Green Belt Movement: The True Environmental Patriots

Green Belt Movement leader Wangari Maathai (extreme right) tips Kenyans on environmental distress at Nairobi’s famous Freedom Corner.

Free the Environment of politics, corruption, Personal Greed…!

Even as world’s Environmentalists announce doom to the Planet Earth following World Population Outburst, our own country is slowly singing the tune despite its praised Green Land…

Like the Politicized famous Mau Complex - the nerve center of East African Region’s Eco-system and even drains its water as far as Egypt’s land, it is heartbreaking to note the speed at which the economical benchmark is dwindling. This undoubtedly spells disaster to our children…

Thumbs-Up The Green Belt Movement…We need more of true Patriots.

PIX: BILLY MUTAI

Freedom Corner in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD)

Kibera Residents Hit Nairobi’s CBD in Solidarity For Obama’s Triumph

Speaker, Radio and a Battery on board: Kibera residents hit the road to Nairobi’s CBD in Style to demonstrate their love for their Son’s conquest who rose from humble background to World’s Limelight.

PIX: BILLY MUTAI

Obama, Yes He Is Our Hero

One Way, One Man, One Obama… the Slogan goes…

One way, one Man One Obama: That is what these exited guys from Nairobi’s Kibera Slums told the World Immediately word went round that he conquered the ‘White-dominated' territory

Probe For Scoop; That Is What These Foreign Journalist Wanted From Nairobians Following Obama’s Announcement As The 44th President

Foreign Journalists were neither left behind; They wanted the 1st - Hand jubilations of Kenyans who sired the World leader who all celebrated his unshaken support from all races besides the Youth's huge endorsement.

PIX: BILLY MUTAI

Obama: Thumps Up…

Even this car Kalenjins call ‘Chemororoch’ was neither left behind by the World Wide Celebration (WWC) as it was geared up with the US Flag to mark Obama’s triumph. Business was brought to a standstill in the City of Nairobi to Salute the Son from Kogello’s Alogos Soil.

PIX BILLY MUTAI

Obama’s Win, is a Win-Win for Kenyans

It’s a New Beginning, Its new World, Kenyan Songbird Awino tells out her joy after Obama’s Victory in the Streets of Nairobi,

PIX BILLY MUTAI

Kenyans Celebrate Obama’s Triumph in Style

It was a few minutes after the announcement of a man from Kenyan soil’s Victory as Obama defied incredible odds to become the 44th President of United States as the Kenyan Song bird Awino and her funs thronged the streets on Nairobi City to celebrate Victory of one of their own.

Head-On Collision - The 'Keep Right' Rule

I thought traffic rules states KEEP LEFT, but for this rider, keeping right was his rule; no wonder he collided head on with a Saloon car. The rider however escaped with minor injuries.

PIX: BILLY MUTAI

Oil Tragedy Victims Condoled - Raila Odinga

Prime Minister Raila Odinga condoles one of those burnt at Sachang’ wan Oil tank tragedy where more than 130 people perished leaving more with life-time injuries.

PIX BILLY MUTAI

PM Raila Odinga Condoles Oil Tragedy Victims in Nakuru

Prime Minister Raila Odinga condoles Peter Kamau one of those burnt at Sachang’ wan Oil tank tragedy where more than 130 people perished leaving more with life-time injuries. The PM called on the government to set up strict measures on tracks carrying oil and other flammable products noting that the catastrophe could have been avoided.

PIX: BILLY MUTAI

It’s Prayers for ‘Oil Fortune’ that Killed more than 130 People

From Left; Agriculture Minister William Ruto, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Roads Minister Franklin Bett and Rift Valley Provincial Commission Hassan Noor Hassan hold Prayers ahead of Mass Burial of Oil tanker Tragedy victims at Sachang’wan, Molo where more than 130 People perished.



Mid Photo: Sotik Legislator Dr. Joice Laboso addressed gathering at Nakuru’s Afraha Studium towards a fund drive and prayers ahead of mass burial at Sachang'wan Molo District.

Pix: Billy Mutai

GMO Technology Gathers Conflicts in Kenya as Groups Dares Gov't

By Billy Mutai

The recent assent of the BioSafty Bill 2008 seeking to allow use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the country already gathers questions despite its thought benefits of resolving the biting country’s food shortage.

Civil groups and farmers associations dismiss the move noting it spells doom to country’s farming, local and international market, environment and human health.

The question on citizen’s knowledge on GMOs calls a distress as the praised country’s culture and religious practices could be left in a balance after complete seal on the BioSafty Bill by the President.

Farmers associations, civil societies, environmentalists and health scientists have hit the streets crying foul of legislators who have already seen the bill run through the parliament. This has left local farmers and consumers at the organism’s peril.

