Introducing:Kenya Youth Movement (KEYM)~Alex Anyolo Kikuyu

On a microscopic and critical point of view,I am afraid to say,but I have to say-considering the kind of leadership we have had since 1964 and the leadership we are having today in KENYA, ladies and gentlemen the comparison between the two is no different from that of a wild and a domestic pigeon. You can put lipstick on a pig, its still a pig. I have always believed that change is that stubborn thing inside us that insists,despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us, so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting. YOUTHS- our challenges have been singular, our destination shared,out of many we have been one, and that is why we are swimming in these turbulent times of unemployment,poverty and overdependence, otherwise we would have sank and drowned. For a long time now,kenya’s leadership has been wanting, experiencing drought, calamity, an epidemic, a deadly disease,`KENYAMNESIA’.Promises are made, both earthly and heavenly, taps of milk to replace motherly suckling, manner and whine from heaven to replace changaa,paradise promises –very juacali and seasonal, brothers and sisters,citizens,relatives,Christians,muslims,budhists,hindus,ladies and gentlemen..NO WORRY ANYMORE, ALEX ANYOLO KIKUYU has a cure for KENYAMNESIA…..KEYM (KENYA YOUTHS MOVEMENT).

KEYM as a union and an association, we are set to be a hub that will harness democracy, equity and tolerance.KEYM will reach out to youths in all corners of KENYA, in all constituencies, counties and provinces-no tribalism, intimidation or discrimination. We shall give direction politicaly, socialy and economically. We are tired-Gone are the days of humiliation and elderly representation in BUNGE.KEYM is set to have leaders from a majority of the universities in Kenya, colleges and other learning institutions and beyond, in KEYM there will be no mercy but peace,honesty,competence and accountability ndugu zanguni.no political mischief and flowergirl games.Herbert Hoover in a strong statement had to say, that older men declare war, but it is youth that must fight and die.KEYM will consider such a statement obnoxious and vague, if a must applicable-then the contrary must also be true.

In the face of impossible odds, people who love this country can change it. our road might be long, our climb steep but we shall never forget the desire to achieve. As we focus on the registration of the association and its launch, ladies and gentlemen lets embrace one another, lets keep the fire burning, spread the word like bushfire. THANK YOU.cc ALEX ANYOLO KIKUYU.

Babu-Akach, your Honey-Moon Is Over! ~Governor Joel Evans (GJE)

I would first like to take this golden opportunity to congratulate one Paul Ongili Owino alias Babu Owino, also known as “Ja-Runda” to some students, for winning the SONU presidency race, one Jim Akach for earning the Secretary General seat, and the entire lot of those who made it to clinch various SONU seats. Indeed, it was a highly coveted battle, a tough and weary tussle, but you still fought a good fight! You pulled the bull by its horns and meddled with it’s delicate genitalia, yet, or stoically so, you still survived the ordeal and emerged out victorious. Kudos. Weeks down since your inauguration, I believe you are settling and catching up with how to balance your academics and your leadership responsibilities.

So far, you have started on a very good knot. All the way from suspending of the on-start of end of semester exams to bailing out of the arrested students. Such an aplomb! However, Your Chairmanship, Don Babu Owino, SONU serves as a mirror to the rest of the of the Kenyan Student Unions. Its constitutional jurisdiction might be to basically serve the students of The University of Nairobi, though, it also has a very high bargaining power when it comes to matters of national interests. It is on these grounds that the time to resurrect Kenya Universities Students Association (KUSA) has dawned. There is need for a common platform for all university students in Kenya to air their common grievances. This platform is to em-broaden the space for intellectual discourses, social justices, recreational interests, exchange programs among many more.

This idea had been tried out initially, though it lost it’s glory as time went by. May be due to some hitches, misunderstanding, constrains or inconveniences here and there, but time to re-brand it now. At least with much more fresh energy, vigor and vitality. I would therefore like to appeal to the SONU chairman and secretary general, to give this matter a more in-depth thought.

Try to excogitate, as the idea continues being propelled to the rest of the Kenyan tertiary institutions. An all inclusive body, that will give even the youngest student unions an opportunity to be heard within the borders of our state. There is no value-less idea, there are just value-less implementation methods. Wishing you and your SONU cabinet secretaries a prosperous tenure

THOMAS SANKARA LIVES!~Otieno Sikuri

Yesterday I read a few articles about this great revolutionary, but I felt none had completely captured the events of his mighty brush with the winds of time. None was too magnanimous to do justice to the memory of this great pan Africanist. This article therefore, uses events gleaned out of history, as its linch-pin, and as is the case with many historical narratives, none, not even this, is audacious enough to encapsulate all events. Mine is thus just a simple attempt at sacralising the memory of someone who I feel, sacrificed everything for the future of Africa. It actually disfigures to write that Thomas Sankara today lies dead in an unmarked grave in Burkina Faso, a country he once governed.

