Immediate former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo fought hard for a third term, but lost. With the wisdom of hindsight, you wonder why he even bothered. In presidential elections last April, his preferred candidate prevailed. Another Obasanjo darling has been elected president of the Senate and another the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Long live President Obasanjo!
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Love conquers even the very mighty. When 19th century French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte once quarrelled with his wife, he thought long and hard and then wrote a romantic apology: ‘‘I send you three kisses — one on
your heart, one on your mouth and one on your eyes.’’****
Mungiki was conceived and reared by the matatu business. But where are the matatu chiefs who were so vocal when John Michuki introduced seatbelts and speed governors. Then, they were all over the place. And now?
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Anybody who thought fighting Mungiki would be easy had better think again.
When the Government doesn’t fight them, it’s called sympathetic. When police crack hard, they are called human rights’ abusers. In Mathare, residents are okay with the sect, saying it provides them with security! Which way then?
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The other day, George Nyanja, the self-styled General Kaiyaba, denigrated his military designation by shedding tears on camera. Generals’ eyes never well up. But Robert Gitonga takes issue with Nyanja over his claim that snuff-taking is a Mungiki trademark. His grandparents value quality snuff more than a kilo of sugar. Does that make them Mungiki?
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When the Government doesn’t fight them, it’s called sympathetic. When police crack hard, they are called human rights’ abusers. In Mathare, residents are okay with the sect, saying it provides them with security! Which way then?
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The other day, George Nyanja, the self-styled General Kaiyaba, denigrated his military designation by shedding tears on camera. Generals’ eyes never well up. But Robert Gitonga takes issue with Nyanja over his claim that snuff-taking is a Mungiki trademark. His grandparents value quality snuff more than a kilo of sugar. Does that make them Mungiki?
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And finally …
The Media Bill has been criticised for its many omissions and commissions. And that is as it should be. But when a media chief goes on television and with a straight face says he has no qualms with pornography, he does the case no good. In fact, he pours cold water on the holes ‘stakeholders’ have poked into the proposed law. Pornography in media has no defence!
