PepsiCo ‘moments content’ ad were trivializing real-life demonstrations!

“…they’re weak, petty, so apathetic about this gift of life as if it were all a mere Pepsi commercial.”Marisha Pessl

We live in interesting times, where a soft-drink company’s advertisement can spark this sort of outrage, I wonder if people could have used this anger against the brutality and the violence around the world, when it comes to government sponsored authorities. I wonder, because this sort of act of discontinued discussions usually appears in culture, when there are something real behind it.

That it was, it was something real, the Pepsi Corporation together with a marketing company went together and made a fake ‘Black Lives Matter’ protest, but instead trying to say, “We will bring harmony to the world if you listen to Skip Marley’s and drinks Pepsi Coke!” Yeah, brother!

Well, the ad is trivializing the protest movements and their demonstrations, that is clear, making it seem so simple, while everyone around is drinking and giggling on the Pepsi. The way they have made it is with such flair and so look like it is a manufactured reality, which it seems that there should not be any police brutality when demonstrations appear. They should just be smiling and giggly, wearing designer clothes and be top-notch mood, while all are drinking Pepsi.

Therefore the company had to come out with this statement:

PURCHASE, N.Y., April 5, 2017 – “Pepsi was trying to project a global message of unity, peace and understanding. Clearly we missed the mark, and we apologize. We did not intend to make light of any serious issue. We are removing the content and halting any further rollout. We also apologize for putting Kendall Jenner in this position.” (PepsiCo – ‘Pepsi Statement Re: Pepsi Moments Content’ 05.04.2017).

That demonstrators worldwide and organizers feels a bit betrayed by the motivation and the use, is understandable, that Piers Morgan defended the corporation was to be expected. Corporations can do as they please and especially if it is benefits the likes of Piers Morgan, who we for some strange reasons doesn’t know why is famous or why he acts entitled to the world to care about his opinion. Well, let go back to the ad in question.

It is not like PepsiCo and other corporation’s tries to tap into the youth culture, the company of Pepsi have made fortunes doing so and selling stories that fits that paradigm. So that they trying to fit themselves into BLM, the growing resistance against Trump or any movement that is questioning the powers-to-be. That seems a little beneath a soft-drink company. It seems a bit insincere. Since a company of this stature and this size are blend into the establishment and the greater state, who is not that favorable of demonstrations.

That there will be trivializing this is natural, that will be people not understanding the outrage, but next time, the corporations might tap into your struggles and your fights to get justice in society. Than you up next homie. Your definition of understanding, of justice and freedom, liberty and fight for better society might be portrayed in a sugarcoated reality by Coca-Cola, will you accept it?

There is healthy reasons to question PepsiCo and their management for their use of demonstrations, which has inflicted pain and suffrage for many, as they have been there because of the violent police force, who has brutally used weapons and tactics to disperse fellow citizens. Around the globe, the police use all sort of methods to keep the demonstrations at bay and detain unlawfully citizens. Still, that was not in the sweat dreamy portrait of Pepsi.

We do not have to wonder, to know that the PepsiCo tried to tap into protest movement and be more edgy, as the world have become more fragmented and use of international model and reality star in Kendall Jenner would peak interest. Therefore, she jumped on the project in the faith of the PepsiCo as she considered this a good move and secure move to get even more exposure. Something she did, but not on the purpose as she anticipated. She anticipated the sort of glare and glory as Nespresso commercials does for George Clooney. That she should be an iconic commercial and a game-changer. Instead, it all has boiled down to controversy!

The misuse of public anger and of injustice in trying to sodas does not seem like a good idea, but for one or more in the boardroom of PepsiCo, it did for a brief moment. The ideals behind the demonstrations and the acts against violence on fellow citizens was supposed to tap into with persisting a message, if you drink Pepsi, there will be peace. That story no one else believe, than the ones stuck inside the boardroom.

