I'm seeing this all over my social media feeds. They seem to have been expecting something very radical yesterday...which is funny, because I think what was declared was pretty radical. But that's just my interpretation. I wish Kichwa or Omollo could provide more insider info.NASA supporters were expecting an explosive dossier Rao supposedly had.
I see how that was disappointing but it's something more, they seem to have expected something calling for some radical action.I'm seeing this all over my social media feeds. They seem to have been expecting something very radical yesterday...which is funny, because I think what was declared was pretty radical. But that's just my interpretation. I wish Kichwa or Omollo could provide more insider info.NASA supporters were expecting an explosive dossier Rao supposedly had.
The bombshell fizzled and turned into hot air which just warmed up the earth's temperature a bit more. [emoji53]
You people need to open your brains and think outside the box - 20yrs down the road.:o :o :o Which people?
This is not about NASA rather obeying the law.
Kenya needs to be a country of laws rather than of men and women. Otherwise expect poverty to skyrocket in the next 20yrs.
The "dossier" was to be the spark. It fizzled.I see how that was disappointing but it's something more, they seem to have expected something calling for some radical action.I'm seeing this all over my social media feeds. They seem to have been expecting something very radical yesterday...which is funny, because I think what was declared was pretty radical. But that's just my interpretation. I wish Kichwa or Omollo could provide more insider info.NASA supporters were expecting an explosive dossier Rao supposedly had.
The bombshell fizzled and turned into hot air which just warmed up the earth's temperature a bit more. [emoji53]
You have serious bile against RAO, just saying. :DThe "dossier" was to be the spark. It fizzled.I see how that was disappointing but it's something more, they seem to have expected something calling for some radical action.I'm seeing this all over my social media feeds. They seem to have been expecting something very radical yesterday...which is funny, because I think what was declared was pretty radical. But that's just my interpretation. I wish Kichwa or Omollo could provide more insider info.NASA supporters were expecting an explosive dossier Rao supposedly had.
The bombshell fizzled and turned into hot air which just warmed up the earth's temperature a bit more. [emoji53]
If Rao was more careful on who he allowed listened to, he'd most likely be PORK by now. How I would have wanted to see Jubilee sent home after one term.
Not as much as I have for Ruto. [emoji23]You have serious bile against RAO, just saying. :DThe "dossier" was to be the spark. It fizzled.I see how that was disappointing but it's something more, they seem to have expected something calling for some radical action.I'm seeing this all over my social media feeds. They seem to have been expecting something very radical yesterday...which is funny, because I think what was declared was pretty radical. But that's just my interpretation. I wish Kichwa or Omollo could provide more insider info.NASA supporters were expecting an explosive dossier Rao supposedly had.
The bombshell fizzled and turned into hot air which just warmed up the earth's temperature a bit more. [emoji53]
If Rao was more careful on who he allowed listened to, he'd most likely be PORK by now. How I would have wanted to see Jubilee sent home after one term.
I'm seeing this all over my social media feeds. They seem to have been expecting something very radical yesterday...which is funny, because I think what was declared was pretty radical. But that's just my interpretation. I wish Kichwa or Omollo could provide more insider info.
There was an abrupt change of plans yesterday.
I fell for the IEBC dossier. Long before Alai broke it my NASWA leads were all over.
I think they want to rush to SCOK and catch IEBC flat footed so they’re keeping their cards close. Either that or they discovered a tad too late that they had garbage intelligence.
People’s Assembly definitely was not IT though it has potential to keep a Jubilee busiest
[/url]Minority chest thumping as majority. #Resist #NotMyPresident pic.twitter.com/DwvaDBL1mX
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) October 31, 2017
Hi patel. That's good propaganda. Is Mr Nyakundi a blogger for hire like Robert Alai or totally principled?
Hi Robina, I thought you were all about data driven decision making, most bloggers in Kenya starts off with good intentions of transforming
the society until when the government or state agents compromise them. Its not for me to judge who is principled or who is not( focus on the message) because at the end of the day majority are
young people trying to eke out a living in a dangerous, militia country.
Hi patel. That's good propaganda. Is Mr Nyakundi a blogger for hire like Robert Alai or totally principled?
I'm seeing this all over my social media feeds. They seem to have been expecting something very radical yesterday...which is funny, because I think what was declared was pretty radical. But that's just my interpretation. I wish Kichwa or Omollo could provide more insider info.
current political mapNyakundi thrives on controversy. But I digress.
