THE DAILY
No. 1
SAIMUNER Monday, June 19th 2017
www.saimun.net
SAIMUN: Where did it all begin? By Soila Kenya
(INDIA) We are currently in discussions with London International Model United Nations to host their first overseas conference in Kenya which will be a cross cultural experience comparable to none! TDS: What local initiatives is SAIMUN supporting?
Chris Beaux l PHOTO
SG Njeri Kiunjuri during the 2nd Mock debate
Njeri Kiunjuri, a University of Nairobi Law student, begun plans for the Sub Saharan International Model United Nations Conference exactly a year ago. Here’s the story behind it all. TDS: Where did the idea for SAIMUN come from? NK: Sub Saharan Model United Nations is an initiative in Partnership with United Nations Association in Zambia. We have the support of North Africa International Model United Nations and the aim is to help students globally and especially in Sub Saharan Region gain a deeper understanding of the work of the United Nations. There are currently two conferences happening this year, SAIMUN-Kenya and SAIMUN-Cameroon with partnerships from various conference globally such as Delhi MUN in India, Rome MUN in Italy, Tanzania International MUN, United Nations Association in Uganda, Rhodes Model United Nations (South Africa), North Africa International MUN, Tunisia MUN, Kenya Model United Nations, Algeria MUN, Ghana MUN, Lagos MUN (Nigeria), Napo MUN (Romania), TEIMUN The European International Model United Nations, Munster Model United Nations (Germany) and SRMUN
NK: SAIMUN is currently supporting 3 initiatives. One is Msichana Empowerment Kuria which is a Kenyan NGO that is working hard to break deeply ingrained cultural beliefs that leads to 4 out of every 5 girls in the local Kuria community being at risk of child marriage. Second is Food for Education which is a not-for profit organisation that provides lunch every school day, mentorship and tuition aimed at improving children’s health, school performance and increase their chances of getting into good high schools in a merit based high school entrance system. Third is Vitabu Vyetu Initiative which is an initiative with a mission to see that every child receives a good and quality education by donating books and stationery to needy schools. TDS: What is your past MUN experience to date? NK: I have more than 5years of MUN Experience which range from EAMUN in Highschool, KenyaMUN, CambridgeMUN, OxfordMUN, ParisMUN and soon I am going to Chair the A.U Committee at Hamburg MUN in Germany. TDS: Who is your role model? NK: My role model is Angela Merkel the German Chancellor. I might not be a scientist but her work ethic and resilience is very admirable! Moreover, she is rising very fast and is currently being viewed as the leader of the free world. Do we need to mention how she has made pro refugee policies? I think her work speaks for itself.
2 THE GREEN CITY UNDER THE SUN
THE DAILY SAIMUNER
Nairobi Series: Nganya’s - Matatu Culture
By Naomi Wambui In Kenya, people commute from one place to another using Public Service Vehicles (PSVs). They are commonly known as matatus.
The name, which was coined after independence, is a Kikuyu name meaning ‘thirty cents’. ‘Thirty cents’ or ‘matatu’ was the amount that was charged to use a PSV which later became the name of the vehicles. Originally, matatus were vans with a capacity of 14 seats but in the recent years, mini-buses which have a greater capacity, have become part of the matatu sector. Due to the increase in competition in the transport sector, a new breed of mini-buses has come up called nganyas. With their spectacular art work and graffiti both on the inside and outside, loud but carefully selected music, presence of flat screens to play music videos, free WIFI, LED lights, CCTV cameras, and with the ability to manoeuver traffic jams, nganyas have become the most preferred among commuters. One can easily pick out nganyas due to their elaborate designs which are usually custom-made to look appealing to the passengers. The graffiti in the interior and exterior of the mini-buses showcase images of renowned people both locally and internationally. They include music artists, TV and movie stars, cartoons and notable people in society such as Martin Luther King. The LED lights which are lit during the night on the inside and outside of the nganyas are a great sight to look at. Nganyas also have an extremely loud music system which oozes out the latest music. Commuters get to enjoy the music videos through screens stuck behind every seat and through a mega flat screen at the front of the interior of the bus. Some even have a flat screen outside the vehicle. It is not queer to see passengers waiting for nganyas and ignoring the normal vans and minibuses. This is because, they are well acquainted with all the back streets or short cuts hence enabling them get to their destination even faster. If by any chance the traffic is unavoidable, they do not shy away from overtaking other vehicles. It is indisputable how these new breed of matatus have introduced recklessness into the Kenyan roads, from speeding which causes fatal accidents to noise pollution through their noisy horns and exhaust pipes. Loud music and conductors
Felix Hum l PHOTO
An example of a Kenyan matatu on the streets of Nairobi
shouting the prices and the routes that they are plying is also something that has gone on especially since the inception of the current government in 2014. In 2004, graffiti, loud music, and conductors calling out customers was forbidden. The matatu sector became more organized as safety belts in every PSV became compulsory. This was enforced by the late John Michuki, the then transport minister. But after his term, the sector has embraced loud music, and graffiti on its vehicles which has now become an identity to take pride in. When President Uhuru Kenyatta took office in 2013, he emphasized the importance of the Kenyan matatu culture by encouraging the youth to nurture their talents by drawing graffiti on PSVs. “We should surely support our youth to do business with their talents,” he said. Jobs have been created in the matatu sector by providing opportunities for conductors and drivers, those who design, construct and paint the vehicles. Those in the music industry such as the music artists and the DJs also get a piece of the cake as their music mixes are played in most matatus. The youth have taken into their hands to conserve the Kenyan matatu culture. One such page is Matwana Matatu Culture, whose main aim is to document the latest nganyas and organize for a nganya of your choice to take you out during the night; it is dubbed party Kruza. There are also Nganya Awards which are held annually to reward the best matatus in the sector. In last year’s Nganya Awards, Catalyst from Rongai was crowned the best nganya while the best sound went to Sparx from Rongai. Others that scooped an award were G – Unit from Githuria for best 51 seater, Lithium for best designer, Luminous for best Sacco, and Demakufu for best VDJ.
