POLITICS GONE WRONG

‘The Digitals have won it against the Analogues’. Uhuru Kenyatta is the country’s fourth president after a grueling battle against his rival, Raila Odinga of the CORD coalition. This is the battle deputy-president elect; William Samoei Ruto had christened the analogues versus digital era’s showdown. Outgoing premier minister, Raila Odinga called it the punda na farasi race. Forget these farasi na punda and analogue versus digital story lines. The election eerie is gone and Kenya must forget the political fights and move towards Vision 2030! We cannot eat and sleep politics. Never!

Elections are supposed to usher in new leaders and breathe a fresh air into the leadership of any nation. Thus, there should be development on the social-economic and political aspects of a country. They are not supposed to be a cause of bloodshed and agony to the ordinary citizens who religiously take part in the electoral process, to the advantage of the leaders. Congo DR, Somalia, Ivory Coast and Mali represent the latter, where elections bring agony, bloodshed and misery upon the very people who unfailingly take part in the electoral process. Kenya almost went down this tumultuous road in 08 after the bungled 07 elections, when three months of madness had the entire world worried as the country was nearly thrown to the dogs. 

Thank the political gods because the just concluded elections have not ripped the country apart. Indeed Kenya has not let herself down! Democracy has won and the Amani, CORD, Jubilee and other parties’ differences have been put aside and the election results accepted by all Kenyans. Those disgruntled have the courts as the avenues to seek redress from and not the streets that were too busy during the 07-08 post-poll bloodbath!

However, subsequent elections have left the Kenyan voter a disillusioned fellow. High expectations in new regimes have best remained to be fertile imagination! Election pledges and promises never fulfilled. The end of every five years has been characterized by agony and frustration by the voters. Perhaps this explains why every election has seen the fall and demise of great men and women, those who never thought of life outside the August house. Waheshimiwas become watakaokumbukwa!

These unfulfilled promises have been the outcome of every five years in Kenya. In 2002, NARC ousted KANU from her 24-year reign in power. A constitution was to be delivered in the first 100 days. Corruption was apparently condemned, to be fought head-on by the Kibaki administration. Bitter reality set in and the first meaningful attempt to a new constitution was in 2005, 3 years later and was unanimously rejected through the referendum. It was later baked afresh and promulgated in 2010, after it passed the August 4^th referendum. Corruption was never fought and impunity has reigned supreme. The Kazi Kwa Vijana funds, the Grand-Regency saga, Free primary education and Mavoko cemetery mega-scandals are some of the key corruption issues that were never addressed. The culprits stayed put in office. It took the 2013 ballot box to send them home and indeed Kenyans got their day to pay off the politicians in the same coin!

When one takes a keen look at these election promises and how they are gather dust on the shelves after the elections, you ask yourself if the Kenyan politician gets carried away by the election heat or if it is a case of the Kenyan voter losing his head to the election euphoria! One has to bitterly realize that election promises and pledges in Kenya mostly wither and die without their realization. The politicians are never held accountable by the very people who voted them into power.

The 2013 elections were characterized by ground-shaking manifestos that promised to turn Kenya into the heaven we so much dream of. The pastoral communities were promised lasting solutions to their water and pasture nightmares, school children were promised free laptops and five new ultra-modern stadiums are to be build across the country. These pledges made the difference on

March 4^th   but the question of their realization is a different one altogether, never mind that teachers are poorly remunerated and must down their tools to get an increase in their salaries, a nationwide shortage of these invaluable Kenyans, notwithstanding!

Kenyans religiously heed the calls by the politicians to vote them into office, follow parties and coalitions based on the goodies their manifestos promise to them. A six-piece suit system of voting to ensure that even the incompetent corruption-smelly politicians are retained in power is openly advocated for by the country’s senior politicians, who seek the highest offices in the land.  However, once the elections are over, the two go back to their old ways. Politicians throw these manifestos to the archives to rot while Kenyans fight with their daily challenges, not concerned with what becomes of the manifestos and pledges. This makes me think that the Kenyan politician is not to blame for underdevelopment. Rather, Kenyans should be accused of voting in incompetent leaders who forget about their pledges and promises once they get into office.

