So,
2017 is here with us! I can’t help but focus on what needs to be watched out
for in the coming 12 months. Not sure what you have lined up but I have a list
of my own. Note, these are not new year resolutions. Just things that anyone
who lived through 2016 might keep an eye out for. Randomly listed, here goes:
1.
Kenya
general elections
Will it be Jubilee or Cord, or maybe even
a surprise twist president? If a fellow Kenyan is reading this, you probably
know that there is a higher chance for a camel to go through the eye of a
needle than anyone other than one from jubilee or cord to bag this. Of course
anything can happen in a democratic society, but I wouldn’t bet on it. The
incumbent, his H.E Uhuru Kenyatta is Jubilee Party’s flag bearer. CORD still
insists on remaining all mysterious. At the back of our mind though, we know
Hon. Raila Odinga stands a better chance than anyone else. Elections is still
months away. If at all it is to happen this year. The main players already have tricks up its
sleeves (no pun intended) to favour them: an ongoing pursuit foolproof electoral
laws, party alliances, mass campaign drives etc. It is going to be a busy year for #KOT,
ohh the memes. After all is said and done, the most important thing is to have a fair, credible & transparent election for everyone involved to peacefully move on no matter who wins.
2.
Global
war on terror!
The first headline in international news
this new year was been the night club shooting in Istanbul that left at least
39 innocent people dead. Turkey has officially named it a terrorist attack. A manhunt
is currently underway for the unknown attacker. Despite the fact that Turkey is
vulnerable target to terrorism, it has been said time and again that it can
happen to anyone. It is practically impossible to prevent every single attack
but if a concerted effort is made by everyone, then a lot can be done to stop
terrorist. This includes discouraging islamophobia or perpetuating notions
associating terrorism with Islam. We don’t need to see media outlets trip over themselves
trying to link every terrorist to ISIS or mental illness. Nub a terrorist,
subject him/her to the necessary protocol and close that chapter. There will
never be an excuse solid enough for anyone to walk into a crowded place and brutally
murder others minding their own business.
3.
Out
goes Ban Ki-Moon, in comes Antonio Guterres
After 10 years as UN Sec Gen, Ban Ki-Moon
laying down his mantle of service. Mr. Guterres will have to fill really big
shoes. He will get to form opinions on matters that constitute threats to maintenance
of international peace and security. For the next five years, Antonio Guterres
gets to act as what U.S president Roosevelt described the “world moderator”. He
has notable experience working with the UN but the international community is
at a place where one would need really thick skin and a lot of coffee to be
handle this office. North Korea is constantly on one nuclear test after
another, terrorism is taking the world by storm, refugee crisis on an all time
high, and this man Donald Trump, the next president of US, so help us God. I
personally feel 5 years is not really enough for such a role.
4.
Samsung
mini toasters
After the Samsung galaxy S7 train wreck,
waiting to see how its next upgrade will do. Seeing the expensive devices burst
into flames just made me hold on tighter to my Chinese model (probably a kid’s
homework). It is undeniably interesting to keep up with latest mobile tech
updates especially the competition between Apple, Samsung and well, the rest
<cough> infinix>> Ahem. It would really be nice Samsung tried to coming
up with original innovations and not “copy paste” from competitors. What’s with
the airpods? Samsung ought to have tried
some mystery for it upcoming S8, you know, maybe make one wireless earpiece for
one ear and maintain the good old design for the other ear. This might have
been hilarious enough to help since no one ever takes the (L) and (R) on
earphones too seriously. Now, just throw
in the USB-C while you’re at it. We know the drill.
5.
ICC’s
next move. Survival of the fittest
the Court had a pretty rough 2016. From, threats
of withdrawal by some of its members (including Gambia, home of the current
chief prosecutor); reduced confidence in its ability to execute its mandate by the
allegation that it targets African countries; A tight budget in a crucial time.
It wanted a 7% increase of its annual budget
so as to try to get out of the woods, but got only got 3%. This year, we will get to see whether the
withdrawal threats from Kenya, Philippines, Burundi South Africa holds water
and what The Hague based Court will do to overcome these not so slight road
bumps. So, what is it doing now? I understand (and you can fact check this. I don’t
run a gossip blog oh) that it plans to broaden its scope to prosecute crimes
that resulted from illegal land grabbing & environmental destruction. Then,
there’s the recent vote by the UN for investigations (that can take months) into
“possible” war crimes or crimes against humanity in Syria... which is NOT in
Africa. Over 400,000 deaths later but it is still “supposed”. If they get
something there, UN Security Council might refer the case to ICC. In as much as
I support this whole nationalism of countries intending to withdraw, it is
however hard to ignore the looming dark cloud subtly shouting that these intentions
are more political than humanitarian. The fate of the ICC is not yet a cut-clear
case. The challenges it is facing might have dire ramifications but hope 2017
throws it a bone.
6.
And
the ramifications of a Donald J Trump presidency
There’s no way I was going to leave this
one out. Am sure Trump is counting the days until he takes office. Needless to
say, I’m curious to see if the constant twitter rants will be implemented. 2017
is important because it will be the ground base for what his term might look
like. Am certainly not on the edge of my seat as I had been when it first dawned
on millions of pro-Hillary that the glass ceiling will remain intact a little while
longer.
7.
Anything
in between.
I cannot possibly exhaust this list. Awards, surprises
viral internet sensations and other things not carried over from 2016.
Time
to take this head-on.
