Guest guest Posted May 4, 2006 Report Posted May 4, 2006 Are we not being hypocrites? We always present ourselves as Wanjuku's advocates. We call ourselves human rights activists. How nice! But what is this thing we call human rights? Are human rights only limited to political rights? The ninth parliament continues to raid public coffers while we watch. Some of us issue blank threats to MPs that we never follow through. We threaten them with mass action but we never get to hit the streets. Interestingly, we only go to the streets to support our favorite politicians. We are ready to die for them so that MoUs can be honored. We promise to protect them from unseen enemies. Political rallies are often attended by thousands of Kenyans of the behest of NGOs. Why is it that we never see that intensity of energy being spent on issues that directly affect Wanjiku? Two days ago, a group of slum residents tried to demonstrate against the huge pay hikes that MPs and Ministers awarded themselves. The police force was unleashed on them. Interestingly, we heard no comment from Kenya's top civil society groups. KNHRC, TI, KHRC, Chamber of Justice, NCEC, etc were silent. Who dared to raise his/her voice when the media was gagged for reporting on the looting orgies that were taking place in the August House? Where did all the media advocates go? In my opinion, we are mercenaries. We only see problems once those fund us point them out. We dare not lock horns with politicians because they butter our bread. Who cares that the minimum wage is Sh5,395 while MPs pocket Sh1M each month? Who cares damn that only a fraction of our MPs salaries are taxable? We are all silent for now. The next time we open our mouths will be in support of this or that politician or when something that will look good on our project proposals comes up. In the mean time let us put more effort on that proposal on sub-Saharan Africa and organizing for the next human rights luncheon at the Grand Regency. PS. When is the next capacity building meeting? Rodgers Akombe Program Director, Kenyans Against Poverty in sub-Saharan Africa Quote
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2006 Report Posted May 4, 2006 Are we not being hypocrites? We always present ourselves as Wanjuku's advocates. We call ourselves human rights activists. How nice! But what is this thing we call human rights? Are human rights only limited to political rights? The ninth parliament continues to raid public coffers while we watch. Some of us issue blank threats to MPs that we never follow through. We threaten them with mass action but we never get to hit the streets. Interestingly, we only go to the streets to support our favorite politicians. We are ready to die for them so that MoUs can be honored. We promise to protect them from unseen enemies. Political rallies are often attended by thousands of Kenyans of the behest of NGOs. Why is it that we never see that intensity of energy being spent on issues that directly affect Wanjiku? Two days ago, a group of slum residents tried to demonstrate against the huge pay hikes that MPs and Ministers awarded themselves. The police force was unleashed on them. Interestingly, we heard no comment from Kenya's top civil society groups. KNHRC, TI, KHRC, Chamber of Justice, NCEC, etc were silent. Who dared to raise his/her voice when the media was gagged for reporting on the looting orgies that were taking place in the August House? Where did all the media advocates go? In my opinion, we are mercenaries. We only see problems once those fund us point them out. We dare not lock horns with politicians because they butter our bread. Who cares that the minimum wage is Sh5,395 while MPs pocket Sh1M each month? Who cares damn that only a fraction of our MPs salaries are taxable? We are all silent for now. The next time we open our mouths will be in support of this or that politician or when something that will look good on our project proposals comes up. In the mean time let us put more effort on that proposal on sub-Saharan Africa and organizing for the next human rights luncheon at the Grand Regency. PS. When is the next capacity building meeting? Rodgers Akombe Program Director, Kenyans Against Poverty in sub-Saharan Africa Quote
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