Category Archives: Journalism

CENSORSHIP

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from mjlugaziya@ . . .

From: liberty.quotes@ . . .
Subject: Arthur Lelyveld, Bruce E. Fleury, Carey McWilliams

“Censorship…is always and everywhere an evil. Censorship means the screening of material by an authority invested with power to ban that which it disapproves….And who is that paragon to whom we would be willing to entrust such authority?”

— Arthur Lelyveld

(1913-1996) Rabbi within the movement of Reform Judaism
Source: Censorship: For And Against, 1971
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Arthur.Lelyveld.Quote.A342

“Censorship in any form, represents a lack of trust in the judgment of the individual.
The passage of time provides the best perspective for sorting the wheat from the chaff.”

— Bruce E. Fleury

Author, lecturer, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology
Source: 1982
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Bruce.Fleury.Quote.3FEB

“I am opposed to censorship in all forms, without any exceptions. As a matter of social philosophy, I do not like the idea of some people trying to protect the minds and morals of other people. In practice, this means that a majority seeks to impose its standards on a minority; hence, an element of coercion is inherent in the idea of censorship.”

— Carey McWilliams

(1905-1980) American author, editor, and lawyer
Source: Censorship: For And Against, 1971
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Carey.McWilliams.Quote.A7BA

Freedom on the Net 2011

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from Yona Maro

In order to illuminate the emerging threats to internet freedom and identify areas of opportunity, Freedom House created a unique methodology to assess the full range of elements that comprise digital media freedom. This report examines internet freedom in 37 countries around the globe, including Australia, China, Malaysia and Vietnam. The study’s findings indicate that the threats to internet freedom are growing and have become more diverse. Cyber attacks, politically-motivated censorship, and government control over internet infrastructure have emerged as especially prominent threats.

http://www.freedomhouse.org/images/File/FotN/FOTN2011.pdf

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KENYA: DEMOCRACY AND JOURNALISTS’ ROLE OF MOI ERA PURGES

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From: People For Peace
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
NAIROBI-KENYA
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2O, 2011

In history, religion and political science, a purge is the removal of people who are considered undesirable by those in power from a government, from another organization, or from society as a whole. Yet, as Dr John Esibi, a renowned and veteran journalist with catholic background expresses in his book, it needs courage to stand for what you believe in.

He hails then Thika based Mary Hill School Chaplain cum journalist Rev Fr Dominic Wamugunda Wakimani for lashing out at former dictator President Daniel arap Moi, couragiously suggesting to him to step aside and allow new leadership to spearhead the genuine democratic changes.

Fr Wamugunda used his journalistic power to challenge old leaders as well to quit political scene, saying their idea have become irrelevant and obsolete. Fr Wamugunda further noted that projects initiated by Moi such as Nyayo Bus Corporation and Nyayo Wards, had all flopped.

Lake Basin Authority Development had been pushed to near collapse- the Central Bank of Kenya had been used to provide liquidity to politically well connected financial institutions such as Trade Bank, Pan African Bank and Exchange Bank.

Such banks were being used to launder the residential campaign money into convertible currencies abroad. In 1992 alone, the Central Bank printed and released for circulation more than 12 billion Kenya shillings. 7 billion shillings was used by Kanu as slush fund to manipulate the electoral process (Finance, March 31, 1993).

Another courageous journalist who used his writings to liberate Kenya was Otieno Mak’Onyango of the East African Standard Newspaper. He was arrested by Moi regime and charged with treason, accused of being behind the August 1, 1982 coup attempt. He was detained and tortured.

He was arrested from his place of work – The Standard Newspaper, Likoni Road Office, Nairobi – on August 17, 1982 at about 6.30 pm by one Patrick Shaw of CID Headquarters in the company of an Asian police officer. He was told he was required at the CID Headquarters to answer some questions in connection with one Prof. Otieno Osanya and what he had gone to do in his house situated on Ngong Road sometimes in July, the previous month.

At the CID headquarters, he was left in a room where he waited until about 10 pm when he was taken to and booked at Eastleigh Police Station for the night by some officers. The next day he was collected from the police station and taken back to CID Headquarters where he was questioned on how he knew Prof. Otieno Osanya and what he had gone to do at his Ngong Road House.

Later in the day, he was taken before one Inspector Charles Mwangi who told him he had been instructed to charge him with the offence of treason in connection with the events of the August 1, 1982, which charge he denied. At about 7 pm, he was taken and detained at the GSU Headquarters on Thika Road. Here he found Prof. Otieno Osanya and one Raila Odinga. From then on, the three of them were to remain together.

The charges against them were, subsequently, consolidated into one case – both he and Raila were jointly charged with Treason and Osanya, Misprison of Treason. The charge against Raila and himself alleged that on diverse days prior to July 31, 1982 within the Republic of Kenya, the two, jointly and with others not before the court, imagined, conspired and attempted to overthrow the Government of Kenya through unlawful means contrary to section 40 (i) (a) (iii) and (b) of the Penal Code Cap 63 Laws of Kenya.

In his statement to the police, he clearly spelt out how he knew Prof. Otieno Osanya and what he had gone to do at his Ngong Road House on a material day. He had gone to check the suitability of the House, then vacant and under repair, for rental by a staff of the German Embassy, Mr. Alvenslaiven who had just arrived in the country. His information was that the Police (Mr.Patrick Shaw) did in fact confirm with Mr Alvenslaiven the reason for him having gone to the said House.

They were subjected to all manner of torture throughout the period they were being held in custody. The torture was physical, mental and psychological. This was not limited to them as the suspects but their families as well. For the two or so weeks they were being held at the GSU headquarters, they spent days on end without food. This had to, if at all, be supplied by relatives who had to deposit the same at the CID Headquarters. Once in a while, the CID officers remembered to bring the food over, often times when this had gone bad.

One eventful night – August 20, 1982 or thereabouts – at the GSU Headquarters, a group of senior Police/GSU officials, led by the then Commissioner of Police, Ben Gethi, invaded the cells where they were being held at about midnight. They pretended they were investigating the events of the August 1, 1982. Later on, however, they learnt the Commissioner had been at the camp for a totally different mission – to mobilize the GSU personnel to attack a contingent of the Armed Forces said to have been sent to flash him (Gethi) out of the camp where he had gone hiding.

In his cell, Gethi demanded to know his role in the August 1 coup attempt. The last thing he wanted to hear is his claim that he was not involved in the crime. He maintained he played a leading role and he must state so.

Insisting he had a major hand in the crime, Gethi handed him a set of papers to write down in detail his involvement in the crime. Besides writing his role in the crime, he was to apologize and ask for mercy from the Commissioner of Police himself. He wrote on the papers he was given that he was innocent and had no role whatsoever in the crime.

On returning to his cell after visiting both Prof. Osanya and Raila in their respective cells, Gethi read his statement and tore it to pieces saying what he had written was a lot of rubbish. He gave him more papers and ordered him to, this time round, write as ordered. He again went to the other cells before returning a second time. The story was the same.

The third time Gethi read his statement declaring him innocence, he was so angered that he grabbed him by the head and bashed his head against the wall. He asked of Gethi why he was killing him? This earned him the wrath of a Mr. Mbuthia who was in Gethi’s company. “Who are you ?” he roared “to talk to the Commissioner of Police like that.” He kicked him with his boots, injuring him seriously on both legs. Just then, a Presidential Aide, then residing at the GSU camp, came by. He peeped into his cell and saw what was happening and simply walked away without uttering a word. On seeing the Aide, Gethi and his group appeared uncomfortable and walked out. They never came back.

Arising from the beatings by Gethi and his group, he spent the rest of the night in a lot of pains. He had difficulties keeping his balance as his head went round and round, even to a point of loosing memory. The following day, he reported the attack to Patrick Shaw when he came to the camp at about 4 pm. He complained of his condition. He took him to Nairobi Hospital where he was treated and later returned to the camp.

Denial of food and mistreatment was to continue through to our days in detention. Food served was not even fit for animals. For sleeping, they were given two thin blankets, one to cover with and the other spread on the cold cement floor. Little wonder he developed a perpetual Gout attack during and after his detention life.

For much of the time their case was under investigations, they were being held incommunicado. Any attempt on their part to seek legal or any form of assistance was rejected by both the police and Prison authorities. A case in point was a request he made to both a Mr Giltrap and Supt N’gan’ga to bring him his statement to the police to alter a date. This was totally rejected. It was inhuman treatment through and through.

Njuguna Mutonya’s story is the same. He was accused of being part of unlawful movement, Mwakenya. Although he had committed no crime, he felt invisible net closing around him. Mutonya’s life was just starting to show signs of bright career with his recent promotion as head of Government’s District Information Team. He loved his job.

For the next two days following his arrival at Nyayo torture chambers house-he was forced to accept that he a member of Mwakenya, a fact he vehemently denied. He woke up to find himself dragged out of his watery bed towards the bathrooms by two Special Branch officers. He was stark naked, weak and groggy with sleep. He was thrown into the showers where he collapsed on the floor. They opened the tap and cold water roused him up from his grogginess.

He was forced to remove his clothes-he removed his shirt, trousers and shoes and stood in his socks and pants. He was told to remove the pants and socks-he was stark naked. They beat him thoroughly and forced to stand in cold water until morning. He was ordered to lie on his back facing the security officers.

