It Is Not Too Late To Reclaim Our Nation’s Pride

On 8^th of August 2017, Kenyans went to the polls to elect leaders in various positions starting from Members of County Assemblies (MCA) to the President on a day that witnessed one of the remarkable turnouts in the country’s history.

During that historical day, one could clearly see, the enthusiasm, the eagerness, the patriotism and the urge for a new dawn in every eyeball of every Kenyan voter. Kenyans seemed united on that day all their votes mingled with each other in one ballot box.

After the results were announced, the presidential results were challenged in the Supreme Court as stated in Article 140 (1) of the Constitution of Kenya, “A person may file a petition in the Supreme Court to challenge the election of the President-elect with seven days after the date of the declaration of the results of the presidential election.” The Supreme Court, in its own wisdom, annulled the presidential election and ordered a repeat of fresh presidential elections within sixty days as stated in Article 140 (3) of the Constitution of Kenya.

After the nullification of the presidential election, Kenya became a battleground. Kenyans have been treated to one political drama to another. Our country’s diversity has been greatly ignored. In fact, diversity has been mistaken by many to mean tribalism. Kenya is a fully diversified society. The country has 44 tribes with different languages and cultures that have been known to blend, bringing out a stunning composition of a broad Kenyan culture.

Unfortunately, Kenyans have taken diversity to mean tribalism and instead of using it to be our strength, it has been our weakness and enemy number one. Some politicians, having realized the power of division along tribal lines, have capitalized on it, turning our diversity into enmity. What many Kenyans don’t know is that the more we are divided along tribal lines, mistaking our diversity to tribalism and weakness, the more profitable we are to some politicians and the more they make billions of shillings as we continue to wallow in poverty.

The Constitution of Kenya is very categorical in giving us the way forward on how the country should be in terms of national values and principles of governance. Article 10 (2) of the Constitution of Kenya states that the national values and principles of governance include –

(a) Patriotism, national unity, sharing and devolution of power, the rule of law, democracy and participation of the people;

(b) Human dignity, equity, social justice, inclusiveness, equality, human rights, non-discrimination, and protection of the marginalized;

(c) Good governance, integrity, transparency and accountability; and

(d) Sustainable development

On Thursday, 19^th October 2017, President Uhuru Kenyatta penned a very interesting and captivating letter that touched on the real issues that the country was facing. Without being seen as being affiliated with any political wing, this letter had contents that every Kenyan needs to read.

In the letter, the Head of State says, “Our current situation is not helping us. Things are slowing down. The economy is starting to take a hit. There are anxiety and uncertainty in the air. We are feeling it. Whether you are from the North, South, East or West of the country. The Kenyan economy is one economy. When Kenya slows down, it slows down for everyone.” Who doesn’t agree with this message? But of course, some people already dismissed the letter even before reading it. In the words of the President, “simply put, we need to get back to work.”

To get back to work, the Head of State says, and I agree with him, “We need to exercise our democratic right without fear. Because when you vote, peace wins. When you vote, progress wins. When you vote, Kenya wins.”

From the President’s letter, something came out very clear; that Kenya is not about Uhuru Kenyatta, that Kenya is not about Raila Odinga, that Kenya is about Kenyans.