The reason why Kenya is trailing Singapore nearly forty times although we were at the same economic level at independence is because Singapore got statesmen and we settled for tribalists to mismanage our nation. Having moved into the second republic with the passage of our new constitution, it was widely expected that our nation would now be led by statesmen towards prosperity.
But surely none of the current seven front runners for the 2012 presidency can be accused of statesmanship. What you see are tribal mobilizers who apply their massive ill-gotten wealth to consolidate ethnic voting blocs in readiness to capture the government and continue to enrich themselves and protect their ill-gotten wealth from being scrutinized. And citizens are cheering them along.
Raila, Uhuru, Kalonzo, Ruto, Saitoti, Karua and Wamalwa are confirmed tribalists who can not help our nation. A statesman is a leader who unites the people, builds strong institutions and ethos and attracts talent needed to lift Kenya into greatness. The reason these gentlemen and a lady remain can not lift Kenya forward is because they have too much tribal and cynical baggage. None of these self serving politicians is a paragon of strong and competent leadership.
Take Uhuru for example the most established tribalist after Kibaki. First of all, what does Uhuru stand for? In my assessment Uhuru stands for the monopolization of power by those individuals who have become wealthy through unjust means. That was retired President Moi’s singular agenda when he chose Uhuru to take over from him as Kenya’s next president.
My second concern about Uhuru Kenyatta is his diabolical tribal instinct. In January while in Kirinyaga, Uhuru called for national unity by saying that he was about to form the PNU alliance with Kalonzo and Saitoti and even invited Martha Karua to join. A day later in Kibaki’s tribal Eldoret rally he declared the need for national unity which he said was the reason he was working with William Ruto. I am concerned with Uhuru’s style of politics because it is woven and stitched with ethnic considerations instead of the majesty of competence and capability.
With this kind of leaders, it becomes necessary that Kenya begins to thoroughly search for statesmen and women who they can entrust with the future of our nation. Raila should know that he can not be elected because he criticizes his colleagues in politics most but because he can be trusted with the future of all Kenyans without excluding any. Kalonzo, Ruto, Saitoti, Uhuru and Wamalwa ought to know that they will not be elected because they have succeeded to isolate and vilify Raila Odinga. Martha Karua who earned herself a terrible profile during her stint as Kibaki’s minister for Justice will never have a second chance to make a good first impression. Wamalwa can not be elected simply because they are young.
A team of nationalists
Kenya needs to go for a team of democratic nationalists to lift Kenya out of the this cursed state; men and women who can be trusted to govern within the rule of law, who have the courage to make a break with our ugly past, focus on lifting our nation out of fear and divisions and to build our collective confidence to innovate and build a productive and just economy which can feed all of us.
We need a team of statesmen and women and not one individual who promise to fix our problems. In this search, we must look beyond PNU and ODM and even beyond political parties. We must be ready to take our country back from these tribalists.
We must try new people who can be trusted by all Kenyans to lead this nation with honor and integrity. People like Kepta Ombati, Ken Marende, Mwambi Mwasaru, Mwalimu Mati, Maina Kiai, Ann Njogu, Carolyne Ruto, Joshua Nyamori, Njeri Kabeberi, Danson Mungatana, Julius Kipngetich, Ole Kiyiapi, Hassan Omar, Pheroze Nowrojee and Ruth Oniang’o among others can give this country the confidence it requires to reconcile, reconstruct and revolutionize towards prosperity.
If you asked Kenyans to name many more leaders they can trust with the future of our nation, within a week we can receive thousands of names of such credible, visionary, committed and dedicated Kenyans. This is what we will now do to change the equation forever. We can not be captives of tribalists who have made us divided and poor.
As JF Kennedy advised, we must never confuse decision making with problem solving. The decision we need to make is that with a new constitution, we shall begin a fresh in 2012. Away with tribalists in with statesmen and women! We need to try a new breed of leaders because change is always new.
Cyprian Nyamwamu
Mr. Nyamwamu ..your wish of non tribalism/tribalistic politics in 2012 election is commendable but brother!!!… the chances of this happening is like having winter snow storm fall on equator line that passes through your country.
