from Fuambo Janyandito
The symbols chosen for the referendum reminds me of one party KANU rule from 1980s through 90s. Those were the days when Kenyan politicians worth their salt donned red shirts when attending any political function.
Red shirts was not only restricted to politicians. KANU Youth wingers on duty had to be clad in red shirts.
RED therefore reminds me of the dreaded KANU days when President Moi was Baba and Mama at the same time and crossing his path meant being thrown into both political and economic cold.
I am now seeing history repeating itself in Rtd President Moi, his former youthwingers, briefcase carriers and KANU stalwarts coalescing around the RED colour. That is why Ruto said, some who wear the green cloaks are crimson red at heart.
Green history in Kenya is a contrast to the red one. In the early nineties, FORD – the democratic movement that was the face of multipartyism, reform and progress. Its symbol was a green lion and through the seed it sowed then, the reds were vanquished in 2002 rainbow revolution. In a similar fashion, we are seeing the pro-reform politicians coalescing around the green movement.
To me, RED symbolises the tyranny and misrule during the single party rule whereas, GREEN symbolises reform and progress.
I am therefore moving ahead with the GREENS as I shun the REDs. I can also assure all of you that the whole of Migori where Icome from and the neighbouring districts in the greater Kisii, Nyamira and Homabay are green and at peace with themselves.
However, we are not sleeping until the whole country is painted green and the country becomes at peace with itself.
Say ‘GREEN’
Are you really bringing some sense to this important document with the statements below. I think we should try as much as possible to desist from trivializing such an important document. People should be advised to read and become conversant with the issues in the constitution. For me, I so happy that we have different opinions on the document. This is what happens in civilized countries. You cannot simply be goaded to vote or reject a document when you don’t understand what you are voting or rejecting. People should pay close attention to some of the contentious issues being raised and think about their long term ramifications. This constitution is a national document that will benefit all unless there are some parts that favours particular communuties…thus it’s important that people adopt a more sober approach and give room for dissenting voices to articulate their concerns. I believe everyone in this country has been waiting for a new constitution. But that alone, should not be the basis for rushing a defective constitution.
Let those in the “NO” tell us the parts they disagree with and how they think those parts should have been worded. The same applies to the “Yes” camp. It will be trivial to start calling people or branding people at a time when the country should be focused on an issue that will take some decades again to rectify. Honestly speaking, both sides of the Yes and No have equal number of devils we have had in our political system for ages!
>To me, RED symbolises the tyranny and misrule during the >single party rule whereas, GREEN symbolises reform and >progress.
>I am therefore moving ahead with the GREENS as I shun the where Icome from and the neighbouring districts in the greater >Kisii, Nyamira and Homabay are green and at peace with >themselves.
>However, we are not sleeping until the whole country is >painted green and the country becomes at peace with itself.
>Say ‘GREEN’
G R E E N .
Thisis the order of the day “Thura”. Janyandito, encourage the rest of Kamagambians to follow suite.
Well Dr. Mbare, you ae very right in suggesting that people be advised to read the document and at the same time the NO team should be given their democratic rights.Now anyuola, i have only seen/heard the NO camp protagonists/propagandists telling lies, sadly including the clergy whom i believe should not invoke the name of God in falsehoods
If democrcy can be abused as is being done by the NO camp, what say you on granting one his/her rights? Ang’eyo ni jorongo tee to dhi goyo YES, thanks to the level of awareness/education in the constituency. But i am convinced that those in the No camp only think that kamiti and Nyati house were Serenas/hiltons to those who spearheaded the reform agenda. Let us put on the Green label and help move Kenya forward.We must say YES polo piach
Tom WUO Atinda
jakitere
Well Dr. Mbare, you ae very right in suggesting that people be advised to read the document and at the same time the NO team should be given their democratic rights.Now anyuola, i have only seen/heard the NO camp protagonists/propagandists telling lies, sadly including the clergy whom i believe should not invoke the name of God in falsehoods
If democrcy can be abused as is being done by the NO camp, what say you on granting one his/her rights? Ang’eyo ni jorongo tee to dhi goyo YES, thanks to the level of awareness/education in the constituency. But i am convinced that those in the No camp only think that kamiti and Nyati house were Serenas/hiltons to those who spearheaded the reform agenda. Let us put on the Green label and help move Kenya forward.We must say YES polo piach
Tom WUO Atinda
jakitere
Dr. Mbare,
We are painting Kenya green and urge you to say a LOUD and CLEAR GREEN.
It is true as Fuambo was indicating that at the forefront of the red campaigns are former KANUIST(KANU Damu) whose flagship color was coincidentally red.
I am excited at the prospect of the whole Kenya becoming GREEN. Aren’t you?
Nyikwa Ramogi and Fellow Kenyana:
Red and Green are just symbols. They have nothing to do with KANU or FORD or whichever party you mention!
And if anything to go by, they are good colors: Our flag has red=blood shed during struggle for freedom, green=prosperty of our nation as an agriculture state.
If I argue that the RED guys are fighting for a free Kenya, at least in the Draft would I be vindicated? I dont think so. Its only that they have not come out clear to the Green guys.
And arguing that the Green are fighting for a much prosperous nation in the Draft?
Lets read the Draft and vote wisely devoid of chaos and name calling. Red and Green or whichever color, will come to pass, but Kenya will always remain as a nation, dependent on the seeds we sow now.
Forget about KANU and anything to do with the colors – think Kenya!
Arreddo Nyang
Green is our symbol for accepting the new constitution. When talking about the new constitution, it is therefore not just a color. It stands for reforms in governance in Kenya, reforms that the original FORD was fighting for and KANU was deadly against. That those against the reforms in the new constitution are led by people like Moi and Ruto is a historical coincidence worth noting.
Well done to those who have noted it in this forum and I urge people like Arreddo to see the historical connections and avoid being confused by the REDs. Let them not betray the reform course for the ill gotten pieces of silver.
Jaduong Mose:
Ngang’! Ka wachimo wach tir, your argument is color. I strongly support the new constitution draft.
I simply wanted to give the post a new dimension. The author looked deeper into RED color as the KANU party color, which is ok. I looked at it in the National Flag of Kenya as a symbol of struggle for freedom, and we are not that free unless we have the right constitution in place.
You also spoke of green as color for freedom, and highligheted FORD-KENYa as a party. Did you know that that green in Ford-Kenya diminished when no proper pary elections could be held and Raila and co had to eventually walk out to form NDP which had not even a trace of green color, and Raila is the reformist in Kenya?
Just as I said, these colors are NOTHING – just a symbol for the illiterate that when they see RED they its the sign for NO and GREEN is for YES.
And one last question for you is RED “NO” and is GREEN “YES” and if yes, why Yes and if NO why NO?
One thing we all ought to know is that at the end of all these we will remain Kenyans. The colors will come and go. And above all, I know most people have not even read a clause of the constitution, and therefore, rely on hearsays and rumours.
So I urge all to read and re-read the document and make wise choice at the ballot box.
Arreddo Nyang kibaa ramba!