A Timely Visit by The Pontiff

The Papal caravan is already in town. The tone is set for the first ever visit on African soil by Pope Francis, and honorably so, he is setting foot in Nairobi. Just as all Catholics, I am excited by the visit of the Holy Father. A fresh Godly air is already breezing all over Kenya and yes, expectations are high. But is the Pontiff God-sent to our nation? From all ways you look at it, Yes he is God-send. Our beloved nation is afflicted and bleeding. It needs divine intervention, away from the sideshows of businessmen and women disguised as pastors!

The entire Kenyan space has been stinking for some time now. Corruption has broken our backs and it is the evil game that we all proudly play. Ethnic bile oozes freely out of our loose cannons masquerading as politicians. Religious charlatans dressed in Pastoral skins fleece Kenyans right, left and centre. The word of God is now the most lucrative and well-paying career; ask pastors for they have reaped guzzlers and mansionettes from the pockets of religiously excited Kenyans. Since the 2007-08 post-poll bloodbath, the victims are a forgotten lot, the issue has been about how to save the suspects from the noose of justice at The Hague! Consequently, the souls of those butchered in the violence no longer rest in peace for justice shunned them! Our county governments are buying wheelbarrow worth Sh 100,000, opening Facebook accounts worth Sh 1 Million and installing ordinary metallic gates worth Sh 7Million! We need prayers, Holy Father, please pray for us.

Led by our charming and friendly President His Excellence President Uhuru Kenyatta, we have tried to sanctify our air just to receive you! We sound like the sober nation now, but we are not. We are intoxicated from all sorts of stenchy evils and bad mannerisms! For some days, we have chosen to hide them and put on a brave charming face, one that purports to direly seek to know Jesus Christ! But as soon as you leave on Friday, we will be back to our old selves; corrupt, full of ethnic hatred, cheap and dangerous politics and what we do best; destroying this great nation we inherited from our founding fathers!

Just as in the Bible where afflicted people cried out to Jesus when they saw him pass or attended His numerous sermons, Kenya has a chance to heal too. The Holy Father, from the Jesuit Congregation carries with him blessings and divine intervention from God Almighty, and contrary to what our pastors do, he charges no penny for blessing humanity. “Freely you are given, and so should you freely give”. Let us go to God in utter humility and supplication, and both Catholics and all non-Catholics, to attend the Thursday mass to be held at University of Nairobi.

As a nation, the chance is here and through the Holy Father, God will surely take out of the woods that have blighted our statehood, nationhood and development as Kenya! Let us take the chance and led by the humble priest from Buenos Aires, cry out to God. He is a listening and forgiving God, one who loves His children and fulfils His promises.

May the Holy Father enjoy his three-day stay in Kenya and lead us closer to God. He could not have come at a better time than this!

The Lost War on Corruption

On August 9, 1974, Richard Nixon, the 37^th president of the United States of America (USA), reeling from the Watergate Scandal that was fast consuming his re-election in 1972, announced his resignation from White House. Prior to the 1972 Presidential elections, the Republican Party’s re-election team set up to wire-tap and gain illegal access to the Democrat’s National Committee Centre in Watergate Complex in order to peep into their election strategies. However, Bob Woodward and Carl Beinstein aided by ‘Deep Throat’, unearthed this evil secret. This nasty secret, infamously known as Watergate Scandal culminated in the resignation of President Nixon, two years later. The break-in and wire-tapping of the Democrat’s Re-election Centre in Watergate Complex was unearthed as the dirty work of President Nixon’s Republican Party. Consequently, a president stood firm to the morals and conscience of a nation, the institution of presidency, and resigned on realizing that his greed and thirst for power had violated the most powerful seat in USA.

In 2009, former South Korean president, Roh Moo-Hyun leapt to his death from a hill, near his home village of Bongha. He was facing numerous allegations of multi-million dollar corruption scandals whilst in power from 2003-2008. His suicide note in part read, “Countless agonies down the road”. His conscience was fast crumbling under the weight of these corruption allegations. To save himself from the shame of corruption and abuse of office, he leapt down-hill to his death. A year later in Japan, Agriculture minister, Toshikatsu Matsuoka, facing several corruption allegations, committed suicide to save himself from the shame of this devious and stenchy crime. Closer home in Zimbabwe, Sergeant Turai Muza, attached to the Mazowe Police Station committed suicide after he was found with undisclosed and inexplicable amount of money at a roadblock.

In the above cases, from the resignation of President to the suicides mentioned, it is proof that abuse of office, greed for power and corruption are abominable vices whose personal repercussions are equally bad. In countries where morality and conscience guide the everyday lives of public servants, regardless of their ranks, these vices are shameful and can push one’s conscience to committing suicide, at worst and at the very least, resign from office and face prosecution.