925238478589317120[/tweet]][/url]Minority chest thumping as majority. #Resist #NotMyPresident pic.twitter.com/DwvaDBL1mX
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) October 31, 2017
It's certainly a gamble. Just as the newly independent Kenya and many other African states were at some point, as was the first EA Community that was to give us an East African federation before its spectacular failure thanks in part to Jomo's selfishness etc. Did you know, ever since independence, Africans had the goal of creating a continental political union? Had these succeeded, tribalism in African politics would never have become as big a problem as it has been since. Alas!current political mapNyakundi thrives on controversy. But I digress.
Secession as propagated is really a downright stupid idea. In truth, while it may stoke the egos of Rao and his henchmen by making him (finally) a president, it still wouldn't solve the fundamental leadership failures Kenya as a whole has been going through.
Without a viable and workable economic plan, which NASA didn't even have going into the 8.8 elections, the new republic would quickly break down into infighting among the remaining tribes, subtribes, and clans for the little itty bitty available resources which will remain. In other words, the new republic would be a carbon copy of the old republic.
As a short-term measure, an outlet for rage mixed with a healthy dash of denial of reality, it sounds good, promising freedom from tyranny and, yet again, promising equitable distribution of resources. For the long-term, it's stupidity perfected. But then again, our politicians have never been known for their intellectual prowess. Why start now?
It'd would be like watching "Gangs of New York", without the charm of Daniel Day-Lewis.
Nyakundi thrives on controversy. But I digress.
Secession as propagated is really a downright stupid idea. In truth, while it may stoke the egos of Rao and his henchmen by making him (finally) a president, it still wouldn't solve the fundamental leadership failures Kenya as a whole has been going through.
Without a viable and workable economic plan, which NASA didn't even have going into the 8.8 elections, the new republic would quickly break down into infighting among the remaining tribes, subtribes, and clans for the little itty bitty available resources which will remain. In other words, the new republic would be a carbon copy of the old republic.
As a short-term measure, an outlet for rage mixed with a healthy dash of denial of reality, it sounds good, promising freedom from tyranny and, yet again, promising equitable distribution of resources. For the long-term, it's stupidity perfected. But then again, our politicians have never been known for their intellectual prowess. Why start now?
It'd would be like watching "Gangs of New York", without the charm of Daniel Day-Lewis.
[emoji848]Nyakundi thrives on controversy. But I digress.
Secession as propagated is really a downright stupid idea. In truth, while it may stoke the egos of Rao and his henchmen by making him (finally) a president, it still wouldn't solve the fundamental leadership failures Kenya as a whole has been going through.
Without a viable and workable economic plan, which NASA didn't even have going into the 8.8 elections, the new republic would quickly break down into infighting among the remaining tribes, subtribes, and clans for the little itty bitty available resources which will remain. In other words, the new republic would be a carbon copy of the old republic.
As a short-term measure, an outlet for rage mixed with a healthy dash of denial of reality, it sounds good, promising freedom from tyranny and, yet again, promising equitable distribution of resources. For the long-term, it's stupidity perfected. But then again, our politicians have never been known for their intellectual prowess. Why start now?
It'd would be like watching "Gangs of New York", without the charm of Daniel Day-Lewis.
It's neither denial nor therapy. I see strategy. The best way to keep a cohesive followership is through shared grievance. Mr William Ruto is very mad about it but is powerless to stop it. His Kikuyu partners are a beneficiary.
Only when resources are scarce do humans retreat to their ethnic, tribal, etc. cocoons. Boring yet predictable.It's certainly a gamble. Just as the newly independent Kenya and many other African states were at some point, as was the first EA Community that was to give us an East African federation before its spectacular failure thanks in part to Jomo's selfishness etc. Did you know, ever since independence, Africans had the goal of creating a continental political union? Had these succeeded, tribalism in African politics would never have become as big a problem as it has been since. Alas!current political mapNyakundi thrives on controversy. But I digress.
Secession as propagated is really a downright stupid idea. In truth, while it may stoke the egos of Rao and his henchmen by making him (finally) a president, it still wouldn't solve the fundamental leadership failures Kenya as a whole has been going through.
Without a viable and workable economic plan, which NASA didn't even have going into the 8.8 elections, the new republic would quickly break down into infighting among the remaining tribes, subtribes, and clans for the little itty bitty available resources which will remain. In other words, the new republic would be a carbon copy of the old republic.
As a short-term measure, an outlet for rage mixed with a healthy dash of denial of reality, it sounds good, promising freedom from tyranny and, yet again, promising equitable distribution of resources. For the long-term, it's stupidity perfected. But then again, our politicians have never been known for their intellectual prowess. Why start now?
It'd would be like watching "Gangs of New York", without the charm of Daniel Day-Lewis.
