I am happy that there seems to be genuine effort to curb graft in this country. Any true patriot should be happy. But having lived in this country this long, having seen our political class turn every way to remain rich and powerful at the expense of everyone else; I am a little unruffled by the general euphoria.
When I see someone 'step aside' to 'pave way for investigations', I get a dejavu feeling. When I hear that some committee or another has 'cleared' someone else of any 'wrong-doing', my cynicism with the whole process grows fatter.
Kenyans, forgive me; but I just don't trust these our old men anymore. I have always doubted their concern for this country, but in the face of the things they have done in the past few years, I am convinced of the utter criminality of our 'leaders'.
Maybe i have read 'too much' Bible; and believe that "it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes' (Psalm 118). or maybe I think so much of Lord Acton's words: Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely". Or even maybe, I am jealous; I wish I was the one in power, emptying the public coffers and snatching all the victuals like a gluttonous hyena.
It may be so.
However, I ask all of us to remain sober and steadfast in our resolve to reduce impunity to human levels. It is natural that some people will be richer than others. But it is wrong for some people to die of starvation while the whole country watches this from their TV sets. In this 'man-eat-man' society, where cabinet ministers watch a family share dog meat with warm water and salt and do nothing; and not because their is no aid, but who will give it?
I have always admired the US. It is not a perfect state, but at least, no one dies of cold or hunger in the general commotion of others to get rich. Likewise, as we all compete and grasp at each others throats to get rich-and get rich quickly- those in power should ensure that no child is denied food, education and the warmth of a house.
That is why am reading the news of 'corruption beasts being slain' with a pinch of salt. I have been duped so many times; this time round, I will believe after I see blood.
I may be alone, but again, I know someone else is with me here.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
US-Rome theory
That the US is the richest and most powerful nation on earth is not news. No country today can brag of having a better economy, a stronger army, a clearer vision of how to remain powerful, and a more overwhelming mass following. Be it in music, dressing, theaters, language, architecture, leadership- the US leads all others follow. Even those countries who do not follow the might of the USA make it their national policy to oppose it. In other words, their national policy is to react to the USA.
With the advent of the internet,ideas and news spread across the globe like the proverbial bush-fire. The source of all these is none other than the USA. Youtube, google, twitter, facebook, yahoo, CNN. How could life be without those American inventios of the past decade?
It seems to me thart the strength of the US is not an invention. all through the history of mankind, nations have risen up, conquered others and formed hegemonies, kingdoms or empires. Egypt, Mesopotamia, Hittites, Babylon, Carthage, the Zulu, the Inca, the Maya and Greece all rose at some point and ruled supreme over the souls of men and beasts alike.
But the rise of Rome as a super power deserves a special paragraph in my blog, as it was a novel event in the history of civilization. From a small city-state on the banks of the Tiber in 300 BC; Rome grew to cover most of the known world 300 years later. And the empire lasted de jure for 500 years, de facto for 1000 years. By some standards, we feel the effects of that empire till today, 2000 years later.
So it is with the US today. No matter which part of the iron curtain you were, you could not ignore the US. And today, no matter how red you are, the US impinges onto your nerves.
The greatest threat for the growth of the Roman Empire was from outside her borders, though some internal tempests did rock her bowels. Carthage, the Cimbri, Gauls, the Germans- all proved to be formidable enemies.
With the advent of the internet,ideas and news spread across the globe like the proverbial bush-fire. The source of all these is none other than the USA. Youtube, google, twitter, facebook, yahoo, CNN. How could life be without those American inventios of the past decade?
It seems to me thart the strength of the US is not an invention. all through the history of mankind, nations have risen up, conquered others and formed hegemonies, kingdoms or empires. Egypt, Mesopotamia, Hittites, Babylon, Carthage, the Zulu, the Inca, the Maya and Greece all rose at some point and ruled supreme over the souls of men and beasts alike.
But the rise of Rome as a super power deserves a special paragraph in my blog, as it was a novel event in the history of civilization. From a small city-state on the banks of the Tiber in 300 BC; Rome grew to cover most of the known world 300 years later. And the empire lasted de jure for 500 years, de facto for 1000 years. By some standards, we feel the effects of that empire till today, 2000 years later.
So it is with the US today. No matter which part of the iron curtain you were, you could not ignore the US. And today, no matter how red you are, the US impinges onto your nerves.
