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I am going to confess the most politically shameful thing I have ever done in my entire life and believe me, there have been many things I have done in this life that I would like to quickly forget.
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Also published today
Did the London date rape incident really happened?
Tribalism and Joseph Kamotho's selfish move
Quip of the day;
If you've read the blog distant lovers you will know that email love affairs can be deadly. Watch out!!
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It was December 1997 and in my wisdom I decided that I was going to carefully and soberly analyze all presidential candidates before casting my vote. So in late December I headed upcountry to the place where my father was born, up in the hills in the outskirts of Machakos town where I am registered to vote. In my mind I was still carefully analyzing all the candidates on more or less the same footing. It is rather cold up there in the hills and that makes a cup of steaming tea rather enjoyable in the evening. I enjoyed one with my mother as everybody else had a beer and we started discussing the main reason for this large family gathering—politics. Outside the strong wind whistled against the pine trees as was usually the case and it felt good to be back home.
Actually to be honest it was not a discussion but a one-sided analysis on how Charity Ngilu was the most appropriate person to snatch the presidency from Daniel Arap Moi. The tribal demons took over then. I should have stood my ground then and dismissed everybody there as a tribalist. But I didn't, I didn't even feel like it. I felt that Ngilu was doing the Kamba tribe proud. We the tribe that everybody laughed at because people were always starving in Ukambani, the place where a poor starving boy had eaten a dog they found dead on the side of the road. Now we were the first tribe in Kenya to produce a serious woman presidential candidate. That felt good. Now the world would know that even we the Kamba—sio kidogo. I felt that glow and warmth deep in the heart that you feel for your kin and blood relations when they do your family proud.
All reason was thrown out of the window and it was like we were all in a country called the Republic of Ukambani, rather than the republic of Kenya. I would have probably lynched you myself had you dared suggest that Kenyan interests were more important than Kamba interests.
The next morning we all trooped to the polling station and did our "three piece suit thing." That means from the presidency to MP to councilor we all voted SDP (Social Democratic Party) that was the party under which Ngilu was standing for the presidency. And so did all our neighbors. The only person in the entire village we wondered about was the local vet officer a guy called Wachira who hailed from somewhere in Nyeri. We were sure that he had most probably voted for his kin too—one Mwai Kibaki of the DP (Democratic Party) whom we didn't think much of because in the previous election (1992) he had been easily beaten by Kenneth Matiba and he had quite a reputation even in those days as a fence-seater.
We then sat close to the radio hoping against all hope that the new occupant of State House would be "one of our own." We cheeed wildly when the results came in from Ukambani constituencies where Ngilu had a very strong showing and we naively hoped that the Kikuyu vote would swing her way. Some optimists we were that December.
To cut this long shameful story short, my senses returned to me when I was back in Nairobi as Moi hurriedly organized to be sworn in after receiving about a third of the votes cast while the opposition who received two thirds were the losers because they had not united under one presidential candidate and one party. Everybody was saying how the opposition should have united to oust Moi (I was saying it loudest).
Sadly in many parts of Kenya, a similar scene to this one that I have just described will be replicated on that December day when the nation goes to the polls.
P.S. I am happy to report that I have grown up considerably since 1997 and I will never, ever, ever ever do something so tribal and stupid again.
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My take Chris is that the end of Kibaki's tenure is long long overdue. Lesson learnt is that because MPs cannot master the courage or do not have the moral strength to pass a vote of no confidence in this regime, it is high time Kenyans showed the likes of Kibaki that integrity and honesty are hallmarks of great leadership. My ten reasons to vote him out are:
ReplyDelete1. His well documented pledge to be a one-term president
2. His advanced age - well past retirement bracket.
3. Disregard of MoU with LDP
4. Abandoning his political party NAK (and DP) mid-term
5. Failing to rout out official corruption, and
6. Failing to facilitate prosecution of known criminals from past regimes
7. Entrenching tribalism through unfair public appointments
8. Failure to facilitate delivery of a new "parliamentary system" constitution and sabotaging the Bomas process.
9. Failure to contain security
10. Failure to rehabilitate road network and general infrastructure
This list is not exhaustive and it just a guide to (a) those opposition MPs (like Kamotho) who cross the floor at the mention of a cabinet posting or as a re-election strategy and, (b) also to those Kenyan voters who are easily bought using title deeds, rural electrification projects, imaginary economic growth and "free" primary education that is really not free! What a shame.
