By Standard Team

Global environmental degradation has become the in thing for NGO’s, governments UN, busy bodies and a host of others ready to cash in on the growing world concern phenomenon. And it is not unfounded as pollution, environmental degradation, increasing energy consumption and rapid urbanization are increasingly causing trouble to the ecosystem. And Kenya is no exception.

Events in most part of the world show an environment which is at war with increasingly destructive man activity. Floods, hurricanes, tsunami’s , excessive pollution, increasing health challenges, traffic jams and so on should sound a strong warning that humankind need to do something about the environment. In the pacific and in USA it hardly passes a month without a warning of a hurricane or an impending hurricane. On Switzerland Alps, global warming has resulted to shrinking glaciers that it is estimated that in 2080 it will be no more.

In Kenya forest destruction, poor waste disposal systems, pollution by industries and vehicles, unplanned urbanization, rotten infrastructure, polythene bags menace, poor environmental conservation, poor farming systems, sheer ignorance and many other ills bedeviling us are busy bringing forth rapid desertification, unpredictable weather patterns, hunger, weather destruction and other pains.

Global fuel demands, rising fuel costs, poor economic condition in our country has meant further destruction of environment in Kenya. The fact is at this rate we cannot afford to perpetually import oil. And wood fuel and its associates will remain an important source of fuel to majority of households in Kenya to the foreseeable future. Add this to the growth of construction and real estate in Kenya which is a direct consequence of a growing economy and the growing importance of Kenyan Diaspora economy and it is a recipe for a rapidly growing
demand for timber.

The fact is we cannot afford to continue loosing so much foreign
currency importing timber. And that fuel wood remains critical. The solution partly lies with the government, NGO’s, corporates and other willing partners encouraging faster aforestation, re-aforestation and agro forestry in the country. This should outstrip usage. It is irrational to stop tree cutting when it is obvious there is no logical viable alternatives. The idea is replacement of trees plus more planting.

Additionally global oil fuel prices are growing to irrational levels.
And with increasing energy demands petroleum will become unaffordable as economies grow and expand. The solution for Kenya and the rest of the world is to explore the route of bio-fuels. Crops like the jatropha, sugar cane and corn are proving a success in many parts of the world such as in USA, Brazil and India. So why not in Kenya?

Story by our East African Correspondent,

Harrison� Mwirigi� Ikunda,
P.O. Box 51806,
NAIROBI.

Published by Korir, African Press International, API/ African Press in Norway, APN africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525

President Kibaki has made history for rejecting Media Bill 2007 which was passed by parliament few weeks ago. This bill contained an offensive clause which was a result of last minute amendment by Ol Kalau MP Hon Muriuki Karue. It is a bill which had not only contained the offensive clause which would have reversed democracy in a big way but also was infamously passed by 27 members of parliament in day only 29 members of parliament (below the required quorum) were present.

It has been argued that probably that Hon Muriuki Karue who is famous having helped brought about a revolutionary developmental programme called Constituency Development Fund (CDF) ,which has been hailed for having decentralized development project funding in the country, did not mean any harm. Others however opine that he did bring it at the
behest of some powerful forces ostensibly because it would not be easy to suspect anything wrong since much of the other bill had already been renegotiated with stake-holders.

However let it be known that from the word go the Media bill 2007 was crafted with a motive. And in as much that there are bad elements in the media fraternity in Kenya the point is that the bill from the onset largely was after the neck of Journalists and the ultimate control of the media. Incidentally another still very contentious bill the Kenya Communications Act 1998 Amendment Bill has been withdrawn by the government. Something is clearly not right on the government bills
touching on communication.

For instance the amendment in Media bill 2007 was so vague that it would have spelt a death spell on investigative journalism, whistle blowing and secret passing of information on all forms of evil doing as the sources would be so afraid to be revealed in a court of law.
Politicians and powerful people in the society will always have
something to hide. World over you hardly hear of a government which is quite friendly to the fourth estate. But it all matters how it deals with it. Mature democracies like USA, UK and the Scandinavians have just learnt to tolerate the media within acceptable limits.

Former UK Prime Minister came to power in UK amidst a lot of media support (just like NARC) and he even had crafty ways for charming the media throughout his reign. However when things started falling apart he had very unkind words for the fourth estate early this year as he prepared to leave office to his erstwhile friend turned schemer the current Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

For the media in Kenya, it is not yet time to celebrate; the battle is far from being won. That there are people within or around the current regime hell bent to tame it does not mean they are done yet. Still even in future regime don’t expect a bed of roses. Indeed some in the opposition would be more eager to mess the media from the earliest opportunity upon coming to power.

However kudos and a great honour to President Kibaki for his wisdom prevailed. It would be unkind to his legacy if his pen destroyed it with a signature to an anti-democratic legislation. Thank you again Mr. President.

Story by our East African Correspondent

Harrison� Mwirigi� Ikunda,
P.O. Box 51806,
NAIROBI.

Published by Korir, African Press International, API* African Press in Norway, APN africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525

While doubts are emerging over the sincerity behind the hand over of ODM,There are already calls that Mudavadi goes for the top seat or nothing, with people like Jirongo threatening to run for presidency if he doesnt.
Since Mudavadi will be selling to them nothing they have never had before, western having been the perennial source of vice-presidents over the past few years, the entry of people like Jirongo is expected to reduce the ODM vote considerably. According to those who talked to the News review, it is better a small bull beaten in the ring than a big one that shies away from engaging.

Trouble for Musalia is that the same reason for his being kicked out in 2002 is still rearing its ugly head. Musalia lot his seat for betraying his constituents by accepting to play second fiddle. They had wanted him to be president. Period. And going by recent utterances and meetings, chances are that they have not changed their mind.

