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!!

WHO WILL STOP THIS MADNESS?

Yet again, a ghastly attack targeted at innocent citizens was executed yesterday leaving at least six people dead and scores fighting for their lives. The incident, which occurred in the late afternoon, involved a 25-seater mini bus in one of Nairobi city estates. I know exactly what you must be thinking; that the title is a little too harsh? Trust me by the time you’re done reading this post, you will call it an understatement.

The public transport vehicle in which the blast occurred.

On an earlier post titled “The cry of a nation”, I highlighted the spate of terror attacks that Kenya had suffered since the Kenya Defence Forces kick started the offensive against the Al-shabaab terror group. Sadly, days after that operation successfully came to an end, the ugly monster that is terrorism and insecurity continues to rear its head in Kenya. The last couple of months have witnessed a spate of reported incidences of insecurity which have left scores dead and many more injured.

A young victim of the Tana delta clashes.

In a span of less than four weeks, at least a hundred and thirteen people had been brutally murdered in the Tana delta region of Kenya, while thousands fled their homes in fright following the attacks. What is believed to be politically fuelled ethnic clashes spiraled out of control causing a public outcry by the citizens to the government to swiftly swing into action and avert further loss of lives. That was early last month and the government already set up a commission to look into the killings.

The ruins of one of the villages attacked in the Tana

Exit October, enter November, and the wave of insecurity cases rages on. In what was described as “a technical hitch of the officers in charge”, an operation in pursuit of cattle rustlers turned tragic after nearly forty armed police officers were felled by the bandits’ bullets, in what is now referred to as the Baragoi massacre. As a matter of fact, their bodies were scattered across “the valley of death” for nearly three days before the government airlifted the decomposing bodies to the capital. So traumatic was this scene that bereaved families had to receive special counseling from the Kenya Red Cross before proceeding with burial arrangements.

Police officers conduct a search for bodies of their fallen colleagues in Baragoi.

Following yesterday’s attack on a public transport vehicle which left several people dead and others seriously injured, rowdy youths are reported to have turned hostile towards members of a particular community, blaming them for the attack. As am sure you can imagine, this made an already bad situation worse, by adding on to the number of casualties. The terror attack comes weeks after another attack in which a grenade was hauled inside a Sunday school service killing a child and leaving others seriously injured. 

The class where children were in the middle of a Sunday school service when a grenade was hauled.

With every of these incidents of insecurity Kenyans are left wondering who will assure them of their security, seeing as the government is seemingly reactive rather than proactive on the security matters. This begs the question “who will stop this madness?” because seriously, as far as national security goes - something needs to be done as soon as yesterday!!

Well there you have it, these chilling statistics on insecurity leave a really bad taste in ones mouth; don’t they? I’m sure you do agree that when I talk of “who will stop this madness?” it’s for lack of a better phrase, and an understatement of the grim situation as it is. This is the part where I say “I told you so” but considering the sad circumstances under which I’m writing this post I’ll spare you further heart ache.

I, as am sure do all Kenyan’s of good will, really hope the government effectively steps up to its mandate of ensuring every citizen is safe, be it from terrorism or tribal clashes, especially as the General Election draws closer. On their part, citizens should co-operate with the authorities and give any information they might have on possible criminal elements who pose as civilians.

I pen off.

OBAMA’S MOMENT

When America went to the poll last week Tuesday to decide between Barrack Obama and Mitt Romney, political analysts had predicted that it would be a tightly contested race. Anxiety had taken the best of both candidates supporters. And while the world observed the American election, Kenya watched with a keen eye and bated breath.  

American president elect Barack Obama.

Republican Candidate Mitt Romney.

Barack Obama was declared the winner amidst wild jubilation from his supporters. He then proceeded to give a powerful acceptance speech while Romney conceded defeat.  Back in Kenya, words alone cannot adequately paint a picture of the concurrent events. This given the ancestral ties the American president elect has with Kenya.

The Obama's acknowledge cheers from supporters.

To begin with, way before the presidential election, women groups in Kogelo, which is the ancestral land of Barack, had been holding special prayers for the incumbent president’s victory! As Americans took to the voting stations Tuesday, the villagers in Kogelo braved the morning cold to conduct a mock election, whereby “voters” cast their ballot in favor of Romney or Obama. Need I say who emerged the mock election winner?

Kogelo residents celebrating Obama's win

The villagers proceeded to spend the night glued to the television screens as the results were streamed in live by major media houses. By late morning, it was apparent that Obama had taken the lead and that marked the beginning of ecstatic celebrations across the village as people chanted the now famous slogan “four more years!” On social networking sites, congratulatory messages to the president elect stole the show.

Routine activities were shelved as the jubilant citizens celebrated the victory in the best way they knew how. Mrs. Sarah Obama, the president elect’s step grandmother was not one to be left out of such revelry. The senior Obama thanked God for Barrack’s success and said she looked forward to attending the swearing in ceremony in America early next year.

Mama Sarah Obama celebrates with other villagers.

That said, Obama has four more years at the white house. The fact that the American presidency is the most powerful political position in the world means everyone will be watching with keen interest the policies he advocates for. Given his charm and charisma, the Americans knew better than to deny him a second term in office! 

Here is to four more years!!