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Archive for January, 2011

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Kenya: KISUMU COURT DISMISSES CASE AGAINST JOURNALIST.

Posted by African Press International on January 31, 2011

By API Reporter, Kisumu-Kenya.

A Kisumu  based  journalist Erasto Agwanda Saye has vowed to sue a non governmental Organisation OSIENALA seeking kshs 50,000,000 after a court in Kisumu  stopped the  organization and its management from attaching his properties  in a defamation suit.

This was after the plaintiff, OSIENALA , failed to prove to court  that the defendant was the real person who published the allegedly defaming article in a blog.

Lawyer Raymond Olendo of Ragot and Otieno Advocates appearing for the journalist said, the name used in the story, Agwanda Jakorando, does not belong to his client, Erasto Agwanda Saye; hence the properties of the client cannot be attached to pay for damages in the suit which was ruled earlier last year against Agwanda Jakorando.

Kisumu resident magistrate Tom Obutu who made the ruling said there is no substantial connection that the defendant Agwanda Jakorando was the same person with Erastus Agwanda who the plaintiff wanted to pay the damages.

“The two can not be connected and the NGO should look for the defendant Agwanda Jakorando who they sued to pay for the damages” Obutu said in his ruling.

The NGO had gone to court to appeal for further damages against the defendant.

However, Erasto Agwanda Saye enlisted as the objector denied that he was not the same person to the one who had published the article.

OSIENALA an environmental organization through its Director Obiero Ong’ang’a had gone to court to seek help in payment of Damages in 2009 case where they were awarded shs.500, 000 saying it was difficult for them to get the damages.

“Erasto Agwanda Saye and Agwanda Jakorando cannot be connected to be the same person” Obutu added further in his ruling .

Last year January, Kisumu resident magistrate Charles Oluoch ruled that the defendant, in this case, Agwanda Jakorando pays a fine of shs.500, 000 for general damages for to the environmental organization.

“I thank the almighty God, I have been traumatized for the last two years and my family could not just comprehend what was happening, suing him is the best thing and I get him compensate me for what I have undergone, my lawyers are working on it’ Agwanda said

Ends

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The situation in Egypt

Posted by African Press International on January 31, 2011

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of life during the protests in Egypt,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Mr Støre urges the Egyptian authorities to refrain from the use of violence and to permit peaceful protests and respect basic political and economic rights.

The protests in Cairo and a number of other Egyptian cities during the past few days are the largest seen in the country in recent times. Several people have been killed, many have been injured, and large numbers of people have reportedly been detained in connection with the protests.

The protesters are calling for greater political freedom and the abolition of the emergency laws that have been in force since President Mubarak came to power in 1981.

“The freedom of expression and the freedom of assembly are basic human rights, and they are prerequisites for democratic development. The massive protests can be seen as a reaction to the tight restrictions that are imposed on the expression of political views in Egypt,” said the Foreign Minister.

By Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway
Duty Press Officer:

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President Mubarak’s son has left the country – Running for life to the UK

Posted by African Press International on January 31, 2011

Kamal, President Mubarak’s son escapes from Egypt due to the protests that has lasted for over 6 days now.

Kamal owns a house in the UK and has decided to move to the UK secretly fearing being caught up in the turmoil that might see his father executed if he does not leave the country on time before the demonstrators win their campaign. It is believed that President Mubarak has been grooming his son Kamal to take over from him but this is now not going to be possible. People in Egypt say they are tired by the ruler who has been a dictator for over 30 years. Mubarak took over from Anwar Sadat who was assassinated by some junior military personnel over 30 years ago.

The president will be save if he chooses to do as his Tunisian counterpart who fled the country recently due to demonstrations that toppled him.

The Middle Eastern countries are now on fire. Tunisia fell, Egypt will fall and many other countries in the region will follow because they will copy what their sisters and brothers did in Tunisia and now Egypt.

The USA have called for a shift of power but peacefully, asking the Egyptian security forces not to respond violently.

By Chief Editor Korir, African Press International.

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On average, about 5,000 Somalis seek asylum in Dadaab per month, according to the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR

Posted by African Press International on January 31, 2011

KENYA-SOMALIA: From a life of fear to a life in limbo

Somali refugees await registration in Dadaab. On average, about 5,000 Somalis seek asylum in Dadaab per month, according to the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR

NAIROBI, 24 January 2011 (IRIN) – Fleeing Somalia may mean an end to dodging bullets and living in fear, but for many Somalis who manage to cross the border into Kenya, it is also the start of a long and difficult journey as a refugee.

“We have refugees who have been in Kenya since 1991,” said Salam Shahin, registration officer with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Dadaab, the world’s largest refugee complex, home to more than 300,000 people, mainly Somalis.

“On average, more than 5,000 mainly Somalis seek asylum in Dadaab per month but only about 8,000 are processed for resettlement [annually]; and only around 3,000 are actually resettled to third countries every year.”

Asylum-seekers have often experienced extreme hardships on the way to Dadaab. Sirad Tahilil, 65, has been in the camp for a year. She initially fled the southern coastal city of Kismayo after the Islamist Al-Shabab group killed her son-in-law. She travelled for days, avoiding Al-Shabab roadblocks, to reach the Kenyan border.

“I was with 30 other people, including eight members of my family, my very sick husband, and taking care of two grandchildren,” Tahilil told IRIN. “We arrived in Amume [town on the Kenya-Somalia border]; the police asked us where we were going. We told them we wanted to go the [refugee] camps but they refused to let us in until we paid them money.

“Each of us paid 1,000 [Kenya] shillings [US$12.50] and the truck owners paid them KSh20,000 [$250]. We had no choice; it was either pay them or get caught by those we were running from.