Anyway, a ping pong game between Kikuyu and Kalenjin elites while other tribes continue to fill with rage is not sustainable in this country of ethnic identities. It is in fact callous, grossly irresponsible. Just ask the Balkans of the 1990s. These things do matter, however politically incorrect it is to say so and are the reason we can't get to tackling the other issues that we would all easily agree on were it not for this one issue. Moi must be commended for not damaging ethnic relations as has been done progressively in the last 15 years. I remember people hating the government and KANU to the high heavens when he left, but I don't remember anyone having beef with Kalenjins per se. He was a tribalist in ways and at times when it was sustainable. The man knew how to read the times.
It's certainly a gamble. Just as the newly independent Kenya and many other African states were at some point, as was the first EA Community that was to give us an East African federation before its spectacular failure thanks in part to Jomo's selfishness etc. Did you know, ever since independence, Africans had the goal of creating a continental political union? Had these succeeded, tribalism in African politics would never have become as big a problem as it has been since. Alas!current political mapNyakundi thrives on controversy. But I digress.
Secession as propagated is really a downright stupid idea. In truth, while it may stoke the egos of Rao and his henchmen by making him (finally) a president, it still wouldn't solve the fundamental leadership failures Kenya as a whole has been going through.
Without a viable and workable economic plan, which NASA didn't even have going into the 8.8 elections, the new republic would quickly break down into infighting among the remaining tribes, subtribes, and clans for the little itty bitty available resources which will remain. In other words, the new republic would be a carbon copy of the old republic.
As a short-term measure, an outlet for rage mixed with a healthy dash of denial of reality, it sounds good, promising freedom from tyranny and, yet again, promising equitable distribution of resources. For the long-term, it's stupidity perfected. But then again, our politicians have never been known for their intellectual prowess. Why start now?
It'd would be like watching "Gangs of New York", without the charm of Daniel Day-Lewis.
Anyway, a ping pong game between Kikuyu and Kalenjin elites while other tribes continue to fill with rage is not sustainable in this country of ethnic identities. It is in fact callous, grossly irresponsible. Just ask the Balkans of the 1990s. These things do matter, however politically incorrect it is to say so and are the reason we can't get to tackling the other issues that we would all easily agree on were it not for this one issue. Moi must be commended for not damaging ethnic relations as has been done progressively in the last 15 years. I remember people hating the government and KANU to the high heavens when he left, but I don't remember anyone having beef with Kalenjins per se. He was a tribalist in ways and at times when it was sustainable. The man knew how to read the times.
It's certainly a gamble. Just as the newly independent Kenya and many other African states were at some point, as was the first EA Community that was to give us an East African federation before its spectacular failure thanks in part to Jomo's selfishness etc. Did you know, ever since independence, Africans had the goal of creating a continental political union? Had these succeeded, tribalism in African politics would never have become as big a problem as it has been since. Alas!current political mapNyakundi thrives on controversy. But I digress.
Secession as propagated is really a downright stupid idea. In truth, while it may stoke the egos of Rao and his henchmen by making him (finally) a president, it still wouldn't solve the fundamental leadership failures Kenya as a whole has been going through.
Without a viable and workable economic plan, which NASA didn't even have going into the 8.8 elections, the new republic would quickly break down into infighting among the remaining tribes, subtribes, and clans for the little itty bitty available resources which will remain. In other words, the new republic would be a carbon copy of the old republic.
As a short-term measure, an outlet for rage mixed with a healthy dash of denial of reality, it sounds good, promising freedom from tyranny and, yet again, promising equitable distribution of resources. For the long-term, it's stupidity perfected. But then again, our politicians have never been known for their intellectual prowess. Why start now?
It'd would be like watching "Gangs of New York", without the charm of Daniel Day-Lewis.
Anyway, a ping pong game between Kikuyu and Kalenjin elites while other tribes continue to fill with rage is not sustainable in this country of ethnic identities. It is in fact callous, grossly irresponsible. Just ask the Balkans of the 1990s. These things do matter, however politically incorrect it is to say so and are the reason we can't get to tackling the other issues that we would all easily agree on were it not for this one issue. Moi must be commended for not damaging ethnic relations as has been done progressively in the last 15 years. I remember people hating the government and KANU to the high heavens when he left, but I don't remember anyone having beef with Kalenjins per se. He was a tribalist in ways and at times when it was sustainable. The man knew how to read the times.
I agree.
I’ll hasten to add that at the core Kenya’s problem is the inability of people to choose leaders of their choice at the national level. Be they great leaders with integrity or more of the same crap.
