Live the spirit of a united kenya
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y7O857Q1jk
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Heri kujikwa kidole kuliko ulimi
Waswahili had it right Better to stumble with toe than toungue.. As son of Jomo reads the Billion shilling budget, we wait to see of the promises made by previous budget administrators of the fulfilments. It's a shame son of ouma , wanjiku, kiprono etc, will be glued to the radio, Tv and other media waiting for empty words. Kenyans have been made stepping stones for these gluttonous vitambis read Bwana mheshimiwa. Damn asses we have been made. What happened of the spirit to question, the fire to demand for what's ours? we have become indulgent to these pot bellied politicians. Kenyan politicians should eat the humble pie and admit that they have been taking us on a spiral ride. We have let impunity rule in paliament, in ourselves by watching in the side lines as these fisi go on a joyride on our behalf. Where are the jobs promised? where is the consititution ? where are our leaders when Kenyans are killing kenyans , indeed they have become readers as the seem to read this in the news.
Sad to read in the news just as our leaders will read that one of them Khwisero’s MP Evans Akula was car jacked. They will feign suprise of the increased crime rate, of the youth turning to crime because there are no jobs. Budget makers where are the jobs you promised when we put you inside the pigs belly house(Paliament)? Words....words......words....all empty words ,just as kenyans stomach are empty not by lack of words but by lack of food , jobs wee mshahara, poor roads. When you ride in your Prado, hummer, Benz ,range rover, I too ride in my bodaboda, my karaa, my mathree and on my bare foot. Yes Bwana mheshimiwa we seem to have similar tendencies, trends, wants, we crave for food, money, good roads, decreased crime the list goes on and on............However I crave for what is my right not what you are privilege for. Yes, I too cry when crime is high, when my relatives are dying of hunger, AIDS, poverty. My tears stream down my dry wrinkled face to the ground where they will water the earth, yours will steam your shiny waxed oiled face where they will be wiped by a white silk handikechief. Yes Bwana mheshimiwa we are the same we cry we bleed, my blood is red just like yours. I sleep in a shank one eye open fearing mungiki while you sleep in a bungalow kept safe by a security detail equal only to a sheiks. Yes we have similar problems ,only that we have different approaches and ONLY that you are privileged, while I'm NOT!
I will watch again as you seat in that royal house dozing, faking yeahs and stumping as you concur with son of Jomo reading once again those empty words just as many of his predecessors have done over the years. Heri kujiwa kidole kuliko ulimi. Bwana mhesimiwa eat the humble pie and give me what is my right not what you presume to be your privilege.
Bwana Mheshimiwa I too want to eat the pie, nimejikwa kidole na uvumilivu sina. Mswahili alinena Hapana marefu yasio na mwisho na mbio za sakafuni huishia ukingoni.
Hi Bwana mheshimiwa ni Mbiu ya mgambo ikilia kuna jambo. Wananchi is tired of being made your damn ass and being an ass to your empty rhetorics. Asante ya punda ni mateke, nawe kama punda watuchosha.
Sad to read in the news just as our leaders will read that one of them Khwisero’s MP Evans Akula was car jacked. They will feign suprise of the increased crime rate, of the youth turning to crime because there are no jobs. Budget makers where are the jobs you promised when we put you inside the pigs belly house(Paliament)? Words....words......words....all empty words ,just as kenyans stomach are empty not by lack of words but by lack of food , jobs wee mshahara, poor roads. When you ride in your Prado, hummer, Benz ,range rover, I too ride in my bodaboda, my karaa, my mathree and on my bare foot. Yes Bwana mheshimiwa we seem to have similar tendencies, trends, wants, we crave for food, money, good roads, decreased crime the list goes on and on............However I crave for what is my right not what you are privilege for. Yes, I too cry when crime is high, when my relatives are dying of hunger, AIDS, poverty. My tears stream down my dry wrinkled face to the ground where they will water the earth, yours will steam your shiny waxed oiled face where they will be wiped by a white silk handikechief. Yes Bwana mheshimiwa we are the same we cry we bleed, my blood is red just like yours. I sleep in a shank one eye open fearing mungiki while you sleep in a bungalow kept safe by a security detail equal only to a sheiks. Yes we have similar problems ,only that we have different approaches and ONLY that you are privileged, while I'm NOT!
