How come I am reminded of the Young Turks when I read this story?
(pun intended)
Category: east africa
things related to EA
matata?
Shida.
…so I spent the best part of the day trying to configure a new (great!) theme for my wp-powered blog, lakini there’s no real good template/theme out there which works the way I want it unless I invest a few more hours of stylesheet tuning. Curiosity of course lures me into this theme-switching-business, alafu there might be some changes to this site soon.
In the meantime, let me please entertain you with some more music – this time something from the 1970s Kenya I’ve mentioned earlier: Matata "talkin talkin" (with Steele Beauttah). An almost brutal song on which Pitchfork says: "Sweet mother popcorn, funk does not get any grittier than this. The bass and drums are tough as rawhide and the lead vocal is a dirty, filthy, nasty delight. The thousand-watt horns blare so brightly you can feel the air passing over the curved brass. Kenya only produced a few notable funk bands in the 70s, but Matata were truly world-class."
Remember, this is from Kenya! Enjoy :-)
the next generation in Uganda, part 2
on sharing colours
When I came across the shameful news of the raid on The Standard & KTN in Kenya last night (thx 4 sharing, IW), the first thing that came to my mind was 1933 and the infamous Book burning that destroyed a lot of intellectual property.
While some of you might consider this an overreaction to yesterday’s events, to me this just isn’t a government harassing the press and trying to cover up unpleasant stories, but a direct insult of telling people – the people – what to think.
We, the citizens of this world, are still intelligent enough to figure out what’s relevant and what’s not.
On a lighter note: did you know that the Kenyan and German flag share almost the same colours? I think that’s a nice coincidence :-)
K?r?ro k?r? it??ra g?ting?reka m?nd? akome*
Dear President Kibaki,
On March 2, 2006 armed police raided the headquarters and printing plant of the East African Standard Group. In addition to destroying equipment including the printing presses and burning newspapers, they shut down the Kenyan Television Network television station.
This latest attack follows the jailing of three journalists from the East African Standard newspaper, attacks on the Citizen Weekly, and ongoing harassment of journalists by government-sponsored forces.
I urge you to:
- wake up!
- Condemn these attacks in the strongest terms possible.
- Dismiss any member of your government who played a role in the attacks.
- Live up to your promise to support freedom of the press.
Please copy and paste a copy of this letter on your blog. You may alter the wording to suit your needs. Campaign started by Keguro.
[via Mentalacrobatics]
*One person weeping prevents all in a village from sleeping.
UPDATE: the story gets BoingBoinged & make sure not to miss Ruud’s video coverage
0,02 shillingis
To me, the recent turmoil in Kenya’s internal politics regarding the (not so new) revelations on the Goldenberg and Anglo Leasing scandals, which comes along with an almost embarassing process where we see politicans blaming each other, clinging onto their reputation and what’s left of their integrity, clearly shows that the Republic of Kenya has in the past been run by people that have no problems with looting public funds for their own needs and using the juridical system to play according to their rules.
The shocking news is that almost every big name in the political scene seems to be involved, hence I wonder where Kenyans will find uninvolved and honest politicians that are willing to stand up for their country and resist any temptations in terms of becoming corrupted or betraying their people in any other way.
How – and this isn’t about Kenya only – are the corruption networks in the civil service supposed to be uncovered if politicians – in their position as role models – themselves behave in such autocratic ways?
In the end, it seems, it’s a matter of trusting elected leaders – and this, for me, is the biggest betrayal – a betrayal of confidence. I don’t know if all the looted money could ever bring back the faith the Kenyan public has put into the Kibaki government after the peaceful and democratic transition from the Moi era. Was it worth it?
Kenyans clearly deserve better than this.
tagged by irena…
Eehh…I’ve been tagged by Irena, so here ya’ go:
1. Favourite Kenyan Food
– Mandaazi with Cardamon
– Githeri
2. Favourite Kenyan Drink
– Stoney / Tangawizi (Kenyan?)
– Tusker (of course)
3. Favourite Kenyan TV Programme
Those charming ladies over at KBC are just perfect :-)
4. Top 3 Kenyan Hangouts
Any kantini with reasonable prices, nyama choma, cold beer and good music. Think global, drink local. And when I say ANY, i mean ANY! The whole range…though….I think I feel more comfortable with those joints that are somewhere deep down in a kijiji. I hate those spoiled places in Westlands & downtown where you only find Children of the BlueBandGeneration showing off…
5. Top Holiday Kenyan Destination
– Takawiri Island
– alone/with friends on Safari somewhere
– Coast: Tiwi Beach
6. 3 Kenyan phrases you use a lot (ati, nini, nani and bilaz DO NOT count)!
– aterere…
– eeehh…
– ama?…
7. Three things about Kenya/Kenyans that make you go ‘hmmm’
– many ppl are waiting for something to happen, ignoring the fact that they themselves have to start first.
– the "learn & repeat" educational system that offers no chances for creative students (remember this guy from Western Kenya who wanted to build his own "aeroplani"? Crazy dude, but brilliant thinking. I like that).
– class thinking: "I am a driver, I do not work in the kitchen or the garden." Irene says that’s the Colonial heritage….
8. Three things non-Kenyans say about Kenya/Kenyans that make you go ‘hmmm’
– why are there so many ppl on the streets?
– why do Kenyan men hold hands when they like each other? are they gay or somethin’?
– what’s that small footpath next to any street? don’t they have sidewalks?
9. Three things about Kenya/Kenyans which non-Kenyans ought to know
– Kenya is a beautiful country with very intelligent, capable, interested and friendly people.
– Kenya is more than what tourists get to see like the National Parks, the Coast, etc. It’s the whole picture with all those happy people that might suffer from something but still have the inner happiness to enjoy life the way it comes.
– the history of the country / area did not start with colonial rule…
10. Complete this sentence: I am Kenyan because……
…because it is part of my world – Kiku’s realm. :-)
And finally – list 3 members (of the Kenyan Blog Ring) you would like to see complete this quiz
Mzeecedric
Mwendemoja
WhiteAfrican
(since Lady Mbuzimoja doesn’t have her own blog as of yet, I am expecting her answer in the comments section OR alternatively as a private email….honey, now you’re in for it :-)
En attendant Godot, part 2
All you can eat for 500/- Kshs. (~ 5.70 EUR) @ Pizza Inn, Nairobi, Kenya. Offer valid 12-2 pm every day till February 3rd.
[Picture courtesy of Mbuzimoja].
"In order to negotiate our complex lives, Nairobi people have learned to have dual personalities. We move from one language to another, from one identity to another, navigating different worlds, some of which never meet." (Binyavanga Wainaina)
