THE IRRESPONSIBILITY THAT AILS KENYANS

Kenyans have in the past one month had to deal with the most tearful September ever in the history of this nation.From the accidents on our roads,  Yokozuna tragedy in some place called Mushatha, in Nyeri and the mother of them all, the Sinai fire tragedy. Safe for the accidents that appeared hellbent on wrecking havoc on our roads, the illicit brew and the Sinai tragedies boil down to the responsibility of Kenyans. In Mushatha, residents already knew that some illegal intoxicants were being prepared and consumed. They had towed along with this guilt conscience, apparently caring less. Days later, when some guys died and others turned blind after partaking of this Yokozuna thing, residents stormed the bar and brought down everything. They cried foul that the government had turned a blind eye to this illegal brews. This was a show of crocodile tears because Kenyans ought to be responsible and take charge of their lives instead of waiting for the government to. Am not absolving the government of abdicating its responsibility, but emphasizing the fact that a responsible people do not wait for tragedies t happen right under their noses, in order to shed crocodile tears n try to reverse the irreversible.No, history has proved to prove itself on many occasions in Kenya. Back in 2006, the Chumvi tragedy in Machakos County, where many died and others turned blind after a drink in a chang'aa den, we failed to learn from this tragedy and that's why we were once again caught napping by the Mushatha tragedy. As a nation, Kenyans need to be responsible because this leads to a responsible nation, were the government needs not to force people not to do this or that, akin to the philosopher who said that, u need not ask what the government does to you, rather what you can do to the government. In the Sinai tragedy, efforts to relocate residents of the slums in 2009, were fiercely resisted by the residents themselves, led by some politicians. A local media house even carried a story on what they termed as a tragedy waiting to happen. With KPC's efforts to relocate the residents resisted, a disaster was on its way to maul innocent Kenyans. Apparently, the government threw the issue to the bin, and residents continued to encroach on the pipeline, aware of the danger that lay underneath. Fast forward to September 2009, a section of the pipeline burst, exploding to a fierce fire, not seen before.  More than a hundred had been burned to death, some completely to ashes, many more critically injured. Women lost their husbands, men lost their wives and innocent children were orphaned. Suddenly, the very politicians who had resisted KPC's efforts to relocate people from the slums were shedding crocodile tears, as they consoled the residents, a crisis at Kenyatta National Hospital followed as medic s tried to attend to emergencies. In the Mushatha and Sinai tragedies, loss of lives that could have been avoided had Kenyans been objective and responsible, were lost. Politics  should be kept off from issues in which lives are at stake. The chilling accident on the Mbooni- Machakos road, raised many questions which we as Kenyans, seem to lack answers to. But key things here, the driver was allegedly drunk and yet he decided to drive at night on a deplorable road. Had he not decided to drive, probably this would have been avoided. The bus was loaded beyond capacity. Traffic rules are not meant for the corps, but for the safety of the road user. Thus, had they adhered to them, probably this accident would not have occurred. As we mourn the departed Kenyans, this should be a wake-up call to Kenyans to be more vigilant and responsible, in that they mind the welfare of their fellow Kenyans; for this provides the only way to a safer Kenya. What do you think as a responsible Kenyan?                                                          

HISTORY SHOULD NOT REPEAT ITSELF IN 2012

Thursday, February 28^th 2008, some minutes to 9 pm, at Harambee House in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.  The two main opponents in the hotly disputed presidential results, PNU’s Mwai Kibaki and ODM’s Raila Odinga, appear on our TV sets, flanked by Hon Kofi Annan. Their beaming faces reveal something that the whole country had been crying for; an agreement that would finally put to an end the political madness that was almost tearing the country apart. They had finally penned down a deal that would save the country from total collapse. This deal is brokered by former United Nations Secretary General and now member of the Panel for Eminent African Personalities, Kofi Annan. The road to this deal is one every Kenyan would quickly wish to forget, owing to the anguish and bloodbath, never seen before, that we had grown accustomed to, since the declaration of President Mwai, as the winner of a controversy filled election, on December 28 2007.

