Are these pangs of 2012? A Hon. Namwamba insists on a core opposition in the Kenyan Parliament with ODM as its center. Hon. Odinga (the PM) says no because ODM is in Government. But is ODM really in government?
We know that Hon. Odinga is the PM in a coalition government in which Hon. Kibaki of PNU is the President. It is accurate to say that Hon. Kibaki is the government, and PNU is the government. It is also accurate to say that Hon Odinga is part of the government, and so is ODM. But who calls the shots? It is Hon. Kibaki, the one who sleeps in State House.
Is Hon. Namwamba right in agitating for an official opposition in parliament? I believe he is right because Kenya is a multiparty state. Moreover, ODM admits that it is only partly in government and has assumed a holding posture in readiness for 2012. Moreover, the key pillars in ODM are approaching the "Namwamba problem" differently as the dance for positions for 2012 begin.
Hon. Odinga reads Hon Namwamba's intentions correctly: this group is out to pull the rug from beneath the coalition government, but he is also weary of 2012---what with Hon Mudavadi and Hon Ruto maintaining a neutral stance, if not soft, on Namwamba and company.
Is this the begenning of fall-outs and reallignments for 2012?
Watch what Maasai and their South Rift friends are doing. In the upcoming June 2008 by-elections; this core ODM group is going for anybody Maasai in any party. Will the ODM center hold? Will Mudavadi and Ruto allow PM Odinga to make another shot at the Presidency in 2012?
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
Spirituality and Luo Marriage
Sunset on Polygamy
(A Novel by JOSEPH R ALILA):
(PublishAmerica, 2007)
http://www.publishamerica.com/shopping/shopdisplayproducts.asp?catalogid=18178
In this African, cultural-anthropological drama, the author (Joseph R Alila) explores such universal issues as competitive love and romance, spirituality and moral conduct and order, farming, fairness, power structure, conflicts and conflict resolution, all within the context of a polygamous Luo home, as seen through a grown-up child's eyes. Beyond the polygamous home, the author takes us through an anthropological, communal tour of the spiritual underpinnings of such issues as farming, death, mourning, marriage, remarriage, courtship, morality and order, and power within a Luo communal unit. Alila delicately addresses the conflict between (arcane) cultural practices and spiritual understanding of a disease and its possible cures, on one side, versus proven modern medical evidence and understanding of a disease epidemic and its management, on the other.
In Sunset on Polygamy, the author teaches that, even in a polygamous home, the man and every woman must communicate, must play, must occasionally visit, verbally, physically and mentally, one-on-one, so as to survive `the grind' that is life in polygamy. This one-on-one communication among all parties must continue even as families move through crises.
(A Novel by JOSEPH R ALILA):
(PublishAmerica, 2007)
http://www.publishamerica.com/shopping/shopdisplayproducts.asp?catalogid=18178
In this African, cultural-anthropological drama, the author (Joseph R Alila) explores such universal issues as competitive love and romance, spirituality and moral conduct and order, farming, fairness, power structure, conflicts and conflict resolution, all within the context of a polygamous Luo home, as seen through a grown-up child's eyes. Beyond the polygamous home, the author takes us through an anthropological, communal tour of the spiritual underpinnings of such issues as farming, death, mourning, marriage, remarriage, courtship, morality and order, and power within a Luo communal unit. Alila delicately addresses the conflict between (arcane) cultural practices and spiritual understanding of a disease and its possible cures, on one side, versus proven modern medical evidence and understanding of a disease epidemic and its management, on the other.
