GOSSIP
What is gossip?
When God was giving instructions to Moses to pass them to the children of Israel during their wilderness wanderings, one of the things he told them is to guard their mouths, and not to say false things about their neighbors. In the Book of Leviticus, god gave moses these instructions:" You shall not go about as talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbors; I am the LORD" Leviticus 19:16- NKJV. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived tells us not to be talebearers in his Book- the Proverbs. He says" Where there in no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer; strife ceases. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into innocent body". Proverbs 26:20-22.-NKJV.He also tells us in the same book Chapter 15: 18 that " A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger allays contention".
Now, what is gossip and what is talebearing? Webster's New World College dictionary, Fourth Edition, provides us with the definitions of these two words.
Gossip-" a person who chatters or repeats idle talk and rumors, esp. about the private affairs of others", whereas talebearer is " a person who spreads scandal or tells secrets; gossip". Where can one find most gossipers and talebearers? in the Christian community . Christians are the best gossipers and talebearers . get them assembled outside church service, grouped together, especially our women folk, what are they talking most of the time? Only gossiping . Few will be found talking things of constructive nature, but the majority will be gossiping an talebearing. Gossip is the gasoline of christianity. We who call ourselves christians are the best fault finders. Even when the Jews arrested jesus Christ and took Him to Pirate and accused Him falsely, when Pirate examined him, he came out of the court room and told them that he did not find any fault with Jesus. See how he framed his answer:" You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him: "no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him". Luke 23: 14-15. People whom Christ had fed, healed, and done so many miracles, and yet they found fault with him. We Christians, are fault finders, and unless we change our habits of fault finding, we will not attract people to Christ. Gossip is a very disease among human beings, especially those who call themselves christians. Mahatma Gandhi once said that he really liked the christian religion, but h found one thing which displeased him- christians were bot behaving the way their religion wanted them to.
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Thursday, July 21, 2016
TAKING OR GIVING BRIBES/GIFTS
In our country kenya, we have recently read many stories of corruption- some Mps being said to have been bribed to switch parties by being offered a lot of money, one of those cases being that of the former ODM secretary general who is said to have received millions of money to ditch his party for another party. We also read of how people can be paid she.2000/- to shs. 15000/- to shed innocent blood. Recently, there was another case whereby a woman was said to have contracted somebody to eliminate her husband and she promised the guy she.500000/-, and made an advance payment of shs. 100000/-, but the guy did not see the need of shedding the blood of an innocent person, and the matter was reported and the woman arrested.
What is a bribe/gift? Webster defines a bribe as - 1. " anything, esp money, given or promised to induce a person to do something illegal or wrong; 2. anything given or promised to induce a person to do something against his or her wishes" whereas bribery is defined as "the giving, offering ,or taking of bribes". What does the Bible say of bribes? The Book of Exodus 23:8 states that 'And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of righteous ". What it tells us is that even if you are wise, the moment you start accepting gifts, especially if you are in apposition of authority, you will be blinded and you will make wrong decisions. You can even kill a person even if you had not wanted to, the moment you start accepting gifts. People have accepted gifts and shed innocent blood. The Book of Deuteronomy 16:19 says"Thou shalt not wrest judgement; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous". What is spoken of in Exodus is exactly what is spoken of here. One should not do favouritism when discharging his or her duties, that is what is meant by respect of persons. In the Book of 11 Chronicles 19:7, we read "Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts". God does not respect persons. He is totally against the giving of bribes/gifts. In the new Testament, we read in the Book of Romans 2:11 that "For there is no respect of persons with God".
You remember the story of Simon who wanted to give the apostles money so that they can give him the gift of Holy Ghost? This story is found in the Book of Acts Chapter 8:18 and read what it says" And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands , he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money". God wants us to discharge our duties without favouritism . Jesus told his disciples that " Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give". If you are in apposition of authority where you employ people for example, employ them based not on ethnic background , but if it is on academic background, do so. While on this , let me also include false witnessing . It goes with this too. do not accuse somebody falsely, or accept to give false witnessing simply because you have been promised a bribe/gift. Remember if you do so, you are cursed. See what the Lord told Moses about those who take gifts/bribes to slay innocent people. Deuteronomy 27:25 tells u s"Cursed he that taketh reward to slay innocent person". If you take a bribe, and that money you have even embezzled to suit you, and innocent people / children die because the state has no joey to buy them drugs, you have killed innocent people. This is what we are seeing in our country. Those people who are tax collectors have enriched themselves by taking the state money in dubious ways and have built themselves mansions at the expense of common person- they are killing innocent people. Solono tells us in his Book ; Proverbs 13:11 that " Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase". If you enrich yourselves by accepting bribes/gifts, your wealth will go no where and will diminish. The Lord blesses your hard work. In the Book of Deuteronomy 28:12, says that "The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine land: and then shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow".
