IS MIKE SONKO A LEADER OR A GOON?

Fellow Nairobians and Kenyans at large. It was an embarrassing moment as the social neophyte and the political nincompoop was interviewed in one of the most watched television stations in the country. The show was hyped, the set was perfect and the interviewer was set with his questions but the interviewee , waaah!!! only God knows how to describe him.

The level of verbal ejaculation by the leader was uncontrollable, the insults were numerous and the level of rape on the English language cannot find sufficient description in this simple write up. The leader lacked any form of decorum, a community was literally being roasted and crucified by the said ‘leader’ an entire persons abled differently by albinism genes suffered discrimination meted on them by the leader. Surely where did Kenya go wrong in electing such to office? Ok I maybe be wrong was that even a leader? It was a case of miscommunication where the questions were not answered meaning there was no listening by the interviewee.

The noise generated in the studio was tantamount to a heckling mob on the street yet it was just one. Imagine a leader stating on a national television that ‘I was the best thief’ and the leader of goons going for a gubernatorial position. Evoking emotions yet insulting the same electorates. The attainment of E and employing an A student is a normal scenario but blasting it on their faces more so on television screens simply tells our children that they don’t have to work hard in school.

Surely where are the role models in our leaders? A good leader listens, responds to questions with decorum, articulates issues without insults and follows protocol even in communication. By the way did I hear him call Mureithi from Embakasi East a con? Why did he even pull the name of the president into the conversation, is Uhuru also vying for Nairobi gubernatorial seat. So he said that he is a bitter man, mmmmmm ok so how do you lead with bitterness last I checked soberness was very vital in leadership. How do you even negotiate a deal with a poor listener who drags everybody even non entities in a simple conversation like explaining one’s manifesto?

Ni hayo ttye

 

PRESS RELEASE ON THE HARASSMENT OF SOUTH SUDANESE CITIZENS BY KENYA POLICE IN NAIROBI

We, the members of Bunge La Mwananchi (BLM) in conjunction with Coalition for Grassroots Human Rights Defenders-Kenya (CGHRD-K), Mathare Social Justice Centre (MSJC) and Pan African Movement Kenyan Chapter (PAM-KE) hereby register our disappointment with the inhumane handling of South Sudanese citizens by the Kenyan police in Nairobi.
The South Sudanese citizens residing in Kenya are finding it very difficult to move freely around the Nairobi CBD, because of their unique physique. They are usually accosted by Police officers who demand for travel documents, accusing them of illegal movement in town. The police harassment, intimidation and arrest threats are solely motivated by solicitation of bribes.
We wish to state that Nairobi is not the border point between South Sudan and Kenya, and the Police should stop acting as immigration officers. We are demanding that the IG of police, Mr Joseph Boinnet, to move in with speed and investigate this blatant police harassment against the South Sudanese citizens who are legally in Kenya. We also condemn this colonial mindset of discriminating against fellow Africans while Europeans/Americans visitors get treated as masters.
If the IG of police fails to deal with the worrying situation then we will opt for unspecified action in the spirit of East African Community and Panafricanism.
Thank You,
Signed:
Chekai Musa – Bunge La Mwananchi
Cidi Otieno – CGHRD – K
Gacheke Gachihi – MSJC
Mc’Olonde Charles – PAM-KE

25th Jan 2017

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE UNLAWFUL LEGISLATIONS BEING PUSHED BY THE JUBILEE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AT MAIN KAKAO JEVANJEE GARDEN FROM 2pm

OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER

PHYSICAL LOCATION JEEVANJEE GARDENS

PO Box 58078-00200 NAIROBI, KENYA

+254714123258/ +254737766739

 

Bunge La Mwananchi and members of the public have been drawn to attention of the chaotic seen that characterized the special session of the National Assembly on 20th Tuesday. This happened as the Homa Bay MP Hon Peter  Kaluma was pepper sprayed by a jubilee legislator while the speaker was enjoying it and laughing. We want the government and the National Assembly speaker to explain to the public why the military police and GSU was deployed at the National Assembly. The government went a notch higher to switch off the internet access and phones of the MPs…This is an act of impunity.

