Debate on proposed hate speech law may end fears

Mike OwuorThe Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has reportedly indicated its intention to push for a law prohibiting hate speech. One may, for instance receive a 10-year jail term for using images or words — verbally or in writing — that incite hatred against certain groups. Politicians have in the past claimed the law would curtail their freedom of expression. But our reader, Mr John S Onyango, has "serious reservations" about a different matter. Same sex relationships"I take particular exception to the clause which criminalises condemnation of people with a different sexual orientation. This is simply a way of condoning homosexuality and lesbianism, which are illegal," he claims.Onyango alleges the hate speech law could be a way of legalising same sex relationships through the back door. Since Kenya is a "conservative and religious country", he asks "men and women of goodwill" to oppose this "morally abhorrent" move to introduce "foreign ideas". Considering such views, PointBlank hopes there will be debate on the proposed Bill to address fears like Onyango’s.No frills flight acquiring a new meaningA recent article in the New York Times featuring Michael O’Leary, chief executive of Ryanair, a European low cost airline, trashes the idea of customer care. For example, the Irishman, known for his outrageous outbursts, says he hopes to start charging for inflight toilet use. When asked what would happen if, say, there was food poisoning, he retorts: "We don’t serve enough food for everybody to get food poisoning."He has in the past reportedly said fat people should pay more for their seats. Well, at least Ryanair is open about its intentions. Some airlines in Kenya, it seems, are not as honest. When she recently took a flight from Kisumu to Nairobi on July 30, Mrs Elizabeth Mulongo, who was travelling with her four-month-old baby, expected better service. That was not to be."The plane delayed and we were eventually redirected to a chartered flight. But there was no seatbelt for my daughter, who had a ticket. The crew said it was none of their business and I should either accept the conditions or leave," she says.Mulongo wants to know from Transport Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere: Where can aggrieved passengers report such cases?&#12288;Has tuition ban been lifted?Mr John Smith, who recently protested at the compulsory two-week tuition for his two sons at a school in Nairobi, is not a lone voice in asking the Education ministry: Has the holiday tuition ban been lifted?Mr P Kamau in Nairobi requests the ministry to give direction on the issue as "some schools are demanding too much money" yet times are tough. He says parents are in a tight spot as they are told their children will fail examinations if not given tuition."I’m told the lessons would be used to cover the syllabus," he says.And Elizabeth, a "distraught parent", says her son, 12, who lives with his father in Nakuru but recently came to Nairobi on holiday, seems "burnt out". She is surprised he still has to attend holiday tuition.Improved performance"He starts his classes at 7am till 6pm every day. The school also has Saturday classes and there is no mid-term break. During April holidays, I refused to let him attend tuition, and his performance improved," she says, adding that the school also administers corporal punishment. Minister Sam Ongeri should educate us on whether holiday tuition is allowed.Query on water meter matterPM, a resident of Jericho estate, says an official at the Nairobi Water Company offices in Eastleigh is frustrating his efforts to get a meter. PM, claims he was asked to pay Sh4,700 in June after applying to replace his meter, which was vandalised. But every time he goes to the water company’s offices, PM says he is told to be patient."I have been there more than ten times and each time the official takes my telephone number and promises I will be informed when the meter is available. However, I understand other people have been given meters. So, what is the cause of the delay?" he asks.Widow locked in battle for benefits wants answersFor the second time, we remind Commissioner of Prisons Isaiah Osugo of questions posed by Ms Lilian Atieno on June 16 (‘Locked in battle for benefits’): Did somebody fraudulently obtain a Sh200,000 loan meant for a terminally ill prison warder, who later died in April? And has the deceased officer’s file been illegally altered to lock out some dependants?Atieno said she is the widow of Mr Robinson Raga Odero (PF 2001042225), who was a warder at Kodiaga prison, Kisumu. She alleged a family member, with the help of officials at Prisons headquarters in Nairobi, had introduced forged documents in her late husband’s file to lock her out. A loan meant for her husband had also allegedly been illegally paid out. You have a right of reply, Mr Osugo.Right of ReplyNyansiongo tea farmer’s complaint resolved The board of Nyansiongo Tea Factory Company wishes to respond to an article in PointBlank on May 12 (‘Weighty issue as tea farmer demands cash’). While the farmer did not identify himself, we traced his complaint to a case where some farmers were suspected to have falsified the weight of their tea deliveries during the 2003/2004 and 2005/2006 financial years.We would like to assure the farmers that the matter has since been concluded and appropriate action taken. The issue arose when the management discovered 45 farmers had inexplicably delivered more green leaf than usual. To ensure integrity in weights and payment, we decided to investigate. The decision was taken to protect farmers’ interest.Investigation showed most cases were clean and the board has communicated this. We assure those who have not been paid that this will be done together with their green leaf payments at the end of this month. The board regrets there have been cases where some clerks collude with some farmers to falsify weights at the point of delivery. This will come to an end once an electronic weighing solution replaces the current manual system.Pauline Oyugi,Factory Unit Manager,Nyansiongo Tea FactoryTraders taken to court over weight malpracticesFollowing a complaint published in the PointBlank column of your esteemed newspaper on underweight rice packaging in the Mwea-Sagana area, the Department of Weights and Measures has carried out inspections and unearthed many malpractices (Don’t You Forget: ‘Is matter not weighty enough for a response?’ August 4).The offenders have been arraigned in court and fined between Sh15,000 and Sh40,000 besides the goods in question being forfeited to the State.The following is a summary of the case numbers with fines or sentences imposed in brackets: 290/09 (Sh15,000 or two months), 292/09 (Sh15,000 or three months), 288/09 (Sh20,000 or three months), 287/09 (Sh20,000 or three months), 141/09 (Sh40,000 or nine months), 142/09 (Sh20,000 or six months), 293/09 (Sh30,000 or two months). Others are 140/09, 138/09, 139/09 and 136/09 given 30 days community service. For case number 291/09 a warrant of arrest has been issued for absconding. Three other cases are pending.We assure consumers we are committed to protecting them from dishonest traders and will carry out similar exercises.Joseph Kamuto,Principal Information and Public Communications officer,Ministry of Trade.

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