Comments for Al Kags http://alkags.com The word is positive Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:31:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Comment on el Bashir a blight in Kenya’s big day? by Gitonga Kinoti http://alkags.com/?p=593&cpage=1#comment-23991 Gitonga Kinoti Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:31:06 +0000 http://alkags.com/?p=593#comment-23991 I tend to agree somewhat with Wambui that there's need to follow to the letter the spirit of the new constitution. However, I disagree because the constitution should not be the only reference on the matter at hand because of two things. One, Kenya is only a signatory of the ICC and has not ratified. Kenya is a full member of the AU and holds a strategic position for the AU in the region. The peace and stability of this region in my mind should surpass the need to arrest a head of state of a friendly nation that happens to be a neighbouring country. It was not for us to determine who would represent Sudan. If invitations were sent to all neighbouring countries including that of the TFG of Somalia, then failure to invite Sudan would have been to our detriment and would have been un African. We are Africans first then citizens of the world second. Two, if for the sake of the ICC we arrested Bashir, what wud have been the net result of such an action? Would such an action end the killings and impunity in this part of the world and moreso Sudan? My point is, we must strive to achieve homegrown solutions to our problems. For example, Malawi suffered for many years with food deficiency, now they're a net exporter through homegrown initiatives. Rwanda came up with Gacaca courts to try the perpetrators of genocide in that country. The net effect of the Gacaca courts was justice, forgiveness and the greater unity of a people. I still believe that if Rwanda had not reached the levels that it did, it would have handled the matter in house. Kenya can also be a good homegrown example. Former president Kufuor suggested power sharing, viola it worked. Now we have a new constitution. Its time we believed in ourselves. For crying out loud, we managed to broker Sudan's peace deal between the Arab north and Christian South. This opened up economic opportunities for not only them but also us in the region. Because in the end, its the economics that matter to the common person. They have a referendum coming up in January, let's give it a chance. I tend to agree somewhat with Wambui that there’s need to follow to the letter the spirit of the new constitution. However, I disagree because the constitution should not be the only reference on the matter at hand because of two things. One, Kenya is only a signatory of the ICC and has not ratified. Kenya is a full member of the AU and holds a strategic position for the AU in the region. The peace and stability of this region in my mind should surpass the need to arrest a head of state of a friendly nation that happens to be a neighbouring country. It was not for us to determine who would represent Sudan. If invitations were sent to all neighbouring countries including that of the TFG of Somalia, then failure to invite Sudan would have been to our detriment and would have been un African. We are Africans first then citizens of the world second.
Two, if for the sake of the ICC we arrested Bashir, what wud have been the net result of such an action? Would such an action end the killings and impunity in this part of the world and moreso Sudan?
My point is, we must strive to achieve homegrown solutions to our problems. For example, Malawi suffered for many years with food deficiency, now they’re a net exporter through homegrown initiatives. Rwanda came up with Gacaca courts to try the perpetrators of genocide in that country. The net effect of the Gacaca courts was justice, forgiveness and the greater unity of a people. I still believe that if Rwanda had not reached the levels that it did, it would have handled the matter in house. Kenya can also be a good homegrown example. Former president Kufuor suggested power sharing, viola it worked. Now we have a new constitution. Its time we believed in ourselves. For crying out loud, we managed to broker Sudan’s peace deal between the Arab north and Christian South. This opened up economic opportunities for not only them but also us in the region. Because in the end, its the economics that matter to the common person. They have a referendum coming up in January, let’s give it a chance.

]]> Comment on el Bashir a blight in Kenya’s big day? by Tom http://alkags.com/?p=593&cpage=1#comment-23891 Tom Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:04:00 +0000 http://alkags.com/?p=593#comment-23891 I do not think Kenya has the kind of might or muscle to arrest Bashir, Sudan would respond and rain havoc on the country and the truth is we would be on our own the americans and europeans have not raised even a toe to protect us from the border bullying by al shabab what will they do with Sudans Bashir of whom they failed to stop from perpetuating the Darfur genocide as the world watched I do not think Kenya has the kind of might or muscle to arrest Bashir, Sudan would respond and rain havoc on the country and the truth is we would be on our own the americans and europeans have not raised even a toe to protect us from the border bullying by al shabab what will they do with Sudans Bashir of whom they failed to stop from perpetuating the Darfur genocide as the world watched

]]> Comment on el Bashir a blight in Kenya’s big day? by Andrea Bohnstedt http://alkags.com/?p=593&cpage=1#comment-23877 Andrea Bohnstedt Sat, 28 Aug 2010 13:34:29 +0000 http://alkags.com/?p=593#comment-23877 The new constitution will only change things if people respect and abide by laws. Or, if not, there is law enforcement. So for Kenya's government to then decide, on the very day that they celebrated this new constitution, that they would break their obligations under the Rome treaty is quite symbolic. Pick and mix? Not sure that's how it works. Never mind that it was a nice fat middle finger in Annan's and Moreno Ocampo's face. The new constitution will only change things if people respect and abide by laws. Or, if not, there is law enforcement. So for Kenya’s government to then decide, on the very day that they celebrated this new constitution, that they would break their obligations under the Rome treaty is quite symbolic. Pick and mix? Not sure that’s how it works. Never mind that it was a nice fat middle finger in Annan’s and Moreno Ocampo’s face.

