Tenth Parliament served the media sweet cold revenge marinated in the Kenya Communication (Amendment) Bill. And the Kenyan media must have seen it coming after their spirited exposure of the MPs’ lust and opposition to have their salaries taxed. Welcome to Kenyan politics and way of life where national good only stretches as far as personal aggrandizement.
This must be a very delicious pre-Christmas meal to the media just as we mark 45 years of independence whose tenets have been reduced to serve personal interest at the expense of the national good. Our myopic politicians may have just tightened the noose around their own necks albeit unwittingly so. They may smile from ear to ear cheating themselves that they have eventually nailed the press oblivious of the fact that the scribes will be their first port of call when they are out of political favour.
The present political class have summarily disabused us of the hitherto call for fresh political faces. They have proved no different from Shariff Nassirs of yore. Their selfish antics is an arrogant confirmation that all the high-sounding rhetoric were nothing but decoys meant to blind us from their ambitions to replace the eating at the table of impunity.
But again they are not alone. We have seen right here bigots clothe their tirades in unrivalled eloquence that redefines learned demagogy.
The good old adage that all that goes around comes around mean nothing to our political elite. A simple historical lesson would inform them that then Vice-President Kibaki ARTICULATELY seconded Njonjo’s 1982 bill to make Kenya an official dictatorship only to RUE his misplaced with and ELOQUENCE during his long stint in opposition politics.
Poisoned eloquence
Freedom is never granted but instedad it is bitterly and painfully fought for. Forget the entire fad that Kibaki has given Kenya the present freedom they enjoy. Times have changed and people have commensurately raised the bar. Only our politicians still draw pleasure and pride in primitive gimmicks.
Legalizing police raids on media house is akin to watering the seed of political incest where the Government would pretend to police itself in Parliament. Well, the politicians have selfishly made the bed and must accept to lie of it with all the thorns sprouting underneath. Self-regulation with independent arbiters is the practice the world over to have media remain responsible but not in Kenya.
That Kenya will never be the same after last year’s bungled election is no cliche. The truism that life changes fast and furiously and the villains of today can easily be tomorrow’s victims cannot be gainsaid. Double standards remain our bane to national progress.
Only Kenyans joyfully live the national lie in killing institutions and turn around to decry dearth of the same even before the burial ceremony if over. The Artur brothers must be exposing their post molars in obtuse exhilaration at the present turn of events.
«
Expand/Collapse
-
18:41 The Freedom To Remain Speechless
» Kenyanentrepreneur.com What these MP’s are doing is now becoming comical. Did I not tell you people almost a year ago, that Africa was not ready for democracy? Did I not tell you people that the coalition government was an illusion that would do nothing else, but bankrupt the national treasury? I’m beginning to sound like a broken record, but [...] -
18:41
[nt]
» Kenyanentrepreneur.com
-
18:01
Waiting............
» For Love and Money Waiting............
-
15:34
Why I blog about Africa
» Black Looks I was tagged by What an African Woman Thinks and asked why I blog about Africa. I was having a bad day so thought I would wait a few days to see if I could come up with some wonderfully interesting set of reasons but I haven’t - so this is it. In [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Why I blog about Africa", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/12/why_i_blog_about_africa.html" });
-
14:02
Globality Came to Town Riding On A Telenovela
» What An African Woman Thinks Globality: a new era of competition in which enterprises from the developed world which once dominated the flow of business are suddenly finding themselves competing with everyone from everywhere for everything.
I was absentmindedly channel surfing on Wednesday when I landed on Channel two. A South American Telenovela, was on (and yes, I confess, that was my hand in the cookie jar already), I paused and watched more than a little.
Later, I found out that it’s called Juana la Viroen and that the original Spanish edition is from Venezuela. (There’s precious little that isn't within the reach of google these days, I tell ya.)
So. Telenovela. Names like Alfredo, Armando, Juana tossed about casually and the actors looking every bit like every other actor or actress from the plethora of telenovelas on Kenyan Television.
