Obama finally eats a humble pie and decides to visit Kenya

Obama finally eats a humble pie and decides to visit Kenya

BY MUSYOKA NGUI

musyokangui02@gmail.com

U

S President Barrack Obama has finally humbled himself and expressed intention of visiting Kenya in July for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Nairobi.

Obama has in the past bypassed Kenya in his global tours and it is a welcome move that he will manage to visit his “motherland” since he was elected the president of the US. After taking office in 2008, Kenyans had a lot of hope in their distant cousin who disappointed them.

Ironically, it is under Obama when the Kenyan -US ties have been severed most in recent history particularly with regard to the ICC cases Kenya faces in the Hague. Luckily, Kenya has proven the US and indeed the world wrong that it can hold peaceful elections and decide on their own destinies without undue influence. The Western Europe and America warned Kenyans in the runners up to the 2013 general elections that choices have consequences but Kenyans went ahead and defied that warning. Kenya is perceived to be facing East with China shaping up to be Kenya’s main trading partner to the detriment of the West and US.

President Obama will definitely seek to solidify his friendship with Kenya and Africa. He will also get an opportunity to reconnect with his roots. As a result, America should not issue unnecessary travel advisories to Kenya since this will hurt our economy which has already been battered by the recent terror attacks believed to be conducted by the Al-Shabaab. As a big brother, America should help Kenya in sharing intelligence not advising tourists against visiting Kenya for holidays. If Kenya was unsafe Obama would not have decided to pay us a visit in July.

Without a doubt Nairobi is rising to be the regional economic capital and a key player in Africa. Obama should remember to bring ideas home on how to build Africa given entrepreneurship is a cog in economic growth and development.

Once again, Obama welcome home. Even the prodigal son was received by his father after sinning against him by squandering his inheritance.

Candid Interview I granted John Ndiritu

 Candid Interview I granted John Ndiritu, Third Year BA Communication and Media student in Chuka University

Tell us your name and a little bit of your background

I am Musyoka Ngui. A fourth year student studying a BA Communication and Media. I am the second born in a family of five boys. I don’t have a sister. Our mother taught us cooking at an early age in case she is not around we take care of ourselves. I am a good cook by situation.

Tell us a little about your blog

Faculty of Arts and Humanities Dean Dr. George Ngugi King’ara inspired me with blogging. He used to send us assignments on his World FilmHouse blog (Chuka University Resource Centre) blog and I asked him how I can set up my own site. He guided me on the options available and the rest is history.

I started blogging in May 2013 and since then I haven’t looked back. I like commenting on topical issues and also have a knack for youth issues. No wonder I named my blog Youth Issue (musyokangui.blogspot.com)

My blog was intended to earn me experience in writing and after clearing campus I want to start my own commercial website where I will be able to earn income.

From my voluntary blog I got exposed to a lot of issues and sold an idea to an OLX dealer who liked my articles and contracted me to write for his website at 1.5 US$ between September and December last year. I resume writing for him on April 16 this year –immediately after clearing I have a job waiting for me. He pays via MPESA.

What inspired you into writing?

My mother and my high school English teacher at Makueni Boys’. My mother used to give me literature to read and write compositions about what I understood. As early as when I was in Standard Eight I had read most William Shakespeare’s books like Romeo and Juliet and The Merchant of Venice. I also read other texts she bought for my elder brother for school set books.

My high school English teacher was called Mr. Geoffrey Ndolo. We nicknamed him bica which is Sheng’ for biscuits because he used to reward us with biscuits when we answer Cloze Tests. My friends Fred Wambua and Patrick Mwania and I used to get the test correct and emerged top. He bought us quarter breads which really inspired us to read and write in English.

What is your greatest flaw?

I am addicted to surfing and can spend a lot of time in the internet trawling and downloading stuff even when I have more important things to do. Sometimes I can’t help I can’t help it.

Do you think writing ability is something a person has or does not? Or do you think is something one can learn?

It’s both. Writers can be made and are also born.  But I daresay those who enjoy the art combine both although you can learn writing and still be better than even talented writers. For me I don’t think I am a born writer. I learned it from people and also discovered writing late in life. In primary school I only spoke and wrote in Kikamba but when I found good teachers and colleagues they made me a better person.