As a nation we need to start keeping our leaders on their toes to ensure that they live up to every word of their election pledges promises, no matter how fantastical they might be! This is the only way to avoid desperation and agony every five years. If this is not done, then the politician will continually plunder the public coffers and enjoy state security as the Kenyans in Kibera, Korogocho and Kyang’ombe slums sink deeper into economic hardships!

Let us tame the politician before these cheap politics eventually eats up the people!

FARE THEE WELL MR. PRESIDENT………

A political career spanning to 49 years, has come to an end. President Kibaki, the Mp for Othaya since 1976 is bidding bye as the country’s head. Ten years as a Vice-president and another ten as the president, is no mean achievement for the Makerere-trained economist. He may have been at the helm when Kenya faced her most tumultuous moment in the 07-08 post-poll violence, but Kibaki retires to his Othaya home, with his head held high.  The search for his successor is on and the political scene is abuzz with intense activity. His succession race has seen sworn political enemies come together; inseparable allies acrimoniously part ways and the marriage of strange bed-fellows. Alliances are the surest way to finish the race and savor glory and victory come March or April 11^th   , if the polls go to the run-off.

President Kibaki has left his mark and written his name into the hearts of Kenyans. Unlike what would perhaps have been the most expected of scenarios, the president is retiring to his Othaya home, still the popular man who was sworn in 2002, on a wheelchair and a neck-plaster round his neck, following an accident on the campaign trail from Kitui. African presidents are known to retire as unpopular leaders, a far cry from the heads elected into office. He has left Kenya a very improved country. Infrastructure, the free primary education and a new constitution will forever be the hallmarks of his 10 years tenure as the head of the state. The economy is on the upsurge and as he said in his Jamhuri Day speech on 12^th December, 2012, the country is now on a sound economic footing and infrastructural foundation to  push it to the Kenya that all and sundry have always dreamt of.

The newly-built ultra-modern Thika highway is God-send to the agricultural activity of Central Kenya and lower Eastern. Farmers in other parts of the country no longer lament about the roads. Basic primary education is now accessible to children from the less fortunate and under-privileged families. Primary and secondary education is no longer the preserve of the financially able. Also higher institutions of learning, such as universities, colleges and polytechnics have seen their numbers swell to an all-time high. Young men and women from the secondary schools are now able to pursue training in these institutions of higher learning, both in the urban and rural parts of the county. Universities have their constituent colleges spread all over rural Kenya. Sadly North Eastern province is the only one missing out on this, but this is story for another day.

The Housing, micro-finance and banking industries have also grown tremendously. Both residential and office houses are noticeably sprouting up within the city and its environs. Do not forget about the slum upgrading project that has seen thousands leave their shanties in the sprawling slums of Kibera for the affordable and decent flats, built by the government. The entire country has truly experienced the shrewd leadership of the trained economist and alumnus of Makerere University.

However, Kibaki’s leadership, especially the second term has been marred by its ugly side. The corruption dragon has proved the hardest to slay. Scandals have had their fair share of the national news, with minimal or no progress being made to prosecute the suspects in court. Some of his lieutenants in the ministerial posts have badly let him down as misappropriation of funds and embezzlement of the tax-payers’ hard-earned cash has been the product of their ministries. The free primary education scandal, Kazi kwa Vijana, the Mavoko cemetery saga and the Grand Regency scandal among others, are the ugly and shameful faces of some of the ministries. Sadly the cases just fizzled into thin air and disappeared without even an inch of progress being made in their prosecution in accordance with the law. The Hague nightmare and the 07-08 post-poll bloodbath have tainted the peaceful history of this great nation. However, Kenyans and the entire world must not forget that the now defunct Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) and other state organs failed in their responsibility to ensure a free and fair poll. There was institutional failure, precipitated by public mistrust, lack of trust and the vested interest to ensure the status quo remained.

The 10^th Parliament failure to institute a local tribunal for the post-election violence suspects led to The Hague process, a process that will surely reshape the politics of Kenya! Then there is the terror threat that is staring Kenya in her face since our defense forces dismantled the Al-shabab terrorists. Our desire to instill the rule of law in lawless Somalia came at a price. Police officers, innocent civilians and even members of our military have lost their lives to the cowards and sympathizers of the Al-shabab. We are leading the way in rebuilding Somalia, a move that the entire world has lauded. Sadly, we are paying the price! The October massacre of at least 40 police officers in Suguta valley can never be wished away. This is the deadliest worst attack to befall our police force in post-colonial era. The Mombasa Republican Council’s secession bid caused quite a stir in the governance of our country. These are the sad and trying moments that as a nation we have had to endure under the tutelage of President Kibaki; the murky waters that could only be navigated safely by true patriotism.

