Politics

Wednesday 27 November 2013

The 15 Most Influential Teens of 2013

Wednesday 27 November 2013 - 0 Comments

Malala Yousafzai, 16

In 2012, Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head and neck in an assassination attempt by the Taliban on the bus home from school in Pakistan. Malala was a target because of her vocal activism to better the education of girls under Taliban rule. After surviving the attack, the now-16-year-old didn’t hide in fear but strengthened her voice. “I speak for education of every child, in every corner of the world,” she said, and the world has been listening. This year she received the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought and a Clinton Global Citizen Award. She was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Lorde, 17

The just-turned 17-year-old New Zealander rocketed to international fame this year with the release of her first album, Pure Heroine. Proof: New York City Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio, who won the election on a message railing against economic inequality, walked onto stage to Lorde’s defiant “Royals.” The child prodigy—she signed with a label at 13—is already competing with pop’s biggest stars, surpassing Miley Cyrus in September for the top spot on iTunes with “Royals.” The singer-songwriter, whose real name is Ella Yelich-O’Connor, is forging her own path, turning down an opportunity to join Katy Perry on tour because, as she said at the time, it “didn’t feel right.”

Lydia Ko, 16

A New Zealand golfer born in South Korea, 16-year-old Lydia Ko has multiple LPGA wins. She turned pro this year—the LPGA waived the age requirement for her to join—and she’s already fifth in women’s world rankings after just 23 tournaments. She’s the youngest person ever to win a professional golf tour event and the youngest person ever to win an LPGA tour event (and the only amateur to ever win two LPGA Tour events).

Nick D’Aloisio, 18

When Marissa Mayer decides to buy your app for $30 million, you know you’re doing pretty well. When you’re only 17 at the time, “doing pretty well” is an understatement. Programming whiz kid Nick D’Aloisio sold Summly, a news-reading and summarizing app, to Yahoo in March. Other investors include Wendi Murdoch, Yoko Ono, and Ashton Kutcher.

Missy Franklin, 18

The 18-year-old won six gold medals at the 2012 Olympics and in doing so not only claimed the title of winningest female swimmer ever at a world meet, but also became the fifth swimmer to capture six or more golds at Worlds or the Olympics. She won the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Sportswoman of the Year award this year. And, she joined the Cal swim team, turning down millions of dollars of endorsements to get a college degree.

Kendall and Kylie Jenner, 18 & 16

The younger sisters of the Kardashian clan are no strangers to the spotlight. They’re featured in Keeping Up With The Kardashians with their half-sisters Kim, Khloe and Kourtney, but they’re making their own waves as well. Kendall, a swimsuit model, and her 16-year-old sister Kylie have raised eyebrows for their precocious behavior. Perhaps more importantly, they’ve shown an early talent for deal-making: the pair launched a clothing line with PacSun this year.

Dante de Blasio, 16

Bill de Blasio might be the Mayor-elect of New York, but his 16-year-old son Dante is the city’s latest fashion icon. Dante’s now-iconic afro has starred in a campaign ad, inspired a New York Times Style section piece, and even gained President Obama’s attention. “Dante has the same hairdo as I had in 1978,” he said. “Although I have to confess my Afro was never that good. It was a little imbalanced.” A junior at Brooklyn Tech, Dante and his sister Chiara (known for her floral headbands) were front and center in their father’s campaign.

Kiernan Shipka, 14

Mad Men’s Sally Draper is the sassiest character on TV, all thanks to Kiernan Shipka. The 14-year old actress has been playing Don Draper’s rebellious daughter since she was six and a half, but she’s still not allowed to watch the hit AMC show. Shipka also nails her red carpet appearances, with a quirky but age-appropriate style that gets her raves from the fashionable set. Watch out for her performance as incestuous Catherine in the Lifetime adaptation of V.C. Andrews’ Flowers In The Attic.

Ionut Budisteanu, 19

The 19-year-old scientist’s design for a low cost, self-driving car won first place and $75,000 at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for high school students in May. The prototype signals the potential of manufacturing autonomous driving vehicles to the masses, costing only $4,000 to build as opposed to Google’s $75,000 self-driving car. Budisteanu, a student in Romania, used artificial intelligence technology and a mounted camera on the car to identify traffic lanes, curbs, cars and even people.

