Editorial

1. Overweight isn’t a moral failure

The article: Fat women, let's tackle this elephant in the room, on Daily Nation written by my good friend Njoki Chege seem to have caused indignation from some Kenyans. The social media reactions were outpouring with curses and praises in equal measures. I think a society like ours needs someone who is ready to stand and trumpet the truth as it is, and Njoki never fails in that regard. Although some may not like her straight talk. She deserves credit for her courage to dare attack the elephant single-handed with the most powerful pen. The reactions to her piece reminded me of a Cambodian proverb - ‘The elephant that is stuck in the mud will tear down the tree with it’. The elephant must be stuck, furious and is ready to tear the room, in attempt to kill the messenger.  

Lets hold on that thought for a second. Did you realize that Njoki is so mindful of your health? To pen a piece similar to the previous one that caused a national storm, is purely an act of emphasis, and we must listen this time. Writers have a way of writing to destabilize comfort, make head to spin into action. So don’t worry much about the few ‘mean’ statements she threw in there. Overweight is not a moral failure but calls for action to prevent serious health problems. Lets get the facts.

The World Health Organization says that overweight and obese cases have doubled since 1980 with staggering figure of 1.9 billion overweight adults worldwide. 600 million of the 1.9 billion are obese. Cardiovascular disease are the leading cause of death in many countries. To emphasize how grave this issue is, world population live in countries where overweight kills more than underweight does.

Having said that, we should all acknowledge that the subject of discussion is of such importance, especially knowing its a preventable state. The tone or her article should not be of great importance as the message it relays. Njoki underscores the need to review diet and food consumption. But there are other reasons that could lead to one becoming “fat”. I will dwell on those other reasons in a soft tone so as someone can act.

It is of paramount importance to avoid blaming overweight persons or tend to perceive them as lazy. 'plus-size' as Njoki calls them are our sisters, mothers, significant others who deserve moral support in the tedious journey of maintaining a healthy BMI. Blanketing every 'plus-size' person into the lazy category may be suicidal and a recipe for stretched emotions as witnessed on social media.

Creating awareness on what makes or are likely to make one increase weight should be done in a non-bully form; as we agree that we are yet to agree about what constitutes to a proper or improper eating habits.

Besides food, other reasons for overweight are 

• Genetic composition of individual, pass to us by our parents at birth, may be a reason for unexplained weight increase. Despite the fact that genes determine the overall physiology of the body, food intake shapes the outcome of any horizontal growth. 
• Hormones influence weight gain especially in women. Low thyroid and high cortisone levels, have much effect on a woman's body. Excessive production of estrogen in the ovaries, increases growth and cell-division. If unchecked it later aid in the formation of fatty tissues. This imbalance referred to as 'Estrogen dominance' is blamed for increase of weight changes. Progesterone hormones the other hormone excreted to counter the effects of estrogen growth, often decline in production as one ages. When the body is unable to balance the estrogen, excess fat tissues are produced. 
• Lack of sleep is said to have immense effect to weight as well. Research shows that people who sleepless tend to eat more. 
• Intake of certain drugs such as anti-depressants and contraceptives too increase weight tremendously.  
• Besides the common belief that 'being fat is a sign of wealth', poverty is said to have a correlation to becoming overweight. Lack of access to healthy foods and cost implications make many opt for fast-foods which are rich in fat, sodium and calories tend to be cheaper and readily available than a healthy foods. 
• The community of bacteria found within our digestive system help in digesting foods. The trillions bacteria cells also known as friendly bacteria aid in calorie absorption rates which may vary at times. With different metabolism, some people tend to eat very little portions of food but still gain weight. On contrary, excessive presence of bacteria in the digestive system may also hinder the secretion of hormones in the stomach that regulates weight. One of such is common cold virus adenovirus-36 which is linked to obesity.  

Fat accumulation is not a bad thing, in fact, our bodies are structured to store reserves for future use. The problem arises when fat starts clogging your organs, prevents normal respiration and triggers life threatening diseases. Nature comes with laws that cant be ignored. One such law is Thermodynamics law number one that states that: amounts of energy you put into your system minus the energy you take out must be stored somewhere, ie FAT.

Fat genes not an excuse to exercising and changing eating habits

Small actions and altered habits may assist in maintaining a 'normal' BMI. Being aware of what influences your over-eating is the first step to overcome temptation. Maybe its the sound of pop-corns popping in the kitchen or a sight of mouth-watering fried ham or salivating smell of vanilla black forest cake. Your reactions may take you away from the overweight path.