The election results had kept the whole country on its tenterhooks, finally triggering off a bloodbath that shook the entire nation. Within less than three months, Kenyans were slaughtered, others maimed, women and girls raped, children orphaned and thousands others left with traumatizing memories of events, never seen in this country before. Property was looted and destroyed. Households were torched. Pandemonium and anarchy reigned as Kenya was thrown into near civil war. The country was slowly but surely being thrown to the dogs. Anarchy reigned in a country that had for long been considered as among the most peaceful and politically stable ; an example to the entire world. The aftermath of this politically instigated violence was beyond imagination; more than 1,500 dead, more than 600,000 left homeless and property worth billions destroyed. Thanks to the international community, notably Panel of Eminent African Personalities, through Kofi Annan, Kenya was saved from self-destruction.

The seeds of this violence had been grown years back, due to the dirty, ethnic based politics in practice since the introduction of multi-party democracy in 1992. Notably, the 1992 and 1997 Molo land clashes, among others, happened around the electioneering period, but nobody cared. Election malpractices had also become the order of the day. The outside world thought that all was well, but we, as a country knew it was not. We sunk our heads into the sand, like the proverbial ostrich, and lied to ourselves that since we could not see the lion fast coming for us, all would be well. The political class was only interested in selfish, narrow- minded and misguided welfare, only meant to fulfill their political egos and narrow interests, at the expense of the electorate and entire nation. The rest of Kenyans mattered less. Ethnic based politics were then perpetrated by our selfish politicians. Dirty and misguided politics, fuelled by ethnic interests took centre stage. This was the perfect recipe for the unimaginable destruction we came face to face with after hotly disputed presidential results in 2008. The holy book warns us that we reap what we sow; unfortunately these scriptures were fulfilled in late 07 and early 08, when we experienced the agonizing post- election violence.

We are barely a year away from the next General Election in 2012, but with so much to put in

order before we can sleep safe, waiting for a peaceful election. Prosecutions for the Hague Six; who are believed to bear the greatest responsibility over the post-poll quagmire are ongoing at The Hague, Kenyans are languishing under deplorable conditions in the IDP camps and justice for the victims still seems to be distant dream, far away in the horizon. The nation is still bleeding from the post-election violence. All these should have taught us invaluable lessons as we gear up towards the 2012 poll.  One, politics should be solely for the progress of the people, not the selfish interests of the narrow- minded political class. As Kenyans, we should desist from ethnic politics and not foolishly follow any politician and leader who lead us to the abyss.  Politically mature and moral- grounded decisions, which are integrity driven for the well-being and progress of the entire Kenyan nation, are a must. As a nation, we must shun and condemn any political leader who violates the above.

A credible and trustworthy electoral board is a must for peaceful elections to prevail. The now defunct Electoral Commission of Kenya was blamed for the bungled elections that led to the post- poll bloodbath. The election results were handled in the most unprofessional manner ever seen in the country. The fact that it kept the whole nation waiting, on an election that was too close to call, plunged this country into unnecessary tension that culminated in the violence. The commission that will oversee the elections in 2012, must sit down and analyze what went wrong with their predecessors, for a repeat of the same mistakes can plunge the country into violence, never witnessed before.

The greatest responsibility lies with the Kenyans. Destiny is in our hands, to make or break our nation in 2012. We must realize that we have no other home outside Kenya; therefore we must do all within our ability to ensure a safe and peaceful Kenya, after the elections. As President Kibaki put it after the peace deal was brokered, ` the process has reminded us that as a nation, there are more issues that unite than divide us…..’, cheap and dirty politics should not destroy the way we live.  Ethnic party affiliations should not divide us; after all, we need each other to build our nation. A tribe should not rise up against another tribe, due to political differences that can be amicably resolved. A Kikuyu should not raise a panga or a machete on a Luo, simply because of misguided politics.

We are all Kenyans, and no tribe, individual or ethnic groups are superior over the other. All the 42 ethnic groups in Kenya are equal. We need each other’s help in our endeavor to make Kenya a better place to live in, far much better than we found it. We cannot afford to go the same way we did in 2007/2008. We must play our cards safe.