Mwakenya was a radical political organisation formed in 1979 in opposition to the Kenya regime of President Daniel Arap Moi. It operated underground and in exile. As a result of Mwakenya’s increased activities around 1986 there was an arrest of hundreds of journalists, teachers, students and civil servants. Few arrests were made public, following a ban in July that year on reporting by Kenyan journalists of all arrests and trials carried out on political grounds. None of those arrested and subsequently charged was allowed access to legal counsel.

Other journalists arrested included Wahome Mutahi Mutahi with his brother Njuguna Mutahi in 1986- they were detained in Nyayo House torture chambers charged with sedition and alleged association with Mwakenya movement and later transferred to Kamiti Maximum Security Prison. They were both released after fifteen months without ever being brought to trial. His imprisonment inspired him to write The Three Days on the Cross and Jailbug.

Even during Kibaki tenure things never changed. Sunday Times Senior writer David Ochami was arrested following his commentary on Sunday September 25, 2005 on which he argued that coups in Africa do not occur out of nothing.

He had argued that today, as the president’s men talk of an impending ouster of Mwai Kibaki, there are others who feel this should occur sooner or that the August 1, 1982 mutiny should have been taken to its logical conclusion.

In Africa he said, fewer governments have been ousted through the ballot box or popular uprising than through coup de tats and armed insurgency. “There are good reasons for most coups”, he said. The collapse of the Hezekiah Ochuka experiment he said denied Kenyans the opportunity to live through a military. “Maybe Kenya would be better off now without the first generation of post-independence politicians, mostly likely to have been executed. Perhaps the country could have seen a civil war”, he lamented.

People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya
Tel 254-20-4441372
Website: www.peopleforpeaceafrica.org

A KENYAN DAILY TODAY CAME OUT WITH A SHOCKING STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE VEHICLE IN WHICH THE LATE FATHER OF THE US PRESIDENT MET HIS DEATH.

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo in Kisumu City.

A Kenyan popular daily newspaper the morning came out with an exclusive story and illustrations of a motor vehicle in which the father of the US President Barack Obama Jnr met his death in 1982.

The paper had traced the green 1981 make Chevrolet LUV pick-up in Homa-Bay Town about 300 kilometers south west of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. The vehicle looks like an ordinary 30-year old workhorse that has seen better days. And yet the pick-up holds stories and secrets tha6t its present owner Joseph Owili Ongei will never know.

In an exclusive page one story the paper narrated that this was the car in which Barrack Hussein Obama Snr met his cold death on a cold night in Nairobi in November 1982.

The exclusive story about this particular vehicle has attracted a large number of readers for this particular paper. And became an instant sales boom.

The late Barrack Obama Snr had returned to Kenya in 1964 from Hawaii where he had married the mother of the future US President Ann Stanley Dunham. Their son, Barack Obama Jnr {Now the US President} was born in 1961 and in 2008 would become the President of the United States of America.

As an economist per excellence Obama Snr immediately changed several jobs before landing one as a top economist in charge of statistics at the ministry of Finance. In his rank and job specification as well as seniority Obama Snr was entitled to a new car at regular intervals.

Among the illustrations accompanying the story is the vehicle at its states during the accident, and thereafter following extensive repair work. The illustrations showing a broken steering wheel, which is believed to have hit Obama Snr side of the chest perhaps rupturing his heart and caused instant death.

It now put to rest the rumor fueled by the Obama Snr family in Kenya that the top economist’s death was an act of government sponsored assassination scheme. The vehicle had hit the tree from the driver’s right side, giving the late Obama no chance of escaping death. The sides appeared to have been smashed.

Also showing is the late Obama Snr’s national identity card, his death certificate. the steering wheel that killed Obama and the photograph of a Mr Patrick Obondo the mechanic who repaired the pick-up, the vehicles logbook and Mr Owili its current owner who purchased it as a junk from the late Obama Snr widow at the price of Kshs 78,000.

The accompanying story says in 1981 Obama became eligible for another vehicle of his choice for the government to buy for him, with the purchase price deducted from his monthly salary until the amount was fully recovered.

The late Obama Snr walked into the General Motors showroom in Nairobi and chose the Chevrolet LUV KB25 model, chassis 9583320,that was given registration number plate KTH 018.

Many of his peers considered it an odd choice. Other senior bureaucrats were go9ng for sleek saloon that suited their status. Obama ’s social life involved driving to drinking joins around Nairobi, where he would park the Chev Luv, as it was known, outside the bar and engage in loud conversation and backslapping.

Prior to this Obama Snr was involved in two major traffic accidents before the third ended his life prematurely.

In 1966 he reportedly killed a young man in an accident, even though details are not forthcoming. Following that crash, he spent almost a year recuperating in hospital but was still left with bad leg.

Upon his discharge in December after another accident Obama Snr made a month long trip to the US and visited Hawaii where he was re-united with his ex-wife Anne Dunham and their 10 year-old son Barack. That was the last time the 10-year old Obama would see his father alive. Obama Snr later lost his legs in another fatal crash.

Shortly after he bought this pick-up in 1981, he was dismissed from the Finance Ministry, either because of his drinking or because he had scathingly criticized the Treasury policy paper. He then sunk into alcoholism and abject poverty.

The report further stated,” He was just like Mr Toad [from Wind In The Willows}, very arrogant on the road, especially, when he had whisky inside.

On the night of November 24,1982, Obama entered his car for the last time. He died minutes later when his car hit a tree on Elgon Road in Nairobi’s posh Upper Hill estate.

He report that followed the postmortem, written by the longtime Nairobi pathologist Dr Ayres Lorenco Ribeiro, said death was caused by “bleeding du to ruptured heart due to a traffic accident.”The impact on his chest was so severe that the steering wheel broke. The wreckage was towed to the Treasury Building in Nairobi.

It was store in the basement for years alongside several other grounded cars until the August 1998 terrorist attack on the US Embassy in Nairobi.

Following the terrorists blast, the government of Kenya issued a directive for all broken vehicle to be towed to a central yard outside the City center. Obama’s beloved Chev Luv lay there out in the open for another eight years until an electrical technician Owili developed an interest in it.

He had seen it at the government yard behind the Finance Office where he worked but never gave it a second glance until his long time friend Benard Raburu urged him to buy it. But by then I was earning no more than Ksh 1,500” recalls Owili who had just quit his job as a technician to join the Ministry of Finance.

“I needed a pick-up in case I was retrenched, which was the norm back then, so that I could use it to do business,” Owili told the NAIROBISTAR

Little did Owili know that the “junk” he had just bought linked him to President of the United States.“ I paid Obama’s widow Kshs 78,000 for the car and took possession of it. I immediately had a mechanic dismantle the engine to overhaul it because it had been dormant for many years. I had the body towed to a garage in Grogan Road {Today Kirinyaga Road, where a different mechanic worked on it.” recalls Owili.

“For impact to break the steering wheel, it must have been great, said the automotive mechanic Patrick Odundo who restored the vehicle. It took a lot of work to make the car roadworthy again,” he said.

After I finished it, it looked very beautiful and everyone congratulated me.”

Due to cash constraints, it took Owili almost a year to get the Chevrolet Luv back on the road. He then looked for the registration documents t transfer it to his name.

“When I bought the car, I had no idea it was the one that the President’s father used to drive, he narrates. “You can imagine my shock when I saw the log book.”

Apart from the registration documents, Obama’s widow also gave him a copy of Obama’s national identity card and death certificate, together with a letter authorizing the transfer of the vehicle’s ownership. Owili said he drove the vehicle round Nairobi for a yea before he drove to his rural home in Homa-Bay about 300 kilometers to the south west of the capital., and about 250 kilometers from Obama Snr rural home in Alego Kogelo in Siaya district 250 kilometer away.

“It is now old and cannot carry heavy loads anymore but I keep it because it was my first car and because I am proud to be associated with President Obama,”said Owili.” If President Obama wants to keep it as part of his family heritage, I can consider parting with it”,said Owili who said he had not considered selling the vehicle..Old cars can sell for tens of thousands of dollars on internet auction site EBay. It is difficult to estimate what the Chev Luv would fetch.

Ends

India: Is free speech on the way out?

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from Yona Maro

In recent months, India drafted new rules for the web that will allow anyone to demand that internet sites and service providers remove supposedly objectionable content based on a sweeping list of criteria. Even before the rules for internet speech were notified under the IT act in April, the Department of Information Technology had quietly blocked 11 websites, the Center for Internet and Society discovered through a recent Right to Information (RTI) request.

Early this year, the information and broadcasting ministry urged print publications to write more positive stories, even as it proposed amendments to the Press and Publications Act giving the state greater control over content. Among other measures, the amended law would allow local officials to suspend publication and bar anybody convicted of terrorist acts or any other act that endangers the security of the state from printing a newspaper or magazine.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/india/110628/india-free-speech-internet-laws

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http://worldngojobs.blogspot.com/ Nafasi za Kazi Kimataifa

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Africa & India : The African Press Organization Opens Offices in India

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from African Press Organization

PRESS RELEASE

Media relations – Africa-India – The African Press Organization Opens Offices in India

Mumbai, Dakar 29 June 2011 (APO) — The African Press Organization – APO (http://www.apo-opa.org), global leader in media relations related to Africa, announced today the opening of offices in Mumbai, India.

Logo: http://www.apo-opa.org/LogoHD.JPG

India has been actively promoting trade with Africa over the past few years. Trade relations between India and Africa have reached 31 billion USD in 2009 and 2010. India GDP growth is over 8% and the country is determined to reinforce its presence in the African continent.

