No doubt. The overwhelmingly passing of the new constitution in Kenya can be termed as the rebirth of a new true Kenya that had nary existed. This, if anything, I believe, will bury the demons of tribalism, self seeking, land grabbing, dictatorship, corruption, irresponsibility and unaccountability that marred the history of Kenya.
Now that the new constitution has been promulgated, it remains to be seen when it comes to putting it to exercise. Kenya I used to know before the new one was but a loose amalgamation of tribes and other groups of interests, but not a nation though Kenyans used to believe they were a nation whilst they actually were not.
In totality, there has nary been a nation of Kenya but a country of Kenya. This needs the whole article to discuss. I, thus, will hang it hither and soldier on with the birth of the new constitution that surely will make a Kenyan nation for the first time in history.
The new constitution is not only an impetus for development and prosperity of Kenya but also the precedent for other nations in the region even in the continent. By attaining this very milestone, Kenyans, for yet another time, have led the world to a new world order based on mature and true democracy. I comfortably believe that other east African countries that are under the yoke of one-man- or one-party abracadabra such as Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, will borrow a leaf from Kenyans. It is time for kicking old constitutions out. They’re and they have nary been ours at all. Most of them were made in Lancaster house as proxy means of elongating British colonial rule. These constitutions created vampires that have exploited our countries to the bone. We need home-made-and- grown and progressive constitutions such as those of Kenya and South Africa.
I once noted that whilst some Kenyans, especially the “NO” camp and the clergy, were hoodwinking the majority that the new constitution was hogwash allowing abortion. In other countries in the region, their constitutions are nothing but a writ of a cabal of mediocre swindlers that can tamper with them when they deem fit. Now that the new dawn’s unfold and verily it is hither with us, let us forget our differences and build a new nation steered by our views and wishes. That a new baby is born, let us stand together to see to it that the light is shinning in its life as well as ours. Let us reconcile the country and forge ahead.
Against all odds, that Kenyans have raised to the occasion, we need to congratulate them on this leap forward as we borrow a leaf from them. I understand. Kenya has been the country in big crises thanks to be manned by thieves, killers and tyrants that were empowered by archaic constitution. Refer to the grisly killings that occurred soon after disputed 2007 elections and being under one tyrant for over two decades. I, so too, understand that Kenyans lost a lot of their rights, such as true freedom to economic well-being, land, peace, security, democracy and what not. Many Kenyans were killed and tortured under the former constitutions and their rights were pushed under the carpet. Refer to the assassination of Tom Mboya, Josiah Mwangi Kariuki, Robert Ouko and many more others. Refer to the infamous Nyayo house sacrilege that left many Kenyans dead or tortured.
By ushering the new constitution in, I am sure, the buried cases of grave violation of human rights will be unearthed and being dealt with accordingly, so as to give a reprieve and redress to the families of those that were butchered or in anyway affected by blood dripping former regimes. I am sure too. The land that was grabbed since Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel Moi and their cronies will be retaken and be redistributed the landless Kenyans. What’s more, vampiric corruption scandals such as Goldenberg, Anglo-Leasing and others will be dealt with transparently and accordingly. More so, those who authored post-elections killings will now be urgently dispatched to The Hague, so that another precedent can be set where Kenya leads others.
Though there won’t be a quick fix of the rust Kenya has gone through for decades, it is upon Kenyans to patiently and united start to put the whole goodies in the new constitution in practice. Moreover, the Kenyan referendum was regarded as something normal, it was not. It is only South Africa that once attempted and successfully did this. Other African countries are still in slumber. Tanzanians, just on the next door, need a new constitution so badly that they can recapture their mojo. Ugandans, just like Rwandans, are in dire need of the same. The constitutions of the mentioned countries are just mere documents that thievish rulers can manipulate as they deem fit, at any time they deem fit, for their personal gains.
Kenyans have created a constitution that frees them from all evils of the past as it guides them to the future. Shall this being emulated by other countries in the region, even the union of the region will be easier and possible to attain even tomorrow.
I must call upon the citizenry of the countries in the region to start agitating for new constitutions. They should fear nothing when it comes to repression. No ruler can now resort in archaic means of beating protesters thanks to the fear of being delivered to The Hague. This being the year of elections in Rwanda and Tanzania, the people there should get prepared to refuse to accept cooked results resulting from the charade known as elections. We have already seen how the just ended Rwandan elections were marred by killings and detention of opposition leaders and journalists. This proves beyond doubts that the said elections was not be free and fair by all standards. The era of one-party-cum-one-man show is over.
In Tanzania, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) just like the National Resistance Movement (NRM) In Uganda, has always manipulated elections thanks to appointing a kitchen Electoral Commission. These three countries mentioned above need to have Independent Interim Electoral Commissions (IIECs) in place to facilitate the transition. On this, Kenya can offer expertise thanks to her experience.
To cut the story short, it should be noted and appreciated that what Kenyans voted for is actually not only their constitution but also ours in the region. For the precedent they set is second to none. Importantly, we must face this challenge and vote ourselves out of tyranny be it of one party of one man. Bravo Kenyans once again for showing and leading the way.
The worst thing that tarnished the promulgation of the new constitution is the presence of Sudanese killer- Omar Bashir. This indeed, either by mistakes or calculations, showed Kenyan rulers as improbable. Now this being the case, will they deliver the suspects of post-election killings to The Hague as they are required by the law? This is another tough home work for ICC and UN.
