Archive for
January 24th, 2006


Stories

Kenyan Sphere Roundup 

a small portrait of this author Juliana Rotich · 21:21

First thing, condolences to the families of Kenyans who died as a result of the collapse of a six storey building in Nairobi on monday. As reported by the Standard newspaper, “At least 10 people were confirmed dead. By 10.45 pm at least 75 victims, with various degrees of injuries, had been pulled out of the heap of concrete blocks and dust.” Acolyte on reading about the collapse of the building, notes at the end of this post “That's so sad.It seems people never seem to learn from similar disasters of the past.Are we destined to repeat our mistakes ad infinitum?”

The African blogosphere ‘hit the mainstream press' as noted by Kenyan Pundit, the standard newspaper did a piece “Working Abroad, Living at home” about the kenyan blogosphere.

Some of Kenya’s best writers are people I can almost guarantee you have never heard of and probably never read.

Their writing has never been published in newspapers or books, yet their observations and commentary happen to be some of the most mordant, witty and original.

The Standard piece specifically pointed to the post “Having cake and eating it”, where M urges diaspora kenyans to move back to Kenya. The post generated alot of discussion, and introduced an interesting set of abbreviations such as KT (Kenyan Tourist - diaspora kenyan returning for a visit), and KR (Kenyan Roots - Kenyans living and working in Kenyan). The discussion included the question of whether remittance from diaspora kenyans can be considered nation building. Commentary from Diaspora kenyans/bloggers made for a very spirited discussion.

The week also began with the news that a report by Kenya's former anti corruption chief was published. John Githongo stepped down a year ago; he had been investigating corruption, including the Anglo Leasing Scandal. Ntwiga has a clear rundown of this in the post“Business as usual in nairobi 3.o”.
Mental acrobatics in an impassioned post takes issue with characterisation of John Githongo as a dissapointment, pointing out that

“… he stood up, laid down his conditions and took a job that most of us would have ran away from like we were being chased by Conjestina Achieng and actually left with his integrity and his neck in check. We complain and complain about the political elite being one and the same. Orange, Banana, KANU, DP, LDP all the same. And here is a man who was invited into the top tier of that political elite and refused to be turned. In short the kind of man we have been calling for and instead of lauding him, we label him a coward”

In the same vein, Diary of a mad kenyan woman lauds John Githongo saying “John Githongo, I salute you, for the man you are, the hope you give and for the gift of your courage.”

Afrikan Eye examines our so-called bullet proof beliefs, and asks “what, I wonder, is the point of having sound ideological/spiritual beliefs and principles if those beliefs do not affect how one's life is lived?” in the same post she adds “Until we answer that question most of us will continue to bang on about how we ‘believe in Afrikan development' when, in reality, we believe in buying imported Belgian chocolate.”

Afrofeminista says “Leave Kikuyu's alone”. Kikuyu is one of the major tribes in Kenya, where tribalism (akin to racism) is often an issue to contend with in Kenyan life. She notes that the real struggle should be against patriachy “….More’s the pity, given that we’re trying to fight patriarchy, a system which tends to also manifest itself in movements that seek to ‘restore’, ‘reclaim’ some idea of tribal supremacy – be it by misguided Kikuyu, Luo or Kalenjin leaders. So we just add another battle to the one we’re already fighting, which is unfortunate.”

Bankelele provides an update of business news and opportunities, noting therein that “The European Union will set up its own trust fund to disburse aid to Africa without reference to the World Bank which is currently led by U.S. neo-conservative Paul Wolfowitz.”

Girl in the meadow laments the overplaying of songs by Kenya's Kiss FM, “..And to make matters worse , they don't pay the artistes royalties. What is worse Kiss FM or Pirates in the streets?”

Ms K shares her thoughts of going to the gym in the hilarious post “the random mind of a tortured gym rat”.

Last but not least, white african discusses the african perspective on monetizing of blogs.