Nothing particularly remarkable about that.
Except.
The English translation dubbed over the Spanish was rendered in a variety of Nigerian accents, strong and not so strong.
It knocked me back a little.
I was absentmindedly listening to a conversation in Nigerian English, but the images were South American. It took me a while to draw the line that joined the dots, I confess.
It was so weird and so different and so a sign of the times.
Some enterprising individual somewhere figured English is English is English, isn’t it, so why not try something different?
Why not indeed. I’m loving it. Not likely to watch it again but loving the idea of it nonetheless. It is so the next thing after Indian BPO outsourcing.
I wonder where we go from here.It's my window, but I don't own the view.
-
13:56
What is jimnah smoking?
» Rants, Raves & Reviews I need me some of what jimnah mbaru is smoking... Did he write this article or was it ghost-written for him?
It started off well but as the effects of whatever the writer was chewing or smoking got hold of him...
GoK - Government of Kenya
CBR - Central Bank Rate. Rate at which the CBK lends KES to Kenyan banks.
CR - Cash Ratio. % of customer/bank deposits that have to given (interest-free) by banks to the CBK. It also acts as a brake on lending but increases lending rates.
1) Lower Interest Rates & Cash Ratio:
I agree a lower CR will increase lending as banks will have "more" funds to lend as they can go after additional deposits. As interest rates for loans fall, firms can take on additional risk/investments due to lower project costs.
Lowering the CBR will encourage 'cheaper' lending but this is dicey in that banks often have to be 'forced' (after adjusting for default & borrower risk) to lend at cheaper rates unless there is sufficient competition.
In my view, its better to privatize - or transfer the management to professional hands - additional government owned/controlled institutions e.g. KPA, KPC and KAA then lend them 'cheaper' funds - with private sector oversight - for big-ticket items. This is a long-term view but worked well for the USA during FDR's time with the New Deal...
KPA - A 2nd port + better facilities at Kilindini + new bulk grain handling facility.
KPC - Longer & larger fuel pipelines to Kisumu then Uganda & all the way to Rwanda.
KAA - A 2nd runway is desperately needed + new terminals + FAA Category 1 certification for N.American flights + upgrade existing terminals.
2) Buy SafCon (& other shares) from the market to inject liquidity:
The Hong Kong government did that successfully but HK ran a surplus (GoK has a deficit) & HK's gov't financial dealings are considered relatively 'clean' whereas 'GoK' & 'clean' are not in the same dictionary let alone sentence!
Unless the buying process is managed independent of any political influence, buying shares opens up multiple avenues of insider trading and corruption e.g. merali (a pal of dan moi's) can influence the government to buy shares in his shitty firms (eveready, sasini and sameer) which are among the NSE's worst performers!
Or the GoK buys shares in Tea firms to 'support' the tea industry whereas tourism might be a better investment.
It is short-sighted & stupid to bar Kenyan Fund Managers from investing off-shore. A Fund Manager's job is to get the best returns for his clients NOT support Kenya's economy! What next? Ban forex transactions to 'save' forex? Ban foreign travel to encourage domestic travel?
Just was we want foreign money (FDIs & stock-market investments) we have to allow foreign investments or how different are we from the Tanzanians?
BTW... mbaru was intimately involved in selling SafCon at a preferred price to 'hidden' foreigners who were supposedly 'long-term investors' but these mbaru-supported foreigners were the first to cash out.
3) Borrow to Lend to other countries- Great in theory but not smart in practice... not for Kenya. How will the GoK control - with minimal bureaucracy (read corruption) - that the funds lent are spent on Kenyan goods?
At what interest rate does Kenya borrow & lend?
Will some firms be favoured exporters (esp those connected with politicians)?
How will the minimum 'local' content be regulated so its not just mere trans-shipment of goods?
The only way out is to create an EXIM bank run on a PROFESSIONAL & COMMERCIAL basis which also provides sustainability.
