KENYA’S DATE WITH DESTINY

Today, Monday the 4^th of March 2013, is truly a defining moment for Kenya. It is on this day that a General Election will be conducted under the guidance of the new constitution and it will pave way for a new order in the country. The long and short of it is that, the leaders who will be elected into office will be the pioneers of an entirely new system of governance in Kenya. 

The last time Kenya went into an election, she emerged jaded, badly bruised and battered. Her economy took a nose dive and worse, she lost thousands of her citizens in devastating post poll violence. Five years down the line, and with the disturbing images of the last poll still fresh in most Kenyan’s memories, the need for peace and calm during this election period cannot be overemphasized. 

The unequivocal peace messages reverberating across the media, social networks and all public and private gatherings should be taken seriously by all Kenyans. Thing is, we all have a part to play in promoting peace and calm during and after the elections.

Talking about the date with destiny, it has been preceded by some most fascinating events, top of which was the first ever Kenyan presidential debate. In a series of two debates, held within a span of two weeks, one woman and seven men seeking Kenya’s most powerful office were engaged in an ego bruising battle of the titans. The debate was truly a defining moment where Kenyans got the chance to evaluate all the candidates in one of East Africa’s most followed events. Broadcasted across all television and radio stations in Kenya, the debate touched on all the major issues such as land, corruption and the economy, all of which are paramount in the determination of the right crop of leaders. 

The Kenyan presidential debate.

I am filled with nothing but hope for a better and peaceful Kenya as the Kenyan electorate take to the polling stations to elect the next crop of leaders. I wish to state as in my previous posts that every voter must make a decision they can live with for the next five years. It is their sole responsibility to vote for the best candidates for the various posts. This opportunity comes only once every five years and as such one must stand to be counted as making a contribution for better governance.

We must not forget that in every election, there must be winners and losers. Eight candidates are seeking to lead Kenya but only one can be president at any given point. Kenya is a democratic country and the principles of democracy demand that the majority have their way while the minorities have their say. We must all be prepared for the outcome of the election results and desist from activities which might cause violence or tension regardless of whether our preferred candidates win or lose.

The future of our beloved country and its future generations highly depends on the vote you will cast and your personal initiative to maintain peace and calm. Everybody is entitled to their opinion and as such tolerance MUST be exercised now more than ever before.

Maintenance of peace during and after the election is the responsibility of each one of us.

 

VOTE FOR PEACE, CALM AND STABILITY IN KENYA!!

DEMOCRACY TESTED

It drains my soul to kick off this New Year with such a poignant title, but the current political tendencies leave me with little choice. As a Kenyan of goodwill, it is my moral duty to raise a red flag when necessary. The year that was 2012, saw Kenyans decry bad leadership and being the hopeful people we are, crossed over to the New Year hoping for better leadership subsequent to the March General Election. 

The week past saw most political parties hold their primaries to elect those that would fly their party flag come the March 4^th poll. The party primaries were however not a walk in the park, as they were marred with violent demonstrations heralded by claims of vote rigging. There were bitter claims that some aspirants had been declared winners despite been unpopular among the electorate, and the latter felt cheated in the process.

The political parties concerned were faced with the headache of settling the inglorious tussles that had proved a true test on the parties’ democratic practices, albeit in a limited period of time. To say the least, the results of the process were uncalled-for. The so called “big names” who had previously suffered humiliating defeats courtesy of those perceived as “underdogs”, had their names on some party’s final nomination lists! (How depraved!?).

This is utter disregard of the democratic processes, where the electorate should be left to vote for candidates of their choice. Some sections of the electorate have decried the move and threatened to abscond from the March 4^th General Election if their preferred candidates are not on the ballot paper, causing tension in parts of the country. Some have gone as far as flashing placards stating that there will be no peace unless their candidate is on the ballot; a very serious situation indeed.

The current state of affairs points to a country that is trending on a dangerous path, since a buildup of pre-election tensions could lead to a chaotic poll followed by violence, similar to that experienced soon after the last general election five years ago. The country has been reeling from the aftermath of those shattering moments five years ago.

It is against such a background that the government should desist from paying the Kenyan citizenry mere lip service as far as ensuring a peaceful election period is concerned. The law should be followed to the letter and without favor. Any politician who tries to incite people to violence should be arrested and brought to justice. Political parties on their part should ensure they conduct peaceful campaigns and prepare their supporters to accept the outcome of the elections, and seek legal redress in the event they are not satisfied with the outcome. 

The most vital role goes to the individual citizens who are to ensure that they maintain peace throughout the election period, bearing in mind that the same will come and go, but Kenya and Kenyans will remain after the 4^th of March. If the trouncing of some big political personalities in the primaries is anything to go by, then the coming General Election is one to watch; change beckons and I pray its positive.

We should all vote wisely and ensure we uphold peace, and coexist peacefully with our neighbors irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds, religion or race. Kenya is the home to each one of us and there’s definitely enough space for us all!

Forgive my tardiness, but we’re still in the first month of 2013…therefore I wish you and yours a HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!!  

POLITICAL MARRIAGES, PREGNANCIES AND STILLBIRTHS

The last couple of weeks have seen Kenyan politicians get into political alliances in a bid to secure positions of power after next year’s general elections. I say this because there really hasn’t been much for Kenyans in these political marriages, as there has been for these politicians. The agenda was seemingly to first form alliances that they believed would catapult them to power come the 4^th of March 2013, and then proceed to make the same promises which are always made every election year to the Kenyan electorate.

