Sincere Support for Mututho and His Law

First, may blessings from the Most High fill to the brim the home of Naivasha Mp, John Mututho, who heeded the Almighty’s call to rein in on the oft-randy drunkards in the country. May his farm, which I guess harbours no barley, produce and reproduce plentifully, may his children and children of his children give birth to many of his kind so that in 100 years to come this nation will be totally alcohol free.

Agreed. But before we go on tell that kid, who innocently told us on Churchill show yesterday that Mututho was an inanimate thing going by the good name, Law, that he’s animate, a human being; stubby, sturdy, studious and somehow priestly guy hailing from a not-so-far-place from Nairobi called Naivasha.Which county? Guess right because I don’t really know, sorry. But do I care? Nope, as long as there are no popeyed, dry-mouthed, smelly men and women on our roads in the morning and past 11pm.

Isn’t that great? I mean isn’t it so nice now teetotallers won’t stumble on semi-conscious bodies flattened by yeasty drinks onto our good roads. No miserable beings puking like dogs that have consumed tasty faeces and vomit several times to re-taste their sweetness. 

So what? You think. Who cares whether our highway lanes are laced with big men and women frothing from the mouths and any other visible and invisible body openings? Many do, including the brains behind this law and yours truly. Those others plus His Excellency-by the way Kibaki recently revealed his love for the bottle, of course one with brewed yeast and water plus whatever else which make men impotent and lose their heads, may care less by showing their stupidity when deeply sozzled but this Law will forever be our (teetotalers) fighter.

By the way, if someone is not considering giving Mr. Mututho an award, like Nobel Peace Prize or something alike, then this world is irretrievably inebriated. Getting knighted by the Queen is not a generous reward for this man, ‘Sir’ John Mututho-Please don’t sneer at this.

That’s that. Let’s now go on pampering this guy whose name deserve sainthood-just kidding- in like many years to come. Maybe when he put straight his constituency development funds, or stops childish behaviours like tearing pieces of paper in front of cameras/journalists. Fine, hope he hears this but now may his left hand becomes stronger like the right so he can draft more bills to bring to order the runaway, monstrous industry.

A word of caution: Anyone planning to engage in any other business which will rope in alcohol ideas, or sell anything tasting alcohol better gets ready to face the law. This is what Mututho says in Section 28 (5): “No person shall manufacture or sell objects including sweets, snacks and toys that resemble or imitate alcoholic drinks.” Those sweets and indeed those sodas-Alvaro, Novida-the foremost imitators of alcoholic drinks should be taken or sold between the times indicated by the law (5-11pm all days apart from Saturdays and Sundays(2-11pm).

Did you know this about South Sudan?

South Sudan will join a league of 33 new countries in the globe since 1990 if the January 2011 referendum qualifies them to go on their own.

The semi-autonomous region currently waiting with relaxed moods for full independence will make the 34^th country in the world over the last 20 years. It will join Kosovo, the latest nation to declare self-independence after managing to unilaterally declare autonomy marking a contested separation from Serbia in 2008.  Though the mother country did not acknowledge the separation then, Kosovo went ahead to build its territory and even at one point was toying with the idea of joining the European Union.

The bulk of the newest countries were as a result of the disintegration of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1991. Countries born as a result of this dissolution are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.

Yugoslavia broke into five states in the early 1990s : Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro. The two regions making the later went separate ways in 2006 adding to the tally of the new nations after a referendum similar to the South Sudan’s which Montenegro voted in favour of separation.

In Africa, Eritrea is the last country to gain independence. The 18-year old state voted in a plebiscite to separate itself from Ethiopia in 1993 but the border between the two countries has been in contestation since then. Before Eritrea seceded, Namibia was the youngest country in Africa after moving away from South Africa in 1990.

Other countries that have come up include East Timor (2002), Palau (1994), Czech Republic (1993), Slovakia (1993), Micronesia (1991),   The Marshall Islands (1991), Germany (East and West Germany merged in 1990), and Yemen (North and South Yemen merged too, 1990).   

