Official languages and not mothertongue should be used in dispensing public services

by standardmedia.co.ke 18th October 2012

Public servants have been asked to uphold professionalism and stop using mother tongues in offices.

The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) has raised concern over use of mother tongue in public offices, saying it is unethical.

CAJ Chairman Otiende Amollo noted that the Constitution recognised two official languages – Kiswahili and English – which should be used in public offices.

Mr Amollo, who addressed leaders at Gusii County Hall during the commission’s Kisii County farmiliarisation tour, said some civil servants report to their work stations late after keeping the public waiting.

He urged public servants to be time-conscious and have courtesy while serving the public, as they were servants of people and not their masters. Amollo visited eight Government offices where he found that some officers reported to work late.

Amollo cited Gusii County Council where over 50 per cent of the staff had not reported by 8.30am except the Town Clerk and the surveyor. Amollo noted that the civic authority also lacked a service charter.

At Kisii Municipal Council, the council lacked facilities for people with disabilities who are forced to use steep staircases to access services.  The commissioners were shocked to find officers at the Department of Registrar of Persons using vernacular language.

Poster: Grassroots and faith based Symposium on the Gender Dimension of the 2012/2013 Electioneering in Kenya

Find the symposium programme here

Programme: Grassroots and faith based Symposium on the Gender Dimension of the 2012/2013 Electioneering in Kenya

Find the Symposium Concept Here

and

The symposium poster here

Kenya Moja Jamii Moja: Wewe Mkenya, Tunza Nchi Yako, Tunza Amani

Mimi Mkenya Mzalendo: Nawajali wote hasa Wapinzani Wangu! Ninataka uchaguzi wa Amani!!

 

During the 2012/2013 Kenyans could bring a transformation that could change forever the political landscape in the country by ensuring that integrity becomes the number 1 criteria and not gender or wealth or ability to buy votes.  All people of good integrity should be encouraged to stand up and challenge the edage practices that have fuelled corruption, tribalism, gender discrimination and distributive problems. On the other hand people should reject any leader that fuels political violence through inflamatory speeches.

Symposium supported by Mensen een et Missie, Consolation East Africa and KARDS amongst others

 

Day 1: November 22^nd 2012

08.30 – 09.00am: Arrival/Registration – Darlington Akoya/Martin Njagi/Roselyne Adhiambo Odongo

09.00 – 09.30 am: Introduction & Welcome remarks – Partners presentation

Moderator: Paul Kisolo

9.30- 10.00 Keynote Address: Gender Dimension of Politics in Kenya – Rev. Timothy Njoya

10.00 to 11.00 Addressing Human Rights issues in the wake of the electioneering 2012/2013 process in Kenya

Moderator: William Omondi

• Meaning of human rights, its characteristics and importance – Millicent Agutu
• The bills of rights within the constitution of Kenya – Radoslaw Malinowski
• Human rights based approach to governance – Richard Ochanda

TEA BREAK 30 Minutes

11.30 to 01.00pm: Leadership and Integrity

Entertainment: Totsing Artists

Moderator: John Ndayishimiye

• The importance of vetting of public officers – Dr. Kuria
• The meaning of a leader, leadership and qualities of good leadership – Kuria Njenga
• Meaning of integrity and integrity in public leadership – James Awiah Songoti.
• Integrity and peace and peace building – Rev. Sassaka

LUNCH BREAK 1 HOUR

 

 

02.00 to 03.00 Representation and electoral system and process

Moderator: Milicent Agutu

• Principles and concepts of representation and election in Kenya – Zachary Chiliswa
• Role of political parties, agents, electoral monitors and observers  in elections –  Martha Mwende
• Election offences and their penalties- Eric Sande

03.00-04.00 pm Politics and Peace

Moderator: Anne Naisoi

• Peaceful and legitimate methods of settling election disputes Luc Ansobi
• Inter-ethnic coexistence  Daniel Wabwire
• Collaboration and harmonious co-existence amidst political differences; amongst different political aspirants and supporters –Esther Kabugi

Entertainment| End of day 1 – Rafiki Mwafrika (Visual Artists) & Irene Lavenda (Peace Poem)