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WSF Starts Walking the Walk in Caracas 

This author has no photo Iria Puyosa · 19:46

The WSF is the expression of a new way of doing politics. People—the youngest as well as the historical fighters still fighting— are increasingly aware of politics going beyond simple party or parliament representation. They want to get involved in changing their own reality and the world, everyday and not only once in a while at elections time. I think that left parties must understand this logic as a positive trend of emancipation. Nonetheless, there is resistance. Those who bet to monopolize the representation and attempt to control the Forum are there.

So explains Antonio Martins (ES), of the International Ciranda of Independent Information, which is linked to the World Social Forum.

The Sixth World Social Forum has just started amidst controversy (ES) about parties’ interference, squabbling for public funds, militarism, and factionalism. However, Periodismo para la paz (ES) (Journalism for Peace) argues that discussion about such controversies can wait. The WSF days are for talking with others who have been working on the same issues, making a difference, and helping to make another world possible.

Unfortunately, not everyone in Caracas has understood the enormous potential for building social networks and starting partnerships that can arise in the WSF. There are a lot of people still grieving because they won’t be able to go out naked to have their picture taken by Spencer Tunick. Others are simply excited because Richard Stallman (ES), leader of the free software movement, is in Venezuela.

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Bloggers in Pain, National Interest & Broken Promises 

This author has no photo Farid Pouya · 13:01

According to ManNamanam, Mojtaba Samininejad, imprisoned blogger, accompanied with two prison guards, with handcuffs, was permitted to write one of his final exams. He is a student in social communications, in Azad University (Tehran). He couldn't write the first three of his final exams because of the shortcomings of the people in charge. He was not allowed to sit with the other students for the final exam. According to RSF, blogger was sentenced in June 2005 to two years in prison for “insulting the Supreme Guide ( means Ayatholah Khamenei)”. One month later he was given an extra ten months in prison for incitement to “immorality”.

According to RSF, Ahmad Reza Shiri, Iranian journalist & blogger, will have a permanent threat hanging over him as a result of the suspended sentence of three years in prison handed down by a court in the northern city of Mashad on 8 January. He was reportedly accused of writing articles in his blog calling for a boycott of last February’s legislative elections. Ahmad Reza Shiri (Persian) shares his feeling and experience in his blog. He says he was one of first bloggers in Khorasan province and thousands of visitors daily came to his blog. Blogger adds his first blog, Iran Azad (Free Iran), was a collective blog and he could not be considered as the only responsible of its contents. Shiri says Under pressure I gave the password of blog to prison's agents. Blogger says he must be very careful because he does not want to go to Mashad prison where raping,drug smuggeling and murdering are very common things.

It seems that Abtahi, former vice President, is disappointed with Ahmadinejad's Foreign policy. In his blog, this reformist cleric, talks about national interest and writes:

“ Since last night when I was reading the news on the nuclear negotiations in the media and I noticed that the dialogue which existed is turning into a semi diplomatic confrontation, like many others I became worried. The art of foreign policy is to attract the cooperation of the world for national interest not making confrontation with them. I hope the result would not be against the benefit of the people of Iran and the oil revenue. I wish it was possible to say to him that it is not the duty of the officials to say that people are not afraid of boycotts, but they should ask politicians to act in a way that while preserving the glory of the people, they avoid any boycott. It is one year that we are selling our oil for more than 50 dollars. Instead of witnessing its effect on our daily life, we should not be waiting for economic boycotts. If this happens it is the people, specially the poor, who would suffer. It is easy to chant slogan, but it is difficult to find logical solution preserving the interest and glory of the people. No country welcomes boycotts“.

Hanif Mazroi (Persian), Iran based blogger, says Iranian government has created a record number of crisis during last six months. Blogger says Ahmadinejad's slogans were about social justice and economic well-being before coming to power. Blogger believes, after getting elected, Iranian President realised he can not accomplish even five percent of his promises. Blogger asks how Ahmadinejad can justify his indifference to domestic policies.

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