The APO now offers Indian companies investing in Africa the possibility to use APO’s innovative communication tools. From press release distribution to virtual press conference, webcast, promotion of events and eReputation, Indian companies will be able to send their messages to targeted audiences in Africa.

“By starting this new venture in India the APO is filling an important gap in the communication landscape of Indian companies that have been boosting their commercial relation with countries in Africa. The opening of our India offices aligns with the important growth of South-South trade,” said Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, APO Secretary General.

To manage this new office, the APO appointed Ms Rachana Chowdhary as Country Manager for India. In this position, Rachana will be responsible for setting up and expanding the local presence of the African Press Organization. Rachana has over 15 years experience in the media industry in India.

“It is crucial for Indian companies investing in Africa to communicate on their activities with the local and international audience following Africa-related issues”, said Rachana Chowdhary, newly appointed APO Country Manager for India.

About the APO

The African Press Organization (www.apo-opa.org) owns a media database of 25,000 contacts and the main Africa related news online community. It partners with the world leaders in the information industry. The APO offers a complete range of media relations tools such as press releases distribution, press videoconference, webcast, events promotion, media monitoring and eReputation.

The African Press Organization provides free services to African journalists, innovative communications products to Public authorities, companies, and supports many African and International institutions in their strategic communications.

Media contact:

Eloïne Barry
APO Executive Director
+41 22 534 96 97
exd@apo-opa.org

Rachana Chowdhary
Country Manager for India
Cel.: +91 96197 76084
india@apo-opa.org

Back UP, a few days after an account suspension . . .

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As of 6 June 2011, and for several days, Jaluo dot com was subject to several days outage as a result of account suspension.

The reason behind the suspension: The web hosting organization reacted viciously to a complaint about info content published there. A person named Kahenya Kamunyu, who has a client, Nation Media Group, which is East Africa’s Media House, publisher of The Nation newspaper, lodged the complaint directly with the hosting company.

Back in March 2007, 4 years 3 months previously, material had been sent to us for publication then, under the pin-name, ‘Nation_Centre’. It concerned gossip, improprieties & sex scandals allegedly involving upper management (including the CEO) of NMG.

We did not receive any complaint from NMG, or anyone for that matter, until after our site was suspended.

Thereafter, we got the message suspending our site, from the host company, and became aware of our previously published article which it cited.

The site is now functional again.

We are certainly most surprised, that a web hosting company, located in North America or Western Europe, would have reacted that way.

The matter of contention was not that of a technical problem, late bill payment, nor papers from a court order. Rather, it regarded matters of information or opinion made visible in the context of a news / politics / culture discussion forum more than four years ago!

Please view a statement our relevant policy. It is on the Topic Page, “Conditions & Terms”,
http://blog.jaluo.com/?page_id=13133 , a link found in upper right column of the main page.
Sincerely,

Alan Green, for staff of jaluo . com

Kenya: Page 26- The Standard Newspaper

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from odhiambo okecth

Friends,

We want to take this opportunity to thank The Standard Newspaper -page 26 Tuesday 24th May 2011- for placing a photo of some participants at Huruma Estate in Eldoret during the 5th Edition of the Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign.

It is not well explained but we are happy that The Standard Newspaper did place that photo for photos speak more than a thousand words.

This is the beginning of our partnership with the Media in Kenya and from around the World in driving the Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign to the next level.

We are in discussions on Partnership with the Media to help drive this campaign. This is something that we must all take at personal levels and so far, we are happy with the responses we are receiving.

What we know is that Kisii and Kisumu are organizing to launch their Monthly Clean-up Campaigns in a fashion that will beat what we had in Eldoret. But as it were, Eldoret remains the biggest, the best and the most lively campaign we have had under the banner of the Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign series.

It is also important to note that we are using the Clean-up Campaigns to address issues that are central to Kenyans, issues that unite us as a people, issues of governance and our role in such.

The campaign is becoming very popular and we are inviting your support, partnership and participation on a monthly basis.

Kenya is Marwa and we will make her Clean, very Clean.

Lastly, we remain indebted to the following Instititions for their support in the just concluded 5th Edition of the Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign;

Eldoret Green Town Initiative
Middle Sosiani Water Resource Users Association
Centre for Community Dialogue and Development
Municipal Council of Eldoret
County Council of Wareng
The Provincial Administration in Eldoret

Kenya Commercial Bank
Kenya Power & Lighting Company Ltd
Rift Valley Bottlers Ltd
Nakumatt Eldoret
Mugumo Communications Ltd

Restaurant Equip Systems & Interiors
Asis Hotel and

KCDN Nairobi- the Prime Movers of the clean-up campaign in Kenya.
We are also indebted to the many teams that joined us on the D-Day in Eldoret. We have chronicled your names in our website and in our blogspot. You remain an integral part of the Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign.

If it is to be, it is up to me. A Clean Kenya Starts With me. A Peaceful Kenya is my Responsibility.

Peace and blessings,

Odhiambo T Oketch
CEO KCDN Nairobi
Nationwide Coordinator – Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign
PO Box 47890-00100,
Nairobi Kenya .
Tel; 0724 365 557 0735 529 126
Email; oto@kcdnkenya.org, komarockswatch@yahoo.com
www.kcdnkenya.org
http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
friendsofkcdn@yahoogroups.com
Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch

Odhiambo T Oketch is the current Chairman to the City Council of Nairobi Stakeholders Evaluation Team on Performance Contracting and Rapid Results Management. He is also Chair to the Nyamonye Catholic Church Development Fund.He was also the Co-Chair and Coordinator of The Great Nairobi Walk against Corruption that was held in Nairobi on the 22nd October 2010

KENYA: SERIOUS ERRORS IN THE KURIA BACKGROUND ARTICLE ON THE STANDARD ON SUNDAY

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From: Leo Odera Omolo,
PO BOX 833,
KISUMU
18th May,2011
TO: The Editor,
THE STANDARD ON SUNDAY,
NAIROBI.

RE: THE FEATURE ON KURIA COMMUNITY.

Sir your feature serializing the background of the Kuria community was excellent and good piece of journalism work. However, your writer erroneously stated that Hon Samson Mwita Marwa was the first Kuria MP.

The first Kuria MP was the late Hon Benjamin Maisori- Itumbo a clergyman-turned politician who had earlier served in the colonial legislative Council as the governor’s nominee. Itumbo was elected to Parliament on a KANU ticket in 2963 and was appointed by the founding President the late Jomo Kenyatta in the post independent cabinet as an Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Social Services.

He lost his seat to Hon Samson Mwita Marwa, a former senior administrative clerk with the County Council of South Nyanza based in Homa-Bay in the 1969 general elections.

Itumbo bounced back and trounced Marwa in 1974, but finally bowed out after suffering defeat in the hands of Walter Marwa Mwita a former Managing Director of the African Retail Traders in 1979. Mwita retained his seat in 1983.but lost it in 1988 to Eng. Shadrack Manga who in 1992 who also successfully defended his seat in 1997 but lost to the current incumbent Dr Wilfred Machage in 2002 of Narc-Kenya who successfully retained his seat in 2007 on PNU ticket.

It has been the tradition of some of your feature writers of loosing memories or not conducting proper research in the libraries when writing an article of this kind which is good for historical record and offering good reading to the younger generation.

I am also aware that you are not good at correcting such serious errors whenever they occurred, but please kindly publish this version and have the erroneous report corrected in time.

Leo odera omolo

KENYA’S JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS FOR CHIEF JUSTICE AND DEPUTY CHIEF JUSTICE FAR FROM IDEAL- A PERSONAL STORY

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from David ochwangi

Folks,

I am not the one to pour cold water on a good thing (assuming these nominations are) but I am also grown and knowledgeable enough not to accept everything at face value; I always reserve some level of professional skepticism just in case, after all they say “fools rush in where angels fear to tread” and I would like everyone to reserve judgment before we rush to endorse these nominees as managers Kenya’s third branch of government. We may be fulfilling the proverbial “from the frying pan into the fire” adage as it appears Kenya is about to do what amounts to replacing pilots/captains of a plane/ship with the cabin crew! We have seen this movie many a time before- Kenyans jump on the bandwagon en-masse in euphoria only to find out shortly thereafter that the wagon is missing a wheel or two and we end up stuck with the problems for a long time. The Judicial Service Commission’s nomination of two lawyers, Dr. Willy Mutunga and Nancy Baraza to head the judiciary must necessarily be thoroughly scrutinized. Perhaps I should start with a very unusual personal experience I had with the Deputy Chief Justice nominee, Nancy Baraza and let you judge for yourself her suitability for the office for which she has been nominated. I have agonized on whether or not I should bring this experience into the public domain and decided that given the very high level position Ms. Baraza would assume in judging others and the fact that she sought me out, the public’s interest in the conduct of our leaders far outweigh the need for privacy-none was expected anyway.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND:

Around May 2010, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nairobi announced a list of new envoys to be posted at Kenya’s Missions around the world. Among those appointed for Ambassadorial posts were P.M. Raila Odinga’s brother in law H.E. Excellency Elkanah Odembo – USA and Odinga’s Personal Assistant, H.E. Dave Arunga- Egypt, among others. I thought (still do) that those appointments were not based on merit and that career diplomats were passed over in favor of the appointees and that these appointments couldn’t have been effected but for these gentlemen’s relationship to Prime Minister Raila Odinga. In response, I penned a blog entitled “Envoy Appointments-Now Kenya Adds Nepotism, Cronyism and a Dynasty to its Export Portfolio” (attached) to highlight the rot in government.

