Showing posts with label Political. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Political. Show all posts
Thursday, August 5, 2010
The referendum after the referendum
10:58 AM | 
Posted by
Krox's world |
iKenyans are beautiful people, yet very complicated and hard to understand. They have been known to be a working nation and also a drinking nation, though I cannot be able to tell which one comes first. Kenyans, the workers are real hustlers, hardened by the society. Its a rough world out here, and therefore, learning to fend for oneself is a must know-how skill. And that is why Kenya is a working nation. Yes, I know, most of you don't believe it, so here is another reason, the president- Kibaki, said so. So its indeed a working nation.
The drinking part,... well, that is for you to tell me, I mean, its only in Kenya where the MP's will try to legalise a brew that has been banned in the land since independence, so if that is not reason enough, You probably know one or two people living in a a 50 metre radius from you who are serious drunkards. Not the grab a beer at a pub drunkard. No, I'm talking about, getting- wasted- till you- forget- yourself drunkard, the sleep -in- a - mud- puddle drunkard, the sing -to- the -whole-neighbourhood drunkard.
That said and done, this country has had the most peaceful referendum. I still feel it was an insult to international press, who came hungry for some 'Kenyan action" a big disappointment I should add. They might have expected what they saw in 2007, but hey, who said that Kenyans are just some cold hearted blood sucking tribalistic folks? We have some love in Us. In fact a lot of love for that matter.
In case you dint know, the referendum was to pass the all so talked about constitution ion Africa. And it passed.
So here is the new referendum. folks want the president( I inclusive) to declare tomorrow a public holiday. You may not understand, but in Kenya we love public holidays. For some reason, it unites as more as Kenyans. It unites us as a people, and also to those who don't mind a bottle, it creates a stronger drinking nation fraternity.
We also get public holidays,and we miss some opportunities to get others. For instance, had Kenya gone to the world cup, we would have had a month long holiday.(so much for the working nation)
But that is not the main problem. Most Kenyans are happy, even those like me who voted against the proposed constitution, so how how about a holiday MR president? I know you are happy too, plus you are the one who declared us a working nation. Just a day to support your drinking brothers wont hurt. Or , a day to praise God for the victory would also be cool.
We could even set up a referendum this moment and vote. Promise you will not be disappointed
The drinking part,... well, that is for you to tell me, I mean, its only in Kenya where the MP's will try to legalise a brew that has been banned in the land since independence, so if that is not reason enough, You probably know one or two people living in a a 50 metre radius from you who are serious drunkards. Not the grab a beer at a pub drunkard. No, I'm talking about, getting- wasted- till you- forget- yourself drunkard, the sleep -in- a - mud- puddle drunkard, the sing -to- the -whole-neighbourhood drunkard.
That said and done, this country has had the most peaceful referendum. I still feel it was an insult to international press, who came hungry for some 'Kenyan action" a big disappointment I should add. They might have expected what they saw in 2007, but hey, who said that Kenyans are just some cold hearted blood sucking tribalistic folks? We have some love in Us. In fact a lot of love for that matter.
In case you dint know, the referendum was to pass the all so talked about constitution ion Africa. And it passed.
So here is the new referendum. folks want the president( I inclusive) to declare tomorrow a public holiday. You may not understand, but in Kenya we love public holidays. For some reason, it unites as more as Kenyans. It unites us as a people, and also to those who don't mind a bottle, it creates a stronger drinking nation fraternity.
We also get public holidays,and we miss some opportunities to get others. For instance, had Kenya gone to the world cup, we would have had a month long holiday.(so much for the working nation)
But that is not the main problem. Most Kenyans are happy, even those like me who voted against the proposed constitution, so how how about a holiday MR president? I know you are happy too, plus you are the one who declared us a working nation. Just a day to support your drinking brothers wont hurt. Or , a day to praise God for the victory would also be cool.
We could even set up a referendum this moment and vote. Promise you will not be disappointed
Labels:
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Kenya: The harsh reality
The other day I was talking to my dad on some really solid issues that were bothering me. Obviously the main agenda was linked to the constitution which is a major topic in Kenya. Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about the constitution, rather, I am talking about Kenya as a society. Before I even go further, it is important to know that the constitution is integral to the running of any state in the world.
I quite cant tell where this conversation started from, but it was linked to development of African states. Not many African countries are developed. Not because they would not want to, not because they do not have the capacity to,(in form of resources) but because of the deep culture of impunity that has got hold of the African people. It is not a strange thing to be asked to bribe, or to be offered a bribe. Some do it in the most decent way possible, some offer to buy you a soda,or take you out for lunch. As much as this may not be seen as bribery, truth be told, it is. The culture has grown in us so much that we always think in those lines no matter what. It is pathetic. I have seen some well dressed , respectful police men pick bribes from matatus form not as well dressed touts as they.
