A Human Rights Defender's Perspective

  VIDEO:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=xQkEKL9aBec  As the hubbub continues about who gets to have what seat and how seats which eventually will be decided through the ballot will be shared goes on in the lead up to the March 2013 general elections, the electorate ought to be able to look through the veil of deceit and choose a leadership that respects the Constitution and has the moxie to ensure its full implementation. Chapter 6 is every leader’s night mare. They may have brushed issues of integrity aside FOR NOW but at the back of their minds they are aware that Kenyans are aware – now more than ever *Jeff Koinange’s voice* - of what they expect of their leaders. The interview captioned here was conducted some time in 2011 in a region of Kenya that is marginalized and completely neglected and is threatened by further neglect with the on-going evictions in the name of creating wildlife conservancies, meant to ben...

Turkana Mps Ekwe Ethuro and Josephat Nanok - Courtesy of The Star Online Edition As debates go on in parliament and discussions take place about what exactly transpired in Baragoi – Suguta valley, I thought I would have a look at some of the issues that emerge from the debates - some constructive, accusations – and mostly counter accusations, and the notable increase in incidents of insecurity as we fast get into campaign mode (or do we already have that as a default setting!?). The last week has seen a lot of genuine concern raised about the security sector in our country and that a lot more needs to be invested in it. Criticisms have of course been labeled against civil society about being quiet when the police suffer but extra vocal when criminals suffer at the hands of the police. Well just as a correction there, civil society as I understand isn’t limited to human rights organizations. Indeed though these issues fall squarely within the mandate of these organizatio...

It is certainly interesting to read the reactions of Kenyans to the High Court Decision by Justice Ibrahim in November, 2010 stating that Kenya had no Criminal Jurisdiction to try Suspected Pirates arrested in the Indian Ocean under Kenyan law, and that the persons ought to be handed over to the UNHCR to be treated as refugees.  One of the comments in the online edition of the 18th October, 2012 Daily Nation reads in part:  " Wonder how a thief who gets into my boma cannot face the full wrath of my blunt panga... "   Well that 'blunt' part was a little too bluntly put!... and since we are a country that is governed by the rule of law and believe in due process, we opt for the decision today of the Court of Appeal which overturned this ruling. Appellate Judges Maraga, Onyango, Vishram, Okwengu and Koome held that that Kenyan courts had jurisdiction to hear and make a determination on piracy cases that have over the years become a 'thorn in the flesh...

http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-89475/right-time-restructure-kws I read this article in the 13th October, 2012 online edition of the Star News Paper that sought to outline the role of the new Director of the Kenya Wildlife Services - Mr.  William Kibet,    a nd the challenges and opportunities he was likely to encounter after complaints by the IFAW that there were structural defects in the wildlife sector and more so in KWS itself.  The article sought to suggest steps that KWS should take for better wildlife management and conservation; I made a comment with the little knowledge and experience I have in Wildlife Conservation and Management issues especially those that touch on the upholding the Constitution and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.   The Comment was as follows:    " Legislation is key, especially with the ongoing reforms in the land sector; KWS is and ought to remain a key interested party...

Seeing the pictures of the MRC President – Omar Mwamnaudzi took me aback. Many Kenyans who want the MRC menace dealt with by the 'strong arm of the government' accuse the media of displaying the images in order to evoke public sympathy for their cause.  Some questions however come to my mind. Remember the days of the struggle for multiparty democracy when people were brought to court very early morning or very late in the evening to take plea and answer to charges ranging from being in possession of seditious material to treason? Remember those men barely able walk, some on stretchers and wheel chairs, some supported by police officers and others too traumatized to even speak? Now think of the questions that have been raised by the Vetting of Judges and Magistrates Board when interviewing some of the judicial officers who condoned that system. The Constitution is very clear on due process guarantees accorded to accused persons. The criminal justice process begins at t...

Away from the Olympics which we are all certainly enjoying [… or are we?….] is a new development which we all should be glad about. All over the world, medical treatment is very expensive. Even the most developed of countries face their own challenges in the provision of quality medical services. Such treatment becomes even more important when it has to be offered during an emergency. Very few economies – even the most developed of them – do not face challenges in the provision of quality medical services especially in emergency situation. How a patient is taken care of during that period of emergency greatly determines whether the patient will be able to get out of the risk of death or permanent damage, or whether the patient will succumb to that which may have caused the emergency.   The record number of traffic accidents reported on a daily basis is appalling. In fact glaring statistics indicate that people who die from road accidents is at an alarming rate. Ac...

It is interesting to hear reports that not only is   a religious leader paying people to act sick and then claiming to have supernatural powers to heal but sadly visits the streets in the darkness of the night to solicit for sex and recruit ‘award winning thespians’   - twilight girls - for their grand acts. Anybody who would be shocked or perturbed at this expose is like the proverbial ostrich sticking its head in the sand, and by virtue of the many demands expected of these mere mortals, forcing them to extremes to provide brilliant weekend entertainment away from the hustle and bustle of the week. Indeed, each Sunday, the faithful that flock churches in all corners of the republic hope to see their money’s worth in terms of; cures for more complicated illnesses, testimonies of enrichment of members of the flock, intriguing stories of successes in secular lives as a result of spiritual interventions etc. Therefore as you toil away during the week to amass...