Mashada Blogs » June 8, 2009

Jellyfishcoolman's Blog: ICT Revolution in Kenya.

jellyfishcoolman — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:11:01 -0400

Dear Friends. As the world hurtles ever closer to digital convergence Kenya has made some important steps to close the digital divide and may even begin to outpace some more advanced economies. Recent developments indicate some reaon for hope. First SEACOM the fibre-optic cable connecting South Africa, Kenya, India and Europe has announced the completion of it’s [...]

The African Accent: Circumcision: Tradition or Assault?

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:32:00 -0400

My nephew is less than a year old. Tradition dictated that I, being the maternal uncle, was in charge of making sure that he was circumcised. Normally he would have undergone the procedure at puberty. However, in this strange land where my family customs sometimes frighten the natives [for example, there was an incident when a police officer was tempted to draw his gun when he spotted a severed goat hoofs in the garage ... that's for another blog post], it made more sense to do it sooner rather than later.

After making the appointment, I felt like I was doing something illegal. Instructions were as follows: first, I was required to take the young one to hospital before 6:00AM. Second, I had to bring a few hundred dollars in cash! The early surgery hour was a bit odd, but I could justify it in several ways. Maybe it was the only time the surgeon was available. Plus, an article in the New York Times in 2006 talked about research done by Duke University on how afternoon procedures increased surgical problems including pain management. The second requirement, the cash, was harder to understand.

In Canada, there's a universal health care system. Basically, as long as you are a citizen, or a landed immigrant, you can walk into a clinic/hospital, flash your health card, and get anything from a general physical to a hip replacement on the government's tab. But for circumcision, the hospital wanted cash, not credit, not a cheque, and definitely not an IOU. It felt like a drug deal.

Aside from the traditional 'you are becoming a man' thing with male circumcision, I also believed that it was hygienic. But turns out that the Canadian Children's Rights Council does not think so. It is their position that,

"circumcision" of male or female children is genital mutilation of children.

They go on to say,

... both male and female, should be protected by the criminal laws of Canada with regards to this aggravated assault. Currently, the protection provided by the Criminal Code of Canada includes only genital mutilation (circumcision) of female children.

Goodness! What would my grandfather think?
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Kenyan Pundit: Is Political Reform Possible in Kenya (event in DC)

Ory Okolloh — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:56:48 -0400

Roundtable discussion with:

- Martha Karua, Member of Parliament, Kenya
- Paul Muite, former Member of Parliament, Kenya
- Makau W. Mutua, Dean and Distinguished Professor, University at Buffalo Law School

Tuesday, June 16, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
B1 Conference Level Room B
Center for Strategic and International Studies
1800 K St, NW Washington DC

Kenyanpoet: New Poetry Performance Spot @ Discovery; Show on 13th June from 5pm

N.W — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:50:00 -0400

There is a new Poetry Spot in town where you can Discover.......Poetry, poets and all things poetic.
Come discover some great talent and a muse to write(the street below- K Street is famous for alot of bodily inspiration and oldest known trade)

Kenyanentrepreneur.com: Swimming Towards The Tide

kenyanentrepreneur — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:01:50 -0400

** I just joined twitter and you can follow some of these posts here on my link at twitter.com/kenentrepreneur. I’ll primarily be using it to get instantenous viewpoints from different people, especially on topics that I’m interested in like Kenya and entrepreneurship. So, feel free to follow me and/or tweet me. Now onto the topic at [...]

Kenyanentrepreneur.com: Green Business Idea’s (For Kenya)

kenyanentrepreneur — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:01:28 -0400

I was reading a copy of a magazine that I have emailed to me every month and it contained some interesting business idea’s that might be of interest to people in Kenya or people thinking of moving back to Kenya to work for themselves. The first idea is this company that has developed a single-use [...]

Kenyanpoet: Poetry Evening: Rhythm & Spoken, 12th June featuring Afrosoul Band Elani

N.W — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:06:00 -0400

Rhythm and Spoken is back this Friday June 12th at Dass Ethiopian Restaurant. They will be featuring the harmonised vocals of Afrosoul band Elani.
Come share some poetry or sit back and enjoy some Ethiopian cuisine and inspiring performances from local poets and the band.
To book a slot or reserve a table call 0728293632.
The event starts at 8:30pm weith performances from 9pm. See you there.
Rhythm & Spoken is organised and hosted by Project Heshima

Mo-Mo Baggins: I'm so excited! And I just can't hide it!

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:59:00 -0400

I'm so excited! And I just can't hide it!

Storymoja: The Exhibit

Storymoja Africa — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:46:15 -0400

I have my own opinions – strong opinions – I just don’t always agree with them. George W. Bush A friend of mine wrote that on a piece of paper and handed it to me on his way out of my room. I didn’t want to, but I did laugh. I don’t think George [...]

Kenyanpoet: Book Reading: 'It's Our Turn to Eat' By Michella Wrong- Discussions by PEN Kenya, 14th June @ Kenya National Theatre

N.W — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:23:00 -0400

PEN Kenya invites you to an afternoon of readings and discussion of Michella Wrong's 'It's our Turn to Eat'.

DATE: SUNDAY 14 JUNE 2009
TIME: 2-5 PM
VENUE: KENYA NATIONAL THEATRE (Main Hall)

Previous libel suits against local booksellers have led to fear and intimidation and the book is currently unavailable in stores. It contains crucial issues for the country, for which reason PEN Kenya endeavors to make it available to the wider public. The books will be sold at a reasonable price of ksh. 900.

Subsequent readings, discussions and book sales will be held around the country. We hope that with more people accessing such information we can take the chance to further reflect on who we are as a country and as a people- our values, practices, institutions and lives- which will be vital in the movement towards sustainable and lasting change.

PEN- In defense of freedom of expression and promotion of literature