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Post by adongo23456 on Apr 7, 2011 1:23:36 GMT 3
By Sarah Elderkin
I DIDN’T know whether to laugh or cry when I read Moses Kuria’s open letter to PM Raila Odinga (The Star, Monday, April 4).
Laugh because the writer and some of his colleagues are as jumpy as a box of frogs and their desperation is so obvious; cry because our political class and our political maturity, which should be benefiting from everything people have struggled for over decades, have been horribly degraded by the abysmal level of debate – if one can even call it debate – prevailing among some so-called leaders and their acolytes.
We can’t even say that these much-touted youthful pretenders have taken us backwards, because past leaders, for all their faults, were nothing like this. Today’s children of privilege are a breed apart, and they are taking us somewhere we have never been before. Contrary to all the hope for the future we had when they were elected, the tribalism and personal hatred they preach are marching us relentlessly into a stinking garbage heap that threatens to destroy us all.
And what utter nonsense Mr Kuria writes! He blames the PM for the Ocampo Six’s Hague tribulations – has he forgotten how hard the PM campaigned for the (then unknown) post-election violence suspects to face a local tribunal? Some people, worried that they might be on the list, resisted this with every fibre of their being, and went about boasting that the preferred Hague option would take 90 years to come to fruition. It was only after this proved somewhat inaccurate that the suspects did a U-turn. The PM had nothing to do with it.
Mr Kuria also naively imagines the PM and his supporters greeting with celebrations the start of the Hague process and the potential removal of the suspects from the political equation.
Doesn’t Mr Kuria realise that, if the PM were only interested in his personal political chances (rather than justice for 1,300 dead and many more injured and displaced), it would be deeply advantageous for him to have the two so-called “presidential front runners” on the ballot?
What with Kalonzo, Saitoti, Karua and Kenneth also there, along with Wamalwa, Wetangula, Balala and whoever else wants to pitch in – the larger the number of ways the vote is split, the better Mr Odinga’s chances of winning.
And incidentally, a question the media is not asking, but should, is – how are all these aspirants going to choose among themselves when push comes to shove? Make no mistake about it: there are going to be some major and bitter fall-outs, and the whole so-called unity thing is likely to end up in complete disarray.
In any case, what kind of ‘unity’ are we talking about? If what is on offer is so amazingly good, why aren’t displaced non-Kalenjins returning to their homes in the Rift Valley? What are they afraid of?
Among Mr Kuria’s other non-points and outright lies are that the PM admitted plotting to overthrow the government in 1982 (he did no such thing, and there was no evidence against him, much as the authorities would have liked it otherwise); he wrote a thesis on making nail bombs (a complete myth); he “meted untold violence on Kijana Wamalwa” (when and where? This never happened).
Mr Kuria tries to fault Mr Odinga over evictions from the Mau forest. Isn’t everyone by now aware that this prime water tower must be restored for the benefit of the nation?
History will vindicate the PM’s foresight. But while we are on the subject, what happened to the millions of shillings raised by the young pretenders for the evictees? Anyone know? Another question for the media to ask?
Finally, Mr Kuria criticises Mr Odinga for joining Kanu. Mr Kuria doesn’t recognise political strategy when it stares him in the face.
If Mr Odinga had not destroyed this then-powerful monolith from within, we would still be in Kanu’s thrall. Though according to some, this would apparently be no bad thing. In fact, those who enjoyed the fruits of dictatorship seem quite keen to return to those days. The glorification of Kanu’s past has become a disturbingly recurrent theme. Have the media noticed?
Why aren’t newspapers asking some of these questions? The Star is busy congratulating itself on appointing a ‘public editor’. What use is that, skimming over the surface with a few politically correct platitudes about accountability to readers – while the same newspaper simultaneously publishes such spiels of dishonesty and libel (indeed, hate speech if ever it existed) as that spewed out by Moses Kuria?
In doing so, The Star joins sections of all our media in engaging in what three-time UK prime minister Stanley Baldwin (quoting his cousin, Nobel literature laureate Rudyard Kipling) described as “power without responsibility, the prerogative of the harlot through the ages”.