These tragedies have taught us bitter yet invaluable lessons that have woken up the entire country. Reforms in the judiciary, under Chief Justice Willy Mutunga are breathing fresh air of justice to the rule of law in all four corners of the country. The new Inspector General of the police, David Kimaiyo has been sworn in and reforms in our police service are fast gaining momentum. The integrity nightmare contained in Chapter 6 of the new constitution, is fast moving to ensure better leadership. It has rattled the merchants of poor leadership and impunity to their core and they know that they are an endangered species. Kenya is on the right path to reclaiming her lost glory.

Described by many as a hands-off president, the man from Othaya has surely played his part in putting Kenya back on her right track. He redefined presidency, both in character and the manner of undertaking his business. He respected the ruling of our reformed Judiciary and never sought out to impose himself everywhere. This is a man who believed in Kenyans doing what is required of them and at the right time. This was best exemplified by his comments on issues such as family planning and illicit liquors.

His sense of humor has lit up many of his addresses to the nation, especially whenever he signed off his speeches in Kiswahili or a mixture of English and Kiswahili. The onus is onto the incoming president to ensure continuity from where President Kibaki has left.

Fare thee well Mr. President. The country will surely miss your shrewd stewardship.

THE KENYAN INTEGRITY ROT!

Integrity by office holders, both elected and appointees has become the latest yardstick for determining suitability of candidates, thanks to the new constitution. The integrity clause that the new law has introduced has literally the country into a swirl state. Politicians and all leaders in public officers have never been under such pressure to exercise integrity and uphold it. This is a stark contrast from the yesteryears where integrity was the preserve of the willing, those naturally used to the integrity-driven way of life! Integrity was simply a faux-pas.

The scrutiny of the integrity lens has shattered the dreams and careers of senior civil servants. Politicians are next in the casualty line! One wonders just how our leadership of the past 49 years had literally pushed integrity to the back foot. Perhaps it explains why our national leadership has delivered mega-scandals; looting of the public coffers and unmatched lust for misappropriating money, yet the culprits hang onto office. Political witch-hunt and apparent tribal decimation are the potent tactics of defense that the suspects use. This is how suspects of Grand-Regency, Anglo-leasing, Goldenberg, Kazi kwa Vijana and Free primary education scandals among others are still in office and command a near fanatical tribal and ethnic following. These guys promise us heaven while they are so sure that hell is what they give the ordinary Kenyan. But is this rot only from the leadership side? No, I do not think that is the case. On the contrary, it is a rot by the Kenyan society. A people who have lost respect for morals and values, yet demand morally correct leadership!

We expect so much from our politicians, as though they come from a different planet! These men and women are our dads, mums, uncles and aunts.  They are victims of the societal rot. University students use mwakenya’s in exam rooms, cause mayhem, vandalize business premises and stone innocent motorists under the guise of strikes. These are the same students who call for responsible and exemplary leadership from our legislators. Whenever honorable law-makers throw stones and engage in some primitive theatrics, these students come out guns blazing, united in condemnation of the culprits!  Is this the double-faced society that Kenya has become?

The Kenyan roads are not different either. Motorists bribe cops to buy their way out of traffic offences. Motorists no longer heed common-sense calls meant to ensure their safety. This explains why warnings such as Do not Drink and Drive have been relegated to the gutter. Kenyans completely drink out their senses yet take to the wheel and drive their way to the grave. It literally takes the government to save the lives of these Kenyans, who apparently care less about their own lives! Kenya is indeed the ushenzi society!

Corruption is a deeply rooted vice that represents the real face of the Kenyan society. It is the incurable ailment. Kenyans engage in corrupt dealings every other day. Kitu kidogo and chai are the fees that determine how services are delivered. However, whenever, one solicits for these bribes in bigger offices, Kenyans cry foul and decry the corrupt offices.

