Politics
Kenya Decides: Bicycle rack
Kenyans thronged into St. Mary’s School, Nairobi to vote on the proposed constitution. While several drove to the polling station, some opted to cycle over and used the rugby try posts as a bicycle rack.
Photo by Nekesa Were
Enough is enough!
A Kuweniserious production
Death of polygamy
I often wonder what kinds of vows are made by men getting into polygamous marriages.“…I promise to love only you and Jane until death do us part..or until I meet Anne..Whichever comes first.”
Marriage comes with so much sacrifice and hard work. It takes a lot of patience and humility to be married. And that is a great, great challenge. Why would any man in their right mind want more than one wife? And why would any woman want to share their husband with another woman?
Some people argue that with polygamy comes a larger workforce and more income – relative if you ask me. Other people argue that the ratio of women to men is quite large, which makes it necessary for men to take more than one wife. Otherwise most of us women would die lonely old spinsters. For some, the fact that polygamy is part of our cultural heritage is a compelling argument.
Granted, polygamy has been a tradition in many cultures. And it may once have made a lot of sense to be polygamous. Men went off to war and were killed, a lot of field hands were required to cultivate the acres of land owned by families, widowed women and their children could be cared for in a period when women could not fend for themselves, wives from different communities gave men political mileage.
It seems that polygamy was more of a survival tactic back then because men and women had clearly defined roles and personalities. While men solved problems and protected the family, women nurtured children and kept the house clean. Today, women and men cannot be defined by these traditional roles. Today, most women believe in individual freedom and personal responsibility. Women are no longer passive or voiceless but rather assertive and confident and independent. Women’s social roles have expanded greatly. Women have been drawn out of the home and into the corporate world; into public life. Marriage has seized to become a means of survival for women; it is now an optional means to have companionship and legacy.
So what is the justification for polygamy today? Some people feel pride in having large nuclear families; others are seeking sexual gratification with a variety of mates. In other cases men live their wives in the rural area and travel to the city to look for jobs and while in the city, marry again. Are these valid reasons to practice polygamy? Is polygamy a deterrent to infidelity?
While some may argue that polygamy is better than unfaithfulness, serial marriage or divorce, nothing beats the core relationship of one woman to one man. It is impossible for a man to love each wife equally and to commit to each wife equally-unless of course each wife is cared for less than adequately.
Polygamy today is about ego and over sexuality. It is no longer obligatory for anyone to marry more than one wife. It is an archaic practice in this era of equal opportunity and a dwindling economy. It is a barbaric practice carried out by some in the name of tradition, and by some, in the name of religion. Female genital mutilation and ritual killings were cultures practiced (and are still being carried out) in some cultures but have been openly denounced as morbid and heartless acts. Polygamy should be denounced as baseless and immoral and psychologically abusive to women and children.
Polygamy has been said to conform to man’s natural instinct for more than one woman. This only serves to reduce the human race to that of wild animals where heinous behaviour is excusable. This argument is a poor and desperate excuse for people seeking to hold onto prehistoric ideals.
While different cultures continue to embrace polygamy, it is not enough to practice it just because one can. The fact of the matter is that, there is no single valid reason for the practice of polygamy today.
Mnazi: vuta n’kuvute
The curtain fell on the Jukwaani! festival for performance literature today with several great performance; notably; Mnazi:Vuta N’kuvute (Coconut tree: Pull and I pull you), a poem by Abdilatif Abdalla, and Talking Drums.
Musa Adam:Actor, Musician, Rapper and Song writer Photo by Jerry Riley
The curtain fell on the Jukwaani! festival for performance literature today with several great performances; notably; Mnazi:Vuta N’kuvute (Coconut tree: Pull and I pull you), a poem by Abdilatif Abdalla, and Talking drums of Africa.
Mnazi: Vuta N’kuvute is about a confrontation between two brothers and is related to the struggle between two Kenyan political parties.
Political parties are formed by people with similar political aims and opinions. They are intended to articulate the needs of members and supporters. They are meant to enable supporters to participate in political decisions. But in Kenya and several other African countries, political parties are sometimes formed on the basis of tribe, or on the promise of elevation into power based on affiliations rather than ability to lead.
As a result, our leaders squabble like little children fighting over a toy. They struggle to get into power but like a child and his toy, soon lose interest. There are no true underlying principles on which political parties are founded and so no collective vision and mission for their party. With nothing to hold on to, political parties are easily swayed by the wind and become self-seeking and suspicious of each other.
