School strikes are a result of our school systems not having a workable mechanism to get feedback from the students. Teachers talk to and talk at the students while ignoring the contributions of the same. The communication is single-lane. What is missing is democracy in high school. Prefects are appointed by and are therefore the administrative agents of the school administration. Indeed, I am neither aware of the provisions in the education act nor presence in our high schools of a students' union into which they elect representatives that communicate their desires/demands to the school administration. Where there is absence of a mechanism of effective communication from the students of their problems and wishes, the best language becomes stone-throwing, arson and rampage. For it seems this is the language that will ring the most visible indicators of trouble within.

Please be warned, ladies and gentlemen that there is, in the loose, a VERY serious virus which comes, yes, attached as a picture of the ODM-K luminary and presidential front-runner Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga aka Agwambo aka Tinga. The virus comes as a JPEG picture of Raila and instals itself on the recipient's computer. It could also come with other document attachments originating from Kenya or persons who have picked mail from a Kenyan IP. Once installed, a slide on Raila for Presidency comes on the screen and won't get out no matter what. It duplicates all documents and sooner they won't open.

Indeed ODM-K has drastically changed since Raila Odinga launched his colourful and brilliant vision elegantly at the KICC last Sunday. It was aired live by Citizen TV and watched live by millions of Kenyans. His competitors have since panicked and went jittery about his presidential ambitions. Seventeen MPs from Rift Valley led by William Rutto at Kuresoi blasted both Raila and Kalonzo on the wrangles in ODM-K.They also rejected consensus as a method of electing the party’s presidential baton bearer for ODM-K. Dr.Julia Ojiambo another ODM-K aspirant she too threatened to quit the party. The LDP secretary general Joseph Kamotho for the first time endorsed Mwai Kibaki for his re-election in this year general election. This shows a divided house and a house in disarray.

Tribalism, corruption, poverty and mediocrity: the four demons of Kenya are conquerable. We can deal with tribalism decisively with absolute success provided we get visionary leadership. The dream of our forefathers to have a Kenya free from tribalism, corruption, poverty and greed is achievable. It is possible to have a prosperous Kenya devoid of cronyism and sycophancy. It is becoming clearer to every Kenyan that Raila Odinga has what it takes to reclaim our sanity and dignity as a nation. Kenya given visionary leadership is capable of becoming a tiger of Africa by 2020. If Uganda under Museveni was able to resurrect its economy that was buried six feet under the earth of civil war, why not Kenya?

In 2002, my mother voted for Kibaki (Narc), Kiprono (Kanu) and Kipyego (Narc) for president, MP and councillor, respectively. Well into her sixties, she did it because she believed what Raila said, that Narc was going to crash corruption, eliminate tribalism and return pride and a sense of ownership to Kenyans. It was never to be. As soon the Kibaki presidency took shape, however, the Kikuyu became Kikuyu and the Luo became Luo, etc. Kibaki's Statehouse has succeeded, albeit without making any effort, in driving Kenyans to the pit that Moi before him did not manage, in spite of the latter's concerted and spirited efforts to 'divide and rule'. It pains me, and undoubtedly all other like-minded Kenyans, that what we invested in Kibaki in 2002 was our reflection and loss of balance and judgement. This is because we threw our hope to a gutter from which we must all arise and reclaim. It takes exceptional leadership and will to reverse the trend that we witness in Kenya today.

Story by TOM MATOKE Publication Date: 5/15/2007

The cliff is a killer yet it has a beautiful scenery that could be a tourist attraction. It is located some 15km to the west of Nandi Hills Town in the Nandi escarpment. Visitors marvel at the sheer depth of Shehu Morobi cliff, part of the Nandi escarpment in Chematich Village in Nandi South District. The overhang known as Shehu Morobi cliff is regarded as the deepest in the area and is also greatly feared. In fact, the locals refer to it as “the cliff of death”. In ancient days, people believed to have lived for too long were hurled down the cliff to die. Also thrown into the valley then were women with unwanted pregnancies. Those raped were also candidates for the plunge at the deadly Shehu Morobi cliff.

An economy grows on the shoulders of thinkers and innovators. Look at the established as well as the emerging economies of the world and you'll not fail to notice the place of science and technology and research and development in their economic strides, poverty alleviation and elimination and improvement of the well-being of the citizens.