A prayer from a Kenyan husband

This is a prayer from a Kenyan man I received on email. Men will always have excuses for cheating on their spouse complain so much about women nagging and women headaches.

Naturally boys like to be free from the time they are kids, only their brains grow up but their character remains the same. No wonder it is said boys will always be boys, while girls change to women and mothers

Surely is this a good reason for a man to cheat?

Dear Lord,


Thank you for opening my eyes to realize that there are beautiful women out there.You know God, when I met my wife , I thought she was meant for me but I came to realize that WATER and OIL do not mix. It is true that I like to look at other women but I only do that to appreciate the beauty of nature's creation. But sometimes I just can't resist these women after all I am and have my weakness. My wife calls me PAPA. I often feel like a pensioner. Other women call me Darling, Sweetie, Dear, then I feel young, energetic and moja. She likes complaining and nagging. Or is too tired to go out with me. Every weekend she goes to attend so and so's funeral and goes straight to kitchen parties. Women outside are wild, grooving and can do a thorough job when it comes to Huuuuuuuu.

Another problem with her, dear Lord is, she is good at spending my hard earned money. When we talk about budget she is referring to my salary. Her salary is her secret and confidential. She has appointed herself my minister of finance but my economy is not improving. Her family comes first in everything. When I bought my mother a pair of Kitenge for during this chilling weather, she complained that I know our financial problems but I keep giving People our money. When she bought her mother a pair of boots, jacket, blanket and a heater, she said that I know her mother is struggling. ( Oh God). I visit my parents once in a lifetime but her family needs her constantly. God, I met her at a party. But these days she wants to remain indoors. No friends should visit us without appointments. I must sit and watch the Isidingo, La mujer,The Bold,Days, Generations etc. Every Sunday she drags me to this Nigerian Christian like church. I had to part with Kshs 30,000, as an offering to the Pastor. My church is too boring for her liking. Heavenly Father you will realize that I have lost some weight. Everyday she wants me to take her to Steers, City Cabanas or Nandos for breakfast,lunch and dinner. My favourite ugali wa 'Kuon anang'a or Bel',Apoth,Dek Obambo is a thing of the past. She will never allow such nonsense in our Townhouse. Oh God I yearn for my favourate Guiness Madiaba, Tusker Lager and Jonny Whalker on rocks - the only beers and whisky with a surname. These days I only drink mineral water. So God I hope you know why do I always look at those ladies and wish that I could spend more and more time with them.

Oh God won't you please take Her headache away. She has it everyday, especially when we go to bed!!!



AMEN

Campaigning the Kenyan style

Campaigns are here with us again with less than four months to go for elections, if it is done in December as a tradition.

This are the times when all sorts of political songs will be sang in rallies and Radio stations. One would realize some politicians are good singers some are not when they go off tune before they get far.

Our politicians are also good comedians, they tell all kinds of jokes and use all sorts of proverbs to support their stand or against an opponent.

This makes watching news on TV and listed to Radio stations interesting than watching soap operas and comedies.

On the other hand our politicians and wanainchi like using corrupted songs composed for other reasons or occasions. Mostly they corrupt Christian songs, a good example is yote ya wezekana bila Moi meaning everything is possible without the former President Moi, this was the main chorus in 2002 elections when the former retired. This song is a common Church chorus which is normally sang yote ya wezekana kwa imani (Everything is possible with faith).

The other common one especially a hit with Hon. Kajwang’ is bado mapambano (the fight is still on). This is also another one from Church choruses.

In 2002 Gigi Gidi and Maji Maji’s hit Unbwogable (we cannot be scared) was also a hit with our politician, at least with this one they also invited the duo to sing in their campaigns.

I do not like the idea of our politicians singing corrupted songs in their favor unless they have the authority from the musicians. However most Christian choruses are not originally from Kenya that’s why no one has came up to claim that politicians are pirating their songs.

Politicians should compose their own choruses or pay musicians to do their campaign songs wanainchi should also be discouraged against this trend. There are very creative youths who are capable of composing such songs but are not empowered. They can take advantage of this to empower these up coming musicians. This would create employment and also get them more votes.

Am looking forward to hear new hits this time round.

Old fashion politics

During the Nyayo error it was common for retired President Moi to go to a constituency and declare his preferred candidate. After doing that all grass root elections for his party KANU was meaningless because Mzee had decided who he preferred and it used to work like a magic wand.

In 2002 he did that with project Uhuru, when others thought Mzee would point them as his successor. This came as a shock to many and caused a fall out led by Hon Raila Odinga. The group joined Nak to form Narc. Mzee’s magic wand did not work that time, I think it had lost power after 24 year rule.

Yesterday Mzee was at it again and declared his stand in support of a fellow Mzee. The former President has a right to choose his preferred candidate but by “saying younger generation was not embracing nationalistic ideals. Instead, he saw them as being driven by narrow interests”! Read more To me that is being old fashioned, I do not think he is able to influence wanainchi’s votes anymore. I think his magic wand is finished just like it did not work with project Uhuru. Even Hon Raila mentioned this yesterday.

History in Kenya repeats itself and we are yet to see if it will be the same. Old politician should retire peacefully and pave way for the young.

Kenya is for all not only the old.

ODM elections

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will pick its presidential candidate by secret ballot on September 1, though doubts persist over how the party will select its delegates. Read more from a previous edition of The Daily Nation by Bernard Namumane.

Hence I decided to put a poll on the right side of my web. Please vote then we will review the results next week after the elections.

Paid housewives

KTN news at 9pm yesterday had a feature on paid housewives. They were talking about husbands paying their housewives for taking care of the house chores and kids at home.

This issue came about from a blog by some two ladies. I tried checking the blog for paid housewives or something like that but I didn’t get it because I didn’t write down the link. I will let you know when I do or someone who knows can share.

Having worked for more than 10 years and tired of working. I have been thinking of other options amongst them being a housewife, going back to school and starting my own business. On the other hand it would be interesting to be a paid housewife. Taking care of my house and kids. No more worrying about waking up early in the morning, to rush to work and being caught up in the jam.

I would have all day to do what I want, without anyone to supervise me like some colleagues with hawk like eyes in the office, being the boss. My kids will be well taken care off since I would be available the whole day to take care of their needs.

I may decide to cut on the cost of having a house help or only hire one when I need help for a few hours. I will not have to worry about my house help leaving suddenly or not turning up from off and leaving me stranded with a baby.

However there are also disadvantages of being a housewife after being used to working and earning your own salary.

This would mean having only one person earning and taking care of all expenses. If we quarrel he would get annoyed and refuse to pay me or reduce my pay.

Having gotten used to working in the office it would not be easy adjusting to doing housework the whole day. We are so used to employing house helps in Kenya because it is cheaper compared to other countries especially Europe. When my house help takes an off over the weekend I get stressed staying at home with the kids, the small one would go on strike sometimes and refuse to eat.