]]> Comment on el Bashir a blight in Kenya’s big day? by feelme http://alkags.com/?p=593&cpage=1#comment-23854 feelme Sat, 28 Aug 2010 08:23:27 +0000 http://alkags.com/?p=593#comment-23854 I think the Americans are being unfair. Why don't they arrest Bush first then we can talk about Bashir and the others? What's the difference between Bashir and Bush? Both are bandits to me. I think the Americans should just nab the guy if they want him [like they did to Saddam], not coerce us into bringing their wishes to pass... I think the Americans are being unfair. Why don’t they arrest Bush first then we can talk about Bashir and the others? What’s the difference between Bashir and Bush? Both are bandits to me. I think the Americans should just nab the guy if they want him [like they did to Saddam], not coerce us into bringing their wishes to pass…

]]> Comment on el Bashir a blight in Kenya’s big day? by Wambui MWangi http://alkags.com/?p=593&cpage=1#comment-23849 Wambui MWangi Sat, 28 Aug 2010 08:02:46 +0000 http://alkags.com/?p=593#comment-23849 It's a nice piece, but I think I'd argue the point.The point isn't whether our party was going to be disrupted or overshadowed or not if we arrested Bashir.   Bashir is not the point, he is only the near occasion of criminality.The real point is whether we recognise the Constitution as legally binding on all of us (as it says it is) or not.  Obviously, we already do not seem to believe it is, since we can ignore principles stated on the first page of the first chapter in fairly unambiguous terms with no apparent feelings of contradiction or even doubt.  The point is whether we think we can draw some precious line between the casual, arrogant, violation of the Constitution on this point by our President and the knowledge that if he --or anybody--is allowed to violate some, or even one, of the provisions of the constitution, then he--or anybody--is implicitly allowed to violate them all. The point is whether we understand what our new Constitution entails, and whether we have taken seriously the responsibilities as well as the rights it vests in us; and whether those people we watched telling God and everybody that they will defend and uphold the law are to be allowed to flout the Constitution on the day of its birth.The Constitution isn't multiple choice or open to opinions from the African Union--nota bene we did not ask them to craft it for us. Nota bene the Constitution itself prohibits the consideration of factors such as these, in the very militant articulation that no other idea about anything matters unless it is authorised by the Constitution.  The law under which Bashir is wanted forms part of the imperative of this new Constitution, again, with our consent and our affirmation: thus, we are bound to it not merely because it is international law to which we are signatory, but because Constitution explicitly says that part of the foundations of its own Supremacy is its incorporation of international law into its authoritative enforcement of the constitution's supremacy: thus, international law=constitutional law.  It says so, right there in the document on the first page. In response to these considerations, we seem to be saying that we were having such a nice time at the party that we thought it rude to point out that the reason for the party had already been negated. --Don't bother us; we're too busy having fun.  What? The Constitution? What's that got to do with it?This Constitution is going to need a people who exhibit a degree of maturity and responsibility, or at the least, a reasonable degree of reading comprehension, for its implementation.  The inability to understand that Bashir's presence was simply both unwise and illegal, because the constitution says so, that Kenya acted illegally in failing to arrest him, because the constitution says so, and thus that the Constitution we are jumping up and down to celebrate has already been imperiled, casts serious doubts on our claims to such qualities.Oh, but viva constitution, eh? It’s a nice piece, but I think I’d argue the point.The point isn’t whether our party was going to be disrupted or overshadowed or not if we arrested Bashir.   Bashir is not the point, he is only the near occasion of criminality.The real point is whether we recognise the Constitution as legally binding on all of us (as it says it is) or not.  Obviously, we already do not seem to believe it is, since we can ignore principles stated on the first page of the first chapter in fairly unambiguous terms with no apparent feelings of contradiction or even doubt.  The point is whether we think we can draw some precious line between the casual, arrogant, violation of the Constitution on this point by our President and the knowledge that if he –or anybody–is allowed to violate some, or even one, of the provisions of the constitution, then he–or anybody–is implicitly allowed to violate them all. The point is whether we understand what our new Constitution entails, and whether we have taken seriously the responsibilities as well as the rights it vests in us; and whether those people we watched telling God and everybody that they will defend and uphold the law are to be allowed to flout the Constitution on the day of its birth.The Constitution isn’t multiple choice or open to opinions from the African Union–nota bene we did not ask them to craft it for us. Nota bene the Constitution itself prohibits the consideration of factors such as these, in the very militant articulation that no other idea about anything matters unless it is authorised by the Constitution.  The law under which Bashir is wanted forms part of the imperative of this new Constitution, again, with our consent and our affirmation: thus, we are bound to it not merely because it is international law to which we are signatory, but because Constitution explicitly says that part of the foundations of its own Supremacy is its incorporation of international law into its authoritative enforcement of the constitution’s supremacy: thus, international law=constitutional law.  It says so, right there in the document on the first page. In response to these considerations, we seem to be saying that we were having such a nice time at the party that we thought it rude to point out that the reason for the party had already been negated. –Don’t bother us; we’re too busy having fun.  What? The Constitution? What’s that got to do with it?This Constitution is going to need a people who exhibit a degree of maturity and responsibility, or at the least, a reasonable degree of reading comprehension, for its implementation.  The inability to understand that Bashir’s presence was simply both unwise and illegal, because the constitution says so, that Kenya acted illegally in failing to arrest him, because the constitution says so, and thus that the Constitution we are jumping up and down to celebrate has already been imperiled, casts serious doubts on our claims to such qualities.Oh, but viva constitution, eh?