Sadly for my own profession, there is no other word for it. Sections of our media are prostituting themselves. There is no shortage of clients and it’s a seller’s market. And even if the clients are only members of the public whom the media would like to entice to buy their products, the principle is no different.
Veteran journalist Philip Ochieng had it eloquently right in the Sunday Nation this week, when he criticised the press for its commercial eagerness to publish “the shameless lie, the false witness against the rival, the ethnic hate speech ….. no matter how irresponsible, how reckless, how provocative, how mindless”.
Will The Star continue participating in this headlong rush towards catastrophic conflict?
There is a choice for newspapers when they place their bets, and there was never a more precious jewel at stake than this nation’s future. Publishing blatant lies and distortions is not a service to the public.
The author is a freelance journalist
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Post by mwalimumkuu on Apr 7, 2011 2:38:16 GMT 3
A very tired line of argument. In any case, there is already an active thread on this issue, not sure why a new one had to be started.
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Post by politicalmaniac on Apr 7, 2011 2:39:25 GMT 3
Like Sarah, I have been wondering why the 4th estte dont hask hard questions and ask them repeatedly mpaka they get answered.
What happened to the millions (5M?) raised by jomo jnr and ruto for the Mau IDPs? Good point, I had forgotten about it.
Thank you Sarah!
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Post by reporter911 on Apr 7, 2011 3:01:29 GMT 3
Good Points Sahara.. Kenyans should continue asking this questions face by face, on the blog and any other possible way.. since the media is Kenya Media "DAILY NATION" STANDARD NEWS PAPER" "THE STAR" AMONG OTHERS are business prostituting their wares out their to the highest bidder opps!! I forgot they are own with the same people who want impunity, corruption and future clashes in Kenya to continue.. bure kabisa
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Post by job on Apr 7, 2011 3:28:39 GMT 3
This is exactly what I've noticed lately. Media is prostituting itself and shamelessly pandering to the interests of Uhuru and Ruto. It's count-down to the Hague pre-Trials yet ZERO COVERAGE on actual victimsof PEV. We are only innundated with headlines of hate speeches, PR distortions and blatant lies, soft-ball interviews by the suspects themselves, and ofcourse, Kuria's propaganda. Thats all we get in mainstream media including the previously-thought-to-be-independent Star. No media outlet is willing to keep these impunity merchants honest and responsibly safeguard our nation's future.
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Post by adongo23456 on Apr 7, 2011 5:22:31 GMT 3
job & others
This is leadership from one of the giants of the continent. I will say no more.
Here we go.
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Post by kurosiwo on Apr 7, 2011 5:32:11 GMT 3
The media in Kenya in general does not play hardball with politicians. Whether this is by default or convenience is hard to tell. The last I checked, International media houses investigate,inform, educate and influence the publics' thought process and hold their politicians to account. Hard questions need to be asked when a reporter potrays a politician or anybody for that matter as a victim, yet for that which he is playing a victim against is not even mentioned as a background to the report. It would be helpful that reporters of the media houses remind kenyans everytime they carry contents on the ICC to reference the IDPs and maybe even post the images of the post election violence. I think this will be a strong reminder and will keep the publics eyes on the ball.
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Post by toddo on Apr 7, 2011 6:53:47 GMT 3
Well put Sarah!
Most of the people masquerading as journalists in Kenya are jokers. Intellectually, they cannot hold a debate or investigate simple stories. There is a rush to publish junk because that is what they think the public wants. they have feed the public this kind of junk for quite a long time and now there are even no recent comparison of what true journalism should be. That is the reason why some of us just glance through these papers but thanks to the internet we can read about Kenya through other channels.
I have watched Julie Gichuru interview with Ruto and Uhuru and despite the soft targets they both seemed to be, she probably asked only one uncomfortable question. I watched my friend Joe Ageyo interview RAO and the interview ended just when I thought it should start. I watched poor Jeff COINER and he is one poor soul that seriously needs redemption - A completely unrepentant sad tribalist! And despite having worked at CNN, even some class three kid in a poor village can ask some of the questions he asks. I have no appetite for Jeff at all. He is a waste of air wave time.