“After we arrived at the refugee camp in Hagardheer [one of Dadaab's three camps], we stayed with relatives for a few days until we were registered by UNHCR.”

The process begins with registering asylum-seekers, which is followed by an interview to determine refugee status.

“Refugees from south-central Somalia are granted refugee status on a prima facie basis on the grounds of the long-running conflict in the region; those from the more peaceful northern regions of Somaliland [self-declared republic in the northwest of Somalia] and Puntland [self-declared autonomous region in the northeast] must provide evidence of persecution under refugee law in order to be granted status,” said Shahin.

Verifying asylum-seekers’ identities and places of origin is hugely difficult. UNHCR does what it can, and asylum-seekers are required to sign a document attesting to the truth of their statements.

With basic necessities in limited supply, it is vital to ensure only legitimate claimants are able to receive food and other supplies. Dadaab is in Kenya’s arid northeast, where drought and extreme poverty mean thousands of Kenyan Somalis have also been known to attempt to claim refugee status.

“Any person claiming to be a refugee can register with UNHCR. The introduction of fingerprinting in 2007 prevented persons from holding more than one record,” Shahin said. “Together with the government, we have run all fingerprints through their database to ensure no Kenyans are registered; we also now hold verification exercises regularly.”

After registration, a ration card is given to each refugee, along with a proof of registration form and an ID card with the bearer’s name, photo, fingerprint, place of origin and other pertinent information. The ration card entitles the holder to non-food items such as tents, soap, jerry cans and mosquito nets, and to a bi-monthly supply of food, depending on family size.

“We get food and shelter but the food is never enough. The biggest problem is health,” Tahilil said. “Up to now, I have not had a doctor to see my husband. But at least I don’t have to worry about someone coming to my house and shooting me or a member of my family.”


Photo: Siegfried Modola/IRIN
The stream of Somalis fleeing to Kenya continues. UNHCR estimates it will take up to eight years to consider all Somalis living in Kenya since 1991 and 1992 for resettlement

An agonizing wait

In the meantime, Tahilil waits to be resettled, a process that can be excruciatingly long. Hodan Ali Hussein, now 30, has been in camps for more than 20 years.

“We took a boat from Kismayo to Mombasa [on Kenya's east coast]; I was around 10 years old,” Hussein said. “They took us to a refugee camp called Utanga near Mombasa. My mother and I stayed in that camp until 1997 when it was closed and we were sent to Dadaab.

“I know no other life than the one in the refugee camp… the worst thing is not knowing whether you will ever get out of the camp. There is no one you can ask.

“We finally went through a resettlement process,” she said. “I am hopeful that we will be resettled and my children will have a better childhood than I had.”

Several countries receive refugees from Dadaab: the US, Australia, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and UK.

Resettlement lottery

Given that the number of annual arrivals vastly outstrips annual resettlements, UNHCR has to make some tough decisions when deciding who to put forward for consideration by resettlement country authorities.

“Somali households are chosen from the group of earliest arrivals – from the years 1991 and 1992 – using a computerized programme,” Daniele Tessandori, UNHCR resettlement officer in Dadaab, said. “The programme chooses households on a random basis, ensuring that all blocks in each camp are given equal attention in the selection process.”

UNHCR estimates it will take up to eight years to consider all Somalis living in Kenya since 1991 and 1992 for resettlement. Not everyone will be lucky: individual refugees with acute protection issues are fast-tracked, regardless of nationality and date of arrival.

The camps are rife with rumours about the resettlement process, so UNHCR and the NGO, FilmAid, are developing a film to inform the refugees about the process and what they can realistically expect.

For Tahilil, who arrived a year ago, the prospect of resettlement remains remote. “I don’t know whether I will get resettlement or not, but I am not optimistic because I found out that there are people who have been in the camps for over 20 years,” she said.

Meanwhile, the stream of Somalis fleeing to Kenya continues unabated. According to UNHCR, there have been no new plot allocations for refugees since 2008; some newcomers stay with relatives, while more than 20,000 have spontaneously settled on the outskirts of the camps.

“There is tension with the host community as a result of the spontaneous settlements. Many of the refugees are living in flood-prone areas [and] congestion is increasing all the time,” said Bettina Schulte, UNHCR external relations officer for Dadaab.

ah-kr/mw

source http://www.irinnews.org

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In 2010, five of the most devastating disasters, measured in loss of lives, goods and infrastructure, occurred in Asia

Posted by African Press International on January 31, 2011

DISASTERS: Better understanding of disaster impact on lives needed

Floods caused havoc in most instances in Asia

JOHANNESBURG, 25 January 2011 (IRIN) – In 2010, five of the most devastating disasters, measured in loss of lives, goods and infrastructure, occurred in Asia. Investing in disaster planning could go a long way to keeping the number of casualties down, experts said.

“Disasters in Asia are largely due to floods and, in the second instance, storms. I think there is an awareness building up for flood management, as agricultural crops are frequently destroyed, as well as infrastructure, but not enough,” said Debarati Guha-Sapir, director of the Belgium-based Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED).

Poor evidence of the impact of a natural disaster on human lives and livelihoods at micro-level on was a major reason why governments were not proactive about disaster risk reduction, said Guha-Sapir. For instance, there was a lack of understanding of the short-term and long-term impacts of a flood on a village.

A recent study by CRED in Orissa, a flood-prone province in India, showed that children in flood-affected villages suffered significantly higher levels of chronic malnutrition compared to similar equally poor children in villages that had escaped flooding.

The international aid community, with their focus on the short-term response to disasters, was partly to blame, Guha-Sapir said.

