VOA慢速英语2015 肯尼亚人担心安全和腐败问题

Kenyans Are Concerned about Security, Corruption¹ 肯尼亚人担心安全和腐败问题

This week, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta marked two years in office. The anniversary was observed as Kenyans mourned the victims of a terror attack in the town of Garissa. Gunmen killed more than 140 people at Garissa University College. Medical workers have still not identified the bodies of all of those who were killed.

There are reports that more than 160 students are still missing.  

The Somali militant² group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack. In September 2013, al-Shabab gunmen attacked the Westgate shopping center in Nairobi. At least 67 people were killed.

There has been a lot of talk about Kenya’s security, and corruption cases linked to government officials. President Kenyatta has taken a strong position against corruption. He has urged all government officials and individuals suspected in possible wrongdoing to step aside while investigations³ take place. At least four ministers have already done so.

Barrack Muluka is a political commentator⁴. He believes Mr. Kenyatta and his deputy president, William Ruto, will have trouble celebrating their time in office after what happened at the university.

“Anniversaries are meant to be celebratory occasions when you come out with what we may want to call your brag⁵ sheet, your score card, and you don’t just talk about it -- you also mark it a bit of ‘oomph’ and ‘razzmatazz,’ which unfortunately they can’t do because of this season of mourning. And it’s a season of mourning which also exposes their soft underbelly with regard to insecurity.”

Some Kenyans say the criticism is unfair. Manoah Espisu is a spokesman for the government. He wants people to change their way of thinking when it comes to terror attacks.

“Our nation is at war. It’s a fact that we have to live with. This country is at war. When you are at war, the same rules don’t apply and if we are at war, we need our mentality⁶ to be slightly different than it is. It’s not always about us -- you’ve got to factor in your enemy.”

Investigators⁷ are working to learn more about the four gunmen involved in the Garissa University attack. One of them was the son of a chief in Kenya’s Mandera County. The attacker had graduated from law school.

Grace Mageka is a member of Peace Ambassador Kenya. She says she cannot understand why such a well-educated young man could take part in such an attack.

“This is something the government needs to look out to find out what was happening. But the whole thing, it made us to be alert. We have to walk with our heads up.”

Kenyan officials say they are doing everything possible to protect citizens from al-Shabab. On Wednesday, officials announced action against financial businesses, rights activists⁸ and individuals suspected of having supported the activities of the militant group. The government said it was blocking their use of money held in bank accounts. The action affected⁹ 13 Somali money transfer companies. Their operating permits were cancelled and bank accounts suspended.

In a statement, an American-based rights group said the government’s list raises more questions than it answers. Human Rights Watch said those named have a right to openness and due process of law. The group noted¹⁰ steps taken against two rights groups: Muslims for Human Rights and Haki Africa. It said the measures raise concerns that the government is fighting critical voices and those who question the methods used to fight terrorism in Kenya.

Words in the News

anniversary – n. a yearly celebration or observance of an event that happened in the past

terror – adj. extreme fear; that which causes great fear

corruption – n. actions taken to gain money or property that are legally or morally wrong

oomph – n. a quality that makes something appealing; power or energy

due process – n. the requirement that the government must act in a way that protects a citizen’s rights

1 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

2 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

3 investigations   

（正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究

参考例句：

• His investigations were intensive and thorough but revealed nothing. 他进行了深入彻底的调查，但没有发现什么。
• He often sent them out to make investigations. 他常常派他们出去作调查。

4 commentator   

n.注释者，解说者；实况广播评论员

参考例句：

• He is a good commentator because he can get across the game.他能简单地解说这场比赛，是个好的解说者。
• The commentator made a big mistake during the live broadcast.在直播节目中评论员犯了个大错误。

5 brag   

v./n.吹牛，自夸；adj.第一流的

参考例句：

• He made brag of his skill.他夸耀自己技术高明。
• His wealth is his brag.他夸张他的财富。

6 mentality   

n.心理，思想，脑力

参考例句：

• He has many years'experience of the criminal mentality.他研究犯罪心理有多年经验。
• Running a business requires a very different mentality from being a salaried employee.经营企业所要求具备的心态和上班族的心态截然不同。

7 investigators   

n.调查者，审查者( investigator的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• This memo could be the smoking gun that investigators have been looking for. 这份备忘录可能是调查人员一直在寻找的证据。
• The team consisted of six investigators and two secretaries. 这个团队由六个调查人员和两个秘书组成。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

10 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。