Therefore, when a multi-national enormous corporation as Pepsi tries to sell their soft drinks, they should consider the stories they are sending! It is not rocket science. It is very simple; do your drink supposable taste better than the competition? If YES, sell that; is the drink more affordable than competition? If YES, sell that; is the drink more environmental friendly packed or produced? If YES, sell that; but a product and a company of this magnitude will never be symbol a protest. They are the same establishment that the Occupy Wall Street in 2011 would go against. Not only the Merrill Lynch‘s of this world and the other banking buddies, but also the core food and beverages producers as well.

So next time Pepsi tries to start a campaign, go back to the basics, the reasons why you still exists was that you became the cheap alternative to Coca-Cola and was the one for use in the kitchen. Time reconfigure out that message to the public! Peace

Uganda: UPC Calls for Economic Reforms (05.04.2017)

The Calvary blocks Opposition Food relief in Katakwi!

Jubilant reception as we arrived in Toroma, Katakwi District this morning. Situation quickly changed as police started attacking the people” – Dr. Kizza Besigye

You would think that under Presidency of Yoweri Museveni, that his Security Organization would show some sense, but there aren’t any common sense in the Uganda Police Force. As Inspectorate General of Police Kale Kayihura. This reports are coming from Katakwi town today, as the Police dispersed the public gatherings as the food relief from Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) was passing by the starving region.

This is something the government themselves wouldn’t have the capacity to do. They would let the people starve, with their Regional Police Commander (RDC) of Katakwi Francis Tumwesigye. The went all in with gun-shots, tear-gas and other violence as the FDC tried to do a good deed.

Lord Mayor of Kampala Erias Lukwago explains: “We have just wound up our visit to Teso Region. Despite the fact that police unleashed brutality and teargas to disperse peaceful and jubilant supporters, we managed to comb through various parts of Soroti and Katakwi. We handed over food relief to Bishop Obaikol, paid respect to the grave of the former Toroma MP and that of our fallen comrade, Counsel Okiring in Magoro” (Lukwago, 05.04.2017).

That a food relief in Toroma we’re delivered not only with the local Bishop Obaikol, but by the FDC leadership and leaders in the region, who has traveled in the region of late. The RDC Tumwesigye said earlier today: “No giving them food. Let them die of hunger”. How can such a person has a leadership role? What sort of government hires a person like this? The skirmishes from the Police Force have officially lead to five hurt people, the citizens who showed up to get fed.

That National Resistance Movement (NRM) government and the Honorable Minister of Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru have not delivered to the public, because of the FDC had prepared posho to the Toroma town, the Police to prove the point, the UPF even had to tear-gas and stop an 84 year old who went to the car of Dr. Kizza Besigye, so as he passes by the police went after the old man. This proves the little care the police has for the civilians.

You can wonder if the citizens matters to the police as they was even blocking Besigye from visiting the hospital to see to the ones who had to go to Toroma Health Centre. That the FDC leader was blocked to see the ones hurt by the police, when the food relief from FDC came into Toroma, Katakwi.

That the Police had to disperse and block a food relief proves how little they care and that the RDC would utter words and stop it. UPF and NRM proves that they doesn’t care and the world should take notice if the government cries. The FDC could have provided the posho to the citizens as an act of kindness, instead the police brutality will be remembered, not the gift from the opposition party!

Peace.

Kahinda Otafiire is as blind as bat on the succession of President Museveni!

Why are you fighting President Museveni? What has he done to you? This man just have served his first year of the new term and you’re now talking about succession. Why are you looking for who will succeed him? Has he died? If we decided to reward him for a job well done, will you still talk about succession? We have numbers to in Parliament to…. Anyway that is not why I’m here. If we reward him for a job well done, will you commit “Suicide”? Remember where we were, how far we’re come… Justice centres, Electricity, water connections, what exactly do you want? Let’s be careful with the change we want” Kahinda Otafiire (NTV Uganda, 04.04.2017).

Let’s start first, we are fighting President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his clan who thinks they own Uganda, Secondly, who acts entitled on UBC, NBS and NTV as they did yesterday. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) have run the government since 1986. It is not like during the General Election 2016 was the first moment President Museveni entered the scene.

