It is rare to hear a man praise himself that he is good or popular! That is left to the people to judge. But of course, we are dealing with Raila who is a different breed, a man who believes everything is on his side. Being popular does not mean being elected.

This world has seen politicians who when holding rallies attract the masses, but when the real thing comes  – making choices, people drink the politician’s money, but deny them the votes!

It has been reported that the, “Lang’ata MP, Mr Raila Odinga, said he was the best candidate among those seeking ODM-Kenya’s nomination for the presidency.”

He is reported to have told the crowds when addressing, “rallies at Matungu, Mumias, Shianda, Sabatia and Butere grounds where he said he enjoyed goodwill countrywide than any other ODM-Kenya presidential aspirant.”

Boasting to the crowd and putting down the other ODM-K leader he told the people, “I am the most popular candidate in ODM-Kenya. I have the following in Lamu, Kilifi, Lokichoggio, Mandera and even here in Butere.”

We should not forget that leading a nation requires humbled men or women and there is no shortage of them. “Other ODM-Kenya presidential aspirants include Mr Musalia Mudavadi, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, Mr William Ruto, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, Mr Najib Balala, Ms Nazlin Umar and Dr Julia Ojiambo.”

Eyeing at the top job in the country, “Raila took his campaign for the ODM-Kenya nomination to Bungoma and Butere-Mumias where he claimed President Kibaki was initially opposed to the introduction of Constituency Development Fund (CDF). At the same time, Raila claimed the free primary education was borrowed from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) manifesto when the party joined the National Rainbow Coalition.”

Now it seems the MP wants to take credit of the successes of Kibaki government. It is reported that, “he claimed that it was not until after MPs threatened to oppose the Budget that the President ordered the then Finance minister, Mr David Mwiraria, to authorise the introduction of the CDF kitty. Through CDF, billions of shillings have been channelled to the grassroots to finance projects prioritised by residents of each constituency across the country.”

If Raila wants to say the government cannot claim success of CDF, then we must not forget that he was in that government. It is only now that he is out criticising the government because he has seen that Kibaki will score points on CDF plan. The media reports that, “Raila said the Government could not claim credit for the success of CDF saying the fund would have been non-existent if the MPs did not threaten to shoot down the 2003 Budget.”

He has started travelling around to built himself up before the election campaign is announced. Kenya media reports that he, “was on his second day of tour of Western Province. Those accompanying him included MPs Mr Sospeter Ojamong (Amagoro), Mr Paddy Ahenda (Kasipul Kabondo), Mr Gor Sunguh (Kisumu Town East), and Bungoma deputy mayor Mr Zaina Watako. Others were MPs, Mr Wycliffe Oparanya (Buture) Mr Wycliffe Osundwa (Mumias), Mr Ken Nyagudi (Kisumu Town West) and Prof Ayiecho Olweny (Muhoroni) accompanied him.”

It is surprising that the other ODM-K leaders are unable to see Raila’s tricks. How do they let a man who tells them off publicly to continue pushing them around. They are going to loose popularity to Raila is they let him tell Kenyans that he is popular.

There is a saying that silence is admitting. So if the other ODM-K presidential candidates do not tell Raila to tone down his claim of being better than them, then the voters might end up believing Raila.

By Korir, African Press in Norway, APN

africanpress@chello.no.

source.standard.ke

Immigrants in Norway

According to Annick Prieur, “Values and practices regarding sex and gender are among the most fundamental constituents of a society’s symbolic system, as well as of an individual’s self. Gendered ways of behavior are symbolic markers of ethnicity, both in a process of labeling from the outside and in the construction of a subjective identity.”

Arguing further to justify the points raised Prieur gives examples, “based on interviews with children of immigrants from patriarchal societies living in Norway – one of the countries in the world where gender equality has reached furthest – the article reveals the tension they experience between the ways gender issues are dealt with in their families and in the surrounding society.”

We all know gender construction’s variability. Prieur points out that, “ Their gender constructions can not be understood solely in the light of cultural influence, as if on a scale running from conformity to parents’ culture to conformity to Norwegian culture. There is something really new in the making – new combinations and new creations – reflecting the particular social situation of the young people of immigrant origin.”

Culturally, the young people have responsibilities towards the elders and as Prieur argues, “Feelings of obligations and debt toward the parents are strong, as well as the adherence to traditional family values. Still, there is clearly a tendency that ideas about individual rights, such as women’s and children’s rights to decide over their lives, are gaining influence.”

To fit into a new society has its constraints and especially for the young people who have to act differently when at home with their parents and try to fit in the larger society that dictates social norms out of the home.