Some months back, my best friend was getting his National identification card for he had lost the other one. What surprised me the most is that the ladies serving him bluntly and rudely refused to serve him until he gave out "something". Eventually, he gave out twenty shillings, and believe it or not, they took it and served him. And the system is like that. It is rotten to the core.Corruption starts from the highest form of government. From the ministers themselves.I won't even stress on that. There is no African who doesn't know that. (although I am informed that otther African states are better off)
Still, that is not what I wanted to talk about. It is just that knowing how the system works eats me up so much.
There are many rights that are provided for in the current and proposed constitution that do not take effect in this our country. For one, you are not supposed to be arrested from not having an identification card at night. There is no such law. Then you are supposed to be arrayed in court within 24 hours. While at it, you are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately, the opposite happens in Kenya. You are guilty until proven innocent.
Back to where this conversation between my dad and I was. I came out boldly, and told him how I have a right in this country. What followed was a long talk and revealing truths about Kenya. I will share with you some, and if you are a Kenyan, the rest will automatically come to you.
Most of the times, some police men, who are obviously evil, will not arrest you and let you go Scot free. I have heard, and witnessed, numerous cases of people who were apparently caught with bang. As much as this is cliche` to you, It's true, people really get framed with bhang. When you go to court, for such a case, obviously, being like me , you will think to yourself,
"I know my rights, justice must prevail, I am guilty till proven innocent, they have got nothing on me," right??
well,my friend, you are wrong. I mean, its not all Kenyans that are able to afford a lawyer to tackle their cases. Very few can. The rest, spend more years in remand than they would have in prison.
I personally experienced a case, where an old man was taken back into remand for another 3 months (his case to be heard on September 14th) under charges that he was drinking chang'aa. Him, knowing ( I believe it is the truth) decided to stick to the truth that he was arrested falsely, but instead taken back into remand. Just like that, and the magistrate did not even want to hear what he had to say. Sitting there, I saw a number of people who were taken back into remand for weeks and some months awaiting the hearing of their cases.
This really cut me deep. You see there is no justice prevalent to all in this country. And that is the sad truth. I would mostly never have written about this, but it hurts knowing that you are living ion a nation where the beautiful reality never blossoms to its beauty. It hurts to know that the proposed constitution promises so much(whether amended or not) but that dream may not materialize. It also hurts me to know that many Kenyans like me, hope for the best, think that it will all be better someday.
I chose not to live in that optimism any more , As much as I am confident and hopeful this country will change. But until then, I'd rather admit that I had no seat belt on, even if I have, and pay a two thousand shilling fine, other than spending ages in Remand. I chose to accept the harsh reality. Just as it is.
I quite cant tell where this conversation started from, but it was linked to development of African states. Not many African countries are developed. Not because they would not want to, not because they do not have the capacity to,(in form of resources) but because of the deep culture of impunity that has got hold of the African people. It is not a strange thing to be asked to bribe, or to be offered a bribe. Some do it in the most decent way possible, some offer to buy you a soda,or take you out for lunch. As much as this may not be seen as bribery, truth be told, it is. The culture has grown in us so much that we always think in those lines no matter what. It is pathetic. I have seen some well dressed , respectful police men pick bribes from matatus form not as well dressed touts as they.
Some months back, my best friend was getting his National identification card for he had lost the other one. What surprised me the most is that the ladies serving him bluntly and rudely refused to serve him until he gave out "something". Eventually, he gave out twenty shillings, and believe it or not, they took it and served him. And the system is like that. It is rotten to the core.Corruption starts from the highest form of government. From the ministers themselves.I won't even stress on that. There is no African who doesn't know that. (although I am informed that otther African states are better off)
Still, that is not what I wanted to talk about. It is just that knowing how the system works eats me up so much.
There are many rights that are provided for in the current and proposed constitution that do not take effect in this our country. For one, you are not supposed to be arrested from not having an identification card at night. There is no such law. Then you are supposed to be arrayed in court within 24 hours. While at it, you are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately, the opposite happens in Kenya. You are guilty until proven innocent.
Back to where this conversation between my dad and I was. I came out boldly, and told him how I have a right in this country. What followed was a long talk and revealing truths about Kenya. I will share with you some, and if you are a Kenyan, the rest will automatically come to you.
