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Articles by Dennis Onyango
Tearing the nation apart: Gachagua should stop his divisive politics
When in 2022 Rigathi Gachagua arrived on the national stage as an unlikely Deputy President running berserk at the swearing in ceremony then embarking on a tirade on Kenyan communities except his own, it didn’t look like familiar politics even by our vitriol-filled past standards. The tirade sounded like some kind of joke aimed at consolidating his position and would fizzle out as the new administration got down to the serious business of uniting and governing a divided nation.
Trump's first presidency weakened US institutions; expect worse
Donald Trump is poised to become the 47th US president. But Trump’s tenure as 45th US President was a turbulent and unprecedented period in American history, marked by controversies, scandals and polarisation- sometimes protests. Trump who had no prior experience in military or government, defied many norms and expectations of presidential behaviour and often clashed with the judiciary, Congress, media and even his own staff.
African Union must cede its powers
The African Union (AU) has been the subject of criticism for years, particularly regarding its ability to implement decisions and exercise real authority. The recent frustrations expressed by African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki highlight the significant challenges the AU faces in translating rhetoric into action. Since its launch in 2002, the AU has struggled to fulfil its mandate of integrating African states.
Holding demos is a constitutional right, not State privilege
Kenyan citizen, regardless of their political ideology or religion, should safeguard and/or defend the rights for peaceful protests even if they vehemently disagree with what protestors are saying. The Bill of Rights guarantees the right to peaceful assembly in protest. In reality, if the citizen of any nation cannot speak criticise the government through demos, then it implies that the citizenry is not free. The freedom of assembly and freedom expression are guaranteed by our Constitution 2010.
Zero maternal deaths possible
Kenya’s progress in maternal care is remarkable. In under three decades, it has moved its maternal mortality levels from the red zone (‘extremely high’ ) to the second-best ‘moderate’ category. The World Health Organization (WHO) categorises countries based on their maternal mortality ratio (MMR)—the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births—under four groups. ‘Low’ is less than 100, ‘moderate’ 100-499, ‘high’ 500-999 and ‘extremely high’ 1,000 and above.
Have better disaster response system, not reactive Band-Aid
The flooding in various parts of the country is quite alarming, even as some people blame Mother Nature for our own mistakes and greed. Global warming may have something to do with flooding but human actions and greed have played bigger part in the catastrophe. Many are really perplexed at the level of flooding in Nairobi and its environs. But there is no reason to be puzzled; the chickens are coming home to roost.
Dennis Onyango: There is no fit-all democratic model
Naturally, democracy presumes various patterns and develops on varied footpaths in a world diverse in history, culture and ethnicity. But instead of respecting diversity and countries’ preferences, Western countries have repeatedly tried to export their democracy in Africa and Middle East, only to create conflict and regional instability. This democratic model is severely tainted and has descended into malfunction, political polarisation and partisan combats.
Let’s join hands to end violence against women
Gender-based violence (GBV) is demolishing our society. Our women are being murdered daily. They continue to suffer inequality and violence worldwide, while our children are more easily forgotten since they have no one to talk on their behalf. GBV is today considered one of the most widespread violations of human rights. Global statistics indicate that one in three women is affected by violence in her lifetime.
Seek a political solution to the Gaza calamity
The complete destruction of Hamas promised by Israel is a very difficult goal to realise. It will require a particularly intense military campaign with no guarantee of results but casualties. Thousands of people are dead and more than a million others displaced amid considerable destruction, risking humanitarian disaster. Such is the reality in Gaza Strip.
ONYANGO: Here's why Israeli-Palestine conflict never ends
The 19th century history is composed of military interventions, civil wars and the conquest of the globe by colonial masters. In the 20th century, humanity experienced two devastating world wars. And after World War I, during which 40 million people died, the world order changed. Though many ugly previous struggles have stopped, the Israeli-Palestinian warfare has proven to be one of the world’s most lasting conflicts. Towards the end of WW I, the sacred lands of Palestine was colonised by the UK.
