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Ten big lies that Kenyans tell themselves to escape reality
Related to country: Kenya

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic




OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, Kenyans seem to have developed an almost pathological ability to lie to themselves. Today, everywhere you turn, somebody is buck-passing. Nobody wants to take responsibility any more. Psychologists probably explain it best as a desperate mechanism to cope with the harsh realities of life, but this doesn’t make it less bizarre and surreal. Doubt me? Consider these 10 common lies.

One, that the government has to help us with our personal problems. How many times have you seen on TV a Mama Mboga whose kiosk has been demolished, or somebody who, somehow, has sired 16 children saying, “naomba serikali itusaidie…”?

Fact is, there is no animal known as government that has bottomless pockets to solve people’s individual problems. Government is there to formulate policy and construct basic infrastructure with tax money. Anyone who wants to benefit from your tax money is a parasite.

THE SECOND LIE IS THAT KENYA IS a rich country whose wealth is looted by its leaders. Ha ha ha! Kenya is actually extremely poor. With nearly 40 million people, according to the CIA’s factbook, the country has a Gross National Product of just $31 billion. Contrast that to Singapore, with a population of about 4.7 million and a GDP of $155 billion. Kenyans should be thinking of baking a bigger cake, not how to share crumbs!

The third lie? That Kenyans are decent, hardworking people, but their leaders are bad. Go tell it to the birds. People get the leaders they deserve. And on that hard-working bit, it is only true for a very small part of the population, mostly women.

If you go to the rural areas, you will find most shopping centres clogged with .drunk men as early as 9 am. Without women, this country would be as poor as Sierra Leone! Lie number four is that a new Constitution will solve all our problems. Fat chance. We have laws against murder and arson, but did that stop the atrocities of early 2008 and the mayhem wreaked by Mungiki?

Fact is, a Constitution is as good as its implementation, otherwise it is just a piece of paper with ink stains. Countries like Britain don’t even have a written one. We need to rediscover our moral direction more than we need a Constitution. Lie number five is that foreigners, especially diplomats like US Ambassador Michael Ranneberger love us very much.

Let’s be blunt here. Diplomats are sent here by their governments to represent their own interests. They don’t love Kenya any more than they love Bhutan or Haiti. This to them is just a work-station. Nobody loves Kenya as Kenyans do, or should. This is your home, and only you can change it for the better. Start working on it.

The sixth lie is that Kenyans are a Godly, peace-loving people. OK, maybe we go to churches and mosques, but that doesn’t make us more God-fearing than the Russians or the Chinese. Which God-loving people wake up one day and start hacking each other with pangas (machetes)?

The seventh lie? That to jumpstart Kenya we need free education, free healthcare…. Let’s all get this clear: There’s nothing like a free lunch. When you are a poor country with no infrastructure and you spend the little you have on NGO-driven freebies, you’ll remain just that — poor. Free things should only be for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, such as the old and disabled.

Lie number eight — that it is poverty that leads to crime and acts of stupidity — has become popular of late. People burn while looting a fuel truck, or steal from the corpses of road accident victims and all you hear is the “poverty” excuse.

NOW, IF POVERTY WAS THE ROOT OF all evil, how come there are some really good people like national rugby coach Ben Ayimba from places like Kibera? Lie number nine? That a Kenyan ‘Obama’ will swoop down to save this country and lead us to everlasting prosperity.

The messianic narrative may make you sleep better, but it won’t happen. Look at China, the greatest economic miracle on earth. It has taken the sacrifice of an entire generation to pull millions out of poverty. One ‘Obama’ cannot do the job alone. Lie number ten. That your ethnic community is more hardworking, more honest than the others. If that were so, how come you — as a person and as a community — are still as poor as you are?

Mr Kimani writes for The EastAfrican.

May 25, 2009 | 4:23 AM Comments  3 comments

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Barack Obama's Kenyan relatives cheer win
Related to country: Kenya

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

KOGELO, Kenya – Barack Obama's Kenyan relatives erupted in cheers Wednesday, singing "We are going to the White House!" as Obama became the first African-American elected president.

In the western village of Kogelo, where the Democratic candidate's late father was born, police had tightened security to prevent hordes of media and onlookers from entering the rural homestead of Obama's step-grandmother, Sarah.

But the elderly woman and several other relatives came outside Wednesday to cheer for Obama in a country where the Democrat is seen as a "son of the soil."

Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki declared Thursday a public holiday in honor of Obama's victory.

Across Africa — where Obama is wildly popular — people stayed up all night or woke before dawn Wednesday to watch the U.S. election results roll in. In the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, people chanted "Obama! Obama!" as the results were announced on television.

"He's in!" said Rachel Ndimu, 23, a business student who joined hundreds of others at the residence of the U.S. ambassador for an election party that began at 5 a.m. "I think this is awesome, and the whole world is backing him."

