A Thousand Questions to the Jubilee Government-Governor Joel Evans(GJE)

I start my train of queries at such a high note, trying to care less about the unfolding in the long run, though keen enough not to end up my neck jostled, my teeth gritted, my nails plucked, my hands bungled, my lower limbs dented, and my intestines butchered with some special government spy agencies, or at the very least, by the vulgar hoi polloi, who neither give a damn nor understand the essence of ridicule or criticism! Mysterious deaths of high-profiled personalities still remain being a norm, fifty years down the road, after independence.

What really happened to Mohammed Makaburi? How comes that his death dawns at a time when our national security apparatus is grappling to shun terrorism? Didn’t Makaburi prove to the Kenyan law courts that indeed, unlike what many thought of him, he was innocent? Just like his brother Sheikh Aboud Rogo, who was also murdered in cold blood? And even if Makaburi was guilty as charged, was that the best way to eradicate him? That ruthlessly? That Heartlessly? You have actually escalated the grudge between his loyal followers and you, as the government, don’t you think so? Your hopes, methinks,  is that his subscribers will remain mum and fail to retaliate! Aren’t those false hopes? Empty hopes? Barren hopes? They are a bitter lot seized in perpetual “injustice.” You just jeopardized Mombasa with such divide and rule tactics.

Mombasa town is now no longer the place to be, thanks to the rampant horrific events taking hostage of the City. His Excellency the President, has just given a two weeks ultimatum to all those possessing illegal arms to surrender them to the government. Call it disarmament. I mean, seriously, two weeks? A whole two weeks? Is that not long of a duration compared to the rate at which innocent Kenyan souls are being lost by such illicit fire-arms? I expected him to talk of three days at most, but too unfortunate. My expectations were shuttered pre-maturely. Why is the government so slack anyway? Why continue buying time at such a wake up call of masses destruction? Thanks to your new traffic rules, few matatus are on the road, and a few from opulent social classes too, with their private guzzlers. The majority, are on their feet.

Oh my, at least, we can now conclude that Kenya is a walking a nation. But wait a minute, hallow, Wanjiku and Atieno have now been forced to dig deeper into their shallow pockets in abid to pay the hiked fare prices, yet the economy is unfavorable? Is this a government of double standards? The owners of these matatus must be appreciated for they are potential job creators, but right now, with your initiatives, you literally retrenched thousands of matatu drivers and touts, is that just? But why ? Why so, jubilee government? Wasn’t there another approach for mid-wifing such good traffic rules initiative? Scratching my head! Kenya at fifty, or stoically so, yet we still have bureaucratic red-tapes in our government offices? Until when shall such atavistic protocols come to a stand-still? Or are they still here to stay, at least for another while? Was the standard railway gauge project another ghost project? When you thought of the project, what came to your mind? Am aware of its merits, only if it sounded more authentic, however. Phew! What happened to the Westgate terror attack report to be released for public consumption and scrutiny? So the report also got lost just as the perpetrators of the attack? So such strong vices just disappear like that, with or without anyone being brought to book? Since Rt Hon Raila’s loss in March 4th 2013 General elections, did we, as a state, generally become an “Accept and Move on” nation? Such that with or without the actual details of the mall attack, should Kenyans accept and move on? Despite millions of us still shrouded in darkness? Is the truth that hard to dispense? Just like TJRC, it too, meandered it’s way out without any significant account. Mr President, when are you planning to re-shuffle your cabinet secretaries? Hon Aden Duale, whom to me, many a times than not, sounds like a sycophant as opposed to a loyal liberal, when are the standard one laptops reaching the remote areas in Turkana and Lodwar? The thirty percent tenders in government dealings to be awarded to youths and women, why are they not materializing? We are only witnessing around fifteen percent, where does the other half disappear to? Inspector General Kimaiyo, we have heard enough of your tough speeches on curbing insecurity, but when do you plan to start implementing your plans on the ground? It is so unfortunate that thousands of questions still linger unanswered to many Kenyans. So unfortunate! Until then, have a jubilated week, won’t you?