What a hopeless regime this is, built on mistrust amongst leaders and built on mistrust in our leaders. A regime in which political parties are more easily identifiable by the tribal affiliation than policy.
In Kenya, political parties are formed to drive individuals’ selfish needs. And members are recruited who have similar selfish goals to accomplish to as they perceive it, gain control of the country and have people in power whose main agenda will be to ensure that they take priority in so far as distribution of resources and funding for development is concerned.
There is so much talk of power sharing. But does it really work or does it just look good on paper? That infamous handshake after the 2007 elections still haunts me; plastic smiles and minds racing scheming even then thinking of how and when to deviously get their way, any way, and underrating the intelligence of Kenyans like we would really be bought by their tactless deception.
At the end of the fight in this shairi, Alii, oneof the characters, says:
Ijapokuwa nataka, kukustahamiliya
Iko siku nitachoka, zaidi kuvumiliya
Hapo nitalokufika,litakudhuru vibaya
Jilino nakuapiya
Although I am willing to bear with you,
One day i’ll take it no more
What will then happen to you
Will truly affect you adversely
And I swear on…
Ningenda zangu kumbuka. yote niliyoyanena
Siyatwa kidhihaka, kiketi yawaze sana
Iko siku itafika, haitakawiya tna
Kujulikane bayana
Although I am now leaving,
Reflect deeply my brother on what I said
Do not take it lightly
The day of reckoning will soon be there
Then the whole truth will be known.
Although first written in 1970, this shairi is still relevant to our circumstances in present day Kenya. We clearly have not learnt from our history. We still vow to one day stand up for ourselves; to face our oppressors; to reclaim our humanity.
As 2012 approaches, what is the big plan to reclaim power? What brilliant schemes have the usual suspects cooked up to ensure that they retain power and what are we going to do about it? On what basis will we vote?
Vuta n’kuvute is a well written piece that speaks a truth, which we often try to run away from only until we become directly affected. Until then we are content to hide in our little perfect cocoons with death and destruction all around us.
Jukwaani: story tellers, rappers and hip hoppers.
I like story telling. When it is done right, it involves and resonates with an entire audience no matter their race and origins.
My favourite memories from school, and they are few, were from my literature classes. We would read through different story books each semester and the process of relating stories to present day and personal experience was always extremely thought provoking though often tiring.
I wonder if children in traditional cultures really had to sit by the fire every night and listen to their elders tell stories of war heroes and animals and naughty children. I wonder if the children looked forward to these stories or if they thought it was a drag having to subject themselves to clouds of smoke while listening to an old fart go on and on. And today, can I sit by the fireplace with my children, on a Friday evening and narrate stories about the big pigs in the castle on the hill, who ate the nation’s entire crop and watched all the other animals at the bottom of the hill die and kill each other for scraps? Or do I have to buy tickets to a storytelling festival and let someone else do it for me?
Stories can be for entertainment but also, they can mirror behaviours or situations in society which allow us to see ourselves more clearly, sometimes we even laugh at ourselves or at least pretend to as we break into cold sweats from guilt as we shift uncomfortably in our seats. I think being conscious of the stories makes it easier to rethink our behaviour and our place in society. We may not have story telling around bonfires anymore, but we do tell stories everyday on the evening news or in the newspapers and we do laugh at our politicians stoning wananchi and naked lovers being frog matched to the police station. Yes, we still listen to stories and laugh at ourselves.
rappers and hip hop
A light, entertaining an meaningful performances that takes a satirical look at the systems from the educational to the judicial to the political that continue to browbeat the Kenyan society.
Moderated by Mwafrika/ Mshai Mwangola/ Mikhail Gromov
Kazi kwa vijana, malipo kwa wazee…au sio?
The audience for this performance was made up of a younger generation. I was probably among the older people there. There was a lot of sheng; terms I couldn’t really understand, but I did recognize the key words; corruption, disillusionment, politicians, murder. And at the end of the day, that is what matters; that the message is communicated to the people who need to hear it.
I loved the message in the rhymes; what do you expect when the teachers charged with shaping us, disillusion us instead? What do you expect when the youth cannot get jobs because experience is measured in age? Our judicial system is murder. We listen to empty promises from politicians so whose fault is it when they do not deliver and what are we going to do in 2012? Will we ever get to that corruption free zone?