2010′s most devastating disasters
Event Month Country Deaths
Earthquake January Haiti 222,570
Heat wave July-August Russia 55, 736
Earthquake April China 2968
Flood July-August Pakistan 1985
Landlside August China 1765
Flood May-August China 1691
Earthquake February Chile 562
Earthquake October Indonesia 530
Cold wave July-December Peru 409
Landslide February-March Uganda 388
Source: CRED

She suggested that in instances where countries were unable to strengthen the response at a local level, international and national aid agencies should try to empower communities to better cope with disaster.

“It’s critical for local governments, city leaders and their partners to incorporate climate change adaptation in urban planning,” Margareta Wahlström, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Disaster Reduction, said in a statement.

“What we call ‘disaster risk reduction’ – and what some are calling ‘risk mitigation’ or ‘risk management’ – is a strategic and technical tool for helping national and local governments to fulfil their responsibilities to citizens.” It was “no longer optional”, she noted.

Earthquakes, floods, a heat-wave and cold-wave were among the 373 natural disasters recorded in 2010. Together, they killed over 296,800 people, affected nearly 208 million others, and cost almost US$110 billion, said CRED.

Natural hazards in China and Pakistan accounted for more than US$27 billion worth of damage and nearly 8,500 fatalities.

Earthquakes in China killed 2,968 people in April 2010, and 1,691 people died in floods between May and August. A further 1,765 were killed by mudslides, landslides or rock falls, triggered by heavy rains and flooding in August.

In Pakistan nearly 2,000 people died in floodwater that covered one-fifth of the land after torrential rains pelted the northwest, swelling the Indus and its tributaries from July to August in 2010.

An earthquake in Haiti killed over 222,500 people in January, and a heat wave in the Russian summer caused around 56,000 fatalities, making 2010 the deadliest year in at least two decades.

CRED also highlighted the anomalies in measuring losses because of the enormous economic differences.

“Haiti, which led the list with by far the highest numbers of deaths, fell to the fourth place in the rank of the economic damage list,” said Guha-Sapir. Chile, which was hit by an earthquake in February 2010 and had the seventh highest number of fatalities, climbed to the top of the list of countries suffering financial losses.

“This is a good example of the inadequacy of how we measure losses, as human lives are not included in this measure. Also, as property values in Chile are much higher than in Haiti and insurance penetration is higher, the losses are also higher.”

jk/he

source http://www.irinnews.org

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Violence: UN workers in Ivory Coast easy targets

Posted by African Press International on January 31, 2011

COTE D’IVOIRE: Local UN staff easy targets in the crisis

Francois, a driver with a UN agency in Côte d’Ivoire

ABIDJAN, 24 January 2011 (IRIN) – While the UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) faces a climate of orchestrated and growing hostility, local UN employees, even those working with agencies completely separate from UNOCI, are living in fear.

All local UN staff deemed non-essential have been instructed to stay at home until further notice, and not report to work, while many international staff within ONUCI now live permanently in their offices, sleeping on camp beds.

For Francois*, a driver with a separate UN agency, the current crisis is a cause of extreme stress, not least because it resurrects traumatic memories of his abduction by rebel forces almost a decade ago, a kidnapping from which he was lucky to escape with his life.

“This crisis is having a severe impact on local UN staff. We face all kinds of problems, especially related to our security. We feel targeted by those who support [Laurent] Gbagbo,” François told IRIN. Gbagbo has refused to relinquish power despite the international community confirming his political rival Alassane Ouattara as elected president, a decision which enraged Gbagbo loyalists.

“I live in a district dominated by Gbagbo supporters. It is very difficult when you are a UN employee. It’s not that we are attacked, but there has been a lot of mistrust since the election.

''The word is that as soon as the situation degenerates, we will be the first to be targeted. We have had indirect threats''

“The word is that as soon as the situation degenerates, we will be the first to be targeted. We have had indirect threats.” In districts of Abidjan where Gbagbo enjoys strong support, there is often a strong presence of Jeunes Patriotes, a vocal, highly politicized youth movement, whose leader, Charles Blé Goudé, has been among the UN’s most virulent critics.

“There are the Jeunes Patriotes here, who know me and who know that I work for the UN,” François told IRIN. “When the UN came out in support of Ouattara, I decided not to go out at night any more. We were told by our employer not to go to work, to limit our trips outside our home, and to be wary of entering into arguments.

“Now I don’t tell people I work for the UN. If I do, I take care to stress I do not work for UNOCI.” François said circumstances made it necessary to conceal his work identity. “When you hear such hostility to the UN in public places, it is frightening. You don’t know what will happen tomorrow.

“I know colleagues who have been verbally attacked and even threatened with death. One, who was on mission in Guiglo [Moyen-Cavally Region, western Côte d’Ivoire], was warned by a girlfriend to leave, because she had heard rumours of plans to attack UN personnel.”

François said the deteriorating political climate and the growing crescendo of propaganda meant growing stress for him and his family. “On television there are no words of peace. Just talk of imminent attacks and ‘we will defend ourselves’. It makes me frightened to the core. I don’t sleep well anymore. But I have to hide my fear from my seven children [aged 3-22].

“I find it very hard not being able to work. It has actually made me ill. I am used to working, and sitting around for two months is very hard for me.

“I lived through the war. I was even taken hostage by rebels for two months in 2002 in the west of the country, where I fell into an ambush. There were 23 of us. Only seven came out alive. People were killed in front of us.

“With all I have seen in the past, I don’t want it to be repeated. But we are seeing it again.

“It’s not that we are finding bodies in the street every day, but no there is no sense of security.

