African countries have had one of many problems since their respective independence. The phenomena that is, powerful moneyed individuals after control of state power. They probably learnt it from the colonialists. Most of them are foreign educated, perhaps too read and drunk on Marxism.
If Africa has to liberate itself from the shackles of the power-hungry, then we have to understand the schemes behind the quest for power in most of our countries.
Kenya is not unique. We have for long prided ourselves in being the continent's beacon, pearl if you may. Are we?
To many, this doesn't make sense. I understand. Our systems and institutions have been taken captive. Those who don't care are just victims of the system. A true revolution cannot happen if we're still oblivious of this fact.
Many politicians fall prey to the marauding power hungry individuals. Some have gotten into elective posts as clean as a whistle but alas!
As a country, we have celebrated a 'new beginning' and If you have been careful , then you'll realize we have had many of those, since independence! The reasons are clear.
One of the reasons presidential elections in Kenya, like many African countries, are highly charged, is interests! Aside from the obvious political interests, 'these power-economy control interests hold 80% of the sway. The latter then magnifies other minor forces including community and regional exclusion, inequitable distribution of resources.
It would be easier fighting the demon of inequitable distribution of resources, corruption, basic greed and theft, and immoral leaders, rather than try tame these dark forces that are threatening to bloom into Corporate forces that now dominate the western democracies.
Kenya needs a national dialogue. Don't get me wrong. I do not mean political negotiations and compromise, that have been the center of the facade that we have called 'talks' 'dialogue' and 'memoranda'. A dialogue that will be geared towards nation building and reconciliation.
It's worth noting that many African leaders at independence across the continent identified Poverty, Disease and Ignorance as post independence agenda. Funnily, many went on to use broken means to eradicate those giants. Those that had great starts, faltered along the way. Only a few leaders, emerged as visionary, identifying their countries' specific problems and setting out to solve them. Unfortunately, the wisdom to stay alive was scarce, for they even fell under the hand of the dark forces. Sankara is one of those. Mandela died of natural causes, that we know. These dark, powerful forces have funded political parties, movements, militia (often supported by foreign powers), legislation and even influenced elections. I must add that there have been a few true revolutions, driven by the people, and these have had lasting effects.
I apologize if I lost you at any point along my discourse. I speak of Africa and Kenya as a test subject, and of course being my home. The environment we are in now is not a strange one. It only is happening at a time when the country's population is bigger, information technology is at its peak, education has taken its course and globalization is a reality.
The dark forces are partly and largely to blame for where we are. They have managed to shape political agenda, media attention and the direction of systems and institutions. The citizenry are also to blame. There is great inherent, revolutionary and dynamic power in the people, by the VOTE! Even though the forces have been at work in designing and setting up apex leadership, the people have failed in expressing themselves to check and hold to account elected leaders and institutions.
I propose, to the citizenry, that the first item on the revolution and liberation agenda, be TAKING DOWN THE DARK FORCES OF INDIVIDUALS-well endowed with financial muscle-BENT ON CONTROLLING POWER at all costs.
They will camouflage behind the parties we love and are loyal to, they will shelter behind politicians that we had held in high esteem and who we think have our interests at heart.
OPEN YOUR eyes fellow countrymen and women. If we are honest about turning things around, securing a future for our children and their children, then we have to look beyond the politicians, their smooth tongues, catchy slogans.
WAKE UP! SEE BEYOND THE VEIL
If Africa has to liberate itself from the shackles of the power-hungry, then we have to understand the schemes behind the quest for power in most of our countries.
Kenya is not unique. We have for long prided ourselves in being the continent's beacon, pearl if you may. Are we?
To many, this doesn't make sense. I understand. Our systems and institutions have been taken captive. Those who don't care are just victims of the system. A true revolution cannot happen if we're still oblivious of this fact.
Many politicians fall prey to the marauding power hungry individuals. Some have gotten into elective posts as clean as a whistle but alas!
As a country, we have celebrated a 'new beginning' and If you have been careful , then you'll realize we have had many of those, since independence! The reasons are clear.
One of the reasons presidential elections in Kenya, like many African countries, are highly charged, is interests! Aside from the obvious political interests, 'these power-economy control interests hold 80% of the sway. The latter then magnifies other minor forces including community and regional exclusion, inequitable distribution of resources.
It would be easier fighting the demon of inequitable distribution of resources, corruption, basic greed and theft, and immoral leaders, rather than try tame these dark forces that are threatening to bloom into Corporate forces that now dominate the western democracies.
Kenya needs a national dialogue. Don't get me wrong. I do not mean political negotiations and compromise, that have been the center of the facade that we have called 'talks' 'dialogue' and 'memoranda'. A dialogue that will be geared towards nation building and reconciliation.
It's worth noting that many African leaders at independence across the continent identified Poverty, Disease and Ignorance as post independence agenda. Funnily, many went on to use broken means to eradicate those giants. Those that had great starts, faltered along the way. Only a few leaders, emerged as visionary, identifying their countries' specific problems and setting out to solve them. Unfortunately, the wisdom to stay alive was scarce, for they even fell under the hand of the dark forces. Sankara is one of those. Mandela died of natural causes, that we know. These dark, powerful forces have funded political parties, movements, militia (often supported by foreign powers), legislation and even influenced elections. I must add that there have been a few true revolutions, driven by the people, and these have had lasting effects.
I apologize if I lost you at any point along my discourse. I speak of Africa and Kenya as a test subject, and of course being my home. The environment we are in now is not a strange one. It only is happening at a time when the country's population is bigger, information technology is at its peak, education has taken its course and globalization is a reality.
The dark forces are partly and largely to blame for where we are. They have managed to shape political agenda, media attention and the direction of systems and institutions. The citizenry are also to blame. There is great inherent, revolutionary and dynamic power in the people, by the VOTE! Even though the forces have been at work in designing and setting up apex leadership, the people have failed in expressing themselves to check and hold to account elected leaders and institutions.
I propose, to the citizenry, that the first item on the revolution and liberation agenda, be TAKING DOWN THE DARK FORCES OF INDIVIDUALS-well endowed with financial muscle-BENT ON CONTROLLING POWER at all costs.
They will camouflage behind the parties we love and are loyal to, they will shelter behind politicians that we had held in high esteem and who we think have our interests at heart.
OPEN YOUR eyes fellow countrymen and women. If we are honest about turning things around, securing a future for our children and their children, then we have to look beyond the politicians, their smooth tongues, catchy slogans.
WAKE UP! SEE BEYOND THE VEIL