Nairobi daily is a blog set up a few years ago, by Alex Maina himself.The content is biased towards Alex Maina's political opinion and occasionally, his emotions.
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Kenyan politics - A failure of imagination....Obama's last speech to the nation
Kenya power nearly ruined my day and ultimately my plans for the week by switching off power just as Auma Obama was ushering in her brother President Barrack Obama to address the nation, Kenya in his last speech before flying to Addis Ababa for an AU meeting tomorrow.
I caught the speech half way and as expected Barrack Obama was honest and did not hesitate to stir the hornets nest by touching on the issue of equity in Kenya.He pointed out how Kenya's society was imbalanced and the fact that the politicks of patronage and ethinicity was responsible. Case in point, regions which have for a long period had a different ideology with the ruling regime have always lagged behind in terms of development.
I guess it must have gotten very uncomfortable to the leaders present(opposition and government) as evidenced by the amount of twitching in their sits, when Obama bluntly declared that Kenyan politicks, in as long as they are based on tribal affiliations, are primitive and a recipe for disaster. He called Kenyan politicks "a lack of imagination". This was a punch in the nose to the bigots who are our leaders more so, the guys in the opposition.
One statememt that caught my attention is when Obama got into his witty element started speaking about his/our ancestors or Kenya founding fathers, Jomo Kenyatta, Tom Mboya, Oginga Odinga and his father Obama snr and thiose that came before them. It has been claimed that Kenyatta Snr. sacked Obama snr from his job and ensured that he lived in oblivition, a claim which might be true, as this was very common in Kenya back in the day. Obama in this statement seemed to suggest karma, wittingly and in another veiled fashion suggested that whatever Kenyatta snr. tried to suppress was unsupressable and the fact that Obama jnr. is now president of the USA is a living proof of the fact.I wish not to trivialize Obama's speech, but in this one he came out as someone who had been bitter of his father being sent to oblivion and his Luo community being marginalized for opposing the government of the day. Atleast he got that out of his chest and advised that we should not focus on the dark corners of our past but to a brighter future.
He reminded everyone that we are living in a world borrowed from our children and there was a need to make sacrifices, just as our forefathers did to make the future better for our children. This statement was very relevant especially in relation to Kenya's heritage. Kenyans need to make sacrifices to protect our heritage especially upholding progressive cultural practices and shunning retrogressive ones such as female genital mutilation and early marriages.
Obama had organized his speech into pillars but unfortunately i was not able to get everything due to erratic power supply since we suffered to blackouts/outages during his speech.
All in all Obama's message was that Africa's destiny belongs to Africans and only them can liberate themselves from the perils of corruption,negative ethnicity, bigotry etc. Diversity is strength, equity and equitable sharing of resources in our society is key. Obama exhibited a grasp of Kenya's issues and reiterated in the umpteenth time that United States of America was Kenya's friend and not enemy.
I caught the speech half way and as expected Barrack Obama was honest and did not hesitate to stir the hornets nest by touching on the issue of equity in Kenya.He pointed out how Kenya's society was imbalanced and the fact that the politicks of patronage and ethinicity was responsible. Case in point, regions which have for a long period had a different ideology with the ruling regime have always lagged behind in terms of development.
I guess it must have gotten very uncomfortable to the leaders present(opposition and government) as evidenced by the amount of twitching in their sits, when Obama bluntly declared that Kenyan politicks, in as long as they are based on tribal affiliations, are primitive and a recipe for disaster. He called Kenyan politicks "a lack of imagination". This was a punch in the nose to the bigots who are our leaders more so, the guys in the opposition.
One statememt that caught my attention is when Obama got into his witty element started speaking about his/our ancestors or Kenya founding fathers, Jomo Kenyatta, Tom Mboya, Oginga Odinga and his father Obama snr and thiose that came before them. It has been claimed that Kenyatta Snr. sacked Obama snr from his job and ensured that he lived in oblivition, a claim which might be true, as this was very common in Kenya back in the day. Obama in this statement seemed to suggest karma, wittingly and in another veiled fashion suggested that whatever Kenyatta snr. tried to suppress was unsupressable and the fact that Obama jnr. is now president of the USA is a living proof of the fact.I wish not to trivialize Obama's speech, but in this one he came out as someone who had been bitter of his father being sent to oblivion and his Luo community being marginalized for opposing the government of the day. Atleast he got that out of his chest and advised that we should not focus on the dark corners of our past but to a brighter future.
