The Government's directive that Birth Certificates is required for students to be allowed to sit for their final exams in Primary and Secondary level is OK. However this has caused a major scramble for parents/guardians trying to get the document before the end of the year. This just shows that many parents do not get Birth Certificates for their babies. Though it has been a requirement for many children joining schools, it has not been strictly followed, otherwise many would be having them by the time they sit for exams.
This is one document amongst many others that is not easy to get from the Kenyan government offices, because birth notifications are not computerised (linked to government offices issuing the certificates). The certificates are typed manually using the old typewriter. This leaves one wondering when will this Government department catch up with the modern world`s technology.
The best solution is for the government to authorise certain hospitals to issue Birth Certificates at the hospitals. Hospitals now issue Birth Notifications, the same way they can issue Birth Certificates. Those who give birth at home should report to the nearest hospital to get Birth Certificates. If Churches can issue valid Marriage Cerfificates why can't hospitals issue Birth Cerfificates?
Why should we struggle to vote online if we cannot register our births online?
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Debate on Draft Constitution
I support the effort that has been made towards getting a new constitution for Kenya. I have not managed to read through the draft that has been distributed free and when I try to I cannot comprehend some of the vocabulary used. It is very confusing for the common mwananchi (citizen) to understand.
Members of parliament are currently debating the Draft Constitution; issues like Devolution, Abortion, and Kadhi’s court are some of the contentious issues in this draft. What I expect from the new constitution as a common citizen and I believe is what many Kenyans want is a President who is not very powerful. We have seen what powerful Presidency has done for this Country. We do not want to feel like the Country is owned by one person or a particular group yet the Country is for all of us. We elect the President then later he becomes too powerful for those who put him in office. Presidents should not serve more than one term otherwise they become dictators.
The constitution should protect us from the problems we faced during the last election. We need assurance in order to register again as voters in the on going exercise, waiting to vote confidently in 2012. A President who does not uphold democracy should be voted out through Parliament before he finishes his term.
About abortion, I believe that abortion is murder and should not be legalized in Kenya. Many who advocate for abortion to be legalized because of rape and incest forget that most of the women who abort have not been raped or cases of incest. Many of them get pregnant knowing, there are all sorts of contraceptives to prevent pregnancy. Prevention is better than cure. On Kadhi’s court I have never understood clearly why this is a contentious issue, because we are told it has been in the current constitution for years. I am a Christian and in Kenya there is freedom of worship. So long as these courts do not interfere with my faith and my freedom as a Kenyan, I do not see it as problem that should stop us from getting a new constitution.
As a Kenyan who has waited for a new Constitution for years, I hope and pray the contentious issues will be resolved as soon as possible.
Members of parliament are currently debating the Draft Constitution; issues like Devolution, Abortion, and Kadhi’s court are some of the contentious issues in this draft. What I expect from the new constitution as a common citizen and I believe is what many Kenyans want is a President who is not very powerful. We have seen what powerful Presidency has done for this Country. We do not want to feel like the Country is owned by one person or a particular group yet the Country is for all of us. We elect the President then later he becomes too powerful for those who put him in office. Presidents should not serve more than one term otherwise they become dictators.
The constitution should protect us from the problems we faced during the last election. We need assurance in order to register again as voters in the on going exercise, waiting to vote confidently in 2012. A President who does not uphold democracy should be voted out through Parliament before he finishes his term.
About abortion, I believe that abortion is murder and should not be legalized in Kenya. Many who advocate for abortion to be legalized because of rape and incest forget that most of the women who abort have not been raped or cases of incest. Many of them get pregnant knowing, there are all sorts of contraceptives to prevent pregnancy. Prevention is better than cure. On Kadhi’s court I have never understood clearly why this is a contentious issue, because we are told it has been in the current constitution for years. I am a Christian and in Kenya there is freedom of worship. So long as these courts do not interfere with my faith and my freedom as a Kenyan, I do not see it as problem that should stop us from getting a new constitution.
As a Kenyan who has waited for a new Constitution for years, I hope and pray the contentious issues will be resolved as soon as possible.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Muthurwa Estate - Kenyan Bus stop/Market (corrected copy)
It was a good idea when the Kenyan government moved the hawkers and small business people from the town centre to a central place called Muthurwa. I don’t know what Muthurwa means in native Kenyan languages, but the name sound funny and abusive. If you have never gone there the sound of that name alone can discourage you. It is not a good place from the sound of it.In reality that is true.Muthurwa is not nice.
Yes whenever I pass through Muthurwa from Eastlands of Nairobi, I see real chaos, Many buses and matatus packed in no order at all. Trading taking place in all places that you cannot get a place to step on. The hygiene standards are very poor.
