Government takes a bold step in reforming the police service. Police plays a very important role in the society and it’s important to motivate the officers by addressing their numerous needs amicably. Most of the extra-judicial deaths caused by police stem from issues that can be addressed before getting out of hand.
James Mwangi Kanyi
Nairobi
That time we met, he had just been posted at Wilson Airport police station. He was optimistic that his new station would give him a new lease of life having spent about five years in Meru.
I took the opportunity to ask him about his working conditions in the police service now that was an “afande”.I knew for sure that he was the best suited person to disclose to me the nitty gritty of the career I had given a thought in 1998.
He candidly told me, “Kanyi, I am frank with you; I have been in the police service for close to six years and I can tell you that I’m truly disappointed about the working conditions. We work long hours at night and in the process we get exposed to dangerous criminals with sophisticated weapons.
“We are not provided with bulletproof jackets and you can be sure that death is imminent should there be a shotout.What irk us is that there is no insurance policy to cover us for any eventuality. If one of us dies in the line of duty, he is on his own.
“Another thing that troubles us is that it takes so long for one to be promoted. You can’t imagine I am still a constable and I have no idea when I will be promoted to a corporal. By and large, promotion in the police is on a who-do-you-know basis.
“I don’t want to talk about the salary issue because it simply sucks! We just hope the Government will review our package so that we can lead a decent life to avoid temptations of engaging in crime to make ends meet.”
I spent the whole day with him and I learned how frustrated the police officers are with their work. I urged him to soldier on and maybe one day he will smile all the way to the bank.
Fast forward this month, a police officer at Parklands police station shot dead his boss and fatally injured his colleague before he turned the gun on himself. Such an incident happened in Naromoru police station on March this year. It is a worrying trend that police officers—administration and regular—have in the recent years taken the law into their hands and killed their colleagues and civilians over unexplained reasons.
Evidently so, there are a lot of challenges facing police officers and it is the high time that the Government takes a bold step in reforming the police service. Police plays a very important role in the society and it’s important to motivate the officers by addressing their numerous needs amicably. Most of the extra-judicial deaths caused by police stem from issues that can be addressed before getting out of hand.
James Mwangi Kanyi
Nairobi
President Salva Kiir should resist war.
On 8th September 2009, the residents of Juba and its environ woke up to a rude shock.The roads to and from the fast growing capital city of South Sudan were cordoned off by army and police officers belonging to Sudanese People Liberation Army(SPLA) and Southern Sudan Police Service(SSPS) respectively. As if that wasn’t enough,they had also positioned themselves along the main and feeder roads for a major exercise that lasted for more than a week.
President Salve Kiir had ordered a disarmament exercise following the revelation that many civilians held with them illegal guns and other deadly ammunitions. The house to house exercise was successful since a cache of deadly weapons including pistols, assault rifles, anti-aircraft guns and explosives were found hidden in residents’ houses.
That was a clear indication by the Government of South Sudan that it was truly committed in promoting peace.
The world witnessed a peaceful referendum process on 9th-15th January, 2011.The citizens of South Sudan voted overwhelming for an independent status. It is therefore worrying that of late President Omar Bashir has been provoking the Government of South Sudan by attacking its citizens in oil-rich Abyei.
It is obvious that the Khartoum Government is not interested in honoring the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that was signed in Naivasha,Kenya in 2005.. The 21-year civil war that ended in 2005 left more than 2.5 million people dead. As I was working there back then, I witnessed first hand the devastating aftermath of that war. President Salva Kiir should totally resist war under all circumstances to for the sake of his people.
James Mwangi Kanyi,
Nairobi.
President Salve Kiir had ordered a disarmament exercise following the revelation that many civilians held with them illegal guns and other deadly ammunitions. The house to house exercise was successful since a cache of deadly weapons including pistols, assault rifles, anti-aircraft guns and explosives were found hidden in residents’ houses.
That was a clear indication by the Government of South Sudan that it was truly committed in promoting peace.
The world witnessed a peaceful referendum process on 9th-15th January, 2011.The citizens of South Sudan voted overwhelming for an independent status. It is therefore worrying that of late President Omar Bashir has been provoking the Government of South Sudan by attacking its citizens in oil-rich Abyei.
It is obvious that the Khartoum Government is not interested in honoring the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that was signed in Naivasha,Kenya in 2005.. The 21-year civil war that ended in 2005 left more than 2.5 million people dead. As I was working there back then, I witnessed first hand the devastating aftermath of that war. President Salva Kiir should totally resist war under all circumstances to for the sake of his people.
James Mwangi Kanyi,
Nairobi.
How to be a Kenyan and not pride in it.
Firstly, when you want to travel using public means, you don’t need to bother whether the bus or matatu you are traveling in is full. You just need to squeeze yourself in it since the conductor has convinced you that some passengers will be alighting at the next bus stop to create a space for you.Once,in you need not be concerned how dangerously the vehicle is being driven.Afterall,the other passengers are silent and you don’t want to start a verbal exchange with the crew.
Secondly, when you get enough money to construct a storey building, you need to realize that there is something called time value of money. Money earned today will be of more value tomorrow. Bearing this in mind, you need to bribe the relevant authorities to hasten the process of construction. With their blessings, your building will be constructed in a record speed without paying attention to the basics of buildings. When an “accident” happens and the building tumbles down like house of cards—killing and maiming tens of innocent youths—you blame your architecture and contractors.
