Honor Oginga Odinga

Eric Sindabi

Where is Oginga Odinga?

On october 20th the country marked the annual Mashujaa Day celebrations.This day is set aside to honor the men and women who tirelessly and who sacrificed their lives to make Kenya proud in many ways and especially in the struggles for the independence of our beloved country from colonial rule.

This year's celebrations were however made special by the unveiling of a statute of Tom Mboya one of the most courageous Independence crusader that Kenya ever had.

Prior to that the minister for culture and national heritage Mr.William Ole Ntimama had pledged that the government would construct more statutes to honor Kenya's heroes and heroines.The minister had went a head to name some of the proposed people to be honored in that manner.I observed with amazement that the name of one of the most prominent Kenya's independence crusader was missing from the proposed list.Likewise on Wednesday 26th October this year the Daily Nation carried a photo essay article where in it was a narration of men and women that Kenya is so proud of as being heroes and heroines, and who ought to be honored.Yet again the name nor picture of Oginga Odinga was missing from the photo essay article.

A close look to the history of Kenyan politics and the struggle for Independence some 50 or so years ago however reveals beyond doubt that Oginga Odinga played a very crucial role in the liberation of Kenya from colonial rule and yet again for the establishment of democracy in the country after independence what has been described as "The Second Liberation"

He joined politics in the mid 40's and was influential, as the leader of the Africans representatives in the Legco or parliament for: constitutional changes,locally and at Lancaster in the UK,the release of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and the formation of the Kenya African National Union party(KANU) that was a vehicle to independence having united kenyans in the struggle for independence.KANU had named Mzee Jomo Kenyatta the president of the party in absence.After independence was appointed the first Vice -President of Kenya but he broke ranks with the president Mzee Jomo Kenyatta on principal.He had resigned and formed an opposition party before he was put on a house arrest throughout the reign of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.

As such he has been described as the father of opposition politics in Kenya in his struggles to build democracy in the country.He equally played a key role in the second liberation when he teamed up with young politicians to demand for a constitutional change to return multi- party democracy in the country.The original Forum for the Restoration of Democracy(FORD) that was formed in the run up to the 1992 general elections was entirely the work of his hands.

I think those Kenyans who are well informed about the history of Kenyan politics will agree with me that we owe a lot to this brave and courageous man who even in death i believe has a vision for this country as depicted in a book he authored "Not yet Uhuru" and we should honor him foremost other heroes.

Honor oginga Odinga

Eric Sindabi,

Where is Oginga Odinga?

On october 20th the country marked the annual Mashujaa Day celebrations.This day is set aside to honor the men and women who tirelessly and who sacrificed their lives to make Kenya proud in many ways and especially in the struggles for the independence of our beloved country from colonial rule.

This year's celebrations were however made special by the unveiling of a statute of Tom Mboya one of the most courageous Independence crusader that Kenya ever had.

Prior to that the minister for culture and national heritage Mr.William Ole Ntimama had pledged that the government would construct more statutes to honor Kenya's heroes and heroines.The minister had went a head to name some of the proposed people to be honored in that manner.I observed with amazement that the name of one of the most prominent Kenya's independence crusader was missing from the proposed list.Likewise on Wednesday 26th October this year the Daily Nation carried a photo essay article where in it was a narration of men and women that Kenya is so proud of as being heroes and heroines, and who ought to be honored.Yet again the name nor picture of Oginga Odinga was missing from the photo essay article.

A close look to the history of Kenyan politics and the struggle for Independence some 50 or so years ago however reveals beyond doubt that Oginga Odinga played a very crucial role in the liberation of Kenya from colonial rule and yet again for the establishment of democracy in the country after independence what has been described as "The Second Liberation"

He joined politics in the mid 40's and was influential, as the leader of the Africans representatives in the Legco or parliament for: constitutional changes,locally and at Lancaster in the UK,the release of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and the formation of the Kenya African National Union party(KANU) that was a vehicle to independence having united kenyans in the struggle for independence.KANU had named Mzee Jomo Kenyatta the president of the party in absence.After independence was appointed the first Vice -President of Kenya but he broke ranks with the president Mzee Jomo Kenyatta on principal.He had resigned and formed an opposition party before he was put on a house arrest throughout the reign of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.

As such he has been described as the father of opposition politics in Kenya in his struggles to build democracy in the country.He equally played a key role in the second liberation when he teamed up with young politicians to demand for a constitutional change to return multi- party democracy in the country.The original Forum for the Restoration of Democracy(FORD) that was formed in the run up to the 1992 general elections was entirely the work of his hands.

