MISCELLANY

• There are reports that election materials (FORMS 16 and 16A) are still being tampered with.

• I would like to commend KISS FM for the work they are doing. Props to Carol Mutoko and Nyambane for the good work they are doing. To the other radio stations, think outside the box.

• I was in town in the city yesterday a a queue of other Kenyans trying to get some airtime. The conversation revolved around what the GoK was doing to resolve the current impasse. The general view was that the President should have more visiblity. Everyone hated those pro-forma and overly formal statements by the President calling for peace etc without dealing with the election issue. His handlers should take note.

• Yesterday, the President is said to have met MPs to discuss peace intiatives. I am surprised that there was no live coverage or first hand coverage by the press. In fact there was no televised footage of the President in what I think would have been an informal setting. Other than speaking through surrogates, who do not seem to command public respect, he should come out with his clear thoughts on how he thinks the impasse should be resolved (Correct me on this if I am wrong).

• It is irresponsible for GoK Ministers and others to make wild and unsubstantiated claims of Genocide. While violence and criminal activity is now rampant, unsubstantiated claims of Genocide merely raise the political temparatures and detracts from the issues we are trying to seek solutions to.

• Hon Odinga and his team should farm out to their constituencies to pass the peace message and urge calm. Press statements from the comfort of posh Nairobi hotels will not do. They should also do something to mobilise humanitarian relief to their constituencies that are most affected.

• A friend of mine has just called me to tell me that the whole of Nyayo Highrise along Mbagathi Way has just been blanketed with teargas. This is surely an over reaction! Can the police exercise some restraint.

I know many of us feel helpless in this situation but we can contribute in our own individual way. I would suggest the following;

• Give RED CROSS food and clothing. This can be dropped at the following points Red Cross Offices off Mombasa Road, Nakumatt Outlets, KISS FM Offices (Lions Place, Waiyaki Way , Westlands) and CAPITAL FM (Lonrho House). You can purchase food stuffs like unga, beans, salt, cooking oil and UHT milk and drop them in the collection boxes. Imagine if each one of us could spare at least Kshs. 1,000/- what a difference that would make. Remember there's more of us than then.

• People need to keep talking. It is frustrating not to be able to talk to your relatives and friends not only to find out how they are but to also to VENT. Please SAMBAZA airtime to those who don't have.

• Be kind to police officers. They are just trying to maintain order. They too have relatives and friends caught up in the violence.

• Those of you who know anybody who is anybody, call them, tell them we need to resolve this issue like NOW.