South Sudan will mostly join-considering the reported separation enthusiasm in the region- these countries, most making the least, apart from Russia, Germany, and Yemen populated countries in the world. Most of the mentioned states have a population less than 10 million and South Sudan with an approximate nine million people would comfortably fit into this league. Its expected new status will guarantee it automatic chances to join the international community in various fronts including membership to organisations such as African Union, United Nations, East African Community and others.  

Though peaceful, referendums have been the least preferred way by seceding countries.  So far Montenegro succeeded to separate through a plebiscite in 2006 and if South Sudan succeeds it will be following its peaceful manner of independence. Others, making a huge per cent, fought for their independence. Yugoslavia, for example, experienced deadly wars which led to the death of thousands of people through civil wars and alleged genocide, before it finally fell apart.

South Sudan, if it agrees to secede, will muscle out of a group of dozens of regions across the world which have for long been fighting for autonomy. It will be a success story for the currently semi-autonomous region still heavily depending on the mother country-The Sudan-for an array of things including budgetary allocations, United Nations representation etc. The regions that have asked for separation but have not gotten are Western Sahara, still under Morocco, South Ossetia, although it has declared self independence it has not been recognised by its mother country, Georgia, and the international community. Tamil Region is another section in Sri Lanka which has unsuccessfully fought in the past for autonomy. Puntland and Somaliland, two semi-autonomous regions carved out of Somalia have not yet been recognised as independent states though they have been operating under pseudo-sovereignty for long.

Now, Can the ‘Angel’ among Kalenjin Politicians Stand

First, is there one? Many don’t think so. Not after most of its leaders, or the so-called tribal kings, have faced or are facing the 'hangman’s rope' for looting public coffers.

Finding a good leader is quite tricky now. You know corruption  is the most stinging morality test for the leaders of this community mostly enmeshed in the Rift Valley, but which after tasting the sweetness of Nairobi and alike cities have slowly adopted nomadic lifestyles; being in the village over weekends and reappearing in the city during weekdays.

That's aside and a quick look at perceived leaders from this region:

William Ruto

He’s the topmost politician in the region. But as things stand now, he might have to ask for super services from leading face-surgeons to spruce up his heavily soiled face and character.You know, being named a top performer in class makes you an instant hero and every student will mill around you expecting endless benefits, however, being named a suspected key perpetrator of any sort of violence is no honey licking. It destroys the very core of your character, sends friends scampering to the safest of places, invites all kinds of enemies plus the very weakest of them, and other egregious invitees-this is Ruto's situation now.  Some may want to argue that he is an innocent chap but in Kenya one is guilty until proven innocent. 

His heroics are known. He surprised both foe and friend when he pulled substantial opposition during last August referendum and he consequently put the final coating on the belief that Kalenjin were in his pocket. But now he’s under siege and nobody seems to care about any heroics now. By the way, he’s suspended from cabinet.

Henry Kosgey

He struggles with eloquence but never unequivocal when it comes to defending himself. The ODM chair has also lost his job to thought of corrupt activities. The Kalenjin-man has kind of been very silent or undecided on matters tribal but his support on the ground has been strong enough. However, things are going south for him. Some people, led by Moreno-Ocampo, think he ordered the wanton slaughtering and drinking of blood by possessed youth from innocent Kenyans in 2007. For more information, ask Luis.

If there’s anything attractive left for this man, then it got to be his suit, only. Another Kalenjin deposed from top leadership!

Who else?

Franklin Bett? (A little laugh), sorry. He’s Raila’s stooge in Rift Valley. Serious. And if someone thought ‘stooging’ for Raila in the Rift now is like distributing Nyayo milk then s/he should be woken up or be asked to change his/her dream. It’s like biting a hard stone. So you can guess where FB’s fate lies now.

Dr Sally Kosgey.

The no nonsense Agriculture minister and former President Moi’s right-hand woman, is one admirable lady. She gave one Stephen Tarus, the former Aldai Mp, a sleeping pill politically and ran the show without any intimidation. Half a clap for her. It would have been full clap had she not been in Raila’s bandwagon. She’s not listened to just like Franklin Bett.