The concept of paying housewives is a good idea, but will depend on the financial status of the husband. Also with many women being empowered and career minded, very few would take that option.

Hope I get the blog and learn something from it.

The Marriage bill in Kenya

A friend asked me what I think about the marriage bill, so I decided to check it out before I comment on it.

I got this from the EA Standard by:-

Samuel Otieno And Dorothy Ruto

The way Kenyans view marriages, dowry, divorce and come-we-stay relationships will change significantly if a proposed new law is enacted.
The place of dowry in society could be weakened considerably, as the Marriage Bill 2007 proposes that it should not affect the validity of marriage in any way, unlike in the present set up where dowry is seen as a binding factor. Read more

Apparently this bill was rejected in Kenya after the government appointed a commission in 1967 to consider the existing law relating to marriage, divorce etc…..
Members of parliament at that time rejected the bill saying it was un-African, it was copied from English law taking no account of African custom and tradition, it was going to give too many rights to woman and suggested that it needs further consultation and possibly a referendum. So I wonder if this bill now is not a threat to men like it was years back. May be its because the law will allow them to marry as many wives as they like when this bill is enacted.

Come-we-stay marriages will be on the rise especially with those avoiding the cost of marriage (weddings and paying dowry), making dowry meaningless. Polygamy cases, which had declined will be on the rise. Hence I don’t think this will help solve the many problems in marriages today.

What is your take on this bill?

Linah Jebii Kilimo (Mrs)

Was a former Cabinet Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President, until she fell out when she supported Orange movement opposed to the Government and was amongst the ministers that were fired when the Government's proposed constitution failed miserably after the referendum.

She is a role model of the girl child in relation to FGM, she is a key campaigner against this outdated practice I mentioned on one of my posts. Read more…
She is also a pretty woman I have always admired for her humility.

From the time she was fired she has been in the forefront of ODM Kenya activities. Later she was more on ODM Kenya activities that is with Hon MP Kalonzo Musyoka, until yesterday when she called a press conference to declared that she’s defected to support President Kibaki’s bid for re-election. Read more

She must have defected because of break up in ODM with Hon MP Kalonzo Musyoka's ODM Kenya on one side and Hon MP Raila Odinga ODM on the other side, with no signs of reconcilliation.

I wonder what impact this has on her re-election as MP, if her constituents decide to support ODM and she supports the President on NARC Kenya or whichever party he decides to stand on. We have about four months to election and also wonder if she will be reinstated to her ministerial post.

If I were from her constituency I would still vote for her no matter what party she would be on because this are the kind of women Kenya needs.

Nairobi City Council laws

Apart from City Council laws we have heard about lately, it seems there are others we are not aware of. I was also surprised when I saw City council workers cleaning the tunnel at the Globe Cinema roundabout in Nairobi, this is on page 6 of the Nairobi Star newspaper. Pedestrians feared passing through this tunnel that used to be a hide out for Street boys. Now I hear its well lit and is secure but had filth. This also make me wonder where did the street boys go?

I received an email with more laws and wonder if part of it is a joke

It says:-

This is good news. Consider this!


1. Don?t sit any where other than the recreation places-Uhuru/
Jivanjee etc (some two STD chartered staff were picked sitting next to the
Aga Khan walk-one guy next to Hilton)

No more idling and politicking at the central park near Kenya Re Plaza. People should be doing something and not just sitting in public doing nothin. If you have nothing to do in town, go home and rest.

2. Don?t lean against any thing in town -flower vase/those walls
where flowers have been planted e.g. next to KCB.

If the NCC has planted flowers to make the city beautiful and also absorb all the useless carbon we emit in the city, another idiot goes to lean on that. Surely, fine that chap very heavily. Why lean on a flower vase? Again if you want to lean on something, go and try leaning on Kit Mikayi...it is strong enough and absorbs no carbon.


3. Don?t spit.

I love that one. I hate people who spit as if it is fun. Again lock that one up until all the saliva is dry. No water in the cells of course.


4. Other than newspapers don?t buy anything on the streets-these
guys will pick you and leave the hawker.

I have always said that the only way to end hawking is to arrest the buyer. Nobody will sit in the streets if no one is buying. If you want mitumba, Gikomba, Kawangware, Korogocho and River Road shops are well stocked. I visit them instead of buyiong a shirt without a collar on the streets. I love this one too. Keep the buyer in jail until all the hawkers see no more buyer and go back to the farms. We need vegetable.


5. Don?t dare touch the kerb when parking you car ?not only in town
(our car was towed from stima plaza).

When you touch the kerb, you not only remove the yellow paint, but also cause some scraches. Again the offending driver should not only be arrested but should also meet the cost of repairing the whole kerb length on that street. Cheers.


6. One driver was picked for not slowing down at a pedestrian
closing zone- You can hardly see the Zebra crossing with your naked eyes.

This is standard practice in the developed civilised world. So the city askari should not only arrest the driver but also make them to paint the crossing. Also to be done on the spot. And then pay the 'Zebra' which was crossing damages for causing panick The fine should be higher the closer you are to the CBD.

I think Kenya is now on the right track. I hope they are now jailing for life those who pee on the street. I loved this mail.


7. etc

By these time- which took less than 25mins the pick-up was full and heading
to Kamukunji!

Tell your friends to take care. And always have something on your cell
phone!

Is a child a child?

This is a very easy question and one can answer very fast. A child is a child so what!

Come to think of it as an African, first we value children so much; secondly we value the boy child more than the girl child.

I have always complained that the woman has been on the receiving end of human rights abuse and cultural practices. Those who believe in women’s cause also support this. However when it comes to the choice of a child we want, women are also to blame.

Most people especially in Africa, Middle East and Asia believe they are not complete without a boy child in the family. A woman will feel depressed if she gets a girl for a first child and will feel even worse when she gets more girls.

We do not appreciate the fact that at least we got a baby and someone else is unable to get even one. African traditions and some other cultures in the world have always looked at the girl child as a lesser child. Women have also contributed to this because of our attitude.

I can imagine if women in the old days would have stood their ground (like the enlightened women of today) and told men. I have given birth to 5 girls am tired, I will not get anymore you can get the boy yourself or marry another wife to get you the boy you want so much.

However this was not possible because the woman felt bad about having girls only, the men would send the women away or marry another wife. This still happens in the modern world.

One thing that people should know is that the girl child is also important in the family and the society. She helps a lot in house chores more than the boys; she is naturally created to be motherly to her siblings. She is more helpful to her parents in the home and even after leaving the home to get married or stay on her own. When the boy turns to a man and marries, very few help their parents.

I say this because I come from a family with many girls, my wonderful mother did not give up until she got our only brother the last born, when she was nearly reaching menopause. Thank God for my principled father because he never married another woman or chase her away. He liked us so much and would go everywhere he could with us.

