President’s Warning to Land Grabbers Hypocritical

While the warning issued by his Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta to land grabbers could be well-intentioned, one can’t help but read insincerity in every word of it. Over the last two weeks, Kenyans have been treated to never-ending theatrics as they try to come to terms with the Lang’ata Primary School land saga. While the government and the NLC have unanimously agreed that the land belongs to the school, we are yet to see the four directors, alleged to have grabbed the piece of land, taken to task.

If the president really wants to show his seriousness in this issue, why hasn’t he ordered for the arrest and prosecution of the now infamous SINGHS? The government has the necessary machinery to unearth anyone who has ever grabbed or benefitted from illegal land allocations in this country. So, instead of playing PR gimmicks day in, day out, the president should act. After all, actions speak louder than words.

And another thing Mr. President: start with the individuals mentioned in the Ndung’u land report. You can’t say you don’t know who the beneficiaries of Ngong Road, Karura and Kiptagich forests are. The report is in the public domain. Kenyans will only appreciate your efforts once they see you going for the real culprits.  

A Letter To His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta!

To His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya. 

I’m writing this letter with a heavy heart. As a concerned Kenyan, I have been keen on your government’s everyday operations, and I must say you have shown commitment to make Kenya a better place. In my opinion, nobody could have done it better, especially with the new constitutional dispensation. Be that as it may, there are specific areas where your administration seems to be backing the wrong horse.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The truth never damages a cause that is just”. I know the people around you may be too afraid or too loyal to tell you this, but it’s important that you hear it before there’s no time left to right the wrongs. To start with, your government appears to have a serious problem with the fourth estate. To illustrate: your government has been passing legislations that appear to undermine the work of the media (local media). The ongoing clampdown on bloggers and other social media users is also a clear indication that the Jubilee government is hypersensitive to criticism, which can only be interpreted as a sign of failure.

Secondly, it is common knowledge that any serious government must ensure its local investors have an upper hand over foreign investors. The recent move by the CAK to revoke licenses issued to three leading media houses has indeed confirmed fears that the government is at war with the media. Nowhere in the entire world has a government allowed foreign investors to thrive at the expense of local investors.

Corruption is another monster that appears to be tearing your government into bits day in, day out. From land grabbing to corrupt civil servants, the problem seems to be getting out of hand. What’s worse, those entrusted with the responsibility of correcting these wrongs don’t seem to have the spirit to do so. Indeed it has to take your intervention for things to happen. I suspect it could be sabotage Mr. President. Although the numerous cases of terror attacks seem to have reduced, we are yet to know if indeed Hon. Nkaiserry is best suited to do the job. I wish him all the best by the way. These are just a few of the issues that every Kenyan would like to see your government address going forward.

My advice to you is simple; act now! As the clock ticks away, Kenyans are eager to see if your government will live up to its promises. If you have friends who want to drag you back, shake them off now and the world will thank you in future. If you fail to act, history will be harsh on you. 

Regards.

Yours sincerely,

Voice of Reason 

Freedom of Speech Is Not Negotiable

Martin Luther King once said, “Wallow not in the valley of despair my dear friends, I have a dream that one day this country will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

Almost a century ago, our forefathers gave up their lives fighting a foreign enemy that had no regard for civil liberties that every human being is entitled to. After a decade of bloodshed, those great men and women managed to reclaim what was once theirs- Wanjiku used to call it “wiyathi na ithaka”, meaning sovereignty and land.

Half a century down the line, Wanjiku still is not free. Fifty two years later, Wanjiku’s life is still tangled up in the shackles of isolation and chains of favoritism. More than five decades later, the gap between the haves and the have-nots continues to widen. Wanjiku still lives on the abandoned island of ignorance, disease and poverty in the middle of an enormous ocean of material opulence. While the majority of Kenyan families can’t afford two meals a day, those in the ruling class are flying expensive choppers and taking their kids to prestigious schools abroad.

Now they want to clamp down on everyone who talks about their evil ways. They want to gag Wanjiku’s mouthpiece so that they can have peace as they enjoy their loot. They condemn corruption during the day while they wine and dine with the corrupt at night. Now they are busy rebranding their vehicles as they prepare to face Wanjiku in 2017. They will come singing their all too familiar tribal songs; not because they care so much about their tribes, but because they know that’s what Wanjiku wants to hear. And once they are old and cold, they will impose their sons and daughters upon Wanjiku, and the cycle continues.

In the words of Martin Luther King: “we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a stream”.   

Directive by President Uhuru Unwise

Following the recent collapse of several buildings in Nairobi, the president has issued a directive to have all buildings audited, especially in Eastleigh. 

However, the directive has come under serious criticism with majority of real estate investors in Eastlands arguing that the decree is likely to be abused. Many have interpreted this move as an attempt by the county and national governments to frustrate low-income investors, most of whom obtain loans to develop property.

While the problem of substandard buildings may have been inherited from the previous regimes, many argue that the county government of Nairobi has not done enough to provide solutions. Since it is the duty of the county government to check and approve building plans, the question that many people are asking is: Who approves the so called substandard buildings in the city?

Dr. Evans Kidero, the governor of Nairobi, together with his government appears to be completely asleep. It’s no wonder they are resorting to knee jack reactions, which are aimed at innocent property developers. Clearly, the county government is to blame as they are the ones who approve building plans without doing the necessary feasibility study. They also don’t follow up to check if the developer sticks to the plan.

It is not right to go for the small fish while the big fish is left free to continue endangering the lives of innocent Kenyans. Mr. President, before we apply a blanket rule that might cause more harm than good, let’s start with county government officials who are in charge of approving and inspecting building plans in Nairobi. We also need policies that will help us fight corruption at city hall as that has been our main undoing.  