Ukraine: Sanctions don’t work
In the absence of an appropriate geopolitical framework, sanctions have not crippled Russia. Sanctions initially formed the core of the West’s response to its invasion of Ukraine, the prelude to the war. By attacking the oil and gas exports, on which President Vladimir Putin’s regime relies, Kyiv’s allies hoped to hit Moscow more effectively than by sanctioning an ever-increasing number of economic and political figures and entities.
ONYANGO: How long will it take to act on climate change?
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Act now to save the planet
Due to extreme weather conditions, political leaders are now disaster commentators. Climate change is an “existential threat”, as US President Joe Biden stated in July”, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the earth is now in “the age of boiling”, not “warming”. The record rainfall in Australia, heat waves in India and Pakistan and the collapse of a glacier in the Alps, 2022 helped to raise awareness across the planet. But 2023 seems to be the year of confirmation.
AU should be strengthened to solve Africa's many problems
Occasionally, African leaders converge in Addis Ababa Ethiopia to take stock of our success after abandoning our epic journey to the Promised Land that marooned us in the desert. The African union (AU) faces many challenges that are unique compared to successful regional organization(s) like European Union (EU) which has had remarkable progress. This begs the question, why AU hasn’t made similar progress?
Western media are spreading lies against China's presence in Africa
Mutual benefits and respect distinguish Western colonialists and profiteers from China’s presence in Africa. There has been fear that Africa is in danger of being colonised again by the West in the post-Cold War period, and many African countries suspect their former exploiters are coming back for oil and minerals in countries like Sudan, DR Congo and Nigeria. This reminds us of a word very popular in the Western media - neocolonialism; used in connection with China.
DENNIS ONYANGO: The paradox of economic stability and free Press
As Ukrainians battle and die for democracy, Russia is busy arresting its own citizens who are protesting the war and threatening prison for journalists who report the truth. Journalism is a perilous occupation in Russiatoday. If you can imagine how media can challenge and expose even the richest and most powerful in the world, one might wonder, why put up with a free press? And why not embrace government-controlled media?
DENNIS ONYANGO: Ruto's bitter reaction to Uhuru's choice of successor worrying
The question of I or me rightly concerns almost every politician if not all. Politicians want to know how a political or policy shift take their ambitions on board and forward. At certain levels, however, like that of the Deputy President, the politician who succeeds is the one who is able to recalibrate his or her ambitions and align them to the wider dreams of the nation.
How boardroom wars, politics mar VC appointments
Home Education Dennis Onyango and Nathan Ochunge 28th Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT +0300 Intense lobbying, boardroom intrigues and political interference has often characterised appointment of vice chancellors in public universities in Nyanza. The region hosts four public universities namely Maseno, Kisii, Rongo and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.
Millionaire tailor's kin to hold night vigil in honour of Mzee : The Standard
Dennis Onyango 07th Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT +0300 A village in Suba will hold a night vigil in honour of the departed president Daniel arap Moi for recognising their son for outstanding achievements. Odunga Kasuku from Olando village in Suba, Homa Bay County, was honoured by Moi in 1984 with a Head of State Commendation. Kasuku, who died last year, was a Class Three drop-out who rose from being a peasant farmer to the millionaire owner of Kasuku Garments, a textile company based in Kisumu.
Leaders recall good times for sugar, fish trade : The Standard
Dennis Onyango 05th Feb 2020 12:10:00 GMT +0300 Former President Daniel arap Moi (pictured) will be remembered for stabilising the sugar and fishing industries in Nyanza, the region's leaders have said. Former Cabinet Minister for Regional Development Onyango Midika said that Kenya’s second president, who took a final bow yesterday, stamped out cartels in these two sectors.
Professor of politics' antidote for rebels
Dennis Onyango 05th Feb 2020 11:00:00 GMT +0300 Koigi Wa Wamwere in Nairobi on 04/05/2017. [File] Former Regional Development Minister Onyango Midika says his appointment to the Cabinet by President Daniel arap Moi in 1990 caught him by surprise. As a member of the radical wing in Parliament dubbed the “Seven Bearded Sisters” Mr Midika says the only reward he expected from the President back then was being reprimanded because of openly defying the system.