I will watch again as you seat in that royal house dozing, faking yeahs and stumping as you concur with son of Jomo reading once again those empty words just as many of his predecessors have done over the years. Heri kujiwa kidole kuliko ulimi. Bwana mhesimiwa eat the humble pie and give me what is my right not what you presume to be your privilege.
Bwana Mheshimiwa I too want to eat the pie, nimejikwa kidole na uvumilivu sina. Mswahili alinena Hapana marefu yasio na mwisho na mbio za sakafuni huishia ukingoni.
Hi Bwana mheshimiwa ni Mbiu ya mgambo ikilia kuna jambo. Wananchi is tired of being made your damn ass and being an ass to your empty rhetorics. Asante ya punda ni mateke, nawe kama punda watuchosha.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Transformation of a kenyan politician
Hate,Bigotry, And Discrimination Among Kenyan politicians:
To understand how hate becomes a justification for violence, we must know what hate is. Hate is defined as the characterization of an individual due to his or her orientation, be it religion, color, gender among others. This characterization is used to deny the individual the basic rights, he or she is different and all means must be used to stop them from gaining access to the resources. Rules are made to deny this right. With this categorization separation(majimbo) is deemed perfect by the marginalised . Force is used to justify this in that this less human class must be contained lest it becomes contagious to civilization. Thus some Kenyan communities falling victim to this.
For groups to be socially constructed there must be a recognizable difference from the rest of the population, here we find characterization arising from customs, traditional rites, among others. There is a distinctive category that makes the group unique. These are the differences and roles that make up the society. Our affiliation makes the categorization unique in that, others, able to identify what we are, we can then be singled out. This is what make the tribes unique. Social construction is further used to determine where we are placed in the society and this is important as a means of checking whether there is equal distribution of resources, in Kenya there is inequality in national wealth distribution leading to well deep rooted suspicions among marginalized communities and in the economic gap. Rich Vs poor. The conflict arises , with the rich getting richer and the poor trying to be rich. Social economic gap brings about conflict. this shift,gap is well exploited by politicians to make their points, reason why we see a lot of political thuggery .The young unemployed lured by promises of money and positions. The emergence of young men in fight mode (mt Elgon, Mungiki). The Kenyan politician now seen as a rights advocate. Ready to fight and die for the course , though he never spills any. The young mostly young adults dying for selfish goals.
Bigotry:First we need to understand what this is in order to see why it is so easily and readily used anytime a crisis,or election time nears. Bigotry is stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own. People use various means to justify their actions, Kenyan politicians are no exception,, bigotry is one action. Many Kenyan politicians are out of touch with the mwananchi and at time its too late when they realize that they need the same mwananchi for votes. They get into panic mode. This brings out the monster we see, the zeal to reach out, the alliances, the secret kamukunjis and the tribal shifts. If you do not agree with me then you are my enemy. Political intolerance has led to strive. Some questions one might ask now are ,would you let a Kikuyu continue to be president? would you let a a Luo be president? Kenyans have learned to play the tribal card, this is seen when there is perceived threat from the other tribe be it true or perceived. Tribal imbalance is seen when the other tribes are numerically insignificant and ,or economically and politically weak .The 'bigger' tribes also fall victim to bigotry by their conception that they will lose every thing of the smaller tribes unite and rule. They become withdrawn when the (opposite) Small groups unite and they become an actual or potential threat to the status quo.
There is a lot of suspicion from all spectrum's of tribes in Kenya and this depends on whom you ask to tell about the other tribe or group. This suspicion has fueled theories about the other group and we find these theorists having followers ready to embrace their fanatical views. As much as we would wish that hate was on the decline, fanatics( read Kenyan politicians) have always challenged us to think otherwise, and as long as there will be differences in social structure hate will keep on evolving and taking another name. Mpende jirani, and baniani baya kiatu chake dawa, Kenyans should learn to tolerate one another and learn that our unique differences make Kenya what it is, a diverse nation proud in its roots.