Up until this time, I had never heard of a “Nancy Baraza” a day in my life. On June 9, out of the blue, I received an email titled “DEFAMATION OF NANCY BARAZA” from Nancy Baraza, accusing me of defaming her and threatening to sue me and the Standard Newspaper for “maliciously and recklessly publishing a vicious story without ascertaining whether indeed it was true or not”; It read,

{
“You did a very good job for yourself, publishing my name all over the world, claiming I am one of the unfit Kenyans who had been unfairly appointed as a diplomat. The story spread by you against me was unwarranted as indeed I have never sought to be appointed an ambassador and neither has that job ever been given to me. Your publication of my name all over the world within a vicious story without ascertaining whether indeed it was true or not was not only malicious but reckless. My reputation has been injured and you have subjected me to public contempt and ridicule. The matter is with my lawyers now and I just wanted to inform you that you are going to be co-joined with the Standard newspaper and all others that have injured me that much.”

—
NANCY BARAZA
DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON
KENYA LAW REFORM COMMISSION
P.O. BOX 34999-00100
NAIROBI

)

I read the anguish in Nancy’s email and very much wanted to apologize to her but for the fact that she had failed to perform the very task she was accusing me of, namely, checking her own facts and ascertaining whether indeed it was true or not that I wrote the “vicious story” about her let alone mention her name. If only she cared to look into the facts before rushing to judge me, maybe conduct a perfunctory review of her source first, she would have found out it was untrue and I never defamed her- I never once mentioned Ms. Baraza in my op-ed. And so I responded to her and attached what I had written just to try and clear the confusion but yet again, Nancy wrote me back and still demanded an apology, she failed to acknowledge that she was in-fact wrong and had wrongfully accused me of something I didn’t do, if anything I am actually the one due an apology from her but instead she tried to spin this time by stating that the statements such as mine put her in bad light when “interpreted in that context would amount to defamation of me”! In other words evidence didn’t matter to this lady, she had already convicted me lack of evidence notwithstanding.

{
“You can apologise to me and tell me that I was not your target. Otherwise, my name was put among the Dave Arungas and others in the most unflattering manner and subsequent publications such as yours, intepretted within that context would amount to defamation of me.”
}

– – –

To this day, I stand accused and exposed to litigation for something I didn’t do or say courtesy of the Deputy Chief Justice of Kenya nominee, Nancy Baraza!

AT ISSUE:

It better for 100 guilty men to go free than for 1 innocent man to go to jail! Let’s call a spade a spade; what I have narrated above is not fiction but the truth. In my opinion, the actions above speak volumes, Ms. Baraza acted improperly, impulsively, vindictively and lacked the temperate approach of which her new position will require and I don’t think I am the only one who has been on Nancy Baraza’s crosshairs, not counting “The Standard”. If her judgment above is anything to go by, none of us is safe if she gets the nod from the president and Parliament. I would like you to look me in the eye, given the above rendition, and tell me that someone in Nancy Baraza’s shoes; with her intemperate and vindictive rush to judgment of me or it could be anybody else for that matter, based on rumors and innuendos, is fit to supervise judges in Kenya. I want you to examine it in the context of the judiciary, an institution where judgments are rendered daily that affect millions of lives, judgments of which absolute
care must be taken not to wrongly convict citizens, where judgments must always be supported by findings of evidence, where judges’ temperaments are just as critical in meting justice fairly just as are the reviews from their supervisors. Lawyers Willy Mutunga and Nancy Baraza will be supervising, reviewing and judging the work of other judges; men and women whom until now these two have only argued cases in front of (if ever). Something is terribly wrong somewhere.

Judges with years and decades of experience at the Bench, NOT the Bar, will suddenly become subordinates to Dr. Willy Mutunga and Ms. Nancy Baraza, both of whom have ZERO, ZILCH, NADA experience at the Bench! There is something amiss and nerve-racking about this arrangement and yet it appears that the usual kneejerk euphoric exuberance by Kenyans is once again blinding us to the obvious. On merit, a primary and key variable in any job application world over (except Kenya), these two novices are completely unqualified for the positions they have been nominated to serve. It would be prudent and helpful if they judges at some rank up the judiciary echelons but they are not. It is imperative that we clearly delineate the two, i.e. the Bar and the Bench. From what I have gathered, these two lawyers are civil rights activists and in as much as that is an endearing and noble background, it is certainly insufficient qualification for the offices of Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice. In fact, that alone should
have raised red flags with the Judiciary Service Commission, the bench is supposed to be neutral, independent, unbiased, just and fair- not a place for special interests, activism (civil rights or otherwise), agendas nor avenues to even scores, it is not a platform for pontification nor was it designed to reward those who champion these causes. The reason is very simple, justice is BLIND.

I watched some of the interviews and the questions the commissioners were asking the candidates and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for our country, I give them” A” for effort since it was their first one but the JSC seemed unprepared, sketchy and scantly addressed the meet and substance of the positions being filled, it came across more as “meet and greet” and “getting to know you” sessions than interviews to fill the top slots of the Judiciary-very regrettable! The JSC missed a remarkable opportunity to show balance and wisdom in their selection, they should have, in my humble opinion, at the very minimum preserved some level of seniority and continuity of the Bench at the top with respect to managing the Judiciary rather than decimate it. I think they could have easily struck a balance by nominating the CJ from the Bench and the Deputy from the Bar or vice versa, change at such a high level must be gradual and yet radical but not too sudden and shocking as to jolt or paralyze an entire arm of government. Th
e selection of these two not only demoralizes hard working judges who were passed over but also risks throwing the entire Judiciary into a complete meltdown, these positions are too vital and do not render themselves to “on the job training” of two lawyers who have never seen the inside of the bench a day in their lives, who is training who, who shows the other around?

We must not pass blanket judgment on all judges, not all judges in Kenya are corrupt, inept, rotten or inexperienced as such, we must consider both the short and long term ramifications of these nominations, we can’t predict the future but we can let the past guide us; with respect to these two nominations and the positions they have been nominated for, they have no past to guide us, NOTHING! Only reputations and “hope” that they will deliver but those alone are not enough to take such a big leap of faith and hand over this extremely important branch of government to amateurs.

Finally, neither President Kibaki nor Parliament is bound or obligated by the JSC’s nominations and I think it will be wise for these parties to send these names back to the JSC and demand the proper balance, let’s get this RIGHT from the beginning. Let the JSC forward several names from a pool of candidates, say three for each position and let the president pick one for each post and forward to Parliament for confirmation. The president and Parliament are NOT mere rubberstamps and they are required to equally provide the proper checks and balances and stop any excess from taking hold un the new Kenya just like the president was estopped from steamrolling appointments for the same positions just a month ago, let’s GET IT RIGHT from the beginning. Let’s start over.

– – – – – – – – – – –

by David ochwangi
05/10/2010

Envoy Appointments-Now Kenya Adds Nepotism, Cronyism and a Dynasty to its Export Portfolio

The just revealed list of appointments of Kenya’s ambassadors/envoys to various stations around the world, discreetly revealed to the media even after the government promised highest ethical standards and transparency; the appointments are so shrouded in supreme secrecy and done in the dark, exposes yet another rot and excesses in a government too drunk and too arrogant with power to care about any ramifications of the outcome of its follies. It is not enough that the country’s image has suffered immensely around the world in recent years or that this government spends Millions of dollars to spruce its image abroad, it is not enough that the government courts a criminal enterprise, Mungiki, to sell the draft constitution while shunning Christians, it is not enough that this government also promised to fight impunity, corruption and provide most opportunities to all Kenyans irrespective of tribe or family background; now it comes out that this government has not only failed to practice what it preaches but is now the biggest champion of double speak and hypocrisy, making a complete mockery of public service where performers are relegated to back offices and non-performers are rewarded with awards, family and friends are appointed to the most strategic posts around the world; how do you reconcile Wako being the best performer in Kenya when corruption is so rampant and murderers are roaming free in Kenya’s streets?

How do you reconcile the appointments of members of one family as envoys to the United States, both as Ambassador and Consul General respectively against nepotism? Isn’t this a clear conflict of interest? How do you reconcile the appointment of the personal assistant to the PM as ambassador to Egypt against cronyism? How do you reconcile appointments of complete neophytes to to key diplomatic appointments against cronyism? Kenya is a country of almost 38 Million people, hundreds if not thousands of them qualified career diplomats, why weren’t they picked for these positions? Something is badly wrong with this picture; good people stand up, evil triumphs when good men say nothing, and at this rate, we are perilously headed down a very dangerous path.

These appointments confirm yet again that the rot in government is excessive and has metastasized to dangerous levels, abuse of office and authority is the norm in Kenya now as the coalition government only pays lip service to its pledges and cares not what ordinary Kenyans think , that the cries for fairness, equality and expansion of opportunity to all Kenyans by PM Odinga were in fact a ruse whose outcomes and benefits were primarily meant for and intended for his family and those in his inner circles and not necessarily all Kenyans including those who shed blood ignorantly for this cause! Almost all the recalls and administration changes the Coalition government has made over the last year have overwhelmingly and disproportionately favored the PM’s family and those closest to him-not the General Kenyan population, it is an unbridled expansion of the Odinga dynasty and I think it is just plain wrong.