I think those Kenyans who are well informed about the history of Kenyan politics will agree with me that we owe a lot to this brave and courageous man who even in death i believe has a vision for this country as depicted in a book he authored "Not yet Uhuru" and we should honor him foremost other heroes.

Honor oginga Odinga

Eric Sindabi,

Where is Oginga Odinga?

On october 20th the country marked the annual Mashujaa Day celebrations.This day is set aside to honor the men and women who tirelessly and who sacrificed their lives to make Kenya proud in many ways and especially in the struggles for the independence of our beloved country from colonial rule.

This year's celebrations were however made special by the unveiling of a statute of Tom Mboya one of the most courageous Independence crusader that Kenya ever had.

Prior to that the minister for culture and national heritage Mr.William Ole Ntimama had pledged that the government would construct more statutes to honor Kenya's heroes and heroines.The minister had went a head to name some of the proposed people to be honored in that manner.I observed with amazement that the name of one of the most prominent Kenya's independence crusader was missing from the proposed list.Likewise on Wednesday 26th October this year the Daily Nation carried a photo essay article where in it was a narration of men and women that Kenya is so proud of as being heroes and heroines, and who ought to be honored.Yet again the name nor picture of Oginga Odinga was missing from the photo essay article.

A close look to the history of Kenyan politics and the struggle for Independence some 50 or so years ago however reveals beyond doubt that Oginga Odinga played a very crucial role in the liberation of Kenya from colonial rule and yet again for the establishment of democracy in the country after independence what has been described as "The Second Liberation"

He joined politics in the mid 40's and was influential, as the leader of the Africans representatives in the Legco or parliament for: constitutional changes,locally and at Lancaster in the UK,the release of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and the formation of the Kenya African National Union party(KANU) that was a vehicle to independence having united kenyans in the struggle for independence.KANU had named Mzee Jomo Kenyatta the president of the party in absence.After independence was appointed the first Vice -President of Kenya but he broke ranks with the president Mzee Jomo Kenyatta on principal.He had resigned and formed an opposition party before he was put on a house arrest throughout the reign of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.

As such he has been described as the father of opposition politics in Kenya in his struggles to build democracy in the country.He equally played a key role in the second liberation when he teamed up with young politicians to demand for a constitutional change to return multi- party democracy in the country.The original Forum for the Restoration of Democracy(FORD) that was formed in the run up to the 1992 general elections was entirely the work of his hands.

I think those Kenyans who are well informed about the history of Kenyan politics will agree with me that we owe a lot to this brave and courageous man who even in death i believe has a vision for this country as depicted in a book he authored "Not yet Uhuru" and we should honor him foremost other heroes.

Desperate youth join terror

Eric Sindabi

Address youth’s unemployment problem seriously

Government and stakeholders should seriously address the issue of youths’ employment and occupation once and for all. It is much disgusting and indeed a shame for the government and indeed for the Kenyan society that many youthful Kenyans are joining filthy and outlawed groups like Mungiki and Al shabaab while others are being trafficked outside the country where they face human abuse, all due to desperation and hopelessness caused by un employment.

The youth as always said are the backbone of any society and leaders of tommorrow.Hence unless society invests in them and moulds them to be responsible human beings then the future of society will be bleak and useless. The government should not take it lightly when mothers in the coast region demonstrate against their sons being lured to join Al shaabab or when they lament about drug traffikers.When women in central Kenya grieve about the increased alcohol abuse among young people.

On the other hand the media of late has widely highlighted the menace of human trafficking in the country where many Kenyans especially young women are being trafficked to the Middle East where they undergo slavery. Pundits believe that all this is happening due to the rampant problem of un employment among the youth of Kenya and who form the largest percentage of the country’s population.

The ball now lies in the court of the government and especially the next one, to address the plight of the youth in our country to cut off the problem of unemployment among the youth once and for all. Parliament should enact laws that will address this problem, to create favorable conditions for the youth hence solve the above problems to restore human dignity and build a better future for generations to come.

Compulsory education and training should be empasized.Laws and policies against drug abuse and trafficking, irresponsible sexual activities and criminal groupings affecting the youth should be enacted and enforced. Like wise parliament should also pass laws that will regulate immigration and hence limit immigration outside the country especially to regions where human abuse is reported.

Desperate youth join terror

Eric Sindabi

Address youth’s unemployment problem seriously

Government and stakeholders should seriously address the issue of youths’ employment and occupation once and for all. It is much disgusting and indeed a shame for the government and indeed for the Kenyan society that many youthful Kenyans are joining filthy and outlawed groups like Mungiki and Al shabaab while others are being trafficked outside the country where they face human abuse, all due to desperation and hopelessness caused by un employment.

