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Written by chacha mwita
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Friday, 28 September 2007 |
Kenya’s politics are in a true state of flux, with the majority of the
country moving towards reform and a more democratic future, even as
other sections of the country hang on to their chains.
Kenyans can take heart in all of this that even in the most unlikely places there are leaders who stand out as worthy of praise. One such politician is Nominated MP Njoki Ndung'u. After the collapse of the attempt to create extra electoral zones and reserve 50 seats in parliament for women failed, her fellow Nominated MP Betty Tett loudly confirmed that she belonged firmly in the old school of thought, the team that is still in the darkness as she went about crying about the injustice of the failure.
Ms Ndung'u on the other hand was forthright in stating that it was a lack of proper consultation and consensus building that had led to the failure. The arrogance of some key public officials, instrumental in the preparation of the Bill had turned sentiment against it even as their mastery of the art of arrogance tried to force it through.
Progress through force. It just doesn't happen that way our country any more. Patriots are in season and there are many courageous Kenyans ready and willing to defend the justice in this nation any way they know how. And their services are required. We are living in a time after all, when even the likes of Koigi Wamwere stand up in public to support the oppressive Media bill. You need not to hear it from Pastor Gilbert Deya, the world really is coming to the end.
It was really unfortunate, the stances some Kenyans elected to take on such a crucial issue, when history's chronicles bear the fact that it was the Kenyan media (under constant strangulation) that fought at the vanguard of the struggle for the Second Liberation and who in their own way, made the likes of Koigi synonymous with the Kenya's second liberation. But so numerous are the number, formerly crusading for change that have given themselves over to the dark side, that it is doubtful that their campaigns were at al sincere. It is hard to tell that they are the same people that were beaten by anti-riot police, tear gassed, threatened and imprisoned. Now we just know them as Prof Kivutha Kibwana, the zealous Martha Karua, Mutahi Kagwe, and Koigi Wamwere.
But it is not just justice that they have abandoned, reason seems also to have escaped them. The other day, Koigi tried to pin the blame on Raila Odinga for the tribal tension in the country because it had came out that some ODM-K presidential hopefuls did not believe that Raila could win the election on account of being Luo.
But this is all the aftermath of the government's resounding defeat at the 2005 referendum. Prior to the referendum, there had been calls for reconciliation, and for a joint effort at crafting a nationally acceptable compromise but the government , as has become its calling card, hijacked the Bomas Draft, and proceeded to mutilate it somewhere in Kilifi. Then bizarrely, it called a rushed prayer day- which prayers I doubt got anywhere past the clouds. The clergy and all the religious leaders, were there it is true, but they could not grace the occasion with advice for the Head of State. Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai did try, and she has all through asked that President Kibaki humble himself, turn a deaf ear to his kitchen cabinet and meet with Raila Odinga, discuss compromises and bring the country to leave behind the wicked rule of President Moi and his cronies.
With regard to Moi. You have heard his recent admonitions. Kenyans had started to miss him, when he was quiet and absence made the heart fonder. Now he is startling still waters, and they will doubtless turn muddy soon. The people's admonitions is that he let William Ruto peace to shape his future as a leader of Kenya, ready himself to herd his people towards the Jordan. Moi had his time, but his people are still in Egypt. Now in his retirement, we ask that he make pronouncements with dignity and respect, and that his reproach is rare and meaningful.
As for those who stand for progress, their reward will be great. Njoki Ndungu is truly a role model for courageous politics, and a credit to the struggle of our mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts and wives for a more equitable future. In spite of her membership in the Government of National Unity she has spoke the one truth, consultation is crucial for the conduct of government in the new Kenya. Hongera and even when ODM wins next years elections, we will pressure Raila to have you in his cabinet possibly to run the ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
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Chacha Mwita |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 28 September 2007 )
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Your article just goes to show the extent of the dishonesty of our leaders when right is only right when it suits me and wrong when it does not. For instance the Njoki's failure to support the bill on affirmative action on the basis there was no consultation or even the bigger reason that some leaders (read Karua) were arrogant just tells you the failures of our leaders. The bill was not about Karua and Kenyan women must surely be bigger than Karua. But what did the MPs do, they defeated the bill not on its merits, but on the basis of Karua's arrogance!!
When you bring the small matter of the Media bill on the basis that it was at the vanguard of the struggle for the second liberation, I am honestly surprised as the media today has been responsible for the degeneration in the quality of political leadership we have today. That well know corrupt people in ODM are championing change, the media has been very silent in challenging the likes of Kosgey, Ruto and company about their integrity when they talk about bringing change. It is not good enough to harangue Kibaki and his lot for corruption - they probably have perfected the act and Kenyans have been sufficiently reminded of this, so when they go to the polls they already know who the devil is.
The people in ODM are not the rulers and can only PROMISE us change or even that they will finish off corruption! My question to you is that with all the closeted thieves in ODM, is the promise they make us worth anything?