Photo Anadolu Agency

Genocide ideology and divisive politics among Rwandans have fallen sharply from 25.8% in 2015 to 8.6% today, according to a new government report.

The Rwanda Reconciliation Barometer 2020, released Wednesday, also showed that since the 1994 genocide against ethnic Tutsis, unity and reconciliation among Rwandans has improved from 92.5% in 2015 to 94.7% in 2020.

The downward trend in genocide ideology is attributable to stringent laws that punish genocide ideology as a crime and other related crimes, said Fidele Ndayisaba, executive secretary of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC), unveiling the report in the capital Kigali.

Efforts to foster unity and reconciliation among Rwandans in the last four years are bearing fruit, Ndayisaba said, praising political will as well as good governance measures.

The percentage of people who view themselves as Rwandans rather than through the lens of ethnic Tutsis or Hutus also rose from 95.6% in 2015 to 98.2%, the report said.

The survey aimed to assess the status of reconciliation in the landlocked East African country.

Ndayisaba commended the government, religious leaders, media, civil society organizations, private businesses, and development partners for their role in fostering unity and reconciliation among Rwandans since 1994.

The report was based on a survey conducted in 810 villages across the country, involving 12,600 people from 9,720 households, among them prison inmates.

In 1994 some 1 million people, mostly in the Tutsi community and moderate Hutus, were killed in a genocide by Hutu extremists during a massacre within a span of 100 days. - James Tasamba, Anadolu Agency

CURFEW TRAFFIC JAMS: Nairobi motorists were on Saturday night stranded as police blocked major roads AFTER curfew time. Photo The Star

Interior CS Fred Matiang'i is set to appear before a Senate committee over the confusion and chaos marring enforcement of curfew in Nairobi and elsewhere.

The Senate’s National Security and Foreign Relations committee has invited the CS to appear before it next Wednesday to explain the mayhem.

'Super Minister' Matiang'i s known for ignoring and snubbing MPs' requests and summonses to appear and explain pressing issues. 

The meeting follows a public outcry after the police enforcing the 8pm to 4am curfew in Nairobi blocked some motorists past curfew from going home.

Motorists on Thika Superhighway were the most affected by police roadblocks. Many motorists spent the night in the cold.

“Following the enormous public outcry through social media, Members of the Committee were greatly perturbed by the chaotic scenes on Saturday April 17 and Sunday April 18 along the Thika Superhighway regarding the overnight roadblocks,” acting Chairperson Fred Outa said.

To get a clearer perspective regarding the 'mayhem', the committee has invited the Interior CS to appear before it, he said.

In a statement on Tuesday, he said police hindered the travel of approved persons holding legal permits to operate during curfew hours.

They include doctors, ambulances, food transporters, media personnel and government workers approved to operate.

Nairobi is among the five counties in disease hot zones where an 8pm to 4pm curfew has been imposed to help contain the spread of Covid-19.

Others are Kiambu, Kajiado, Machakos and Nakuru. Countrywide, curfew runs from 10pm until 4am.

Outa said the committee was concerned with the unfolding events and asked aloud whether police have established "kangaroo courts" to punish Kenyans.

“.. and if so, under which law?" he asked.

“If Kenyans have indeed broken the law, then why not charge them and have them appear before the courts and face punishment according to the law?” he asked.

Matiang'i will be asked to explain why police have "have subjected Kenyans to operate in panic, resulting in several accidents that have occurred, emanating from their actions",

He will also will also  be asked to explain an apparent lack of coordination in enforcement in the capital. - Julius Otieno, The Star

Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi. Photo Standard

One Kenya Alliance has dismissed claims of being a 2022 project of State mandarins keen on influencing President Uhuru Kenyatta’s succession.

Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi – a principal of the new outfit – yesterday said those pushing the ‘false’ narrative were politicians scared of the traction the alliance is gaining, especially after winning three by-elections in Western and Ukambani regions.

Mudavadi said certain politicians who had all along believed they would take over from Uhuru have resorted to propaganda after realising their chances of occupying State House were dwindling by day. 

“If you take a closer look, you will realise those calling us a project are the people currently working closely with the Government. They are closer to the Government than us,” said Mudavadi.

The alliance is perceived to be packaging itself as the alternative to former premier Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto, while at the same time endearing itself to President Kenyatta. Raila’s allies in the last couple of weeks, have claimed a plot to isolate the former PM by State machinery while propping the four principals in the One Kenya Alliance.

Ruto has also in previous interviews dismissed the alliance bringing together Mudavadi, Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka, Kanu boss and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi and Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangúla as of no consequence.

But yesterday, Mudavadi said: “We should tell Kenyans how we intend to change their lives if they elect us and then leave it up to them to decide the next president.” - Moses Nyamori, The Standard

By JULIUS MBALUTO

Sarah Ikumu has released a new single, titled ‘Waiting’. Its’ out and available in all music platforms now. Sarah says ‘Waiting’ will be one of the four songs from her upcoming E.P ‘Broken Promises’

The rising star started singing at her young age. She sang at Church which her dad pastored. After relocating to Kenya in 2011, she sang at school concerts and when she came back to the UK in 2013, she carried on singing. She competed in singing competition and won.

Sarah was later discovered by Artiste development company and was asked to audition for British Got Talent. During the audition, she sang so well exciting all Judges and it was Simon Cow who pressed the famous Golden Buzzer to show appreciation.

Sarah shared that after that, she got big exposure. She sang at Apollo Theatre in the US hosted by Celebrity Steve Harvey. She has since performed in front of many celebrities and in different countries like Abu Dhabi, US, Switzerland and Dominica Republic. In London, she once performed in front of 20,000 people.

Asked what music meant to her, Sarah replied:

“Music means everything to me. It makes you happy. It has healing powers. I get lots of messages from people with different messages for example, ‘ Your music helped me when I was going through a tough time”

Sarah’s praises her parents always for the positive role they played in her life. She says her parents were there for her all times. They took her for vocal training, her mum entered her into competitions and they were both always there to support her.

Sarah reminds us that we also have to work hard to get what we want in life. To parents she says:

“If your child loves something, support them, I would not be where I am where it not for my parents’ support.”