Palaver - 20/08/2010

America has always prided herself as the land of freedom and justice but, apparently, its wheel of justice does not spin evenly. The recent ruling that President Obama’s aunt, Ms Zeituni Onyango, be granted asylum in the land of opportunity since she risks persecution in Kenya is comical. Zeituni should count her blessings that she is the aunt of the most powerful man on earth otherwise she would have long been deported to Kenya. Could America’s skewed way of justice also explain why there are more blacks than whites in its prisons despite the latter accounting for only about 10 per cent of the population?

　

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Still on justice, Kenyan courts should learn a vital lesson from Tanzania. In less than one hour, the Kenyan fellow who wanted to sell his best friend to a juju man for Sh20m was tried and sentenced. If Nathan Muteti had committed the offence in his country, he would be cooling his heels at Kamiti — waiting for the day to plead. By the way, Muteti and Robinson Mkwana’s tale is a testimony of how friends can be very dangerous. At least one can always tell what the enemy is up to.

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The wind of change is indeed sweeping across the country very fast. Palaver was impressed to see pictures of prisoners affectionately kissing and cuddling their spouses but wishes they could be given more privacy to be alone. Well, time will tell.

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Cabinet ministers William Ruto, Naomi Shaban and Samuel Poghisio must be really ruing the approach of August 28. A day after the promulgation of the new Constitution the trio, who fiercely opposed it, will swear to obey, respect and uphold it. A wag informs me that the best way for Ruto and company to demonstrate their conviction is to refuse to take the oath and lose their seats. I leave the challenge to their conscience.

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And finally…...

Probably, the only job where individuals are reappointed despite previous proof of failure is coaching Harambee Stars. The same coaches who were kicked out for failure to deliver are often recycled and yet we expect different results!

palaver@standardmedia.co.ke