Ever the bridesmaid and never the
bride, Kenya has always been on the cusp of greatness and successful economic
empowerment of her people but derailed at the last minute due to political
squabbles and tribal chauvinism. Our
last attempt at unity of purpose and new beginnings was in 2002 when NARC won
by a landslide, but what ensued thereafter was a shame of tribal groupings and
backstabbing former allies.
In a few days’ time Kenyans shall
head to the polls to vote for their leaders of the next five years.7 years
since the promulgation of a new constitution and 5 since the first elections under
it. I hope that now that we have another chance at glory, we should not let
ourselves and our children down by choosing to stay in our tribal cocoons just
because we fear giving leadership to the other. All you have to ask yourself
before you vote on 8th August is,
- Are we better off economically now than five years ago?
- Are we secure as a country more now than five years ago?
- Are our social services more enhanced now than five years ago?
- Are our public hospitals service provision better now than five years ago?
- Is our education system and learning standards better now than five years ago?
Depending on how you answer the
above, vote to either continue more of the same into the foreseeable future or
choose to change course and embark on a different strategy that can assure a
new approach to nation building and economic and social empowerment of all
communities in our nation.
Let us remember that despite the
machinations of the wheeler-dealers and the power barons, the voice of the
people needs to be heard loud and clear next week and the choice of the people
respected. We may have diverse political affiliations but we share a common
bond of nationhood and so we should strive to ensure justice is done and seen
to be done. However we should also ensure respect for the lives and properties
of our fellow countrymen and let’s not shed any blood just because of a
disagreement over the direction we seek to steer our country.
I wish all of you peace and love during elections period and thereafter. Vote wisely and remember your vote will determine the destiny of our nation.
