Truly, did the priest lie?

OMG!!!!!What was that???? Surely it is trully a mad, mad world.

So weird!

Richard Mutungi

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Tel: 204-781-7253

Email: rmutungu1@shaw.ca

April 15, 2013

RE: KAMBA POLITICS: OPEN LETTER

Dear Kamba Community,

Now 2013
presidential election is over and the new president is in place as the Supreme
Court ruled out the winner, let’s appreciate the country wide peace that
Kenyans enjoyed during the election whether one won or lost and despite the
shortcomings that were experienced.

I take this
opportunity to congratulate you Kamba community for your solidarity in voting
in unity and expressing your political voice democratically. I applaud
brilliant diligence (statesmanship) of Wiper leadership of Mr. Kalonzo, Muthama and the rest of the steering
committee for their wise advice and uniting Kamba community.

The massage
was simple and clear, that the time is over and long gone are the days when
Kamba people used to be divided and used against each other. Personally I can’t
resist the urge of happiness of seeing Kamba people stand together against the
odds. Kamba community should not regret for loosing the election but rejoice
for making the right decision and standing together for what you believed in.
And so are other communities.

Let not
worry about the political defects or deviants because that is what democracy is
all about. It is time to stand up, regroup, pull each other together, keep
walking tall and keep your political dream alive. This is not time for finger
pointing or chest thumbing but time for recollection.

It is in
record that for a long time, Kamba community has been loyal and provided
unwavering support to the previous regimes holding power, from Kenyatta the senior
to Moi for 24 good years and lastly Kibaki 8 years in power. Several

occasions Kamba were even abused and attacked for voting and supporting a
certain presidential candidate of your choice. In the past you Kamba community
displayed a sense of liberalism, political nationalism and unselfishness by
voting other presidential candidates
outside your community to power. In fact you should know that there are some
communities that have never voted for other communities outside their own since
independence. That being the case and trend why should anyone dare question
your political stand? The fact that a party looses election does not mean it
should be disbanded or did not have the right political ideological vision and
will. In sports if a team looses to the
opponent team that does not mean is the end of it. It goes back to the drawing
table to prepare for the next tournament.

In a democratic government there is always the
Right and Left wing or opposition side. Periodically power changes hands among
Democratic, Republicans, Conservative and liberal parties. That is the
norm. After the elections the party
members stick to their respective parties they do not abandon their party
whenever they loose. The behavior of jumping from one party to another is not
only a disrespect to the supporters but an indication of lack of political
stance, bearing and philosophy.

Any
candidate behaving in such manner cannot be trusted and has no peoples interest
but his own. This kind of behavior demonstrates a total display of lack of
party loyalty and commitment. Supporters who are influenced by such a candidate
need political education. Under the
circumstances both the candidate and the supports should work hard to
strengthen their party. The party members should not follow such traitors and
political nomads (projects) blindly
but should disown them.

In the
contemporary politics the party leaders should know better that during such a
time the party is vulnerable and the external forces exploit the situation by
targeting the cheap and weak links (leaders) to lure them with goodies to
dismantle the party. In Kamba metaphor
(kwikiw’a mbemba makatoma OR kukwatw’a
na mata ta ndaa). The leaders
are accountable to the party members and should consult them before
defecting. In due respect, the party
leaders should listen to the voices, feelings and wishes of the supporters
before making certain political pronouncement. The party members are very
important political components that form the party and should not be
ignored. Party supporters are educated
on their political rights and constitutional participation. The instructions
and information flow should be dual/two way but not one way or one sided.

In 2013, you Kamba community made your own
choice based on your political philosophy and stance. As you have done it in
the past, please try to reach out to other communities as you seek second
political and economic liberation. It is not possible to enter in partnership
with other communities unless yourselves are
organized and united. It is time to spread the gospel of peace and unity in Ukambani. In my opinion Kamba community should stick to Wiper and CORD Alliance since it embraces a
wide spectrum of communities. As the saying goes “ better the devil you know.”

Kamba community has a
political history like any other community. Some of the known and prominent Kamba
leaders who fought colonialism /resistance were: Syokimau, Syotune wa Kathukye,
Muindi Mbingu, and later Paul Ngei, JD Kali, and Malu of Kilungu. Ngei and Kali
were imprisoned by the colonial government for their anti-colonial protests.
Syotune wa Kathukye led a peaceful protest to recover cattle confiscated by the
British colonial government during one of their raiding expeditions on the
local populations. Muindi Mbingu was arrested for leading another protest march
to recover stolen land and cattle around the Mua Hills in Masaku district,
which the British settlers eventually appropriated for themselves. JD Kali,
along with Paul Ngei, joined the Mau Mau movement to recover Kenya for the
Kenyan people. He was imprisoned in Kapenguria during the fighting between the
then government and the freedom fighters. In honour of these forefathers and to
carry the political cross, the present Kamba leaders should emulate them and
avoid being political sycophants.

As I search
my soul, trying to understanding which political direction Kenya is heading to,
it reminds me of Plato the Greek
philosopher. Plato described what we
called TMOCRATIC form of government as a
notch below the high idealistic form of aristocracy and comes into existence
chiefly due to the failure of the government to develop individuals who have
souls of gold. This degeneration gives rise to a leader who has the ideals of
an aristocrat but is also aware of the nature of power he has inherited. Plato
theorizes that the Timocratic man is the son of the aristocratic philosopher
king, having the education and learning of his father, but wanting to expand
his power by way of war and conquest. I quote.

