Comments on: Diary 21 – Observations (from the ground as it were) http://www.kenyanpundit.com/2008/01/16/diary-21-observations-from-the-ground-as-it-were/ Opinions, commentary, na kadhalika Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:16:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: lose weight http://www.kenyanpundit.com/2008/01/16/diary-21-observations-from-the-ground-as-it-were/comment-page-1/#comment-106011 lose weight Thu, 25 Nov 2010 15:50:25 +0000 http://www.kenyanpundit.com/?p=435#comment-106011 Thank you. Nice website you got going on here. Got some more links to point to with more info? Thank you. Nice website you got going on here. Got some more links to point to with more info?

]]> By: Edwin Mukhokho http://www.kenyanpundit.com/2008/01/16/diary-21-observations-from-the-ground-as-it-were/comment-page-1/#comment-84699 Edwin Mukhokho Fri, 18 Jan 2008 04:20:59 +0000 http://www.kenyanpundit.com/?p=435#comment-84699 Am surprised that some people think what has happened in kenya was organised. i can tell you that if the police continues to brutalizing unarmed citizens and not leaving them options. Orgainsed crime is going to set in. we have seen that happen inthe past with the " infamous dissidents" and "mwakenya". I hope some one in the Illigite government get some sense and exercises some judgement. Am surprised that some people think what has happened in kenya was organised. i can tell you that if the police continues to brutalizing unarmed citizens and not leaving them options. Orgainsed crime is going to set in. we have seen that happen inthe past with the ” infamous dissidents” and “mwakenya”. I hope some one in the Illigite government get some sense and exercises some judgement.

]]> By: debaba http://www.kenyanpundit.com/2008/01/16/diary-21-observations-from-the-ground-as-it-were/comment-page-1/#comment-84696 debaba Fri, 18 Jan 2008 03:18:08 +0000 http://www.kenyanpundit.com/?p=435#comment-84696 Guys, let us all think as human being with all basic needs of life, it does not mater who you are where you come from, we all want the best in life, nobody chooses their parents, thus where they are born, Therefore regardless of what has happened we should come words of healing, kindness and sympathy. Thos of you living abroad, know what it is to be black in the western world. We should be advocates of peace, love unity, kindess and most of all loving our neighbours as we love ourselves, Need I say more, the Bible says it all. Guys, let us all think as human being with all basic needs of life, it does not mater who you are where you come from, we all want the best in life, nobody chooses their parents, thus where they are born, Therefore regardless of what has happened we should come words of healing, kindness and sympathy. Thos of you living abroad, know what it is to be black in the western world. We should be advocates of peace, love unity, kindess and most of all loving our neighbours as we love ourselves, Need I say more, the Bible says it all.

]]> By: Ishara http://www.kenyanpundit.com/2008/01/16/diary-21-observations-from-the-ground-as-it-were/comment-page-1/#comment-84689 Ishara Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:02:30 +0000 http://www.kenyanpundit.com/?p=435#comment-84689 I just read this article and had to post an exerpt here so the Diaspora knows the business community in Kenya feels as aggrieved by the election results as much as any other Kenyan and they are quite capable of closing up shop and joining the protests as is shown by the exemplar below in Voi Town. Business paralysed and schools closed as more youths protest Story by NATION Team Publication Date: 1/18/2008 Business in Mwatate and Voi towns was Thursday paralysed the whole afternoon as police clashed with several hundred demonstrators who had responded to the ODM call for mass action. The Orange Democratic Movement had called for three days of mass action countrywide to protest at what they claim to be the rigging of the December 27 elections in favour of President Kibaki. The protests began on Wednesday. In Voi, police officers led by deputy OCPD John Leshimpiro, confronted area Member of Parliament Dan Mwazo who was leading about 50 people to Moi Stadium for the rally. As Mr Mwazo argued with Mr Leshampiro, some businesspeople closed their premises and joined the march, causing the crowd to grow to about 300. Mr Leshimpiro on realising things were getting out of hand, ordered his officers to disperse the crowd with tear gas. http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=2&newsid=114848 I just read this article and had to post an exerpt here so the Diaspora knows the business community in Kenya feels as aggrieved by the election results as much as any other Kenyan and they are quite capable of closing up shop and joining the protests as is shown by the exemplar below in Voi Town.

