Politics Archive
Trampling the Election
Posted by jimheck in Big Game, Politics, Wildlife Management on September 7, 2010
The human/elephant conflict is becoming a major campaign issue in both Kenya and Tanzania. Soon, efforts towards resolution will lose out to the calls for culling.
Western wildlife NGOs and local researchers have been working tirelessly on human/elephant conflicts over the past decade. They haven’t gotten very far. It’s hard to keep six [...]
Translating the Party in Kenyan
Several of you asked for a translation of the beautiful music, Daima Kenya, posted Friday. Others, including NPR, might profit from a translation of a little bit more.
Kenya’s weekend parties were glorious, beyond glorious. And I’ve provided a translation of its unofficial national anthem, Daima Kenya, below.
Swahili translations are very difficult. It’s [...]
They Call it Promulgation Day
I call it the biggest, loudest, most spectacular party ever held in Africa!
All of yesterday and all of today people didn’t go to work in Kenya: they played. There were soccer matches and bingo games all over the country, Nairobi’s discos wound round the clock, and impromptu marches in the street by mad bands [...]
South African Cartoons
Posted by jimheck in Economy, Politics, South Africa on August 26, 2010
After a stellar performance during the World Cup, the turning fortunes of Jacob Zuma make many of us wonder if the South African presidency will be forever filled by wackos.
South Africa pulled off the World Cup like any grown up country; in fact, better. Infrastructure nightmares, mass strikes, insidious crime waves – didn’t happen.
Now [...]
Kenya’s Biggest Party Ever!
Posted by jimheck in Planning Travel, Politics on August 23, 2010
The joy, exuberance and incredible hope spawned by last week’s election victories in Kenya is absolutely amazing! Get ready for the biggest party ever in Kenya!
The last few years have brought social and political transformations around the world but you would be hard pressed to find a more radical one than in Kenya.
Those [...]
Serengeti Highways & Monopolies
Posted by jimheck in Economy, Great Migration, Politics, Serengeti on August 16, 2010
Your voice against the Serengeti highway has attracted the attention of the most powerful in Tanzania. Unfortunately, he’s digging in his heels.
During an end of July live television speech to the country President Jakaya Kikwete said that “under no circumstances” will the government be deterred from building the road.
Kikwete doesn’t shy from the limelight, [...]
Celebration & Sanity!
The Kenyans dispelled all myths yesterday that they were incapable of stable government. The national referendum for a new constitution passed resoundingly more than 2 to 1.
Although implementation will be arduous, and the time available before the next election poses something of a challenge, it is clear that Kenyans across all spectrums of society [...]
‘NO’ for Violence in Kenya
Posted by jimheck in Planning Travel, Politics, Safety on July 26, 2010
There’s going to be trouble in Kenya on August 4 and for a few days afterwards, but not as serious as in 2007. Continue on safari, but be vigilant.
A week from Wednesday Kenyans go to the polls for the first time since the violent election of December, 2007. This time they aren’t electing [...]
Church & African State
The conflict between church and state is an abrasive one in the U.S. as it is in Africa. But even as in Kenya when the church is on the right side, it doesn’t belong in the room.
The nearly three centuries of western religious involvement in Africa has had mixed success. There have definitely [...]
Victor & Still Champion
Posted by jimheck in Politics, Rwanda, Uncategorized on July 19, 2010
Rwanda’s national election occurs in 3 weeks. That has nothing to do with who will win.
President Paul Kagame, the leader of Rwanda for the last 16 years, and prior to that, the paramount general of the Tutsi led RPF army that stopped the 1994 genocide, is the winner and champion.
Kagame has imprisoned all his [...]
Bombings in Kampala
Posted by jimheck in Planning Travel, Politics, Safety on July 12, 2010
More than 60 people were killed yesterday in two separate bomb attacks in Kampala, a signature Al-Qaeda attack. Curiously, the terrorist organization has not claimed responsibility.
I’ve increasingly written about Al-Shabaab, Al-Qaeda in Somalia, and their increasing power and influence in East Africa. With last week’s peaceful elections in the southern third of Somali [...]
The Mara: Tipping or Tentative?
Posted by jimheck in Mara, Politics, Safari Lodges, Wildlife Management on July 9, 2010
A recent study in Kenya has sparked enormous confusion over the long-term future of its wildlife, particularly in the Mara. But a couple things do look certain. Don’t stay outside the reserves and don’t privatize national treasures.
I hate reporting a story like this, but it’s been growing in my conscience like mold on [...]
The Left Way in East Africa
In a huge and welcome change from past American policy, eight U.S. Congressmen are in Kenya to promote democracy. “Change,” I said? Absolutely!
Until the Obama administration, America’s promoting democracy in the Third World was something akin to my own dear old-style Chicago politics. You tell them what to do, and if they [...]
Ducky Judges Quack
Posted by jimheck in Corruption, Politics on May 25, 2010
Here’s one for the books. Yesterday, a panel of 3 Kenyan judges said the proposed judicial system in the proposed new constitution is unconstitutional!
Wait, wait, don’t tell me. There isn’t a constitution , yet, because it’s being voted on August 4, so how can something that isn’t, not be?
This is incredibly embarrassing to [...]
The Crocodile Attack Alarm
Posted by jimheck in Animal Attacks, Politics on May 24, 2010
This weekend officials on Kenya’s coast warned of increasing crocodile attacks on local residents. Nonsense.
If the reports of increased lion and crocodile attacks in Kenya are true, why are they not true in neighboring Uganda and Tanzania? Do those animals not have visas?
Like the incorrectly reported increase in lion attacks made last week [...]