Only fools don't change their minds Chris and thanks for the confession. Anybody claiming not to have being a captive of some tribal idea is simply living an obtus lie. You are not alone and the truth shall set you free. The most importatnt thing is thatyou made a msitake and learnt from it.
ReplyDeleteYour confession could as well be an apt analysis of the recent Magirini election where egos costed opposition the seat. Generally Kenyans are not fortunate like you to learn that fast. Most are still stuck with their cheap tribal loyalties att the expense of anything.
I hope I am wrong but my fear is that I am right tthat Kibaki is no fool and being an astute Nyoyo student will romp home come December with minory votes. The oppostion have nobody except themselves to blame.
And where does that leave us? Man we are rolling down hill into political abyss. All these chaps have no real agenda for Kenya besides tokenism (please spare me that economic growth balderdash).
Behind every vision and grandiose slogan lurks the clarion call 'our time to eat'. All of them with no exception, the players are all the same except in different shades of colour. We are all sheepishly cheering them on as they drive us at brakeneck speed into oblivion.
As for JJ, hhate him love him, the chap has an acidic tongue and hhe needs only a sentence to stop any tirades directed at him. He is only being shrewd. Given his age, he has no other career outside politics and he better backs a potential winner rather than backing a definite failure.
You only ignore Kamotho at you own poltical peril. Just look at 1992 through to 2000. The chap is the elephant who smells politcal Tsunami thousands of miles away. His might just be the pointer of what disappointment we should brace ourselves for come December.
Taabu said "The chap is the elephant who smells political tsunami thousands of miles away"
ReplyDeleteHe can smell them, but can Kamotho pronounce tsunami correctly?:-)
Last time he could only manage "tsumaini" and "tsumani" before being corrected:-)
anyway, that's not the point, just a little humour
As I have always mentioned, and Phil said it now as well, lack of integrity and honesty are the main reasons i won't vote for the President again in December.
To me, without these two ingredients, evertything is in doubt-be it economic growth figures or simple promises of things to be done
This tribe/culture thing is killing us. Africans all over will never archive anything collectively until our numerous tribes and cultures are extinguished. Truth be told, had the early slaves maintained their cultural roots in their entirety (including language, marriage to only their own etc), there would never have been an end to slavery.
ReplyDeleteThe black mans curse lies on our warped feelings of cultural and tribal superiority. The negativity written on the EA political and economic integration on this blog is a perfect example. Whereas, we Kenyans are a million miles ahead and “modern” as compared to TZ and UG, it appears our short term conflicted thoughts are focused on how we are bound to rape our neighbors economies, take their jobs and reduce them to servitude. We have turned a “pipe dream” into a nightmare before we even jump into bed together. If we so much think of ourselves as cosmopolitan and advanced in the number of professors, business acumen, “democratic Kibaki” etc, what stops us from sharing the “dream” with the rest of East Africa? After all, democracy was injected into our soft asses by the western world. If we feel tyranny exists in UG, why don’t we support the Kenyan infiltration into that country to “liberate” the sons and daughters of the Buganda Kingdom? Are we so fearful of retaliation? Are we comfortable with the reality that our Tanzanian and Ugandan brothers are so dimwitted to fathom how our “superior” Kenyan being will rejuvenate and revitalize their economies? What happens when two Kenyan doctors open up a clinic in the remotest part of southern TZ? What if we export our “free media” to UG that will eventually lead to Museveni’s exit? How about the Kenyan professors that will fill up the ranks of the Rwandan Universities? Will they not educate and produce Rwandese professors who may end up teaching at Nairobi University?
If you say we should wait for fifty years before we grow up, consider yourself guilty of disservice to your children as it will never materialize. People like Chris will continue to vote for Ngilu and the rest of you will continue to propagate the current crop of village head boys purporting to be politicians.
Kenya and the whole of Africa needs revolutionary leadership that will make it illegal to do the “Kamba jig”, make it illegal to speak any language other than ENGLISH, set up a 5 year (make it 10 years) prohibition to same tribe marriages, make it illegal to live in one province for more that 10 years etc. The way I see it, we Kenyans need a constant squeeze to the balls to ensure we act right. Whereas the preceeding solutions are just creative writing, I’m sure a true policy can be obtained (I’d work on it but I’m at work).
I’m sure critics will say, why adopt English only, well it could be Xhosa for that matter, just ONE language. For every year Africa survives with multiple currencies and thousands of tribes, the more coffee, diamonds, copper we will sell to China at ridiculously low prices and the more guns we will buy at astronomical prices.
