'Project' or self-made man?

Kibaki tells off Jirongo over 'Project' talk..

The eye-catching headline has many debating over whether or not Mr. Jirongo's claim has any substance.This is understandable given the man's political past.But, emotions aside, could it really be possible, or probable, that Kibaki has silently endorsed M.M. as his preferred successor and, is he really sponsoring other political 'projects' with a view to locking out the other major contenders from capturing the presidency?The jury is still out on that but consider this handful of facts that could possibly point to the right direction.

First, we have had Mr. Kibaki as president for ten years now.He has been quite predictable as far as speaking out on national matters is concerned and appears to have a laissez faire approach.Mr. Mwai is not known to speak out against his critics or detractors regularly.One moment that stands out is when a national daily accused him of having a 'second family'.We know what followed.

Second, tacitly, it appears Mr. Kibaki's plan is to have a 'neutral' candidate.On this one, he just may be right!We already know and understand the M.O. of the other forerunners and their ability to balkanise the masses.We do not need a caustic personality at this sensitive moment, nor will we ever need one. Many have also been quoted as saying that in 2012 a certain tribes presidency is unviable.

Finally, it appears that the strategy this time round is to pull out all stops to deny a certain candidate the presidency, by hook or crook.The counter strategy of issue-based politics may just be wishful thinking; especially in a country where politics is ethnicized.To win requires a better, though somewhat controversial, strategy.

Our leaders may need a lesson on the "Surrender" tactic

It has finally come to fruition, just as many pundits had predicted, Musalia Mudavadi resigned from his post as Local Government Minister and as a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (O.D.M.).Now, there is still a lot of furor in the political circles about the effect of his departure on O.D.M. and also about the validity of his tenure as both a parliamentarian and Deputy Prime Minister. It has to be said that both the constitution and the National Accord are unequivocal about whether or not Mr. Mudavadi should still hold these two posts.

On the vacation of office of an M.P., Chapter 8 and Article 103 of the constitution states that "...The office of a member of Parliament becomes vacant—(e) if, having been elected to Parliament...as member of a political party, the member resigns from that party or is deemed to have resigned from the party as determined in accordance with the legislation contemplated in clause (2)..".It can therefore safely be assumed that Mr. Mudavadi should resign as an M.P. and seek a fresh mandate from his constituents.It is a done deal for both the D.P.M. and Raila Odinga. For Musalia, whatever happens from this point on, he cannot turn back.It may be a political blunder for him or perhaps, he may end up occupying the most powerful seat in the land.

But, lets ponder for a moment a scenario where the D.P.M played his cards differently last week.With a little help from history, let us see how perhaps he may have ended up in a very powerful position in the latter days to come.

A story is told about an ancient kingdom (Athenia) which planned an attack and subsequent occupation of another, less powerful one(Melos).However, before starting an all-out war, the would-be aggressors dispatched a delegation to try and persuade the Melians to surrender, become allies, rather than suffer humiliation, devastation and ultimately, defeat. In their response however, the Melians argued that their neighbors (who had colonized them) would come to their rescue and also that they would choose to preserve their honor and, in principle, believed in resisting brute force. A last-ditch effort was made by the Athenians who argued that the Melians should not be lead astray by a false sense of honor because honor often brings men to ruin when they are faced with an obvious danger that somehow affects their pride.The Melians would not budge, however, and were eventually invaded and defeated.

When you are weaker, there is nothing to be gained by fighting a useless fight.No one genuinely comes to help the weak -by doing so, they would only put themselves in jeopardy.Like the Melians, had Mr. Mudavadi surrendered in the first place he may have been able to sabotage his boss in a subtle way, or might have gotten what he wanted out of the alliance and left it once he (Raila) was really weakened.Fortunes change and the mighty are often brought down.Surrender conceals great power: lulling an enemy into complacency, it gives one time to recoup, time to undermine, revenge.

Mr. Mudavadi, however, took the easy way out. Perhaps lured by false promises by presumed "Allies", he seems like a bear in the woods walking right into somebody's trap, lured by bait. Only time will tell what lies ahead for him but it appears to me that the so-called Moi "orphans" would have benefited from a lesson on or two on the surrender tactic.

A flashback into the past

Earlier this morning, i had an experience that took me back to my childhood years.It almost appeared like a flashback from the past.I was at a cafe having a break from a study session at the local library.On the adjacent table were three young boys, seated next to their mom, having their breakfast.They must have noticed my momentary ogle at their table, perhaps wondering what about them fascinated me so much.At that very moment, i was in a trance.My mind flashed back to my childhood ; me and my two elder brothers; my mother.For one moment, i hoped that these three boys had a brighter, more certain and stable future devoid of the vagaries of an incomplete and therefore unstable family.I hoped for one moment that the father to these three boys was somewhere at work, eking out a living and would return home in the evening to participate in raising the children.This thought was perhaps prompted by his absence at the cafeteria and by the boys' mom's frantic telephone calls about an impending restructuring at her place work.I remembered how promising we were as a cohesive family at the very beginning:A father with a good education and promising job; A wife (and later, mother) who was loving and submissive; and three sons, at the time, a sure measure of future glory and success in a family. Then, gradually, cracks began to emerge...like a tiny fissure along an airplane's fuselage, left unchecked and unattended, the strains and stresses of daily flight can stretch it until it gradually grows to a point where it can cause the plane to rip apart, causing complete structural failure and even a crash.The daily arguments and fights got to a point where separation was inexorable.What followed later on is now history which, sadly, renders context irrelevant.My prayer this evening will be not much different from my prayer last night or the night before.I will however remember the three boys i met at the restaurant earlier today.I will ask God to secure their future, give them supervision and protection in their lives.It is this supervision and direction from a father, earthly or divine, that all our boys will need if our society is to remain sane.