Steve Biko is my name, SecGen(SONU) is my seat

If elected as the new secretary general of the Student Union I can guarantee that I will do everything in my power to ensure that Students have a Student Union they can be proud of, a key part of the social aspect of Student life, a place that represents the diverse community that we are proud to have.
The #BRAND_BIKO proposes we create a whole new ''VIBE!!'' throughout our Student Unions each receiving equal attention so that students from all eleven campuses can benefit. Students are the priority; we want an SONU that caters for the needs and requirements of all students ensuring that you receive support, opportunities, an amazing social life and a place anyone can make friends, as that is what we feel a student union should be about.
I have worked at the Students Organization of Nairobi University as the Organizing secretary. I have always held onto to the possibility of standing as a credible candidate but it never felt like the right time. I feel that throughout my time as Student leader I have had the pleasure of meeting Students from all walks of life, I am a student myself, I believe that I can use my experiences to bring about exciting changes for you.
Students need to be encouraged to use the sabbaticals at the Students Union to the best of their advantage, the #BRAND_BIKO feel that as soon to be ex students ourselves, we understand that University life can be daunting at times, we require guidance on issue’s separate from the academic aspect of University life. I will ensure that my team assists all students to the best of their ability, an open door policy plus sabbatical's will allocate dedicated hours each week for walk in sessions, as of course there will be occasions when they will be attending meetings that will be bringing the voice of our students to the table. !! I believe as Secretary general I must support each of the Sabbatical's in all issues relating to Students, that being a Student campaign, societies event, an academic matter, campaigning for improved facilities in our hostel and games departments, empowering students taking part in sports , increased Library hours, reliable security around the university premises, you name I’ll be involved.
I will build contacts with Universities across and beyond the Country; I want our students to be opened up to as many opportunities and social events as possible. I will be the voice that represents every student; I shall continue to build on the relationship between the co-operates as our future employers. It would be my duty to ensure the UoN students receive the best opportunities and education that they deserve whilst I feel that the SoNU can benefit hugely from the continued support of the University.
My passion and determination is why you should vote for me, let the #BRAND_BIKO manifestos be put into action.

Akatch Jim is my name, SecGen(SONU) is my seat

Comrades of the world: yet again one important institution of the unending struggle against vice, the Student Organization of Nairobi University (SONU), goes to its annual poll. A significant fete that has lost its salt over the decades of rising counter-revolutionary politics and disappearance of ideology. While this piece wouldn’t like to nag and complain about the rather diluted influence of SONU over the years, it cannot avoid occasional reference to the would be’s, whilst remaining a yardstick for a discussion on the way forward.

It is the duty of every man who sets foot upon this earth to in anyway he is capable try to make a positive impact upon his/her society. More is the burden of responsibility cast upon such men that society has blessed with an opportunity of being its crème Del a crème. Students with their youthful dynamism, intellectualism and vast resources available in campus fall way much into the core of this group. It is thus no surprise that many a positive revolutions ushering in democratic innovations and changes have been in a wide scale pushed forward by college students. The recent African and Arab revolutions’ afford vast examples.

So what then is the place of SONU, the premier student organization in the region in this regard? More so, how relevant are these elections in shaping the struggle?

Our elections, sadly, have been hijacked over the years by reactionaries both in the student fraternity, the administration, the political class, the corporate world and more recently, the black market.

SONU, once a bastion of the second liberation; is now seen as a club of half clowns, executive busy bodies and hooligans. It has become a little more than a conglomerate of prefects and a little less than a professional academy of corruption. It has graduated in leap and bounds, albeit negatively, to an organization that summons riots to destroy street lights because of power outages in campus hostels while calling for press conferences in solidarity with corrupt government officials and politicians and celebrating tax increases on basic commodities. It is a step away from being a simple cocoon of officials brandishing expensive gadgets while being errand boys for University administrators.

What to expect when the very first lesson when one joins the executive branch of the Union is a posh retreat in Karen, where the top brass of the University administration spend a whole day mentoring student leaders on how to circumnavigate procurement procedures, with exceptional panache!

Elections are even more humorous. They are becoming less and less distinguishable from ethnic census in campus. In recent times experience has shown that there is no difference between an interview for FORBES list and SONU elections. The heavier the purse,  the more certain that comrades will ‘overwhelmingly’ elect you or more accurately, be recorded to have voted for you. It is laughable that for you to convince students you must explain to them, rather descriptively, how you will convince the Administration to let you win the election or rather help you!