Fast forward to June 2008, former Kipipiri legislator and Finance Minister, Amos Kimunya was adversely mentioned in the controversial sale of the Laico Regency, then Grand Regency. In a move so predictable of Kenyan politicians, Kimunya decried evil politics and witch-hunt by his purported enemies. In his home-turf of Kipipiri, he famously said that he would rather die than resign! Needless to say, his impeachment motion led by the fiery Kakamega Senator, then Ikholomani legislator, Bonni Khalwale proved too hot on the floor of the August House a week later in the Kenyan capital. Kimunya was forced home!

Currently, from the high offices in the JUBILEE government, corruption is at its zenith and fast breaking the nation’s economy. There is blatant looting and stealing from the public coffers at unprecedented levels.  President Uhuru has talked tough on this vice but acted so little as corruption runs rampant in his government. So many are adversely mentioned in corruption circles yet none has taken personal responsibility. It has taken the President to act tough, the police and judiciary to follow suit.

However, as corruption breaks our economy with every dawn of the sun, as a nation, it speaks more to our morals and conscience. We are so proud to play in this devious game, dishonesty and all evil means of wealth accumulation are the norm. We praise those who loot our economy and sing their praises. They loot and eat alone yet when they are called to account, they rally Kenyans to their cause, pay them some coins and lie to us that they are being witch-hunted. We all get lost in this stinking shame. The conscience and morals of most of our public servants are long dead and buried; that is why they choose to cling in office and kaa ngumu even when caught with their hands in the cooking jar. They retreat to their tribal cocoons and let ethnic chieftains viciously defend them to death. 

As this shameful defence of corruption suspects dominates the Kenyan air, the vice is milking dry our economy, denying deserving Kenyans of great opportunities and destroying Kenya. From Goldernberg, Kazi kwa Vijana saga, the Free Primary Funds, the National Youth Service scam and many other corruption cases, the culprits occupy big positions in our country and kill our economy each year. We elect them every five years, very well knowing what they do to our economy.

From top government and county offices, traffic cops to the very low circles of security guards in our parking yards, corruption reigns supreme. As a society, corruption is an accepted norm.

We have lost the war on corruption, not because President Uhuru is not tough enough, but because, unlike the West, we have thrown our morals and conscience to the wind, and in their place let dishonesty, greed and all abominable means of wealth acquisition and abuse of public office, to blossom.

Hail K’Ogalo, the Kings of Kenyan Soccer!

After being crowned winners of the Kenya Premier League (KPL) Top-Eight, 2015 Edition, Gor Mahia, under the tutelage of Briton, Frank Nuttal has the enviable chance of making it a treble, courtesy of the GOTV Shield Cup. 

The Green Army just written its name into the folklore of Kenyan soccer in the most auspicious of ways. They have won the SportPesa Premier League three times in a row, and this season’s feat is even sweeter as they did it unbeaten in 36 games! Now, that’s the stuff of legends and even their nemesis in the Ingw’e camp must applaud them! Led by long-serving skipper, Jerim Onyango and defensive stalwart, Musa MohammedK’Ogalo vanquished all opposition in the local scene and nearly conquered the Eastern and Central region, losing to Tanzanian powerhouse, Azam Fc in the CECAFA Club 2015 final. Simply, Gor Mahia is in another level and only competing on the regional and continental scene makes sense now.

Just as the legendary Luo warrior, Luanda Magere, who pounded his enemies into total submission, K’Ogalo has conquered Kenyan soccer and its sheer dominance since 2013, catapults them into annals of Kenyan football.Gor Mahia under the tutelage of Nuttal and club legend, Bobby Ogolla, have defended the KPL title for the third consecutive season running and done so convincingly. They have enjoyed an unbeaten season in 36 matches, scored the most goals, won the Top-Eight tournament and are in the semi-finals of the 2015 GOTV Shield Cup. 

Gor Mahia exhibited mouth-watering skills and flair in the conquest of the local football scene. In Karim Nizigiyamana and AboubaSibomana, they have arguably the best fullbacks, complete with attacking prowess that epitomize the modern full-back. The two chipped into the K’Ogalo cause with numerous assists. In Khalid Aucho, they have one of the best holding midfielders in the league. Needless to say, Michael Olunga, their dreaded striker is the nightmare to many defenders and came second to Tusker’s Jesse Were in the scoring charts, with 22 goals. Add RwadeseMeddieKagere, Innocent Wafula, the versatile Innocent Wafula, a resurgent John ‘Blackberry” Odhiambo, Ali Abondo and you have a deadly attacking combination that nearly conquered Eastern and Central region. Olunga has too established himself as Harambee Stars number-one striker in a single season! In the backline, the central pairing of Harun Shakava and Musa Mohammed has stood tall and even earned their first call-ups to the national team. Tusker reject, Boniface Oluoch has proved to be the safest pair of hands between the sticks, this season and club captain, Jerim Onyango is a more than capable replacement. Simply put, the Gor Mahia juggernaut has seamlessly floored all opponents with enviable ease, composure and an attractive brand of soccer.