Matiang’i reveals he has big plans with Raila : The Standard
Dennis Onyango 01st Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT +0300 FROM LEFT: Chief Administrative Secretary Ken Obura, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, Kisii Woman Rep Janet Ongera and Nyando MP Jared Okello at Achego Girls in Muhoroni, yesterday. [Collins Oduor, Standard] Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has said he and ODM leader Raila Odinga have big plans.
Regional bloc faces crisis as summit records poor attendance
Dennis Onyango and Olivia Odhiambo 19th Jan 2020 10:00:00 GMT +0300 Governors during the 5th LREB summit at Siaya MTC on January 15, 2020. [Collins Oduor, Standard] The Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) technocrats are racing against time to prove that the regional entity can be revived But the bloc’s fifth summit held in Siaya County this week was poorly attended, sending the wrong signals and fears of a premature death.
Reviving key industries in lake region tops agenda
Olivia Odhiambo and Dennis Onyango 16th Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT +0300 Kisii Governor James Ongwae (centre) his Kakamega counterpart Wycliffe Oparanya (left) and Anyang' Nyong'o (Kisumu) addresses the press during the 5th Lake Region Economic Bloc Summit at Siaya Medical Training College on January 15, 2020.
Big win for rice, banana farmers
Dennis Onyango 15th Jan 2020 10:45:00 GMT +0300 This came as a huge relief to farmers who have been stuck with the produce after harvesting. Rice, potato and banana farmers are among major beneficiaries of President Uhuru Kenyatta's plan to revamp the agriculture sector. In a speech delivered yesterday at State House, Mombasa, Uhuru directed the National Treasury to release money to help local farmers who often incur huge losses due to lack of market and storage facilities.
Ray of hope for region as new Kisumu port set to be opened
Dennis Onyango 15th Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT +0300 MV Uhuru, one of the vessels at the Kisumu Port which has been undergoing renovations. The port is set to be commissioned in two weeks. [Denish Ochieng, Standard] After a long wait mired in uncertainty and last-minute cancellations, President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to finally commission the refurbished Kisumu Port.
Governors from lake region in fresh talks
Dennis Onyango 12th Jan 2020 13:00:00 GMT +0300 The long awaited summit by the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) is finally set to take place next week. The conference, which has been postponed five times, is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Siaya County. “The pre-summit activities will be held on January 14 and 15, the governors will have their Summit meeting,” read a statement shared with the press.
Nyong’o’s Sh205m bursary plan at stake
Kepher Otieno and Dennis Onyango 08th Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT +0300 Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyongo speaks after issuing cheques to traders. The fund aims at supporting small and medium enterprises. [Collins Oduor, Standard] Bursaries and scholarships worth Sh205 million are at stake as Members of County Assembly and ward administration fight over the composition of teams formed to share out the money.
Magoha visits slums to vet bursary cases : The Standard
Dennis Onyango 30th Dec 2019 00:00:00 GMT +0300 Education CS George Magoha (left) flanked by other government officers in Nyalenda slum in Kisumu when he visited. [Denish Ochieng/Standard] Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha caused a stir in Kisumu when he walked into local slums unannounced to monitor the selection of beneficiaries of a multi-billion-shilling bursary fund.
No cheers for families as floods wreak havoc : The Standard
Dennis Onyango and Mactilda Mbwenye 28th Dec 2019 00:00:00 GMT +0300 Floods at Nyamsaria estate in Kisumu County after River Auji burst its banks following the heavy rainfall experienced in the region. [Collins Oduor/Standard] There were no Christmas celebrations in various parts of Nyanza after floods devastated families in Kisumu, Homa Bay and Migori counties.