Nepotism has no place in modern day Kenya and it is wrong to export it outside of Kenya much less to the United States of America! President Obama and Secretary Hillary Clinton have railed against this practice; these are the injustices, ironically, that the PM rallied the country to campaign against Presidents Moi and Kibaki; these are the arguments he made to “Kenya’s friends”, Dr. Annan and the team of “Eminent Personalities” in demanding “Portfolio Balance” in the Grand Coalition that reflected the face of Kenya and yet now it is now palpably clear that the only “Portfolio Balance” worth any mention is skewed in favor of this family; is this what Kenyans died for in 2007/2008? To bestow, expand opportunity, power and influence unto just one family! Just less than a year ago, the Consular General in Los Angeles was recalled to Kenya and replaced by the PM’s sister, hitherto a chemistry professor; there is no record or evidence cited of her qualifications for the top rated diplomatic position in such a strategic location nor do we know of any shortage of qualified experienced diplomats who would have filled the spot. Fast forward to present, a decision has been made to recall H.E. Ambassador Ogego from Washington and his place will be taken by the PM’s Brother in law! That is a clear conflict of interest to have such a management hierarchy in the same office where relatives run Diplomatic affairs of an entire nation of Kenya in the United States of America. The reported designee to Washington is Ambassador Elkanah Odembo, just recently appointed as ambassador to France and is being elevated to the US, is married to the PM’s first cousin, who is the sister to the Government Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo, the MP for Gem and an ODM stalwart. Even companies have policies designed to prevent or at least mitigate conflicts of interest and many bar same family members from working is similar positions and reporting to each other. Odinga’s sister in LA will be supervised by her brother in-law in Washington, DC, this is just plain wrong and I wonder if Secretary Clinton and President Obama are aware of this arrangement and whether or not they will condone it, we’ll see.

Dave Arunga, designated to Egypt was the PM’s “Personal Assistant” and is being rewarded with Ambassadorship to Egypt. I mean the least is simply endless, the PM’s brother, Oburu Odinga is an Assistant Minister for Finance, other Odinga relatives in high positions include Deputy PM Musalia Mudavadi, Minister Fred Gumo, etc, etc. This is but a synopsis of the wider web of the PM’s family dynasty power expansion in government courtesy of the Coalition government but I don’t think this was the intent of “Portfolio Balance” under the “Power Sharing” agreement- this is not what the US Administration had in mind; rampant nepotism in government coordinated and supervised by the PM. We the people can no longer stand by and do or say nothing as this will only get worse and lead to more ethnic tension, I mean the in your face audacity in these appointments is stunning! Now some of the PM’s supporters are so emboldened by these developments that they now openly dare those of us not happy with these shenanigans to “swallow blades” or “hang yourselves”!

Kenya has a long list of distinguished and experienced career diplomats that the government can pick from and avoid creating yet more tensions among the population or tarnishing the country’s image abroad and it is disheartening that these people are denied these opportunities, particularly the young graduates and students of diplomacy, the message is very clear, your education and credentials don’t matter, your name and relations is all you need to land a plum appointment in Kenya. Didn’t PM Odinga “fight” the Moi and Kibaki governments against this? President Kibaki, are you aware of these shenanigans? Did you approve of this? Is this how you improve Kenya’s tarnished image abroad, exporting nepotism and cronyism? If it is, let me assure you right now that you have lost on this one, WATCH! Foreign Affairs Minister Wetang’ula, are you in on this sir? Why was this exercise conducted in such secrecy? What are you guys hiding?

What you may also not know is that this action by the Kenya Government in this regard would have bad unintended consequences touching on President Obama himself. Conservative media stations such as FOX NEWS NETWORK whose primary mission, it seems, is to detract and besmirch the US president have attempted numerously in the past to link PM Odinga personally to President Obama; so much so that they will invariably see these appointments as an Odinga-Obama nexus to run Kenya and the US and pounce on it big time; trust me, President Obama is way above these pettiness and yet it is possible that his name would unwittingly be drawn into this especially around election time, you got to be very careful Kenya! You have no clue how these networks embellish information, violence, communism, socialism, etc, etc, are all media synonyms for the Odinga-Obama agenda; I wouldn’t do this if I were you; the irony is that Ambassador Ogego’s stand in defense of President Kibaki’s administration has played extremely well politically in the US for the President. Kenya can buy all the public relations expertise to influence the US perception of the country but that can only take you guys so far, it is a waste of resources; the US Administration is not stupid, they can read and see through these schemes, give the administration some credit, they are extremely competent, you can’t hide nepotism, tribalism, cronyism from the Administration especially if you are exporting it to their homeland! Get a grip.

Finally, the Kenyan government must get its priorities straight; focus on getting the constitutional draft right first and avoid alienating key stakeholders in this process; prosecute PEV perpetrators, ALL of them starting at the top just as Ocampo has promised to do, he can only take so much of a caseload; prosecute corruption at all levels; resettle IDPs; avoid these rotten shenanigans of growing dynasties on the backs of Kenyans and run a clean open, ethical and transparent government not beholden to special interests or familial ties, we ALL have a stake in our government and ALL Kenyans deserve and MUST be permitted to participate, NOT just the few family members and the well connected, nepotism and cronyism are unethical, they breed and fuel animosity. STOP!

– – – – –

From: David ochwangi
Subject: DEFAMATION OF NANCY BARAZA

To: “NANCY”
Date: Wednesday, June 9, 2010, 2:29 PM

Hello Nancy:

I just saw this in my junk mail folder but I am lost; what are you referring to? Sorry and I apologize if I offended you but I don’t even remember mentioning your name anywhere in the blog I posted, I am not even sure you were appointed an ambassador except for what I saw in the media; I think your name was in the dailies, either Standard or Nation as one of the appointees but I never mentioned you at all, where do you get your facts? I have attached the original post and I suggest you go through it yourself and advise where I wronged you. I was particularly after H.E. Elkanah Odembo and Dave Arunga because of nepotism and cronyism, a vice the PM has publicly decried and yet it appears he practices, it is the sanctimonious double speak I was railing against but not at any one person in particular; so as much as I want to apologize, please give me a reason, show me the error of my ways.

Thanks.
Dave O O

KENYA: THE LATE JOURNALIST ALPHAYO OTIENO BURIED.

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From: erasto agwanda

THE late Journalist Alphayo Otieno was finally buried over the weekend at Kalwande Village ,Karapul Sub-Location in Siaya County.

Thousands of his former colleagues and friends eulogized him as a man who will be missed by many and remembered for his writing prowess .

Mombasa Town Clerk Tubman Otieno said that he had missed a friend who wiill be hard to find

Many said that Otieno who started as a reporter with the then government owned “Kenya Times”, before being a reporter with “The Standard” Newspaper and later “The Leader” and “The Westerner” will be remembered for all the good things he did while he was alive.

He was born in Mombasa and later attended Union Primary School before joining Kisumu Boys Secondary School and later went to the United States of America and came back in Kenya in 2009.

He also had a stint as a web designer.

He fell sick last December and succumbed to death during the Easter Holidays.

He leaves behind two widows and four children.

ENDS

KENYA: JOURNALIST TO BE BURIED ON SATURDAY.

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By Our Reporter

The late journalist Alphayo Otieno will finally be buried on Saturday 7th May 2011 at Kalwande Village Karapul Sub Location in Siaya District.

According to the late Otieno’s friend and journalist Agwanda Saye, the body will leave New Nyanza Provincial Hospital on 6th then the body will be viewed at his Upper Migosi Residence before the body heads to his rural the same day.

Agwanda added that there are tow burial committees in Kisumu with the late Otieno’s processional colleagues meeting at Hilbrew Hotel situated at Jommo Kenyatta Grounds while his friends will be meeting at Ofafa Bar situated along Kisumu -Kakamega town.

“All those who were Alphayo’s friends and colleagues should see where they would wish to go and make their contributions” Agwanda added.

Meanwhile condolences messages continues to stream in in regard to the late Otieno’s death,Nairobi Businessman Tom Alwaka,Kisumu Advocate David Otieno Njer,East Africa Law Society of Kenya Vice President James Aggrey Mwamu,Kisumu businessm and Peter Opondo “Tausi”,the proprietor of Vic Hotel and The VIC Hotel and Mon Ami Nirman Dabba have all condoled with the late Otieno’s family that the family had lost a man worth not loosing.

Former Marie Stopes County Director Cyprian Otieno Awiti,Kisumu Town MP Shakeel Shabbir ,leading Kisumu Insurance Broker Robert Otuge Oruko and Unionists Ishmael Nooh Ooro and Francis Bushuru Wangara have also sent messages of condolences to the late Otieno’s family.

Media Consultant Kwendo Opanga condoled the family that Otieno wasa happy chap who really enjoyed what he used to do.

“He would antagonize you and still come back to you remorsefully and he was determined in all that he used to do, he used to call me “Opash”,”Kwendo added.

Mr.Rafiq Dhanji the Director of JRS Security Services said that Otieno used to leave with his words while his Robinson Security Services Provider Jim Joe Chege said he had lost afriend.

The late also was a contributor to leading online publications i.e.”Jaluo.Com”,”Majimbokenya” amongst others died after ailing while undergoing treatment at the Victoria Hospital where he died last Friday,he leaves behind two wives and five children.

