Schools Fiasco

The kids are at it again. Strike – Season 3…clearly we are being feted by the best of the best.

Something is seriously wrong; I know strikes are no strange thing but 300 schools affected! In a span of 4 weeks! Over 70 students have been arrested and charged with arson and damage to property…That has got to send some alarm bells ringing.

The Minister of Education has moved quickly to set up [yet another] commission of inquiry to look into this ‘unprecedented” rise of school unrest. Clearly, our memories are wanting. Wasn’t it just the other day [year 2001] when Henry Kosgey was minister of the same ministry, that a commission was set up to look into the very same issue? And didn’t this committee, chaired by Director of Education, Mrs Naomi Wangai, table a comprehensive report of its findings? And didn’t this report outline the various recommendations that would help to put such unrest at bay?

Well, in true Kenyan fashion, this never happened….the Wangai report’s recommendations have never been implemented. Despite its candid proposals that included the amendment of the outdated Education Act and streamlining the mode of school governance, nothing has been done yet.

And here we go, forming another commission that is of course, funded by none other than you and I (yes, taxpayers’ money) to tell us the same old things that we already know. The same things that were mentioned seven years ago. Its sickening, to say the least.

I think kids these days have had it too easy. No corporal punishment, thanks to the Children’s Act which abhorred this form of discipline to the point of prohibiting it altogether; this must have been the point of no return. Hi-fi systems and DVD screens in 62-seater buses, three course meals, mobile phones(complete with airtime) and enough pocket money to make a casual labourer in Majengo green…well, these kids sure do know how to ask for the most amazing things…at least that’s what I have managed to gather from the kids’ wish lists, according to the news.

For crying out loud, do these kids know how hard life is out here? Okay, they may have their innocent, blue-eyed moments where they feel they should have it easy in school but then again, did we have it easy? Definitely not! And this was thoroughly instilled into our subconscious. School was a military-like institution where such lofty ideas such as the ones these kids are airing could not even stand the light of day. Mobile phones? Get out of here! Exams are too tough? Crikes! That’s the whole point of school, dummies! Its not meant to be a holiday camp. Its meant to be a place that toughens you and turns your skin into hide. Impermeable to all the stuff that life will throw at you once you’re out of there.

Well, I guess we’ll have to wait and see if the cane and switch will triumph and find their way back to the classroom. Because as long as we try to be mellow with the kids, they’ll always cry over anything. Even the razor – when we know damn well it will cut them…

The Grand Scam(Part 3)

Dominic Odipo’s commentary, in The Standard on June 30^th 2008, was well on point. He argued that Cabinet Ministers are knowingly ignoring the rule of law largely because they know that even if they flout a thousand laws, nothing whatsoever will happen to them. And he’s right. After all, this is Kenya; nothing ever happens to the tope elite, even when they contravene the rule of law. They are indeed the “untouchables.” That’s why Amos Kimunya can afford to say that all the ministers who are chastising him for selling off public property at a throw away price, should themselves resign as they are proving to be incompetent.

I must admit that I too have been thoroughly bemused by this apparently “clean deal” that is the sale of the Grand Regency and all the bickering and cacophony that has kicked off the week.

I may not understand the dynamics with which Amos Kimunya “sealed the deal”, so to speak, nor who exactly are the new owners of this controversial piece of property. But what I do know for a fact is that Kimunya will not resign.

He knows that whatever he did was purely based on vested interests. He dared not spare a thought for the taxpayers.

And he did all this with the comforting notion that absolutely nothing would be done to him.

Infact, it would come as a huge surprise if he were to actually heed the full throated calls of Kenyans and his colleagues alike and resign. Because, as we all know, Kenyan (and even African) political leaders are not famous for their ability to exercise honesty and do the noble thing; admitting that one is wrong and stepping aside for investigations to take place.

So as Mr. Odipo pointed out, our Cabinet ministers will continue to break the law with outright impunity, because they just don’t care about the ramifications.

For all the Kenyans and politicians baying for Kimunya’s blood, spare a thought for this evaluation: If Samuel Kivuitu, he of the infamous ECK, failed to tender his resignation, even after presiding over botched elections, why is it that we believe that Kimunya will resign?

