Where did all the great speeches go?

By Kenfrey Kiberenge

When Mwai Kibaki was sworn-in as the third president of Kenya on December 30, 2002, he delivered a speech out of this world — at least by local standards.

When he boomed out the words: "I feel extremely happy to address you today… I am overwhelmed by your love... You have renewed my hope and strengthened my belief in the greatness of this country.

Tom Mboya


Now, all of us, both young and old, men and women, Kenyans of every ethnic group, race or creed, have embarked on a journey to a promising future with unshakeable determination and faith in God and in ourselves," the country was eager to hear the rest of the over 1,900-word speech.

Those who did not make it to Uhuru Park to witness the birth of the National Rainbow Coalition Dream huddled around TVs and radios to hear the speech that many said captured the aspirations of the nation.

Only once before, observers say, had the country been so captured by a speech, especially from a local politician. The other was founding father’s speech when Kenya attained self-rule in 1963.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga tried his skills in 2007 when he launched his manifesto and in his acceptance speech after being picked as the ODM torchbearer in the run-up to the 2007 General Election.

Today, speeches ignite little enthusiasm. Often, Kenyans start dozing when politicians start reading their drab, colourless speeches. Many hardly remember a word of such speeches and get impatient when politicians insist on taking them through ‘boringly worded verbiage’.

President Kibaki appears to have a template speech during national celebrations that predictably opens with the words, "Fellow Kenyans," and subsequent paragraphs generous on the phrase "My Government".

On his part, the PM’s attempts to deliver a speech at any public function are usually met with shouts of "Wachana na hiyo" (Leave that alone) from an impatient crowd urging him to make off-the-cuff remarks.

Unknown to many Kenyans, on August 5, during the brief celebrations of the ‘Yes’ victory at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Raila had a prepared speech but, could only find space for it in his official website.

Unsurprisingly, beginning with the words: "Fellow Kenyans," the speech went on: "Change has finally come to our land. It has come because we refused to give up. It has come because finally, we agreed to work together."

The victory speech was carefully worded: "If there is anyone out there who still doubts whether the dreams of the founders of our nation are still with us, who still questions our people’s thirst for a better country and democracy, who still questions whether Kenyans really want a break with the past, today we have the answer."

But what his speechwriter might not have told the PM is that the template was lifted from US President Barack Obama’s victory speech in Chicago, Illinois, on November 5, 2008.

Founding father Jomo Kenyatta is said to have had good oratory skills.　

Obama said: "If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."

To say the least, little can be said of our current leaders’ oratory skills compared to the first president, Jomo Kenyatta.

Memorable speeches

Thirty-two years after his death, many Kenyans still remember his vigour and punch as he delivered speeches that were heavy on the phrase "Ndugu zanguni".

His son, deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta has attempted to show he is a chip off the old block, but with little success.

Former Vice-President Michael Kijana Wamalwa used to do a great job on the podium with his Queen’s English.

Perhaps the few memorable speeches from public figures are by Tom Mboya and Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission boss PLO Lumumba.

In anticipation for the big day on August 27 at Uhuru Park when the new Constitution will be promulgated, Kenyans hope for speeches that will capture their aspiration and remain etched in their minds, with memorable expressions that capture the mood of the moment.

President Kibaki is expected to give a memorable speech next Friday. Photos: File/Standard


Borrowing a leaf

In a letter to the editor published by The Standard during the week, Terewa Buhere of Mombasa asked local leaders to emulate Martin Luther King Jnr and move the crowds with powerful words.

"A gifted orator, King could engage his audience and plant a message deep in their hearts and mind. King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech reverberates today as it did more than four decades ago.

"Fine orators not only know exactly what people want to hear, they also know how and when to say it," said Buhere.

Buhere urged President Kibaki and Raila as they prepare for the historic promulgation of the new Constitution, to "treat us to memorable speeches that will leave a legacy".

But Naomi Mugure of Nairobi says: "Unless we invite Obama to come and give the keynote address, otherwise I don’t see anything that will be remembered speech-wise after the event," she said.

Kijana Wamalwa

Perhaps Medical Services Minister Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o and his Energy ministry counterpart Kiraitu Murungi, who word has it, may have played a part in writing Kibaki’s inaugural speech, should take up the challenge to capture the spirit of the moment.