(Re)Creation of Kenya - San Diego take 1
“God created Kenya to assist rugby take over the world. What’s your excuse?”
That was one of the more colorful captions on a fan t-shirt as sunny San Diego readied to host a contingent of Kenyans from all walks of life most of whom reside in the US. There were at least 7 other countrymen on our flight into Lindberg Field (Airport) in San Diego, and a few others we met at the car rental office. Even before we hit highway 5 to the city of Del Mar, where we will be staying for the next few days, we had already met about 20 fellow Kenyans. We arrived a bit late, our flight in was delayed and San Diego, is unseasonably cold. There are events lined up throughout the weekend. We all seem to agree that there is a lot that needs to be done, and are willing to do our part. At one of the events last night there were Kenyan flags, t-shirts, outfits and camaraderie was witnessed all over the place. Today promises not just good old rugby but also a chance for us to meet and talk to our fellow countrymen and hopefully help alleviate some of the strife in Kenya.
Aside: I talked to an individual whose family resides in Kisumu who lost his mom when her house was torched by attackers. His pain was visible as he narrated his ordeal and what his family has had to go through for the last few weeks. This, to me, makes the issue very real, and underscores the importance of banding together for these types of events for a good cause. He talked about his pain, more so against certain ‘Kikuyus’. You can easily see how the conflict in Kenya can and will affect friends far away from the conflict. What happens in Kenya, truly does not just stay in Kenya. There are very real victims and stories to be told out here as well.
We are headed to Petco park today. More stories and pictures as well as soon as I can figure out my new point-and-click.
Dear Mr Kibaki…
Dear Sir
Wise men once said, if you consider yourself a leader, and proceed to lead, then look over your shoulder and no-one is following you, dude you’re just taking a walk!
You just keep on walking.
Yours concerned citizen.
Magaidi.
Who Holds the Key?
I made a comment to a friend right after the 2002 election that Uhuru Kenyatta had set an example as to how losers in elections need be/act. Despite Kibaki’s landslide victory in that election, Mr Kenyatta, rather than engage in sideshows, conceded defeat, an act in rarity in a continent where political big men rarely ever concede defeat. My remark was largely dismissed in the euphoria that followed Narc’s unprecedented landslide victory but I hoped that many budding politicians had taken note. Besides, its relevance was not felt since the victory was without a doubt. Sometimes, it not losing that defines you, it is your conduct in a loss that bespeaks volumes of your character. That the Uhuru Kenyatta we knew then and now seem to be cut from completely different cloth is a topic for another day.
Before you get all bent out of shape or engage in a pro-government diatribe, or lecture me on the concept of free and fair elections, I am not advocating or insinuating that ODM concedes defeat neither am I saying that the elections were not rigged or that Kibaki was the majority’s choice. I am not endorsing anyone, rather I want to point out a marked contrast that exists in the political big circles. That conceding even a hard-line stance for the sake of negotiation in the name of the people, does not make you less of a man/woman. A simple lesson largely ignored in Africa, that could save countless lives if we had true statesmen in positions of power.
“An 80-year old man should not be leading a country”
Nelson Mandela
The PNU’s/Government’s supremely irresponsible utterances such as “The president has been sworn in, the elections are over, the Kenyans have to accept the results, the opposition has to accept the results” (see one Raphael Tuju) and then in the same breath proceed to support GSU and police brutality by saying that “If the tear gas doesn’t work then unfortunately they have to use live bullets” leave a mind-boggling lot to be desired. References to “genocide”, “ethnic cleansing” and the such by the government spokesman really bring to bare, the ineptitude that exists in the Kibaki government. In usual Kibaki fashion, he remains holed up in statehouse continuing to pen his voluminous encyclopedia on ineffective leadership by keeping mum or disengaging himself from reality of the situation while the country desperately needs a sense of leadership. Is this the leadership we deserve?
In the same breath when ODM claims to accept nothing short of a Kibaki resignation as a reason for dialogue we have to question whether they themselves are fit to lead us. Perhaps the illusion of power has so much so clouded their vision that chaos in the country fueling wanton property destruction and lives lost mean lesser to the ODM leadership than their quest for power. It is as if to say, ‘we will get to the top by any means necessary’. I am not saying that they should not request his resignation, but that this should not be the make or break determinant to forging a way forward for a country on the brink. Again I ask, is this the leadership we deserve?
