In this column, I once said that politicians are not enemies, they only differ in their opinions. I also wrote about ethnic hatred in Kenya and the following days I was congratulated with insulting mails and abusive telephone messages. If I was wrong, where are we now?
In school I used to be the darling of about half of the students in my class. This was influenced by my proficiency in subjects like Latin, philosophy, geography and history and of course general knowledge. The latter made me famous because I could answer any question about African countries and their president even when taking a nap.
Nowadays, I think I’m the dumbest ever of my generation. I don’t know how many countries are in Africa. I no longer know presidents names the way I used to.
This doesn’t mean that I am losing my mind or regressing. Lack of update for my memory is the main problem. But how am I supposed to do it when countries are created every now and then and presidents thrown out on a daily basis? On top of these all, when I learn that some guys have declared their compound a country, economical giants of this world are divided. Some recognize it and others not. So I decided not to bother myself anymore.
With the current situation in Kenya, I foresee eight newly created African countries unless something is done. I might look foolish, heartless, cruel etc. but that the sad truth. When former Kenyan president Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi stepped down with no blood pouring in 2002, I said this is an example to follow. When Professor Wangari Maathai received the Nobel peace prize in 2004, I called Kenya the pride of the region. Then 2007 came, we saw what we saw, we heard what we heard and it is not going to stop there today. It is with us till we change business.
The reason why I say that ethnic hatred is here to stay is not that I’m enjoying the current situation in Kenya. But because I say openly what people want and do not want to say. Many would think that General elections were the cause to the current situation. Believe me you are dead wrong. Petrol was already poured on Kenya, only fire remained to be put. Unfortunately a passer by littered a cigarette’s filter (elections) that had fire.
I’m not a Kenyan but I live and work in Kenya, I understand the Kenyan society and I have seen these elections outcome coming with or without elections. I heard and overheard hatred speeches and conversation, I witnessed thorough discrimination. This is the reason why I am saying that Kenya is heading to balkanization if nothing is done. It was ironical to see politicians who are the cause to all of these, shaking hands, hugging and laughing together on the opening day of parliament.
The Kenyan constitution says that for a candidate to be declared winner to the presidential race, one needs to get at least 25 percent of votes in the eight provinces. I believe that it is an act of Kenyan unity. But now that Kenyan opted to be voting only for theirs, what will happen to that constitutional recommendation? Kenyans, why do you want to throw your civility out the window for politician’s selfish interests? If you decide to vote all your ethnic men what is it going to happen? Who will ever lead Kenyans?
If none of the presidential candidate manages to gain votes from other regions, who will rule who? That were Kenya will give change its stability to eight unstable enemy countries in one region. To avoid this to happen, you should know that you don’t elect people for them to serve only you (province) but the all country.
Kenyans, you are great farmers and I would ask you to continue with that noble business but this time round, I ask you to cultivate LOVE, PEACE and UNITY for a better tomorrow.