Proof that the civil war may have already started as security forces from different tribes defy orders from their superiors
I can’t remember when it first started but recently it has become clear that it is difficult to have a discussion on the situation in Kenya with my Kikuyu beauty without one of us getting emotional and even losing their temper. (For those who are new to this blog, this blogger is the product of a mixed marriage between a Kamba father and a Bukusu mother and has been happily married to a Kikuyu beauty for over 22 years now)
This state of affairs in my house has really surprised me because going into the elections Mrs Kumekucha was a staunch Raila supporter. This is even stranger because she has no relatives in the Rift Valley and has therefore NOT been affected by any of the killings. In fact she was as puzzled as I was at the wild celebrations my in-laws were involved in after Mwai Kibaki was announced winner (despite the tension in the country and the fact that even a young child could see that the elections were stolen).
My 17 year old son has been a great help in sorting out that problem. All he has had to do is ask which side of the divide he should support and that ends the heated argument right on its’ tracks.
But I have been thinking deeply about this shift in emotions and have done my own research and I have realized that Kenya is in much bigger trouble than most people realize.
Ever since this blog was launched in May 2005, our main theme has been the tribal tensions in Kenya which started during the Jomo Kenyatta administration. We have also talked at length about the widening gap between the rich and the poor and how it has always been a time bomb waiting to explode. Few Kenyans have taken us seriously until December 30th.
The strong feeling amongst supporters of President Kibaki is that the crisis...
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Chris,
ReplyDeleteThe big problem is that once the fragmentation of the republic starts, it will never stop. That's what history has taught us. Look at USSR and Yugoslavia. Even today Chechnya and Kosovo are in turmoil. Very tiny states fighting for the piece of the action.
Then again Mt Kenya Republic would be too big for the ordianry mwananchi to comprehend. From Molo, Njoro, Nakuru, Naivasha, Ngong, Nyeri, Laikiapia, Thika, Meru, Embu, Mbeere, Kerugoya and Nairobi.
Now ua just being silly.
ReplyDeleteWe will not be robbed of a Nation by afew bigotted individuals.
We have just as much right to be here if not more. While ua grand-dads were collaborating, mine were BOTH in the bush. BOTH died to create a nation for me and their other grand-children. I will NEVER allow that to be a wasted sacrifice. Even if I have to go to the bush myself.
Kenya remains ONE. Shame on ua mixed tribe butt for this nonsensical post.
This looks like the best way out. The hardline kiuks beleive other pple can never live w/out them. They are more like the air we breath- pulizzz!
ReplyDeleteThey have never looked at the relationship as two way. You provide a service or commodity , I am your market. What do you think would happen if those watchmen, teachers etc who prefer to live in rented houses and do not engage in hawking or anyother biz chose not to buy your wares.
What would you do with the houses if there were no tenants willing to take them up?
The last time i checked transport is not one of the basic needs, pple have walked for over an hour in Nrb during Michuki's crackdown and if there were no mats they wld do it to reach their destination.
Do these pple know that the customer is king??
Thank God for the jaluos and Lunjes who love themselves so much that they rent your expensive houses.
Also thank God for their flashy lifestyle hence you get market for the milk and KBL products. If anything the biz world would crumble without these pple.
Since we are unable to educate hawa watu on the importance of their mkt- tuwache wale hiyo arrogance yao in their new Kingdom rulled by Kibaki the thief.
I don't think tribalism is the root cause of Kenya's problems per se...The root cause is inequality. Some tribes are seen to be more equal than others. Tackle inequality and tribalism will dissipate to very minimal levels.
ReplyDeleteChris, nice article. Though am a strong supporter of secession, the modalities have to be well thought out. We need to be sure the 6 provinces are for this. Secondly, what if one of the provinces "misbehaves" in the future? Will we further sub-divide? I don't think so. Secession should not be a quick fix. We need to clearly spell out its benefits.
Fave of BG said...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good work. I think it is time we separated from each other.
There will be pain on each side no doubt. BUT, there is too much water down the bridge for us to reconcile.
