Post by pharlap on Apr 10, 2006 18:41:52 GMT 3
Kenyans are too gullible to see through MPs’ deceit
It’s always good to read other people confirm what one has been trying to say all along. The beauty of this kind of exchange is that quite often, one is able to sieve out some unpleasant moments where folk driven by passion without any reason at all come in and hurl insults and make comments based on emotion, and realize that after all, you actually had a point and that truth is hard, really hard to digest.
A senior KTN reporter observes this.
A few weeks ago, i wrote something along those lines....
There followed a few responses, obviously, folk were not impressed.
Maina, yes they are. At least a big majority is quite unintelligent and …nobody mentioned useless. They can always be used for political gain.
p.s. (I think OO meant cocoons and not cocoons)
I wonder what the same bright minds will have to say when they read from one of Kenya's leading authority on reporting. Similar sentiments....
People did not bother to read in between the lines and merely reacted to what their eyes saw. We all have blessed thoughts and dreams of what Kenyans should be and think, but one thing is for sure; we are running waaaaaay ahead of the people. Lets concentrate on civic education.
Oh no puh leaaaze!!! Kenyans are smart peoples!!! They will not be tricked again. Yet we all know that majority of the voters are those uneducated folk who are easily swayed by politicians like Raila and Gumo. Beware of those charismaniacs who get crowds worked out. Beware of politicians who cannot give a speech without first singing a traditional tune to tune the minds of the unsuspecting crowd. Some of the few educated elite, especially those who have the privilege of embracing a digital lifestyle and can thus communicate their ideas online think that the average Kenyan thinks like they do. It’s not true. One needs to realize that only consistent civic education will set the masses free off the spell that this vile elements of national politics have on them.
They are going to do it again sometime next year and we might just discover the lie when they are in government. It is time we realized that politics is not entertainment.
This is inevitable. Sing what you will, say what you will but at the end of the day, Kenyans will still give their votes to whoever appeals most to their emotions, whoever makes the greatest effort to entertain them through the election period, whoever promises the most empty promises, whoever bribes the most and tells them the most lies.
It is against that backdrop that I contend that the only way we are going to see change in Kenya is not by voting out Kibaki. No way, no way at all. Let Kibaki do another five years while we engage the masses in civic education. People voted against the constitution because of the same reasons mentioned above. How many Kenyans knew what that draft contained? How many actually read it? I would sponsor a program on KTS and Nation and national radio just to discuss the constitution in lay man’s language, using examples that people can understand and then call for a referendum vote. Otherwise, the better way is to get a small group of experts to work independently from the government’s pressure to assemble the document. Right now, we can do Kenyans a favor by extending what we discuss here out to the common mwananchi by all means. Forums like jukwaa are great places to raise ideas and concerns that affect Kenyans daily. Think of the whole Kenya as a jukwaa forum, and you will have solved many problems. Voting in another politician to go and eat whatever it is that is left or that has been returned is just a waste of time.
Kibaki may be slow, but I’d prefer the devil I know than the supposedly “angel’ I have never seen or met. Bottom-line, let’s concentrate on educating the masses on issues such as good governance, human rights- we would not even be talking about gays and whether they have any political rights- Tribalistic and racialist comments that lead to nowhere, and attitudes that clearly show us as loyal or allied to our tribes rather than our country.
So, its good to have a dream, but let it be realistic.
It’s always good to read other people confirm what one has been trying to say all along. The beauty of this kind of exchange is that quite often, one is able to sieve out some unpleasant moments where folk driven by passion without any reason at all come in and hurl insults and make comments based on emotion, and realize that after all, you actually had a point and that truth is hard, really hard to digest.
A senior KTN reporter observes this.
Kenyans, you stand accused. You stand accused of being so politically naÔve that you think politics is entertainment. So much so that in 2002 you voted into power a cabal of politicians that offered more histrionics than substance.
One would have thought that three years was enough time to grow out of the infatuation with the theatrics that politicians often use to cloak their empty rhetoric. But last year you did it again. Just because the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) could form the Orange Band which produced hits like Bado mapambano, you were dazzled.
Does Kenya have a leadership crisis? Yes, was the unequivocal answer from Uhuru. He volunteered that as a matter of fact, Kenyans rejected him as a presidential candidate in 2002 not because he was a political greenhorn or because Narc had a better manifesto, but because "some politicians led by the likes of Kituyi held hands all over the country and sang Yote yawezekana bila Moi".
One would have thought that three years was enough time to grow out of the infatuation with the theatrics that politicians often use to cloak their empty rhetoric. But last year you did it again. Just because the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) could form the Orange Band which produced hits like Bado mapambano, you were dazzled.
Does Kenya have a leadership crisis? Yes, was the unequivocal answer from Uhuru. He volunteered that as a matter of fact, Kenyans rejected him as a presidential candidate in 2002 not because he was a political greenhorn or because Narc had a better manifesto, but because "some politicians led by the likes of Kituyi held hands all over the country and sang Yote yawezekana bila Moi".
