By Joel Okwemba There have been many instances where journalists have been discouraged from pursuing important subjects of public interest in relation to the country’s foreign policy agenda and the larger global affairs issues as a discussion led by the Centre for International and Security Affairs revealed. The event themed “Enhancing Public Interest in Global Affairs: The Role of the Media” convened the diplomatic community, journalists, international organizations, academia and students in exploring the bottlenecks on these matters. Education There is a glaring lack of specialisation of media training in our universities and media schools on matters diplomacy and global…
Author: NLM Editor
OBTUSE JUSTICE: When it comes to pinching a penny, it is unwise to be ‘petty’, at least according to the Kenyan justice system. Whereas small-time offenders, like Justinah (left), are hung out to dry for taking little bribes, elite looters, who have helped themseleves to billions from public coffers, as in the NYS looting spree that has come to light recently, can walk scot free. Like sin, where none is small or big, every crime deserves punishment; it is morally repugnant when double standards apply like this, by those who should judge in ‘letter and spirit’.
By Nkwazi Mhango When former AG Amos Wako, who also is the Senator for Busia, said that Raila Odinga still has the chance to become the next president of Kenya, I was pushed to write this piece. First of all, I fully concur with Wako. Secondly, the impromptu marriage, ala handshake, between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Odinga added more vim. I am one of many who wanted the duo to talk in order to pull Kenya out of the impasse resulting from last year’s elections. Now that they’re working together, we need to support them. Raila must soldier on in…
By Payton Mathau The Kenyan embassy in Somalia is secured by a team of Ugandan private military security guards. The private security guards are also deployed to several hotels and businesses operating within Mogadishu’s airport, which is secured by Amisom troops from Uganda and Burundi. Their services are procured by individual entities. The move comes after fifteen people were killed in an explosion at Jazeera Palace, a diplomats’ hotel on July 26, 2015. China, Qatar and Egypt had embassies at the hotel. The Kenyan ambassador to Somalia Major General (Rtd) Lucas Tumbo, who was rescued from the Jazeera Palace Hotel,…
I am moved to write this month by Professor Yash Ghai’s recent essay about the perils, purpose and promise of revising a still fairly newly popularly approved Constitution. Kenya’s prolonged and successful effort to write and secure strong popular approbation for what I believe is as a model constitution stands out as one of sub-Saharan leading achievements of the, sadly, now fading democratic era, and not just in Africa. Professor Ghai’s essay reminds me of an issue that struck me as singularly important as I concluded a tour as USAID’s Regional Democracy and Governance Advisor for Eastern and Southern Africa in…
By Ahmednasir Abdullahi Amidst the current political goings on is the forgotten fact that until now, elections in this country have been defined by backroom dealings and constitutional changes aimed at consolidating power for a few individuals. It’s an old script. And while it is romantic to think that that this struggle pits the status quo against the reformers (to paraphrase freedom stalwart Jaramogi Oginga Odinga), the truth is that it is a self-centred game between a few powerful men battling for the control of the vast resources of the State. We like to think of it but there are…
Things have been looking up for the Kenyan economy thus far in 2018. While more improvement is needed, there has been a recovery thanks in part to stabilizing political situation, and economic growth is expected to accelerate this yearthanks to more investment and rising agricultural output. At such times, with the economy looking to gain ground with realistic growth prospects, it’s more natural to think about additional avenues for growth that could be explored. And one that doesn’t get a lot of attention in Kenya or throughout Africa for that matter is the casino industry. At this time there actually…
By Joel Okwemba Prior to 1964, the only existing House committee was the Standing Committee and its role then was constrained to reacting and reviewing business as determined by the Executive, with limitations in advancing public interest. Further marginalisation of parliament would follow with the rise of the imperial presidency and developments such as de facto one party state (1964-1969) and the abolition of Senate in 1967. This was to change course with the establishment of the Parliamentary Service Commission and Parliamentary Service in the years 1999/2000, allowing parliament to engage in the development of its institutions. A significant reform…
BY Mukulu Kioko Last month, I watched in wonderment as people gave tribute to the late Winnie Madikizela Mandela. The star of the show, for me, was her daughter, Zinzi. She spoke with emotion and composure that was both moving and admirable. In her speech she said, “We (women) can be beautiful, powerful and revolutionary.” This, in many ways gives a summary of my feminism ideals. For a long time, and indeed to this very day, the phrase feminism evokes all manner of emotions amongst people. Many times I have been warned not to identify as a feminist because then…
Way back in the 1980’s, after Out Of Africa was released, there was a miniseries on CBS called Shadow On The Sun starring Stephanie Powers as Markham. I vaguely remember a scene were Powers as Markham says “I’ve flown the Atlantic” in a really terrible English accent. Born in England but raised in Kenya, Beryl Markham was a notorious beauty. She trained race horses and had scandalous affairs, but she is most remembered for being a pioneering aviatrix. She became the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean and the first person to make it from London to New York…