FORGING FORWARD…

Environment

The police land-rover stood imposingly next to her.

A male police officer grabbed her, manhandled her and tossed her in the vehicle.

She tried to make her views known…

‘YOU KILLED MY SON. NOW YOU ARE ARRESTING ME…’, she yelled.

She is the mother of one of the young protesters killed when he was hit by a tear gas cannister.

Evans Kiratu is his name.

The cry of the mother to Evans must not go unnoticed.

You see, us Kenyans are fast forgetters.

It’s been a month after the deadly protests to reject the 2024 finance bill.

Deadly not because people took up arms but because a government unleashed terror on its citizens.

For a moment, the government had been pinned to the wall.

So as soon as the political class realized that they were cornered, they regrouped into an unconstitutional coalition.

Not a coalition of the willing but a coalition of oppressors hellbent on maintaining the status quo…

Maintaining mismanagement of government.

But that wasn’t all.

Politicians are masters of under the table cards.

They paid thugs to infiltrate peaceful demonstrations.

Some would break into businesses to make other demonstrators look bad.

Others would counter the demos through violence.

The politicians also put the military on the streets.

The apparent changes in the cabinet were no changes at all.

Ministers who had underperformed found their way back.

Cronies and tribesmen found their way back.

Allies of once arch enemies found their way into a cabinet yet they didn’t share a manifesto.

If parliament approves of this cabinet, it’ll be a mongrel like no other.

Sooner or later, the protests will die a natural death.

Sooner or later all will be forgotten.

Sooner or later, we’ll be back to our hustle and grind.

Sooner or later, the political class will feel less pressure from the people.

They will use resources at their disposal to brainwash as many Kenyans as they can – especially the rural folk.

Sooner or later, it will be business as usual.

Which brings me to my final point…what’s the place of the active citizen going forward?

KEEP ON THE PRESSURE

Let’s keep the conversation going…

Let’s keep the pressure coming…

Let’s keep on holding the X-spaces to discuss a better nation…

KEEP ON NAMING AND SHAMING

I once stumbled on audited accounts of a health project in one of the counties on the website of the Auditor general.

And my oh my did my heart sink.

Out of about kes 90M granted to the project, only about Kes 10M had receipts to support the work.

This seems like the norm in many government agencies but it should cease to be.

If many of us shout and demand accountability from such government officials, then we’ll build up a critical mass to be heard whether it’s through X hashtags or other means.

Bad manners by government officials must not go unnoticed – even if it may not be punished.

LOW LYING FRUITS

The counties, parastatals, government run institutions like public universities must be kept under watch.

Their fiscal management, hiring and firing procedures, and corporate governance must be checked.

These institutions are bankrolled by taxpayers.

So any malfeasance must be blown up and exposed for what it is.

PARLIAMENT

Even before forcussing on parliament, there must be pressure for appointment of competent commissioners in the electoral commission.

This pressure must keep on mounting towards recalling many MPs from the parliament.

Since the executive is focussed on misusing parliament for its selfish agenda, recalling many MPs will cut its majority, making bad manners difficult.

Recall of parliamentarians will need legal support like no other.

Lawyers will play a crucial role..

2027 ELECTIONS

Emphasis on having one presidential candidate supported by many of us in 2027 is key.

We might not all be on one page but good things start in small ways.

There’s a need to identify a few individuals who are already in public limelight to carry to presidential banner for those of us disenfranchised by the current regime.

Definitely the political class will do all they can to sabotage a candidate driven bybpubkic dissatisfaction.

Money will be poured.

But we must also be ready to financially support our candidate.

To have even an ounce of success, this must start sooner or later.

IN CONCLUSION

Change in this country is not a sprint but a marathon.

Stamina and mental strength wins. Not muscle and brawn.

Keep that in mind.