A very interesting essay I might say; and for various reasons;
First my heart goes out to the children, friends and relatives of the late Ms Katini Ombaka. I certainly pray that they find the strength to overcome their sorrow and move on… I wonder what her husband Ooki (RIP) might have said on the constitutional imbroglio we are facing.
Hats off to Evans Ashira Oure. Kazi kwako, ushindi kwetu!
There’s lots of food for thought when you read the latter parts of this essay. Fundamental questions on world view and how change really happens in countries like Kenya are raised. I have said before that Kenya is not and will not be an island unto itself. The events and ideas that straddle the world stage will inevitably affect how we in Kenya operate. The sooner we learn how to best interact with the rest of the world, the better. These ideas, I had begun putting down long ago as for example in this Mashada thread:
www.mashada.com/forums/index.php?az=show_topic&forum=22&topic_id=52055&mesg_id=52055&listing_type=searchBut many ring true as we watch Kenya’s dalliance with China and the British visa ban on the notorious Kenyan Minister. Even more interesting are the sharp reactions to LDP-KANU meetings with foreign diplomats in Kenya, almost as if these envoys will cast the deciding ballots at the referendum. What do these tell you about how the world operates? It is only those who understand the intricacies of power-play and play consummately that can influence and direct change.
I travelled upcountry some days ago and met a group of village folk somewhere in the Rift Valley. One of them asked me: “Have the 500000 jobs been written in this constitution?” I quickly said “No”. Then another asked “How can we vote for them YES when they added their salaries as soon as they got into power?” We all concluded that we must vote NO.
Do you think they are voting for the wrong reasons? If I could have my way, this referendum will not merely be about the constitution. It is also about bad governance, corruption, cronyism, tribalism and a litany of broken promises.
Turning to something else: Is the reform movement about personalities? Is it about issues and principles? Haven’t we seen the most consistent reformers turned into conservative protectors of the status quo in Kenya today? Look at Kiraitu Murungi and Kivutha Kibwana.
I found the sexual imagery riveting. But who wouldn’t have gone to bed with Kibwana or Kiraitu in the late 90’s? Or put differently – which self respecting ‘social justice activist’ did not?
If the devil himself took up arms, swore allegiance to Jesus Christ and joined the army of the lord, would he be welcomed? Should he?
I have argued before that when the history of Kenya’s reform process is written, it will become clear that it had different champions at different times. It will be seen that the same people who during certain periods were anti-reformist became its most ardent leaders.
Idealism and pragmatism are, in my view, opposite sides of the same coin. Pragmatism allows us to innovate the ideal to fit snugly into our unique social and economic circumstances and history. Pragmatism allows us adapt the ideal and guide change.
Precept without percept is empty and percept without precept is blind.
