User:FKachero/BlogEntry: 2008 April 10 19:35:32 EAT
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Kenyan Crisis.
Still at in Kenya As at this date (10th April, 2008), we are still at it in Kenya. We hoped diplomat Koffi Annan and Tanzania�s president Kikwete and other eminent African persons had done it for us. No, we are now fighting for cabinet positions and degenerating into the ghastly state we were recovering from. Our political class is now jostling for power-sharing in the Grand Coalition. None of them is bothered about the terrible conditions of the masses they contributed to displace, the soaring inflation, the insecurity, imminent shortage of food due to displacement of farmers and inordinate increases in farm inputs and fertilizer prices, uncertainty in the economy and the consequent social hazards. So occupied with who should become minister for what and from which side of the coalition that it is shameful that consideration for, even pretence at sympathy for, the suffering of the masses has been thrown to the wind. Our political elite amplify something common with African leaders: as long as one of them captures power �legitimately or not –�the other will not let go and will incite the country and its misery, lousy masses to tear each other to pieces; if it is sharing they�ll agree to share, but again after serious haggling. If they can�t agree on how to share their power, the masses will be called upon again as pawns to kill each other as their negotiation chip till one side agrees that enough is enough or till the country is completely torn to irrecoverable pieces.
Many thanks, though, to the international community for reacting fast to our crisis. Many thanks to the Ugandan Govt and people. The Ugandan president was the first head of state to call in, and the people of Uganda accepted Kenyans on their soil as refugees. Many thanks to the UN for backing a solution in the strongest way they�ve ever done in Africa. Thanks to the U.S, Britain and other Western countries. Special thanks go to President Kikwete and former president Mkapa of Tanzania. Graca Machel, Desmond Tutu and other African leaders who refused to stand by as our greedy leaders let Kenyan brothers butcher each other for their selfish greed. Dr. Annan receives the greatest and deepest thanks for his perseverance and genuine concern to resolve the crisis. We hoped by now we would be writing and debating about it as an academic issue, but alas. We seem to be moving in circles.
Is it necessary? One of the biggest challenges we ought to be asking ourselves is whether it was worth it. Why would the interests of two persons tear a country apart? Does it help anything to note that our leaders would have had us massacre each other probably to the last man were it not for the intervention of the international community?
Why this Kenya? Kenya has played a parental role for many within the region who faced turmoil in their countries. It has sent its peace-keeping soldiers to many countries in the world. Its journalists have brought the attention of the world to sufferings in other countries. It has been the hub of commercial activities within the East and Central African region. It has been a haven of peace in a region –�except Tanzania –�which has faced political upheavals. Many never thought that the country could become a banana state. But although I wouldn�t say that we have reached the banana level, what has happened is prove that in Africa, any country can collapse to that state due to poor quality leadership accompanied by greedy leaders.
Ethnicity Voting in 2007 provided the people of Kenya a chance to remove bad leadership. People were tired of corruption and arrogance. Most people are poor, hungry and lack opportunity for self-development. From a most hopeful populace in 2002 when the Kibaki government took power, they became disillusioned as is usually expected from bloated hopes. Unfortunately, the masses do not usually know the sources of their conditions. With the professionals, religious leaders and the media playing the ethnic card, the country was divided –�not on matters of fact –�but on ethnicity. Matters were not made any better with the obvious stealing of votes. To voters, it implied they were stupid. The sheer arrogance of the ruling class, together with the apparent ethnic campaigns that preceded voting, the rampant poverty which became a source of active political discontent, the playing of ethnic communities against one another by the ruling elite to ensure tribal support even in circumstances where it would have been reasonable not to choose on that basis (thereby muddling the social conditions) made the meek struggles of the masses to be a struggle for power and resources for ethnic elite. The ethnic elite can now enjoy sharing the power and resources as the masses languish in whatever stupid state they are.
Our role in itEach person has a significant contribution they have played in these circumstances here or elsewhere or in their countries. Many of these problems start within us, and perceptions –�right or wrong –�are formed on the basis of our behaviour as leaders, professionals, models, parents, teachers, writers�name it, in whatever capacity. Do you discriminate among equals? Do you distribute unequally what should be shared by all or many? Would you rather a member of your tribe represent you in this or that function? Do you employ on tribal or other discriminatory criterion? Do you use your position to favour unfairly your brothers and sisters, relatives, tribesmen, girlfriends, boyfriends, mistresses�Do you misappropriate funds meant for all? As a teacher, do you mark on the basis of certain relationships or merit? Do you sideline some people in order to have it all your way? Do you sideline? As a leader or boss, do you treat all equally or do you base your decisions on other irrelevant factors. Perceptions of favouritism or discrimination can ruin. There is a very sound moral foundation in the success of anything. Pray for Kenya.