Eating amnesia is a common habit of downing a whole bowl of crisp, pop-corns unconsciously when you watching a movie. At times you end up multitasking and place less attention on what you eat. Understanding your habits may reduce later regrets.

Is food readily available in your house? You may want to change that formation, because the sight of food triggers psychological need to eat.

It might be the right time to respond to Njoki's article with some action of changing your larger food containers with small ones. Research shows that we tend to eat a lot when we are served from larger container /plates and tend to serve more using big containers/plates. For those struggling with weight issues, maybe you might be interested to read more on the CDC funded research that tested 50 types of cleaning, personal hygiene and other household products for 66 hormones disruptors and chemicals.

The disruptors alter body hormones system and tend to affect the development of reproductive, nervous system and metabolic system.

Fat genes are affected by exercising, not excuses. Excessive weight is not necessarily a failure or laziness neither is it a moral failure. Next time you see a fat or chubby person you have to realize and appreciate the effort they have made to be there. It is time the society appreciates fat people and support them into becoming healthy beings.

We don't have a standard procedure of which size is the best. Minimum standards are available for health. Least we forget that diversity completes our humanity and so if some have to be fat and healthy and others thin and healthy, so let it be. Healthy living is all we aim for.

2. "Dead Beat" is not the answer to responsibility question.

My usual search for information over the weekend, helped me discover a Facebook page called Dead Beat Kenya that has been trending in Kenya. It had topped more than 134,000 likes, in just a week of its existence. The sensational header would lead anyone to have an interest in reading what the page entails.

The administrator of the page, one Jackson Njeru must have made an observation about the increasing number of children growing without the presence of both parents. This indeed is a huge problem in Kenya. He went further to create a page that he dedicated to naming and shaming -men and women who have negated their parental responsibilities for whatever reason(s). The page allows fans to post personal details of "purported" men and women for public scrutiny and shaming. From mobile phone numbers to employment details; residential information and  selfies are some of the main features posted on the page. The aim is to shame men and women who abscond, their parental duties and responsibilities  and expose them for public scrutiny.

Number of single parents increasing.
A social media page "Dead beat Kenya"out to shame absconding parents

I took time to scroll through the posts, comments and likes, most of which are negative and expose the "accused" to a mob justice mentality. The genuineness of Jackson to highlight on the problem, might have been an attempt to solve the cancerous problem in Kenya. Men and women alike procreate and abandon children to women to toil in up-bring. In rare cases, women also abandon their children with their grannies and head back to the city to search for better life with less burden on their necks. Others meet "potential" marriage material partners who do not wish to enter into a relationship with a woman with a baby. Children are often raised by single parents while the other parent misses out. Whereas there is no doubt that the problem is widespread and raises concern for the well being of the children. Exposing the cases on social media is far from being a solution to the underlying cause of the problem in a society which shy away from discussing sexuality. Posting images and comments for naming and shaming, is only beneficial in accumulating sympathy votes, as opposed to addressing the root causes. Below is an exposition highlighting the deeply seated issues which ought to be addressed. Exposing anyone on social media platform is not the solution to the problem:

1. Sexual encounters remain a private matter, and so should be the consequences. The cause and effects theory might be helpful to those who think one can have unprotected sex and wish pregnancy away. The locking of doors, shutting of windows and drawing of curtains demonstrate how private the bedroom activity is. Emotions should not lock out logic and readiness to face the consequences thereafter. Amplifying the matter beyond the subjective person only helps to sour the relationship and trust between the two. Its simply airing dirty linen in public.
2. Both parties are equally responsible. The tendency to blame men whenever unplanned and unwanted pregnancy occurs is a cliche. Responsible women never give in to sex after rounds of shopping, gifts offers or favors. Equally, responsible men do not use the societal "powers" (finances and lyrics) to lead women to bed. Women and men are equally responsible for pregnancy. For this reason, blames and counter blames never resolve the need to care for the baby. Sieving wheat from chaff helps in determining potential in an individual to take responsibility in any eventuality. Women on this page blame men for not using condom. If i may ask, did any of them resist? and  if any did and the resistance fell on deaf ears. That would be termed as rape and should have been reported to police. Women condoms are for all reasons expensive to access, but that shouldn't be the excuse to put your life inline. 
3. Knowing where and when to ask accountability questions, helps prevent search for sympathy votes on social media. It is known that women often use sex as a bargaining chip. Men on the other hand express determination to battle the demands for an ultimate goal which is either-marriage or sex. It is also said that men have two brains which cannot work simultaneously. I mean the real brain on your head and the other which acts as an agent of sex. Here is the mistake women make. Asking a man if he will be responsible and available for her, at a time the man is panting from testosterone release. Its known that almost all men give affirmative answers at such a time. Some psychology may help to prevent being abandoned alone with the baby. Ask the important questions when their is no influence whatsoever. I mean before you take the KBL product or endocrine gland release chemicals. Verify and verify the authenticity of the answer. Take life exercises to test the genuineness and even after that, don't be in rush to expose your labia minora. Avoiding what i call "minora induced confusion" among men should enable men to give NO answers at such a time.
4. Posting pictures, phone numbers and other personal details is a blackmail gesture. No one posted images of the other on the day of the sexual encounter. Equally, non should for pregnancy or for consequences thereafter. Posting personal information on social media open windows to rumors, gossip and encourages unhealthy discussion often not beneficial to addressing the real issue. Here is my two sense. If you are unable to resolve sticky points with someone you had a sexual encounter with, what makes you believe adding social media crowd will help?
5. Women are more empowered to negotiate for sex than it has been in the past. The gender campaigns to mainstream and sensitize women have yielded lot. Women understand their rights better than at any other time in history. Laws have been enacted and policies put in place to safeguard and protect women against sexual exploitation and abuse. Besides rape cases, which are often unfortunate. Women have capacity to negotiate for sex while understanding that they bare the greatest physical burden in the case of pregnancy. Unfortunately, more emphasis for use of condom to prevent pregnancy have bypassed the importance of condom in reducing HIV and AIDS risks.
6. The "dead beat Kenya" Facebook platform opens avenue for abuse and defamation. It is well known that social media is faced with issues of gate keeping. Who verifies what is posted for authenticity remains a mirage. Posting unverified personal information on social media invites legal battle on defamation. We live in a greedy society where unscrupulous people can easily use such data to manipulate others in order to get some few coins. Use of existing legal provisions, for instance launching complaint with the children department may be more helpful in resolving such issues. Another expensive but scientific proven method of verifying parental dispute is DNA. Dehumanizing anyone on social media cannot be a solution or a trigger to influence fathers to pay child support. 

For women, next time before you have a sexual encounter with a man you perceive generous and kind, think through. Discuss about consequences of your collective action, DO NOT interpret gifts and outings as acts of responsibility for any eventuality. For men, before you deep into the warmth of a vagina, be ready for the consequences not unless you shoot blanks. Use a condom.

2. Wealth withering away men

It is absolutely horrifying that anyone would get to a level of taking another person’s life. Domestic conflicts and misunderstandings are common occurrences in most marriages and relationships, if not all. They are very common and are frequently analogized to placing bottles in a moving container and expecting them not to knock against each other. Too much force or impact breaks the bottles while soft friction creates a sweet musical melody. In humans, too much force can be equated to anger. Being angry is an emotional outburst and what matters most is the action one takes after such misunderstanding.

Excessive love of wealth withering away love.

Bizarre events happen globally each day. Some we get to read about while others we don’t. Familiar responses to all bizarre stories lie in the fact that they all leave millions tongue-tied. One shocking event, to say the least, happened recently in Kenya. A woman named Faith Wairimu, mother of two, hired gangs to kill her husband of sixteen years. Although she was genuinely concerned as any woman would be, to have the best life for her kids, she might have gone overboard.

In what has sent shock-waves across the country, the woman claimed that her husband could win an award for popping beer bottles and entertaining other women, rather than provide for his family. Frustration of being the ‘everything at home’ led the wife to hatch a plot to terminate his life. All intended to reap from his real estate property and wealth. 

Despite her complaints of having insufficient funds, she still went ahead and coughed-out 160,000 shillings [which is slightly less than $1,900] to hire a gang, after a previous similar attempt failed.  Unfortunately, those she engaged for the task were undercover police officers posing as gang members.

Anyone who thinks marriage is a bed of roses, needs to be told to stop fantasizing, wake up and shake off the illusion and face reality. Conflicts and misunderstandings are only used as excuse whenever actions taken in anger go overboard. We all have internal abilities to make a decision irrespective of external pressure and one’s WILL is what distinguishes us from animals.  Desire for a good life is and will remain a wish for millions of people, but that shouldn’t be a winner’s lottery ticket for terminating human life. 

