Uhuru Kenyatta:International Youth Day
8th Biennial U.S.-Africa Business Summit
The African continent is among the fastest-growing economic regions in the world, attracting foreign direct investment from businesses small to large from around the globe. According to the Harvard Business Review, Africa and Asia were the only continents to grow during the recent economic recession. Africa’s growth rate increased to nearly 5% in 2010 and is likely to reach 5.2% in 2011. If Africa continues to grow at this pace, consumers will buy $1.4 trillion worth of goods and services in 2020—slightly less than India’s projected $1.7 trillion but more than Russia’s $960 billion. Africa offers a higher return on investment than any other emerging market, according to UN data; and is home to a tremendous market of more than 900 million potential consumers. The continent is seeing increasingly higher levels of investment in industries such as infrastructure, natural resources, telecommunications, agribusiness, health, energy, and others.
What an important time for your business to explore investments in some of the world’s key emerging markets. Partnerships between U.S. and African businesses will be formed, during The Corporate Council on Africa’s (CCA) 2011 U.S.-Africa Business Summit. Businesses of all sizes, representing various industries will be in attendance, eager to find new opportunities to grow and positively impact their bottom line.Join CCA and more than 1,500 of the private and public sector’s top leaders to find out about business and investment opportunities in Africa, the very place where some of today’s major business deals are taking place.
Kenyan Budget: Citizen’s Guide
Kenyan Politicians Must Increase Their Digital-Political Engagement
Digital media strategies are a crucial component of contemporary political life.Established political elites world wide use database and Internet technologies to raise money, organize volunteers, gather intelligence on voters, and do opposition research.Politics has always been heavily driven by relationships and communication. That hasn’t changed! Technology has; andwith it, the many ways in which politicians are able to stay connected with constituents anywhere,“anywhen”.The social web has shrunk the communication supply chain.
In a few years of rapid change, we’ve come to expect to be keystrokes from the people we elect.Kenyans are now logging on to websites and social networks of our elected officials looking for MP positions on specific issues (policy and development) and to locate contact information we can action in the moment. Sometimes our efforts are rewarded with an enlightening virtual visit; often they’re not. The role of search engines,social networking, and creative content is always evolving. Tools including blogs, Flickr,YouTube, Facebook and Twitter provide new and more powerful ways for politicians to connect with their constituents, share their points of view and react quickly to news in their own words — this is a real opportunity for politicians to showcase their talents, triumphs and personality.The public no longer waits for the evening newscast, the morning paper or the monthly baraza/funeral speech from their MPs.Journalists also follow online conversations.
The chatter informs (sometimes even results in) news stories. Infact, Tweets, blog posts and other digital updates are often quoted when politicians aren’t available for comment. Social media and politics. They go together like money and politics, but without all the attached strings. The Internet offers a wide variety of opportunities for educating, recruiting, and mobilizing supporters, for educating the media and policymakers, and for growing a vibrant political community. All of this requires hands on management by someone who understands the full range of possibilities.
Kenyan politicians need to increase their digital influence between elections and issue-specific campaigns. They must continue to develop their online skills, using them to create and strengthen constituencies of support which can be activated when needed. Election time is not the time to start. Our leaders need to be more methodical about their use of socialmedia, remembering that each digital outpost (Twitter,Facebook Fan Page, etc)reflects well, or poorly, on them. Each property must be maintained with relevant and current information and should serve as a beachhead for their primary digital headquarters –their website(social network sites are not a replacement for websites).It’s not necessary, nor is it always possible or practical, to establish a presence on many different social networking sites. However, doing so means making a commitment that all channels be unique rather than redundant.
If it’s worthdoing, it’s worth doing in a way that gives supporters and potential supporters a reason to follow MPs in multiple places. Bravo to the MPs who are experimenting with the new digital tools and culture. You are the ones willing to take risks to discover new territory. It can be scary. Progress often is.