Business paralysed and schools closed as more youths protest

Story by NATION Team
Publication Date: 1/18/2008

Business in Mwatate and Voi towns was Thursday paralysed the whole afternoon as police clashed with several hundred demonstrators who had responded to the ODM call for mass action.

The Orange Democratic Movement had called for three days of mass action countrywide to protest at what they claim to be the rigging of the December 27 elections in favour of President Kibaki. The protests began on Wednesday.

In Voi, police officers led by deputy OCPD John Leshimpiro, confronted area Member of Parliament Dan Mwazo who was leading about 50 people to Moi Stadium for the rally.

As Mr Mwazo argued with Mr Leshampiro, some businesspeople closed their premises and joined the march, causing the crowd to grow to about 300.

Mr Leshimpiro on realising things were getting out of hand, ordered his officers to disperse the crowd with tear gas.

http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=2&newsid=114848

]]> By: Mama Janet http://www.kenyanpundit.com/2008/01/16/diary-21-observations-from-the-ground-as-it-were/comment-page-1/#comment-84682 Mama Janet Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:34:06 +0000 http://www.kenyanpundit.com/?p=435#comment-84682 This video http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DtFhwgyeVyI is sickening. Thank you for posting. I'm sure this is just one of thousands of atrocities going on right now at home. I've never felt so impotent. What can I do? What can we do? Publicizing such horrific acts and forcing a dialogue is much needed. Bullets fired into a crowd don't discriminate between "us" and "them"- that boy could be any Kenyan's brother/cousin/ son/uncle/husband. This is just totally vile, but the world needs to see this. I'm just...speechless. I was talking to someone who was scheduled to comment about the events in Kenya on European television. She was bumped for a more pressing current affair (perhaps for Bush's travels to the Middle East), the explanation being that "the crisis in Kenya has finally cooled down, it's not such a hot topic anymore". The media sucks sometimes. This video http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DtFhwgyeVyI is sickening. Thank you for posting.

I’m sure this is just one of thousands of atrocities going on right now at home. I’ve never felt so impotent. What can I do? What can we do? Publicizing such horrific acts and forcing a dialogue is much needed. Bullets fired into a crowd don’t discriminate between “us” and “them”- that boy could be any Kenyan’s brother/cousin/ son/uncle/husband. This is just totally vile, but the world needs to see this. I’m just…speechless.

I was talking to someone who was scheduled to comment about the events in Kenya on European television. She was bumped for a more pressing current affair (perhaps for Bush’s travels to the Middle East), the explanation being that “the crisis in Kenya has finally cooled down, it’s not such a hot topic anymore”. The media sucks sometimes.

]]> By: kenyanentrepreneur.com http://www.kenyanpundit.com/2008/01/16/diary-21-observations-from-the-ground-as-it-were/comment-page-1/#comment-84681 kenyanentrepreneur.com Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:10:26 +0000 http://www.kenyanpundit.com/?p=435#comment-84681 To David Waweru: Please get in touch with me at kenyanentrepreneur@gmail.com - I'd like to get additional information on what you just wrote above. thanks kenyanentrepreneur.com To David Waweru:

Please get in touch with me at kenyanentrepreneur@gmail.com – I’d like to get additional information on what you just wrote above. thanks

kenyanentrepreneur.com

]]> By: Chris Blattman http://www.kenyanpundit.com/2008/01/16/diary-21-observations-from-the-ground-as-it-were/comment-page-1/#comment-84680 Chris Blattman Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:12:43 +0000 http://www.kenyanpundit.com/?p=435#comment-84680 Great thoughts, as usual. I'd really enjoy your comments on this post and academic article, and whether it applies to the Kenyan situation like I think it might: http://chrisblattman.blogspot.com/2008/01/can-mathematics-give-us-way-out-of.html Best, Chris Great thoughts, as usual. I’d really enjoy your comments on this post and academic article, and whether it applies to the Kenyan situation like I think it might:

http://chrisblattman.blogspot.com/2008/01/can-mathematics-give-us-way-out-of.html

