The people’s voices October 18, 2013
No to withdrawal. The politicians who are up in arms against fellow Kenyans opposed to the calls for the county’s withdrawal from the ICC are short-sighted, remarks Mumbi Ngati, adding: “The court was established to protect the weak from injustice. Those who think it is beneath them to appear before it should realise that in The Hague-based court, it is individuals who are summoned over crimes against humanity and not nations. I support the former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Anan’s caution against the withdrawal from the Rome Statute.
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No impunity either. The ICC remains the best option for Kenya and the rest of Africa, says Michael Orende, rejecting some politician’s clamour for a pull-out in protest against humanity cases facing President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto. “Withdrawing from the court established under the Rome Statute would be a sure way of rubber-stamping the impunity perpetuated by leaders. Africa with its Joseph Konys and Charles Taylors and Kenya needs the International court more than the Europeans, Americans or even the Asians do.”
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Up your game, Airtel. Though full of praise for mobile phone service provider Airtel for introducing “some affordable and competitive calling tariffs,” James Muritu, a resident of Umoja estate says there is still a lot that needs to be done. The company’s biggest undoing, he adds, is its “weak and unreliable internet connectivity, be it on phone or on a modem.” He adds, “If the problem of internet connectivity could be sorted out and a competitive edge given to its Airtel money transfer service, people would migrate to Airtel in droves.” Otherwise, he adds, until then, the company will continue to be the proverbial sleeping giant. His contact is james.muritu@gmail.com
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Don’t execute them. The increasing cases of suspects being shot dead by the police or lynched by irate mobs are really worrying, says Rose Kanitho. “What has become of the legal system of handling suspects? Why should suspects be killed? Why are unarmed youths being targeted?” Clarifying that she does not condone crime and would like to see those responsible punished, Rose would prefer the suspects were hauled to court and if found guilty, promptly jailed. She says, in so doing the rule of law would be entrenched.
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We have no space. There is a good reason the University of Nairobi and other institutions restrict access by outsiders to their libraries, says Michael W. Makokha. During the exam period, UoN’s main campus library is always full to the brim, with 5,000 students reading. The terrorist threat is very real.
“Secondly, many universities have come into the city centre without adequate facilities and should not burden the UoN. Genuine researchers should apply for access, but not during peak hours.” Michael’s contact is makokha.wanjala@icpak.com