Nation Media Group wants to decide for us

From: William ODuor.

Odhiambo T. Okech of Komarock in his contribution to Jaluo.com titled On his own; Reaally? briefly narrated how the issue of ODMK nomination is being reported by the Nation Newpaper. Nation newspaper do not believe in Raila. This can now be confirmed by keen media observers and those who follow Kenya news online. In fact out here, Nation is not popular with the readers, Eastandard leads the pack. KTN TV's news clips is a big plus out here, and ''Timesnewsonline'' an online version of Kenya Times gives a more balanced news coverage than the Nark Kikuyu leaning Nation newspaper.

Nation newspaper did not pick on Kalonzo when he said that it's '' ether him or Kibaki'' Ruto also has been quoted extensively saying that he is the best placed candidate to take on Kibaki on ODMK ticket. Funnily enough, its only Raila who is being depicted negatively. When Kalonzo says that its either him or Kibaki, Nation Newspaper- the current Kibaki mouthpiece doesn't report that Kalonzo is under siege or being sidelined by other presidential aspirants etc. There are also several instances where they have completely written nothing about Raila's political activities. A good case is the recent Vision launch. This, to Nation newspaper is professional journalism at its best.

In my opinion, Nation media group in general is a conservative central Kenya and anti Majimbo mouthpiece that don't value or believe in other Kenyans right to govern the nation. They never believed that Kenyans will vote Orange in the last referendum. In brief, Nation media group do not believe in democracy, good governance and the rule of law as they want us to believe. To them, democracy is only when Michuki and company wobble and use the jungle law to enrich the likes of Artur Margayan and his brother Sargasyan. Those who they support were the ones who issued the rank of Police commissioners to Artur brothers thus giving then express permission to inflict terror unto progressive Kenyans.

To those of us who've witnessed what democracy, good governance and having strong institutions that supports it means, we know for sure that those are just preached in theory by the Nark Kikuyu government. In countries where the rule of law is cherished, Anglo Leasing culprits would not be warming cabinet posts. No region in real democracies are sidelined when it comes to distribution of national wealth. In Kenya Beth Mugo can comfortably say that Luo Nyanza schools are performing misrebly in national examinations because of ''our politics'' and ''Raila''. If I were made the secretary of Education today, I would do a better than these ''pippo''. I would support any worth while policy or endeavor which could bring about meaningful changes in all spheres of our society.

Using allegiance to one's tribe, curse words, fear, and divisiveness in national campaigns as have been going on in Kenya over the years in an attempt to win national elections is not a good strategy. I wholeheartedly condemn and frown upon anybody who uses tribal affiliation and religion to divide the people.

What happened to appealing to peoples hopes after NARC took power? Anglo Leasing, what about Murungi's Judicial surgery? The political demagogues in our midst must be exposed and not allowed to destabilize the nation. The president must learn to craft his of-the-cuff Kiswahili speeches with great care. Not bashing Raila Odinga. He's been quoted severally saying ''Na wewe unafikiria ni wewe tu, eti ndio unaweza......uwezi kitu wewe!!!. wewe ni pumbazu na tena ni mavyi ya kuku.'' I wonder how a head of state can use such a filthy language while addressing the nation. That's bad manners!

If I had my way, all political contests would be won or lost based on better new ideas presented by the candidates. Ideally, tribal affiliation should be a non factor especially when it comes to electing who should become the president of the Republic. The part of Kenya where a person comes from should never be allowed to become the main qualification for the presidency. It is unfortunate and very shameful when I read some of the comments on articles posted by newspapers on the web. It is sickening!! If we are preoccupied with tribalism in this 21st century, then our country would have no future. I am scared for Kenya as a cohesive nation state. We must work assiduously as progressive adults to bring our people together otherwise we may fall victim to the "Serbian or even Rwandan syndrome" if this obsession with tribalism continues. Our leaders, from the ruling Narck Kikuyu government, must do something urgently to tone down the rising steam of tribalism in Kenya.

Mungatana tone down, Kalembe Ndile go to Mcmillan Library and update yourself with the history of sycopnacy, Raphael Tuju, you can do better things than being used to fight your political unequals, Moody Awori, you must be old and wise enough to understand why Moi never trusted you with a full ministeral post in your long term Nyayo calender. Kivutha Kibwana, you hate Joramogi so much, we wonder what they did to you. To all post NARC sycophants......don't let go history!! Well, what I am saying is that we can unite now to confront, and condemn this scourge of hatred, animosity and senseless tribal discrimination among others. Either we unite as a people and develop or we perish separately in disunity and acrimony.

I care a lot about who becomes the president of Kenya but the tribe, and region of the country where the president comes from should never be the main qualification to the highest office in the land. I would be more interested in the president's political philosophy, ideology, economic plans, strategy, etc to move the country forward instead of his/her ethnicity. Let's favor and choose competency over tribal affiliation in electing our president. We should stop reading tribal sentiments into every problem and into every solution. We need national unity to build and achieve a sustainable level of economic growth. We are too far behind the Koreans and the other Asian Tigers.

The symptoms of tribalism are too pervasive in Kenya today to be ignored by the President of the country. The president can still do better, he can decide what he wants to do now; to be the president of his tribesmen or the whole country. Tribalism is endemic in Kenya and must be tackled head on without mincing words. As Martin Luther King aptly stated in his "I Have a Dream Speech, " a person should be judged by the contents of his character''. In Kenya's case, we should judge every president, every potential presidential candidate, and everybody standing for any elected office or position by the contents of his/her character and ideas to build the country, and not by the tribe he or she comes from. I always cry for my country when I read disgusting obsession with tribal hatred and sentiments on the internet and in the newspapers.

Civility is good for the body politic and Kenya's future as a unified state. If this cant be digested by our current government rated as the most tribal ever, we have a good option...MAJIMBO. Lets use majestic leaders like William Ole Ntimama a man who has fought hard for the land of Maasai and like-minded to campaign for Majimbo. Majimbo is the only way forward and a perfect bet in protecting the rights of all Kenyans. The current system has helped build some regions thus making them think that they are the best leaders....a false myth.

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"I for one believe that if you give people a thorough understanding of what confronts them and the basic causes that produce it, they'll create their own program, and when the people create a program, you get action." MALCOM X