Best,
Chris

]]> By: Noli Irritare Leones » Blog Archive » Kenya: Effect of constitution on the crisis, police crack down and protests continue, donors threaten to cut aid, Kenyan Friends reflect on peace testimony http://www.kenyanpundit.com/2008/01/16/diary-21-observations-from-the-ground-as-it-were/comment-page-1/#comment-84679 Noli Irritare Leones » Blog Archive » Kenya: Effect of constitution on the crisis, police crack down and protests continue, donors threaten to cut aid, Kenyan Friends reflect on peace testimony Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:54:50 +0000 http://www.kenyanpundit.com/?p=435#comment-84679 [...] MX, in a diary at Kenya Pundit, argues that Kenya was polarized long before this crisis. [...] [...] MX, in a diary at Kenya Pundit, argues that Kenya was polarized long before this crisis. [...]

]]> By: pat http://www.kenyanpundit.com/2008/01/16/diary-21-observations-from-the-ground-as-it-were/comment-page-1/#comment-84678 pat Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:51:49 +0000 http://www.kenyanpundit.com/?p=435#comment-84678 Is it possible for you to prominently encourage members of the press and the general public to take photos of individuals and government actions as evidence. I mean like pictures of the trigger happy police who are shooting innocent people. The images can be used in an international tribunal (if there will be one in future) and as a deterrent, bring this evidence gathering to the police chief, specifically by telling them that in case of a trial, they will be answerable to the actions of their staff. If you publicise this exercise, there is a small chance that they will restrain them from excessive force. If you need web space for the photos or a web album, i can help. Pat Is it possible for you to prominently encourage members of the press and the general public to take photos of individuals and government actions as evidence. I mean like pictures of the trigger happy police who are shooting innocent people. The images can be used in an international tribunal (if there will be one in future) and as a deterrent, bring this evidence gathering to the police chief, specifically by telling them that in case of a trial, they will be answerable to the actions of their staff.
If you publicise this exercise, there is a small chance that they will restrain them from excessive force.
If you need web space for the photos or a web album, i can help.
Pat

]]> By: fiona http://www.kenyanpundit.com/2008/01/16/diary-21-observations-from-the-ground-as-it-were/comment-page-1/#comment-84676 fiona Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:04:32 +0000 http://www.kenyanpundit.com/?p=435#comment-84676 Am not ashamed that I thought better of my people. Am not naive either to think that tribalism is not the bigger problem in this current crisis we are facing, it is not lost to me that this is abit of Molo, Lamu, Kibera, Naivasha, Eldoret,Kisumu in it.. All those dark days of sweepng it under the rug and forgetting about it.When loss of life is just another gorvernment statistic and not national tragedy. That belief that one tribe is more superior than the other. The foolish thought that if the leader is from your tribe then you too "kula from the pot" see how the Kalenjins thrived under Moi, the progress the Kikuyus had under Kenyatta when all roads led to Gatundu. The great Luhya prophecy of the day when the Luo will be the leader and then they will topple him and take over. The luos and Raila Kende. I know all that and hear it. That nonsense when the truth is how many Kikuyus just like every other Kenyan live from paycheck to paycheck? How many Kalenjins during Moi's reign lost their land. livelihood and could not even afford to educate their children? How many Luos and Luhyas would assume that under Railaa/Mudavadi life as they know it will be transformed overnight? How many Kikuyus are living in Kibera just like every other slum dweller in Kenya ? Tribalism has been since the days of the British to present day Kenya the magic wand that has destroyed and not built us . But it works you see. It is easier to blame each other,even when we live in the same pit hole and eat dust. Divisions are created throughout history to keep the masses in check. So that the leadership maintains its status quo. Let us make it about Kikuyus and Luos (how many other tribes exist in this country ?) And not about the real issues the questionalble election, Goldenberg, Anglo -Leasing, 6 figure salaries for MPs while the teachers, doctors and nurses get squat. Sub-standard education system. The jobs Kibaki promised when he came into power.. Yap, I know it all , but am also believing that there are some out there who like that young man are sick of this nonsense. Sick of Goldenberg, Anglo-leasing, Artur brothers,having no voice, no justice, sick of Obama and many other brilliant sons and daughters of Kenya who Kenya could not take care of so they sought refuge elsewhere to give themselves that simple chance of progress. Maybe some of us are like that. Hoping that they will be a time in Kenya when there will be a young independent mind from anyprovince who will get his/her chance at leadership because his/her people will like his/her ideas and give him/her a chance. He/she will probably be the son/daughter of a hard working family , not of the many ruling Kenyan families who feel they are all entitled to State house. Am looking at that day and that is why am going out there in the bitter cold to protest. It is not lost to me that reality of my situation, but I also know the kind of change I want in my country, despite of the many stereotypes I know many Kenyans above that today. It is for their sake that I say no this fight going on is for justice. For our future and for the future of our children. It is for future elections in Kenya. It is for our voice. It is for vote. We either want tribalism or nationalism to win. I choose the latter let peace prevail. Till then we shall fight on. Am not ashamed that I thought better of my people. Am not naive either to think that tribalism is not the bigger problem in this current crisis we are facing, it is not lost to me that this is abit of Molo, Lamu, Kibera, Naivasha, Eldoret,Kisumu in it.. All those dark days of sweepng it under the rug and forgetting about it.When loss of life is just another gorvernment statistic and not national tragedy.

