[kictanet] Democracy is a double edged sword

[bitange at jambo.co.ke]

Listers,

This morning I briefly watched Omar Hassan’s interview on Citizen and felt
sorry for our interpretation of democracy.  The bill of rights will either
destroy us or build us.  Omar is a member of Kenya National Commission on
Human Rights.  He is also a member of the selection committee of the
Inspector General of Police.   In his view a Kikuyu will not be considered
for this coveted job.  In other words if the best candidate turns out to
be a Kikuyu, the committee will discard merit and pick a non-Kikuyu
applicant.  This will be wrong.

Vindictiveness will not build Kenya.  We must detest tribalism in whatever
form.   We have a real chance to change this country for the good.  If we
have to succeed each one of us must weigh the consequences of our
utterances.    Every step we move forward is now reversed by some unknown
belligerent Kenyan.  When we thought all with our peace imitative within
the horn of Africa, we are faced with utterances that undermine the lives
of our forces.  Only in Kenya where we issue warrants of arrest for a head
of state that happens to be a Muslim Nation that is so close to Somalia. 
In other countries, the nation’s interests take priority over mundane
issues that have no direct consequence to the state.

National interests a side, tribalism under the guise of freedom of speech
will hurt us.  Just like Mandela spoke out on racism – “I detest
racialism, because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from
a black man or a white man” - we must begin to speak out before it is too
late.  Democracy needs nurturing because it is not straight forward
concept.  It has the power of cutting from both sides.


Ndemo.