A couple of days ago I had the privilege to attend one of the crucial calendar events in Tanzania- the Gender Festival. What struck me most was somewhat a high number of men who were taking part in discourses around gender issues, some even taking strong positions on why women rights in various spheres of life have to be respected.

One thing that has saddened me about Caster Semenya’s case is how the media and even gender advocates in other Africa countries continue to make caustic comments about her intersex status. Some gender advocates, who are expected to be on the forefront fighting for her rights, have been heard arguing that she does not deserve that gold because she is man. Who are they to switch her sex from a woman, a sex she has grown knowing she is, to a man.

Apart from media in South Africa which has been inundated with empathetic articles in defense of Semenya, media in other African countries has portrayed her in a negative light. The entire media blitz has been mob injustice of an innocent person.

This September, the City of Accra, Ghana will host over 100 ministers from 100 countries Kenya included, to look into how developing countries and marginalised people can fight poverty through an effective aid and donor support that is transparent and accountable to the people. And one that delivers the intended results.

Dubbed the Third High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, the forum that will bring together bilateral and multilateral development agencies, donor organizations, civil society and women organizations from around the world, is expected to discuss the Accra Agenda for Action (AAA) that will spell out several development.

The publication of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Bill this week heralds a new beginning for Kenya as the country will now have the chance to deal with historical injustices.

If the Bill  which is supposed to be tabled in Parliament is passed, a TJRC Commission will be established and Kenya will join other African countries namely; South Africa, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, the Central Africa Republic, Ghana, Morocco and Nigeria in using the process of  ‘ truth telling’ to restore justice and move towards reconciliation.