News Business in Kenya Today

This is story of diamonds and stones; and the apparent confusion that makes it almost impossible to differentiate which is which.

In the age where almost everyone is in business of conspiracy to defraud the public , self seeking  media houses and its employees  are too deep into self aggrandizement, nepotism, plain  favoritism -which have taken place of real mettle and talent.

Bogus professionals masquerade as know -it- all journalists shrouding their incompetence in cloud of noise and drama. Look at clowns like K24’s Teddy Kwalanda and Citizens TV's Jeff Koinange,surely who hires such people?

For K24 we can understand their history of dalliance with mediocrity, but for Citizen TV, an outlet known for its keen eye for spotting and shopping for exec quite talents,real gems, it defies logic that they have to spend a large sum of money retaining a voice box devoid of substance but a fool on high drama.

When we pin point at real gems, we are talking about people like Hussein Mohammed- firm, sober, resolute debate host and moderator as well as top news reader with deep insight for truth and excellent delivery. No show boating, no fake accents, no disruptive dramas to cover for inadequacies.

Media house administrators are apparently also lost in the smoke and noise of these mediocre busy bodies that they easily ignore the touch of silent gems like the discarded Salim Swaleh –for the Swahili audience and James Smart for the English ones.

Let’s for a bit look at the finest talents that walk corridors of these media houses and not waste much breathe about the noisy fillers.

Let’s look at how they rate and rank:

English Segment

1.Hussein Mohammed(the original, formerly of Citizen TV)

Worthy his audience time, but not sure it reflects on his paycheck .Be it prime time news, debates or event coverage, Hussein portrays an aura of control, knowledge and is not easily distracted from his line of thoughts by clever show guests.

Presidential debate moderations has been the reserve of certain undeserved fellas but all I have been saying all along is –give this thing to Hussein Mohammed.

Yes, Producers formulate debate questionnaires for debate at the background, but Hussein delivers them in a distinctive style- incise, stingy yet respectful that has been the bane of many corrupt politicians and evasive bureaucrats alike.

2.Trevor Ombija

Give it to the guy. May be not everybody’s cup of tea but this deep baritone was the only man standing at NTV Kenya, before mismanagement and political patronage laid siege on East Africa’s largest media firm.

Witty in commentary and sublime debate moderator, this guy comes around as a professional and on his way to be the master of the game.

NMG administrators may have favoured other coconut heads but this one should have had bigger boots.

When BBC came calling after the events of 2017 elections, they picked the wrong baritone and left this one behind. But that does not undercut the fact that Trevor Ombija is destined for great thing ahead.

3.James Smart

He might have found media business a reserve for dafts or his no-nonsense demeanor did not auger well with the guys with the money. So he quit KTN in a hurry but has since not surfaced anywhere. Spotted somewhere in corporate communication offensive, this is a man any media house should be chasing for.

In his time as debate moderator,the calm and collected presenter did not only bring knowledge into the surface but handled debates with the touch of a real pro. The only match to his outstanding style would be now defunct Lois Otieno.

4. Ann Kiguta

It is common knowledge most female presenters in Kenya are on this trade because they are deemed hot or they are not so selfish with the cookie.

But this one looks different,hot,yes she is by any standards. But she also has most of the colourful elements that good presenters should have-grasp of subject matter, good delivery ,proper demeanor and show control .

Although she might appear blunt on some fronts, she is quick to pick up trail and recover control.

The rest of the presenters not covered here are either barely hanging in there just good for nothing.

The good news is however that most Kenyans are not aware of their mediocrity and will applaud them for their beauty accent and drama. So all is fair in this love and war.

Swahili Segment

1.Rashid Abdalla

For his good eyesight in choice of a wife and his right sense in choice of Swahili words and phrases-proper diction. He stands out ways above the bunch of Swahili copy and paste oracles.

Nobody dead or living has delivered Swahili bulletin like this guy.

His style is original and distinctively his own.

A poet ,entertainer ,anchor , a master.

Listen to his word plays,look at the ease at which he deliver Swahili into our living rooms. He is simply pure diamond since his elevation into the TV news desk,no match has been found. No NTV cannot afford such talent,that is why he needed to cross over. And sure as hell,he is not done yet rising.

2. Nimrod Taabu

Cool and authoritative. Exellent engagement with on field reporters. Good vibe emanates around him

3.Salim Swaleh

An underrated yet one of the finest Swahili anchor walking today.

Other notable females are Mwanaisha Hamadi  and Jamila Mohammed.

Reporting Business

Since out growing of conventional reporting job by Alex Chamwada and John-Allan Namu,the only  person still doing the reporting as it should be done is Mercy Kandie Tanui.

Upholds basic rudiments of proper journalism –deep research, counterchecking of facts, highlighting both sides of the story.

But reporting to a common man is all about a fancied elongated dragging of a reporters name at the end of the ‘reporting' ,ala Hasaan Jumaaaaaa and such nonsense! 

Why France's 'Les bleus' -is still world power

France surface from beneath Nazi bombardment to snatch a win in the on going Europa nation's league.

