Friday, May 18, 2012
Connect with Facebook
   
Text Size

Search Kass FM

Uhuru presumptive control of KANU is strength

A former nominated MP Ezekiel Barngetuny’s call for the Kalenjin to turn back to KANU is interesting. Some pundits have speculated that Mr Moi is behind his close friend’s call. So the clock seems to turn back to 2002, when then-President Moi nominated Uhuru as his successor, paving the way for the formation of the coalition of the powerfully disappointed National alliance rainbow, Narc or I call it, Not actually real candidates, to secure Kibaki's victory. But Uhuru will have to be careful not to become a victim of the in-fighting within the Kalenjin peoples: if he seems to lean towards Moi, Ruto may oppose; and if he cultivates Ruto, Moi may undermine. That is for another time.

As for the revival of KANU as such, it is an intriguing line of speculation. I suppose it is still the best-known political brand in Kenya, even though it seemed in the past nine years to have sunk from view. The party's misfortune is that the brand is well-known but not always for the best reasons: it was the instrument of one-man and one-party rule for most of the post-independence period, and associated with lots of abuses which disfigure Kenya's multi-party politics, too. It should also be remembered that Moi made KANU his instrument for neutralising the Kikuyu and keeping them mostly away from power. Uhuru would have to win them back. On the other hand, it was a national party. I suppose its old nationwide network of offices etc could be revived, if resources could be found. Presumably, Uhuru's meeting in Naivasha will have revealed how many of the old KANU officials are around. The question is whether the party can be rejuvenated: apart from Uhuru, the officials must by now be renewed. Some names are bad tags for the party.It also showed that the Uhuru side will call the shorts.

Anyway, I think Uhuru's presumptive control of KANU is strength - possibly his greatest strength: it unites the most famous political brand with one of the most famous names in Kenya's political history. Is Uhuru's back strong enough to bear the burden of leadership and beat the opposition? Would he be good enough to be president of a different Kenya - bigger population, deep problems including ethnic policies, and a totally different constitution - from the one his father and Moi led?

Book Reviews

Samburtaab Ng'aleekaab Kaleenchin

Kalenjin Dictionary

Kibny'aanko Seroney

The Kalenjin/Kaleenchin language is spoken by close to 6 million people in Kenya with substantial numbers also in Uganda and Tanzania. The Kalenjin linguistic family in Kenya includes the Marakwet, Nandi, Sabaot, Kibsikiis, Terik, Keyyo,Tuken, Seng'wer, Ogiek and Pokot. These groups are mutually intelligible despite their variants of the Kalenjin language. This dictionary, the product of 15 years research activity is the first Kalenjin/English dictionary. It includes 13703 entries and is the hope of the author that the dictionary get improved and expanded. As words die or fall out of use, new words are created and given new meaning. The first edition is a system of that process.

............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 

From Strength to Strength

The Story of Peter Kipchumba Rono

Kibny'aanko Seroney

Peter Rono won the 1,500 metres at the 1988 Summer Olympic games beating favourites Peter Elliott and Steve Cram of Great Britain thus becoming the youngest Olympic Champion to win the 1500 m. Ambassador Peter Rono, is an only child who grew up in humble background in Nandi, Kenya. Armed with champion stories from his grandfather's successes and his mother's unrelenting faith in God he begins a journey of firsts. With energy Peter's story easily moves from strength to strength.

 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

The Kalenjiin People's Egypt Origin Legend Revisited: Was Isis Asiis? A Study in Comparative Religion

by Kipkoeech araap Sambu

"Egyptian religion is most intriguing and exciting and there exist volumes upon volumes of literature on it. The author studied these varied sources and has come up with findings that call for a total re-look and re-evaluation of African religious systems...."

Book Reviews

Samburtaab Ng'aleekaab Kaleenchin

Kalenjin Dictionary

Kibny'aanko Seroney

The Kalenjin/Kaleenchin language is spoken by close to 6 million people in Kenya with substantial numbers also in Uganda and Tanzania. The Kalenjin linguistic family in Kenya includes the Marakwet, Nandi, Sabaot, Kibsikiis, Terik, Keyyo,Tuken, Seng'wer, Ogiek and Pokot. These groups are mutually intelligible despite their variants of the Kalenjin language. This dictionary, the product of 15 years research activity is the first Kalenjin/English dictionary. It includes 13703 entries and is the hope of the author that the dictionary get improved and expanded. As words die or fall out of use, new words are created and given new meaning. The first edition is a system of that process.

............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 

From Strength to Strength

The Story of Peter Kipchumba Rono

Kibny'aanko Seroney

Peter Rono won the 1,500 metres at the 1988 Summer Olympic games beating favourites Peter Elliott and Steve Cram of Great Britain thus becoming the youngest Olympic Champion to win the 1500 m. Ambassador Peter Rono, is an only child who grew up in humble background in Nandi, Kenya. Armed with champion stories from his grandfather's successes and his mother's unrelenting faith in God he begins a journey of firsts. With energy Peter's story easily moves from strength to strength.

 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

"Egyptian religion is most intriguing and exciting and there exist volumes upon volumes of literature on it. The author studied these varied sources and has come up with findings that call for a total re-look and re-evaluation of African religious systems...."