As We Vote

I have over a number of months been looking for materials documenting my country's history, political and economic. Few of present day persons I have spoken to give consistent account of the political struggle for independence. Some tend to align it with the modern day politics. Ours being a polarized nation, I hope to one day get objective information.

We are going into the sixth general election as a multiparty state, and a second one in a devolved system of Government. We are a nation seeking to determine ourselves through democratic processes.

In the beginning

A century ago the British having established our commercial viability declared Kenya a protectorate. An order that was ruthlessly enforced, land taken away from us and commercial exploitation on the same started under white settlers.

Kenyan communities were crushed and forced into restrictive lives . This led them to coalesce and resist the British rule in their own ways. Over time it led to rising dissent to force the British to listen to their issues. The main agenda was to get their lands back. The Maasai are said to have opted for legal means. Kalejins and Gema communities went for open violent resistance.

Negotiations for land return or representation of Kenyans in legislative establishment was hard to come by since only numbered Africans got the chance. The British did pass laws to legitimize their occupation of the country.

After years of struggle, torture, deaths and losses we finally got our independence. Our self rule started fifty plus years ago.

The same letter of the law that legitimized the land grab by the whites was used by the Kenyan elites in position and with means then to acquire and retain lands to themselves. How we dealt with question of land there after is debatable, it however remains emotive to date.

The national psyche

Various administrations have had to determine our politics and economic direction. We have over time coalesced as communities behind enigmatic figures who have galvanized us into tribes to the detriment of our nation socially and economically.

Our unity and engagement efforts are all tribal informed.

Our common problems despite our ethnic diversity are basic and similar. It's the economic challenge. Our potential is largely hindered by our tribalism and leadership.

The 2017 general elections campaigns have exposed several notable issues. There is a serious need for Civic education on our identity and aspirations as Kenya.

Our political competition has been shown to be pursued for personal economic gains. Despite our devolved system of Government, ethnicity is still a dominant factor. You either play the politics of trust and obey, and should you question your tribal leader, your aspirations are dimmed.

Brood of vipers

Collectively, our leadership integrity threshold is wanting. A baggage of known economic and even criminal offences are rendered void if one ascends into office through the ballot.

With the political class knowing the economic depression the majority populace are in, they have promised goodies to attract attention. We have dutifully flocked venues be it churches, open grounds, social halls to listen mostly to ethnic calculation, and aspirants pledge allegiances to “mtu wetu”.

To the politician, promised goodies will assure audience since poverty is common place.

Recent scandals like the NYS pilferage showed us the loot was shared among the two divides of the political formations. The Karen land grab benefited all in the political formations.

The sad reality is that even the leadership too stands on no ground. The brotherhood pledge by two top political antagonists on public forums changes into vitriol on campaign platforms. Who is the lesser evil?

Our national psyche for a better nation has been betrayed by the outgoing leaders from the two formations.

The unpopular choice

Despite our limitations, I think we have a national duty individually. A duty to maintain peace with our real freedom heroes by choosing the right direction as the current citizens and prepare right for the future.

Are we willing to vote ourselves leaders in office who are not afraid of creating and supporting a system of laws and not men? Who will take their responsibilities seriously by acting on good principles and policies to solve challenging questions of our time and nation?

Will we get ourselves leaders willing to embrace the openness of the day to listen and consult all the arrays of interest on matters of public interests?

Will we vote ourselves leaders  widely recognised for their work ethics, industry, integrity, excellence and even handedness?

We fought hard for pluralism, let's raise the bar on the same at the ballot.

God Bless Kenya.

Kahugu Muiruri