Jesus told his audience too about these issues. In the Book of Luke the Third Chapter verse14, when the people asked him what they should do in order to be saved, among those who were present were the soldiers(police). And this is what they asked Him" And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely ; and be content with your wages". Are we not seeing this behaviour with our police? The recent police vetting in Kenya shows this. There were officers whose salaries were below 50000/- shillings and yet had millions of shillings in their bank accounts, an they were unable to convince the panel how they got that kind of money. False accusations are always there with our police. This takes me back to the Book of I Kings Chapter 20, where we get the story of Jezebel who accused naboth falsely by bringing in two witnesses to testify against him. the issue was that Naboth had refused to sell his vineyard to the king, an dJezebel told the king that let him not worry as he is going to get the vineyard. We see these e things happening around us. Why have I decided to write on this matter of bribery/ gift? First of all, when the word gift is used here, it means a bribe not the other gift which we give people with no conditions attached.
In conclusion, it is not proper to take a gift with an intention to influence an outcome of something so that it works in your favour. Those of us in positions of authority, an those who are aspiring to occupy those positions, please and please, do not accept gifts/bribes. Those who collect taxes, collect only that which is due, and never take bribes as the Lord will not make your riches to prosper instead, they will diminish.
In our country kenya, we have recently read many stories of corruption- some Mps being said to have been bribed to switch parties by being offered a lot of money, one of those cases being that of the former ODM secretary general who is said to have received millions of money to ditch his party for another party. We also read of how people can be paid she.2000/- to shs. 15000/- to shed innocent blood. Recently, there was another case whereby a woman was said to have contracted somebody to eliminate her husband and she promised the guy she.500000/-, and made an advance payment of shs. 100000/-, but the guy did not see the need of shedding the blood of an innocent person, and the matter was reported and the woman arrested.
What is a bribe/gift? Webster defines a bribe as - 1. " anything, esp money, given or promised to induce a person to do something illegal or wrong; 2. anything given or promised to induce a person to do something against his or her wishes" whereas bribery is defined as "the giving, offering ,or taking of bribes". What does the Bible say of bribes? The Book of Exodus 23:8 states that 'And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of righteous ". What it tells us is that even if you are wise, the moment you start accepting gifts, especially if you are in apposition of authority, you will be blinded and you will make wrong decisions. You can even kill a person even if you had not wanted to, the moment you start accepting gifts. People have accepted gifts and shed innocent blood. The Book of Deuteronomy 16:19 says"Thou shalt not wrest judgement; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous". What is spoken of in Exodus is exactly what is spoken of here. One should not do favouritism when discharging his or her duties, that is what is meant by respect of persons. In the Book of 11 Chronicles 19:7, we read "Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts". God does not respect persons. He is totally against the giving of bribes/gifts. In the new Testament, we read in the Book of Romans 2:11 that "For there is no respect of persons with God".
You remember the story of Simon who wanted to give the apostles money so that they can give him the gift of Holy Ghost? This story is found in the Book of Acts Chapter 8:18 and read what it says" And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands , he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money". God wants us to discharge our duties without favouritism . Jesus told his disciples that " Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give". If you are in apposition of authority where you employ people for example, employ them based not on ethnic background , but if it is on academic background, do so. While on this , let me also include false witnessing . It goes with this too. do not accuse somebody falsely, or accept to give false witnessing simply because you have been promised a bribe/gift. Remember if you do so, you are cursed. See what the Lord told Moses about those who take gifts/bribes to slay innocent people. Deuteronomy 27:25 tells u s"Cursed he that taketh reward to slay innocent person". If you take a bribe, and that money you have even embezzled to suit you, and innocent people / children die because the state has no joey to buy them drugs, you have killed innocent people. This is what we are seeing in our country. Those people who are tax collectors have enriched themselves by taking the state money in dubious ways and have built themselves mansions at the expense of common person- they are killing innocent people. Solono tells us in his Book ; Proverbs 13:11 that " Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase". If you enrich yourselves by accepting bribes/gifts, your wealth will go no where and will diminish. The Lord blesses your hard work. In the Book of Deuteronomy 28:12, says that "The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine land: and then shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow".
