Re: Kenyans must reject tribalism--- Kibaki

For those who do not know the man, President Kibaki must have hit the right cord rallying Kenyans to reject tribalism. What a benevolent president? What a
unifying factor?

But a quick look at our Kenyan struggle and how optimistic we all were as we kicked Moi, Biwott and Kanu out of power in December 2002, and how soon
thereafter Emilio crafted a new government, then you might understand who the president should have addressed.

Someone must tell Mr President this, because, he might have been fairly too sick to comprehend what Kenyans voted against in December 2002. And this could explain why he is telling us, the wrong audience, to shun tribalism.

Kenyans in voting against Moi, the man Kibaki now consults with more regularly, voted against tribalism, corruption, and dictatorship, epitomed in too much power vested in the presidency.

Kenyans voted for a working system which Kibaki soon turned into a walking Nation, literally. The cost of transport is way beyond the common Kenyan who voted for a working system in Kenya, to an extent that many now opt to walk to work to eke a living. They are forced to walk to work in this working nation
nightmare where the economy supposedly grows at 5.8% pa.

Kenyans love each other, that I know for sure. And we do not practice tribalism. My Kikuyu neighbour responds to my distress call at night just like the Pokomo would do. This is why we all voted in unison to have an independent Judiciary, and a functioning Parliament. We voted for a new Kenya where all Kenyans have equal opportunities at work place, in the civil
service, in the Judiciary, in the Police force, in the Army etc.

But it is only President Kibaki who seems to have missed on the Kenyan dream. Immediately he was sworn in sitting in a wheelchair, something Arch -Bishop Steven Ondiek mistook for a wheel-burrow, he slammed his doors on all Kenyans save for the chosen few.

For most of his new appointees, he only saw talent, qualification, professionalism and integrity around Mt Kenya. This was not a Kikuyu problem. This was Kibaki the man at work.

Thereafter he unleshed Aaron Ringera on his colleagues at the Judiciary, and the end result was the Kikuyunisation of the Judiciary.

Again he looked at the security system, and became convinced that only Kikuyus could do a good job.  Deserving Kenyans were hence demoted, retired and/or frustrated into oblivion.

The new team the president put in place did not inspire confidence among most Kenyans, with Most people seeing tribal inclination in appointments at play. President Kibaki found it necessary to surround himself with homeboys, home guards and Madam Cry Baby.

And yet all Kenyans voted for change. Positive change.  People voted for change, against Moi, Biwott, tribalism, corruption, an independent Judiciary, and a robust parliament, everything Kibaki seems to be at variance with.

Now being the CEO and the appointing authority, who is the president telling to shun tribalism? Things seems to have gone full circle for Mr President, for he
needs to be reminded that Kenyans are not tribalists, that Kenyans cannot appoint themselves into all those positions, that he, as the appointing authority, holds the key to stemming tribalism. That it is him who is a tribalist.

The other parts of his speach were classic campaign tools. Is it now, four years into his presidency, with one year to his exit, that he now realises that women
and youth do exist? And that the women are so important that they must now sit in development committees?

How different is his current pet vision 2030 with his then pet vision sessional paper number 10 of 1965? A big phantom then, a big phantom now.

But what struck me as odd is that the president never talked about corruption. Seems that he is now resigned that corruption is, after all, a way of life within
the corridors of power.  The best meesage Mr President would have given Kenyans was what he said in Muthurwa on Monday, that he is giving up, and will head to his home to do what Kiraitu told Moi to go and do.

The other things that he said were only meant to confuse me, to make me believe that he is the next wonder since Manna fell on the Isrealites. I refuse to
be such confused.

His clear message on tribalism and other things were good. Only that the President should have addressed them to His Excellency Mwai Kibaki CGH, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Kenya, with
a very clear message; stop being a tribalist- you are the appointing authority. 

Odhiambo T Oketch