The Demise of the Great Reformists into Pathetic Conformists

Another Election year, another time to ponder, a time to remind ourselves lest we forget history repeating itself; let us remind ourselves for a moment of these great reformist of the yesteryears who have fallen into controversial conformists of their paymasters:
Ø Koigi Wamwere, a staunch second Liberation fighter for democracy...
Ø Paul Muite a do or die self dedicated lawyer for the second liberation movement in the 1990's,
Ø Muhkitsi Kituyi, a renown self dedicated fighter,
Ø Gitobu Imanyara,
Ø Kivuthi Kibwana,
Ø Gibson Kamau Kuria,
Ø Kiraitu Murungi, all great lawyers during the second liberation.

It pains to say that, the list is long, but the people stay pretty much the same as we approach another election. The atmosphere has a strong reminiscence of those yesteryears when these personalities were strong bedrocks of true champions (or so we thought) who were deterred by nothing. They soldiered on at the adversary unabated by the impending dangers of losing their lives, going into imprisonment or running into exile.

Those were the days. These men fought selflessly for the democratic space...so hard did they fight when the Kanu regime was plunging the country into total abyss, that it was most surprising when they turned around at the helm of power under NARC to complete silence and muteness even as the same space they so long fought for is being manipulated, the same corruption they couldn't be part of now becoming part of them, the same lack of insecurity they decried against now still looking them in the eye even more, but they just turn away, saying not a word. These men have turned mute as the NARC metamorphosised into a tribalist, corrupt, conniving outfit that has lost touch with Kenya people.

They have together joined the group of second hand politicians, not the first hand innovators that they were. They have done a half baked job and they will forever be remembered in the History books of this great Nation as those men who couldn't finish what they started but were so power hungry to divulge into sycophantic behavior of the evil paymaster. They have shown that the strong acumen or big goals they long preached were but empty rhetoric and instead they opted to enjoy short term gains.

These men now worship power and money. They hear no evil, and see no evil in poor governance, arrogance and corruption of the present government. They are very comfortable serving under it. Since NARC came into power, they have proven over and over again their lack of spine and have displayed their weak political and ethical morals while being insiders in this government. They have not disputed or been angered by the greed, the trabalist nature or the corrupt way the government they now serve has become. Instead they have swayed, drunk with power and comfort they so wanted to deny their predecessors that they are now oblivious to any of these vices: the traits of pathetic conformists. Any positive reactions from them if any have been halfhearted!

Why Koigi? Why Muite? Why Kituyi ? Why Kibwana? Why Kuria? Why Murungi? Why you, of all people?

For many years these men fought without fear. Little did we know that to them the enemy was the tribe that was at the center of power then. The enemy wasn't corruption or poor governance. The enemy was a tribal factor, for as soon as Moi was gone the so called "Reformists" turned a blind eye to each and every vice in governance they so long fought against. They lost their vocal nature and instead succumbed to a state of sycophant worship.

It is important to jog the memories of the electorate, lest we forget on what has transpired since the yesteryears of Kanu domination to these times of Kibaki era. Please take a good look at some of these personalities; it is a very objective thing to do as we gear into another election year. Woe unto them who wear color of personalities to suit their temporary environment! History has taught us that there were never great men made out of such traits. Instead, they fell by the roadside as true soldiers matched on.

True reformists of great nations shall march on unabated; in the midst of the stormy conditions they shall brave the weather and carry the day. To them Kudos. To the conformists, I will put this with lots of displeasure: Nothing tastes awful and revolting like when a reformist turns into a pathetic conformist.

To the electorate, take your pick, a reformist or a conformist? That's the question you should ponder along as you tick the boxes for the right true candidate that deserves your vote. If you want a pathetic liar, pick the conformist. But if you want true change, then pick the true reformist; that true patriot who should surely lead this great nation that is now being eroded into an abyss of corruption, tribalism, nepotism, extreme insecurity, thuggery and poverty. The choice is very clear.

Political Analyst based in Melbourne Australia Bush Barack Ndiege Nyakwar Johana