If this is the message being relayed to the youth, then maybe we are not so badly off after all.
Ngeli ya Ju-Kwa!
Swahili poetry
Thursday began with a two hour session of Swahili poetry with Ahmed Nassir, Ahmed Sheikh Nabhany, Amira S. Msellem, Mahmoud Mau and Abdilatif Abdalla.
Abdilatif Abdalla- lecturer in Kiswahili Language and Literature at the Institute for African Studies, University of Leipzig, Germany. Photo by Jerry Riley
Appreciation of poetry and perhaps, of the classical form of Swahili poetry in particular, depends on the mindset of the listener. You must appreciate the Swahili culture to appreciate the classical form of Swahili poetry. The tone in Swahili poetry provides the setting for what can be described as an intricate approach to storytelling. Amira S. Msellem said, “shairi ni fumbo, si wimbo”; Swahili poetry is consists of enigmatic verses. The poet speaks in metaphorical phases and it is up to the listener to decipher the true meaning. Swahili poems, she says, are not songs.
Abdilatif Abdalla was the last Swahili poet for the day and his is an interesting story. He was a member of the Kenya People’s Union which was an opposition party in the 1960s. In 1969 he was arrested and charged with sedition for his publication entitled “Kenya Twendapi?”, which loosely translated means, which way is Kenya headed? While in prison at Kamiti, he wrote on toilet paper to begin a collection of poetry, which would later be published as “Sauti ya Dhiki”.
Asked about the three years spent in solitary confinement, Abdilatif said that they only strengthened his resolve in what he believed in; that he needed to be a voice in the fight against corruption and dictatorship of African leaders. Unfortunately he says, this unacceptable style of leadership has haunted Africa for years as history continues to repeat itself.
I salute Abdilatif and other Swahili poets who use this art to teach and highlight our history and society. But as Abdilatif says, we need to learn our history and then learn from it. History he says, only repeats itself because we did not hear it the first time.
The unveiling
Uzinduzi or ‘Unveiling’ is a play by Vaclav Havel. The translation was done by Alena Retova and Abdilatif Abdalla. I take my hat off to Alena Retova who is a Czech national teaching Kiswahili at the University of London. Swahili is not an easy language to learn; I tried for close to twelve years and now I can barely put together a coherent sentence. My use of the language rarely goes beyond trying to get a loaf of bread at the kiosk. So much for the 8-4-4 system; but that’s another blog post.
The play was directed by Guy Lenoir assisted by Sammy Mwangi. It was performed in Kiswahili by Caroline Tharau, Victor Ber and Ken Waudo from Heartstrings Kenya.
The organisers paid attention to detail and included music by Juma Tutu and Rahab Said as well as costumes by John Kaveke. I remember Juma Tutu from that comedy show with that guy from the radio. John Kaveke is a leading clothes designer and watching Vera prancing around the Jukwaa in his design eventually won me over.
The play highlights how people deprived of their right to political expression and life in freedom, tend to cocoon themselves within a family environment and resort to gathering possessions, often resulting in erosion of human identity and values. Talk about effective use of irony and satire!
I loved the play. It is a true representation of our society and the pressure to keep up with societal standards. We lose sight of our own individuality in a fight to keep up with acceptable values. We are afraid to break out of the mould and shape our individualities because it is unacceptable and will likely cause ripples, which we feel ill-equipped to deal with.
The acting was awesome. It was definitely better than what I have seen before. I thought Kenyan theatre was dead but turns out I was hanging out in the graveyard. There is hope for us yet! Amen!
So this play written by a playwright from the Czech Republic is translated into Swahili and suddenly becomes very relevant to us in our society. Amazing. The crowd was in stitches from start to finish but we laughed at ourselves. We saw ourselves in Vera and Michael’s characters; needy and pretentious. We are Ferdinand bound by societal standards; insecure; unwilling to break barriers. And when all is said and done, we all just get caught up in a rat race, shuffling along with the lost in a complacent, unforgiving world; idolising material wealth and obsessed with public perception of our lives.
Slam dunk
What a way to cap off the night! Vina na Misamiati. Slam poetry battles and free-style battles. The energy was amazing. Even though I had no idea what Dalibor Markovic was going on about, I just wanted him to keep going. The ambience created was intense; almost trance like.
The battles were battles to the death. Only the strong survived.
I have to say, I was impressed and I am excited about what the rest of this festival has to offer. Storytelling, poetry and free verse tomorrow.
