archive
Just a few questions I would like to ask about the political violence that has broken out in parts of the country and appears to be spreading. I am not accusing anybody. I am just asking a few questions that I believe are relevant.
- Is it a mere coincidence that tribal clashes/politically instigated violence started for the first time when multiparty politics was reintroduced into the country with the repealing of the infamous section 2 a?
- Is it a mere coincidence that we were warned by a very senior government official then that we would see "fire" now that multipartyism had been restored?
- Is it a mere coincidence that the tribal/political clashes are always concentrated mainly in the same province where the highest authority in the land usually hails from? Most Rift Valley in 1991/2, 1996/7 and 2001/2? Central province in 2006/7?
- Is it a mere coincidence that tribal clashes/politically instigated violence usually break out on the eve of general elections, like clockwork and without fail? 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006?
- If tribal clashes/politically instigated violence are as a result of competitive politics causing politicians to incite the people, does it mean that before 1991 we did not have competitive politics in the country?
- Is it a mere coincidence that tribal clashes/politically instigated violence has reached new unprecedented levels with what is now clearly seen as the re-emergence of Kanu as a political party?
- Is it a mere coincidence that most senior government officials and even opposition politicians shoot from hip when it comes to commenting on other national issues but when it comes to Mungiki violence and even most political violence, the silence is deafening?
- If it is true that tribal clashes/politically instigated violence is the handiwork of various individual politicians with loose mouths (and not the work of high powered politically organized crime), why were there no tribal clashes/politically instigated violence in the run up to the referendum on a new constitution in 2005? And yet tensions were so high?
Horror of Kenyan with female sex organ sharing cell with men at Kamiti Prison
Are you a Kenyan? Do You love your country? Join in this noble campaign to change things. Do something instead of just complaining.
Discover how the exciting new video web conferencing can make your business or web site much more profitable today.
The present spate of political violence is proof to us that we are not yet out of the politcal woods. All the violence are politcally related and to pretend otherwise is to live an obtuse lie.
ReplyDeleteMoi sowed it to scare Kenyans against multi-partism oblivious of the truism that an idea who time has come can never be stooped by anything nor anybody. The present leadership and politicians are Moi copy cats pretending to be different. They are part of the problem and not the solution.
Disproportinate violence in the incumbent's backyard only proves the tribal virus mutating virulently from within. The stakes are higher for the rulling elite and even their local rivals are not spared any retribution.
Kenya may be a regional 'powerhouse' and economic hub but her politics remain very PLASTIC and primitive. All we pride ourself in are tokenism progress while we are capable of doing better and showcasing what a developing country can do. Lakini wapi? One leg on progress another pedalling retrogressive practices like corruption and tribalism.
i disagree with the idea that tribal/ethinic clashes began w/ multipary democracy. i for one remember an espidobe in the early 80's where luhyas were forcibly evicted from nandi hills area - the homes burnt down. im sure there were other incidences among other groups
ReplyDeletethat perhaps were not highlighted by a somewhat unfree press then,
I could not agree more with Chris and Taabu. Unfortunately, it has become normal for the shameless likes of anonymous to try and defend the system even where it is indefencible.
ReplyDeleteAnd unfortunately, despite the thousands of lives needlessly lost and millions of Kenyan peasants displaced from their permanent homes, these pretenders still fail to realise that violence, in whatever form, has far reaching negative effects on democracy and economic development. These so-called clashes have retarded Kenya so much so that we are now being labelled a failed state, ie. the same if not worse than Somalia! Can you imagine that?
Successive Kenyan governments have always adopted policies that serve personal interest by promoting certain tribes and certain regions, not bothered at all that these policies is what eventually breeds deep resentment among people who are supposed to be brothers.
Politicians, especially the likes of Kombo, Nyachae, Mwakwere and others continue to flame the fire by insisting on forming/supporting regional (actually tribal) political parties that serve no other purpose in improving governance nor democracy, but only helps these individuals appear to remain relevant in a world that is fast becoming borderless and tribeless!
My take is that if Kenya adopts a parliamentary system of government, the power of the executive which has been thoroughly misused since independence, will shift and be made more accountable and responsible right on the floor of parliament.
For people like anonymous, if you are a Kenyan, think beyond your tribe because as it is right now, society is thinking beyond their own countries.
I guess the violence is prevalent in the period preceeding the general elections.
ReplyDeleteWe are asking for removal of MPs for taking a raise as 80% of the electorate starve to death.
What beats me is how you will replace a Kenyan earning 850,000/= without some force/violence.
Won’t they go down fighting?
-Richard-