Day 2: 23^rd November 2012

08.30 to 10.30am Devolution

Moderator: Charles Koech

• Devolved Governance – Professor Mulinge Munyae
• Relations between National and County Government – Paul Adhoch
• Involvement of citizens in county government – Ashya

TEA BREAK 30 MINUTES

11.00 to 01.00pm Public Finance

Moderator: Martha Mwende

Principles of public finance- Paul Kisolo

The public budget process and different constitutional funds – Paul Adhoch

Public officers and citizens involvement in public finance – Christine Mwaniki

LUNCH BREAK 1 HOUR

02.00 to 4.30pm Addressing gender issues and equality in the wake of the electioneering 2012/2013 process in Kenya

Moderator: Bridged Ochanda

• Gender mainstreaming in politics and development – Dr. Pacifica Okemwa
• Healthy inter-gender collaboration in politics and development – Victoria Gioto
• Addressing political electioneering (gender based) violence – Ashya Ali Hussein

Entertainment and Symposium conclusion – Sanaelimu Performing Arts and Amka Kenya Video (George Ndikwe)

Salary Review Commission to Move to Court to Block MP’s Retirement Package

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission has vowed to move to court to block the send-off package if the President assents to it

Nation Sunday, October 7  2012

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission has declared the hefty exit package that MPs have awarded themselves illegal and promised to consider moving to court to block it.

Commission chairperson Sarah Serem condemned the move saying it is unconstitutional.

She said such payments can only be effected by the Commission. “The decision by Parliament was therefore null and void and will be fought in the courts if necessary,” she said. (READ: MPs award themselves Sh2bn bonus in secret deal)

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission was established by the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 with the mandate to set and regularly review the remuneration and benefits of all State Officers and to advise the national and county governments on the remuneration and benefits of all other public officers.

The secret move has provoked outrage from Kenyans who have reacted angrily terming it selfish.

The Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution has also declared the package unlawful. The commission said changes made by MPs to the Finance Act sneaking in the hefty package was unconstitutional.

Its chairman Mr Charles Nyachae said the commission is ready to challenge the package if President Mwai Kibaki goes ahead to assent the Finance Bill into law to allow for implementation of the controversial package.

Each of the 222 MPs is set to receive a Sh9.3 million sendoff package as a result of the hush-hush manoeuvre by the MPs as the clock ticks to the next general election.

MPs on Thursday night sneaked amendments to the Finance Bill and overwhelmingly voted to award themselves the Sh2 billion gratuities at the end of their term.

National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende and Attorney-General Githu Muigai who are ex-officio members of Parliament—will take home Sh9.3 million at the end of their term that ends on January 15, 2013, if President Kibaki clears the package with a signature.

Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) Vice Chairman Adan Keynan introduced amendments to the National Assembly Remuneration Act pegging MPs severance allowance at the rate of 31 per cent of the gross remuneration payable to the legislators each month.

The severance pay includes the salary, constituency allowance, nominated members allowance, ex-officio members allowance, House allowance, extraneous allowance, transport allowance, entertainment allowance and vehicle fixed cost allowance.

The gross pay each member takes home every month is Sh851,000. MPs approved the amendment that was not listed in the Order Paper without any debate at about 8.40pm on Thursday night.

As a result, they will earn gratuity at 31 per cent of the salary for every year in service, in respect of the period up to August 26, 2010 and at the same rate after the promulgation of the new Constitution on August 27, 2010. Last year, the legislators amended the Finance Bill 2011 to increase their severance perks to Sh3.3 million each (Sh300,000 per month).

Civil society groups went to court to challenge the matter and a ruling is yet to be made.

MPs award themselves Sh2bn bonus in secret deal

Each of the 222 MPs will receive Sh9.3m in send-off perks as Kenyans prepare to pay higher taxes to foot bill

Nation October 5  2012

The higher perks, approved on Thursday night, however came about as Finance Minister Njeru Githae increased taxes to raise the money required to meet public servants’ demands for better salaries.

In the last-minute changes introduced in Parliament on Thursday night, each of the 222 MPs and House Speaker Kenneth Marende will take home a minimum package of Sh9.3 million on January 15 next year when their term expires.