As Mahatma Gandhi once said, politics without principle is one of the seven deadly sins. The repercussions are unbearable. As a nation, we learned it the hard way, akin to the saying that experience is the best teacher. The 2012 General Elections should leave us more united than ever.

HISTORY SHOULD NOT REPEAT ITSELF IN 2012

Thursday, February 28^th 2008, some minutes to 9 pm, at Harambee House in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.  The two main opponents in the hotly disputed presidential results, PNU’s Mwai Kibaki and ODM’s Raila Odinga, appear on our TV sets, side by side, flanked by Hon. Kofi Annan, the smile on their faces revealing something that Kenyans had been crying for; an agreement that would finally put to an end the political madness that was almost tearing the country apart. They had finally penned down a deal that would save the country from total collapse. This deal is brokered by former United Nations Secretary General and now member of the Panel for Eminent Persons, Kofi Annan. The road to this deal is one every Kenyan would quickly wish to forget, owing to the anguish and bloodbath, never seen before, that we had grown accustomed to, since the declaration of President Mwai, as the winner of a controversy-filled election, on December 28 2007.

The election results had kept the whole country on tenterhooks, finally triggering off a bloodbath that shook the entire nation. Within less than three months, Kenyans were slaughtered, others maimed, women and girls raped, children orphaned and thousands others left with traumatizing memories of events, never seen in this country before. Property was looted and destroyed and households torched as Kenya was thrown into near civil war. The country was slowly but surely being thrown to the dogs. Anarchy reigned in a country that had for long been considered as among the most peaceful, politically stable and an example to the entire world. The aftermath of this politically instigated violence was beyond imagination; more than 1,500 dead, more than 600,000 left homeless and property worth billions of shillings destroyed. Thanks to the international community, notably Panel of Eminent African Personalities, through Kofi Annan, Kenya was saved from self-destruction. This is a road that we, as a country would not wish to go through again, not so soon.

The seeds of this violence had been grown years back, due to the dirty, ethnic based politics in practice since the introduction of multi-party democracy in 1992. Notably, the 1992 and 1997 Molo land clashes, among others, happened around the electioneering period, but nobody cared. Election malpractices had also become the order of the day. The outside world thought that all was well, but we, as a country knew it was not. We sunk our heads into the sand, like the proverbial ostrich, and lied to ourselves that since we could not see the lion fast coming for us, all would be well. The political class was only interested in selfish, narrow- minded and misguided welfare, only meant to fulfill their political egos and narrow interests, at the expense of the electorate and entire nation. The rest of Kenyans mattered less. Ethnic based politics were then perpetrated by our selfish politicians. Dirty and misguided politics, fuelled by ethnic interests took centre stage. This was the perfect recipe for the unimaginable destruction we came face to face with after hotly disputed presidential results in 2008. The holy book warns us that we reap what we sow; unfortunately these scriptures were fulfilled in late 07 and early 08, when we experienced the agonizing post- election violence.

We are barely a year away from the next General Election in 2012, but with so much to put in place before we can sleep safe, waiting for a peaceful election. Prosecutions for the Hague Six; who are believed to bear the greatest responsibility over the post-poll quagmire are still on at The Hague, Kenyans are languishing under deplorable conditions in the IDP camps and justice for the victims still seems to be distant dream, far away in the horizon. The nation is still bleeding from the post-election violence. All these should have taught us invaluable lessons as we gear up towards the 2012 poll.  One, politics should be solely for the progress of the people, not the selfish interests of the narrow- minded political class. As Kenyans, we should desist from ethnic politics and not foolishly follow any politician and leader who lead us to the abyss.  Politically mature and moral- grounded decisions, which are integrity driven for the well-being and progress of the entire Kenyan nation, are a must. As a nation, we must shun and condemn any political leader who violates the above.

A credible and trustworthy electoral board is a must for peaceful elections to prevail. The now defunct Electoral Commission of Kenya was blamed for the bungled elections that led to the post- poll bloodbath. The election results were handled in the most unprofessional manner ever seen in the country. The fact that it kept the whole nation waiting, bearing in mind that this election was too close to call, plunged this country into unnecessary tension that culminated into the agonizing violence. The commission that will oversee the elections in 2012, must sit down and analyze what went wrong with their predecessors, for a repeat of the same mistakes can plunge the country into violence, never again witnessed before.