Despite pressure by civil groups to send the bill to the parliament or reject it altogether, religious and cultural face of indigenes plants and animals could be altered following the signing of bill seeking to control use of GMOs in the country.

And the farmers will only be left with an option of subscribing to Genetically Modified Seeds deeming availability of Genetically Modified Foods in the supermarkets as well as restructure both national and international market.

Farmers, consumers and business persons have been kept under the carpet on the biological and economical limitation behind the GMOs with legislators thought to protect their constituents at all levels rushing through the bill without considering the citizens knowledge on the organisms. Civilians are not educated on organism’s long term effects. Political interests overtook the flip side of the organisms irrespective of strings attached.

Recently, Members of Parliament were heavily criticized of rushing in ‘bad’ laws ignoring the stakeholders and more importantly; the Mwananchi’s uproar. Like the Kenya Communication Amendment Act (2008), the BioSafty Bill 2008 is claimed to have denied civilian’s full consent as it is enlisted among the laws of the land.

Just by being nosy, I dear asked a farmer on his knowledge of GMOs and surprisingly he was not aware of passing of the BioSafty Bill 2008. This further prompted me inquire from a university student, but unexpectedly, he went green not even his higher knowledge allowed him the basic knowledge of GMOs.

According to GMOs specialist, the Modified Organisms involve picking of genes from one species and implanting them to different species meaning that animal gene can be transferred to the plants and the vice-a-versa and otherwise going against the laws of nature.

With an aim of improving agricultural production, GMOs specialists have gone an extra mile of amplifying nature in bid of providing farmers maximum benefits but dietricians and health scientists are in contrary noting that consumption and exposure to the pool of GMOs leads to long term human ailments including respiratory problems, hormonal imbalance, infertility, cancer among other catastrophic effects.

Despite protests by various civil groups and farmers organizations, the legislators sought to pass the bill transferring pig’s gene into maize plant in the name of improving yields and keeping abreast of global trends.

In their bid to allow the introduction of GMOs, the political class insisted that the organisms would improve agricultural production but failed to understand that GMOs only gives 12 p.c improvements leaving behind vast disastrous effects. They had forgotten the biting issues including the soaring fertilizer prizes, and even simple irrigation strategies and instead sought to back up the global trend otherwise overlooking the GMO outburst and its lasting effects.

Environment is neither speared, bearing in mind the modified organisms are brand new in a given environment; they demand space thus wiping out the natural organism in what environmentalist term Species Loss. At the same, the organisms cause genetic contamination as well as desertification.

GMO introduction could be timely even in the wake of global food crisis but the question begs on the flip side of the organisms. In contrary, MPs including the Imenti North legislator Silas Ruteere puts the organisms on question insisting the introduction of GMOs is not a solution to recurring food crisis but only a blanket to the ‘big fish’. This will only allow the politicians loopholes in the Agricultural sector as they sought collaboration with international multibillion institutions in manipulating country’s back born to siphon the benefits at expense of poor Kenyans.

In his argument, the Imenti North legislator warned that introduction of GMOs is only opening one door and closing another.

Even as higher institutes of learning and research institutions seam to give guidelines on the modified organisms, they again leave civilians with ‘fear of unknown’. Intrigues and counter intrigues take political twists as country’s universities contradict over the use of the modified organisms.

In India , GMOs were allowed in country’s agricultural sector in a bid of averting food crisis but it all vanished leaving the Indians with regrets.

While England rejected the GMOs in 2003/2004, Agricultural production in India was then dictated by multibillion companies ruling out production and market strategies.

Introduction of GMOs in Kenya could also be sending horticultural products to disarray as European market now rejects the genetically modified products.

As this sounds a warning to country’s agricultural sector, the Americans who bragged of topping the list of those embraced the technology; they are now resorting to natural products.

At a recent function, former President added to the outcry calling on politicians to tread softly on the BioSafty Bill as this can spell tragedy to the indigenous cultural setup, environment, human health and religious aspects.

While health specialists note that GMO foods cause catastrophic illnesses, Daniel Arap Moi noted that GMOs practice derails religious and the long built culture.

As 95 pc of country’s horticultural products risk loosing the European market, Mexico burnt the modified products January this year.

Political analysts have been on a dig out mission and have unearthed some politicians having received handshake by international companies to allow the GMO bill sail through the parliament.

Both national and international civil groups further noted that politicians are now colluding with foreign companies in bringing on board the modified products to serve their own interests at the expense of Wananchi.

