Keeping Up With The News...
...isn't easy these days. Last night, for the first time in I can't remember how many days, I did not listen to the evening news bulletins like I had to take an exam. So I missed the re-reversal by ODM on the economic boycott, if it was on television.
Re-reversal: is that what you call it when you reverse from a position you had arrived at by reversing from another position?
So, the economic boycott that Raila had denied on Friday has now been announced as official ODM policy by Henry Kosgey. Oh, and according to Najib Balala, mass demonstrations will continue every week, Wednesday to Friday, "until the government calls a fresh presidential elction."
This is unusual, coming from ODM. They've usually been very well-coordinated when it comes to communicating strategy. Qu'est-qui se passe?
By the way, as I've said before, I'm not a fan of mass protests in Kenya. But, this whole protest business has endeared Najib Balala to me. He's the only bigwig who's consistently rubbed shoulders with the people on the street as they're being chased down by cops or choking on teargas or some such. Now that's a man of the people, if there ever was one.
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You know what, R? Your blog has been one of the sanest places to come to during this period. Also one of the most informative. Keep doing what you are doing.
That is definitely commitment on the part of Balala. My fear in all this is once the people have protested and maybe even 'gotten justice' that they will be tossed aside by whoever is on the throne of power when peace is restored.
My hope is there are people out there on the ground who are creating structures and strongholds to ensure that the poor can actually come to the table as intelligent Kenyan citizens with power over their political process rather than simply mindless tools. My hope is that we get an African citizenry like from 40 years back that is deeply involved in the matters of importance, knows what is really going on and where real power lies and is manipulating that to their collective benefit.
A brief soliloquy. Hope it helps
"mass demonstrations will continue every week, Wednesday to Friday"
These people need to stop with the mass action, at least they should go with the economic boycott; the loss of lives, property and peace is doing nothing for their cause and the people.
Sasa, yamanisha kwamba watu hawata fanya kazi, Wednesday mpaka Friday. si then they will have achieved thier economic boycott because the economy will simply collapse.
What annoys me is that ODM is not thinking... ok say this keeps up another 2 weeks or 2 months. The economy is on its feet, people are out of work, Kibaki agrees to step down. What kind of country will Raila and his party have. How will they revive the economy. How will they create jobs for those jobs lost. It is far easier to kill an economy than it is to revive one.
Mass action, or street protests might have had and can still have a positive effect in the current climate if the governmnet allowed them to continue
This kinds of marches and rallies (which is guaranteed in our constitution as a BASIC human right) would allow the perenially and newly unemployed masses to vent their frustration. Allow the men to raise their head up and feel human again. They might even improve business activity in the city
It is a wonder like you said earlier why this illegal regime is frightened of them (the guilty are afraid) even to extent of committing grave human rights abuses.
On ODM...the conversation between pro and anti Kibaki and indeed ODM/Raila sympathizers is becoming such that one cannot mention one without other.
This leads to talking across from each other instead of to each other.
Well Kibaki has breaken so many rules, gentalman and otherwise against so many different parties that I think you will begin to see a situation where ODM takes a back seat and the civil society, media, donors take over.
In this sense action, mass or otherwise is in some ways inevitable.
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