“I don’t have much hope for peace. All you hear is talk of war. We had hope before the elections but since then, and with the failure of mediation efforts, I am fearful for the future.

“Local staff are not very well treated here. Since the start of the crisis, if a local staff member gets into trouble, no-one is available to go and help them…. I am not aware of any counselling services available to local staff in the agency I work with.”

*Not his real name

am/cs/cb

source http://www.irinnews.org

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According to the Daily Nation of Kenya “Mother ‘cursed’ with six sets of twins struggles to scrape a living” people welcome to help.

Posted by African Press International on January 30, 2011

This is the time to look into one’s soul and help the people when in need. This woman is in need in order to see through her children in this world full of problems.

People of good heart should assist so that this children can education. They are the leaders of tomorrow. It is not the children’s fault that they come to this world.

Ms Gladys Bulinya at home with five of her six sets of twins. She has faced rejection many times by her relatives, who fear her twins will bring curses to the family. Photo/COURTESY/BBC

Ms Gladys Bulinya at home with five of her six sets of twins. She has faced rejection many times by her relatives, who fear her twins will bring curses to the family. Photo/COURTESY/BBC

This touchy story is worth spreading to reach all goodhearted people who may choose to help. This story written by ” MULIRO TELEWA, BBC News”, and “Posted Thursday, January 27 2011 at 21:18″ in the Daily Nation of Kenya has touched many people now as shown by the comments at the end of the story, and this shows how people love to care for those in need.

According to the Daily Nation, “Most women would struggle to cope with six sets of twins but for Gladys Bulinya it is even more difficult, as many people in her community think twins are a curse. Her relatives will have nothing to do with her, and her husband left her, fearing she was jinxed, after the sixth pair of twins arrived last year. So the 35-year-old lives alone with 10 of her 12 children in a one-room grass-thatched house, a few kilometres from the shores of Lake Victoria. Sitting outside her small home in the village of Nzoia, she recites the birthdays of her children with ease. “John and James were born in 1993,” she starts, shading her eyes from the sun’s rays. She says she got pregnant at high school, but her boyfriend was too young to marry her. Her sorrow then turned to shock, when her own family ordered her to leave the babies at the district hospital for adoption.”

The traditional beliefs make life difficult for women who get twins. The villagers, according to the Daily Nation, “told her that the Bukusu community, to which her family belongs, believe twins bring bad luck, and that unless one of them dies, it means certain death for one or both parents. Luckily, Ms Bulinya says when her boyfriend’s father learned the twins had been abandoned, he took them in and has cared for them ever since. (He is from a different ethnic group, the Kalenjin.) But her troubles did not stop there. Five years later, she fell in love with and married a primary school teacher. She was living with his family when she gave birth to her second set of twins, Duncan and Dennis. Fearing she had brought them a bad omen, and that someone would die, her in-laws chased her away. “I was put on a motorcycle taxi with my twins and sent to my father’s home,” she says. Yet again, however, her family had no sympathy. Still considering her cursed, they did not allow her on to their property. Instead, they quickly organised another marriage for her, to a man 20 years her senior. He agreed to the alliance, she says, as he had not expected to marry at his age. But more twins followed. “Mercy and Faith were born in 2003 and Carren and Ivy in 2005, Purpose and Swin in 2007,” Ms Bulinya says. It was the arrival of Baraka and Prince last year, that led to her husband walking out. “I now have to do lots of odd jobs to feed my 10 children because I do not know where he is, and he is also too old to work even if he were around,” she says. A few of the children attend a local school. Eleven-year-old Dennis has been given a scholarship to a private boarding school nearby, while his twin Duncan looks after the livestock for a retired teacher. “I have decided to sponsor one of them, that is all I can afford,” Margaret Khanyunya, director of St Iddah Academy, told the BBC. Duncan’s monthly ration of maize for his herding duties is enough to feed the rest of the family.”

Having many children and living alone as a single mother is difficult if the woman has no good income. According to the Daily Nation ” the family of twins, often ostracised by the community, just about scrapes a living. But even Ms Khanyunya, a benefactor, is critical of Ms Bulinya’s situation. “The lady should have undergone sterilisation after discovering that men were using and dumping her,” she says. Ms Bulinya says she has no regrets and sees all her children as God’s blessings. But she admits that she has now reluctantly been sterilised, “against the wishes of my church”, as she could not cope with any more children. “I am a Catholic. When I made the decision, I asked for God’s forgiveness and I am sure God understands and will forgive me for doing that.”

——
People’s reaction:
#Submitted by bystander
Posted januar 29, 2011 11:13 AM 

Nation newspaper ,some of us in diaspora are too willing to help, atleast feed the kids even for a day. Gives a credible bank account tuwasaidie ndungu zetu tafadhali.

#

Submitted by gumo
Posted januar 29, 2011 10:45 AM

Any expert out there who can explain this phenomenon of “twining” with every pregnancy ?

#

Submitted by chiombobua@aol.com
Posted januar 29, 2011 09:33 AM

Gladys is a strong woman and i admire her courage. I would like to know how she and her children can be helped.

#

Submitted by karibu2009
Posted januar 29, 2011 06:59 AM

Not a “curse”, no not a curse, might be a big inconvinience for the time being but not a curse.

#

Submitted by hussein296
Posted januar 29, 2011 05:31 AM

MULIRO TELEWA can you please locate these woman details so we can send he money or any help…mpesa or anything really…get you acts together these is about primitive tribe, I think having children is a blessing an for a change The catholic church is right…Help he instead of just blaming anyone

#

Submitted by Divaof3
Posted januar 29, 2011 04:50 AM

Like some of the readers in here, i am a mother of 3 beautiful children. who are such a blessing to us. It’s indeed hard to understand how one would say that a child is curse, does is say anywhere in the bible that having twins is bringing a curse? Pole sana dada Gladys, i pray that those kids grow up to be God fearing people and that they take care of their mama. I pledge to join others in the cause of helping Gladys in some way. Nation please, post the details on how we can reach her.