Many great Africans have died before Sankara, many more overthrown through coups, others assassinated and even completely forgotten, maybe their ignominious years of service attracted such treatment, but to do to Sankara what Burkina Faso and Africa did to him leads me to only one conclusion; Africa is still under reins, very tight reins. Now, Thomas Sankara was no ordinary leader. In his most formative years, it is said, he interacted with the works of Marx and Lenin. He later got military training and quickly rose through the ranks to become a distinguished military captain. With age, his political consciousness was aroused and he soon ordained himself to a Marxist, a Pan Africanist, a revolutionary, no wonder he was often referred to as Africa’s Che Guevara. Sankara found favor with people and he was later appointed to a government position.

He would ride a bicycle to work, with his charisma, and sympathy assuaging principles, he soon found himself in the bad books of president. He would later be sacked and placed under house arrest after being accused of obstructing implementation of government policy- as noted by the son to the then French president Jean – Christophe Mitterrand. A major public demonstration ensued that day and the government was overthrown of course with public approval, having been led by his revolutionary comrade-in-arms and best friend, Blaise compaore. Thomas Sankara was made the president. If there is a time that Africa has ever proven its mettle in world politics, this was the time. Here was a young revolutionary president (33 years) with little political experience, armed only with the principles of Karl Marx and the doctrine of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, here was a president with a message for Europe. If anybody says that Karl Marx‘s manifesto was over ambitious tell them they are wrong. Sankara severed all links with international monetary fund (IMF) and totally cut off links with Europe arguing that that was a design for reconquest. He often said that; he, who feeds you, controls you. Sankara transformed Burkina Faso in every way that a country can be transformed. From agriculture to industry to education to health, progress was evident.

 He instituted stringent financial measures. He sold off all the fleet of government Mercedes and bought Renault 5’s (cheapest at that time). The French (former master) had named that country Upper Volta; Sankara renamed it to Burkina Faso (land of upright men). Women we empowered by being recruited to the military and getting appointments to cabinet positions (first African country to do so). There is this striking narrative that Sankara prohibited his portrait to be hung in public places claiming that everybody was Thomas Sankara. Sankara had one car (Renault 5), 4 bikes, 3 guitars, a fridge and a deep freezer. He lived in a simple brick house. He even refused to use air conditioning in his office claiming that such a luxury pricked his conscience since it was unaffordable to a majority of Burkinabes. The west has brought in ideals that hinder development and governmental progress. Such ideal as free press, human rights and democracy even in times of turmoil, were all banned by Thomas Sankara. Europe fights for free and fair elections, but through this, Africans only manage to elect and replace thugs with thugs, rapacious, power-seekers and neo-colonial compradors are almost always the winners. When will liberation come? When will government excesses end? When will the common African become truly free? So because Sankara fought against imperialism and western interference, he was extinguished? Sankara was overthrown in a bloody coup by his best friend Blaise compaore; he was assassinated, dismembered and buried dishonorably, in an unmarked grave. The cruel cracks of rifle fire silenced the lion king, the revolutionary who dared to dream, the greatest pan Africanist who ever lived. The overture of the west was easily discernible in his assassination because shortly thereafter, the IMF and the World Bank swung into action, extending their paternalistic tentacles to that part of Africa, once again. What is most painful is that after his assassination, history books decided to keep silent. Amongst the Kenyan Marxist writers, only Mukoma Wa Ngugi in (Thomas Sankara lives) gives Sankara a befitting tribute.

Now, where is our history? Do we have a history of resilience, of resoluteness and independence? The west tells us no! But Thomas sankara demonstrated that we didn’t even have to act, we just had to believe. A week before his assassination, perhaps as a premonition he stated, ‘a revolutionary as an individual can be murdered, but the idea lives on.’ Through Sankara we witnessed the African possibility, the Walter Rodney possibility, the Ali Mazrui possibility. Now the west is deeply entrenched, but like Sankara, we need to act. Many have chosen to keep silent, perhaps out of fear or desperation, but I choose to celebrate a true African, the lion king. Even as my candle flickers and threatens to die, as sleep creeps, I know the upright man lives. Arise Africa! Thomas Sankara lives!

Otieno Sikuri 'Last Philosopher'  is a leading youthful commentator on topical issues and a student of literature.

May the Holy Ghost Fire Burn All Homos-Philip Muhizi Langat

In the beginning God created Adam and Eve, not Bob and Job. His intention was to make this two, one through a union called marriage. Unfortunately enough, this union may not stand the test of time thanks to gay rights movement. Today people have tended to agree with EVIL and make excuses for it while it steals our very soul. They have so lost touch with reality that fantasy is their reality. They have let devilish passion, misplaced desires and forces of lust consume their very own being. Now they hide under the blanket of democracy and the philosophy of “born this way” or “live and let live”.

I believe the gay rights movement is one of the last remaining puzzles in the civil rights movement. I have long supported the right to self determination and privacy. Perhaps because of my liberal leanings, I have supported the rights of the special, the marginalized the underprivileged and even the Ogiek. I have debated within the four walls of my hostel in the University of Nairobi, in the lecture halls, in my place of work, on my Facebook wall and even with my siblings. I have encountered mild and violent opposition to my stance.