Whereas Chris has started small by lamenting his vote for Ngilu, the rest of you should think beyond your tribal cocoons and vote for Raila. Taabu on the other hand should vote for Kalonzo and stop using the word grandiose. Vikii should should vote at all. In fact, he and Phil should invigilate the voting process.
As for JJ Kamotho, the guy must be laughing the hardest as soon as he walks into his house and closes the blinds. Together with his wife, they cannot believe what a successful political career he’s had. I mean the guy is an octogenarian and is still surfacing around claiming relevance. The guy has the right to change his mind on a daily basis. It’s the psychotic citizens who may vote for him we should worry about. There are not many psychiatric hospitals in Kenya.
Oh, one last thing. This London Rape thing is played out!!! Enough already.
Phil,
ReplyDeleteJust to tell you one thing, Kibaki never said he will serve one term. The MOU was not binding, not legal as none of those who are said to have consented it were bona fide officials.
You have one vote. Kibaki has thousands, even before your Raila starts campaigning. Nobody is even interested and hearing much from that ODM camp now.
Hiyo ndiyo siasa.
Read this blog on 30 December 2007...
I will not vote for Kibaki but that doesnt mean any of the points my friend Phil raised makes sense to me. Here is why
ReplyDelete1. Kibaki signed a memorandum of understanding with kenyans and at no time did i hear him pledge on the one time tired line. This was authored by the never sleeping gossipers. Who were they to be allowed to hold the democratic right of an individual at ransom?
2.Well past retirement age? Well, the last time i checked the retirement age was 55. Kibaki is not alone in this group of old people. Raila, Kombo and Ngilu should go home with him if integrity and honest are the benchmark of the authenticity of our 'analyses'
3.Disregard of MOU with LDP. Well this makes a little sense and could strengthen my drive to vote against him
4.Abandoning his political party, well Raila Odinga should lead everyone else in getting the fuck out of the leadership of any unit. He has been a bad influence when it comes to party hopping.Only Charity Ngilu and Cecily Mbarire should survive this one.
5.Failing to root out official corruption. U are right Phil, Kibaki should have spearheaded the prosecution and jailing of 80% of the ODM presidential candidates who are confirmed thieves of public property.
6.No. 6 basically should be answered with no.5's answer above. These people belong in jail.
7.True, public appointments have been very skewed in favour of one community. But at least its better to fill institutions with tribesmen than with relatives.
8. Kibaki killed the document that contained the aspirations of kenyans. On this particular one mr phil, we areding on the same page. Sabotaging the bomas draft was the hallmark of the Kibaki administration's mediocrity.
9.It is the duty of the president to promote security and protect human life. Human life is priceless and we can never compromisw on this one. This is reason enough why it was a blunder to vote him in.
10.I am not sure Kibaki has failed when it comes to building roads. While i agree our roads are not in the best shape, i think the ministers charged with this sacred duty should be held accountable. They surely have questions to answer.
Well mr Phil, we agree on 2.5 out of ten bullet points.
Chris thank you for a beauriful piece that one. Ur message was loud and clear and my lierature teacher in form three told me to always read between the lines. We will surely vote for the good of "Kenya" and not for our tribe. The only problem is that the word 'kenya' doesnt mean the same thing to all of us.
Please say hi to the folks in Machaa when u go to "your father's birthplace". Tell them i love them all.
Not so fast Monsieur Vikii. I knew Raila had to be dragged into this Kibaki/Kamotho fiasco. We've gotta prove things first, haven't we?
ReplyDeleteI want to remind you bloggers that Raila resigned from FORD-K and his Langata parliamentary seat and so far remains the only MP in multi-party era to have been re-elected back to parliament after voluntarily resigning his seat. Since Raila's resignation from FORD-K and the party's much hyped grand march to State House, it is now a pale shadow of its former self as a result of the same ills Raila was fighting within that party. NDP was later to be voluntarily desolved to form the new KANU.
And again if you considered, for instance, that you were an influential investor in China, USA or Europe and are watching CNN (Inside Africa) broadcast featuring Kenyan politics and economy: Would you be inclined to do business with Balala, Uhuru, Mudavadi, Raila, Kalonzo, Umar, Ojiambo and Joe Nyaga in ODM (who resemble alumni from western universities), or would you rather to do business with the likes of Awori, Mwaboza, Karume, Nyachae, Ndile or Kulundu, etc? Obviously, it does matter how one looks, dresses or talks in order to succeed in influencing international business in your favour. This is something Kibaki regime cannot excel in. Infact wame tu haribia market sana.