I happen to have worked at one of the main media houses in Kenya and I know how the politics of tribalism is so entrenched in them - Even these media houses need some house cleaning. In 2003, I thought we had taken a good turn but it seems the more the years progress the more gutter press we have. Our role is to try and sort through the junk and pick articles with value. Unfortunately, the masses have to become editors too. That is why I come to jukwaa where there is discipline. Although I must say sometimes the ugly part of trickling "news" rears its head here too.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2011 7:51:32 GMT 3
That was an amazing piece by Sarah Elderkin.
greet analysis and writing style.
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Post by kamalet on Apr 7, 2011 8:05:02 GMT 3
Poor Sarah.......seeking a writing job to save Raila?
If Sarah has been enlisted by Salim, my only hope is that it is to shut up Miguna who has done a poor job lately. All I can say is that she is a much more objective sycophant than Miguna.
But the shame of it all is that as a journalist, she sold her soul ages ago and those of us who remember Sarah the Weekly Review writer, this writing is perhaps suggestive of how low people can go to remain relevant - but then the pension out of Hillary's biashara may not be paying too well!
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Post by reporter911 on Apr 7, 2011 9:18:34 GMT 3
Poor Sarah.......seeking a writing job to save Raila? If Sarah has been enlisted by Salim, my only hope is that it is to shut up Miguna who has done a poor job lately. All I can say is that she is a much more objective sycophant than Miguna. But the shame of it all is that as a journalist, she sold her soul ages ago and those of us who remember Sarah the Weekly Review writer, this writing is perhaps suggestive of how low people can go to remain relevant - but then the pension out of Hillary's biashara may not be paying too well!
2. Ruto- fake anointed
3. Muthuarua- " the higher powers above told me to do it"
4. Commissioner Ali " I was following orders
5. Kosgey " Ruto advised and confused me"
6. Sang " voices in my Raido talk show told me to do it"
AND NOW THE DEVIL HAS RETURNED TO CLAIM HIS BOUNTY!!BURE KABISA MAY THEY BE LOCKED UP FOR GOOD! |
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Post by commes on Apr 7, 2011 9:18:53 GMT 3
Poor Sarah.......seeking a writing job to save Raila? If Sarah has been enlisted by Salim, my only hope is that it is to shut up Miguna who has done a poor job lately. All I can say is that she is a much more objective sycophant than Miguna. But the shame of it all is that as a journalist, she sold her soul ages ago and those of us who remember Sarah the Weekly Review writer, this writing is perhaps suggestive of how low people can go to remain relevant - but then the pension out of Hillary's biashara may not be paying too well! Moses Kuria appears to be more objective. Wake up and stop polluting the board |
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Post by commes on Apr 7, 2011 9:43:01 GMT 3
A very tired line of argument. In any case, there is already an active thread on this issue, not sure why a new one had to be started. Recall when Jomo Junior started to bang the table at press conferences, I knew that he lost his mind. It’s taking the government too long to realize that Esther Murugi has lost her mind too! Probably it is because PORK lost his along time ago. Not sure where to place your writer MK, with his tired lines. Stop dismissing other people’s comments with no value addition. |
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Post by nowayhaha on Apr 7, 2011 10:28:27 GMT 3
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Post by adongo23456 on Apr 7, 2011 13:54:25 GMT 3
I don't have time for your foolishness. You obviously don't get it. Just go away. Ok? |
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Post by adongo23456 on Apr 7, 2011 14:06:37 GMT 3
Poor Sarah.......seeking a writing job to save Raila? If Sarah has been enlisted by Salim, my only hope is that it is to shut up Miguna who has done a poor job lately. All I can say is that she is a much more objective sycophant than Miguna. But the shame of it all is that as a journalist, she sold her soul ages ago and those of us who remember Sarah the Weekly Review writer, this writing is perhaps suggestive of how low people can go to remain relevant - but then the pension out of Hillary's biashara may not be paying too well! Obviously you are out of your depth, again. You have nothing to say in terms of the very real issues Sarah Elderkin raised so you resort to attacking Sarah Elderkin. I don't think you can tie her shoe lases in terms of her work. Sarah