SHOULD THE POOR MAN ALWAYS BE A PUPPET FOR THE RICH? Amugasha Kalengeka

There is this saying that when  big brother sneezes the young one catches  cold. When the second depression hit America early this year I read numerous of doom-spelled articles from the so called 'well established' columnists that Africa was to follow suit sooner or later.

The articles were grievous in themselves: giant American corporations were collapsing under the surge; banks were closing shops and employers swung into cost cutting tactics to maintain a lean staff. What were the results? Unemployment.

But as America was crumbling Africa was registering a substantial rate of economic growth of 3.7 % .It is the same American that is bulldozing the rest of the world adapt its capitalistic economic template- and true to its sycophantic nature, the European bloc under the EU, is always ready to slap arm twisting sanctions and other sophisticated blackmails on ‘rogue states’which do not tow the line .

Look at Iran, for example a country that faces constant threats of invasion from Israel. To prepare itself for eventualities this Islamic state has been on record for testing long range missiles. That to any sane mind is a logical way to react toward a threat. But to Americans and its blue eyed boys that is a sign of aggression and a threat to the peace of the world- so Iran needs to be tamed .

War mongers say that,Israel will be beating sense into Iran's thick skull very soon.

That Iran is building a nuclear weapon has also been subject of concern to the west-Iran though has always refuted the claim countless times. But whether Iran (according to the west) in trying to acquire this dreaded weapon- against the non-proliferation treaty - is in itself debatable.

Why should nuclear power be concentrated on the hand a few self righteous nations? But that is a subject for another day.

Now if you touch Iran with a 100 meter  pole you catch a sanction ‘disease’ from America and her cronies. 

If you are a leader and you can’t lick Uncle Sam’s boots you will be labeled a dictator, then what next? Nato forces backed with brainwashed ‘local allied forces’ will chase you around the country and bomb everything in sight before shooting you while you surrender after being smoked out of a culvert.

You can’t think the American way then you are not thinking right. If you cannot let gay guys to creep within your midst then you are not eligible for aid from the UK-whatever they mean by that.

So what are we saying here? Unless we are economically empowered ourselves we shall continue to be stooges for the west and its sacred cows to be used as they please.

Africa can lead the way, we have done it in athletics; we have done it during hard economic times. We can shape the world order, but if and only if we establish our own independent mind. Just remember that even the west needs Africa to survive, and therefore need to treat you like an equal.

AFTER MIGUNA, NOW THE ORENGOS AND THE NYONG’OS ..

If you asked me, I would tell you that Miguna Miguna, that clumsy and arrogant lawyer should have been fired long time ago.

The PM has been paying a character who has little grasp of the country’s political sphere in an overrated lawyer whose life has been spent fattening in Canada.

Miguna was tasked with advising Raila,but all he did was sit and play big as the ODM party wiggled itself into the fiery political fire that it is roasting it today.

As the PM advisor he should have been well aware of the need to counsel the premier on the ill publicity the party attracted in the utterances by some loquacious yet thoughtless members of Raila’s so called inner circle.

In fact as the senior advisor he was in the better position to advise the premier to urge his handlers to tone down rhetorics in the now Raila –Ruto public spats. Their responses to Ruto’s complain exposed ODM as sectarian and insensitive.

If you noted it was mostly Nyanza MP’s who pounded at the voices of dissent in the part. In the long run the party was seen as a one man show and some members shied off from participating…and that’s what will justify Ruto’s claim before the public eye that indeed ODM is dictatorial.

But as all this drama unfolded and ODM handlers pushed the party into the gallows,Miguna stood and watched ,probably encouraged the outbursts.

Now that a good chunk of the party is on the other side of the fence, it would not be surprising to see the exodus continue.

Raila should not stop there; he should crack the whip beyond the back of Miguna. He should tame some of his loyal but good for nothing lieutenants like the Orengos and the Nyong’os who would rather not tell the master that he naked but dance around him.

Polls shows that the PM star is fading, a solemn indicator that he needs to come up with drastic measures, get a suitable team in position that will create a favourable gesture to improve the PMs rating before the electorates.

And while at it…he should not even think of the likes of Karoli Omondi or other not so efficient Onyangos.