He has been a Defense Minster as far back as under President Dr. Milton Obote second term after they both got rid of dictator Idi Amin. This was written about his rise to rebellion in 1985: “Tito Okello, the commander of the army, reportedly met with his top officers during much of the day Saturday. Radio announcements appealed to rebel forces headed by former Defense Minister Yoweri Museveni, who has waged a long-running guerrilla war against the Obote government, to lay down their arms and join forces with the army officers” (…) “(United Press International reported from Stockholm that Museveni welcomed Obote’s overthrow but warned that his forces will have to be included in any solution to the nation’s ongoing state of crisis” (…) “(“The guerrilla force will be part of any solution,” he said on a Swedish radio broadcast. “If anyone tries to block that, we shall smash him, like that which smashed Obote.”)” (Powers, 2017).

So he again planned to bring down another government so he could be sure to gain power. That is a sentiment that he has kept. A reason why he still is in power and doesn’t want to let go. President Museveni believes he is the only one who can run the country, since he in the past was the man tricked the other big-men and the public to believe he was the best man. So when you listen to Gen. Kahinda Otafiire proves he still is in the 1980s state of mind, thinks that the world and Ugandans haven’t seen President Museveni during the three decades. The year between February 2016 to February 2017.

As another journalist wrote in 1985: “Friday, at his first press conference as the new prime minister, he cited his efforts “to build a Ugandan nation.” A key part of that effort is scheduled to begin today in Tanzania between the new military government and former defense minister Yoweri Museveni, leader of the National Resistance Army guerrilla group” (…) “On Friday, Muwanga referred to Museveni, whose participation in the new government is regarded as a key element in national reconciliation, as “a personal friend.” (…) “[Monday, reports from Uganda indicated that Museveni’s guerrillas were on the move — marching toward Masaka, the country’s third largest town, according to witnesses quoted by Reuter, and making other advances in the southwest of the country and north of Kampala, according to unofficial reports cited by The Associated Press.]” (Fitzgerald, 2017).

Even in 1985 as ever he proved his conning ways to use the position he had, while finding ways to spin his control from the others. Therefore, we all know that months later the NRA took charge and overthrow the new government post-Obote. It is sad that I have write about this again and recharge history, it is like Gen. Otafiire has a short memory. Surely, the blessings of being Minister when losing the Primary in the National Resistance Movement during the October 2015. He even went into the general elections in 2016 as an Independent Candidate, but the loyalty to Museveni gave him a place in the 10th Parliament. This official 5th Term of Museveni, which I have claimed that he is in his 7th term. Since he has ruled the Republic ever since 1986. I have giant issues with this being his first YEAR in charge. What about the years before 2016?

So in Kahinda Otafiire the years between 1986 and 2016 has vanished, so therefore, why debate the need for fresh blood? Well, the same rebel with one vision has run the game and rigged it for decades, that is why. I don’t know why that is so hard to understand, surely Muwanga, Ssemogerere, Otunnu, Besigye and Mbabazi feels that somebody else could run a government in Uganda. But Museveni feels the entitlement after the Bush War of the 1980s to run it for life. No-one else have sacrificed as much as him or deserves to run it more than him. Even, if that is not true.

The Ugandans shouldn’t care if Coca-Cola came out of the taps inside their buildings, if the President had provided them with free laptops and secured them all with government jobs. Still, it shouldn’t be natural for a brother to run a nation for 3 decades unopposed. Than, there are wrong with the governance and with the inner-party organization. But with the knowledge of the conning man that is the Museveni, it is not surprising to know that he has been the sole candidate for so long!

Gen. Otafiire are blind as bat, it is like he is completely blind and need surgery. If not he is not able to see well, that he needs to fix his glasses or his vision. If not he is unwilling to recognize the problems that is at hand. Since he is eating of the NRM and the government, he is again appointed by the President, even has he failed to get local support in his district and sub-county. However, Museveni knew that he would have loyal lap-dog in Parliament who would stay behind the President. Therefore, he gave him a Ministerial Post for his loyalty.

In return he will claim this obnoxious lies, the deceit and try to deceive the citizens with this sort of rhetoric. The NRA/M General wants to pull a ploy and try to devalue the terms that the President has had before. Like President Museveni, have run a Republic for decades, it is far from his first year as the Executive, as the President or the Commander-in-Chief!