Seriously, the man even dared to retort on national TV that he would “burn with the country”, if that was deemed fit by the electorate! We all know that never happened. The man and his band of commissioners, is still drawing his hefty salary package every end month. No signs of burning with the country there…

Well, I will simply lean back and watch how this drama will unfold. But pray, do forgive me my fellow citizens if I don’t bet my two cents that Kimunya will do the honourable thing. Well…at least not unless he’s dragged out of office by a dozen horses and a carriage.

Tax Them!

I’m at a loss – someone help me out here…

I don’t know which is more pathetic; the whines of an eight year old, whose got a piece of meat stuck in his molar, or the whines of grown up men and women, who are grumbling about the possibility of their larger than life allowances being taxed.

God knows this country’s taxpayers are already bent double at the waist with the weight of MPs salaries. Earning over 200,000 shillings per month(this is the only bit that’s taxed) and scooping enormous allowances that sum up to a total earning of about 850,000 shillings…this is really the height of irony, in a country that’s reeling from post-election violence effects, spiralling inflation rates and soaring food prices.

Kenya’s MPs earn more than their British counterparts and are among the most highly paid legislators in the continent. So when Finance Minister, Amos Kimunya decided to propose a tax cut of the MPs huge allowances, the expected happened – grumbling, whining and outright rage. How dare the Finance Minister consider such a despicable idea? The nerve! Oh, the shame of being taxed! MPs are not happy. Well, at least the majority of them aren’t.

I honestly used to believe that anyone with a conscience would never be able to sleep comfortably, knowing full well the problems plaguing his neighbours and also knowing that he could do something about it. But as far as our MPs are concerned; I gave up on them a long time ago. Because while their constituents continue to endure the daily grind that is life, the MPs continue to live the high life. They build palatial homes, cruise in fuel guzzlers, eat the choicest meat and generally live on the lap of luxury. All in the full glare of their constituents’ bleary eyes.

So forgive us, oh worthy “honourable members of parliament” if we side with Mr. Kimunya on this one. Because he seems to be listening to our pleas, rather than “playing the public gallery” as Peter Kenneth suggests. Okay, even if he is(I don’t really care), at least he has the guts to propose the “unthinkable” for the second time. I just hope that this time, his noble motion wont be scuttled out of the August House. We all know they will anyway. I’m just trying my hand at some optimism.

But I seriously think its well overdue, this whole idea. These people need to know that if it wasn’t for us (and an inept electoral commission), they wouldn’t be feeling on top of the world. Those pedestals on which they perch can easily come down.

So while the likes of Bonny Khalwale (Ikolomani MP) argue that those calling for tax have already benefited from financial scandals, Kenyans continue to shake their heads in disbelief. I mean, who gives two hoots whether some MPs have enriched themselves from shady deals or not! After all, birds of a feather flock together; and these birds all seem alike to me. So big deal! All we want to see is some action – let these people be taxed! That’s one way of showing Kenyans that they seriously care about our suffering. And that they too have consciences.

We are behind you 100% Mr. Kimunya. Don’t let your colleagues talk you out of this one or else you will have failed the populace mightily.

On that note:

Will these retail chains and kiosks quit messing around? I’m still waiting for the price of a loaf of bread to go down by 5 shillings, at least. Hello??? Kimunya zero rated tax on basic commodities like bread and rice, and reduced tax on wheat. So that really translates to something like this – BREAD IS BACK ON THE BREAKFAST TABLE! (At least it should be…)

Who will save Zimbabwe from Mugabe?

I think it reaches a point in time when every man – however resilient and hardy – puts down his tools of trade and calls it a day. Well, all save for one Comrade Bob.

I am at my wits end on this one – seriously, how long will it take before someone saves Zimbabwe from this scourge that represents itself as the President? How long will it take before Zimbabweans are relieved of this unbearable yoke?

Not only has Mugabe decided that he will not accept defeat; he has also threatened to declare war if the unthinkable happens – if Morgan Tsvangirai wins the run off elections. And he will even seek the support of former war veterans to ensure that absolute power remains his forever. Okay, call me a ranting, raving b**** but frankly speaking, this guy is totally deranged, mad, out of touch with reality and good for nothing!