The greatest responsibility lies with the Kenyans. Destiny is in our hands, to make or break our nation in 2012. We must realize that we have no other home outside Kenya; therefore we must do all within our ability to ensure a safe and peaceful Kenya, after the elections. As President Kibaki put it after the peace deal was brokered, ` the process has reminded us that as a nation, there are more issues that unite than divide us…..’, cheap and dirty politics should not destroy the way we live.  Ethnic party affiliations should not divide us; after all, we need each other to build our nation. A tribe should not rise up against another tribe, due to political differences that can be amicably resolved. A Kikuyu should not raise a panga or a machete on a Luo, simply because of misguided politics.

We are all Kenyans, and no tribe, individual or ethnic groups are superior over the other. All the 42 ethnic groups in Kenya are equal. We need each other’s help in our endeavor to make Kenya a better place to live in, far much better than we found it. We cannot afford to go the same way we did in 2007/2008. We must play our cards safe. Destiny is in our hands and we should not blame any unfortunate event in 2012 on fate, it is blame that we, together as a nation should accept, in order to clean our house and put it in order before it is too late.

As Mahatma Gandhi once said, politics without principle is one of the seven deadly sins. The repercussions are unbearable. The 2012 General Elections should leave us more united than ever.

KENYA SHOULD NOT BE HELD TO RANSOM BY SUDAN

KENYA SHOULD NOT BE HELD TO RANSOM BY SUDAN

On Wednesday, Kenyans woke up to the news that their ambassador to Sudan had been given 72 hours to leave Khartoum. Back in Nairobi, Sudan’s envoy to Kenya, Beder el din Abdalla, was preparing to go back to Khartoum, after the Sudanese authorities recalled him. Reason being that relations between the two countries had been severely strained due to a ruling by the High Court in Nairobi, that Sudan  president, Omar al- Bashir ought to be arrested and handed over to the ICC, if he dares set foot in Nairobi. This ruling by Justice Ombija, had rubbed Sudan the wrong way and this turn of events came as no surprise.

Following this fall-out, the Kenyan government through Foreign Affairs minister, Moses Wetangula quickly responded by saying that it will ask Attorney General, Githu Muigai  to appeal against the ruling. It also said that it was not going to expel Sudan’s envoy to Nairobi.

These reactions by the government have only served to dent Kenya’s commitment to the ICC, on the possible prosecution of the Sudanese head of state. The fact it has come after Kenya’s spirited but failed attempts to lure the United Nations Security Council, in supporting her bid to halt the prosecution of her six sons at The Hague, does not make matters any easier. Kenya, being a signatory to the Rome Statute is legally bound to corporate with the international court, in executing its mandate. Consequently, the government should stop dilly-dallying and come clean on this one.

As a country who upholds the rule of law, al- Bashir should be arrested if he dares come to Nairobi. As a responsible nation, the government must affirm to its citizens that some risks have to be taken if we are to stop a slight into the perpetual fear of Sudan’s cheap blackmail. In fact, el- Bashir should have long been arrested when he attended promulgation of the new constitution at Uhuru Park, on August 29, last year. His attendance drew a hue and cry from the international community, which accused Kenya of abdicating her responsibility to the ICC. Al- Bashir’s indictment by the ICC for crimes against humanity in the Darfur conflict is a matter that our government should accord the seriousness it deserves and stop this casual, almost hands- off approach. The world will surely judge us harshly if we don not act in the right manner.

Sudanese authorities labeled the ICC an international NGO, adding that it was hell-bend on straining the good relationship between the two countries. This contempt of the ICC by Sudan is beyond imagination. It is a very careless statement coming from a government that is entrusted with the responsibility of leading the people of Sudan. What business does the Kenyan government have with such a government that protects people accused of crimes against humanity? Our government should honor its legal and moral obligation to the ICC, even if it means straining the `good relation’ that their Sudanese counterparts purport to exist. Come on Kenya, these tactics by al- Bashir’s government are cheap blackmail. Just as our very own Post-election violence victims, our brothers in Sudan are crying for justice. This has to be done, at some point in time. Justice delayed is justice denied.