I have been commended by some and brandished by others as an agent of the devil. Through my short 23 years on earth, I have always hoped to live up to my larger ideals and values. The ideals of justice, fairness and equity; that democracy isn’t just what the majority insists upon, central to its structure is a protection of the minority from the majority and a guard against the passions of the times. However, I have never agreed that homosexuals are a minority group of people or better still, a group of individuals whose identity can be defined as gay. It is not like being black or Jew, Kenyan or Nigerian English or Kalenjin, NO.

When we talk of a group of people whether majority or minority, we talk of a group that bears identity. But being gay cannot constitute identity. Homosexuality is not an identity or class; it’s a behavior. Homosexuals are not a class of people any more than heterosexuals are a class of people. We are males and females, not gays and straights. In other words, we are males and females by anatomy, but gays and straights by behavior. Therefore, homosexuality has got much to do with desire; abominable desire to be precise.

And so I ask, why not classify people by their desires as homosexual activists demand? Because if we start to classify people by what they desire to do sexually, then why not give people with all sexual desires special marriage rights? Or why not allow sado masochists, bestiality lovers or pedophiles be? Once we allow same-sex marriage, then on what legal or moral basis will you stop me if I want to marry my biological sister, and we are both consenting adults? Some homosexuality crusaders like Chimamanda Ngozi, Elton John and Binyavanga Wainaina have claimed that being gay is a naturally occurring phenomenon (remember the naturally occurring types of rocks in geography? haha), that it is not a choice, that it is something that we are born with, something that is beyond our control.
 Well I agree that some males can be born naturally effeminate and some females born with male-like tendencies. It is also true that people can be born with incessant bed-wetting tendencies. In both cases it is not the person’s fault that he/she was born that way. However, it becomes irresponsibility on the side of that person to celebrate these tendencies and ask to be allowed exploit the negative sides of the condition instead of seeking medical or psychological support to regain a normal sexual identity. It is also irresponsible to term homosexuality as natural. You are either born male or female; otherwise you are a special case that needs special attention. In that regard homosexuals owe to be classified in the same category as retards and psychos whose problem is best solved in hospitals and not in civil rights activism.
 A candid quote from the prolific writer and philosopher Thomas Hobbes reminds me that "men are innately born to be brutal, boorish, with potentials of devilment". It is therefore the responsibility of a society to tailor and legislate ones character especially the excesses so that they fit into their immediate niche because no one is born fully made. Condemning homosexuality is one such step. Remember a society is a product of social contract whereby we give up certain rights in return of certain privilege and as such; every society has a code of conduct. Anyone who treads the line by rebelling such codes is committing a crime. Homosexuals are therefore criminals because their tendencies are in total contrast with the societal norms and codes.
Apparently Kenyans are sitting on the fence with regard to this thorny issue. Some are in support while some like me are not. When we fail to expressly condemn something then we impliedly agree to it. That’s the Kenyan position. A very worrying position that may paint us as a nation that is submissive to the west and subservient to the western Ideals. And that reminds me..who said the west is a benchmark with  which to measure our lifestyles? Who said the western definition of democracy is the right one. I don’t want to go into this for it deserves a whole chapter of its own. The fact that we have gays and lesbian foundations in Kenya is reason enough to conclude that Kenya has not come out strongly to declare their stand. Even the clergy whom we expect to be the moral compass in the society seem to be entangled in this issue. They care less and some are even crusaders of this unjust cause.
Biblically, unnatural acts like what happened in Sodom and Gomorrah were severely dealt with by the highest and mightiest authority(Jehovah).The wrath of God is countless times severe than inflation. They say...in the metaphysical realm, choices have consequences but in the spiritual realm the consequences are even dire and that they are better imagined than experienced. Those who do not believe in the bible may condemn me as unnecessarily magnifying the Bible, but the truth is that homosexuality has no place in the kingdom of his majesty the lord of lords, Jehovah Ttsidekenu. You may want to say Christians are pushing beliefs into people’s throats but need I say that one may not successfully be able to disentangle faith from the morals. Faith, rules, politics, laws are inextricably linked. They are more similar than dissimilar. Whether you're a free thinker, Muslim, Buddhist whatever, your faith guides all that you do and if your faith guides you to be homosexual then you are as good as dead. I am proud to say I am a Christian and I look forward to falling into the loving embrace of my Savior, Jesus, when my curtains are drawn. I am not afraid to say that the west is up to no good when they force vile ways down our throats.
 Accepting homosexuality is dangerous to society. I say this not because I’m a closed-minded, progress-hating, ultra-conservative homophobic who simply can’t understand why a man chooses to love and have sex with another man. No, I say it’s dangerous because of what the wholesale acceptance of homosexuality REPRESENTS – a slow erosion of our responsibility towards the group and more towards individual hedonism. A slow shift of the boundaries of what’s acceptable or not in society. A gradual thinning and weakening of the glue that binds us together, forgetting that that glue, that responsibility we have towards each other, is actually what we call a society. I live you with the words of Ghandi…” A wrong is a wrong even if everyone is for it and a right is a right even if everybody is against it.” homosexuality is unnatural. PEACE

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?