In my opinion, these three videos, speeches, etc., are must sees if you want to learn more about current events in Kenya. None of them are short, but they are worth watching! Thanks to Kenyan Pundit (www.kenyanpundit.com) for posting the first two:
1) This eye opening series (eight parts-around one hour total) from Sky1 in Britain, highlights the conflict with mungiki, a secret Kikuyu organization that is part deadly gang and part social benefactor. These videos can be difficult to watch at times due to graphic images and videos. Gut wrenching to watch, this series captures the arrogance of the Kenyan gov't, the intelligence of the Kenyan Civil Society, the complex landscape of the slums vs. the wealthy, and the complicated (and sometimes confusing) relationships that mungiki creates with local communities. There is one scene, a slight digression from the main mungiki theme, highlighting the glue kids of Eldoret, including shots of young mothers high on glue handing their young babies the glue bottles to suck on. Utterly heartbreaking. Let me end by asking where the American media is? I've asked people, "Who in America would make this video? And then air it on TV?" The answer: NOBODY. The mainstream media landscape in America is endlessly dissapointing. It's seems weird to say, but perhaps our best hope for creating a new media landscape comes from HBO. So for now enjoy this in-depth and evocative piece by a British journalist.
Sky1: Mungiki Series
2) A new book by author Michela Wrong highlights the level of corruption in Kenya. Here are her comments at a forum held by the CATO Institute. It highlights the high level of arrogance and impunity that the Kenyan gov't displays day after day. She's got a good sense of humor so things don't get too dry.
It's Our Turn to Eat: The Story of a Kenyan Whistleblower
3) This is an insightful speech by Jonny Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, presented at the conference: Kenya on the Brink: Democratic Renewal or Deepening Conflict, hosted by National Endowment for Democracy. Mr. Carson was formerly the Ambassador to Kenya until 2003 and has a good grasp of Kenyan society. I feel that he has the ability to encourage (and push if necessary) the Kenyan gov't and wananchi in a way that is productive and is in the interests of both countries. As he says, Kenyans have a long, proud history. But Kenyans also have a long, corrupt history as well. Kenyans need to identify the best parts of their history and society, removing corruption (especially) and moving forward. He's a policy wonk so it can be a bit dry at times, but it is chock full of information!
Kenya on the Brink: Democratic Renewal or Deepening Conflict
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You know, when I see something like this - tuko.co.ke, I am truly sorry to all those passengers who were there at the wrong time. Too bad, I hope that it will not continue to be repeated and this government will do everything possible for that.
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