Jesus told his audience too about these issues. In the Book of Luke the Third Chapter verse14, when the people asked him what they should do in order to be saved, among those who were present were the soldiers(police). And this is what they asked Him" And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely ; and be content with your wages". Are we not seeing this behaviour with our police? The recent police vetting in Kenya shows this. There were officers whose salaries were below 50000/- shillings and yet had millions of shillings in their bank accounts, an they were unable to convince the panel how they got that kind of money. False accusations are always there with our police. This takes me back to the Book of I Kings Chapter 20, where we get the story of Jezebel who accused naboth falsely by bringing in two witnesses to testify against him. the issue was that Naboth had refused to sell his vineyard to the king, an dJezebel told the king that let him not worry as he is going to get the vineyard. We see these e things happening around us. Why have I decided to write on this matter of bribery/ gift? First of all, when the word gift is used here, it means a bribe not the other gift which we give people with no conditions attached.
In conclusion, it is not proper to take a gift with an intention to influence an outcome of something so that it works in your favour. Those of us in positions of authority, an those who are aspiring to occupy those positions, please and please, do not accept gifts/bribes. Those who collect taxes, collect only that which is due, and never take bribes as the Lord will not make your riches to prosper instead, they will diminish.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
COMMON CURRENCY FOR EASTERN AFRICAN COUNTRIES
The Eastern African countries comprising of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda now wants to have one common currency. Before they finally do that, they need to learn from the EU(European Union). Those of us who are following what is lately taking place in Europe know very well that countries like Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Italy and Spain are struggling to stay a float economically due to urge debts they are struggling to offset. One reason why this is so is due to the fact that once they joined the Euro, those countries are held captive as far their money handling is concerned. For example, they cannot devalue the currency they are using(Euro) because they have no power to do so. This scenario makes their exports expensive , hence no money is coming in. How did this happen?
The Maastricht treaty which brought the 27 EU counties together was signed in December 1991. Of the 27 countries that signed the treaty, 26 gave up their currencies, but Britain declined to give up its currency; the sterling pound, by seeing an opt-out. The British argued that if they gave up their currency, they will at the same time give up its sovereignty.The EU countries are now struggling to maintain the Euro, and some are now suggesting that they sign a new treaty , which the British will definitely oppose( Britain is already pulled out of the 27 countries), and even if the new treaty will be signed, those remaining countries will have to face their constituents through a referendum to adopt the new treaty.
In 1989, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC), was established. Its aim was to facilitate trade and investment and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. When it was formed, there was a time frame allocated : 2010- 2020. Another reason why APEC was formed was to reduce the gap in economic development of the region(those countries that comprise APEC).
In 1967, ASEAN was established. The countries that now comprise ASEAN are: Indonesia, Malaysia,The Philippines, Singapore,Thailand(these were the original five which comprised ASEAN) Brunei , Vietnam, Lao PDR, Myanmar(Burma), and Cambodia. The objective of these 10 countries were:
- acceleration of economical growth,
-social progress,
-cultural development, and in addition, ASEAN countries promote regional peace and stability through respect for the rule of law, and encourages the adherence to the principles of UN Charter.
One thing all these regional groups of countries have in common save those of EU is that they did not give up their currencies. They knew that if they did so, they would have given up their sovereignty too. If a country gives up its sovereignty, it knows that it will have to be dictated in all that it does. As former Chinese President Jiang Zemin once argued in 2000 at the UN Millennium Summit that " History and reality tell us that sovereignty is the only premise and guarantee of human rights within each nation".
As EA residents, we must be careful not to be rushed to accept a common EA currency like that of the Euro. People must be told the effect this will have on the economy if we decide to adopt it. We must learn from what is happening in Europe, an dhow some countries in that common currency union are suffering now and they do not have any way out now. As a Kenyan, I will oppose the common currency for EAC as it will not be of any help to me, but may create more problem than what it is intended to solve. Any thoughts?
The Eastern African countries comprising of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda now wants to have one common currency. Before they finally do that, they need to learn from the EU(European Union). Those of us who are following what is lately taking place in Europe know very well that countries like Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Italy and Spain are struggling to stay a float economically due to urge debts they are struggling to offset. One reason why this is so is due to the fact that once they joined the Euro, those countries are held captive as far their money handling is concerned. For example, they cannot devalue the currency they are using(Euro) because they have no power to do so. This scenario makes their exports expensive , hence no money is coming in. How did this happen?