These countries already buy Kenyan, the problem is INFRASTRUCTURAl DEFICIENCIES to deliver the goods. The Rwandese complain about delays in transporting goods. Kenyan exporters have to bribe the Kenyan customs so the trucks are allowed through without inordinate delays. Building a railway to S.Sudan will do more for them & Kenya than lending S.Sudan money. As is... they might just buy more T-72 tanks!
(BTW... who was that idiot wentagula think he was fooling when he said the T-72s were for the Kenyan armed forces?)
Solution is to cut down on spurious customs & inspections when goods are exported to our neighbours. Yes, watch out for smuggled ivory, sandalwood, etc but not the hassles with exporting locally produced goods.
Instead of the GoK borrowing money... how about reducing taxes? Almost the same difference regarding 'deficit' but a much faster way of getting liquidity into the economy... and its also egalitarian!
4) Building Sewers:
Isn't this a job for municipalities?
Why were houses allowed to be built without sewers?
How do cash-strapped consumers build ditches or pay to be connected?
Unlike MPs, the Kenyan taxpayer does not get subsidized housing mortgages or tax-free allowances.
Shouldn't other municipalities be included in the programme?
What happens if a home-owner (with a mortgage) can't afford to be 'connected'?
It's better to have a comprehensive New Deal rather than simply building sewers in Nairobi!
5) Sale Lease-backs:
The chances of buying the properties back at a reasonable price is almost zero... unless the economy is in the gutter... in which case the situation would be similar to what it is now...
And the corruption involved would be phenomenal!
It is more efficient and cheaper to (a) outsource most government functions (b) issue long-dated bonds than sell and lease back properties (c) encourage private entrepreneurship (d) fire 70% of the cabinet.
-
10:11
Forget Erykah Badu, Angie Stone and Jill Scott, discover new underground Neo Soul Artists
» Kenyanpoet Today has turned out to be one of those days that I discover that my love for Neo Soul music has just been Puppy love - There are those who are actual fanatics.
I met a guy today under totally different circumstances(he'd been called to our office for net support). Let us just say, my mind has been opened up to a whole new world where Neo Soul Music and artists thrive beyond my wildest imagination.
I discovered such artists like Rare Earth, N'dambi,Ola Onabule, Kendra Ross and many more. They can all be found on www.justsoul.net
( Image - Yahzarah)
One can also sample their music through two deadly online live streaming sites(for those with good bandwith). Projectvibe, Soul tracks and Aol radio.
Just to give you a sample of how much Neo-soul is out there, below is a calendar of recent album releases over the last couple of months as well as upcoming releases.
Maysa -Metamorphosis -October 14
LaBelle -Back To Now -October 21
Ledisi -It's Christmas- October 28
John Legend -Evolver -October 28
Rahsaan Patterson- Ultimate Gift- January 2009
Jody Watley -Chamaleon -February 2009
Choklate -TBA -April 2009
N'dambi - TBA- April 2009
Daryl Hall -Hall -TBA
Marlon Saunders- Birth Of Revelation -TBA
James Day -Natural Thing -TBA
Maxwell -Black Summer Night- TBA
Rare Earth -A Brand New World - TBA
Aretha Franklin- A Woman Falling Out of Love- TBA
Thanks S.O for inspiring this article and sharing a collection of your music.
-
9:47
IPhone to Kenya
» bankelele Today will see the official launch of Apple’s i-Phone (3G) into the Kenyan market by Orange mobile.
You could say it’s a case of bad timing as Kenyans are going through tough economic times and perhaps entering a recession period.
Recession or not?: With (very) high prices of petrol (until recently), electricity, maize and other foods, a spike in the government deficit, global financial turmoil, fewer tourists, reduced remittance volumes all signs would point to an economic slow down. Right?
But not the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK): I have been in the past ‘impressed’ (did I say it was the best bank site?) by the volumes of reports published by the Central Bank, mostly because they are timely, though difficult to decipher the message.