Some relatives from my father’s side despised my mother. This is very typical of cultures that believe so much in the boy child. Fortunately I had God-fearing grandparents who understood the fact that children come from God. No one chooses what child they want. Some of those relatives now admire this family of many girls.

Though medical technology has improved to help parents make a choice. All I can say they are not a 100% accurate. When I was expecting I would browse baby sites, my favorite is Baby Center on my links (by the way there no such Kenyan websites). I read all kinds of myth because my scan did not show the kind of baby I had (though I wanted to know about the well being of the baby more than the sex). I also read so many stories from women on the baby sites who wanted a certain child. There were those who wanted girls and those who wanted boys depending on the child they had, but most of them wanted boys as a first child.

For now I can easily say a child is a child because am blessed with both sexes, but for somebody else this can be a disturbing question to answer.

Kenyan politics

I could not believe what I read in today's East African Standard:-

By Moses Njagih and Francis Ngige

"Mr Raila Odinga got a taste of things to come when a hotel proprietor disrupted his triumphant entry into President Kibaki’s Nyeri backyard by ejecting him and his entourage from the facility.

In an incident that could serve as a pointer to just how polarised the country has become ahead of the General Election, the hotel proprietor — said to be related to a top political class — made little secret of the fact that the group was unwelcome at the premises.

The Lang’ata MP, who had earlier had a heroic welcome in Mathira constituency, was stunned when the proprietor stormed the dining room and ordered the ODM leaders out."Read more

All Kenyans have freedom of movement around the Country despite their difference in opinion, colour or tribe. So I find this as the height of ignorance, primitivity or do I say tribalism.

What do you say about this strange incident?

Adopt a child or drop the woman??

I was traveling in a matatu (Kenyan public transport) from the City center to my home (within one of the shopping centers in the outskirts of Nairobi). I sat next to a lady who told me she was going to the same shopping centre for the first time and wondered how far it was. I told her it is about one hour drive from the city center.

Since we were coming from the city center we had some distance to cover. To manage her boredom, she engaged me in a conversation by asking which part of Kenya I come from. This is very common opening sentence with Kenyans` conversation when they want to know your tribe and switch to native languages. Apparently, she realized we are from the same part of Kenya. She told me she was once married in the same area as my upcountry home but got a divorce as a result of a childless marriage and was in her second marriage.

She narrated to me how she persevered 10 years without a child and being frustrated by her mother in law, she decided to quit. The husband (former) opted to marry another woman after being convinced by the mother. I asked her whether she has a child now and so on. She told me that she doesn’t have one yet after two years in the second marriage. I really felt sorry for this lady .The issue must have been very hurting that she could share with a stranger. I asked her if she has gone for medical advice, she said she has done that without success and is looking for another doctor. I encouraged her that she will one day succeed. I even advised her to visit Dr. Noreh (The first Doctor to undertake the first successful IVF process in Kenya) at his Afya Center clinic. She agreed to pay him a visit.

This encounter brings me to what I want to share today. The devastating impact of childless marriage to a woman and the attitude of Africans towards child adoption.

It is a common case with women all over the world. The causes may be many ranging from infertility caused by many things. I am not a doctor and may not know the details. Cases of infertile men are also there, but in African culture it is normally the woman to be blamed and not the man. The woman will be looked at as an outcast and should be banished from the home. Some cultures in Kenya allow the woman to bring a co-wife even a sister, but most of the time the woman is sent away or divorced to allow the man to marry another woman.

My question is that is this fair? Is this the marriage for better and for worse till death do us part? The woman has always been on the receiving end of human rights abuse and traditional culture even for factors beyond her control. No woman or man chose to be infertile or unable to bear child.

One thing that is amazing is that most Africans like imitating the west, but when it comes to culture we cannot compromise. Most people in the west are very understanding when it comes to such problems. They would willingly adopt a child or children; they even come to Africa to adopt a needy child.
We have many orphans in Africa, especially those whose parents have died as a result of HIV/AIDs. Unfortunately many are ignored by their relatives and taken to homes or left upcountry for endless suffering.

I was once told a story of an old man selling his property in Kenya, I asked why? I was told its because his only son an only child had died, so he did not see it necessary to own a property he had bought for the son to inherit. I was shocked and wondered if he had any other relatives or even a needy child he could adopt from a relative or from a home. This is a typical African attitude that when my child is gone, everything is lost. Without a child the woman is not worth being a wife.

If only Africans and Kenyans in particular would change their attitude about child adoption and see it as a positive decision, we will solve two main problems. We will sustain marriages not blessed by children of their own. Secondly, orphans will be accommodated in such homes and reduce their suffering leading to poverty.

I personally have adopted one in my home not because I could not get my own but to help an orphan. What about you?

Kenyan kids of today and yesterday

Life for those of us born before the 1980s was different to Kids born today. We survived without a lot of kids stuff that parents think they cannot do without today. We were much stronger and could do a lot at a very young age. I could do house work at an early age of 6, not that we didnt have a house help but its how we were trained, but now am different I cannot imagine my child moving anywhere near a stove or cooker even at 10 thinking she will get burnt.

Read more of what life of most Kenyan children was like in those days from this email I received:

This is dedicated to Those Born - 1930-1979!

(TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the
1930's 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's !!)


First, we survived being born to mothers took aspirin and didn't get tested for diabetes.


Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies on a mattress on the floor not baby cribs covered with bright colored leso. To be put to sleep you were carried on the back tied with a leso and not put on rocking baby cribs or wheeled around on baby cycles till one got dizzy and opted to sleep.


We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets. When we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took climbing walls, trees and posts.

As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags. The matatus those days were the seven aside type (pick ups) so riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.


We drank water from anywhere; from the river, lake, rainwater that collected on the ndoo; the garden hose, directly from the tap whatever tap- outside the shamba, in the toilet, on the street, in the kitchen sink and NOT from a bottle. We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle; or shared a sweet (puru) with four friends- and NO ONE actually died from this.


We ate cupcakes, goody goody, ice cream, white bread (Elliot's) and blue band, but we weren't overweight because WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!


We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the sun went down.


No one was able to reach us all day.


And we were O.K.


We would spend hours building our toys, mungaringari, out of scraps and tins of blue band, kimbo, and cowboy tins or out of omo boxes and empty jik bottles. I remember of a friend who desperately wanted a jik bottle to make a toy car that he went and emptied jik from a full bottle into his small brother's napkins that had been kept on a basin for washing. I guess you know what the consequences were: remember then ride down the hill, only to find out the bike has no brakes. And mind you this small bike is carrying 4 guys- After running into the bushes and sewage trenches a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We made up games- after watching Black Ninja or Bud Spencer movie at our friend, peter, they were the only ones with a video tape player- we went out a started playing Ninja with sticks and through Ninja bombs (tennis balls, stones etc) and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.