Meanwhile, a 10 per cent Excise duty will now be levied on mobile money transfers such as M-Pesa, making the services more expensive. The services are run by banks, money transfer agencies and mobile phone companies.

The minister also raised taxes on beer, wine and other alcoholic drinks to Sh70 per litre – or 50 per cent of the ex-factory price – and on raw hides and skins destined for foreign markets in a bid to revive and improve local tanneries.

Mr Githae also has his eye on the money made in the data market – through cable, the Internet, fibre-optic and satellite – seeking to tax “gains or profits made from the business of transmitting messages”.

The mining industry will also pay more taxes after the House allowed Kenya Revenue Authority to tax proceeds from the sale of property or shares, more so for oil companies, or other firms involved in mining or mineral prospecting.

The vice-chairman of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), Mr Adan Keynan, sneaked in the amendments, as approved by the Finance minister, just moments before the House concluded putting final touches on the Finance Bill 2012.

Once assented to, the Finance Bill grants the taxman the licence to collect taxes in order to meet the government’s revenue targets as prescribed in the annual national budget.

Tellingly, the amendment was not in the Order Paper like the ones by the minister on raising taxes, and not all MPs had access to it even after it was tabled. There was no debate on the clause; it was just approved, unanimously.

The change will see the Treasury calculate the “severance allowance” at 31 per cent of MPs’ pay, including their hefty tax-free perks. The computation will be based on their basic pay of Sh200,000 and all allowances – except sitting allowance – amounting to Sh651,000.

The perks include house allowance, extraneous duty allowance, transport allowance, entertainment allowance, vehicle fixed cost allowance and constituency allowance. Each of the 12 nominated MPs also get an allowance; so do the two ex-officio members — the Speaker and the Attorney-General.

Second time in six months

This is the second time in less than six months that the lawmakers have raided the public coffers to line their pockets as they scrounge around in their brazen bid to raise money for the political campaigns ahead of the General Election.

On April 19, again in at dusk, they changed the law to raise the severance package – hitherto called “the winding-up allowance” – from Sh1.5 million to Sh3.72 million per MP. And just as then, this week’s Sh5.6 million addition was made through the Finance Bill.

The mischief of raising their perks through the Finance Bill ensures that MPs can do it at the eleventh hour, quietly, and since it has to do with taxes it is guaranteed that the President will have no option but to assent to it.

The law, once enacted, will see the MPs paid at 31 per cent of their Sh200,000 basic pay for every year in service until August 26, 2010 when the Constitution was promulgated. From then until the end of their term on January 15, 2013, the calculation will be based on a gross pay of Sh851,000.

Not surprisingly, the lawmakers are unbowed by the legal requirement to have the pay issue handled by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.

They also approved changes to have all regulations by the Commission on Revenue Allocation and the SRC subjected to parliamentary approval, meaning they hold the trump card should the two regulators step in.

Mr Githae and the Finance Committee chairman, Mr Chris Okemo (Nambale), meanwhile agreed to shelve the plan to backdate the payment of taxes on MPs’ perks to June 15 this year, when the budget was read.

The minister had hoped to repeal the law that MPs have consistently relied on to shield their allowances from the taxman but they struck a deal on the floor of the House with the committee to have the law apply after the next General Election.

Kenya’s Constitution makes it irregular for a state officer to be exempted from paying tax, regardless of the office they hold.

The term of the current MPs expires on January 15, 2013. After negotiating with the Treasury, the PSC had already earmarked Sh500 million to cover the taxation of the MPs’ perks until the expiry of their term.

Ugandan Girl 19 Becomes the youngest MP in Africa

 

Uganda’s and Africa’s youngest MP, Proscovia Oromait Alengot, is at that age when girls are preoccupied with nice clothes and an easy life, but thousands of people look up to her to improve their lives. Is the burden too heavy for her young shoulders?

Story by Daily Nation  October 8  2012 

For a fresh Member of Parliament barely out of her teens, Proscovia Oromait Alengot is learning the ways of her trade pretty fast.