Joe Ndungu
PS.Digital authenticity (twitter accounts particularly) .There is no point in hiring someone to run your twitter account! You are better off not being on twitter than having a paid IT person twit for you. I want to follow Uhuru Kenyatta for instance not the guy he has paid to twit for him.-(Uhuru fire that dude)
So far cheers to the following leaders on their websites
http://www.joinmarthakarua.com/
Uhuru Muranga Speech Inspiring
Personally I think this speech will go down in history as the speech that propelled Uhuru Kenyatta from perceived project to leader in his own right.Not since Jomo Kenyatta stood on a podium with a microphone has a leader from Central Kenya given such an electifying speech.The funny thing is that-the very same speech has some who dont even understand Kikuyu fuming -possibly because Uhuru continues to give speeches in Kikuyu & I dont understand why you would be mad at that-his intended audience is Kikuyu. Anyway there was nothing wrong with the speech & if there was can someone please let me know!I am oblivious to what civil society has against the speech.That speech was very inspiring everyone in the stadium was moved by it and I can say 99.9% of the people agreed with every word that was said.
All politics is LOCAL If the locals loved the speech and were inspired by it .What more can one say? Neo liberalism maybe alive and kicking in some Nairobi estates and civil(evil)society board rooms but in the machinani (grassroots) as Americans say “That Dog Don’t Hunt” Uhuru was loud and clear !The message was delivered to its intended audience & recieved well.One of the best political speeches in a very long time. Uhuru has really come of age.We can finally even begin to think Jomo’s Shoes may not be big enough for him. Muigai is also a burning spear!
Editorial Endorsement Kirinyaga Central.
At this time in our history, this country needs strong, fresh and principled leadership to restore faith in our government and repair its credibility at the local and national level.To end the destructive policies advanced by old politicians that have eroded our potential as a people and increased injustice and inequality in our society.
Eng.Joseph Gitari (PNU) is just one such fresh leader. He has a history of support for youth and women’s empowerment, and his social record is a testimony to his leadership on issues important to young people and women in Kirinyaga Central . He has eloquently throughout the campaign articulated the need for full economic, political and social equality for young people & women in every sector of society, He has taken action throughout his life — as a son, husband and father towards that belief. That is why I am proud, on behalf of the majority contributing Editors of Muigwithania.Com, to announce the enthusiastic endorsement of Eng.Joseph Gitari for M.P of Kirinyaga Central.
Joe Ndungu
February 15th, 2011
Mau Forest
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Nairobi — It was billed as a simple fundraising event for squatters evicted from the Mau Forest, but the loaded political speeches pointed to a new political grouping united by a common antipathy towards Prime Minister Raila Odinga.Key participants were Agriculture minister William Ruto and the chief guest, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, reflecting a regrouping of the Kanu leadership brought to the fore ahead of the 2002 elections.Another key Kanu leader of the time, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, was expected to put in an appearance but sent his apologies, a donation of Sh100,000 and words of support.The three make up the so-called 3Ks, the mooted Kalenjin-Kikuyu-Kamba alliance seen by its promoters as the best way to stop Mr Odinga in his tracks come 2012.Mr Ruto, an ODM deputy leader, has been openly at odds with his party boss over the Mau evictions and a host of other issues ranging from public service appointments to proposals that key perpetrators of the post-election violence be tried, whether by a local tribunal or the International Criminal Court.
On Wednesday evening, the Eldoret North MP demonstrated his political clout by assembling 10 ministers and more than 50 MPs from across the political divide to launch broadsides at Mr Odinga.The powerful line-up at the Panafric Hotel raised Sh5 million, but the speeches made it apparent that the agenda was not so much the plight of the Mau evictees but the opportunity to hit out at Mr Odinga, who was variously labelled as dictatorial, dishonest and trouble-maker unfit to lead the country.A day before the event, it was rumoured that Mr Odinga had held a meeting with President Kibaki and asked him to prevail on Mr Musyoka and Mr Kenyatta not to attend as this would indicate a divided government. The latter’s entry was greeted by loud cheers.
