from Fannuel Mugendi

“…I am the Master of my fate, I am the Captain of my soul.” – W.E. Henley 1875

Writer: Fannuel M. Murianki

The success of Kenya’s new constitution implementation depends on how much the government involves its Diaspora. Strong foundations for effective County governments will be the work of our sons and daughters who have travelled, lived and studied abroad. They are the fuel that will drive the new vehicle. Just like at the onset of independence, the Diaspora will be pivotal in laying strong pillars upon which new governing structures for the new constitution will be founded upon.

In 1963 when Kenya gained independence, the late President Kenyatta marshaled the Diaspora to assist his fledgling government. Some of the most effective government leaders have at one time lived and studied abroad. Kenya’s longest Member of Parliament H.E. President Kibaki, was mentored into governance after his studies at London School of Economics. Hon Michuki, late Tom Mboya, and Hon Raila Odinga just to name a few have studied abroad at one time. It was the Diaspora alongside expatriates that laid the foundations of our current government and its’ vital institutions of governance. The long road of development has the foot prints of Diaspora. The economy has their footprints everywhere. The immense contribution of the Diaspora cannot be under rated. After 46 years, a new Kenya has emerged with new American style constitution and the contribution of ideas and support from thousands of Kenyans living abroad or those who have studied abroad cannot come at a better time. Successful implementation of these new structures will largely depend on how much the Diaspora is involved. Ignore their input at Kenya’s peril!

The unforeseen challenges of establishing County governments will be easily countered and stronger foundations laid with the involvement of people who have travelled, studied or lived abroad. Kuishi kwingi kuona mengi! (He who has travelled has seen a lot).

The implementation of this new constitution requires an out-of -the box approach of thinking and management. Currently, corruption has permeated many sectors of Kenyan society that an infusion with fresh people of integrity is needed. No longer will Kenyans blame the central government for all the failures and inefficiencies of their systems. The success of their Counties will depend on whom they elect into office and in turn the management that will be entrusted with their resources. The animal on their plate is much bigger than the African elephant and will need new ways of skinning. They need to turn to their sons and daughter whom they sent abroad to study better ways of life.

While for over 46 years Kenyans depended on central government to frame policies for development, this is about to change. This responsibility will shift to the local leadership bringing challenges hitherto unforeseen by the framers of this new constitution. The new law calls for stringent oversight and integrity of leadership at all levels. With rampant corruption at every institution including the church, is there a crop of young leadership that can create a new culture upon which to carry the new laws? A new culture of leadership (conspicuously absent today) is needed. New thinkers, dreamers and visionaries are needed. The Diaspora has a lot of offer.

While the costs of running the new government structures and implementing laws are unknown, many Kenyans are concerned as to where to store this new wine. Whom can they entrust? The contaminated and old wineskin is too dangerous to risk this new wine. Failure in the midstream is unthinkable. The new structures will call for ingenuity and creativity from leaders with integrity who can raise revenues and control costs for the new County governments without stealing. This is where expertise from Kenyan Diaspora will tally given the exposure and experience. The government needs to sound the bell and invite Kenyan Diaspora to assist in laying the vital strong foundations for the new way of life. We cannot gamble with fate. It is in our hands. The singer wrote and sang “when He calls me, I will answer”, many are waiting for this call! Will President Kibaki and his team call?

The writer is an advocate for meaningful change to Africa’s ways of political & economic management.

Comments to: Fannuel M. Murianki

Email: mugendipress@gmail.com.

Cell: 011-254-678-438-0516, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.