SUPKEM did not ban DSTV in Mandera

We are dismayed to learn that the Nation erroneously reported that Muslim leaders have banned DSTV and video halls in Mandera. The story as you will learn is very different from the news reports. What gives?

Read on.

Health Reform Kenya, and more on the constitution

The Kenyan Ministry of Health Services is planning a radical expansion of health care in the country. According to the Human Resource Development Sector Report 2010, the programme will create 24,000 new jobs, expand ambulance and primary healthcare services into the ARALs. The programme is a response to indicators that showed gains made towards the end of the last century were being eroded in the new millennium.

Follow for details.

On leaving and speaking out against the church

Disgusted by the recent scandals in the Church over pederasty, or its misogyny, or just bored with organised religion?

Well, many people in Europe are, and they are now online. Here's a few websites with instruction manuals on how to leave, especially important in countries where there's tax and other obligations attached to formal membership of religious organisations, but also perhaps important for closure and moral dissociation. In Kenya, we have seen some criticism of the church from Kenyan Christians on matters of the constitution. But first, a look into Europe.

Follow link for more.

of flying and volcanoes

Were you annoyed that you had to stay on the ground when the Icelandic volcano erupted two weeks ago? Well you can look at this video for what you may have gone through if your plane had got caught up in volcanic ash. Aircrash Investifation from National Geographic.

Watch video here.

Kadhi courts and the Kenyan constitution: a heathen's perspective

Ombuya E. Okongo speaks out against Kenyan churches, and Christians in general; and the hypocrisy of it all.

The new constitution stipulates that Islamic Kadhi Courts shall be retained. Some of the e-mails and articles I have seen from the Christians opposing Kadhi Courts are alarming, to say the least. They are incitements -- with propaganda so vile I will not accord them the dignity of mentioning them here. But what they all state explicitly is that there is a conspiracy by Muslims to use Kadhi Courts to turn Kenya into an Islamic state.

Did you hear that, ladies and gentlemen? The good Christians want you to believe that they have done nothing to impose their beliefs on other Kenyans, when in fact Kenya's socio-political system is dominated by Christianity. Don't we use the bible in oaths? How many government functions have you attended without hearing a word of prayer? And don't even get me started with Christian Religious Education (C.R.E) and the forced church services we endured in public schools.

Debate.

Statement against quit ultimatum to Draft Constitution naysayers

By now most of us have made our minds about the constitution. If you haven't, well, there is still time. Bunge la Wananchi, like many of us,  is concerned about the president's isolation of Cabinet ministers who oppose the constitution (the No campaign).

We wish to remind the principals that Kenya is a democracy and it is in the nature of a democracy for the majority to have their way but the minority to have their say. It is in the spirit of democracy for competing ideas to be resolved at the ballot box if consensus cannot be built in advance. In a democracy, the fundamental rights of all are protected regardless of the views that they hold.

Discuss.

Ruto and Kosgei Re-Assigned Ministries in Cabinet Shuffle

State House today announced a mini-shuffle in the Cabinet which sees Rift Valley members of parliament opposed to Prime Minister Raila Odinga suffering setbacks, while those rooting for him in the ODM wrangles and in the constitutional debate enjoying promotions. The headlines will no doubt focus on the major change that sees Eldoret North MP William Ruto and Aldai MP Sally Kosgei swap ministries, with Ruto demoted from the powerful Ministry of Agriculture and Dr. Kosgei - a former head of the civil service, promoted to Kilimo House as the Minster for Agriculture.

Challenges of Eradicating Corruption in Kenya

The essays published here were written by three students from Kisii High School. These young writers were the winners of an essay competition by the Kenyan Chapter of International PEN.

Government Censorship in Kenya's Digital Age

There is a thin line between freedom of speech and hate speech. How does one determine this? What's the government's role in regulation? Discuss.

Are we Reading the Same Constitution?

A reader shares comments that he has seen as criticisms of the proposed constitution. As he shows, none of them have nothing to do with the proposal. Check

Kenyan Universities Should Teach Works of Emerging Writers

At what point should a contemporary writer, say, a study of poet Shailja Patel’s work, be introduced in our institutions of higher learning? Why should a university Professor accept to be a judge in a competition of emergent African writers when they do not wish to encourage their works at the university?

Should universities only teach traditional literature?

A conveniently defective draft, experts' mistakes and the usual ironies of Keny

Yes, we are heavy on the constitution. That we must. After all, it is an historic moment in Kenya, not since the Lancaster House has the constitution been so close to passing (matter of fact, in the next couple of days we'll try and figure out why with all the similarities to the Wako/Kilifi draft) this one has taken a hold.

Our lawyer friend, Eric Ng'eno returns to our pages. His talking points:

First, is that a new constitution is a non-negotiable imperative for the people of Kenya at this time, and so much so, that failure to deliver one before the next Election will be deemed a singular failure of all leadership, and a massive stain on careers and legacies. No one wishes to countenance a failure to deliver. It is as unconscionable as it is disastrous.