We did not have Play stations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound, CD's or I pods, no cell phones!, no personal computers , no Internet or chat rooms....... WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!


We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.


We ate worms and mud food made from dirt (when playing cha baba na cha mama), and the worms did not live in us forever.


We were given Big G for our 10th birthdays, but the most common bought cloths for our birthdays from the first to ???? , bought the same on Christmas and other important occasions. In case you did well in school a pat in the back will do and a stun warning not to fail otherwise you will see, for the lucky ones a new school bag or uniforms would do.


We simply walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!


The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law (in this case talking of school) was unheard of. They actually sided with the law! Imagine they even had the nerve to take the cane from the teacher (law enforcer) and unleash it on you!!!!!!


These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever! The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!


If YOU are one of them . . CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the TV, lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good

And while you are at it, forward it to younger kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.



I am one of them.

50 special seats for women, bill rejected by Kenyan MPs

My blog talks on issue affecting Women, I support women in leadership but just like I said before on my post on this link: http://jamiiyakenya.blogspot.com/2007/07/political-parties-targeting-women-votes.html I do not support special seats for Women, I believe that in a democratic society these seats should be elective. I have said from time to time that we (women) are the majority in Kenya so why not elect more women in Civic and Parliamentary posts through a normal democratic process? We have the votes and we need no favours in special allocations.

One of the reasons I do not support 50 special seats for women and support our MPs for rejecting this bill (read more on this link http://allafrica.com/stories/200708150790.html and other Kenya news sources on this web) is that when this is done we will get unpopular leaders. The trend we have seen in Kenya is politicians favouring their relatives and friends in nominations. After elections we get MPs that we never knew and one wonders where they came from. This is a well calculated way of rigging. Even if the bill was passed, do not be surprised to see that the wifes of the sitting Mps getting their way into parliament. We will end up in a situation where Hon.X is the minister for Constitutional Affairs and Hon. Mrs.X is the minister for health. That will be a chaotic cabinet.

On the other hand, we have women who are popular and have done Kenyans proud, if this bill was to be passed, I would not mind them being given special seats. Otherwise Kenyans should elect these women who desire to go for parliamentary seats. No favours!

Below are some of the women that I cherish most who should be given an opportunity in leadership or granted the proposed allocations;

1. Prof. Wangare Mathai - Environmentalist (Nobel Prize winner)
2. MP Njoki Ndung’u (Introduced Sexual offence Bill 2006)
3. Esther Pasaris (Adopt Alight, brought light to dark Nairobi)
4. Priscilla Nangurai (For rescuing young girls from early marriage)
5. Julie Muranya (anti FGM crusader)
6. Health Minister Charity Ngilu (First woman in Kenya to vie for Presidency and improved health facilities, free maternity for women in public health centers).
7. Orie Rogo (NGO chairperson – to amuse and decorate parliament with her attire)
8. Julia Ojiambo (The only women amongst six ODM big wigs)
9. Mary Wambui (Known as Narc activist, her actions speak for themselves)
10. Wambui Otieno-Mbogua (She defied all odd and married a young man, why do we condemn her yet old men marry young girls)

On civic seats we should have the common wanainchi, like mama mbogas, salonists like Nyatanga of Kibera slums to take over from Opete Opete. (Check my archived July posts on these two women I talked about). These common women understand and can address the needs of the common wanainchi better. They are also popular in their own ways.

Lastly I have to point out one of the reasons for rejection of this bill in parliament, 90% of our MPs are men, this is why our women leaders were lobbying for special seats to have more representation in Parliament. This is very sad, but there should be no short cuts and favours!

Cultural practices affecting health of Women and Children

We are encouraged to be proud and preserve our culture and heritage as the Swahili saying goes “muacha mila ni mtumwa” (a person who ignores their culture is a slave).

I support this to the extent that human rights and values (especially women) are respected as well. Have you ever known that over 90% of the African cultures abuse women? There are some cultures in Kenya, Africa and other parts of the world that are outdated, inhuman,intimidating,immoral,unjust,discriminating and should be outlawed. There are many of these cultural practices but I will pick on one today.

A good example is the cultural practice of FGM (Female Genital Mutilation or female circumcision). Most of the communities that practice this culture do marry off their daughters at very tender ages as young as 9 years old after performing this inhuman act. This is like adding a salty substance to a wound. Governments, International bodies and Women groups have tried to lobby for the stoppage of these with very minimal success. This is very sad and leaves one wondering what level of thinking these people have, to torture young girls like this. With improved education and awareness level in African and worldwide, these practices should have been history by now.

It is sad when a parent decides to marry off a 9 year old daughter. For me a nine year old is a baby. I read in a local newspaper that a 9 years old girl rejecting her parents. The story had it that this baby was forced in a marriage by her parents. One day she lost money given by her old husband to buy milk. This scared her and she was found crying, scared to go back to her husband. She was later on rescued by some authorities and moved to another home. This is shocking but it still happening in most of our societies.

I have never imagined my daughter getting married at less than twenty years of age. What hearts do these men who sleep with such babies have? Are they really normal? We have heard of cases of men raping even 2 year olds. So for them this is a normal practice. I salute women like Nominated MP Njoki Ndungu for coming up with Sexual Offense Bill, 2006, AIC Kajiado for opening a boarding school to house rescued child brides from the Masaai community, their headmistress Priscilla Nangurai a true hero and Julie Muranya an anti FMG crusader.

These cultures are encouraged by greed from parents mainly fathers who marry off their young girls in exchange of livestock, that such communities value so much.
But it is absolutely wrong!

KENYANS IN THE DIASPORA………WHAT DO YOU SAY?

I published a post from a friend on “African Language”, he was complaining that African Languages are not recognised, when he realised that other languages in the world are commonly used on electric appliance manuals and other informative materials. He proposed that though there may be diversity in African languages, a language like Kiswahili, which is widely spoken in Africa may be used. For more read on http://jamiiyakenya.blogspot.com/2007/08/african-language.html

However, I would like to get some comments from Kenyans living in the US who pretend to have forgotten Kiswahili and there mother tongues (See comments by Waititu Warima in the above web link).

The other issue that came up from other readers` comments is the use of Christian names as a prerequisite during baptism and other European imitated practices. Other comments posed a question on what type of marriage is the correct or acceptable; the European Style or African Style. I have always wondered why African way of marriage is not considered complete until one weds in the Church. What if there were prayers during the African traditional wedding. I believe God we are worshiping in not a racial God! Are African lesser or inferior Christians? Are African ways of doing things; naming, customs and practice barbaric? Should the western world set for us the way to live and conduct ourselves?

One time during a Christian fellowship, people were condemning young people who do not wed in Church (they said such people had eloped and could not be in the fellowship of other Christians). One member of the condemning group stood up asked to be shown where it is written in the bible that a church wedding is a must. Isn’t our traditional marriage a true form of a wedding?