In Sunset on Polygamy, the author teaches that, even in a polygamous home, the man and every woman must communicate, must play, must occasionally visit, verbally, physically and mentally, one-on-one, so as to survive `the grind' that is life in polygamy. This one-on-one communication among all parties must continue even as families move through crises.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
LUO ORAL TRADITION: (Kenya Elections 2007 Fiasco)
Enjoy this piece of Music; a demonstration of the great Luo Oral Tradition.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8-TBtiacAI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8-TBtiacAI&feature=related
Sunday, April 13, 2008
NEW CABINET NAMED IN KENYA
President Kibaki of Kenya and Prime Minister Raila Odinga name a New Cabinet, which is generally fair to both ODM and PNU today. Politicians' small egos have been assuaged by splitting Resources-related areas into many ministries. Let us move on and wait and see how Ass. Ministers and Ministers from different parties function. Kenyans are in for some theatrics never seen before. Resettling IDPs should be a priority to the coalition.
Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, Congratulations! Show Kenyans how to be a just-and-fair Prime Minister; the ball is in your court.
Hon. Kajwang' and Hon. Ojode, congratulations; we have come of age.
Hon. Ruto, thank you for showing leadership in allowing that man from Mululu to position ODM party for 2012.
Hon. Ngilu, Hon. Magara, Hon. Balala, and Hon. Nyaga, and Hon. Ntimama, thank you for your courage--continue to be strong.
My novel, THE WISE ONE OF RAMOGILAND, (http://www.lulu.com/) finally has a prophetic place.
Joseph R. Alila
(Author: THE WISE ONE OF RAMOGILAND)
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgindex.asp
Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, Congratulations! Show Kenyans how to be a just-and-fair Prime Minister; the ball is in your court.
Hon. Kajwang' and Hon. Ojode, congratulations; we have come of age.
Hon. Ruto, thank you for showing leadership in allowing that man from Mululu to position ODM party for 2012.
Hon. Ngilu, Hon. Magara, Hon. Balala, and Hon. Nyaga, and Hon. Ntimama, thank you for your courage--continue to be strong.
My novel, THE WISE ONE OF RAMOGILAND, (http://www.lulu.com/) finally has a prophetic place.
Joseph R. Alila
(Author: THE WISE ONE OF RAMOGILAND)
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgindex.asp
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
KENYAN Political FARCE
Cats are not edible among my people; but the same people also have a proverb that "a cat is better fried in its own oil-- adding oil to it is not a good culliniary practice" (in technical DhoLuo "ogwang' rach ka o ole mo, ochielore gi more"). How true.
That is the realization Premier-designate Raila Odinga and his ODM Party are coming to in their coalition farce with PNU. No sooner had ODM agreed to a bloated cabinet to accommodate the scattered PNU interests than the latter decided to keep all the plum ministerial potfollios. Even if the ministries were increased to 100 PNU would demand 100 real ministries and offer 100 virtual ministries to ODM.
Sure, "Ogwang' rach ka oole mo, ochielore gi more!"
How many times should Premier-designate Raila Odinga be duped by President Kibaki for the former to realize that the latter is not a gentleman--at least in a political sense? It looks like Hon. Odinga should tape all his future dealings with the president.
JR Alila
(Author, The Wise One of Ramogiland)
That is the realization Premier-designate Raila Odinga and his ODM Party are coming to in their coalition farce with PNU. No sooner had ODM agreed to a bloated cabinet to accommodate the scattered PNU interests than the latter decided to keep all the plum ministerial potfollios. Even if the ministries were increased to 100 PNU would demand 100 real ministries and offer 100 virtual ministries to ODM.
Sure, "Ogwang' rach ka oole mo, ochielore gi more!"
How many times should Premier-designate Raila Odinga be duped by President Kibaki for the former to realize that the latter is not a gentleman--at least in a political sense? It looks like Hon. Odinga should tape all his future dealings with the president.
JR Alila
(Author, The Wise One of Ramogiland)
BOOK RELEASE
The long-awaited novel, "SINS OF OUR HEART," by Joseph R. Alila [ISBN 978-1438200132, Published by CreateSpace (http://www.createspace.com/3339874)] is now available for purchase through http://www.amazon.com/ and through other major bookstores such as http://borders.com ; http://waldenbooks.com; http://www.target.com
In "Sins of Our Hearts," novelist Joseph R Alila visits what lies beneath our ready smiles; he narrates the fate of a congregation in which the sins of prejudice and hate, nurtured by affluence, race, poor elder leadership and a hands-off-pastoral style, threaten the very purpose of a church--which is to foster love and empathy among its membership. The lessons learnt should have a universal application.