All the government wants is reconciliation yet all evidence points to a stolen election. They just want easy redemption without putting any effort into it. all they say... na 'kazi iendelee'... that work they keep talking about is marginalizing the rest of the nation.
Police action has proven to me that some Kenyans will not get justice. I do not want to be governed by people who do not respect my wishes and call me an animal.
I will not ever lay my finger on any one. But, it is time we split. However, we need to work out the modalities of a split, we need to also work out the modalities of our relationships in the new nation.
It is painful, but, after 50 years, a divorce is eminent. We can make it painful, or, we can make it as easy as possible. I might need a visa to visit my friends, my in laws and family and my former school and university but lets end the pain now. I am for secession
It is not hating anyone, it is just being governed the way I want and by whomever I choose. I can not be a citizen of nation led by a dictator. Remember I Come from a region that voted PNU but... I do not want ever to be associated with a dictatorship.
I think all Kenyans are hardworking, want the best for their families, are enterprising, etc. Problem is, we all don't have equal access to opportunities. Since independence until recently, some tribes could not get loans while others got huge loans often without collateral. If all the other Kenyans were soo lazy, how do you explain the success that those from these lazy tribes achieve when they leave Kenya??? In the city where I live, there are dentists, psychiatrists, doctors, business owners, lawyers, teachers, real estate developers, etc who come from the so called "un-enterprising, lazy tribes".
ReplyDeleteSo, let's not use stereotypes to justify the blatant, endemic and systematic inequities in Kenyan society.
Lastly, I am for secession! Let all of us like minded lazy folks come together and work to build our Republic where we will not be viewed as minions and underlings but us equal citizens working together for the common good. Of course, there are tons of logistics to be worked out. Question is, what happens to Nairobi and all its administrative functions?
To anon@2:16 - you are claiming a lot of land that Kenyatta grabbed and gave away. The Mt Kenya Republic if it comes into existence will be just that - Central and parts of Eastern. I don't think anyone need point out what is already happening in the the areas you include as part of the Mt Kenya Republic i.e. Nakuru, Molo, Njoro, etc.
I think this is the best solution so far. We could even make it temporary i.e. lets give it about ten to fifteen years and see how it goes. The 'Mumbi Republic' can then choose to vote whether they want to rejoin the greater republic or not.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad that the Kikuyu will no longer feel safe anywhere outside of Central province. This time, Kibaki has actually sacrificed them by stealing an actual time bomb. When it explodes, it better be in Nyeri and nowhere else. These are the fruits of theft. Uwizi ni mbaya.
You must remember that the GEMA people do not need assistance from any other tribes. These guys have the population to support all their businesses. They in fact will be very happy to live only in Central and converse in their dialects all day long while reading the Nation newspaper and listening to Citizen Radio. They will have the best schools, roads etc. They will also have all the resources they need to ensure a prospering economy i.e. rich agricultural land, Mt. Kenya tours etc. If they want they can come up with their own airport so they wont even need to land anywhere outside of Central. Bottom line is that they will be very happy.
The rest of Kenya on the other hand will initially hurt. However, as necessity is the mother of invention, they will initiate there own businesses and slowly prosperity will flow. They will attempt to foster very good business relationships with the 'Mumbi Republic' and in fact become major trading partners. The distorted feelings of living under dominion will end. Those in the greater Kenya will benefit from things like low crime rates. Seriously, think about this for a moment. This is not a bad idea. It benefits everybody and peace will prevail.
The way things are today, Kenyans must make very hard choices. Some involve looking at your fellow countryman as human. There's no such thing as perpetual servitude. I mean, look at how Kikuyus behave in the USA, Canada and Britain. These jamaas act like no other Kenyans exists. This is fine, but being so, let us extend the same back home. It is not exactly segregation if the majority of GEMA people actually support such an existence. If the rest of Kenyans are 'wazembe', why would GEMA want to associate with them. Then again, if the wazembe people are left to their own accord, maybe they will realize their true 'uzembeness' and choose to work as hard as those in 'Mumbi Republic'.
This is actually a win-win proposition. What do you say my Kikuyyu brothers?