4 2ND MOCK DEBATE COMMITTEES
THE DAILY SAIMUNER
ECOFIN: Delegates Come Up With Ways to Solve Poverty in Latin America
Other solutions provided by the delegates on how sustainable tourism and development can eradicate poverty in Latin America included avoiding environmental degradation.
By Naomi Wambui
The delegates pointed out that formulation of strict policies to preserve the environment such as banning the use of bio-degradable materials would help conserve the environment and hence promote tourism in Latin America. Samuel Ng’endo l PHOTO
Delegates of the ECOFIN committee during debate
Setting up cultural centres and expos, promoting a positive image by eliminating drugs and cartels, and capitalising on civic education on the importance of tourism are some of the solutions that were given on how tourism can be used to curb poverty in Latin America during the Economic and Finance (ECOFIN) mock debate. The debate, which was held at Riara University on May 27, 2017, focused on the theme: Sustainable Tourism and Development for Poverty Eradication in Latin America. It was the second SAIMUN mock debate this year, with the first one being held in Strathmore University mid-April.
Another solution was making investments. “Through investments, an example is the 4.7billion given towards the construction of Panama Canal in 2012 by the European Union. The Panama Canal serves as a transport system and a tourist attraction,” said Clement Yiro, a form four student at Alliance High School. According to the ECOFIN committee chair, Faith Muthoni, the delegates made a good impression. “It was fruitful and the points they came up with were valid. If we were given an opportunity to do our draft resolution or even a resolution, I believe that they would have come up with a concrete resolution,” said Faith.
UNEP: Renewable Energy Vs. Fossil Fuels
By Savita Toor
Africa needs to reduce fossil fuel consumption and move to renewable energy that could have a positive impact on the environment. This introduced a heated debate during the Mock Debate at Riara University on 27th May, 2017. The delegate representing Nigeria set the motion for the debate as “Introducing cleaner fossil fuels in Africa” which a good number of delegates supported the motion and also suggested solutions on how to resolve such an issue that would have a positive impact on the environment. Some of the solutions were as follows; switch to renewable energy, create awareness on how to make use of natural resources that would result into long lasting solutions-use of solar panels. However, the delegate representing Yemen refuted that it would be really expensive having to set up such machines that would support the people. The costs of machines is relatively expensive and not everyone can afford it. He also added, that if Africa is freed from consuming fossil fuels, the citizens of
Samuel Ng’endo l PHOTO
Delegates in UNEP discussing agenda items during a break
the respective countries will face negative impactsunemployment, salary reduction, they will not be able to sustain for their families that would result into poverty hence the government will have to seek for international aid. Delegates of the UNEP committee suggested the use of alternative sources while having fossil fuels as a backup. Look at countries such as Rwanda, Kenya and many others, they have started the solar panel projects in various countries that are benefiting many households. Solar panels are relatively cheap and energy efficient, they are also easy to install because the materials are readily available.
Today’s social: Delegates’ Dinner at Nyama Mama (6.00-9.00pm)
Fun Page
Today’s program: Monday 19st June 2017 9.00 - 11.00am Brief training session
11.00am - 12.00pm Today’s weather: Committee session 1
1.00 - 4.00
Nairobi
Delegates’ Dinner
6.00 - 9.00pm
Love is in the air...maybe? Throughout the conference all your protocols will be sending out roses to anyone that catches your eye at you request ;) You can do it anonymously or add a note and maybe ask the person to one of the socials? Good luck! SAIMUN Social Media
Sub-Saharan International Model United Nations - Saimun
23˚C
EDITORIAL Chief Editor Soila Kenya Assistant Editor Julie Ambani Writers Savita Toor Naomi Wanjiku Kefa Odindo Cynthia Makena Photographers Isabel Mongina Bill Akide Ali Mohsin Jude Mulisya
@SAIMUN_17
@subsaharanmun
Graphic Designers Soila Kenya