Isaac Ruto

Mmmh! (Almost heard someone shout in agreement). Right, the Chapalungu man has shown unwavering leadership qualities over the past few years. His eloquence and fearlessness should be attractive for the Kalenjins who are desperately in need of an untainted figure. Ruto kinda fits but what powers does he have nationally? None as at now. And it’s difficult to influence without power these days. However his common tirades in the august house could catapult him in future. (I hear he might be vying for Bomet County senator in 2012...not very sure).

Samuel Poghisio

He can make a good leader by the look of things. Unfortunately, he has not demonstrated enough to enable the Kalenjin to ‘like’ him. He’s weak and by the virtue of being elsewhere from where many Riftians were in 2007.

And others...

This other bunch comprises rookie-politicians whose hunger for fame drives them above anything else. Communal leadership should still be a pipe dream for most of these youngsters. Gideon Moi should be leading them, only them, and not Kalenjin.

This is the bitter reality. And every member of this community should be a little tweaked by this worrying inadequacy.

*Wild Solution: Kalenjin  should 'borrow' someone from Western just like their forefathers thought of doing when they failed to find the right  man to represent them in the LEGCO long time ago. Moses Mudavadi-a non Kalenjin-was fronted but he refused. This time round they could be successful unless another Moi rises soon!

Now it’s time to Dissolve this Government

Seriously, should we wait until each minister in the cabinet ‘steps aside’ to put toend this frail Kenyan government?

It’s more of common knowledge than anyone’s ignorance that the top governing body is short of human resource and should be gravely struggling to eke out any tangible business after another ‘soiled’ governor left, though briefly.

With four ministers- and one, Charity Ngilu, expected to join them soon- having been interdicted for various criminalities and temporarily stripped of their ministerial roles, and another four taking over the abandoned duties on top of theirs, the situation is honestly getting out of hand. In case you forgot, the ministers who stepped aside or suspended are Moses Wetangula (Foreign Affairs), William Ruto (Higher Education) and now Henry Kosgey (Industrilisation). 

Considering this, eight ministries are not functioning properly or will soon crumble from lots of duress over the heads of ministers in charge of them. Before you think of its minimal number and therefore its expected inconsequentialities, the affected ministries make fifth of the countries’ top governing body and furthermore, these ministries are very important because they make the very core of government.

Higher Education is not a wishy washy ministry, neither is East African Community. If you think, Foreign Affairs is for jokers like Fisheries, then think twice because it is not. Unfortunately, this ministry connecting Kenya with other nations is being commandeered by a single individual, Prof George Saitoti, alongside his mainstay: the Internal Security docket. One individual calling the shots in such powerful sectors of government? Now way. Give us a break please! Even if they are Professors, Prof Sambili and Prof Saitoti, such double work should be difficult enough for them, especially after their heads were permanently damaged by studying PhD.

The next minister to act for Henry Kosgey should definitely be a ‘Permanent head Damage (PhD)’ holder, by the way who is the other Prof in the cabinet...Prof Ongeri? Maybe, but his past is not clean enough to guarantee him a chance and of course the unforgettable run-ins with Mediator Enigma Engineer Lecturer

Raila Agwambo Odinga.

Who else then? Assistant minister Prof Margaret Kamar could make a good option. But currently she’s in a bar down the available vacancy. A promotion to act as a minister while squarely an assistant somewhere else is tricky though!  The same case applies to Prof Ayiecho Olweny, the bespectacled assistant minister for Basic Education.  

Because of this inadequacy, it’s time the two principals fetched other personalities. The only way to do this is by dissolving the current cabinet and appointing anyone according to the new constitution. You know they have the prerogative to get anyone so long as they are sane and qualified.

The true call is: dissolve the cabinet now unless you ask any of the local universities to promote the several Doctors in cabinet to provide enough choices. But before then dissolve, no more Professors to act please! 

Just by the way...

*Welcome once again to this blog. Hope you had a fabulous holiday and January isn’t turning out to be the real financial monster you have always abhorred.

*Almost forgot to wish you guys a happy New Year.  Happy New Year people! May blessings pitch camp on your door and may you be very careful when you open it every morning so that you don’t trample or damage them.