Kenyas Politics Takes to Bull Fighting…… as Intrigues Deem Censoring Ministers the Better Option

By Billy Mutai

If you want to end corruption, Kimunya must go, if you want to …... Kimunya must go, Kimunya ooooh, Kimunya ooooh! Yeees….! He was then a hero, but the Ikollomani legislator Dr. Bonny Khalwale failed to learn from his high school physics that exceeding elasticity limit of matter breaks it altogether.
The ‘Bull fighter undoubtedly is a villain; overplaying the game always results into antidote of events. This was only witnessed when the Ikolomani MP opened a can of warms paving way for ‘to be censored’ Agriculture Minister William Ruto scoop about 80 pc of August house against a motion meant to send him packing after it was claimed he is behind the biting food shortage in the country.
According to Dr. Khalwale who was recently the darling of the house, 10,000 Kenyans suffer the fury of raging hunger due to Agriculture Minister’s failure besides corrupt allocation of maize to briefcase millers.
But in twist of events, political class as well as the citizens forgot 2007/08 post-election violence that occupied about five mouths of country’s planting season. Threshold was squarely felt in country’s agricultural land. And the question begs on whom to blame for the hunger.
In the wake of global climatical crisis and ozone depletion, Kenya is neither speared by the calamity. According to more than 140 environment minister converging at United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Gigiri , Kenya , ragging hunger is a wake up call to advancement of farming technologies instead of seeking scapegoats.
Escaping from country’s reality is now shaping political opinion instead of addressing core issues affecting Kenyans.
When rains fail, Kenyans always secure the religious intervention instead of venturing the technological advancements to adapt the changing environment.
Irrigation, improvement of farm products as well as agricultural market should be taking the house’s center stage, but unfortunately, the opposite is witnessed.
It is a shame when the government import foodstuff from the semi-desert Egypt yet they utilize the Nile’s water running down our own Lake Victoria .
That aside, if Ruto could have been sent home, Kenyans ask who could be the next victim to face the double-sword as Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi insisted.
Country’s wing; the legislator was on its way grabbing duties of the other government’s wing; the judiciary.
In what some put, parliament lost its taste and only spend more time betraying Kenyans.
Focusing on issues favouring their greed and turning a blind eye on taxpayers has been the house’s trend.
When they unanimously send the then Finance Minister Amos Kimunya abay, we all celebrated hoping a lasting solution of the alleged corrupt deals behind the then Grand Regency would be reached. But alas! Kimunya was off-the-hook.
The Cocker Commission of Inquiry went to bed and it has since not seen light of the day as the taxpayers are denied full details of Commission’s outcome.
The Kipipiri legislator is back in the cabinet but gears swapped.
Ruto could also stay aside; commission of inquiry formed and out of ‘could be’ mounting pressure, the Mr Ruto could in short time be in his usual shoe.
Sadly, the outcome of the commission of inquiry could be sad for the majority Kenyans who are the poor; those are the political gimmicks to mimic the taxpayer’s money.
By the time Ruto could be back to the cabinet ‘if he was censored’, the ‘bull fighter’ could have grown longer horns to censure another minister. Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi with the petroleum saga could be towing the line, Justice Minister Martha Karua could be the next in the order and then…….
The unprecedented events could be in order of the parliament list if it were not for Energy Minister to stop the already cultivated culture of ‘censuring’ ministers in pretence of fighting corruption instead of addressing the real issues affecting Kenyans.
The ‘McCarty of Kenya’ the brand name Ikolomani MP earned left every legislator’s mind prowl for an answer; either to address actual issues or satisfy the 2012 political ploys.
Despites Khalwale committing political suicide, all is not lost for the parliament. The 2012 political strategies are still far.
Despite warning by Kenya ’s Hero, Dr Kofi Annan on 2012 politicking, legislators including those who helped strike the coalition government deal have already embarked on their cocoons strategizing on the best position to win 2012 political posts.
Political intrigues and counter intrigues are already setting the mood as parliament’s privileges are exploited to seize others political careers
Our representatives already forgot the 2007/08 mayhem and even failed to set up a local tribunal to try those implicated.
As poverty gap widens away from the country’s moguls, status quo takes the day leaving the poor to die of hunger and water shortage.
Witnessed in the previous weeks, Kenyans risk their lives to collect whatever lands their way.
Trailer transporting relief maize to Turkana overturned and it was not surprising to watch both young and old scramble for scattered maize.
As the Fourth Estate castigates Kenyans of not learning from the deadly incident at
Sachang’wan, Kenyans continue to rush with containers to collect whatever fortune irrespective of the dangers.
When political class fail to address the ‘real issues’ affecting their constituents and instead rush to the media to explain their failures as well as seek ways of shaping their political future, Kenyans are left with only option of stooping to the power holders.
In what former Tanzanian President Mwalimu Julius Nyerere referred Kenya as ‘A Man Eats Man Society’; the 10th Parliament is undoubtedly confirming Nyerere’s sentiments when those with political muscle treble the weak.
It is time the political class change their approach of tackling wanting issues as this is only tunnel of hope. Being the mother of social and economical change, political change has come to age cut its tooth.