We stand on threshold of history and I am very grateful that it pleased God that I should be where I am at this historic moment able to write in a blog like Kumekucha that has such wide reach and have the opportunity to submit my last arguments before we all go to the referendum to decide whether it will be business as usual or we will rise to the occasion to change Kenya forever.
Some Kenyans think that this historic moment is a chance for them to shine.I have talked to many many Kenyans on the ground and I have deliberately concentrated my efforts on those who were either undecided or intending to vote “NO”. I respect their right to their views and indeed their right to say NO. Albeit to the best thing that has ever happened to long suffering ordinary Kenyans. But allow me to tell the whole truth without fear.
Those voting No fall into 4 neat categories as follows.
1. Born again Christians too lazy to go on their knees and seek God (because He says in the good book that those who seek him will find him) and find out what His will is as concerns the new constitution. Instead they blindly follow what their church leaders are telling them and shut down their own thinking. Every generation has its’ fair share of Pharisees but the good book tells us that in these last days many will be fooled by people pretending to represent God. And the tell tale signs are there for all to see. For instance why are all major church leaders so rich? Why don’t we have any John the Baptist type of prophets any more?
Anyway this group will blindly vote NO whatever arguments anybody tries to put forward. My advice to them is that if they are truly who they say they are then they should take a day or two and deny themselves food and seek the face of God and ask him how to vote on Tuesday. THIS IS TOO IMPORTANT. In my view August 4th is going to be the day the will of the church leaders clashes with the will of God. We know the one that always wins, don’t we?
2. Kenyans who believe that since the majority seem to be in favour, they will look more intelligent and independent minded by arguing against the said new constitution. Many have made a total fool of themselves interpreting the draft constitution. Some are sure that the new constitution will abolish the current penal code. Even some well educated Kenyans (including lawyers) have fallen into this trap of interpreting the draft whilst ignoring the penal code. Or interpreting individual sections out of context. My message to these guys trying to show people that they are extremely intelligent and can grasp things is that this is NOT the time. We are talking about matters of life and death here. Too many Kenyans have reached the end of themselves and only a complete re-birth of the Kenyan nation through a new constitution can save them. Vote No and you will be killing people, literally. I kid you not. Admittedly I don’t expect most of my readers here (sitting in comfortable air-conditioned environments all over the world and burping from heavy 6 course lunches while lazily scrolling down this blog with their mouse—too lazy to even use the keyboard) to have an inkling of what the hell I am talking about.
3. Skeptical Kenyans whose experience has convinced them that the political class can NEVER support anything that is genuinely good for the ordinary folk. To be honest I too am amazed at the way things have worked out so that we are on the verge of getting what in my view is the best constitution in Africa—by far. I am totally puzzled that some people would campaign so vigorously for something that will finish them forever. The only way to explain it is to say that there has been divine intervention in this matter and that is why Christians in Kenya should pray very hard lest they vote against the will of God on Tuesday. My message to this group is; don’t trust the politicians but instead listen carefully to what experts like Yash Pal Ghai, Njoki Ndungu etc have to say. People who love their country and mostly feel the pain of ordinary folk. What are these people saying about the said document? I know for a fact that the original constitution-making body (CKRC) members who went round the country seeking views came back to Nairobi reborn. Who could not have been touched just seeing the numerous Kenyans stripped of all dignity by poverty and lack of opportunities brought about by impunity and years of very bad governance? And still these people wore their best suits (worn and torn from being washed at home with Omo) and came forward and talked about their dreams for a new Kenya. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. Yash Pal Ghai was in that group and the guy has a passion about ordinary folks that he never had before the trips.
Skeptical Kenyans listen to these guys and what they have to say and then vote wisely on the 4th of August, the happiness of your children and grand children (even those unborn) depends on it.
4. Those who see red and plug their ears when the word “Abortion” is mentioned. Or shut their eyes tight when they read it somewhere. My message to this group is simple. I will not be sucked into the silly argument of whether or not abortion is allowed in the draft constitution. Instead I will say that abortion is NOT something that should be in any constitution. Even the holy Land Israel does not have it in their constitution, so who do Kenyans think they are? And so don’t cheat yourself on Tuesday that you are voting NO because you hate abortion the way God does. If you do then you are suggesting that a constitution should do the work of the church or our religious institutions and help them in ridding society of sin. And so we should add clauses to the constitution stating that adultery is not permitted (unless some randy car jacker rapes you or asks you to have sex with other passengers—as they do sometimes). And while you are at it I will insist that the constitution addresses the make-quick-money-for-the-pastor churches and ministries that are springing up all over the place and offering irresistible cash for prayer deals to desperate Kenyans.
Get my drift? Let the church do its’ job and let the government do its’ duty and let’s not confuse the two.
Finally what I am about to say is what I have said to many of those Kenyans intending to vote against the draft constitution. As you face the ballot box alone just make sure you vote with a clear conscience. Make sure you gather all the facts now so that you will not later regret how you voted. And by the way Moi and Ruto are the wrong people to gather information from. Even Kibaki, Raila and other Yes proponents are the wrong people to rely on for your information (although they have spoken much more truth than their NO counterparts about the draft constitution).
Instead talk to lawyers. Ask questions in the comment area of this blog and let those who know answer in full view of the rest (NOT by private email) and then carefully observe the reactions of others to the answer you have received here.
My brothers and sisters, I beg you once again, this is NOT the time to show others how intelligent you really are arguing against the draft constitution like a real learned friend (lawyer). Please, please, there will be plenty of time for that after we have chased away the foxes from the hens. We can even have a contest to discover the most intelligent sharp minded Kenyans in the land and you will get all the publicity and attention you crave then.
Vote with your conscience, vote alone and be prepared to take full responsibility for how you vote. Chances are that this opportunity fate has given you will never again be given to any other Kenyan until the end of time. That is how bloody important this thing is. And that is why I don’t laugh when people make jokes about the draft constitution. I don’t want the joke to be on me 100 years from now when people sit down to analyze my writings in this blog and your vote on the day that coincidentally Barack Obama Junior was born.
Recent Chris post you may have missed: What is Kibaki smoking?
Breaking News: Bishop Margaret Wanjiru loses her Starehe seat in court ruling. More to follow.