#

Submitted by kiria_wara
Posted januar 29, 2011 03:55 AM

Gladys, and moreso her innocent children deserve a helping hand to go through school and prove her blessings are not a curse. Since politicians are too busy saving their own to help, let me chip in. A fund is called for, and this good writer should lead us where to send our help. Kenyans, pain of one is pain of all, let’s all chip in.

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Submitted by gibkim
Posted januar 29, 2011 03:33 AM

Some customs leaves alot to be desired.The Catholic church is not to be blamed in any way.There are big families with more than a dozen of kids n not catholics.Lets blame it on our ignorance.”The word of God will dwell in people`s hearts”,Jeremiah prophesied.Not catholic,maranatha,finger of God or whatever…

#

Submitted by werssylwer
Posted januar 29, 2011 02:49 AM

Didnt know that Bukusu land extends to the shores of Lake Victoria ! When did this happen? Or did she migrate ? Or does the mzee she was foced to marry come from the lake? Something is not adding up here. Just read @siranjofu’s comment.

#

Submitted by minjiremaina
Posted januar 29, 2011 02:43 AM

Too sad that such is happening to Gladys and this innocent kids.Do they really deserve this surely? are children not gift from GOD?Can somebody,a local area councillor, chief or a church Pastor do something about it?Duncan should not be left to take up the responsibility of feeding his other siblings at this tender age just because he was born a twin.when will we ever shun this kind of mentality?How is it bad omen for a kid who is born a twin and why should he be left suffering?Good samaritan , please do something.

#

Submitted by whommy
Posted januar 29, 2011 02:16 AM

Can you just stop having more kids! Look at the kids eye and ask yourself what kind of life you are able to give them. Jeez, be a responsible citizens

#

Submitted by jiwadove
Posted januar 29, 2011 01:52 AM

The problem with Africa is ignorance. How ignorant is a human who claims that having twins is a curse? This Gladys woman does not need help from online bloggers, she need to move to central Kenya and contact that Mukurweini guy who is paying women to have children. Tough times call for tough measures. ” My children are your children” That is what i would tell those who are paying women to have children. After all, her community has deserted her. It is time to seek refuge elsewhere.

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Submitted by kusimbwa
Posted januar 29, 2011 01:10 AM

The theme of this article has nothing to do with culture or religion. The write was only attempting to highlight Glady`s predicament. What is expected from the readers is empathy and not venom for her ignorance for birth control. Once again I move that someone with empathy opens an account for Gladys and share the bank information with the public. We who empathize will generously contribute towards the up keep of these beautiful family.

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Submitted by njeuh
Posted januar 29, 2011 12:46 AM

It is very unfortunate that acts of God in procreation are treated as curses subjecting mothers and their twin children in unnecessary troubles. Such behavior are a big shame in the 21st century where people are expected to differentiate blessings from curses. However the mother should have known better to at least use contraceptives with permission from the priest.

#

Submitted by wakuria
Posted januar 29, 2011 12:44 AM

IGNORANCE is as deadly as AIDS. The men should be made to take some financial responsibilty for their children. Community leaders should educate their subjects to combat the superstition. Finally the church will not help raise your children. Use the brains that God gave you and get some birth control. You are the one that will be judged, after all.

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Submitted by ogwilo
Posted januar 29, 2011 12:40 AM

The good thing is that hers is probably nature;s work (God). She did not or was not loaded with birth pills and neither was she go through invitro fertilization to get multiple births. Let Kenyans come out in numbers to assist her even built her a descent house where she can raise these innocent babies.

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Submitted by bendadi
Posted januar 28, 2011 11:58 PM

Author please give some contact. These children are God’s children. In developed places this woman would have been in records.

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Submitted by muthuriwamwangi
Posted januar 28, 2011 11:30 PM

Please,give us some details as to how we can help these lovely Kenyan children to live a descent life and attend school. And to the mum:next time you spread,please realize you are not some kind of butter on a loaf of bread. Do the best you can to assure those little Angels get plenty of love. That’s all you can do sister-good luck

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Submitted by bjim05
Posted januar 28, 2011 10:48 PM

Mama,give them to me.

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Submitted by bmukongo
Posted januar 28, 2011 10:22 PM

This is very sad indeed. When will people know that children are God’s blessings? Please supply us with contacts of Mrs. Bulinya so that we can help her.

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Submitted by TomatoQueen
Posted januar 28, 2011 10:02 PM

Are these the ‘African’ traditions that people keep imposing on homosexuals? Shame.

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Submitted by WN2007
Posted januar 28, 2011 09:53 PM

You mean we still have such primitive communities that see this or Albinos or more girls etc as a curse? How sad and even more sad to the Catholic church that preaches water and drinks wine. John Cardinal Njue and his brothers in the Vatican should take full responsiblity of ensuring all these kids are educated! And Gladys, when God said we go out and multiply, he did not mean it literally as many have misinterpreted!

#

Submitted by Henry4
Posted januar 28, 2011 09:06 PM

Is there any other woman out there with six sets of twins? Right!. Now before we curse this mother of 12, how I wish the majority of us (some 99%) who are born solo would wish of a twin, or wish for a February 29th Birthday. Mundane and bygone cultural beliefs are what hold this country back and frankly its never morally right to abandon children in the name of culture. Instead of a fund, we ought to find the fathers to these kids and demand upkeep and child support.