Thirdly, if you are minding your own business near a major highway and a 22-wheel tanker loses its break and tip over at your vicinity, you immediately fetch empty containers for a windfall. Oblivious of the danger, you need to gather as much as you can to sell the loot at half-price at a future date. If anyone reminds you about an accident that happened in a place called Sachagwan that claimed more than a hundred people, you just tell him or her that someone is taking care of smokers.
Fourthly, if you are lucky enough to be employed by the Government, you never bother to check whether your salary has been credited at the end of the month. Why should you when you can make a lot more through dubious deals? You should look for ways to pay ghost workers; embezzle funds meant for crucial projects; overprice invoices and initiate elephant projects.
Last but not the least, you need to quench you thirst. You need to realize that work without play makes jack a dull boy. Since you don’t have enough money to buy a bottled beer, you need to realize that there are things called substitutes in economics. They are things that serve the same purpose for a specific need(s).Like tea and coffee. Bearing that in mind, you need to pop in Mama Pima’s den to down a few glasses of cheap but lethal demon drinks. Only after your sight has been lost will you realize that it have been wiser to be a teetotaler.
James Mwangi Kanyi,
Nairobi
Secondly, when you get enough money to construct a storey building, you need to realize that there is something called time value of money. Money earned today will be of more value tomorrow. Bearing this in mind, you need to bribe the relevant authorities to hasten the process of construction. With their blessings, your building will be constructed in a record speed without paying attention to the basics of buildings. When an “accident” happens and the building tumbles down like house of cards—killing and maiming tens of innocent youths—you blame your architecture and contractors.
Thirdly, if you are minding your own business near a major highway and a 22-wheel tanker loses its break and tip over at your vicinity, you immediately fetch empty containers for a windfall. Oblivious of the danger, you need to gather as much as you can to sell the loot at half-price at a future date. If anyone reminds you about an accident that happened in a place called Sachagwan that claimed more than a hundred people, you just tell him or her that someone is taking care of smokers.
Fourthly, if you are lucky enough to be employed by the Government, you never bother to check whether your salary has been credited at the end of the month. Why should you when you can make a lot more through dubious deals? You should look for ways to pay ghost workers; embezzle funds meant for crucial projects; overprice invoices and initiate elephant projects.
Last but not the least, you need to quench you thirst. You need to realize that work without play makes jack a dull boy. Since you don’t have enough money to buy a bottled beer, you need to realize that there are things called substitutes in economics. They are things that serve the same purpose for a specific need(s).Like tea and coffee. Bearing that in mind, you need to pop in Mama Pima’s den to down a few glasses of cheap but lethal demon drinks. Only after your sight has been lost will you realize that it have been wiser to be a teetotaler.
James Mwangi Kanyi,
Nairobi
We need to protect our land
As much as we love to have real property investors in Kenya,it is important that we vouch the source of their money.It is an open secret that many buildings in Nairobi,Mombasa and other big towns have been constructed through the proceeds of piracy and drugs running.In essence,this has led to the escalalting price of houses in these areas.I have heard of cases in Eastleigh whereby Somali buyers have bought pieces of lands double or triple of their original values--on cash basis.God gave us this country to enjoy what is in it not to bequeth it to the highest bidders of foreign origin.Our forefathers paid the price to redeem our country with their blood and sweat.It is our right to protect what we have courageously and religiously.
James Mwangi Kanyi,Nairobi.
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Sent via Nokia Email
James Mwangi Kanyi,Nairobi.
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Sent via Nokia Email
Averting Drought in Kenya
The gesture by Safaricom,Kenya Commercial Bank and the media to open a emergence benevolent account to help hunger-striken Kenyans is laudable.However,the Government need to look at a bigger picture so as to alleviate the hunger and break the vicious cycle of deaths of human and livestock year in year out.It is important that measures are put in place so that Kenya is food secure whether rains are late or totally fail.Such measures include adopting better farming methods,diversifying on more foods,reviving stalled irrigation schemes,refforestation,training pastrolist communities how to farm,improving on logistics so as to move food from areas with bumper harvest to less endowed,constructing modern food storage facilities,harvesting rain water,etc.
James Mwangi Kanyi,Nairobi
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Sent via Nokia Email
James Mwangi Kanyi,Nairobi
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Sent via Nokia Email
Diaspora in liberating the Somali
Since 1991, Somalia has been in a bloody civil war. Millions of people in this country have died as a result of hunger, diseases and bullet wounds. Kenya has been hosting thousands of thousands of Somali refugees in Dadaab, Kakuma and Lokichogio refugees’ camps for the period this war-torn country has been in unrest.
Efforts by international community to bring order in this country have somehow borne fruit as the country is under the leadership of Transitional Federal Government. Credit also goes to renowned peace brokers like Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat who have burned the midnight oil in preaching peace in this country.
However, the state in this country is still dire and much effort needs to be put to set her people free. This is achievable if only her citizen were to adopt a positive attitude towards peace and prosperity. If the South Sudanese did it, surely the Somalis can get into the same bandwagon.
It is an open secret that thousands if not millions have sought refuge all over the world. These Somalis in Diaspora should champion for peace in their country so that this country can be liberated.First, they have the advantage of information through internet and other sources and they can use it to accomplish a lot.
Secondly, most of them are well educated and can offer invaluable services in transforming their country socially, politically and economically. No matter how successful they might be in Middle East, Far East, Europe and America, they are still Somalis and their brothers and sisters are still crying for help.
Third, the Diaspora are in a position to reach out to international community who can offer assistance including disarmament, funding of important projects and other technical assistance.