The Maastricht treaty which brought the 27 EU counties together was signed in December 1991. Of the 27 countries that signed the treaty, 26 gave up their currencies, but Britain declined to give up its currency; the sterling pound, by seeing an opt-out. The British argued that if they gave up their currency, they will at the same time give up its sovereignty.The EU countries are now struggling to maintain the Euro, and some are now suggesting that they sign a new treaty , which the British will definitely oppose( Britain is already pulled out of the 27 countries), and even if the new treaty will be signed, those remaining countries will have to face their constituents through a referendum to adopt the new treaty.
In 1989, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC), was established. Its aim was to facilitate trade and investment and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. When it was formed, there was a time frame allocated : 2010- 2020. Another reason why APEC was formed was to reduce the gap in economic development of the region(those countries that comprise APEC).
In 1967, ASEAN was established. The countries that now comprise ASEAN are: Indonesia, Malaysia,The Philippines, Singapore,Thailand(these were the original five which comprised ASEAN) Brunei , Vietnam, Lao PDR, Myanmar(Burma), and Cambodia. The objective of these 10 countries were:
- acceleration of economical growth,
-social progress,
-cultural development, and in addition, ASEAN countries promote regional peace and stability through respect for the rule of law, and encourages the adherence to the principles of UN Charter.
One thing all these regional groups of countries have in common save those of EU is that they did not give up their currencies. They knew that if they did so, they would have given up their sovereignty too. If a country gives up its sovereignty, it knows that it will have to be dictated in all that it does. As former Chinese President Jiang Zemin once argued in 2000 at the UN Millennium Summit that " History and reality tell us that sovereignty is the only premise and guarantee of human rights within each nation".
As EA residents, we must be careful not to be rushed to accept a common EA currency like that of the Euro. People must be told the effect this will have on the economy if we decide to adopt it. We must learn from what is happening in Europe, an dhow some countries in that common currency union are suffering now and they do not have any way out now. As a Kenyan, I will oppose the common currency for EAC as it will not be of any help to me, but may create more problem than what it is intended to solve. Any thoughts?
Thursday, January 26, 2012
HIGH POWER BILLS
On the 9th of November 2011, the Standard Newspaper(Kenya), carried an article under the heading" High Power bills shock customers". A Nairobi resident, Simon Kamau said that he was" convinced that Kenya Power is out to fleece him". Kamau claimed that since Kenya Power replaced his old meter with a new prepaid one( No 0145358195), his elecricity bill had quadrupled.The article continued to state that "it was an outcry from all the way from Mombasa" that bills had skyrocketed. "The customer is king" goes the saying. How are Kenya Power customers kings then? What power do customers like those of Kenya Power have over their suppliers? Do they have power to dictate how their suppliers do business? In my view, Kenya Power customers have the say in the way the company can conduct its business. The job of a customer is to teach the supplier how to do business. Consumers would have been consulted before Kenya Power decided to replace the old meters with the prepaid ones. Although the installation of smart meters is one of the best ways the company can get accurate meter readings, and get its money upfront, customers would have had a say because they are the ones who were going to be affected by that change.
Smart meters(prepaid) are not all that accurate. In the USA, " the race to install smart meters is starting to lose momentum" reports Bloomberg Businessweek of September 20- September 26, 2010. Under the article" Smart Meters May Not Be So Clever", the article continues to state that " In Hawaii, regulators rejected$115 million plan in July by Hawaiian Electric to install smart meters that residents and businesses would pay for. Almost a dozen California cities and counties have asked regulators to halt installations, saying the devices send inaccurate data to utilities. Home owners in Bakersfield Califo; have filed a class action against PG&E, accusing the utility of overcharging since smart meters were installed in houses". The article continues to state that " The meters don't benefit the consumer; they cost a lot of money, and we can't opt out", says Joshua Hart, the California -based director of Scotts Valley Neighbors Against Smart Meters.
Although these customers' claims may not be justfied, their concerns must be addressed, and it is up to the utilities to convince them that the meters do not overcharge, or send inaccurate data to the utilities. But why are the customers complaining of huge bills? Definitely, the cunsumers have a point. Why the drastic jump?When the Californian consumers complained, PG&E responded by saying that " A study by independent consultant, The Standard Group found that PG&E's smart meters are more accurate than the older versions they replaced. PG&E spokesman Paul Moreno says that the meters will save customers money over long term". The question now comes: were the old version meters inaccurate; and if so, how? Are utilities losing if they continue using old version meters, or will the customers lose if they use the smart meters? Where is the truth about these two types of meters? This is what the utilities need to address.