Therefore, before immigrating to join new cultures, we must be prepared for major challenges that must be faced, in order to be able to function in the new order, and enjoy social values.

^{By Korir, African Press in Norway, APN}

^{africanpress@chello.no}

^{source.sage.journals}

Mr Obama, a potential presidential hopeful, has accepted CNN’s apology as an innocent error.

Obama’s spokesman Tommy Vietor is quoted saying, “Though I’d note that the ‘s’ and ‘b’ keys aren’t all that close to each other, I assume it was just an unfortunate mistake.”

CNN’s error came about Monday night during, “presenter Wolf Blitzer’s news programme “The Situation Room”.

Wolf Blitzer has now apologised publicly on air and said he was going to call the senator in order to offer a personal apology.

“Mr Obama, tipped by some to become the country’s first black president, admitted in October that he was considering a White House run in 2008. He has always been ready to deal with questions about his unusual name.”

Obama has told people  that when he first joined work in public life, “people would ask: ‘Hey brother, what’s with your name? You called Alabama or Yo’ Mama?’”

BBC reports that Obama, “has also acknowledged that his full name, Barack Hussein Obama, is not ideal for someone involved in politics.”

Reports that the senator acknowledges that his full name Barack Hussein Obama is not ideal for someone in politics shocks. Are we demonising the name “Hussein” because we may be connecting it with a certain person?

Are connecting the name with the recently executed Saddam Hussein? It would be wrong to do so. It is like we are going to demand that these having the name Hussein should change it.

Are we forgetting that there was a man loved by many, and even the US, who was King of Jordan called King Hussein of Jordan?

It is wrong to demonise a name. There are many people in power, and many children who will be born Hussein, so Barack should be proud enough with his name, and use it more often in politics. The name Hussein does not belong to one person, or group of people.

By Korir, African Press in Norway, APN

africanpress@chello.no

source.bbc 

 Immigration to the West

The migration debate in Norway focuses on Norwegian asylum policy and says little about the diversity of reasons causing people to migrate. The perspective should be expanded, because migration is about some of the most central questions of our time: the need for labour, financial and democratic development, trade, integration, human rights and community security. 

At the moment it is estimated that there are approximately 200 million people who have lived outside their home country for more than a year.  A common designation for them is migrants. Migration, immigration and emigration, cover both voluntary and forced movement, legal and illegal. Students, construction workers, asylum seekers, directors in international companies and illegal migrant labour are all part of the international migration picture.

Increasing globalisation with growing travel activity, internationalisation of the education system and increased international trade give more and more people the opportunity and need to reside outside their home country periodically. Other important reasons for migration are conflicts and poverty, which sends millions of people fleeing or in search of a better life.

The international debate

Experience shows that people will move, regardless of whether states attempt to close their borders or not. In this reality, one must attempt to manage and handle migration in the best possible way in order to take advantage of the benefits and minimalise the negative effects of migration. 

In October 2005 The Global Commission for International Migration (GCIM) published its final report Migration in an interconnected world: New directions for action, written on commission by the UN (www.gcim.com).

The report concludes that international society has neither been able to realise the potential nor grasped the challenges which lie in international migration. The Commission is looking for a greater coherence in the migration policy on a national, regional and global level. The report led up to a high-level dialogue on international migration and development in the UN General Assembly in the Autumn of 2006.

There is a clear connection between migration and development. This becomes clear when one looks at the contribution made by migrants to economic growth in their home country. It is estimated that migrants’ registered financial transfers to their country of origin is in the region of USD 150 billion per year.

In addition, it is estimated that unofficial transfers can be in the region of USD 300 billion per year. The registered transfers alone amount to nearly three times as much as official development aid. In addition, migration leads to the circulation of knowledge and expertise.

Migration, EU and Norway

The past five years have seen considerable changes in the EU’s migration policy and handling, and there are warnings of even greater changes in the years to come. With the Hague programme, which was adopted in November of 2004, the EU countries have set a definite watershed.

From now on they will not only cooperate on asylum and immigration policy, but in the whole of the field of migration. The programme outlines a vision for the future regarding a common policy on asylum, a common approach to labour immigration, common return policy and improved border controls and partnership with refugee-producing states by 2010.

The changes which are taking place in the EU are relevant for Norway because we are affected by developments in the EU through the Schengen agreement. This was the theme at the UDI’s spring conference in 2005, EU’s asylum and immigration policy undergoing change – what consequences will this have for Norway?

Increased need for labour

A central theme concerning migration to Europe is the need for labour. Prognoses show that the EU’s labour force will be reduced by 20 million by 2030.  At the same time, the number of elderly will increase drastically.