The speaker of the National Assembly Hon Justin Muturi is the agent of the impunity who does not respect the standing orders of the house. He is being used by the executive to sneak in unlawful legislations.

We are suprised seeing a gazetted notice for the special session scheduled for 22nd of Dec 2016 which was done at midnight. What prompted the speaker to draft the notice late in the night. Is Speaker Muturi telling us t that some government offices operates for 24 hours?

As Jubilee tries to introduce changes to the election law, Kenyans should be aware Safaricom was contracted to offer the transmission network for IEBC in the next polls. Over 35 million Kenyans use MPESA services, it has never failed, it has never crashed. From Nairobi to Lokichogio, from Loitokitok to Mombasa, from Lokutang in Turkana to Transmara in the south. Every single Kenyan today uses MPESA services. Compatriots, the same way MPESA and other telephone services from Safaricom are transmitted from every corner of the country to its HQs along Waiyaki Way, is the same way the election results must be transmitted to the final tallying center in Nairobi on 8th August 2017. Nothing more.

The Parliament is an independent institution but Muturi has allowed himself to be controlled by  Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto in order to pass legislations that are geared towards rigging of the 2017 general election. Muturi has reduced the national assembly into a jubilee affair and a house of chaos. Since the parliament has lost public honour and respect, we as members of the Social movements plan to the following actions tomorrow by working in line with the members of the opposition:

We will carry volumes of litres of sewage and spill it all over the parliament building with an effort to stop the session from taking place tomorrow .

We will spew feaces and poop at the precinct of the parliament to express our disappointment in the way Justin Muturi is running the National Assembly.

We don’t want to hear promises of peaceful election but free, fair and credible election

We want to tell the public that  the changes to electoral law  being pushed by Jubilee is a recipe for chaos. We will take charge of the entire parliament tomorrow.

Signed by
Chekai Musa- National Speaker of Bunge La Mwananchi
Gacheke Gachihi
Cidi Otieno
Salim Odeny
Dinah Agai

PRESS STATEMENT- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: WOMEN MPS SHOULD STOP PROMOTING GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IN THE COUNTRY

 

OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER

PHYSICAL LOCATION JEEVANJEE GARDENS

PO Box 58078-00200 NAIROBI, KENYA

+254714123258/ +254737766739

It is very sad that Hon Peter Kaluma was clobbered by his political opponent which has gone viral on social media. It is now becoming clear that the opponent ambushed Hon Kaluma from the back while he was on microphone. Before Hon Kaluma knew what was happening, he was already being rolled on the ground like a a dangerous snake by one stranger Washington Ogada
This has now turned out to be a mocking scene from women mps led by Gladys Wanga and Rachel Shebesh who have been quoted calling Hon Kaluma a weak man. We as members of Bunge La Mwananchi are deeply disappointed at how women can take this as a laughing matter. Just barely two weeks ago the two legislators from Laikipia North engaged in a fist fight where Hon Mathew Lempurkel was greatly injured while Hon Sara Korere a nominated female Mp had no physical injury after the confrontation but all the women parliamentarians came out strongly condemning any manner of violence and irrespective behaviour from Mps by calling Hon Mather all sorts of names for violence against women.
We take this as an onslaught against men especially during this week of 16 Days of Activism. These are some of the factors that do promote Gender Based Violence. These have brought us to the following conclusions:

1. That either women prefer physically strong men in the society who physically retaliates in case of any attack against them not withstanding what they are seen advocating for.

 

2. That women are a waging war against men in the society by being seen to condemn violence against women but laugh off whenever a gentleman is attacked.

We wish to clarify that not all men are strong enough to defend themselves. We have spoken to Hon Peter Kaluma and he is still under medication for losing one of his front tooth but he has assured us that he will be okay soon. We should build a society on a fair and equal platform and not bring a stiff competition of one gender against another.

