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Oh No! Ruto Hapana! Kusema na Kutenda?
By Guest Author | Sat, 10/13/2012 02:13AM -0400
I could not agree more with Prof Ruth Oniango when she says that Kenya needs serious help, prayers in order to make political progress. The news of the alleged meeting between Raila Odinga and William Ruto is something that concerns every Kenyan, not because people detest collaboration between leaders but because the circumstances leading up to the fallout and present day reunion of the two leaders are dubious; their latest move in my view is certainly not intended for the greater good of the republic, the people of Kenya but just a convenience for self-preservation and political expediency.
In 2007/8 post-election violence, the country was divided right in the middle, ethnic blocks highly polarized, with opposing political views and vested interests to defend. We all know how the political activism changed the peace loving Kenyans to opt and settle for anarchy during the build up to, and the immediate period after 2007 election.
The self-seeking politicians are again electrified as their tenure is threatened by the looming elections. And because desperate time’s calls for desperate measures, it is not unusual to see them run around gawky, at times being caught up in situations too condescending for these otherwise honorable leaders.
The people of Kenya must resist division at all cost and remain united to nurture democracy and must ensure Kenya benefits from the impending political process and transition. We have learnt a number of useful lessons from the experience of post-election violence and the period that followed under the administration of a coalition government.
It is time Kenyans join hands as brothers and sisters, to exercise their democratic rights as voters to install true leaders who are going to transform the country. The onerous responsibility of patriotism during these critical time calls for authentic action, concerted efforts, and good will from all quarters. We must all get enlisted for love of our motherland.
By Mohamed Adan Wato, Major (Rtd.). Mohamed Wato is a retired army officer, a practicing Security professional and a Mwakilishi.com contributor. He is the author of the book "Walking A tight Rope amidst Kenya Post Election violence".
The views expressed on this op-ed/blog are solely those of the author and do not reflect the opinions of Mwakilishi News Media, or any other individual, organization, or institution. The content on this op-ed/blog is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual. The author himself is responsible for the content of the posts on this op-ed/blog, not any other organization or institution which he might be seen to represent. The author is not responsible, nor will he be held liable, for any statements made by others on this op-ed/blog in the op-ed blog comments, nor the laws which they may break in this country or their own, through their comments’ content, implication, and intent. The author reserves the right to delete comments if and when necessary. The author is not responsible for the content or activities of any sites linked from this op-ed/blog. Unless otherwise indicated, all translations and other content on here are original works of the op-ed/blog author and the copyrights for those works belong to the author.
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Sat, 10/13/2012 09:31PM -0400
#1
I totally agree with you Mr. Wato. After what these two "leaders" have said about each other, I am shocked that they would even come together. This means Kenya's leadership is obtained by deal making but not for the good of all. Very sad. I hope people realize this and shun such deals of convenience. These two detest each other and have made it clear that they cannot work together. What has changed other than that their hatred for each other has been superceded by their greed for power?
Sun, 10/14/2012 11:21PM -0400
#2
This is nothing new. It has happened every time Kenyans have gone to the polls. It happened in 1997 as leaders’ came together to defeat Moi and in 2002 to defeat his puppet. The two are not alone. All the other leaders are basing their quest for presidency on the same premise. Some of the parties fronting candidates for this election are less than five years while other like the PNU are no longer. We have to refuse this trend of people forming new mbuses every five years not based on principles but as vehicles of greed and convenience. Our country will continue to be in democratic and political infancy unless we let political parties go through the normal growth process, and develop principled political ideologies and democratic practices. I fail to join in this frenzy to take part in another election to elect a leader based on the best tribal alliances and personal greed.
Mon, 10/15/2012 01:18AM -0400
#3
Awe struck? I think not....again, this is a case of deja vu, kind of like we know the movie playing out and how its going to end. Are we to just sit with our legs crossed and shrug our shoulders hoping for a change we know we deserve and vote with our stomachs instead of using our brains?
This article is really not that enlightening, Sorry Mr.Wato, seen it heard it...can we now do something about it, vote with your heart and brains!!
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