Tuesday 14 May 2013

A CITIZEN’S VIEW OF OTHER CITIZENS



As a born, bred and legally accepted patriot of my country, I would like to exercise my right to opinion and expression when conveying this article on other citizens in reference to the much concluded march 4th 2013 elections that rocked our country into submission and brought great sadness to the losers and much glee to the winners.
The elections in itself, truth be told its own strengths and challenges from the preparations, process and delivery. What with voters being educated on the new systems of government and the roles they’ll play, their rights as citizens on how to vote, different organizations promoting peace to evade another PEV (post election violence) from happening, election clerks being trained on how to use the electronic voting machines and how to aid voters who were to face challenges, the IEBC posting and conveying the winning and losing results got from each county and constituencies of the votes cast and us; the citizens of this beautiful land Kenya, waiting with bated breath to hear the winners emerging from our respective counties in the seven day period post the elections.
From my observations before and after the elections, there emerged different categories of citizens classed by the impact, techniques and performance they made and took part in as viewed on media outlets and community. These are: 1) The loyalists, 2) The followers, 3) The reformers, 4) The egocentrics, and 5) The handlers.
The loyalists are those that stood and still stand firm with their support for a political figure or newbie in politics or other whether by being partisan, have similar ideologies and views, or tribe. They are not easily swayed by the masses into crossing over to the other side; true party patriots and believers. They tend to border the radical scale when faced with apparent opposition and consider those not with them to be saddo; don’t respect them and think their behavior or ideas to be ridiculous per se. They give full support and render their services willingly for the betterment of those they’re loyal to.
The followers are those that got/are influenced based on a particular person, group or belief. They don’t necessarily have to belong to any group or movement in order to render their support, but do so for their own advantage. These are the party hoppers; whether you’re a politician or a common mwananchi; the tribalists and dependants; be it a church denomination, elder or family head. Most of them don’t want/like asking too many questions that broach the subject of deeper thinking and trust of one’s person, group or belief. And if they’re tempted out of curiosity to ask these questions, they satisfy their minds with the grandiose response meted out by their superiors without further research whether the admired party, persona will act always consistently, tactfully and sensibly.
The reformers are the citizens that promoted/made change whether great or small to improve something in the law or society itself. They strive (d) hard to make a difference and create a much better Kenya, promoting peace, equality, human rights and harmony in the country. As they say, you can’t have peace without harmony and vice versa. Martha Karua for me is one true trailblazer. She’s always been and still is a true advocate for women. And she stood tall among all men to vie for the presidential candidature. To the artists and thespians that scored the counties in the fight to promote peace also proved their worth by educating the citizens on the dangers and consequences of instigating and perpetrating violence through songs and drama. They also promoted self-worth and individual change with the quote; If I cannot be an atom in the element of change, who’s going to hear me if I don’t speak.
The egocentrics were/are those that thought highly of themselves already celebrating on a win they weren’t even sure of; those that were dealt a blow by the votes cast because they thought only of themselves and their own wants without any consideration of their people; those that thought they’d gain something from the elections but got; as a business person, consumer or dependant. Those that can’t and won’t accept defeat, even with lack of evidence to support their case; those that relied/rely on elections/campaign seasons to earn a quick buck and at the end, have nothing to show for it; those that laughed at the opposition and are now crying over their folly ways, and lastly those that boasted and demeaned their neighbors and friends and are now hiding their faces or walking in the dark so they aren’t easily seen. There’s no shame in having your views and opinions about anything as long as it doesn’t hurt a thing or person’s credibility.
Finally, the handlers, I’ve got give it to these guys. They are the brains, helping hands, security team, supporters and directors behind the scenes, they worked/work day and night with only little respite to achieve their goal. Whether it was to write speeches, protect their assigned parties, keep their beliefs and influencing others to join, managing the day to day activities and stress levels that came/come with elections and their campaigns, and posting and distributing flyers and adverts to media houses and fellow citizens; remember how you went to sleep one day and wake up the next to be bombarded with them of different candidates vying for one seat or other, yep! That was them peoples doing it. Big-up to these guys for keeping the fire burning.
These views are not to be used to incite, instigate, perpetrate and promote violence, but to render my honest opinion. Read, understand, laugh and comment, better yet tell which category befits which set of people.

Article by
Caroline Mbinda
Group 2 Alumni