Comments on: How can we help the people of Kenya following the elections

By: No Matter the Cause of the Post Election Violence, These Are Twelve Steps You Can Take to End the Suffering in Kenya NOW! » The Displaced African

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:26:53 +0000

[...] I have already written about this to some extent.The one addition I have to make is: [...]

By: Mwangi

Mwangi — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 02:15:50 +0000

I can assure you that at the very least it was a compliment and at the very most it was that I felt a lot of similarities between what you wrote and some of the idealist heroes and thinkers I have had in my literary travels –like Biko, Malcolm X, Erwin Mcmanus among others. So keep it coming and I am sure I will put my foot in my mouth a few more times as we get to understand each other a bit better
Apart from that! I agree with you 100%. Until people’s basic physical, emotional and social needs are met the seeds of discontent will always be there. That’s why through this blog and I hope am not alone in this, my intent and hope is that this explosion of discontent will result in a renaissance of political participation, genuine participation, by the poor. How would you suggest we go about making sure the poor get their needs met?

By: who me

who me — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:42:44 +0000

I like how you reeled me in with the complements before slamming me to the floor.
No am not an idealist nor a dreamer.
My point is that until the standard of living of the poor is addressed, which seemed to me to be the main cause of the upheaval- poor people trying to take advantage of a break in the fabric of society( due to election discrepancies/ even if Raila won the transfer of power would’ve provided this opportunity) to run a muck and possibly profit from it momentarily – if you have nothing to lose and live from day to day, hand to mouth you don’t think about tomorrow. There can never be real security in the country. It mightn’t happen in the grand scale that has been seen lately but nonetheless, violent crimes will continue to occur.

By: Mwangi

Mwangi — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 23:01:08 +0000

Very deep. Very profound thank you for sharing that. I like your style; very fluid and very wrong. Would I be correct in assuming you are an idealist and a dreamer?

By: who me

who me — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 22:44:19 +0000

Sorry to quote in part from Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, in his speech to the league of nations but his words ring true today as they did then. This doesn’t just relate to the present day situation but the everyday security of Kenyans.

Until the philosophy which holds one tribe superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned:
That until there are no longer first-class and second class citizens of this nation;
That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to their tribe or level of wealth;
That until that day, the dream of lasting peace and citizenship and the rule of morality will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained;
And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes that hold our brothers subhuman bondage have been toppled and destroyed;
Until bigotry and prejudice and malicious and inhuman self-interest have been replaced by understanding and tolerance and good-will;
Until all Kenyans stand and speak as free beings, equal in the eyes of all men, as they are in the eyes of Heaven;
Until that day, Kenya will not know peace.