Waiting with bated breath for controversial news

The International Criminal Court is set to make its announcement on the fate of the key suspects of the Kenyan Post Election Violence that saw more than 1000 people killed and hundreds of thousands displaced. The news is expected to reveal whether charges are to be brought against the infamous Ocampo 6 who are suspected to have in one way or another fanned the flames of the violence. The much anticipated announcement is expected to be posted on the ICC website at approximately 1330 hrs (Kenyan time), time when most working class Kenyans will be having their lunch break. Anyone visitor to Kenya may be shocked to see people stopping and standing still on streets when the national flag is being lowered. An almost similar scenario may be witnessed this coming Monday as the outcome of that pronouncement also holds the key to the political careers of some of Kenya’s biggest politicians, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP, William Ruto who are both interested in the top seat in the forthcoming general elections to replace Mzee Mwai Kibaki. The other key suspects include the former Police Commissioner Hussein Ali, Cabinet Secretary Francis Muthaura, MP Henry Kosgey as well as radio journalist Joshua Arap Sang. Kenyans have been urged to remain calm and not engage in violence regardless of what the outcome will be. Those concerned especially Ruto and Uhuru have urged people to pray for them but also not to expect anything less than a confirmation of their innocence. Kenyans suffered a lot during the 2007 and early 2008 violence with many still living in refugee camps. Some are hoping that justice is done and impunity is punished but at the same time others are hoping for the best for those involved considering that anything less may crush the political careers of those they look up to. As we all join in the waiting, we hope whatever decision is taken, peace prevails in Kenya. Peace in Kenya is very important considering how much reign Kenya has over the economy of the region. Any slight disturbance and the rest of our economies are put on their knees. The Kenyan port of Mombasa supplies Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo with goods and supplies on a daily basis. This power that Kenya continues to hold over other East African nations should be a serious concern to the leaders of other countries. Our leaders should be preoccupied with the fast tracking of various infrastructural projects like railways, and roads from the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam to ease the dependence on the port of Mombasa. The current situation clearly looks like putting eggs in one basket since a slight interruption often results in shortages that bring life to a painful state in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and eastern DRC. Meanwhile in Tanzania negligence, unprofessionalism and corruption were cited as the reasons behind the disaster in which MV Spice Islander ferry which sank and claimed the lives of 203 passengers. The boat which was licensed to carry only 600 passengers had been loaded with unknown tonnes of cargo and over 2470 passengers on the fateful day. Water transport remains a deadly venture for many East Africans and one of the least exploited modes of transport and one that is poorly regulated allowing those looking for quick profits to risk the lives of passengers almost daily. Moving over to Uganda which has of late gained a reputation for having a lot of protests with no clear results, some good news emerged. The three day city traders’ protest was called off in a peaceful although not conclusive way. As the traders were opening their shops and counting the losses made, some rather interesting news hit the social media platforms and spread like a wild fire of both joy and controversy. It emerged that the King of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II had fathered a son named Richard Ssemakookiro about six months ago. Many Buganda royalists were excited about the news while moralists and many who simply were confused by the news instantly engaged in debates on whether it was right for the King to father a child with a lady other than the current Queen of Buganda. The debate focused on whether what he did was right or acceptable in today’s world. Unfortunately most of the debates took on emotional tones depending on who you spoke to and how they felt about the cultural institution and their religious or cultural affiliations and social decorum was thrown out of the window. Email: ssenyonga@gmail.comBlog: www.ssenyonga.wordpress.comTwitter: @ssojo81