CV

I am a Kenyan citizen born on 22nd May 1961. I am a journalist by profession and also a politician. I hold a Bachelor degree in Education and a Diploma in journalism studies. Besides, I hold other diplomas and advanced Certificates in Liberalism and Liberal Democracy, Good governance, Japanese language studies and culture. I am married and blessed with two lovely boys.

 

As a journalist, I have worked as a reporter and Correspondent for both local and international press for several years. I worked for Japanese leading news agency

(KYODO NEWS) as Deputy regional Bureau Chief in charge of 45 African countries based at Nairobi, Kenya. I have also represented both local and international media organizations in Kenya and in East Africa e.g. The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ), The Kenya Media Press Club (KEMEP), East African Journalists Association (EAJA) an affiliate of The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), European Press Network (EPN), Journalist Rights International (JRI) etc.

 

Administratively, I have served a leading Public rail transport corporation (Kenya Railways Corporation) as a National Director providing policy guidelines for three years as per the appointment by Kenya’s Minister for Transport. Socially and philanthropically, I am currently the National Chairman of a charitable NGO (Saidia Furaha Children’s home- Kitengela) supporting the needy especially Children and single poor mothers in Kenya. 
 

Politically, I am a founder Chairman of the first ideological political party in Kenya

( Liberal Democratic Party – LDP ). LDP together with other small opposition political parties combined to form National Rainbow Coalition Alliance ( NARC ) thus forming the government in 2002 after defeating the twenty four years dictorial regime of former president Daniel Arap Moi. Also, I am a founder member of the African Liberal Network and a Member of the Liberal International (UK). Currently, Iam the Executive Director of the Institute for Democracy & Leadership in East Africa (IDEA). IDEA is a regional ‘Think Tank’ and ‘Capacity building’ institution promoting and enhancing good governance, democracy and leadership in Kenya and in East Africa.

EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY

 

Background;

 

Idea to form the East African community was hatched in early 1960’s by the then late Founder presidents of Kenya Jomo Kenyatta, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere of Tanzania and Dr. Apollo Milton Obote of Uganda. The three leaders signed a Charter in 1967 at Arusha, Tanzania for the establishment of the East African Community.

 

Objectives;

 

Its prime objective was to enhance and promote economic and political integration in the region. Through the Charter of 1967, the three presidents launched East Africa Railways and Harbors to facilitate both port and rail transport in the region and the East African Airways to facilitate and coordinate air transport.

 

Disagreement;

 

However because of ideological and personality differences East African Community disintegrated and eventually closed down when the three leaders could not agree any more. Kenya was perceived to be capitalistic, Tanzania socialist with Uganda being in the middle of socialism and capitalism. At one point around 1971 the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere of Tanzania refused to share a table with the late General Idi Amin of Uganda who toppled late former president Milton Obote in a bloodless military coup when the president was out of the country.

 

Revived;

 

 The then moribund East African Community was revived in early 2000 by retired presidents Daniel Moi of Kenya, Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania and Yoweri Kagutta Museveni current president of Uganda.

 

Current objectives;

 

Economic and political integration;

 

The trade between the initial three member countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda has been booming. The organization has since been joined by two other young member countries of Burundi and Rwanda. In a recent meeting, the five East African leaders are thinking of changing the name from East African Community so as to accommodate Burundi and Rwanda thus creating a target market of approximately 230 million people. Economically there are plans and suggestions to create common markets, currency and regional passport to facilitate movement and trade within the region. Politically there are plans to go federal thus ending up with a federal president eventually.

 

 

East African Legislative Assembly (brainchild of East African Community) comprising of a bout 25 members drawn from the member’s countries is already in place at Arusha, Tanzania. The Members are elected / appointed proportionally for a five year term. The Speaker and Secretary General of the Assembly are rotated every after five years among the member countries.

 

 

East African Community Students Union (EACSU). Is a bi- product of the East African Community? It was formed in 2005 by students from different universities within East Africa .EACSU allows students from the region to work and study anywhere within the member countries. Its objective is to promote Academic, political and Social relationships for students in the universities and also to come up with a common curriculum of study in the region.