We can accuse them of loving to elect crooks and demagogues. But the fact is, they really have no choice, of even which crook to choose, with the rigging infrastructure in place. You can’t choose good leaders when your choice is non-existent.
The argument I have been guilty of before. The one that says they get the leaders they deserve has to be shelved until it can be shown that Kenya can hold a credible national election. I believe that is also what will end the vicious cycle of election year tensions.
I’ll disagree with Empedocles that a hypothetical breakaway state would be more of the same. I believe there is a group of Kenyan communities that are ready, have a shared institutional memory, goodwill and determination to move beyond tribalism. If TZ did it with 120 tribes, it can be done.
The argument I have been guilty of before. The one that says they get the leaders they deserve has to be shelved until it can be shown that Kenya can hold a credible national election. I believe that is also what will end the vicious cycle of election year tensions.
I’ll disagree with Empedocles that a hypothetical breakaway state would be more of the same. I believe there is a group of Kenyan communities that are ready, have a shared institutional memory, goodwill and determination to move beyond tribalism. If TZ did it with 120 tribes, it can be done.
Have your favourite group of tribes done a good job in local elections? Of course not.The argument I have been guilty of before. The one that says they get the leaders they deserve has to be shelved until it can be shown that Kenya can hold a credible national election. I believe that is also what will end the vicious cycle of election year tensions.
I’ll disagree with Empedocles that a hypothetical breakaway state would be more of the same. I believe there is a group of Kenyan communities that are ready, have a shared institutional memory, goodwill and determination to move beyond tribalism. If TZ did it with 120 tribes, it can be done.
It's good to disagree:It's certainly a gamble. Just as the newly independent Kenya and many other African states were at some point, as was the first EA Community that was to give us an East African federation before its spectacular failure thanks in part to Jomo's selfishness etc. Did you know, ever since independence, Africans had the goal of creating a continental political union? Had these succeeded, tribalism in African politics would never have become as big a problem as it has been since. Alas!current political mapNyakundi thrives on controversy. But I digress.
Secession as propagated is really a downright stupid idea. In truth, while it may stoke the egos of Rao and his henchmen by making him (finally) a president, it still wouldn't solve the fundamental leadership failures Kenya as a whole has been going through.
Without a viable and workable economic plan, which NASA didn't even have going into the 8.8 elections, the new republic would quickly break down into infighting among the remaining tribes, subtribes, and clans for the little itty bitty available resources which will remain. In other words, the new republic would be a carbon copy of the old republic.
As a short-term measure, an outlet for rage mixed with a healthy dash of denial of reality, it sounds good, promising freedom from tyranny and, yet again, promising equitable distribution of resources. For the long-term, it's stupidity perfected. But then again, our politicians have never been known for their intellectual prowess. Why start now?
It'd would be like watching "Gangs of New York", without the charm of Daniel Day-Lewis.
Anyway, a ping pong game between Kikuyu and Kalenjin elites while other tribes continue to fill with rage is not sustainable in this country of ethnic identities. It is in fact callous, grossly irresponsible. Just ask the Balkans of the 1990s. These things do matter, however politically incorrect it is to say so and are the reason we can't get to tackling the other issues that we would all easily agree on were it not for this one issue. Moi must be commended for not damaging ethnic relations as has been done progressively in the last 15 years. I remember people hating the government and KANU to the high heavens when he left, but I don't remember anyone having beef with Kalenjins per se. He was a tribalist in ways and at times when it was sustainable. The man knew how to read the times.
I agree.
I’ll hasten to add that at the core Kenya’s problem is the inability of people to choose leaders of their choice at the national level. Be they great leaders with integrity or more of the same crap.
We can accuse them of loving to elect crooks and demagogues. But the fact is, they really have no choice, of even which crook to choose, with the rigging infrastructure in place. You can’t choose good leaders when your choice is non-existent.
The argument I have been guilty of before. The one that says they get the leaders they deserve has to be shelved until it can be shown that Kenya can hold a credible national election. I believe that is also what will end the vicious cycle of election year tensions.
I’ll disagree with Empedocles that a hypothetical breakaway state would be more of the same. I believe there is a group of Kenyan communities that are ready, have a shared institutional memory, goodwill and determination to move beyond tribalism. If TZ did it with 120 tribes, it can be done.
Empedocles, just out of curiosity, what, if anything, do you find wrong with Uhuru? :D Not Ruto, just the son of Jomo.I feel sorry for him. Like Prince Charles, I think he'd be happier living his life far away from the limelight.
Have your favourite group of tribes done a good job in local elections? Of course not.The argument I have been guilty of before. The one that says they get the leaders they deserve has to be shelved until it can be shown that Kenya can hold a credible national election. I believe that is also what will end the vicious cycle of election year tensions.