 

SIGNED BY

CHEKAI MUSA – NATIONAL DEPUTY SPEAKER-  BUNGE LA MWANACHI

THE SAD PART OF LIVING IN EASTLANDS OF NAIROBI

Yesterday a middle-aged man was shot dead by police along Lunga Lunga Road in Sinai. The reason for killing is that he did not answer the police when he was asked of where he was coming from. Today morning I have witnessed a young man being shot by police along Likoni Road few metres off Jogoo Road. Identified as Constant Ochieng according to his Driving Licence and the ID that was soaked in blood, he died a very a painful death. The reason for his death is that he was being rude towards the police and not answering the questions accordingly. The sad part of living in Ghettos.

In Eastlands of Nairobi young men are shot dead every week but no action has ever been taken by those in the capacity to help. This is the sad part of living in Eastlands!! Perhaps those who live in this part of Nairobi are lesser human beings. In this area you die immediately you are suspected of stealing. Sometimes I ask myself a silly question; why didn’t the police shot down Amos Kimunya when has was suspected of selling the Grand Regency Hotel, why didn’t they kill William Ruto when he stole the Langata school land? Why didn’t they pull a trigger on Anne Waiguru who stole millions of shillings from NYS. Moses Wetangula is walking freely in the country after selling the Tokyo Embassy in Japan. The police bullets could not penetrate his big tummy after being suspected of rigging the election. The sad part of living in Ghettos!!

The life of a Kenyan in Eastland is like that of a chicken from my village in Bungoma; you don’t know where you will land next. Encountering a police man in eastland is equal to matching to your death! Am just wondering if it was a famous doctor that was shot yesterday or this morning! Or if it was a close friend of the popular civil society activists! The plan to storm the IG of police with detailed petitions would be underway. But the death of a ghetto man is just statistics by leading civil society organizations in Kenya. The sad part of living in eastlands!!. I was just having a conversation with my friend (a police officer) who told me that the extra judicial killings are rising because your friends in the civil society are just shouting but not taking any action. I laughed! So even the police know that the death of a ghetto man is just data!

I was talking to a friend of mine in Umoja yesterday who told me this. “On the evening of 13th of October, I was at Mutindwa in Umoja estate. Two police men were negotiating with a young man on how much he should give them before they give back his freedom. ‘Ongeza ifike elfu nane’ (add something to make it Ksh 8000). That is what I heard the police telling the man. The next thing I heard was the sound of a trigger and a bullet. But the middle  class mentality of people in Umoja estate gave the police the strength in adding another bullet on the head of the young man until he died. They were shouting…. ‘Hawa wezi wametusumbua sana…Deal nao kabisa’ (These thieves have really disturbed us…deal with them)”.  The sad part of living in Eastlands!!

Compiled by

Chekai Musa

Human Rights Defender

CLIMATE CHANGE IS A REALITY-BAN FOSSIL FUELS AND TOBACCO INDUSTRIES FROM CLIMATE CHANGE NEGOTIATIONS

This year 2016 has been the hottest year in Kenya’s history[i]. The situation isn’t changing or becoming better any more. So far we have seen droughts and water shortages all over the world, rising food prices and even the world’s first climate refugees. These kinds of impacts if the world doesn’t act quickly and deal with the global catastrophic phenomena are almost unimaginable.  Climate change is no longer a threat, it is a reality.

This harsh rising temperature might force billions of people out of their homes in future if we don’t curb global emissions. One thing that we must do is to act now and strike a global climate deal that favours the current and future population of the world.

 

The fossil fuel emissions are the major energy sources that are being used in the world today. But there over consumption can lead to serious environmental issues such as air pollution. Fossil fuels release carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide among other harmful gases when burnt and can have severe consequences on the habitats. They are non renewable sources of energy as they are derived from pre-historic fossils and won’t be available once they fully used. Their sources are limited and they are depleting at a faster rate.