The greatest threat for the growth of the Roman Empire was from outside her borders, though some internal tempests did rock her bowels. Carthage, the Cimbri, Gauls, the Germans- all proved to be formidable enemies.
Events In This Theatre
The period between mid- May and early June has been very tumultuous. I practically had a revolution in every aspect of my life; well, except financial. During the forced break, friends made sure that I saw another part of my very well choreographed lifestyle.
All the events as they unfolded: aga khan, yaya centre, eldoret, ethiops and of course, at baba dogo….
But now am back to school, it remains to see how many of those momentous changes will remain in place.
None the less, I realize that I have become a critical thinker, seeing a bigger picture of each case than I ever used to. Like the meaning of the word “sustainability” in a project that is aimed at lasting a few years.
Also, my dream of learning the “laws governing the creation, distribution and ownership of wealth” has risen to a new level. I realized this in my discussion with graduates of Law school, Political Science and Economics. Actually, the words quoted above were the exact ones I used to explain to Marguerite when she asked me my life plan.
I began reading the Wealth of the Nations, by Adam Smith (1776). This is a great writ, by7 any measure.
That division of labour is crucial to industrialization.
That we apply not to our needs, but to their self-love, when we ask for help from others.
Then he says “…..an African king, the absolute masters of the lives and liberties of ten thousand naked savages”. How am I supposed to respond to this?
Yesterday, I went to collect Elena and Erwin from some hotel in town. The guards wouldn’t let me in; no, in fact they didn’t talk to me till I really engaged them. And then only in non-committal answers. As I stood at the door wondering and seething in anger, the two came out wondering why I did not enter the hotel. They saw me at the door, argue with the guards, and turn back in frustration.
Is Kenya not the whore of Africa? Do we blame Europeans for calling us naked savages then?
Adam Smith’s insult stinks worse in view of our own behavior towards our own people in our own country.
All the events as they unfolded: aga khan, yaya centre, eldoret, ethiops and of course, at baba dogo….
But now am back to school, it remains to see how many of those momentous changes will remain in place.
None the less, I realize that I have become a critical thinker, seeing a bigger picture of each case than I ever used to. Like the meaning of the word “sustainability” in a project that is aimed at lasting a few years.
Also, my dream of learning the “laws governing the creation, distribution and ownership of wealth” has risen to a new level. I realized this in my discussion with graduates of Law school, Political Science and Economics. Actually, the words quoted above were the exact ones I used to explain to Marguerite when she asked me my life plan.
I began reading the Wealth of the Nations, by Adam Smith (1776). This is a great writ, by7 any measure.
That division of labour is crucial to industrialization.
That we apply not to our needs, but to their self-love, when we ask for help from others.
Then he says “…..an African king, the absolute masters of the lives and liberties of ten thousand naked savages”. How am I supposed to respond to this?
Yesterday, I went to collect Elena and Erwin from some hotel in town. The guards wouldn’t let me in; no, in fact they didn’t talk to me till I really engaged them. And then only in non-committal answers. As I stood at the door wondering and seething in anger, the two came out wondering why I did not enter the hotel. They saw me at the door, argue with the guards, and turn back in frustration.
Is Kenya not the whore of Africa? Do we blame Europeans for calling us naked savages then?
Adam Smith’s insult stinks worse in view of our own behavior towards our own people in our own country.
Friday, May 7, 2010
History Will Absolve Me
Still there is one argument more powerful than all the others.
We are Kenyans and to be Kenyan implies a duty; not to fulfill that duty is a crime, is treason. We are proud of the history of our country; we learned it in school and have grown up hearing of freedom, justice and human rights. We were taught to venerate the glorious example of our heroes and martyrs. Kimathi, Koitalel, Menza, Muge and Muliro were the first names engraved in our minds.
We were taught that the Titan once said that liberty is not begged for but won with the blade of a machete. We were taught that for the guidance of Kenya's free citizens, the MauMau taught: 'The man who abides by unjust laws and permits any man to trample and mistreat the country in which he was born is not an honorable man ...
In the world there must be a certain degree of honor just as there must be a certain amount of light. When there are many men without honor, there are always others who bear in themselves the honor of many men. These are the men who rebel with great force against those who steal the people's freedom, that is to say, against those who steal honor itself. In those men thousands more are contained, an entire people is contained, human dignity is contained ...
We were taught that the 20th of October and the 12th of December are glorious anniversaries of national rejoicing because they mark days on which Kenyans rebelled against the yoke of infamous colonialism.