Judges mourn Justice Odek : The Standard
Dennis Onyango 27th Dec 2019 00:00:00 GMT +0300 Judges pay their last respects to the late Justice James Otieno Odek at Lisumu Law courts memorial service on December 26, 2019. [Collins Oduor/Standard] Court of Appeal judges have mourned their colleague Otieno Odek, saying the vacuum he has left in the Judiciary would be difficult to fill. In their usual red fatigues, the judges gathered at Kisumu Law Courts for a requiem mass ahead of his burial today in Asembo, Siaya County.
Two drown as floods ruin Christmas in Nyanza
Dennis Onyango and Mactilda Mbenywe 26th Dec 2019 20:01:30 GMT +0300 Fresh floods at Nyamsaria estate in Kisumu County after river Auji burst its banks following the heavy rainfall experienced in the region on December 26, 2019. Several families were displaced. [Collins Oduor,Standard] Two people have been swept away by raging waters in fresh floods that have ruined Christmas mood in Kisumu County, raising the death toll to six across Nyanza within just two weeks.
Three women out on bond in defilement case : The Standard
Dennis Onyango 25th Dec 2019 00:00:00 GMT +0300 Three women accused of repeatedly defiling a mentally challenged minor have denied the charges before a Kisumu Court. The women who appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Patrick Olengo at Nyando law courts yesterday pleaded not guilty to the charge of defilement, contrary to Section 8 (1) with alternative of indecent assault contrary to Section 9 (1) of the Sexual Offenses Act.
Murkomen clashes with ODM leaders over BBI
Dennis Onyango and James Omoro 21st Dec 2019 00:00:00 GMT +0300 ODM leader Raila Odinga (right), Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka (centre) and Senator Kipchumba Murkomen. [Collins Oduor, Standard] Deputy President William Ruto’s right-hand man Kipchumba Murkomen clashed with ODM leaders over the raging debate on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report.
Leaders fault BBI team for failure to address land issue
Dennis Onyango 08th Dec 2019 00:00:00 GMT +0300 The Building Bridges Initiative(BBI) advisory task force led by Chairman Senator Yusuf Haji and Vice Chairman Adams Oloo and Joint Secretary Paul Mwangi during a public participation at KICC. The decision by the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) task force to give the land problem a wide berth has raised questions given that this has been the cause of tribal clashes.
Document a recipe for anarchy, says Atwoli : The Standard
Dennis Onyango 29th Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT +0300 COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli (in green). [Denish Ochieng/Standard] Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has faulted the Building Bridges Initiative report, saying the initiative’s task-force drifted away from the purpose for which it was designed.
BBI report recipe for anarchy : The Standard
Dennis Onyango 28th Nov 2019 15:01:35 GMT +0300 The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli (pictured) has faulted the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report saying the initiative’s taskforce drifted away from the purpose for which it was designed.
ONYANGO: World must stand up for free elections in DRC
By DENNIS ONYANGO More by this Author As pioneer African leaders embarked on the final push for the total liberation of the continent from colonial rule, they had some broad consensus that Congo — later Zaire and now Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) — was destined to be an economic base and power to sustain the continent in a fiercely competitive global environment.
DENNIS ONYANGO: Crush this hustler thinking
This is where the hustler narrative that we have been spinning and glorifying these past few years has brought us: The shame of a nation fighting its children almost militarily to stop them from cheating in national exams. In a nation where cheating, stealing, making deals and cutting corners are seen as achievements, stopping the youth and other budding entrepreneurs from indulging was never going to be easy or cheap. And the public that has been glorifying the vice will always pay for it.
Museveni now moves to quell Migingo row
The near decade-long row over Migingo Island in Lake Victoria could come to an end – thanks to a new deal struck during a recent Kenya-Uganda joint border commissioners’ meeting in Kisumu. The conference came up with a raft of recommendations, including tasking the team to embark on the boundary review process in February 2014, to end the long territorial spat, which peaked in 2009.
[Statement] Weta's remarks point at vendetta against Raila - Dennis Onyango
We have read with keen interest the sentiments of former Senate Minority leader Moses Wetang'ula, contained in the Daily Nation of April 10, in which he accuses Raila Odinga of engineering his ouster from his position last month. We find the sentiments to be dishonest, frivolous and evasive. They are meant only to whip up emotions and sympathy over problems of the senator’s own making.