Malia Obama, 15

At high-profile events, like her father’s second Inaugural Address, Malia and her sister, Sasha, act with the poise of adults. Thanks in part to Michelle Obama, they seem to lead as normal lives as they can while still meeting the demands of being in the limelight. (Such as 15-year-old Malia’s satirical send up in the Onion.) President Obama often mentions his daughters in speeches, and says that they influenced his stance on gay marriage.

Maya Van Wagenen, 15

The 15-year-old author rose to fame for keeping a diary in her quest to become popular, following antiquated tips from the 1950s self-help book, Betty Cornell’s Glamour Guide for Teens. Her musings about applying lessons such as always wearing white gloves and pearls as she navigated the social scene of a small Texas town landed her a six-figure Penguin book deal for, Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, last month DreamWorks optioned the rights for the novel, making the budding author the “youngest non-actor to ever make a deal” at the film studio.

Justin Bieber, 19

The Canadian-born pop star has become an industry to himself, valued by Forbes at $58 million. He released his first single at age 15, and in 2010, he became the youngest solo male artist to hit #1 on Billboards Hot 100, with My World 2.0, since Stevie Wonder. His high profile breakup earlier this year with fellow star and girlfriend of two years Selena Gomez landed him in gossip sections the world over, as did an altercation in March with a photographer.

Beth Reekles, 17

The Welsh high school student was looking for something to read other than stories about vampires and werewolves when she decided to write her own teen fiction book. The then-15-year-old used story-sharing site Wattpad to release her novel, The Kissing Booth, which earned more than 19 million views and caught the attention of Random House Children’s Publishers U.K. The author, now 17, scored a three-book deal with the U.S. arm of Random House and has since appeared on the Today show. But writing remains a hobby for the teenaged literary sensation, who plans to major in physics in college.

14.Chloe Grace Moretz, 16

15.Hailee Steinfeld, 16

Tuesday 26 November 2013

Uhuru Kenyatta Dealt A massive blow by ICC judges

Tuesday 26 November 2013 - 0 Comments

Uhuru Kenyatta was dealt a blow after ICC judges ruled he must be present at his trial in The Hague.
It was a double blow as it emerged Kenya was last evening battling a proposal that officials fear if upheld could further complicate the International Criminal Court (ICC) cases against the President and his deputy William Ruto.
There was panic within the Kenyan delegation over a draft resolution providing that recorded testimony can be introduced instead of hearing the witness in person at the ICC.
Prior recorded testimony from either a dead witness or one who cites fear of reprisal to avoid testifying in court could be admitted if the proposal is upheld at the ongoing Assembly of States Parties.
Tuesday, the Trial Chamber V(b) of the ICC reconsidered its previous decision excusing President Uhuru from continuous presence at trial, citing the recent judgment by the Appeals Chamber.
“Trial Chamber V(b) held that as a general rule, Mr Kenyatta must be present at trial. Any future requests to be excused from attending parts of the trial will be considered on a case-by-case basis,” the judges ruled.
They cited the Appeals Chamber verdict in the Ruto case that absence is only permissible under exceptional circumstances, and must be limited to that which is strictly necessary. President Uhuru’s trial is scheduled to start in February.
But there was a ray of hope after Kenya successfully lobbied for the plenary of the ICC conference to consider adopting a proposal to exempt the president and his deputy from continuous attendance in court.
The setback came on a day Kenya was fighting the latest headache related to presentation of evidence in court that could see the prosecution — which has complained of frustrations over the Kenyan cases — gain an upper hand.
The new proposal for evidence to be admitted at trial in the absence of the witness altogether has generated heat at the ongoing Assembly of States Parties at The Hague.
The amendment to Rule 68 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence seeks to increase instances in which prior recorded testimony can be introduced in the absence of the witness.
These include instances where a witness is dead or unavailable to testify due to obstacles that “cannot be overcome with reasonable diligence.”
Also where the failure of the person to attend or to give evidence has been materially influenced by improper interference, including threats, intimidation or coercion.
During Ruto’s trial, the concealing of the identity of witnesses caused uproar, with defence lawyers arguing that it could encourage false testimony.
The Kenyan delegation reads mischief in the proposal, pointing out that ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda seemed to have laid the basis for its application in the Kenyan cases.
Bensouda has repeatedly said her prosecution of the Kenyan cases is frustrated by bribery, intimidation and execution of potential witnesses.
In a filing on November 5 while opposing Uhuru’s application to stop the trial on grounds of illegal conduct by the prosecution, Bensouda recounted the prosecution’s difficulty in accessing Mungiki witnesses.
And on November 20, while seeking protective measures for a witness due to testify in Ruto’s trial, Bensouda claimed “on-going attempts to interfere with, bribe and expose witnesses.”
The proposal formulated by organs of the Assembly over the last one year is packaged as designed to allow the judges of the Court to reduce the length of Court proceedings and streamline evidence presentation.
Predictably, defence lawyers have rejected the proposed amendment saying it provided for the possibility of parties introducing hearsay evidence without cross-examination.
The lawyers have urged the State Parties to carefully re-examine the proposed amendment as they contravene applicable law and practice of the court.
The amendment denied the accused the “minimum guarantee to confront witnesses against him or her, a fundamental right under the Statute and international human rights.”
The presentation of evidence at the ICC requires “witnesses (to) appear before the Trial Chamber in person and give their evidence orally,” argue the defence teams.
“The proposed amendment constitutes a displacement of the principle of orality as enshrined in Article 69(2) of the Rome Statute which favours live in-court testimony.”
Also the proposal disregarded the court’s protective measures regime and “favour expedience over fundamental principles of justice.”
At present, the rules on prior recorded testimony are on condition that both the prosecutor and the defence had the opportunity to examine the witness during the recording. It is also permitted where the witness who gave the previously recorded testimony is present before the Trial Chamber and parties have the opportunity to examine the witness during the proceedings.
The Working Group on Lessons Learnt (WGLL) on proposed amendment said the proposals “reflect practice in international criminal tribunals.”
The Assembly of States Parties established the WGLL at its last session last year. The Kenyan cases were confirmed for trial in January, last year.
Kenya appears close to securing a compromise to ensure her leaders do not have to be present during their trial at The Hague.