What process do you use to develop your writing?

I research a lot. My library is full of PDFs, Word Documents, documentaries and other forms of literature which I refer.

Since I mostly comment about current affairs, I read newspapers especially online before commenting on my blog or in the national dailies like The Standard and Daily Nation or Taifa Leo.

I type my own work so I am the first editor of my scripts. I assign critical pieces to professionals such as my cousin Mary Kyambi who is an MBA and a literature teacher.  I also forward my scripts to lecturers like Dr. Ngugi King’ara, Messrs Samson Raiji and Henry Nabea. Currently, Kiswahili lecturer Enoch Bitugi Matundura is working on publishing an anthology and he edited my short story which he promised to publish. I also observe things to get a story out of the immediate environment.

Is there anything you have in your bucket list?

Yes, travelling the world and working for a reputable media house like Al Jazeera or CNN.

Why writing and how is the going?

I started writing as a hobby. As the cliché goes, a good writer is also good in reading. So if you want to be a prolific writer, read intensively and extensively.

I have published a lot in various scales. Apart from blogging and freelancing, I won a coveted essay writing competition called Youth for Democracy Innovations Awards organized by the UNDP in 2012 which I scooped KES.120,000. I was the best in Kenya. I emerged second runners up in an environmental essay writing competition called Juatenda organized by Volunteers For Africa and Medeva. I also reviewed Chinua Achebe’s book The Trouble with Nigeria and was published in Saturday Nation’s literature magazine Weekend in July 2014. I am also the outgoing Editor In Chief of the campus magazine Varsity Post. My blog was also mentioned among the top five read blogs in Chuka University by chukauni.com, an entrepreneurial start-up by a colleague called Steve Mbego who works for the County Review.

I am also working on a novel I started writing in 2009. Hopefully by the end of this year it will be rolled off the presses.

Currently I am working on a UNESCO essay writing contest and another by the Competition Authority of Kenya.

What plans do you have in the future as a journalist?

I want to start my own commercial blog this May to earn good money as well as employ a few people. I will also be on the lookout for mainstream media jobs on both television and newspapers. I think I can make an excellent investigative journalist.

I also intend to go for MA in Journalism and Communication as a work student.

Who influences you most? Why?

I admire John -Allan Namu and Mohamed Ali of KTN for their courage in covering stories and pursing the truth. I also admire Dennis Onsaringo for his meticulous investigative pieces on crime. He investigates Case Files on KTN.

What advice would you give to upcoming writers?

Never give up. Write, write and write.

Is there a downside to what you do?

Sometimes the computer screen can strain my eyes and develop itches and fatigue. Typing at times is tedious.

Describe yourself in three words

I am a writer, blogger and journalist- as my Twitter account states.

What are the perks of becoming a personality like you?

People respect you. Some colleagues think I know a lot but in reality I am just humble and get clueless when they consult me on matters I have no idea about. You also get to be trusted and famous.

Some people just ambush me asking me if I am the guy they read or a reincarnation. Others are baffled by my diminutive figure yet have a big personality.

What would you teach anyone who wants to walk in your shoes?

Develop a passion in what you do; whatever it is. Live your dream and be you. Most importantly, seek happiness and peace with God and His Creation.

What do you do?

I am a student winding up my studies in BA Communication and Media at Chuka University.

What is your driving force?

My girl who encourages me to keep on despite her being hard to impress but gives me unfailing support. I also have a desire to tell the truth and make a difference in the lives of others-however little. That satisfies me.

You write stories that appear in the national dailies. What is your secret?

I don’t have a secret. I just write something topical and am published. I am also very consistent and don’t give up even when sometimes the newspapers do not publish my articles. I write more and more.

Nigeria should hold a peaceful election

Nigeria should hold a peaceful election

BY MUSYOKA NGUI

musyokangui02@gmail.com

Nigeria goes to the polls this Saturday March 28 after postponing the elections which were slated for February 14 this year. Prof. Attahiru Jega, the electoral commission Chairman (Independent National Election Commission) cited security concerns as a reason for the cancellation of the elections. (Saturday Nation page 37 March 21, 2015 “Nation holds its breath as Nigerians prepare to cast votes in tight polls”)

In a recent interview with Al Jazeera English, the president Goodluck Jonathan told the interviewer Ms Yvonne Ndege, who is a Kenyan, that he will not lose the election. I would not call it confidence but determination of an African strongman to stay in power at all costs. Excerpts are in order to put the point into perspective.

