Walu, Did you say Kenya has moved beyond censorship by elimination? While I have also chosen to treat my matter as 'normal thuggery' (although this shouldn't be the 'normal' practice in a civil society anyway), I don't agree with your statement herein. The mysterious disappearance of Odhiambo Mbae is still fresh on some people's minds. And while we would like to treat the disappearances of MPs like Were to be 'normal thuggery', they don't appear any different from what used to happen during Moi's/Kenyatta's time. At any rate how would one explain Githongo's and/or Maina Kiai's (temporary) flight? You think they just love to take off? While the opening up of the democractic space is laudable, I wouldn't as yet be so optimistic. Many thanks Vitalis for the 'pole'. Best rgrds, Shem --- On Mon, 8/4/08, Vitalis Olunga <VOlunga@Safaricom.co.ke> wrote: From: Vitalis Olunga <VOlunga@Safaricom.co.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Muzzling Expression, Maiming and Killing To: "Shem Ochuodho" <shemochuodho@yahoo.com> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Monday, August 4, 2008, 2:19 AM Shem That was unfortunate. Nairobi is not a safe place anymore. Such kind of thuggeries are common events in this city. It is good that you were not hut and lets pray and hope it will not recur. Vitalis -----Original Message----- From: kictanet-bounces+volunga=safaricom.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+volunga=safaricom.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of John Walubengo Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2008 10:40 AM To: Vitalis Olunga Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] Muzzling Expression, Maiming and Killing Hey Shem, Pole bwana. Make sure u stay alive. But i think it will turn out to be normal thuggery. I trust Kenya has moved beyond censorship by way of elimination. walu. NB: I forget which American President that said - 'I may dislike what you say, but I will protect your right to say it' --- On Wed, 7/30/08, Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho@yahoo.com> Subject: [kictanet] Muzzling Expression, Maiming and Killing To: jwalu@yahoo.com Cc: "Robert Onyango-Alai Kigoma" <alai.robert@gmail.com>, "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Wednesday, July 30, 2008, 7:21 PM Did I see a posting in this space talking of: 'gagging the media, threatening, maiming or killing'?
Last night we had a 30-minute harrowing ordeal. Suspected thieves broke into our compound, tried to break into our house but were repelled by a combination of good neighbours, police and security guards. I would want to treat it as a normal insecurity incidence, unrelated to the concerns above that have been flying in this space. It is interesting, however, why pick on our house, amidst (and in between) several!
At another level, there are a host of fundamental things that we have to address as a nation if we have to avoid being a failed state, and one of them is insecurity. Of the nearly 40 Africa's capital cities I have had the privilege to stay in, Kigali is probably the safest. In fact, contrary to the outside perception of the genocide, insecurity, etc, Kigali could well be one of the safest cities on earth. Addis isn't any much worse! If Nairobi/Kenya is to reclaim its glory, security has to be restored, along with the other fundamental 'go wrongs'.
I pray that no one else - both on and off these lists - go through that kind of trauma.
Best rgrds, Shem