I cant believe that Africa just watches and goes on with business as usual, while our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe are suffering the height of autocracy and totalitarianism.This man; a man who was once the darling of Kwame Nkrumah’s Pan africanism dream, has steadily brought this erstwhile bread basket of Africa to its knees. And he doesn’t seem to be quitting either. He has destroyed a once vibrant economy, gagged the Fourth estate, frustrated democratic efforts by the Opposition and lobby groups and basically reduced the country to a shell of hopelessness and disillusionment.

And Thabo Mbeki hasn’t succeeded much in talking down Mugabe’s draconian ventures. Im still wondering what exactly Thabo is thinking...I mean, how hard is it for him to just tell Bob to get his act together?

What the world needs to know, and Africa as well, is that Mugabe’s reign of terror is not only affecting Zimbabweans, but the entire continent as a whole. Why? Because this is a scar on the conscience of the continent and it will never heal entirely, unless we all do something about it.

Okay, I know you're probably wondering what I expect people to do about a psychotic octogenarian who'se refused to release his clutches on power. Fine, petitions have been signed and protests staged. Leaders have joined hands to call for democracy in this country. But is it enough?

Zimbabweans are being coerced to vote for Mugabe, or die. Yes, due to the dwindling food supply in the country, the only people who will get their rations from the government are those who hold a ZANU PF party card. Unbelievable!

Something needs to be done; in this day and age, there is hardly room left for such dictatorial systems to prevail. I mean, come on! Even Nepal's monarchy is crumbling! This unbelievable cloak of sovereignty that Mugabe uses as a shield to "protect" Zimbabwe from “outside interference” shouldn’t stand. When will the International community stand up once and for all and demand Comrade Bob’s resignation? By hook or by crook?

He cannot rule forever. And neither can he rule a people who have lost hope and faith in him. He should read the writing on the wall: his time is up. Go home Bob!

Better Living

Adapted from Living Wisdom with His Holiness The Dalai Lama (Sounds True, 2006).

Here are beautiful guidelines from His Holiness The Dalai Lama for living an ethical life. At their heart is a way to keep ourselves from harming others and to cultivate a path of virtue in the world.

“Self-interest is at the root of any intention to harm others; it is not wholesome. Therefore, a bodhisattva (a follower of the Buddhist way of life) restrains the attitude of self-interest.

What does self-interest mean? We do not talk about completely forgetting ourselves, because in order to strive for buddahood, a bodhisattva must develop strong, determined self-confidence. But we have to clearly distinguish between this and an inferior kind of self-cherishing. This can be accomplished by following the Ten Virtuous Actions”—His Holiness The Dalai Lama

• Protecting and saving life.

• Giving and not taking what is not given.

• Treating your partner respectfully—respecting your marriage vows.

• Speaking honestly.

• Speaking with the goal to bring harmony among beings.

• Speaking gently.

• Refraining from gossip.

• Being happy for others’ accomplishments.

• Being loving toward all.

• Having a view that includes karma and understands the middle way between the two extreme views of eternalism and nihilism, accompanied by the two kinds of accumulations (of merit and wisdom).

Africa Liberation Day

Apparently, last Sunday(May 25^th) was Africa Liberation Day(ALD). Not that I had any idea, because sincerely speaking, my mind was quite out of focus. I happened to hear someone commenting about it on the radio in the morning and it raised my curiosity somewhat. Now, I bet there are quite a number of us who had no clue that ALD was yesterday.

A brief history lesson:

In years gone by, the Day used to be marked officially by several governments and unofficially celebrated by many groups in Africa and the Diaspora. Now there are only scattered activities by people who have not given up on the belief that “A different Africa is possible”. It is a day of solidarity with the various struggles of African peoples for justice, equality, human dignity, freedom, unity and liberation. It was founded in 1958 (April 15) and called Africa Freedom Day, as a result of the first All African People’s conferences called by the indomitable Kwame Nkrumah. I believe Nkrumah is the foremost Pan Africanist of all times, a fact remembered and honoured by Africans world wide who voted him Greatest African of the Millennium in a BBC poll in 2000.

When the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was formed in Addis, May 25 1963, Africa Freedom Day became AFRICA LIBERATION DAY (ALD) as a symbol of the resolve, commitment and support of all Africa for the total decolonisation of the continent.