This country situated at the Horn of Africa is endowed with the longest coastline in the continent and she can use it for advantage in various way including tourism, fishing and trade. It is a sad story that unpatriotic Somalis have had a field day misusing the Somalia’s coast in carrying out piracy, terrorism and other illegalities. It is the high time this stops.
Relative calm that is witnessed in Puntland and Somaliland can be replicated in Somalia if only the citizens have the goodwill. The neighboring countries are ready and willing to assist in reconstruction of Somalia just like they are doing to South Sudan.
James Mwangi Kanyi
Nairobi.
Efforts by international community to bring order in this country have somehow borne fruit as the country is under the leadership of Transitional Federal Government. Credit also goes to renowned peace brokers like Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat who have burned the midnight oil in preaching peace in this country.
However, the state in this country is still dire and much effort needs to be put to set her people free. This is achievable if only her citizen were to adopt a positive attitude towards peace and prosperity. If the South Sudanese did it, surely the Somalis can get into the same bandwagon.
It is an open secret that thousands if not millions have sought refuge all over the world. These Somalis in Diaspora should champion for peace in their country so that this country can be liberated.First, they have the advantage of information through internet and other sources and they can use it to accomplish a lot.
Secondly, most of them are well educated and can offer invaluable services in transforming their country socially, politically and economically. No matter how successful they might be in Middle East, Far East, Europe and America, they are still Somalis and their brothers and sisters are still crying for help.
Third, the Diaspora are in a position to reach out to international community who can offer assistance including disarmament, funding of important projects and other technical assistance.
This country situated at the Horn of Africa is endowed with the longest coastline in the continent and she can use it for advantage in various way including tourism, fishing and trade. It is a sad story that unpatriotic Somalis have had a field day misusing the Somalia’s coast in carrying out piracy, terrorism and other illegalities. It is the high time this stops.
Relative calm that is witnessed in Puntland and Somaliland can be replicated in Somalia if only the citizens have the goodwill. The neighboring countries are ready and willing to assist in reconstruction of Somalia just like they are doing to South Sudan.
James Mwangi Kanyi
Nairobi.
Artists can contribute enormously in alleviating famine.
On Saturday August 27, 2011, renowned Kenyan artists entertained the country with their well rehearsed music and dance moves at Uhuru Park. The live televised Mega concert was meant to raise money for the hungry citizen in Northern Kenya as well as other places where famine has ravaged, It also served as a platform to thank all the individuals and corporate bodies who have supported the Kenyans for Kenya initiative to alleviate hunger pangs.
It was a noble initiative to say the least. The artists proved that they can join hands to deal with issues that affect Kenyans head on. However, these artists were concerned about the recurrent famine in various parts of the country every year.
Indeed, this is a grave matter. It’s the high time that this menace was to be arrested once and for all. There is no reason why Kenya should not be food secure. It’s true that the climate has been erratic in the last 12 years but that is not the reason as to why this country should experience famine. Egypt and Israel are located in desert yet they are food secure.
The Government should come up with a blueprint that will ensure that residents of the Northern Kenya—who are always affected by hunger—are food secure. It is true most of them don’t consider themselves as Kenyans and it is important that Government’s presence in this area should be felt through civic education.
Turkana community that by and large depends on livestock for their livelihood should adopt crops farming. This is possible if the Government and NGOs were to assist in sinking of boreholes.
Artists are very instrumental in influencing the youths’ lifestyles. It is important that they employ their performances to inculcate state-of-arts farming practices to the youths who have been so preprogrammed that one can only make it through white color job.
During the Mega concert, David Mathenge (Nameless) suggested that artists should be conducting concerts in the month of August every year to alleviate famine. That was a brilliant suggestion.However; the artists should aim at advocating for long-term measures that will ensure that footages of malnourished Kenyans will no longer see the light of the day.
James Mwangi Kanyi
Nairobi.
It was a noble initiative to say the least. The artists proved that they can join hands to deal with issues that affect Kenyans head on. However, these artists were concerned about the recurrent famine in various parts of the country every year.
Indeed, this is a grave matter. It’s the high time that this menace was to be arrested once and for all. There is no reason why Kenya should not be food secure. It’s true that the climate has been erratic in the last 12 years but that is not the reason as to why this country should experience famine. Egypt and Israel are located in desert yet they are food secure.
The Government should come up with a blueprint that will ensure that residents of the Northern Kenya—who are always affected by hunger—are food secure. It is true most of them don’t consider themselves as Kenyans and it is important that Government’s presence in this area should be felt through civic education.
Turkana community that by and large depends on livestock for their livelihood should adopt crops farming. This is possible if the Government and NGOs were to assist in sinking of boreholes.
Artists are very instrumental in influencing the youths’ lifestyles. It is important that they employ their performances to inculcate state-of-arts farming practices to the youths who have been so preprogrammed that one can only make it through white color job.
During the Mega concert, David Mathenge (Nameless) suggested that artists should be conducting concerts in the month of August every year to alleviate famine. That was a brilliant suggestion.However; the artists should aim at advocating for long-term measures that will ensure that footages of malnourished Kenyans will no longer see the light of the day.
James Mwangi Kanyi
Nairobi.
Vernacular radio stations play important roles.
In his letter to the editor (Standard on Saturday September 10, 2011) titled Vernacular radio stations should be scrapped, Justin O Peter missed important issues regarding the contributions made by the vernacular stations.
It is true that these stations have been misused by some wayward people in this country as well as other countries to propagate hatred and upheaval. No one can forget what happened in Rwanda in 1994 all because of the vernacular radio.
