President Obama’s full speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention

 Here is the speech transcript presented by USA President Barrack Obama while accepting nomination to run for presidency for the second term.......................

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you. (Sustained cheers, applause.) Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much.
AUDIENCE MEMBERS: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you.
AUDIENCE MEMBERS: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you very much, everybody. (Cheers, applause.) Thank you.
Michelle, I love you so much. (Cheers, applause.)
A few nights ago, everybody was reminded just what a lucky man I am. (Cheers, applause.)
Malia and Sasha, we are so proud of you. (Cheers, applause.) And yes, you do have to go to school in the morning. (Chuckles.) (Laughter, applause.)
And Joe Biden, thank you for being the very best vice president I could have ever hoped for — (cheers, applause) — and being a strong and loyal friend.
Madam Chairwoman, delegates, I accept your nomination for president of the United States. (Cheers, applause.)........

SURVIVING BY THE SAND

 Robert Kodingo and Samwel born Maina

Brian Otieno, a 15 year old orphan, wades into the water of lake victoria, his hands oars away as he advances toward a dinghy. Carelessly docked, it is relatively big and heavy for his lean body but he manages to pull the half of it out of the hyacinth-plagued shore into the water. A total orphan, he never learnt this from his dad who was a fisherman as he died while he was very young. He tells us that he got the skill as a result of frequent exposure of the lake. He steadly hops inside the yacht holding onto its sides giving you the impression of the small boat capsizing but his light body is no match for the weighty hard wood. He then authoritatively invites us in to take us through the waters of Korando in Lake Victoria. We hesitate for a moment but one ,an from the next boat shouts, ‘do not take his tininess for weakness. He is strong to take you through.” We hop in.

The lack of oars for steering the boat has improvised the use of a pole thrice his height. He uses it with ease despite the toll of its weight on his arms. Brian knows the lake, maybe too well to ignore the dangers associated with it.

THE KIKUYUS SHOULD RETURN A HAND

FACTSABOUT POLITICS IN KENYA

Kenya was in a brink of collapse during the 2007/2008 post election violence. The electoral body that had been mandated to deliver a free and fair election process became the villain. A cold war erupted at the KICC where the results were expected to be announced, the then defunct electoral commission of Kenya chairman Samuel Kiviutu beacame overwhelmed by the persistence of the politicians who had thronged at the KICC to hear the presidential results. Then Kivuitu Surprised everybody in the building. “I cannot reach the returning officers via the phone!” He exclaimed. That is when the smell of a rat spread throughout the building and the country at large. This are presidential results we are talking about! Not some game play! Then when the pressure seemed not to abate, Kivuitu under GSU guard went to the 13^th floor of KICC where he announced incubent president Kibaki had won beating Raila Odinga by 231,738 votes. While releasing the statement, only KBC was allowed to stream the event live. After the announcement, everything seemed to be happening quickly. Tension started building up throughout the country, Kibaki was sworn as president in the wee hours of the same day propmpting both local and international outcry from people who sensed a foul play.

Then hell broke loose. Neighbor turned against neighbor. The genesis of the violence was in Nairobi's Mathare and Kibera slums. The media was quick to report on the same without considering the repercussions that were awaiting. Indeed, due to the media, the violence spread like wildfire throughout the country. Those who fought did so because they were either defending themselves or fighting for a robbed presidency. In the Rift Valley, the Agikuyu were chased away by the Kalenjins. The Agikuyu had largely voted for Kibaki, whereas the Kalenjin had voted for Raila. Other small communities like the Abagusii found themselves in the pandemonium. They were too ejected. The Abagusii never voted as a bloc. They voted for bothe Raila and Kibaki. No one took charge of the region. Media reports indicate that 1300 people lost their lives whereas thousands rendered homeless. The number could be higher as there are families that have never traced their loved ones to date.

With the election period looming once again, tension is deeply hidden inside our hearts. Many are fearing for the 2008 scenario with the Kenya red cross already raising the alarm. During the previous elections, Kenyans witnessed horrific images that still haunt them to date. Kenya is a country of 42 tribes out of which only two tribes have ruled Kenya