RE:STATEMENT ON HARASSMENT AND VICTIMIZATION OF PERCEIVED ANTI-GOVERNMENT BLOGGERS Ladies and gentlemen, Our concern has been raised by the constant terrorization of bloggers deemed to be antagonistic to the present regime. While we are heedful of the law on hate speech; we are deeply concerned at the style in which the same is applied selectively. Lately, we have witnessed an upsurge in this partial appliance of the law largely targeting those perceived to be anti- government. This trend is alarming and is clearly intended to silence and bully us into acquiescence. The latest stab to deny Kenyans their freedom of speech and expression involve summon to appear before Milimani law court on 25th July, 2014 issued to Dikembe Disembe to face charges related to hate speech. We want to state categorically that the charges leveled against him are frivolous, outlandish and uncorroborated. He is innocent of all the accusations and we have no iota of doubt that he will be exonerated. We call upon government to stop victimizing bloggers simply because they criticize the state. As for the fallacious indictment against our friend Dikembe, we vow to stand by him throughout the journey to ensure that justice prevails. This case is not about Dikembe, it is all witch- hunt and misapplication of law that must be resisted by all Kenyans regardless of their political divide. We would like to thank all those who have stood by us and offered support since the matter popped up. Also we welcome all those who mean well for this country to join us in fighting for justice. Nonetheless, this act of cowardice will never dissuade us in anyway nor will it kill our resolve to fight for just society. As the friends of Dikembe, and bloggers, we will stand by him until this matter is dealt with conclusively. Thank you. Signed Jim Bonnie. Blogger Friends of Dikembe (FODD) Thursday, July 24, 2014
By Strive Masiyiwa A few weeks ago I went to the doctor. I will tell you what he said about my health at the end, but first read this: Twenty years ago, I arranged to meet a well-known British international businessman who invested a lot in Africa at the time. We agreed to meet for dinner at a leading hotel in London. After a good meeting, we started to walk out of the restaurant when he suddenly collapsed in the lobby. There was total pandemonium as they rushed to get medical assistance. Being London, an ambulance arrived in minutes. I jumped in the back with him as paramedics wrestled to keep him alive. He had had a heart attack and had to have triple bypass heart surgery. Sadly he died a few weeks later. He hadn't been sick and his sudden death surprised everyone. And yet as I reflected on it, and later discussed it with a doctor friend who knew him, I realized he was very laid back about his health despite having a hectic business life. Even during our dinner...
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