Review
Pastor Rew Smith heads the affluent New Hope Oakpound Church in which things appear to be well, but there is a deep spiritual problem: His church suffers from a shortage of Love. New converts are called names , and go unattended to, as the young Pastor spends most of his evenings at Oakpound Big Boys Health and Fitness Club. His Lay Leadership basks in self-righteousness, and a form of spirituality without of any force of love behind it. Led by Mrs. Smith, some members of the Women Wing have introduced a controversial Foot-Washing method for its convenience, but in which the virtues of humility and selfless love are virtually dead.
In "Sins of Our Hearts," novelist Joseph R Alila visits what lies beneath our ready smiles; he narrates the fate of a congregation in which the sins of prejudice and hate, nurtured by affluence, race, poor elder leadership and a hands-off-pastoral style, threaten the very purpose of a church--which is to foster love and empathy among its membership. The lessons learnt should have a universal application.
Review
Pastor Rew Smith heads the affluent New Hope Oakpound Church in which things appear to be well, but there is a deep spiritual problem: His church suffers from a shortage of Love. New converts are called names , and go unattended to, as the young Pastor spends most of his evenings at Oakpound Big Boys Health and Fitness Club. His Lay Leadership basks in self-righteousness, and a form of spirituality without of any force of love behind it. Led by Mrs. Smith, some members of the Women Wing have introduced a controversial Foot-Washing method for its convenience, but in which the virtues of humility and selfless love are virtually dead.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
BOOK RELEASE
WHISPER TO MY ACHING HEART
[ISBN 1438207514. EAN-13: 978-14 38207513]
A novel by Joseph R. Alila
Published by CreateSpace An Amazon.com Company
(http://www.createspace.com/3341373)]
JR Alila’s WHISPER TO MY ACHING HEART is a story about two widows overcoming great odds to become mothers of a future people. In this moving-yet-romantic, love story, a young widow (Apiny) finds herself to be the bearer of the damning, spiritually-untouchable label in the male-dominated Eighteenth-Century Africa. Ejected alongside her widowed mother-in-law (Awino) and ridiculed by friends, Apiny waits for fifteen years before she receives another man in her bed. But this comes only after Awino remarries and raises a miracle son (Otin) who is called upon to walk into Apiny’s house while still in his teens. But, even after getting all the handsome sons and beautiful daughters she wished for from her youthful lover, Apiny is not at peace in her heart. She mourns and struggles in her heart as her youthful husband is compelled by cultural traditions to receive his own wife.
Expect copies to be available at http://www.amazon.com/ within the month
[ISBN 1438207514. EAN-13: 978-14 38207513]
A novel by Joseph R. Alila
Published by CreateSpace An Amazon.com Company
(http://www.createspace.com/3341373)]
JR Alila’s WHISPER TO MY ACHING HEART is a story about two widows overcoming great odds to become mothers of a future people. In this moving-yet-romantic, love story, a young widow (Apiny) finds herself to be the bearer of the damning, spiritually-untouchable label in the male-dominated Eighteenth-Century Africa. Ejected alongside her widowed mother-in-law (Awino) and ridiculed by friends, Apiny waits for fifteen years before she receives another man in her bed. But this comes only after Awino remarries and raises a miracle son (Otin) who is called upon to walk into Apiny’s house while still in his teens. But, even after getting all the handsome sons and beautiful daughters she wished for from her youthful lover, Apiny is not at peace in her heart. She mourns and struggles in her heart as her youthful husband is compelled by cultural traditions to receive his own wife.
Expect copies to be available at http://www.amazon.com/ within the month
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