Kenya Power customers should know that they have the right to know about these so called smart meters. As customers, it is their right to be heard. Ludwig Von Mises as stated that "The fundamental law of the market is: the customer is always right". Customers should therefore use that right, to teach the supplier how to do business. Ludwig further states that " The real bosses in the capitalist system of market economy are the consumers.They, by their buying and by their absetention from buying, decide who should own the capital and run the plants.They determine what should be produced and in what quantity and quality.Their attitudes result either in profit or in loss for the enterpriser.They make poor men rich, and rich men poor. They are not easy bosses". So what Mr Kamau and other Kenya Power consumers should know is that they are the bosses, and not the Kenya Power.They by their buying power,will make the company poor or richer.They can therefore dictate how the company does business; can they allow it install smart meters or not?
Smart meters(prepaid) are not all that accurate. In the USA, " the race to install smart meters is starting to lose momentum" reports Bloomberg Businessweek of September 20- September 26, 2010. Under the article" Smart Meters May Not Be So Clever", the article continues to state that " In Hawaii, regulators rejected$115 million plan in July by Hawaiian Electric to install smart meters that residents and businesses would pay for. Almost a dozen California cities and counties have asked regulators to halt installations, saying the devices send inaccurate data to utilities. Home owners in Bakersfield Califo; have filed a class action against PG&E, accusing the utility of overcharging since smart meters were installed in houses". The article continues to state that " The meters don't benefit the consumer; they cost a lot of money, and we can't opt out", says Joshua Hart, the California -based director of Scotts Valley Neighbors Against Smart Meters.
Although these customers' claims may not be justfied, their concerns must be addressed, and it is up to the utilities to convince them that the meters do not overcharge, or send inaccurate data to the utilities. But why are the customers complaining of huge bills? Definitely, the cunsumers have a point. Why the drastic jump?When the Californian consumers complained, PG&E responded by saying that " A study by independent consultant, The Standard Group found that PG&E's smart meters are more accurate than the older versions they replaced. PG&E spokesman Paul Moreno says that the meters will save customers money over long term". The question now comes: were the old version meters inaccurate; and if so, how? Are utilities losing if they continue using old version meters, or will the customers lose if they use the smart meters? Where is the truth about these two types of meters? This is what the utilities need to address.
Kenya Power customers should know that they have the right to know about these so called smart meters. As customers, it is their right to be heard. Ludwig Von Mises as stated that "The fundamental law of the market is: the customer is always right". Customers should therefore use that right, to teach the supplier how to do business. Ludwig further states that " The real bosses in the capitalist system of market economy are the consumers.They, by their buying and by their absetention from buying, decide who should own the capital and run the plants.They determine what should be produced and in what quantity and quality.Their attitudes result either in profit or in loss for the enterpriser.They make poor men rich, and rich men poor. They are not easy bosses". So what Mr Kamau and other Kenya Power consumers should know is that they are the bosses, and not the Kenya Power.They by their buying power,will make the company poor or richer.They can therefore dictate how the company does business; can they allow it install smart meters or not?
Monday, January 16, 2012
PROSTITUTION IN THIKA TOWN(KENYA).
On the 22nd of December 2011, an article appeared in the Standard Newspaper under the heading "Protect Us, Prostitutes tell government". These prostitutes alleged that the police were harassing them, and forcing them to have unprotected sex. They were therefore asking for the government to protect them from the police(an arm of the same government they are asking to protect them). The Thika OCPD came out strongly defending his officers, and he did actually informed the public that he will make sure that he eradicates the vice completely in that city. That was a very good idea. He further stated that he was going to investigate about the harassment claims, and take action on those officers who will be found to have harassed the complainants(prostitutes).As at the time I am writing this article, I have not seen anything regarding this case.
The prostitutes reminded the OCPD that their profession was the oldest on earth, and event during Christ's time, Jesus never condemned them but asked them to go and sin no more( John :8). It was Rahab the prostitute who saved the spies who had gone to spy the city of Jericho( Joshua 2, :6, Hebrews : 11:31, James 2:25). Jesus' great , great(many greats) was Rahab the harlot.Why do we harass of them? Rahab even gave the spies the hope of taking the city. Why did God use her?
