From: maina ndiritu

In the recent past, debate has raged on the role of Western diplomats accredited to Kenya in the March 4 elections. This prompted some of the envoys to openly declare they have no interest on who will be the next president.

It is hard to believe foreign forces have no interest in the polls. There are a myriad reasons why they would want to play a role in determining who will be our next Head of State. And a good number of these reasons are scarcely about Kenyans’ well-being.

One of the reasons envoys would love to have a say in the polls is that Kenya has for a long time remained stable, save for the 2007/08 imbroglio. The country has, therefore, been a vantage point from which the West has been watching over its interests in the region.

Americans, in particular, use Kenya as an outpost in the war against terror. Besides, Kenya is a regional economic giant and hence an ideal gateway for foreign investors eyeing the ever-expanding opportunities in the region. It, therefore, rings hollow when diplomats say they have no stake in the next election.

Western envoys are posted here, first and foremost, to protect the interests of their home countries. These interests have not radically changed from the era of imperialism. They are still looking for resources to fuel their economies just as they did during colonialism.

However, since envoys are as good as spin-doctors in sending mixed signals, you will not easily know their agenda as it is deliberately concealed deep in semantics. Every diplomat will say he or she has been posted here as a partner in development, helping in building and nurturing institutional capacities.

Yes, we welcome aid and investments here – in fact truckloads of them. However, we must realise that these development packages are just nicely wrapped sweeteners that mask the real intention.

It is in African countries blessed with minerals that the West’s hypocrisy has been graphically illustrated. Most of these countries endowed with oil, gold and diamonds and other important minerals have been held hostage by foreign forces, turning them into lands of a compelling oxymoron – unspeakable poverty ravages the masses, yet resources abound.

Because they want to maintain a stranglehold in the minerals trade in these countries, the West manipulates the democratic process so that those who are malleable to their designs are elevated to power.

We have seen them cavort with the worst dictators as they turn a blind eye and a dumb ear to the appalling human rights violations by such despots. Because these tyrants do not owe allegiance to the citizens, the country goes to the dogs.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is a classic example. Before he fell from grace, Mobutu Sese Seko would tell all and sundry that he was a close ally of the West. And, indeed, he was because he had allowed them unfettered access to his country’s minerals.

With the blessings of his benefactors, Mobutu turned Zaire into a private coffer, pillaging and plundering with abandon. He suppressed dissidence with an iron hand as the West, the supposed paragon of civil liberties, watched speechless.

Before his ignominious death, Libya’s strongman Muammar Gaddafi was being ‘rehabilitated’ by foreign forces after a long sour relationship. Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak was tolerated for a long time for geopolitical reasons.

While the West was still cosily in bed with these dictators, the Arab Spring exploded, starkly revealing the extent of their hypocrisy regarding democracy.

It is thus clear Western diplomats always make politically correct noises about liberty, democracy, human rights and that kind of stuff. However, that is not their real business around here.

Thus, if we want real democracy in Kenya, we better nurture it ourselves. If we want good leaders, it is our business to elect them. And make no mistake, there are foreign forces yearning to influence the way we vote. They want leaders who will be their lackeys, giving them unbridled access to our resources.

Kenyans need to be even more careful now that there are good signs we may soon join the league of mineral-rich countries. Certain foreign elements are salivating at the prospect of having a president who will sway to their demands like a marionette.

Mr Kipngetich runs a bookshop in Rift Valley (kipngetichlance@gmail.com)

http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/Envoys-have-a-stake-in-General-Election/-/440808/1658900/-/ldjjxs/-/index.html

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Why should we not all live in peace and harmony ? we look up the same stars , we are fellow passengers on the same planet and dwell beneath the same sky , what matters it along which road each individual endeavours to reach the ultimate truth ? the riddle of existence is too great that there should be only one road leading us to an answer *
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QUINTUS AURELIUS SYMMACHUS