It’s also foolhardy for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development IGAD, for whom Kenya is a member, to claim that Bashir’s arrest is a threat to regional stability and peace in Sudan. Its argument that Kenya, being a signatory to the Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement, ought to support peace efforts in Sudan, and that handing Bashir to the ICC, will jeopardize these efforts, is a very dumb argument. You cannot grant impunity to a criminal just because his prosecution can spark off war and hostilities. Indeed, peace is not the absence of war but, rather it is the presence of justice. Justice has to be present for peace to take root. Bashir should be handed over to the ICC, after which a permanent solution to the Sudan quagmire can be achieved. Anything short of this is equivalent to making a step forward and two backwards.

It’s no surprise to see African leaders going to any length to protect their counterparts, whenever faced with a moment of truth. After all, it’s only in Africa where we have `presidents for life’ who do not see anything coming in between them and their unquenchable thirst for power. Thus, our two principals should lead the country in condemning Sudan’s outrageous decision and do all within its capacity to help ICC in executing the warrant of arrest on al- Bashir. The era of warlords, especially in Africa is fast coming to an end, and our government should know better.

Our government should take the bold decision and disentangle itself from this cheap blackmail by Sudan. If it fully honors its obligation to the ICC, then it will do the honorable thing and arrest al- Bashir, if he dares set foot in Kenya. Anything less than this will seriously hamper Kenya’s relations with the international community, and raise doubts on her commitment to the Rome Statute.

The victims of the Darfur war crimes and the entire world are keenly watching.

KENYA SHOULD NOT BE HELD TO RANSOM BY SUDAN

KENYA SHOULD NOT BE HELD TO RANSOM BY SUDAN

On Wednesday, Kenyans woke up to the news that their ambassador to Sudan had been given 72 hours to leave Khartoum. Back in Nairobi, Sudan’s envoy to Kenya, Beder el din Abdalla, was preparing to go back to Khartoum, after the Sudanese authorities recalled him. Reason being that relations between the two countries had been severely strained due to a ruling by the High Court in Nairobi, that Sudan  president, Omar al- Bashir ought to be arrested and handed over to the ICC, if he dares set foot in Nairobi. This ruling by Justice Ombija, had rubbed Sudan the wrong way and this turn of events came as no surprise.

Following this fall-out, the Kenyan government through Foreign Affairs minister, Moses Wetangula quickly responded by saying that it will ask Attorney General, Githu Muigai  to appeal against the ruling. It also said that it was not going to expel Sudan’s envoy to Nairobi.

These reactions by the government have only served to dent Kenya’s commitment to the ICC, on the possible prosecution of the Sudanese head of state. The fact it has come after Kenya’s spirited but failed attempts to lure the United Nations Security Council, in supporting her bid to halt the prosecution of her six sons at The Hague, does not make matters any easier. Kenya, being a signatory to the Rome Statute is legally bound to corporate with the international court, in executing its mandate. Consequently, the government should stop dilly-dallying and come clean on this one.

As a country who upholds the rule of law, al- Bashir should be arrested if he dares come to Nairobi. As a responsible nation, the government must affirm to its citizens that some risks have to be taken if we are to stop a slight into the perpetual fear of Sudan’s cheap blackmail. In fact, el- Bashir should have long been arrested when he attended promulgation of the new constitution at Uhuru Park, on August 29, last year. His attendance drew a hue and cry from the international community, which accused Kenya of abdicating her responsibility to the ICC. Al- Bashir’s indictment by the ICC for crimes against humanity in the Darfur conflict is a matter that our government should accord the seriousness it deserves and stop this casual, almost hands- off approach. The world will surely judge us harshly if we don not act in the right manner.

