I am not a keen follower of Kenyan politics and more so since the 2005 constitution referendum when politicians divided the country into two for their own selfish ends. To win last year’s election, they continued with their divisive politics and the consequences of their action is known to everyone. I decided not to participate in the election since it was no longer based on issues but tribes and individuals. And the two principals didn’t demonstrate statesmanship all the way to the end. The Daily Nations editorial in January 2008 summarized the situation “Neither PNU nor ODM during their campaigns demonstrated any particular restraint or regard for the country’s stability. Their mantra appears to have been: We either rule it or burn it” And they chose to burn the country until they ruled it! Thats why I am so disgusted with politicians that I am never keen on politics.

However, the reality is that we cannot live without these politicians in todays world of “Democracy”. I am disgusted with the secret sale of the Grand Regency (a public asset) to foreigners and moreso by the arrogance exhibited by the Finance Minister the after ‘whistle was blown’. People like Kimunya should simply step aside and allow someone else to take charge of our Finance ministry since his name keep on appearing on very controversial government deals.. the Safaricom IPO saga, and the Grand Regency sale. I have no idea whether he is guilty of any wrong doing, but in the public court he has been found guilty and should therefore resign. The Finance ministry will continue doing well without him. As Raila said, ‘no one is indispensable’

Iregi Mwenja

Patroitic Kenyan

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I would like to thanks my first donor on this blog Miss JFN for her generous donation of $20. My blog is less than a month old and I very grateful to Miss JFN for this generous donation.

The money will be used to facilitate my blogging by buying mobile phone credit since I am using a wireless modem.

Mwenja at the ABCG stand at the Sullivan summit where I wrote this blog using mobile Internet.

Iregi Mwenja

USFWS MENTOR Fellow

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I have been attending the Sullivan Summit which started on Monday. The facilities were congested especially on Monday and we could only follow the proceeding from big screens outside the conference hall. Discussion on environment will start tomorrow and this is where I expect to fully participate. However, despite the congestion I managed to capture some images which I want to share with you.

Traditional dancers from Tanzania

More dancers from Tanzania who entertaining visitors outside the hall

Rev. J.Jackson moderating the afternoon session yesterday

Main conference hall yesterday

A Jamaican living in Tanzania contributing to the debate on the African Diaspora

Iregi Mwenja

USFWS MENTOR Fellow

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I have just arrived in Moshi, a small Town in northern Tanzania where our college is located, on the slopes of kilimanjaro. I have returned for a four months final semester after which I will return to Kenya for 10 months of fieldwork on bushmeat.

Everything here is excellent but not the internet services! Connections are slow, prohibitively expensive for mobile phones and unreliable. This means reguler posting will not be possible. Internet at the college is even worse and I have to travel to Moshi, 14km away to publish a post!

On Monday I will attend the Sullivan summit in Arusha. I hope to do a post on the proceeding especailly discussions on environmental issues.

Iregi Mwenja
USFWS MENTOR Fellow

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I am grateful to YFC staff and members, Wildlifedirect staff and bloggers who sent words of encouragement to me following the attack. All your comments were very good. Some of them made me forget my predicament as people shared their ordeal in the hands of robbers, muggers etc. Please allow me to quote one here that made me laugh. It came from Theresa “… I was mugged in Spain on holiday, only 23 at the time. Just minding my own business and in a flash I was out of $800 and my passport. I was even foolish enough to give chase!”I imagined myself giving a chase to the six armed robbers!! That would have been suicidal although the scene would have been comical. That made me laugh at a time when I was so gloomy.

Although all comments really touched me, I can forget Minna words; “I’m so sorry for that injustice and sheer terror you have just gone through! And hope the robbers will soon be caught and punished! You are so brave working in such difficult and dangerous circumstances, and I wish you all the strength to get past this horrendous experience! With love from the other side of the world”

Thanks Paula, Joy, Sheryl, Steve, Dana, David Ogiga, William, Dino, Morgan, Phoebe, .. and all of you good people out thee who shared words of encouragement when I was down. You’re are true friends indeed.

Asante sana

Iregi Mwenja

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