However, the pros attributable to vernacular radio stations outdo the cons by far.First; it is not possible to communicate with a sizeable number of Kenyan citizens who are cannot speak or understand Kiswahili—the Kenyan national language. The only way to educate, inform and educate them is through their vernacular or aptly put their mother tongues.
Secondly, the vernacular serves to preserve our cultural practices. Some cultural practices practiced by different ethnic communities can be communicated well using vernacular. There are so many people especially those who are in urban setup who failed to learn what their tribesmen do in issues pertaining to marriage and other rites. Through vernacular radios, older generations are available to shed light on the above practices.
Prof Ngugi wa Thiongo—a leading scholar—has been in the limelight highlighting the importance of vernacular. Much as he has lived in United State of America (USA) for close to 30 years, he still reckons the importance of vernacular in a given society. Indeed he has written a couple of books in Kikuyu language to underline this fact. One of the best ways to sharpen ones knowledge in his/her vernacular is through listening to the radio.
It is therefore important to have vernacular radio stations.However, there is need to censor what is broadcasted so that these important form of communication are not misused in any way.
James Mwangi Kanyi,
Nairobi.
It is true that these stations have been misused by some wayward people in this country as well as other countries to propagate hatred and upheaval. No one can forget what happened in Rwanda in 1994 all because of the vernacular radio.
However, the pros attributable to vernacular radio stations outdo the cons by far.First; it is not possible to communicate with a sizeable number of Kenyan citizens who are cannot speak or understand Kiswahili—the Kenyan national language. The only way to educate, inform and educate them is through their vernacular or aptly put their mother tongues.
Secondly, the vernacular serves to preserve our cultural practices. Some cultural practices practiced by different ethnic communities can be communicated well using vernacular. There are so many people especially those who are in urban setup who failed to learn what their tribesmen do in issues pertaining to marriage and other rites. Through vernacular radios, older generations are available to shed light on the above practices.
Prof Ngugi wa Thiongo—a leading scholar—has been in the limelight highlighting the importance of vernacular. Much as he has lived in United State of America (USA) for close to 30 years, he still reckons the importance of vernacular in a given society. Indeed he has written a couple of books in Kikuyu language to underline this fact. One of the best ways to sharpen ones knowledge in his/her vernacular is through listening to the radio.
It is therefore important to have vernacular radio stations.However, there is need to censor what is broadcasted so that these important form of communication are not misused in any way.
James Mwangi Kanyi,
Nairobi.
Insurers need to change tactics to enjoy growth.
It wasn’t a surprise when the investors bought only 60 per cent of British-American shares in an initial public offering last month. This is in sharp contrast with the banks in Kenya that have offered their shares in IPOs and rights issue in the recent years.
Investors oversubscribed when Equity and Cooperative banks offered their shares to the public a few years ago. The same was witnessed when Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) rights issue were offered. It can be concluded fairly that shares from banking sub-sector are more attractive to the investors.
A few reasons can be attributed to this skewed manner of investment.One, the penetration of bank in Kenya has been relatively successful. Equity and Family banks have single handedly led the way by offering products and services to the remotest place in the country as well as regionally—at a relatively affordable prices.
Two, most banks have upped their games by adopting Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in virtually all their relations with their wide clientele. This has seen made it easier for information to be relayed in a split second to the clients via their mobile phones and other state-of-art gargets.
Insurance companies have to catch up with the banks in order to enjoy massive growth like the latter. For instance they need to demystify the myth that people have regarding the indemnity issue. It is an open secret that if you were to discuss matters insurance cover with an ordinary Kenyan, you will realize that he will be wary of insuring because he has a notion that if an eventuality were to occur, the insurance company takes eon to indemnify for losses because of the rigorous procedures involved with the lawyers. This is stark reality on the ground.
Another issue is that most Kenyans associate insurance with people who are rich and they shy away from investing in insurance sub-sectoring essence this is not true and the insurance companies have to demystify this myth. This can be done by coming up with affordable products and services that that target the niche market.
They can borrow a leaf from Equity bank that transformed the banking sub-sector by reaching out to the savers who were largely ignored by the big banks a few years ago. This courage step convinced the mama mboga out there that banking is a basic need rather than privileged lifestyle. I believe that insurance companies can “copy and paste” the model that Equity Bank adopted so that they can grow in leaps and bounds.
James Mwangi Kanyi
Nairobi.
Investors oversubscribed when Equity and Cooperative banks offered their shares to the public a few years ago. The same was witnessed when Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) rights issue were offered. It can be concluded fairly that shares from banking sub-sector are more attractive to the investors.
A few reasons can be attributed to this skewed manner of investment.One, the penetration of bank in Kenya has been relatively successful. Equity and Family banks have single handedly led the way by offering products and services to the remotest place in the country as well as regionally—at a relatively affordable prices.
Two, most banks have upped their games by adopting Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in virtually all their relations with their wide clientele. This has seen made it easier for information to be relayed in a split second to the clients via their mobile phones and other state-of-art gargets.
Insurance companies have to catch up with the banks in order to enjoy massive growth like the latter. For instance they need to demystify the myth that people have regarding the indemnity issue. It is an open secret that if you were to discuss matters insurance cover with an ordinary Kenyan, you will realize that he will be wary of insuring because he has a notion that if an eventuality were to occur, the insurance company takes eon to indemnify for losses because of the rigorous procedures involved with the lawyers. This is stark reality on the ground.