The pro-Mudavadi groups second line of argument postulates that if he cannot be realied upon to deliver Western in a lesser capacity, then he should be given the presidency as a rallying point for the regions vote. Raila Odinga, they say, can easily marshal the Nyanza votes while Ruto delivers the Rift valley.

This arrangement will see Mudavadi as the president and Raila the Prime Minister and head of the government. He will appoint the cabinet and hold instruments of power. Then he can take charge of the reforms he has all along wanted for this country, says commentator who requested anonymity.

But the flaw in this argument comes in light of regional balancing. With the prime Minister and the president coming from the same region, the physical proximity of their constituencies not with standing, other communities will see it as a raw deal, and something the opponents can use against them.

Rutos earlier attempt to project Musalia and Kalonzo as better alternatives to Raila in beating President Kibaki prompted a counter reaction from Raila Odinga that saw him traverse the city calling for an election of the flag bearer. Suggestions that he goes foe the premiers post while either of the Kalonzo-Mudavadi goes for presidency irked Mr Odinga and his community to the core.One thing that did not escape the attention of the cynical was Raila company during that particular entourage.

Save for Fred Gumo, the rest of the speakers were lieutenants drawn from the traditional Luo shouting brigade of Jakoyo Midiwo and Ndolo and others. And the message then was a clear contradiction of what is being floated now.

This elicits some element of suspicion and caution from voters in Western province. Railas insistence on going for nothing less and worse, a position he termed as imaginary is not being taken lightly now that the shoe is on the other foot. Why should Musalia be suggested for an imaginary position of prime Minister?

Rutos controversial beakfast invitation to Kalonzo and Raila Odinga marked the climax of both the fallout and the hypocricy in ODM-Kenya. Claims that the other presidential hopefuls had been informed of the breakfast meeting between the trio only helped to add jitters to the already fragile situation. The proposal floated during that meeting did not factor in candidate Musalia Mudavadi. Another source of suspicion. Mudavadi and Western province are only a fall back when things dont seem to work out.

The involvement of retired President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi in the game plan for 2007 cannot be ignored. With more to lose in a Raila Presidency than a Kibaki led one, observers are quick to note the trademark Moi style of politics in the reconciliation of Biwot and Uhuru Kenyatta, and in the declaration by some Kanu party officials-as key as Madsen Madoka-that they will be supporting president Kibaki, anyway.

The alliance between the labour party of Kenya and Uhuru Kenyatta should be telling a lot. The simmering relations between Uhuru and the Raila-led ODM are meant to assure him of his parliamentary seat while warming up to Kalonzo puts him in the post Kibaki picture. Yet all these are designed to deny Raila Odinga the presidency. With all forces lined up against a Raila presidency, no matter who takes it instead and which is increasingly becoming the point the new found ODM has no option but to go back to the drawing board and probably spring some suprises.

Trouble is that a Raila win, however genuine, may be interpreted to mean and used to confirm that ODM was meant for Raila� and everybody else is just a guest and should play ball or else. If LDP turns out to be ODM, then the rest of the aspirants will find it difficult to jostle Raila Odinga from his ambition without jeopardising their positions. And, pundits say, that is where Kalonzo Musyoka will remain relevant long after all the five other presidential contestants in ODM have been eclipsed to the periphery and reduced to cheer leaders.

Posted by�Noah

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President Kibaki promised to fight corruption when elected
The police force in Kenya remains the most corrupt government department for a sixth year running, a report by Transparency International (TI) says.
Richard Leakey, who heads TI’s Kenya branch, said despite reforms in the force, policemen still demand bribes.

The report says Kenyans still encountered bribery in more than half of their interactions with government and private institutions.

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki promised to fight graft when elected in 2002.

Kenya ranks 142nd on TI’s 163 nation global corruption list, only above Guinea, Sudan, Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast in Africa.

Political will

“It is very difficult to know why Kenya is still grappling with corruption; I think the political will to exercise zero tolerance is not that developed,” Mr Leakey told BBC Focus on Africa programme.

The report, which reviews the bribery index in 2006, also named lawyers and managers of the recently launched constituency development funds as the other group that ranks high in soliciting for bribes.

TI says the average number of bribes more than doubled but the average size of the bribe fell to $18.35 (9) from $24 (12) within the period in review.

The survey also showed a marked increase in bribery relating to employment, with job seekers paying employers bribes to secure work.

Kenyans go to the polls in December and observers say President Kibaki, who is seeking a second term in office, may be judged harshly by voters disappointed by his government’s failure to tackle graft.

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Madrid (Spain) The Spanish Home Ministry has repatriated about 410 illegal immigrants from Senegal and Morocco on board two aircrafts after 240 policemen undertook the search, arrest and boarding operation, sources told APA here on Wednesday.

Three medical doctors as well as policemen accompanied the deportees to their respective countries of origin bringing the number of deportees since 2007 from Spain, to 8,000.

Since the beginning of 2007, Spain has used 123 flights to repatriate 4,630 illegal immigrants and has scheduled flights for the remaining 3, 066.

Most of the illegal immigrants who repatriated arrived in Spain on board canoes from West African coasts via the Canary Islands.

Spanish Home Minister Alfredo P�rez Rubalcaba said 8,500 illegal immigrants had been snubbed in the country since the beginning of the year against 24,000 last year during the same period.

Morocco, Senegal and Spain signed a repatriation agreement under which all illegal Moroccan and Senegalese migrants in Spain will be repatriated.

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