By two Kumekucha Anonymous commentators
What more could be said on this subject? We have been shown - by time and time again - what to do, when to do it, how to do it, and why we should do it for the express purpose of enabling ourselves (the majority) to have a better nation in which we can at least be proud of and above all enjoy living in it for a change.
Chris, one thing is for sure, it does not matter who wins the presidency, because we, the people, will still end up on the losing end, as well as find ourselves on the wrong side of the equation after the 2013 general election.
Chris, one thing is for sure, it does not matter who wins the presidency, because we, the people, will still end up on the losing end, as well as find ourselves on the wrong side of the equation after the 2013 general election.
That is unless fundamental changes are made and implemented in all branches of government, the private sector, including all regions of the country.
Otherwise, we, the people, and the fifty year old nation will get another so-called new president (bus driver with moderate driving skills) but remain stuck with one of the world's most dilapidated buses, with the same old myriad of mechanical problems, same old makanga ('marks'), same old untrustworthy mechanics, same old rough and rowdy passengers.
And left with no alternative but swallow our collective pride and accept - as usual - to be driven on the same old unpaved roads that can't handle floods brought about by the seasonal torrential rains.
Well, Musalia Mudavadi may seem to be the lesser of the other four evils (contenders), but corruption incorporated and tribal extremism unlimited will not just evaporate in a matter of weeks and months unless majority of the known godfathers and culprits are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and forced to forfeit their ill-gotten wealth from way back when.
We, the people, have divorced ourselves from history on numerous occasions in the name of collective amnesia, and that's one of the reasons why we've continued to pay a very hefty price, fifty years after independence.
Otherwise, we, the people, and the fifty year old nation will get another so-called new president (bus driver with moderate driving skills) but remain stuck with one of the world's most dilapidated buses, with the same old myriad of mechanical problems, same old makanga ('marks'), same old untrustworthy mechanics, same old rough and rowdy passengers.
And left with no alternative but swallow our collective pride and accept - as usual - to be driven on the same old unpaved roads that can't handle floods brought about by the seasonal torrential rains.
Well, Musalia Mudavadi may seem to be the lesser of the other four evils (contenders), but corruption incorporated and tribal extremism unlimited will not just evaporate in a matter of weeks and months unless majority of the known godfathers and culprits are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and forced to forfeit their ill-gotten wealth from way back when.
We, the people, have divorced ourselves from history on numerous occasions in the name of collective amnesia, and that's one of the reasons why we've continued to pay a very hefty price, fifty years after independence.
Will someone out there challenge Kenyans from all walks of life to defy the cultural norms - sickening tribal extremism - that compel us never to look beyond our myopic ethnic prism during the much dreaded season of our so-called democratic general election?
Our cultures often insist that we continually strive to support our anointed tribal chiefs during peaceful times, and stand behind our tribal warlords in any type of battle and war, while not informing us that the traditional circling of ethnic wagons for whatever reasons known to us can be a never ending-abyss of discontentment and disillusionment within those very communities.
So far, Kenya has been in desperate need of political leaders cable of 'providing' nurture, safety, healing, development, and vision, and not experts in tribal finger-pointing and sabre rattling before and during election season.
Those of us who survived the post election violence, or were very lucky enough to have not been affected in any way, shape or fashion during the deadly mayhem of '07/'08, should never forget the obvious, that anything can go wrong, and what can go wrong will go wrong if we don't change our national psyche, retrogressive ethnic psyches as well as warped (devilish) personal political interests.
As a matter of fact, the next president, including all of the elected officials and government will not be able to help most of us - you and me - deal with any misfortunes in life that are bound to head our way (God forbid) between May of 2013 and May 2018.
Such as personal economic collapse, divorce, devastating illness, death (within our immediate families and respective communities), usual insecurity, displacement, vehicular maiming, and a myriad of related complications that come with aging etc.
Hence, just because some of us already believe that we are on the right side of history - whatever that means after fifty years of political decadence and ethnic strife that are bound to continue after 2013 - does not give us the right to hate, abuse, despise and look down on our political opponents with malice and hubris.
I will be one of the first people to go off on a limb by saying that there are no guarantees in the coming general elections, and as mater of fact, things are not what they seem to be.
The presidency will not be won on silver platter due to the fact that the dynamics in the country have changed a lot and will continue to change beyond our wildest imaginations.
All things taken into account, may the best candidates win the general elections, and may the most qualified presidential candidate with a national appeal end up being elected by the majority of Kenyans.
Our cultures often insist that we continually strive to support our anointed tribal chiefs during peaceful times, and stand behind our tribal warlords in any type of battle and war, while not informing us that the traditional circling of ethnic wagons for whatever reasons known to us can be a never ending-abyss of discontentment and disillusionment within those very communities.
