Looming crisis at refugee camp expected at end of the tunnel

By Shadrack Mbaka;

A wedge had earlier been driven between the government of Kenya and International aid organizations on matters of addressing the worsening humanitarian crisis in northern Kenya, where thousands of Somali refugees have pitched camp to escape war and drought in their lawless country.

Dadaab refugee camp is currently the world’s biggest refugee complex, Humanitarian workers and officials including the UNHCR boss, António Guterres have described the situation as ‘hell on earth’ and warned that hundreds of malnourished children could die in the coming weeks.

This comes at a time when the Government of Kenya was reluctant to open a new camp for the refugees coming into the country in droves. As much as I agree with the Kenyan government citations that allowing more refugees was indeed a security risk, it would really” look bad” if we turn the refugees away.

According to the latest statistics about 21 children have died of malnutrition and other diseases at the camp since June this year. On Sunday, a Somali refugee who had just given birth died together with her baby as aidworkers battled to save their lives.

Humanitarian workers and nearby hospitals have been  teeming with children and adults as more refugees who had walked for several weeks through the bandit-infested Somali hinterland queued for admission into the camps while others were dying on the way.

There has been tales of children and relatives collapsing and dying on the way as they braved scorching sun and hunger to reach Dadaab, some 150km from Garrisa town, which has hosted Somali refugees for the past 20 years.

It is only hopeful that the government’s directive through the Prime Minister that the Kenya – Somalia boarder at Liboi be opened as well as overseeing the building of a new camp to settle the refugees would come to pass.

This is an international crisis and the situation is worsening each day at sunrise and at sunset. It is also common knowledge that the influx of more refugees is steadily rising and is not expected to decrease any time soon. Let the world join forces to help men, women and children from the claws of drought in Somalia.

Want to substitute your MP? Build a proper Technical Bench

By Shadrack Mbaka
Am not surprised when Opinion polls continue to show that many Kenyans are unhappy with their MPs and would take the slightest opportunity they get to make their feelings known to their leaders.
The current crops of politicians are showing poor performance in the respective constituencies in Kenya, but definitely this does not apply to all MPs, this is because there are MPs who have upheld the “covenant” between him or herself and the people.

It’s however obvious to acknowledge the fact that it’s not enough to replace the incumbent with a newcomer in the political arena. If circumstances call for a replacement, it must be understood that he must be an upper cut that the incumbent. 

Kenya has reached a point where we need better and qualified leaders who have the ability and technical knowhow of transforming this nation. As the elections draw near, many will come claiming to be the peoples ‘key”.

The days of electing MPs because of their financial muscles are long gone and it is therefore important for Kenyans to force their elected leaders to set their bench marks or face the judges who are the people.
The former generations of MPs were pros in dishing out cash and putting up ghost projects while doing their campaigns and no sooner than they are elected, the projects come on a sudden halt. Definitely this is the time that the voter is forgotten. If we are going to make a difference in the near future we must treat anyone offering materialistic goodies with suspicion and wisdom.
 
Another way that some of our politicians would go for ,so as to seek re-election is to grasp mileage from presidential candidates. Interested parties to the presidential succession should also know that imposing a candidate on the people went along side the old constitution. He may choose the kind of politicians he or she would like to work with, but the most important political decisions will be made by the voter.
And anyone touting age as their qualification may have nothing else to show for it. Those who punctuate every word with tribe are only trying to use you for personal gain.

Most examination bodies have a marking scheme for the exams they offer and according to me electing your MP is no different. Choose your leader on the basis of ; selflessness, hardworking, good management ability, brilliant , consistent and focused. This way we will be contributing to building a better Kenya.

Nairobi

Striker Carlos Tevez wants to leave Manchester City

City boss Roberto Mancini wanted to keep Tevez at Eastlands

Carlos Tevez has said he wants to leave Manchester City for family reasons.

The Argentina captain helped City finish third in the Premier League last season and qualify for the Champions League for the first time.
The 27-year-old, who joined City from rivals Manchester United in 2009, stated he cannot continue to live in the north west without his daughters.
"I need to be closer to them and to spend more time with them," Tevez said in a statement.
"Living without my children in Manchester has been incredibly challenging for me. Everything I do, I do for my daughters.
"I need them to be happy because my life is about them now. I need to be in a place where they can adapt.
"I hope that the people understand the difficult circumstances I have been living under the past 12 months, in regards to my family."

TEVEZ SAGA TIMELINE

Continue reading the main story

• 12 December 2010 - Tevez says he is going to leave Man City
• 20 December 2010 - Withdraws transfer request and commits future to club
• 16 May 2011 - Says he will only stay at club if solution found to "family issues"
• 8 June 2011 - Tevez says he will never return to "small and wet" Manchester
• 4 July - Confirms he is going to leave Manchester City

Tevez, who signed a five-year contract with City upon his £25.5m move from Old Trafford, thanked the club's hierarchy for their support and asked for fans to empathise with his personal predicament.
"It is with great regret that I have to inform Manchester City of my wish to leave the club," added Tevez, who is currently on international duty with hosts Argentina in the Copa America.
"I would like to state that I have great respect for the club, its supporters and the owner, Sheikh Mansoor, who has been nothing other than respectful to me.
"I hope that most of the City fans will understand that I have given them my all on the pitch and that my dedication to the City cause has been 100% on the pitch.
"I hope I have done my bit to help City continue their progress towards their ambition to be champions of England and to advance in the Champions League.
"I have no doubt that the players and management of City will achieve great success in the future."

CHIEF FOOTBALL WRITER PHIL McNULTY ON TEVEZ SAGA

Continue reading the main story "When he withdrew his first transfer request he was warned by City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak that they would choose the timing and manner of his departure. And they will not be selling their finest player on the cheap.
"City will instantly shrink the market by demanding around £40m for Tevez and any potential purchasers will also have to cope with a wage packet that is believed to be in excess of £200,000 a week.
"This reduces his options to an elite group such as Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid and they have yet to show serious interest."

Tevez made an immediate impact at Eastlands, scoring 29 goals in 42 appearances in his first season as City missed out on a place in the Champions League, finishing fifth in the Premier League.
The former Boca Juniors star was given the added responsibility of the captain's armband by City manager Roberto Mancini last season, a moved which proved inspirational as Tevez netted 24 goals in 44 appearances, propelling the club to third in the Premier League as well as securing their place in Europe's top club competition.
Tevez also lifted the FA Cup after a 1-0 victory over Stoke at Wembley in May, City's first trophy in 35 years.
However, his relationship with Mancini had already been fractured when he submitted a transfer request at Eastlands in December last year, which was later withdrawn.
Tevez's estranged partner could not settle in Manchester and returned to Argentina with their two daughters Katie and Florencia, but a move to Spain or Italy could persuade his family to return to Europe.
Italian club Inter Milan told BBC Sport they will not attempt to sign Tevez because of his wage demands.