My Anonymous friend's comment expressed unhappiness in the way people view residents of Eastlands in Kenya and those living in US in regard to Kiswahili language.

What are your comments on these issues?

“When the deal is too good, think twice”

Pyramid schemes came to Kenya with a lot of fun fare, many people borrowed money, withdrew from their savings to put in the pyramid schemes after being promised the money would double in a few days.

Friends and relatives begged me to join, but I was sceptical after I paid 35 thousand for a stall at Freemark only to hear that it caught fire one week after. Mine was not so much money compared to what others had paid in terms of cash and the stocks. Rumours had it that the fire may have been started by the owner; because he was to be evicted from the land he occupied between Uhuru Park and Railway Club, to create an impression that the monies he was holding on behalf of other people had got lost in the process. Ideally his intention was to con people and possibly look for sympathy.

Kenyans are risk takers and are willing to take any risk in an attempt to make money. Even after being warned by stories in the media to think twice when the deal is too good. The government also warned severally that the schemes were illegally operating. I remember there was such a column in the local dailies some years back warning people on risky deals. Many must have also read these but still ended up taking the risk.

Listening to news on the Radio the other day, the managers of these pyramid schemes complained that they fear for their lives. In some towns the schemes collected around 600 million Kenyan shillings and much more for Nairobi. There are a few lucky ones who gained from the schemes (the first people to join), but many did not received their money back.

It was also alleged that such deals are breaking some marriages. I can imagine a situation where a housewife convinced her husband to borrow like one million from the bank or co-operative society convincing him that it will double in a month. Then before they get the money the schemes vanished in thin air. They cannot get the money back. This is such a big loss for a family especially when they still struggle with basic responsibilities like owning a house, a car and paying school fees. Definitely this can cause a lot of problems in a home.

It has never been clear to me what Kenyans are looking for or imagining when they go for such deals. I know I am a victim; it is obvious that I was going for riches but it did'nt turn out to be. I doubt whether I can be tricked in such a manner any more.

There are however many other people that have been conned many times but they never learn. The lust to acquire more and faster seems to have overwhelm their ability to reason and be realistic. Riches come when you don’t chase them; if you chase them especially at a fast rate; they lodge poverty at your doorstep.

Its high time Kenya’s realise that “when the deal is too good they should think twice”! For once if another monster like pyramid scheme comes to us let us refuse.

Landslide in a Kenyan village

When I saw “Breaking News” flashing on TV this weekend, I started wondering what was coming up. I thought it could be that ODM Kenya have come to an agreement on their flag bearer, the government has fired someone or appointed some one or worse some tragedy.

My third guess was right, a landslide had occurred in a village in Kakamega one of the towns in Kenya. The two mudslides that occurred one at dawn and at midday covered houses and villagers who went to rescue those who were covered by the first one. This left me wondering what is happening in Kenya, first it was the tremors then now landslides.

I feel sorry for our brothers and sisters who lost their relatives and wish those who got injuries quick recovery.

It is my prayer that no other calamity happens again in Kenya.

The Music Kitty

I like music and singing, this was one of my favorite lessons in school. When it was introduced in primary it was so confusing for many. For me it was a piece of cake because this had long been a family hobby.

During the Nyayo era, there were many choirs singing in praise of the President and the Government achievements. Music festival in Kenya was a very important fete and finals were done at Kenyatta International Conference Center (KICC).This has since changed and it is nowadays celebrated in one town to the other making it is difficult for music lovers like me to follow up the events.

During NARC era Music has not been an important issue as it was during Nyayo era. It is only during political campaigns and special public holidays that much of music is heard. Musicians also match with the society demand and compose songs in that line. It seems now we will be getting more songs before the elections at the end of the year. It also seems that music is used in Kenya to gratify political ambitions other than as a profession. This is surely a bad trend.

The Kenya Anti Corruption Commission (KACC) have tried all ways to stop corruption unsuccessfully. The commission is now turning to singing in its attempt to fight the vice. It has launched a 10 million music kitty to boost the fight on corruption. See details under http://allafrica.com/stories/200708090590.html . This is very interesting. Personally, I cannot participate in such a kitty. It is like “kumpigia mbuzi kinanda” (playing music to goats). If other campaigns have failed how will music succeed? Can this worsen corruption instead as the funds may be disbursed discriminatively to friends and relatives of the commission members.
The same money may be diverted to campaigns for politically right parts. Another form of corruption. Will the money go to real musicians or persons who shout well in the political tunes regardless whether their shout is music or sheer noise?

The kitty would work well if it was to be used both to fight corruption and promote music profession.

May be it can work when they name people they know are corrupt for example Bwana X acha ufisadi, amka kumekucha tuijenge inchi yetu (Mr. X stop corruction, wake up its morning we build our country).

The Kitty may be a good idea but it might worsen the corruption status.

Kenya MP improves lives of Widows and Orphans in a village

Our members of parliament are very good at talking and shouting in public but most of them do very little to improve the living condition of their constituents.

There are common wanainchi who are better off than them like the one I mentioned in one of my posts http://jamiiyakenya.blogspot.com/2007/07/helping-women-and-girls-in-slums.html

However there are a few members of parliament who are doing a good job helping the needy. A good example is Kenyan foreign affairs minister for, Mr. Raphael Tuju. He has initiated a 10 million housing project to build houses for widows in his Rarieda constituency. He has also helped in educating 300 HIV/AIDS orphans. Fishermen have also benefited from an electricity project that the minister initiated recently. Read more about this unique and focused minister on http://eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143972551

Kenyans are fed up with most of the MPs in the current parliament and will vote them out according to latest poll by Infotrack Research and Constituency. What MP Tuju is doing will definitely get him back to parliament as elected MP for Rarieda.

However even if he does not get back because of his political stand with the flower party, he will retire happy having left a good legacy.

Tuju Hongera!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The African language

A good friend is not amused by the fact that African language is not included in most appliance that we buy and asked me to post this on my blog. This is a fact that most of us have ignored.

What is that ? Is there really an African language? I doubt.

It was only yesterday that I finally realised that there may be nothing like an African language. Have you bought some sort of appliance or tool or machine that has some sort of user guideline, instructions or safety guides? Do you realise the languages into which these rule or guides are interpreted. Do you see any African language there? Why is this so? The answer is simple. Wait I tell you what I say yesterday.

I bought a UPS (Uninterrupted Power System something like that). This garget is very vital in our homes and small offices because it protects other electrical appliances such as fridges, computer, TVs, radios etc that we use at homes and offices. That is what I bought. The appliance was wrapped well from the manufacturer (not African country; I doubt).Included in the wrapper was a well written user safety guide. Well written in the sense that the pages were in the following languages; English, French, Japanese,Maryar,Chinese,Norsk,Deutsch,portugues,Svenska,Ukrane,Italiano,Bahasa Indonesia,Nederlands,Cesky,Espanol,Polski,Turkce,and the last one I could not know. Twelve languages in total and nothing, absolutely nothing from Africa. Nearly all of these are from Europe and Asia.

