Kenya stands out amongst most developing African countries for its resilient, innovative, diverse, savvy, patient, forgiving and intelligible populace. The Kenyan mass has underlying distinguishing features that cut the marks many classes above other nations in the same endowment categories, the immediate neighbours to the East being a classic example.
Whether studied economically, socially, politically or spiritually, the East African pillar that is Kenya embodies characteristics of a potential giant waiting to be realised with time.
A perfect illustration of Kenyan resilience in its raw form can be deduced clearly from the events that were experienced in the country in the 2007 general elections. This election period was different from all others and most bloody of all. The nation underwent the worst ethnic clashes of current times which left hundreds dead and thousands displaced. Despite the state of violence that the nation went through, it took Kenyans a few months to come round and realise how grave the taste of violence is and they let peace reign. Whereas racial tensions are still fife and a reality in Kenya even as this publication goes online, blame can not be placed on the Kenyan people entirely for events that happened at the 2007-8 violence and it is a conceded truth that leadership failure is the big culprit in all of this. The Hague is taking up the case up to this day and it is my sincere belief that justice will be served right. The Kenyan people can be said to be cohesive once more but we must be wary and alert of any political persuasions that might instigate selfish divisive motives in the lead up to the up coming 2012 elections or in the future for that matter.
The question of leadership is one that has to be asked and answers sought tirelessly. Who does it is immaterial to the argument but some answers must be sought if progress is to be realised. Kenyan politics, like most other elsewhere in the world is not free of corruption. It is sometimes labelled as graft, which to me often symbolises something more critical than just corruption, massive anaemic corruption. I believe this culture can be changed primarily by elected officials but have Kenyans not tried this? Innocent Kenyans have the drive to effect change whenever chance shows up at their doorsteps but change has continually eluded them far too often. What should serve as an attempt to act on this issue comes in the form of elections and these in recent times have only come by to replace corrupt regimes with less corrupt ones. Ultimately the elected officials troll their way to full-blown corruption as if it were routine. Wikileaks have recently released cables detailing corruption scandals in Kenya not to mention the much earlier Kroll Report which most would be familiar with.
Whilst the Kenyan population is very forgiving, it is also the hope of Kenyans that leaders will take a step to do something to stamp out corruption. Change for it to be effective will have to come from up the ranks but since this is not at all times forthcoming, Kenyans have to try to do it their way. I am not saying that what Kenyans should do is take up arms in protest, but they should take it upon themselves to make sure that they lead their lives in less and less corrupt ways in hope that the more people do the same that change will actually be visible. Kenyans must not wait for leaders to boss them into leading less corrupt lives but simple acts can mean great things. A simple admission of a speeding fine in place of a direct bribe to the traffic officer could be a possible starting point for instance.
Whilst Kenyans keep hearing of reports of multimillion shilling corruption or 'graft' cases, they must endeavour to working towards the change they so rightfully desire. The characteristic Kenyan boldness must not stop at winning athletic medals but it must also guide Kenyans to become the less corrupt nation it ought to be in order for it to prosper as a whole. Doing this might maybe, just maybe signal Kenyan leaders to take some form of action as Kenya celebrates its independence on December 12th.
Happy Jamhuri day Kenya.