Nkwazi Mhango is a Tanzanian living in Canada. He writes regularly for “The African Executive” and also has a blog entitled “Free Thinking Unabii”. He is a regular contributor to AfroSpear.
Two things that disturb us….
Why is the Nubian King in the image wearing european styled wig like those that colonized all lands of color. And why does the article want to do away with tribalism. That is our culture. Does any think that self hate exists in the motherland like it runs rampant in the uk and the west?
Nubian News Network,
You sound very western to me.
Think of China economic success with over 180 ethnic groups in that country, each maintaining it identity, but operates as one China.
Thank you for the respectful response. The only way to obtain more knowledge and eliminate ignorance is by asking questions.
So to your response we ask, how did China achieve the feat of having over 180 ethnic groups operating as “one China”?
The presence of al-bashir may be a tell tell sign that kenya may not heed to Luis Moreno-Ocampo’s request in indicting people responsible of the last election chaos in Kenya.
Cheers
I wouldn’t speak so confidently about the Chinese miracle.
Зто the miracle keeps only on export, internal consumption isn’t present, absence what or social policies, slaves make poor-quality but the inexpensive goods and who saw the fair economic statistics of China
Who knows that there occurs actually?
You think the Chinese students have forgotten 1989?, the slightest fluctuation in economy and communist party will get there where she has got to Russia
Iliya from
Sochi-Russia
Sochi,
I wasn’t speaking of environmental protection, human rights, liberty or the absence of ethnic conflict, but China has held together as a nation for millinea.
Anyone who holds the huge amount of US debt as China does, is a real economic player. If you think the major corporations will move their manufacturing back to the US or European nations, then you must believe in the Easter Bunny. A lot of the motherboards for PC’s are made in China, including the hard drives and silicon. Lenova formerly known as IBM is Chinese. The idea that China makes a myriad of shabby goods has long since been a myth.
In today’s world and economy, tribalism isn’t in the best interest of people who hope to compete in the modern world. This doesn’t meant that one’s identity has to be denied or that a nation with tribal differences can not be a nation of human rights and liberty.
“Tribalism isn’t in the best interest of people who hope to compete in the modern world”
We were not ashamed of it before colonialism – why is it even an issue now. All of the myths that were manifested, why not just implement it into today’s culture and business model and allow it to be totally unique against any other countries way (similar to japan for lack of a better example)
I was not implying giving up ones identity, but tribalism leads more to group think and petty differences can become much larger issues. Tribalism isn’t just related to some familial and genetic relationship it can occur with any group who think they have something in common. Tribalism in its extreme is partly responsible for the anti-Muslim sentiment in the US. Basically when, within a country, it becomes “us against them” that’s when it become dangerous and destabilizing. Depots feed on this and the best interest of the country goes down the tubes.
Do I have a comment still in moderation. I may have had problems posting.
@ Hathor: you have no comment(s) in moderation. All your comments have been published to date.
I saw one of her comments in the Spam pile!
Ok… I moved it and approved it. Thanks.
Here is a great article regarding tribalism and the issues surrounding it and how european colonialism is the reason. Take a look at the first comment. Link below.
http://www.africanloft.com/tribalism-in-africa-a-western-creation/
It mentions the Kenya crisis as well
“The Kenyan crisis demonstrates how unyielding political leaders are across the continent. Being in power has become personalized; political power is a personal belonging that must protected at all cost. Yet, this power is made possible by the people.”
TruN3:
Tribalism could be problem within the modern nation state if there is resentment and hatred among different tribes.
At least the different tribes must coalesce to some degree and become one within the nation state.
In the past before the arrival of Arabs and Europeans, Africans like other ethnic/tribal groups elsewhere drew their boundaries and when this was not respected and obeyed, conflict and warfare solved the problem.
At the root of most of the problems in Africa today is a little bit of tribalism and outside inteference. We saw this conflict played out during the last elections in Kenya , one of the most modern African nation states. The wars in the Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone,Darfur, South Sudan, etc., most of the conflicts in Africa carry some type of tribal twist.
I will never forget when Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990 and Zulu Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi created enough problem.He wanted respect for the Zulus;Mandela belongs to another tribe.
Chief Buhelezi had to be appeased sweetly and gently like a lion in the bush.
Those who did not want to see the end of apartheid, yes, like conservative Americans, at that time, President George Bush and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and other enemies of Africans, played him up till he stunk and disappeared into oblivion or into the bush.
With all said above, Somalia is one of the greatest enigma that I have encountered in international politics.
Here you have a homogeneous people with a state religion who should be all ready for self government today, and this is not the case.
One of the success of the Chinese people is that they were able to unify to an extent very early before entering the modern age
And let us not forget that China’s past was dynastic therefore the ruling families did rule over most of the Chinese people. To some extent there was always a semblance of unity.
China has always had a long dream to dominate the world.
I believe as patient as Chinese are notorious for , a noble virtue, part of their ancient Confucian beliefs,this could be their last chance in their quest towards the Celestial Empire.
Africans must move beyond tribalism, reject tribal affiliation, but not its historical /cultural traditions and like everyone else accept the “nationality” that is part and parcel of the modern nation state which is the only path into progress.
Welcome back Ana.
Beautifully spoken….It seems that we need to stop depending on outside forces and just sit down and face up and make real decisions and tell other countries to see their way out. We are not really ready for foreign investors and companies…..we need to be patient.
Thanks.