An army within an army or a city within a city-Kenya

Its food for thought to all who will read this note. We have the famous Eastleigh estate well known for business people who are percieved to be ‘Kenyan Somali’, the estate as we read in the recent Sunday Nation has turned to be for the above mentioned, buying properties for millions of shillings to ensure they are the only occupant of the area. Majority do not speak our National Language as I have realized when shopping in the area, true people who respect their culture as the swahili saying, ‘mwacha mila ni mtumwa’. they are “managing” the area with superb 3-4star hotels, as they say its only life you cannot get from the estate. Having said that, I will just touch a litlle about the military base in the area, is it a tickling time bomb? I will not say more than that because… Time will tell and are we “all” blind?

I have no ill feeling and I love them for who they are and especially the business part. I have to go… later

Youth its our turn!

We have watched and witnessed Barak Obama take presidency in the United States, and history has been written. A young ambitious, focused … man. If he made it then youth its the high time we came out of the slumber land and take over leadership. Instead of complaining and mourning the bad governance, lack of inclusion and involvement in key leadership positions, we should wake up and take action in a peaceful way. The peacebuilding practitioners call it active non violence, I would refer to Mahatma Gandhi movement and the the grain of rice campaign. Kenyan youth we need to set an example for the world that good governance is coming to Kenya through the leadership of young people. We are all experiencing the struggle of the common person, and the marginalised “youth” to be precise, we also compose the largest population in Kenya and the world, why not then be able to demonstrate the leadership we want?

I have talked of volunteerism for a cause, and thats the only way we young people, we shall be able to liberate ourselves. We all need a plate of food on the table but lets not be like Esau for those who read the Bible who sold his birth right just for a meal, I will not elaborate more, I am sure we have the point.

The 2007-8 post election violence should have been an eye opener for us all, and especially after the coalition government, thanks to Koffi Annan for saving soles. However, 2012 is just around the corner, the romour has it and I quote “we are all prepared” and Kregler said if … “It will be like a christmas party.” Where is our stand, what are you as a young person doing to ensure that we build the Nation -Kenya we want? The campaigns are high only after an year, what development are we getting if the politicians are teaming up for 2012, why cant they work for “us” and campaign in 2012 itself, lets wake up and be focused, its our time. Nothing comes easily and we need to network for a common purpose with underlying factor that we are all youth and unemployed, its not the tribes which we are identified with but the fact that we face same challenges/ issues in our country Kenya, lets set an example for active non violence and the world will follow. The time is now!!!

By Rachel

International Women’s day

March 5th, I was among the few invited guests at the American Embassador residence, for dinner in honour of the Intenational Women’s Day. I was happy to interluct with other women creating change in the country and world at large. Its is through our little effort and in different ways which will make the Kenya we want. As always said and repeated then and I say it again today, Educate a woman and you educate a community.

It really does not matter the age of a woman as long as she is committed to make a difference a good example of the young girl Sheila an orphan and a member of Kenya Girl Guide Association at 17 years commited to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Kenya. She is one of the four girls from around the world selected to present at the 53rd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York. She is a living example for the young women in and out of school.

To the women in Kenya and the world, do what you know best and create a space for yourself in the world. The world is looking for a woman or women who will bring positive change in Kenya in particular after the post election violence having in mind it is us women who suffer with our children. When at labour pain we all experince it, despite of what tribe, we are the mothers of the world generations/population lets work together beyond our tribal lines, diversity is our strength. BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE. As the US Ambassador said and I quote,”I urge all of you to help raise up voices of women from every region and corner of this country, from every ethnic and social group, to demand fundamental change through full implementation of the reform agenda…. Women of Kenya, make your power felt! the time is now! Drive the process of change in order to transform this country.” We all have space move with your space and make a positive future and make sure you build network to have strength in numbers, lets talk and they will listen.

By Rachel

US ambossador residence

Two in one – Coalition Government

Its so surprising how things are running in our country Kenya today. The country is going down to… everyday, we have two governments in one the so called coalition government, the so many ministers, assistants ministers and the Permanent Secretaries. If for sure it is the government for the people why do they have all the 44 ministers when it can have 22 or less, like those of the developed country. The huge salaries and allowances earned by them to be used by the youth for socio economic development, which has become a reason for the cause/manipulation of youth in the post election violence. If we really want to empower the youth economically, why then not give them priority?

However, the implementation of the youth fund, a loan repayable on weekly basis, Is it for benefiting the youth really or to make them more miserable?

So many questions without answers but the youth we should lobby for our space not to wait for a space, unless you are among the few in the “millionare” bracket. Volunteerism key to success and community cohesion.

Rachel