School to continue

Despite the tragedy of Maranga’s murder, the family has decided to continue with Sema Academy. So we will continue to raise funds for the school and for scholarships for the children. 

Several arrests have been made but who knows if justice will actually be carried out?

Professor’s murder rude halt to an era

Posted Tuesday, December 23 2008 at 16:48

 

The brutal murder of Prof Japheth Samuel Maranga about two weeks ago did not just bring to an end the life of an individual; it suddenly halted a whole era.

In the words of a mourner during his burial, this man left behind “a huge civilization”. Professor’s death was a loss to the entire teaching fraternity. Virtually every teacher trained in Kenya was either taught by the professor himself or by his student.

President Kibaki, in a speech read on his behalf by Education minister Sam Ongeri, described the departed don as one of the most distinguished scholars and educators this country has ever produced.

The professor’s academic journey is illustrative of the results of determination. He began as a P1 teacher and served for 15 years, rising to the position of headteacher.

He then left the classroom and served as a district education officer. His dreams of rising higher in the professional ladder were momentarily shattered when he was told he could not go further since he did not have a university degree.

Undeterred, he registered for mature age university entry examinations, which he passed and joined Makerere University.

From then, there was no looking back. The university degree opened doors to a teaching and research career, which saw him in the corridors of Nairobi, Kenyatta, Moi and Baraton universities in a span of 32 years.

Armed with this wealth of experience, he always advised teachers to strive to improve their qualifications rather than bemoan their fate and stay stuck at one level.

“Aspire to inspire before you expire,” he often challenged his students. Professor Maranga lived true to this dictum before he was senselessly made to expire.

 

 

Gangs targeting judges, Bosire says

 

Published on 22/12/2008

By Robert Nyasato

 

Two appellate judges claim criminals have targeted senior members of the Judiciary.

Justices Samuel Bosire and Riaga Omollo alleged the killer gangs were after judges and their families.

“It is worrisome that judges’ families have become targets of criminal acts. When death comes through a criminal act, you don’t know what is happening,” Justice Bosire said.

They asked the Government to address “worrying” insecurity in the country and protect the Judiciary.

Justice Bosire spoke on Sunday during the burial of his elder brother, Prof Japheth Maranga, at Metamaywa in Borabu District.

Maranga, 76, who until his death was a lecturer at Eastern Africa University, Baraton, was shot dead by armed men two weeks ago, outside his house.

Justice Osiemo lost his brother in a similar attack in Birongo, Masaba District, on Sunday.

Justice Bosire asked the police to intensify surveillance in judges’ home.

Justice Omollo, who delivered a message of condolence to the bereaved family from Chief Justice Evan Gicheru, said Kenyans had a right to demand protection from the Government.

“We pay tax and therefore are entitled to protection by State security. It is our right as Kenyans to demand for it,” he charged.

Admitted

Other judges at the burial were Justices Sarah Ondeyo and David Maraga.

Education Minister Sam Ongeri, his Public Works counterpart Chris Obure, local MP Wilfred Ombui and his Kitutu Masaba counterpart Walter Nyambati, and Nyanza PC Paul Olando also attended.

Mr Olando conceded insecurity in Gusiiland, but assured residents that the Government had put in measures to ensure security during the festive season.

“Some people have grouped themselves to commit crimes for purposes of amassing wealth or are out for hire,” he said.

Prof Ongeri, who read a message from President Kibaki issued a stern warning to the gangs saying: “Your time is up. We can’t allow you to destroy a community and society.”

He said the Government would not tolerate any form of brutality.

“If we don’t stamp out this insecurity now, it won’t end. I urge residents to co-operate with the new police unit to eradicate the killer gangs,” he said.

He paid tribute to Maranga, saying he was a great scholar who had made tremendous contribution to education.

More violence affecting Sema

The founder of Sema Academy was murdered in Dec., an attack aimed at home. He was shot in his home and nothing was stolen. We don’t know if the school can continue without him.

Need for informed consent in organ donations: Einstein’s brain

I wrote an article for Newsday about the controversy over a brain being used for research purposes without the informed consent of the family.

 

It is available at http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-opdob035949919dec03,0,378189.story

Can robots be moral?

An interesting radio broadcast about whether robots can be moral can be heard at The Takeaway, on NPR.lethal-autonomous-robots-ethics-programming-robots-war

About raising moral children

An interview with Arthur on WBAI about raising moral children

This I Believe

NPR has a series called This I Believe. These are essays written by listeners. One category is Morality. The stories are a little different than what you find on my Ethics Project, but they do provide interesting insights into what people think about

Polygamous wives

In Texas, a polygamous religious sect is the subject of a massive child abuse investigation. Other sects also practice polygamy, in violation of Mormon Church teachings. Lucky Severson spoke with two members of a community in Arizona.

 

You can listen to the NPR interview at :

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week1132/profile.html

 

Podcast

The Ethics Project podcast, hosted by Hofstra University, is a place where people talk about an ethical problem they have confronted. They tell their story in their own way and it is unscripted. These are fascinating human interest stories that are well worth listening to.

Respect for authority

A Peace Corps Volunteer in Mongolia confronts his cultural values in a country that respects authority.