letter: Kenya, through other eyes

M. Ngali
Saturday 26 July 1997 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Contrary to your article on the Kenyan president, Daniel arap Moi ("Hated, feared, bent...", 20 July), Kenya has 40- not 70-odd ethnic communities. Also the population was the world's 10th fastest growing (1960-94) and is expected to be the 54th fastest growing 1994-2000. The government does not own or control newspapers.

It smacks of bigotry to say that Richard Leakey's involvement in the unregistered Safina Party would in itself kick-start and unite the Kenyan opposition behind a single presidential candidate. After all Leakey has over the last three years tried to achieve just that and has conspicuously failed. Any attempt to restrain the free-for-all presidential race among the opposition forces is undemocratic and a step back towards one-partyism.

Every leader has his supporters and detractors but it is illogical to suggest that a hated, feared and bent candidate could master enough support to win a crowded general election.

M Ngali

Kenya High Commission

London W1

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in