Many hope an Obama presidency will help this vast continent, the poorest in the world. Some are looking for more U.S. aid to Africa, others simply bask in the glory of a successful black politician with African roots.

Obama was born in Hawaii, where he spent most of his childhood reared by his mother, a white American from Kansas. He barely knew his late father. But that has not stopped "Obamamania" from sweeping the continent and particularly Kenya, where his picture adorns billboards and minibuses.

Hundreds of chanting people marched through the streets of Kibera shantytown, one of Africa's largest slums, cheering Obama's win.

Samuel Ouma, 36, said the victory alleviated some of the pain suffered in December after Kenya's disastrous presidential election, which unleashed weeks of violence.

"We finally have got the stolen election," he said.

Gibson Gaitho, 14, said he does not believe an Obama presidency will change his life much but said he is inspired by the rise of a man with Kenyan roots. His teachers at Mangu High School in Thika brought the students to watch the results at the ambassador's residence in Nairobi.

"As Kenyans we feel proud," he said. "But we know Obama will be working for the United States."

November 5, 2008 | 1:57 AM Comments  5 comments

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I sure am proud to be a Kenyan
Related to country: Kenya

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Few things move me more than the sight of a Kenyan, arms raised as he or she approaches the finishing line and then climbing onto the podium to receive a medal.

Then the strains of our national anthem drift round the stadium, as our beautiful flag proudly flaps along. It is the only moment when the slogan, “I’m proudly Kenyan”, makes sense to me.

I rarely cry. In fact, I cannot remember the last time I cried, but watching Kenya stamp its sporting prowess during the Olympics — stolen votes, post-election violence and buying our athletes notwithstanding— stirred something in me. It touched a chord that almost brought tears to my eyes.

There are many reasons to be proudly Kenyan, as this e-mail I received from an old schoolmate, Edwin “Edushe” Njuguna, and which I hear corrupt, attests.

You could be proudly Kenyan because: It’s only in Kenya where University students can riot a week before exams and get a year’s holiday at home to prepare for the same exams.

You can buy certificates or degrees from River Road. Some schools and colleges are located above pubs. You have to attend tuition to make it to a national school. Graduates and Form Four leavers “tarmac” for jobs.

No one cares about curfews or age restrictions on beer drinking. You can buy booze, grilled meat and play darts in a police canteen.

Furahi Day

You can start smoking at 10. We have the most delicious roasted nyama choma (roast meat) in the world. You can get a driver’s licence without ever taking a driving test.

Eating Pizza is “high life.” We have some of the most beautiful, stylishly dressed women yet they don’t realise it. Hot tea is compulsory every morning.

“Matatus have to play loud music to attract passengers. The only country where people fear rain more than car accidents.

Wednesday is Lady’s Night and Friday is “Furahi Day” (happy day) that spills over to the weekend…which other country can match that?

“You can “have fun” on Sh40 by drinking some illicit brew. You can grab a school compound, cemetery even, and get away with it. Ten bob (ten shillings) can buy you lunch—Githeri (maize and beans) and Uji (porridge). Ugali is everyone’s staple diet.

“Your things can be stolen while you are looking. The police can take 24 hours to come to your rescue because there is no fuel. You can brush your teeth by chewing a one-shilling roasted maize cob.

“You can report to work at 8a.m.,drap your coat on your chair and return to pick it at 5p.m. and still get paid. You know the election results before the campaigns begin.

“It’s the best place on earth for a vacation. You almost always have to have a godfather to get employed.

“We’ll take you in if you get deported from wherever. You can share a house with chicken, cows, goats and sheep, wake up, dress in a suit and a tie while smelling like an animal and no one will care.

“Robbers can invade a bank, lead the hostages in singing church hymns, deliver a sermon on the value of earthly possessions, collect the “offering”, give the watchman fare home and invite everyone to a celebratory bash in a downtown club before leaving and not get caught.

“An Mbwa kali (Fierce dog) sign is supposed to scare away thieves. “Flying out” is a culture of sorts.

“If one person stares into the sky, a crowd will gather and do the same and before long, a story is formed about how a guy jumped from a building...blah! blah! blah! Fish cake.

You can strategically pose for a snap looking like you’re sitting on top of KICC.

Of thee I sing

Tourists are given booklets on how to say Jambo (Which Kenyans greet others like that?) and ask for directions in Kiswahili, but no guidebook on the answers. Sasa? doesn’t mean “now”; it’s a greeting much like “Otherwise?”

Being called mad is a compliment. “Man, this guy is mad. You know what he did...” then they’ll recount some of your admirable exploits.

On the other hand, “Are you normal? (pronounced “nomo”), means your marbles upstairs could be chipping.

“Reassure your doubters (also called haters) by buying another round.

Indeed, you are proudly Kenyan since it’s the country of your ancestors. You were born, and will probably will be buried here. And didn’t your grandfather fight for our independence?

And so, my country—where justice isn’t always our shield and defender, where dwelling in unity, peace and liberty depends on which community the president comes from, where plenty is found within our borders, but not for everyone.