ENDS

Kenya: Media Blackout needed for current Politicians

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We NEED MEDIA BLACKOUT for the current leaders and MPs as WE the civil society start dealing with them! VVM will launch a comprehensive Leadrship/Parliamentary Scorecard that will reveal how your MP/leader has performed. The scorecard will highlight their contributions to crucial debates in parliament and development record in Parliament.

You are definately interested to know more! Just join VVM facebook page by searching Kenya Leadership Scorecard and be part of the Mashinani Audit team. It will benefit you and others to ELECT A CREDIBLE LEADER in 2012. We cant afford to make mistakes again in 2012!

The time is now for new leadership!

Kombo Elijah
VVM Treasurer
www.vuguvugumashinani.or.ke

KENYA & ICC: RUDE SHOCK AND TOUGH CONDITIONS AWAIT FOR THE OCAMPO SIX AT THE HAGUE AS FIRST BUNCH EXPECTED TO MAKE FIRST APPEARANCE AT THE ICC COURT TODAY.

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Writes LEO odera Omolo

Kenya’s first batch of mass killings suspects come face to face with an International Criminal Court judge, opening another sad chapter for the country in 48 years of self-rule.
But even as Kenya’s citizens take their place in a courtroom that has starred infamous genocide suspects such as the late Slobodan Milosevic of Serbia-Yugoslavia, Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo will be seeking more stringent conditions against the Kenyan suspects.

The news of the ICC opening cases at The Hague against the suspects dominated the front pages of Kenya’s leading dailies like the STANDARD, DAILY NATION, THE NAIROBISTAR and even the PEOPLE’S DAILY, paper which is owned by one of the suspects, the Deputy pime Ministe and Mnister for Finance Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta.

Moreno-Ocampo’s rude shock for the six include orders they provide, under oath, their financial statements, production of bond of personal security to ensure appearance when required, provision of all forms of contacts, including telephone and e-mail addresses, as well as commitment to appear at The Hague at least once every six months.

All the six, if Moreno-Ocampo has his way in court, will be required to ensure they do not make statements that can be interpreted as threats to potential witnesses, or even try and tamper with prosecution evidence.

Top positions

One of the post election violence suspects Mr Uhuru Kenyatta waves at the crowd at the airport as he left for the Hague on Thursday night
The new conditions, however, seem to weigh heavily against Deputy Prime Minister, Uhuru Kenyatta, Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura, and Postmaster General, Hussein Ali, who he said he needed to restrain because of their influential positions in Government.

If they fail to meet any of the conditions, Ocampo wants the ICC judges to issue warrants of arrests against the suspects. He says the conditions are to make sure they comply with the requirements and decisions of the court.

At the same time, Prime Minister Raila Odinga went live on television to declare this was also the time for the country to reflect on the pain of those who suffered the brutality of the violence. “Justice for the victims and fair process for the suspects,’’ were his prayer.

He also asked the country to confront the truth, saying it was the only thing that would set her free. He also assured the world the stability and security of the country was not under threat because of the anxiety set off by the ICC process.

The appearance of the first three suspects this morning, and another three tomorrow morning, marks the first time eminent Kenyans will be facing trial in a foreign court. They will be in dock for international crimes they are suspected to have perpetrated and because the competence of Kenya’s judicial system, and the Government’s commitment to justice for post-election violence victims failed the test of the international community.

Ocampo filed his application for the imposition of the new conditions against the six, and more so against Uhuru, Muthaura and Ali, on Wednesday. The three hold significant positions in Government and appear before the ICC judge tomorrow for formal identification and to be officially read the charges against them.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga addresses the nation on the ICC process in his office, on Wednesday. [PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO/STANDARD]

Today, would be groundbreaking entry into ICC for Eldoret North MP William Ruto, Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey and Kass FM’s Joshua arap Sang. They are expected before the judge at 11am, but though covered by the general terms of the conditions, it is against the Uhuru trio that Ocampo specifically sought on Wednesday’s orders.

Ocampo’s argument is that he wants Uhuru, Muthaura and Ali bound by the new conditions so that they do not undermine investigations. Ruto and Kosgey are out of the Cabinet, while Sang does not hold public office.

Political sentiments

Ocampo wants the judges to issue an order to compel the three suspects to refrain from making public statements that touch on the case, the charges, the investigation, or the evidence. If issued, this particular order would gag the suspects from making political statements.

Even though, in his application the prosecutor says that all the suspects should refrain from making public statements, he specifically wants the judges to issue targeted orders against Uhuru, Muthaura, and Ali. “Due to their senior positions of authority in Kenya, any statements that the suspects may make concerning the violence or their co-operation with the court could, intentionally or unintentionally, be regarded by actual or potential witnesses as pressure to cease co-operation with the court, or impact future witnesses’ willingness or desire to cooperate,” the prosecutor argues in his application.

Given that the prosecutor lost bid to revive charges against the three for crimes committed in Kisumu and Kibera, it appears he wants to turn the heat on them by giving them stricter conditions.

The revelations of Ocampo’s ‘ambush’ on the suspects appeared to put a damper on their upbeat mood, as they entered The Netherlands.

When Ruto, Kosgey and Sang arrived at Schipol Airport on Wednesday, escorted by more than 30 MPs, Kenya’s Ambassador to The Netherlands Ruthie Rono was at hand to receive them. She escorted them to Steigenberger Karhaus Hotel where they spent the night.

Kenyan flag

Just like Ali, who arrived on Tuesday morning, the three went straight to consult their lawyers. At the airport, the MPs escorting Ruto, who were all donning caps decorated with colours of the Kenyan flag that Ruto wears at rallies they sang patriotic songs before boarding a bus to Carlton Beach Hotel. Some of the MPs already at The Hague are Eugene Wamalwa, Jeremiah Kioni, Linah Jebii Kilimo, Jamlek Kamau, Ferdinand Waititu, Isaac Ruto and Peris Simam

With the MPs, members of the civil society, and Kenyan journalists at The Hague, not everyone would sit inside the court during proceedings.

By Wednesday evening, space at the public gallery had been reserved for a few people to follow the proceedings.

Kioni said nobody or political party was catering for the MPs’ travel expenses. “Each MP is catering for his or her own expenses, and we have to inform our constituents of what is going on here, when we get back,” he said.

“Kenya is not a failed State. We believe in our country,” said Kioni.

Upon hearing charges against them, the Chamber will set a date for confirmation of the charges. The pre-trial process may take six months.

The ICC on Wednesday also released an instruction that lawyers representing the Ocampo Six will be required to contact ICC’s Victims and Witness Unit before approaching a witness.

Judge Trendafilova set the condition in an application that was filed by Uhuru, Muthaura and Ali. In her decision delivered on April 4, the judge said witnesses are not the property of any party, but conveyors of information.

Ruto’s lawyer, Kithure Kindiki argued this would be challenged, given the fact that Ocampo had not supplied them with evidence.

Ends

KENYA: A TIP OFF FOR A SEX SCANDAL STORY TURNED INTO A CASH COW BY SOME KISUMU SCRIBES

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BY OUR REPORTER.

Some Kisumu based reporters recently received a tip off from a senior policeman in the town about a cheating couple who were caught red handed by the man of the house while having nice time at his upmarket Milimani home but instead of doing the story, the journalists opted to get cash and ”killed the would- be hot exposure piece”.

This writer reliably established that the reporters who received the timely phone call from the good old cop just as the two love birds were on the act were from the Standard newspapers and the government owned Kenya Broadcasting Cooperation based in the lake side town.

Sources have it that for sometime now, the woman a wife of a top executive officer working for a Tyre company in Kisumu and a senior manager of a pharmaceutical company also from the town, all of Asian descends have been having a steamy sexual affair.

Reliable sources claimed that the woman, a house wife would on many occasions invite her secret lover into their Milimani house where they would dine and wine before being laid right in their house each time the man of the house was on duty.

Neighbors of the cheating Asian housewife who did not like her infidel behavior secretly revealed her sexual escapades to the husband who chose not to confront her with the information given to him but sought help from IT experts.

Without the knowledge of his wife, the man installed a CCTV at a discreet point within the house to spy on her.

The gadget was linked to a computer at his office desk so that he could monitor every event as it unfolded from the comfort of his office.

The story goes that in the morning of 25th February, the man left for work as usual and as always, his wife immediately summoned her lover who rushed for another round of illicit sexual encounter at leafy Milimani estate

AU & World: African Union among Global institutions lagging in defense of press freedom

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African governments criminalizing investigative reporting

By Agwanda Powerman in Nairobi Kenya.

Global and regional institutions with a responsibility to guard press freedom are largely failing to fulfill their mandate as journalists worldwide continue to face threats, imprisonment, intimidation, and killings, according to Attacks on the Press, a yearly survey released today by the Committee to Protect Journalists.

“While international law guarantees the right to free expression, journalists cannot count on a robust defense of those rights,” said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. “The recent unprecedented repression and persecution of journalists in Egypt , for example, provides an important opportunity for global and regional institutions to speak and act forcefully in defense of a free press.”

Attacks on the Press is the world’s most comprehensive guide to international press freedom, with thorough analyses of the key factors that obstruct a free press by CPJ’s regional experts. It includes a special feature on the invisible nature of online attacks meant to curb journalists, including online surveillance, malicious software, and the elimination of news sites from the Internet.

