This is a post to test blogger
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Cops and Matatus on the roads of Nairobi
In recent weeks I have noticed more policemen [and even more so...more policewomen] on the roads of Nairobi.
In the recent past the cops have been confusing people on whether to follow traffic lights or not. This has led to so much confusion, with people following the cops' directions while they are there, and when they are not there, the rule of the jungle applies - "Sukuma, Twende! Every man for himself!"
Unfortunately, when the cops are not around no traffic rules are followed. It's such a pity that we human beings can't act like we have some dignity within ourselves and respect other drivers on the road. This particularly is the case of matatu drivers. If there is a traffic jam and no cops around, our "bush-trained" matatu drivers will take over the oncoming lane and push any on-coming drivers onto the side. The thing is that they only have their goal in mind - To get to the front of the line. If while doing so, it means causing an even bigger jam for others than so be it. These guys don't care.
Fortunately, since last week i've been seeing more cops on the road, properly distributing themselves, directing traffic and watching out for these rogue matatu's bent on defying all road rules.
Sometimes, with the cops around the traffic flows easily, other times it gets jammed up because of the confusion of whether to follow the cop or the traffic lights. Other times there are no cops on the roads and matatus go ahead with their wanton destruction...drive anywhere where your wheels can take you.
The moral of the story is that the responsibilty of keeping order on the road lies with the drivers on the road, not just the cops. The cops should only come in when there is no other option... as is the case right now with the brainless matatu drivers on the road.
NB: When i talk of "Matatus" i don't only mean these 14 seater Nissan/Toyota Hiace hooligans, i also mean these other goons [or bullies] called Citi Hoppa, KBS and some other company whose colours are mainly yellow and white [don't know the name of the company yet].
In the recent past the cops have been confusing people on whether to follow traffic lights or not. This has led to so much confusion, with people following the cops' directions while they are there, and when they are not there, the rule of the jungle applies - "Sukuma, Twende! Every man for himself!"
Unfortunately, when the cops are not around no traffic rules are followed. It's such a pity that we human beings can't act like we have some dignity within ourselves and respect other drivers on the road. This particularly is the case of matatu drivers. If there is a traffic jam and no cops around, our "bush-trained" matatu drivers will take over the oncoming lane and push any on-coming drivers onto the side. The thing is that they only have their goal in mind - To get to the front of the line. If while doing so, it means causing an even bigger jam for others than so be it. These guys don't care.
Fortunately, since last week i've been seeing more cops on the road, properly distributing themselves, directing traffic and watching out for these rogue matatu's bent on defying all road rules.
Sometimes, with the cops around the traffic flows easily, other times it gets jammed up because of the confusion of whether to follow the cop or the traffic lights. Other times there are no cops on the roads and matatus go ahead with their wanton destruction...drive anywhere where your wheels can take you.
The moral of the story is that the responsibilty of keeping order on the road lies with the drivers on the road, not just the cops. The cops should only come in when there is no other option... as is the case right now with the brainless matatu drivers on the road.
NB: When i talk of "Matatus" i don't only mean these 14 seater Nissan/Toyota Hiace hooligans, i also mean these other goons [or bullies] called Citi Hoppa, KBS and some other company whose colours are mainly yellow and white [don't know the name of the company yet].
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Absolute Morons for MP's
It is not a new discovery, unlike that of oil in Northern Kenya, that our "loyal" MP's are absolute morons, or atleast most of them are.
People are suffering in hunger and drought in remote areas in Kenya while we have our intellect-deficient MP's already beginning to run their rallies in support for the 2012 elections. They are bickering on petty issues of ODM vs. PNU. Come 2012, these parties might not exist or may be as defunct as KADU...KAU...Rainbow Alliance of the yester-years.
These guys should be working hard at this very moment building up their constituencies, rather than politicking, as Ida Odinga quaintly put it. Unfortunately these guys are just money hungry and will stop at nothing when it comes to filling their pockets.
They're already thinking about how to put themselves back into power, before they have served the nation as they are supposed to. It is with a very bitter taste in my mouth that i have to sadly say that they have no dignity, they are behaving like animals, and we must not have animals leading us.
The unfortuntate thing is that 6 months before the 2012 election, they will build a school tarmack a road and say that they are bringing good things to their constituencies. We will thus naively be convinced of their commitment to serving the nation and cast our vote in their favour. All will be lost once more for another 5 years...
People are suffering in hunger and drought in remote areas in Kenya while we have our intellect-deficient MP's already beginning to run their rallies in support for the 2012 elections. They are bickering on petty issues of ODM vs. PNU. Come 2012, these parties might not exist or may be as defunct as KADU...KAU...Rainbow Alliance of the yester-years.
These guys should be working hard at this very moment building up their constituencies, rather than politicking, as Ida Odinga quaintly put it. Unfortunately these guys are just money hungry and will stop at nothing when it comes to filling their pockets.
They're already thinking about how to put themselves back into power, before they have served the nation as they are supposed to. It is with a very bitter taste in my mouth that i have to sadly say that they have no dignity, they are behaving like animals, and we must not have animals leading us.
The unfortuntate thing is that 6 months before the 2012 election, they will build a school tarmack a road and say that they are bringing good things to their constituencies. We will thus naively be convinced of their commitment to serving the nation and cast our vote in their favour. All will be lost once more for another 5 years...
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Kenya National Anthem
| Kiswahili | English |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 |
| Ee Mungu nguvu yetu Ilete baraka kwetu Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi Natukae na undugu Amani na uhuru Raha tupate na ustawi. | O God of all creation Bless this our land and nation Justice be our shield and defender May we dwell in unity Peace and liberty Plenty be found within our borders. |
| 2 | 2 |
| Amkeni ndugu zetu Tufanye sote bidii Nasi tujitoe kwa nguvu Nchi yetu ya Kenya Tunayoipenda Tuwe tayari kuilinda | Let one and all arise With hearts both strong and true Service be our earnest endeavour And our homeland of Kenya Heritage of splendour Firm may we stand to defend. |
| 3 | 3 |
| Natujenge taifa letu Ee, ndio wajibu wetu Kenya istahili heshima Tuungane mikono Pamoja kazini Kila siku tuwe na shukrani | Let all with one accord In common bond united Build this our nation together And the glory of Kenya The fruit of our labour Fill every heart with thanksgiving. |
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