Palaver - 31.03.11

Palaver

When President Kibaki took over power, he promised to make Kenya a working nation. Almost nine years later, this clarion call has largely been ignored. There are many stalled projects countrywide and most of our roads still resemble Martian surfaces. Many of the youth, the supposed engine of a working nation, are idlers due to lack of employment opportunities. But all is not lost. There is one aspect that Kenyans have proven to be working really hard, and that is manifested in the condom crisis. The rubber scarcity is so acute that about 120 million will soon be airlifted in the country as an emergency following Government appeal.

Those who have been fronting The Hague trial of the six individuals suspected of bearing the greatest responsibility in post-election violence seem vindicated. ICC has already indicated that it brooks no sacred cows and the suspects should not expect red carpet welcome from Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo. While the Government wants them to be received with diplomatic niceties as special guests of ambassador Ruthie Rono, it’s the armed guards who will welcome them at the airport. The more the Government pleads for the suspects’ special treatment the more it loses its case to take over their trial.

Special Programmes Minister Esther Murugi and controversy will never part ways. Recently she advocated for gay rights, perplexed the nation when she hinted that people suffering from HIV and Aids should be isolated, and treated Kenyans to free drama during a public spat with IDPs she is supposed to help. And now, she wants to lead women in stripping to protest against charges Uhuru Kenyatta is facing at ICC. Oh Esther!

And finally...

As part of the proposed reforms in the police force, there will be more officers with university degrees while the minimum entry grade will be C plain. The police lingo is set to change as business is contracted more in perfect English and less in broken Kiswahili. The days of songa kipande hii or wewe iko shida gani? are numbered.