MASAA NI YA MUTUTHO

Gilbert Wafula Otieno

MASAA NI YA MUTUTHO
Weita nimeingia, ili nipate tulia,
Muda umeshatimia, mwafaka wa kubugia,
Jegi mbili nitilia, na mziki fungulia,
Masaa ni ya Mututho, fungua hiyo milango.

Leo mimi natulia, pombe sije nilalia,
Kesho nitaraukia, nisiwe wa kusinzia,
Nizose na hisia, nibaki kujilizia,
Masaa ni ya Mututho, fungua hiyo milango.

Chupa mbili kwa Rukia, mimi hapa ‘talipia,
Pesa zilizosalia, hizo nimekwachia,
Nyama utanunulia, ifurahi familia,
Masaa ni ya Mututho, fungua hiyo milango.

Masaa nayo yakimbia, raha sijafikia,
Niongeze hizo bia, deni nitamalizia,
Nisiwe wa kujutia, nikiivunja sheria,
Masaa ni ya Mututho, fungua hiyo milango.

Mshahara ‘meingia, kwenye benki ‘takimbia,
Apewe Taska pia, juzi aliniachia,
Wewe nawe vumilia, kesho nitakurushia,
Masaa ni ya Mututho, fungua hiyo milango.

Kuro amenikwamia, hapa nitasimulia,
Anataka mia mia, baika kunivulia,
Anazidi nizushia, yeye anafaidia,
Masaa ni ya Mututho, fungua hiyo milango.

Mke nimemkimbia, makonde anirushia,
Chakula anajilia, nami kunimalizia,
Kibeti kuniwachia, pesa amejitwalia,
Masaa ni ya Mututho, fungua hiyo milango.

Kama si mama ntilia, mlowe kufatilia,
‘ngekuwa kiangalia, hii pombe ‘kijinywia,
Mtura ninalalia, huku najitapikia,
Masaa ni ya Mututho, fungua hiyo milango.

Beti tisa nakwama, nyumbani kukimbilia,
Saa tano ‘metimia, giza nalo kuingia,
Sitaki kiruka njia, mke wangu achukia,
Masaa si ya Mututho, fungeni hiyo milango.

GILBERT WAFULA OTIENO
“mkosa kabila”
MMUST, Kakamega.

The Burial of an alcoholic in Western Kenya By Gilbert Otieno

OUR GUEST WRITER TODAY IS GILBERT OTIENO WAFULA..A FAST AND FURIOUS ONE FROM HIM...
An unusual burial took place at Bilibili village, Mukuyuni Division of Bungoma North District, when touts gave the dead local brew, chang’aa. In paying their last respect to their colleague who succumbed to death after a short illness, they also put a five-litre jerrican of chang’aa beside the body in the coffin before burying.

The touts arrived in large numbers in matatus crippling transport services on the busy Webuye-Kitale Road. The convoy stretched for more than two kilometres from the deceased home.

Normal activities came to a standstill as villagers came out to witness the vehicles decorated with twigs snaking their way to the funeral.

The touts, who operate at the Kamukuywa market, made contributions through their chama where some of the money was used to provide ‘human petrol’ (chang’aa) which was in plenty.

They tasked local mama pimas (women who brew alcohol) to ensure everyone was sufficiently supplied with the brew and the women did not disappoint, knowing the touts are their most loyal customers.

On reaching the compound, they alighted from their vehicles and it was evident they were drunk. Their wailing broke the sombre mood interrupting the pastor who was delivering the sermon.

The mourning was well rehearsed to convey their feelings. While some threw themselves on the ground, others tore their clothes, run through the compound singing dirges and praising the dead.

Alcohol was taken in good measure oblivious of the strict Mututho laws and by noon, everyone was tipsy. One of the tout’s leaders hijacked the ceremony from the African Devine Church pastor, who was making his speech before the dead could be laid to rest.

"You clergymen don’t know what our brother went through. Go take tea with women in the kitchen," said the red-eyed leader as he sipped chang’aa from a gorogoro (tin).

They took over the ceremony with each tout getting a chance to eulogise the deceased until 6pm, leaving the church leaders in shock. The church leaders had planned to conclude the ceremony by 2pm but they could do nothing to salvage the situation.

