The art of double speak; Kibaki style

The president in his Madaraka Day speech yesterday said that he believes in the freedom of expression and that of the press.

Do you believe him?

I do not. Lets look at history slightly and come to terms with reality. He was among the group that used to sing that Kanu would rule for 100 years. He later told Kenyans that fighting for multi party democracy was a kin to cutting a mugumo tree using a razor blade.

But immediately the battle was won, Kibaki went sun bathing in Mombasa, and together with like minded tribesmen, formed the Democratic Party, instead of joining hands with Kenyans who had fought hard to bring the desired change.

That was then, and maybe we cannot hold a lot against him, because he would say he was not in charge.

Then we put him in charge. What has he done? He has gone against all the pacts he made, and against all the pledges he made with Kenyans. He trashed the MOU with his colleagues the moment he assumed power. It was then that he realized that the constitution was more supreme to the MOU, as if nobody knew that when it was being signed.

Then he started going against the aspirations of Kenyans. Tribalism was enhanced, corruption became domiciled at State House, a new constitution became unnecessary, the laws of the land became pumbavu, self centredness took centre stage. And the gravy train took off.

It is during this time that David Ochami and his editor at Kenya Times tasted police harassment. It is this time the KTN and The Standard got state visitors who ripped their press apart and burnt their papers at night. It is the same time that Kiss FM was interfered with, Kass FM was taken off air, and then the man comes to tell us that he believes in press freedom.

Man, action speaks louder than words.

The media bill as printed is the handiworks of his minister. He cannot turn around and pretend that he supports press freedom, and at the same time table a bill in parliament to gag that same press freedom.

Honestly, why say you believe in press freedom, and at the same time table a bill that threatens to kill that same press freedom you believe in.

Some contradictions are too obvious. You do not win a medal for scoring in a friendly game.

Odhiambo T Oketch
Embakasi Constituency