Something very unusual is happening. The good news is that Nairobi Water services is increasingly getting transparent by the day.
I experienced the new Nairobi Water services recently and I am happy to share to the doubting Thomases that it is possible for a company to become efficient. I applied for a refund of my water account and they promised to pay back after 14 days. I walked away knowing that I would have to follow and pester them for my refund at the expiry of the deadline.
But how wrong I was. Exactly 14 days had passed when they called me to inform me that my check was ready. I counted this as the first miracle. The second miracle came through when the accountant called me again on the same day and requested if she could deposit my cash in my MPESA account!!!. As I was still recovering from this positive shocker, I expressed regrets that I could not make it to withdraw the cash because I was attending a funeral mass. She asked me where I stayed and I told her. She suggested that since she lived in the same neighbourhood(mark you I didnt know her and we had never met), she could carry the voucher and the cash, and that I should carry my identifcation papers so that I could sign for my refund.
And so, at exactly 5.30 pm, I was at the bus stop, she arrived, gave me tge papers, I signed, plus the voucher, I thanked her and walked home with my Kshs 15,512, (15,000) plus interest!!!!.
Miracles never cease to happen.
I congratulate Nairobi Water Company for a job well done. Keep it up!.
Gladyse.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
DEBATE ON CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS
PHEW! The debate on the draft harmonized constitution is over without political parties going for each others' jugular.
At the end of the 30-day period that was given to Kenyans by the Committee of Experts (CoE) to debate the draft harmonized constitution, I noticed the change of style and attitude adapted by political parties.
Unlike in 2005 when the two main political parties openly fought over the then draft constitution, the recent debate has ended 'peacefully' with the parties toning down on the war like contests which would make a visitor think that the constitution is about two political parties.
I congratulate the Kenyan media for not creating a hullabaloo about this debate and for framing the issues in a much more sober manner. I believe that one of the reasons this has happened is the delicate power balance of the political mongrel known as the coalition government. I am sure that non of the partners wanted to be seen as jeopardizing the process..
And thank to the framing of issues, Kenyans were able to separate personalities from politics.I hope the thorny issues will be ironed out in the same manner.
Gladyse.
At the end of the 30-day period that was given to Kenyans by the Committee of Experts (CoE) to debate the draft harmonized constitution, I noticed the change of style and attitude adapted by political parties.
Unlike in 2005 when the two main political parties openly fought over the then draft constitution, the recent debate has ended 'peacefully' with the parties toning down on the war like contests which would make a visitor think that the constitution is about two political parties.
I congratulate the Kenyan media for not creating a hullabaloo about this debate and for framing the issues in a much more sober manner. I believe that one of the reasons this has happened is the delicate power balance of the political mongrel known as the coalition government. I am sure that non of the partners wanted to be seen as jeopardizing the process..
And thank to the framing of issues, Kenyans were able to separate personalities from politics.I hope the thorny issues will be ironed out in the same manner.
Gladyse.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Kenya FM stations and professional standards
Is FM radio merely for entertainment?
This question has lingered on my mind since October 20th. I was listening to one of the Nairobi's many FM stations and I was interested in sports news and analysis. I choose a station that sells itsself as 'the home of sports and sporttalk' and which presents its talkshows in Kiswahili.
Time? 9am. The presenter went on air and informed the audience that he was about to bring an incisive sports report followed by a call in session where people could predict which team was likely to win.
Then he said boldy: stay tuned as you enjoy your Kenyatta Day holiday; this is the day when the country marks the death of founding president the late Jomo Kenyatta! My class one daughter looked at me with her eyes searching. I knew the question, so I answered quickly that it must have been a mistake because Kenyatta Day is not the day Kenyatta died but that it honours the seven heroes who were arrested and detained with Kenyatta at Kepenguria during the state of emergency in 1957.
The following statement the presenter made was: I invite you to listen to this song, I love you, by Franco!. I was shattered. Within two minutes, the same person, had, using public airwaves, made three glaring errors.
The problem with the seond and third errors is that the title of the song was wrong. The song was Maze. I love you is the chorus. The third mistake was that the song was by Tabu Ley and not Franco.
