January 01, 2009
A discussion of formation of a new political movement by old and young Turks in Kenya and abroad who upto date had only been serial bloggers is raging. The political class and the powers that be for upto the past three to four years had simply dubbed them as "cyber noise makers". However, this time they seem to be very very seriouse and may be the change that Kenya is yearning for. The initiators come from all walks of life. From Bunge la wanainchi on the streets to elites that form the middle class to university students to high school kids, the kenyan public is up for a crusade to decide their future. Tired and weary of the status quo. Embarrassed by poverty and bent knees of years of begging, the sons and daughters of Kenya have said enough is enough. They have questioned the intelligence of dynastic power acquisition and have found it wanting.
After Moi came Gideon Moi, after Kenyatta came Uhuru Kenyatta, after Oginga Odinga came Raila Odinga, after Mudavadi came Musalya Mudavadi and may be after Mwai Kibaki there will be Jimmy, after Raila Odinga there will be Castro Raila and after Uhuru Kenyatta there will "someone" Uhuru. If this trend was communsurate with delivery of service, development or creation of new opportunities, I bet you the bloggers would have not thought about this. However, the leadership achievements for the last 40 years is so sad to talk about. Kenya, where food was never a problem has become one of the poorest countries where starvation is not a dream. Kenya has become a nation with the second largest slum in the world, "Kibira". Children walking naked and bear foot has becomne a routine while the MPs and their wives do their shopping overseas for clothes that can be made locally. Just why should this continue is a question in the mind of every Kenyan.
While an MP earns 1.2 million Kenya shillings a month and does not pay tax, an ordinary Kenyan live under a dollar per day and still have to pay tax on it. While the political class like Uhuru, Raila, Mudavadi, Kalonzo, Kibaki and their associates own houses and land worth millions of dollars, an average Kenyan lives in a slum without electricity, running water or even a toilet. The second largest town in Kenya sits on the shores of the second largest fresh water lakes in the world and still the residence drink from seewage water. The garbages in many cities reamain uncollected and if they are collected they are dumped close to the slums so that the unforturenate children of the poor who are the majority can go and scavenge. No jobs for highly qualified university graduates while the relatives of political class who could not even pass primary school education get cheap purchased degrees and come back to be excutives of parastatals and big companies.
The Kenyan people have asked repeatedly just why they keep on recycling these folks and the answer has been "he comes from my tribe" ha! ha! Yes the political class has manipulated their own people for their own family and friends gain just by using the fact that Kenya people speak fourty two different dialects. This time this may not work because while the bloggers have names like Ochieng, Kamau, Nyangau, Omulokoli and the rest, their names are not quite reflective of the language they speak. Some are from intertribal marriages while others were brought up in places where their only friends were from a malgamation of tribes and hence this time the tribe factor may fail to work in favour of the political class.
I for one support this initiative. Just recently, there was hope that democracy may eventually be achieved. First we hoped that the political parties had seen enough of the effects of thwarting democracy in Kenya only to realize that they dont get it. Each and every party "acclaimed" the so called party leader. The trueth was that there was no election at all. At one time you could marvel at how democracy in Kenya works after all the women were not considered in ODM and PNU so called alection and the "acclaimed" leadership had to go back to the drawing board to see how they could appease afew of their women folk. What a mess? what a traversty to democracy in a country where there are great minds? What an abuse of the people's intelligence? How long must these people take the Kenyan public for granted? How long must the Kenyan people contend with this? Can the Kenyan public get the democracy they deserve? Can Kenyan people stumble upon Obama?
Well that is what the bloggers have decided to do. They are in search of an Obama through their movement and if you are one please submit your application because the bus is moving and you may not get in once it catches speed.
The meeting for this movement is set in Nairobi Kenya in january. The date and the venue can be obtained from the following initiators
1. Nicholas oyoo oyookraft@yahoo.com 2. Okiya Omtatah Okoiti omtatah@yahoo.com
3. Peter Odhengo odhengo@yahoo.co.uk
Many are interested and this may be the beginning and the end of impunity if all Kenyans are truely tired of a rule by the few forever and ever. Communications below are attached for your viewing.
By Dr. Barack Abonyo.
Nancy says: Sundays are normally family days, sio siku ya siasa. Guys, whatever date we settle on, meeting from 4.00PM on wards should be possible for all, ama?
Rawson Mugambi says: no problem on my part.... I can create time for my other commitments
Martin Kengei says: I think this is a great start. The 5th of January is a very tricky day coz most people will be heading back to work. I suggest we hold the first meeting says this Friday or Saturday for those guys who are around then hold another one next weekend for the rest who will be coming back into town next week.
TONY Obura says: Well to tell you the truth, I don't really know where the youth are headed; do you have a good number of individuals so we can hold a serious brain storming meeting and find a way forward? This is my number in case of anything 0723 156 972. Let us stand up and make a difference and all the others will follow, it starts with you and me are you up so I follow?
Mathias Aguta Says: What has lacked in Kenya for long is a party that inspires patriotism and a nationalistic movement that puts the nation above the tribe. The name must make people want to be part of a revival, a rebirth, a regeneration - a new beginning. I suggest The National Patriotic Renaissance Party (NPRP).
Mathias.
Lattif Shaban says: I support this initiative. For sure Kenya needs a fresh start from the political fiasco that has imprisoned us for so long.
Uzalendo wa Kenya Party (UWAKE) could be another name for consideration
I would be happy to attend the planned meeting early next year
Clarence Jumba Says: Nicholas hope you still remember me we worked together in the moribund National Youth congress on your initiative of the nascent political party count me in, and keep me posted as to any event unfolding.
Onyancha Rodgiers says: You know Nicholas we come a long way. There have been a number of development and you have let me in the cold. Nimambie so that can follow suit too
Having tried ODM, ODMK, KANU AND
the The party is intended to bring all those who have since been refered to as "cyber noise makers" together so that they can decide whether to form a new party or they can join a party that is democratic, concerned about the people of Kenya