He reminded everyone that we are living in a world borrowed from our children and there was a need to make sacrifices, just as our forefathers did to make the future better for our children. This statement was very relevant especially in relation to Kenya's heritage. Kenyans need to make sacrifices to protect our heritage especially upholding progressive cultural practices and shunning retrogressive ones such as female genital mutilation and early marriages.
Obama had organized his speech into pillars but unfortunately i was not able to get everything due to erratic power supply since we suffered to blackouts/outages during his speech.
All in all Obama's message was that Africa's destiny belongs to Africans and only them can liberate themselves from the perils of corruption,negative ethnicity, bigotry etc. Diversity is strength, equity and equitable sharing of resources in our society is key. Obama exhibited a grasp of Kenya's issues and reiterated in the umpteenth time that United States of America was Kenya's friend and not enemy.
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Gay and Lesbian debate....The suffocating elephant in the room - Obama second address to the nation Kenya
The thorn in the flesh and the inevitable gay and lesbian conversation finally reared its head in the joint press conference held between President Uhuru Kenyatta and President Barrack Obama.
Barrack Obama chose albeit uncomfortably, to stick to his guns and be consistent. He elaborated, by example that everyone must be treated equally within the law. His Kenyan counterpart was in catch 22 situation and had to be politically correct. Uhuru Kenyatta played it safe by dismissing the debate as inconsequential saying that there were far much urgent issues to be addressed such as health, and the uplifting of the general welfare of the Kenyan citizens.
One can argue that Uhuru Kenyatta actually concurred with Barrack Obama's sentiments in the sense that both said that the rights of the minority must be upheld within the law.Both agreed that family values in an African society are a delicate matter and Obama knows this very well due to the fact that he hosted for dinner 3 dozen of his family members at the Villa rosa Kempinksi hotel in the leafy surburbs of Westlands Nairobi. In short the problem of terror has been brought about by segregation even though it will take an academic study to prove that infringing on gay rights in Africa may breed a radical upprising similar to Al-Qaeda, Al Shaabab and ISIS.
On corruption, he stated the obvious that corruption is a vampire and a major pedestal to Kenya's progress.He gave examples of his home state of Chicago that was previously held hostage by corrupt mafia gangs and police on the take of the 1940's(Al Capone and ilk) but also acknowledged that President Uhuru is trying to slay the monster noting that Kenyans as a whole need to collectively fight the scourge.
On Obama's legacy and his policy on Africa, it is quite obvious that the man Barrack Obama is trying.. more so with his GES and power Africa, empowering women, the use of fertilizers among other initiatives. President Kenyatta concurred.
Obama announced major restrictions on ivory trade in the United States.He hinted of a total ban.This was very welcome announcement but the United Nations in New york or Geneva should announce a worldwide ban not only for ivory trade but also for game hunting/culling of any species on earth that has a population of less than 500,000. Kenya, Africa and world should also start demarcating wildlife zone for timelines of 999years and no sort of human settlement should be allowed for atleast 5 kilometers off the park boundaries, and no human settlement or activity will be allowed on any migratory routes for huge mammals.
Back to the gay debate, every Kenyan who has undergone university education must have encountered the "Harm Principle" or the "Principle of liberty" by John Stuart Mills as part of the curriculum. It is not a secret that there exists a gay society in Kenya. We might not recognize their rights at the moment but for sure this conversation is not ending anytime soon and indeed i can predict in this blog that it might feature in a constitutional debate in a not so far future. Don't get me wrong, i don't support gay relationships but i endevour to be factual on issues.
In the long and short of it, Obama has shown respect, he has shown wisdom and serious thought process so far. I'm now hungry and anxious for his inspirational and bare knuckles address to the nation tomorrow.
Barrack Obama chose albeit uncomfortably, to stick to his guns and be consistent. He elaborated, by example that everyone must be treated equally within the law. His Kenyan counterpart was in catch 22 situation and had to be politically correct. Uhuru Kenyatta played it safe by dismissing the debate as inconsequential saying that there were far much urgent issues to be addressed such as health, and the uplifting of the general welfare of the Kenyan citizens.
One can argue that Uhuru Kenyatta actually concurred with Barrack Obama's sentiments in the sense that both said that the rights of the minority must be upheld within the law.Both agreed that family values in an African society are a delicate matter and Obama knows this very well due to the fact that he hosted for dinner 3 dozen of his family members at the Villa rosa Kempinksi hotel in the leafy surburbs of Westlands Nairobi. In short the problem of terror has been brought about by segregation even though it will take an academic study to prove that infringing on gay rights in Africa may breed a radical upprising similar to Al-Qaeda, Al Shaabab and ISIS.