See some of the free style clips i took here.
Read more about Jukwaani! here, here and here.
The Kenya we deserve
This our Kenya..
Our leaders are stealing from us. Innocent people have lost their lives. Human rights activists have been murdered. Women and children have been raped. We have pathetic infrastructure. People are dying from hunger. Our police force has been compromised and we no longer feel safe in our own homes.
We blame our leaders because, we say, they are not fulfilling the purposes for which we put them in office. They are not giving us the Kenya that we want. They have turned their backs on us and are now working to satisfy their own greed. And we as Kenyans are disillusioned once again by people we had put our faith and trust in. And now, come next elections we vow to vote them all out and infuse some sanity into our leadership. Kura kwa vijana! Simama Kenya!
But we fail to realize that our leaders are a manifestation of ourselves. We promote into power, people who have the same ideals as we do; people who have the same vision as we do. Our candidates are a mirror of ourselves. If we were artists, then politicians would be our expressions of self.
We elect corrupt leaders because we are corrupt. In our day to day dealings we bribe or are bribed without a second thought; and it is acceptable. Why then do we blame the politician who has only perfected the art? Why do we blame the civil servant who has only mimicked what he saw us do?
If tribe was the real reason why you voted for your counselor, or hired your maid or objected to a marriage, or chose a church, who are you to protest when your leader hires his village? We elect leaders who promote tribalism because we intend to benefit from their nepotism.
We entertain lies from our leaders because we lie every day. We lie to our husbands and wives. We lie to our employers. We lie to our children. We lie to get our way. Why shouldn’t our politicians get their way?
We entertain murderers in power because we can justify murder amongst ourselves. Mob justice, death penalty, abortions, genocide…
We detest and disrespect our passive leaders yet we are as passive as they are as we watch the country fall to its knees. We buy prados to avoid pot holes. We buy jerricans to beat the water rationing. We bugler-proof our houses to beat rising cases of crime. We take our children to private schools because of an ‘inadequate’ education system.
So this is the Kenya we deserve. This is our land and nation. Our heritage of splendour. The fruit of our labour. And we stand firmly to defend it.
Live Chat with Ambassador Ranneberger
Ambassador Ranneberger will be back for a live chat on February 25 at 12:00 GMT.
Go to: https://statedept.connectsolutions.com/nairobi/.
Choose “enter as guest,” type in your preferred screen name, and join the discussion.
Hope to see you there!
(Thanks Sarah)
Sweet Sasha and Marvelous Malia
Inspired by Rafiki Kenya
(just some random names. No relation..)
I’d love to get a kibaki doll.
That comes with a manual of how to rig a poll.
I’d love to get a little stuffed raila
That I can gag and then tie to a pillar.
The things i’d do to a stuffed murungaru
Like pinch or lynch or perhaps hurl a shoe.
I’d rip the head off my uhuru,
Feed it to the dog then flash him down the loo
Ask the United States Ambassador
The American Ambassador to Kenya, Ambassador Michael E. Ranneberger, hosted an online discussion with Kenyan citizens on topics of interest in Kenyan-U.S. relations.
I just managed to get my question in. Here is the transcript:
Webchat Moderator (Mark): Welcome to today’s webchat! We are glad you are with us. Ambassador Ranneberger will begin answering your questions at the top of the hour.
Webchat Moderator (Mark): Thank you for joining us today! The chat will begin shortly.
endy0913: anybody ,there?
Webchat Moderator (Mark): Hello, yes we are here and we will begin the discussion shortly.
Webchat Moderator (Mark): As we wait for the Ambassador to join us, please feel free to introduce yourself to our online group.
Webchat Moderator (Mark): We are taking your questions now.
Webchat Moderator (Mark): Our first question comes from Justus ole Ndutu Narok
Justus ole Ndutu Narok 2: Now that the American people have elected their first ever African-American President, are we likely to see more African-Americans being elected to this office in future?
Webchat Moderator (Mark): As we wait for the Ambassador to post his first answer, we continue to take your questions and comments.
Ambassador Ranneberger: Yes, I believe we will. The election of Barak Obama demonstrates how far the United States has traveled to build and strengthen democratic institutions. The U.S. presidential election was clearly decided on the basis of the issues, not on the basis of race. President Obama received support from a broad cross-section of American voters. His election also reflects the impact which the civil rights movement has had in transforming the United States. Democracy is, however, always a work in progress and much more remains to be accomplished.
