User:Subili

Blind following is what is crippling Kenyans all these years
By Mohamed Wa Baile

06-06-2009

A phenomenon

Kenyans have been in a leadership crisis for over forty-six years. But the leadership crisis we have had since the white people lowered their flag in Kenya is also a crisis of following. Blind following is what is crippling us all these years. Not our leaders alone, but also we as citizens need to understand what it means to exercise our civic duties. If our leaders do not address our needs, it is also because we do not challenge them. Even if over the past few years some change has taken place on highlighting the corruption of high government officials through the media and civil right activists, the change we long for has not yet been achieved: a government of, and for the people. This is due to a passivity that has not yet gained the courage to stand up for our rights.

Assuming our Kenyan responsibility

It is up to Kenyans to assume their responsibility by rejecting the ‘now it’s our time to eat’ mindset. 'Old concepts that divide Kenyans into hating bambinos – Kikuyus versus non-Kikuyus – are outdated.' The Kenyan constitution does not allow discrimination. But in practise, leaders are propagating and practising the opposite: you are judged by your mother tongue, and too many Kenyans are being manipulated as a result. This is preventing us from flourishing.

Kenyan leaders need to pay attention to the sufferings of their fellow citizens as a result of their dealings. Yet when the leaders seem unwilling to change their minds, Kenyans have a duty to oppose them. Abuses can only stop if Kenyans rise up and fight for their rights. This is not an easy task, as the men behind the throne believe they are there to stay. This we saw on the last post-election violence when Kenyans burned and killed each other. The government refused to accept that there is a problem, and it took foreign pressure for higher principles to finally come into practice.

Despite this situation, we should not give up to fight for liberation. The future of Kenya depends on us. We are responsible for our country and have to take this responsibility seriously. We should not have to wait for foreign help. This is why Ali Mazrui writes that 'the ultimate guarantors of Kenya’s democracy are not foreign governments and foreign donors; they must of course remain Kenyans themselves.' Women and men of different tribes must share a commitment to Kenyan nationalism.

The battle against dictatorial regimes can be won if we act in unison. Some members of parliament are doing their job through by pursuing reforms, Kenyan media is doing its job through informing us citizens, and civil society is doing its job by challenging the leaders. But our own part is missing. This is what enables the Mafiosi to thrive. Are we ready to play act? We should hold peaceful demonstrations all across Kenya. No school and no work for weeks until our voices are heard—these corrupt king pins will not give up easily. No looting, no burning, no killing—our neighbours do not deserve this—but a peaceful protest demanding equal rights. This is not a tribal war, but a war against corrupt government.

A reason for Change

Two things need to happen in order to attain a legal government by the end of next year: a general election date, and a permanent electorate commission to be put in place. The present government practically came in through a coup d’état; a president who attained power with a rigged election will only encourage corruption to go on. Another important reason for change is that the coalition does not work. What we see is a blame game, and the same government which came through the back door is unable to bring reforms. What these black makaburus are plainly interested in is wealth, that now it is ‘their turn to eat’. And unless there is a government by the people for the people, we cannot dream of tangible reforms.

While preparing to make a difference, let us start by taking down all Kibaki portraits on our houses and businesses. Thugs and Mafiosi must also no longer count as 'honourables', and we absolutely must stop worshiping human beings, especially bigots such as the Mount Kenya Mafia. The relationship between leaders and followers is a symbiotic one; if we abandon our responsibility as citizens to worship them, then why whine when things go awry? If we complain that we do not have the right leaders, it is because we do not know how to exercise our duties as responsible citizens.

Responsible citizens know how to challenge. The challenge for Kenyans today is to challenge black oppression. If you stop and reflect for a moment, you will see that our leaders are not treating us with mercy. We can sense this, but still we are blind. This is why we continue accepting this regime. We once defeated the white colonialists; now is the time to act and overcome black colonialists. We need a regime change by the end of next year. ‘The cost of freedom is always high. And one path we shall never choose is the path of surrender or submission.’ These words of John F. Kennedy have to be in our hearts. We truly can bring change. Let us march!

subili@hotmail.com