Hardly a month after she was elected the Usuk County MP in Katakwi District, Eastern Uganda, Alengot is already a deft hand in the political art of elusiveness. Maybe it is in the DNA of “the people of people”.

This is probably the reason, to this date, a sense of mystery still surrounds the youngest MP in Africa.

Alengot has evaded interviews with journalists through persistent postponing, cancellation, rescheduling of appointments, or simply declaring herself unavailable.

In one incident, she picked up the phone and, in the midst of playful banter in the background, she said she was attending a prayer service.

In just the space of three months, she has had to cope with the transformation of a simple girl waiting to join university to being the subject of flashing cameras and a star in political rallies, a wacky world where shrewdness is essential for survival. And not forgetting that she had to mourn the loss of her father in between.

Today, as ordinary 19-year-old girls the world over invest their energies into starting university education and launching an initial bid at a career, Proscovia Oromait Alengot, now Hon Alengot, spends her time between university theatres and Parliament.

Alengot rose out of the wilderness of obscurity after her father, Michael Oromait, died of hypertension on the morning of Saturday July 21, this year.  She succeeded him as MP for Usuk County.

Some people say that Alengot was fronted and talked into the idea by the ambitious district woman member of Parliament and minister for Education, Maj Jessica Alupo. But Alengot says she did it under her own steam.

Newspapers have quoted family members as saying that Alengot took an interest in the requirements for one to become an MP after her father’s death.

To many onlookers, the 19-year-old’s candidature was a big joke. Few even gave her a chance. After all, she would go nowhere, they thought.

But Alengot had powerful backers, one of them being President Yoweri Museveni, who campaigned for her. She enjoyed photo ops with the big man, appearing dressed in oversized traditional busuti (dresses) alongside the president during the campaigns.

In the end, she won 54.2 per cent of the vote.

It is after the election results were announced that, for many, the reality sank in; Uganda now had a teenage member of Parliament. Critics were quick to spread their opinions of disagreement in all manner of forums, especially online.

“I pity my country Uganda and what has become of it. This little gal knows neither politics nor the problems affecting her people. She should be at school chasing a career,” commented one Tabbyusa.

Others, however, offered their support. “What are you talking about? That is what we want Uganda to be. If she can pay taxes and serve in the military, why not serve her country?” one Jackson quipped.

Political scientists and psychologists agreed that her age cannot be a hindrance.

Robert Tabaro, who teaches political science and public administration at Kyambogo University, says anybody aged 19 is old enough to legislate at a national level if they have an interest in politics.

It is when the person in question is “pushed”, and has not “chosen” to take up the mantle that they may not be unable to deliver.

Tabaro says that if Alengot was simply lured by the forces surrounding her, then her tenure in Parliament would be unlikely to bear good results for her constituency.

Paul Nyende, a psychology lecturer at Makerere University, says that at 19, one  is mature enough to participate in legislation. However, their childhood experiences and knowledge base will determine how well they perform.

An individual who has harboured leadership ambitions and has been exposed to positions of leadership at home and in school would fit the role, Nyende says.

The influence of one’s parentage would also be important — whether their parents encouraged them to take up leadership roles, for example.

But Nyende says the radical change from a private life into full limelight has the potential to wear down a 19-year-old. The young MP will, therefore, need someone to manage her life and offer support and advice.

Alengot seems to have that support from Maj Alupo, who appears to be her political mentor. It is this protective circle that is understood to be shielding her from journalists and telling her what to say in public — and, most importantly, what not to say.

Alengot is a First Year mass communication student at Uganda Christian University in Mukono District, a two-hour drive from Kampala.

Sources from the university describe the young MP as a confident, reserved girl who limits her interaction and socialising to two friends from her former high school.

She cites urgent constituency and parliamentary matters, among other engagements such as appointments with her wardrobe designer and hairdresser, whenever students seek to spend time with her.

Alengot attends only morning classes and is always punctual. She sits at the back of the classroom and rarely makes a contribution.

She is chauffeur-driven to school and does not have meals at the university dining hall. She dresses in formal wear that goes below the knees.

The Observer, quoting a former teacher, reported that Alengot won a beauty contest in high school two years ago. The paper also reported that there is controversy over her real age, as some official documents indicate that she is 21.