"Wacha tumzike na hii chang’aa akunywe kwenye safari yake kuelekea mbinguni, kwani aliipenda sana (let us bury him with chang’aa. He can take it on his way to heaven because he adored it)," said their leader adding that this was to appease his spirits as he was brotherly in drinking dens.

The deceased’s parents hold senior positions in the church. Villagers say he was unique and the black sheep in his family. He was the only one in the family who took alcohol.

A week after the funeral, the compound still smells of alcohol and human waste as the touts soiled the place recklessly in the name of paying tribute to emboko ya Kitere (the lion of Kitere) as he was widely known.

Cancer or no cancer we are still soldiering strong, say survivors

Cancer or no cancer we are still soldiering strong, say survivors Written by Amugasha Kalengeka 2011-07-12 20:08:00 Read 584 Times Medical service Minister Professor Anyang’ Nyongo, a fiery cancer activist, Tuesday officially opened the Africa Cancer Foundation in Nairobi, Kenya. Graced by a host of dignitaries, cancer survivors and their families, the launch of an African Cancer foundation reflected a message of hope in the middle of pain, challenges and despair associated with the disease that kills about 50 people a day in Kenya. Margaret Oluka, grandmother of the youngest cancer survivor in Kenya -Alexandra Ajoy tells a story of family battling out with leukemia –the cancer of blood. Alexandra fondly known by the family as Alexis was diagnosed with the lethal disease in December 2010 at age 3. Having no state of art facility in the country to handle her case, Alexandra was quickly ferried to Akolo Speciality hospital in India for a bone marrow transplant where she spent 6 months fighting for her life in an ICU. Baby Alexi has been in India bravely fighting Leukemia that was diagnosed in September 2010. Photo/ Courtesy/ Africa Cancer Foundation. But cancer treatment is no bed of roses; Sh 4million was required for the exercise forcing the family to seek support from relatives, friends and well wishers. As fate would have it, the little Lexis suffered organ rejection and she had to be again transferred for stem cell transplant in the United States where she was recuperating till yesterday. According to Oluka,Alexis is now acclimatizing to the new organ with a few problem here and there like high toxicity, lose of hair and walking capability as a result of the steroid and chemotherapy . Alexis came out of the ICU yesterday and she is still upbeat despite suffering from graft verses host symptom and her live on hope that she will survive the attack. The most adored case of resilience is that of the 9 year old Rose Wekesa a.k.a Princes.   The 9 year old is a true cancer victor oozing with umpteenth vigor, brilliance, and steadfastness that is rare of a nine year old. She entertained the gathering with her resounding, strong character and message of her song- I believe.  I believe is a moving, heartrending, story of a little girl battling with cancer. “I believe, I will live to see another…”  It reflects the strong will of someone who would rather not sleep down and wait to die but encourage others to stand up and fight. Battling hair loss from the effects of chemotherapy the visibly jovial Rose does not look like someone dying of cancer. Rose is a flower that cannot be withered; she nurses a dream to be an oncologist to help fellow cancer victims.   Diagnosed of cancer in December last year Rose has undergone six rounds of chemotherapy, and has six more to go. Another survivor Francis Kariuki called for information to be availed on cancer to help early mitigation and create awareness, the need to seek medical guidance from doctors and not to shy away from a second opinion for surety. Mary Onyago 48, the wife to the late Aggrey Ngong’- brother to the Medical Service Minister Peter Anyang Nyong   who also is the vice chair of TJRC, recounted of her fight with breast cancer. An advocate for a culture of annual screening Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999 during a routine mammogram. She called for the public to treat cancer victims with great compassion and urged for the corporate society to take part in campaign to perpetuate the cancer message. The battle for cancer has attracted compassion from both survivors and right thinking members of the society. Doris Mayoli founder of Tukuza trust was diagnosed of breast cancer in 2005 and doctors gave her 3 months to live. But Doris won’t just die. She still soldiers on and uses music concerts to collect funds to cater for treatment and care for cancer victim. According to statistics read by Dr. Fatuma Abdalla, said cases of cancer infection in Africa are disturbingly on the rise. She speculates that unless urgent redress is done it could easily increase by 50per cent in 2020. In the battle with cancer various challenges crop up significantly among them lack cancer treatment and care facilities and lack of access to treatment due to chocking poverty levels. In fact, only 15per cent of all Africans can foot the cost of cancer treatment with most developing countries like Kenya lacking adequate trained human resources to help fight the scourge. The foundation launched today (Tuesday), the largest of its kind in Kenyan history, marks a great milestone towards a cancer free society. Amongst those who turned up are Safaricom’s CEO Bob Collymore, former Vice President Moody Awori, Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and Ingrid Moroe the  country’s longest cancer’s survivor who has braved it for the last 38 year.