Another issue is that most Kenyans associate insurance with people who are rich and they shy away from investing in insurance sub-sectoring essence this is not true and the insurance companies have to demystify this myth. This can be done by coming up with affordable products and services that that target the niche market.
They can borrow a leaf from Equity bank that transformed the banking sub-sector by reaching out to the savers who were largely ignored by the big banks a few years ago. This courage step convinced the mama mboga out there that banking is a basic need rather than privileged lifestyle. I believe that insurance companies can “copy and paste” the model that Equity Bank adopted so that they can grow in leaps and bounds.
James Mwangi Kanyi
Nairobi.
How the Wildebeests got their mane
Long time ago, Wildebeest was admired by other animals in the forest for his prowess in dancing prowess. He was the chief entertainer and no animal could match his dancing skills. His skin was flawless and this made him even more attractive to the audience.
He traversed the forest entertaining other animals for free. All he was interested in is to showoff his perfect body and his skills. At times, he would challenge other animals to try his dance moves but none of the animals would impress.
Having been satisfied that he was the master in his own right, the fame got into his head and he started charging the animals for the performances. The other animals did not mind this as they loved him intensely. At first, he charged a little few but with time he reviewed his charges.
Later on, he became arrogant and one had to literally beg him to perform. Since the animals valued his performance; they would go to every length to have him in their occasions.
No single weekend was he free as animals would invite him for birthday parties, bush warming (house warming) and wedding parties. No time did he fail to impress. He was his own manager and therefore he led a solitary life after the performances.
One day, he was invited by Mr. Lion in his house to celebrate the birthday for his wife. He made it to Mr. Lions in time and he was welcomed by other animals with ululations. The party started at 1pm.Since the party was well attended, he pulled some of his best moves and the he brought the forest down.
When the party was over at 6pm, the animals dispersed and he was left behind to sort out the payment issue with the Lions.
“I cannot find the money,” Mrs. Lion exclaimed, “someone has stolen it when the party was going on.”
“That is none of my business!” Wildebeest burst out.
An hour later, Mrs.Lion still couldn’t get the money and she broke in tears. By then, Wildebeest was too angry for the delay. His host pleaded with him to come for the money after three days but he insisted to be paid on the spot.
The Lions had no option other than to ask him what he wanted to be paid with in kind. He ordered Mrs. Lion to bring with her a pair of scissors. When she came with the pair of sciccors, Wildebeest shaved her head clean despite her protest. Those days, Both Mr. Lion and Mrs. Lion had manes in their heads and necks.
When he was done, he carried the long blonde hair with him and left the helpless Mrs. Lion in tears. She couldn’t believe that he beauty had been robbed away from her just like that. She became a bald from that day.
Meanwhile, Wildebeest left to his home and found his wife worried about his lateness. It was the first time he made it home that late. He lied to his wife that he was given mane by Mrs. Lion as a way of appreciating his dancing skills.
Mrs. Wildebeest grabbed the long hair and glued it to her head and neck. She did the same to her husband. That night, the god of animals visited the forest when she heard the cries of Mrs. Lion.
When he realized what had happened, he cursed Wildebeest and his wife for being so ruthless. Since that time, the Wildebeest and his wife acquired an ugly black mane around their neck and shoulders. They were even given beard. His dancing skill also disappeared.
The couple fell from grace to grass. Worse still, Mrs.Lion was given courage to hunt for them to get back her mane.
James Mwangi Kanyi.
He traversed the forest entertaining other animals for free. All he was interested in is to showoff his perfect body and his skills. At times, he would challenge other animals to try his dance moves but none of the animals would impress.
Having been satisfied that he was the master in his own right, the fame got into his head and he started charging the animals for the performances. The other animals did not mind this as they loved him intensely. At first, he charged a little few but with time he reviewed his charges.
Later on, he became arrogant and one had to literally beg him to perform. Since the animals valued his performance; they would go to every length to have him in their occasions.
No single weekend was he free as animals would invite him for birthday parties, bush warming (house warming) and wedding parties. No time did he fail to impress. He was his own manager and therefore he led a solitary life after the performances.
One day, he was invited by Mr. Lion in his house to celebrate the birthday for his wife. He made it to Mr. Lions in time and he was welcomed by other animals with ululations. The party started at 1pm.Since the party was well attended, he pulled some of his best moves and the he brought the forest down.
When the party was over at 6pm, the animals dispersed and he was left behind to sort out the payment issue with the Lions.
“I cannot find the money,” Mrs. Lion exclaimed, “someone has stolen it when the party was going on.”
“That is none of my business!” Wildebeest burst out.
An hour later, Mrs.Lion still couldn’t get the money and she broke in tears. By then, Wildebeest was too angry for the delay. His host pleaded with him to come for the money after three days but he insisted to be paid on the spot.
The Lions had no option other than to ask him what he wanted to be paid with in kind. He ordered Mrs. Lion to bring with her a pair of scissors. When she came with the pair of sciccors, Wildebeest shaved her head clean despite her protest. Those days, Both Mr. Lion and Mrs. Lion had manes in their heads and necks.
When he was done, he carried the long blonde hair with him and left the helpless Mrs. Lion in tears. She couldn’t believe that he beauty had been robbed away from her just like that. She became a bald from that day.
Meanwhile, Wildebeest left to his home and found his wife worried about his lateness. It was the first time he made it home that late. He lied to his wife that he was given mane by Mrs. Lion as a way of appreciating his dancing skills.