I’ll disagree with Empedocles that a hypothetical breakaway state would be more of the same. I believe there is a group of Kenyan communities that are ready, have a shared institutional memory, goodwill and determination to move beyond tribalism. If TZ did it with 120 tribes, it can be done.
I find that view so benign. You associate Ruto with Kiambaa church for example, but not Jomo's son with Naivasha massacres (there were matches there too) when it could be very well argued that Ruto had a far better argument for "spontaneous/unplanned violence" than the latter. What about the unmitigated incompetence and corruption that makes KANU seem a little modest? If you think about it, why should non-Kikuyus (and non- Kalenjins) settle for that over the incompetence of people from other groups if at the very least it would get us over these ethnic grudges? If other people could feel the same sense of comfort with these bad leaders (And I refuse to believe Raila himself with his many faults is even half as bad as Jubilee people claim simply because the past 15 years have not yielded any such evidence) that Kyuks manage to feel with Uhuru despite all his ills, I don't see why it is a worse option. If it's more of the same without the ethnic grudges, sawa. I'll take that over the ping-pong game any day.Empedocles, just out of curiosity, what, if anything, do you find wrong with Uhuru? :D Not Ruto, just the son of Jomo.I feel sorry for him. Like Prince Charles, I think he'd be happier living his life far away from the limelight.
Unfortunately for him family duties forced him into a life he seems to have never wanted (remember, he tried backing away in Dec. 2012).
I'm not saying Uhuru is innocent. He's guilty of crimes that I agree with.I find that view so benign. You associate Ruto with Kiambaa church for example, but not Jomo's son with Naivasha massacres (there were matches there too) when it could be very well argued that Ruto had a far better argument for "spontaneous/unplanned violence" than the latter. What about the unmitigated incompetence and corruption that makes KANU seem a little modest? If you think about it, why should non-Kikuyus (and non- Kalenjins) settle for that over the incompetence of people from other groups if at the very least it would get us over these ethnic grudges? If other people could feel the same sense of comfort with these bad leaders (And I refuse to believe Raila himself with his many faults is even half as bad as Jubilee people claim simply because the past 15 years has not yielded any such evidence) that Kyuks manage with Uhuru despite all his ills, I don't see why it is a worse option. If it's more of the same without the ethnic grudges, sawa. I'll take that over the ping-pong game any day.Empedocles, just out of curiosity, what, if anything, do you find wrong with Uhuru? :D Not Ruto, just the son of Jomo.I feel sorry for him. Like Prince Charles, I think he'd be happier living his life far away from the limelight.
Unfortunately for him family duties forced him into a life he seems to have never wanted (remember, he tried backing away in Dec. 2012).
I can agree with you on some of that, but I disagree that Rao or even Kaloi and (gasp!) Mudamba and Weta, the kleptos, :D are worse than Uhuru.:DWell, it could be because Uhuru is the public face of the ruthless MKM pushing him, who are undeniably dangerous mf's.
I can agree with you on some of that, but I disagree that Rao or even Kaloi and (gasp!) Mudamba and Weta, the kleptos, :D are worse than Uhuru. :DWell, it could be because Uhuru is the public face of the ruthless MKM pushing him, who are undeniably dangerous mf's.
I'll admit I could be wrong and Uhuru deep down really is nasty person.
It's good to disagree:It's certainly a gamble. Just as the newly independent Kenya and many other African states were at some point, as was the first EA Community that was to give us an East African federation before its spectacular failure thanks in part to Jomo's selfishness etc. Did you know, ever since independence, Africans had the goal of creating a continental political union? Had these succeeded, tribalism in African politics would never have become as big a problem as it has been since. Alas!
Anyway, a ping pong game between Kikuyu and Kalenjin elites while other tribes continue to fill with rage is not sustainable in this country of ethnic identities. It is in fact callous, grossly irresponsible. Just ask the Balkans of the 1990s. These things do matter, however politically incorrect it is to say so and are the reason we can't get to tackling the other issues that we would all easily agree on were it not for this one issue. Moi must be commended for not damaging ethnic relations as has been done progressively in the last 15 years. I remember people hating the government and KANU to the high heavens when he left, but I don't remember anyone having beef with Kalenjins per se. He was a tribalist in ways and at times when it was sustainable. The man knew how to read the times.
I agree.
I’ll hasten to add that at the core Kenya’s problem is the inability of people to choose leaders of their choice at the national level. Be they great leaders with integrity or more of the same crap.
