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• The Present Face of Kenyan Success

  Posted: March 7, 2008, 7:24 pm by Taabu

  The recent political deal between Kibaki and Raila following two months of violence resulting from last year’s disputed elections has left Kenyans in deep reflection. Kumekucha readers and bloggers have recently initiated very insightful debates that examine our past with the singular aim of collectively chat a course for a united and prosperous Kenya.
  
  Behind every suggestion on reshaping Kenya lies the call to foster unity in diversity. That Kenyan is a geographical accident populated by over 40 different nations is not unique to Africa. That same fact is also a principal cause of the continent’s perennial wars. Politicians have consequently exploited our ethnic differences to advance their selfish courses and resulting in very devastating tensions ready to explode at the spark the drop of a hat.
  
  Most present great nations emerged from ashes of destruction and we can equally seize the present crisis to put Kenya on the right pedestal to EQUITABLE and sustainable prosperity. The success of such a venture is only possible with a new constitution that galvanizes Kenyan aspirations by recognizing her strengths to overcome commensurate weaknesses. But a constitution is as good as the people it is authored for. Kenyans must re-examine and define the basics to anchor their country’s success. Sample these three scenarios reflecting our sense of industry and success.
  
  Warped sense of industry
  Three Kenyan contractors (A B and C) are bidding to repair a government building. All the three are invited to view the building at the same same time by the PS in the ministry of Roads and Works. Contractor A rolls his sleeves with tools in hand then works some figures with a pencil. "Well", he says, "I figure the job will run about KES 9m – KES 4m for materials, KES 4m for my crew and KES 1m my profit."
  
  Contractor B follows and does his thing with his tools too then says, "I can do this job for KEs 7m – KES 3m for materials, KES 3m for my crew and KES 1m my profit." Lastly contractor C makes no physical examination of the building in question but leans over to the PS and whispers, "KES 27 m." The astonished PS promptly asks, "You didn't did no examination like the other guys, how did you come up with such a high figure?". Contractor C whispers back, "KES 10m for me, KES 10m for you and we hire contractor B to do the job." To which the PS promptly responds "Done!".
  
  Well folks unfortunately that is how it all works and we pride ourselves being industrious. True, there are exceptions to the above but that doesn’t make it any rosier. Kenyans generally live a life whose success is premised on DEALS, MORE DEALS and cutting corners. In the process we unwittingly rape our own country dry to feather our personal nests while complaining loudest about corruption. I guess this the unique Kenyan version of industry and success.

• What Kenyans Should Do

  Posted: March 7, 2008, 5:16 am by chris

  What does Jeff Koinange's K24 Stand For?
  
  By Wanjiku of Mombasa
  
  Present Kenya is a battered nation albeit a hopeful one. But it is not bad luck or lack of resources that is plaguing us. Take Japan for example. About 70% of Japan is forested, mountainous and unsuitable for agricultural, industrial or residential use. Yet it is the second largest economy in the world and a world leader in technology. Is there any significant intellectual difference between their executives and our own? Is Japan any more blessed with resources than we are? Any reason why Kenya cannot hit those notes in future?
  
  Our woes are an obvious result of poor leadership, weak institutions, selfishness and impunity among a myriad other evils that cannot be listed on a single page. Our leaders have stashed our hard earned money in Swiss accounts, bought property abroad and acquired more land than their graves and those of all their future generations can ever fill. In parliament there have been thieves, murderers, drunkards, wife beaters, rapists, warlords, name it. They came, they stole but they will not conquer us. So first, I say we get over them and show them the door. Every Kenyan can and should do their part towards this.
  
  Second we should disconnect from our leaders and work to change our personal attitudes. Leaders cannot touch our attitudes towards one another unless we let them. It is not going to be easy considering these are beliefs and attitudes framed for years through education and culture. Besides, we’ve hurt each other real bad recently. But with collective willpower it can be done. Gradually, maybe slowly, but it can be done.
  
  Third, I dare say we embrace our ethnicity. Tribe is an identity and tribal identities are here to stay. We would best serve ourselves using ethnicity positively for personal as well as national growth. Judging from the number of inter-tribal marriages and mixed race children, the battle against negative ethnicity has been well underway on the family level. Now we take it national. Instead of fighting ethnicity, why not foster vibrant healthy competition among different cultures? Why not support each other in trade? Or intellectually? Why not learn what other communities do best and let them also learn what we do best?
  
  Fourth let us work on the children. Get them while they’re young. It is said that if you’re thinking 1 year ahead, till a field. If you’re thinking 10 years ahead, plant a tree. If you’re thinking 100 years ahead, raise a child. Let parents and teachers teach them to be proud of their cultures and appreciate other peoples’ cultures. Recently I watched sadly as displaced children were asked to express their feelings in drawing. Most of them drew fire, machetes, bows, arrows and blood. I shudder at the thought of what seeds have been planted in their minds. We need to mend these young minds for the sake of the future.
  
  There must be many other brilliant ideas out there. What sayest thou?

• What Does K24 Stand For?

  Posted: March 7, 2008, 3:00 am by chris

  Towards the end of last year, a brand new 24 hour news channel was quietly launched into the Kenyan market. Apart from a full page advertisement in the Standard newspaper, there was very little else in terms of promotion.
  
  Today barely 4 months later, this new TV station clearly modeled along the lines of Atlanta based CNN continues to quietly exist.
  
  
  
  To be fair, K24 has had its’ moments. Many of these have emerged from their eyewitness news segment that brings breaking news. The idea is to evolve this into some sort of citizen journalism thing where virtually anybody can report from where it is happening. During the troubled times that our country has recently passed through there are many potentially award winning features that have been aired in this segment. One sticks out very clearly on my mind where host Jeff Koinange interviewed a German woman in the ruins and ashes of a burnt down children’s orphanage in Eldoret. Apparently what angered locals was the fact that children hailing from different tribes were happily interacting with each other.
  
  It was also on K24 that I saw an intimate interview with ODM’s William Ruto, expertly conducted by Jeff Koinange on the lawns of what is clearly the famous journalists’ favorite hotel, namely...
  
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Blah blah blah

Fish cakes

Alas a fish cake.

Yet more fish cakes

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

The end of the fish cakes