What we have here are two factions, each not ready to concede an inch, not willing to make the country bigger than themselves. We have rich politicians acting irresponsibly while the poor mwananchi (citizen) they are supposed to represent ‘without fear or favor’ is dying on the streets as each faction tries to elbow each other in the clamor for and consolidation of power. Is this really the leadership we deserve?
“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
Abraham Lincoln
No one seems to have a concrete answer as to the way forward. We know what got us here but we don’t know how to get ourselves out. I wonder what would happen based on the ODM requirement that Kibaki resigns. Even if he does, that does not give ODM the presidency since Kibaki was already declared the winner albeit by a fraudulent ECK count? In addition, is it likely or not that a Kenyan court, in the (unlikely) event of a petition determine that there were irregularities and order the ECK to make a decision whether there should be a recount or hold another presidential election in this era of passing the proverbial buck? Who’s to say whether a recount would be legitimate? Are we ready to believe that there has been no tampering with electoral documents between when the count was done and when such an order is exercised? Is a country on the edge really ready for another presidential election after the debacle we have just witnessed? Who would be entrusted to conduct such an election after the ECK botched the previous one? Is a provisional government a solution? How do we rebuild trust in the ECK since we don’t expect foreigners to conduct elections for us? Who holds the keys?
Let Cooler Heads Reign
Like most folks within the diaspora, I have followed Kenya’s election results with great interest within the blogosphere and mainstream media. Ory at KenyanPundit, Mental, Thinker, Chris and everyone else on the ground have done a great job keeping us updated. I am, to say the least shellshocked at the blatant disregard for country the ‘powers that be’ have shown. If nothing, Kibaki has succeeded in further heightening ethnic tensions by his (and his cronies) actions. Let there be no doubt that this ‘government’ will go to ANY AND ALL lengths to protect it’s grip on power (including plunging the country into a civil war!). There are definite parallels between what is happening on the ground in Kenya politically and what has been going on in Pakistan, but this is a comparison for the another day.
There is enough blame to go around. Legitimate concerns about poll-related violence were founded. But I am all the more frustrated because the ECK is wholly to blame for not only the flawed outcome, but also for the violence erupting in the country as they pat each other on the back and continue to wallow in their ignorance in thinking this was a free and fair election. It may have been free, but not in the least bit fair. But let’s not stop there.
Media reports that Raila was planning a separate inauguration ceremony at Uhuru Park for the ‘people’s president’ and the formation of a parallel government are quite disheartening. It’s not only wrong, this action threatens to circumvent supposed democratic processes and structures in place to address election irregularities. We all know the election was flawed, but attempting to flex muscle to get to the top seat is definitely not the right way and sends a message of lawlessness in the country. If we want our ‘democracy’ to grow, we have to put the onus on the court/justice system to address these irregularities. If for nothing else, to put the spotlight on them, witness them work and render our judgment based on their assessment.
We have serious problems to resolve. Losing our heads, burning cars and bridges and violence along ethnic lines do nothing but heighten tensions and make the journey to a brighter future all the more tedious. There I sed(sic) it!
3.0 and the business of life with baby girl
Magaidi.com 3.0 is now up and running. Beyond numerous technical issues about loading backgrounds on the previous template, the absence of a neutral color made it difficult for me to include certain other things within the site that I would love to, for example pictures. Additionally, the links were abit difficult to follow thus I have settled on a minimalist theme. Content though has not changed. I will painstakingly be updating links over the next few weeks.
I have been following closely the recent happenings at the TED Global conference and the way forward. With bloggers such as Ethan Zuckerman, I almost feel like I am at the conference myself. I am encouraged by what I have read and seen and look forward to learning more in the following days.
THE ONE
On a more personal note, baby girl and I have decided to undertake the business of life as one. I am excited, exhilarated and in awe all at once. The proposing part (surprisingly enough) was quite nerve racking I have to say. I could barely sleep knowing the next day was to be the first day of the rest of my life. A good friend asked me how I knew she was ‘the one’. My answer is that it was very difficult to explain how ‘I knew’. The best analogy I can give is that I felt like it was the final day before a really tough test - and I knew that I had read every single book! I will blog about this soon.
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About
Magaidi.com is the journal of the African kid. A diary of sorts, a collection of musings and a discussion point on the way forward for the motherland.