We can accuse them of loving to elect crooks and demagogues. But the fact is, they really have no choice, of even which crook to choose, with the rigging infrastructure in place. You can’t choose good leaders when your choice is non-existent.
The argument I have been guilty of before. The one that says they get the leaders they deserve has to be shelved until it can be shown that Kenya can hold a credible national election. I believe that is also what will end the vicious cycle of election year tensions.
I’ll disagree with Empedocles that a hypothetical breakaway state would be more of the same. I believe there is a group of Kenyan communities that are ready, have a shared institutional memory, goodwill and determination to move beyond tribalism. If TZ did it with 120 tribes, it can be done.
"I never learned from a man who agreed with me."
My saying that a breakaway would be the same is based on who will be running the show when it's initially formed, a constitution proposed, and very importantly, adhered to.
Please don't tell me the likes of Rao, Weta, MDVD, Kalonzo (wherever he is), etc. would be the best people to lead the founding of a new state.
The fact is, the current patronage system has been the best thing for them ever, making them unbelievably rich and powerful. That's all they know and I seriously doubt, in a new state, they would willingly give away their ace card; calling the shots.
You see, I always (sadly) laugh whenever I hear any of them clamoring for accountability etc. In as much as some of us would like to deny, impunity lifted them to where they are today. It's like a sick joke.
I admit, I could be very wrong but I seriously doubt it. One thing I've learned is to really look at the past actions of these "leaders" to form my opinion. And my opinion of them ain't favorable at all.
I'll again bore you with the Rules for Rulers, which, if you think about it, is exactly how our politicians behave and will very most probably behave when founding a new state:
In theory, I wholeheartedly agree with you.It's good to disagree:It's certainly a gamble. Just as the newly independent Kenya and many other African states were at some point, as was the first EA Community that was to give us an East African federation before its spectacular failure thanks in part to Jomo's selfishness etc. Did you know, ever since independence, Africans had the goal of creating a continental political union? Had these succeeded, tribalism in African politics would never have become as big a problem as it has been since. Alas!
Anyway, a ping pong game between Kikuyu and Kalenjin elites while other tribes continue to fill with rage is not sustainable in this country of ethnic identities. It is in fact callous, grossly irresponsible. Just ask the Balkans of the 1990s. These things do matter, however politically incorrect it is to say so and are the reason we can't get to tackling the other issues that we would all easily agree on were it not for this one issue. Moi must be commended for not damaging ethnic relations as has been done progressively in the last 15 years. I remember people hating the government and KANU to the high heavens when he left, but I don't remember anyone having beef with Kalenjins per se. He was a tribalist in ways and at times when it was sustainable. The man knew how to read the times.
I agree.
I’ll hasten to add that at the core Kenya’s problem is the inability of people to choose leaders of their choice at the national level. Be they great leaders with integrity or more of the same crap.
We can accuse them of loving to elect crooks and demagogues. But the fact is, they really have no choice, of even which crook to choose, with the rigging infrastructure in place. You can’t choose good leaders when your choice is non-existent.
The argument I have been guilty of before. The one that says they get the leaders they deserve has to be shelved until it can be shown that Kenya can hold a credible national election. I believe that is also what will end the vicious cycle of election year tensions.
I’ll disagree with Empedocles that a hypothetical breakaway state would be more of the same. I believe there is a group of Kenyan communities that are ready, have a shared institutional memory, goodwill and determination to move beyond tribalism. If TZ did it with 120 tribes, it can be done.
"I never learned from a man who agreed with me."
My saying that a breakaway would be the same is based on who will be running the show when it's initially formed, a constitution proposed, and very importantly, adhered to.
Please don't tell me the likes of Rao, Weta, MDVD, Kalonzo (wherever he is), etc. would be the best people to lead the founding of a new state.
The fact is, the current patronage system has been the best thing for them ever, making them unbelievably rich and powerful. That's all they know and I seriously doubt, in a new state, they would willingly give away their ace card; calling the shots.
You see, I always (sadly) laugh whenever I hear any of them clamoring for accountability etc. In as much as some of us would like to deny, impunity lifted them to where they are today. It's like a sick joke.
I admit, I could be very wrong but I seriously doubt it. One thing I've learned is to really look at the past actions of these "leaders" to form my opinion. And my opinion of them ain't favorable at all.
I'll again bore you with the Rules for Rulers, which, if you think about it, is exactly how our politicians behave and will very most probably behave when founding a new state:
I won't disagree that those folks you mention are not saintly material. I am ready to believe they are crooks by every definition of the word. Even though I haven't seen such evidence for Raila, Kalonzo or MDVD, I have heard stories. Weta is definitely not someone you want controlling your money. Yet we have even worse crooks in power right now. That is what Kenya is working with and I don't see any practical alternative. What do you think is that alternative? Ekuru Aukot?
