As i write this blog, i'm living in Maputo, Mozambique. According to the UN Human development report of 2007/08, Mozambique is ranked the fifth poorest country globally while kenya stands at 148 out of 177 countries. My friend who recently travelled on holiday to Kenya just sent me a message this morning with the following, " Amigo Kenya is not good, no water, no electricity in the daytime, no food, no drugs even HIV testing kits". He is Kenyan by the way.
Back to Mozambique a little; In my two plus years here, there has never been a single day gone by without running water nor a blink of darkness in the name of rationing. Now, you tell me about the wealth of nations. If you need reminding, like my friend did to me, Kenya is the largest economy between Johanesburg and Cairo. This is by no chance or windfall but due to the hard working, resilient nature of kenyans. We sieze opportunities which have a direct corelation to improving our lives. Other more long term relational opportunities seem valueless. This has to change if we want to leap into the future.
Access to water and energy are critical for our very comfort. For early risers, the switch is your first touch and water your attachment to nature. You take a bath and perhaps hum to your favorite tunes or listen out for the drama that is kenyan news. Generations have done this. It's therefore imperative that we must protect the resources that provide us with our basic needs. I recently read about a scientist who has discovered how to generate electricity from a home made fan. This i would consider a natural response to preserving our quality of life and ensuring its perpetuity. On the contrary, to destroy your very source of life and comfort and throw it to the wind boarders on suicide. Yes, i'm talking about the Mau and its destruction which is causing untold suffering.
Fortunately, i'm residing in a poorer country than kenya so i can enjoy a bath and take a self indused depression by watching kenyan news but one thing is for sure, this cant go on forever. I want to blame the following and offer solutions. The order is right.
1. President - For not providing leadership when needed most in the form of an executive decision to evict the trespassers of Mau with immediate effect. Shame on you!
2. PM - for giving audience to people (MPs) he thinks he owes his 2007 votes to. The real electorate is going without electricity and water for an unforseen duration. I dont expect it from you!
3. Kenyans - For standing on the side a watching helplessly because you cannot translate this directly into a shillings. Sieze the opportunity to make tough decisions about the kind of leadership you voted for. Will you repeat this in 3 years? Woo unto you!
I have purposely left out the Mau residents for nature will prevail. As for the Rift valley politicians, their own children will judge them harshly.
A few solutions i propose:
1. Let's use this hard times to reflect on the kind of leadership we want for Kenya. Poverty like i mentioned above, is not merely about money but the presence or absence sustainable systems that ensure a good quality of life. In this respect, Mozambique is richer than kenya.
2. We must seriously re-afforest our country not only to recover Mau but to create new ecosystems that will ensure our present and future survival. Let it be an added advantage for employment and social standing to have planted trees or own/sponsor a forest.
3. Realise that reality and politics are not interchangeable. Real scenarios (like the absence of water and electricity) require real solutions. Politics, in this case, is spiteful, detractory, misplaced and disconnected.
So for all the Kenyans suffering, let's wake up and salvage our pride. Be selfish and demand your own. We deserve good leadership from good leaders. Now is always the time.
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5 comments:
Let me first say i enjoy your style of writing. The one problem we have is that the common voter does not have access to basic information like you and I have. Technology, though good has not reached the people in rural and even the urban poor. Thier vote is not influenced by the politician's history or what's good for the country. Party lines, tribal lines and other social issues factor in too. To have a change in leadership at the end of the day depends on those millions of voters who have been given democracy but havent learned to use it demand accountability.
FUCK YOU DOOSHBAG
When someone uses foul language, it demonstrates what fills their hearts and mind. Use your energy wisely and keep the language to your atmosphere. Please.
The BOOK says "Love others and treat them as you would have them treat you."
Be ye sober-minded. You will be a proud Kenyan!
On the other hand, well done Githongo and Ghai for doing what should have been done yesterday.
Most of us are standing with you.
good article, u also have to realise not many kenyans have exposure to what you are used to also, there is a clear lack of precise information in different areas. i think more literacy should be emphasised inorder to allow people access to information and tools to know how to govern them selves and utilize their resources.
na hiyo yote ni maeeeeeeendeeeeleeeeooooooo
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