One of the best advices anyone ever gave me was that it was likely that in immigrating I’d lose my sense of “belonging”. He said that while in my new country, I’d long for the country of my birth and vice versa. This is why after some struggle I have quit trying to either be fully Kenyan or wholly Canadian; recognizing it will never happen. For the rest of my life, I unashamedly expect to be satisfied with the hybrid third personality, sometimes 50:50 and other times 70:30, the ratio often depending on the day and the news headlines.
I can therefore confess that in recent days and up until Wednesday this week, I have been and expect to be more Kenyan than Canadian. Instead of joining in the jingle “to bring back the long-form census”, I have turned to constantly scouring news channels regarding the proposed Kenyan constitution which will be subjected to a referendum on August 4, 2010.
You cannot blame Kenyans in the diaspora for selfishly wanting this draft constitution to pass. The main reason is that one of the clauses guarantees that Kenyan citizens who acquire foreign citizenship will not lose their Kenyan citizenship. Considering that most of our families remain in Kenya and that Kenyans abroad contribute significantly to nation-building through direct financial remittances, a dual citizenship seems like a fair deal.
But looking at the bigger picture, we out here support by all means a constitution that will help Kenya improve its poor democracy as well as avoid a repeat of the 2007-08 violence which rocked the country following disputed national elections. With only two years till the next polls, Kenyans cannot afford any more senseless politicking.
It appears though that majority of Kenyans are in support of the new constitution.
Although campaigns for both the “Yes” and “No” camps have been intense, Kenyan groups and political leaders have been keen to avoid violence. But, there have been a few glitches. For instance; at a rally against the constitution in downtown Nairobi in June, grenade attacks killed six people, while a number of politicians have been charged with hate speech for inciting crowds. There have also been reports of distributed leaflets threatening violence.
Another reason the draft constitution seems to garner wide support among Kenyans is that it cuts down the president's enormous powers by setting up a presidential system with checks and balances. This is important because, 47 years after independence, one of the country’s main sources of tension remains the unequal distribution of resources; with consequent presidents being accused of favouring their tribesmen.
There is of course some opposition to the new constitution, particularly from church groups who fear it opens up the issue of abortion. They argue the abortion clause — which says abortion is not permitted unless the life or health of the mother is in danger according to the opinion of a trained health professional — could be interpreted broadly. [This is despite the proposed constitution not changing the current legality of abortion only for maternal health]. Another clause considered contentious is the inclusion of Kadhis Courts - publicly funded family courts for Muslims.
In 2005, Kenya held a referendum on a draft constitution, but it was shot down. This time around, rewriting the constitution was part of the peace deal signed in February 2008 between President Mwai Kibaki and PM Raila Odinga, who are both in support of this proposed constitution.
The way I see it albeit from outside, a yes vote will push Kenya into the future, where the country can finally embark into other issues of nation-building. Since we seem unable to correct the past, let us at least pursue a better future for all Kenyans.
Thus on this day, with only a virtual vote, I back the “Yes” campaign.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Fighting child sex tourism, one baby step at a time
The sentencing of Kenneth Klassen of Burnaby, B.C., for committing sex tourism with children and importing child pornography is yet another little reason for children’s rights activists to celebrate. Earlier Wednesday, the 59-year-old Canadian man who admitted to having sex with young girls in Columbia and Cambodia was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
And it’s about time!
Klassen exemplifies an ever increasing number of travelers who take opportunistic advantage of the desperately poor and vulnerable children in foreign [mostly developing] countries. These tourists exercise classic predatory behaviour, exploiting weaknesses in the enforcement of laws surrounding “child sex tourism”.
Experts estimate that more than one million children around the world, some as young as five years old, are lured or sold into the sex trade each year, often as a result of extreme poverty. Many of these children are either sold into prostitution to support families, pay off family debts, or are forcibly recruited to work in brothels.
At some point during his trial, Klassen unsuccessfully challenged Canada's sex tourism law, arguing that the incidents happened in other countries where Canadian courts have no jurisdiction. He was wrong.
Canada’s Criminal Code specifically prohibits child sex tourism. In 1997, Canada passed legislation that extraterritorially extended the criminal code to enable prosecution of Canadians for a number of sexual crimes committed against children in foreign jurisdictions. Although Klassen’s sentencing is only the fourth such conviction under this law, it is nonetheless the toughest sentence handed down yet.