Aristocracy according to Plato is
of the opinion that such aristocratic system works as a benevolent government,
seeking out the traits of these different classes of people and educating and
training them in a way which is suitable for their future positions in life. I
quote.

Does this situation sound familiar in Kenya?
Does the present Kenya political structure bear the above characteristics?
During the last presidential campaigns, this situation was the key note of the
campaigning and dominated the presidential debates. It was repeated over and
over until the public was cautioned about it.

Likewise, Kenya has to be careful not to create
a form of government that consists of rule by an
elite group who rule in their own interests, especially the accumulation of
wealth and privilege. Only certain members of society have a valid voice in the
government.

Further, Kenya should
strive to avoid establishing a constitutional monarchal government in likeness
of Philippine under Ferdinand Marcos,
Lesotho, Swaziland and Libya under Muammar Qaddafi and the sons. For 42
years Libya was under political siege. Winnipeg Sun of April 15, 2013 page 9 reads, “In dad’s footsteps: Africa is filled with ruling dynasties, each more unpleasant than the
previous one.”

In a
critical note and in view of the political outlook of Kenyan politics, one
starts to wonder whether Kenya is becoming a dynasty/monarch republic/country.
Monarchal government is perceived as an institution that harbors monopoly of
political power. That is why the public feel that way? This is in view of Kenyan political history
since independence that speaks for itself. The structure of Kenya population is
not homogeneous but heterogeneous ethnic mixture of 43 components that makes it
politically complicated. In order to operate efficiently and achieve
surmountable success, the 43 components should work harmoniously.

To solve and
to stop this political malignant structure, the Philippine came up with what is
described as “Breaking the
Political Dynasty Pattern in the Philippines”

Years before, Sen. Flavier has authored
Senate Bill 12 which defines and prohibits political dynasties. It defines
political dynasty as “the concentration, consolidation, or perpetuation, of
public office and political powers by persons related to one another.” Persons
holding office and related within the third civil degree of consanguinity or
affinity – including their spouses and the spouses of their brother-in-law and
sister-in-law – will already be deemed to be in a political dynasty
relationship. It didn’t prosper. In the House of the Representatives, a related
bill is also uh sleeping. It was filed by Rep. Emilio C. Macias II – House Bill
44 which seeks to ban local officials from occupying the next higher position
which they had previously occupied and for which they had served for three
consecutive terms. At present it lies pending in the House Committee on Local
Government.

Once again I salute you Kamba community for
your resilient and tolerant culture. In order to make political progress, you
have to avoid internal political wrangling and work as team to establish your
party flag bearer. I congratulate “KENYA
MPYA” under “I CHOOSE LIFE_AFRICA” organization for its commendable work in
initiating and setting up vetting system in Machakos county. The system worked
very well during the last 2013 election. Before the election, several forums
were organized in different locations in Machakos to educate people about
election issues and candidates. The vying candidates were also given
opportunity to express themselves. It was a fair and effective platform that
gave candidates an opportunity to exhibit their political and leadership
assets/qualities. That is the way to go. My dear brothers and sisters let not
your humility be misconstrued to naivety.

Similarly to avoid replicate of Philippine or Libya ,Lesotho and Swaziland
monarchal governments, we need to come to our senses and learn from the other
regime’s mistakes. The question remains whether this application is possible
and practical in Kenya ?

The answer is “
YES”. In 2013 election, Nyanza
people rejected and categorically refused to vote for family members or
relatives of Raila Odiga because of
the dynasty issue described as “Odingaism”
. News papers carried out headlines such as “RAILA FACES CRISIS OVER OBURU NOMINATION. VOTERS in
Nyanza have revolted against Prime Minister Raila Odinga by rejecting most of
his allies in the ODM nominations”. Raila’s brother,sister and cousin amongest
others were some of the aspirants affected by this new move.

Despite Odiga political dominance in Nyanza, we all
know that Raila is astute self-made
politician who has contributed immensely to current political liberty and
constitution in Kenya. He has earned his
political position but not handpicked. At the same time, the other communities
have also something to learn from Nyanza
in congruent to modern political era.

The reason
for writing this letter is therefore to
express my sincere heartfelt and love for Kenya and to share my views with
party members and especially kamba community on political direction the
community intents to take. In the name
of our ancestors and for the sake of our children I plead with Kamba to remain
united. In the blessings of the new constitution that guarantees all Kenyans
freedom of expression, Kenyans should be able to discuss freely matters
pertaining to their political, social, and economic engagement without fear or
intimidation.

Consequently,
Political history of any country or community has to be written as it happens.
The country does not make history on its own but those in power do it. It is
therefore the responsibility of each one to educate each other on political and
economic implications of certain government systems. Kamba community need to be careful in
choosing their political destiny as they position themselves in the big
picture. It is on this perception I urge all Kamba to seal all cracks that may
open up for the political predators entrance. Kamba have their political
history and they will continue on making history that should be written as it
happens. Who is then supposed to write Kamba history?

Richard Mutungi