Truth About Yebei’s Whereabouts Yet To Be Known

A few days after a body believed to be that of Meshack Yebei was retrieved from Yala River, another family has emerged with claims that the dead man is their missing son Yusuf who works as a tout in Kapsabet. Speaking to journalists, the director of serious crimes unit, John Kariuki, said that fingerprints taken from the body matched those of Yusuf. He added that they are preparing for a DNA test that will give conclusive results.

This development is likely to extend the mystery behind Yebei’s whereabouts even further considering that he is said to be a crucial witness in the ongoing cases at the ICC. Since the body was recovered from Yala River, the ICC prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, and Deputy President’s defense team have been trading accusations with the defense claiming that Meshack was their witness.

Why Raila Should Keep Off Homa Bay Politics

Just three days after the burial of Fidel Odinga, the Luo Council of Elders has come out with guns blazing to rebuke Raila for what has been termed as interfering with the rights and freedoms of the people of Homa Bay County.

Speaking at a press conference, Luo elders and clergymen unanimously pleaded with the CORD leader to let the people of Homa Bay make their own decision. This comes a few days after Raila was seen to drum up support for Moses Kajwang, a brother to the late senator Otieno Kajwang, at the burial of his son Fidel.

The elders have expressed fears that the presence of honorable Raila in the ongoing election campaigns would have a direct impact on the decision that the people of Homa Bay County would make come Election Day. The senatorial seat was left vacant following the untimely and mysterious death of Senator Otieno Kajwang. Is this the downfall of Raila? Could he be losing ground in his own backyard?   

PAWA HOUSE: Abbas Kubaff Calls Vera Sidika Plastic

PAWA HOUSE: Abbas Kubaff Calls Vera Sidika Plastic



http://www.ghafla.co.ke/news/music/item/20572-is-abbas-kubaff-taking-shots-at-vera-sidika



http://nairobiwire.com/2014/06/abbas-kubaff-takes-shots-vera-sidika.html

Abbas Kubaff Calls Vera Sidika Plastic

Abbas Kubaff a.ka Doobiez, one of the most laudable rappers in Kenya, has made some insolent comments about Vera Sidika, a Kenyan socialite. Speaking to journalists at an event organized by MCSK, the rapper declared that his understanding of an ideal woman is the exact opposite of Vera Sidika. He also added that he wants “a woman who’s less plastic”, a comment which is expected not to go down well with Vera. It appears like the two have some serious beef. Check out the following video clip.

Johnny Vigeti of K-Shaka Releases a New Killer Track

After several years of staying out of Showbiz, Kalamashaka- the pioneers of Hip Hop music in Kenya- have come back with a bang. Johnny Vigeti, a renowned rapper in the group, has just released a hit single, which is expected to dominate the airwaves for the longest time. Vigeti is known for his finesse and uniqueness. 

Kenya Lacks Political Will in Fighting Terrorism

I've been following the recent attack on a French newspaper and a few things have got me thinking about our Kenyan situation. A few hours after the heinous attack, the French Police were able to identify two suspects. In Kenya, months after a series of attacks we haven't arrested, leave alone prosecuting, the attackers. We are busy talking about some mattresses burning and crossing the red line.

What's more, I watched the international media reporting the incident and they kept using big words such as massacre, the most deadly attack, barbaric and all manner of dreadful phrases. To them, 12 people dying in the hands of terrorists is unthinkable. Here, we lose over 50 innocent civilians and we still term it as an attack aimed at soft targets.

In France, they lose two police officers in an attack and the entire country rises in dismay. In Kenya, we lose over 20 officers today and the next day we are back to the same old habit of pointing fingers. Immediately after the attack in France, the President issued a statement directing his administration to do everything possible to bring the attackers to justice. And after a few hours, they had released photos of the suspects. Clearly, the difference between the two countries is like heaven and earth. What we need is the political will to be able to defeat our enemies.

Kisumu Town West MP Olago Oluoch Collapses In His Kisumu House

Kisumu Town West Member of Parliament, Olago Oluoch has been airlifted to Nairobi for medical attention after he collapsed in his Kisumu house. It is not yet clear what may have happened to the vocal MP, but doctors are currently assisting him as they try to establish the problem. Meanwhile, the body of the late Fidel Odinga has arrived in Kisumu where he is expected to be laid to rest later tomorrow. Fidel's body was received by a mammoth crowd that had gathered inside Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground. Speaking to the crowd, CORD leaders including Raila insisted that samples collected from Fidel's body will be taken to Germany for further tests. 


  

Jeff Koinange Live Made Me Cry Last Night

Last night was a sad evening for many Kenyans after a man who, not so long ago, was the champion in cricket, not just in Kenya but around the world, Maurice Odumbe, a former cricket national team captain, narrated to Kenyans how he went down from being a hero to a beggar. The man now survives on handouts from friends. And the worst part is that he accuses his wife of selling him out. Quite a touching story

Paul Kobia Arrested over Fidel’s Death Claims

Paul Kobia- a controversial businessman has been arrested and taken to Gigiri Police Station after he ran wild shooting at what has been described as “wild things” near the Village Market. The chief of CID in Nairobi, Mr. Nicholas Kamwende confirmed the incident saying that the suspect had made numerous claims including allegations that he knew what happened to Fidel Odinga, statements he termed as baseless, insisting that Kobia has a mental problem.

In a contradicting statement, acting police boss, Samuel Arachi refuted claims that Mr. Kobia had been arrested, saying that it was the suspect’s family who took him to Gigiri Police to have him escorted to hospital after he became violent.

Paul Kobia was last year involved in a controversial killing incident in Parklands, Nairobi, after he allegedly shot a mugger who attempted to snatch his mobile phone. Police are investigating how he acquired a gun since his licensed firearm was confiscated following that shooting incident.