Kenya Stockholm Blog

Putting The Record Straight On “Beryl’s Appointment”

Recently, information was published at a Kenyan blog that Beryl Otumba, a Kenyan lady resident in Stockholm, was appointed by “ODM and PNU” to work for the Kenyan government. Following the “News”, Beryl began to get congratulatory messages from friends and well wishers, much to the surprise of Beryl.

This is because the “appointment” was a hoax and although it was not April fool’s day, the blogger never bothered to put the record straight. KSB control room was itself jammed with inquiries from curious Kenyans about the “welcome news”. Since the insinuation was that ODM was behind the appointment, members of ODM-Scandinavia were equally looking for “further information” from the Party about this interesting piece of news.

Obviously, an appointment of a Kenyan in Diaspora to work at some position in Kenya should be welcome News and a plus for the Coalition government that is yet to convince Kenyans with bases abroad that they can get jobs in our country currently suffering from over 50% unemployment.

However, if someone decides to post such news at a Blog site using the name of a well known Kenyan national when it is not April fool’s day, then questions have to be asked about the intention. There are several jokes that circulate in Kenyan blogs but our view at KSB is that these kind of jokes should be avoided by bloggers because they tend to promote confusion.

When I met Beryl and a handful of Kenyans at a function over the week-end, the attitude towards the story was the same – that it is a joke that may have gone a bit far.

Some people aka Watu wengine in Stockholm and Kenya had even began lobbying Beryl to fix them a job once she takes up her new position. This was because the image that was created by the blogger is that Beryl had landed a “top job” and in Kenya, people in top positions are known to pull strings so why not Beryl? It was a brief moment of irresponsibility and thoughtlessness in the Kenya blogsphere and that’s what I am saying.

Okoth Osewe

May 25, 2008 Posted by makozewe | Events | Leave a Comment

Mid Summer Nyama Choma At Fittja Beach

Members of the Africa Renaissance  Group, a newly formed group in Sweden, is making their debut in the Nyama Choma zone in Stockholm. The group has settled for Friday, June the 6th as the big day when Africans in Sweden are invited to an outdoor grill Party that will take place at Fittja Beach from 10.00-22.00 hrs.

June 6th, which has been chosen by Africa Renaissance,  is special because it is the Swedish National day and because it will be a holiday, it should be possible for people to attend the Nyama Choma even if the event falls on a week day. The day is not the official Mid summer time in Sweden but it falls just on the right month.

The leadership of Africa Renaissance is drawn from a cross-section of African countries although some Swedes are also part of it. KSB has been in touch with Mr. Barry Owino, the Assistant Treasurer of the group, and when I spoke to him, he sounded upbeat about the event.

Africa Renaissance has been in existence for just 30 days and already, it has pulled a Nyama choma, an indication that the leadership is “action-oriented”. Another key personality in the group is Mr. Samson Mande, a Human Rights activist from Uganda who also works with the International Red Cross.

Mande is not a new comer in organized African life in Stockholm. After the post election violence in Kenya, Mande sat in two Kenyan committees that had been formed by Kenyans to help address the crisis that the country had plunged in following election rigging by PNU in December. Mande sat in the Committees of both MOREDEK (Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in Kenya) and UHCK (United for Humanitarian Cause in Kenya).

The Nyama Choma will not just be an entertainment event without attachments. Cash raised at the function will go towards helping the needy in Africa. According to Barry, the group will use the event to inform attendees about what they do and why the group was set up. The organization is also seeking to recruit new members and the Nyama Choma beat could be a good joint for such an operation. Speaking to KSB, Barry said:

“We, at the same time, would like to have as many members as possible to enable us be more effective. We are only one month old and have at least 30 members so far. Our membership is a mix-up of Swedes and Africans from different parts of the Continent”.

An attractive component of Nyama Choma at Fittja which many Kenyans are used to normally include “Big music” as part of the menu. Certain details are not yet in but it is expected that as June 6th draws near, Africa Renaissance leadership will come up with information to fill in the gaps. Although there will be music at Fittja, Barry said that there will be no extended Party at Norsborg and unless there is a change of plan, nothing is expected. Secondly, it is not known how much Nyake eaters will have to dig from their pockets to fill up their tummies as they enjoy the event.

Traditionally, the Nyama eaters have had to part with at least 100 kr which gave those attending the ticket to chew meat until they surrender. When KUWA used to organize the event, endless Nyama eating used to be free while a bash that followed at Norsborg was also free. Of cause, that was when KUWA was a beneficiary of State funds and so it could afford to give away free stuff.

Without an all night bash after the Nyam Chom, the thorny issue is what will be done with the revelers who will, no doubt, be in a Party mood. If someone could throw a bash, he/she could scoop some quid because people will be desperate to swing after they have been warmed up at Fittja Beach. Further information about the event can be obtained from Barry at Tel: 0704807524 or from Mande at sm.5050@yahoo.com.

Okoth Osewe

May 25, 2008 Posted by makozewe | Events | Leave a Comment