Revolution is coming; are we ready for it?

By WILLIAM OCHIENGPosted Monday, March 7 2011 at 19:07

I would hate to see the Libyan or Egyptian type of revolution here in Kenya. The problem with unplanned revolutions is that no one can tell how and where it will end.

Very often, like in the case of the Bolshevik Revolution, it ends in the hands of unmitigated scoundrels. And it is one thing to watch a revolution from a distance, but another when you have it at your door-step.

Who really wishes to see a revolution in Kenya? Well, it is coming. We cannot pin down the date, but, for sure, with the escalating tribalism, greed and impunity amongst our leaders, it is coming.

Me, I will flee into the islands of Lake Victoria, and spend a swell time there.

And by the time we are over with it, even the wealthiest amongst us will find themselves penniless, in case they will still be alive – as a new class of cut-throats will be yodelling around with new loot.

Human societies are structured like bee-combs, cool, until perturbed, like the Kenyan communities have been perturbed since independence.

It is true that when Jomo Kenyatta and his team took over the management of independent Kenya, they were excited novices. They were not even democrats, since colonialism did not train Africans to be democrats.

But the big mistake which Kenyatta made was to disregard the previous Kanu manifestos, which had contained what the Kenyan masses wanted and expected.

Jomo ruled like a real tyrant, with the support of the Kiambu mafia. He manipulated the Constitution and ignored all the whimpers of ordinary Kenyans.

When Jomo died, he was succeeded by Moi, who spent most of his time scanning the plots and intrigues of his enemies.

In the process he alienated the original goodwill which he had started with. The big mistake which Moi made was to be a Nyayo philosopher. It meant carrying on his shoulders the detested policies which Kenyatta had left behind.

These included corruption, oppression, insensitivity, neglect, tribalism and disregard for universal human rights.

Despite a marvellous inauguration speech, President Kibaki did not depart from the famous footsteps of Jomo and Moi, and despite a new Constitution, he has kept fumbling.

There is mounting rage against poverty, unemployment, tribalism, and neglect.

As we have expanded university education, we have also produced a large body of graduates who are loitering in the villages and streets without employment.

Instead of turning their attention to these problems our MPs are daily engaged in myopic struggles with one another.

When eventually our youth overcome the barriers of tribalism, nothing will stop them from a revolutionary march towards State House.

The revolutionary revolt of the youth started in the United States, when they rebelled against America’s captive creeds, and elected a young African American as president.

The same spirit is active in the Middle East, and soon it will be here. Are our tribalist leaders ready for it?

Prof Ochieng’ teaches History at Maseno University.