Why?

Three possible answers;

1. Africans don’t have a language.
2. Safety is not necessary for African
3. This item was not meant for Africans.

I can’t believe this! They are selling to use things whose safety is not in our language (African language). Why not even put Swahili which is widely spoken in African.

Oh mama Africa for how long will you be exploited and abused.

FACE LIFTS IN NAIROBI

There is a lot of activity in the capital city of Kenya Nairobi to return it to its lost glory. Rails have been put around flower gardens, the city looks much cleaner, no smoking anywhere but only at designated places. Litter bins all over and very soon there will be no paper bag litter when ban on plastic paper bags takes effect and cleaner public toilets.

But one major facelift that makes me happy in Machakos bus park (famously nicknamed Machakos Airport). From the signboard I read its being done by Kamukuji CDF fund (some of those good things CDF fund can do). The work has been on for I think more than two months. From the look of things the bus stop will be beautiful. It used to look so pathetic and made worse by agents disturbing travelers going to board the busses and street boys who I don’t see anymore.

Opposite the road there is another construction going on where railway staff houses where, famously known as Muthurwa on Landies road. This was initiated when the President visited the area and said a market will be built there. Part of the railways old staff houses that have been there for years where demolished to pave way for the market.

This market will ease congestion from Wakulima market. This old market was very famous for many households. There never used to be many vegetable vendors like today. In fact most of them used to sell from house to house. So my mum would go to Wakulima market, (then known as marikiti) and buy vegetables that could last a week. I used to fear going to this market because it was congested and people carrying sacks would knock you down or insult you when you stood on their way. One time I fell on a pile of ripe mangoes thrown in a pile.

Back to my topic, this is also part of Nairobi face lift, the stalls have a stone foundation built of iron rods and iron sheet roofs . The market looks big and I hope it will accommodate many vegetable vendors. I also hope the old Wakulima market will also be renovation after this. May be the government should also think of other markets like Burma famous for roasted meat (nyama choma) and Gikomba market famous for mitumba (second hand clothes).

The only problem with these constructions going on, especially the one for Machakos bus station is that all the busses that used to pick passengers going upcountry are packed on the side of the road and middle spaces on the road. This is causing heavy traffic jam on Landies road, making matatus plying Jogoo road turn midway or at City Stadium. Most passengers waiting for this matatus have to walk to stadium if they want to get home early and because the busses are packed on pedestrian walk, people share the road with vehicles making it very difficult for motorists.

I hope the work on this bus station comes to an end soon so that the busses can return and pedestrians can walk comfortable on their side and ease traffic on this road.

Are Ugandan ladies better than Kenya ladies?

During the recent East African Community meeting, it was proposed that the borders be open for East Africans (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) to move from one country to the other freely. This would mean doing business together, intermarrying, attending schools and colleges without any restrictions. Even mobile companies have started providing roaming services around East Africa.

I later heard from the Radio that this did not go down well with Kenyan ladies. It was said that Kenyan ladies were complaining that Uganda ladies would come to snatch their husbands because they know how to treat men better then us!

It’s always said Ugandan ladies know how to treat men well. They are taught from a young age by their aunts (sengas) how to handle their men. Their famous style of kneeling when greeting people and serving them must be some of the reasons men admires them. Read more from this site which says bedroom matter threatens East African community, http://www.artmatters.info/?articleid=316

In most Kenyan families teaching sex was and is still a taboo. Girls were advised by their grandmothers how to behave but I don’t think they went into such details. Furthermore we Kenyan ladies cannot and will not kneel down when greeting someone or serving someone, unless you are serving God.

Kenyan ladies are branded big headed and stubborn but this does not mean we don’t “perform”. The modern society is very challenging it requires us to have careers work and help men support our families financially. Motherhood is also challenging to a working mother, kids look upon us too. Hence we have limited time to pamper men (like a single colleague of mine said, we married women should pamper men to win their love or loose them to single ladies).

I think our men are asking for too much, why don’t they travel to Ugandan and get them instead of waiting for the borders to open?

What I need to know, these Uganda’s ladies they are good in what? Sex, character, physical shape? If the answer is sex then what makes a man happy? What is a man looking for in a woman?

Please help me answer these questions, because I am lost in the mystery about men.

House maids/helps

I decided to post again the interesting article on why maids take the man of the house away, with the comments, because it’s a hot issue in most Kenyan households. Just like the man said, maids are important people we need them. We should also respect them because we leave them with our kids and household, when mistreated they pour their wrath on the kids.

However just like we have been warned we should be careful on how they dress and discourage direct conversation with the man of the house. HOWEVER, as much as I partly agree with this, I don’t agree with the fact that this contributes to the man having an affair with the maid or a relative who takes care of the kids and house work, Especially when am around. Men should not look for excuses for promiscuity.

When the maid takes him away

This is an advise to Ladies from a man!

In the modern life especially in the city it is not uncommon to find that we live with house helps/maids in our houses. House help is naturally not apart of the family but she is a very important member of the family team. In most families maids live more composed and confident than the other natural members of the family (father, mother and the children). The maid feeds well, dress well and impresses everybody including your visitors and other natural family members. For this reason maids are liked by all members of the family because she is the star of the house that feeds, cleans, tends, clothes and cares the rest including you as a wife of that house.

Things however changes direction when this maid concentrates her attention to the man of the house who ideally is your husband. Remember how each member of this house came to being. The man looked around for a wife to live with and picked on you. Then the children were the product of your relationship and the maid came to assist. Wait abit ! Assist in what? Being a wife to the man? Add more children in the homestead? Hoo no! She came to help in the work load as the numbers of the family increases and both of you (wife and husband) gets busy. She did not come to look for ways of taking the man away from the family. And that is where the problems start.

Maids have literally stolen men from their wives and wives are left wondering what really went wrong. There must be things that you ignore to do to this man that the maid identified and started doing. I think that once these are identified, there will be no more husbands snatching by maids. Don’t think that the maid is more beautiful than you. That is inferiority complex. The man selected you among many and that is a fact. You can still exclusively own him by doing the following;

1. Discourage direct conversation between your maid and your man. Ensure that the maid is contracted by you, paid by you and instructed by you.
2. When all members of the house are present make it a habit to sit next to your man.
3. Dialogue with your man as frequent as possible. Try to communicate with him as many times as you can while he is at work or away.
4. Control the dressing code of you maid to avoid provocative dressing. State this at the time of engagement.
5. Love your husband and express it at all time. Cook for him whenever possible. Serve him personally and welcome/encourage him to eat. Identify what your husband likes most and take time to feed him on that.
6. Do not embarrass your husband in front of your maid. In case of differences, confront him in private away from children and maids.
7. Be intimate to your husband. Intimacy flavours your marriage. Do not let your fire for this man die away. This might be the weak point that the maid is looking for.
8. Respect your husband and command everybody in the house respect him.
9. Appreciate your husband and defend him at all times. Don’t allow yourself to listen for gossips from anyone about your husband. Be proud to tell others that he is the best for you and your family. Do not expose his weakness to anyone.
10. Pray together with your family and involve the maid. This is enough to demonstrate to everyone that you are united as a family and you are God fearing.
Posted by Sue at 1:13 PM
6 comments:
Sally said...
I totally agree with this.I ignored my husband for sometime woring in Ethopian and left him with a maid my own cousin. Believe it or not the small little and dirty village girl stole the heart of my husband. she got a baby with him and I had to give up. Very painful.

