YES or NO; Kenya Must Decide Wisely, Act Responsibly

As I type these lines, the whole country and the rest of the world are holding their breath for Kenya. I have my voter's card next to my keyboard and I will not lose sight of it until I cast my vote early Wednesday morning.

President Kibaki has just finished his live address to the nation live from Nairobi, even as the YES and NO camps prepare their own last minute statements to the media houses. Kibaki's address was short, but put emphasis on the importance of this process.

As a Kenyan who has followed and participated actively in the struggle for reform in this country, I say a big Yes to the proposed constitution, but at the same time say a big NO to any form of threat, violence, bribery or coercion during the referendum period.

Kenya may seem to be divided over the constitutional referendum, but my hunch tells me that by this end of the day tomorrow the IIEC nerve tallying centre at Bomas of Kenya will be pointing to a massive YES win and an apparent endorsement of the draft by the Kenyan voter. The NAYSAYERS have ratcheted up a well-funded, media-savvy campaign to persuade the Kenya voter to reject the proposed constitution, but in reality they have not offered a better alternative. The anti-draft campaigners have dwelled more on half truths and distortions. It was also apparent that the NO campaigners were desperate to use the draft as a 2012 campaign dipstick.

On the contentious issues of LAND, KADHI’s COURTS, ABORTION and GAY MARRIAGES, it was embarrassing at times to watch and listen to NO campaigners propagate falsehoods against the proposed draft. The fact of the matter is, a NO vote is an endorsement of the current constitution, which is a retrogressive and mongrel constitution that was sired by the Kenyatta and Moi autocracies after endless rape of the beloved motherland. These dictators who never won an election in their whole lives, were aided by crafty individuals like Tom Mboya and Charles Njonjo. Nearly 40 years between them, we still see evidence of waste, gluttony and plunder. A whole Kenyan generation has been wasted, thanks to the current constitution. How sad.

The pro-draft campaigners have all along given us facts and it is not surprising the anti-draft campaigners have avoided face to face debates on the issue of this draft. Not that we expected any intelligent argument from people like Daniel Arap Moi (of all people) or Cyrus Jirongo, but as a democrat, I maintain that everyone retains the right to vote the way they wish. One wonders how this man Moi made it to be president for 24 years. I guess the faulty constitution and his dictatorial tendencies aided and sustained his rogue regime.

Kumekucha Blog urges Kenyan voters to make the most of this historic moment by voting YES in the referendum and usher-in the most consultative constitution in the world ever. The YES vote will determine our elevate the quality of Kenya's future governance. The new document will heal and steer the limping Kenyan nation towards constructive change and accountable leadership.

Kumekucha Blog strongly endorses the proposed constitutional draft and has no hesitation in urging the Kenya electorate to judge the draft fairly, consider what is in it for future generations and vote YES.

Voting YES means a stronger, a more united and an equitable Kenyan society. It also means giving oneself powers to change that very constitution without having to wait for four decades.

Katiba Mpya, Kenya Mpya

Comment by Chris…

History beckons, destiny beckons

I am overwhelmed with emotions as I sit down to write this brief passage withion Phil's post.

I can’t help thinking about all those people who never made it to this day. Some of them fought very gallantly for change. Others like that youngster called Brian lost their precious lives after being torn apart by a blast at Uhuru Park whose motives still remain unclear (at least officially).

For many years I have assumed that many of the political reforms I and others have been championing for here in this blog would probably be enjoyed by our children and more likely our grand children. But shockingly in a few hours Kenyans have the chance to change Kenya forever sooner than anybody thought it would happen.

I don’t remember the last time I was so lost for words. I started out this post wanting to write many words but have ended up with just a few paragraphs.

And so be it.

My appeal to you my fellow Kenyans is just to repeat what I said here earlier. And that is whatever side you choose to vote, vote with your conscience and be prepared to take full responsibility for how you vote. Don't vote and then regret later.

Still I have to agree with Phil that we in Kumekucha are GREEN all the way. My hope and prayer is that Kenyans will rise to the occasion. Let the people decide.

Chris Kumekucha

Why does Bishop Wanjiru support the very constitution that has given her a raw deal?

Plus... Will there be peace during the referendum vote?

I have watched with interest the court battle over the Starehe parliamentary seat that ended recently with Bishop Margaret Wanjiru losing her parliamentary seat.

As usual Kenyans have a very short memory. Of all constituencies in the country none can compete with this one when it comes to the dirty tricks that were employed in 2007. Most of them were targeted at Bishop Margaret Wanjiru. You will remember that he ex-husband suddenly and unexpectedly emerged from the woodwork and caused all kinds of troubles for the brave woman candidate.
Bishop Wanjiru with former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga at her church, Njenga is in the YES camp.

But of greater interest should be what happened after the election winner was announced and everybody forgot about the ballot boxes. Sources assure me that there was massive ballot box stuffing which is the main evidence that was used to enable Maina Kamanda win his petition against Ms Wanjiru. How the court would recognize votes from ballot boxes that had clearly been tampered with is beyond me. But then that is Kenya under the current constitution for you.

But then that is one of the things about the current constitution. In simple terms under it what matters most is who you are and who you knew and coupled with a little cash there is nothing that you cannot do in this Kenya. The draft constitution gives firm ground for ordinary Kenyans with no connections as well as underdogs to fight against such devices and impunity as well as the rich and the connected.

Ironically Bishop Wanjiru is opposing the very constitution that would have saved her many of the problems that she has faced over the Starehe seat. But then I guess her hands are tied. She cannot be seen to be against the rest of the church. The church in Kenya that wants help in fighting sin from the country’s constitution. Interestingly those with this kind of thinking should study carefully what happened in the United States during the prohibition era when alcohol was banned. It proves beyond any doubt that the way to fight certain things is not to make laws against them.

To her credit Bishop Wanjiru seems to have matured enormously in politics. After the announcement of the court verdict in which she lost her seat she resisted the usual thing we see from politicians of the fairer sex. Mostly whining and crying foul. Instead an upbeat Wanjiru announced that she was ready for the by-election and had registered a victory of sorts because her opponent had failed to get the court to announce him the rightful winner.


P.S. There seems to be great fear amongst some Kenyans that the referendum will yield more violence in many part of the country and a repeat of the regrettable events of January 2008. Well for starters the circumstances are very different and what makes violence even more unlikely is the way most ordinary Kenyans have quickly grasped what the draft constitution means to them and their future and will not be fooled by self-serving politicians with an agenda to protect their ill-gotten wealth. The only exception to this are parts of the Rift Valley where the same folks who raped and murdered fellow Kenyans are still roaming free and flexing their muscles. William Ruto on sensing resounding defeat over the coming referendum has rushed back to his home turf in a bid to retain his reputation as the undisputed “tribal king” of the Kalenjin community. The methods this particular politician uses are wide and varied and therefore violence cannot be ruled out. Already there have been reports that certain residents of this province have received threats and have had to flee from their homes ahead of the referendum. It is interesting that at a recent public rally, Ruto has felt it necessary to assure Kenyans that voting will be peaceful.