Sometime after the crack of dawn on the Wednesday of December 16, 2009, Peter Basil Lawrence Omilo Oduol lay in a hospital bed at the New Nyanza provincial hospital in Kisumu, Kenya, where his wife Scholastica had been watching him struggle to breathe the whole night.
At around six o 'clock that morning, Peter peacefully gave up his struggle to breathe to be with his family and quietly went to be with his maker.
While on the bed, he was awaiting results for various diagnostic tests done on him the previous evening before a doctor could embark on treating him.
Apparently, he had been diagonized with kidney failure. He was as well suffering from high blood pressure and an arraignment of other ailments including typhoid.
He had struggled to stay alive and complete the work that the Lord our God has set out to him on this earth but it turned out that the 65 years he had lived were all that the Almighty had planned for him.
This earth is truly not our home.
Peter, was born in a lakeside village of Majanji in Eastern Uganda where his parents late Basil Oduol and late Agnes Nafula lived on 6th November 1944.
Basil had just returned home after taking part in the Second World War.
Later on in the early 1950's when Peter was barely 10, Basil passed away.
Now a widow and with several other children including those she bore in her previous marriage, Nafula set out to retun to Western Kenya where she was born to live with her brothers including Obuya and Ajala.
Most of Peter's siblings also passed on living him with only one half brother, the late Gilbert Ogomo Owiya, a retired senior police officer who passed on in December 2008 after a long battle with diabetes.
At his uncles' ancenstral home in Nambuku, Peter attended Lugalla primary school during his formative years in school then later on joined Sigalame Intermediate School for his elementary education.
While schooling at Sigalame, he shifted from Nambuku to live with his parternal aunt Manjeri Muliebi in Kadimbworo, Southern Samia, in Kenya's Busia County.
He was disciplined and an extreem hard worker who also knew well how to relate with others according to the christian faith he professed.
While at school, he exceled in English and Religious studies.After passing his KPE exams with flying colours, it emerged that he was the only boy from the Sigalame community to be selected to join high school, hence his teachers and clansmen called him "The Cock of Kadimbworwo".
Being a catholic, he was called to join Butula Boys High School but since the school was yet to be built, he and othersselected to join the school had to go to Amukura High School first then shif back to Butula later on when construction work was at an advanced stage.
At Amukura, he shared the same dormitory with current cabinet minister Fred Gumo.
His mother and uncles had to engage in farming cotton to raise his school fees. later on, his brother Gilbert paid for his fees after he was recruited to the Kenya Police Force as a constable.
While at Butula, his fellow students called him Abraham, partly because of his strict observance of Christian values and also because he used to own a pair of khaki shorts slightly bigger for his size, a fact that enthusiazed his colleagues.
Apparently, his brother Gilbert had intentionally bought him the bigger shorts so that he could 'grow to fit in them properly' hence saving on buying a new pair.
During holidays, he used to stay with a martenal aunt Ndege who had been married in Butula. It is understandable that he was later to marry the love of his life, Scholastica, whose family lived not very far from Ndege's place.
He then...
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
A Journalist comes of age
By Isaiah Andanje
The name Eugene Omilo is perhaps one of the most popular within the media fraternity in Mombasa, Kenya's second largest city.
However, as a man of very few words, his personal story is unknown to many both in and outside the media circles where his professional life revolves.
Regarded by his peers as a journalist par excellence, Omilo has curved himself a niche in the pen and notebook profession dazzling various editors under whom he has worked with as a gifted grammarian and writer of substance.
The big question that has always arose in the minds of many who have known him closely is why he is not in the rightful places namely the big daily newspapers to mingle with his peers and be in service to newspaper readers nationally.
Born on April 16,1985 in Mombasa, Kenya to the late Peter B. L. Omilo and Scolastica Omilo, the future writer grew in a humble neighbourhood in Mtwapa, Mombasa together with siblings Lucretia, Faith, Cyprian and Winfrid.
Both of his parents taught English and Religious Education in various schools in Kilifi and Samia districts.
His family hails from Sirekeresi in Busia County of Western Kenya.
He attended Shimo - La -Tewa and Mtomondoni primary schools for his early education before being admitted to St. Mary's Junior Seminary in Kwale for his secondary education.
Later on, he was transferred to Butula Boys Secondary school in his home county where he was a pupil of current Butula MP Alfred Odhiambo (elected 2007).
Having worked briefly as a vegetable farmer immediately after high school, Omilo joined Mombasa Polytechnic University College in Tudor, Mombasa where together with this author graduated with a Diploma in Mass Communication in 2008.
While at the polytechnic, the future journalist took odd jobs during his free time including working as a garbage collector in Mtwapa to earn some money.
On completing his studies, the young scribe was posted to Kilifi district by the Ministry of Information and Communication to work as an intern for the Kenya News Agency, where he perfected his skills in journalism under the surpervision of Balozi Yeri, then District Information Officer for Kilifi.
