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14:22 Farmgal’s Scrap Award
» Farmgal I’m told “This award is bestowed upon a fellow blogger whose blog’s content or design is, in the giver’s opinion, brilliant.” Given that I don’t blog much, this award must be like a sympathy vote [...]
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11:20
On my mind...
» More to Life Liberia’s president, Sirleaf, was such a breath of fresh air on Jon Stewart’s, the daily show. In came in a president, but over and above that, that African mother figure. That woman who wants to nurture, love and advice you. Not the structured, zombie leader types that dominate the west. A real person. Someone, you could just sit with and listen to her regale her past. And in the midst of all that, intelligence. What a breath of fresh air.
There are two gangs operating in Kenya right now. One is the Mungiki, well known and being sought after by authorities. But what about Kibera residents who have become the executors of law as they deem fit? Law they have no knowledge of, just tidbits of information here and there. How is it possible that these people can cause billions in dollars to a railway company, and a few days later, start planting grass on the very space that had tracks? They have decided they know better than the authorities who are handling Migingo issues. No, they know force. They have that information that the railway line is a bloodline to Uganda. Unfortunately, that’s all they know. Reminds me that I’ve heard before, the most dangerous man is he who knows little but thinks he knows much. Ergo, Kibera residents. Didn’t they recently injure law enforcement because they were disconnecting illegally connected power lines? They shall live for free? C’mon now! These are thugs and hooligans and somebody needs to stop them dead in their tracks. The sooner the better. We don’t need a second set of under informed nuisances ‘governing’ Kenya.
I’m not going to shy away from pointing out that what they’re portraying is the rule of law as they were taught by their inciters in January 2007. It will never be the same again. Short of intensive psychological intervention, we have birthed the likes of M13, who like many of these gangs that are now killing upto over 4000 a month along the Texas/Mexican borders, started with noble reasons. Just as did the Somali pirates. Law has got to be enforced at the law courts and through the appropriate bodies. Anything outside that, every creator of it, has learnt, over time, that they can birth it, but they can’t control it. The solution? Stop it dead in its tracks! The Mungiki, whose onset was as a result of the Molo clashes where kikuyus were being killed with the noble and effective purpose of curbing the executions. However, some greedy upto no good person took advantage, recruited thugs and set up a thug structure. Now they make easy money, have a false sense of power and are simply pushing to see how far they can go. If they can maintain this easy living, they will. And that’s the people at the top. Again, stop them dead in their tracks. I call for this in full awareness that these are everyday people, our brothers, cousins, uncles and friends. Always start with a short, precise amnesty period that’s fully loaded with educational forums for the laws they break. And then shut them down, with no mercy. It is always, always, an issue of national security. Ask the Mexican government and the US/Texas authorities.
Martha Karua, her resignation. Good move. Poorly handled. Unless she targets the majority of Kenyans who enjoy sensationalism, she pretty much worked hard on alienating those who respect maturity. She shouldn’t have resigned when the president was away; it indicates underhandedness and an inability to resolve issues. A childishness of sorts. As were her reasons; not convincingly about principles, but more about ego. Still, she was within her rights and I think she can achieve more from her current platform as long as she avoids the bickering. Something I fear she might become a part of. She might be trying too hard and I hope a true, honest and worthwhile advisor will intervene. Martha is smart and purposed. She needs to trust her abilities and not succumb to the dumb, illiterate shenanigans that are Kenyan politics.
As for Parliament and its stalemate, if I thought even slightly that there was a majority of intelligence in the Kenyan parliament, or an appetite for truth amongst Kenyans, I might delve into that some. But I don’t. I have understood hopelessness, and what it feels like by attempting to understand the masses within Kenya. The deafening persistence to point fingers, take the easy way out, take advantage of things, and the absolute lack of integrity, from all circles, from homes to offices to government is actually quite shocking once anyone tries to understand it. What’s most confusing is the intelligence level of the perpetrators (basically the entire population). It’s not low, which might explain it otherwise. So, I will say nothing in that regard. But as usual will send a prayer request to God for Kenya and its people. “May the good Lord have mercy on us all, the country, it leadership and its followers. May he open our eyes so that we may see. May he give us the strength to face our demons, our mistakes and our truths. May we learn what our roles are and find the strength to be just that. And may His grace shine upon us all and keep us from disintegrating as we seek our purpose and our places in society.”
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11:12
Jacob Zuma: Demagogue or Political Genius?
» You Missed This 
South Africans have demostrated their fidelity to ANC party no matter the political heat and fallout occasioned by Mbeki’s ouster. The near-saint Mandela confounded many by backing Zulu boy Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma and shunning disgruntled Mbeki boys who decamped to COPE.
So what future and lessons can we learn from Zuma’s rise to the presidency of Africa’s economic powerhouse? Well, Zuma is a product of Mbeki’s contempt to voters and obtuse elitism that is galore in our local leadership too. Kenya is a living testimony to how power has a way with revealing the true insidious side of an otherwise gentle persona. Only time will tell who the real Jay Z is.
Granted, Zuma may not be sophisticated enough to craft catchy rallying calls like Rainbow Nation by Mandela or abstract slogans like African Renaissance by Mbeki. But give it to the traditionalist Msholozi he has away of identifying with the ordinary South African whose post-Apartheid dream was auctioned by Mbeki’s elitist mien and intellectual bravado.
He may be athletic around the waist with five official wives to boot but emotionally amorous Zuma maybe just what South Africa needed to stop their breakneck speed to catch up with rest self-destruction African countries. But again you never know African leaders being what they are once securely enthroned to the seat of power.
Product of contempt and elitism
Mbeki though he had the last political laugh by outsmarting hither Mandela’s heir apparent Cyril Ramaphosa and underestimating Zuma as an unambitious demagogue for VP. Well what goes around comes around and Thambo must be suffering indigestion from the huge bite of humble pie.
Zuma’s lack of formal education may just be the sweetest blessing in disguise as team playing is a must in such circumstances. If anything personalized rule has been the bane in most African countries with real power unofficially delegated to cronies and gatekeepers.
Congratulations President Zuma, all eyes are singularly trained on you and the party is yours to spoil. You have no choice but to measure up or fail spectacularly by falling to the pedestrian lows of believing a cold shower protects against HIV infection. South Africans have given their verdict and the choice if yours. Either seize it or butcher their collective hopes.Kumekucha
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11:09
Ugh...
» make mine a double espresso... I went out for a bit yesterday. It was gloomy and i'd been indoors all day. I had to get out of the house. I went and had a few too many with friends, then Ummm... I had an experience that's so not worth writing about. So not. Ugh... Why'd i even bother... I'm now back at home, in bed. I'm not going out for another month. Maybe two. I'll wait till i get home. Clubbin... Among other things (let your mind wander) is soooo overrated.
In other news. I make my own iced tea and yeah. It's pretty amazing.
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