Post by Onyango Oloo on Jan 6, 2006 9:16:03 GMT 3
Kenya Business Caucus in Europe (KBC)
C/o Kedeco Foundation
Museum House
25 Museum Street
London WC1A 1PL
C/o Kedeco Foundation
Museum House
25 Museum Street
London WC1A 1PL
________________________________________
PRESS RELEASE 1 January 2006
An end of year appraisal on President Kibaki and his cronies sadly reveals that they are a bent on abetting corruption, inward looking and selfish as to their priorities, tribalistic, incompetent in their management of government and public affairs, and incurably bankrupt in their vision for a better more democratic Kenya. It is a very poor report card on their performance.
The post-referendum actions by Kibaki proved to Kenyans that he and his inner sanctum of self selected so-called national leaders covet power for power’s sake and their own survival therein. And will use dirty tricks to sustain it. Their actions clearly demonstrate that they do not want to share power, nor do they believe in representative government. They see the government as an instrument to retain and institutionalise their personal greed at the expense of Kenyans and future generations.
As we welcome the year 2006, The Kenya Business Caucus in Europe (KBC) observes that 2005 ended with no window of hope opening for this new year and the stark realisation that things could get worse going forward. Things could get worse because our leaders, characterised mainly by the current occupier of State House, place a higher value on their personal survival than on serving the long suffering people of Kenya.
But we, the Kenyan people, need not wait for things to get worse. We need not wait for Kibaki to realise the folly of his ways: one cannot teach an old dog new tricks. And as such we should not expect Kibaki or his coterie of Muthaiga Golf Club advisors and some peripheral players around that circle to amend their ways and start working for a better Kenya. They do not know how to and they are not interested in taking the necessary painful steps in that direction. They prefer their current secluded comfort zone at State House.
Theirs is a sad indictment of a government elected on a platform of change and failing on nearly all fronts.
Any good change leader worth his/her salt and salary knows that to bring about effective change requires a change consensus championed by a responsive visionary leadership leading from the front and by example in deed. Judging by the events of the last three years, it is clear that there exists a vacuum in our country’s leadership. The only way of filling this vacuum is to replace the current crop of leaders with those willing and able to deliver the necessary genuine institutional changes required to build a better, transparent and more democratic Kenya.
That great leader, Mahatma Gandhi, uttered these powerful words “You must be the change that you want to see in the world”. If we are to follow Gandhi’s advice then it is incumbent upon us all to recognise Kibaki’s shortcomings and demand change in national leadership before more damage is done to our beloved country and to our reputation as a peace loving people. As the great English philosopher Edmund Burke said “All that is necessary for evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing”.
KBC’s clarion call to all freedom loving and patriotic Kenyans is to immediately embrace a comprehensive strategy of political change in order to liberate our country from the clutches of a group of self ingratiating men and women who are beyond their political sell by dates. Those who are blinded by self aggrandisement and who have lost touch with reality, our people, our aspirations and our many frustrating national challenges such as hunger, poverty, escalating crime and insecurity, corruption, the failure to deliver a people-driven constitution, unemployment, disease, HIV/AIDS, poor education and infrastructure facilities across Kenya. In short, bad governance and poor leadership.
We advocate the reengineering of the current political landscape and we know we can achieve this by empowering our people through genuine democratisation to enable them to make the right choices for Kenya’s leadership fit for the 21st century. There are many democratic ways of doing this be it via the judiciary, the legislature, or through the exercise of mass people power. All are legitimate.
Secondly, we must begin to engender an alternative leadership by identifying and nurturing new leaders in time for the 2007 general elections. In so doing, we call on all Kenyans inside and outside Kenya to consider offering themselves for alternative leadership in their respective constituencies.
We therefore urge leaders who appreciate that it is in their selfless interest and that of Kenyans to institute democracy in the country to join us. We are seeking leaders and potential leaders who understand that democracy involves popular participation, the supremacy of the rule of law, respect to individual and collective rights, transparency and accountability in governance, and more.
We need leaders who understand that without a genuine people based democratic dispensation, they will have no protection against their freedoms, their persons or their property. That would sadly apply to all of us including our leaders. Africa is witness to many such cases from Congo to Somalia and Liberia to name but a few. Kenya must not be allowed to down this ugly route.
We understand that Kenya is large, diverse and complex. However, we also know that there are budding leaders out there somewhere. Every day, in every facet of our lives, opportunities to lead call out to us. At work and at home, in our local communities and in the village, the chance to make a difference beckons. Yet often, we hesitate. Ours is to appeal to fellow Kenyans to not hesitate because our country needs us. But be warned that for all its passion and promise, for all its excitement and rewards, leading is a risky and dangerous undertaking. Leadership is like an elephant, difficult to describe but you know it when you see it. We have seen the NARC leadership for the last three years and now we know it. It has been a huge let down. It is time for change.
Why? Because real leadership – the kind that resolves conflict, challenges long held beliefs, and demands new ways of doing things – causes pain. And when people feel threatened, they take aim at the person pushing for positive change. This explains why Raila Odinga continues to be a target for those of Kibaki’s narrow minded ethnic chauvinists, who represent a minority but wealthy clique and view across Mt Kenya.
But we must not despair because it is only when you know how to lead yourself influentially will you then know how to lead others.
We promise material and logistical support to bring about an alternative visionary, committed and people based leadership. You better all be prepared to make your contribution by looking for and making the right choices guided by your conscience and national spirit not short term personal considerations. That way we will realise the Kenya we wanted before we gave NARC that overwhelming mandate which they have ditched without shame.
Suddenly 2006 looks optimistic after all. Kenya is far bigger than the few individuals who seem bent on mismanaging and running it for their selfish ends.
Ends
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Kenya Business Caucus in Europe (KBC) consists of Kenyan professionals and businesspersons working and living in Europe. It was formed in 2003 to bridge the information and communication gap between professionals and businesspersons in various European countries. Its objectives include among others organising dialogues for Kenyans with various speakers to inform the world about Kenya and build the country’s image abroad. Its chairman is Mr Shabanji Opukah currently working in London. The secretary general is Mr Duncan Onyango, a management consultant and Mr Shadrack Bulimo, a London-based businessman is in charge of the Press Office.
For further information, please contact:
S Opukah - +447714 711 773
D Onyango - + 447710 863 361
S Bulimo - +447958 575 309
