Comrades,
From the numbers (see attached pictures) and participation in the CHAMA grass root meeting held on 27th June 2009 at Conference Hall (Nairobi City Hall), I can describe the first step in this long journey towards clean leadership and responsive government as great. For those who may not be privy CHAMA is acronym for Chama cha Haki and Maendeleo, a new political party in the making. During yesterday’s CHAMA meeting, Kenyans from all representations were happy with CHAMA’s first meeting.
To give you a glimpse into the mood – before you watch the video recording and see pictures online – some of the participants in their submissions described the meeting as “historic in Kenya’s political party politics” while others put it as ” the beginning of people-centred politics” and yet others as “a commendable step at returning nation’s politics to Kenyans”.
What excited participants more was the absence of our usual high table for the “political biggies”, we all sat in the plenary and only the presenter/moderator went in front. We did not bore with long speeches and in my thinking this made most participants feel we were all equal.
The day’s program was amended and simplified in the plenary. We made sure that every participant with something to say had a chance at the microphone. This lifted participants morale and spirits as they perceived that convenors appreciated that all represented Kenyans knew something about “what ails Kenya” and have opinion(s) on how we should fix it.
The absence of the usual “personalities” and “flowery names” in the gathering (which usually confuses and distorts the people’s agenda) also gave the gathering a unique political tinge. In my noting that, I do not suggest that individuals who have genuinely earned their society’s respect aren’t welcomed; rather, I am just emphasizing the (default) confidence it generated among the grass root – that they too can put together a political gathering and dialogue.
After the sharing of highlights of what makes CHAMA unique and a break from traditional political parties in Kenya, the participants were invited to speak into and input in the making of CHAMA’s constitution and party thinking/ideology. This generated a lot of enthusiasm as participants after another jostled at a chance on the microphone, to be part of this generation’s historical mission. Initial speakers were quick to caution against broken dreams and failures suffered in previous political parties such as FORD and NARC.
With the benefit of my little grass root experience in different parts of the country – especially, considering my familiarity with most of the faces that gathered in yesterday’s CHAMA first public meeting – I am reassured and confident that we have a chance at capturing, redirecting and guiding the destiny of our nation, Kenya.
It was amazing to watch and listen, voice after another paint an optimistic picture: “that we need to reimagine, redesign and rebuild Kenya” on the foundation of genuine democracy, characterized by the rule of law and respect of people’s voice. This instils in me renewed belief that, yes, it is our time to rediscover and recreate Kenya.
In an effort to ground the party at the grass root, collect more input to the CHAMA constitution and the thinking/ideology and generally popularise the formation of CHAMA countrywide, our next stop is Rift Valley region where we want to hold a similar grass root meeting in Nakuru town and it’s rural neighborhood.
In conclusion: Kudos to all who made this possible, just to mention a few: Roza Kamau, Suba Churchil, Nicholas Oyoo, Mary Wakio, Rael Odongo, Tariq Jebtekeny, Yasni Juma, Fatuma Abdala, Mary Kathomi, Jacob Muoga, Ben Githae and Omtatah Okoiti.
Thank you Tom Kagwe and Alamin Kimathi for your thoughtful opening and closing remarks respectively.
As a side note, I would like to correct Omtatah’s initial estimation of participation at 234 pax. A rough head count places the gathering at close to 300 plus – not all the participants registered at the reception. A comprehensive report on participants’ submissions, video and pictures shall be uploaded in the coming week on the CHAMA facebook and website (www.kejude.org/chama.pdf). The relevant facebook address will soon be communicated to you.
Sincerely yours,
George Nyongesa
+254 720 451 235
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Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:55:24 -0700 (PDT)
From: George Nyongesa
Subject: CHAMA’s first Grass root forum, Nairobi