from odhiambo okecth
We must take the destiny of our country in our hands, and Article 1 [1] of our Constitution gives us all that power;
Sovereignty of the People; Article 1 [1]- All sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya and shall be exercised only in accordance with this Constitution.
Friends, this is a powerful piece. It ensures that the people of Kenya stays and lives this document. We have come a long way and it is time we came together to stay with the issues.
In 1963, Kenya attained her Independence and at Uhuru Gardens, there was an attempt to raise the National Flag which remained just that; an attempt. We have men still struggling to raise the National Flag at the Garden, a sign of National Shame so blatantly displayed. Our political leaders, in a sheer show or arrogance displayed to the world that Kenya’s flag was never raised and we put it as a National Monument.
At that time, our political leaders ran away with our Independence. They never let us know that we had instruments of governance well captured in a document called the Constitution. Soon, they stated manipulating the document for self gain as they rained impunity on us. We did not know, and we could not stand up for our rights.
In 1990’s, a team of pioneer reformers coined the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy that did not restore democracy as it never became democratic. It was hijacked by the anti reform process and soon, Ford was split into small pieces that ensured that Kanu retained power. But it was a crucial attempt at helping Kenyans to see some options. We came to realize that Kanu, after all, was beatable. We started knowing bits and pieces about the instrument of governance called the Constitution.
In 2002, Ralia Odinga proclaimed Kibaki Tosha in a mammoth rally at the historic Uhuru Park. In that rally, we were promised a new Constitution in 100 days. As much as Kibaki did not Tosha the aspiration of the change agents, his 100 days translated into 7 years- 2,555 days later, and Kenyans were jubilant as they again trooped to Uhuru Park to witness the rebirth of our 2nd Republic.
At our most crucial time of joy, Kibaki who has never Toshad, killed our jubilation by inviting a known fugitive to share with us in our crucial hour of celebration. He soiled our party by defecating on our food. The joy that we all had was deemed by one single act of impunity that sent a clear signal to the world that nothing has changed and that it will be business as usual; impunity will rein, corruption will flourish and tribalism will be the cornerstone upon which his administration is anchored.
My fellow Kenyans, what must we do to reclaim our country from this cabal that believes in impunity, corruption, tribalism and sheer show of power? Can they stand in our way?
I want to believe that we are a lot more wiser. We now know our rights and we have helped develop our own Constitution. We have been to the trenches and we have fought this war. Our colleagues have been killed in the process and President Kibaki and his team cannot stop us from enjoying our new found freedoms.
We must unite as Kenyans and say no to impunity, corruption and tribalism. We must unite as Kenyans to demand for Service Delivery from our political leaders and State employees.
We must unite as Kenyans and protect our gains. This calls for complete vigilance as we stay with the implementation process. Let the political class not run away with our Constitution again as they did in 1963. Then, we were so few, and we did not know. Now, we are so many and we all know.
Staying with the issues will be the best tribute we shall have paid to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Masinde Muliro, Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia, George Anyona, Odhiambo Mbai, Katama Mkangi, and a whole lot of brilliant Kenyans who stood firm in our quest for a new Constitution.
It is from this back ground that we must invite all Kenyans to stay with the issues. Let the politicians not take us for a ride. Let them not make us start engaging in unnecessary wars and fights. It has been so clear that whenever we are engaged in such fights, the politicians are stealing something from us. When we were busy fighting, they came up with Goldenberg, Anglo Leasing and they sold our Hotel- the Grand Regency Hotel.
Let us remain vigilant and refuse to fight each other. Kenya is for us all. We owe our vigilance to our progeny.
Peace and blessings,
Odhiambo T Oketch
CEO KCDN Nairobi,
PO Box 47890-00100,
Nairobi, Kenya.
Tel; 0724 365 557, 0735 529 126
Email; komarockswatch@yahoo.com
blog; http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
blog; http://nairobieastba.blogspot.com
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Odhiambo is the current chairman to the Stakeholders Evaluation Team on Performance Contract and Rapid Results Initiative at the City Council of Nairobi- CCNSET—