January 2010

Kenya seems to be at cross roads regarding the current issues that are now in the milieu. From the Mau issue, the constitutional debate, the media Act, the Al-Faisal saga and the Haiti Christophe. The ones I wish to share now are the Al-Faisal and the Haiti Saga. Of grave to me as a Kenyan is the the legal technicalities surrounding the issue. If Dr. Aukot's sentiments on the anything to go by, it begs to question why Kenya has refused to stamp its authority and bid bye to this issue. The Friday chaos left a bad taste in some religious circles as it seemed to be a concflict between christians and muslims. Perhaps that discussion is for another day. According to Dr. Aukot, the law states that if such a situation happens, then the person is supposed to be taken back to the previous country where he entered the port of entry and this should follow until the person reaches his/her mother state. Why then should Kenya not go with the law as its the safest way out if this? It has led to innocent Kenyan lives lost yet no justifiable reason can suffice. Furthermore, media coverage was wanting. Apart from Robert Nagila's story on Saturda that was quite balanced, other media stations failed the test. Some station only showed it for 30 seconds. It also seems that there was an agreement among editors that they do not give paramounce to this story. This was a slo reflected in the print media. I wish we could have a good investigative story on the issue so as Kenyans are well informed. It is also aparent how Kenyans are largely reactonary and not proactive. The previous week, a BBC reporter had done a story where she had shown evidence of Al-Shaabab in Kenya yet she is a foreigner. For Kenya, its only after the incidence that Prof. Saitoti said that the protesters were Al-Shabaab militia. This shows that the government is aware of their presence in the country but is not doing anything regarding it.cI believe this issue needs more time and more ideas from across the board. For today, I will leave it at that. Haitians desperately need. On the Washington and New York Times, they carried a four page story on the issue starting from page 1 to 4. In Kenya we only highlighted it somewhere towards the middle with very little literature in it. Some people have mentioned that we Kenyans like receiving alot but do not like giving. How about using this as an opportunity to illustrate how we can also be givers. Regardless of what situation is there, there are always two sides or more of the story. Haitians and sufering and we as Kenyans can also come in and help just the same way we always get help when in problems. Whats your view?