A look at a Kenyan politician as a human being: Human beings put self-esteem as one motivator that gives them the drive to succeed. With enhanced, self-esteem one can then feel good of themselves. We act the way we do to maintain the esteem, this gives us the various mannerism that we must keep to be who we are. Self-esteem gives us an identity. Yes Kenyan politicians have to succeed, they appeal to us as they promise, as they walk with the common man not in their immaculate and gigantic 4 wheel suv's, but on foot in the chocking dust. Yes they pride themselves as humane. Yes Kenyan politicians are human we all know that and their sympathy, empathy justifies this. They will for one visit the churches, the mosques, pay the hospital bills and even visit widows in stage managed and media covered events This is the political mannerism, high gear for survival.
Hatemongers and use of bigotry among Kenyan politicians: Kenyans can live to accommodate one another, they have done so for years. The question one would ask is why then do we have such political,economic, social inequality? The national cake has always been cut unequally. Some provinces have been marginalised because members of certain communities are not fit, they have opposed the would be establishment, or as others would say "are not satisfied". To me I feel that the main problem in Kenya have been the politicians, they have become tools of evil. If you don't like my idea then you are my enemy. There is a lot of political intolerance,enmity and hatred. They then become hatemongers, they incite others to hatred and to prejudice. Tribal stereotyping become common, Kikuyu's are thieves ,rooters, Luos are not 'cut', mwambao people are lazy etc. The politician then feels that they owe more allegiance to the clan, the tribe the community. Nationalism ,patriotism goes down the drain. To forge these tribal appeals the politician feels that he must belong to their people, they must take their people to Canaan,they become unstoppable in their zeal. They want to be remembered as having done something ,they are Moses. Another group emerges they want to join the fight for"freedom". To fight they must to survive. They are the sycophants, the hate mongers used as toll to spread the word about Canaan,the unseen promise. To them the end justifies the mean.
They tend to focus on the weaknesses of their victims to exaggerate on their strengths and accomplishments. They have a sense of power and feel that they are fighting for a just course.The act of alienating others has some economic and status advantages that can only be achieved once they win.
Political Prostituting and infighting: Power shifts in Kenya is a survival tactic . We have so many political parties but ask me no ideologies. No manifestos, the political leaders behaving like pimps they solicits for votes in return for a share of the national cake once they win. To succeed they blame others for what they have not done. Defections are dehumanizing and potray us as misfits not woth voting for.
Kenyan politician should mature and be who we expect them to be statesmen worth emulation not thugs, pimps,political prostitute. We Kenyans should also learn to read history and see that the evil tools being used today have never worked bigotry, hate, discrimination divide and condemn and should not divide us despite our unique differences, these differences make us what we are a diverse and proud nation. Kenya Pamoja twajenga.
To understand how hate becomes a justification for violence, we must know what hate is. Hate is defined as the characterization of an individual due to his or her orientation, be it religion, color, gender among others. This characterization is used to deny the individual the basic rights, he or she is different and all means must be used to stop them from gaining access to the resources. Rules are made to deny this right. With this categorization separation(majimbo) is deemed perfect by the marginalised . Force is used to justify this in that this less human class must be contained lest it becomes contagious to civilization. Thus some Kenyan communities falling victim to this.
For groups to be socially constructed there must be a recognizable difference from the rest of the population, here we find characterization arising from customs, traditional rites, among others. There is a distinctive category that makes the group unique. These are the differences and roles that make up the society. Our affiliation makes the categorization unique in that, others, able to identify what we are, we can then be singled out. This is what make the tribes unique. Social construction is further used to determine where we are placed in the society and this is important as a means of checking whether there is equal distribution of resources, in Kenya there is inequality in national wealth distribution leading to well deep rooted suspicions among marginalized communities and in the economic gap. Rich Vs poor. The conflict arises , with the rich getting richer and the poor trying to be rich. Social economic gap brings about conflict. this shift,gap is well exploited by politicians to make their points, reason why we see a lot of political thuggery .The young unemployed lured by promises of money and positions. The emergence of young men in fight mode (mt Elgon, Mungiki). The Kenyan politician now seen as a rights advocate. Ready to fight and die for the course , though he never spills any. The young mostly young adults dying for selfish goals.
