In the followup to the government sanctioned raid on the standard newspaper [1] on thursday March 2nd, kenyan blogger/journalist John Kamau gives a detailed piece showing John Michuki's background [2], thus giving a more in depth look at the man who defended the government over the attack. He notes,
A man who joined the civil service at the age of 25 in 1955, and at the height of Mau Mau war Michuki started work when the word state security was used to intimidate the African press.
[snip]
If he could crack down on the Mau Mau — or witness the crackdown — his recent efforts and threat to crack down the media will earn him wrath for his “tight-fisted” tendencies. Unlike in 1970 when he was asked by Kenyatta to start up the Kenya Commercial Bank after the government bought the former National and Grindlays Bank., Michuki is this time flexing his muscles on the wrong people. It is a battle he can hardly win. Or can he?
The mau mau war refers to the armed resistance [3] against colonial occupation by Britain.
There were peaceful protests this past week against the actions of the government, and Kenyan analyst was there, giving a first person account of the rally [4] from Uhuru Park.
Prior to the raid on the Standard Newspaper, an alternative weekly called Weekly citizen was raided [5] in February and a journalist detained. KenyanPundit posts the articles [6] that led to the raid, and Kenyan Analyst adds another article [7] that would appeared on the Weekly Citizen. kumekucha notices that the weekly citizen staff [were]charged using an old colonial law [8].
On March 10th, President Kibaki made one statement regarding the press attack, stating that the government would continue to guarantee freedom of expression. This was reported March 11th by Nationmedia [9].(free subscription)
On to financial news, bankelele reports about Kenya's largest IPO in “here comes Kengen” [10], where “The Kengen IPO will open with rather short notice on March 20 with shares priced at Kshs 11.90 each.”. Bankelele also takes a look back at Kenya Airways when it was K7. [11] Kamundulio is not happy with Kenya airways, as a result of an unfriendly experience, [12]noting the stark contrast between the experience of passengers on the ground and the ads on t.v.
Kenyan Bloggers celebrated International womens day this past wednesday, with their entries being covered by global voices in Part 1 [13] and part 2 [14]. Several gentlemen also joined the women in celebrating this day. Magaidi has a tribute [15], Ntwiga honors [16] his wife Njeri, his mom and Wangari Maathai; Kenyan Analyst shares a piece [17] about Liberia's Ellen Sirleaf Johnson.
Cirdan links [18] to the Stanford Encyclopaedia entry on African Sage philosophy [19], on another post [20], he points to a Betty Caplan's website, lets just say Cirdan is not a fan of this columnist.
On the inspirational tip, there are two entries of note, the first by Rombo“What Inspires you?” [21] and the second is an excellent piece “Afraid to be great” [22] by Magaidi
If you like Kenyan music, Mocha has some links to music news and websites [23].
In sports, Kenyan Cricket reports that “Kenyan players ranked in the top 100 “ [24]. He also has an entry suggesting government funding for kenyan cricket [25].
Last but not least, mental acrobatics posts his first podcast [26], following in the heels of medusa [27] and the boots of Msaniixl [28].