From: Kenfish

I have been deeply reflecting on the new constitution of Kenya that’s being signed into law tomorrow at Uhuru Park by H.E. The President of the Republic Of Kenya. For your introduction, I am an Economist by training and a Technology enthusiast and evangelist by profession (what they call a techy or geek – and my work is to spread technological use). So I will not pretend to be someone else.

Kenya has come a long way since independence. You will recall that the proposed structure of governance differs only slightly from what we inherited from the colonialists. Yes, for over 45 years, this is the kind of document that we needed, yet we chose otherwise. We ask ourselves why did we change cause and why? I ask what will stop Kenya from changing mid stream cause once again? These questions keep coming to me since August 4th, when the referendum was decided.

Kenya is a great nation, endowed with natural and human capital resources more than any nation in Africa. While we keep talking about various tribes that can’t coexist together peacefully, we must firmly put our gaze on the fact that for over 30 years, our politics has been perpetual year in year out. We have eventually galvanized ourselves into chiefdoms basically because the system was broken after our independence from England. Leadership is not about constitutions, because constitutions are changed, leadership is in our hearts, and the day a bad leader emerges from within us, just like in the past, we should ask ourselves if the constitution will be respected. Coups happen even in countries with constitutions.

To built this nation, Kenyans will have to stop looking for handouts everywhere and seek to develop a nation strong enough that we will not need a constitution to protect our welfare – that we will find collective responsibility in what each and every one of us does – just like the Britons, the Americans, the Chinese or even the Japanese. We will feel a sense of belonging in everything we do, as Kenyans. While we stand on the test of democracy, we should keep gazing at the big prize before us. We should emulate our great athletes that year in year out, despite greater competition from other nations, always bring glory to this nation.

A constitution alone will make promises, empty promises if we don’t work towards fulfilling these promises. I’m led into this article by the fact that people everywhere have immense hopes that we are in Canaan. Even in Canaan we had Canaanites, a tribe that never knew God and never even benefited from Gods favor to Israelites. We must guard that the promises made in the constitution will only be achieved if and when all Kenyans work together for the good of this great nation. Even in Canaan people worked hard, not just in their respective professions, but even protecting the Land God gave them through fortification of the walls and gates. Let no one promise you that the new laws will be salvation; in fact implementing this constitution will provide the greatest acid test for any democracy on earth. The laws though in a simple language to understand, are written in coded wording that requires a magnifying glass to decipher. Many are the judgments in the courts that will fail the test, many criminals will be set free. Many challenges are coming our way. Yet ironically, looking at life itself, we are bound to lose heart because we are not sure every minute coming we will be alive. That said, we should focus on the positives of these set of laws.

My prayer is that Kenyans will reflect on the bigger picture as we celebrate the new dawn. That no one will build this country other than we – Kenyans. No one will come to our aid if we will not work with common vision. Common vision will mean we respect every one of us – from the smallest tribe that’s got only 100 members to the largest tribes that have millions of dependents. I’m crying for that country – because no constitution is superior to a people with a great vision. 10 or 15 years down memory lane we might realize we were infatuated by politics like teenagers get infatuated by the first love. We should realize that even in marriage, the act of getting one to marry is easier – keeping your partner happy by our side is the hardest job.

I know Kenyans will do whatever is necessary to ensure a new Kenya is a country where we respect each other and value each other despite our failings – just like in successful marriages.

God bless Kenya.

Peter Osotsi

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