Re: NCEC:THE KARATINA HARASSMENT OF RAILA AND OTHER POLITICAL LEADERS

Dear Comrades,

I join you in condemning the happenings in Nyeri and such like incidences that have happened previously else where in our beloved country. For a start, I can bet that Hon. Kibaki read about this incidence in the newspaper as much as many of us are. I can equally bet that Hon.Raila played no role in the kisumu incidence that inviolved Nazlin Umar.

But even if any leader was to incite any person to do such an abhorable thing, the incitement would only serve as a catalyst and not the root cause. So that the inciter would only be taking advantage of the subsisting situation. What then causes us to be so intolerable of each others political (tribal) stand and affiliation? My take is that it must be an inner force that has built up in many of us if not all and which has developed from our experiences in the country and majorly at the governance level. This inner force oozes from the rudimentary preoccupation of any living being, self preservation. Tied to this is the pursuit for economic realization to guarantee the self preservation. The force draws no line between the who and what in the society, only that its done differently depending of your station of life. The experience am talking about is the one that includes leadership that distributes national resources on the basis of "where they come from", leadership that makes appointments to public offices on the basis of tribal inclination, where making an honest living has been made extremely difficult that a person is prompted to stick out their neck for their tribesperson to get to power in the hope of having a god father or mother to ensure that their under activities go on smoothly, where the weight attached to academic and other relevant qualifications varies depending on how you relate with powers that are e.t c.

The point am making is that political affiliation have become extremely important in terms of guaranteeing our economical survival and general well being. I believe its time we traced where the rain started pelting us (might be about over 40 years ago) and patiently start rebuilding the society we want. The job is magnanimous and delicate. Of significance in the quest to rebuild our state, will be to put the question of humanity at the centre of management and distribution of our natural resources in the realization that a poor man in Nyeri stands indignified in many aspects of his life much like a poor man in siaya. That there must be open and equal opportunities for self realization irrespective of the tribe of the political leaders of the day. That the difference in our economic strengths be explained by honest creativity and ingeniousness unique to every individual and not because of political favors at the expense of the members of the public. That the rule of just laws reigns supreme and in tandem with respect for inalienable human rights which inhere in each and every one of us. That tribal prejudices do not stand a chance in this society (whatever purpose it served, the same has been outlived). That progressive measures are taken to assist those that are and/or have been accosted with certain setbacks that have inhibited their self realization.

That we, as a country, must get our just share from the wholesome human heritage that goes beyond borders by getting value for whatever we produce and offer at the world market. That any outstanding national “debts” must be written off.

As for me, am looking out to those who have tendered themselves as desirous of occupying the public offices to run this beloved country of ours and try to see in them whether they are upto the job that I believe is before them and thereafter make a decision at the opportune time. But most importantly, to keenly and persistently endeavour to make my little contribution in the pursuit of rebuilding the state!

Carol Oduor.