Ethnic/Tribal politics is in mbeded in Kenya DNA politics. Allow me to share with you the following observations with you on how ethnic politics has become the main principle requirement in this country.
The KKK alliance that was formed last year and announced to the public with vigor was and is meant to under cut ODM and PM politically before the 2012 elections. Lately as you may have heard the leaders of KKK alliance are crying fault that the (KKK) is ” media and and their opponent creation” and Kenyans not be allowed to use KKK to describe: Kalenjin, Kikuyu and Kamba alliance in the coming general election of 2012.
At the same time: the leaders from these three communities whether one want to admit or not has zero in one common political enemy (PM). The KKK group main goal is to stop the current Kenya PM from ever becoming the President of this country. As you can see the VP who is from one the smaller K group is the” golfer… and longing for the ride with the other two( KK) in this alliance. If the VP stands alone, his Kamba group is too small that he will never get elected President of this country. For this reason to earn his keep as he did in the last election, he must carry the water to the other two KK by opposing the ICC proceedings.
It would be nice to take “our country back”..from these “Fruit flies” politicians but how can you do this in the sea of tribal politics and Fake/lady of the night political parties ??????.
If you believe PNU and ODM are political parties. I have an Island with massive minerals and oil deposits here in Kenya that I am willing to sell you for a goat and a sheep for the dowry for my tenth wife. The PNU, ODM and many other parties are overnight enrollment mail boxes that are used by the ruling elite class ( politicians) in this country for election purposes only!!!.
ODM and PNU does not stand for anything!! To illustrate how party politics are illusion in your country, what is Ruto and his followers from RV doing now to their own party. Their loyalty is with their tribe because of the Ocampo Six and other issues. Take for example, Dr. S. Kosgey’s statement about ” using Kenya national flag to avoid traffic…coming home to her people…”..do you see any nationalism or political party loyalty in people like this B.. lady????.
Your list of potential statesmen and Women is bright idea and other people can add to it but the question remain how will you divorce these people from their tribal politics, tribal/regional alliances????. When you look at the KKK alliance, it seems like any Kenya President can only come from: Central or Rift Valley regions. These two regions have produced: Kenyatta, Moi and now Kibaki. The KKK alliance to its billing will either give your country the Team of: Ruto/Uhuru or Uhuru/Ruto as President and vice President in the next election. Even if these two principals: Uhuru and Ruto some how ends up in “porky” at Hague, the next President and VP will still come from these two regions based on tribal politics as we know it to day.
Some are now suggesting the Youths of Kenya should do what the Youths of Egypt and Tunisia have done to bring change in their countries. The government of Kenya should not be worried about the Youths of these country rising up to reform or changing the status quo of politics in this country. The ruling elites of this country got the youths in this country where they want them…thus (tribal political bag) I can’t see the youths of Nyanza, Mt. Kenya region, Rift Valley province and other coming out to opposing leaders from their tribes. The youths of: Egypt and Tunisia had two major things going for them their: common language and religion in these countries mad it possible to organize for the changes they have attained in their countries.
Your quote of JFK is well taken but the new constitution can only work and grow democracy with transparent judiciary that is beyond reproach which your country does no have now.Take a look at the people who were recently appointed by Mr. Kibaki to lead the judiciary branch, who are these people, what is their legal background, what are their track record in human rights, what major cases have they rule on, How did they get where they are today, How did they get these appointments, who vetted them besides Mr. Kibaki who appointed them. ..THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS THAT SHOULD BE ASKED OF THESE NOMINEES..NOT WHETHER THE PM WAS CONSULTED OR PNU SUPPORT THEM OR ODM OPPOSES THEM.
hmm interesting, I’m keen to hear follow-up
Kenya will split and leave Luo land as its own landlocked country/ town w/e You guys are a lot of problem.
am the chairman of luo coucil of youngstars,am calling upon the pannel to do its job well in vetting the contestants come 2012.youths to shun money politics yo elect the leaders of their choice.the current mps to give way for fresh blood.we know very well that we are the majority voters and are going to control the voting system in the region.