What is wrong with Kenya, we postulate. Or put bluntly, what is the problem with Kenyans? The country attained her full independence in 1964 but as the cliché goes, her contemporaries at independence time are way ahead in terms of development.
In as much as we continue to mourn the death of democracy in the country, we may as well reckon that democracy, which which rules by the majority is not the problem in Kenya. As we seek answers as to why a human being can muster the ability and strength to slaughter his fellow human being, we may as well understand that it is such instances of insecurity which make up the problems in Kenya. As we still try to find out who really won the presidential elections in 2007, we may come to the sad fact this does not constitute the problem Kenya faces. As we grapple with hunger and cases of maize being stolen from national reserves, we must know this is not part of Kenya problem. When we try top ponder why high level corruption can never be prosecuted in the country, we may come to realize there is a very big problem other than these in the country. Our problem is our lack of reason.
When the government feels tired and yawns every time it has to reason, our country gets on its knees. When the government does not want to puteffort to reason, it makes it hard for wheels that drive the country to move any inch. When Kenyans do not reason, Kenya fails to reason. When all we care about is positions of influence yet we fail to inject reason into those positions, we fail miserably.
We must accept the fact that we lack the ingredients that constitute reason. That is why our biggest endowment is pleasure when politicians offer contradictions. In short, what would be absurd to the American or Briton is humour to us. What Tom Daschle finds as reason enough to make him opt out of an Obama government cannot be reason for a Kenyan minister to quit. What Bill Clinton finds as reason to confess he has sinned is no reason enough for a Kenyan leader to know he is not infallible that as a human being, he can also make mistakes. We are totally in a strange country!
When a draft constitution is put forth for us to deliberate whether it is good or not, not just for our ego but also for future generations, we hide reason at the rooftops of our houses and allow politicians to decide the best way, when we know too well, just like us, they do not use reason. I sometimes agree with the president when he uses the ‘pumbavu’ slur, for it is what can best explain the cause and effects of what we do.
When that time comes where reason shall replace considerations of expediency, politics, popularity and vanity, then we can as well match the strides made by our age mates in independence terms.
Fwamba Nc Fwamba
Muriuki Mukurima
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Date: Sun, 26 Apr 2009 06:31:43 -0700 [08:31:43 AM CDT]
From: crispus fwamba
Subject: WHAT IS WRONG WITH KENYA(NS)
I thought I was alone in trying to compare US and Kenya politics. Thank you Mr. Muriuki Mukurima for expressing the same sentiments in eloquent way!. I have told my Western friends when discussing and comparing Kenya politics that the acts that kills political profession in the West are political career builder in Kenya. Imagine US politician caught in the following: corruption, conflict of interest in public office, caught carrying Ksh. millions at the airport, bragging to have more than one wife as a solution to cure aids, refusing to pay public taxes, getting public vehicles for personal use, interest free mortgage loans, one year salary advance. Any politicians caught in these acts in the US MAY NOT HAVE CAREER IN PUBLIC OFFICE. In Kenya these acts are the pillars of long time political career development by politicians.
Imagine President Bush or Obama failing to address the nation on issues concerning US borders! or not to address domestic terror like in central province with Mugiki!. The toleration of massive corruption in various ministries under the watch of this administration will bring any US administration down in ” New york minute”. Contributors to this site please, feel free to add in your own examples of the ills of Kenya politics and how they compare to out side world!
Mr. Mukuima, the problems in this country is Tribalism Politics and lack of critical thinking in Kenya educational system. I challenge anybody who went through Kenyan higher education if they were taught critical thinking rather than “cramming for test and useless memorization of colonial history!. How many politicians/ or leaders of this country have clue of Kenya constitution or the recent coalation agreement chatter?. Did these politicians who are now complaining cared to read the “coialation government documents that were signed by both parties in2007 before or after they were signed?
This legal documents spelled out the role of each party, President, PM. Therefore, the time to raise any issues is long passed .Any body who wish to sides in this issue should actually read the signed document by both leaders and their parties. No politician/leaders or one party should no be allowed move the “goal post to accommodate the immediate need.
Mr. Mukrima , I continue to agree with you more…let us leave who won who lost in 2007 to historians and history books. Yes, I hear the drums beats again! for new election but nothing for (governing)!. If my math is right, Domestic refugees from the last election have no even found their way their homes and some will never go back to their villages!.Hunger and starvation is ravaging the country and call for new new election is heree again! .Karua is down Oginga is up inthe 2o12 polls! woh!. In the West only professional athletes often complain about (RESPECT OR LACK OF RESPECT). Kenya politicians demand RESPECT regardless o f how damn or corrupt they are! Mr. Mukurima, don’t raise your hopes and mine high!..tribal politics will not give way to rational politics despite the length of indepedence in this country! . Again, thank you for your post Sir!