NRM and Museveni has run the nation and not for the short period. There are all sorts of reasons for discussing the succession, it should have been from 1995 or latest 2000, as his time in charge has lingered for way to long. Therefore, the devolution of state institutions, importance of Okello House and the Presidential Handshakes become main factors in the regime.

So if you learned anything today, General Kahinda Otafiire is blind as a bat! Peace.

Reference:

Fitzgerald, Mary Anne – ‘Ugandans Sweep Up After Coup Politics’ (13.08.1985) link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1985/08/13/ugandans-sweep-up-after-coup-politics/8c2e9eed-48a9-4442-ad16-116a49b9c425/?utm_term=.e7ba7d44b638

Powers, Charles T. -’Army Ousts Uganda’s President : Mutiny in North Spreads to Capital; Obote, Aides Flee’ (28.07.1985) link: http://articles.latimes.com/1985-07-28/news/mn-5387_1_uganda-army

DRC: Now up to 30 Mass Graves in Kasai-Oriental Province and other reports!

The endless violence that has occurred in the Province since March 2016 to April 2017 has to stop. The killings of innocent civilians as the United Nations finds more and more mass graves in and around Kasai-Oriental. That the Kamunia Nsapu rebels are dangerous is an understatement, but the Armed Forces of Democratic of Congo (FARDC) has really made a manslaughter and something that must reminisce of a genocide. The amount of killings and the systematic destruction of society as the amounts of dead and findings of graves, is only the beginning. With the coming reports of the villages that is looted and the senseless tyranny, that has appeared in the region should worry anyone who care about somebody. There are also towns who has been taken for granted that has gotten issues by the armed insurgency. So the end-game right now is scores of dead and the mass graves as the armed violence continues.

While the International Community condemns the killings of the UN Experts and their interpreter, there isn’t much else than a weaker UN Peacekeeping Mission tabled from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and an unsure political process underway. As the local reports will tell about both condemnation from CRONGD and Reprodhoc, but also other mere facts of the dire situation that is healthy to know.

CRONGD condemns the killings:

The Regional Council of Central Non-Governmental Organizations (Crongd) of Kasaï Central and the Provincial Network of Human Rights Organizations (Reprodhoc) say …” (…)Condemn with the utmost energy the violence, the exactions, the stalking, the killings and the massacres of the populations and the villages in the Kasai space, vigorously protest against any pretension to want to resort to and impose peace by force, knowing that the force Has never produced lasting peace, “they denounced” (…) “… Call for an independent international investigation into the killings and massacres of those currently buried in nearly 30 mass graves, calling for justice..” (Ngonga, 2017).

The Situation in Luebo, Kasai:

The administrator of Luebo regrets that the enlistment kits have been set on fire and even feared the holding of elections in this part of Kasai. He explained that the National Police is not armed to face such an attack: “The police are not equipped to deal with a war that is happening. Under these conditions, the police could only intrench themselves because they were not an army. In Luebo, there were never any soldiers, “concluded Joseph Mbuyi Mubenga” (Ntambwe, 2017).

Government disclaim the reports from Catholic church in the Kasai province:

But in Kananga, it is the brutality of the army that is pointed at, notably by the Catholic church, in the front line on the ground. “It is difficult to understand these reactions of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church speaking of the disproportionate use of force, whereas we do not have the elements on what exactly happened …, “Said Lambert Mende, spokesman for the Congolese government, by telephone” (TV5Monde, 2017).

Government proclaims order:

The military is patrolling to restore order in the region, according to Justin Milonga, who recommended that local people report any cases of slippage in these operations. “If there are cases of slippage, all of us, we are called to denounce them so that sanctions are inflicted on these elements of order. I reassure you … that there are even some officers who are in prison for having slipped on the ground, “he said before calling the residents who fled their homes to return. This deployment is part of the “restoration of public order disrupted by militia activism and not to bother the population,” said Justin Milonga at a press conference” (Radio Okapi, 2017).