Mourn you 'til i join you

The cruel hand of death took another from my world recently.And once again, it has struck close to my heart, very, very, close.Almost as if it tried to strike me but missed and landed on one of my closest childhood friends.Inevitably, our different backgrounds caused our lives to head in different directions many years ago but this friend of mine remained close to my thoughts, close to my heart.When i learned about his demise earlier this week, i was overcome with emotion, sadness, somberness, and ultimately, shed a tear.
I remember the times we shared together like it was yesterday.From playing basketball together at the Southlands court; watching our favorite program "NBA Action" together; playing video games together; and all the other priceless moments we shared as teenagers.
George, I will surely miss every moment spent with you and you will remain in my heart and thoughts forever

Emasculation of the Kenyan male?

There are many things i remember about growing up in the south side of Nairobi, some memorable, others i would wish to forget.There is a particular episode that sharply came back to me earlier this week as i witnessed the on-goings in the news about a man who's face had been mutilated by his disgruntled wife.
Some time in the late '90s, a father to one of my childhood friends was awakened by his wife in a rather unceremonious and disrespectful way.It was early morning, around 7AM or thereabouts, when i was awakened by the loud screams and moans of a man.Fearing that one of my close neighbors' lives was in danger, i quickly jumped out of the bed, dressed up and headed out hoping to come to their rescue.
What awaited me outside, however, was utter shock and disbelief.The scene was something reminiscent of a scene from a comical movie.My friend's father, who was shirtless, had taken to his heels, fleeing from his cane-holding wife who had quite presumably vowed to mete out a thorough beating on him.I never quite got to unearth the genesis of their disagreement.


That incident more than ten years ago got me thinking about what we have been witnessing in the news recently; an apparent emasculation of the male gender, a by-product of feminism and the supposed empowerment of females.Is gender violence against men a new phenomenon? or has it recently gained traction due to the change of womens' position socially and economically? Many would argue that since women today are more economically empowered than their counterparts decades ago, they have less need for men in their lives and as a result tend to be condescending towards them.I beg to differ.


While it may be true that women are now able to generate income for themselves, it is incorrect to make a generalization that this is the reason for their aggressive behavior towards men.It is quite plausible that the men who bear the brunt of this female fury also do have a part to play.Tales abound of men who have become 'vegetative'; whose only meaningful engagements are imbibing alcohol and other stimulants and intoxicants.This leaves the woman both as the sole breadwinner and steward of the neglected children and  family.Who doesn't deserve a beating for such irresponsibility?


As one famous politician once said, a successful nation depends on the strength of its homes.Let us build a strong nation from the ground up.Let us be willing to make sacrifices, nurture our children, and most importantly, love and respect each other.

Is it time to unearth this mystery at Uhuru Gardens

In this overpopulated city, there aren't  many serene places one can visit when he/she wishes to have a breath of fresh air, quietly read a book, bask in the sun or even enjoy an afternoon nap without much noise and interruption.One of the few such areas is Uhuru Gardens, located just off Lang'ata Rd., a stone's throw away from the renowned Carnivore restaurant.This place is significant because, among other things, in it we celebrated   our independence as a sovereign republic in June, 1963.

That said, it goes without saying that these grounds deserve to be well-maintained and treated with a lot of respect by those who frequent the place.But lately, i have observed with a curious eye the happenings in the vicinity of the park.Oftentimes, as i ride the matatu home from work, i glance at the numerous parked (and windows tinted) motor vehicles and i am forced to wonder about the activities and identities of their occupants.It almost seems like a requirement to have one's vehicle's windows tinted in order to access the park.

Whatever the case may be, we hope that the proclivities of the park's visitors, if revealed, would not bring shame to the park or to the Nation in the same way that others have done in the recent past.

Same script different cast

The year 2012 is finally here.This is the year many unknowns unravel, among them whether humanity will cease to exist.Here in Kenya, it has begun in a rather familiar and unsurprising way; Al Shabaab terror threats; workers threatening to go on strike; even a newly-elected public servant threatening to shoot and kill a commoner.
But even as she tries to explain it away as an act inspired by fear for her safety, the deputy C.J.'s actions leave a lot to be desired and certainly raise some questions about the conduct of public officers and whether our new constitution is being followed both to the letter and spirit.Firstly, the deputy C.J's refusal to be screened just like the rest of the public because 'She is a senior government official' is arrogant and immature.The security measures put in place by the establishment apply to all persons visiting the shopping mall without exception.These measures are not a mere formality nor a fancy decoration; they have been put in place for the safety, security and confidence of the general public -the same public that DCJ Baraza purpotedly serves.
Secondly, her retort to the security guard's demand to inspect her handbag also smacks of disrespect and cheap arrogance.The security personnel are there to perform their duties as dilligently and thoroughly as possible; they are not there to "know" who senior government officials or celebrities are and therefore, the fact that the security guard did not know who Nancy Baraza was is irrelevant.

It is saddening that the same people who claim to be' reformers' turn around and begin to oppress the underclass once they have been selected to serve in public offices and sworn in.Let us hope this kind of behavior will cease forthwith.Let us also hope our public officers can lead by example and avoid the proverbial preaching water and drinking wine.