 

I was impressed by the deal that was reached during the COP21 meeting in Paris where the negotiators agreed to maintain the global temperature at 1.5 degrees Celsius[ii]. This can only be achieved or attained if the global carbon emissions are minimized or rather stopped completely and set the world on track to invest in sustainable future. This can be done by banning the multi-national companies that are concerned with the industrial complex businesses from participating in the climate change meetings. This is because some of these corporations like it have been in the past few years; big polluters like Shell and Chevron could be allowed to influence the UN climate negotiations at a time when we urgently need a climate action in the world. The stakes have never been higher. For communities all over the world already affected by climate change, these negotiations have to succeed

 

As we head for COP22 in Marrakech, Morocco this year, it’s hard — if not impossible — to believe that the same corporations which profit from a fossil fuel-dependent economy are going to push for a strong global climate deal. Instead, these big polluters are allowed to sponsor meetings and expensive dinners where they lobby UN representatives, trying to block any kind of real climate action. For these reason just like Tobacco industries were banned from global health negotiation meetings by World Health organization, it is also very important to ban these fossil fuel industrial complexes that do contribute to a higher percentage of global fossil emissions. We must come together now and ask the body in charge of the climate talks, the UN Framework Conventions on Climate Change to take lead in doing this.

 

We can also get the best example from the past where a massive coalition of civil society groups from all over the world joined hands and initiated the ban of tobacco out of global health policy by use of World Health Organization[iii]. After this, the tobacco industries are greatly regulated

 

We must act now to stop this since the environmental hazards that are caused by the increased level of fossil fuels are becoming worse every day. Carbon dioxide, one of the primary gases released when the fossil fuels are burnt, is one of the primary gases contributing to global warming. Rise in temperature of the earth has resulted in the melting of polar ice caps, flooding of low lying areas and rise in sea levels. This is a big problem that might see the world have serious consequences in near future. In Kenya for instance, there are areas that have experienced heavy rainfall that has caused flooding thereby leading to loss of crops and animals

 

Another reason why the world must ban the fossil fuels from the climate change negotiation is the acid rain that can be caused by sulphur dioxide which is always released into the atmosphere when the fossil fuel is burnt. Most crops can be affected by this kind of rainfall. Air pollution has caused resulted in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder or even lung cancer

.[iv]

It is a conflict of interest in allowing these same corporations that are running the fossil fuel industries in the climate change negotiation meeting.

BY CHEKAI MOSES

Links and Resources:

 

[i] Standard media, environment: Available from:<Kenya : 2016 recorded as hottest year in history – The Standard>{19^th Sep 2016}

 

The Standard

[ii] CBC News, Paris Agreement on climate change: Available from:<5 key points in Paris Agreement on climate change – World – CBC News>{19^th Sep 2016}

 

[iii] Climate justice, Report on climate justice: Available from:<The international momentum towards climate litigation>{19^th Sept 2016}

 
[iv] Shutter stock, air pollution: Available from:<Air Pollution Stock Photos, Royalty-Free Images & Vectors – Shutterstock>{19^th Sept 2106}

 

EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN IN NORTH RIFT REGION OF KENYA

The anticipated Rio Olympic games 2016 was tainted with the environmental issue in Brazil and has sparked a worldwide interest on climate change. During the opening ceremony at the Olympics, a part was dedicated to climate change where the dangers of sea were discussed[i].  It was deemed fitting after the Paris convention set a limit to global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Home in my country Kenya, the story is  no different as the weather patterns have changed to greater level leading to either high temperature in some parts of the country while other parts experiencing heavy rainfall that comes with dangerous floods.

High temperatures and lack of rainfall in West Pokot county of North Rift has led to the damaging of crops due to lack of water available to the plants. This has affected maize crops in most parts of the county. This has also caused the extreme heat stress in crops, which has limited yields because they occur during certain times of the plants’ life-cycle (pollination, pod or fruit set). Also, heat waves resulted in wilted plants (due to elevated transpiration rates) which caused yield loss. This year, there has been the existence of strong winds in the whole of the Trans Nzoia county which has brought about the damaging of the crops especially leaf and limb damage as well as “sandblasting” of the soil against foliage. Heavy floods by river Nzoia and river Sabwani which are the main rivers which pass through the county poses a threat to the life of both people and crops. This year it was flooded hence it was also detrimental to crops and soil structure. Most maize crops cannot survive in prolonged waterlogged conditions because the roots need to breathe. The floods also affected the other crop such as sweet potatoes, cassavas, millets, green vegetables and sorghum which are grown mostly by small scale farmers. This catastrophic effect of climate change eroded fertile top soil from prime growing areas, resulting in irreversible habitat damage. In the month of June this year,heavy winds combined with rain led to damaging of houses, barns, falling of trees and other factors involved in production of maize/agriculture.

