Today's Headlines
- Nanotechnology the Third Revolution
- Board Gives Mwebesa Another Three-Year Term
- Synovate Buys Steadman And Retains Managers
- China's Record Leaves Sports Advertising in Dilemma
- Regulators Under Scrutiny On Vision 2030 Goal
- SMEs to Get New Avenue for Funding Money
- Team Named to Enhance Skills in Tourism Sector
- At Sh2.9 Billion, the Price is Right for Grand Regency
- Dollar Demand Buoys Trading At Forex Market
- Just What is the Real Value of Grand Regency Hotel?
- Country Steps Up Bid to Woo Chinese Investors
- HP Changes Tack to Penetrate New Turf
- MPs Censure Kimunya Over Sale of Grand Regency Hotel
- Motion Only the Third in Parliament's History
- New Rules Make Owning Homes Easier for Workers
- Railway Plans for Upgrade Almost Ready
- MPs Vote No Confidence On Finance Minister
- Live Coverage in Polls Raised Emotions, Says Mayor
- MPs Want Finance Minister to Resign
- Severe Food Shortage Hits Coastal Region
- Anti-Graft Agency Denies Taking Part in Hotel Sale
- Inflation Eases Off Slightly to 29.3 Percent
- Ministers Defend Army's Role
- MPs Divided Over Ethnic Relations Bill
- Concern Over Country's Growth As Drug Conduit
- Women's Finance Trust Gives Loans, Insurance to North Rift Groups
- Huge Task for NSE Chief
- Our Politicians Never Learn From Mistakes
- Saitoti Appeals Over Election Petition
- Probe Team Named as MPs Lead Street Demo
The Nation (Nairobi)
May 12, 2008
Column Article
Last December 30, David Jasondu recalls Electoral Commission chairman Samuel Kivuitu waxing lyrical about his determination "to die in the big ship that is Kenya" if chaos erupted after the announcement of the disputed presidential election results. David adds: "And sure enough, he announced the results and instantly, violence broke out. Not only did he disappear from the scene, he has also kept away from the Kriegler Commission on the post-election violence, preferring to send junior representatives."
With Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his ODM brigade having been so busy trying to secure their share of the cake, notes Njoki Mburu, they couldn't pay full attention to the KCSE exam debacle. With the grand coalition Cabinet now running, Njoki says she expects Raila to supervise and make a difference in the ministries that have let Kenyans down. And the best place to begin is to get the Education minister to swear that Kenyans will never again hear of exam leaks.
The Rift Valley MPs grumbling about the resettlement of fellow Kenyans driven out of their homes by the post-election violence, D. Munyua says, should be appealing to their supporters to welcome their former neighbours back to their farms. "If they refuse, the MPs should ask them to swap places with the displaced for a while. After a day in the camps, I'm sure they will not want to hear anyone talking about negotiations delaying the resettlement of the victims of the poll violence."
Whereas X. N. Iraki is right about the beauty of Karatina Township on the foothills of Mt Kenya, he's mistaken on several other things, says Kariuki Muiri. The name is not a corruption of any English word, as it comes from a tree, muratina. "It's around a muratina tree that the biggest open-air market in East and Central Africa started. The melodious Kikuyu spoken in Mathira is believed to have started when the Laikipia Maasai integrated into the local community to escape genocide by other clans."
Tuskys Supermarket risks losing loyal customers over the enthusiasm with which their cashiers dish out 50-cent coins in change. Says she: "Some of us may be discouraged. I dread going there because they give too much change in 50-cent coins, yet even kiosks won't accept them. Why can't they take the 50-cent coins to the Central Bank and exchange them for Sh1 coins?"
Ahero Girls School in Nyanza, Boaz Oyengo reports, has a tough job, having admitted five blind girls who are having a nightmare moving around as they have no guides. The girls' situation is aggravated by the fact that the conditions at the school are not the best, what with a blocked sewerage system discharging muck. Boaz is urging well-wishers to help the school cater for the girls.
The Government should no longer claim that it lacks funds to implement projects, having just sold its stake in the Safaricom IPO, says Fred Ademba. According to Fred, there are still a few more public companies, including the wines and spirits supplier, Kenya Wine Agencies Ltd, which should be sold immediately to raise money to repair Enterprise and Outering roads, build bypasses, and ease water shortages.Have a capable day, won't you!


