The Return of Mwari wa David…

I know, I know…I did not say goodbye. I did not hint that I was wrapping up my previous blog. And for those who asked(thanks for asking!), I did not even save the content for you. It is all gone. I will explain all that later. I promise.

 For now, let me join other Kenyans of goodwill,  in condeming the mindless carnage that has rocked our beloved country.

My condolences to all who lost their beloved ones ;the innocent masses that were butchered, torched or felled by bullets. There is not a single excuse that anyone can give to explain why innocent Kenyans had to lose their lives, and thousands others displaced from their homes.  I have a lot to say about Kivuitu, not now though. But one thing he said in his usual non-chalant style has stuck with me, that neither Kibaki, nor Raila is worth losing your life for. Reminds me of the essays we wrote in primary school, where you were given a sentence from which to base your essay. I could write thousands of words based on that simple sentence.

My position on the matter is first and foremost, non-partisan. 

Had I been a contestant in the just concluded elections, I would have liked to win in a way that leaves no doubt in anyone’s mind, that I have indeed won. And were I to lose, I would want to lose in dignity, such that come another round of the contest, I would be in a position to win. In the event of a dispute, I would want it sorted in a manner that leaves no doubt in anyone’s mind, that winner or otherwise, I am a true leader. No one should have to shed their blood simply because I have lost, or won an election. For any leader to allow the loss of innocent lives, including children, is to me, the most hollow display of leadership!

Even though we make jokes based on our tribal affiliations, I do not believe that tribalism is a problem of the magnitude that we were made to believe it was. Politicians, in their typical selfish style, in a desperate bid to garner votes, elevated the issue of tribe to segregate people that previously lived, inter-married and worked together in peace. I will not delude myself that there haven’t been cases where certain tribes have been marginalised in the distribution of the national resources. That certainly needs to be addressed, and urgently so. But no one will convince me that we Kenyans are so tribal that we do not see each other eye to eye. That is a LIE!

Even though I am a Kikuyu by birth, that by itself, never got me where I am today. I schooled in multi-ethnic schools, taught by teachers from different ethnic communities. In the just concluded (disputed) general elections, I, like my husband did not have a candidate of choice, which I suppose was due to the fact that we were not going to vote anyway, seeing as we are diasporan. (bluntly speaking, none of the contestants appealed).  My stand then, was, ‘May the ‘best’ man win’.

However, when results began to trickle in, I foresaw a possible ODM victory, (though anyone following the graphs on the ‘Daily Nation’ Website, could have deduced otherwise, as certain ‘key’ regions had not posted their results. For this reason, I thought there was a still a likelihood that the outcome could sway to the other side..) But that is not my point here, my point is, I saw the possibility of an ODM victory. I recall thinking out loud that it is about time that I acquired an orange-coloured ’something’ to wear. (sort of to identify with Raila-led Orange Democratic Movement) Which believe it or not, in a surprise move, my beloved went out and got me. On the Sunday we thought the results would be announced, I was clad in a bright orange turtle neck, and like many other Kenyans, waited for the grand announcement…

 This, my readers, is my narrative, and is not meant to inflame anybody who feels like me, or otherwise to start a riot and hack another to death. I therefore would like to encourage anyone reading , to resist the urge to leave any offensive remarks. Like all of you, I am trying to come to terms with what has happened in our beloved country. It is not easy to comprehend. But we can begin working on the way forward.

We will only move forward if we remain sober minded. Let’s not forget that elections happen every five years. We cannot allow this to be a preamble of things to come.

I have been to Somalia, and I have had a taste of what anarchy is. I know what tribal feuds can lead to. I know what it means to live in fear. I have seen desolation. I remember waiting for hours for an accountant I was training to use a computer system I had installed in one instituition. When he finally showed up, upon putting his pistol (shock on me!) on a shelf near the desk where we sat, he in near whispers, explained to me that he is a wanted man. Not for a crime he had commited, but because a member from his clan had murdered an accountant of the opposing clan. That is how it works in Somalia, you kill our doctor, we kill your doctor. You kill a teacher in our clan, we kill a teacher in your clan. Sadly it never ends. Incase you are wondering, I went ahead with the training, but thoughts of a sudden shoot-out never left my mind. (In retrospect, I think it was very reckless of me to put my life in such a risk, if not that, then I am brave.)

Many Kenyans have a better vision for their lives, and there is a few that have a big vision for the country at large. Seeking peace, is a good place to begin.