Wednesday 13 November 2013

India's Top Policeman Draws Fire With Rape Remark

Wednesday 13 November 2013 - 0 Comments

India's top police official apologized Wednesday for saying, "If you can't prevent rape, you enjoy it," a remark that has outraged women across the country.

Central Bureau of Investigation chief Ranjit Sinha made the remark Tuesday during a conference about illegal sports betting and the need to legalize gambling. The CBI, the country's premier investigative agency, is India's equivalent of the FBI.

Sinha said at the conference that if the state could not stop gambling, it could at least make some revenue by legalizing it.

"If you cannot enforce the ban on betting, it is like saying, 'If you can't prevent rape, you enjoy it,'" he said.

The remarks have caused outrage across India, which in the past year has been roiled by widespread protests following the fatal gang rape of a 23-year-old woman on a bus in New Delhi.

On Wednesday, Sinha said that his comments had been taken out of context and misinterpreted, and that he was sorry if he had caused hurt.

Angry activists, however, called for his resignation.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat said Sinha's comments were offensive to women everywhere.

"It is sickening that a man who is in charge of several rape investigations should use such an analogy," Karat told reporters. "He should be prosecuted for degrading and insulting women."

The New Delhi attack on the young woman last December caused nationwide outrage and forced the government to change rape laws and create fast-track courts for rape cases. New laws introduced after the attack make stalking, voyeurism and sexual harassment a crime. They also provide for the death penalty for repeat offenders or for rape attacks that lead to the victim's death.

Tuesday 12 November 2013

Nairobi’s Most Richest & Flamboyant Pastors

Tuesday 12 November 2013 - 0 Comments

Every Sunday you go to church to get spiritual nourishment from the man and women of God. They give you hope and a reason to face tomorrow as it will be more better that today. Right? But are they there for money?
They come to church in imported handmade suits creased on the soft leather seats of their latest fuel guzzlers that any equally flashy member of the 11th Parliament would break a bank to own.
Their expensive colognes waft luxuriant scents on the pulpit where jewellery from gold and ruby chains to diamond rings are just a peek into what prosperity gospel means in manifest opulence.
The lives that some pastors live makes you wonder if it is all about the word of God or money?
The Standard has this juicy article of the lifestyle of church pastors in Nairobi with a focus on the most flamboyant and stylish in flesh and blood:
1. BISHOP MARGARET WANJIRU
The founder of Jesus is Alive Ministries and immediate former assistant Housing Minister and Starehe MP is now breaking the ground to build the ultramodern twin towers on opposite sides of the road along Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobi which will connected by an overhead tunnel. The building-whose budget will nearly peck the billion shilling lips- will be a near replica of the American twin tower and will change landscape of down town Nairobi.

Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, Jesus is Alive Ministries. At the background, is a poster of her twin towers to be built on Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobi. The buildings will be a replica of the American twin towers.

The stylish bishop, who started off as a janitor (euphemism for cleaner) in Industrial Area before becoming a street preacher restocks her wardrobe on trips abroad. I wear golden sandals in the morning, changes to silver in the afternoon and retires in bronze in the evening, she once told a congregation.
2. THE KIUNAS
Allan and Kathy Kiuna started their own church from a rented room with a congregation of six is which has grown into 5,000 strong Jubilee Christian Church.

Kiuna’s Palatial Home in Runda

Allan is also a columnist for The Nairobian and Kathy hosts “The Woman Without Limits” on NTV.The couple plays golf and are blessed with three children: Vanessa, 21, a Law student in Australia, Stephanie, 16, who is in high school, and Jeremy, 11.
The Kiunas are no stranger to happy controversies. They have been bought birthday gifts of a BMW and Sports Range Lover by the church and just recently, pictures of their affluent pad made rounds on the social media.
Kathy has no apologies. Those who talk only know the after; they should have seen the before€ to appreciate the work of God, she explained in an interview. In a previous interview Kathy was quoted saying: God wants us to be prosperous in every single way. His desire for us is to walk in abundance. I am praying for church people to show the likes of Bill Gates dust!
3. PROPHET DR DAVID OWUOR
He arrived in a presidential-style convoy comprising sleek black Mercedes cars accompanied by siren blaring police outriders taking the lead, clearing the way. No traffic snarl-ups here as Prophet David Owuor was chauffeured to Kenyatta University annual student’s conference where thousands thronged to hear him preach last month.
It is not clear how this prophet coins his pretty penny. He has severally claimed that he never accepts church offering. Remember when senior pastors of his Ministry of Repentance and Holiness bought him a Mercedes S500 as a gift? Well, that gift cost Sh25 million.
Prophet Owuor globe trots, preaching in Angola, Uganda, Tanzania, Namibia, USA, Finland, China, Korea, Australia, UK, Burundi, Brazil and Holland.
4. BISHOP DAVID OYEDEPO