Mrs. Wildebeest grabbed the long hair and glued it to her head and neck. She did the same to her husband. That night, the god of animals visited the forest when she heard the cries of Mrs. Lion.
When he realized what had happened, he cursed Wildebeest and his wife for being so ruthless. Since that time, the Wildebeest and his wife acquired an ugly black mane around their neck and shoulders. They were even given beard. His dancing skill also disappeared.
The couple fell from grace to grass. Worse still, Mrs.Lion was given courage to hunt for them to get back her mane.
James Mwangi Kanyi.
CMA and NSE need to tighten their rules in regards to public companies.
In a paid advert, CMC Group Managing Director, William Lay, wrote a letter addressed to his company’s shareholders. The authoritative letter that was published in Kenya’s major dailies on September 14, 2011 touched on pertaining issues that were abused by the company’s immediate former chairman, Peter Mathoka.
He disclosed the fact that the former chairman had a vested interest in the very company that he was leading. The bone of contention is that the CMC is a listed company and therefore the general public has invested in it and naturally the it is expected of the Management and Board of Director to be beyond reproach if at all the members of public were to have confidence in it.
The fact that the former chairman is the major of supplier of the company in itself contravene the Companies Act Cap 486.It is therefore important that proper measure to address this misnomer is taken.
It is unfortunate that CMC has lost close to Kshs.2billion in inflated invoices by Andy Freight Forwarders Services over the last 5 years. It is hard to understand how auditors failed to take note of this over the same period yet the company is under professional management.However,the answer lies in the fact that the a major supplier happened to be part and parcel of the company’s management.
Capital Market Authority and Nairobi Stock Exchange—the watchdog bodies of the general public wealth in listed companies—need to take exercise their authority in ensuring that investors’ assets are safeguarded.
They can do so by ensuring that all managers and directors of listed companies in NSE are thoroughly vetted to avoid instances of compromise.Again, they need to crack down on insider traders who manipulate the share prices.
James Mwangi Kanyi
Nairobi
He disclosed the fact that the former chairman had a vested interest in the very company that he was leading. The bone of contention is that the CMC is a listed company and therefore the general public has invested in it and naturally the it is expected of the Management and Board of Director to be beyond reproach if at all the members of public were to have confidence in it.
The fact that the former chairman is the major of supplier of the company in itself contravene the Companies Act Cap 486.It is therefore important that proper measure to address this misnomer is taken.
It is unfortunate that CMC has lost close to Kshs.2billion in inflated invoices by Andy Freight Forwarders Services over the last 5 years. It is hard to understand how auditors failed to take note of this over the same period yet the company is under professional management.However,the answer lies in the fact that the a major supplier happened to be part and parcel of the company’s management.
Capital Market Authority and Nairobi Stock Exchange—the watchdog bodies of the general public wealth in listed companies—need to take exercise their authority in ensuring that investors’ assets are safeguarded.
They can do so by ensuring that all managers and directors of listed companies in NSE are thoroughly vetted to avoid instances of compromise.Again, they need to crack down on insider traders who manipulate the share prices.
James Mwangi Kanyi
Nairobi
Artists should have special visa.
Artists should have special visa.
I attended StoryMoja Hay Festival at Railways Club on Saturday, September 17, 2011.The annual event—that is aimed to gather writers across the globe to read and share ideas about writing—drew renowned writers such as Ben Okri, Yusef Komunyakaa, Peter Moore among others.
Upcoming writers benefited enormously from the advice of acclaimed writers who were more than willing to share their secrets. The three-day festival that started on September 16 was a huge success to say the least.
Netherlands’ leading novelist Abdelkader Benali who is also a long distance runner, was accorded a chance to share his secret in the British Council tent. He advised the upcoming writers to be focused and persistent just like the athletes if at all they intend to have a breakthrough in writing.
He raised a very important issue and this is my reason of writing this article. He proposed that all nations around the world should have a special visa for writers and other artists so that they can interact physically with each other with ease.
He noted that artists all over the world are in their own world in their own rights. The only way to help them share ideas and excel in their areas of specialization is through interaction. He further suggested that United Nations (UN) should champion for this worthy course to nurture talents.
James Mwangi Kanyi
Nairobi.
I attended StoryMoja Hay Festival at Railways Club on Saturday, September 17, 2011.The annual event—that is aimed to gather writers across the globe to read and share ideas about writing—drew renowned writers such as Ben Okri, Yusef Komunyakaa, Peter Moore among others.
Upcoming writers benefited enormously from the advice of acclaimed writers who were more than willing to share their secrets. The three-day festival that started on September 16 was a huge success to say the least.
Netherlands’ leading novelist Abdelkader Benali who is also a long distance runner, was accorded a chance to share his secret in the British Council tent. He advised the upcoming writers to be focused and persistent just like the athletes if at all they intend to have a breakthrough in writing.
He raised a very important issue and this is my reason of writing this article. He proposed that all nations around the world should have a special visa for writers and other artists so that they can interact physically with each other with ease.
He noted that artists all over the world are in their own world in their own rights. The only way to help them share ideas and excel in their areas of specialization is through interaction. He further suggested that United Nations (UN) should champion for this worthy course to nurture talents.
James Mwangi Kanyi
Nairobi.
NEED TO BEEF UP SECURITY.
