PM Raila Odinga has urged African leaders to remove Robert Mugabe from power after refusing to share power. After talks with Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai in Nairobi today, Raila (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7764883.stm) observed that Mr Mugabe had no interest in sharing power.
The Kenyan power-sharing model seems to be a kite that never left the ground. As they said Mugabe is no Kibaki and even more succinctly Zimbabwe is no Kenya. And didn’t Kenyans refer to Tsvangirai as a democrat worth emulating? Well, a kick in the mouth that leaves you toothless must be the ultimate prize in that game. We should know better.
The misplaced mentality of ENTITLEMENT will never make Robert Gabriel Mugabe imagine Zimbabwe without him. In his mind and those of his CRONIES Zimbabwe is synonymous with Mugabe, PERIOD. And he is in good company with hollow African pride in which you serially rape your own subjects while shouting at anybody daring you to stop.
So is Raila’s call for African governments to take decisive action to push Mugabe out of power mere wishful thinking or a simple consolation to a battered colleague Morgan? Well, the jury is already out roaming and we haven’t seen the last of Bob and his myriad platoon of dinosaurs.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Raila Jeered Over Food Prices
It has been said many times here, but chances are that the vast majority of people did NOT take it seriously enough.
There has been a major shift (of major seismic proportions) amongst the voting public in Kenya and if it were possible to hold peaceful elections this very minute, the world will be shocked at how issue-based those elections would be. At how tribal sentiments would take a back seat for the first time. Remember the widely quoted sentiments of a Zimbabwean voter about how hunger caused them NOT to vote for Robert Mugabe (as usual?).
Sample this.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga was booed at his own Langata constituency in a rally at Kibera. Attempts to discuss politics were quickly drowned by jeers and an insistence that the food crisis issue be addressed.
Raila and Co. actually woke up to a new reality in Kibera where the voters were not really interested in celebrations but wanted to talk about Unga. They had placards demanding a lower prices and they were forced to read them when they tried to ignore the issue. Raila was literally given the placard to read to this face which he then handed over to Ruto and the duo promised to address the situation.
This is really fascinating when you consider the fact that certain individuals within the government (mostly ODM folks) conspired to do nothing and let the maize prices escalate with a view of cashing in big time. Well Kenyans are not so easily fooled these days.
P.S. Many commentators here on Kumekucha are still stuck in their tribal ways and see every issue in terms of ODM and PNU but that is simply because they are NOT hungry. Seated in a comfortable abode somewhere burping from a heavy breakfast (as they spew venom in this blog) and debating on which restaurant to go for lunch is miles away from the reality of ordinary Kenyans on the ground.
...But if you are fortunate enough to afford good food at a restaurant be sure to check out this mouth-watering African dishes in Nairobi
There has been a major shift (of major seismic proportions) amongst the voting public in Kenya and if it were possible to hold peaceful elections this very minute, the world will be shocked at how issue-based those elections would be. At how tribal sentiments would take a back seat for the first time. Remember the widely quoted sentiments of a Zimbabwean voter about how hunger caused them NOT to vote for Robert Mugabe (as usual?).
Sample this.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga was booed at his own Langata constituency in a rally at Kibera. Attempts to discuss politics were quickly drowned by jeers and an insistence that the food crisis issue be addressed.
Raila and Co. actually woke up to a new reality in Kibera where the voters were not really interested in celebrations but wanted to talk about Unga. They had placards demanding a lower prices and they were forced to read them when they tried to ignore the issue. Raila was literally given the placard to read to this face which he then handed over to Ruto and the duo promised to address the situation.
This is really fascinating when you consider the fact that certain individuals within the government (mostly ODM folks) conspired to do nothing and let the maize prices escalate with a view of cashing in big time. Well Kenyans are not so easily fooled these days.
P.S. Many commentators here on Kumekucha are still stuck in their tribal ways and see every issue in terms of ODM and PNU but that is simply because they are NOT hungry. Seated in a comfortable abode somewhere burping from a heavy breakfast (as they spew venom in this blog) and debating on which restaurant to go for lunch is miles away from the reality of ordinary Kenyans on the ground.
...But if you are fortunate enough to afford good food at a restaurant be sure to check out this mouth-watering African dishes in Nairobi
Monday, December 01, 2008
It Would Be Nice If Lucy Came Out And Said Jambo To Us
I miss Lucy.
No, I'm not crazy. It's just that when I look at Michelle Obama I sometimes wonder why Kenyans are okay with a situation where our first lady doesn't ever come out to say jambo to us. Wouldn't it be nice if she walked down the street every two or three months to tell us what's going on with her? I'd like to know that the nation's first lady is okay and that she's happy. Knowing that makes all of us feel good about the state of affairs in the State House, in Muthaiga and back in Nyeri.
Lucy, I hope to see you somewhere in Nairobi soon.
Having said that, I have to wonder why Kenyans, especially the press, never scrutinize the wives of the men who want to lead us. What, for instance, did we know about Mrs. Musyoka? And what did we know about Mrs. Ruto? Tell me what we knew about Mrs. Mudavadi? Granted we knew a lot about Lucy, but that was only because we'd come to fall in love with her dramatic ways in her husband's first term. By the time Kibaki was sworn in in that secretive ceremony at the lawns of the State House, we all knew exactly what we were getting. Another turbulent term. But Lucy has behaved herself. She's allowed the President and the Premier to grapple with the myriad problems facing this nation without distractions. So I think we need to clap for her.
