Ministers’ deaths big loss for Kenya

The sudden and shocking deaths of the Internal Security and Provincial Administration minister George Saitoti and his assistant Orwa Ojode and five others in a horrendous helicopter crash is devastating news to all.

The death of the two great and gallant sons of Kenya, who were at the forefront to ensuring the next elections are held in a peaceful environment, is a big blow to our leadership. Their enthusiasm, energy and vigour in enforcing Government policy or explaining the official Government positions in Parliament on various matters will be missed dearly.

Saitoti and Ojode had a good working relation although they came from different coalition wings. The two must be honoured for having put their personal, political and social differences and interests aside for the sake of the interests of Kenyans. Perhaps, this was the only ministry — with a PNU minister and ODM assistant minister or vice versa — that delivered service to Kenyans indiscriminately.

Meanwhile, it’s now becoming a great concern for Kenyans as the rate and frequency of air crashes that have led to the demise of Cabinet ministers and senior Government officials. It is worrying, unacceptable and has now reached alarming level that must be addressed by the Government. We cannot afford to lose key leaders at this rate.

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This, therefore, calls for a thorough and comprehensive audit on senior Government officials schedules vis-a-vis their private engagements. More importantly, and this been an election year, although one cannot prevent death, it’s prudent and timely for the sake of national stability for all key presidential candidates to seriously rethink, evaluate and critically assess their campaign movements especially when using the now killer helicopters.

Finally, as a show of love for each other, key presidential candidates should put their campaigns to halt for a while as we mourn the death of one of their own, Prof Saitoti.

{Enock Onsando, Mombasa}

Prof Saitoti will be remembered for a statement he made in Kasarani during the Kanu and NDP merger in March 2002 that ‘the nation is bigger than an individual’. Saitoti has held that ideology to his death. No doubt, he was a rare and intelligent politician in our times. He would be remembered as a politician who kept his cards close to his chest and who could not engage in dirty politics. He was a straightforward man who had a strong belief for democracy. He played mature politics and was an ideal candidate to take over from President Kibaki next year. He and his deputy Ojode died when sanity was creeping into the police force.

As we mourn their deaths, we should remember how they shaped the country’s political landscape. As minister, Saitoti lived up to his duty. Before joining politics, Saitoti, a mathematics professor from the University of Sussex pioneered the founding of African Mathematician union. Perhaps, many say his politics was mathematical and calculated every move he made. At no point was he wrong. He bowed out of Kanu at an appropriate time to secure a place in the government that followed. After showing interest in leading the country many knew that he was an ideal candidate. His maturity in politics would propel the county to successful level.

Let us honour his death by doing what he always advocated for, peace and harmony. May the Almighty God rest the souls of those who perished in eternal peace and strengthen the bereaved families.

{Samwel Born Maina, Kisii}

It’s a sad moment for the whole nation for the loss of six of our brothers. Let’s join the families in prayer at this trying moment. My warmest condolences for all the bereaved. May the Lord rest the souls of the deceased in eternal peace.

{Kanyi Gioko, Via Email}

Not on June 10, again! It is unfortunate to lose ministers in plane crash on same date as the 2008 incident that involved ministers Kipkalya Kones and Lorna Laboso. RIP Saitoti and Ojode.

{Arnold Rono, Via Email}

Yesterday was a real dark day for Kenya. Since this is not the first time such an incident is robbing us of national leaders, it’s time we sought God’s revelation on the lessons we ought to learn from them. What a loss? May the Almighty God rest their souls in eternal peace.

{E Nyaga, Online}

We need prayers more than political posturing

It’s sad Kenyans have lost senior politicians — Cabinet minister George Saitoti and his assistant minister Orwa Ojode — and the entire crew aboard a plane in a crash.

However, the coincidence of the dates that the incidence occurred leaves a million dollar question of whether Kenya is under a curse. On June 10, 2008, former Roads minister Kipkalya Kones and assistant minister in Office of the Vice President Lorna Laboso died in a similar incident.

Saitoti and Ojode will be remembered for many things, but I still ask: Is Kenya under a curse? Many things have happened since the inception of the Grand Coalition Government in 2008. Infernos, road and air accidents, terror attacks and diseases like cancer have become a threat our lives. I guess this nation needs spiritual cleansing to move on.

This would demand our leaders to swallow their pride, accept their mistakes and be repentant and our all-loving God will heal us. We need more prayers and not the political posturing we’re seeing everywhere.

{Chweya Iteba, Nairobi}

The death of Saitoti and Ojode is shocking. The two were not my ‘close friends’, but I loved them.

Ojode’s strongest characteristic was that he was no quitter. He displayed zealous determinations and sheer spirit, tackling all questions head-on. Saitoti’s humility and focus was full of intelligence and persistence.

The two proved the coalition Government was not always a collusion to rob Kenyans of leadership and resources.

May the death and the blood of the two political gurus cleanse and purify Kenya. Let their lives not be in vain, let it be Kenya’s third liberation.

{Nickson Magak, Kendu Bay}

Factor lives before approving buildings

I join other Kenyans in mourning the three people who died when a building in Mlolongo collapsed. Scores of people were also injured.

However, one asks, when will these deathtraps stop rising up? The multi-storey building is said to have been erected on wetland and was unable to hold more weight. There were also claims the building materials used were suspect.

Who approves these sites and materials? The local authority that approved the building site, the engineers involved and the contractor should take responsibility.

Also claims that most city houses are being built using sub-standard materials should be investigated.

{Justin Osey Peter, Mombasa}

Say no to ‘condoms for students’ idea

I join the debate on whether secondary school students should be supplied with condoms as a way of preventing sexually transmitted diseases. Protecting STDs among the youth is a good idea, but is supplying them with condoms the way to go?

It would be out of order to encourage a student who is not of age to engage in sex. In whatever we do, we must understand that these are children and it is the responsibility of the society to ensure they remained morally upright.

Giving condoms to these students in schools will not help in building their moral values.

{Benson Gitau, Maseno}

Computerise services

The ministry of Lands should not hoodwink Kenyans on how difficult it is to digitise and present the Kenyan records on lands. We are in a new era. Almost every other Government agency including the Registrar of companies is computerising.

Kenyans of goodwill are committed to helping the Government improve computerisation penetration in both technical and financial provisions and Lands docket has no excuse.

{Peter Kamakia, Nairobi}

Only ICC can judge

Everyone claims innocence to the post-election violence. Even of those who are direct beneficiaries.

However, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta’s insistence that he is innocent and that 2007 presidential candidates should take the blame over the violence doesn’t wash.

For the ICC cases at this stage, it is only the court to determine innocence of any suspect.

{Justin Osey Peter, Mombasa}