Votes are traded for money. Unruly youths are given some few coins and cheap brews, just to cause chaos at political rallies. The country is balkanized along tribal and ethnic lines, yet we flock churches to pray for peaceful elections. Politicians and ordinary Kenyans alike, dance with the devil at night and shake hands with God’s angels during the day. This is the double face that our society has become. A society of double standards where justice to the poor and marginalized is still a distant cry!

However, we not yet doomed as a nation. We have a minority people who are spearheading change and reform in the entire society, both in small and big ways. These are the people who need our unwavering support for the well-being of our society.

 We need to grow up as a nation before we demand for grown-up leadership.

WHAT NEXT FOR KENYA?

After a fractious four years of a coalition government, the March 2013 polls are barely three months away. An election is looming in the horizon and we must get a new tenant to occupy the house on the hill. This is an election that has showed all the signs of being an explosive one. Ground-shaking alliances and separations have already shaken the political landscape to its core. Battle lines have already being drawn and potential candidates are raring to go.  The punda na farasi wawili storylines have become real, at least going by the CORD and JUBILEE alliances. These two divides have brought together strange bed-fellows, all by a myriad of reasons. Form political survival to the Hague nightmare, these are the unshakable inspirations that have driven our politicians to these alliances.

However, at the backdrop of all these is the politically instigated bloodbath of 2007-2008, that as a nation, we are yet to recover from, at least fully. The world is watching to see if we have truly learned from that bitter post-election experience. As the late minister for Internal Security, Prof. George Saitoti, said, the world is indeed watching and we can ill-afford to fail, for if we do, the world will not give us a second chance. The man is sadly gone, leaving in our hands this huge responsibility. We have tremendously moved, in an effort to ensure that the ghosts of 07-08 do not revisit us; a new constitution is in place and surgical reforms, both in the police force and the judiciary have followed suit.

The key suspects of the post-poll quagmire are awaiting full trial at The Hague. The so –called small fish are also facing their moment of truth in our Kenyan courts. However, poor Kenyans, who bore the brunt of this post-poll bloodletting, are still in the tents, four years down the line. But as a country, have we really moved in a direction that will help us remain a united nation after next year’s elections? This is a question that the entire is grappling with. My instincts, compounded by the ugly scenes that are unfolding in some parts of Kenya, tell me that we are yet to learn. Talk of poor students of history!

The Tana Delta is burning. Barely three months since the infamous Kilelengwani massacre, where at least 100 Kenyans were butchered, has violence struck once again. In the latest attack, at least 40 people were killed. It is only after the deaths that the police come out, guns blazing to assure already disillusioned residents of their security. Welcome to Kenya, where the massacre of more than 30 civilians is apparently not big enough to demand the attention of the country’s bigwigs. Some distance away Mombasa; there is the issue of the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) that must surely keep the region’s security apparatus on their toes. Funny groupings like Nyuki, all bent on causing havoc in the region have cropped up.  Must all these groups rise in the run-up to the general elections?

In Kisumu, the Chinese and Marine groups are up, all meant to cause mayhem in this tense political climate. These are really uncertain times for the country. Sadly, a section of our country’s youths never learn and will always be there to execute primitive political tactics in exchange for some cheap brews and a few coins! When you see able-bodied young men publicly being coerced to swear that they will part company with stone-throwing, even in the madness of political heat, then you realize that indeed this is a people who have lost the plot.

Then there is the Baragoi massacre, where at least 40 police officers were slaughtered in Suguta valley; the valley of death. This is the worst attack on our police force in post-colonial Kenya, where some daring cattle-rustlers unleashed havoc on the very people entrusted with ensuring the respect of the rule of law. In its aftermath, the chilling stories of what could have led to this massacre must have surely scared the nation. You must see the trouble that as a county we are in, considering that police officers are mercilessly killed, then what will happen to the ordinary Kenyan? Grenades and other improvised explosive devices are now claiming the lives of both the officers and the citizens. Then in what many will consider the height of daring the devil, three officers of the armed forces were shot at in Garissa. They all succumbed to the bullet. This is unpalatable.

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and his people at the now reformed judiciary, offer the only hope to all these madness. The perseverance of our judges and magistrates is what is deterring some old-fashioned fellows from engaging in primitive behavior, under the guise of political tension. The judiciary is literally living every word of our national anthem that, justice be our shield and defender. They are the soldiers of reform, fighting tirelessly to slay the merchants of impunity and disrespect to the law.

