Fare Thee Well Queen Jane

The death of local music maestro Queen Jane from menengitis has robbed Kenya of yet another national icon. You need not understand the language she sang in to appreciate the authenticity and energy QJ radiated.

Those not-too young will reminisce with her vocal prowess during her stint at Mbiri stars with Musaimo. Her landmark number Mwendwa (my dear) KK remains an household tune defining her unique melody. Fare thee well Nyambura and may your music live on.

Grim Reaper: CID Boss Gatiba Karanja's Dead

Kenya has lost her top sleuth. CID boss Simon Gatiba Karanja reportedly died at Thika Nursing Home where he was rushed by family members. And what a great loss to the country for a man who headed such a sensitive position during the dark 2007/8 PEV period?

Already speculation galore of how a top policeman would just collapse and die like that. Spice it with the speculation that Gatiba and Iteere were to have a date with ICC's Ocampo later in the day and the mix becomes so lethal. While that is typical Kenyans' cynicism about such high profile deaths, one cannot fail to recall the mysterious death of former police commissioner Philip Kilonzo.

Kilonzo reigned during the late Ouko's murder investigation just like Karanja did over the PEV. Granted, he must have been privy to very sensitive information. The suspicion is even compounded more with Karanja's death coming hot in the heels of former AP deputy boss leaving the country for Germany fearing for his life.

For now Karanja's family needs all the comforting words with the hope that his death was a natural one. At 56, such sudden calamities are rare but who knows? Maybe a policeman's physical fitness exponentially deteriorates as he climbs the ladder in the force hence the ill health.

Muthaura Flown to SA, Still Working from ICU

Hitherto energetic and never-tiring Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura has been flown to South Africa for further treatment. His doctors could not take chances after confirming that arteries in and out of his heart are THINNING. Such calcification is sure recipe for massive stroke. In fact the government has gambled with PS of all PSs, he should have been flown to London.

At least our sensational media can now rest easy after their object of hate and speculation has been relocated to Johannesburg. But Muthaura’s hospitalization leaves a gaping hole that can plunge Kenya into deep administrative problems. For starters he has no deputy and has been competently running this country single handed albeit chronically partisan.

But we must take heart from Dr. Mutua’s assurance that Mzee Muthaura will be back behind his desk in less than two weeks. We have no cause to doubt Alfred, he must know better, after all he is a doctor, isn’t he? In any case he never suffers whiners lightly no matter the might whether junior senator of Illinois or not.

Kenya cannot do without the veteran PS Muthaura. His work rate is phenomenon and above all unrivalled. What is more, even in the face of calamity, the good old man can at least afford a half grin, nay smile, for the first time even if on a stretcher. The old man can take just so much pressure after more than 10 years no leave.

Massive stroke
Heading civil service is a 24 hour duty while politicians snore in parliament. Muthaura’s energy is incredible. With no deputy, he was still working from his HDU bed. Kenyan media must also learn to respect the office of government spokesman. Our penchant to distrust official channels only succeeds in feeding destructive rumours.

In the meantime we must collectively wish the good ambassador well as he confronts his own mortality. Who knows, may be this scare would offer him the opportunity to contemplate the highly partisan and polarizing role he has played in the grand coalition in addition to toxic politicization of the civil service.

Hopefully the NDE and scent from ICU next door will transform him into a better man. God bless the unofficial emperor.