On corruption, he stated the obvious that corruption is a vampire and a major pedestal to Kenya's progress.He gave examples of his home state of Chicago that was previously held hostage by corrupt mafia gangs and police on the take of the 1940's(Al Capone and ilk) but also acknowledged that President Uhuru is trying to slay the monster noting that Kenyans as a whole need to collectively fight the scourge.
On Obama's legacy and his policy on Africa, it is quite obvious that the man Barrack Obama is trying.. more so with his GES and power Africa, empowering women, the use of fertilizers among other initiatives. President Kenyatta concurred.
Obama announced major restrictions on ivory trade in the United States.He hinted of a total ban.This was very welcome announcement but the United Nations in New york or Geneva should announce a worldwide ban not only for ivory trade but also for game hunting/culling of any species on earth that has a population of less than 500,000. Kenya, Africa and world should also start demarcating wildlife zone for timelines of 999years and no sort of human settlement should be allowed for atleast 5 kilometers off the park boundaries, and no human settlement or activity will be allowed on any migratory routes for huge mammals.
Back to the gay debate, every Kenyan who has undergone university education must have encountered the "Harm Principle" or the "Principle of liberty" by John Stuart Mills as part of the curriculum. It is not a secret that there exists a gay society in Kenya. We might not recognize their rights at the moment but for sure this conversation is not ending anytime soon and indeed i can predict in this blog that it might feature in a constitutional debate in a not so far future. Don't get me wrong, i don't support gay relationships but i endevour to be factual on issues.
In the long and short of it, Obama has shown respect, he has shown wisdom and serious thought process so far. I'm now hungry and anxious for his inspirational and bare knuckles address to the nation tomorrow.
Obama's speech in GES 2015 opening day a veiled attack on Kenya's retrogressive stereotypes and believes
You have to admire this man Barrack Obama. As expected the opening day of the GES 2015 lived up to the expectations. The two co-hosts Uhuru Kenyatta and Barrack Obama walked into the stage with panache. The first to give the speech was Uhuru Kenyatta and he spoke of Africa on the rise, and the tremendous leaps Africa has been making recently in relation to socio-economics.
Uhuru emphasized that Kenya does not lean East or West neither is Kenya playing the East vs. West econo-policks, rather that Kenya is only interested in partnerships of mutual respect that are of the benefit to every Kenyan citizen. Uhuru did well in articulating the current attitude and optimism of most Africans (especially the young ones).
Barrack Obama seemed full of wisdom. He was taking his time, and you could sense a man who was putting thought before words. He would pose for a moment, bite his lower lip, contort his face in a fit of thought and then speak.
Obama emphasized on an enabling environment to ensure everyone no matter their surname had an equal opportunity. He even went further in a veiled comment castigating Kenyans of the school of thought that if you are from a certain tribe then your idea is not good enough, or if you come from a certain region or a certain ethnic group thenn you are not good enough to lead the nation.
Obama also used the word corruption two or three times and from his body language you could sense that it forms a major part of his agenda in his trip and probably a highlight of his address to AU leaders in Addis Ababa on Monday 27 July 2015. Clearly, he is also well informed about youth radicalization resulting from years of disfranchisement and marginalization and seemed to know a solution to it, and that is entrepreneurship and equal playing ground for all including women and youth who also form a marginalized demography.
Ever since his touchdown in Kenya as President of the United States of America, it has all been inspiration. The mood has been good. Everyone is doing some sort of "Obamalytics", trying to analyse every move that Obama and his covert aides are taking. Nothing has been spared including fashion and who should have worn what and what should not have been worn while mingling with probably the most powerful man on earth( considering there is also the Pope,Khalif, The president of China etc).
Uhuru emphasized that Kenya does not lean East or West neither is Kenya playing the East vs. West econo-policks, rather that Kenya is only interested in partnerships of mutual respect that are of the benefit to every Kenyan citizen. Uhuru did well in articulating the current attitude and optimism of most Africans (especially the young ones).
Barrack Obama seemed full of wisdom. He was taking his time, and you could sense a man who was putting thought before words. He would pose for a moment, bite his lower lip, contort his face in a fit of thought and then speak.
Obama emphasized on an enabling environment to ensure everyone no matter their surname had an equal opportunity. He even went further in a veiled comment castigating Kenyans of the school of thought that if you are from a certain tribe then your idea is not good enough, or if you come from a certain region or a certain ethnic group thenn you are not good enough to lead the nation.