The CBK reports have predicted some hardships, but remained very optimistic and rosy about the country economy. But it appears that the messages are tailored to suit the tone of the day because Kenya’s leading business newspaper has taken note.
Today's Business Daily has a very harsh critique of the CBK reports (which many banks, funds, government departments use to formulate their policies). The BD editorial laments the consistency of presentation, shifting periods for which data is presented, differences in figures published by KNBS (statistics bureau) and a determination by its authors to manipulate data through a series of omissions and change of periods under review that makes it nearly impossible to keep track of ongoings in the economy.
Former Nairobi Stock Exchange boss Jimnah Mbaru (who's also a sometime author) thinks Kenya is headed for a recession and has published a column which ran in some newspapers and appears at Capital FM website titled How Kenya can escape recession . He advocates (like US President-elect Obama) that the Kenya Government spend its way back to robustness. Some of the proposals he suggests include reduce interest rates and cash ratio (which have already happened) but also some strange ones like the government should buy Safaricom shares, sell buildings, and mandates that more sewers be built he also says hedge funds cashing out brought down the NSE this year...hmm.
Blog views: In the absence of as Finance Minister, the Government is engaged in a series of Voodoo economics.
i-Phone outlook: Looking around Nairobi with all the Hummers, new Range Rovers, new apartments complexes etc., it is clear that there’s an affluent class that does not feel the pinch of a (possible) recession and despite the tough year it has been, there have been several new entrants in Kenya.
The i-Phone which has been a worldwide smash, and impressed many (not all) its customers, can be expected to do well here also. Like with the Blackberry before it - which was circulating here unlocked/hacked before its official debut, it will now be licensed and supported after the official launch.
-
I Want to Be An Unreasonable Woman
» What An African Woman Thinks The reasonable man adapts himself to the world. The unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.
George Bernard ShawIt's my window, but I don't own the view.
-
Nigeria: traitors and patriots forces of darkness and soldiers of light
» Black Looks During it’s 48 years of independence Nigerians have been subjected to a series of brutal military regimes and inept civilian governments with militaristic tendencies. So it is not surprising the country has managed to build up a pretty dismal human rights record which continues today with summary detentions of journalists and media outlets, [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Nigeria: traitors and patriots forces of darkness and soldiers of light", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/12/nigeria_traitors_and_patriots_forces_of_darkness_and_soldiers_of_light.html" });
-
5:51
Is Standard Group Acquiring Radio Simba?
» KA-INVESTOR 
Nairumour (as Bankelele puts it) has it that Radio Simba is winding up its operation in preparation for a take-over by a leading Kenyan media house in the New Year - 2009. Could this be the Radio station Standard Group mentioned they were in the process of acquiring for Ksh.250 million in a press release earlier in November this year?
In the Standard Group’s November press release it says:
Radio Simba is a joint venture between Toads Media Group Kenya and FM holdings who own Radio Simba Kampala. In Kenya it operates from Nairobi.“…. The Standard Group wishes to announce that it is at advanced stages of concluding negotiations that would lead to the acquisition of an entire interest of a company that holds radio frequencies covering most of the country. The modalities of these transactions are being worked out and the timing of commencement of operations and related details will be announced at a later stage. The Standard Group plans to invest within the next one and half years an estimated of Kenya Shillings Two Hundred and fifty Million only (Kshs 250 million) inclusive of the acquisition cost and in the development of a robust infrastructure.”
-
Nakumatt Express (Up date)
» KA-INVESTOR 
I spoke too soon about this in the previous post. It has now come out that Nakumatt has decided to go the convenience stores (better known as C-Stores) way to capture a wider market base. The Kahawa Wendani Nakumatt Express is just the pioneer of many to come in several (mostly Nairobi) estates.
Related stories:
- will their 2009 IPO materialize?
- Nakumatt wins Planet Retail’s innovation award
-
4:05
Why Some Africans Hate Charity? Explained By the Cast of Friends
» The Displaced African When I watched this episode of Friends, I thought, “Yup! That captures what a lot of African people feel about charity!”