My view, in such a scenario is to weaken the hold on power of either party by using the only card Kenyans "have", the vote. You punish one group by voting them out and replacing them with another group, even if the only viable choice is a different set of crooks. That way you gradually start to instill lessons of what can happen if they don't behave. These are also lessons that would not be lost on a hypothetical breakaway republic.
I have seen comparisons to South Sudan, but those are not relevant in Kenya's situation. South Sudanese already had major divisions with quite a few violent encounters among themselves even during the civil war. The Nuer/Dinka rivalry did not emerge after secession. I don't see any similar animosity among the groups that currently constitute the NASA wing.
I want MOON Ki's take on this sentiment and the outright absolution of Wanjiku. He is the standard bearer.
The human character is fickle and who knows weather if Kadame wielded power she would not make Kagame look like a castrated bull?
The answer as George Carlin once put it:I want MOON Ki's take on this sentiment and the outright absolution of Wanjiku. He is the standard bearer.
Dear Robina:
The idea that Kenyans would elect better leaders if it were not for rigging is an interesting one. Terminator also adds that "Local elections have been generally reflective of voters wishes". So, have Kenyans been electing better leaders at that level---MCAs, MPs, and so forth? If so, why has devolution produced local governments that resemble the national government---in terms of the scoundrels in office, the thievery, the incompetence? If not, what reason is there to believe that Kenyans who do not practice proper judgement at that level will suddenly do so at the national level?
Let us consider an issue that cuts across all levels. Most Kenyans seem to agree that corruption is a major problem in Kenya. Yet, as I have noted earlier, the last "major" anti-corruption demonstration in Kenya attracted about only 30 people, half of them Boniface Mwangi and other NGO types on their "day-job", in a city of millions. That ought to tell you something, and you can look at the results of the elections, at all levels. If corruption does not really bother voters at the lower levels, why should we believe that it will really bother them at the national level? And where are the good leaders at the national level expected to come from?
Kadame9 poses a question:QuoteThe human character is fickle and who knows weather if Kadame wielded power she would not make Kagame look like a castrated bull?
One cannot definitely know. But one can still try to make a choice based on some reasonable criteria: integrity and other aspects of character, past performance that might be related to the position (and, in general, the ability to deliver), the potential for future performance, concrete ideas, policies and plans, and so forth.
During past elections, I read some of what was put out in the written media, heard some of what was put out in TV performances, and so forth. Not much, but some. A question to someone who followed a great deal more: to what extent do Kenyans consider and discuss such factors. To what extent do they determine choices on elections-day? If one simply views voting as just a punt, then one should expect the outcome that most punters get in the end.
In about another year, Kenyans will, as usual, be wailing about the "selfish, rotten, thieving bastards" that occupy legislative offices and promising to chuck them out at the next elections. Those are ones that are "generally reflective of voters wishes". So, who should be "held responsible" for the fact that they are in office, passing legislation and doing what-not?
MOON Ki, Thanks for the honesty. Now a quick one: In a hypothetical "People's Republic", do you see them singing kum ba yah in the Canaan or just another Animal Farm. What is more likely?
But Kenyans in general since 2002 tend to fire non-performing politicians, don't they? The turn over rate every election cycle at the lower level is always incredibly high (barring more recent computerized shenanigans we can't be sure of).
There may be many reasons they many not turn up for a Bonnie Mwangi led demonstration, including the lack of conviction that it would be effective and therefore worth the beating that often accompanies such things. They may also be simply resolved to firing the thieving govt on election day instead, believing their vote will count.
The idea that Kenyans just prefer bad governance and corruption, like they have an aversion to better service delivery and improved living standards is frankly out there. There are no such humans. The Kenyan is just as selfish as everyone else.
@MOONKI, it's just a general impression I get from these debates, I admit I may be wrong. But it often feels like what's implied is that something is inherently wrong with Kenyans themselves. Like the corruption demonstration: We could look for other reasons than that Kenyans just don't care about corruption but we go straight there. In any case, I think it most reasonable to assume that Kenyans fire non-performers for reasons of non-performing. I think it stretches the imagination beyond its natural elasticity to imagine they fire them after hiring them for reasons other than dissatisfaction with their performance in the preceding term. Many times the new hires are brand new and untested, while old hands though tainted may promise to do a better job than has been done in the preceding 5 years, so they take their shot with them. But I'd be interested to know what other reasons those who think these politicians get fired for other reasons have in mind? I know it's a hit and miss and sometimes indefensible choices are made but considering I am not even sure some of these were actually elected in the first place, I'd rather stick to the first line of reasoning.