This has also affected the dairy farming in the county. Animals are even more susceptible to climate change just like crops. While crops could be impacted by climate change, it is likely that animals would be even more susceptible to changes in the climate. Due to increased temperature in the area, there is a common dangerous animal disease in the region referred to as East Coast Fever(ECF) which has claimed the lives of many livestock in the county.

Insect parasites and diseases have become more prolific as global warming progresses. New diseases have also emerged in the whole region of West Pokot areas of North Rift that were once considered to inhabit only tropical areas. In the wake of increased heat stress and humidity, most livestock farmer’s majority of whom are small scale have been unable to fight these diseases without the use of costly medicines. It has affected the milk production which is also a source of income among many small scale farmers. This has prompted the increased milk prices due to the demand for it thereby contributing to the Food Price Volatility in the county. My poor family which sometimes fails to buy milk are forced to go without milk for long time due to the inability to afford. All this is because of climate change.

The increased air temperatures have caused more stress on livestock. Both humans and livestock are warm-blooded animals, so both are affected by increased heat and humidity. During stifling heat, livestock reproduction has declined as well as their appetite. Decreased appetite has lengthened the time needed for the livestock to reach their target weight; the reason is that I have observed in my cattle farm where most cows only eat about half of normal quantities when they are heat-stressed. Stress has also increased the incidence of sickness, decrease rates of reproduction, and increase fighting among animals in confinement. In some areas especially near Kitale town of Trans-Nzoia county, night-time temperatures are even more above average than daytime temperatures during heat-waves, which has resulted in increased mortality rates. This is due to emission of gases from the industries in the town that has increased the global warming thereby putting a very big negative impact upon livestock production.

I also wish to note that the increased emission of carbon dioxide among other poisonous gases emitted from the nearby industry has resulted in feed and forage that is less nutritious even if there is more of it. In my own village of Moi Farm and even the entire county, the poor small scale growers in the area are sometimes forced to use additives in order to see the expected growth grains in livestock and also to avoid illnesses. This increased cost to the grower has resulted in the increased food costs to the consumers. In some areas of the county like Kapkoi village, lack of water has affected the availability and farmers have a challenge of keeping up with the plant growth. This is in turn has also contributed to increased food prices in the county.

The County governments in these two counties of Trans Nzoia and  West Pokot, are not doing enough in handling the matters of climate change as many projects are geared towards politics at the expense of the real problems facing the communities living in this county. The recently signed Paris Agreement on Climate Change has not been brought to the people of this part of Kenya and hence none of them is aware of the content of the agreement. Heavy rains that poured on the land on the month of May caused the flooding of River Nzoia which destroyed more than 67 houses.

Photo courtesy of the Citizen tv News

Four members of one family died in the process while 55 others were displaced and sustained serious health problems caused by dirty heavy water[ii] The careless dumping of chemical wastes has caused a serious health problems among the people of my community, for instance there was an unfamiliar skin diseases that was as a result of one touching and coming in contact with those wastes. I came face to face with the effects of climate change, a personal experience that has been part of my painfull memories when all my crops and cows were swept away by heavy floods that flooded the Sabwani River in the month of May 2016.Photo courtesy of The star newspaper

It is therefore very important to maintain the global earth temperature below 1.5degrees Celsius as this ensures deep reductions in global gas(net) emissions[iii]. It is time to implement and commit to higher ambition in mitigation. The world needs to act now.

BY CHEKAI MOSES

Human Rights Activist

Deputy Speaker of Bunge la Mwananchi (People’s parliament)

Links and Resources:

[i] Euro News, High temperature in Rio during Olympics: Available from: <Temperatures and spirits high as the Rio Olympic Games begin> 14^th September 2016

 [ii] Citizen Tv Kenya, 55 Families displaced by floods: Available from <55 families displaced as flash floods sweep through Trans Nzoia> {14^th September 2016]

[iii]  Mother Jones, Paris Climate Agreement: Available from: <Explained in 90 Seconds: Why 1.5 Degrees Matters | Mother Jones> {14^th September 2016}

