[kictanet] Slaying the Tribal Monster!

[Edith Adera]

Bwana Ndemo,

Glad to know you had a press conference to begin to tame this "monster".

I think the media can do more by creating a platform to allow us to begin to move as a nation towards healing, reconciliation and cohesion. What we seem to be lacking as a country is a unifying, strategic framework with clear phased out plan for implementation that would move us in that direction so we can "unlearn" what is entrenched in our systems and build a better Kenya. I don't know what NCIC is doing except chasing "haters" (read "hate speech"), but I think a more coherent and strategic approach is required involving the media and galvanizing the citizens around it.

This is what the media should have "time" for rather than to over-politicize everything....and waste valuable airtime on politicians who are not helping us move forward as a country....then ordinary citizens become spectators. For example Julie's past show "fist to five" is a good example of how you can take a nation through dealing with the reality (tribalism) & healing, but you MUST then follow immediately with a strategy to take the nation to a place of healing and cohesion - and there are ways to do that at a national level.

Infact, I was wondering, by now we should have "unpacked" all Presidential candidates like is done elsewhere (e.g. US and other places) to really know who they are.....past performance/achievements, social life, weaknesses, etc etc and focus on how they can deliver on real issues. (without tearing ourselves apart). Secondly, we should not vote "6 piece suit" but for every elective position gauge against leadership standards so you chose the right leader irrespective of their party (what is called "skirt and blouse" or "trouser and shirt" elsewhere)...NO 6 piece suits (they don't exist in the world anyway!)  

I was in Ghana for official duty during their Presidential campaigns (just before the election day), I was amazed at how the candidates were so much under scrutiny from citizens that they could not focus on anything else except "desperately sell their development agendas"...and on the sidelines civil society were busy traversing the country preaching peach and many saying "we can't afford a Kenya here in Ghana" (yet to me, it seemed peaceful and the indicators of potential violence were not obvious...so their level of desperation for peace caught my attention). When I enquired, some said we have been through hell as a nation with many coup d'états and wars that they have come to a place where they fight for peace first! Do we want to go through that pain to learn?

I recall the IEBC chair reporting after his return from monitoring the Ghanaian that he was impressed at how everyone carried themselves including the media.

Why are we allowing this madness in Kenya? The media needs to rethink and revisit their editorial policies and strategies. I hope Citizen TV and others are listening

Edith
 
-----Original Message-----
From: bitange at jambo.co.ke [mailto:bitange at jambo.co.ke] 
Sent: February 6, 2013 7:07 PM
To: Edith Adera
Cc: Julie Gichuru; KICTAnet - Media Editors Forum; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Slaying the Tribal Monster!

Edith,
We must take a few moments to congraturate our Media for sticking with issues.  David Makali and team in his two programmes, Julie Gichuru and their colleagues from other stations have done a sterling job but we are let down everytime these politicians pick up the microphone to talk to the harpless citizens.


Ndemo.




> Listers,
>
> I can't resist but share my pain....that indeed the media can 
> entertain "raw tribal discussions" on live TV! While one may argue 
> that it's reality and we must deal with it, if it divides us and tears 
> us apart, why not pursue other alternatives?...why not take advantage 
> of this defining moment in our history (backed by the current 
> constitution) to build a NEW FOUNDATION and help the country "unlearn" 
> these bad habits that we've been socialized into over the years and 
> has taken us no-where? It's possible to "unlearn"!!
>
> The good bible tells us "teach thy children the ways of the Lord and 
> they shall never depart from it"....in the same vein "feed Kenyans 
> with positive vibes and we shall build a stronger and more united country"
>
> Media (which forms this important industry represented on this list) 
> is well aware that by their very nature, they "set the agenda and 
> shape public opinion". You have a huge responsibility to play in 
> carving a great future for Kenya, stand up and resist ethnic division 
> in this country. We must build our nation based on development 
> concerns and address issues dear to the hearts of Kenyans.
>
> When last time (2007/2008), Bwana Ndemo gave his opinion (official or
> non-official) about the role the media played in 2007, I wonder if he 
> wasn't right? Where is NCIC? Where is the Media Council?
>
> This madness has to stop!
>
> Edith (my heart is bleeding for Kenya).
>
>
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