I remember the many times that I came home and allowed the maid (now co-wife) to serve my man. Little did I know that service could go to bedroom...........

sally
August 6, 2007 2:12 PM
Anonymous said...
Men should also be blamed for this. Why stooping that lower.You men talk out your needs or suffering or frustrations whatever it is........I dont know.

Men simply like short cuts and they are impatient

Nya imbo....anto da padi rayirano...
August 6, 2007 2:25 PM
Sue said...
In the modern world women need to work so we have no choice but to employ someone to take care of the house chores and children.

More women are getting challenging jobs, even leaving the country like Sally did and leave the kids with a maid or a relative.

But what I will never understand is the way men cannot control themselves and take the first opportunity they get. I dont buy this story of the housegirl doing everything in the house so the man gets attracted to her.

I agree that we should control dressing and discourage direct conversation with the man, but this is not easy when the woman is away from home for sometime. Some maids go to peoples houses with an agenda and workout on their plans to win the Man of the house.

Men should just respect their wives.
August 6, 2007 2:57 PM
Anonymous said...
ME HEEEEEEEEEEE. I WILL NEVER EMPLY A SUPU. I WILL GO FOR A VERY OLD ON WITH WRINGLES ON HER FACE.

BY THE WAY I POCKET MY MAN PERIOD AND FEED HIM WELL ON EVERYTHING.

JANE KIAMBU KENYA
August 6, 2007 3:49 PM
luke said...
Hi Sue
As a man, i have to agree with you when you say men should respect their wives and control themselves. Although i am single and unmarried i advocate for all men to control themselves

I've also felt, for a very long time now, that househelps should have some union of sort like a worker's union whereby their rights can be upheld e.g. minimum wages, working conditions etc. Househelps are also people who should not be turned into modern day slaves and undergo untold abuse e.g. sexual impropriety etc in the many households they live and work in in Kenya

I think there should also be provision to provide some form of education or training to them while they work in our houses, with the goal being that they shall not always be househelps; one day when they shall leave this job, they should be better of in some way or other, not just financially (although even that is not sure, as often their pay is not good)

Anyway, i encourage my fellow men to be respect their wives and behave better than primates
August 6, 2007 3:58 PM
Ssembonge said...
I read somewhere that if a man and a woman spend more than 300 hours together WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINS, then something is bound to happen between the two.

Like you said, one has to take pro-active steps. The same situation applies to boys in the family.
August 7, 2007 5:15 AM

The changes we need in Kenya

There are things that need to be done to make meaningful change in Kenya. Its 44 years after independence but we still lag behind in development compared to many countries. Kenya has not been affected by war like some countries in Africa and has been enjoying peace for a long time. Hence we should be very far in development now compared to many countries in African.

We cannot take one step forward then two steps backward like the case of a clause in the Media Bill that requires journalist to disclose their sources of information. How else would we know about corrupt deals in the government like Anglo Leasing scandal, Goldenberg etc… stolen public funds making a few people richer and more poorer.

Apart from this case there are a number of reasons this country may not be where it should have been more than 40 years after independence.

1. CORRUPTION

This is the mother of evil in Kenya, corruption has been rampant from the time this country became an independent state. Land grabbing, stealing public funds, bribing to get services in public offices, bribing to block justice etc…

If all public funds are intact and put in proper use, I believe we would have better and wider roads to accommodate increasing number of vehicles and make moving from one region to the other faster and no slums. With this in place, we will see an improved economy making it easier for the farmers, fishermen and the common mwanaichi to sell their products.

More water projects can be introduced in dry areas to help wanaichi in irrigation and farming. It is sad when we see our sisters and brothers in North Eastern province trekking for long distance in search of water. Its not only in North Eastern that water is a problem, in Nairobi the Capital City of Kenya getting water on a daily basis in some estates is a major problem. This brings me to another point on the changes we need to address in this country i.e. inequality (I will write on this on its own).

2. INJUSTICE

A poor man steals a chicken and is fined heavily or jailed for one year for not paying the fine. Another Prominent Citizen steals millions of public fund and walks free. Activists demonstrating to block members of parliament awarding themselves hefty pay off and get arrested. These are the kinds of injustice that we see around us on daily basis.

3. TRIBALISM/NEPOTISM

Public offices dominated by people from one ethnic background, because they are the majority in the government. Tribalism and nepotism starting from the top has been a major problem in this country from independence and is affecting all sectors now. That is why there is a lot of jostling for leadership, some think its our turn now others think other tribes are not capable. We don’t look at the qualities of a leader we look at the tribe first. This is also affecting private sector, someone employing only people from their tribe or relatives and placing adverts for vacant posts as a formality.

4. IN-EQUALITY

Resources should be distributed equally; all parts of the country should have access to water and electricity. It is sad when living in a city house with taps and not running water for 2 weeks to a month, other parts of the city get water daily, slum dwellers water getting disconnected with no alternatives. Apart from lack of water in the slums, they have to live in pathetic conditions without proper roads, drainage system, bad housing and children suffering from all sorts of diseases due to the condition they have to live in. If there was no corruption and all public funds were used well, we would not be having Mathare and Kibera slums today. The same applies to upcountry, some people getting tapped water from projects but some have to trek far to get it.

More women should be elected/nominated to parliament and appointed in public offices. Women should support women by electing them, how do we expect men to elect women while women do not support fellow women.


---------------- to be continued

When the maid takes him away

This is an advise to Ladies from a man!

In the modern life especially in the city it is not uncommon to find that we live with house helps/maids in our houses. House help is naturally not apart of the family but she is a very important member of the family team. In most families maids live more composed and confident than the other natural members of the family (father, mother and the children). The maid feeds well, dress well and impresses everybody including your visitors and other natural family members. For this reason maids are liked by all members of the family because she is the star of the house that feeds, cleans, tends, clothes and cares the rest including you as a wife of that house.

Things however changes direction when this maid concentrates her attention to the man of the house who ideally is your husband. Remember how each member of this house came to being. The man looked around for a wife to live with and picked on you. Then the children were the product of your relationship and the maid came to assist. Wait abit ! Assist in what? Being a wife to the man? Add more children in the homestead? Hoo no! She came to help in the work load as the numbers of the family increases and both of you (wife and husband) gets busy. She did not come to look for ways of taking the man away from the family. And that is where the problems start.