Bigotry:First we need to understand what this is in order to see why it is so easily and readily used anytime a crisis,or election time nears. Bigotry is stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own. People use various means to justify their actions, Kenyan politicians are no exception,, bigotry is one action. Many Kenyan politicians are out of touch with the mwananchi and at time its too late when they realize that they need the same mwananchi for votes. They get into panic mode. This brings out the monster we see, the zeal to reach out, the alliances, the secret kamukunjis and the tribal shifts. If you do not agree with me then you are my enemy. Political intolerance has led to strive. Some questions one might ask now are ,would you let a Kikuyu continue to be president? would you let a a Luo be president? Kenyans have learned to play the tribal card, this is seen when there is perceived threat from the other tribe be it true or perceived. Tribal imbalance is seen when the other tribes are numerically insignificant and ,or economically and politically weak .The 'bigger' tribes also fall victim to bigotry by their conception that they will lose every thing of the smaller tribes unite and rule. They become withdrawn when the (opposite) Small groups unite and they become an actual or potential threat to the status quo.
There is a lot of suspicion from all spectrum's of tribes in Kenya and this depends on whom you ask to tell about the other tribe or group. This suspicion has fueled theories about the other group and we find these theorists having followers ready to embrace their fanatical views. As much as we would wish that hate was on the decline, fanatics( read Kenyan politicians) have always challenged us to think otherwise, and as long as there will be differences in social structure hate will keep on evolving and taking another name. Mpende jirani, and baniani baya kiatu chake dawa, Kenyans should learn to tolerate one another and learn that our unique differences make Kenya what it is, a diverse nation proud in its roots.
A look at a Kenyan politician as a human being: Human beings put self-esteem as one motivator that gives them the drive to succeed. With enhanced, self-esteem one can then feel good of themselves. We act the way we do to maintain the esteem, this gives us the various mannerism that we must keep to be who we are. Self-esteem gives us an identity. Yes Kenyan politicians have to succeed, they appeal to us as they promise, as they walk with the common man not in their immaculate and gigantic 4 wheel suv's, but on foot in the chocking dust. Yes they pride themselves as humane. Yes Kenyan politicians are human we all know that and their sympathy, empathy justifies this. They will for one visit the churches, the mosques, pay the hospital bills and even visit widows in stage managed and media covered events This is the political mannerism, high gear for survival.
Hatemongers and use of bigotry among Kenyan politicians: Kenyans can live to accommodate one another, they have done so for years. The question one would ask is why then do we have such political,economic, social inequality? The national cake has always been cut unequally. Some provinces have been marginalised because members of certain communities are not fit, they have opposed the would be establishment, or as others would say "are not satisfied". To me I feel that the main problem in Kenya have been the politicians, they have become tools of evil. If you don't like my idea then you are my enemy. There is a lot of political intolerance,enmity and hatred. They then become hatemongers, they incite others to hatred and to prejudice. Tribal stereotyping become common, Kikuyu's are thieves ,rooters, Luos are not 'cut', mwambao people are lazy etc. The politician then feels that they owe more allegiance to the clan, the tribe the community. Nationalism ,patriotism goes down the drain. To forge these tribal appeals the politician feels that he must belong to their people, they must take their people to Canaan,they become unstoppable in their zeal. They want to be remembered as having done something ,they are Moses. Another group emerges they want to join the fight for"freedom". To fight they must to survive. They are the sycophants, the hate mongers used as toll to spread the word about Canaan,the unseen promise. To them the end justifies the mean.
They tend to focus on the weaknesses of their victims to exaggerate on their strengths and accomplishments. They have a sense of power and feel that they are fighting for a just course.The act of alienating others has some economic and status advantages that can only be achieved once they win.
Political Prostituting and infighting: Power shifts in Kenya is a survival tactic . We have so many political parties but ask me no ideologies. No manifestos, the political leaders behaving like pimps they solicits for votes in return for a share of the national cake once they win. To succeed they blame others for what they have not done. Defections are dehumanizing and potray us as misfits not woth voting for.