Around the world, many other countries have passed similar child sex tourism laws.
Similarly, in 1989, the United Nations adopted the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child [CRC], the first legally binding international agreement that protects children from sexual abuse and exploitation. The CRC has been ratified by 191 countries including Canada.
With such seemingly protective measures in place, why then are so many children still being exploited?
Although, arresting and prosecuting such offenders should be lauded, it’s definitely not enough. While Klassen and other international “sex tourists” significantly contribute into these skewed sexual relations with children, local populations are also to blame for supplying the “industry”. Many local and national governments also remain lenient to such crimes, often turning a blind eye to this immoral act, particularly in places where sexual exploitation is deemed lucrative by family members and the tourism industry in general.
Unquestionably each country has a right to exercise their sovereignty but it’s not enough to simply ratify the CRC. There is need for workable measures to pressure national governments to enforce existing laws to further protect children. The tourism industry, local communities and child protection agencies should all work together for better results.
This way when time comes for that much-needed vacation, it will be to get warm, discover new locations and experience different cultures, as opposed to taking part in the morally reprehensible and illegal act of child sex tourism.
And it’s about time!
Klassen exemplifies an ever increasing number of travelers who take opportunistic advantage of the desperately poor and vulnerable children in foreign [mostly developing] countries. These tourists exercise classic predatory behaviour, exploiting weaknesses in the enforcement of laws surrounding “child sex tourism”.
Experts estimate that more than one million children around the world, some as young as five years old, are lured or sold into the sex trade each year, often as a result of extreme poverty. Many of these children are either sold into prostitution to support families, pay off family debts, or are forcibly recruited to work in brothels.
At some point during his trial, Klassen unsuccessfully challenged Canada's sex tourism law, arguing that the incidents happened in other countries where Canadian courts have no jurisdiction. He was wrong.
Canada’s Criminal Code specifically prohibits child sex tourism. In 1997, Canada passed legislation that extraterritorially extended the criminal code to enable prosecution of Canadians for a number of sexual crimes committed against children in foreign jurisdictions. Although Klassen’s sentencing is only the fourth such conviction under this law, it is nonetheless the toughest sentence handed down yet.
Around the world, many other countries have passed similar child sex tourism laws.
Similarly, in 1989, the United Nations adopted the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child [CRC], the first legally binding international agreement that protects children from sexual abuse and exploitation. The CRC has been ratified by 191 countries including Canada.
With such seemingly protective measures in place, why then are so many children still being exploited?
Although, arresting and prosecuting such offenders should be lauded, it’s definitely not enough. While Klassen and other international “sex tourists” significantly contribute into these skewed sexual relations with children, local populations are also to blame for supplying the “industry”. Many local and national governments also remain lenient to such crimes, often turning a blind eye to this immoral act, particularly in places where sexual exploitation is deemed lucrative by family members and the tourism industry in general.
Unquestionably each country has a right to exercise their sovereignty but it’s not enough to simply ratify the CRC. There is need for workable measures to pressure national governments to enforce existing laws to further protect children. The tourism industry, local communities and child protection agencies should all work together for better results.
This way when time comes for that much-needed vacation, it will be to get warm, discover new locations and experience different cultures, as opposed to taking part in the morally reprehensible and illegal act of child sex tourism.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The break-in surprise
Sometimes I tell stories, while often times I'm accused of being an over-attentive listener. But rarely within my circle (as far as I know) do I become the story. Unfortunately for me and lots of fun for others, that changed this past weekend and I don't know whether to cover my face in shame or laugh my eyes out at the memory and mention of it.
I startled awake sometime around 1:00am Sunday morning to a persistent movement and pounding noise close by. Initially I couldn't tell whether the sound was coming from within the house or outside. I lay still for a few minutes, my heart beat competing with the intrusive pounding and then decided to walk stealthily through other rooms as I listened. The pounding only got louder and to my ears it sounded like someone was bringing down the right side of the house, brick by brick.
After about 15 minutes, I decided to call someone for help and it was then I remembered that my neighbours on both sides were out of town. This only worked to heighten my panic as it occurred to me that maybe someone was trying to break into either my house or the one on the right (from where I thought the noise was emanating). So, after a little more thought I dialed 911. I explained my situation and said that normally I'd go outside to check it out, but that night I was all alone and I felt afraid.
