KDPM

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

RENOWNED LAW DON, PROF.OKOTH-OGENDO DIES!


NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 28 - Constitutional expert Professor Hastings Winston Opinya Okoth-Ogendo went to Addis Ababa last week on invitation from the United Nations to deliver a paper on Land Policy and evidently hoped to return home. But this was not to be.

He left the country on April 18, on assignment of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa but fell ill soon after delivering the paper at the Ethiopian Capital. His condition got worse on Thursday and he eventually died on Friday 24 April, while undergoing treatment at an Intensive Care Unit.

His body was flown back to Kenya on Tuesday with all flight expenses and mortuary transportation costs met by the UN, according to the Funeral Committee Chairman Sam Ogutha.

“The UN has met all the expenses from Addis Ababa to the Lee Funeral Home. We have now embarked on burial arrangements,” said Mr Ogutha of PPD Consultants Limited.

“We are awaiting the results of the post-mortem,” he added.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga who was among those who received the body said it is unfortunate that Prof Ogendo “died even before his work could be acknowledged in Kenya.”

Mr Odinga said: “Prof Ogendo has played a great role in constitution-making. It is unfortunate that he died before his work could be appreciated,” he told reporters at the Lee Funeral Home soon after viewing the late Prof Ogendo’s body.

The late Prof Ogendo is well remembered for his contribution to the country’s law review process as vice chairman of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission (CKRC).

Mr Odinga described him as “the best legal expert in land law and constitution in the country” having helped write one for Kenya and other African countries.

“He has written land policies for many countries in Africa like Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia, in fact that is what he went to do in Addis Ababa where he handed in a new land policy for the Ethiopian government,” the PM said.

Medical Services Minister Prof Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o recalled his hey days with the late Professor, saying has been in constant touch with him even when he was in Ethiopia.

“We have had a lifetime relationship as friends and colleagues. In fact, about three weeks ago he called me and told me that there was a brother of his who had done lab technology that he wanted to get a job for. I still have an SMS from him to that effect,” he said.

Prof Ogendo’s wife Ruth was overcome by emotion and could not speak to journalists.

Two of his sons and a daughter were also present at the mortuary but were equally unable to speak. Another of his son and a daughter are out of the country but were expected for the funeral.

The late Prof Ogendo was born in 1944, and attended Maseno and Alliance High schools before proceeding to the University of East Africa in Dar-es Salaam.

He later went to the Oxford University for a Bachelors Degree in Civil Law before joining the University of Yale for a Doctorate of Science in Law between 1973 and 1978.

He has taught at the University of Nairobi, Boston University and New York University Law Schools.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

LEADER OF THE MONTH!


The Kenyan Diaspora Pro-democracy Movement honors the Hon. Mrs. Lydiah A. Achode for her exemplary work at the Judiciary this month.Mrs. Lydia Awino Achode is the Registrar of the High Court of Kenya and an Advocate. She was confirmed as the Registrar after having competently acted in that capacity for three months. Prior to this she had been the Chief Court Administrator having been appointed to that position in the year 2004.

She is experienced in the areas of Civil and Criminal Law and Procedure, Commercial Litigation, Taxation Law, as well as Gender and Family Law having routinely adjudicated on these areas of law as magistrate for a period spanning over twenty years. Her key competencies include; integrity, ethics, leadership, teamwork, training, recognition, communication and continuous improvement.

She begun her career on the bench as a District Magistrate II (Prof.) at the Kericho Law Courts in 1986 and was promoted two years later to the post of Resident Magistrate. She was posted at Makadara Law Courts in Nairobi where she served in this capacity from 1988 to 1994.

In 1994 she was transferred to Mombasa Law Court as a Senior Resident Magistrate having been promoted. While there, her hard work and due diligence were again recognized when she was promoted to Principle Magistrate in the year 2000 and to Senior Principle Magistrate 2004.

Her impeccable record also got her appointed as the Anti-Corruption Magistrate in respect of the Coast Region and North-Eastern Province in the year 2004, a position she held until she got appointed as the Chief Court Administrator.
Ms. Achode was born on the 25th of June 1962 and is married with four children.