Elderkin, is one of the very best journalists our country has produced. Nobody and certainly not Kamale can take that away from her just because of her political choices which she has made very boldly. Her many decades of work speaks for itself. Take your time and see if you can actually respond to the very serious issues she has raised which goes beyond responding to the buffoon called Kuria. Good luck. She has raised issues about media incompetence in Kenya something you whine about all the time. She has done so with very concrete questions. Interestingly Sarah Elderkin is challenging the very media outlets that some myopic characters here have labeled as Raila mouthpieces. Let's have the courage to discuss the issues this very patriotic Kenyan is raising instead of petty side shows. For those who are incapable of doing doing, just go wait for tribal incitement rallies and start dancing and frothing in the mouth. I mean what else can you do. adongo |
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Post by nowayhaha on Apr 7, 2011 14:30:55 GMT 3
I don't have time for your foolishness. You obviously don't get it. Just go away. Ok? Ok Adongo, See your previous post . You preach water and drink wine . Thanks job, Other that or they post ten things on the same stuff. I know there is already a thread on this annoying behaviour . |
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Post by kamalet on Apr 7, 2011 14:53:05 GMT 3
Poor Sarah.......seeking a writing job to save Raila? If Sarah has been enlisted by Salim, my only hope is that it is to shut up Miguna who has done a poor job lately. All I can say is that she is a much more objective sycophant than Miguna. But the shame of it all is that as a journalist, she sold her soul ages ago and those of us who remember Sarah the Weekly Review writer, this writing is perhaps suggestive of how low people can go to remain relevant - but then the pension out of Hillary's biashara may not be paying too well! Obviously you are out of your depth, again. You have nothing to say in terms of the very real issues Sarah Elderkin raised so you resort to attacking Sarah Elderkin. I don't think you can tie her shoe lases in terms of her work. Sarah Elderkin, is one of the very best journalists our country has produced. Nobody and certainly not Kamale can take that away from her just because of her political choices which she has made very boldly. Her many decades of work speaks for itself. Take your time and see if you can actually respond to the very serious issues she has raised which goes beyond responding to the buffoon called Kuria. Good luck. She has raised issues about media incompetence in Kenya something you whine about all the time. She has done so with very concrete questions. Interestingly Sarah Elderkin is challenging the very media outlets that some myopic characters here have labeled as Raila mouthpieces. Let's have the courage to discuss the issues this very patriotic Kenyan is raising instead of petty side shows. For those who are incapable of doing doing, just go wait for tribal incitement rallies and start dancing and frothing in the mouth. I mean what else can you do. adongo Adongo If you bothered, you would have noticed that I hailed her past as a good journalist for the Weekly Review but still noted how she has degenerated into a propaganda piece writer for Raila. I also did acknowledge that she makes a better and more objective propagandist than your friend Miguna. I rarely see anything serious from people that write propaganda - and I fully respect your actually believing that it is serious analysis! |
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Post by adongo23456 on Apr 7, 2011 14:55:20 GMT 3
I don't have time for your foolishness. You obviously don't get it. Just go away. Ok? Ok Adongo, See your previous post . You preach water and drink wine . Thanks job, Other that or they post ten things on the same stuff. I know there is already a thread on this annoying behaviour . dude, do you even understand the topic here? This is Sarah Elderkin, one of the premier journalists in our country. She has out a piece addressing the national myopia some people want to drag the country into. She has used the Kuria stupid nonsense as a back drop. She raises fundamental issues and from the response many people here in Jukwaa are interested in her piece. And you want me to waste time with you. If you have nothing to say about what Ms Elderkin has said, just shut the f up. OK. I have got other things to do. Thank you. |
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Post by mwalimumkuu on Apr 7, 2011 17:40:45 GMT 3