Obama also used the word corruption two or three times and from his body language you could sense that it forms a major part of his agenda in his trip and probably a highlight of his address to AU leaders in Addis Ababa on Monday 27 July 2015. Clearly, he is also well informed about youth radicalization resulting from years of disfranchisement and marginalization and seemed to know a solution to it, and that is entrepreneurship and equal playing ground for all including women and youth who also form a marginalized demography.
Ever since his touchdown in Kenya as President of the United States of America, it has all been inspiration. The mood has been good. Everyone is doing some sort of "Obamalytics", trying to analyse every move that Obama and his covert aides are taking. Nothing has been spared including fashion and who should have worn what and what should not have been worn while mingling with probably the most powerful man on earth( considering there is also the Pope,Khalif, The president of China etc).
Friday, July 3, 2015
Black supremacy, Malcom X and Barrack Obama...............Obama is coming home to KE
I watched the movie Malcom X starred by Denzel Washington last weekend. It was not the first time in my lifetime that i came across Malcom X as presented in media (I was not around in the 60's)in all media, books, movies, street talk etc
The movie somehow gave me even more insight of the struggle then..racial struggle. Perhaps i have grown older to understand the issues of the 60's as opposed to what i understood in my early twenties.
In the beginning of the millenium,when i was in my early twenties, black supremacy dominated debates and conversations among young university students in Kenya. Someone appeared very clever and wise debating slavery, colonization and racism faced by African(Negroes)in the Western world. In those days talking about Malcom X, Booker T. Washington, Martin Luther King, Marcus Garvey , Nelson Mandela was very relevant and anyone who seemed to understand struggle was ranked very highly. I did not make it to university, but had the privilege of having been part of the University of Nairobi fraternity. Most students even science students invested a huge chunk of time trying to answer the question why Africa was is in the situation it was then also, a lot of time and mental activity was spent trying to retrace Africa's history in a bid to answer the question "WHERE DID AFRICA GO WRONG - WHY ARE WE SO BEHIND COMPARED TO OTHER RACES??"
My opinion is that as African ancestors(NEGROES) we lacked the skill of record keeping,Knowledge preservation was a big challenge to our ancestors and probably that is the sole reason why we are stiil messsed up.
Fast forward to the 21st century,and the first blackman (ahem....first coloured) has been president of the best world on earth. The president of the free world where you can do whatever you want as long as you consider your neighbor.The president of the United states of America is coming back home to Kenya, the cradle of mankind.
The movie somehow gave me even more insight of the struggle then..racial struggle. Perhaps i have grown older to understand the issues of the 60's as opposed to what i understood in my early twenties.
In the beginning of the millenium,when i was in my early twenties, black supremacy dominated debates and conversations among young university students in Kenya. Someone appeared very clever and wise debating slavery, colonization and racism faced by African(Negroes)in the Western world. In those days talking about Malcom X, Booker T. Washington, Martin Luther King, Marcus Garvey , Nelson Mandela was very relevant and anyone who seemed to understand struggle was ranked very highly. I did not make it to university, but had the privilege of having been part of the University of Nairobi fraternity. Most students even science students invested a huge chunk of time trying to answer the question why Africa was is in the situation it was then also, a lot of time and mental activity was spent trying to retrace Africa's history in a bid to answer the question "WHERE DID AFRICA GO WRONG - WHY ARE WE SO BEHIND COMPARED TO OTHER RACES??"
My opinion is that as African ancestors(NEGROES) we lacked the skill of record keeping,Knowledge preservation was a big challenge to our ancestors and probably that is the sole reason why we are stiil messsed up.
Fast forward to the 21st century,and the first blackman (ahem....first coloured) has been president of the best world on earth. The president of the free world where you can do whatever you want as long as you consider your neighbor.The president of the United states of America is coming back home to Kenya, the cradle of mankind.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
What has made news in Kenya in the past few months
Garissa, Obama's homecoming, Xenophobia in South Africa, Kenya Premier League - FKF wrangles
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Mpeketoni massarcre - the conspirancy theory
Kenya woke up to very horrendous news of a 4hr long massacre that happened in Mpeketoni, a bustling remote town in the southeast of Kenya. It was a big political setback to the Jubilee government who are busy setting Kenya's development agenda 2013-2018.
As expected, the NIS, the police and the entire
As expected, the NIS, the police and the entire
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)