The OCPD is right to say that he wants to eradicate the vice in that city.But how can he do it? Prostitution like any industry is vulnerable to competition, an dis therefore subject to the laws of demand and supply. These laws are more strong than the laws enacted by parliament. One labour market that has been dominated women in centuries is prostitution. Who buys the services of prostitutes? Men. Why do they do so? Men have always wanted free sex, but are never satisfied. Prostitutes therefore come in to satisfy that demand(deficiency). For the right price, the prostitutes are willing to these men. Now, by arresting them(prostitutes), what the OCPD is doing is creating scarcity of services offered by prostitutes. The effect of this scenario is: the price will go up. The few prostitutes will increase their price, and this will attract more women to enter the market because of the price. What the OCPD should do is to go for those people who buy the services of the prostitutes. If men who buy those services are arrested, there will be more supply, but less demand, and this will bring down the price, and therefore discourage more entrants to the market as the prices will be too low to sustain the suppliers(prostitutes). What the OCPD should know is that the more arrests he makes, the more the services will be demanded, which will lead to more people(prostitutes) entering the industry. For example, if men who buy the services are caught and are castrated, the market will contract very quickly. Therefore, Bwana OCPD, if you want to eradicate the vice(which is a good idea), arrest the buyers of the service, not the supplier.
The prostitutes reminded the OCPD that their profession was the oldest on earth, and event during Christ's time, Jesus never condemned them but asked them to go and sin no more( John :8). It was Rahab the prostitute who saved the spies who had gone to spy the city of Jericho( Joshua 2, :6, Hebrews : 11:31, James 2:25). Jesus' great , great(many greats) was Rahab the harlot.Why do we harass of them? Rahab even gave the spies the hope of taking the city. Why did God use her?
The OCPD is right to say that he wants to eradicate the vice in that city.But how can he do it? Prostitution like any industry is vulnerable to competition, an dis therefore subject to the laws of demand and supply. These laws are more strong than the laws enacted by parliament. One labour market that has been dominated women in centuries is prostitution. Who buys the services of prostitutes? Men. Why do they do so? Men have always wanted free sex, but are never satisfied. Prostitutes therefore come in to satisfy that demand(deficiency). For the right price, the prostitutes are willing to these men. Now, by arresting them(prostitutes), what the OCPD is doing is creating scarcity of services offered by prostitutes. The effect of this scenario is: the price will go up. The few prostitutes will increase their price, and this will attract more women to enter the market because of the price. What the OCPD should do is to go for those people who buy the services of the prostitutes. If men who buy those services are arrested, there will be more supply, but less demand, and this will bring down the price, and therefore discourage more entrants to the market as the prices will be too low to sustain the suppliers(prostitutes). What the OCPD should know is that the more arrests he makes, the more the services will be demanded, which will lead to more people(prostitutes) entering the industry. For example, if men who buy the services are caught and are castrated, the market will contract very quickly. Therefore, Bwana OCPD, if you want to eradicate the vice(which is a good idea), arrest the buyers of the service, not the supplier.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
EDUCATION STANDARDS IN GREATER KISII AREA
The recently released KCPE results indicated that performance at the greater Kisii area( Kisii and Nyamira counties) was below expectations, which led to some demonstrations, even some parents demanded that a name of one school be changed from Nyakemincha to a new name(how this will improve performance remains to be seen). The question we should ask ourselves is: what went wrong or what has gone wrong, and what can we do to uplift performance? We may ask ourselves the following questions:
1. Do we have qualified teachers like other counties, and are schools better stffed?
2. Do we have facilities?
3. Do we have proper co-ordination between teachers and parents?
4.What about discipline-both teachers and students, even parents?
5. Do we hav ewell qualified people in school boards?
6. Are schools properly managed?
7. Do our schools have models for success?
8. What is the current student teacher ratio? Is it the ideal ratio?
9. What about motivation for both student and teacher? Do we have this in place?
10.Have we empowered parents to demand success from the teachers?
11.Who is the worker; the student or the teacher?
This list is not exhaustive, but can guide us see where we have failed, and do something.If some of these questions can be answered, we can improve the education standards in our schools. I wolud like highlight some areas which need to be addressed:
(A).
Parents and teachers must work together if we have to improve the education standards in our two counties.Parents must help teachers to ensure that their children attend school regularly, and do their both classwork an dhomework without failure. Parents must instill discipline on their kids. Some teachers find it difficult to assist a child who have not been disciplined by their parents.
(B). Our schools must be run as business entities. Organizations whose CEO are not able to deliver are shown the door, and those who deliver are rewarded. Our teachers must be rewarded where reward is due, and if they do not do well, they must be told so point plank. As all other civil servants, teachers must also sign performance contract, and if they do not perform, they must be told at the time they are evaluated, and any shortfall mus be pin pointed out.
(C).
There must be a code of conduct for teachers, an dif it is there,it must be enforced. All professions have code of ethics, which every professional in that profession must follow or subsribe to. If such code exists, it must be seen that it is being adhered to.