Secondly, that the Draft Constitution shortly to be published by the Attorney-General has quite a number of 'positive aspects' that commend it to our favourable civic treatment at the ballot come the referendum.

Thirdly, that the same draft also has certain imperfections, or defects if you will, that needs must be amended.

Martha Karua on Kenya's Proposed Constitution

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs asks that you vote for the proposed constitution in the coming referendum.

Clitoraid: Saving African Women One Clitoris at a time

One of our writers takes on Clitoraid. Perhaps you have heard of this organization that is onto a good cause, offering reconstructive surgery, but who's slogan is insulting to the women its sorts to help. It asks that you "adopt a clitoris." No, thank you. We'd rather not.

Yesu Kristo Ltd For Sale

Yesu Kristo Ltd. For sale as a going concern. YKL- trading as Church of God, Kenya- is a fully established church with branches in all major stadiums and market centres. Owner leaving for the United Kingdom on orders from Her Majesty’s government to serve as an in- house spiritual advisor to the British penal system.

This could be sattire, or real. The determination is yours to make. 

Its About Public Policy, Stupid!

The abortion debate is heating up. Here, Gathara looks at the consequences of back door abortions and asks that Kenyans look at abortion not through a narrow morality lens, but as a matter of public policy.

Reading List | Single Mothers, Women in Technology, Pro-Choice and Rev Njoya

Here's today's reading list. J.K. Rowling writes on her life as a single mother in the UK, even after making tons of money from the Harry Potter series. Find out how this is relevant to Kenya.

The New York Times ran a revealing profile on women in Silicon Valley. We attempt to compare this to Kenya with research and articles on Kenyan women.

Rev Njoya calls out Kenya's clergy and scholars. We are not asking that you vote for the referendum as Njoya suggests, but we ask that you listen to what he has to say. Too many times we follow religious leaders blindly, and fail to think critically.

Hate speech is making its way from the Kenyan blogosphere into emails and text messages. What is the government's responsibility? Following Dec 2007 and the post election violence, how does the government regulate mediums of information without using executive arbitrary powers? Through the courts?

Setting the record straight on Kadhi Courts in Kenya

It is clear that the provision of Kadhi courts in Kenya's draft constitution has become a matter of national debate. This article aims at informing the on-going debate by setting out basic facts about Kadhi courts that appear to have been ignored in the debate and analysis.

Another must-read, this one detailing the history of Kadhi's courts in Kenya

Open Thread: Discussing the 'Yes' and 'No' Campaigns on the Proposed Constitution

Everyone it seems agrees that the proposed constitution is far from perfect, even defective. The contention is whether or not those defects are of such a fundamental nature as to render the document unacceptable, even worse than the status quo.

What is your informed opinion of the draft? Is it better than the current document and in what ways? Also, what are the social, economic and political costs of replacing the old one? Are we discarding an unsavory part of our history and if so, are we doomed to repeat it? Discuss in comments below.

Writing my high school: No guts no glory

I could buy into the idea that such a thing as a manual to life exists but not if you were to tell me that it has a chapter on high school. I do not mean the high school of stampeding hormones and chasing skirts during music festivals. No, in that, despite being a late bloomer and a tone deaf one, I excelled. I had to. When you are the go to guy for emotive missives that lead to furtive groping at the back of the KICC’s plenary hall, someone finally cuts you in on the action. Benign action it turned out to be: a peck in the cheek for my affection-draped tomes.

High school tales.

Curate's Egg: Assessment of Kenya's Proposed Constitution

As everyone seems to be saying, the “approval” by the National Assembly (NA) of the Proposed Constitution (PC) was historic, and MPs are being profusely thanked. Except that we had another historic day in March 2004 when Bomas adopted a constitution, and that the NA had no authority to approve the PC. It is amazing that only one member realised this, even though the NA itself had made this rule when enacting section 47A of the Constitution. So much for constitutions!

A snap shot that you really MUST read.

A principled approach to the question of Kadhi courts in Kenya's Constitution

There are few more critical factors to the Kenya as a peaceful and united nation than the way we resolve the controversy over the Kadhi courts. As is painfully clear, we have become a deeply fragmented nation. Avoiding emotions, dogma and arrogance, we must seek a principled approach to the question of the constitutional recognition of Kadhi courts. That approach appears in the preamble of the Proposed Constitution which says, echoing a widespread sentiments of Kenyans, that we are proud of our ethnic, cultural and religious diversity, and must build peace and unity on that diversity. In multi-ethnic states, it is wisest to search for an appropriate balance between national values and identity and communal values and identity. Denying a community its identity as expressed in its most cherished values, and which do no harm to others, is the surest way to conflict and disintegration.

Yash Ghai on Kadhi Courts in Kenya arguing that its inclusion in the constitution should not be cause for concern for Kenyans. Thoughts?