What does Kibaki need protecting from?
By DOMINIC WAMUGUNDA
Posted Saturday, July 7 2012 at 18:46
Posted Saturday, July 7 2012 at 18:46
Simple concepts are ordinarily loaded with meaning. That is why pronouncements that may sound innocent and are probably just meant to create conversation tend to catch my eye.
One such pronouncement was made last weekend and it has not only confirmed my worst fears but also left me worried about the future of Kenya.
One would have to think that Musalia Mudavadi — together with those who are propelling him in Central Province — is totally incapable of understanding the signs of the times, or that he has absolutely no regard for the intelligence of fellow Kenyans.
It is either these two alternatives or maybe those of us who have never tasted aristocratic living are totally in the dark — and it is quite likely we are — about something that those in the know have to protect each other against. Could it possibly be us?
Mudavadi was reported as having told the people of Nyeri — Kibaki’s home turf — that in the event that he becomes president, he will protect Kibaki — and I suppose his family — in the same manner that Kibaki has protected Moi and his family. As I say, this statement confirmed my worst fears.
It called to mind the events of 2002 when Moi picked a “project” of his own that went against how others in his team — the Railas, the Kalonzos, the Saitotis (God rest his soul in peace), the Kamothos, and so on — would have wanted things to turn out. Could that also have been about protection?
What is it that anyone — president or not — has to be protected against? In our laws, there are provisions as to how a former president should be looked after.
I am also convinced that even if a former president enjoys better protection than any other ordinary Kenyan, it is only the rule of law that will ultimately protect all of us.
Why would there be a need for protection by an individual and not by the law that we “all” fought for, not to mention that many Kenyans died for?
The Mudavadis of this world are totally in denial as to the kind of Kenya we have become. Has he not seen the president’s appointments being overturned either by the Judiciary or by Parliament?
His mindset may still be that of days gone — and one would understand — but Kenya is in a new constitutional mood.
One only hopes that people who think like him are not seeking leadership to kill the gains of the new constitutional order.
Father Wamugunda is dean of students and sociology lecturer at the University of Nairobi wamugundaw@uonbi.ac.ke
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