Business, Investment and the Future of Kenya on Eye Witness Business (K24)

What do we want to see in Kenya? We could have dozens of answers for this question: better living standards, improved security, poverty eradication, access to better health care, more opportunities, improved infrastructure, increased literacy levels and the list goes on. Where does the realization of these begin? Business: entrepreneurship and investment holds the key to the answer. The two have to be brought together. The fusion of resources and business ventures must happen.

Emerging Markets Investments Club (EMIC) are on a mission. This is a consortium of various stakeholders – investors, entrepreneurs, and even government who come together, share information on how to take this country forward. A major aim is to create human capital and build capacity among entrepreneurs. This is what we need to make things work for us.

Dr. Karanja of EMIC insists that our perception towards business and entrepreneurship needs to change. We must have the attitude that ‘it’s possible’; it can be done. We have a lot of potential; ideas that can transform people’s lives, and believing that we can change things to be what we want them to be, is important in order to take our ideas to the next level. We might not have all the infrastructure required to do it, unlike in the developed nations, but we can start with what we got. We can start now, and not wait for the sweet by and by, or for somebody else to come from outside to help us do it.

Asked about his take on the Vision 2030, James Kairu the founder of EMIC supports it and maintains that we can utilize it to change things. We should all come together, as we ask ourselves how this can be achieved. We must also ensure that it’s free from any political motivation.

We also need to be action oriented. Actualization is where the rubber meets the road. EMIC is active on this aspect and is having various initiatives involved in training entrepreneurs, providing mechanisms for mobilization for funding of ventures and ideas, particularly private equity and venture capital. I personally believe this is the fuel that we need to launch this country onto an economic progression.


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Joseph Hellon on the Bench (K24)

I had been really looking forward to hear Hellon speak out without the pressure of journalists and the circumstances. I think the bench would be the ideal place for this and so it really caught my attention.

There are all the questions and speculations surrounding Hellon, including being said to be heading a cultist organization. After listening to him, I can’t really say that Finger of God Ministries is a cult. That would not be my issue. In fact, I think what he says has soundness if you measure it with the bible. And I appreciated the fact that he was not shying away from the bible in today’s very secular world.

But that does not mean I agree with him; I find his approach is too strong; Christian faith is founded on principles of love, forgiveness, humility and such. I've been taught that if we’re so concerned about proving a point to someone, then something is wrong. I think Hellon has enough people whom he seems ready to get even with. He was saying it on the show; for instance, he really blasted the guys from his church who differed with him; he actually fired them in the first place!

Then comes Esther’s case: this is a young woman who has her life put together, flying high in her career, preparing to get married while all of a sudden these things take a totally different turn, due to association with Hellon’s church. I don’t about you but we don’t do that in the church I come from! At present, a word has it that she’s be receiving professional help.

Then I have a question for Hellon: what’s his vision for this country, as he prepares to vie for the high office? I ask this because what I see of him, is more of a fighter, ready to finish off an opponent. Well it’s true that this has its place, but by now we need to have seen a vision; someone with a mission. Maybe he’ll eventually convince me and the people.


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Esther Arunga on the Bench (K24)

I watched Esther Arunga on the bench. She looked good and pretty as always. One thing was quite evident from her tone and her emphasis: combat! She came out very strong, and she had a word or two for several people whom she was not very happy with. She has several law suites to file too. Then the quite huge announcement that one could expect from her, that of running against Joseph Hellon for the country’s top job! She’s not just announcing this, but has all the faith that it will be realized; she actually said she’ll be very surprised if it doesn’t.

But this is my confusion right there: what is it about? Is it about faith or political goal. I’ve no problem with either but the connection between the two ought to be properly defined.

I also couldn’t stop thinking that Esther is not herself. For instance, if you say that someone is planning to kill you, and say it on television, articulately identify the person without blinking, you’d better have the evidence. It should not be so easy for anyone. It’s also hard to understand how she decided to quite her job. One might think that her positioning would be the best for someone in her profession. The fact that she broke her engagement with Wilson is quite worrying; and the reasons are very contradictory: is it infidelity, or is it that he was pressing for sex before they were married?

Well, that aside, it later emerged that Esther is having some consultations with a doctor, and I cannot agree more; I thinks she really needs that, time to reflect on all this and the turn of events that have happened just too fast.


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On the Bench by Jeff Koinange on K24

This is probably one of the most popular shows. If you’ve heard something that’s phenomenon about anyone, chances are that you’ll find them on this show being interviewed by Jeff Koinange. The former CNN reporter is a well articulated show host – quite rare to find; his style might be controversial: heavy western accent, strong body language, dramatic accentuation and all, but there’s one thing that no one can dispute: he sure stands out in his profession.

As he ends the show, Jeff will have to make you say the station’s slogan with you; it doesn’t matter who you are, but you’ll say the last part of the line, “All Kenyan, all the time”. All guests do comply, with one exception, one veteran politician; he was straight on it, “No I won’t do it”. That was right on the show; it might have appeared humorous at first but I later thought, we’ve had a culture of hurting one another; those who’ve fought for democracy in this country have had a bitter share of this. This can affect someone, to an extent of being very cautious before trusting anyone on anything. I’d to hear you take on this show.


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