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Submitted by livingthelife
Posted januar 28, 2011 08:29 PM

Wow…amazing how some people are treated with twins…:(:(:( Whoever wrote put this article/story together should be able to provide us with Glady’s bank information.

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Submitted by Katiba04
Posted januar 28, 2011 07:45 PM

Her husband is a big ole jerk!!! Plain and simple. He is the superstition to get out of the responsibility of raising his children. Someone needs to speak some common sense into this man.

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Submitted by Midas2010
Posted januar 28, 2011 07:24 PM

Gladys, admittedly is a Catholic. She stopped short of laying the blame on the church’s teaching against any form of contraception. Is it too much to demand that John Cardinal Njue make a comment on the issue for the sake of other who might face similar predicament in future? I hope the Holy Father reads this sad story and like he did with the condoms a while ago, allow other forms of contraception. Pole Gladys. The Catholic church has refused to grow with the time and might in future go the way of the dinosaurs.

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Submitted by Jgrytten
Posted januar 28, 2011 07:18 PM

This is a very touching story,the author of this article please let us know how we can help this family. Set up a fund where we can be contributing. if you could get the area M.P i would really like to talk to him. Am a mother and this is just so emotional. I want to help send Duncan to school,like he deserves.

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Submitted by Jarabi
Posted januar 28, 2011 07:07 PM

Wow. Damned if you do, damned if you do not. And the people paying the stiffest price are the innocent children, who did not ask to be here.

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Submitted by Jshiko
Posted januar 28, 2011 07:05 PM

Just like Mwangi Mararo and Kusi Mbwa I have been moved by this story being a mother of 2. How can we reach Gladys Bulinya to support her. Sad thing is you just can not write an article like this and not give people ways of reaching out to her personally and helping her. Please provide information on how to reach her. Thanks.

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Submitted by mpolos
Posted januar 28, 2011 06:56 PM

Can the nation or the writer of this story attach the contacts of this lady, financial help or even words of ecouragemnet can be send to her

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Submitted by blazergal
Posted januar 28, 2011 06:40 PM

Yeah, the catholic church, the same one that convince followers to have huge poor families(look around esp in the village) while its leaders (popes,priests and nuns) do not know a thing about kids. i am a victim and i hate that church now that am an adult.

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Submitted by somalibovu
Posted januar 28, 2011 06:16 PM

@musafiri,are u an agent for the family 2 receive on behalf,another scandal

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Submitted by southerndolly
Posted januar 28, 2011 06:13 PM

Sister Gladys Bulinya this is indeed a blessing from God. You continue to be prayful and know that God is with you always. I will pray for you and your family that you continue to be strong in God and your family will gain the wisdom and knowledge of knowing this is not a curse. Be blessed my sister!

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Submitted by yesuwangu
Posted januar 28, 2011 06:08 PM

If your community denies you because you are blessed with twins get married to another community different from yours which believes twins is double blessing and forget your ignorant community and move forward

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Submitted by musafiri
Posted januar 28, 2011 05:40 PM

This is a very touching story. What a blessing, but some of us still look at God blessing like it is a curse. Shame on you people who think you got it all figured out. Lets help the lady without thinking what tribe or what she should have done. Please get in touch wit me and I will see what I can do for her plus I will share your article with some people who might care.

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Submitted by PURITY4333
Posted januar 28, 2011 05:39 PM

Gladys,whenever u are faced with all this, remember the word that “It came to pass” this won’t last forever,your kids are a blessing not a curse, take heart.

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Submitted by kyumani
Posted januar 28, 2011 05:27 PM

God as His Ways… Since many of us don’t see the sense of having children, to the extend of Signing In and Up to Same sex activities… God has chosen this woman to continue giving life to this planet. The government should ensure these kids get the basic needs. I prefare my tax to be used in educating these children.

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Submitted by wangotho
Posted januar 28, 2011 04:30 PM

You call this a curse? something must be wrong in anyone who calls this, a curse. BLESSINGS to Ms Bulinya that God has blessed your womb mightly that any time you engage, twins come out. let me say here, many have tried to only concieve (one) but unable, they contract people like the jailed Mrs Deya to give a fake birth for money. Lady Bulinya stand tall and count this blessings, am proud of you that all this kids look well fed. Let us count this as blessings folks.

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Submitted by Siranjofu
Posted januar 28, 2011 03:58 PM

Typical journalist antics of maligning a whole community without any modicum of research. To quote someone who is a bit more researched,at the link, http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-10182006-105355/unrestricted/04chapter4.pdf “In the Bukusu community, twins are considered to be very delicate, special and respected children” (see page 24 of the article). But why get some facts get into the way of a story to appear on the BBC

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Submitted by caregiver
Posted januar 28, 2011 03:51 PM

It is in moment like these that we us Kenyans need to have understanding that everything changes with time. The so called “believes” of old are not helping our society. Kenya has great many a learned “FOOLS”. To think that this is a curse really makes us fools. God will see her through and can “see” a great wo/man in da making from the little angles.

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Submitted by kariukimukono
Posted januar 28, 2011 03:48 PM

Very blessed woman, those condemning her even may be not sure of their fertility. such cultures are overtaken by events.

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Submitted by Nabs
Posted januar 28, 2011 02:37 PM

I would rather have my tax money go towards educating and feeding these children (as they are Kenyans, and we should be our brother’s keeper), instead of it being WASTED on a selfish political trips by Kalonzo Musyoka aiming to save those who committed crimes against humanity! The total cost of a single trip of his could feed these beautiful family for a few months!