So far, Kenya has been in desperate need of political leaders cable of 'providing' nurture, safety, healing, development, and vision, and not experts in tribal finger-pointing and sabre rattling before and during election season.
Those of us who survived the post election violence, or were very lucky enough to have not been affected in any way, shape or fashion during the deadly mayhem of '07/'08, should never forget the obvious, that anything can go wrong, and what can go wrong will go wrong if we don't change our national psyche, retrogressive ethnic psyches as well as warped (devilish) personal political interests.
As a matter of fact, the next president, including all of the elected officials and government will not be able to help most of us - you and me - deal with any misfortunes in life that are bound to head our way (God forbid) between May of 2013 and May 2018.
Such as personal economic collapse, divorce, devastating illness, death (within our immediate families and respective communities), usual insecurity, displacement, vehicular maiming, and a myriad of related complications that come with aging etc.
Hence, just because some of us already believe that we are on the right side of history - whatever that means after fifty years of political decadence and ethnic strife that are bound to continue after 2013 - does not give us the right to hate, abuse, despise and look down on our political opponents with malice and hubris.
I will be one of the first people to go off on a limb by saying that there are no guarantees in the coming general elections, and as mater of fact, things are not what they seem to be.
The presidency will not be won on silver platter due to the fact that the dynamics in the country have changed a lot and will continue to change beyond our wildest imaginations.
All things taken into account, may the best candidates win the general elections, and may the most qualified presidential candidate with a national appeal end up being elected by the majority of Kenyans.
What Kenya really needs to have is a major attitudinal shift after the general election. A wise sage once said, neglecting to broaden their view has kept some men doing one thing all their lives.
ReplyDeleteStop dreaming.
ReplyDeleteKenyans will NEVER learn.
Next topic please!!!
I have similarly alluded to the very sentiments expressed in this article on my blog but addressing the ordinary leader living in the 'wrong address' within our beloved country not to be discouraged with the tag of an 'outsider' simply because someone is abrogating himself as a community leader by virtue of his tribal heritage. Read more on www.joe-wonderingallowed.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteWith a lot of our attention focused on the Presidential, Gubernatorial, Senatorial and Parliamentary and Civic races in 2013, we need to keep in mind what has been happening in our respective constituencies, counties and in the nation's capital that was once termed as 'The Green City in the Sun' before it's previous green standards were allowed to erode away through gross mismanagement.
ReplyDeleteIn short, the parliamentarians have failed in their constitutional duty to take care of the nation's business that they were supposed to do in the first place.
Unfortunately, most of our parliamentarians have been missing in action for far too long when it comes to implementing tangible progress in their respective contituencies.
As a matter of fact, the abysmal development records in so many of our constituencies speak volumes since the last general election.
Further, it goes without saying that many of the MPs are always busy attending to their personal businesses and affairs when absent from their constituencies and especially from parliament without official leave, reasonable explanation or cause.
While some of those who seat in parliament are either busy asleep or paying zero attention when the house is in progress. That shows where their priorities are - not with their constituents, the parliament, nor with the country that they were sworn to serve to the best of their abilities.
This has been a disgrace to all corncerned Kenyans. The electorate should let the failed crop of incompetent members of parliament know how displeased they are with the cronic behaviour of the memebers of parliament.
Talking of the cronic business as usual, wastage, gross ngligence, and worst of all, holding the constituencies hostage and harming our government, the citizenry, and rest of the country for reasons of complete raw political power.
5/11/12 @5:33 AM
ReplyDeleteThe road to constructive reform and consequent success may be, and generally is, obstracted by many influences that must be removed before the goal can be reached, or the dream realized. It's better to dream than have no dreams at all.
The daily echoes generated by various political drum beats can be heard from the horizon as the winds of the general election begin to flow through our homes, villages, market places, trading centers, towns, cities and media. In the meantime, there is no escape or viable options other than to tolerate the sounds for a while, or until the electioneering season comes to an end. However, there are those in our midst who still wish that every Kenyan should make it her or his business to gather new ideas from sources other than the environments in which she or he daily lives and works.
ReplyDeleteElect someone who has no political godfather. Kenya should forget the past regimes. So a leader who is going to protect the thieves of the old corrupt gov should not get our votes. Lets try the young Turks this time and people who mind about Kenya and not those who want to protect themselves (always in court). Whwn will they be ruling?
ReplyDeleteDoes the name Jirongo, Ruto, et al, ring a bell?
ReplyDeleteThey were considered to be young Turks at one time in Kenya's sordid political history.
Elect a certain calibre of young Turks at your own peril unless they have been thoroughly vetted, tested and found to have zero entanglement with the ever present hurdles of corruptions.
@11:44 AM
ReplyDeleteUmesema vilvyo. Asante.
@Chris, pele hupewa msi kucha. Mbona wasahau kwamba kulikucha kitambo? Zima hivi bodi mara moja au iwashe upya.