The Cast
Africa and Africans will be represented by Joey, Rachel and Phoebe
The West and its charitable shall be represented by Ross, Monica and Chandler
Wish I Could Embed It But Sadly I Can’t
Take note of the group dynamics and let me know what you think:
http://www.sidereel.com/Friends_(1994)/_watchlinkviewer/14893
-
4:02
2008 Awards From A Kumekucha Faithful
» You Missed This Hi Chris, I composed this for my beloved Kumekucha. Hope you will have the courage to publish it for the bloggers to unwind from the complex politics of the land. Cheers mate.
It's that time of the year again when we dish out the gongs and oscars to those well deserving Kenyans.
1. Crime of the year- MPs refusal to pay taxes. It doesn't get more sickening than this when other Kenyans are starving to death due to high cost of living. What an axis of evil this bunch is!
2. Slumber of the year- It's gotta be prezzo. The mzee likes his peace so much before making any statement that when he opens envelopes containing various problems facing the country, he finds the problems long fixed themselves naturally .
3. U-turn of the year- Ruto for opposing the Waki report as... "shoody', i"ll timed', blah blah, them embracing it saying it should be fully implemented. Aha, talk of Saul being converted on the way to Damascus! What's the catch?
4. Scandal of the year- The man made maize shortage whereby some top political dogs of war are making billions to a point of changing our nation's staple diet of Ugali. Don't expect any heads to roll.
5. Hypocrite of the year- Step forward Hon Ababu Namwamba of the box haircut fame. Very vocal in calling for an official oppostion, yet goes into hiding when asked about paying all his taxes. Politicking 24hrs a day, when Budalang'i people are drowning in floods right up to their eye-balls.
6. Event of the year- Good Old Kibaki being sworn hurriedly at night as 'duly elected' without pomp and colour.
7. Reformer of the Year- Hon Justice Phillip Waki for handing out a lifeline to Kenyans to end Impunity. Watch how this chance will be squandered!
8. Speech of the year- Hon Dr Khalwale on impeaching Kimunya. "To end impunity, Kimunya must go! To clean up the treasury, Kimunya must go! To arrest rampant corruption, Kimunya must go! Your wife can't give birt... Kimunya must go....."
-------------------------------
Are you in Kenya or would you like to work in Kenya? Choose from plenty of Kenyan jobs available at this site.
0000000000000000000000
9. Minister of the year- Michuki asiye na chuki. For steering finance and environment dockets with charisma, dignity and pride.You can't please everyone but at your age, you are doing well
10. Worst minister--- You guessed it right--Chirau Ali Mwakwere. Road carnage is back, Matatu madness is back with many screening porn at night. It's all hell on the roads compared to Michuki's era yet this minister pockets a salary of Ksh 1,000,000 per month-- for doing----- absolutely nothing! Nice job if you get it.
11. Villain of the year- Step forward Bwana Kivuitu. Still getting huge pay despite the botched elections. How does this man sleep at night?
12. Puzzle of the year. Who is on the Waki's secret envelope? surely aren't they doomed despite the posturing?
13. Export of the year: Power sharing Kenyan style. It's being shipped to Zimbabwe, DR Congo..etc
14. Steal of the year: Moi's Range Rover worth Sh20M despite having all the tracking devices according to the police. You gotta salute those who pulled it off....
15. Man of the CENTURY! Our very own Barack Obama for thinking and executing the unthinkable! You did us proud son.
16. Blog of the year. Kumekucha for being steadfast, fearless and frank.
What say you? Do you agree with me? have your say....
Has Obama not stopped smoking?
Dream Honeymoon Beach holidays on private island in East Africa at affordable rates this Christmas. Avoid crowded Mombasa.
Be sure to check out this mouth-watering African dishes in Nairobi
Copyright © 1999 - 2009 Mashada - All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions