I will always detest Martha Karua. My reason - she is the sole cause of the 2007/2008 post election chaos.
Martha Karua was the powerful Justice and Constitutional affairs minister in Kibaki's government when she singlehandedly led the initial plans to rig the 2007 elections. She is the person who, despite benefiting from the 1997 IPPG deal by the tyrannical Moi, misled Kibaki to go against such a noble idea and thus personally (with the help of Kibaki's cronies) picked ECK commissioners who she knew would help them rig the elections.
Above that, she was the loudest voice against minimum reforms which should have been implemented to enable the country have a free and fair election. Even with funds having been available to implement an electronic tallying system that would have prevented rigging, she, with the commissioners she had appointed in ECK, rejected this despite having ample time to do so.
Her current image as a reformer is simply an affront to the Kibaki cronies who dumped her after they were done with her.
All the good things she achieved when Moi was a tyrant were erased once she joined the Kibaki foray and participated in the corruption and rigging. She is just like them. There are better female reformers in this country.
Cant Kenyans be trusted?
Traveling to Tanzania by road recently, Martin Tairo Maseghe came across nearly 10 police roadblocks some 20km or less apart between Nairobi and Namanga. But on crossing into Tanzania on his way to Arusha, which is almost the same distance from the border as Nairobi, he counted only three police checks. He poses: “Does this mean that we are more secure in Kenya or simply that Kenyans can’t be trusted, hence the heavy police presence?
Published in the Daily Nation of October 13th, 2008
Published in the Daily Nation of October 13th, 2008
Private Universities joining the league of incompetence
A graduate of a public university, Mr Martin Tairo Maseghe says he thought he had experienced the worst provision of services during his student days until he visited Kenya Methodist University’s Nairobi Campus.
He had been asked by his sister, who works overseas, to get the university authorities, who had entered the wrong degree in her certificate, to correct the anomaly.
“It’s been a month of letter writing and daily trips to View Park Towers and nothing has come out of it.” His email is martin.tairo@gmail.com.
Published in the Daily Nation of September, 23rd, 2008
Embarrassing Moments
Returning to Nairobi after his holiday at the Coast, Martin Tairo Maseghe says he noted that police manning roadblocks or patrolling the Mombasa highway are doing a splendid job to ensure travellers’ safety as they stop vehicles and search them.
But what he didn’t like is having a total stranger, however well meaning, go through his bag, turning his personal belongings around.
The force, he suggests, should invest in detectors to ease the officers’ work and save “everybody those embarrassing moments”.
Published in the Daily Nation of September 5th, 2008
Merit Vs Tribe in KPA's leadership
Though he comes from the Coast, Martin Tairo Maseghe is not impressed by the local MPs’ insistence that a person from the region head the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).
He poses: “Why are they concerned about keeping just the managing director and risking running down the organization and in the process throwing more Coast people out of jobs? Let only qualified people run KPA and any other public companies.”
ADD Building debate in The Cutting Edge
While agreeing that the landscaping on the main campus of the University of Nairobi is excellent, Mathangani Muya wishes the same could be said of the Architecture and Design Building. “This is the home of the School of Built Environment and the Arts and Design. Though renovated recently, it looks too drab to even inspire a high school student. With its unkempt compound, it doesn’t reflect the creativity expected of architecture and design graduates.”
Sue Kamau, a graduate of the University of Nairobi, agrees with Mathangani Muya that the ADD Building on State House Road, where she herself studied for several years, is unappealing to the eye. Says she: “I’ve also often wondered aloud how it can produce top-notch architects and interior designers, and yet it’s so drab. The thought of going back for a Master’s degree is actually scary! Maybe we the alumni should come up with a project to spruce it up. Any takers?”
University of Nairobi graduate John Maina, who studied urban planning at the ADD Building on State House Road, agrees with Sue Kamau that it is a shame, considering that it has produced some of the best thinkers in built environments, such as planners, architects, land economists, interior designers, and quantity surveyors. All these people, he adds, have learnt how to create the best in that same drab building.
But Martin Tairo Maseghe, who just graduated recently, having studied in the same building for six years, says “the main problem lies in the fact that it has been under construction for almost a decade now, hence the ugly outlook”. He adds: “Once completed, it could become one of the most beautiful in the city. The university should, however, instal some lifts as the building goes against the universal access regulations which are, ironically, taught in there.’’
Sue Kamau, a graduate of the University of Nairobi, agrees with Mathangani Muya that the ADD Building on State House Road, where she herself studied for several years, is unappealing to the eye. Says she: “I’ve also often wondered aloud how it can produce top-notch architects and interior designers, and yet it’s so drab. The thought of going back for a Master’s degree is actually scary! Maybe we the alumni should come up with a project to spruce it up. Any takers?”
University of Nairobi graduate John Maina, who studied urban planning at the ADD Building on State House Road, agrees with Sue Kamau that it is a shame, considering that it has produced some of the best thinkers in built environments, such as planners, architects, land economists, interior designers, and quantity surveyors. All these people, he adds, have learnt how to create the best in that same drab building.
But Martin Tairo Maseghe, who just graduated recently, having studied in the same building for six years, says “the main problem lies in the fact that it has been under construction for almost a decade now, hence the ugly outlook”. He adds: “Once completed, it could become one of the most beautiful in the city. The university should, however, instal some lifts as the building goes against the universal access regulations which are, ironically, taught in there.’’
Fidel, from which cave did you come?
One of the pettiest reasons that a person may have for venturing into politics is ‘discovering that he/she has a “disease” called politics’ as the PM’s son, Fidel Odinga, recently discovered. My advice to him is if he has no clear agenda in politics and hopes to ride on the popularity of his father, he should simply crawl back into the cave he came from and leave Kenyans alone. We are fed up with father-son politics.
Unpublished
Unpublished
Njeru Githae, Come out of the woods........
With the backlash that Nairobi Metropolitan Minister Njeru Githae has received over his alarming remarks on the harmonized draft constitution, it is time he came out, apologized to the public he mislead and lead the drive to accurately and honestly educate Kenyans on the contents of the document. Burying his head in the sand won’t help as he is the constant reference of who a misleading politician is. Is he reading this?
Unpublished
Unpublished
Our Politicians are so Myopic
One thing I hate about these politicians is their characteristic inability to perceive life beyond tomorrow. All their debates, negotiations and deals on the draft constitution are anchored on their personal thirst for positions of power and authority, and never for the mutual benefit of Kenyans. Do they ever sit and imagine, that for instance they could be dead the day after tomorrow, that they won’t be around to enjoy these positions they are haggling about? Let them think about KENYANS for once.
Unpublished.
Unpublished.
South Africa is at times "out of Africa"
South African President Thabo Mbeki’s honourable exit after the ruling African National Congress lost confidence in him is laudable, remarks Martin Tairo Maseghe. Praising Mbeki for “a very diplomatic resignation”, Tairo adds: “It’s not something one would have expected to happen on African soil this century. He has set an example that should be emulated by other African leaders. Change is coming to Africa, and this time, it’s from the south.”
Published in the Daily Nation sometimes in 2008
Published in the Daily Nation sometimes in 2008
In defense of the media...
Assistant minister Danson Mungatana’s reference to the recent shoe humiliation for US President George Bush in Iraq to justify his support for the unpopular media Bill is not only simplistic, but also completely out of line, remarks Martin Tairo Maseghe.
“Can he, please, explain how the Bill will prevent such a thing happening in Kenya? Is it by raiding and closing down the radio or TV station such a journalist my be working for?”
Published in the Daily Nation of 19th December, 2008
“Can he, please, explain how the Bill will prevent such a thing happening in Kenya? Is it by raiding and closing down the radio or TV station such a journalist my be working for?”
Published in the Daily Nation of 19th December, 2008
Kenyans Love the Last Minute
What is it with Kenyans and the last-minute rush? poses Martin Tairo Maseghe, adding: “Even in school, we never did our assignments until the last day. At work, most people don’t do their assignments until the deadline approaches. Even at home, shopping is done when supplies are completely finished.” On the political scene, President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga had to wait until the very last hours to the Waki Commission deadline to sign the pact to set up a tribunal.”
Published in the Daily Nation of 22nd December, 2008
Published in the Daily Nation of 22nd December, 2008
Kenyan Settlement was a bad precedent
Kenya set a bad precedent as every African president who loses an election will now want to cling to power, expecting a power-sharing deal, remarks Martin Tairo Maseghe.
He says this is what is happening in Zimbabwe, with Robert Mugabe, who lost in the first round to MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, still calling the shots. Martin fears the same could happen in Senegal, where Abdoulaye Wade is embroiled in a bitter succession battle.
Published in the Daily Nation of 28th December, 2008
He says this is what is happening in Zimbabwe, with Robert Mugabe, who lost in the first round to MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, still calling the shots. Martin fears the same could happen in Senegal, where Abdoulaye Wade is embroiled in a bitter succession battle.
Published in the Daily Nation of 28th December, 2008
Bribing of Traffic Police is booming business
The blatant bribing of traffic policemen on the highways is serious business as the officers now carry change to give to motorists, says Martin Tairo Maseghe. And he’s speaking from experience, having driven recently on Mombasa highway, where he was flagged down. As he spoke to an officer, the driver of truck driver who had been driving behind him produced a Sh1,000 note and was promptly given back what he thought could have been something like Sh900
Published in the Daily Nation of 12th January, 2009
Published in the Daily Nation of 12th January, 2009
What do we pay our MPs for?
The revelation that an MP’s total monthly earnings exceed Sh1 million adds a new sting to the saga of their untaxed allowances, says Martin Tairo Maseghe, adding: “Why should they receive allowances for attending meetings of parliamentary committees? Isn’t that what we have sent them to Parliament to do and pay them so well for?”
Published in the Daily Nation of 29th January, 2009.
Published in the Daily Nation of 29th January, 2009.
University Students are violating human rights too
The deafening silence from human rights activists following the destruction by university students of people’s property during a “peaceful demonstration” in Nairobi is a source of concern to Martin Tairo Maseghe. Says he: “Where are they when students engage in gross human rights violations by damaging property and denying other people their right to free movement?” Unless he sees a report condemning the students soon, he adds, this will confirm that they practise double standards.
Published in the Daily Nation of 17th March, 2009
Published in the Daily Nation of 17th March, 2009
Waste of National ID's
As a means to minimise the colossal waste in lost national IDs, Martin Tairo Maseghe would like the new generation cards to include a place for telephone contact or address to enable those who come across those discarded to send them to the owners.
He adds: “I can imagine the trouble and inconvenience these people have gone through to acquire replacements when they could actually have got these important documents back. Over to you Immigration minister Otieno Kajwang.”
Published in the Daily Nation of 22nd March, 2009.
He adds: “I can imagine the trouble and inconvenience these people have gone through to acquire replacements when they could actually have got these important documents back. Over to you Immigration minister Otieno Kajwang.”
Published in the Daily Nation of 22nd March, 2009.
UNEP Double Speak
Unep, which leads the global environmental conservation campaign, is among the major polluters, claims Martin Tairo Maseghe. He adds: “The agency has one of the largest fleets of fuel-guzzling monsters.
Among the cars with Unep registration numbers I have seen are Hummers, Range Rover Sports and Mercedes Benz CLKs, which are among the most environmentally unfriendly vehicles.”
Published in the Daily Nation of 8th May, 2009.
Among the cars with Unep registration numbers I have seen are Hummers, Range Rover Sports and Mercedes Benz CLKs, which are among the most environmentally unfriendly vehicles.”
Published in the Daily Nation of 8th May, 2009.
Maendeleo ya Wanaume - A Big Joke.......
Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organisation may have a point about men battered by their wives needing protection, but the way they go about it makes it sound like one big joke, says Martin Tairo Maseghe.
“Among the forms of violence against men, they have cited babysitting and cooking. If that’s the case, then it’s the women who should complain because they do this every day of their lives. It’s true there may be cases of violence against men but if such ridiculous things are said, the matter ceases to have any seriousness.”
Published in the Saturday Nation of 30th May, 2009.
“Among the forms of violence against men, they have cited babysitting and cooking. If that’s the case, then it’s the women who should complain because they do this every day of their lives. It’s true there may be cases of violence against men but if such ridiculous things are said, the matter ceases to have any seriousness.”