The youth as always said are the backbone of any society and leaders of tommorrow.Hence unless society invests in them and moulds them to be responsible human beings then the future of society will be bleak and useless. The government should not take it lightly when mothers in the coast region demonstrate against their sons being lured to join Al shaabab or when they lament about drug traffikers.When women in central Kenya grieve about the increased alcohol abuse among young people.

On the other hand the media of late has widely highlighted the menace of human trafficking in the country where many Kenyans especially young women are being trafficked to the Middle East where they undergo slavery. Pundits believe that all this is happening due to the rampant problem of un employment among the youth of Kenya and who form the largest percentage of the country’s population.

The ball now lies in the court of the government and especially the next one, to address the plight of the youth in our country to cut off the problem of unemployment among the youth once and for all. Parliament should enact laws that will address this problem, to create favorable conditions for the youth hence solve the above problems to restore human dignity and build a better future for generations to come.

Compulsory education and training should be empasized.Laws and policies against drug abuse and trafficking, irresponsible sexual activities and criminal groupings affecting the youth should be enacted and enforced. Like wise parliament should also pass laws that will regulate immigration and hence limit immigration outside the country especially to regions where human abuse is reported.

No diplomacy over migingo

Eric Sindabi

Migingo Island: use diplomacy or force to resolve matter

The continued occupation of the Migingo Island which is a Kenyan territory by the Ugandan security forces indicates a weakness or a total failure in Kenya’s diplomatic services. Ever since the controversy erupted over the ownership of the Island between Kenya and Uganda, the government of Kenya has maintained that it will use diplomacy to resolve the issue, but not necessarily force or any other un warranted means.

However the continued presence and harassment of Kenyans living and making a living from the territory by the ugandan forces leaves much behind to be desired, as much as the government of Kenya continue keeping mum while taking no action nor reaction of whatever kind over the injustices being subjected to its citizens by foreigners. Diplomacy means compromise through negotiations that brings about a lasting solution to an existing problem or matter while taking into consideration the interests of the parties involved.

As the media continue highlighting the sufferings Kenyan fishermen undergoes in the hands of the Ugandan security forces, the public go on with doubt the government’s commitments to safe guarding its citizens and protection of its territory. We must not forget that what is happening now between Kenya and Somalia is as a result of weaknesses in the government’s commitment to securing its territory and lapses in screening of foreigners and their missions inside Kenya.

President Kibaki should address the nation and make known the government’s stand over the Migingo Island controversy.If Kenyans living and making a living from the island continue undergoing g sufferings in the hands of foreign security forces while Kenyan security forces stand by, then the government should accept that diplomacy has failed. Then what next if that is the case. We should have a lasting solution to the Migingo Island saga once and for all by all means necessary in order to protect our sovereignty and the lives and rights of Kenyan citizens.

ICC IS NOT POLITICAL

Eric Sindabi

Politicians should not distort
public opinion on ICC prosecutions

The on going International Criminal Court prosecutions against prominent Kenyans suspected to have organized the 2007/08 post poll violence is a matter of great national concern.It is a step a head for kenyans' fight against impunity - the mis use of power,injustice and insecurity that has dogged the ordinary citizens of Kenya for very long time.

While the general public opinion is that those who will be found guilty should carry their own cross irrespective of their political; nor ethnic backgrounds,politicians are out to distort the public opinion to fulfill their own selfish interests.The suspects should present themselves at the court and defend them selves appropriately and independently in case the pre- trial judges confirm the charges against them.

It should be noted that ICC is an independent legal outfit that carries out its own investigations and prosecutions while putting less in concern the political nor any other implications.Hence the notion that the ICC prosecutions are politically motivated is totally out of order.To starters,the chief mediator whose team had recommended for investigations into the causes of the post poll violence had effortlessly given kenyans a chance to form a tribunal that would try the suspects but parliament had thrown out that option even after a tireless appeal from the president and the prime minister.

It is thus disgusting that some politicians are out to divide the nation along tribal lines concerning the ICC prosecutions.The lead judge Ekatirina Trendatiliva has has announced that the suspects would soon know their fate and pledged that justice shall be achieved for both the suspects and victims and indeed for all kenyans by the court.Kenyans should therefore be patient and leave politics and tribalism out of the ICC issue.

To emphasize i strongly believe that the court is an independent legal entity that has no strings attached but the rule of law.The political or ethnic implications the prosecutions may have on the people of kenya should not be a guiding end in the case but the provisions of the existing laws.Politicians should not distort public opinion through propaganda as they try to manipulate the ICC prosecution a head of the 2012 v general elections.