Afterwards, he left KNA to work with The Sunday Express, a weekly political newspaper published by veteran journalist Ayub Savula.
He then left the weekly in less than a year to try his hand in the Insurance business where he was employed by Frami Insurance Agency tasked with establishing an Insurance Agency in the fast growing Mtwapa township.
After a short stint at the firm, he returned to journalism once again, this time securing a job with The Star newspaper as the South Coast correspondent.
At the Star, he only worked for five months.
Apparently, the seemingly reserved and soft spoken correspondent had crossed the paper's management for his radical stance in advocating for better working terms.As a founder member of the Pwani Media Initiative, he still continues to rally for a call for better working conditions for correspondents and stringers through networking and activism.
After the fall out with the daily, and wiith his sizeable experience in media, he ventured into the Public Relations business where he works for a PR company Cutting Edge Communication Ltd.
While here, he also cut a niche for himself writing for premier publications like The Transporter for the Kenya Transport Association, Africa Tea Trade Journal for the East African Tea Trade Association and The Lantern for the Kenya Petroleum Refineries Ltd.
His writing prowess has also been tapped by various Constituency Development Fund (CDF) publications including Maendeleo Yetu for Kisauni CDF, MV Maendeleo for Lamu West constituency and Mnara wa Maendeleo for Malindi constituency.
His byline has also featured prominently in the Coast This Week newspaper which took the Coast province and Mombasa especially by storm where he also manned the sports desk under Njuguna Mutonya who was the Editor in Chief.
An avid lover of the arts, he has attended numerous artistic exhibitions within Mombasa and Lamu both as a a spectator and as a critic.He was a member of the Panel of Judges during the 2nd Edition of the Coast Film Festival organized by the Coast Film makers Association and the Alliance Francaise de Mombasa.
A man of strict moral principles, he is yet to leave the bachelors' club.
The name Eugene Omilo is perhaps one of the most popular within the media fraternity in Mombasa, Kenya's second largest city.
However, as a man of very few words, his personal story is unknown to many both in and outside the media circles where his professional life revolves.
Regarded by his peers as a journalist par excellence, Omilo has curved himself a niche in the pen and notebook profession dazzling various editors under whom he has worked with as a gifted grammarian and writer of substance.
The big question that has always arose in the minds of many who have known him closely is why he is not in the rightful places namely the big daily newspapers to mingle with his peers and be in service to newspaper readers nationally.
Born on April 16,1985 in Mombasa, Kenya to the late Peter B. L. Omilo and Scolastica Omilo, the future writer grew in a humble neighbourhood in Mtwapa, Mombasa together with siblings Lucretia, Faith, Cyprian and Winfrid.
Both of his parents taught English and Religious Education in various schools in Kilifi and Samia districts.
His family hails from Sirekeresi in Busia County of Western Kenya.
He attended Shimo - La -Tewa and Mtomondoni primary schools for his early education before being admitted to St. Mary's Junior Seminary in Kwale for his secondary education.
Later on, he was transferred to Butula Boys Secondary school in his home county where he was a pupil of current Butula MP Alfred Odhiambo (elected 2007).
Having worked briefly as a vegetable farmer immediately after high school, Omilo joined Mombasa Polytechnic University College in Tudor, Mombasa where together with this author graduated with a Diploma in Mass Communication in 2008.
While at the polytechnic, the future journalist took odd jobs during his free time including working as a garbage collector in Mtwapa to earn some money.
On completing his studies, the young scribe was posted to Kilifi district by the Ministry of Information and Communication to work as an intern for the Kenya News Agency, where he perfected his skills in journalism under the surpervision of Balozi Yeri, then District Information Officer for Kilifi.
Afterwards, he left KNA to work with The Sunday Express, a weekly political newspaper published by veteran journalist Ayub Savula.
He then left the weekly in less than a year to try his hand in the Insurance business where he was employed by Frami Insurance Agency tasked with establishing an Insurance Agency in the fast growing Mtwapa township.
After a short stint at the firm, he returned to journalism once again, this time securing a job with The Star newspaper as the South Coast correspondent.
At the Star, he only worked for five months.
Apparently, the seemingly reserved and soft spoken correspondent had crossed the paper's management for his radical stance in advocating for better working terms.As a founder member of the Pwani Media Initiative, he still continues to rally for a call for better working conditions for correspondents and stringers through networking and activism.
After the fall out with the daily, and wiith his sizeable experience in media, he ventured into the Public Relations business where he works for a PR company Cutting Edge Communication Ltd.
While here, he also cut a niche for himself writing for premier publications like The Transporter for the Kenya Transport Association, Africa Tea Trade Journal for the East African Tea Trade Association and The Lantern for the Kenya Petroleum Refineries Ltd.