As they scripted their names into the Kenyan soccer folklore, the never-say-die Green Army fans and their players, did so without the comfort of a stable shirt sponsor! Now this got even better. As their nemesis in the Ingw’e camp, huffed and puffed, fought and cheated football death countless times due to the withdrawal of Mumias Sugar, Gor Mahia exhibited admirable organization and with the able support of the loyal fans, successfully finished the season in total dominance of Kenyan football. Now, the warring camps in the Ingw’e den should learn from the Green Army! Lack of shirt sponsors is not a recipe for chaos and utterly dismal performance! At least Gor Mahia proved this! 

The near impeccable class of 1976 led by the dreaded playmaker, Allan Thigo and talismanic striker, Michael “Sonyi” Ochieng, won the championship unbeaten. It is well to say that 29 years later, the feat has been replicated, led by lethal goal poacher cum student at The Technical University of Kenya (TUK), Michael Olunga.

As their prepare for the last shot at a glorious treble, in the semi-finals of the GOTV Shield Cup, K’Ogalo are worthy champions, they destroyed all opponents in the local scene! They can walk in the streets of Nairobi, shoulders held high. Their colossal support in the lakeside can cast nets into the lake, knowing all too well that just as Luanda Magere vanquished his enemies, and so has Frank Nuttal and his charges, on the football pitch.

Gor Mahia has earned the rights to compete with the Big Boys of African soccer on the continental scene! They are past the likes of Tusker and AFC Leopards! They should now slug it out with the likes of USM Algiers, Esperance, Amakhosi and Buccaneers from South Africa, El Merreikh in Sudan and reigning CAF Champions League winners, Tout Pouissant (TP) Mazembe from Congo DR!

For Money, We Sell Our Conscience and Morals

For the past three weeks, Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates have been writing their last examinations in their secondary education level. Sadly, it is an exam that has been plagued by the shameful reality of leakages in nearly all exams. Yes, candidates, mainly via the all too common Whatsapp social platform have accessed the papers and had ample time to go through the papers before they sit them. Fourteen teachers, two police officers and 79 students have so far been arrested on allegations of colluding to perpetrate the exam leakage (DN, Wednesday October 28, 2015). The sad reality of this year’s KCSE exams is that it has enjoyed unprecedented levels of leakages and as a result lost its credibility and placed some candidates at unfairly advantageous positions. But is there a bigger picture behind this KCSE scam?

As some greedy and immoral Kenyans engage in the illegal trade of making money out of examination leakages, so is the rest of the society. From government officials to the hoi-polloi, anything in this nation sells, just for some coins! Examinations have year in year out been leaked and a booming business thrived, traffic offenders buy their way out of trouble courtesy of Ksh 50-notes to hungry traffic cops, allegations of soul buying for key motions in our August House have always been there, education certificates including University degrees have been bought by ignorant Kenyans and bribery-for jobs describe a huge chunk of our jobs! Simply put, money buys anything and everything in Kenya, including souls! For money and other benefits, our sisters accept the loatheful tag of mipango ya kando, young energetic men and women disappear into the arms of sugar-mummies and daddies! Abomination you say but do they give a hoot, No.

We simply have stooped so low to the extent of eroding our moral fiber and trying to fool our conscience as Kenyans and adopting the dangerous ‘Do Not Care’ attitude. Welcome to Kenya, where everything sells for money! Religious charlatans disguised as men of the cloth, offer prayers at the click of the money-button. Televangelists nearly blow our ears each morning as they treat us to a dose of religious mesmerization. After all, there is money in the business of selling the Word of God! Remember that majority of pastors shamelessly tell Kenyans to pay for prayers, the very spiritual food that Jesus Christ freely fed the masses! The list of goodies on sell is simply endless!

We have lost our moral fiber as a society and sadly, the law can never solve this problem. For any society to be fair and equally treat its family members, morality is inevitable. For morality, our conscience informs our decisions and thus money does not push us to these greedy levels to sell everything and anything that is in our hands and can profit us. For sound conscience, a society realizes that not everything can be bought and that not all problems can be solved by money! Conscience simply appeals to our rational judgement of right from wrong, far away from the repercussions of breaking the law. For the devious love of dishonest and easy money, our roads have become killer dens, young men and women lost dignity by turning into mipango ya kando and sugar-daddies/mummies, old enough to be their parents, exams being revised even before they are written by the candidates, justice on sale and cheap politics as Kenyans clap and sing praises for those who loot our economy, destroy our youths by selling lethal drugs to them and grabbed land meant for the weak and meek among a host of other evils. For the love of dishonest money, we have sold the sanity of the Kenyan society to the dogs and turned it into a man eat man society!