As the election countdown enters its homestretch, politicians are all making all manner of promises. As usual, this has sent the country into frenzy and Kenyans, in their masses are getting lost in this heat. We have literally forgotten that election swill come and go and that these problems call for our undivided attention. President Kibaki famously said that elections are not a lifetime event. We will cast our vote and go back home to our problems and challenges. This is what Kenyans never listen to. As a country we eat and live politics while teething problems continue to give us tiring days and sleepless nights.

A truly sad Kenyan scenario!

WHAT NEXT FOR KENYA?

After a fractious four years of a coalition government, the March 2013 polls are barely three months away. An election is looming in the horizon and we must get a new tenant to occupy the house on the hill. This is an election that has showed all the signs of being an explosive one. Ground-shaking alliances and separations have already shaken the political landscape to its core. Battle lines have already being drawn and potential candidates are raring to go.  The punda na farasi wawili storylines have become real, at least going by the CORD and JUBILEE alliances. These two divides have brought together strange bed-fellows, all by a myriad of reasons. Form political survival to the Hague nightmare, these are the unshakable inspirations that have driven our politicians to these alliances.

However, at the backdrop of all these is the politically instigated bloodbath of 2007-2008, that as a nation, we are yet to recover from, at least fully. The world is watching to see if we have truly learned from that bitter post-election experience. As the late minister for Internal Security, Prof. George Saitoti, said, the world is indeed watching and we can ill-afford to fail, for if we do, the world will not give us a second chance. The man is sadly gone, leaving in our hands this huge responsibility. We have tremendously moved, in an effort to ensure that the ghosts of 07-08 do not revisit us; a new constitution is in place and surgical reforms, both in the police force and the judiciary have followed suit.

The key suspects of the post-poll quagmire are awaiting full trial at The Hague. The so –called small fish are also facing their moment of truth in our Kenyan courts. However, poor Kenyans, who bore the brunt of this post-poll bloodletting, are still in the tents, four years down the line. But as a country, have we really moved in a direction that will help us remain a united nation after next year’s elections? This is a question that the entire is grappling with. My instincts, compounded by the ugly scenes that are unfolding in some parts of Kenya, tell me that we are yet to learn. Talk of poor students of history!

The Tana Delta is burning. Barely three months since the infamous Kilelengwani massacre, where at least 100 Kenyans were butchered, has violence struck once again. In the latest attack, at least 40 people were killed. It is only after the deaths that the police come out, guns blazing to assure already disillusioned residents of their security. Welcome to Kenya, where the massacre of more than 30 civilians is apparently not big enough to demand the attention of the country’s bigwigs. Some distance away Mombasa; there is the issue of the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) that must surely keep the region’s security apparatus on their toes. Funny groupings like Nyuki, all bent on causing havoc in the region have cropped up.  Must all these groups rise in the run-up to the general elections?

In Kisumu, the Chinese and Marine groups are up, all meant to cause mayhem in this tense political climate. These are really uncertain times for the country. Sadly, a section of our country’s youths never learn and will always be there to execute primitive political tactics in exchange for some cheap brews and a few coins! When you see able-bodied young men publicly being coerced to swear that they will part company with stone-throwing, even in the madness of political heat, then you realize that indeed this is a people who have lost the plot.

Then there is the Baragoi massacre, where at least 40 police officers were slaughtered in Suguta valley; the valley of death. This is the worst attack on our police force in post-colonial Kenya, where some daring cattle-rustlers unleashed havoc on the very people entrusted with ensuring the respect of the rule of law. In its aftermath, the chilling stories of what could have led to this massacre must have surely scared the nation. You must see the trouble that as a county we are in, considering that police officers are mercilessly killed, then what will happen to the ordinary Kenyan? Grenades and other improvised explosive devices are now claiming the lives of both the officers and the citizens. Then in what many will consider the height of daring the devil, three officers of the armed forces were shot at in Garissa. They all succumbed to the bullet. This is unpalatable.

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and his people at the now reformed judiciary, offer the only hope to all these madness. The perseverance of our judges and magistrates is what is deterring some old-fashioned fellows from engaging in primitive behavior, under the guise of political tension. The judiciary is literally living every word of our national anthem that, justice be our shield and defender. They are the soldiers of reform, fighting tirelessly to slay the merchants of impunity and disrespect to the law.