Collude with sons to kill husband

This might be an isolated case, but it points to how marriages are being used as a poverty- eradication strategy and love in this East African country is achieved through what one gains from another’s pocket.

A couple of years ago, I accompanied a friend of mine to the burial of his friend, who had been murdered in Kiambu [a small town on the periphery of Nairobi]. As we arrived in the grief-stricken village, we snaked our way into the home of the deceased. Guests flocked into the compound and the ceremony of burial rites started shortly after. I noticed that most of the mourners were women and children and whispered my observation to my friend, who responded, “yes, most men are murdered and die in mysterious circumstances“. 

I was burning with questions, but the timing was not ideal for this. So we quietly followed the clergy and activities that were happening on the podium. After two hours of prolonged speeches and eulogizing the deceased, we finally converged around the tomb to the resting place for our beloved friend. Soon all were invited to throw soil into the casket, as the pastor reminded us what we dread most ´from soil back to soil’. As the hand-filled clumped soil hit the wooden casket, reality struck that he was no more. At such a moment even the bravest cry freely like a baby and the African belief that men don’t cry is bundled aside.

After the ceremony and witnessing the village youths shovel into the grave heaps and heaps of soil, came the time for placing wreaths and thereafter all guests were invited for refreshments. During the refreshment an old man walked towards us and sought a word with the clergy we had given a ride from Nairobi. After their whispered conversation, the clergy came and asked whether we could give the old man a ride to the city to open a bank account. Since we had space in the car, we did not hesitate. 

To cut a long story short, the road network expansion in Nairobi, had displaced thousands of people to pave the way for dual-carriage highway and modern roads. One area affected by the government development was Kiambu, where homes were demolished and owners compensated millions of shillings. The old man was one of the beneficiaries of the compensation exercise.  His cheque worth 4.5 million [USD 50,000] was only few days away from expiration of the three-month period allowed. We asked him on our way to Nairobi why he had not cashed or invested the money. He said that he wanted to continue living because most of his village-mates had all been killed by their wives.

This was a possible answer to the previous question to my friend at the burial. The old man pleaded with us not to reveal his financial information to anyone fearing for his life. He went on to narrate to us how women in that part of Kenya killed their husbands to inherite property and wealth. Such he said was collusion between mothers and sons who agree to split the wealth thereafter. Unfortunately, most women swindle their sons and leave the country to settle abroad, living their children orphaned and frustrated. Many of whom sought drug abuse and alcoholism as options to help them forget their misery.

Money the root of all evil

In Kenya, capitalism rules marriage making it a business venture and prevents many from seeking the hand of a lady. The effects are evident later in the marriage. Emphasis is placed on the wedding and not on a marriage; and even when thoughts are on marriage; personal enrichment remains a priority.

Money is indeed an integral component and ingredient to a happy relationship, but at the same time the love of money is dangerous.  Domestic violence and conflicts separate families and this is similar to killing someone for his/her wealth. 

Maybe a little shift in the mindset, from not only expecting to receive might restore a sane environment.  Alternatively, maybe if we all became sensitive to others feelings, welfare and well-being we could once again regain our human nature and realize that money is no comparison to human life.

3. Mandela ‘Murdered’

A couple of days ago on Friday 14th June, 2013 one of the globally renown media outlet Deutsche Welle commonly refered to as DW, published in its news website- ‘South Africa Mourns Mandela’  under a lead Orbituary to Mandela. The news was quickly shared on social media and attracted thousands of condolence comments to one of world most celebrated icon of our time. DW had just 'murdered' the recovering Mandela.Hopefully, Gracia Machel or either Zindziswa, Makaziwe, Makgatho, Zenani, Madiba Thembekile did not access the link on their ipad. For if they did your guess would be as good as mine.  The hoax news remained on DW website for hours before it was finally pulled down, but the damage had been done.  

One comment on face book read : you will remain in our hearts forever. The message was shared and no one thought of verification, for who would doubt DW! It was not genuine news despite the fact that it emanated from a genuine and credible source of news. 
Rumors are bound to spread as Mandela spend more days at the ICU of Mediclinic Heart hospital in South Africa. The world is already gripped in tension and anxiety, and rumor of this nature worsen the weak emotional state of his supporters. Such careless reporting interrupts much needed silence and reflection to plead with the deity to improve his health.