ONYANGO: Columnist wrong on Uhuru’s re-election
They never saw Brexit coming or Donald Trump happening. Having missed the vital signs in their countries, self-declared ‘Kenya Watchers’ and ‘Africa Experts’ are back, telling us who will not lose the next election in Kenya and how the opposition is not the alternative. One such expert, Prof Gabrielle Lynch, was here last Saturday, telling readers how Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election chances are undented despite runaway corruption.
Jubilee owns up to the existence of the Northern Collector Tunnel
The Jubilee Government has finally owned up to the existence of the Northern Collector Tunnel which the government says has never been listed either as its achievement or its plan for the country including during the State of the Nation addresses by the President, and briefings by the members of the Cabinet that have preceded the President’s State of the Nation address since 2014. That veil of secrecy has finally been lifted. But it still needs to be explained.
Defections to pro-establishment parties not a measure of voter thinking
NAIROBI: In the first weeks of 1993, as Kenyans were settling down to absorb the full importance of the first multiparty elections held in the final days of 1992, Bonchari MP Protus Momanyi defected from Mwai Kibaki’s Democratic Party to Kanu. It was a bombshell but worse was on the way. Momanyi had been a late comer to Opposition. He had been a Kanu die-hard who tried to get the party’s ticket but ran into the strong headwinds of Simeon Nyachae in Kisii forcing him to defect to DP.
Jakoyo Midiwo: Some ODM MPs got NYS tenders but I'm not one of them
Some Opposition MPs benefited from the controversial National Youth Service (NYS) tenders, National Assembly Minority Leader Jakoyo Midiwo has said. Although he did not name the individual MPs, Mr Midiwo said he knew the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) legislators who were doing business with the Jubilee government through the NYS projects. He, however, denied claims that he was among the ODM lawmakers who have benefited from the tenders.
Sh360m donor money lost as Kisumu leaders dwell in wrangles
Your are here » Home Kisumu, Kenya - The wrangles among leaders in Kisumu County have led to the loss of Sh360 million in donor funding for slum upgrade. The French Development Agency (AFD), which is the sponsor of the initiative, has withdrawn the funding after the county government failed to strike an agreement with the local residents on how to compensate those whose property would be affected by the ongoing slum upgrade.
Upright people don’t turn into thieves overnight
The list tabled by President Uhuru Kenyatta on appointed and elected leaders judged to be involved in corruption and abuse of office amounts to an indictment of the President and his Deputy on the issues of judgement, integrity and the growing culture of the manipulation of processes and connivance against the citizens by the administration to achieve desired political goals. That is the point the Opposition is making in its stand against the way the list was generated and made public.
Leaders jostle for Otieno Kajwang' seat amid calls for Raila Odinga to vie
Kenya: Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s close ally Caroli Omondi is among a host of leaders in the battle to succeed late Otieno Kajwang’ as Homa Bay senator as campaigns began in earnest. Credible sources in ODM says Caroli has already gained the support of key ODM luminaries primarily because of his loyalty to party leader Raila Odinga and the fact that he comes from Homa Bay.
Showdown looms as Raila insists new ODM leaders to stay
Friction within Orange Democratic Movement ( ODM) could escalate after it became clear yesterday that the top party leadership does not contemplate further discussion on the contentious list of officials picked a fortnight ago. Speaking during the burial of Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’ in Waondo village, CORD leader Raila Odinga asserted that he had already trusted the leadership of ODM with youthful leaders.
Senator mourned in style as Luo tradition takes centre stage
Hundreds of thousands of mourners thronged Waondo Primary School Friday for the burial of Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwangâ. The burial was conducted in line with the Luo tradition. Elders took the lead as politicians led by CORD leader Raila Odinga chanted a local dirge: Jowi Jowi Jowi Jowi (meaning, buffalo) to demonstrate that Kajwang was a hero.
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