A few weeks ago, i wrote something along those lines....
Pharlap banks wrote:
Ethnicity matters not, or at least not as much.
Kenyans will vote for anyone who knows how to manipulate their emotions around the election period. Anyone who will make them feel as if they are getting into another new Jerusalem, promise some change, or at least something different from the previous leader. Tribal voting is a thing of the past; at least when we consider that people voted for Kibaki, even in Nyanza and western provinces where there were traditional strong men like Musalia Mudavadi and a few others were kicked out.
Take note that it is not the candidate, but the party or the coalition. The group with the most catchy slogan or name that can be easily understood by a big majority, like Orange or NARC, that can be turned into pop tunes to be composed and performed by the Kenyan ragga and benga artistes, (Bado mapambano and I am sober ..I voted orange, I am unbwogable,) that people can dance to and forget about life itself;- leave alone the voting, that will actually pull majority of the votes. People want something they can carry around, identify with, and jive to and most of all that makes them feel like they are part of an inevitable change, for the good of the nation. So if Raila decided that Kalonzo should go for it, his, mostly un-educated, un-informed and idle hooligans from Kibera and kangemi will dance to the tune, no matter which tribe Kalonzo is from. Even if they have never seen the guy, they will be singing and dancing to his name. Timing is everything. Wait until the last minute and then make a drastic move that will throw everything into confusion and take advantage of the undecided voter's undecided ness. They will definitely not want to go back.
Ethnicity matters not, or at least not as much.
Kenyans will vote for anyone who knows how to manipulate their emotions around the election period. Anyone who will make them feel as if they are getting into another new Jerusalem, promise some change, or at least something different from the previous leader. Tribal voting is a thing of the past; at least when we consider that people voted for Kibaki, even in Nyanza and western provinces where there were traditional strong men like Musalia Mudavadi and a few others were kicked out.
Take note that it is not the candidate, but the party or the coalition. The group with the most catchy slogan or name that can be easily understood by a big majority, like Orange or NARC, that can be turned into pop tunes to be composed and performed by the Kenyan ragga and benga artistes, (Bado mapambano and I am sober ..I voted orange, I am unbwogable,) that people can dance to and forget about life itself;- leave alone the voting, that will actually pull majority of the votes. People want something they can carry around, identify with, and jive to and most of all that makes them feel like they are part of an inevitable change, for the good of the nation. So if Raila decided that Kalonzo should go for it, his, mostly un-educated, un-informed and idle hooligans from Kibera and kangemi will dance to the tune, no matter which tribe Kalonzo is from. Even if they have never seen the guy, they will be singing and dancing to his name. Timing is everything. Wait until the last minute and then make a drastic move that will throw everything into confusion and take advantage of the undecided voter's undecided ness. They will definitely not want to go back.
There followed a few responses, obviously, folk were not impressed.
Maina Unedited wrote: Quite frankly, I never at one time ever imagined that I would one day read your type of thoughts in my lifetime. You mean Kenyans are so unintelligent and useless! Do you realize what you have beautifully inferred through your wordiness here? This is insane! 
Maina.
-Unedited-
Maina.
-Unedited-
Maina, yes they are. At least a big majority is quite unintelligent and …nobody mentioned useless. They can always be used for political gain.
OO, had some comments, though not necessarily thought to be a direct response to my original post...the harsh tone explains it all.
---OO---The pervasive reality of tribalism not withstanding, our common identity is a KENYAN one. The ironic paradox, especially evident in online forums is that every petty minded tribalist NEEDS a NATIONAL platform in order to vent their venom against presumed/perceived "enemy tribes". You would expect these ethnic bigots to retreat into their ossified tribal coccoons, offline and online. But oh, no, they have to slither their way to where Kenyans of all nationalities congregate in order to screech out their delusions of ethnic supremacy and display their parochial inferiority complexes.
---OO---The pervasive reality of tribalism not withstanding, our common identity is a KENYAN one. The ironic paradox, especially evident in online forums is that every petty minded tribalist NEEDS a NATIONAL platform in order to vent their venom against presumed/perceived "enemy tribes". You would expect these ethnic bigots to retreat into their ossified tribal coccoons, offline and online. But oh, no, they have to slither their way to where Kenyans of all nationalities congregate in order to screech out their delusions of ethnic supremacy and display their parochial inferiority complexes.
p.s. (I think OO meant cocoons and not cocoons)
Maina wrote, after quoting Pharlap:
"Do you realize what you have beautifully inferred through your wordiness here?"
Look just WHO is stating this.
Bwahahahaha.
Otherwise, let's abstain from one of Kenya's national passions, namely from bigmanism.
Alexander
"Do you realize what you have beautifully inferred through your wordiness here?"