That belief that one tribe is more superior than the other. The foolish thought that if the leader is from your tribe then you too “kula from the pot” see how the Kalenjins thrived under Moi, the progress the Kikuyus had under Kenyatta when all roads led to Gatundu. The great Luhya prophecy of the day when the Luo will be the leader and then they will topple him and take over. The luos and Raila Kende. I know all that and hear it.

That nonsense when the truth is how many Kikuyus just like every other Kenyan live from paycheck to paycheck? How many Kalenjins during Moi’s reign lost their land. livelihood and could not even afford to educate their children? How many Luos and Luhyas would assume that under Railaa/Mudavadi life as they know it will be transformed overnight? How many Kikuyus are living in Kibera just like every other slum dweller in Kenya ?

Tribalism has been since the days of the British to present day Kenya the magic wand that has destroyed and not built us . But it works you see. It is easier to blame each other,even when we live in the same pit hole and eat dust. Divisions are created throughout history to keep the masses in check. So that the leadership maintains its status quo. Let us make it about Kikuyus and Luos (how many other tribes exist in this country ?) And not about the real issues the questionalble election, Goldenberg, Anglo -Leasing, 6 figure salaries for MPs while the teachers, doctors and nurses get squat. Sub-standard education system. The jobs Kibaki promised when he came into power..

Yap, I know it all , but am also believing that there are some out there who like that young man are sick of this nonsense. Sick of Goldenberg, Anglo-leasing, Artur brothers,having no voice, no justice, sick of Obama and many other brilliant sons and daughters of Kenya who Kenya could not take care of so they sought refuge elsewhere to give themselves that simple chance of progress. Maybe some of us are like that. Hoping that they will be a time in Kenya when there will be a young independent mind from anyprovince who will get his/her chance at leadership because his/her people will like his/her ideas and give him/her a chance. He/she will probably be the son/daughter of a hard working family , not of the many ruling Kenyan families who feel they are all entitled to State house. Am looking at that day and that is why am going out there in the bitter cold to protest. It is not lost to me that reality of my situation, but I also know the kind of change I want in my country, despite of the many stereotypes I know many Kenyans above that today. It is for their sake that I say no this fight going on is for justice. For our future and for the future of our children. It is for future elections in Kenya. It is for our voice. It is for vote.

We either want tribalism or nationalism to win. I choose the latter let peace prevail. Till then we shall fight on.

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