His writing prowess has also been tapped by various Constituency Development Fund (CDF) publications including Maendeleo Yetu for Kisauni CDF, MV Maendeleo for Lamu West constituency and Mnara wa Maendeleo for Malindi constituency.
His byline has also featured prominently in the Coast This Week newspaper which took the Coast province and Mombasa especially by storm where he also manned the sports desk under Njuguna Mutonya who was the Editor in Chief.
An avid lover of the arts, he has attended numerous artistic exhibitions within Mombasa and Lamu both as a a spectator and as a critic.He was a member of the Panel of Judges during the 2nd Edition of the Coast Film Festival organized by the Coast Film makers Association and the Alliance Francaise de Mombasa.
A man of strict moral principles, he is yet to leave the bachelors' club.
 |
| Eugene Omilo PHOTO/ Ruzz |
 |
| With big siz Lucretia during his graduation PHOTO/ Cecilia Parass |
 |
| Sips a memorable drink.This was shortly before he left The Star. PHOTO/ Elcana Jacob |
 |
| With a family friend at his dad's farm in Busia.PHOTO/ Faythe |
 |
| With friends after participating in the Mazingira Run at Mama Ngina drive PHOTO/ Dogo Garama |
 |
| Newsroom chat with Njuguna Mutonya and Mboto Hassan while at Coast This Week PHOTO/ Joseph Okanga |
 |
| His swag/ Symo |
 |
| With a friend during a party PHOTO/ Ouma Gabriel |
 |
| Smart and composed PHOTO/Isiah Andanje |
 |
| With renowned brush artist Fauzia Volke, her sons and a friend during an exhibition at Alliance Francaise PHOTO/Barani Khatib |
 |
| Accolades from mom PHOTO/ Lucretia |
 |
| Proud of his roots, Isimba. PHOTO/ Eugene Omilo |
Thursday, August 5, 2010
More dialogue among stakeholders will stabilize the Maritime industry
By Omilo Omilo
With the current scenario of cargo owners crying foul over rising insurance costs, KRA locking horns with truckers over a new system to safeguard transit goods from diversion, the big debate on port congestion and of late the winding up of some shipping lines the majority of which are reportedly running at loss, the increasing economic costs of piracy to the regional economies there is justifiable concern as to the health of the maritime industry.
This is despite the maritime sector being one of the recognized key sectors necessary to drive Kenya’s economy towards stability as stipulated in the Vision 2030.
Of course, major improvements have been witnessed in the maritime industry over the past few years, with the introduction of electronic documentation systems, increased investment by KPA and the adoption of the Merchant Shipping Act 2009 and the consequent establishment of the Kenya Maritime Authority to regulate, coordinate and oversee activities of the industry for socio economic benefits in line with national and international standards.
The Port boasts highly professional and experienced managers, an account that has seen operations improve greatly despite the challenges that continue to prevent the port from realizing its full potential.
In general, KPA is doing a good job as the overall trend has improved substantially, but a lot more has not been achieved as anticipated partly because of interference from external forces.
The port can be made more competitive should the management be given more freedom to make independent decisions and less political influence is exerted.
A close focus on how the various players integrate with other stakeholders and other relevant regulatory organs of government has, however, revealed that many critical issues have to be addressed if stability in economic growth is to be achieved.
Major concerns on the profitability of the Port of Mombasa in the years to come have been brought to the fore as the current instability gripping the shipping industry and challenges at East Africa’s major feeder port is threatening to drive away International Shipping Lines.
Evidently, the past year alone has seen four international shipping lines wind up business in the East African region, with a majority of those still in business running at a loss.
Despite the fundamental role that shipping lines play in trade facilitation, little is being seen to be done to protect their interests with regulation favouring cargo owners more to the inconvenience of ship agents whose lobbying is often viewed erroneously as a push to protect their own vested interests.
This has been a great concern as evidenced by the outcry of the Kenya Ships’ Agents Association (KSAA) which is mandated to promote the interests of shipping lines and their representatives operating at the port of Mombasa.
For starters, the Association’s membership is of such importance to both the Kenyan and regional economies that should one or more of its major members withdraw from the market it would create huge instability in the local freight market with vastly reduced shipping options for domestic cargo interests and the inevitable instability (rising cost) in freight rates. As an example, should Maersk Line withdraw from East Africa there would be an approximate loss of 50 per cent capacity to move cargo through the port of Mombasa with, obviously, very significant detrimental effects to the economy.
KSAA chairman Mr. James Knight who is also the director at GAC - Seaforth Shipping (K) Limited has been seen in the limelight expressing concern about this situation while calling on the Government to provide a level playing field for all stakeholders to actively promote freedom of entry into the market for both foreign and domestic investors.
Above all, the government needs to implement policies that promote long term stability in the maritime sector.