(D).
Students must be made to be workers, an dnot the teacher. Teachers are only facilitators. Teachers should evaluate students on what they teach them to see if they have understood what the teacher has been teaching.Let our teachers do their work professionally, and those who interfere with their work should b etold off.
(E).
When our teachers were teaching far from home( I am not saying that they should not teach near their homes), performance was good. Some good teachers who teach near their homes are normally being compromised, an dthus lowering standards.
(F)
Let teachers come to the table and tell the people(we stake holders) what they would like done for the standards to improve. Let the teachers lead the change in collaboration with the local communities.
(G).
What of the teachers union? Is it only there to fight for the teachers' salary increases, and forgetting their performance ?The KNUT must inform their members that if they would like to be well remunerated, they must perform. Teachers, like all other public servants depend on us to pay them. KNUT does not pay them, but taxpayers. Why should we pay people who are not performing?
(H).
Schools should organize filed days whereby professionals, business people etc, can be invited to address the students, and motivate them by their speeches, in turn students will have been encourgaed to strive to succeed so that they can in turn hold such positions in future.These professionals can mentor students, students can ask questions about how they can also be professionals in many areas. Some of these students have never been addressed by even politicians, but only their teachers.
(I).
Students should be exposed to other students in the country, by organizing study tours like debating clubs. These will motivate students. Study tours to manufacturing facilities, hospitals, electricity generating stations should be encouraged. These tours will definetely motivate students, an dmake them work harder.
(J).
School boards should have professionls among their members. People like businessman should also be included in such boards.They can use their business acumen to encourage schools administrators on how they should run schools like business enterprises(ensuring success).
This list is not exhaustive. If we follow some of these recommendations an dfix them, we can improve our education standards. Education is not filling a pail with water, but it is lighting a fire. Let us all come forward and fix this mess, as it is only education which we can giv eto our children, an dit is the only thing which can lead us ou tof poverty. Eucation can take us to the promised land of opportunities. If our children are well educated, jobs will look for them, an dnot the other way round as it is now. Any body with ideas/ thoughts?
1. Do we have qualified teachers like other counties, and are schools better stffed?
2. Do we have facilities?
3. Do we have proper co-ordination between teachers and parents?
4.What about discipline-both teachers and students, even parents?
5. Do we hav ewell qualified people in school boards?
6. Are schools properly managed?
7. Do our schools have models for success?
8. What is the current student teacher ratio? Is it the ideal ratio?
9. What about motivation for both student and teacher? Do we have this in place?
10.Have we empowered parents to demand success from the teachers?
11.Who is the worker; the student or the teacher?
This list is not exhaustive, but can guide us see where we have failed, and do something.If some of these questions can be answered, we can improve the education standards in our schools. I wolud like highlight some areas which need to be addressed:
(A).
Parents and teachers must work together if we have to improve the education standards in our two counties.Parents must help teachers to ensure that their children attend school regularly, and do their both classwork an dhomework without failure. Parents must instill discipline on their kids. Some teachers find it difficult to assist a child who have not been disciplined by their parents.
(B). Our schools must be run as business entities. Organizations whose CEO are not able to deliver are shown the door, and those who deliver are rewarded. Our teachers must be rewarded where reward is due, and if they do not do well, they must be told so point plank. As all other civil servants, teachers must also sign performance contract, and if they do not perform, they must be told at the time they are evaluated, and any shortfall mus be pin pointed out.
(C).
There must be a code of conduct for teachers, an dif it is there,it must be enforced. All professions have code of ethics, which every professional in that profession must follow or subsribe to. If such code exists, it must be seen that it is being adhered to.
(D).
Students must be made to be workers, an dnot the teacher. Teachers are only facilitators. Teachers should evaluate students on what they teach them to see if they have understood what the teacher has been teaching.Let our teachers do their work professionally, and those who interfere with their work should b etold off.
(E).
When our teachers were teaching far from home( I am not saying that they should not teach near their homes), performance was good. Some good teachers who teach near their homes are normally being compromised, an dthus lowering standards.
(F)
Let teachers come to the table and tell the people(we stake holders) what they would like done for the standards to improve. Let the teachers lead the change in collaboration with the local communities.
(G).
What of the teachers union? Is it only there to fight for the teachers' salary increases, and forgetting their performance ?The KNUT must inform their members that if they would like to be well remunerated, they must perform. Teachers, like all other public servants depend on us to pay them. KNUT does not pay them, but taxpayers. Why should we pay people who are not performing?
(H).