DW did have the fortunate decision to make on whether to verify the rumor or be the fast media outlet to carry the untrue news of Mandela’s death. They opted to publish misleading news instead. A thin line exist between “need” and “want” as far as the public’s desire for the details of celebrity deaths or icon of Mandela’s caliber is concerned; but equally, that need must be filled with accuracy.

In an era where such unverified report circulate round the globe with amazing speed via Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Blogs, cell phones and email. Such news that require speed on newsrooms to publish, must be checked and verified for reliability. DW misled its audience by picking rumors and publishing. A lesson to draw from this is : A media that thrives on speed and ‘sharing’ creates the potential for great harm. Mandela’s false reporting definitely must have induced panic among millions who continue to pray for his recovery. It wont be a surprise to read the same story, with few corrections, once (God forbid) Mandela’s appointment with diety is confirmed. The error by DW also raises a challenge that begs for serious discussions- ethics around online news gathering and ethical consideration journalists should consider while reporting on death subject.

The common practice in most media houses, is eulogizing prominent persons before they actually die in a race to fulfill the speed characteristic of news. News is becoming a competitive subject aimed at ‘winning’ more audiences and increase income through rating and advertisement ; rather than being a complimenting bridge to providing knowledge and information that is accurate and factual. Little consideration is often given to vulnerable subjects as ‘death’ which requires not only ‘right to know’ for citizens but also compassion for bereaved families. 

Journalists toil and sweat to inform the public of events happening around the world. Speed should not be allowed to over-take verification and responsible reporting. Verification, additional horizontal and vertical layers in media, would help cater for the changes/challenges brought about by social media. Professional journalists face competition from citizen journalists. Professional journalists have golden chance on the fast-changing track to set the rules for others to follow.  

4. Create sleeping space for MRC at National Archives

Nairobi, Kenya, 20th October, 2012-In his last Mashujaa Day celebrations as the third president of Kenya; President Mwai Kibaki advised, “Let us [Kenyans] learn from history and not distort it.” Mushrooming groups both in Kenya and Tanzania calling for secession are driven by ignorance and need government support to access books and historical material available at the National Archives. 

The government through the ministry of special programs should conduct a major operation, this time not relief oriented but to ferry the group members and their sympathizers to Nairobi. Accord them with meals and accommodation. This should be offered in the same spirit of universal education, to allow the MRC members an opportunity to peruse through historical files.

It is indeed true that my people are perishing due to lack of knowledge. Since the formation of Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) in the mid 90’s the group has maintained a single agenda of secession. They have coined slogans urging people at the coast that ‘Pwani si Kenya’ (coast is not Kenya). Is there call justified? Or they are swimming in a sea of ignorance.

I sought to establish the truth for the sole purpose of informing and educating the members before my proposed government operation. In 1500 the Portuguese introduced one of the ruthless administrative policies that forced the majority Swahili people to marry Arabs for convenience. This was a strategy used to increase Arabs integration besides increasing their population at the coast. The rules did not ogre well for many indigenous Africans who twice sought support of the Sultan of Zanzibar for help to chase Christians from the coastal strip. The Sultan Seyyid Bin Abdulah whose kingdom was then based in Muscat in Oman moved to Zanzibar in 1856 almost 28 years before the Berlin meeting that split Africa into various colonies now referred to as countries. 

Why everyone sought political deals with the Sultan?

The early Arabs had established what we may call shopping centers all over the coast and acted on behalf of Kenya Revenue Authority, collecting taxes. This made Sultan territory strong and any possible conflict with the Zanzibar kingdom was avoided at all cost. The arrival of the Germans and Britons in East Africa after the Berlin meeting of 1845 was influenced by serious crave to colonize present Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. 

For the big brothers to succeed, they required blessings of the ‘Sonko’ (sheng-rich and established person) on the ground- the Sultan of Zanzibar. British and Germans wanted to supply factories in Europe with raw materials; they had to construct a railway line and a port in Mombasa to facilitate their quest. The railway was to serve Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. But Alas! Before the Sultan would agree to such development, he had to be compensated for land and investments along the coastal strip. Britain opted to remit annual fees of £ 17,000 while Germany coughed £ 200,000. Come 1886, Germany and British allocated the Sultan the 10-miles coastal strip after reaching a political deal. 

