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“It takes time, effort and a lot of investment to build a nation. Equally true is that a country can be quickly pushed over the edge into the abyss of a failed state.”
Introduction
I am no fan of the government. I rarely do have any involvement with the politics. I believe that Kenya is a lucky country and the Kenyan people are on the whole hardworking, fairly well educated and decent. And by African standards have a functional government. Of course there is always room for improvement.
The Meaning of Saba Saba
While it’s important to celebrate occasions marking the struggle for good governance and the removal of the single party dictatorship, like the Saba Saba event in Kamkunji Grounds, this should be no excuse for rioting, looting and obstruction of free movement of commuters and disruption of business activities.
Remembering the Original Movement
I witnessed the original Saba Saba event at the height of the Nyayo dictatorship. While the activists were roughed up and chased about, there was no coordinated and organized chaos targeting business and persons to harm them. The activists were mature, responsible, patriots and had a stake in the safety and well-being of Kenya. They meant no harm for Kenya.
The State of Activism Today
What I see this days is that the whole noble endeavor of struggling for good governance and holding power to account in a legitimate, constructive and objective manner has been twisted to further individual political ambitions irrespective of consciousness. Activists have allowed themselves to be synonymous with rioting and thievery and destruction of people’s property. They seem to be associated with the elites who are the authors and beneficiaries of the difficulties facing the country and have stolen their future. This warlords will be the first to fly out and flee when things go south.
The Role of the Media
It’s unfortunate that the media has jumped on the bandwagon of a confused, destructive activism that is bordering on anarchy. It is no secret that every time normal life is disrupted it causes enormous economic costs. I watch nearly all media houses seem to be in a race to the bottom as to who will be the champion of the unraveling of the country called Kenya.
A Final Appeal
It takes time, effort and a lot of investment to build a nation. Equally true is that a country can be quickly pushed over the edge into the abyss of a failed state.
My final appeal is to the youth of Kenya: don’t allow those who are at the dusk of their lives compromise your future. You are the inheritors of Kenya. It is upto you what you decide to make of make it…