Alengot went to Madera Girls’ Primary School in Soroti,  Kigulu Girls’ Primary School, Iganga Girls’ School, PMM Girls’ School, and St Kalemba Secondary School in Kayunga. She spent a considerable part of her childhood in Jinja District, where her father’s main home was. This is about 200 kilometres from the constituency she now represents.

Many challenges will face any member of Parliament in their first term. But the odds are much higher against Alengot because there is more interest in her performance than that of an ordinary MP.

Every submission on the floor, every point of order, every point of information, every word she says in and out of Parliament will be latched upon by journalists seeking to create an image of what contributions she can make. It will be worse if she does not say a thing because that will vindicate her critics who say she has nothing to offer.

And Kampala’s notorious tabloids will be snooping around for any hint of sleaze.

Usuk constituency, and Uganda as a whole, now wait to hear what contributions she will make to the country’s development.

There will be interest in what proposals she will offer, say in the formulation of the Pension Bill or even the Domestic Relations Bill, for a person who has neither been married nor been employed before.

For Proscovia Oromait Alengot, life could feel like an adventure right now. But politics is not just an experience in excitement; she will need guts, wits, and the spirit of a fighter if her story is to conclude in a happy ending.

Hate speech causes Assistant Minister to lose job and to be indicted

The assistant minister faces charges on hate speech, murder, assault and property damage

“We must treat all Kenyans equally when applying the law. No one should be treated as special just because they happen to be leaders. When an ordinary Kenya is accused of handling stolen property, they normally face the full force of the law…the same should happen to leaders too. If one is alleged to have committed an offense, all reports of impropriety must be investigated and if necessary taken to court for determination. It’s the only way we can ensure a just and equitable society for all Kenyans.” Presidential Aspirant Martha Karua 28th September 2012.

By Nation 27th September 2012

Embattled Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu was on Thursday suspended as Water assistant minister after he was charged with hate speech and incitement to violence. Read (Embakasi MP Waititu moves to block arrest)

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga asked the MP to “step aside” pending the outcome of the case.

“Following charges in court against the Hon Ferdinand Waititu, President Kibaki after consultations with Prime Minister Raila Odinga has asked the Hon Waititu to step aside as an assistant minister pending the outcome of the case,” read a Presidential Press statement.

On Thursday, the MP denied the incitement and hate speech charges when he appeared before senior principal magistrate Paul Biwott.

Mr Biwott ordered that he be held at Kileleshwa Police Station for a day and be produced in court today for a ruling on the bail terms.

Mr Waititu is now also being investigated for murder.

State counsel Lilian Obuo, told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Keriako Tobiko, wanted additional murder, assault and property damage charges preferred against the MP.

“Mr Tobiko has ordered the police to probe the MP for the murder of two people in Nairobi’s Kayole estate, shortly after the MP uttered inflammatory remarks against the Maasai community,” Ms Obuo stated, adding that the MP would face the additional charges after investigations.

“On September 24 at Kayole Corner, Mr John Kireri Gitau was killed by alleged Maasai watchmen,” the State counsel told the court.

She said the same day, Mr Waititu went to the scene around 10am, addressed a crowd and made utterances to the effect that members of the Maasai community be evicted from the area.

The prosecution said the utterances caused the crowd to start attacking members of the community and in the process, Mr Luckas Mitibon and Mr Nyangusi ole Sindoe were attacked and maimed while their property was destroyed.

The court was told the DPP’s office was in the process of investigating murder, incitement to violence, malicious damage to property and assault as a result of the “reckless” remarks.

And High Court judge Isaac Lenaola lifted an order restraining the DPP from prosecuting Mr Waititu in a case in which he allegedly called on the public to stone police officers.

“I had warned you earlier that I will not extend the order restraining the DPP from proceeding with the incitement case against you. You are handcuffed now. This is enough reason for me to discharge the order,” ruled Justice Lenaola and allowed the chief magistrate’s court to proceed with the case against Mr Waititu and a former councillor, Mr Patrick Mulili Kiluva.