Yvonne: ...So you are not worried about losing the election

Goodluck: I will not lose the election.

Yvonne: Will the elections be postponed again?

Goodluck: I don’t think so.

Yvonne: You say you are going to win this election, but if you don’t win the election will you bow out gracefully?

Goodluck: I will win the election.

Yvonne: But if you don’t.....?(Almost inaudible) wound you step aside?

Goodluck: (Exclaims)Ahhh!...

Yvonne: I said if you don’t win the election will you bow out gracefully?

Goodluck: (Smiles): If by default somebody wins the elections, of course... I will go to my village. The country is not my father’s estate. I want to serve.

While Nigeria has made progress since the times of military dictatorship, the country has recently found itself held hostage by a wave of insecurity waged by Boko Haram. The militia abducted over 200 girls without a trace under the watch of the incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan who is seeking a second term in office. Before he was elected the president he completed the term of his boss Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who died in office.

Mr. Jonathan has been accused of being unable to tame Boko Haram and condoning corruption in Nigeria. These are grave concerns for a president who is seeking re-election. I hope if he gets re-elected he will contain insecurity in the West African giant. Nigerian matters to Africa since it is one of the leading economic powers with colossal deposits of oil and gas plus an estimated population of over 150 million people which is a great market for any business.

Whoever wins the weekend polls should also seek to unite the Muslims and Christians who have fought for far too long in Nigeria. The north and south ought to live together as brothers and sisters.

Nigeria embodies rich heritage of African culture in its most authentic form. The kingdoms and clans are still in existence and Nigerians are proud of their culture unlike some other Africans. If Nollywood is to develop peace must be maintained in Nigeria before, during and after polls. The people of Nigeria must benefit from the colossal mineral wealth found in their soil. The voice of Nigerian actors, musicians and scholars has been muted of late. The former are the cream of the Nigerian society and should act as the conscience of the society. Their voices need to be heard and lead in bringing positive changes to Nigeria.

As Nigeria goes to the polls, I wish them peace and wisdom as they elect able leaders who will define their destinies in the near future.

The writer is a blogger at musyokangui.blogspot.com and a Fourth Year Communication and Media student at Chuka University.

Breakdown of cancer machines at KNH should be a wakeup call to invest more in cancer facilities

Breakdown of cancer machines at KNH should be a wakeup call to invest more in cancer facilities

The breakdown of the only two radiotherapy machines at the Kenyatta National Hospital since last Monday should a wakeup call for the government to invest more in the health sector especially in the cancer care.

Cancer patients are already anxious since it may take a month to repair the machines. Health is a matter of life and death and the earlier the problem is addressed the better. According to the KNH spokesperson Simon Ithae the machines broke down due to power surge. The couch where the patients lie as they are being treated also tilted and had to be taken for panel beating.

The above hitches need to be minimized since the can potentially cause disasters. For example, a tilted radiotherapy couch can expose the cancer patient to have another part of the body be directed to radioactive rays as opposed to the malignant organ.

PROCUREMENT BUREAUCRACY

The government should also address bureaucracy in procurement of health equipment too. This will shorten the period of buying the damaged materials in case of an emergency. Currently, it will take KNH a month to import the damaged parts at a cost of KSh. 250,000.

Prompt response to emergency cases like the one of cancer machines will ensure that there is no backlog of cancer cases and eventually save needless loss of lives.

PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

It is noteworthy to discover that KNH has partnered with private hospitals which are better equipped in order to avail health services at a cheaper rate. The government has also leased cancer equipped to stem the disease. But this is not enough since the country’s and region’s largest referral hospital lacks and borrows basic facilities.

The two machines could have been overwhelmed since before they stalled they were handling over 150 patients which are more than thrice the recommended capacity- another reason to invest in cancer care.

MUSYOKA NGUI, Kitui