]]> Comment on Unlearning education for TRUE development by alkags http://alkags.com/?p=584&cpage=1#comment-22871 alkags Thu, 12 Aug 2010 22:33:37 +0000 http://alkags.com/?p=584#comment-22871 Keguro, In my own experience I have noticed the chasm of which you speak. Interestingly the examples commonly used in tech circles as people speak of innovation, eg farmers solutions are so many. Little in health education etc. People respond as they do in campus - where the lecturer gives hints on what to cram. The freedom to think is still a luxury. Keguro,
In my own experience I have noticed the chasm of which you speak. Interestingly the examples commonly used in tech circles as people speak of innovation, eg farmers solutions are so many. Little in health education etc.

People respond as they do in campus – where the lecturer gives hints on what to cram.

The freedom to think is still a luxury.

]]> Comment on Safaricom Listens: Innovation Forum by Mgangagenge http://alkags.com/?p=576&cpage=1#comment-22751 Mgangagenge Mon, 09 Aug 2010 18:46:18 +0000 http://alkags.com/?p=576#comment-22751 Sa ni heri ata msee ajibandike hapo pamoja na CV yake ama? Sa ni heri ata msee ajibandike hapo pamoja na CV yake ama?

]]> Comment on Safaricom Listens: Innovation Forum by Mgangagenge http://alkags.com/?p=576&cpage=1#comment-22747 Mgangagenge Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:51:44 +0000 http://alkags.com/?p=576#comment-22747 Hii story ya ku-nominate wasee itafanywa aje? Ni story na kuwa qualified, ama ni election ya kuhesabu kura? Hii story ya ku-nominate wasee itafanywa aje? Ni story na kuwa qualified, ama ni election ya kuhesabu kura?

]]> Comment on Unlearning education for TRUE development by Sonia http://alkags.com/?p=584&cpage=1#comment-22581 Sonia Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:12:42 +0000 http://alkags.com/?p=584#comment-22581 Sadly, this seems to be a challenge that faces education systems across the World. How to educate young people without killing their creativity which may be considered innate. To encourage and nurture minds to question and innovate and most importantly take the risk. Current education is too benign; and life seems somewhat "easy" to get the job more around the know-who than know-how. The break down of social set up that provided nurture and encouragement does contribute towards the seeming failure of education systems. Research done in Kenya show the implications of lack of support systems for children in primary school leaves them reliant on the school and teachers who are under pressure to demonstrate success by high marks in national exams. Parents are unavailable to support their young children to learn. Children spend very few hours outdoor. Indoors, they spend hours responding to what others have innovated on TV or games and thus feel little challenge - either against an opponent (think of any sport), or even to themselves as individuals. The challenge of finding young innovators, ready to remain church poor in pursuit of their dreams and in contribution to social, economic and political development challenges of our time - I agree, we must unlearn. and unteach. Sadly, this seems to be a challenge that faces education systems across the World. How to educate young people without killing their creativity which may be considered innate. To encourage and nurture minds to question and innovate and most importantly take the risk. Current education is too benign; and life seems somewhat “easy” to get the job more around the know-who than know-how. The break down of social set up that provided nurture and encouragement does contribute towards the seeming failure of education systems. Research done in Kenya show the implications of lack of support systems for children in primary school leaves them reliant on the school and teachers who are under pressure to demonstrate success by high marks in national exams. Parents are unavailable to support their young children to learn. Children spend very few hours outdoor. Indoors, they spend hours responding to what others have innovated on TV or games and thus feel little challenge – either against an opponent (think of any sport), or even to themselves as individuals. The challenge of finding young innovators, ready to remain church poor in pursuit of their dreams and in contribution to social, economic and political development challenges of our time – I agree, we must unlearn. and unteach.

]]> Comment on Unlearning education for TRUE development by Keguro http://alkags.com/?p=584&cpage=1#comment-22561 Keguro Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:22:47 +0000 http://alkags.com/?p=584#comment-22561 How, then, to bridge the distance between tech innovation, where a lot of energy is dedicated, and education methods? There is an interesting disjunction between tech as the future and education as lagging behind, with investment being poured into tech but not, as far as I can tell, into innovation around education. And this not only in Kenya, but there are some interesting experiments in the States. How, then, to bridge the distance between tech innovation, where a lot of energy is dedicated, and education methods? There is an interesting disjunction between tech as the future and education as lagging behind, with investment being poured into tech but not, as far as I can tell, into innovation around education. And this not only in Kenya, but there are some interesting experiments in the States.

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