A very tired line of argument. In any case, there is already an active thread on this issue, not sure why a new one had to be started. Recall when Jomo Junior started to bang the table at press conferences, I knew that he lost his mind. It’s taking the government too long to realize that Esther Murugi has lost her mind too! Probably it is because PORK lost his along time ago. Not sure where to place your writer MK, with his tired lines. Stop dismissing other people’s comments with no value addition. My friend, this is not a contest between me and Sarah, but between Sarah and her thoughts. I have followed Sarah for quite a while now, and I can authoritatively say that her thinking and writing has just gone as her age has. In fact she is now competing for space with the likes of Miguna Miguna. That is how sad, it has become. |
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Post by nowayhaha on Apr 7, 2011 17:45:01 GMT 3
Ok Adongo, See your previous post . You preach water and drink wine . dude, do you even understand the topic here? This is Sarah Elderkin, one of the premier journalists in our country. She has out a piece addressing the national myopia some people want to drag the country into. She has used the Kuria stupid nonsense as a back drop. She raises fundamental issues and from the response many people here in Jukwaa are interested in her piece. And you want me to waste time with you. If you have nothing to say about what Ms Elderkin has said, just shut the f up. OK. I have got other things to do. Thank you. Adongo , I know Sarah very well , while growing up , used to read Ngweno's Weekly Review and Gatabaki's Finance . This is not the Sarah of that era but Railas aide . |
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Post by Fahari on Apr 8, 2011 0:23:34 GMT 3
Where is your fresh line of argument?Recall when Jomo Junior started to bang the table at press conferences, I knew that he lost his mind. It’s taking the government too long to realize that Esther Murugi has lost her mind too! Probably it is because PORK lost his along time ago. Not sure where to place your writer MK, with his tired lines. Stop dismissing other people’s comments with no value addition. My friend, this is not a contest between me and Sarah, but between Sarah and her thoughts. I have followed Sarah for quite a while now, and I can authoritatively say that her thinking and writing has just gone as her age has. In fact she is now competing for space with the likes of Miguna Miguna. That is how sad, it has become. Mwalimu , Its not a surprise that sarah's sympathies lie with the odinga family, judging from her past writings, she has been a long time admirer of jaramogi and even wrote a book on him, she also was part of the ODM campaign comittee during 2007 election. She is a hired hack and "he who pays the piper calls the tune". I must say she is a major improvement on miguna. |
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Post by reporter911 on Apr 8, 2011 5:03:36 GMT 3
Where is your fresh line of argument?Recall when Jomo Junior started to bang the table at press conferences, I knew that he lost his mind. It’s taking the government too long to realize that Esther Murugi has lost her mind too! Probably it is because PORK lost his along time ago. Not sure where to place your writer MK, with his tired lines. Stop dismissing other people’s comments with no value addition. My friend, this is not a contest between me and Sarah, but between Sarah and her thoughts. I have followed Sarah for quite a while now, and I can authoritatively say that her thinking and writing has just gone as her age has. In fact she is now competing for space with the likes of Miguna Miguna. That is how sad, it has become. Here we are again being condescending to other peoples views and opinions ati competing for space with Miguna? are such comments in the category of clueless or childish? guess  answer is both!! |
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Post by mongobeti on Apr 8, 2011 18:04:04 GMT 3
If Sarah belonged to Raila Odinga's tribe you would have seen some people here shouting hoarse about how she is busy championing her tribesmen's interests. Since you cannot do that by virtue of her extraction, she is only guilty of promoting Raila's propaganda. Laughable.
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Post by kamalet on Apr 8, 2011 18:11:21 GMT 3
If Sarah belonged to Raila Odinga's tribe you would have seen some people here shouting hoarse about how she is busy championing her tribesmen's interests. Since you cannot do that by virtue of her extraction, she is only guilty of promoting Raila's propaganda. Laughable. What has tribalism got to do with mediocrity and propaganda? When we bash Miguna for his bad writing, we bash the man not because of his mother tongue. |
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answer is both!!