Published in the Saturday Nation of 30th May, 2009.
Is There Architecture we can call Kenyan?
During the recent exhibition of works by architecture students at the University of Nairobi, a visitor commented that the ideas on display were ‘too western’. This, probably a reaction to the strong semblance of student projects to works mainly located in countries in the West, may have been an accurate observation. However, the conclusion is what is in question.
Before applying a regional tag to architecture, some criteria must have been applied. It could be that the form, materials and technology mimic those of what can be described as traditional architecture of the region or that the architecture is located in that region.
And thus the question: would one be justified to classify architecture as ‘western’ merely because the materials, technology and even the form resembles architectural work from the west? And do we really have Dubai Architecture?
Before applying a regional tag to architecture, some criteria must have been applied. It could be that the form, materials and technology mimic those of what can be described as traditional architecture of the region or that the architecture is located in that region.
And thus the question: would one be justified to classify architecture as ‘western’ merely because the materials, technology and even the form resembles architectural work from the west? And do we really have Dubai Architecture?
Prevention or Reaction? - Dealing with Industrial Actions (KQ employees strike)
The Kenya Airways strike, Njoroge Kimani says, was a betrayal of the country in its hour of need. “I can’t imagine trade unionists could have done this. I’ve no sympathy for them at a time when the country is going through such a difficult time. This amounts to sabotaging an economy that is down on its knees. I wouldn’t even imagine asking for a pay rise at the moment. Let’s be patriotic to get the economy out of the doldrums,” he says.
Also upset about the strike that has cost the national carrier millions, Anthony Kiragu is more inclined to see an invisible hand behind it. Says he: “One should be forgiven for thinking that the strike was hatched to ensure the impending inaugural Nairobi-Gaborone flight didn’t take place. The workers should have appreciated the country’s daunting economic problems and postponed it.”
But rallying to the workers’ support is Martin Tairo Maseghe who fears that many more strikes could be on the way. And he doesn’t spare the KQ management a tongue lashing for bungling it. “If more strikes are staged, it will be because of a bad precedent set by the government and employers, including Kenya Airways. Why didn’t KQ award the 20 per cent salary increase before the strike notice lapsed?”
Published in the Daily Nation of 20th August, 2009.
Also upset about the strike that has cost the national carrier millions, Anthony Kiragu is more inclined to see an invisible hand behind it. Says he: “One should be forgiven for thinking that the strike was hatched to ensure the impending inaugural Nairobi-Gaborone flight didn’t take place. The workers should have appreciated the country’s daunting economic problems and postponed it.”
But rallying to the workers’ support is Martin Tairo Maseghe who fears that many more strikes could be on the way. And he doesn’t spare the KQ management a tongue lashing for bungling it. “If more strikes are staged, it will be because of a bad precedent set by the government and employers, including Kenya Airways. Why didn’t KQ award the 20 per cent salary increase before the strike notice lapsed?”
Published in the Daily Nation of 20th August, 2009.
Ban small cars from city centre and introduce trains to beat congestion
The announcement by Mayor Godfrey Majiwa on the rearrangement of public transport system in Nairobi was not serious at all.
It being a roadside declaration and its rejection by major players in the sector go a long way to show that consultations were very limited, if any. All players, including government, the public, planners and investors must be involved if this process is to succeed.
Removing public means of transport from the city centre while allowing in private cars will be counterproductive. The reasoning is simple, most private cars will carry a maximum of five passengers while occupying the same space as a matatu that carries 14 passengers. This move will punish those who have personal cars but opt to use public transport to bring them onto our roads.
For those without personal cars, it will either mean an extra distance to walk or some more money for an extra trip. This is utterly inconveniencing not to mention that it will reduce people’s productivity while increasing their commuting costs.
The key to this problem will only start and end with an efficient public transport system. This includes high capacity buses and trains. Private cars, and not public service vehicles, should be terminated outside the CBD. These people should then be able to use the public transport services to and from their places of work.
