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
