February 1st, 2007
Things that make you hmmm…
… maybe it’s just me, but I find it curious that youth from Korogocho can effectively organize and demonstrate against high food prices (and other injustices) at the World Social Forum that was recently held in Nairobi, yet their local Member of Parliament gets away with being AWOL.
What gives?
on February 2nd, 2007 at 2:20
because most of the people who voted for Mr.MP were not from Korogocho, but bussed in from other places…. the problem is with the registration process. the same happens in kibera….(why do you think raila keeps getting re-elected from there, when he has done jack shit for the residents….)
on February 2nd, 2007 at 12:11
Because ironically, the protests of the high costs of fees and food were initiated by a European non-governmental organization. The Coalition to Abolish Third World Debt, CADTM, a Belgium-based network run by Eric Toussaint.:neutral:
on February 2nd, 2007 at 14:35
When it really impacts people and there is a leader, people can get together and protest about something but sadly in Kenya there is a big lack of leaders on the grass roots level. Everyone who can lead is looking out for themselves or wants no part of it.
Ignore me and his/her conspiracy theories. What would someone have to gain by bussing in people to protest about food? There is no political mileage there at all!
on February 3rd, 2007 at 14:09
acolyte,
i wasnt talking about bussing people in to protest about food. i was talking about why mr.MP gets elected even when the people of korogocho know that he is doing nothing for them.
and i would like to correct what nekessa said about mr.Belgian initiating the protest. agreed, that mr.Belgian’s ngo made a protest about the high cost of food, but the youth from korogocho had nothing to do with him. they were organized and brought there by a certain kenyan catholic father, who is very active in korogocho.
on February 3rd, 2007 at 21:47
Trying not to be cynical, but here goes. The scene is captured on video, documented, and is a more progressive fund raising way than the silly patronizing Sally Struthers commercials on US TV.
I think of all the things that people need to protest about in Korogocho, (crime, health facilities, access to clean water, education, being insulted by the First Lady, etc) inexpensive lunch at a policy conference does not sound like a priority. As one who has lived the hand to mouth existence, next week/month rent, food, takes up so much of one’s time, and anything else that does help in the immediate goal is a distraction.
on February 4th, 2007 at 7:00
Isnt this like a false dichotomy?
Isn’t it all the same protest.
A minor difference is that at WSF there was a likelihood that someone might actually listen; and the GSU did not clobber anyone
on February 4th, 2007 at 7:38
Amused,
despite your cynicism, you do have a point. i know of many in korogocho, kariobangi, babadogo….who describe themselves as “seminarians” …they attend seminars organized by ngos merely for the free lunches provided.
when you talk of the protest motivated as an expression of fund-raising….i beg to differ. it is not completely impossible that there are people who are genuinely protesting rather than trying to make a few bucks out of it.
on March 24th, 2007 at 12:18
Truly, its a show of might. Kenyan politicians are like hip hop stars - now Raila has a Hammer! see http://www.since97.com