The KCSE leakages are just a drop in the ocean of how love for dishonest and evil money has broken our backbones! Courtesy of greed and the abhorable love for cheap and dishonest money, justice can be bought, religious charlatans con and swindle Kenyans spiritually and economically, youths disappear into despicable sexual patterns, corruption is a national sport and with every dawn of the sun, we keep bending lower! The law is not the solution. Rather, we must awaken our moral standards and conscience! For any society to be worth the name, its moral fiber and conscience must be alive toward it off the devious greed of cheap and dishonest money.

Blunders that paid in kind against Chipolopolo!

Can Harambee Stars decry that the fans did not fill Nyayo Stadium on Saturday for their crunch African Nations Cup qualifier against Zambia’s Chipolopolo? Absolutely No! Is the nation fair in castigating Bobby Williamson and his charges for letting them down? Definitely Yes! 

On a sunny Sunday afternoon at Nyayo Stadium, Kenyans swathed in the national team colors and waving miniature flags started thronging the stadium as early as 2pm, two hours before the eagerly-anticipated match. About thirty minutes before the game, the stadium was already full to capacity as passionate Kenyans led by former Premier, Hon. Raila Odinga optimistically and patiently waited for a Kenyan win. When Southampton’s Victor Mugubi alongside Norway-based shot stopper, Arnold Origi led the Stars out for the warm up, our expectations nearly budged. A win was drawing closer!

Under 15 minutes, the red-hot Michael Olunga got at the end of a Dennis Odhiambo’s inviting cross and guided it past a hapless Kennedy Mweene in the Zambia goal! The stadium was sent into a delirium! Barely minutes later, pacey Paul Were hobbled off the pitch in obvious pain. The match was turned on its head! Tusker’s Noah Wafula, arguably the most disappointing man on the day come on. Stars were left with just the left flank functioning, as Ayub Timbe continued to impress. Noah Wafula never got into the game and perhaps is horrible dribbles, terrible decisions, missed chance and awful crossing in the second half epitomized our struggles.

Our twin strike-force of an aging and club-less Dennis Oliech and Olunga no longer functioned as the latter cut out the figure of an isolated one-man in the final third. As early as the first half, the rustiness and lack of fitness was showing all over Oliech. Jesse Were, the leading goal scorer in the 2015 KPL was meanwhile rotting on the bench, alongside Azam’s Allan Wanga. The two strikers had all reasons to start ahead of Oliech but somehow Bobby Williamson never saw this. Wanga’s late introduction for Oliech and Were’s non-appearance summed up a rather clueless technical bench led by Williamson.

In the central defence, Malaysia-based Lawrence Olum was the lost man. NO explanation can be offered why Al-Tawoon’s Dennis “Cheche” Ochieng never partnered Brian Mandela. At the heart of the midfield, Mugubi did not need another holding player in the mould of Collins Okoth but rather an attack minded midfielder like Johanna Omollo, who came on late in the second half. AFC Leopard’s Bernard Mangoli, one of the best central attacking midfielders could have helped a lot, or even Al-Khartoum’s Antony Akumu who was not even on the bench! Simply put, a chronology of mistakes on the pitch made Stars lose a game that they had already won in the first half! Olum, Oliech, Gatusso and Wafula were obvious mistakes on the pitch as were Omollo, Mang’oli and Were on the bench. 

Let us also not forget that word had it that some players broke rules and partied with girls days before the game. Weirdly, no disciplinary action was taken! The team was based in the noisy Nairobi West area even as a serene and tranquil environment lay idle at Safaricom Stadium Kasarani! But perhaps the biggest and obvious mistake was in the one-week residential camp that the team had while Chipolopolo spent more than a month in camp, preparing for the Nairobi clash. Yet we somehow expected to gel and create a winning team! Sterile imagination from Football Kenya Federation (FKF)! Apart from fans who perhaps believed it would be a routine victory at Nairobi, those in the inside circles at FKF, the Harambee Stars camp and attendants at the Mvuli Hotel in Nairobi West knew all along that nothing had been done right to prepare for such a crunch tie! We missed the opportunity to go top of our group, an opportunity that might come to haunt us when the rest of Africa lands in Libreville, Gabon for the 2017 continental showpiece!

As we agonize our very own failure that we confidently prepared, we should remember that “He who sows sparingly shall reap sparingly”.