Ambassador Ranneberger: next question
Webchat Moderator (Mark): The Ambassador is taking our next question, from Brigid Koskei.
brigid koskei 2: brigid koskei from Kenya. the political party system in America not only favors the majority but also the minoority.it also ensures that political leaders are not only in officeas a result of support from a specific race or tribe but leaders with right qualifications and those who merit those position.Does the Kenyan political party support this?if not what can be done to ensure theres a suitable and fair party system?
Webchat Moderator (Mark): As we wait for the Ambassador to post his next answer, feel free to introduce yourself to our online group by posting a comment telling us about yourself and your interests.
Ambassador Ranneberger: [Brigid] You are right about the American political party system. Political parties in the U.S. have developed over a period of more than 200 years. The parties nurture talent and enable individuals to run for office on the basis of merit. Although our political parties are well-developed, there are still a number of issues which must be addressed, including the ways in which parties and candidates finance political campaigns. In Kenya political parties are not as developed. First, there are too many parties (over 100), and many of these are tiny, personality-center “briefcase parties.” Second, corruption has a negative impact on political party development in Kenya. Third, many parties are based on ethnic affiliations rather than on issues. Development of more effective issue-focused political parties is very important to the future of democracy in Kenya. We are working to foster more effective political parties focused on issues. This is part of a broader effort to strengthen democratic institutions.
Ambassador Ranneberger: Next question please
Webchat Moderator (Mark): Ambassador Ranneberger continues to review your questions. Please be patient as he works on his answers to you. We now have a question from Omweba Shadrak Moi.
omweba shadrack- moi university 2: obama says, “…those from largest capital to smallest villages(Kogelo/Nairobi) will feel him…” Through your embassy how will you make Nairobi(Kenya) reform its institutions especially parliament hence feel Obama’s effect as he promised now that you are our big brother? Asks Omweba S.M a Political Scie Student from Moi university( Kenya.)
Ambassador Ranneberger: Even before the inauguration of President Obama, we were working to support reforms. As you know, during the post-election crisis, the U.S. intervened to press for formation of the coalition government. That government committed itself to carry out an agenda for fundamental reform. While there are many reforms, constitutional revision, establishing an independent electoral commission, and formation of the Special Tribunal to try perpetrators of post-election violence, and fighting corruption are among the most important. We have made clear to the leadership of the coalition government that the partnership between the U.S. and Kenya is based on shared democratic values and, therefore, on implementation of the reform agenda. Parliament must play its role to support implementation of the reforms. I also want to emphasize, however, that the Kenyan people have a most important role to play. Although the U.S. helped on formation of the coalition government, it was the fact that the Kenyan people spoke out and insisted on a political solution that was the most important factor in resolving the crisis. The Kenyan people did this directly, and through the media, civil society, religious groups, and the private sector. It is important that the Kenyan people now insist upon implementation of the reform agenda.
Ambassador Ranneberger: Next question, please
Webchat Moderator (Mark): Our next question comes from Aaron.
aaron cheruiyot 2: well yesterday president Obama moved from his usual hope speeches to one full of pragmatic demands both for his government and the citizens of the US. For us in kenya, after his inpiration we are faced with the enormous task of getting things rollong in our own country. where do you think is the place for us to start especially the youth?
Ambassador Ranneberger: I believe that the inauguration of President Obama will inspire young people in Kenya to be more active in political life. Despite the fact that there are now many younger Kenyans in Parliament, I do not regard them as really the voice of the young people of Kenya. It seems to be that genuine youth leadership has not really emerged yet. The young people of Kenya has the advantage of being relatively well-education. I believe that young people should become more active in forming and participating in civil society organizations, and in speaking out peacefully through the media. Young people should be asking their Members of Parliament and the coalition leadership hard questions about why the reform process has not moved more quickly and about why more is not being done against corruption. Young people should take advantage of new technology, like the internet, to communicate, and to promote activism. Young people can also insist on the reform of political parties so that young people can participate more transparently. We will support these efforts.
Ambassador Ranneberger: Next question, please
Webchat Moderator (Mark): Our next question comes from Jeremiah
Jeremiah – Kenya: Dear Mr Ambassador – I have read your bio about your career with the State department. With the new administration are you going to stay on in Kenya or will you be moving to another position?
