The tragedy of Kenya is an undiluted product of the sit-tight mentality that African leadership have come to represent. When Joaquim Alberto Chissano became the first winner of the Mo Ibrahim prize for achievement in African leadership, I was very skeptical as to the ability of the award to produce at the most three more African leaders who can effectively match-up to the exploits of the former Mozambican leader.
The criteria with which candidates were selected for the award are based on Promotion of the rule of law, Economic opportunity, Political freedom, promotion of the rule of law, offering security to citizens amongst others. I honestly believe it would be easier finding a missing padlock in the middle of the Atlantic than finding a leader in Africa with these qualifications at present.
Well! My cynicism is being given life in the form of Mwai Kibaki of Kenya, who at present is attempting to carry forward the life-long gene of “sit-tightism” that has hitherto clamped down on any form of progress in the Continent of Africa.
Recently I read in the papers that Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika was contemplating making a constitutional amendment that will enable him run for an extended term in office, there is also the case of Robert Mugabe of Zimbabawe who has been the only leader the southern African country has known. Mugabe has spent all his youthful effort, which could have been used in uplifting his country, fighting resistance to his ambition of being life-president. He is the African enigma that has eluded comprehension. His case is made more astonishing, in that fellow African leaders seem to care less if he is killing his people or not. Foreign presidents have called for the removal of the “Beast of Rhodesia”, yet surprisingly no African leader has thought it wise to lend a voice in that respect.
The much respected South African leader, Thabo Mbeki also initiated a rather lame attempt at perpetuating himself in office, this was quickly done away with as the people rather accept an accused rapist that a man slowly I becoming inebriated with power.
We cannot so easily have forgotten how Olusegun Obasanjo right in the full glare of the Nigerian public sought to extend his tyranny by yet another four years, but his political opponents were able to whip up enough sentiment to stall his evil attempt.
There are also rumors that President John Kuffour of Ghana is also about to join the “league of extraordinarily ungentlemen”, as he is already harboring intention to extend his stay in office beyond the stipulated date.
All over Africa this crazy trend seems to exist where there is a seat of power. The continent has become known for its awkward leadership style and governmental approach rather than for anything else. This malaise is slowly spreading to the lower cadre of leadership in the continent.
In total honesty, The elections that were conducted in Kenya where no worse than that which Maurice Iwu and his assembly of diabolic fraudsters organized in Nigeria. But what I find interesting and I dare say commendable is the Kenyan people’s will and desire not to be taken for a political ride anymore.
Unlike the Nigerian experience, the Kenyan people decided to fight for their freedom, they stood up against the powers of the incumbent who had decided to subvert their will and wishes.
They chose not to murmur and grumble in their reticence, they decided for the sake of their future generations not to allow evil claim any form of space on the pedestal of their history.
They decided to stand up for the sake of morality against the enthronement of slavery; they chose to put their destinies in their hands. They decided to control the manner in which they will be ruled. They sought for a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
It is unfortunate lives were lost, more so innocent blood, but that was all the result of Mwai Kibaki’s devious intention to remain in power against the wishes of Majority of the electorate.
The attention of the world has now been drawn to the extensive evil that has been wrought in the country largely because the people decided to take a stand for their future. There is a popular saying that says; “if you don’t stand for anything you will fall for anything”. We fell for anything in the country, while the Kenyans stood up for something
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