accountability

Anti-Corruption activist, John Githongo, says not enough is being done in the fight against corruption despite commitments made by politicians under the new Kenyan constitution.

Githongo says that impunity is still prevalent in government and not solid action was being taken against individuals implicated in graft.

In the same vein, constitutional expert, Yash Pal Ghai, says that any individual implicated in graft should vacate office immediately to allow for investigations to take place.

The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) has expressed concern about the effect that the suspension of two Communication Workers Union shop stewards linked to the release of the Telkom dossier, might have on employees thinking about exposing corruption.

FXI executive director, Ayesha Kajee, points out that, "The public needs to be able to access information that is pertinent to the procedural conduct of a company such as Telkom."

United Nations secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, has described the global talks on climate as ‘important success’ but warned that new efforts as still required.

Ban points out that, "The outcomes in Cancun have given us important tools. Now we must use them, and strengthen our efforts in line with the scientific imperative for action."

He further notes that while there is much work yet to do, the success of the conference has set the world on the path to a safer, more prosperous, and sustainable world for all.

Amnesty International (AI) has released a hard-hitting report with stinging findings on the harassment of Somali refugees by Kenya's police and soldiers.

The report also questions the sincerity of Cabinet Ministers; Otieno Kajwang' (immigration) and George Saitoti (internal security), over their commitment in handling Somali refugees within Kenya's borders.

African National Congress (ANC) veteran, Pallo Jordan, has sharply criticised the party’s plans for a media tribunal and the Protection of Information Bill, saying attempts to muzzle the modern media are a ‘fool’s errand’.

Jordan warns that the party is backing itself into a ‘lose-lose situation’, and it risks losing its credibility as a campaigner for media freedom, and the Bill possibly failing a mooted constitutional challenge.

Former communications minister, Jay Naidoo, says major weaknesses exist in South Africa's civil society movements and its citizenry as a result of decisions taken by government in 1994 when it demobilised NGOs and civil society, making people ‘passive bystanders in their own lives’.

Naidoo, who currently chairs the Development Bank of South Africa, states that now a new challenge exists: to deepen organisation to give communities the power to negotiate improvements in their lives.