Sudanese authorities labeled the ICC an international NGO, adding that it was hell-bend on straining the good relationship between the two countries. This contempt of the ICC by Sudan is beyond imagination. It is a very careless statement coming from a government that is entrusted with the responsibility of leading the people of Sudan. What business does the Kenyan government have with such a government that protects people accused of crimes against humanity? Our government should honor its legal and moral obligation to the ICC, even if it means straining the `good relation’ that their Sudanese counterparts purport to exist. Come on Kenya, these tactics by al- Bashir’s government are cheap blackmail. Just as our very own Post-election violence victims, our brothers in Sudan are crying for justice. This has to be done, at some point in time. Justice delayed is justice denied.

It’s also foolhardy for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development IGAD, for whom Kenya is a member, to claim that Bashir’s arrest is a threat to regional stability and peace in Sudan. Its argument that Kenya, being a signatory to the Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement, ought to support peace efforts in Sudan, and that handing Bashir to the ICC, will jeopardize these efforts, is a very dumb argument. You cannot grant impunity to a criminal just because his prosecution can spark off war and hostilities. Indeed, peace is not the absence of war but, rather it is the presence of justice. Justice has to be present for peace to take root. Bashir should be handed over to the ICC, after which a permanent solution to the Sudan quagmire can be achieved. Anything short of this is equivalent to making a step forward and two backwards.

It’s no surprise to see African leaders going to any length to protect their counterparts, whenever faced with a moment of truth. After all, it’s only in Africa where we have `presidents for life’ who do not see anything coming in between them and their unquenchable thirst for power. Thus, our two principals should lead the country in condemning Sudan’s outrageous decision and do all within its capacity to help ICC in executing the warrant of arrest on al- Bashir. The era of warlords, especially in Africa is fast coming to an end, and our government should know better.

Our government should take the bold decision and disentangle itself from this cheap blackmail by Sudan. If it fully honors its obligation to the ICC, then it will do the honorable thing and arrest al- Bashir, if he dares set foot in Kenya. Anything less than this will seriously hamper Kenya’s relations with the international community, and raise doubts on her commitment to the Rome Statute.

The victims of the Darfur war crimes and the entire world are keenly watching.

END IN SIGHT FOR AFRICAN TYRANTS/ DICTATORS

END IN SIGHT FOR AFRICAN TYRANTS/ DICTATORS

  Jubilant shouts and chants of victory rent the air, across Libya on October 20 2011, moments after strongman, Col Muammar Gaddafi, was shot dead in his hometown of Sirte. Guns and other heavy military artillery that the people of Libya had grown accustomed to, for the last six months finally fell silent. Revolutionary fighters had finally won a pulsating, fiercely fought battle against fighters loyal to Gaddafi, and ousted him from the power that he had held on for 42 years. This marked the end of an era for the man who had taken over the reigns in Libya through a bloodless coup in 1969.

  The Arab revolution sweeping across North Africa had already claimed Tunisia’s Ben Ali and Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak. Col Gaddafi was the third to fall victim to the undeterred determination of people in the Arab world to liberate themselves from these tyrants who had clung onto power for like an eternity. Only death seemed to be the only way of ousting these strongmen from power, and it surely did for Col Gaddafi, who unlike like Ben Ali and Mubarak, had resolved to fight to the last drop of his blood. He had on several occasions since the uprising started, being seen on the television, defiantly saying that he would fight to the bitter end and die a martyr. However, the ruthlessness and perseverance of the revolutionary fighters finally won and he was killed on October 20 2011. He was found hiding in drainage, captured and shot in the head. He had died like the very rat that he had defiantly likened the rebels to. Following the fall of these three strongmen, the people could now afford a breath of relief, at last. Chants of ‘free at last’ rent the air.

  The fall of Ben Ali, Mubarak and death of Gaddafi, who had ruled for decades but all fell in less than six months, must have sent a chill down the spine of the other ‘presidents for life’ in the continent. These shameless leaders have` raped’ constitutions in their countries, besides using other state systems and organs, to ensure that they remain in power. They are, Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang Nguema 32 years, Angola’s Jose Santos 32 years, Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe 31 years, Swaziland’s King Mswati 24 years, Burkina Faso’s Blaise Campaore 24 years, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni 25 years and Cameroon’s Paul Biya 29 years.