Kenyan politician should mature and be who we expect them to be statesmen worth emulation not thugs, pimps,political prostitute. We Kenyans should also learn to read history and see that the evil tools being used today have never worked bigotry, hate, discrimination divide and condemn and should not divide us despite our unique differences, these differences make us what we are a diverse and proud nation. Kenya Pamoja twajenga.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Role of religion in kenyan politics
The catholic church in Kenya has been under intense heat over the majimboism debate. the question arises as to what is religion and politics from an African perspective. Both have been synonymous with one another that a divide at times lack. This though may vary within the different communities, as some had no clear leader with elder councils welding most powers. Others had chiefs while others depended on traditional healers as the mediators between their people and their deity.
Conflicts and other major decisions were solved amicably leaving all parties satisfied, religion was a way of life , a model for the communities survival and one that unified the people with their deity, that sinning or going against the set norms was a clear separation of one from the community and a the deity. Severe penalties were set, and ex communication for certain taboos also occurred. This is a just system and communities respected them. The people and their God co existed, there were signs for to the people from their Gods for any unpleasantness. droughts floods, diseases were some of the signs. According to the oxford English dictionary religion is:
"• noun 1 the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods. 2 a particular system of faith and worship. 3 a pursuit or interest followed with devotion. " http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/orexxligion?view=uk
The three concept herein mentioned conform with beliefs held by various traditional thoughts across the African religion.
Governess: As mentioned above the way of life was molded and modeled on the religious thought and beliefs. What is politics and how does it impact on the the African traditional belief?
Again I will go to the English meaning of the word without going to the roots of the word;
Politics:....... • plural noun usu. treated as sing. 1 the activities associated with governing a country or area, and with the political relations between states. 2 a particular set of political beliefs or principles. 3 activities aimed at gaining power within an organization: office politics. 4 the principles relating to or inherent in a sphere or activity, especially when concerned with power and status: the politics of gender.http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/politics?view=uk
One can clearly see that separation of authorities is none as the African belief was the mode of governing and the principles set were aimed at unifying, thus one opposing the norms was going against God and the community. The desire to question the authority ie:council of elders , chiefs, or any other revered personality was questioning ones existence in the set group. Severe repercussions followed, with the most severe death or ex communication.
The introduction of foreign religions , "read Christianity"disrupted the norm. The divorce from the traditional way of life have created a confusion clearly seen by the inability of the Kenyan people to unite and be one. The various missionary groups introduced in various part of the country led to suspicion. With the break of the protestant church from the main catholic church and the spread of Christianity in Europe Christians held one another in suspicion. This can be seen in Kenya with the concentration of major churches in different regions, hatred amongst the missionary groups can also be accountable for the deep suspicion within Kenyan communities.
The African way of life was one of Religious pluralism ,with so many beliefs yet peace reigned, prosperity seen as ones fulfilment with the supreme. Religious pluralism within the African religion is often seen as a form of Ecumenism with each belief not superior to the other, with the co existence of the various deities in complete harmony with each other. It was a form of unity, that led to the clear understanding of the other community. With this said why the so many conflicts within the traditional way of life, belief and so on . Advocates of Cultural relativism would argue that ones beliefs are only relevant and should be interpreted in that's individuals cultural concept and not from a global view of co existence. To me this is wrong, Africans have always respected others beliefs. This can be seen by the way sacred areas , sites ,were revered by other communities, it was a taboo to trespass to these grounds, cleansing and other rituals had to be performed to ward of the calamities that might afflict the trespassers community. appeasing the deities was a way of life continued co existence.
It is always said that Europeans conquered Africa with a bible on one hand and a gun on the other.
For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 1 Timothy 4:9-10
Traditional beliefs were seen as witchcraft ,ungodly Antichrist and anti westernization. Africans submissiveness to their Deity's was used to promote the new religion. salvation was only through baptism and one was deemed more crosser to God by the adoption of western names, thus the new Johnston's,Daniels, Emilio's, Charles's' etc that now clutter the Kenyan nation. Education as tool of modernity: Do teaching of English as a national language deter the growth of vernacular amongst Kenyans? Yes. We tend to believe that the more English we learn the more western and more educated we are, this is mediocre. To me vernacular is my pride. It is the language of the deity, to me it is language the finite can actually communicate with the infinite it is the language of the Gods. One that unites one with God, a community to its source and one that identifies one from another knowing that in spite of the differences we are one . Batter trades is a prove that we all can co exist despite the different argots.