Schools should organize filed days whereby professionals, business people etc, can be invited to address the students, and motivate them by their speeches, in turn students will have been encourgaed to strive to succeed so that they can in turn hold such positions in future.These professionals can mentor students, students can ask questions about how they can also be professionals in many areas. Some of these students have never been addressed by even politicians, but only their teachers.
(I).
Students should be exposed to other students in the country, by organizing study tours like debating clubs. These will motivate students. Study tours to manufacturing facilities, hospitals, electricity generating stations should be encouraged. These tours will definetely motivate students, an dmake them work harder.
(J).
School boards should have professionls among their members. People like businessman should also be included in such boards.They can use their business acumen to encourage schools administrators on how they should run schools like business enterprises(ensuring success).
This list is not exhaustive. If we follow some of these recommendations an dfix them, we can improve our education standards. Education is not filling a pail with water, but it is lighting a fire. Let us all come forward and fix this mess, as it is only education which we can giv eto our children, an dit is the only thing which can lead us ou tof poverty. Eucation can take us to the promised land of opportunities. If our children are well educated, jobs will look for them, an dnot the other way round as it is now. Any body with ideas/ thoughts?
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
2012 ELECTIONS
The 2012 elections are a round the corner, and politicians as usual, have come out with promises of free lunch. If Imay go back to the time when former President Moi relingushed power to President Kibaki, the later had campaigned maily on making kenya a corrupt free country, create 500000 jobs per year, and do away with roadside declarations. He promised us that he will take us to the promised land, thus comparing himself to the Biblical Moses, who took the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. The common man was happy that at least things like unemplyment were going to b ethings of the past. However, immediately the man occupied the house on the hill, things were not rosy as he had thought. When spectators watch say soccer game, they will always blame a player who misses a chance to score. Given a chance to enter the filed to play, one will not see the mistake. This is what is like in leadership. To cut the story short, we have ended seeing more road declarations like creating of more districts some for nothing. The jobs promised are not there, even some advanced countries economically like south Africa are not able to create such jobs we were promised.
On the 13th November 2011, the Standard Newspaper reported that a group of youthful MPs affliated to PNU have formed a new political party associated to Uhuru Kenyatta. The party formed is "UDFP", which is a party of progress( one wonders whether PNU was anti-progress). The people behind this new party promises among other things that it will triple the GDP from $40 billion to $120 billion, and raise per capita income from the current level of $3000 to $10000. one of the promotors of this party is an Assistant Minister Hon . Nderitu Muriithi, who happens to be President Kibaki's nephew. The tactics they are using are the same tactics used to promise us jobs. How the party is going to triple GDP and raise per capita more than threefold is what they are not telling us. According to " World Development Indicators data base" which has listed all countries' per capita income, kenya is ranked number 183, with aper capita income of $1610, while the "2011 CIA world factbook and other sources" shows that the per capita income for Kenya is $1600(http://www.theodora.com/wfbcurrent/kenya/kenya_economy.html). Where does Muriithi's party get the figures of $3000? Kenyans this time must be vigilant, and question all potential candidates who want to be voted in on what they promise the voters, and they must be ready to defend whatever they promise, an dgive a time frame when such promises will be honoured, and if they will require financing, how will they finance them. Let us not accept free lunches this time, and be told that" haya tutafanya".
On the 13th November 2011, the Standard Newspaper reported that a group of youthful MPs affliated to PNU have formed a new political party associated to Uhuru Kenyatta. The party formed is "UDFP", which is a party of progress( one wonders whether PNU was anti-progress). The people behind this new party promises among other things that it will triple the GDP from $40 billion to $120 billion, and raise per capita income from the current level of $3000 to $10000. one of the promotors of this party is an Assistant Minister Hon . Nderitu Muriithi, who happens to be President Kibaki's nephew. The tactics they are using are the same tactics used to promise us jobs. How the party is going to triple GDP and raise per capita more than threefold is what they are not telling us. According to " World Development Indicators data base" which has listed all countries' per capita income, kenya is ranked number 183, with aper capita income of $1610, while the "2011 CIA world factbook and other sources" shows that the per capita income for Kenya is $1600(http://www.theodora.com/wfbcurrent/kenya/kenya_economy.html). Where does Muriithi's party get the figures of $3000? Kenyans this time must be vigilant, and question all potential candidates who want to be voted in on what they promise the voters, and they must be ready to defend whatever they promise, an dgive a time frame when such promises will be honoured, and if they will require financing, how will they finance them. Let us not accept free lunches this time, and be told that" haya tutafanya".
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