KENYAN ACADEMIC ELITES SHOULD RISE TO THE OCCASSION

Prof Mutua:

I agree with you totally that diverse views that we hold is what transcends into pragmatism. As they say that reaction between the thesis and anti-thesis results into synthesis. Prof.,sincerely speaking, Gordon Teti will be the last person to stiffle free expression of opinion. To this extent, please be advised kindly that I do appreciate and enjoy immensely the current intellectual discourse that is going on between the professor of law and the student of politics.

When I looked at your resume, the picture that came into my mind was that you are a man who has experienced the dangers of bad governance. I guess you must be in the group of Otieno Kajwang' or James Orengo who were forced out of the University of Nairobi by tyranical rule of Moi's goverment.

My good professor, you went to Dare-saalam University enroute to the United States not on your own volition but because those who were in power then never wanted you to prosper in your own motherland. Moi's government and those who supported it never wanted an inclusive society for all Kenyans. Instead, Moi and his leutenants were kin in ensuring that Kenya remained a country of minority millionnaires and majority beggers.

I see you in the league of men and women of Kenya who have suffered a lot because of poor leadership. Prof., when history is written about Kenyans who have suffered for the expansion of democratic space in Kenya, definitely you will have a paragraph if not a chapter.

Therefore, in your own opinion, does Hon. Raila Odinga deserve a chance of appearing alongside those who fought for political freedom in Kenya? What about Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi, William Ruto, Joe Nyagah, Dr. Julia Ojiambo, Uhuru Kenyatta, Balala and Umar?

This brings to mind the anti-Apartheid struggle in South Africa. If you were in a position to decide who was to be the President of South Africa after the defeat of the Apartheid regime, who between Mongosuthu Buthelezi and Nelson Mandela would you have endorsed for post-Apartheid Presidency in South Africa and why ? Both men played a role in the politics of South Africa during Aparthied. Both were heroes within their own political constituencies. However, both men obviously, played diferent numbers in the contest against Apartheid system.

The first time I heard about you after Narc ascended to power in 2002 and you were given the responsibility of colating views on whether Kenyans needed Truth and Reconciation Commission, there was no doubt in my mind that you are a reformist. Whatever happened after you tabled your report to the Kibaki government is history now.

Having divergent views is very different from having irrational prepositions. Prof., sometimes when I read your articles about Hon. Raila Odinga, I start asking myself, what the hell is going on here? What is the war between Makau Mutua and Raila Odinga? What did the son of the lake do that is so irritating to the son of Masaku?

All these questions have been pondering in my mind for months and months for one single reason: In my view Makau Mutua and Raila Odinga should be comrades at arm based on the past suffering inflicted on them by the Moi regime. Raila and Makau should bond together and finish the struggle and not fight each other for the benefit of Moi incarnates.

Honestly, it has taken me a lot of soul searching before I decided to have a dialogue with you since it was very hard for me to understand you. Why do we, learned people, behave as if academic successes are only titles with nothing to show for. It is interesting to see that ordinary Kenyans understand the prevailing political mood on the ground better those of us who proclaim strings of academic titles. This is a challenge for us as educated people.

Kenya is at a crossroad right now. But the good news is that we, as Kenyans, are lucky that God has given us yet another window of opportunity to bring positive change to our country. We are lucky because the same opportunity was given to us in 2002 but we were duped into voting an hyena. The sad news is that this opportunity is not going to last forever.The question that is very vital right now is that do Kenyans want real and total change change or cosmetic changes. Real change can only come if Kenyans can put an outsider, someone who will not be covering up for those who destroyed our country, in State House. Who is this Kenyans? That is the question that the academic elites should help Kenyans to answer.

Therefore, Bwana Makau, it is my solemn prayer that let us forget our petty differences and work together for the sake of our country. However, one thing that should not be lost as we go about the struggle to change Kenya forever is that character and history is very important in the selection of a leader.

Character and history is what made the South Africans to settle on Nelson Mandela when forces of devil, the former Apartheid apologist turned reformers were determined to retain the status quo. If there is some political lessons to be leant by the Kenyan people, South African one remains very relevant for Kenyans.

Asante sana Ndugu yangu.

Gordon Teti - Student of Politics
Winnipeg, Canada