Referendum or not, we are all Kenyans first

By Gathenya Njaramba

After the Fifa 2010 World Cup spectacle in South Africa, attention switched to the 17th African Athletics Championships in Nairobi this past week.

Coming hot on the heels of our junior athletics team’s exploits in Moncton, Canada, cameras all over the globe were trained on Kenya for the last five days.

Many would want to know why Kenyans have such unrivalled talent in athletics. It has also been a golden opportunity for Nairobi and her environs to showcase the best they have to offer the world.

A recent survey by an international finance magazine named the ten fastest growing cities and ingredients fuelling the growth. The cities offer the highest quality of life and boast the lowest unemployment rates. Nairobi, the famed City in the Sun, is not among them.

What struck the researchers most was the ability of the top cities to generate new ideas and attract smart people.

Researchers noted total collaboration among the inhabitants. Professionals, the subordinate and even lay people in the ten cities rarely look down upon one another. Austin City in the US tops the list. The researchers were astounded by her dozens of business networks that help entrepreneurs achieve their potential.

At Austin, no one is considered an ‘extra’ or unwanted baggage. All citizens, be they cleaners, guards or drivers are important cogs.

The city can be classified as a classless society.

Nairobi, are you listening?

The renewed comradeship between President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga warms the heart. Equally, the heightened political sparring between the ‘Yes’ and the ‘No’ camps worries most peace-loving Kenyans.

For patriots who watched Kenya burn in early 2008, a repeat of a bungled election and subsequent clashes would be most hurting. Despite history suggesting the name Kenya could mean ‘God’s resting place’ many fear elections and their aftermath and are apprehensive of the referendum results.

To achieve real growth, Kenyans should embrace their diversity and use it to lift our neighbours clambering at the bottom rungs of the economic ladder.

As our athletes have shown on the track, let all Kenyans be mindful of one another and shun divisive contests.

The August 4 vote should not be allowed to sow seeds of discord like the 2005 plebiscite. After all, we will all remain Kenyans after the referendum.

— The writer is a sub-editor with The Standard.

gnjaramba@standardmedia.co.ke