THE BIG POLLUTERS OF THE WORLD MUST COMPENSATE VICTIMS

As the world prepares to head to Marrakech in Morocco this year for another climate change negotiation on COP22; the biggest question that the nations from the global south are asking is what action can be taken on the biggest polluters of the universe? The fossil fuel and tobacco industries have really damaged the world in the negative way. The information about their effects sometimes has been misled by these same companies in order to escape the responsibilities and accountability on their consequences. For instance, the Big tobacco industry knew clearly that their industry was seriously damaging people’s health, for years they had known of the relationship between tobacco and lung cancer[i], along with many other diseases. Instead of acting upon it, they started a huge strategy and campaign of confusion and denial, trying to mislead population and spending lots of money on advertising “healthier” smoking options. Therefore it is very crucial for the world to hold these tobacco industries accountable and make them pay for the damages that they have caused to the world especially from the global south. The global south contributes little towards climate change but are the ones experiencing the biggest percentage of the effects of climate change.

 

There are many people for instance from all over the world that have had their lives greatly affected as a result of tobacco smoking or living near the industries thereby inhaling the smoke involuntarily. The estimated number of people who have died as a result of smoking tobacco is about 100million people globally in the 20^th century, much more than all the deaths in the World War One and Two combined[ii]. The number of deaths continues to increase even worse in the 21^st century as the current smoking patterns increases daily. We call upon the world as they meet in Morocco to negotiate on a deal that will see these tobacco companies compensate either the families or the victims of their products in the global south.

 

Just as Big Tobacco lied about the risks of addiction and cancer, Exxon orchestrated a campaign of doubts and deception making hundreds of billions at the cost of people’s lives. We must stand up especially from African nations and say that it is time for the Exxon to face the consequences by making them compensate for their actions in the world. One researcher, by the name Richard Heede[iii] said that nearly two thirds of the major industrial greenhouse gas emission (from fossil fuel use, methane leaks, and cement manufacture) originated in just 90 companies around the world, which either emitted the carbon themselves or supplied carbon ultimately released by consumers and industry. As Heede told the Guardian newspaper, you could take all the decision-makers and CEOs of these companies and fit them on couple Greyhound buses. Though the study elicited a lot of reactions, we do believe and hold that these industrial complexes must pay for their consequences. The study is also important in the sense that it is crucial in putting pressure on these industries to take responsibilities on matters climate change.

 

Recent reports have shown that Exxon knew about the threat of climate change decades ago[iv]. Yet over the course of nearly forty years, the company has contributed millions of dollars to think tanks and politicians that have done their best to spread doubt and misinformation — first on the existence of climate change, then the extent of the problem, and now its cause. If Exxon intentionally misled the public about climate change and fossil fuels, then they should be held accountable. We must stand firm and collectively make them pay for these as we head to Morocco for COP22.The biggest challenge can be on how to hold these companies responsible! We can put some factors into consideration such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate (UNFCCC)[v] structure where the responsibilities can be considered in terms of nation states. The responsibilities can also be done in by tracing the emissions to major carbon producers. The ultimate objective is to ensure that these industries are held accountable.

 

 

In Nairobi the capital of Kenya, there is famous Nairobi River that has been greatly polluted by the fossil fuel emissions and other poisonous chemicals that are normally deposited into the river on daily basis by the nearby industries. These are the biggest effects of climate change in Nairobi which to some extend has dried the river making dirty. It is very surprising that people used to use the water from this river for cooking and drinking but now days the story is different as one might easily die of deadly diseases after using the water. For these reasons, the negotiators at Morocco this year during the COP22 must come up with strict regulations and rules that will seek to control the fuel production and tobacco in the world. This will act as a way of limiting the dangers associated with the climate change in the global south. We must also initiate an action plan that will also guide the process of compensation and accountability to the affected individual nations and people in the world.

 

In this city of Nairobi lies also a very big garbage dumping site in the east of the city where very dangerous chemical wastes and medicinal residues are always dumped. The site has become very dangerous as close to more than 100 trucks and big Lorries are normally seen transporting garbage to Dandora dump site Eastland area in Nairobi

Photo courtesy of kenya environmental news.