My homeland of Kenya, a heritage of splendour—of thee I sing, “I’m proudly Kenyan!”

October 25, 2008 | 9:04 AM Comments  5 comments

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British firm to invest $162 mln in Kenya's energy plant
Related to country: Kenya

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

NAIROBI, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The British energy firm, Aldwych International and Burmeister &Wain Holdings, said on Thursday they will spend 12 billion shillings (about 162 million U.S. dollars)to build a 90 megawatt diesel power plant in Kenya.

The plant to be constructed by Aldwych International Ltd (Aldwych) and Burmeister & Wain Scandinavian Contractor A/S (BWSC) is expected to bring stability and prosperity to Kenya's electricity consumers and its citizens.

"As developer and contractor of the Rabai power plant, we at BWSC are very proud to have been associated with the development of this vital project and awarded this important milestone," SorenBarkhold, Executive Director at BWSC told journalists in Nairobi.

"We are looking forward to becoming part of the Kenyan community and to participating in the country's further development and prosperity," Barkholt said.

The Rabai Power Plant is the largest single investment in Kenyasince the establishment of the new administration and will be delivering much needed power to the national grid before the end of 2009.

"Electricity is fundamental to Kenya's economic prosperity and development. In implementing the Rabai project we will do our very best to contribute to the Kenyan goal of providing a reliable and cost effective supply of electricity for the whole country", stated Mark Fitzpatrick, Managing Director of Aldwych.

The task of developing, financing, constructing and operating the 90MW diesel engine based power plant was awarded to Aldwych and BWSC on Nov. 30, 2006.

"I am thrilled to have such experienced and professional sponsors responsible for the construction and operation of the power plant. For Kenya, the project is a vital catalyst for the further development of the country, and I am confident that the sponsors will fulfill all their obligations. I wish them every success in their new venture," said Joseph Njoroge, CEO of KPLC which was responsible for awarding the contract.

The output (90MW), sufficient to provide power to up to 400,000households, will be sold to Kenya Power & Lighting Company Ltd. (KPLC), through a 20-year power purchase agreement.

The project was awarded on a build-own-operate-transfer basis through an international competitive bidding process.

The facility's output will be sold to Kenya Power and Lighting Co. in a 20-year power-purchase agreement.

The new plant, located 20 km from Mombasa, will be not only the most efficient thermal fuel plant in Kenya but also one of the cleanest, as it will be operated to meet stringent international environmental and social standards.

Following commercial operations, BWSC and Aldwych have forecasted savings of billions of shillings as the Rabai plant will displace some of the older and more costly emergency diesel plants that are currently being used to bolster the constrained Kenyan power supply.

October 9, 2008 | 8:43 AM Comments  0 comments

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5 Examples of Student Ingenuity in Kenya
Related to country: Kenya

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

POSTED: Monday, September 22, 2008
FROM BLOG: White African - Where Africa and technology Collide

My good friend Josiah Mugambi in Nairobi was at the Kenya chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) exhibition in Nairobi last weekend. This is where students showcase their innovation in engineering, ICT, mobile application and renewable energy. He did me a great favor by sharing some pictures and research that he did on some of the really interesting students he came across.

1. MPESA Online Shopping

By Denis Ndwiga Nyaga

Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph was especially interested in this one for obvious reasons. Denis called it ‘nakupesi‘, Naku for Nakumatt (the local mega-store). nakupesi is an online shopping mall, with payment based on MPESA. One would need to be registered on MPESA to be able to pay for items online via MPESA. One thing that is possibly lacking is delivery to one’s residence or office after purchase. This shouldn’t be too hard to incorporate though.

2. Green Tree Markets - a Business Intelligence tool for farmers

By Andrew Owuor

This looked quite interesting - A business intelligence tool that allows a farmer to choose where to sell his produce based on price, and location. Some of the obstacles that the developer Andrew Owuor mentioned include the need for real time market data from markets round the country, for the system to be of use. This isn’t a completely new idea, but it’ll be interesting to see what local twists are created for East Africa.


3. Automatic headlight dimming for two approaching vehicles -

By Jemimah Wachenje

Jemimah has developed a system that automatically dips two vehicles head lights when approaching each other at night. Josiah has ranted about headlights before, and I agree, it would be very useful and potential could reduce some accidents on those dark lightless roads around Kenya.

4. Energy harvesting using piezos to charge mobile phones -

by Richard Assanga Otolo and Gilbert Barasa

Very interesting, yet practical.

5. Synchronous Solar Heliostat -

by Samuel Njoroge

Sammy Njoroge’s demostration of a synchronous solar heliostat used to track the sun, and orient a solar panel accordingly thus improving the efficiency of solar panels. Automatic tracking of the sun to increase the efficiency of solar panels, Makes economic sense. Innovation runs in the family it seems.

October 9, 2008 | 3:25 AM Comments  0 comments

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