New Kenyans, I am still living in old Kenya?

I am Joram Ragem. A critic. Allow me therefore to offer criticism of the events of today.

There is no question that a lot of things did go well. Amos Wako indeed drafted the articles of promulgation, and Kibaki did declare a new constitution for our country, and he signed it into law. Our flag was raised very high indeed in a recently erected high pole, where a ‘jumbo’ flag will always fly at Uhuru Park. It was a very important day indeed to the extent that foreign dignitaries graced us with their presence. Kenyans showed up in their many many numbers and without question, I am very proud of this day. My father watched it, I watched it and my son watched it.

Let me go straight to the point, whereas the event was a success, I hereby give it a C grade

Here are my reasons:

1) We hosted a war criminal. A man accused and indicted by a court we are a signatory of. We allowed him to share the dais with our other highly esteemed guests, and indeed without their permission as we abetted partnership in hiding him from ICC by not stating in advance he was coming. Shame on us.

2) Having spent several days preparing for this event, Major General Kiaga assured us that this was going an event never seen since 1963. Well, he was right. We have never before promulgated a constitution. That was the only right thing about his pronouncement. Though I cannot blame him for the many things I saw that were not right, the military display was wanting. I have been to Uhuru park wher the military had a better display. Read a note a wrote about one of my experiences here. http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=279903939461. In short, the military parade lasted shorted than the Kadhi’s Prayer, and I don’t think he practiced. Where were the Boyscouts and the Girl Guides? The St Johns ambulances? The Police K9 Squad. Oh these were not promised ok. Where were the boats. I saw one air float, smaller than the floats I see in Mombasa owned by a single tourist mounted on a 16 wheeler and guards standing at attention! Give me a break. Where were the fighter jets that used to grace public celebrations during Moi or Kenyatta era?

3) During the election return period, Kenyans in the diaspora were treated to the best TV live coverage from Kenya we ever saw. However, the live feed was discontinued because someone did not want us to see how the election was being stolen. That was easy to understand. I mean a smart thief would knock out a live camera if he sees it while robbing a bank. Today, Kenya had to show the world how we can put our best foot forward. But alas! We were treated to s show like a strip tease on a pub alongside a US highway that bears the sign ‘We bear it all.’ In fact even these joints get to show you the real deal. The live feed today was the worst I have seen ever. Even the Iraqi live feed as they hanged Saddam Hussein was better! Did I even insinuate that the folks who worked to cut the live feed in 2007 at the election results were still at work last night. I mean, lets face it, every time PM Raila Odinga took the mike, the feed went dead!

4) For an event of this magnitude, the planners really need to show that we were about to enter a second half decade of our Nations beautiful history. They should have known how many people would be sitting at the dais, who they were and where they were sitting. There were not enough chairs. I even heard that an orchestra that was invited being told to quit sitting and that they were to play their instruments while standing and walking! The faces of real heroes like Nzamba Kitonga, Kofi Anan, Mkapa, Machelle, Kikwete, Njoki, and many others were not see. To my utmost displeasure, I was annoyed at looking at Omar Bashir, a war criminals face who was placed right behind the main microphone. His face is all I see every time I close my eyes to remember the faces of the people I saw at the dais.

5) Oh my God, what happened to Muungano, Prisons, St Stephen’s, Friends Choir – Nomiya? Our music presentation was over 30 years backwards, or was it just that our filming and shooting skills have regressed. No wonder we cannot even shoot a simple soccer game, and keep chasing the ball with the camera instead of our feet!

At the risk of making my note unreadable, let me stop here and ask for your forgiveness already. I was and perhaps I am still angry at the disorganization. Please understand, some of us stayed up until 3:00am in the morning trying hard to watch an event that is our birth right.

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Joram Ragem

wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (You are my relative but with the new Katiba, it doesn’t matter anymore)