CPJ found that a halfhearted, inconsistent approach to defending press freedom plagues institutions like the United Nations, the African Union, the Organization of American States, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, among others. “While valiant special rapporteurs at various institutions battle anti-media violence, their efforts are stymied by a halting political will to guarantee press freedom,” said Simon.

With a preface by Al-Jazeera English anchor Riz Khan, the book provides an overview of media conditions in more than 100 countries along with data on journalists killed (44) and imprisoned (145) in 2010. Regional trends identified by CPJ include:

Africa:

A rise in investigative journalism has led governments in the region to crack down on journalists, particularly those reporting on the provision of basic services and the use of public money. From Cameroon to South Africa, authorities are moving aggressively to unmask confidential news sources, criminalize possession of government documents, and retaliate against probing journalists—all while governments across the continent, under pressure from donor countries, are pledging more transparency and accountability.

Americas:

Decades since democratization took hold in the region, a rise in censorship can be seen throughout Latin America , caused by government repression, judicial interference, and intimidation from criminal groups. In some countries, a climate of impunity perpetuates a cycle of violence and self-censorship. In others, governments abuse state resources to silence critical reporting, and powerful figures routinely utilize politicized courts to override constitutional guarantees of free expression.

Asia:

With a mixture of violence and official repression, censorship in Asia takes many forms. China ’s anti-media policies are becoming ever more entrenched, even as local journalists test the daily guidelines flowing from the Central Propaganda Department. Asian democracies like Thailand , the Philippines , and Indonesia appear incapable of reversing the impunity with which journalists are being killed, while Sri Lanka ’s peace dividend never materialized for journalists. Pakistan was the world’s deadliest country for journalists in 2010.

Europe and Central Asia :

Newer and subtler forms of censorship are taking hold across the region to counter the rise of electronic journalism, particularly in Russia and the former Soviet republics. These include the targeted use of technological attacks and the untraceable disabling of independent media websites. The physical violence already employed in several countries to harass and intimidate journalists working in traditional media now extends to bloggers. Meanwhile, journalists face restrictions and potential punishment from defamation laws and anti-extremism statutes.

Middle East and North Africa :

Throughout the region, governments are conflating critical coverage of counterterrorism with terrorism itself, claiming national security grounds to suppress news and views considered unfavorable. From Egypt to Turkey , sweeping national security legislation has been enacted, criminalizing the coverage of terrorism and politically sensitive topics. Iran leads the region in its abuse of anti-state charges, and from Sudan to Bahrain , authorities resort to threats, harassment, and restriction of movement to limit coverage and conceal controversial activities and flawed policies.

KENYA: KISUMU COURT DISMISSES CASE AGAINST JOURNALIST.

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By Our Reporter.

Kisumu based journalist Erasto Agwanda Saye has vowed to sue a non governmental Organisation OSIENALA seeking kshs 50,000,000 after a court in Kisumu stopped the organization and its management from attaching his properties in a defamation suit.

This was after the plaintiff, OSIENALA , failed to prove to court that the defendant was the real person who published the allegedly defaming article in a blog.

Lawyer Raymond Olendo of Ragot and Otieno Advocates appearing for the journalist said, the name used in the story, Agwanda Jakorando, does not belong to his client, Erasto Agwanda Saye; hence the properties of the client cannot be attached to pay for damages in the suit which was ruled earlier last year against Agwanda Jakorando.

Kisumu resident magistrate Tom Obutu who made the ruling said there is no substantial connection that the defendant Agwanda Jakorando was the same person with Erastus Agwanda who the plaintiff wanted to pay the damages.

“The two can not be connected and the NGO should look for the defendant Agwanda Jakorando who they sued to pay for the damages”Obutu said in his ruling.

The NGO had gone to court to appeal for further damages against the defendant.

However, Erasto Agwanda Saye enlisted as the objector denied that he was not the same person to the one who had published the article.

OSIENALA an environmental organization through its Director Obiero Ongángá had gone to court to seek help in payment of Damages in 2009 case where they were awarded shs.500, 000 saying it was difficult for them to get the damages.

“Erasto Agwanda Saye and Agwanda Jakorando cannot be connected to be the same person”Obutu added further in his ruling .

Last year Janaury, Kisumu resident magistrate Charles Oluoch ruled that the defendant, in this case, Agwanda Jakorando pays a fine of shs.500, 000 for general damages for to the environmental organization.

“I thank the almighty God ,i have been traumatised for the last two years and my family could not just comprehend what was happening,suing him is the best thing and i get him compensate me for what i have undergone,my lawyers are working on it’ Agwanda said

Ends

Sudan: Second MM report on Sudan Referendum

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From: Yona Maro

Dear all

Please find attached the second MM report of referendum in Sudan, Media Coverage: Findings and Conclusions. Period 16 December 2010– 15 January 2011.

This report contains the main findings concerning media coverage of the referendum campaign, of the silence period as well as of the voting days. This is the second report to be produced on media monitoring activities conducted by SMEC1. Monthly reports will be published in February and March with a final report in April 2011.

Feel free to use it as it suits you in your media and for your information.

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Page 3
Sudan Media and Elections Consortium – Media MonitoringTABLE OF CONTENTSFOREWORD1EXECUTIVE SUMMARY2II. MEDIA AND 2011 REFERENDUM4A. SUDAN MEDIA SECTOR:AN OVERVIEW OF THE MAIN ISSUES AND CHALLENGES4B. MEDIA BACKGROUND TO2011 REFERENDUM5II. MONITORING MEDIA COVERAGE OF REFERENDUM: MAIN FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS81. GENERAL MEDIA OFFER92. REFERENDUMCOVERAGE ON TELEVISION AND RADIO123. REFERENDUMCOVERAGE IN THE PRINT MEDIA164. THE REFERENDUM MORATORIUM AND VOTING DAYS PERIODS20ANNEX I – LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS21
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MM_Report_2_26jan.pdf
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KENYA: THE NYANZA STAR WEEKLY NEWSPAPER HIT THE GROUND LIKE THUNDERSTORM AND QUICKLY SOLD OUT WITHIN HOURS IN MANY PARTS OF LUO-NYANZA.

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Sent by Leo Odera Omolo
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

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By Our Special Correspondent in Migori Tow

The second edition of the NYANZA STAR, the recently launched English weekly newspaper hit the ground like thunderstorm and quickly sold out like hot cake.

A survey conducted by hired team of experts has revealed.It has further disclosed that there is lust for newspaper readership inside the rural Luo-Nyanza.

The survey further revealed that despite the fact that the national dailies like the NATION, THE Standard and the Nairobi Star are widely circulating in the region, but there is still much more room for other publications and the NYANBZA STAR could be the possible filler of the existing gap, especially those written in simple English and catering for the local communities.

The second issue of the newspaper carried out numerous articles on the disbursement of CDF and other government revolving funds for rural development in each one of the 21 parliamentary electoral constituencies. It further examined the performance of individual MPs representing those constituencies and their chances of successfully defending their seats comes the year 2012.

The paper gave an insight forensic auditing of MPs performance and provisionally predicted the number of those who would face the wrath of the electorate at the next polls as well as those who might be shown the exit doors and possible winners and losers. The article was a real thought provoking.

In greater Southern Nyanza, reports filtering in indicated that there was near fight when readers scrambled for copies of the Weekly in places like Awendo, Rongo and Migori. Some readers are reported to have purchased more than one copies, particularly those coming from the far end of the region like Nyatike constituency.

It revealed for the first time that primary school pupils In Nyatike who sat for the last year CPE exam had carried the day beating schools in the entire Migori County. Nyatike had come on top of the rest.

It also revealed the rising star of the Lands Minister James Aggrey Orengo in his Ugenya constituency predicting that MPs who us known to his peers as {Nyatieng’} stands a better chance of retaining his seat either in Ugenya or in the newly created Ugunja constituency, whichever the way.

It further revealed how the Bondo MP Dr.Oburu Oginga is no longer hanging on his late father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’c coat-tail, but has cut a niche for himself and proved himself as a hard-working MP.

The MP who is the Finance Assistant Minister and the eldest brother of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga is among those MPs from the region whose popularity are said to be on the upward trend and expected to retain their parliamentary seats comes the year 2012.

The weekly had heaped a lot of praise for the abrasive Ndhiwa MP Joshua Orwa Ojode and placed him on top of those who have turned their constituencies around by way of initiating massive development. Ojode is also the Internal Security Assistant Minister and one of those tipped to retain their seats come 2012.

There were also other articles on various topics such as the confusion over the recent creation of an extra parliamentary seat in Kasipul Kabondo and the controversial issue of having it named.

Residents of the area have since come out with the suggestion that because the newly created constituency though has the majority of its voters being those of the Jo-Kabondo indigenous, it has three major administrative locations slashed from Kasipul and as such it is should be called Kasipul Kabondo, while the old constituency be either named Oyugis or Wire constituency.

The three locations, which have been included in the new constituency, include Kakelo, Kokwanyo and Kojwach.

With successes of the two previous editions, it is hoped that the publishers would reconsider the possibility of increasing more copies in the future publications. The distribution of the paper, however, is still in its teething problem, but the publishers were said to be working round the clock to ensure that copies reached the readers everywhere including remotest region like Gwassi, Mbita and the twin islands of Rusinga and Mfangano.