This could have serious consequences for the economic development in our part of the world. Therefore, there is discussion on whether one should establish a more offensive system for labour immigration within the EU.  

For the benefit of the immigrant: Lifted info by:

Korir, African Press in Norway, APN

africanpress@chello.no

source.DI

Do not be a lonesome wolf anymore! You have rights if you are a resident in Norway.

People living in Norway are entitled, if they meet certain conditions, to bring their closest family members here. It is the family members abroad who must apply for family immigration. An overview of which family members can be granted a family immigration permit is shown below. Separate rules apply for citizens of EEA countries.

You can be granted a family immigration permit if you are one of the closest family members of the person who lives in Norway. Here “closest family members” are defined as:

• A spouse or registered partner over 18 years of age, where the couple are to live together in Norway
• Cohabitants over 18 years of age, where the couple have lived together for at least two years and intend to continue their cohabitation 
• Children, where both parents are or are going to be legally resident in Norway
• Children who only have one parent settled in Norway. It is a requirement that the parent living in Norway has sole parental responsibility or, if parental responsibility is shared, that the other parent gives his or her consent 
• Adopted children with adoptive parents in Norway where the consent of the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs is given before entry 
• Parents and siblings under 18 years of age of a child who is a resettlement refugee or who has asylum status in Norway 
• The mother or father of a Norwegian child. He or she must permanently live with the child and have parental responsibility for the child. The mother or father must not have a spouse or cohabitant when he or she comes to Norway 
• A mother or father who has access rights to a child who lives in Norway with the other parent. The person must have lived in Norway with a permit for the previous year

You can find a more detailed definition of the conditions governing closest family members in sections 22 and 23 of the Immigration Regulations.

Other family members may also be granted a family immigration permit if more detailed conditions are met. You can apply for family immigration if you are:

• Over 18 years of age and intending to enter into marriage or a registered partnership in Norway
• A cohabitant who has or is expecting a child with the person you are applying for family immigration to join
• A single mother or father over the age of 60 without a spouse, cohabitant or relative in ascending or descending line in the country of origin, and for whom the son or daughter in Norway has special responsibility 
• Parents may visit their children in Norway for up to 9 months, either consecutively or separately. This is a temporary permit and it is a requirement that the parents return to their country of origin on the expiry of the permit.  
• A child aged between 18 and 21 years of age without a spouse or cohabitant, who has previously had long-term residence in Norway with a permit
• A child over 18 years of age without a spouse or cohabitant, who is or becomes left in the country of origin when the remainder of the family obtain residence in Norway, or who for medical reasons is completely dependent on personal care from parents in Norway 
• A foster child, if the person living in Norway has exercised parental responsibility for the child in line with the law of the country of origin, and the child is an established member of the family. The foster home must be approved by the Norwegian child protection authorities  
• A full sibling under 18 years of age with no mother or father living and without any other carer in the country of origin or country of residence

You can find a more detailed definition of the conditions governing closest family members in section 24 of the Immigration Regulations.

In these cases a child means a person under 18 years of age with no spouse or cohabitant.

Registered partners have the same status as spouses. This means that all information on spouses also applies to registered partners.

If you do not fall within any of the categories above, or do not otherwise meet all the conditions, the UDI will always assess whether there are any strong humanitarian considerations which indicate that your application for family immigration should nevertheless be granted. 

Lifted info by

Korir, African Press in Norway, APN

africanpress@chello.no

source.DI

You have a right! And that right is having one family member or more to join you in Norway.

Norway is a party to human rights conventions and that allows you, if you are able to fulfil some requirements, the right to be joined by relatives or family members.

 Your family member or members abroad may immigrate to Norway to live with you, if you already live in the country.

According to immigration rules, to be granted a permit to immigrate, certain requirements must be met by your family members who wants to come and live with you in Norway.

There are requirements also for you receiving the family member.

It is a requirement that you able to ensure subsistence, and housing for the immigrating member of your family.

Getting a visa normally takes time, so it is important to make sure all documents are available.

Many applicants complain of the delay without realising that there are regulations to be attended to before issuance of visas takes place.

By Korir, African Press in Norway, APN

africanpress@chello.no

source. DI

Two policemen from Fatah organisation were killed when they were attacked by armed Hamas members south of Gaza city.

The two killed belonged to security unit loyal to president Mahmoud Abbas.

There has been a power struggle in the last few months between Fatah organisation that lost the political power to Hamas in the last election.

By Korir, African Press in Norway, APN

africanpress@chello.no

source.ANB-NTB-Reuters