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Submitted by marston
Posted januar 28, 2011 02:33 PM

Very easy for armchair theorists to talk of sterilisation. Any man who marries her again will want kids with her, this is from the culture in this country, so, has she told those condemning her for not being sterilised earlier on that she doesn’t want to be married again? Being unmarried will still make her “cursed” just the way she is now.

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Submitted by waagui2
Posted januar 28, 2011 02:04 PM

Shame I never thought in Kenya we got such primitive practices in some cultures .The government needs to educate this community since we have seen that common sense is as common as we thought.Sorry to the poor lady am sure tears joy will trickle down your cheeks.God bless you

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Submitted by jary
Posted januar 28, 2011 02:00 PM

He this is not normal. You have to carry your own cross

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Submitted by tunes2006
Posted januar 28, 2011 01:50 PM

a clear case of researchers to possibly find out what makes her fertile,might help other women who are yearning to bear children.As for the stupid cultural thing,thats luhya nonsence,they should support the kids.Where are all those NGO’s who a re busy collecting cheques from european donors and have nothing to show for it.Would the real heros please stand up !!

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Submitted by Korikel1978
Posted januar 28, 2011 12:44 PM

To our comminty childen is a gift from God and is a sign of great wealth to th family.I urge ms gladys not to worry coz Gods know why He gave them to you and in future you will see the grace of the Lorg.Pray and Pray hard.

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Submitted by marston
Posted januar 28, 2011 12:43 PM

Poor mama, coming from a society where the more children one has, the more blessed, how comes she’s “cursed”? And what happened to those our “modern” lawmakers who only relish talking about sex and punishment and not such worthy cases? Let them now think outside the box.

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Submitted by lenkips
Posted januar 28, 2011 12:35 PM

I really admire this Mum.ALL these kids look healthy despite of all the problems..Children are blessings from God,unless you are non-believer.I am also willing to help.Mum,many ran away while some isolated you,but Our God has not 4gotten U.

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Submitted by krugutt
Posted januar 28, 2011 12:12 PM

This is a great blessing! Ms Gladys Bulinya is indeed a blessed women and I know help will come from somewhere. Please do not despair but keep working hard while trusting in God and He will definitely open a door for you even when your closest family, relatives and friends have forsaken you!

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Submitted by kalungawanje
Posted januar 28, 2011 12:08 PM

The guy should have stopped the moment he hit the third set of twins!. he needs to be sought and made to support his family!

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Submitted by mwangimararo
Posted januar 28, 2011 11:21 AM

NMG, please give a contact we can Mpesa. this is very touching

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Submitted by NDEBELE
Posted januar 28, 2011 11:17 AM

this is the face of Kenya

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Submitted by legaleagle
Posted januar 28, 2011 11:00 AM

If you can’t afford children, stop having them. Simple. Don’t expect everyone else to support you – they have their own problems to deal with. There is such a thing as contraception, after all.

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Submitted by barmasaifelix
Posted januar 28, 2011 10:03 AM

This is why the cycle of poverty will go round and round for the next century.Kibaki should change his ministry to Vision 2130. But am ashamed that this woman is a high school girl and knows nothing about contraception. Women need empowerment. Most men are socially irresponsible and will just have sex without thinking of the consequences. I think sterilization must be enforced

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Submitted by andiwo
Posted januar 28, 2011 09:22 AM

If at all the people shunning her are literate enough and able to read this comment, then i don’t see the reason for them adopting such archaic and backward beliefs that were put in place by the lazy men only seeked to benefit the lazy in the society. Our NGOs should really try and educate this illiterate community. Human life is a blessing from God and should be treated as such,be it you bore a lame,deaf,dumb or blind child.Kudos to her for holding on tight to her Go-given gifts!

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Submitted by shene
Posted januar 28, 2011 09:09 AM

Curse is a very strong word. Blessed is the way we define kids…

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Submitted by IAssumpter
Posted januar 28, 2011 09:08 AM

Kmmohan, I don’t think the church owes her anything. For economic reasons… surely the sterilization was timely. Clearly, she can’t afford raising the ones she has at the moment, let alone the fact that she has a bunch of ignorant relatives happening allover the place.

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Submitted by tomilay
Posted januar 28, 2011 08:58 AM

Bukusus do not consider twins a curse but rather a blessing. Check your sources.

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Submitted by WYCLEFWAFF
Posted januar 28, 2011 08:45 AM

Its a shame and pity what ignorance and backward cultures can do.No wonder the primary teacher doesnt know what causes one to sire twins. No need to apportion blame, the lady should be principled and know what she wants, In the belief she could be settled down in a marriage irrespective of whether love existed or not, she is paying the price, and alone.

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Submitted by rofi
Posted januar 28, 2011 07:46 AM

She should be in the Guinness book of records. How ‘blessed’ can some people get!

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Submitted by ShManzar
Posted januar 28, 2011 07:15 AM

What a height of ignorant and evil behaviour. I had not expected that the Bukusu community is this much backward and evil in its thinking. I know each community has its beliefs but this is one thats against God. Children are a blessing of God, why are they treated like a curse? Thats not right and the bukusu people should be ashamed of their belief and their rejection of a woman who is deserving of help and honour, not betrayal of her people.

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Submitted by kmmohan
Posted januar 28, 2011 06:43 AM

The real ‘curse’ is the relatives. The Catholic church that prohibits sterilisation now owes her assistance. Ms. Bulinya deserves commendation for stuggling hard to maintain the large family.

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Submitted by mukarara
Posted januar 28, 2011 03:19 AM

Can the Kenya government look for ways to help the poor?.