If this presenter had been to any media studies class, he could have been told that needed not to have been born when Kenyatta was in detention to know the significance of the public holiday marked on 20th October. He needs to research.
Secondly, when he made errors on artistes and copyright materials, it means that he has no regard for the law. Producers, the media and any other person who use works of art are required, by law to give proper acknowledgements and credits to pieces of art, compositions, etc.
In the older days when we had the Voice of Kenya, producers credited works of musicians both as part of information and education, but also for compilation of rights and billings so that the musicians could be paid royalties from their work.
To make such serious mistakes on air therefore doe not only deny the musician their worth recognition but also make the station look incredible. This could have been avoided if producers did their work in the libraries.
I am not sure whether its is within the policy of FM ststaions to ignore facts, which will create the impression that they are purely set up for entertainment; but what is the need for entertainment that is not factual?
What will happen to the millions of young listeners who form the bulk of listeners of FM stations?
Is this a symptom of lack of professionalism at the FM station? Do FM stations have internal training programmes where they induct their producers to universal standards or do they just pick people on the basis of strong looks and voice? Should FM stations be asked to have inhouse trianing programmes for their staff? When such a mstake happens, should they apologise to the public?
This question has lingered on my mind since October 20th. I was listening to one of the Nairobi's many FM stations and I was interested in sports news and analysis. I choose a station that sells itsself as 'the home of sports and sporttalk' and which presents its talkshows in Kiswahili.
Time? 9am. The presenter went on air and informed the audience that he was about to bring an incisive sports report followed by a call in session where people could predict which team was likely to win.
Then he said boldy: stay tuned as you enjoy your Kenyatta Day holiday; this is the day when the country marks the death of founding president the late Jomo Kenyatta! My class one daughter looked at me with her eyes searching. I knew the question, so I answered quickly that it must have been a mistake because Kenyatta Day is not the day Kenyatta died but that it honours the seven heroes who were arrested and detained with Kenyatta at Kepenguria during the state of emergency in 1957.
The following statement the presenter made was: I invite you to listen to this song, I love you, by Franco!. I was shattered. Within two minutes, the same person, had, using public airwaves, made three glaring errors.
The problem with the seond and third errors is that the title of the song was wrong. The song was Maze. I love you is the chorus. The third mistake was that the song was by Tabu Ley and not Franco.
If this presenter had been to any media studies class, he could have been told that needed not to have been born when Kenyatta was in detention to know the significance of the public holiday marked on 20th October. He needs to research.
Secondly, when he made errors on artistes and copyright materials, it means that he has no regard for the law. Producers, the media and any other person who use works of art are required, by law to give proper acknowledgements and credits to pieces of art, compositions, etc.
In the older days when we had the Voice of Kenya, producers credited works of musicians both as part of information and education, but also for compilation of rights and billings so that the musicians could be paid royalties from their work.
To make such serious mistakes on air therefore doe not only deny the musician their worth recognition but also make the station look incredible. This could have been avoided if producers did their work in the libraries.
I am not sure whether its is within the policy of FM ststaions to ignore facts, which will create the impression that they are purely set up for entertainment; but what is the need for entertainment that is not factual?
What will happen to the millions of young listeners who form the bulk of listeners of FM stations?
Is this a symptom of lack of professionalism at the FM station? Do FM stations have internal training programmes where they induct their producers to universal standards or do they just pick people on the basis of strong looks and voice? Should FM stations be asked to have inhouse trianing programmes for their staff? When such a mstake happens, should they apologise to the public?
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Welcome to my blog
Welcome to my blog. I am excited to introduce the first ever local blog that will bring together media monitors, researchers and feature writers from Kenya. I have a passion for Kenyan media. This blog provides the perfect forum for media professionals, communication experts, students of media studies such as journalism and mass communication and social communication marketing networks.
Let's engage in discussing issues that affect the industry in a lively but ethical manner.
If you have queries about Kenyan media, this is the forum. I will strive to provide well researched information and statistics.
Let's engage in discussing issues that affect the industry in a lively but ethical manner.
If you have queries about Kenyan media, this is the forum. I will strive to provide well researched information and statistics.
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