The two are accused of inciting residents of KPA slums to stone police officers who had allegedly gone to evict them on December 13, 2010.

Justice Lenaola ordered the application seeking to stop the prosecution be heard on October 12.

Earlier, Ms Obuo had sought to have the MP remanded at Kayole Police Station for 48 hours.

She had initially requested the hate speech and incitement charges read to the MP on Thursday at a Milimani criminal court be deferred until police conclude the investigations.

Grassroots and faith based Symposium on the Gender Dimension of the 2012/2013 Electioneering in Kenya

Find the programme here

“.the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life; women, the poor, the sick, the needy, the marginalised and the handicapped.” ~ Hubert Humphrey.

Kenya Moja Jamii Moja: Wewe Mkenya, Tunza Nchi Yako, Tunza Amani

Mimi Mkenya Mzalendo: Nawajali wote hasa Wapinzani Wangu! Ninataka uchaguzi wa Amani!!

Symposium supported by Mensen een et Missie, Consolation East Africa and KARDS

The Symposium for the Faith Based and Grassroots organizations on gender dimension of the 2012/2013 electioneering process will be held at Shalom House, Dagoretti Corner, Nairobi, Kenya, on the 22nd  and 23rd November 2012.

Theme: Gender Dimension of the 2012/2013  Electioneering  in Kenya

Creation and choosing of National leaders who meet the integrity threshold for leadership.

The symposium has been organized by Consolation East Africa(CEA) a Nairobi based NGO that works to build the capacity of the grassroots and the faith based organizations to address gender based challenges within Kenya. The main aim of the symposium is to explore gender related issues in relation to the 2012/2013 political process. CEA works in partnership with KARDS.

……………………….

The symposium takes into consideration that this is a politically critical year for Kenyans; as it marks the end of grand coalition government, ushers in the transition of centralized governance to devolved governance. Hence the once very familiar provincial structure based on 8 zones will give way to a new county structure that will divide Kenya into 47 administrative and semi-autonomous regions.The symposium also takes cognizance of the fact  that great milestones in addressing gender issues have been made in Kenya after the promulgation of the new constitution in 2010. The constitution providesan important yardstick in its bill of rights; it has provisions for rights and fundamental freedoms; provisions on equality and freedom from discrimination and makes a special pronouncement about human dignity.

On the other hand there have been serious reforms on the judiciary and there are attempts to introduce these reforms on the legislature in terms of the Leadership and Integrity Bill 2012 which has been the subject of great controversy to date. The main purpose of the leadership and integrity bill was to lock out corrupt people who had perfected the art of bad leadership and impunity from becoming leaders. This bill however is in danger as the legislature have torn down the integrity threshold and have made it possible for all aspirants to be eligible to vie for the next elections unless barred by the constitution. This means that with the integrity threshold watered down by the legislature the adage practices in terms of political electioneering violence, crimes against humanity including sexual crimes, vote rigging and abuse of office  may be normalized.

Drawing from past experiences in Kenya, there is need to address the present anomaly by concentrating on choosing leaders with high integrity and to understand in depth how the new political landscape will be shaped by good leaders in accordance to sections six and seven of the constitution. CEA hopes to engage the new political dispensation by ensuring that human rights and gender issues are taken into consideration as Kenya carves its future destiny. In this case leadership is key.

The specific topics to be discussed include

1. Human Rights a) Chapter four of the constitution on the bill of rights b) exploring the concept of human rights based approach to governace

2. Leadership and integrity a) chapter six of the constitution on leadership and integrity b)  leadership and integrity bill 2012

3. Representation of the people a) chapter 7 of the constitution b) political parties act 2011 c) the elections act 2011

4. Devolved governance a) chapter 11 of the constitution b) Intergovernmental relations Act 2012 and c) transition to devolved governance act 2012

5. Public finance: a) Chapter 12 of the constitution b) Public financial management bill 2012

6. Politics and Peace a) harmonious co-existence amongst different faiths b) harmonious inter-enthnic co-existence c) harmonious co-existence amidst political differences d) harmonious co-existence amongst different political party aspirants and their supporters e) National accord and reconciliation act 2008

7. The gender dimension of politics a) patriachy and gender equity in politics b) female participartion in politics and development c) healthy inter-gender collaboration in politics and development d) working to transform structures that  sanction gender inequality c) addresing electioneering gender based violence.

