Palaver

 

If you watch CNN, you probably just know the news and features anchors, but not the chief, Jim Walton. The global network boss has vehemently denied that he is from Kenya. In fact, he has written an e-mail to staff of his leaving the firm! Reason? CNN Worldwide needs a new president to shore up its record poor ratings. Chap is not your typical Kenyan CEO who would rather die than apologise or step aside to save what is left of his integrity. If he were Kenyan, Mr Walton would of course, not have even considered quitting Olympics Team Kenya following the pitiful showing in front of a worldwide TV audience. In fact, he would have demanded one more term to whip those athletes into shape. Heh! Heh! Remember Jim was once 20th richest chap in the world?

 

Recently, South Korea’s 22nd nuclear reactor started commercial operation. The Ministry of Knowledge Economy (No kidding?) said the New Gori 2 reactor in Busan city, has completed safety inspections, is a one million-kilowatt nuclear reactor that can generate 7.9 billion kilowatt-hours of power every year! Okay, so we have heard of a certain oilfind up north, but I can’t help asking: Do Koreans know something we don’t?

 

Any of you remember Henry Rono? Kenyans need an uplifting story to wash out the cold air blowing from London. Online encyclopaedia Wikipedia records that in 1978, Rono broke four world records: the 10,000m, 5,000m, 3,000m steeplechase, the 3,000m flat, won the 5,000m, and 3,000m steeplechase gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and a steeplechase 5,000m double in one day at University of Oregon, won 10,000m and 3,000m steeplechase gold medals at the 1978 All-Africa Games. All these achievements were done over a period of 80 days. Sadly, he never competed at the Olympics, as Kenya boycotted the 1976 and 1980 Games.

 

And finally...

Two weeks ago, police operations were paralysed for a record three days after disgruntled officers tampered with the communications system in Nairobi over salary increase spat. Remember a similar jamming last year? And in 2010 after then Internal Security Minister George Saitoti awarded the force a 28 per cent raise, which they termed ‘meager’? Where has the matter reached?

 

editorial@standardmedia co.ke