So no woman Mayor, huh?

While everyone is going on a bender about the elimination of Madame Passaris’ name from the nomination list of councillors, I take a back bench position on this.

I will not even waste my time trying to figure out why Uhuru Kenyatta could do such a “despicable” thing. Or why a group of councillors was living it up on the white sands of an exclusive Mombasa resort…

I mean, where is erstwhile keen judgement of Nairobians? Hello? Did we actually expect the local Government Minister to let the fair lady soil her pretty toes in the murk-filled world of county politics? Perhaps he was doing her a favour. Or maybe, just maybe, he felt that the “conflict of interests” excuse he thumped on the table would wash. I don’t know – maybe he felt that taking the mater to court would simply be a waste of valuable time and taxpayers’ money.

Some argue that Uhuru’s move was unprecedented and non-judicial. That the ECK (good God, not them again!) was to deal with the situation, rather than for the Gatundu MP to call the shots.

But this whole hullabaloo gets my mind racing; if Uhuru would have let the ECK or the courts decide whether Passaris’ inclusion in the list would have amounted to a conflict of interests, then my guess is that somewhere down the line, someone e would have still tampered with that bloody list and the good lady, who by the way has done a commendable job in lighting up the streets of Nairobi, would have found herself in the same ‘ol position she’s in now…

Surely, isn’t this the Kenyan way of shoving someone out of the way to political stardom? Far be it that a woman should become Mayor of the Capital City! Over the testosterone-filled City Hall’s dead body!

Pigs will fly…

Africa is indeed growing into its own. With the resignation of the Tanzanian Prime Minister comes the dawning of yet another new realization: Africa can indeed face its own demons and deal with them. These demons are more often than not, the ogre of corruption and civil war.

I laud the PM for his bold yet difficult move. It must have been very emotional for Mr. Lowassa to tender that resignation leter to his boss, the President of Tanzania, who also happens to be a close ally. Several other Ministers, linked to the scandal which involved a massive energy deal with a US company, have also followed suit.

I dare say that pigs will fly sooner than a Kenyan Minister will dare make a similar move. Of course, we cant forget the instance when the former Internal Security, Justice and Finance Ministers did the same, some time back. But after how much clamouring and outcry did the “Honourable Waheshimiwa” do the necessary?

Indeed, Kenya has had its fair share of corruption scandals – some still too fresh to wish away – and no one has taken the daunting task of stepping aside to pave way for investigations.

Only recently, did the ECK chair comment callously that he will not resign, despite the clearly offhanded manner with which he oversaw the elections and the result as we can all recall was nothing short of disastrous.

Thousands have been displaced, hundreds killed and property worth millions of shillings destroyed. Not forgetting our dear economy which is literally buckling at the knees.

Oh dear, dear! Will Kenyan MPs, Ministers and other leaders who wield immense clout over our institutions ever borrow a leaf from our Tanzanian counterparts? Like I said, pigs will fly…

Mr. President

President Kibaki’s three statements at the AU meeting last week will forever make my eyes smart and my spine tingle with royal indignation. How could he make such callous statements in spite of Kofi Annan’s calls for careful remarks that won’t drive the mediation talks against a brick wall?

He mentioned that ODM should have its grievances addressed in a court of law. Secondly, he mentioned, quite offhandedly that the Opposition is to blame for the post election violence and thirdly, the situation in the country is well under control.

What world is Kibaki living in? Is he asleep most of the time or is he just completely cut off from what’s going on around him?

What situation is under control? Doesn’t he watch the news? And which courts are these that he’s talking of? The same courts that are under the Executive – his office? The same ones whose independence is under question?

Why then is Kofi Annan and his team here? Is he wasting their time; because clearly he shows no respect for the agreements that have been drawn up by the team! Let alone showing his commitment towards finding an amiccabler and lasting solution to all this.

This show of open carelessness for the mediation talks is really adding insult to injury. I really think that this is all a façade that the President is portraying to the former UN boss. If he isn’t committed to the talks, if he doesn’t give a damn about Kenyans and the current situation, then he should just say so and stop wasting Kofi Annan’s, the ODM and Kenyans time!

At least now we all know what he really thinks of this entire debacle that we’re in. Thanks a lot Mr. President!