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

13th ANNUAL WEGE FOUNDATION LECTURE AT AQUINAS COLLEGE!


The Wege Foundation and Aquinas College are pleased to announce the 13th Annual Wege Foundation Speaker, Dr. Thomas J. Lovejoy, biodiversity chair and past president (2002-2008) of the Heinz Center for Science, Economics and the Environment. Lovejoy's lecture, Climate Change: Prospects for Nature, will be in the Aquinas Performing Arts Center, 1703 Robinson Road SE on Friday, April 24 from 4-5:30 p.m. with a reception immediately to follow.

Thomas Lovejoy is an innovative and accomplished conservation biologist who coined the term “biological diversity”. He currently holds the Biodiversity Chair at the Heinz Center for Science, Economics, and the Environment based in Washington, DC. He served as President of the Heinz Center from 2002-2008. Before assuming this position, Lovejoy was the World Bank’s Chief Biodiversity Advisor and Lead Specialist for Environment for Latin America and the Caribbean as well as Senior Advisor to the President of the United Nations Foundation. Spanning the political spectrum, Lovejoy has served on science and environmental councils under the Reagan, Bush, and Clinton administrations. At the core of this many influential positions are Lovejoy’s seminal ideas, which have formed and strengthened the field of conservation biology. In the 1980s, he brought international attention to the world’s tropical rainforests, and in particular, the Brazilian Amazon, where he has worked since 1965. Lovejoy also developed the now ubiquitous “debt-for-nature” swap programs and led the Minimum Critical Size of Ecosystems project. He also founded the series Nature, the popular long-term series on public television. In 2001, Lovejoy was awarded the prestigious Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement. Lovejoy holds B.S. and Ph.D. (biology) degrees from Yale University.

The lecture and the reception are free and open to the public. Seating is limited.
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Studying Psychology? Interested in Graduate School? Clubs and Organizations
Posted by fairball on April 7, 2009 - 9:25am

The Aquinas College Psychology Club will be hosting a speaker Tuesday April 7th at 5:15 PM in the Wege Ballroom. Prof.Lois Owens from GVSU will be speaking about the MSW program that the school offers. This is a great opportunity to learn about graduate schools and will be a good first step in one's search! You can even bring your dinner up if you need to!

Thursday, April 02, 2009

KENYA: SEVEN NEW JUDGES SWORN-IN!


Seven new judges sworn-in
Written By:PPS , Posted: Thu, Apr 02, 2009

President Mwai Kibaki has asked Court of Appeal and High Court judges to strictly adhere to the rule of law when discharging their duties.

Speaking after witnessing the swearing-in of two appellate and five puisne judges at State House Nairobi Thursday, President Kibaki expressed confidence that they will uphold the rule of law and serve Kenyans without fear or favour, affection or ill will.

The newly sworn-in judges were Hon. Mr. Justice Alnashir Ramazanali Magan Visram and Hon. Mr. Justice Joseph Gregory Nyamu of the Court of Appeal.

Others were High Court judges Justice Mr. Aggrey Otsyula Muchelule, Lady Justice Florence Nyaguthi Muchemi, Lady Justice Maureen Akinyi Odero, Lady Justice Abida Ali-Aroni and Justice Mr. Said Chitembwe.

"I am sure you are capable and will perform your duties well and set a good example for the rest," the Head of State told the judges.

The swearing-in ceremony, which was also witnessed by Chief Justice Evan Gicheru and Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Amb. Francis Muthaura was conducted by High Court Registrar Mrs. Lydiah Achode.

Elsewhere, the high court broke for its first vacation this year; however the lower courts-chief magistrate's court will continue with its normal business.

There will be a duty judge who will be conducting the matters that have been certified as urgent.

The vacation is expected to end on the 21st of this month.

MICHIGAN'S MATH MEAP SCORES RISE FOR THE 4TH YEAR IN A ROW!


Jennifer Granholm: So glad to report some good news for Michigan's future: just released - Michigan's math MEAP scores rose for the 4th YEAR IN A ROW! Great news for those kids; many, many thanks to Michigan teachers. Let's keep up the terrific progress --