More focus needs to be placed on promoting constructive dialogue between stakeholders, where all are treated as of equal importance, with the aim of the various stakeholder groups being to self regulate in line with international practice.
The authorities should be looking outward, seeking examples of best practice globally and basing policy on these rather than what appears to be a trend towards following the lead of Tanzania and other regional regimes in formulating policies that have clearly not worked.
One would acknowledge the need for a regulatory body such as KMA to ensure that Kenya meets its obligations in terms of implementing international maritime conventions, promoting a domestic seafarer industry, addressing seafarer welfare issues, Port State Control etc., but at the same time question the role it has taken for itself in seeking to actively regulate commercial matters within the transport sector.
Kenya already has legislation covering monopolistic and unfair trade practices and these should be used where necessary rather than stringent commercial regulations that may well drive away investors and bring about a decline in competition.
In essence, there needs to be more dialogue and understanding amongst stakeholders and seeking much more their involvement in the formulation of regulations and policy with a view to creating long term stability within the maritime and transport industry.
By Omilo Omilo
With the current scenario of cargo owners crying foul over rising insurance costs, KRA locking horns with truckers over a new system to safeguard transit goods from diversion, the big debate on port congestion and of late the winding up of some shipping lines the majority of which are reportedly running at loss, the increasing economic costs of piracy to the regional economies there is justifiable concern as to the health of the maritime industry.
This is despite the maritime sector being one of the recognized key sectors necessary to drive Kenya’s economy towards stability as stipulated in the Vision 2030.
Of course, major improvements have been witnessed in the maritime industry over the past few years, with the introduction of electronic documentation systems, increased investment by KPA and the adoption of the Merchant Shipping Act 2009 and the consequent establishment of the Kenya Maritime Authority to regulate, coordinate and oversee activities of the industry for socio economic benefits in line with national and international standards.
The Port boasts highly professional and experienced managers, an account that has seen operations improve greatly despite the challenges that continue to prevent the port from realizing its full potential.
In general, KPA is doing a good job as the overall trend has improved substantially, but a lot more has not been achieved as anticipated partly because of interference from external forces.
The port can be made more competitive should the management be given more freedom to make independent decisions and less political influence is exerted.
A close focus on how the various players integrate with other stakeholders and other relevant regulatory organs of government has, however, revealed that many critical issues have to be addressed if stability in economic growth is to be achieved.
Major concerns on the profitability of the Port of Mombasa in the years to come have been brought to the fore as the current instability gripping the shipping industry and challenges at East Africa’s major feeder port is threatening to drive away International Shipping Lines.
Evidently, the past year alone has seen four international shipping lines wind up business in the East African region, with a majority of those still in business running at a loss.
Despite the fundamental role that shipping lines play in trade facilitation, little is being seen to be done to protect their interests with regulation favouring cargo owners more to the inconvenience of ship agents whose lobbying is often viewed erroneously as a push to protect their own vested interests.
This has been a great concern as evidenced by the outcry of the Kenya Ships’ Agents Association (KSAA) which is mandated to promote the interests of shipping lines and their representatives operating at the port of Mombasa.
For starters, the Association’s membership is of such importance to both the Kenyan and regional economies that should one or more of its major members withdraw from the market it would create huge instability in the local freight market with vastly reduced shipping options for domestic cargo interests and the inevitable instability (rising cost) in freight rates. As an example, should Maersk Line withdraw from East Africa there would be an approximate loss of 50 per cent capacity to move cargo through the port of Mombasa with, obviously, very significant detrimental effects to the economy.
KSAA chairman Mr. James Knight who is also the director at GAC - Seaforth Shipping (K) Limited has been seen in the limelight expressing concern about this situation while calling on the Government to provide a level playing field for all stakeholders to actively promote freedom of entry into the market for both foreign and domestic investors.
Above all, the government needs to implement policies that promote long term stability in the maritime sector.
More focus needs to be placed on promoting constructive dialogue between stakeholders, where all are treated as of equal importance, with the aim of the various stakeholder groups being to self regulate in line with international practice.
The authorities should be looking outward, seeking examples of best practice globally and basing policy on these rather than what appears to be a trend towards following the lead of Tanzania and other regional regimes in formulating policies that have clearly not worked.
One would acknowledge the need for a regulatory body such as KMA to ensure that Kenya meets its obligations in terms of implementing international maritime conventions, promoting a domestic seafarer industry, addressing seafarer welfare issues, Port State Control etc., but at the same time question the role it has taken for itself in seeking to actively regulate commercial matters within the transport sector.
Kenya already has legislation covering monopolistic and unfair trade practices and these should be used where necessary rather than stringent commercial regulations that may well drive away investors and bring about a decline in competition.
In essence, there needs to be more dialogue and understanding amongst stakeholders and seeking much more their involvement in the formulation of regulations and policy with a view to creating long term stability within the maritime and transport industry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)