I thought I should write this and get some weight off my chest.First,apologies for the long silence. At times it means more than words. The foul weather and an overcast sky hasn't helped but sitting in-front of TV for almost the entire day, was certainly a great idea. I enjoyed watching live proceedings of Kenya at 50 celebrations from Kasarani, surprisingly.
It is important to point out here, that i am not the kind of person who jumps onto bandwagons just for the sake of it. I am analyzing, inquisitive,sarcastic,infact,my friends think I am too for critical for my good. I was a bit a hesitant to join the celebrations, and rightly so, there’s enough bad news coming out of various parts of Kenya to make one question his loyalty and citizenry. Ranging from tribal clashes in Moyale, to poor and non-existent roads in Turkana.
I considered giving the jubilee celebrations a wide berth. To be a Kenyan, I have always thought can be likened to being an artist,you only realize it momentarily during rare moments of inspiration. Woe unto you if you are enduring a dry spell.Back to the main point,listening to those patriotic songs blaring out of huge speakers,Mama Kayai and Mzee Ojwang taking on stage at Kasarani stirred something in me.Woke up a sleeping giant.I felt a wave of feelings of love,pride and patriotism, wash over me in such a frenzied way,like a little boy in candy shop.I haven't felt that in a long time.Mwalimu Wesonga's song was the icing on the cake.
Am I the only one who who may have had such feelings,doubts and reservations? I think not.There are lots of Kenyans whose dreams have been shattered,lives wrecked so much to think of anything worth celebrating.Truth is,the last 50 years have been full of heart aches and lost opportunities.Kenya is perhaps more divided along ethnic lines now than it has ever been,corruption has become a way of life.How many nations look enviously at achieving just that? we need just to look closer home to know how lucky we are.The incessant violence and turmoil of Somalia,the lack of free press and free political space in Rwanda and Uganda.Let me not go there and leave that for another time.
Having said that,am i the only person who gets a little vomit in my mouth every time President Museveni opens his mouth to speak? Dear lord,that Yoweri Museveni speaks a lot of guff,doesn't he? whatever that mzee is smoking isn't good.The manner in which he keeps harping on these ICC issue is shocking.He has made it his personal war against the imperialist,whoever those foul guys might be.President Museveni never misses an opportunity to lash at the ICC.Nothing wrong with that but could there be more than meets the eye? why the sudden hatred? isn't he the same guy who invited ICC to investigate and possibly prosecute Joseph Kony? Allow me the liberty to inform Mr Museveni that Kenya has,we have moved on from the previous contentious elections.Why you keep talking about it,is beyond me.
What is worrying is that our president seems to rate Museveni very highly and that was shown today by allowing him to speak last of the invited heads of states. Kenya needs to forge stronger ties with presidents with a better political and economic record,the likes of President Khama of Botswana.Not Yoweri Museveni and Robert Mugabe.We are supposed to be moving towards inclusion,tolerance and widened doors of freedom and those two aren't doing so good there.What is disturbing is that every time Museveni speaks he alienates half of this country and threatens the fragile amity we have enjoyed.
Hats off for President Kenyatta,wonderful rhetoric yesterday(remember that i don't support him or his coalition) but I was particularly impressed when he said that he wants to unite this country.I thought that was good,especially if he meant what he was saying.He has been saying all the right things lately but can he walk the talk? What this country has been lacking for the last fifty years,unifying leadership that sees beyond tribe. Wasn't it lovely to see the former prime minster,Raila Odinga, and the former vice president,Kalonzo Musyoka among the guests? now that's being Kenyan.Leaving behind the bitter past and coming together for the country we all love.
Phew! am glad i got that off my chest.Happy birthday Kenya!!!
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