Forbes magazine’s rates his wealth as approximately Sh14 billion making him Nigeria richest pastor. He owns an airline and a publishing house among other businesses.
During his recent visit to officially open Winners Chapel Likoni Road, East and Central Africas largest church, he made his grand entry aboard a private jet at the JKIA, where a motorcade of Range Rover Sports cars in tow whisked him to the sanctuary. By the way, the jet is one of four.
Winners Chapel International, also known as Living Faith Church, has a presence in 34 countries, with its headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria. Faith Tabernacle in Nigeria was named the world’s largest church auditorium by Guinness Book. It is outside overflow capacity is 250,000.
5. MARK KARIUKI
Forget his well cut designer suits and shoes. Just know that to reach the former deputy head teacher of Kenyatta Primary School, your call first goes to his Personal Assistant.
One highlights of Bishop Mark Kariuki’s life- his recent glamorous wedding to Pastor Joyce Wacera Kariuki, featured on Samantha Bridal Wedding TV show. The invite-only Grand Wedding was attended by around 6,000 people, equivalent to 12 weddings at a go! Two flower companies were required to pull off the feat, five catering outfits divided to feed 1,200 attendants each while 300 VVIPs were taken care of via the Safari Park Hotels outside catering unit. There was private security for VVIP’s among others.
Besides the 10,000-seater sanctuary that is the Life Celebration Centre, Bishop Kariuki is the General Overseer of Deliverance Church for which he provides guidance to pastors in over 700 churches. Among his interests includes Kings Academy School, Kings Medical Centre and Homologeo Industries that comprises Homologeo Detergents & Body Products, Homologeo Tailoring and Poultry projects.
6. THOMAS WAHOME
The Helicopter Church Ministries Bishop whose sermons air on local TV stations not only carries a Bible but also has a licensed gun hid on his side.
Marked by shiny white suits, even along court corridors where he has been fighting his ex-wife, Leah Mueni who demands child support for their three children. Mueni who was demanding Sh300, 000, says Wahome earns Sh500, 000 as salary and millions in church tithe. However, he is willing to part with Sh5, 000 as monthly upkeep for her and the children.
He owns a Mercedes Benz which he once accused Mueni of retaining and refusing to hand over claiming that he hire out for private functions at Sh15, 000 a month to supplement his income.
7. BROTHER PAUL KAMLESH PATTNI
He first shot into the national limelight with the Sh60 billion plus Goldenberg scandal. That he was dealing in gemstones meant wearing a Sh160,000 sapphire ring was no big deal.
Tribulations of biblical Jacob proportions came fast and furious. Pattni was jailed, accused of murder and the court cases never seemed to end, even after he gave the state the Sh4 billion Grand Regency Hotel (now Laico Regency)
He then joined politics through his party Kenya National Democratic Alliance, but lost the Westlands constituency seat in 2002. The man who quotes biblical verses to stress every point changed religions. From Hindu, Pattni got saved and was baptised as Brother Paul Pattni. He thereafter started his own church.
8. MAINA NJENGA
Maina Njenga is the founder of Hope International Ministries Church in Kasarani Estate. The former Mungiki leader of the outlawed Mungiki sect and Cord coalition sympathiser commands a huge following where he charges to perform miracles.
Maina Njenga once asked politicians and wealthy businessmen who have been funding and supporting the sect to stop. Njenga, who has bodyguards, has occasionally hosted parties at his palatial residence in Kitengela.
9. PASTOR JAMES MAINA NG’ANG’A
He walks around with a gun, and has been photographed drinking something more bitter than peppered soup. A while back, social media went ablaze with accusations that the pastor had bribed policemen to release his dented Prado after a hit and run incident. His miracles are said to cost between Sh3, 000 to Sh50, 000.
[Source: The Standard] http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000097192&story_title=meet-city-s-flashiest-pastors

Friday 8 November 2013

Africa’s Big Men love power to death, for better or for worse

Friday 8 November 2013 - 0 Comments

Africa is a strange continent. It has always been, and probably will forever be. Here, nothing knows when to stop.

When things start happening, they go on and on and on... to a devastating end.

When drought knocks on this continent, it burns the air, the tree leaves, the grass and the soil.

And when it rains, the drops come large and violent, swelling and raging the rivers and sweeping away bridges and vehicles while flooding whole counties.

When we politic, we do so all year round, in joy and in anger, at home and at work, at the bar over a drink and in church with the Bible in hand.

Likewise, when rulers climb to the throne, they sit on them forever, unbowed by age and the pressure from the opposition.

Presidents for life, they are called. Here, Peter Oduor looks at African leaders who just won’t quit, come rain or sunshine, wins or losses.

Despite the obvious negatives though, they have done well in some areas, especially education and stoking national pride.

Name: Jose Eduardo Dos Santos

Country: Angola

The Bad: Dos Santos is about 70 years and some months now and since 1979 has been the president of the Republic of Angola under Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), a party that has ruled the country since independence.

In 1979, Dos Santos was popularly elected into office, and... well... that was the first and the last time he was ever elected into office.

The Good:

After years of civil strife, Angola is back on the road to economic and infrastructural recovery.

Its major roads, which had been affected by the war, have been marked for reconstruction and, boosted by oil exports, the Angolan economy performed well in 2012, registering a 7.4 per cent growth.

In a country of 10 cities, eight major sea ports and several airports, if Dos Santos runs things right, in the next few years his people will probably be well-placed on the economic maps of the world.

It should be noted, too, that despite the civil chaos, oil and diamond extraction has kept the country afloat, financing around 60 per cent of the country’s economy.

Between 2001 and 2010, Angola was praised for recording the world’s highest annual average GDP growth, at 11.1 per cent.

Name: Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo

Country: Equatorial Guinea

The bad: Born in 1942, Obiang took over the leadership of Equatorial Guinea via a coup in 1979, overthrowing his uncle and dictator Francisco Macias Nguema — whom he later had arrested, tried and executed by a firing squad.