(Edited to add: someone in the comments just pointed out Elizabeth Holmes, who is amazing.)
We know the 3rd world is more corrupt than the developed one and that this contributes to poor leadership and slow development. I have never bothered with the diagnosis for this - except to surmise it as the state of our evolution. My prefered treatment would be to outsource the leadership of key organs to those further evolved than ourselves - for our own good. The white man. This is why I find no qualm in KQ or Safaricom or some other big Kenyan firm hiring expats. The good job is for our own good.
It is the idea that secession or NASA would solve anything that I dismiss. NARC took over from Moi and the nonsense continued unabated. It is a good thing the pretense called reforms has been abandoned and the true grievance revealed as the Kikuyu-Kalenjin ping pong. The two tribes have the advantage of numbers and our ingrained tribalism plays to that. Kichwa has worked hard to decry the tyranny of numbers but the reality is ugly. I think the secession debate is likely to end up as more devolution or federalism - I prefer to be the global standard of 40% as in US, Germany, etc. - which will assuage the tribal feeling of the minorities. This will not in any way stop the corruption and incompetence - just federate it. Which is OK to reduce the bickering.
Now of course outsourcing government to mzungu is a pipe dream. My quest has been to comprehend the dire state of the African. This shows up in many places. Even in the US where black people have lived for decades, you will not catch them inventing anything or running mega enterprise. They are the fringe players in the economy. Instead they are still fighting for their place - their "rights" - and need tokenism to make it. They believe they are "marginalized" by institutional racism. They have nothing to say about Africa - where the white man left 50 years ago but is now poorer and corrupter than ever.
Alot has been said here and elsewhere about the African state of evolution. From the hot equatorial sun to backward religiosity. How about those who grew up in the west? Why don't we have big African inventors or billionaires out there?
I ran by this discussion.
Is it possible to be as successful as Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, or Elon Musk as a black man in America?
https://www.quora.com/Is-it-possible-to-be-as-successful-as-Steve-Jobs-Bill-Gates-or-Elon-Musk-as-a-black-man-in-America (https://www.quora.com/Is-it-possible-to-be-as-successful-as-Steve-Jobs-Bill-Gates-or-Elon-Musk-as-a-black-man-in-America)
My heart raced at the sight of the long sticks the three angry men were brandishing. I futilely asked my mother what was going on, as our party inside the car spoke in panicked Yoruba with the group outside. It was my first visit to Nigeria. My mother, uncle, grandmother and I were driving to a village hours away from Lagos when three men stepped into the middle of the road. We had to screech to a halt to avoid hitting them. To this day, I don’t know what those men wanted, but given that, according to the UN’s 2010 figures, 61 percent of the population lives on less than a dollar a day, I’d bet they wanted money–or the car.
From the moment I set foot in Nigeria, it was easy to see why my parents had left. My mother and I had to pay bribes to pass safely through the airport. Beggars walked around outside the airport asking travelers for money. It was not uncommon to see people squatting on the side of the road defecating. The gash on my uncle’s head corroborated his story about being robbed and pistol whipped. A billboard in Lagos read in pigeon English, “AIDS. No dey show da face.” (Translation: You can’t tell a person has AIDS by looking at them.)
Robina,Absolutely. I used to think racism-whiners were noise-makers until I moved to a very liberal white environment (presumably the least racist, therefore) and saw wonders with my own two eyes.
I know it's not about race. But racism in the US is as real as Philando Castile's rotting corpse and his scot-free murderer. It is not made up. I think you can make your anti-black arguments without denying some well established facts. While it may be rare, what we see during such incidents always shines a light on the ugly underbelly of America; you just know the murderer will be acquitted. By a jury of people the kind you will run into at the gym and have friendly exchanges with. No matter how egregious the offence. If Robina finds herself on the business end of a rogue cop gun, she can count on her white friends to excuse the murderer.
Black lives don't matter. If your lives don't matter, you can rest assured you are getting a short end of the stick relative to any similarly placed white person(male or female) in every other sphere of life, bar perhaps sports where because folks are comfortable with blacks as entertainment, there is no racial bias.
But you are starting to remind me of this black so-called race realist https://www.amren.com/news/2015/10/i-am-black-and-a-race-realist/ (https://www.amren.com/news/2015/10/i-am-black-and-a-race-realist/).
Robina,
I think you have it wrong on tyranny of numbers. Kalenjin and GEMA do not form a majority. Not even close. The major tribes in the NASA coalition are more. 2009 census.