Forget The Hague, fibre optic is coming

By Kipkirui K’Telwa

Luis Moreno Ocampo has an envelope containing names of those who allegedly masterminded the 2007 post-election violence. And he claims he has opened it and won’t reveal the names of the suspects. He fears tampering with evidence.

Even as Kenyans ponder what Ocampo would do with the Grand Coalition Government co-led by President Kibaki and Prime minister Raila Odinga, prices of basic commodities such as sugar and maize floor soar to levels unreached in any peaceful democratic country.

As politicians talk of Ocampo and the International Criminal Court based in The Hague, crime rates, spiced with cold murders, executions, kidnapping and carjacking increase to the point that they cease making to prime news. And kidnapping seems to be a newly discovered money-minting venture. Remember the lady who stage-managed her own kidnapping to compel her father to pay Sh150,000 ransom? As the old man went round police stations, the lady, a teacher, and I wonder what she teaches, was having fun with her male friend in cheap lodging, somewhere in Migori town. But the scheme failed to yield any shillings. I think the father is the kind who never parts with money easily.

Then before long, Kibaki creates so many sub-provinces, including one based in Narok, saying his new idea will take development further to the people. I hope the new PCs and DCs will be given electricity, maize, water and ‘development’ to take to my village.

But there is one thing I am awaiting eagerly: Fibre optic. The wonderful undersea and underground cable might as well bring unity and development. Even my house girl looks forward to the arrival of fibre optic. It’s the only promising thing.