As the election countdown enters its homestretch, politicians are all making all manner of promises. As usual, this has sent the country into frenzy and Kenyans, in their masses are getting lost in this heat. We have literally forgotten that election swill come and go and that these problems call for our undivided attention. President Kibaki famously said that elections are not a lifetime event. We will cast our vote and go back home to our problems and challenges. This is what Kenyans never listen to. As a country we eat and live politics while teething problems continue to give us tiring days and sleepless nights.

A truly sad Kenyan scenario!

A COUNTRY PLAGUED BY PERENNIAL PRETENDERS

Ee Mungu nguvu

Ilete Baraka kwetu

Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi

Natukae na undugu

Amani na uhuru

Raha tupate na ustawi........ goes the first stanza of our national anthem. These are the sweet tunes that were first sung when we attained independence in 1963, a song that the freedom fighters of this nation proudly sang and walked every word. They dreamt of a Kenya that will be a true manifestation of this anthem. These words of our national anthem are supposed to rally the country for a common cause, sadly the very opposite happens.

Sadly, as we prepare to celebrate 50 years as a sovereign state in 2013, we are living the exact opposite of our national anthem! Kenya has been plagued by a pretentious political class coupled by an equally ostentatious electorate and a religious class that has lost its original cause and consequent command of God’s sheep!

Whenever we flock Nyayo National stadium for national celebrations, waving miniature flags and humming patriotic tunes, one gets the fallacy that Kenya is indeed a great nation that is home to some of the best people on the planet. No, I beg to differ with this. I have substantive reasons to back my stand.

Our politics are dictated and played along ethnic contours, whereby tribal power-brokers and chieftains determine who gets which post. Welcome to a country whereby candidates with issues and policies but wanting on the tribal factor never get the opportunity to ascend to positions of leadership. We do not see rivals from other communities as Kenyan leaders; rather we view them through the tribal and ethnic lens. The same old leaders are recycled back to power every five years. The result is mega-corruption and scandals that shamelessly loot from the public coffers. Integrity of these high offices is unheard off. Looters of public money continue to hold offices yet petty-offenders like chicken thieves and wallet- snatchers are ruthlessly dealt with!

We have created so much fuss about the new constitutional dispensation and how it will change our lives for the better, yet we are still holding strong to the impunity and disregard of the law, that characterized the yester-years. New laws that threaten the status quo are passionately fought by our politicians. Kenyans, in their masses join in the bandwagon to fight the truly patriotic Kenyans. The politicians hold hands together with Kenyans and merrily savor victory! The ethnic factor has been successfully used by some politicians to mobilize Kenyans in perpetuating corruption, incompetent leadership and abuse of office that has brought unmatched pain to the tax-payer. Politicians, who try to straighten the unfortunate bents of our history, are warded off by the negative ethnicity that continues to dominate our politics. Perhaps this explains the sad reality that the Peter Kenneth’s and Martha Karua’s of this nation may never lead the country! Remember, the late Wangari Maathai, despite her unmatched patriotism and work to the nation, just served a single term as a legislator! These trends tell you that indeed, just as Jesus Christ; the Kenyan prophet may never be recognized at home. Instead this is the responsibility of the outside world!

Our religious leaders have lost control of the very people that they are supposed to lead. Whatever we are getting from this Holy profession is gospel prosperity, whereby miracles have apparently replaced hard work as the key to prosperity! Churches have popped up in every corner of the city. Apparently, more and more Kenyans are embracing the teachings of the holy book. But flashing back to the 2007-2008 bloodbath, you begin to see the religious hoodwink that has become of Kenyans. The very Kenyans across the country who flock churches and other places of worship are the same people who hacked each other with machetes, swords and pangas. Others managed to use the deadly arsenal such as bows and arrows and guns to destroy God-given lives in the name of settling political scores! Religious hypocrisy is slowly but surely breaking the Kenyan back.

Our founding fathers envisaged the fight against ignorance, communicable diseases and poverty as the pillars of building Kenya. However, 49 years down the line, this endeavor has proved elusive. We are still far from achieving this. Huge disparities in infrastructural development and access to health, education among other fronts characterize Kenya today. The gods are not to blame for this. As Kenyans, we have been the engineers and architects of the troubles facing the country.

We must act decisively and make the future brighter. Destiny is in our hands!