The government should thus start by only registering capacity PSVs and creating incentives for phasing out smaller matatus. Then, trains must be revived. No sane city in the world has been able to exist without an efficient mass transportation system – the train. If we sort out our train issues, we will be halfway towards solving this problem.
Then, with improved roads and a 24 hour economy that spreads working hours through and through, we may bid farewell to the regular congestion in the city centre.
Published in the Daily Nation of 26th August, 2009.
It being a roadside declaration and its rejection by major players in the sector go a long way to show that consultations were very limited, if any. All players, including government, the public, planners and investors must be involved if this process is to succeed.
Removing public means of transport from the city centre while allowing in private cars will be counterproductive. The reasoning is simple, most private cars will carry a maximum of five passengers while occupying the same space as a matatu that carries 14 passengers. This move will punish those who have personal cars but opt to use public transport to bring them onto our roads.
For those without personal cars, it will either mean an extra distance to walk or some more money for an extra trip. This is utterly inconveniencing not to mention that it will reduce people’s productivity while increasing their commuting costs.
The key to this problem will only start and end with an efficient public transport system. This includes high capacity buses and trains. Private cars, and not public service vehicles, should be terminated outside the CBD. These people should then be able to use the public transport services to and from their places of work.
The government should thus start by only registering capacity PSVs and creating incentives for phasing out smaller matatus. Then, trains must be revived. No sane city in the world has been able to exist without an efficient mass transportation system – the train. If we sort out our train issues, we will be halfway towards solving this problem.
Then, with improved roads and a 24 hour economy that spreads working hours through and through, we may bid farewell to the regular congestion in the city centre.
Published in the Daily Nation of 26th August, 2009.
Daggers drawn over constitutional review
Though pleased that the draft constitution has been released, Martin Tairo Maseghe worries that no meaningful progress may be achieved soon. Says he: “I can see daggers already drawn by various factions, including the church. But I hope all will look beyond selfish interests and let us have a new constitution, which we all agree, is 90 per cent good and 10 per cent contentious. This is better than the current Constitution which has been the cause of our national tribulations.”
Published in the Daily Nation of 20th November, 2009.
Published in the Daily Nation of 20th November, 2009.
The Taita We Want
We all heard of the Kenya that people want, nothing beyond what we already knew, in-fact they wasted so much funds organizing a workshop that was even graced by some 'Kenyans we dont want', the likes of former President Moi and his right hand man Nicholas Biwott among others.
Corruption, leadership, poverty, land, accountability, development, same... same... same.... issues that we talk about everyday were discussed there, again.
Say we lower the scale down to Taita, what do we really want with our region....? What is it in your opinion that can greatly change this lovely home of ours....?
Taita - Taveta: A Region Forgotten
Taita-Taveta could arguably be the richest region in the country. With more than half its land under the wildlife parks of Tsavo East and West generating billions of shillings in annual revenues for the tourism industry. It’s a region rich in mineral resources that have seen a few turn into billionaires. Yet its people still languish in poverty, missing even the most basic of all human requirements.
Farming even for subsistence is a problem. The region which falls under the semi arid zones receives some of the least levels of rainfall in the country. When the rains fall, wild animals from the parks lay in wait for the little that the residents have managed to plant. This is in addition to the security threat posed to people’s lives by the same animals. Compensation is only considered when there is loss of human life and in many cases, it’s not forthcoming.
Levels of education have always been wanting. High dropout rates have for a long time been experienced mainly as a result of poverty. Lack of credible tertiary institutions within the region have played a part heightening this situation as access to quality education is barred by distance and associated costs. The opening of a new campus for Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Voi was welcomed with high expectations; it may take time before any positive effects are felt as the situation is still the same.
‘Poor infrastructure’ as a term can be used to describe the region. Other than the Nairobi-Mombasa highway, the whole region boasts of only 40km stretch of narrow tarmac which is currently filled with potholes. The region’s potential arising from its proximity to the Tanzanian border is highly unexploited. The only road leading to the border has been in a poor state and promises to construct it have never been kept.
Yet leaders come and go, leaving little to talk about other than their inability to improve the status of their people. We remain a laughing stock to the whole country as we have resources that have done more harm than good to us. Who will stand up for this group of forgotten people....? Forgotten until the next election.
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