While colonialism came with benefits, one of its downsides was criminalising our traditional healers and herbal medicines (Standard editorial, October 17, p.14). Ati colonial benefits? Why do we celebrate Mashujaa Day then, or Madaraka? In 2001, Europe acknowledged its role in slavery and colonialism in Africa as a crime against humanity. Colonialism qualifies as a crime against humanity under international law. But Standard appears to know its “benefits”, sigh.
However, in a brief ruling, the magistrate declined to grant Mr Ombati’s oral request but, instead, ordered the DPP to file a substantive application together with affidavits in support of the petition (Nation, October 16, p.2). Next: In his ruling, the magistrate… Nah, what is the point of this repetition? The previous sentence already says “in a brief ruling”.
Detectives in Trans Nzoia County are hunting for the parents who dumped their newborn baby who was delivered without limbs (Nation, October 16, p.3). Para 2: Police have launched a manhunt for the parents. Ala, but that is exactly what the intro says.
A handbag containing the deceased’s identification documents was found a few meters away from the body (Nation, October 16, p.3). Six paras down: Another resident, Joseph Kago, said that a bag found near the body contained the student’s documents. Why repeat?
Though the governor will point to a technicality as his saving grace, the voting on determining whether the two-thirds threshold needed to impeach him met the threshold could have gone either way (Nation, October 16, p.5). Ati “the voting on determining whether the two-thirds threshold needed to impeach him met the threshold”? What’s that?
When doctors at Tenwek Hospital performed groundbreaking open-heart surgeries in November 2008, little did they realise that their action would attract global attention (Nation, October 16, p.17). Nah, open-heart surgeries are over 200 years old (since 1893). And in Kenya, the first was conducted in 1973. Tenwek does great work, but “groundbreaking open-heart surgeries” performed in 2008 that “would attract global attention”? Hardly.
Senate of Kenya tweet: The Speaker of the Senate @HonAmasonKingi rules that the preliminary objection raised by the Deputy President’s counsels on the appearance of Senior Counsel James Orengo for the National Assembly is dismissed.
K24 TV tweet: SC James Orengo has been dismissed as part of the National Assembly’s legal team. Who/what was dismissed, the preliminary objection or Orengo? Kizungu ni ngumu.
An investigation into serious crimes rocking the Wajir county government could have a hand in the mysterious disappearance of a local ward representative who went missing 33 days ago (Nation, October 16, p.6). Wee msee, how can an investigation “have a hand” in something? Get a better phrase.
Day of drama as Rigathi ‘heart attack’ throws the Senate off balance (Star, October 18, p.4). Senate day of drama as Gachagua hospitalised and MPs decide his fate (Nation, October 18, p.2). On a day of high drama and fireworks… (Standard, October 18, p.1). One thing you can be sure of in journalism? Scribes know drama.