Our hawk-eyed reporters and correspondents would be stationed in every major town and trading centers through the six counties of Nyamira, Kisii, Migori, Homa-Bay, Kisumu and Siaya to bring to the readers an up-date news and the goings on in those regions.

We stand to be corrected whenever we go wrong, and criticized provided such criticism are constructive, healthy and devoid of individual confrontation, please join us and work with us as a team. Articles from individuals on topic issues are also welcome so long that as they re kept short and to the point.

Ends

Nigeria: Free Speech And Media Activism: Dangerous But Potent Deterrent To Official Corruption

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By Adebayo Adejare

“While I recognize the business of the politician, I call on all of us citizens to also know what our business is. It is to refuse to give the government our silence. It is to fight the government from hiding information and persecuting those who tried to make it available to us — Kole Omotoso” (Famous Nigerian Author and Scholar)

Sometime in March 1975, late Tai Solarin, renowned social critic and proprietor of the famous Mayflower School Ikene, wrote and secretly circulated a short article titled “The Beginning of the End.” It was a scathing criticism of Yakubu Gowon’s corrupt administration and the article turned out top be as prophetic as that government was toppled in a palace coup d’etat within a few months of the article. Such is the repression and violation of fundamental human rights and freedom visited upon people of the third world especially the mass media by military dictators. It was in the same regime that a journalist was arrested, detained and had his hair shaved clean for daring to interrupt the River State Governor’s motor convoy.

In 1984, Nduka Irabor and Tunde Thompson were convicted and sent to jail for violating the Buhari regime decree No. 4 purporting to protect public officers from false and malicious publications. Dele Giwa of Nigeria was bombed to death by agents of Nigeria’s Babagida’s military dictatorship in Nigeria on account of his professional duties as a journalist. The Concord Newspaper was humiliated by court process on account of its exposure of secret gifts by Babangida’s corrupt military Junta to echelons of the Nigerian judiciary. The notorious Abacha regime closed and torched Rutam house premises of the Guardian Newspapers and also proscribed the Punch.

Elsewhere in Chile, an author wrote a book in 1998 titled “The Black Book of the Chilean Justice System” exposing the corrupt activities of the judiciary in Chile. He was, of course, pursued by govt. for prosecution at the instance of the aggrieved justices. Salman Rushdie wrote a book titled “Satanic Verses” about twenty years ago and has had to remain in hiding due to death sentence passed on him by the Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran.

All over the developing world intolerance to criticism and sheer repression of self expression appears to be the rule. Even in so-called democratic civilian setting in Nigeria, the court cases typify the characteristic of intolerance to criticism exhibited by the leadership. But why would any public officer reject transparency and insist on secrecy? It is largely because of the massive corruption and abuse of office that are perpetrated on the people by the leadership in third world nations. The result is mass impoverishment of their peoples and social degradation compounded by capital flight and scaring of foreign investment.

The methods used by leadership to muzzle speech and cover up crimes against the state and individuals vary from regime to regime but it is in the military setting that the crudest form of repression has taken place. Some have said that Nigeria has been much better of than most African countries on this matter just because journalists and others were not disappearing or being murdered the way Idi Amin effectuated atrocities against the Ugandan people. But does it really matter the methodology? Has the proceedings of Nigeria’s Oputa Human Rights Violations Probe Panel not dispelled such illusion? What difference does it make to go by bomb as Dele Giwa did or by lethal injection as Yar’Adua or by hanging as with environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa?

The journalism profession has topped the list of death ridden jobs nay highest-risk jobs due to human hatred of exposure, criticism and desire to cover up crime which is as old as the Biblical murder of Abel by Cain hence the hazardous nature of the profession. The only difference between military and civilian repression is methodology. While the military is violent brazen and often with naked impunity, civilians are often covert and sophisticated. Buhari dictatorship in Nigeria used legislation (notorious Decree 4) and tribunals to suppress free speech. Babagida Junta preferred to carrot and stick approach bribing its way to suppress negative publicity but secretly eliminating journalists and others who are adamant e.g. by letter-bombing as in Dele Giwa’s case. The regulatory power of the state over newspaper and other media as well as the laws of sedition have been manipulated as a sword of repression rather than a shield to protect the administration from false and malicious criticism. So also the law of contempt as in the victimization of Daily Times’s Olu Onagoruwa and Tunji Oseni over their article titled “Zik and Tax” in 1979.

The reality is that free speech remains the greatest pillar of our fledgling democracy hence the Nigerian press must wake up with new vibrancy to its role as a watchdog of our liberties and prosperity. Corruption by public office holders remains the greatest threat to our economic revival and development. It deters foreign investment, retards economic and social development perverts justice morals and ethos and breeds distrusts and political instability. President Obasanjo’s launched a Campaign of National Re-birth and Anti-Corruption Crusade. He also created the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) The challenge before President Goodluck Jonathan is to sustain the momentum with the Press as an ally.

The Nigerian press today has the patriotic duty of examining performance of public office holders and exposing corruption including waste, fraud and abuse of office in addition to its traditional vigilance to expose assaults upon our fundamental liberties and individual rights. Tax evasion would not be so rampant as it is today had Nigerians maintained the momentum with which the Murtala/Obasanjo Military Administration combated the malaise through the media 1975-79.

Social Critics and non-governmental organizations who helped expose the Military’s atrocities (but now in hibernation) are constrained in the matter unless there is adequate Media coverage. The pen is indeed mightier than the sword even in a largely illiterate Society like ours. The media performed well under Gowon regime (1966-75) by exposing the corrupt activities of a ministers (late Joseph Tarka) as well as a serving Governor (Joseph Gomwalk) but we are yet to witness similar activism. But the corrupt Junta of General Ibrahim Babangida “cleared” late governor Muhammed Lawal despite glaring evidence of graft tabled by Dr Seni Bello, the state’s finance chief. Babangida’s corrupt dictatorship wallowed in and fostered a culture of corruption. The euphemism “settlement” was created during his tenure as he utilized state resources to pacify press, opposition and the military in a fruitless bid to attain life Presidency. His side-kick, Sanni Abacha simply follwed the evil tradition.

The Nigerian society is still smirting under the effects of the corrupt culture nurtured under these outstandingly evil and corrupt dictators. Homeland loot recovery remains fraustrated and overseas loot recovery has only been partially successful.

As Andrew Young, an American friend of Nigeria remarked during a television interview in August 2000 public officers who loot the treasury impoverish the entire society and endanger its very survival. Recovery of loot is a difficult exercise but prevention is better than cure. Steadfast commitment of individuals and the media is indispensable to prevention and exposure of waste and corruption in public administration and the nurturing of a culture of a probity integrity and transparency in public office.

The role of the Nigerian Presidency and leadership as creators of public wealth and managers of prosperity must be highlighted by the media. Policy should be debated so that errors and loopholes for waste and embezzlement are exposed and averted rather than trying to recover loot that has left the shores of Nigeria.

Tafa Balogun, Fabian Osuji, Egbo- Egbo, DSP Alamieyeseigha, Lucky igbinedion and others will forever feel victimized unless the crusade continues and other culprits brought to book. Equal treatment before the law is mandatory for justice to be done. The EFCC opened cases against thirty-two out of thirty-six “Obasanjo” Governors but has been able to conclude about four! Anti-corruption campaign is not limited to serving Public Officers but must be even more vibrant against ex-public officers who are adept at deflecting attention from their past corrupt misdeeds to those of incumbents.

The massive plundering of our national resources as was practiced by the erstwhile evil dictators (Ibrahim Babangida and Sanni Abacha) is fast to becoming a model for our largely untutored and permissive new-breed politicians even in our democratic order. President Goodluck Jonathan must continue the anti-corruption campaign with similar gusto as President Obasanjo despite blackmail and sponsored accusations of selective prosecution.

The Tai Solarins, Aper Akus, Godwin Dabohs and all whistle-blowers of our society are ready but they need the support and vibrancy of the Media to succeed. The advent of the internet has boosted our chances at exposure. Even the international law and diplomatic regimes are favourable in view of the extra-territorial application of anti-money laundering laws. But there is fear of retaliation by corrupt public officers. That should not force us to relent. Our Society would remain in economic doldrums and persist in grinding poverty rendering constitutional protection of free speech meaningless unless the plundering of our public resources by Public Officers is exposed and checked. This highlights the importance of the Freedom of Information Act which, when passed, would enhance our anti-corruption efforts.

On this matter of corruption and loot recovery, silence cannot be said to be golden but could be taken to be consent or compelled because of involvement, connivance or benefit or just plain guilty conscience. The challenge of combating corruption is as vital as combating the tyranny of military rule. The job cannot be left to Law enforcement alone. We must resist the temptation to give looters in government our silence. We must demand transparency in Government. The job of Media Practitioners and Patriotic Citizens is to debilitate the fraudulent bloated ego of corrupt Public Persons through exposure, public censure, and demand for removal from office as well as prosecution. We must also discourage media assignments to launder image for corrupt personalities or to blackmail law enforcement. Isn’t it a shame on our local Media that public affairs they neglected to cover despite their exaggerated claims to investigative journalism were were spilled world-wide through the Wikileaks saga.

Nigerian Media Practitioners need to brace and live up to societal expectation by helping to stem corruption thereby enhancing our national survival. No excuses are acceptable. As a Society, we must be unrelenting in our pursuit of loot with zeal similar to that with which the American Government has fought the WAR ON TERROR so that the message will sink that there will be no place for looters to hide or rest.