The Sultan had established his territory such that even the global power houses including USA and France had signed business deals with him. Huge task for the colonizers after signing the deal with Sultan was to secure a loan. Llyod private bank showed interest to fund railway construction; but demanded that East Africa Protectorate (EAP) to be annexed from coastal strip and made a colony. That move was part of major demand from Llyod to fund development work at the coast. Later in 1895 the railway works started and a year later Kilindini harbor works began from loan serviced by Kenyans through colonial taxation system.

Past groups that called for secession 

The push for secession in the past was a reserve of the Arabs and not Africans. At the 1960 Lancaster meeting, Arabs wanted the coastal strip be ceded and made autonomous. According to The Times of London published on 29th January, 1960. 

The Arab community representative at the Lancaster meeting said “[Arabs] would not regard their rights and interests protected if the government of the protectorate were ceded to a Kenya government responsible”. The varied opinion led to the formation of Mwambao United Front in the same year to champion the interests of Arabs calling for secession. Similarly, the MRC has been championing the same course, only that their strategy is characterized with violence as opposed to past groups.  

Why Kenya will not allow ceding? 

A Mombasa court recently over ruled government's position to declare the group illegal.Daring security operations have been conducted in Mombasa and several top-brass members of the group arrested and arraigned in courts with charges of inciting the public. The coast is a major economic base for Kenya through earnings from the port of Mombasa and tourism. 

These are the major reasons the government of Kenya would not allow or grant MRC their wishes. Secede the region would make Kenya a landlocked country and hurt not only its economy but that of countries in Eastern Africa. Sultan of Zanzibar did not oppose integration of coastal strip into Kenya on condition that Islamic tradition, education was allowed in the region. These wishes were granted and that was the entry point of Kadhi courts in the Kenyan constitution.

5. Enemy is within not in Somali

As I read in the media, reports on Kenya military advancement inside Somali in hot pursuit of al Shabab militia group that has disrupted the good night sleep for many in the government. Seems like a dream or sort of illusion owing to the historical facts about Kenya, once praised as an oasis of peace in the midst of region riddled with turmoil. We may still be peaceful despite some teething elements that caused 1,200 lives and displaced 350,000 after the 2007/2008 general election.

Let’s face it. Why are we at war with Somalis Al Shabab? Could we have prevented what seems to now be the greatest threat? It does not require rocket science to understand that in 1989 we only had 900,000 Somalis living in Kenya; that our 2010 census results were delayed after indications that the Somalis numbers in Kenya had risen by 140% mainly through nationalization.

My discourse should not be perceived as a campaign opposed to Somalis or settlement of any other nationals in Kenya but rather redirect the bullet hole to point us for failure to address the flaw migration rules that make us prone to eminent attacks. Ousting of Mr. Siad Barre as president of Somali in 1991 after ruling for more than 20 years marked the beginning of woos. Somali has been in anarchy matched with clan fights, warlordism and violence. Such violence force away fellow countrymen and women from their country to Daadab and Kakuma refugee camps.

Spanish aid workers abduction triggered the war we face with Al Shabab in Daadab refugees. Whereas It is an uphill task to identify individual suspected militia who for a fact are not branded on their foreheads with Al Shabab marks. The undertone from the network statement on eminent attacks in Nairobi makes me believe the enemy is here among us in Nairobi’s -Eastleigh, South B, South C… They are present in our supermarkets, football stadium they use our transport facilities and more so are in Kenya on our invitation and lax system.

One might argue that they are citizens with all relevant documents authenticated by possession of national ID cards, land title deeds or even travelling passports. The number one enemy is not the Somalis but our system and people we pay using our taxes who betray the country and sell it for egocentric benefits. The enemy worth bombarding with heavy artillery is immigration officials who receive bribes at our board points, issue passports and ID’s to foreigners hence granting visa and access for the enemies to destabilize our peace. The second most wanted enemy deserving life imprisonment are the policemen and women who receive bribes from arrested illegal immigrants and ultimately postpone their deportation. The invasion and total war should also be directed to our capitalist culture of placing monetary benefits ahead of our security and peace concerns a fact that has eroded our nationalism and patriotism and allowed sell of our properties to foreigners only to remain as squatters in our own country.

Former US president Bill Clinton advice should be loud enough to our leaders and those charged with national responsibility. He once said that ‘If one lives long enough, one make mistakes. But if one learns from them, one becomes a better person’. Similarly we should collectively acknowledge the mistakes of the past bribes and exchange of money for national document and embrace patriotic values by using similar offense to combat corruption that has exposed us to such threats.