Ambassador Ranneberger: It is always up to a new President to determine whether an Ambassador remains in his position. We serve at the pleasure of the President. As a career, professional diplomat, I am non-partisan and strongly committed to advancing the policies of the United States regardless of who is President.
Ambassador Ranneberger: Next question, please
Webchat Moderator (Mark): Our next question comes from Tuikeny
Tuikeny from Nairobi: Bearing in mind that Obama’s ancestral home is kenya, does the America’s Embassy have any plan to encourage, support and boost tourism through initiatives like cultural activities in Kogelo and its neighbourhood?
Ambassador Ranneberger: In the wake of the post-election crisis, the Embassy has been working to boost American tourism to Kenya. We have no specific plans to become involved with Obama’s ancestral home. How that is handled is strictly up to the Obama family members in Kenya. It will be important to respect their privacy and their decisions regarding to what extent they might or might not want to become involved with tourism promotion.
Ambassador Ranneberger: Next
Webchat Moderator (Mark): Our next question comes from Daudi.
Daudi: Good afternoon Ambassador. There is no mention of Africa on the White House Foreign Policy agenda page: http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/foreign_policy/ indicating that perhaps Africa is not a priority for the new Obama administration. Can you share any information you have on the Obama’s administration foreign policy agenda for Africa?
Ambassador Ranneberger: During the political campaign, Obama and his team made clear the importance they attach to U.S. policy in Africa. There has been strong bi-partisan support from Democrats and Republicans for programs like the PEPFAR anti-HIV/AIDS program, for promotion of democracy, for resolution of conflicts, for education, and for other programs as well. I am sure that the new Administration will give appropriate attention and priority to African issues. The U.S. greatly values its partnership and friendship with Kenya and with other countries on the continent. We will continue to support these and remain engaged with the people of Africa to promote their well-being.
Ambassador Ranneberger: Next, please.
Webchat Moderator (Mark): Our next question comes from Kemene.
Kamene Mutua – Machakos, Kenya: You were instrumental in encouraging power sharing at the begining of last year at the height of post-election violence. What is your take on the coalition government so far?
Webchat Moderator (Mark): As we wait for the Ambassador,
Webchat Moderator (Mark): please visit America.gov’s Transition website for full coverage of yesterday’s activities in Washington, D.C. http://uspolitics.america.gov/uspolitics/elections/index.html
Ambassador Ranneberger: Thank you for your kind words. I believe that establishment of the coalition government was the best option to end the post-election crisis. I have talked extensively with President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga, and they have assured me of their commitment to carry out the reform agenda. I believe that they will do this. We will insist upon this, but the clear message they are hearing from the Kenyan people will also help push the reform agenda forward. At the same time, this will not be an easy process. There are vested interests on both sides who do not want to see the reform agenda fully implemented. It is important that the Kenyan people continue to make clear to the President and Prime Minister the importance of moving forward quickly to implement the reforms (particularly establishment of an independent electoral commission, establishment of the Special Tribunal to try perpetrators of post-election violence, and constitutional reform) and the urgent need to end corruption.
Ambassador Ranneberger: The vested interests want reform that will be merely window dressing. President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga need the support of the Kenyan people to carry out real reforms that will begin a process of fundamental change. Largely because of the faith I have in the Kenyan people, I remain positive about the coalition government, and am optimistic that Kenya will move ahead to strengthen democratic institutions.
Ambassador Ranneberger: Okay I think we will take the last question, Thanks for joining in.
Webchat Moderator (Mark): Our final question comes from Nekesa.
Nekesa: Good Afternoon Mr. Ambassador. As I’m sure you’re well aware the USA under 20 team has qualified for the Junior World RugbyTrophy to be held in Kenya this year http://www.irb.com/jwrt/index.html Do you plan to attend this tournament?
Ambassador Ranneberger: Nekesa: Unfortunately, I don’t know much about Rugby, but I am excited by the prospect that a U.S. team may participate in the tournament here. Kenya is well-known for its athletes, yet another dimension of this great country.
Ambassador Ranneberger: Thanks everyone.
Webchat Moderator (Mark): Thanks for joining everyone. We hope you will understand that the Ambassador tried to address as many of your questions as possible during the 60-minutes alloted for today’s webchat.
Webchat Moderator (Mark): I will open up a comment pod in which you may leave your thoughts and feelings in the wake of yesterday’s historic innauguration.
Webchat Moderator (Mark): The Q/A portion of today’s webchat is now closed.
