Opalo's weblog

• being frank about dodd-frank

  Posted: August 24, 2011, 12:37 pm by kenopp

  The proponents of Dodd-Frank present the issue in such a way that one may think that eastern Congo is a sovereign, independent country. The legislation fails to place the problems of the Kivus in the context of a national crisis that requires robust engagement at the national level. The Enough Project has been eager to [...]

• One Day I Will Right About This Place: A Memoir

  Posted: August 20, 2011, 1:28 pm by kenopp

  After reading the Economist’s rather harsh review of Binyavanga’s new book I decided to order it on Amazon. I was not disappointed (although I must admit that the Economist was right as far as editing goes. They could have done better). The book is vintage Binyavanga, a fast paced read with insertions of commentary hear [...]

• What I am reading right now

  Posted: August 20, 2011, 1:18 pm by kenopp

  Siaya is hot and rainy – it rains every day in the afternoon. I am not kidding. This has allowed me time to read when I am not hanging out with my extended family or doing some of my own work. I finally started reading Portfolios of the Poor. Fascinating read, especially now that I [...]

• Maintenance of infrastructure still a major challenge in Africa

  Posted: August 18, 2011, 10:48 pm by kenopp

  A good measure of state effectiveness is how well stuff is maintained. In well run places repainting is always on schedule. Potholes are fixed. And the light bulbs are not loose. I was reminded of this fact while on transit in Addis last Friday. In 2006, the last time I was there, Bole International Airport [...]

• The decline of odious ODA?

  Posted: August 11, 2011, 12:04 am by kenopp

  The Economist has a piece outlining the paradox of Indian overseas development assistance (to the tune of 11 billion over the next 5-7 years). With figures from the CIA factbook I have calculated that about 300 million indians live below the poverty line. The Economist piece also touts the emergence of middle income donors, especially [...]

• More on Eritrea and armed groups in eastern Africa

  Posted: August 9, 2011, 2:40 am by kenopp

  While Eritrea has in the past been repeatedly accused of supporting Somalia’s Islamist militia Al Shabaab, a charge it strenuously denies, the current report catalogues Afewerki’s growing notoriety in the world of terrorism finance, and in particular the global web through which these funds are routed, with Kenya serving as a global transaction distribution hub. [...]

• Quick hits

  Posted: August 5, 2011, 12:07 pm by kenopp

  Guide to arguing on the internet (HT Lauren). Speaking of arguing on the internet, I like the drama that is spats between economists and other academics on their respective blogs. The Economist presents the faces of famine in the Horn. It is beyond sad that so many people should be condemned to suffer this man-made [...]

• Kenya’s got talent

  Posted: August 4, 2011, 9:53 pm by kenopp

  I’ve never watched the show America’s Got Talent but for those who do, make note of Kenya’s representation: The group has since advanced to the semi finals of the competition. HT Kosgey Filed under: africa Tagged: america's got talent, Howie Mandel, Kenya's got talent, Seattle audition, Zuma Zuma

• Will be blogging sporadically for the next week

  Posted: August 4, 2011, 5:33 am by kenopp

  Dear readers, I have been away for a bit. Research/work and running the San Francisco half marathon (see images below) have kept me from blogging. I am back but will only be blogging sporadically for the next week or so. In other news, next Thursday I head home to Kenya for a short vacation. My [...]

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Fish cakes

Alas a fish cake.

Yet more fish cakes

Guess what ... yeah ... fish cakes.

The end of the fish cakes