The average proletarian doesn't have any problems with his oppressed counterpart from a different tribe - unless the ones his politician conjures up on his behalf and sends him to war over, while his (the politician's) and other bourgeoisie kids from the "contemptuous" lot drag race on government BMW's after a hard day of work stealing maize from famished granaries.
The real outrage, the blood which the gallant warriors of democracy who burnt women and children cowering in a church should be baying for, is that of their elected and selected leaders whose first order of business was to secure themselves a pay hike, exempt themselves from taxes, all the while remaining vehemently nonchalant on matters which could mean life or death to the average folk. I now hear that it is quite usual for MPs to trade votes for a few mils on the back alleys of parliament.
How is it that in a country whose per capita income is a measly $560/yr (14th poorest country in the world) the legislative members are paid $220,200/yr, over $390 times more than the per capita income while in one of the richest countries in the world, the US, legislative members get $174,000/yr only 4 times over the country's $41,770 per capita income? Isn't this where all the outrage, regardless of tribe, should be directed to?
I have seen US members of congress at the Capitol late at night carrying out house business, sometimes even sleeping in during filibuster motions...so their not so shabby check is oftentimes earned. What about our pot-bellied warlords and thieves? We have turned an institution whose allure should be the need to serve, the readiness to sacrifice for the greater good, into a lucrative haven for the most greedy and unsavory of characters.
It makes sense that during her formative years, the USA did not remunerate her founding fathers but rather only offered a $6.00 sitting allowance. Benjamin Franklin was completely opposed to the idea of compensating public servants. For that reason, when US needed men of honor and sacrifice most, she got exactly that. When Kenya - at this juncture of Armageddon -needs selfless leaders to steer us away from a catastrophe, we get goons who would have been making a comfortable living in the black market had politics not been as financially attractive.
And what are we think of the blogging groupies then, who perhaps don't get a share of the loot but fervently lick the boots of these masters nevertheless? What are we to think of the peasantry blind to this common enemy and instead allows itself to be drawn into a war amongst itself... against its interests?
It is so easy to give up on Kenya.
6 comments:
This is such well written honest and informative analysis of the irony in our blogs vis a vis the reality on the ground in Kenya. But i suspect some of the blog owners may as well be on some political parties payroll.
thats why they literally shut down and gag their critics when their political masters or their pawns are caught with their snouts in the public coffers but scream loudest when their 'sworn political enemies' are mentioned in a less saga.
is Kumekucha listening??
Rose
Rose, I hope they are because they do have an important tool in their hands but they have chosen to use it for destructive ends.
Cicero i was also amazed at the kind of hate going on at Kumekucha blogg. This is not acceptable. Tell me the difference between genocidal RTLM radio of Rwanda and Kumekucha ??.
Its such a grave issue of concern but Kumekucha can lest be assured that 15 yrs from now, he will not be enjoying his comfort just like the RTLM executives. How does one explain to his children that he works as a tribal chauvinist ??
Cicero i believe if i come here and find hate reply comments it will be because you also send out hate. Of course there are two or three occasions of such wayward reply but its not a consistent phenomenon like in KK. I cannot believe that Internet revolution is being used by same kenyans to destroy our country its so sad and grave
Like Rose i hope Kumekucha is listening
Thanks for stopping by, Kim.
I am at loss as to why they would deliberately take this barbaric approach. Are they sincere in their bigotry or merely playing up to the emotions such hateful posts elicit?
Notice how many hits the really incendiary posts receive while I could guarantee you that any constructive post would almost go answered.
Nice post, I have to give credit where it is due.
What is the solution though? We all know what ails the August house, how can we resolve it?
It is totally ridiculous that the Kenyan MP's don't pay taxes and are the so called legislators, whose duties entail passing and amending tax laws that affect their constituents.
Anon 8:45,
The very question that we should be asking ourselves every time we gripe, march, wave twigs, burn buses and buildings etc about our grievances...
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
No one man has the silver bullet and politicians and civil organizations will not help us sort out the mess. The only way is for mwananchi to have a forceful and fearful enough voice so that our complains are much more than just complains but words which must always and necessarily be followed by ACTIONS.
HOW?
I am working on a presentation on what I think could be a revolutionary way of engaging the public that will unite the passionate diaspora (no matter what they say about you wiping ass and whatever disparaging attacks you suffer, you have a right to care about your country)with the voiceless majority.
It is an idea, at least. Is it THE IDEA? I don't know. I have been known to build Taj Mahals in the air. But we are at a point in time where we are morally obliged to try in any way to make a difference.
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