You do not have to agree with me on everything but am glad that Vikii will be joining us in voting these dinosaurs out of political leadership. And as I mentioned in my first post, my bulleted list wasnt exhaustive. Those of us who are privy to Kibaki's utterances during the infamous "breakfast meetings" at Hotel Inter-Conti Nairobi in 2000-2001 period can confidently tell you that Kibaki kept re-assuring Ngilu and Wamalwa that he was STRICTLY a one term president and that is why they agreed to back him. Kibaki repeated those remarks on several occassions at Nairobi Club and Serena Hotel meetings when trying to court the then Rainbow Alliance into joining NAK - to give it muscle to comprehensively beat Project Uhuru. During the latter meetings - he also promised delivery of a peoples' constitution within 100 days after being sworn-in. He also promised 500,000 jobs annually. He promised a lean cabinet of no more than 20 persons. We were told how the era of kitchen-cabinets was over. We were told to look forward to public accountability. Idont want to mention mamlukis, press harassment and ethnic clashes on hapless villagers. The list is endless and these are not what one would call honesty and integrity. Anon 2, Vikii and Kamotho are well aware of these facts!
Hey Vikii don't provock Phil, the guys seems to have a real diary of all events from 2001-02. If only integrity and honesty meant the same thing to us and our politicians then we would be i nivrana, ama? Unfortunately it is the game of the possible where scoundrelss would sup together provided teir selfish interest remain intact. All we can do is shine and whine some more because the real voters are already ropped in the mad rush to political wilderness. But at least thank God we have Vikiis and Phils of this beautiful country to keep us debating issues. Maybe with time things will change, but that a very bid maybe. Hope our singular asset.
ReplyDeletePhil u got it. We dont have to agree on everything. We are in agreement that we dont have the ideal president.Kibaki is trying but I am sure i have seen better presidents.
ReplyDeleteYes Taabu, I am not provoking Phil. While i can only respect his documentary of events, there are some insinuations and allegations that he repeatedly comes up with which are grossly wild. Mr. Phil, there have beeen so many defections by sitting nmembers of parliament in kenya and 80% of those folks sail back to parliament by scooping twice the number of votes gannered by their closest rivals. Just look at 1993 after the first multiparty elections. So many luhya mps defected from Ford Asili to KANU and easily won back their seats. Look at Kitui South in 1999, Samuel Kiminza defected from the SDP and managed to get close to three times the votes the SDP candidate managed. I mean the list is endless. I respect mr. Odinga for bravity. Few people equal him when it comes to it, but please if u want to lie to us come up with more 'true sounding lies'.
My strongest conviction on why we should drop kibaki like he is hot is the behaviour of his son in law, Mr. Margaryan. Nobody will threaten the security of my people and get accolades from me
Your example of one Samuel Kiminza is grossly incorrect Vikii. Am not talking about defections only, but the first voluntary successful re-election to parliament on an OPPOSITION political party, as Raila did., especially during Moi's (KANU) era.
ReplyDeleteHistory tells us that among the very first to shift allegiances was Dr Protus Kebati Momanyi who had in 1992 won his Bonchari seat in South Western Kenya on a Democratic Party of Kenya ticket. Momanyi managed to win back his seat on a Kanu ticket and was rewarded by being appointed Minister for Tourism. (those elections were full of irregularities and rigging was rampant).
Momanyi was followed in quick succession by Ford Kenya's Charles Oyugi Owino (Migori), Mr Tom Obondo (Ndhiwa) and Mr Ocholla Ogur (Nyatike). None of these ever saw parliament again. Others who jumped onto the defection bandwagon were Ford Asili's Mr Julius Njoroge (Makuyu), Mr Nicodemus Khaniri (Hamisi), Mr Apili Wawire (Lugari), Mr Japheth Shamalla (Shinyalu), Rev Javan Omanni (Lurambi)and Mr Kiruhi Kimondo (Starehe). The Kenya National Congress's Mr Gerald Ireri Ndwiga (Siakago) and Mrs Agnes Ndetei who was at the time DP vice chairperson, also followed the defectors' footsteps. Between 1993-1997 there were over 20 by-elections caused by defections back to KANU – most defectors won with support from Moi, and now most of by-elections are as a result of death (not voluntary), and contenders are winning with support from the NARK Kenya party which is the de facto ruling party. Even those in KANU who won in the recent Moyale by-elections were appointed to cabinet although elected on official opposition party ticket. Government MPs or those in their side, wins most, if not all, by-elections.
Take note please.
One interesting similarity among all these pioneer defectors is that none of them is in parliament today.