Most of the times, some police men, who are obviously evil, will not arrest you and let you go Scot free. I have heard, and witnessed, numerous cases of people who were apparently caught with bang. As much as this is cliche` to you, It's true, people really get framed with bhang. When you go to court, for such a case, obviously, being like me , you will think to yourself,
"I know my rights, justice must prevail, I am guilty till proven innocent, they have got nothing on me," right??
well,my friend, you are wrong. I mean, its not all Kenyans that are able to afford a lawyer to tackle their cases. Very few can. The rest, spend more years in remand than they would have in prison.
I personally experienced a case, where an old man was taken back into remand for another 3 months (his case to be heard on September 14th) under charges that he was drinking chang'aa. Him, knowing ( I believe it is the truth) decided to stick to the truth that he was arrested falsely, but instead taken back into remand. Just like that, and the magistrate did not even want to hear what he had to say. Sitting there, I saw a number of people who were taken back into remand for weeks and some months awaiting the hearing of their cases.
This really cut me deep. You see there is no justice prevalent to all in this country. And that is the sad truth. I would mostly never have written about this, but it hurts knowing that you are living ion a nation where the beautiful reality never blossoms to its beauty. It hurts to know that the proposed constitution promises so much(whether amended or not) but that dream may not materialize. It also hurts me to know that many Kenyans like me, hope for the best, think that it will all be better someday.
I chose not to live in that optimism any more , As much as I am confident and hopeful this country will change. But until then, I'd rather admit that I had no seat belt on, even if I have, and pay a two thousand shilling fine, other than spending ages in Remand. I chose to accept the harsh reality. Just as it is.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Not Satisfied by the system yet.
I remember sharing about the system and why or rather how it needs a complete overhaul. My argument was that it doesn't teach Financial knowledge. Essential stuff like how to raise capital which is the #1 skill of an entrpreneur, How to start and manage a business and things like that. While it is now obvious that it doesnt teach such essentials, The system doesn't seem fit for the academic oriented. I just did my final exam in High school- In Kenya, so believe me when I say I know how it feels to be in the system.
Now, you might probably gone through it too. I believe strongly that year after year the quality of education, measured by the standard of the effiency of its testing has rapidly gone down. After every 8 years, a pupil in a primary school in the country is tested for what he\she has learnt for the years spent is school. After evey 4 years likewise, a highschool student is tested for what he\she has gathered in school. That method has occassionally lost its efficiency, especially due to the rampant cheating in the final exams. As years go by so does technology improve, so do better and more "fulfilling" cheating methods spring up. Forgive my oblique way of looking at this issue, but with the developing culture of impunity in the country some issues just need to be spoken out right.
If cheating is to be curbed, which is not even realistic, then what happens to the student whom exam time comes during a period of some sort of mental, emmotional or physical imballance, that only translates to students performing slightly or majorly below their pottential. So then our Big question, is this the best way of testing candidates.
Kenya is a country that has differnt regions and different climatic regions. That means that there are different conditions of studying which again translates to different academic out put- potential wise. So then again I pose the question, IS THIS REALLY REALLY THE BEST EDUCATIONAL CURRICULLUM?
Saturday, April 11, 2009
THE KENYAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
If you ask me, this system needs a complete overhaul. Truth be told this among the most unfulfilling systems in the whole world. Well check this out, first of all you have to pass through 8 years in primary 4 years in High school and 4 more years in University. To begin with, it does not invest in different skills and talents that other talents that people have(at least not entirely)What hurts me the most comes in the final examination in high school.An average of 400 000 students sit for their final high school examination every year. Only about 75 000 students are able to attain a grade of C plus (C+) that is roughly about 20%-25% every year attaining a pass. Also note that The Kenyan public universities take students who have attained B+ for boys and B plain for Girls into its public universities. This again lowers down the number of students who have gone through this system to become trained professionals.
About 10 000 will make it into the private universities poly technics and colleges. What about the rest, well they will probably start businesses and build the Kenyan SME industry and the country will go forward. sounds good right? WRONG!!!!!!.
If all the remaining 250000+ are going to start a business which is very ironical(most will probably end in the street 'hustling' or engaging in crime,drugs and maybe even sex trade)Then the government need to change how everything works. Maybe introduce financial education in the system. Whatever it is they are going to do, the should do it ASAP.
Let us strive to save the Kenyan youth. The Ministry dealing with youth affairs should put this on its fore front other than fighting with jobless without providing the correct educational basis. Over hauling the educational system will see Kenya go a long way even in the pursuit of the vision 2030.
I would like to see change happen. So that students don't have to depend on cheating in the examination so as to achieve excellence in life. We should not over emphasize on education rather than what an individual student can do. WE ARE IN THE INFORMATION AGE NOT THE INDUSTRIAL AGE.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
