The vicious media attacks on President Kibaki by the UK delegation to Kenya and the European Union (EU) over his refusal to meet the delegates is by extension an attack on Kenya as a free State.
Kenya is no longer under imperial rule and thus has no responsibility to bend over backwards to heed to the calls of the international community. As a matter of fact, what Kenya owes the international community is respect founded on mutual understanding and not one forced by a history of colonialism.
What the recent altercation between the country and the UK has done is to dent the affable relations between Kenya and some of the European league of countries with interest in Kenya.
Furthermore, by openly attacking the president in a bare-knuckle melee, it is by extension an attack on the people of Kenya.
Both the UK and EU must re-evaluate their individual and collective responsibility and interests and consequently make the honourable adjustment of respecting Kenyans and their national leader.
Peter Mshefa, Kilif
In the past few days, there have been reports from the UK and EU offices and representatives in Nairobi claiming President Kibaki is inaccessible.
Sovereign state
Kenya is a sovereign State and does not owe it to her former coloniser to bend over backwards just because an envoy has been sent by the Queen of England to come and have tea with the President.
In any case, the President must be pre-occupied with issues of national importance to pay attention to every Tom, Dick and Harry who may want to pop in to see him without any significant agenda.
The UK and EU must give the President the respect he deserves.
Salome Nashipai, Nakuru
Statements from the EU and the UK have inevitably dented the nation’s diplomatic relationship with Europe.
Following the emergence of an alleged plot by the UK to have President Kibaki face the International Criminal Court upon retirement, there has been reports in the media emanating from the two quarters claiming the President is deliberately snubbing audience with UK, and European representatives.
This is not healthy if a healthy relationship between Kenya and Europe is to be maintained.
The situation threatens to trigger a diplomatic falling out between the two if the allegations are not toned down.
The Presidency remains a symbol of national unity. Undermining the decisions made by the occupant regarding diplomacy is undermining the sovereignty of the Constitution.
President Kibaki has the discretion on this sensitive matter.
Rashid Ahmed, Mombasa
Siaya leaders wrong to endorse Oburu
The declaration of Oburu Odinga, the MP from Bondo Constituency as senator is undemocratic, a form of dictatorship. Oburu should simply fight his battle and convince the people of Siaya County that he deserves to be senator, and not a group of people meeting in a hotel and coming out with declarations.
We support Prime Minister Raila Odinga as presidential candidate, but for county governance and more so senate and governor let the people decide.
However, the group of civic leaders should tell residents of Siaya whom they consulted before coming out with such declaration.
The PM needs people who are democratically elected and can support him deliver his vision to the country and that can only be elected by the people, and not imposed.
We need to lead by example of democracy: let the process roll out and the best candidate shall indeed win.
Christopher Ngolo, Gem
Let’s find new ways to fight alcoholism
Much has been done to fight alcoholism, although I strongly believe that it is time to explore other ways to effectively stem out the vice.
Alcoholism is the compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker’s health, personal relationships, and social standing. It is encouraging to note that even President Kibaki has joined the bandwagon that is keen on fighting this vice. Although efforts by doctors, including psychologists, are appreciated, much of the solutions remain only in theory. However, the solution is to understand how an alcoholic’s mind and body works.
Doctors and family members of the affected persons should look for ways to establish dialogue with the victim, for no one comprehends alcoholism more than alcoholics themselves. Getting recovering alcoholics who have been off drinking for considerable periods to spearhead this fight is also likely to establish positive results.
Omondi Okello, Via Email
Servants in Saudi Arabia treated cruelly
Much has been reported about the cruel and immoral acts meted out on Kenyan domestic workers in Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Muslim world by their employers. While migrant workers in this Middle East country have been on the rise, the percentage of women who go to the oil-rich country to make more money than they has been notably increasing over the past decade.
While some have found the financial success that they were looking, many others have instead found themselves trapped in desperate situations.
It is a shame for the Arabs to mistreat our sisters and mothers by stripping them of their dignity. Their acts translate to the utter violation of basic human rights for the human person. This is by virtue of the fact that they purposefully scheme to debar the workers from the benefits of what they earn by their sweat of the brow. These employers seem to revel in wealth, while their brethren grovel in dirt and squalor before their very eyes.
The unfortunate thing is that not much has been taken to protect them from such exploits. Something needs to be done urgently to abolish this modern day slavery.
Hussein Hafidh, Mombasa
War in Sudan should be condemned
Even after the African Union and the United Nations warned the Sudan and South Sudan to steer clear from war, the two nations have decided to face it out militarily.
The President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, is on record telling off UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon to leave him alone to make an independent decision about his poverty stricken country.
President Kiir has finally made good his threat and invaded oil-rich Heglig.
This is a step that has been construed as an act of war by Sudan.
Now the two countries are at war along the border towns and this is threatening to spill to the interior of both countries.
South Sudan, having seceded from Sudan in July last year, is still languishing in poverty. The South Sudanese, who were optimistic that the independence would bring goodies, are now left high and dry because of the disagreement of the two nations that largely depend on oil for sustenance of their economies.
The two countries should note that this is the time to work towards reviving the economy rather than recruiting disillusioned youth to go to war.
The nearly two million people that have died in past wars should sober up and whatever intentions the neighbouring states may harbour even as they sort out their issues in the battlefield. The raging war should be condemned in the strongest terms possible.
James Kanyi, Nairobi
Media to blame for poor grammar
Many are quick to blame Sheng, the slang-based language for the erosion of grammar in our schools. Lately though, the media have a great influence on young minds. When it refers to the once famed political apex of the Orange Democratic Movement, a group of six politicians as the Pentagon, and writes, "If he leaves, the Pentagon will be left with one person," they throw a spanner not only in the work of language tutors, but also their geometry counterparts.
Such is the negative influence on the young minds that makes them start "beating corners" and "seeing for others" in their examinations. Mainstream media should desist from using grammar that is illogical.
Kanyi Gioko, Via Email
Kenya Power, do tame power outages
There has been a series of power shortages across the country, partly caused by heavy rainfall. The Kenya Power Company should be commended for working towards ensuring Kenyans do not stay in the dark.
However, more can still be done, especially because some parts of the country are still experiencing persistent blackouts. For instance, there occurs a series of power shortages whenever it rains in Kakamega town.
Kenya Power should work round the clock to make sure residents of the area have much needed power. After all, electricity drives the economy.
Zakayo Amayi, Masinde Muliro University