So there are reports that are worrying, but there some concern of the matter. It is hard to believe Lambert Mende and Vice-Governor of Kasai Central Justin Milonga, as the amounts of mass graves and the scores of death is arising, the violence and uncertainty isn’t something that seem real. That the army is there and trying to monitor the situation is clear, but the control of the different battalions and knowledge of the rebels activity seem unclear. Even if some of the soldiers are having mutiny can also be asked. Since there reports of military personnel behind bars. Therefore the spokesperson shows there has been transgression within the army of both violence and otherwise, if not the men wouldn’t serve time.

There are so many questions as the numbers of mass graves comes in Kasai-Oriental or Kasai Central, as the brutality and violence aftermath and current state appear. As the local reports of both looting and vandalism, as well as towns feeling unsure about the armed insurgency like in Luebo. The civilians and people Congo, deserve better and the Congolese Authorities has to take action, as their inaction and the probable causes for the breaches against crime against humanity should be looked into. The Presidency of Kabila should not able to walk away from this without a scratch, as his rule is questioned and deservedly so. Peace.

Reference:

Acualite.cd/ Ngonga, Franck – ‘Kasaï Central : Un collectif d’ONG parle d’environ 30 fosses communes et demande une enquête internationale’ (03.04.2017) link: https://actualite.cd/2017/04/03/kasai-central-collectif-dong-parle-denviron-30-fosses-communes-demande-enquete-internationale/

Ntambwe, Stanislas – ‘KASAÏ: LA CITÉ DE LUEBO SOUS CONTRÔLE DES HOMMES ARMÉS’ (03.04.2017) link: http://www.lepotentielonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16740:kasai-la-cite-de-luebo-sous-controle-des-hommes-

armes&catid=90:online-depeches&Itemid=517

Radio Okapi – ‘Kasaï-Central: la population appelée à dénoncer les dérapages des militaires’ ((03.04.2017) link: http://www.radiookapi.net/2017/04/03/actualite/societe/kasai-central-la-population-appelee-denoncer-les-derapages-des?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+radiookapi%2Factu+%28Radiookapi.net%29#sthash.ZffUtZla.dpuf

TV5Monde – ‘RDC : 7 mois de violences au Kasaï’ (03.04.2017) link: http://information.tv5monde.com/afrique/rdc-7-mois-de-violences-au-kasai-162430

Air Tanzania Revival: Tender for Provision of Indvidual Consultancy Service to Prepare a Comprehensive Five Year Business Plan for Air Tanzania Company Limited (21.03.2017)

Communiqué of the Consultative Meeting of IGAD Member States on the Current Drought Situation in the Region (31.03.2017)

MBS Espisu defends Secretaries role at rallies; Is the Secretaries role to be loyal to the President or to the People?

It isn’t everyday there is election and that the Spokesperson for the Presidency of Kenya are benign and default by the values of governance and who the government are. Therefore, the defense from the spokesperson proves how little they care for accountability and transparency, as the Cabinet Secretaries and Permanent Secretaries takes parts of Election Rallies in Kenya, as the Jubilee Government doesn’t care about their neglect of opposition and that they are supposed to represent all Kenyans, not just the voters of the Jubilee Party. But hey! Manoah Esipisu the spokesperson is clearly seeking a pay-rise and bonuses for his loyalty to Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy William Ruto.

The Kenyan Public Service Act of 2015 says this in the Subsection 8 (1A and 1B):

“Transparency and provision to the public of timely accurate information

(1) A public officer shall not—

(a) give information that the public officer knows or ought to know to be inaccurate; or

(b) unduly delay the provision of any information where required to provide that information” (Laws of Kenya, 2015).

Why do I start with that enacted law of Public Service, since the Manoah Esipisu, feels like it is okay that the ones in Public Office, as Principal Secretaries and Cabinet Secretaries attending the Election rallies, as they are still giving away information that counters with the Public Service Act of 2015, would that be justified by the Spokesperson of the State House. Please take a look at his genius reasoning!