Look just WHO is stating this.
Bwahahahaha.
Otherwise, let's abstain from one of Kenya's national passions, namely from bigmanism.
Alexander
I wonder what the same bright minds will have to say when they read from one of Kenya's leading authority on reporting. Similar sentiments....
Senior KTN reporter
It is said that a person who can spin fantasy out of an oppressive reality has access to untold power. To put this into perspective, Kenyans were fed up in 2002 with the Moi regime and they wanted change.
It is said that a person who can spin fantasy out of an oppressive reality has access to untold power. To put this into perspective, Kenyans were fed up in 2002 with the Moi regime and they wanted change.
Pharlap wrote: When people see how big whoever is..... They will definitely go with the crowd, as is typical of many Kenyans. The group with the most catchy slogan or name that can be easily understood by a big majority, like Orange or NARC, that can be turned into pop tunes to be composed and performed by the Kenyan ragga and benga artistes, (Bado mapambano and I am sober ..I voted orange, I am unbwogable,) that people can dance to and forget about life itself;- leave alone the voting, that will actually pull majority of the votes. People want something they can carry around, identify with, and jive to and most of all that makes them feel like they are part of an inevitable change, for the good of the nation.
People did not bother to read in between the lines and merely reacted to what their eyes saw. We all have blessed thoughts and dreams of what Kenyans should be and think, but one thing is for sure; we are running waaaaaay ahead of the people. Lets concentrate on civic education.
Top KTN reporter
The Narc team knew that change is slow and gradual, that it requires a lot of hard work and copious amounts of patience. But they promised us that in January 2003 we would have security, jobs, free education, free treatment, good roads and zero corruption.
They promised nirvana, all because they wanted power. And now they wonder why everything is collapsing around them. In the run-up to the constitution referendum, the ODM simply used the same trick. Taking advantage of the growing disaffection among Kenyans with the Kibaki Government after it failed to deliver the "heaven" it had promised, they promised to take us to the "Orange" heaven. I suspect they don’t even know the route to that place.
The Narc team knew that change is slow and gradual, that it requires a lot of hard work and copious amounts of patience. But they promised us that in January 2003 we would have security, jobs, free education, free treatment, good roads and zero corruption.
They promised nirvana, all because they wanted power. And now they wonder why everything is collapsing around them. In the run-up to the constitution referendum, the ODM simply used the same trick. Taking advantage of the growing disaffection among Kenyans with the Kibaki Government after it failed to deliver the "heaven" it had promised, they promised to take us to the "Orange" heaven. I suspect they don’t even know the route to that place.
Oh no puh leaaaze!!! Kenyans are smart peoples!!! They will not be tricked again. Yet we all know that majority of the voters are those uneducated folk who are easily swayed by politicians like Raila and Gumo. Beware of those charismaniacs who get crowds worked out. Beware of politicians who cannot give a speech without first singing a traditional tune to tune the minds of the unsuspecting crowd. Some of the few educated elite, especially those who have the privilege of embracing a digital lifestyle and can thus communicate their ideas online think that the average Kenyan thinks like they do. It’s not true. One needs to realize that only consistent civic education will set the masses free off the spell that this vile elements of national politics have on them.
They are going to do it again sometime next year and we might just discover the lie when they are in government. It is time we realized that politics is not entertainment.
This is inevitable. Sing what you will, say what you will but at the end of the day, Kenyans will still give their votes to whoever appeals most to their emotions, whoever makes the greatest effort to entertain them through the election period, whoever promises the most empty promises, whoever bribes the most and tells them the most lies.
It is against that backdrop that I contend that the only way we are going to see change in Kenya is not by voting out Kibaki. No way, no way at all. Let Kibaki do another five years while we engage the masses in civic education. People voted against the constitution because of the same reasons mentioned above. How many Kenyans knew what that draft contained? How many actually read it? I would sponsor a program on KTS and Nation and national radio just to discuss the constitution in lay man’s language, using examples that people can understand and then call for a referendum vote. Otherwise, the better way is to get a small group of experts to work independently from the government’s pressure to assemble the document. Right now, we can do Kenyans a favor by extending what we discuss here out to the common mwananchi by all means. Forums like jukwaa are great places to raise ideas and concerns that affect Kenyans daily. Think of the whole Kenya as a jukwaa forum, and you will have solved many problems. Voting in another politician to go and eat whatever it is that is left or that has been returned is just a waste of time.
Kibaki may be slow, but I’d prefer the devil I know than the supposedly “angel’ I have never seen or met. Bottom-line, let’s concentrate on educating the masses on issues such as good governance, human rights- we would not even be talking about gays and whether they have any political rights- Tribalistic and racialist comments that lead to nowhere, and attitudes that clearly show us as loyal or allied to our tribes rather than our country.
So, its good to have a dream, but let it be realistic.