The maverick leader has been accused of abuse of office several times.

For instance, he wants to move the country’s capital from Malabo to his village home of Oyala, his son Teodorin Obiang is his vice president, another son heads a ministry and his brother works as the country’s defense minister.

Talk about keeping it close to the heart!

The good: The country is small in size, so it has a small population... and oil.

Those fossils and small population make it the richest country per capita in Africa, and the country’s GDP per capita is ranked 69th in the world.

Under Obiang, Equatorial Guinea’s infrastructure has developed so much that 80 per cent of the roads are said to be covered in asphalt and airports have been put up in several areas.

Name: Paul Biya

Country: Cameroon

The Bad:

Now aged 80, Biya’s claws are still digging deeper into power.

Ever since he got into office in 1982, Biya has had sweeping executive and legislative powers, has been accused of being creative and innovative with national elections, takes occasional visits to Switzerland where he stays for periods of between two weeks and — hold your breath — three months, and of course that small matter of being branded one of the world’s most ruthless and vicious dictators still haunts him.

The Good:

To his credit, Biya is known to love education.

His regime has been credited with the growth of literacy levels in Cameroon, which currently stand at 67.5 per cent.

Although he has been in power all that time, he gave in to pressure in 1990 and allowed other political parties to operate in the country.

The per-capita GDP (purchasing power parity) of Cameroon, at $2,300 (Sh195,500), is one of the top ten in Africa and the country aims to become an emerging economy by 2035.

Name: King Mswati the Third

Country: Swaziland

The Bad:

Having climbed to the throne at 18, he so far has clocked 26-plus years as head of the Swazi monarchy.

His birth name, Makhosetive, means ‘King of Nations’, but it should have meant ‘King for Years’.

The husband to 13 (or 14) wives and father to 23 (or 24) children loves his life royal; from expensive luxury cars to shopping sprees for his women.

On democracy, he has no record. The trade unions in his country are frustrated and periodically banned, political parties are constantly under this ban or the other, and numerous political prisoners cool their heels in Swazi jails.

The Good:

Swaziland is known for its flourishing textile industry, which, together with sugar, makes the major exports of the country to the US and other Western nations.

Under Mswati, the external debt of the country has reduced to a not-so-huge figure over the past 20 years, leaving the internal debt to be little if not negligible.

Back in 2006, Swaziland’s external debt was 20 per cent less than the GDP of the country and, for some years now, Swazi primary school children have been enjoying free primary education.

Name: Robert Mugabe

Country: Zimbabwe

The Bad:

Mugabe suffered for Zimbabwe as he led a guerrilla movement against White minority rule.

He was jailed for 10 years for his political ambitions, and when he was released in 1974, the locals saw him as their hero.

That is why, in December 31, 1987, he sauntered into office quite easily. But today, critics say, Zimbabwe suffers because of this liberator.

At 89, he has a universally appalling human rights record; he understands democracy differently from most people and does not hesitate to curtail it.

Since he got into office some 26 years ago, Harare has overseen the forceful displacement of White land owners, a ruthless crushing of any opposition, a visceral loathing of the West (by the president), and a staggering economy.

The Good:

Despite terrible inflation, the International Monetary Fund was quoted in 2010 as saying that Zimbabwe was on a buoyant economic health.

Two years later, the European Union initiated trade partnerships with several countries on behalf of Zimbabwe.

On education, Zimbabwe has one of the highest literacy levels in Africa, with some figures putting it at between 90 per cent 92 per cent.

Name: Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

Country: Uganda

The Bad:

He could be aged 68 or 69, for no one knows his exact age — just like no one knows when he will call it a day.

His record for the past 26 years in office is the kind that bad military-run state movies are made of.

He rules by the gun and entertains nothing in the form of criticism.

Like all the other dictators, Museveni has been accused of being a nepotist whose relatives (sons and wife included) enjoy state wealth backed by government positions and offices.

The Good:

The education sector in Uganda is among one of the most vibrant in East Africa, with many Kenyans studying across the border.

Uganda was recorded as having a 66.8 per cent literacy rate by 2002, and has a strong mobile phone network system.

Kampala is also reasonably open to business with neighbouring countries, and the country has made great strides towards oil exploration and full commercialisation.