Public servants participating in politics

Second, Let me respond to your questions on whether public servants are playing politics by speaking at public barazas or interacting with citizens and talking about the direction our country is heading. First, public servants, including Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and other senior staff cadre have a duty of accountability to the Kenyan people. They have to account on the progress the administration of President Uhuru Kenyatta has made since taking office; they have to account for the trillions of shillings in taxes collected from the Kenyan people and invested in infrastructure development and other services; and they have to account for the confidence invested in them by the Kenyan people. Why are they supporting the President and the Jubilee administration, some of you have asked? Because they are accountable to the President who appointed them in the first place, and whose vision of service to the Kenyan people it is their duty to operationalise. And why would they appear to be directly campaigning for the President? No, they are not campaigning. They are merely describing the investments made under President Kenyatta and the impact thereof, and why therefore it is important for the President to be re-elected to continue with the task of transforming Kenya. For us, it is really a question of accountability. It is precisely because public officers are speaking more that the country acknowledges that Kenya is irreversibly transforming” (President.co.ke, 2017).

I agree with the State House Spokesperson that the Cabinet and Principal Secretaries has to account to the citizens. That is necessary and is expected. Therefore, they have other duties than standing on stage and promoting their jobs, instead of working tireless for the citizens. It is hard to say they are not campaigning, when they are taking parts and participating at the rallies. Are the appointed secretaries fish out of water? Since they are swimming in the sea, but not feeling the water. That is the reasoning of the Spokesperson, wouldn’t they defend Kenyatta and Ruto on the podium in Eldoret, Nakuru or Thika.

The disrespectful idea that they first have to be accountable for the President and therefore has to show up at rallies, is what he said at one point. A point he used before “no, they are not campaigning”, still they are firstly representing the people, secondly their appointed by the President. The President is also representing people and gotten his place because of the citizens. So they are all not really playing their parts, as secretaries as they supposed to be there as civil servants and not as subjects under the President.

As the Constitution of Kenya of 2010 Stems for Section 152. (3) says: “A Cabinet Secretary shall not be a Member of Parliament”. With this statement in the law, means that the Cabinet Secretaries nomination as all a favor of their merits and their judgment in their field. If they we’re qualified, the President wouldn’t appoint the person. Therefore, the decision to take part of the rallies, show they are more loyal to the President, than to the Kenyan people.

Because if they take part of Jubilee Rallies only and not even parts of Cord/NASA rallies, than their respect as representing all citizens of Kenya is gone, than they are just loyal subjects to Kenyatta who appointed them. Is the message the Kenyan voters needs to know months ahead of the coming elections? That they are not obligated to inform the Cord/NASA electorate, only the Jubilee? Isn’t that the mere effort and effect of having the Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries attending rallies, to show flex and have the strength that the opposition parties doesn’t have?

I have to ask a very stupid question to the Spokesperson Manoah Esipisu, who pays the Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries? Is the President and his Political Party or is it the State Coffers and the tax-payers monies? Since the initial loyalty shouldn’t be to only the man who saw faith in you, but also to where the paycheck comes from. The Secretaries are paid by the guidelines of Public Service, means they are serving the public first with needed services. They are not existing because Kenyatta needs people to greet and pose with at Voi, Kitui or Lodwar. That could happen, but shouldn’t be their sole mission as public servants.

That the Secretaries has a mission to the state, as effect of the works of the ministries, because of that be accountable to the citizens, is clear-cut, since they represent the people in the works and their efforts at their respected fields. Still, they shouldn’t be participating in partisan rallies for either the ones seeking re-election or the ones trying to force them out.

So I cannot support the efforts made by MBS Manoah Esipisu, who serves Kenyatta diligently, but does not serve his purpose as civil servant. Esipisu shows loyalty to Kenyatta, before the best of knowledge to the Kenyan people. Peace.

Reference:

President.go. – ‘Spokesperson’s Weekly Briefing, Eldoret State Lodge, 2nd April 2017’ (02.04.2017) link: http://www.president.go.ke/2017/04/02/spokespersons-weekly-briefing-eldoret-state-lodge-2nd-april-2017/

Laws of Kenya – ‘PUBLIC SERVICE (VALUES AND PRINCIPLES) ACT’ – No.1A of 2015