CHRIS,
ReplyDeleteYou know what Bishop T.D. Jakes said is true after all.
He said that he couldn't take sides in the kenya crisis but all he could do was look at it from a biblical view.
He gave the story of solomon and the 2 women who claimed the baby.The one who offered to give up her abby instead of having cut in two was the real mother.
Bishop Jakes said that those calling for the great counrty of kenya to be divided up do not have it's interests at heart.
so there goes it! ODM Must have been the false mother
@ pinto, you said: "You must remember that the GEMA people do not need assistance from any other tribes."
ReplyDeleteDo not confuse a few rich misguided and stupid members of GEMA with the whole population. Fact is, the vast majority of GEMA populace is also suffering. The people you see being feasted upon by jiggers in Maragwa are no different from the Luo man in Kibera. That Kibaki holds the presidency (legally or illegally), is of no benefit to that poor fellow, who knows not where his next meal will come from.
And do not kid yourself that Kibaki and his ilk give a $h1t about the poor Kikuyu.
I am mad that the election was stolen. However, I know the real enemy is not Kikuyu BUT MWAI KIBAKI.
Mr. Chris,
ReplyDeleteWe are making this harder than it should. Sometimes divorce is necessary but let’s keep this marriage a little longer. We only need to get rid of this Kibaki. Believe me people, soon as Kibaki is out and in comes a transparent and fair leader, Kenya will be ok. We all know and agree that Kibaki had to steal to keep that seat and please Kukuyu brothers and Sisters, you guys are making this harder than it should be. Raila was running not against you but against oppressors and the rich. What was so bad with that? Why are you choosing to bear the pain of loosing brothers and sisters while not ramming up against this guy who you so well know that he rigged the elections? Why People?
Let’s say you stick with your stubbornness; have you all come to terms to realize how badly your community will be affected? Imagine all those Kikuyus in Kisumu, Kitale, Eldoret, Kericho, Nakuru, Kagameka, Mombasa etc being send down to central. I assure you the North Eastern guys will not spare even a kikuyu in their area. Now imagine all of you in central just because of Kibaki. What a stupid thing and decisions you all are making? Get rid of Kibaki; plain and simple.
"There is little doubt that the Kikuyu will continue to dominate business in both republics because of their exceptional enterprising nature,"
ReplyDeletePlease stop perpetuating divisive stereotypes.
You might as well have said "...because of their thieving and money worshipping nature..."
Are we to take it that your entreprenual achievements are a trickle down effect of your spouse?
I wish it were that simple Chris, but the truth is it would be a mistake to secede the 6 provinces from the other 2 provinces of the nation
ReplyDeleteIt would seem more like an immediate knee-jerk reaction akin to applying a children's band-aid to a wide open gushing wound instead of seeking and giving it the proper medical attention it deserves in order for healing to take place
We all know how sometimes people can be very very wrong, and none other than our very own politicians are a fine example of how not to be right in a life or death situation where to them its but a game to play around with the emotions of the more vulnerable members in a society where poverty and the hardships of life level the playing field making everyone equal as they attempt to scratch out a living from day to day. contrast this with wrongly rich politicians who lack any idea about the notion of integrity forget about ethical morals and you see that its only a matter of time before the civil society becomes the strongest voice in a country where the majority people have realised they are the power and are looking for a way to make their voice be heard peacefully
we need each other and all it requires is for a brand of leadership less greedy than the current 10th parliament and definitely non-political to stand up, turn around and lead the way for the people in walking far away from the stupidities of our brand of politics made in Kenya.
Those eagle-altitude men and women are already among us and this crisis is nothing but the catalyst they needed to step into action for their beloved motherland-indeed, blessed are the peacemakers
On that note Vikii come back
Vikii come back??? God, no! His absence has been a pleasant experience for many of us who read this blog regularly. Instead, encourage him to start his own blog. Pleeeaaase!