So should progressive comrades throw in the towel and boycott elections in protest? While that may seem the only logical thing to do in the circumstances, I believe in the extreme alternative. Those comrades should rise and prove to the world that an element of progression still exists. That there are those who believe that the course of history cannot end on a footnote of defeat. Moving forward we all appreciate the need for the reawakening of SONU to guide forth the revolution to realize the third liberation of this great nation.

On Makaburi's Death and Security in the Country-Ochengo Onguso, Law Scholar

I begin by the fact that I may be wrong and this time is not an exception. I differ with the popular thinking about Killing of 'Radical Clerics'. I know something has to be done but this is not the way. Recently, we have heard purported custodians of justice, law and order call for 'shoot to kill' methods, and anarchical way to deal with crime. I believe there is a better way.
First, as a shepherd, radicals have flocks and unlike this analogy, the followers are like clones of their masters and have minds, convictions and beliefs as close to their masters as possible. It simply means that the government has to face other small radicals who are even farther radicalized by those clerics.
Secondly, you cannot argue that lives have been lost therefore kill the SUSPECT. Today, in the international community, USA is tainted for the Guantanamo Bay prison which was a hub of torture.
Thirdly, Kenyans are feeding a dinosaur that will feed on them. Our military was criticized in the Mt. Elgon operation, for committing atrocities against its own people...Kenyans did nothing until Britain threatened sanctions. The Wagalla Massacre was not different, both the innocent and the 'guilty' suffered with the number of the innocent victims innumerable. Then the Westgate scenario, when we needed our security agents the most, property disappeared from the mall in an epochal manner. That is home ground. I don't want to imagine how what might have happened in Somalia during the 'Operation Okoa Nchi'.
We never know the pain of rogue security agencies until we are affected...the same feeling about terrorism until we are the victims. I know the pain of a child having a bullet in the head and a mother dead, I know the agony of losing a loved one or a permanently maimed self or friend or relative. But it stops there. The government cannot order 'shoot to kill' unless they are in apparent danger. A government that invests in PREVENTIVE SECURITY MEASURES need not deploy such barbarian methods for every citizen, even you and me, is in danger at the hand of an all-powerful government.
If the government invests in intelligence services, apprehension of criminals before execution of terrorist attacks will save both citizen lives and curb the retrogressive tread of arbitrariness in government response. The government must know the process of radicalization and have rehabilitation centres for De-radicalization either through detention that is to be justified upon passing relevant legislation; it happens elsewhere. We must learn to call for a police force, a military and security agency that is accountable to the people and not only to a civilian government on whose pretext they may be acting atrociously and inhumanly!
We may Shout 'Shoot to Kill' today, tomorrow we don't know who will be shot; will it be a political opponent of a government official or our fathers and mothers. Security is not about emotions, it deals with delicate attributes of humanity like liberties...least we change direction, the government will feed us with bullets on the pretext of security, our country will be a police state and the rock on which our freedoms are written shall become a Tabula Rasa; an empty slate. I don't sympathize with terrorism but my freedoms and liberties and those of fellow humanity is my concern. I rest my case!

Ochengo Onguso is a Graduate of Political Science from the University of Nairobi and currently undertaking a law degree in the same institituion.
He is the Intellectus Consultancy's company lawyer and Chairman of the Board

Uhuru Kenyatta, Ole Lenku, Are We Safe ?- Governor Joel Evans (GJE)

The security of any state serves as the heartbeat and pace-setter of its economic prowess. Going by what is being witnessed in Kenya today, are events that can only be annexed to the “Wars against Terrorism in Middle-East.” Our country is no longer an Eldorado, no longer an oasis of peace in a desert of hostilities. At this rate on which horrendous terror attacks are unfolding, we the citizens of our beloved country are drinking from the cup of affliction and eating from the bread of sorrow.