Faith based and grassroots organizations are welcome to the symposium. Kindly express your interest for the symposium by October 30th 2012. Contact us at

Physical Location: Shalom House, off Ngong’ Rd.
Address: P.O.Box 16139 – 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Cell Phone: +254 720 812638 / +254 736 935387

Email: consolationeastafrica@gmail.com

Enforce Peace, Church Tells Government

NAIROBI, September 21, 2012 (CISA ) -The Church in Kenya has urged the government to ensure security in the country. This comes in the wake of recent killings in Tana River delta where clashes led to the death of over a hundred people.

At a press conference held on September, 20 at Waumini house, church leaders voiced their concern over the skirmishes and questioned the manner in which the Government handled them.
“Put in place mechanisms to ensure that no other Kenyan, is killed, hurt, displaced, abused or in any other way is mistreated or discriminated upon as was recently the case in Tana Delta and Mombasa clashes,” urged the leaders.

His Eminence, John Cardinal Njue, Chairman of the Kenya Episcopal Conference, asked Kenyans to reflect on the series of events taking place that could plunge the country into lawlessness, and urged them to pray and fast.

Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya, The Most Rev Dr Eliud Wabukala, said the clashes raise questions over the ability of the government to protect its people.

“While the deployment of GSU officers is commendable, the Government needs to address the root causes of the skirmishes that destroy the precious gift of life,” the Archbishop said.

The Leaders further explained some of the consequences of the ongoing teachers’, lecturers’ and doctors’ strikes: “We are deeply concerned that children and students have had to stay at home when they are supposed to be in school. This is devoid of the fact that national examinations are only less than a month away… With the doctors on strike, the patients suffer the consequences; the God-given gift of life is compromised and becomes the negotiation chip.”

The joint statement was also signed by, Rev Dr Stephen Kanyaru (Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church in Kenya), Rt Rev David Riitho Gathanju (Moderator of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church of East Africa) and Rev Dr Charles Kibicho (Representative of the National Council of Churches of Kenya).

 

Is Kenya Ready for an Openly Gay Politician?

Original Story from Daily Nation 18th September 2012, more stories here, read Mr. Kuria’s site here and see his interviews on capital talk here, here, here and here

 Mr. David Kuria has been on the forefront of fighting against poverty, increasing access to HIV services and for inclusion of the minority gay community in Kenyan mainstream.   Is there a chance that he could become the first openly gay man to become a politician in Kenya?

The first openly gay man to run for office is drawing attention to Kiambu County by running for the senate seat. Mr David Kuria recognises that his sexual orientation may be an extra challenge in the already competitive political sphere. “People may not see beyond the issue of sexual orientation and listen to my agenda” he admitted to the Nation.

He holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Nairobi. Going against the advice of many to marry, he hopes that voters will interpret his openness about his sexual orientation as honesty.

Mr Kuria hopes that the discrimination he has faced will allow him to better represent others in the society who are marginalised.

The 40-year-old has developed a campaign platform focusing on reforming laws and other structural barriers that prevent access to HIV services and fighting poverty.

Mr. Kuria has a five point agenda: 1. effective representation 2. Kiambu visibility 3. Health 4. Kuria foundation and 5. Second chances. Most of these points have been elaborated in his website above. Accordingly, Kuria proposes to apply the cluster approach to development where the periphery benefits from the trickle downs of the core; hence Kiambu’s nearness to Nairobi is a potential that needs to be exploited. According to Kuria, exploiting the current advantages well would move Kiambu beyond subsistence and enrich it.

The most unique contribution Mr. Kuria proposes to the county is that of second chances. Kuria realises that there are many people facing social exclusion because of poverty or other reasons. He proposes a model of inclusion through the social enterprise approaches and addressing the structural issues that contribute to exclusion. Hence he looks at development beyond the pure economic terms and includes the human psycho-social dimensions.

In this race Kuria faces veteran politicians with alot of experience and resources.