In 2012, here is what I'll be looking for in a first lady. It's wise to throw this out there so we can start watching the wives of the men who want to lead us.
1. A photogenic woman. Once we elect a President, we are stuck with the man for years. At the very least, the woman he presents as the mother of the nation needs to be beautiful, and must look sweet in pictures. A tired, mean face is fodder for comedians and fireside prattles, but it eventually depresses the nation. So beauty is a critical factor.
2. A Godly Woman. I know somebody is getting ready to jump me for not placing this factor first. The reason is simple. When you meet somebody for the first time, what you instantly see is their looks. Matter of fact, most people judge us by their first impression of us. Given that state of affairs, a potential first lady must prove to us, after we've determined that she's cute, that she loves her God. If a first lady is prayerful, it's a good indicator that her husband is too.
3. A Simple Woman. Remember Imelda Marcos? Three hundred pairs of shoes! Remember Sarah Palin? U.S. $150,000 in stylish clothes and a hairdo. Talk of frugality. The point is...a woman who has the guts to dress like Cleopatra or Cindy Crawford at a time when most Kenyans are struggling is probably going to become a fashion statement in the State House. Is that what we want? The time to scrutinize their wardrobe is now.
4. A Single Wife. This is not something most women have control over, but as a nation we must insist that our presidents have one wife. I'm not saying this because of the Lucy-Mary wars. I'm just suggesting that as a Christian nation we need to be true to the biblical principle of one man one wife. In any case, there is no provision for a first and second lady in our constitution. A man with two wives must be disqualified. Period.
5. Well Educated. Having a ding dong as a first lady can be a traumatic experience. Whenever there are state visits, our Head of State is "required" to be accompanied by his wife. Now just imagine our ding dong first lady in Paris with Carla Bruni, or in the States with the stylish Michelle Obama, or in Uganda with the well traveled Janet Museveni. Get my point? We can't afford to embarrass Kenya, so let's avoid presidential candidates with wives who think South America is the bottom half of the United States.
I need not go on. Obviously there are other crucial factors to consider. Let's hear them from you.
In the mean time, I hope that when First Lady Lucy Kibaki steps out to greet the nation we will all accord her the respect and the adulation she deserves.
No, I'm not crazy. It's just that when I look at Michelle Obama I sometimes wonder why Kenyans are okay with a situation where our first lady doesn't ever come out to say jambo to us. Wouldn't it be nice if she walked down the street every two or three months to tell us what's going on with her? I'd like to know that the nation's first lady is okay and that she's happy. Knowing that makes all of us feel good about the state of affairs in the State House, in Muthaiga and back in Nyeri.
Lucy, I hope to see you somewhere in Nairobi soon.
Having said that, I have to wonder why Kenyans, especially the press, never scrutinize the wives of the men who want to lead us. What, for instance, did we know about Mrs. Musyoka? And what did we know about Mrs. Ruto? Tell me what we knew about Mrs. Mudavadi? Granted we knew a lot about Lucy, but that was only because we'd come to fall in love with her dramatic ways in her husband's first term. By the time Kibaki was sworn in in that secretive ceremony at the lawns of the State House, we all knew exactly what we were getting. Another turbulent term. But Lucy has behaved herself. She's allowed the President and the Premier to grapple with the myriad problems facing this nation without distractions. So I think we need to clap for her.
In 2012, here is what I'll be looking for in a first lady. It's wise to throw this out there so we can start watching the wives of the men who want to lead us.
1. A photogenic woman. Once we elect a President, we are stuck with the man for years. At the very least, the woman he presents as the mother of the nation needs to be beautiful, and must look sweet in pictures. A tired, mean face is fodder for comedians and fireside prattles, but it eventually depresses the nation. So beauty is a critical factor.
2. A Godly Woman. I know somebody is getting ready to jump me for not placing this factor first. The reason is simple. When you meet somebody for the first time, what you instantly see is their looks. Matter of fact, most people judge us by their first impression of us. Given that state of affairs, a potential first lady must prove to us, after we've determined that she's cute, that she loves her God. If a first lady is prayerful, it's a good indicator that her husband is too.
3. A Simple Woman. Remember Imelda Marcos? Three hundred pairs of shoes! Remember Sarah Palin? U.S. $150,000 in stylish clothes and a hairdo. Talk of frugality. The point is...a woman who has the guts to dress like Cleopatra or Cindy Crawford at a time when most Kenyans are struggling is probably going to become a fashion statement in the State House. Is that what we want? The time to scrutinize their wardrobe is now.
4. A Single Wife. This is not something most women have control over, but as a nation we must insist that our presidents have one wife. I'm not saying this because of the Lucy-Mary wars. I'm just suggesting that as a Christian nation we need to be true to the biblical principle of one man one wife. In any case, there is no provision for a first and second lady in our constitution. A man with two wives must be disqualified. Period.
5. Well Educated. Having a ding dong as a first lady can be a traumatic experience. Whenever there are state visits, our Head of State is "required" to be accompanied by his wife. Now just imagine our ding dong first lady in Paris with Carla Bruni, or in the States with the stylish Michelle Obama, or in Uganda with the well traveled Janet Museveni. Get my point? We can't afford to embarrass Kenya, so let's avoid presidential candidates with wives who think South America is the bottom half of the United States.
I need not go on. Obviously there are other crucial factors to consider. Let's hear them from you.
In the mean time, I hope that when First Lady Lucy Kibaki steps out to greet the nation we will all accord her the respect and the adulation she deserves.
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