As the Kenyan security forces pursue Al Shabaab kidnappers who kidnapped a French woman,Marie Dideu,it is quite worrying how those bandits are fearlessly carrying out their raids in Kenyan coast.It is common knowledge that those aggressors are prepared to go to any length in their pursuit of criminal activities.This is a wake up call to Kenyan security organs to up their game and up the surveillance to avoid recurrence of kidnapping and killing of innocent people especially the tourists.Kenya being a tourists destination is a target of terrorists and therefore the security issue should be of utmost concern.The Government needs to deploy armed force to secure all entry points of Al Shabaab and all other militia groupings that are hell bent in aggressing Kenyans.
JAMES MWANGI KANYI
NAIROBI
JAMES MWANGI KANYI
NAIROBI
HAGUE SHOULD SERVE AS UNIFYING FACTOR
Since September 1,2011,Kenyans have literally been glued to their TV following the Confirmation Hearings at The Hague.The hearings that involve the six Post Elections Violence suspects commonly referred to as Ocampo Six have attracted a lot of media attention all over the world.Whether the suspects will be tried or not,it is absolutely clear that impunity has no place in Kenya.Those leaders who are hell bent in agitating for war and war-like activities should be warned that there is no place for them to do that in Kenya.The mere fact that some individuals were arraigned at The Hague is a clear indication that the world is watching.Kenyans are a peace loving people naturally and it has been discovered that when violence emerge among them,there is a 'rogue leader' behind it.It is for this reason that the Hague process should serve as unifying factor to avoid future upheavals.
James Mwangi Kanyi,Nairobi.
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James Mwangi Kanyi,Nairobi.
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Sent via Nokia Email
CBK needs to convene stakeholders’ conference.
It is an open secret that shilling depreciated to all time low in history. Trading at more than 97 to the dollar is absolutely worrying in the Kenyan economy. The shilling has weakened against major currencies as a result of runaway inflation, excessive import among other reasons.
As the CBK grapples to strengthen the shilling, it is left to the observers that it is almost beyond its control as it the Kenyan currency has literally defied fiscal and monetary measures to put it under check.
With this sad reality for the Kenyan economy, it’s important that CBK in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance to convene a stakeholders’ conference that will enlighten them on how ways that will ease the pressure on shilling. The same platform will be used in inviting economist around the world to offer meaningful ideas on how to strengthen a weak currency.
For instance, the policy makers would want to know why a major economic powerhouse like China hoards its currency, Yuan.China shies away from releasing its currency globally and that in a way can be attributed to the stability of its currency.
Another issue has to do with the implication of the black-market in Kenyan economy. The fact that millions of dollars are exchanged in black-market is a clear indication that crucial foreign exchange data is not captured by CBK for decision making purposes.
If the conference is covened, experts will be in a position to educate the importers and exporters on ways that might go along way in stabilizing the shilling. In the same forum, laymen might share ideas that can be aptly applied to yield the same results.
James Mwangi Kanyi.
Nairobi.
As the CBK grapples to strengthen the shilling, it is left to the observers that it is almost beyond its control as it the Kenyan currency has literally defied fiscal and monetary measures to put it under check.
With this sad reality for the Kenyan economy, it’s important that CBK in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance to convene a stakeholders’ conference that will enlighten them on how ways that will ease the pressure on shilling. The same platform will be used in inviting economist around the world to offer meaningful ideas on how to strengthen a weak currency.
For instance, the policy makers would want to know why a major economic powerhouse like China hoards its currency, Yuan.China shies away from releasing its currency globally and that in a way can be attributed to the stability of its currency.
Another issue has to do with the implication of the black-market in Kenyan economy. The fact that millions of dollars are exchanged in black-market is a clear indication that crucial foreign exchange data is not captured by CBK for decision making purposes.
If the conference is covened, experts will be in a position to educate the importers and exporters on ways that might go along way in stabilizing the shilling. In the same forum, laymen might share ideas that can be aptly applied to yield the same results.
James Mwangi Kanyi.
Nairobi.
IMPORTATION OF FOOD A MAJOR FACTOR IN WEAKENING SHILLING
As much as the CBK is blamed for not doing enough in stabilizing the shilling,there are so many factors that have contributed to its weakening.Excessive importation of food commodities is surely one of the factors.The need to import food is directly related to the displacement of farmers in Rift Valley during the 2008 PEV.The farmers who sustained the country food basket were reduced to paupers overnight.Since then,the nation's strategic food reserve has never recovered.It was only a matter of time for this to be reflected in the country.It is possible that the breaking point of this recurrent deficit was attained this year.This could be a factor that has put pressure on shilling due to importation of what could be otherwise be locally produced in Kenya.
James Mwangi Kanyi,Nairobi.
James Mwangi Kanyi,Nairobi.
GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT INCREASE THE PRICE OF TEXTBOOKS.
The decision by the Government to impose VAT to the textbooks--a move that will increase their prices by upto 50 pc--is inappropriate.Considering the importance of education in Kenya and the world at large,the increment will only serve to sideline thousands of children whose parents cannot afford to procure expensive books.Indeed,the Government should abolish all vatable materials associated with furtherance of education so as to promote a culture of reading. The same way the Government initiated Free Primary Education,it can still extend an olive branch to other equally important areas pertaining to education.
James Mwangi Kanyi,Nairobi.
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James Mwangi Kanyi,Nairobi.
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Sent via Nokia Email
Family Bank new mortgage product is good news to Kenyan employees.
This month, family bank launched a new product dubbed Growing Home Mortgage. The product is aimed at making homeownership simpler and more affordable. This is after realizing that many homeowners end up losing their property to the banks after failing to service their long-term mortgage.
