Recently I watched the 'Democratic debate' on CNN in which people from across the globe fielded questions on diverse topics. Despite the difference in opinions and answers from the candidates one thing that was outstanding was the patriotism of all the candidates. They all had the desire to make America a 'better' place. In fact that is the outstanding thing about Americans that is often mistaken for arrogance. Americans are easily the most patriotic people on earth, In fact that is the 'glue' that has cemented America together and enables it to be the country that it is. In addition you will find that Americans travel wide in their own country and so are exposed to the customs and practices of other communities in their country.

I insist that there is no better way to wipe out tribalism and build patriotism (the more tribalism the less patriotism and vice versa) that for kenyans to travel in their own country and get to know the practices, beliefs, customs, problems, joys, sorrows, victories and defeats of other Kenyans. Its not enough to simply go 'shags' and back to Nairobi or where one works and lives. Kenyans must make a conscious effort to get to know their country.

This blog is intended to be a pictorial of kenya with patriotic messages and is intended to fire up the desire of Kenyans to emulate this blogger and visit every nook and cranny of this great country.

As i said before the purpose of this blog is to get Kenyans to put aside their differences and focus on how we can utilise the huge natural potential and himan resources of this great country. I first want to encourage Kenyans to travel in their own country. Nothing will help us overcome our prejudices between communities and tribes as interaction. To see where others come from, the quality of their lives, understand their customs, and most of all see what a diverse country we have.

This pic is Tana river from the bridge entering Garissa.

enjoy.

my second letter to 'time magazine' concerning darfur' first one was published in time in december 2006. Pictures are the 'Road to Masalani from Garissa' and the entrance of the al-urabi hotel, Masalani, ijaara'.

Letter to Time magazine.

During the Democratic debate on Tuesday (you tube questions) the question of Darfur was raised. After listening to various contenders’ response I must say that with regard to US foreign policy it becomes clear that the reason the US is no longer recognized as the world leader in international mediation is they have put policy and US interests above the direct interests of the peoples concerned. What was the real reason the US intervened militarily in Iraq? To help the Iraqi people or the pursue their own selfish agendas including the consolidation of influence in the oil producing countries in the Gulf.

In a similar vein while the UN and the US dither in foreign policy and diplomacy, on a daily basis more and more lives are lost in Darfur.

I wrote to you in October 2006 and you published exerpts of my letter in December 2006.

My challenge then to the US and the UN was to intervene now, immediately. To date 8 months later, nothing. Senator Bidden was the only one who came out straight to the point when he said that while a diplomatic solution was being pursued the children in the video clip would be dead or dying. What a poignant statement simply because everyone on earth knows that what he was saying is true. Its no use saying the African Union (AU) don’t want American or UN intervention. That’s not good enough. If it is clear that the AU do not have the financial, logistical, and motivational competency to protect the people of Darfur then it’s the overlying responsibility of the US and UN to make this clear to the world, if only to escape blame when the situation explodes as it is likely to. If the AU realize that they will be held responsible for what happens in Darfur then they will be more likely to accept help and to recognise their supposed role in African affairs . In any case as I have said before the AU can only be as effective as its member countries make Darfur a priority. This they are not doing.

Kenya, in particular should be the most active and be playing the leading role in bringing this terrible situation to an end. Sudan is a neighbour of Kenya with long standing historical ties. The long standing war in Sudan has negatively affected Kenya in the proliferation of arms in Kenyas’ Northern provinces. It is also directly in Kenyas interest to have a stable and safe Sudan as they would constitute top trading partner. But purely on humanitarian grounds, Kenya is by far the most resourceful country in the region and having the strongest economy, is shortchanging the Sudanese people and in particular the people of Darfur by giving little more than lip service to this impending tragedy.