The LW Blog

I was in Nairobi recently and while I was there, besides registering as a voter, I got a chance to talk to many people and pick their brains on what they thought of the political scene in Kenya right now. Strangely enough though, most of them had no qualms whatsoever having an UhuRuto presidency. On following closely, I found out that most of the people I was talking to were older conservative folks who fear change. They would rather support the devil(s) they know than vote for new and fresh leadership. Besides this, I also realized that most of them are not on social media, and almost depend totally on the vernacular stations for news, meaning most of the intelligence we gather via social media and the internet in general is lost to them.

After spending hours talking to them, they realized the dangers of backing up an UhuRuto presidency and suddenly their tone and approach to this whole issue of the upcoming elections changed. They are now going around sensitizing those who are ignorant of the repercussion of this kind of presidency and hopefully, those they talk to will see the light and make a decision to vote for leadership with no baggage.

What I learnt through this experience is that there are so many people out there who are clueless on what is really going on. It is our responsibility, you and I, to talk to as many as we can to make it clear and known to them that should they vote wrong, then the country will suffer great consequences both politically and economically.

I have here below summarized these consequences as clearly put together by one Rasna Warah in an article she wrote for the Daily Nation on the 28th of October 2012:

Kenya could be labelled a pariah state by the international community: This will mean that donors will withdraw their moral and financial support to Kenya. Donor-funded long-term and medium-term plans and projects, such as Vision 2030, will be shelved. Poverty levels will rise. Economic growth rates will decline. Kenya will not attain middle-income status by 2030.

Western nations may impose a trade embargo on Kenya: The African Union, which backed the peace process, may press upon its members to impose sanctions on Kenya. Kenya’s coveted membership in the East African Community might also be threatened. Domestic revenues may see Kenya through, but without trading partners, revenue from exports will fall, leading to further hardships. Just ask the Cubans what the 50-year US trade embargo has done to their economy and you will see why this scenario is not desirable.

The United Nations may pull out of Kenya: If UN pulls out of Kenya, it means they will set up base in a neighbouring country, thereby severely affecting the local (Kenyan) economy. For instance, revenue gained from UN conferences, contracts and projects will disappear. If the UN leaves, Kenya will lose millions of dollars that pass through the country’s banks. Nairobi’s housing and retail markets that cater for UN staff will collapse. Needless to say, many Kenyans will lose their well paying jobs seeing that UN is a very good pay-master.

Kenyans will be reduced to IDPs and Refugees: Like Zimbabweans under Robert Mugabe, Kenyans will start seeking refuge and jobs in neighbouring countries. Kenya will be viewed as a failed state like Somalia, generating a large numbers of refugees and IDPs. Western countries will start to impose harsher travel restrictions on Kenyans. Innocent middle and upper class Kenyans who can afford to travel and send their children abroad for further studies may be particularly affected.

A possible isolationism status for Kenya: If Uhuru and Ruto do not appear at their own trials, they will not be able to represent Kenya at international forums. Their travel will be restricted to countries that promise not to hand them over to the ICC. They, in turn, may decide to follow the path of isolationism by breaking all international agreements that Kenya is signatory to.

Possibility of absentee leadership: If Ruto and Uhuru attend their trials, and even if they are found innocent, they will have to spend a considerable amount of their time at The Hague. Kenya will suffer from an absentee leadership. Anarchy might ensue. Regional warlords may take advantage of the situation and break up the country into fiefdoms. Jealous neighbours may also use the leadership vacuum to gain economic and political supremacy in the region.

If found guilty what then?: If found guilty, Uhuru and Ruto will face a Nixonian moment, meaning they either “resign or be impeached by the National Assembly,” says Tom Maliti of the ICC Kenya Monitor blog. “At the ICC level, the men will go into detention as the court searches for a country to hold them in prison for the duration of whatever sentence is handed down.”

Like most Kenyans, I wish we didn’t have to consider these scenarios. But we do, unfortunately, because we stand to lose everything we have worked for in the last 50 years if we make the wrong choices at the ballot box next year, and if we allow ethnic affiliation, rather than national interest, to determine our vote.

If we want impunity to end, maybe we should lock out everyone who was part of the current coalition government, and vote in a fresh, visionary, untainted candidate, hence my support for the honourable Peter Kenneth. I am supporting him because I am tired of tribal politics and corruption in Kenya, traits PK has clearly shown he does not have.

Here below I have highlighted facts as to why PK is the best alternative for Kenya, come 4th March, 2012.

• Proven Track Record - PK is a proven and well able leader with a good track record in his leadership.
  • He led from the front when he was the first MP to pay his taxes VOLUNTARILY.
  • His Gatanga CDF has been ranked #1 in the last 8 of 10 years as the MP.
  • His success in KFF in late 1990s lead Harambee Stars to greater heights without any wrangles or corruption.
• Always Respectful - He does not hurl insults and respects everyone.
• A Kawaida Kenyan - He grew up poor and knows the pain ordinary Kenyans go through as they try to survive.
  • PK's tribe is that of majority of have-nots, the no-name people who just need to catch a break to make it in life.
  • He benefited from the kindness of a well-wisher who paid for his high school fees in Starehe boys. He has repaid the debt of generosity by paying high school fees for many including that young from Turkana who had been admitted in Alliance.
• No Scandals - He is scandal-free in Kenya which is an strange yet refreshing.
  • 'While almost all the other presidential candidates have been linked to the PEV of 2008, it is a relief to note PK’s name has never come up anywhere, not even in a whisper in relation to this issue.
• He is good looking! - On a lighter note (no pun intended) for once Kenya will have a handsome president.

Today is the 30th of November, exactly 19 days before the curtain draws on the voter registration exercise. Question is, have you registered yet? If not, please do whatever it takes to ensure you have registered so that come 4th March 2013 your voice can be heard. Remember, your vote is your voice.

Vote PK, with your help TUNAWESMAKE.