Also, under Museveni, Uganda’s war against HIV/Aids has been relatively successful, with infection rates now lower than they were in the 1980s.

Name: Blaise Compaore

Country: Burkina Faso

The Bad:

Burkina Faso is one of the poorest nations in Africa, and Compaore has led it since 1987, when he turned against his close friend Thomas Sankara in a coup and ended up murdering him to climb into power.

Born in 1951, Blaise is a former military man who rose to the rank of a captain in the Voltaic Army before taking over office.

The Good:

Whereas Compaore is high-handed against the media, the cinema industry is actually doing well and forms an integral part of the West African film industry.

He is also lauded within the region for his efforts at mediating between Mali forces and the rebels of the North, but these two are probably the only positives about his leadership as he scores badly in almost all the other spheres.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OTHER LEADERS RECEIVING BARBS

Mohammed VI (Morocco):

In power from 1999. Under him, Morocco saw the reduction of the executive powers of the King, who now shares power with a government-based Parliament.

Across the border, Abdelaziz Bouteflika (Algeria), in power from 1999, runs a Parliament with a large number of women.

Paul Kagame (Rwanda):

In power since 2000, several international bodies have praised him for his firm (almost dictatorial) approach to leadership.

Under him, Rwanda has remained peaceful and more open towards business from other countries.

In sub-Saharan Africa, Kigali is one of the easiest places to do business in.

Ismail Omar Guelleh (Djibouti):

Guelleh has been powerful in the health sector.

The life expectancy in Djibouti is higher than that of most African nations, at 62 years.

He has also worked at reducing child mortality rates with some visible success, and scores well in trade.

Idriss Debby Itno (Chad):

For a country ranked the seventh poorest in the world, with 80 per cent of its population living below the poverty line as indicated by the UN Human Development Index, Chad has little positives about it.

Yahya Jammeh (Gambia):

He took power in a July 1994 military coup, was elected President in 1996 and re-elected in 2001, 2006, and 2011.

His government is known for its progressive approach towards gender equality, starting with ‘free’ education for girls to having a female vice president.

But he has also been accused of gross human rights violations, including the execution of nine prisoners in August last year despite international lobbying.

Omar Al-Bashir (Sudan):

Wanted by the International Criminal Court over human rights abuses, Al-Bashir has remained defiant against the court and has a warrant of arrest against him.

He is accused of overseeing the manslaughter of thousands in Darfur and, despite his original reluctance toward secession, accepted the voice of voters and let the South move on as a separate entity.

{courtesy of Peter Oduor N.M}

Thursday 7 November 2013

Moism era and Campus life..How things have really changed

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Read this article sourced from the archives..

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Wednesday 27 November 2013

The 15 Most Influential Teens of 2013

Malala Yousafzai, 16

Lorde, 17

Lydia Ko, 16

Nick D’Aloisio, 18

Missy Franklin, 18

Kendall and Kylie Jenner, 18 & 16

Dante de Blasio, 16

Kiernan Shipka, 14

Ionut Budisteanu, 19

Malia Obama, 15

Maya Van Wagenen, 15

Justin Bieber, 19

Beth Reekles, 17

14.Chloe Grace Moretz, 16

15.Hailee Steinfeld, 16

Tuesday 26 November 2013

Uhuru Kenyatta Dealt A massive blow by ICC judges

Wednesday 13 November 2013

India's Top Policeman Draws Fire With Rape Remark

India's top police official apologized Wednesday for saying, "If you can't prevent rape, you enjoy it," a remark that has outraged women across the country.

Sinha said at the conference that if the state could not stop gambling, it could at least make some revenue by legalizing it.

"If you cannot enforce the ban on betting, it is like saying, 'If you can't prevent rape, you enjoy it,'" he said.

The remarks have caused outrage across India, which in the past year has been roiled by widespread protests following the fatal gang rape of a 23-year-old woman on a bus in New Delhi.

On Wednesday, Sinha said that his comments had been taken out of context and misinterpreted, and that he was sorry if he had caused hurt.

Angry activists, however, called for his resignation.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat said Sinha's comments were offensive to women everywhere.

"It is sickening that a man who is in charge of several rape investigations should use such an analogy," Karat told reporters. "He should be prosecuted for degrading and insulting women."