MIGINGO, KENYA'S PRIDE AT STAKE

So our government has allowed the ugandans to take charge of our rocky outpost deep in the greatlake. i wish only a rocky outpost it was. Migingo is growing to be the latest grand scam for our ailing government that seems to be breaking every ounce of trust we could ever have for a government. Its hard enough to like a government doing its job, how much more one that seems to be sleeping on the job.

migingo at this point is more than a rocky outcrop to kenyans, its a symbol of national pride and kenyans are desirous to salvage it from the rough shod Ugandans who are taking advantage of every opportunity we accord them to further entrench themselves into it. lets examine the implications of the row to our national stature.

Fist of all, we are seeing an increase in public hatred towards Ugandans and this could hurt trade. the youth in Kibera who uprooted the railaway that passes throught the sprawling slum could simply be a taste of things to come. while they may have had other issues to deal with, the particular move to express their anger towards the Migingo issues by uprooting the railway that forms the connection between these two countries leaves alot to be desired. Kenyans are generally likely to become more suspicious of ugandans and lesc cordiality will be extended to them in general issues. We may see acts of surbotage in the border towns connecting the two countries and even vandalism of property belonging to Ugandans within the Kenyan borders. So long as kenyans feel their government is not in control, they will in one way or another begin to take the law into their hands.

Secondly, all our neighbours are watching closely how we are dealing with this situation and they will be careful to note that we are not aggresive at all in defending our soil. This potends many issues especially when we know that we have a long border with such a nation such as somalia. The Ethiopians have not been very cordial too on cross border issues. The Oromo Liberation Front has been accused of crossing over into the country and harrasing Kenyans from the north Eastern sections of the country. We are likely to see a growth in cross border invasions into our territory since we are not keen on protecting what we own

The third implication is a loss of pride of place in the graeter east african region. Kenyans will be perceived as weak and as push overs especially those livng in the wider East African Region. This will result in compensatory actions to dispel the notion. Such actions may include greater agression in issues within the region and in our dealings with foreigners. we could end up as a dangerous lot driven by an induced lower national self esteem. It may cause us to seek to 'prove ourselves' which may not be very healthy.

Kenyans have alsways thought they are the power house in East Africa with superior economic and military capabilities. The Migingo issues is doing alot to undermine this feeling of national pride and should be settled fast and convincingly.

ODM-PNU Feud, Now is the time for the Church

In the run up to the General election in 2007, the country got so polarised on ethnic grounds such that it was not possible for one to help but notice that in a certain sense Kenya is a patchwork of different tribes. It become more important that we belonged to this or the other tribe than that we are Kenyans. "Ethnic egos" got inflated and burst, nay exploded, at a great cost to our beloved country. Indeed, in our entire half-centennial history as an independent nation, no violence of the magnitude witnessed in the 2007 PEV has been recorded. It was a tme when we saw the highest number of kenyans either killed, maimed or disposessed of property purely on ethnic grounds (with some political nuances).

Over the weekend, the two principals and their lieutenants marched off to some game resort to square out grand issues partaining to the running of the grand government, and to our shock and dismay theyve returned with both guns out, barells blazing. The politicians have started hurling insults and epithets at one another and issueing ultimatums on this and that. You get the feeling that we are in poorly maintained matatu under the control of a drunken driver overspeeding on a badly potholed road - real bumpy. If the current wave of discontent runs on for another week or two, we will get involved. Not as kenyans, but as kalenjins, as kambas, as Luhyas... coz thats the paradigm politicians use to settle their scores, and its only a matter of days before they begin playing the ethnic card.

Its my opinion that this country cannot be entrusted to the political class alone to determine its course. It leaves us at their mercy and we are very exposed to their misjudgements and shortsightedness. granted, not all of them are necessarily decadent, but one way or another they all have party loyalties and will be bound to the positions of their sponsoring parties which eventually becomes ethnic.

As kenyans there are two things we must do at this time if we are to nip this upcoming crisis in the bud. The first step is personal and will call for every one to determine it in their souls who they really are, tribe first or kenya first. If all of us determine that we will not allow the political class to sway us into 'tribal cocuns', then they will be forced to seek an alternative paradigm from which to settle their scores. The Unity and well being of this country lies in the hands of every well meaning Kenyan who will refuse to look at a fellow kenyan as a memeber of this tribe or the other, but as someone with whom he has a common destiny, a shared future and God given brotherhood. It starts with you and me.

Secondly, the church (especially the leadership) was accused of not being there for the country when the country was burninig, that churches got swayed by the political views and machinations of 'their sons' so much so that it had no voice or influence in the ensuing melee. I believe that this is a second opportunity for the church to arise and unite the country. The ODM-PNU feud has been with us longer than the coalition government has been, and we have no guarantee that it will end soon. In fact, the open daggers now drawn by none other than the principals themselves leaves you with a spine chilling effect suggesting that it is about to enter into some climax of sorts. "It is coming out clearly that we have two centres of power and Kenyans need to brace for hard times," said Khalwale who is the Ikolomani MP{Quote from The Standard}. There may be political issues to settle but at this point we need a guardian to look after us- after the unity of this country, as our 'parents' sort out their mariage. Beyond the verdict of a moribund presidency and an ineffectual primiership, what alternatives does the church have for us? Will the church and especially its leadership arise?