African generosity in Kenya led to the Resentment now seen today in Kenya with various revolts against the main stream churches especially the protestant churches like the CPK, PCEA and the Catholic church. We have seen the emergence of mushrooming evangelical churches and another school of thought that thinks that reverting to the traditional way of life is the answer.
What is the role of religion in Kenya. The catholic church has a right to get involved in educating the masses on the course to charge. Truth is we cannot dismiss Christianity, Islam as mere tools for reconciling us with the almighty. New found devoutness are here to stay. They are a way of life and have a right to be heard. The church (religion)has taken the role of the mediator as our leaders have taken the masses for granted, traditional African leaders listened to the traditional preachers, healers and others that communicated with the deity. Our leaders are deaf to the cries of the people, the once revered august house has become a house of gourmands. Debates worse than school debates. What happened to the once fabulous debates full of issues content worth for ? The government and the opposition are the same , it is a matter of who can eat with some little bit of "humility". To me Kenyans just follow the demagogue, the one that shouts the most as evident from previous elections. Who arouses the masses most. Have you ever thought of questioning the ideologies of the various presidential candidates, where do they stand on issues. When the Imams ask of the Muslim rights, what are the answers? What are you going to do with the millions of young Kenyans without jobs ? We as Kenyans need to root out political sycophancy , the demagogues, the tribal mischievous, the non achievers. Do not just let politicians tell you that they will come with an answer once they win. It's you as the Kenyan that should win and you can only make a choice by voting, to me this is the greatest tool unused by the Kenyan population.
YES the church just as any media has a right to question. Just as you. VOTE! Shame, shame, shame to the current bunch of the political wannabes .
I stop challenged .
This is a Kenyans thought.
Conflicts and other major decisions were solved amicably leaving all parties satisfied, religion was a way of life , a model for the communities survival and one that unified the people with their deity, that sinning or going against the set norms was a clear separation of one from the community and a the deity. Severe penalties were set, and ex communication for certain taboos also occurred. This is a just system and communities respected them. The people and their God co existed, there were signs for to the people from their Gods for any unpleasantness. droughts floods, diseases were some of the signs. According to the oxford English dictionary religion is:
"• noun 1 the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods. 2 a particular system of faith and worship. 3 a pursuit or interest followed with devotion. " http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/orexxligion?view=uk
The three concept herein mentioned conform with beliefs held by various traditional thoughts across the African religion.
Governess: As mentioned above the way of life was molded and modeled on the religious thought and beliefs. What is politics and how does it impact on the the African traditional belief?
Again I will go to the English meaning of the word without going to the roots of the word;
Politics:....... • plural noun usu. treated as sing. 1 the activities associated with governing a country or area, and with the political relations between states. 2 a particular set of political beliefs or principles. 3 activities aimed at gaining power within an organization: office politics. 4 the principles relating to or inherent in a sphere or activity, especially when concerned with power and status: the politics of gender.http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/politics?view=uk
One can clearly see that separation of authorities is none as the African belief was the mode of governing and the principles set were aimed at unifying, thus one opposing the norms was going against God and the community. The desire to question the authority ie:council of elders , chiefs, or any other revered personality was questioning ones existence in the set group. Severe repercussions followed, with the most severe death or ex communication.
The introduction of foreign religions , "read Christianity"disrupted the norm. The divorce from the traditional way of life have created a confusion clearly seen by the inability of the Kenyan people to unite and be one. The various missionary groups introduced in various part of the country led to suspicion. With the break of the protestant church from the main catholic church and the spread of Christianity in Europe Christians held one another in suspicion. This can be seen in Kenya with the concentration of major churches in different regions, hatred amongst the missionary groups can also be accountable for the deep suspicion within Kenyan communities.
