Kenyans Shaking off Old Prejudices

The Kenyan citizenry are smarting from past experiences and are indeed ready to weigh their options with keen intent and laser anticipation before they cast their votes in this forthcoming election. Politicians have had field days when it comes to using and misusing ordinary citizens to protect and enhance their political bases. Do not count on it this time round, people!

Most politicians with shaky track records have always cried wolf when they are faced with scrutiny and accountability for their past performance. They cry wolf as a political gimmick so as to wade off any further scrutiny from bodies and institutions that may find them liable for crimes committed against the Kenyan people. They call upon and galvanize their ethnic bases in a manner suggesting that being asked to account for their actions, deeds, and misdeeds is tantamount to harassing the whole tribe or tribes.

The octogenarian politicians across the Kenyan ethnic divide are the main culprits when it comes to exhibiting this baby-like behavior. Leading the pack are ego-beaten individuals such as Moi, Nyachae, Kamanda, Michuki, among others. Time has come that you must account for and carry your own sins without evoking the names and spirits of your tribes. At no single time have these people taken the resources stolen from the national coffers to their constituents. Instead, they have enjoyed the loot with their wives and children and the rest stashed in their foreign accounts for future use. The constituents are quite often left languishing in abject poverty and fending for themselves.

For a long time now, ethnic groups have blindly towed the line, the hook and sinker of their so-called “sons” without giving it any serious consideration. While still we have patches of similar incidents in present-day Kenya (a big shame) I must hasten to add that the trend depicts a diminishing phenomenon whose demise we are all earnestly praying about. We must all implore for patience as we smart and enlarge our political views and open political and democratic space leading to patriotic nationalism while shunning away petty and parochial tribal chauvinism.

No doubt in my mind that what happened to Magara, Ruto and group in Kisii last week is tribal hyping for personal aggrandizement. It must be denounced, condemned, and prosecuted. With Wako holding the mantle of judicial dispensation in Kenya, however, nothing good can ever come from Sheria house. The same goes with what happened to Raila and group in central province where some nondescript madam tried to embarrass the entire Raila entourage. The same also goes with what happened to Kalonzo in Busia while campaigning there. The same can be said of some harassment meted to anti-Raila candidates in Luo Nyanza. This archaic trend must be nipped at the bud and politicians must lead the way and if not those among them who incite their supporters to shamelessly break the law must be prosecuted by Mr. Wako. That is why we pay him and he must be made to account for his actions too. We may forgive Mr. Wako, but we don’t forget.

But one thing I am so happy about Kenyans is that we are shaking off some old prejudices and chauvinistic stereotypes that have continually marginalized other ethnic groups in the country and indeed treating them as second hand citizens. We must be all equal in the eyes of the law and every Kenyan is free to vote and be voted for as long as all stipulated conditions are met. Recent polls showing that Kenyans are willing to vote for Raila for the top seat is in itself a milestone that must be commended and celebrated. Luos are Kenyans and must be treated as such. I am not bragging but I must say that the few times I have voted I have done so without tribal inclinations. I have voted purely on merit grounds and I have never voted for somebody because we share some ancestry. And I know we have so many citizens with similar conscience and demeanor.

A vote for Raila is a vote against tribalism, against old-time and negative prejudices, and a vote for a new era in Kenya. An era where all tribes are equal partners in matters of governance and resource distribution. A new era where Kenyans will be empowered with new blood, dreams and visions towards attaining a higher level of economic development and opening up democratic space so that all Kenyans can and should enjoy full and un-adulterated freedoms without fear and intimidation from state house. State apparatus should not and must not be used to beat up ordinary Kenyans protesting and registering their disgust and dissatisfaction with the manner the government is carrying out her duties. These freedoms must be protected and guaranteed.

I know that there are those among us who are hell-bent to take advantage of their communities to achieve selfish interests but we must warn them that their schemes are becoming known and exposed and indeed coming to halt. I want to believe that soon archaic election scenarios such as the no-go zones, regional voting, and community voting, as a block would be a thing of the past. We need to vote for the best leader irrespective of their social and ethnic inclinations.

For the doubting Thomas I have only one message for you and that is “you cannot stop an idea whose time has come”. Raila is unstoppable and the sooner you join this bandwagon the better for us all. Otherwise you are going to be left behind, and as all polls seem to foretell, you will have only yourself to blame.

Moi, like most of the octogenarian politicians, has played dirty politics most of his life- destroying those he does not agree with. He is now encouraging KANU to join some amorphous mule called PNU (whatever it means) and yet he called KANU officials all manner of names for negotiating with original ODM. Talk about dishonesty and self- preservation! You may run away Baba Moi but you will never hide for your sins will sure find you out. If you could forgive Njojo and others with whom you ate and shared delicacies we then cannot see why you cannot forgive Raila. It is not about the 1982 coup, mzee Moi, it is about hiding the loot stolen from Kenyan coffers.

Any Moi project must be defeated. There is nothing good that can come out of Moi. His are the kicks of a dying mule. Vote Raila, vote Mudavadi, vote unity, vote development. Change is inevitable and once and for all Moi and his friends must go home. Yes, for good.

R’mageto, DE USA.