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KENYA @ 48 - Taking Stock....


As Kenyans relax for the public holiday and celebrate the birth of the Republic its a good opportunity for us to reflect upon what our freedom fighters fought so gallantly for, many of them dying either before witnessing it, or sadly in bitterness at having gotten nothing from a thankless country that all but immediately forgot the gallantry. What's interesting is how many a middle class would kill to have a holiday every so often and waste some few valuable shillings on nyama choma and drinks!!

So I thought that as a way of reflection, it is important to look at some of the things that are happening or have happened over the past few months, some which seem to reflect the aspirations and dreams that drove the struggle for a republic on the one hand, and those that show a sad directionless state of affairs and hence nothing much to celebrate about.

Those that are not Kenyan
Seats worth Kshs. 210, 000 for a refurbished parliament, not Kenyan. Sinister Constitutional proposed amendments on the Senate, gender representation and the election date, not Kenyan. The trivialization of issues that threaten to tear the fabrique and little semblance of cohesion, not Kenyan at all. Allowing people to die from flooding and a destruction of farm produce and barely a few months later die from hunger, not Kenyan. A continuous looting and plundering of public coffers and embezzlement of funds at the expense of development, not Kenyan. Letting many hardworking and peace-loving Kenyans suffer at the hands of cartels at the Ministry of Lands that results in the loss of life savings, not Kenyan at all. Allowing a continuous rot in our very important health sector, and being too proud and foolishly arrogant to admit that indeed there is rot, not Kenyan. Countless cover-ups and extra-judicial killings perpetuated by state security apparatus, and a glaring involvement in drug cartels and other criminal activities as seen in the recent KTN expose, not Kenyan. Allowing the fleecing of millions of shillings from unsuspecting citizens with meager resources in the name of religion, not Kenyan. Support for an African club of dictators with outstanding records of human rights violations, then following it up with a bashing and chiding of the judiciary for doing what it ought to have been doing all along - defending the constitution and the rule of law, NOT KENYAN AT |ALL!

Those that are Kenyan
Rallying around states efforts at securing security for the Kenyan territory, very Kenyan. Sure and visible progress in judicial reforms, very Kenyan. Fighting corruption at all costs and in all its forms, very Kenyan. Honoring the men and women whose sole careers are dedicated to and involve selflessly defending the plight of the poor, marginalized and voiceless, very Kenyan. Fast-tracking constitutional implementation and warding off any impediments to it, very Kenyan. Being accomodative and appreciating the diversity of the views, opinions and cultures of the Kenyan people, very Kenyan. Striving and working towards issue based politics as opposed to political bickering and outright tribalism, very Kenyan. Striving to create opportunities for increased trade and investment, very Kenyan.  struggling to genuinely reign in on a faltering economy and a weakening shilling, very Kenyan. Fighting for truth, justice and reconciliation - a healing of the wound that is a reminder of the 2007-2008 nightmare, very Kenyan. Increasing access to education and a corresponding expansion of the job market, including a recognition of artistic expression, very Kenyan, and finally on a lighter note, an appreciation of our great talent, while doing the "Kemboi Dance", and savoring each moment in jubilation, VERY VERY KENYAN!!

And so when while in reflection we still realize that that which we as Kenyans wish not to be associated with still prevails, then we realize that even as we celebrate the republic, and take time off to spend with our families and friends, a lot more needs to be done to live up to the jubilation the birth of the republic witnessed. We also realize that there is still so much to celebrate about and this ought to be appreciated even as we continue complaining about the negativeness that prevails. 

That is my brief reflection of Kenya at 48, whats yours...... ?

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