Read more: http://westfm.co.ke/index-page-news-bid-2762.htm#ixzz1RzSQK434

ITS KENYANS WHO ARE ON THE WRONG NOT ONGERI

Why Kenyans are wrong on Ongeri’s resignation-Amugasha Kalengeka

“Each candidate behaves well in the hope of being judged worthy of election. However, this system was disastrous when the city had become corrupt. For then it was not the most virtuous but the most powerful who stood for election. And the weak, even if virtuous were too frightened to run for office”.
Niccolo Machiavelli

At the time the education ministry is spell pound by massive accusation and counter accusations in the ministry it behooves us to look deep into the words of this phenomenon Italian writer and statesman.

Yesterday several activist led by the vocal yet unbowed Okoit Omkiya Omtata were arrested for barricading entry to the education minister’s office. But the general feeling here is that Kenyans are placing too much a burden on a few people-the activist.

We elect leaders with no history of integrity. They buy us off like cheap commodities into their office.yet with all that posturing and clear indication of graft glaring at us at the preliminaries we gladly vote them in.
We vote in people with illegally acquired wealth who seek power not to serve the people but to protect their interest.

George Orwell the celebrated English writer equated the people in powers to pigs. In his book the Animal Farm Orwell says, ‘They looked at the pigs, then at man and to the pigs and they did not seem to see any difference.’

All this boils down to the sentiments of Lord Dalberg Acton to Bishop Mandell Creighton. During the Roman Catholism Crisis of 1870, this historian and self proclaimed moralist wrote of the doctrine of papal infability all power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely . A phrase that is famed for to date.
So like the pigs in the Animal’s Farm, leaders usurp powers onto themselves, lock out the subjects and engage in loot en masse.

But as I said earlier the blame lies squarely on us. When the so called leaders traverse the country campaigning for themselves ,our eyes are so much engrossed in their pockets and what comes out of it rather than on their lips and their eyes. That is where we begin losing out.

We forget the general utopian ideal to vote into office leaders with integrity and later live to complain and demonstrate on the streets rather than build the nation.

Superstar up and about the town

 

This Saturday Bungoma was a burst with the best of entertain flavors from the crème de la crème of the Kenyan music industry .Talk of Refiga,Tierra G,Chupi and of course the world famous Wyre the Love Child.

In an exclusive interview with West Fm,Wyre revealed another side of him that is less known to the outside world.

Born in Athi River the mellow voice singer who has been doing music for the last 16 years has earned admiration in the country and beyond for his versatile music and superb vocal. This has put him a class of his own as a musician with a rare finesse.

Wyre fondly known as the love child has churned out chart-busters after another with notable ones being Chuki,Make A Choice and Gimme More distinguishing himself as when of the continents best talents.  He has collaborated with renowned musician like Uganda’s Bebe Cool,Two Face Indibia from Nigeria,Nazizi  among many others.

A charming and collected character Wyre can pass just like any other boy in the hood. He does not carry the usual swagger that accompanies most big names. As a matter of fact he describes himself as a simple guy that can do anything for music.

Asked who is his favorite politician, Wyre is quick to distance himself from politics but believes in the youth’s capability to take on the reigns of leadership in the country .he is involved in various youth empowerment programmes geared towards enlightening the youth through his music. He says his ultimate goal is youth empowerment.

Hey but don’t mess up with Wyre, he reveals that he is a trained Karateka and also burns up excessive calories in the tennis lawn.

Wyre records his own music and juggles between production and performance and says he currently is spending time in the studio to come up with a song to educate the public on the need for peace to avert the possibility of recurrence of the 2007 clashes.