The french side fell to a 9' minute Toni Kroos penalty after a controversial Pogba hand ball.

Outplayed but not entirely outclassed the french team ressurrected from the shocker after Hernandez power cross was poled into the net by a spearing Griezman.

Griezman later pumped in a second half penalty after Blaise Matuidi was allegedly infringed.

The Bavarian machine defence had  a breathless evening trying to keep at bay PSG speedster Kieran Mbappe. A blistering force of nature that is the bane of any defence.

The 19 year old kept Joshua Kimmich to a back pedal easing steam from a forward who is always happy to hit it from the front.

German suffered another defeat on the road after a 3- 0 walloping by the high flying Dutch's contingent in previous encounter.

Two more games awaits  die manschafts if they still have to salvage their Nations' cup ambitions.

Who dare wins 2018 edition FIFA Word Cup

 Well, here is the clue  https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2699204-ranking-the-teams-most-likely-to-win-the-2018-fifa-world-cup#slide0

K’ogalo are super cup champions again

                                           

East Africa footballing powerhouse Gor Mahia FC rips apart Tanzanian Champions Simba  SC to book a spot to Goodison Park stadium in Liverpool, England  to play against English premier league side Everton FC.

This is second time in a row Gor Mahia is winning the tourney, after beating long time nemesis  AFC Leopards  3-0 in the maiden edition in Tanzania.

The week long  Sportpesa financed tourney at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru  reached its denouement this weekend.

Gor Mahia cements reputation as the finest side to emerge from this side of the black continent.

Sleek passing, clever build ups is a deviation from  the usual, stretching of muscles and throwing of feet that has characterized Kenyan football for ages.

As, their coach Dylan Kerr, rightly puts it,Gor has been the single most faithful ambassador of Kenyan football since the death of national team  Harambee stars and subsequent absence  from international scene.

As opposed to long time rivals AFC Leopards that struggles from poor leadership Gor Mahia under the stewardship of city Lawyer Ambrose Rachier has exhibited stellar performance in recent past, clinching local league championship for four seasons back to back.

Gor benefited from an early goal from seasoned predator Meddy Kagere  and  eventual 54th minute slide in from marauding  jersey no.9 ,Jacques Tusiyenge. Tusiyenge however missed a 74^th minute open goal that would have sealed Simba’s fate once and for all.

 Local NTV viewers were treated to flawless ,replenished Swahili commentary from the legendary Jack Oyoo Silvester and sensational  Michael ‘BongaBoli’  Were.

Notables

-Captain Haron Shakava’s bad temper following Simba’s persistent foul plays earned him a yellow.

-Kahata's 44th minute scare > a left foot volley causes an uncomfortable stir at  Simba's bench.

 Just a Couch and Coffee Observation by

Amugasha Kalengeka

Opposition Politics on Its Death Bed

Jubilee/baba/Kenya Politics/Raila/Oppsition/Kenyan Economy/Premier League/Champions League/Hillary Clinton/US Elections/Donald Trump/



Opposition Politics on Its Death Bed

The ruling elite is running a well choreographed scheme to discredit the opposition as just another bunch of losers. And it has worked well. 

Contrary to popular hype of opposition being a government in waiting, opposition of the day looks like a distraught dance band with no rhythm nor key. Each member is trying an instrument here and another there.

Odinga’s charisma is waning, Kalonzo  has a reputation that only he can beat, Wetangula is just as good as another politician from the crowd, he has nothing phenomenon to offer. Opposition seems not to have any agenda.Or rather their agenda is to discredit anything the government does.

‘IEBC must go’ was supposed to be their baby. A ploy to put them back into relevance and steal them headlines and valuable airtime. But President Uhuru(or rather his think-tank)  is smart, he had nothing to gain by keeping the current clout of IEBC employed-he gave the opposition what they wanted and the opposition agenda crumbled under their own weight. They now have no agenda but a desperate attempt to hang on.

Jubilee  and company have their wallet full and loose; an irresistible temptation for a hungry opposition politicians to ignore. They have assembled formidable propaganda machinery never witnessed before. The military well-remunerated and content .Most recently, the president has assented to a bill to reduce interest rate charged on bank loans.

Opposition is fighting against a government with everything at its disposal. The president has initiated a strong foreign policy framework that has positioned an otherwise ordinary nation into a major player in geopolitics. He has foreseen construction of major infrastructural projects albeit with a lot of criticism from the economic fronts.

On the other side of the divide, a once fiery politician that was Raila Odinga  is now reduced into a burning shell,he has lost the thunder that endeared  him to the nation and he is just another tribal leader with presidential ambitions. He lacks in facts and tact. He is not the orator with the golden tongue of the 2003-2007 onslaught.

Odinga should have been a nationalist who history could have judged favourably,but his stint in the post 2007 government as the prime minister exposed him as a frivolous politician just like any other and a cry baby who could not be trusted to run a government.

