Palaver

Palaver joins millions of others worldwide in mourning Noble Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai. It is a great loss to the nation considering the fallen Wangari was the most known Kenyan abroad and her relentless struggle for environmental conservation is legendary. Dear Wangari, rest in peace.
Unfortunately, we mourn you more in death than we used to appreciate you when you were still alive. You fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. As it is famously stated whenever curtains fall on an icon, whence cometh another one?

When he tearfully conceded defeat in the recent elections in Zambia, former President Rupiah Banda must have had a premonition of the tough life ahead away from power. Just a few days after quitting, Banda is a lonely man except for his wife’s company and comfort. His son says all those who used to hang around his father when he enjoyed the trappings of power have vanished. Weep not Banda, peace of mind is what you need at this moment instead of hangers on. There is life beyond power.

It seems Ethiopia’s long distance elite athletes would rather fall out of the race than battle to the bitter end when tables turn against them. Marathon legend Haile Gebrselassie dropped off at the 35km mark when he realised that it was futile chasing new sensation Patrick Makau at the recent Berlin Marathon. The surrender rekindles memories of Mombasa World Cross Country Championship in 2007 when hot favourite Kenenisa Bekele found the tough race against Eritrea’s Zersenay Tadese.

Armless pilot Jessica Coz does not need to give motivational talks for anyone to believe that no feat is impossible when one is determined to achieve anything. Her accomplishment speaks for itself. The highflying, literally, Jessica does with her feet what many hands have failed.

And finally,
Palaver pities “King of Kings” Muammar Gaddafi. Long after the battle has been lost, he still believes he is in charge. Hail the king of illusions!
—editorial@standardmedia co.ke