Maids have literally stolen men from their wives and wives are left wondering what really went wrong. There must be things that you ignore to do to this man that the maid identified and started doing. I think that once these are identified, there will be no more husbands snatching by maids. Don’t think that the maid is more beautiful than you. That is inferiority complex. The man selected you among many and that is a fact. You can still exclusively own him by doing the following;

1. Discourage direct conversation between your maid and your man. Ensure that the maid is contracted by you, paid by you and instructed by you.
2. When all members of the house are present make it a habit to sit next to your man.
3. Dialogue with your man as frequent as possible. Try to communicate with him as many times as you can while he is at work or away.
4. Control the dressing code of you maid to avoid provocative dressing. State this at the time of engagement.
5. Love your husband and express it at all time. Cook for him whenever possible. Serve him personally and welcome/encourage him to eat. Identify what your husband likes most and take time to feed him on that.
6. Do not embarrass your husband in front of your maid. In case of differences, confront him in private away from children and maids.
7. Be intimate to your husband. Intimacy flavours your marriage. Do not let your fire for this man die away. This might be the weak point that the maid is looking for.
8. Respect your husband and command everybody in the house respect him.
9. Appreciate your husband and defend him at all times. Don’t allow yourself to listen for gossips from anyone about your husband. Be proud to tell others that he is the best for you and your family. Do not expose his weakness to anyone.
10. Pray together with your family and involve the maid. This is enough to demonstrate to everyone that you are united as a family and you are God fearing.

Political situation in Kenya

The political situation in Kenya is currently very boring, it does not look like an election year.

Narc/Narc Kenya/DP/Ford People etc…… have their presidential candidate President Mwai Kibaki. ODM Kenya I can say is in a mess with Kalonzo Musyoka ditching LDP for LPK joining Prof. Julia Ojiambo moving with some members and living Raila Odinga and his supporters, who claim that Kalonzo Musyoka has defected while Kalonzo and his group believe they are still in ODM Kenya.

Yesterday there were 2 press conferences by the registered party Secretary General Abraham Chepkonga to say he has resigned and handed over to Prof. Anyang Nyongo, then calls another one with David Maanzo the Chairman allied to Kalonzo faction to say he was forced to resign.

The other day Charity Ngilu meets with Raila Odinga and others after Kalonzo Musyoka moves to LPK. Then Charity Ngilu rescues Ann Njogu of Civil Society from police custody after being arrested for demonstrating against MPs proposed send off package. Later she is arrested and put in the cells. I have never heard of a Minister being arrested and put in the cells in the history of Kenya (may be am wrong about this) and is released after 10 hours.

Kalonzo Musyoka’s faction is now blocking access of ODM millions, setting the stage for more fights in the party. Read more in the Daily Nation and East African Standard newspapers or websites.

This is very sad for wanainchi who are looking upon our leaders especially those in ODM to organized and produce a candidate. Its less than 5 months to elections which we believe will be in December as usual but you never know if it can be called early when the opposition is in a confused state.

In the meantime I will just ignore what is happening and move on with my life. Though it will not be easy because politics affect our lives in one way or the other and as the saying goes, ndovu wawili wakipigana, ziumiazo ni nyasi (when two elephants fight its the grass that gets hurt). If only the common mwanainchi who really feels the pinch of bad politics could do something about it, we may save this country from consequences of bad politics. Siasa mbaya maisha mbaya!

Traffic Jam in Nairobi

Ngong road was clear today which is very unusual in Nairobi and I believe other roads were much better today, this is due to schools closing and I normally look forward to this because it means no jam, getting to work early hence no stress.

This brings me to something else that is so worrying and I wonder what the government is doing about this. The traffic jam in Kenyan towns especially Nairobi is getting worse and worse. Most of the time police try to control but don’t help much, personal cars and public transport have increased, but the roads are the same the only difference is Langata road, which was turned into a highway and Jogoo Road was expanded, but the jam on Jogoo road is always bad.

May be its in Vision 2030 for Kenya, but at this rate I don’t know what it will be like in 20 years to come if nothing is done as a matter of urgency. It will take us 3 hours to get to town when it can take 30 minutes without traffic jam.

Demonstration about MPs “Golden handshake”

I should have posted this yesterday but better late than never.

My sympathy goes out to Mwalimu Mati and his team from the accident they got after being arrested when protesting about MPs send-off package.

It is sad that the police are taking Kenyans back to Kanu error when demonstrators where beaten senselessly even when they were peaceful. This demonstration was a worthy cause, police should have spent their energy elsewhere. Most Kenyans are opposed to MPs proposal for a send off, since they awarded themselves huge salaries. Furthermore they are known for attending parliament at their leisure, while Kenyans who elected them toil to make a living.

Kudos to genuine MPs who have come up to reject this move by MPs to award themselves a send-off package and Health minister Charity Ngilu for forcing her way into the police station and rescuing Ann Njogu.

Demonstration about water disconnection in Mathare

I was saddened by the outcome of demonstration in Mathare yesterday. A two month old baby died of suffocation, when police threw tear gas canister near their house.

Ok police had to control the crowd when they became irate and started stoning and applying mad on Nairobi Water vehicle and blocking other vehicles. However this are common scenes in slums, their demonstrations even for a worthy cause like the one for yesterday always turn tragic.

So I wonder why did the water company have to disconnect water for the slums even those paying as some claimed. Living conditions in the slums are pathetic, sanitation is also a major problem and lack of water only makes it worse. All that the company thought of was disconnecting water but not the consequences. This leaves me wondering doesn’t this company have a social policy? For heavens sake this are poor people and furthermore they are even ready to pay for the water!

May be am wrong about the whole scenario but slums dwellers buy water from vendors and that means they are willing to pay for it. Instead of disconnecting they should have water depots in slums to help the situation and avoid illegal connections.

I also have beef with this water company, their services are so poor. There are parts of Nairobi who receive water once a week, especially where the common mwanainchi are. Other parts of Nairobi receive water daily. Does this mean this country is divided into third world citizens and those in developed world citizens when it comes to provision of essential services??

Thank God for the rains

It is been dry and cold, making life uncomfortable with colds and coughs.

At least it is raining in Nairobi since the weekend and the dust is gone. Its also getting warmer and hope it continues. Though we like complaining a lot about the weather especially in Nairobi. When it cold we complain, when its hot we complain, when it rains we complain because of the traffic jam. When we call up country the first thing you will be told its raining heavily but at least they appreciate because crops will do well and there will be food.

Rain means more food, more water and I hope Nairobi Water Co. will be able to supply more water (see my article above). This also means more water for electricity generation.

Hence thank God for rains!