It's autumn in the Northern Hemisphere now. According to botanists the prime reason for the fall foliage
phenomenon is survival. For instance because the days get shorter in
length the trees need to conserve energy by shedding off excess leaves.
Halfway around the world, Kenyans are witnessing the same
transformations by our politicians. Like the proverbial chameleon that morphs
to suit its surroundings, our so-called leaders seem to be in haste to present
themselves as no-nonsense advocates of the Kenyan people. Promises to keep
broken promises abound as the politicians crisscross the country.
Kenyans are suddenly supposed to forget that while 60 percent of our
population languishes below the poverty line, the same politicians that now
present themselves as crusaders on the mwananchi's behalf were recently content
with awarding themselves obscene salary and allowance hikes to the tune of over
a billion shillings. The very same parliament under whose watch billons in taxpayer
money were pillaged in scams of such infamy as Anglo-Fleecing now sings the
songs of reform.
If I sound apathetic to the Kenyan political machine it is because like a
majority of Kenyans I was shocked to see the present government revert to
actions reminiscent of the previous regime upon taking power. When the media
posed questions regarding abuse of power, the Kibaki government took to
attacking and harassing the media. Not to be outdone, the First Lady Lucy
Kibaki publicly berated and abused Kenyan dignitaries and the media alike. The
caricature that is the Kenyan government was also on show with the VIP
protection accorded the Artur goons while the law-abiding Kenyan citizens
suffered vicious attacks from the Mungiki and Taliban criminals.
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the revelation of the fall
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The complacency of Kenyan leaders lies at the feet of both the ruling party
and its opposition at the elections. I am yet to feel the Odinga spirit
that has swept the Kenyan multitudes lately. Like the leaders around him, Mr.
Odinga has proven to lack firm footing both in principle and ideology. In a
recent interview with the BBC, when
questioned about his support for the Taliban gang, Mr. Odinga distanced himself
from the group and even went as far as questioning its (Taliban) very
existence.
In addition, Mr. Odinga's dizzying alliances are not in the best interest of
the Kenyans but himself. Mr. Odinga seems to be willing to bed any individual
as long as they support his bid for State House. If he, Mr. Odinga is willing
to surround himself with gluttonous wolves, how are Kenyans supposed to believe
that if his party ascends to power it will restrain itself from reaching into
public coffers much less seek justice on prior larcenies?
In democracies there is nothing more fundamental than the right to vote.
Like other Kenyans I absolutely cherish the right to vote while acknowledging
that anything to the contrary would be unacceptable. However, I cannot help but
feel a tinge of futility in the upcoming Kenyan presidential elections.
Such are the growing pains of a democratic system. The Kenyan electorate
should find comfort in knowing they are in the company of established democracies
such as United States where a growing number of the electorate are fed up with
the two-party system.
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2012, and it will be just the same old story.