News from Kenya
“ Mzee Taa is following in the footsteps of Mzee Kimani Maruge, who became an international celebrity when he enrolled in Standard One at the age of 82. ”
In a country where free public secondary (high school) education wasn’t free until recently, the stories of 75 year olds and 82 year olds going back to school are inspiring.
*I never would have thought about the challenge of requiring birth certificates for all students - but in Kenya, where a significant number of parents don’t have birth certificates for their children - the challenge can be a nightmare in trying to get your kids into school.
“ The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission ”
The commission is looking at attrocities committed throughout Kenya, dating all the way back to 1963 and 1967. Of interest is that these are the years - and the period - in which nationals were taking over the helm of the country. So it’s a TJR commission looking at attracities committed by their own people. Certainly a significant move in self-examination, away from pointing fingers only at the British - or so one would hope.
“ According to a status report, titled “Investigation into Embezzlement of Sh103 Million of the World Bank-funded Kenya Education Sector Support Project (Kessp)”, a copy of which the Daily Nation has seen, the charges recommended will include fraudulent acquisition of public property, theft, and abuse of office, among others. The Nation is withholding the identities of the officers KACC wants charged to protect their reputation. ”
The last line is the most troubling to me: “The Nation is withholding the identities of the officers KACC wants charged to protect their reputation.” Perhaps it’s for cultural issues, but regardless of the culture, the element of public shame for wrongdoing is a powerful deterrent.
Another go…
I haven’t posted anything on here in a really long time. I’m starting to read ‘The Daily Nation’ every day - Kenya’s leading newspaper - in prep for PhD work. So, I thought I’d start posting things here…and maybe some other things occasionally too. :-P
