Business as usual
The U.S. Democratic Party presidential candindate Barrack Obama has his roots in Kenya. His father, Barrack Hussein Obama, came from Nyangoma Kogelo in Alego, Siaya District.
In 2004, Obama, the only African-American serving in the U.S. Senate at the time, raised eyebrows at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, Mass., where, afterwards, everyone from Oprah Winfrey to critics suggested he run for President of the United States (Obama entered the presidential race in 2007)
Ron Grunberg says that Obama has as good chance like anyone of becoming the next US President. But only time will tell.
Lest we forget, there is a hunger for justice in Kenya. We have brothers and sisters in our midst who are suffering from poverty, are homeless and do not know where their next meal will come from.
Our hearts bleed for those who are internally displaced and others who have sought refuge in neighbouring Uganda following the post election violence which left more than 1200 people dead and displaced 350,000 others.
The good news is that the government, the international community and local organizations have come together to help resettle the displaced people. Last month, President Mwai Kibaki raised over Sh457 million within three hours. More funds continue to come in. Reports indicate that more than 70 police posts have been established to boost security in areas most affected by the post election violence.
In this edition of The Big Issue Kenya, we highlight stories of a people going through a difficult times, not because of problems of their own making but because people in positions of authority have refused to acknowledge or admit the suffering that many people have and continue to endure because of past government policies.
Life in most parts of the country is gradually going back to normal. Kepha Gitonga reports that in Eldoret, one of the badly affected towns in the Rift Valley, business is slowly but surely picking up. It is our hope that the affected persons will soon resume normal life.
In his reflections, John Cornwell reminds us of where Kenya has come from before and after the disputed Presidential election and challenges us re-examine ourselves and emulate Mahatma Ghandhi who, on several occasions, fasted in a bid to protect Muslims from his fellow Hindus in India. And how many of us would be ready to fast until death to protect another group other than our own?
For Zimbabweans, it is double tragedy after the unprecedented xenophobic attacks in South Africa, where an estimated 3 million Zimbabweans are staying. Widespread reports of violence ahead of Zimbabwe's second presidential poll on 27 June – occasioned by failure of the two presidential contenders--Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai-- to achieve the required 50 percent plus one vote majority. Michael Dibert reports on the plight of Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa.
Please browse the pages for more human interest stories.