Ruto jitters: Is Raila really back? | Kenya news

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Don't be Vague, Mint More Huge Confusion

The political gestation period is already here ready for 2012 elections. Soon it will be mutation galore from both sides of the political divide. And don't count on any your tribal chieftains to keep a float in the impending implosion. Given the ongoing internal divisions, squabbles, fights within the two coalition parties with heat in one begetting heat from the rival, even die hard supporters are better advised to invest their loyalty elsewhere. But this is Kenya with all her unique political landscape, anything is possible.

All the wrangles within the parties, whether on ICC or posts, can be correctly traced to lack of political ideology. All there is presently are mere vehicles to acquire raw political power for personal aggrandisement, PERIOD. All parties are more of cults revolving around individual with no solid traditional identity. All the empty slogans are just that devoid any objective and unifying theme.

All the heat will soon upgrade to an inferno electioneering season set in proper Kenyan style. We haven't seen anything yet from both local and exported Kenyans waxing patriotic in support of their tribal warlords, NA BADO.


Poor Kenyans! The belief that the new constitution was crafted to make the presidency less attractive must have been misplaced given the length of queue of aspirants. Well, Kenya has changed but not Kenyans. No matter your take, the fiasco that was 2007 elections changed Kenya forever. The take off was bumpy and the landing/transition is equally scary.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Statesman President Kibaki Talks the Walk

Typical and resolute President Kibaki avoided the small talk while opening parliament and instead reminded the MPs of the bigger task ahead. While all others have been enslaved to small talk, Kibaki never mentioned ICC nor party party politics. By urging the MPs to pass the requisite laws that will anchor the new constitution, Kibaki is leading from in front and by example.

Walking the talk meant the President never lost sight of his main agenda. No petty talk on the heat generated about August/December elections next year. Those who know Kibaki will recall his singular determination and proclamation to banish our national vices in during his inauguration in 2003. The same steadfastness saw him steer Kenya out of near-apocalypse after 2005 referendum when he reorganized and formed an INCLUSIVE cabinet.

A peaceful and fair elections will guarantee all else. By reminding MPs about the urgency of the task ahead of them, Kibaki couldn't have been a better barometer of the Kenyan pulse. He is aware of the importance of passing the laws that will create Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission. The President aptly noted that 2012 elections will be MORE DEMANDING because of the many offices that will be contested.

So there we go, Kibaki has set the ball rolling. We can only hope and pray that the heat and foul-mouthed politics revolving around The Hague will not rear its ugly head to derail implementation of the constitution. Kibaki is the political giraffe whose advise will see us avoid the hitherto predicted chaos because of only two people.