We were taught to cherish and defend the beloved flag of the shield and two spears, and to sing every afternoon the verses of our National Anthem: Justice be our shield and Defender' and 'Firm we stand to defend''.
All this we learned and will never forget, even though today in our land there is murder and prison for the men who practice the ideas taught to them since the cradle.
We were born in a free country that our parents bequeathed to us, and the country will first burn to ashes before we consent to be the slaves of anyone.
It seemed that Kimathi would die during his trial. And all his valiant comrades, the fathers of our land. It seemed that his memory would be extinguished forever. So great was the affront! But he is alive; he did not die. His people are rebellious. His people are worthy. His people are faithful to his memory. There are Kenyans who have fallen defending his doctrines. There are young men who in magnificent selflessness came to die beside his tomb, giving their blood and their lives so that he could keep on living in the heart of his nation. Kenya, what would have become of you had you let Kimathi die?
Many who have thought like me have died young, poor and miserable. Others have been driven into insanity, exile or detention. Many more have joined the rank and file of stealing honour, justice and killing freedom and patriotism. It is understandable that honest men should be dead or in prison in a Republic where the President is a criminal and a thief, the police force is riddled with madness and corruption, the Judiciary is dead to morallity and legality, Parliament is a market of thieves and vile sycophants, Laws are hawked like rotten bananas, the Prime Minister is worth less talking about, the Cabinet is a negation of God erected into a system of government.
It does not matter. I will uphold the principles that were taught to me at my mother's breast, I will keep the spirit of Kimathi- the Architect of our Patriotism, and will do all within my power to put this country on the road to Justice, Prosperity, Happiness, Equality, Peace and true Greatness. History will absolve me.
We are Kenyans and to be Kenyan implies a duty; not to fulfill that duty is a crime, is treason. We are proud of the history of our country; we learned it in school and have grown up hearing of freedom, justice and human rights. We were taught to venerate the glorious example of our heroes and martyrs. Kimathi, Koitalel, Menza, Muge and Muliro were the first names engraved in our minds.
We were taught that the Titan once said that liberty is not begged for but won with the blade of a machete. We were taught that for the guidance of Kenya's free citizens, the MauMau taught: 'The man who abides by unjust laws and permits any man to trample and mistreat the country in which he was born is not an honorable man ...
In the world there must be a certain degree of honor just as there must be a certain amount of light. When there are many men without honor, there are always others who bear in themselves the honor of many men. These are the men who rebel with great force against those who steal the people's freedom, that is to say, against those who steal honor itself. In those men thousands more are contained, an entire people is contained, human dignity is contained ...
We were taught that the 20th of October and the 12th of December are glorious anniversaries of national rejoicing because they mark days on which Kenyans rebelled against the yoke of infamous colonialism.
We were taught to cherish and defend the beloved flag of the shield and two spears, and to sing every afternoon the verses of our National Anthem: Justice be our shield and Defender' and 'Firm we stand to defend''.
All this we learned and will never forget, even though today in our land there is murder and prison for the men who practice the ideas taught to them since the cradle.
We were born in a free country that our parents bequeathed to us, and the country will first burn to ashes before we consent to be the slaves of anyone.
It seemed that Kimathi would die during his trial. And all his valiant comrades, the fathers of our land. It seemed that his memory would be extinguished forever. So great was the affront! But he is alive; he did not die. His people are rebellious. His people are worthy. His people are faithful to his memory. There are Kenyans who have fallen defending his doctrines. There are young men who in magnificent selflessness came to die beside his tomb, giving their blood and their lives so that he could keep on living in the heart of his nation. Kenya, what would have become of you had you let Kimathi die?
Many who have thought like me have died young, poor and miserable. Others have been driven into insanity, exile or detention. Many more have joined the rank and file of stealing honour, justice and killing freedom and patriotism. It is understandable that honest men should be dead or in prison in a Republic where the President is a criminal and a thief, the police force is riddled with madness and corruption, the Judiciary is dead to morallity and legality, Parliament is a market of thieves and vile sycophants, Laws are hawked like rotten bananas, the Prime Minister is worth less talking about, the Cabinet is a negation of God erected into a system of government.
It does not matter. I will uphold the principles that were taught to me at my mother's breast, I will keep the spirit of Kimathi- the Architect of our Patriotism, and will do all within my power to put this country on the road to Justice, Prosperity, Happiness, Equality, Peace and true Greatness. History will absolve me.
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