He rewarded his friends and relatives with plum government position and forgot the cries of his lieutenants. He listened to sycophants and kicked out his key allies in the  Mudavadis  ,Balalas and Rutos of those days-and recently  his  ardent advocate Ababu Namwamba. He became good at creating powerful enemies.

The aging politician surrounded himself with his clansmen who were kin to have him retired from active politics through alienating himself from levelheaded politicians and key strategists like Miguna Miguna.The result is that his statehouse ambition that looked like a grab away is now a fancy dream.

Odinga of the day has established himself as the proverbial mud happy pig who would pick fights with lesser ,non-starters in the model of  Duale and Kuria. He has degenerated to a level of no return and it would be hard to market his brand.

For a man who has been synonymous with opposition politics for close to a decade,2016 must be the new low.The next general election is nigh. Time to redeem baba or time to let go?

Jubilee/baba/Kenya Politics/Raila/Oppsition/Kenyan Economy/Premier League/Champions League/Hillary Clinton/US Elections/Donald Trump/

In absence of steadfast leaders Lounge lizards run the country

 Just recently, an Israeli court sentenced a once powerful ex-prime minister Ehud  Olmert to a jail term for graft. And note that Olmert was forced out of office the moment allegations (mere allegation) of graft began trickling in. That is how a powerful democracy is run.

In established democracies worthy the name, there are no sacred cows and immunity from justice in the fight against graft.

If nations’ topmost leaders stoop to listen to self, they realize that only them have powers to stop corruption from grinding a country to a halt. He lets systems of government operate independently with no interference from lounge lizards,sycophants,awkward bedfellow and all the cacophony that surrounds the ruling elite

 If a country's leader righteously ignores the advice and  innuendos from indolent hangers-on, he gets at the helm of things and can make sound judgments.He is not prone to to be held ransoms at whatever cost.

The only problem where democracy is on sale is that elections are expensive and no presidential candidate wants to put a full gamble on it. Therefore, in the process of a campaign, he attracts all sort of loaded individuals and corporate that are eager to jump into his bandwagon. At this moment,It does not matter much how  the corporate and the flashy individual earn their bread. All it matters this time is that they are dumping loads of money at a campaign basket.

These benefactors and their cronies eventually run the affairs of a country through arm twists and blackmails. The head of state and government, commander in chief of all armed forces becomes their stooge, a puppet they can manipulate. He cannot make decisions that are detrimental to his benefactors and he is effectively in their pockets. After all, they paid the piper.

But that is not all, the political will to exterminate the rots and run a successful nation still lies with the top most leader. Unless he is not steadfast enough, he can choose to whiff out the lame ducks and play by ethical rules.

This begins in early days of the campaign. A righteous candidate does take money from all and sundry. He only associates with entities that are in legitimate business and allows into the basket only clean monies.

The president should rid of himself these strange no-do-gooders and other bedfellows as early as possible. This allows everyone to be accountable without need for political interference, midnight lobbying and blackmails from these high priests of graft.

In as much as the masses would like to bring its leaders to account, they must answer a few fundamental questions that go begging every election year. Why are you (not we) voting for this candidate? Do I know this candidate is,or am I relying on what others say about him? What are his ethics?

And thereafter, the masses will not accept to be bribed or brainwashed.

Russia vs Turkey: Who is the big boy?

The Russian regime warned Ankara that consequences would follow downing of their  plane and eventual killing of their bomber pilot.

For the records, Moscow has vehemently negated claims that the bomber jet had illegally crossed into Turkey airspace with Turks maintaining that the Russian plane refused to take order for change of course.

Now all this has turned out into a diplomatic push and shove that has seen Russia adopt a mean policy-Restricting Turkey’s imports into Russia, terminating employment contracts for Turkish professionals in Moscow as well as numerous gaffes and glitches.

On the other hand, the supporters of the former Ottoman regime are adamant of Kremlin’s sanctions arguing that they can do without the Russian prostitute imports to the rich Turks.

Vladmir Putin,a level 9 black belt karateka is a student of the ancient soviet union, he employs the time tested sanctions with  cold precision only Putin can master. Turkish shoes can’t get their free reign into the Russian market like before, there is no repatriation of foreign exchange to Turkey due to job cuts, Turkish fruits will rot on the farm. As war artillery glide closer to Turkish borders.

In short, Turkey has to pay.

On the other hand, Erdogan does not have to content with the secessionist Kurdi population but he would also be checking behind his back for a Russian rocket.

The situation is grim, and warmongers are waiting with bated breath for the fireworks. It is yet to be exactly clear how the European powers and the US will be factored into this equation.

Ankara is a budding power, a strategically located nation with a huge role in geopolitics of southern Europe and western Asia. With an economy on the positive trend and a good chunk of share in the international trade, Turkey’s influence is indisputable. Where as Russia for its stance on Crimea attracted criticism which led to it being bungled out of the G8,the old flame still burns from its belly and is not the  type to buckle from a challenge. Russia will fight.

The two leaders are going toe to toe.Erdogan warns Putin not to play with fire; Putin thinks Erdogan has just squeezed the wrong testicles. Battle line is drawn, but who will pull the trigger first?