Your Excellency, Kenya has become so insecure that even thinking about security itself is unsafe. Personally, even as I put this down, I feel so frightened so much that I don’t know whether I will sleep tonight, and even as I sleep, am not certain whether I will wake up the next day. It is that scary! Post-Westgate Kenya is an era in Kenya’s arc of history that marks the on-start of terrorist retaliations and use of the Kenyan soil for trial and error explosion of grenades and shooting of bullets. Since the Westgate Terror attack, security-wise, it has never been business as usual to the Kenyan citizens.

Yes, insecurity anywhere is a threat to security everywhere. Did we as a state, do any harm when we invaded Somalia all in a bid to dismantle Al-shabaab? Was our intervention with utmost good faith or did we just abuse other people’s state sovereignty?? Is it now pay-back time?? Where did we go wrong? It has come to my attention that Sundays, in our country of double-speak and inverted priorities, are no longer “holy days.” Black Sundays are rampant. It was on a Sunday, that some members in a church back in Garissa were burnt by terror arsonists and some shot to death.

That was some time back. Recently, in Likoni- Mombasa, on a Sunday, inside a church, a not-so friendly bullet manoueuvred it’s way to baby Osinya’s mother, pierced her head and exited from the other end. Still possessing the kinetic energy, the bullet lodged into baby Osinya’s head. As we talk, Your Excellency, and Hon Ole Lenku, the bullet is still comfortably seated in between the grey and white matter of Osinya’s brains. Osinya’s case is just one among many cases that perhaps, go un-publicized. Again, grenade explosions in Eastleigh-Nairobi have now become a norm. They have turned into social events where people gather to discuss the value of property damaged and lives lost.

This is such a serious issue your Excellency. Did terrorists take control of our security apparatus? Did we loose our territorial integrity? Or have criminals from within, up-leveled their game? Are Kenyans really safe? Are we? Ole Lenku, what Kenyans need is more than mere speeches. Stop telling us that the smoke coming out from the building is as a result of mattresses put on fire (reminiscing West-gate terror attack). Tell us the truth. Kenyans are desperate.

We need to see actions materializing on the ground too. Not just cheap talks. Not just empty PR! It’s the high moment your ministry walks the talk! In as much as internal security is a collective responsibility, tax-payers are paying you millions of shillings annually to perform. So you have no alternative other than to perform. You must perform! As you walk guarded by body-guards, Kenyans are walking guarded by fear. Are Kenyans really safe???

Meanwhile, thanks to the jubilee government, matatus have stricken. Kenyans will have to walk. At least we can now conclude that “Kenya is a walking nation.” Until then, be safe, won’t you?

Academic Affairs,SONU is my Docket-Doreen Mwihaki

I am Doreen Mwihaki, a student of Economics and Statistics at the University of Nairobi and the outgoing congress lady of Hall 14 (Stella Awinja). I am vying for the post of Academics Affairs secretary.

The University of Nairobi, once a leading centre for innovation has become complacent and if nothing is done now, other institutions in the country might topple us from the pedestal. We need to reaffirm our position as a world class academic institution.

I urge all student leaders not to be motivated by selfish agendas and fight for power and popularity but not service to their comrades. Self seeking has brought a cesspit of incompetency and inefficiency in representing the student’s welfare.

During my tenure as the Stella Awinja’s congress lady, there were so many complaints of harassment by the staff especially over the issue of preparing meals in their rooms. 11 months later the hostel occupants who are mostly first years have had very minimal encounter with the staff regarding the issue. For I knew not every student could afford buying food from the cafeteria and to enable sustainability, the administration had to meet us halfway. In addition, I opened up a study room and refurnished it,only final touches remaining and made embellishment in the hostel including repainting to make it more homely. And in the spirit of community outreach we frequently organized charity events as a hostel and touch lives of the disadvantaged in the society orphans.

I am an academician; I study ACCA (Associated Chartered Certified Accountants) alongside Statistical Economics and honored having secured a position in a Berlin Academic and Cultural Conference to represent Kenyan students. My interest to see an excelling academic institution in UoN, all students getting equality in the dissemination of knowledge and having a functional communication channel on arising academic issues is my main motive to run for the Academic Affairs docket.

I believe in teamwork for any management to be productive and am calling to all comrades who share the same agenda with me to be engaged in my campaign.

MwenyeHaki na Academics!

#God bless UoN