The fact that most employees dream to own a home in urban or peri-urban is music to most banks that offer mortgage. They lure these employees into procuring mortgage to own that dream house—this is the best part. The worst part is that these long-term loans literally enslaves the employees in that they will be servicing these loans for as long as 15 years whether they are in employment or not.
Should they lose their jobs for foreseeable or unforeseeable reasons, they end up losing their homes to the banks. Robert Kiyosaki the celebrated writer of Rich Dad Poor Dad, has extensively expounded in his book Cashflow Quadrant how in most cases the mortgage ends up to be more or less a death sentence to many homeowners.
It is therefore good news that Family Bank came up a product that is aimed to transform homeownership. The product gives a new definition to piece meal acquisition. Its affordability is a major plus because many employees will be in a position to attain their dreams.
The mean mortgage for most Kenyan banks is Kshs.5-6 million which is quite unaffordable for many employees even in long-term. Comparing this to Kshs.1 million that Family Bank offers, they can do much better if at all they want to alleviate poverty as they claim.
James Mwangi Kanyi
Nairobi.
The fact that most employees dream to own a home in urban or peri-urban is music to most banks that offer mortgage. They lure these employees into procuring mortgage to own that dream house—this is the best part. The worst part is that these long-term loans literally enslaves the employees in that they will be servicing these loans for as long as 15 years whether they are in employment or not.
Should they lose their jobs for foreseeable or unforeseeable reasons, they end up losing their homes to the banks. Robert Kiyosaki the celebrated writer of Rich Dad Poor Dad, has extensively expounded in his book Cashflow Quadrant how in most cases the mortgage ends up to be more or less a death sentence to many homeowners.
It is therefore good news that Family Bank came up a product that is aimed to transform homeownership. The product gives a new definition to piece meal acquisition. Its affordability is a major plus because many employees will be in a position to attain their dreams.
The mean mortgage for most Kenyan banks is Kshs.5-6 million which is quite unaffordable for many employees even in long-term. Comparing this to Kshs.1 million that Family Bank offers, they can do much better if at all they want to alleviate poverty as they claim.
James Mwangi Kanyi
Nairobi.
SOMALIA PRESIDENT NEEDS TO COOPERATE
Somalia President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed has totally missed out the point by stating out publicly that Kenya Defense Forces were not officially sanctioned to attack Al Shabaab militia right at the heart of the war-torn country.It is common knowledge that Somali citizens have suffered unspeakable problems in the hands of the criminal gang and the same has trickled down to the East Africans.It is for this reason that this gang has to be vanquished.That is why it leaves a lot to be desired to hear that the de facto president is dragging his feet when nations of goodwill have committed themselves in liberating the people of Somalia from the yokes of terror.He need to cooperate fully towards this novel endeavor
James Mwangi Kanyi
Sent via Nokia Email
James Mwangi Kanyi
Sent via Nokia Email
Kenya’s role in reconstruction of Somalia.
The menace of Al Shabaab that has led the Kenyan government to deploy her defense forces to the war-torn country has dealt a big blow the tourism industry this year. The dreaded militia that had become so daring by kidnapping foreigners from Kenya and thus heightening the terror not only in Kenya but other East African country has no choice but to surrender.
It is important that the Government of Kenya to extend an olive branch to Somalia once the Kenya Defense Forces get rid of Al Shabaab.For any meaningful peaceful coexistence in the region, it is important that something is done to restore peace in Somalia.
It is true that this nation has been in turmoil for two decades. The good news is that this can be reversed if the Somalis were to cooperate with Kenya and international community in adopting a culture of peacemaking.
The ordinary Somalis living in Somalia are peace loving people but fate has made many of them to join rag tag militias to fight for the limited resources in the war-ravaged nation. Others have sought refuge to Kenya and Ethiopia to escape hunger and other man-made calamities.
This is why it is imperative to seize this opportunity that KDF are in Somalia to put things in order for good there. The forces should ensure that what they are doing will have a long term positive implication to the Somalis.
Rwanda and Burundi joined East Africa bloc when they put their acts together and they have benefited enormously from this integration. South Sudan will also join East Africa officially anytime after seceding from Sudan after a long protracted armed conflict.
Somalia can also enjoy this if only peace can became a reality in and not a pipedream. East Africa can benefit from the wide coastline that Somalia is endowed with among other things. The sooner this is done, the better.
James Mwangi Kanyi
Nairobi
It is important that the Government of Kenya to extend an olive branch to Somalia once the Kenya Defense Forces get rid of Al Shabaab.For any meaningful peaceful coexistence in the region, it is important that something is done to restore peace in Somalia.
It is true that this nation has been in turmoil for two decades. The good news is that this can be reversed if the Somalis were to cooperate with Kenya and international community in adopting a culture of peacemaking.
The ordinary Somalis living in Somalia are peace loving people but fate has made many of them to join rag tag militias to fight for the limited resources in the war-ravaged nation. Others have sought refuge to Kenya and Ethiopia to escape hunger and other man-made calamities.
This is why it is imperative to seize this opportunity that KDF are in Somalia to put things in order for good there. The forces should ensure that what they are doing will have a long term positive implication to the Somalis.
Rwanda and Burundi joined East Africa bloc when they put their acts together and they have benefited enormously from this integration. South Sudan will also join East Africa officially anytime after seceding from Sudan after a long protracted armed conflict.
Somalia can also enjoy this if only peace can became a reality in and not a pipedream. East Africa can benefit from the wide coastline that Somalia is endowed with among other things. The sooner this is done, the better.
James Mwangi Kanyi
Nairobi
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