Yes that was not all! Muthurwa estate nearby is a real shame, Real shame I say. Those houses are old and about to fall with any drop of rain of blow of wind,in fact the estate has very tall old trees, some have fallen on houses after heavy downpour. You may think that human beings do not stay there. The latrines are few,sinking and stinking, rotten, smelling and bad in all meaning of the word. The road matatus use to the busstop is in a terrible shape.
I cannot understand what is happening and this is just a stone throw distance from the town centre. Can the government just get rid of this estate because it is a big shame to our country? I feel for those staying there, if Rift Valley Railways bought the houses from Kenya Railways and cannot make proper use of the property, the Government should come in and move the people elsewhere and make proper use of the land.
Yes whenever I pass through Muthurwa from Eastlands of Nairobi, I see real chaos, Many buses and matatus packed in no order at all. Trading taking place in all places that you cannot get a place to step on. The hygiene standards are very poor.
Yes that was not all! Muthurwa estate nearby is a real shame, Real shame I say. Those houses are old and about to fall with any drop of rain of blow of wind,in fact the estate has very tall old trees, some have fallen on houses after heavy downpour. You may think that human beings do not stay there. The latrines are few,sinking and stinking, rotten, smelling and bad in all meaning of the word. The road matatus use to the busstop is in a terrible shape.
I cannot understand what is happening and this is just a stone throw distance from the town centre. Can the government just get rid of this estate because it is a big shame to our country? I feel for those staying there, if Rift Valley Railways bought the houses from Kenya Railways and cannot make proper use of the property, the Government should come in and move the people elsewhere and make proper use of the land.
Monday, February 15, 2010
What a collision Government!
I have been so incensed by the issue of corruption in Kenya as a whole and more so in the Ministry of Education, because I could not imagine people stealing money for Free Primary Education. I have tried to look for the right words to describe the people involved and write something on this blog but did not find the right words and just hoped someone would step down and take responsibility or pave way for investigation. Even after being called to step down education minister Mr. Sam Ongeri and his PS. Mr. Karega Mutahi refused and denied they were involved. I waited for the President to do something, nothing was happening.
Suddenly last week the issue on Maize scandal came up again and I said another case is here before the other one is resolved (anyway this is very typical of Kenya, so many cases are pending). As usual the blame game started again, Minister of Agriculture Mr. William Ruto to blame, then the other story that the Prime Minister’s office knew about it. I started feeling sick because I thought we started the year well and hoped with the good rains things looked promising for Kenya all round, forgetting that corruption is a chronic disease in Kenya.
When Kenyan’s were waiting for action to be taken by the Principal, which is normally very slow and not forthcoming at all. The Prime Minister shocked us yesterday by sending the Minister for Education and Agriculture home for three months to pave way for investigations, I say shocked because I suddenly realized he had powers to do so. Though shocking, it was a welcomed move that got approval of many Kenyans. However before the end of the day our shock/joy came to a halt, and had to register another disbelieve when the President quashed the PMs decision by quoting the unfavorable constitution we are so fed up of.
Constitution or no constitution some one had to act on these graft issues, if the President was taking too long. I believe the PM was in order to send these two home, to pave way for investigations as this is part of his specified duties.
Majority Kenyans are so disappointed by the change of event, as much as these two Ministers and others go about their duties laughing at the PM. I am a disappointed Kenyan who only wishes reforms come faster and 2012 sooner.
Suddenly last week the issue on Maize scandal came up again and I said another case is here before the other one is resolved (anyway this is very typical of Kenya, so many cases are pending). As usual the blame game started again, Minister of Agriculture Mr. William Ruto to blame, then the other story that the Prime Minister’s office knew about it. I started feeling sick because I thought we started the year well and hoped with the good rains things looked promising for Kenya all round, forgetting that corruption is a chronic disease in Kenya.
When Kenyan’s were waiting for action to be taken by the Principal, which is normally very slow and not forthcoming at all. The Prime Minister shocked us yesterday by sending the Minister for Education and Agriculture home for three months to pave way for investigations, I say shocked because I suddenly realized he had powers to do so. Though shocking, it was a welcomed move that got approval of many Kenyans. However before the end of the day our shock/joy came to a halt, and had to register another disbelieve when the President quashed the PMs decision by quoting the unfavorable constitution we are so fed up of.
Constitution or no constitution some one had to act on these graft issues, if the President was taking too long. I believe the PM was in order to send these two home, to pave way for investigations as this is part of his specified duties.
Majority Kenyans are so disappointed by the change of event, as much as these two Ministers and others go about their duties laughing at the PM. I am a disappointed Kenyan who only wishes reforms come faster and 2012 sooner.
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