The African way of life was one of Religious pluralism ,with so many beliefs yet peace reigned, prosperity seen as ones fulfilment with the supreme. Religious pluralism within the African religion is often seen as a form of Ecumenism with each belief not superior to the other, with the co existence of the various deities in complete harmony with each other. It was a form of unity, that led to the clear understanding of the other community. With this said why the so many conflicts within the traditional way of life, belief and so on . Advocates of Cultural relativism would argue that ones beliefs are only relevant and should be interpreted in that's individuals cultural concept and not from a global view of co existence. To me this is wrong, Africans have always respected others beliefs. This can be seen by the way sacred areas , sites ,were revered by other communities, it was a taboo to trespass to these grounds, cleansing and other rituals had to be performed to ward of the calamities that might afflict the trespassers community. appeasing the deities was a way of life continued co existence.
It is always said that Europeans conquered Africa with a bible on one hand and a gun on the other.
For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 1 Timothy 4:9-10
Traditional beliefs were seen as witchcraft ,ungodly Antichrist and anti westernization. Africans submissiveness to their Deity's was used to promote the new religion. salvation was only through baptism and one was deemed more crosser to God by the adoption of western names, thus the new Johnston's,Daniels, Emilio's, Charles's' etc that now clutter the Kenyan nation. Education as tool of modernity: Do teaching of English as a national language deter the growth of vernacular amongst Kenyans? Yes. We tend to believe that the more English we learn the more western and more educated we are, this is mediocre. To me vernacular is my pride. It is the language of the deity, to me it is language the finite can actually communicate with the infinite it is the language of the Gods. One that unites one with God, a community to its source and one that identifies one from another knowing that in spite of the differences we are one . Batter trades is a prove that we all can co exist despite the different argots.
African generosity in Kenya led to the Resentment now seen today in Kenya with various revolts against the main stream churches especially the protestant churches like the CPK, PCEA and the Catholic church. We have seen the emergence of mushrooming evangelical churches and another school of thought that thinks that reverting to the traditional way of life is the answer.
What is the role of religion in Kenya. The catholic church has a right to get involved in educating the masses on the course to charge. Truth is we cannot dismiss Christianity, Islam as mere tools for reconciling us with the almighty. New found devoutness are here to stay. They are a way of life and have a right to be heard. The church (religion)has taken the role of the mediator as our leaders have taken the masses for granted, traditional African leaders listened to the traditional preachers, healers and others that communicated with the deity. Our leaders are deaf to the cries of the people, the once revered august house has become a house of gourmands. Debates worse than school debates. What happened to the once fabulous debates full of issues content worth for ? The government and the opposition are the same , it is a matter of who can eat with some little bit of "humility". To me Kenyans just follow the demagogue, the one that shouts the most as evident from previous elections. Who arouses the masses most. Have you ever thought of questioning the ideologies of the various presidential candidates, where do they stand on issues. When the Imams ask of the Muslim rights, what are the answers? What are you going to do with the millions of young Kenyans without jobs ? We as Kenyans need to root out political sycophancy , the demagogues, the tribal mischievous, the non achievers. Do not just let politicians tell you that they will come with an answer once they win. It's you as the Kenyan that should win and you can only make a choice by voting, to me this is the greatest tool unused by the Kenyan population.
YES the church just as any media has a right to question. Just as you. VOTE! Shame, shame, shame to the current bunch of the political wannabes .
I stop challenged .
This is a Kenyans thought.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Being Kenyan
Many times I have wondered what it is to be Kenyan? I have been asked many a time what it feels after seeing most marathon races in the world won by my country men. when I gather my wits to go cheer up the Kenyan runners I do so as a proud Kenyan not a kalenjin, kamba , luo name it. A co worker of mine (who is American) running the Boston marathon was intrigued to see a poster displayed on the running course reading "we are all kenyan at heart'. and she actually wanted to have a T-shirt with the same printed. yes I am kenyan at heart and patriotic at that. the question that rises is to most. What's being kenyan, where is the tribal divide and do I look up to you with the tribe affliation in mind? To me we should pride ourself by who we are not where we come from, the struggles we have made to be where we are. Are we mature enough as a nation to embrase all the rights of a full fredged democracy as america? YES we are! And in such freedom we demand to be free of all the hatred that have devided us kenyans for generations the suspicions of yester years should not blind and continue laying foundation to tensions. kenyan we need to grow up, with this I rest my case for the day
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