The patient woman on the other end of the line asked me to be calm as I explained the type of noise I was hearing. Then I went to stand by the main entrance, phone in my hand. Within moments a police car raced into the driveway, lights blazing and as soon as it stopped, two officers jumped out. They did a quick around the house inspection as I watched from within the house and then one of them came to the door and before he could knock, I had it open.
"Hello maam. Are you okay?" The officer inquired. "I think so, thank you." I replied. He continued; "We've checked around the house and there is no one except a raccoon that is walking back and forth on the roof. Would you like to see it?"
I didn't know whether to cry with relief or laugh from embarrassment. A raccoon had become the first reason I've ever called 911. That does not happen to smart, normal people. Needless to say, after all the paperwork was done and my heart had resumed normal beating, I could not stop laughing at myself. And I bet those officers had some fun typing their report that morning. Who was the main character? Me or the poor raccoon stranded on the roof looking confused as to how it got there in the first place?
But all laughter and jokes aside, this may be more serious than it looks, according to those friends who can pause between bouts of laughter to comment. You see, I have in my studies and work had the privilege of living in some of the most beautiful yet dangerous cities in the world. I have lived in Nairobi, Kenya, Johannesburg and Durban in South Africa and in Quito Ecuador, among others. In two of these places, I have been a victim of break-ins such that when a similar pounding startled me awake, it did not immediately register to me that I was in Toronto, in a very safe suburban neighbourhood, where break ins are a relatively rare occurrence.
Anxiety Disorder or paranoia? I doubt paranoia. But one of my friends is already joking that it just might be. According to him; “It has to be since you’re one of the most sensible and brave people I know.” Brave or not, all I know is that my yet unborn offspring will know this story whether I am the one to tell it or not. And as for the remaining summer barbecues, I'm sure I'll be an anecdote, and in a “you can’t talk your way out of this” kind of way. Go figure!
I startled awake sometime around 1:00am Sunday morning to a persistent movement and pounding noise close by. Initially I couldn't tell whether the sound was coming from within the house or outside. I lay still for a few minutes, my heart beat competing with the intrusive pounding and then decided to walk stealthily through other rooms as I listened. The pounding only got louder and to my ears it sounded like someone was bringing down the right side of the house, brick by brick.
After about 15 minutes, I decided to call someone for help and it was then I remembered that my neighbours on both sides were out of town. This only worked to heighten my panic as it occurred to me that maybe someone was trying to break into either my house or the one on the right (from where I thought the noise was emanating). So, after a little more thought I dialed 911. I explained my situation and said that normally I'd go outside to check it out, but that night I was all alone and I felt afraid.
The patient woman on the other end of the line asked me to be calm as I explained the type of noise I was hearing. Then I went to stand by the main entrance, phone in my hand. Within moments a police car raced into the driveway, lights blazing and as soon as it stopped, two officers jumped out. They did a quick around the house inspection as I watched from within the house and then one of them came to the door and before he could knock, I had it open.
"Hello maam. Are you okay?" The officer inquired. "I think so, thank you." I replied. He continued; "We've checked around the house and there is no one except a raccoon that is walking back and forth on the roof. Would you like to see it?"
I didn't know whether to cry with relief or laugh from embarrassment. A raccoon had become the first reason I've ever called 911. That does not happen to smart, normal people. Needless to say, after all the paperwork was done and my heart had resumed normal beating, I could not stop laughing at myself. And I bet those officers had some fun typing their report that morning. Who was the main character? Me or the poor raccoon stranded on the roof looking confused as to how it got there in the first place?
 |
| Esther Wambui/Photos I took this picture in 2006, when I saw raccoons for the first time in my life. This particular family lived in our backyard for months |
Anxiety Disorder or paranoia? I doubt paranoia. But one of my friends is already joking that it just might be. According to him; “It has to be since you’re one of the most sensible and brave people I know.” Brave or not, all I know is that my yet unborn offspring will know this story whether I am the one to tell it or not. And as for the remaining summer barbecues, I'm sure I'll be an anecdote, and in a “you can’t talk your way out of this” kind of way. Go figure!
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