The Gold Coast Notebook – Day 10

It's a long, long journey home

*****

Kenyans living in Australia haven't really turned up in large numbers to cheer the country's athletes at these Games. Perhaps because of the long travel distances in vast Australia. Alfred Koech, a student at Edith Cowan University in Perth, had to fly four and a half hours from Perth to Gold Coast to watch the athletics action on Saturday. Some road trips would take 12 hours to two days, like the 4,146-kilometre stretch from Perth to Darwin.

Freedom to demonstrate

*****

Protesters in Australia are usually given leeway to voice their concerns. During these Games, there have been a number of protests, especially from minority groups claiming the Australian government has forgotten their plight, instead diverting lots of time and resources to the Games which end on Sunday with the closing ceremony at the Carrara Stadium. The protestors, mainly indigenous Aborigines, are even cheekily calling these championships the "Stolenwealth Games."

Politicians on receiving end

*****

Talking of freedom of expression and right to picket, Australian demonstrators have ingenious ways of expressing their displease at politicians. They usually scream slogans so loudly from Parliament's public gallery with a view to interfering with the Prime Minister's question time. Recently, security guards had to move in and drag out a loud protester who was determined to prevent Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull from speaking.

Senator rallies Aussie troops

*****

Narok Senator Ledama Olekina was spotted at the Robina Stadium on Saturday playing cheerleader and choreographing locals to rally behind Kenya in their final group game against Zambia. Perhaps that's why Kenya won 47-0. Kenyan legislators have been attending these Games with a view to taking home some quick wins that would lessen the tribulations of Kenyan sport.