The Dandora informal settlement has become a very dangerous place to live due to unhealthy skin conditions and diseases associated with the dumpsite[vi]. Many people have died as results of this dumpsite since most of them are poor are unable to live in better environment. The people from these part of Nairobi in Kenya must be compensated by holding those responsible accountable.

 

 

 

By Chekai Moses

Human Rights and Climate Justice Activist

National Deputy Speaker

Bunge La Mwananchi (People’s Parliament)

 

Links and Resources:

[i] The Guardian, Health: Available from:<Cigarette giant to deny cancer link | Society | The Guardian>{2^nd Oct 2016]

 

[ii] The Tobacco Atlas, Smoking’s death toll: Available from:<Smoking’s Death Toll | The Tobacco Atlas>{2^nd Oct 206}

 

[iii] Journals, Science insider:Available from:<Just 90 companies are to blame for most climate change, this ‘carbon …>{2^nd Oct 2016}

 

[iv] Scientific American, Report on climate change:Available from:<Exxon Knew about Climate Change Almost 40 Years Ago – Scientific ..>{2^nd Oct 2016}

 

[v] Republic of Turkey, Ministry of foreign Affairs:Available form:<United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC …>{2^nd Oct 2016}

 

[vi] Kenya Environmental News, Report on Environment:Available from:<Dandora Dumpsite Poses Serious Threat to Public Health and …>{2^nd Oct 2016}

 

CLIMATE CHANGE IS A REALITY

This year 2016 has been the hottest year in Kenya’s history[i]. The situation isn’t changing or becoming better any more. So far we have seen droughts and water shortages all over the world, rising food prices and even the world’s first climate refugees. These kinds of impacts if the world doesn’t act quickly and deal with the global catastrophic phenomena are almost unimaginable.  Climate change is no longer a threat, it is a reality.

This harsh rising temperature might force billions of people out of their homes in future if we don’t curb global emissions. One thing that we must do is to act now and strike a global climate deal that favours the current and future population of the world.

 

The fossil fuel emissions are the major energy sources that are being used in the world today. But there over consumption can lead to serious environmental issues such as air pollution. Fossil fuels release carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide among other harmful gases when burnt and can have severe consequences on the habitats. They are non renewable sources of energy as they are derived from pre-historic fossils and won’t be available once they fully used. Their sources are limited and they are depleting at a faster rate.

 

I was impressed by the deal that was reached during the COP21 meeting in Paris where the negotiators agreed to maintain the global temperature at 1.5 degrees Celsius[ii]. This can only be achieved or attained if the global carbon emissions are minimized or rather stopped completely and set the world on track to invest in sustainable future. This can be done by banning the multi-national companies that are concerned with the industrial complex businesses from participating in the climate change meetings. This is because some of these corporations like it have been in the past few years; big polluters like Shell and Chevron could be allowed to influence the UN climate negotiations at a time when we urgently need a climate action in the world. The stakes have never been higher. For communities all over the world already affected by climate change, these negotiations have to succeed

 

As we head for COP22 in Marrakech, Morocco this year, it’s hard — if not impossible — to believe that the same corporations which profit from a fossil fuel-dependent economy are going to push for a strong global climate deal. Instead, these big polluters are allowed to sponsor meetings and expensive dinners where they lobby UN representatives, trying to block any kind of real climate action. For these reason just like Tobacco industries were banned from global health negotiation meetings by World Health organization, it is also very important to ban these fossil fuel industrial complexes that do contribute to a higher percentage of global fossil emissions. We must come together now and ask the body in charge of the climate talks, the UN Framework Conventions on Climate Change to take lead in doing this.

 

We can also get the best example from the past where a massive coalition of civil society groups from all over the world joined hands and initiated the ban of tobacco out of global health policy by use of World Health Organization[iii]. After this, the tobacco industries are greatly regulated

 

We must act now to stop this since the environmental hazards that are caused by the increased level of fossil fuels are becoming worse every day. Carbon dioxide, one of the primary gases released when the fossil fuels are burnt, is one of the primary gases contributing to global warming. Rise in temperature of the earth has resulted in the melting of polar ice caps, flooding of low lying areas and rise in sea levels. This is a big problem that might see the world have serious consequences in near future. In Kenya for instance, there are areas that have experienced heavy rainfall that has caused flooding thereby leading to loss of crops and animals

 

Another reason why the world must ban the fossil fuels from the climate change negotiation is the acid rain that can be caused by sulphur dioxide which is always released into the atmosphere when the fossil fuel is burnt. Most crops can be affected by this kind of rainfall. Air pollution has caused resulted in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder or even lung cancer.