Now, following this brief history, I can only assume that the spirit of the conception of the ALD was ideally to celebrate Africa; her struggle for Independence from the cruel and exploitive grip of colonialism and to usher in Pan africanism – celebrating our brotherhood and sisterhood as Africans; as one.

I must admit that even if I did know that Sunday was ALD, I probably wouldn’t have cared less. You can call me a washed-out non Pan africanist but I sincerely don’t see what there is to celebrate. Come on! Has anyone been paying attention to the news of late?

And if you decide to forget the news for a moment, what about the daily grind that our lives have come to be? Seriously, what is there to celebrate as Africans? I am damn well pissed at so much! I am disenfranchised, disillusioned and debilitated!

Let me break it down for all of you:

· While Africa has remained united against apartheid and colonialism, the same cannot be surmised anymore following recent events. Take the raging xenophobic attacks that have swept through South Africa’s main cities. I wont even go into the nitty gritty details; I assume you’re all aware of the situation there. Can we really say that the sceptre of apartheid is really dead and buried? What about the post-election clashes that are usually witnessed in most countries?

· Africa has been enjoying the pleasure of sovereignty for decades now. Our forefathers and founding fathers of Africa’s nations fought tirelessly and bitterly for our emancipation. But the leaders who followed them, were busy stifling the aspirations of their own peoples for real independence and an end to neo-colonial power relations; rather than continue supporting the Liberation of Africa. What is the end result years later? The political elite are maintaining power in the various artificial states bequeathed by colonialism. Increasingly, power struggles have characterised our politics and “democracy” as we know it has become nothing but a mere façade; a laughable ideology. Consequently Africa has became more vulnerable for the cold warriors, unequal international power relations, debt crisis, food and water crisis, disease infested and so on. Cause to celebrate?

· The majority of Africa’s people live in abject poverty. Hundreds of reports and statistics place us as among the most overworked, underpaid individuals on the planet. Living on less than a dollar a day and faced with high tax rates, poor public service delivery, transport crisis, fuel shortages, bad roads and so on. The list is so long that I fear I might take the whole day on this so I’ll stop. And the minority? Think politicians and parastatal heads; swimming in cash and enjoying life at the expense of you and me – the taxpayer. Call it the classic tale of the poor getting poorer while the rich keep reeling in the dough.

· Nkrumah’s famous dictum that the independence of Ghana is meaningless without the total liberation of Africa’s is still true today and even more relevant. Well then, why is it business as usual in most parts of the continent while our comrades in former Northern Rhodesia(now Zimbabwe) suffer under the draconian rule of the mercurial “Comrade Bob?” How do we allow such dictatorship to thrive while we are well aware of the dangers of such leadership to the dream of Pan africanism?

While I could continue “breaking It down,” I feel that my point has been made. Africa still has a long way to go before we can all really bring out the champagne and caviar, and play celebratory tunes on our drums and guitars.

I’m not in a celebratory mood yet. Africa to me is still hauling a great ball and chain around – its liberation hasn’t fully arrived yet.

Work Blues

Ok, so today is a whole Saturday - ok, hardly looks like one - and Im at WORK!! Bummer...
Anyway, I felt the need to come and build the nation but it doesnt seem to be working out quite as I anticipated.

Firstly, Im sleepier than a bat during the day, my eyes just cant seem to stay open...Im thinking my eyes look like one of KJ's(man, I miss the dude's cartoons) mchoros of some blacked-out chap in some nondescript pub...

Secondly, its a Saturday...for heaven's sake, why work on Saturday? Im not even in the Service Industry! Ok, granted, we all love it when the banks are open and the Customer Service(or lack of it) centres for Safcom and all are tending to our ffickle complaints...But me? What am i doing here on this dull, cold day when I should be catching zzs and enjoying La La land?

Thirdly, Im not in the best of moods....at least not after the Crisp Clean Bites that I had jana before I dozed off. :-

Anyway, I guess I can draw inspiration from the picture above...guess I neeed more than 1 pill..probably an entire bottle...

P.S: Atwoli should seriously consider this abolishment of the 6-day working week...need a petition? I'll get you a million signatures!