Perhaps owing to the heat generated by the events of Wednesday night, ODM’s National Executive Council meeting destined for yesterday was called off at the eleventh hour. The timing was bad and it was reportedly feared the Raila-Ruto cracks would have exploded at the meeting, where party functionaries were to discuss the draft constitutionODM’s secretariat later explained move was due to requests by Muslim faithful who wanted to travel to their rural homes to join family during today’s Idd-ul-Hajj celebrations.Most speakers heaped praise on the triple “K” (Kalenjin, Kikuyu and Kamba) political alliance.Hard positions were taken at the function presided over by Uhuru.And as if to confirm he had been subjected to pressure from high office to skip the function touted as a means to painting Government negatively, the DPM reminded his audience that anybody opposed the harambee spirit was insincere and selfish.
Uhuru conceded he had been under pressure to skip the function “because majority of our people (Kikuyu) were uprooted from their homes during post-election violence and are yet to be resettled”.But even as the leaders rooted for the triple ‘K’ alliance, some MPs from Central castigated Uhuru for attending the fundraiser.Mr Mbau claimed Uhuru was attempting to enter into an alliance with the Kalenjin and Kamba without the blessing of Central Kenya people.”Uhuru should know that while Ruto commands the Rift Valley Province and Kalonzo the Kamba, he has no following in Central,” said Mbau.He said Uhuru had failed in uniting his people and yet “he is purporting to be their de facto leader”.
One can only Hope that Uhuru was at the Harambee in his personal capacity and not as the de facto leader of Central Kenya .The people love him but they hate presumption.Not Yet Uhuru!!!
Justin Mwangi
Traditional Political Organisation of the Kikuyu People
Kikuyu political structure
The political organisation of the Kikuyu people was closely interwoven with the family and the riika. A young man after initiation through circumcision automatically entered into the National council of junior warriors(njama ya anake a mumo). After 82 moons or 12 rain seasons after the circumcision ceremony the junior warrior was promoted to theCouncil of senior warriors (Njama ya ita).Together this two councils would be called upon to protect the tribe in case of external aggression. The council of senior warriors was in addition an important decision making organ. The two councils were served by men of 20 – 40 years.Upon marriage a man was initiated into a council called kiama kĩa kamatimo.This was the first grade eldership and it denoted elders who were also warriors. At this stage the man plays the role of observers of senior elders. They are required to assist in proceedings by carrying out menial tasks like skinning animals, being messengers, carrying ceremonial articles or light fires among other tasks.
When a man had a son old enough to be circumcised or a daughter old enough to be married ,he was elevated into another council called the council of peace(kiama kĩa mataathi). On entering this council the man was now a man of peace and no longer of the warrior class. He assumed the duty of peace maker in the community.When a man had had practically all his children circumcised, and his wife (or wives) had passed child-bearing age he reached the last and most honoured status. A council known askiama kĩa maturanguru (religious and sacrificial council).After paying an ewe which was slaughtered and offered in sacrifice to Ngai (God) the man was invested with powers to lead a sacrificial ceremony at the sacred tree (Mũgumũ mũtĩ wa Igongona). The elders of this grade assumed the role of ‘holy men’. They were high priests. All religious and ethical ceremonies were in their hands. In the Agĩkũyũ society the religious,governance and law functions were closely intertwined. With various councils being called upon to perform one of this functions. From the literature I’ve seen it is not quite clear whether women also had councils and what functions these councils served. The initiation ceremony seems to have been organized by a council comprised of both men and women.
Parallel to the said councils the family unit formed a council known as ndundu ya mũcie of which the father was the head. The father as the head of the household then represented the family in the next council called kiama kĩa itora (village council) comprising of all the family heads in the village. This was headed by the senior elder. A wider council called kiama kĩa rũgongo (district council) was formed comprising of all the elders from the district. This was presided over by a committee (kiama kĩa ndundu), composed of all the senior elders in the district. Among the senior elders, the most advanced in age was elected as the head and judge (mũthamaki or mũciiri) of the ndundu. The district councils then came together to form the national council. Among the judges, one was elected to head the meetings.
* by Gikuyu Architecture
Audio:Comments By Raila That Triggered Wangige Uhuru Rage
Sunday, February 20th, 2011 .Tononoka Mombasa
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