Kenyans have witnessed a myriad of political marriages

I have always been of the opinion that political alliances should only be formed on the basis of shared development agendas and ideologies between leaders but our politicians seem to be doing it the other way round. Talk of putting the cart before the horse, all in an effort to be in the next government. And take it from me, the fact that these politicians go ahead to make promises to Kenyans which we are almost certain will not be fulfilled, is not the worst part.

The worst part is that even when it is crystal clear that most of these alliances have been crafted largely for the politicians’ advantage, some of us go ahead and support them. Even when we know that we need to vote wisely for the sake of our future generations, and voting wisely here meaning rejecting all these selfish alliances at the ballot, most are still at pains to bring themselves to this reality.

The main faces in the Kenyan presidential race. with the exception of a few, most have dropped their bids upon joining political alliances.

A wise German writer once said that the destiny of any nation at any given time depends on the opinions of its young men and women. I know for a fact that if we as the Kenyan youths decide not to suffer fools anymore, we will do justice to this our land and nation; after all we are the majority.  It is about time we got rid of all non performing leaders and thank God our chance is coming real soon on the 4^th of March, at the ballot box.

Right now a majority of the Kenyan electorate is pregnant with expectations and the political alliances making numerous promises are responsible. We’ve been down this road before with nothing to show for it than reporting “stillbirths”, since most promises made are never delivered. Let us not forget that lies may be easier to tell and hear, but they do not make the truth disappear. If these same politicians have let us down in the past, nothing will stop them from letting us down in the future.

  

You deserve better, I deserve better, all Kenyans deserve better, the future generations of this country deserve better, and this country deserves leaders of substance, those that deliver on their promises, and those that have development track records and are neither self-centered nor tainted by corruption. I did not mince my words in the week past when I used this platform to articulate that the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing. I will Not be one of those good people who do nothing.

I will vote for a better Kenya; Will You?

I am well armed with my voter’s card ready to do the right thing for this country. Opinion polls and political sideshows notwithstanding, I will vote wisely. Big question is; Will you? Whatever your answer is don’t you ever forget that we must be ready to live with the consequences of the choices we make!! 

YOUR VOTE IS YOUR FUTURE!!

WHY BAD THINGS HAPPEN

Many at times we have often asked ourselves why bad things happen, albeit rhetorically. Be that as it may, there is an answer to this question, and believe you me you will want to know it. We are fast to raise a pointing finger to perceived bad people, whom we are convinced are the authors of the bad things that happen every day.

In Kenya for instance, one will run out of fingers counting the soul draining bad things that happen every passing day. Talk of instances where some citizens have starved to death in times of prolonged drought and famine.  Sick patients succumbing to their illnesses due to inadequate or lack of proper medical services and medicines. Grisly road carnage incidents that continue to claim the lives of thousands each year while hundreds more are maimed for life.

Let’s move on to devastating situations such as school going children studying under trees and rocks, despite the myriad of challenges that emanate from studying under such conditions. What of the biting inflation caused by certain corrupt, powerful forces in the economy. And perhaps the most prime at this particular point in time; insecurity.  

We’ve gotten to a point where cases of terrorism and insecurity have become rife. People have left their homes in good health early morning, and failed to return in the evening, having lost their lives.  It is slowly and sadly dawning to the citizens that each and every day they live to see might as well be their last.

These are just but a few of the bad things that have happened and continue to happen with no one willing to take responsibility for them. Citizens may be quick to point an accusing finger at the government and Kenyans are particularly known for coining the famous slogan “tunaomba serikali iingilie kati” which is translated to mean “we are requesting the government to intervene”

This is the slogan that most people use when bad things, most of which I mentioned earlier, happen to them. But do you really know why bad things happen? I am sorry to disappoint you but the main reason why bad things happen is not the government’s sloppiness.  

Bad things happen because of all those good people who do nothing!! There you have it – you now know the reason why.

Take for instance the ongoing voter registration process. The turnout of potential voters for registration has been described as poor. Surprisingly, those who will not register and hence not vote are the very people who will wag their tongues for the next five years over how bad the government is. Scores of citizens have given up on the possibility of Kenya having a president who is elected Not on the basis of tribe or alliance, But on the policies and issues they seek to tackle.

This is absurd because as much as the politicians try to sweet talk the voters with their words, they do not make the decision for the voter, neither do they carry the voter’s card for them. This can only mean that if every Kenyan voter were to identify the most ideal presidential candidate, and cast their vote in favor of the said candidate, then the country would surely end up with a very good president. 

I wish to reiterate yet again that bad things happen because of all those good people who do nothing. If you read this post and you know what’s good for your county, then you will go out there and register as a voter. You will then proceed to vote for the most deserving candidates come the 4^th of March next year, not based on tribe, religion, money, gender and all those other flimsy factors that people tend to bring up. 

You will instead vote for a leader who will unite all kenyans, assure them of their security, one who will not condone the rampant corruption that is threatening to bring our country’s economy to its knees, one who will guarantee a brighter future for our children through education, provision of medical services to all citizens, one who will ensure that our country becomes food secure, and above all a leader who will maintain high discipline levels in all sectors of the government for the good of all citizens.

Make the right choice for the sake of your country and its future generations!!