  The increased protests and heightened revolts againstsome of these tyrannical regimes in Africa, is not good news to the leaders. The revolts, sparked off by tough economic conditions, skyrocketing of food and fuel prices, poor job opportunities, to name just but a few, are a clear sign that time is nay for these shameless tyrants and dictators. The successful revolts in the Maghreb have strengthened the belief that ousting other tyrannical regimes across the continent, is possible .Though these have been mild; the leaders in these countries are not sleeping easy. The eminent possibility that losing the power they have held onto for so long, is an unwelcome monster that has refused to go away. An example of leaders staring at fall in the eyes is Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni.

  These self proclaimed` presidents for life’ must have by now realized that clinging onto power is no longer wise, at least from what Ben Ali and Mubarak came to learn. This wave of change never again experienced in Africa is sure to leave more casualties, in the name of these tyrants. It is not a question of if, but when the next of these African tyrants will go down. These leaders, driven by the lust for power, have centered it amongst their families, relatives and their political sycophants who see no far than the end of their noses. The blatant disregard of the people’s interests by the leaders have infuriated the masses that they are prepared to go the hard way, as evidenced in the Arab world, if at all it’s the  only viable method of toppling these crop of African leaders who have decided to stay in power till death separates them.

   Unless this batch of Africa’s longest serving leaders embrace democracy and all inclusive governance and relinquish power, chances of facing the same fate as their North African counterparts are very high. The only question is, who among the seven will be deposed next and how will they be brought down?

MBIUKI’S POLITICAL HOODWINKING

                 

The recent decision by a member of Parliament to pay women for giving birth, may sound hilarious and a mere political gimmick by a politician, but beneath this veil lies  myriad of issues that need to be addressed. These issues should get the entire nation deep into thinking on how to navigate its way past them. The honorable member is Kareke Mbiuki, Mp for Nithi.

True to his words, the Mp awarded shs 5,000 and a baby gift hamper each, to eight mothers who delivered at Kariakomo Dispensary in Maara District. This `cash for babies’ will surely result to a boom in Nithi, at least going by Kenyans’ unmatched love and passion for free things, especially from their honorable waheshimiwas.

The Mp’s argument that Kenyans are shunning this whole business of giving birth to more children due to difficulties of delivering and poor health care facilities is the reflection of an mp well versed with the real situation on the ground. That child delivery and health care facilities, especially in public hospital are in deplorable conditions is no longer a secret. This is the harsh reality many pregnant women have to contend with, whenever their nine months are over. Child delivery to the average Kenyan woman is a trip through hell. Poor services at these public maternity wards, coupled with the mysterious disappearances of new-born babies, are some of the harsh realities that the average Kenyan woman has to come face to face with whenever giving birth. These are issues all over the country and the government must step from its comfort zone and walk the talk. Unless this is addressed, population is endangered, at least in Mbiuki’s Nithi constituency. 

Harsh economic times are another reason as to why Kenyans are seriously cutting down on giving birth. This is especially hard on the average Kenyans, who form the bulk of the country’s 40 billion plus, population. The fact that the Mp’s wife is expecting their fourth child, and can happily say that, does not augur well with the poor Kenyan. Hard economic times have hit them hard, leaving them in an economic turmoil, exemplified by lack of jobs and a cost of living that has literally shot through the roof. Otherwise, how does an Mp who lives off a hefty salary from the taxpayer’s hard earned money, hoodwink poor Kenyans into getting as many children as him? Come on honorable member, life to the average Kenyan is not a bed of roses, and telling them to have more children is like rubbing salt into wound. Kenyans no longer enjoy the economic capability of yester years, when life was affordable. Things have changed and times are hard. Whereas the rich, like the political class can relish prospects of getting more children, the same cannot be said of the average Kenyan, who is poor and sees this as an unwelcome intrusion into his life, already burdened by hardships. Mr. Mbiuki, all these need to be addressed before you can confidently advise poor Kenyans to have more children.

