The headline on Daily Nation said, “Margaret Nduta’s family relieved as death penalty commuted to life sentence.” In the text, the July 31 story by Martin Mwaura went on to repeat the legal phrase “commute” without explaining it.
If the audience were students at the Kenya School of Law, that would be fine. But no, somebody forgot this was a newspaper. Meant for the general public. Watu wa kawaida. You know — us.
The Nation then doubled down and posted the same story across its sister social media handles.
At 6:14am, on NTV Kenya’s Facebook handle, the heading read: “Nduta’s Sentence Commuted.”
A two-line summary followed: “Vietnamese Supreme Court commutes Kenyan national Margaret Nduta’s death penalty to life sentence; the court made the ruling on Thursday.”
And Kenyans went to town on it. Sirima Sirina joked: “Commute is like taking a matatu from State House to Sungoi [sic], e.g. your prophet will commute from State House to Sungoi.” [sic]
Dennis KE asked the million-dollar question: “What might happen if you use simple English? I feel some of us are under siege?”
That one got 75 replies. Some cheered him on: “Ask again, brother!” “Yes, ask them—what will it cost them?” [triple laugh emoji]
John Ouko Otieno chimed in: “So she’ll be Kenya’s permanent representative in Vietnamese prison.”
Mwangi Thuita added: “In future utaskia wakitwambia ati the court has ‘propelled’ the case to life atmosphere.”
Shiru Hildah gave a warning: “Choose one—complicated English or complicated economy. Hatuezi handle the two.”
And finally, Harrison Mwachio: “Commute means she will be travelling from Kenya to Vietnam daily to serve the sentence or?”
Now that’s hilarious. But the real gem came from Kipchirchir Vincent, who took it upon himself to help NTV out. He rewrote the summary in plain English:
“Here is simple English [laugh emoji]
The Supreme Court of Vietnam has changed the punishment of a Kenyan woman named Margaret Nduta.
She was earlier given the death penalty, but now the court has decided to give her a life sentence instead.
This decision was made by the court on Thursday.
In short, instead of being executed, she will now spend the rest of her life in prison.”
Now, is that perfect? No. But is it clear? Crystal.
So what’s the lesson for the Nation. Simple English, please. Or at least explain the jargon once before you repeat it 10 times.