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Submitted by emayieka
Posted januar 28, 2011 02:27 AM

This is might be God’s blessings…But Gladys should have known better in advance especially after the 3rd Set.. Our beliefs and cultures also do not help. This kids really need more than this.. they need a better life…… They are not a curse, they are a blessing… NMG could you please link me up with the family.. I might provide a meal for a month or support one to go to school for a year: my email: elijah@mayieka.com or Ph: +44-7791-882228

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Submitted by Zawadi
Posted januar 28, 2011 01:52 AM

(unbelievable, she is very special!)

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Submitted by naipaul2010
Posted januar 28, 2011 01:11 AM

Sterilized? Isn’t that too little too late? Maybe some day we’ll learn something from China’s one-child policy.

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Submitted by KingJulian
Posted januar 28, 2011 12:35 AM

Oh! the price of ignorance. This is why we need better reproductive health education. She may not have ended up with kids she can barely support. And the family would have known she is not “cursed”. How many other Bulinyas are out there tormented because they either can’t have kids or they have too many?Very sad

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Submitted by ogwilo
Posted januar 28, 2011 12:16 AM

Those who stick to tradition to the letter perish and become extinct. Nothing is wrong having twins or even 8 at ago. Naida Suleiman of USA, and many more are celebrities because of having a fortune 6, 8, and counting. They get supported by big baby companies. In fact Opra Winfrey is might be buying a house for Nadia the mother of 14. Those who live tradition behind prosper–its called survival for the fittest. One of those sets of twins might one day be our President but we have to move not stand on stagnant traditional beliefs.

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Submitted by Cayamo
Posted januar 27, 2011 11:09 PM

Can the author of this article write me at cholaco@gmail.com?

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Submitted by mzee_moja
Posted januar 27, 2011 10:38 PM

Please Bulinya, stop at 12. You already got a full team, if not apostles!!

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Submitted by Mulaika_Mwega
Posted januar 27, 2011 10:36 PM

These stupid cultures of selvishness will have to be abadoned. In central Kenya of old, they used to throw away the kids but now everybody is wishing they would get twins in the first round and bring them up at once and finish the work at once. Twins are a blessing, we must choose whether we are Christians or pagans. With the first Kenyan Saint likely to be Bukusu (Cardinal Otunga), the Bukusu need to wake up to the light of Jesus and stop following things they cannot explain. Twins are a blessing

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Submitted by kusimbwa
Posted januar 27, 2011 10:08 PM

This is a moving story. Could I join some willing Kenyans help this lady open a Fund for her Children? I am waiting for volunteers. Lets see what can be done by Nation`s readers and commentators.

———————————————————–

APPEALING TO GOODHEARTED PEOPLE:

Helping others is a blessing. God blesses those who help others. If you want to help the family, please let us know and we will convey your wish to the Daily Nation and the family. Your help can be to fund the children’s education, help built a house for the family and any other small help that you can afford.

END.

Posted in AA > News and News analysis | Leave a Comment »

I had never had sex but got HIV: “This journey has also allowed me to accept my HIV-positive status”

Posted by African Press International on January 30, 2011

ZIMBABWE: Elizabeth Matambanadzo, “I was shocked at the HIV-positive result because I had never had sex”

Photo: Obinna Anyadike/IRIN

NYANGA, 24 January 2011 (PlusNews) – At first Elizabeth Matambanadzo, 18, did not think she was cut out to be part of a group of young people helping to take care of the sick and elderly. Now, months after joining Family Caring Trust (FACT) in Nyanga in Manicaland Province, she says helping others living with HIV has helped her to come to terms with her own HIV-positive status.

“We work mostly with home-based caregivers who help us identify homesteads that need assistance or where there is a sick person. We help out by cooking, washing clothes, fetching water and firewood, among many other things.

“Our work is limited to household chores as youth volunteers; we leave direct care work to caregivers who have been trained. Before we came along, caregivers used to do the care work and then the household chores. This was too much work but now we have lessened their burden.

“Most of the bedridden people we visit in our area are HIV positive and cannot do certain household chores on their own and at times you find their children taking care of them. Some of the children who have to take care of their sick parents or relatives end up not going to school. With our help they can concentrate better on their school work and have more time to do their homework.

“Our work also involves assisting grandparents who are taking care of grandchildren. They know their children died of HIV and are very open about it. The orphan problem here in Nyanga is huge. There are some grandmothers taking care of more than eight orphans and in their old age this can be strenuous so we help out as much as we can. The grandparents appreciate a simple action like helping their grandchildren get ready for school in the morning.

“This journey has also allowed me to accept my HIV-positive status. When I tested positive I was very angry because I blamed my parents for having given me this disease but seeing other families affected and infected by HIV/AIDS has made me realize that I am not alone and that it’s not my fault nor anyone’s fault.

“My mother passed away when I was five and my father when I was 10. I have been staying with my grandmother since then. I tested HIV positive in 2008 when I was 16 after being sick for a long time. I developed sores all over my body that wouldn’t heal even after taking medicine. My grandmother and I were always in and out of hospital. I missed a lot of school. At first doctors thought I had diabetes since the sores were not healing.

“After the diabetes test came back negative the doctor recommended an HIV test. At first my grandmother was against the idea but after some time she agreed. I was shocked when the result came back positive because I had never had sex. My grandmother cried too, she was very sad but the doctor explained that I may have been born HIV positive. I was very angry and blamed my parents for giving me this disease. I was immediately put on antiretroviral drugs [ARVs] and my sores healed… I feel very strong and healthy… all I want is to continue helping other people affected and infected by HIV/AIDS in my community.”

st/kn/mw

source http://www.irinnews.org

Posted in AA > News and News analysis | Leave a Comment »

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