Cheap illicit liquor is also to be blamed for the low births in Central Province and other parts of the country. The recent images on our TV sets of women in Central Kenya, protesting because of the havoc these brews have wrecked on their husbands and young men, should have by now awoken the nation from slumber land. Reason, their husbands could no longer father children. These protests showed the unthinkable extent to which this illicit liquor has reduced men in these parts into vagabonds, in their child bearing responsibilities. I am saying the nation, because the government alone cannot stem this issue. It came as no surprise when women across the country applauded new law on alcohol, popularly known as the Mututho law was enacted into law by the tenth house. This law is aimed at cutting down on the preparation and consumption of chang’aa. This new law, if you ask me is a step in the right direction but more to be done. Kenyans who continue flocking these chang’aa dens for some cheap intoxication have to stop it; otherwise they are slowly drinking their way the grave.

On a light note, Mbiuki has his eyes set on the country’s top seat in 2027. It is for this reason that he needs to muster the numbers from his home turf, to support his bid. Trust Kenyan politicians to have vested interests in anything that they do to the very people, who elected them. Now that’s politics.

A wise thought indeed by the Mp, at least for his political ambitions.

THE IRRESPONSIBILITY THAT HAILS KENYANS

Kenyans have in the past one month had to deal with the most tearful September ever in the history of this nation.From the accidents on our roads,  Yokozuna tragedy in some place called Mushatha, in Nyeri and the mother of them all, the Sinai fire tragedy. Safe for the accidents that appeared hellbent on wrecking havoc on our roads, the illicit brew and the Sinai tragedies boil down to the responsibility of Kenyans. In Mushatha, residents already knew that some illegal intoxicants were being prepared and consumed. They had towed along with this guilt conscience, apparently caring less. Days later, when some guys died and others turned blind after partaking of this Yokozuna thing, residents stormed the bar and brought down everything. They cried foul that the government had turned a blind eye to this illegal brews. This was a show of crocodile tears because Kenyans ought to be responsible and take charge of their lives instead of waiting for the government to. Am not absolving the government of abdicating its responsibility, but emphasizing the fact that a responsible people do not wait for tragedies t happen right under their noses, in order to shed crocodile tears n try to reverse the irreversible.No, history has proved to prove itself on many occasions in Kenya. Back in 2006, the Chumvi tragedy in Machakos County, where many died and others turned blind after a drink in a chang'aa den, we failed to learn from this tragedy and that's why we were once again caught napping by the Mushatha tragedy. As a nation, Kenyans need to be responsible because this leads to a responsible nation, were the government needs not to force people not to do this or that, akin to the philosopher who said that, u need not ask what the government does to you, rather what you can do to the government. In the Sinai tragedy, efforts to relocate residents of the slums in 2009, were fiercely resisted by the residents themselves, led by some politicians. A local media house even carried a story on what they termed as a tragedy waiting to happen. With KPC's efforts to relocate the residents resisted, a disaster was on its way to maul innocent Kenyans. Apparently, the government threw the issue to the bin, and residents continued to encroach on the pipeline, aware of the danger that lay underneath. Fast forward to September 2009, a section of the pipeline burst, exploding to a fierce fire, not seen before.  More than a hundred had been burned to death, some completely to ashes, many more critically injured. Women lost their husbands, men lost their wives and innocent children were orphaned. Suddenly, the very politicians who had resisted KPC's efforts to relocate people from the slums were shedding crocodile tears, as they consoled the residents, a crisis at Kenyatta National Hospital followed as medic s tried to attend to emergencies. In the Mushatha and Sinai tragedies, loss of lives that could have been avoided had Kenyans been objective and responsible, were lost. Politics  should be kept off from issues in which lives are at stake. The chilling accident on the Mbooni- Machakos road, raised many questions which we as Kenyans, seem to lack answers to. But key things here, the driver was allegedly drunk and yet he decided to drive at night on a deplorable road. Had he not decided to drive, probably this would have been avoided. The bus was loaded beyond capacity. Traffic rules are not meant for the corps, but for the safety of the road user. Thus, had they adhered to them, probably this accident would not have occurred. As we mourn the departed Kenyans, this should be a wake-up call to Kenyans to be more vigilant and responsible, in that they mind the welfare of their fellow Kenyans; for this provides the only way to a safer Kenya. What do you think as a responsible Kenyan?