 

It is a conflict of interest in allowing these same corporations that are running the fossil fuel industries in the climate change negotiation meeting.

 

[i] Standard media, environment: Available from:<Kenya : 2016 recorded as hottest year in history – The Standard>{19^th Sep 2016}

 

The Standard

[ii] CBC News, Paris Agreement on climate change: Available from:<5 key points in Paris Agreement on climate change – World – CBC News>{19^th Sep 2016}

 

[iii] Climate justice, Report on climate justice: Available from:<The international momentum towards climate litigation>{19^th Sept 2016}

 

 

[iv] Shutter stock, air pollution: Available from:<Air Pollution Stock Photos, Royalty-Free Images & Vectors – Shutterstock>{19^th Sept 2106}

 

[1] Standard media, environment: Available from:<Kenya : 2016 recorded as hottest year in history – The Standard>{19^th Sep 2016}

 

The Standard

[1] CBC News, Paris Agreement on climate change: Available from:<5 key points in Paris Agreement on climate change – World – CBC News>{19^th Sep 2016}

 

[1] Climate justice, Report on climate justice: Available from:<The international momentum towards climate litigation>{19^th Sept 2016}

 

 

[1] Shutter stock, air pollution: Available from:<Air Pollution Stock Photos, Royalty-Free Images & Vectors – Shutterstock>{19^th Sept 2106}

           

THE BALOZI SECONDARY SCHOOL SAGA

The school where teachers bully the students is a strange scenario that has been witnessed in Mathare informal settlement in Nairobi. Mr Allan, a Congolese national is a teacher working in Kenya but with a very tainted background from Congo where he is believed to be on the run from his government in Congo. He is one of the senior teachers at Balozi secondary school. This is a school that does not meet the required educational standards as per the Kenya educational Act. One thing that is very uncomfortable with the neighbours around this schools is how can a private secondary school share the same facilities with a public polytechnic?. Many questions to be answered here! The school is situated next to an alcohol distributing depot which exposes the young boys and girls to immoral life.

The students are always given severe punishment for failing to pay school fees within the given datelines. This is why one of the girls who had not completed the school fees arrears was thoroughly assaulted by Mr Allan leading to serious injuries of her two legs. One would wander what kind of punishment Mr Allan administered to the young girl who is a form three student; this is because the girl has severe scars on her two thighs prompting the community to guess whether she was also sexually assaulted apart from the beatings.

The pictures above shows how the girls was thoroughly beaten.

The findings of the members of the community is that Mr Allan being a foreigner, has no work permit which is a legal requirement for any non citizen to posses before working in Kenya. The school headmistress has surprised many members of the community on how she has managed to survive with this kind of mentality from the teachers since she has never taken any serious action on any of them. The school lack educational facilities that are essential and basic facilities in effecting proper learning hence the sharing of the facilities with the government polytechnic.

The properly educated teacher in the school is the headmistress who is qualified to teach in a secondary school. The rest of teachers are form four leavers who impersonate as university graduates in the school. For instance Mrs Monga’re,  a wife to the school owner is a form two dropout who is teaching Kiswahili subject in form three. The headmistress threatened to deal seriously with two community members who exposed the secrets of the school if they don’t stop dragging the school in bad light. On 26^th of Sep 2016, the community facilitated the arrest of the two teachers; Mr Allan and Mr Elijah.

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In the pictures is Mr Allan and Mr Elijah at the police statation

There are claims from the members of the community that one of the arrested teachers has turned into anti-riot police officer.

For this reason the community is asking for the Balozi school administration to take serious action by sacking the rogue teachers within the next 24hrs. We also ask the ministry of education to pay a visit to the school and carry out proper inspection of the teacher and the entire learning environment.