Leadership wrangles behind Prof Kiama’s decision to take leave (Nation headline, August 4, p.8). Intro: Fresh leadership wrangles are behind the announcement that University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor Stephen Kaima has gone on a six-month leave, Nation can reveal. What are the wrangles? University communications chief and Prof himself say his leaves had accumulated. Nation can’t reach council chairman or members for a comment. Education CS Machogu says there’s no conflict. So, what leadership wrangles can Nation “reveal”? Nothing until para 11: Nation understands that Prof Kiama is opposed to the re-appointment of a senior member of management whose contract expired last month. Only that? If indeed there are “leadership wrangles” at UoN, this story didn’t “reveal” them.
Yesterday, Mr Ichung’wah openly expressed Kenya Kwanza’s reservations on the issue, insisting that it shall not be discussed in the talks (Nation, August 3, p.4). Next: “As agreed, there shall be no discussions of whatever nature on matters handshake or nusu mkate,” Mr Ichung’wah said in a statement. That is not “expressing reservations” (some doubts about something generally accepted). It is being categorical and adamant.
Despite these differences, both camps seem to read from the same script regarding power sharing. Even as Mr Odinga’s camp insists it is not seeking a coalition government, President Ruto’s side believes by having “inclusivity” in the agenda, “their aim is to join the government through the backdoor”. Wadau, is this “reading from the same script regarding power sharing”? Seems like the exact opposite.
For more than a minute, Mr Mackenzie and his supporters staged a massive protest to demand their rights (Nation, August 2, p.8). Sounds funny. You can’t really stage “a massive protest” with your supporters “for more than a minute”. How long is that? Say, 67 seconds?
It took the intervention of their lawyer, Mr Wycliffe Makasembo, who pleaded with them to allow the court proceedings to continue. Picture the scene: Mackenzie and his supporters stage a massive protest disrupting court. Lawyer intervenes, pleading with them to stop. And all this is supposed to have lasted just “more than a minute”? How long is a minute?
Ruto reads riot act (Standard headline, August 2, p.1). President reads riot act to CSs, top state officials (Nation, August 2, p.4). Ruto reads riot act to CSs, vows to punish graft, poor performance (Standard, August 2, p.6). Task force scraps subjects in radical proposals for CBC (Star, August 2, p.1). Ruto teams serves up a radical shift in curriculum in reform proposals. (Nation, August 2, (p.7). President’s new radical education reforms plan (Standard, August 2, p.1). Riot act, radical proposals. On a good day scribes see the same things.
Cold weather that has caused the fish catch in Lake Victoria to drop by more than 59 per cent in the last one month (Star intro, July 31, p.3). Is this a sentence or a photo caption?
At least 10 cases of cholera have been reported in the country in the last 10 days, with children below the age of 10 years being the most affected (Standard, August 1, p.11). At least 10 cases in 10 days mostly affecting children below 10 years. Funny coincidence, don’t you think?
Olaiwon, a Nigerian, is serving a three-year at Industrial Area Prison (Standard, August 1, p.15). A three-year what? Internship? Ama tujijazie?
Freedom for murder convict who has waited 25 years for sentencing (Star headline, August 1, p.1). Story: A man who has waited for his sentencing since 2007 when he was convicted for murder is now free after the court ruled his long detention was enough. Do the subtraction: How many years is 2007 to 2023? Sixteen. Lion Place got 25.
The termination of his commission was unfair, unlawful and unconstitutional as it was done in contravention of express provisions of the law, the Constitution and the rules of natural justice,” Justice Makau said in a ruling dated 31 August 2023 (Nation, August 4, p.3). How do scribes at Kimathi Street access court judgments delivered in the future? Check date.