ReplyDeleteThe fallacy of GEMA entrepreneurship or business acumen must be put to rest. There is no such thing. Their progress is solely based on unfair business practices, such as those of the mafia. They are known to collectively undermine fellow businessmen who are not from GEMA. Woe unto you if you are not GEMA but depend on supplies from GEMA industries, banking, insurance etc. As soon as a GEMA competitor moves into town, your supply line will be curtailed until you go down and out. This is fact. Now there's nothing wrong in these practices because business is about connections. Again, charity begins at home, why support a non GEMA when I can support my GEMA brothers. This problem is a genetic thing of no solution. You have seen how they vote. Do you sincerely believe that Kikuyus did not want change? They most definitely did, it just so happens that the bringer of change was running against one of their own aka Kibaki (a man of Anglo-leasing corruption coupled with stints of merceneries).
ReplyDeleteLakini business is business and over the years we have learnt to live by it. The problem comes when the presidency, which is for everybody, is stolen. Hapo ndiyo mambo inaharibika.
Anon 9.57AM.- The poor man in Kiambu will not hurt for long. If Kibaki and his friends have no choice but to primarily invest in 'Mumbi Republic', given the billions in their possession, economic benefits will eventually trickle down to the poor Kikuyus. It is rather obvious that the living standards in Central will be much higher than the Greater Republic. This plan is not about creating enemies. It is about eliminating falsehoods of Kikuyu domination, letting the Kikuyu live with their own with little interference from the Wazembe of the Greater Republic. It is also about peace. It is also about developing other areas by forcing their wazembe inhabitants to wake up from the slumber and do what the Kikuyu do.
Yaani the police have tear-gassed and shot at a funeral procession??!! Even Machiavelli seems to suggest that citizens must be allowed time and opportunity to grieve and vent…especially after a thorough beating and denial of rights..in this case, in the form of a civilian coup, shooting demonstrators and not apologizing about it.
ReplyDeleteKenya has indeed changed. If Kibaki were to use his marbles, he would issue a decree legalizing all manner of protests. It is not only the democratic thing to do but it has a positive side-effect of calming people down. Even Raila knows that a million man march cannot be held every day. By shooting people in their necks, Kibaki continues to give people reason and legitimacy to run wild in the streets.
Give us back our freedom Mr. Kibaki.
"A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed"
ReplyDeleteKenyans might need to change their gun laws so that the regular Mutiso, Onyango, Wanjala, Kipkorir, Kamau, Hussein, et al (forgive me if I left you out) have access to arms.
Kenya should also consider compulsory military service for all citizens.
The goal here is to act as a check and balance on the despotic powers,and use thereof, of the ruling elite.
There will be arguments put forth that this is a recipie for civil war, but where is Kenya now?
In the same way that MAD averted a nuclear holocaust, a militarised population would go far in redressing some of the injustices in Kenya today, and ensuring a FREE STATE!
http://www.i2i.org/articles/2006-F.pdf
At this point, I am of the opinion that emancipation, by any means necessary, should take precedence to secession.
Ideal answer
ReplyDeleteBut the Mt Kenya mafia have too much stake in holding the rest on Kenyans at ransom.
What is workable is that Kibaki retains the presidency(he will die in office) and then allows for a new constitutional dispensation which will strengthen parliament and the judiciary and introduce ugatuzi...in addition to giving control to security forces and treasury to key committees of parliament.The imperial presidency should be completely slashed....we need systems that can prevent psychos from snatching power.
Some Advise from the Bible
ReplyDeleteJames 3:16 (King James Version)
16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Philippians 2:1-13 (New International Version - UK)
Imitating Christ's Humility
1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Matthew 18:19 (King James Version)
19Again I say unto you, That if two of you(both sides of this divide) shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteYour last paragraph really hit a spot that has been niggling at me for the past couple of weeks i.e.
"But I have been thinking deeply about this shift in emotions and have done my own research and I have realized that Kenya is in much bigger trouble than most people realize."
I am yet to come across any form of article that goes into detail in describing what the short term and long-term socio-economic (at all levels) damage that has been caused and how many generations will it take to resolve or is this irreparable damage… kindly share your thoughts or to put in other terms, what type of country are we leaving our kids?
God Bless Kenya...