Kenya curriculum uproar as pupils behead live chickens in school (BBC online headline, October 11). International media is making great progress reporting Africa, don’t you think? Fantastic.
Farouk Kibet: The Total Man in Ruto presidency (Star headline, October 11, p.1). Farouk Kibet: Ruto’s powerful right hand man (Standard, October 11, p.8). Farouk Kibet: Larger-than-life image of man with Ruto’s ear (People Daily, October 11, p.3). A striking coincidence, or something fishy about the coverage? Anyway, one of the many unofficial roles of the media is making myths.
It is on recorded that no one can see Ruto without Farouk’s approval (People Daily, October 11, p.3). It is on “recorded”?
Despite his failure in politics, he [Farouk] is considered the most powerful man after Ruto (People Daily, October 11, p.3). Considered by who? Farouk has only been a nominated councillor, never won an election. But how can you call that a “failure in politics”, when “he is considered the most powerful man after Ruto”? When no one can see the President without Farouk’s approval? What’s success in politics, wajuaji?
President William Ruto at the weekend embarked on a regional charm offensive that saw him travel to Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania in a shuttle diplomacy calling upon the leadership in the region to leverage resources to drive economic growth and create opportunities for business people in the region to prosper (People Daily, October 11, p.4). This rambling intro of 50 words betrays poor skill. Why repeat “in the region”, for example?
Ruto: I will not tolerate graft in my government (Star headline, October 13, p.1). Kicker: Says he will lead from the front and anyone found culpable will pay the price. Hustler-In-Chief may have said so, but “lead from the front” is overkill – logically, one can’t “lead” from anywhere else. Lead is enough.
Former citizen TV journalist Kimani Mbugua’s mother has explained why he is still at Mathari Hospital (Star, October 13, p.19). Next: Peris Wanjiku, the mother…Argh. Bad composition. After that intro, you don’t again go, “the mother”. We know.
The future of the entire commission [IEBC] hangs in limbo as Chebukati and commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye are set to exit next year after expiry of their six-year term (Standard, October 13, p.4). Why should IEBC face an uncertain future (limbo) because of commissioners completing their tenure? The law is very clear on what happens, my fren. If you don’t know, find out. Don’t misreport.
Over 1.5 million head of livestock have died due to drought in Mandera County (Standard, October 13, p.21). Fourth para quotes Governor Mohamed Khalif directly: “We have lost over 365,000 cattle, 30,000 donkeys, 500,000 goats and 160,000 camels”. Huge numbers, but they add to 1, 055,000, not 1.5 million. Cherera Mazematik.
