Mass Actions and Sanctions

Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:53:43 +0300

I know perhaps my comments will not be published on your blog due to what I will comment on but if possible, please publish and let the people know what this effect of mass actions and violent protests impacts in their lives.

If all have been noticing, a majority of well-to-do Kenyans are showing their protests quietly or through other means avoiding any confrontation or street demos. When mass protest or action is called, we all know that since independence, this has never been peaceful. Therefore based on how us Kenyans understand mass action and protests, our politicians should have known better than call for mass action. Your shop, or my shop, or another citizen’s shop or office is not spared if it falls in the way of these demonstrators.

As of now, Raila has already requested the International community to impose sanctions on Kenya. While we understand the wrongs he has been done to him and to other change-oriented Kenyans, this will ofcourse impact badly not to just Kibaki’s administration but it will be felt by the ordinary mwananchi, the same person demonstrating on the streets. Basic needs will be very expensive, jobs will be lost and thus ordinary crime will ofcourse increase due to higher poverty levels.

We may all rejoice seeing the current government being tormented but believe me, the harm that mass action and violent protests will do to our motherland will be there with us for the next couple of years as others struggle to build up what they have lost. For the people who have been saving up a lot of money have nothing to worry about since they can up and leave for greener pastures, what about us? Are we ready to suffer in this manner when there is a sure and successful way of tactling this election rigging?

Since Raila has the evidence, why doesn’t he take it to court and solve this like a patriotic Kenyan instead of returning Kenya 10years behind with his mass followers.

In all these protests, only the lower class citizens are participating, you and me are stuck in our safe houses. Why are we on the streets if we believe we are true Kenyans? Why do we let the poor fight for us with their lives? We all know the old saying, no one can defeat the Law. The poor people are fighting with the Law. The Law is clear and will win.

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Nathan W.
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About this entry

Nathan, laws are created by people. In an ideal democracy, the government would be the people (by the people, for the people…). The people, it then follows, would be the law.

In most democratic societies, however, the law at least represents the will of the people. This is because those who interpret the law, who decide how it is applied and who, thereby, impact the relevance and weight of specific and related laws, are elected by the populace into office. In Kenya, however, judges are not voted in by the population but installed by the executive. Kenya’s courts are, therefore, full of Kibaki appointees. In the current situation, where people do not trust the government (and rightfully so) Kibaki’s courts are not a viable avenue to attaining justice.

Ironically, had Kibaki not killed Kenya’s very progressive constitution in 2005–that is, had he actually worked to build on the groundwork that had been laid for democracy, then challenging the election “results” in courts would have made a lot more sense. Obviously, this is another facet of tyranny in Kenya that must be changed. At the moment, however, Kibaki and team’s pleas that the opposition air their grievances to the courts are, quite simply, too little, too late.

At every turn, it seems, the current regime has stifled democracy in Kenya. Now, Kibaki and his allies are learning (or, rather, being taught) that a small group of people cannot declare and behave as though they are the law and then expect the majority to follow pliantly. There is something about human willpower and our natural tendency to rebel against injustice that will not allow us to betray our sense of self worth. We say that all laws must be applied equally and that no one, not even a self-proclaimed President, is above the law. Democracy thus proves to be the great leveller.

Which brings us to the point that, essentially, this battle is about equality. About haves and have nots. About the will of an entrenched political elite and, to some extent, prvileged ethnic group and the will of the majority of the Kenyan population. About those with bullets and those with rocks.

Ochieng’ is right in that this battle will not be won only with sanctions, although the EU’s announcement that it will sanction the Kibaki government is great news. The battle for democracy in Kenya must be fought on all fronts and in as nonviolent a manner as possible.

That said, if the Kibaki government really wanted peace, then it would allow democracy. Its brutal suppression of human rights does not help its case. (Nor does its repeated obstruction of mediation efforts.) From what I have seen, it is the police who are inciting the demonstraters to violence–killing a dancing child yesterday and whipping or beating commuters walking to and from work. If you look at CNN and youtube videos, you’ll see that most Kenyans are complaining more about police violence than about demonstrators…

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Ochieng' 1.18.08 / 4am

This reminds of arguments against sanctions on the then govt. of apartheid, S. Africa. It went exactly like what you outlined. If sanctions are applied, then it is the poor black people who will suffer and the rich whites will go on with their lives. It was hollow then and it is hollow now. The Member of Othaya’s state have to be confronted at all levels short of war – mass actions, petitions, sanctions, marches, prayers etc. whatever it takes.

Secondly, the problem has not been the people who want to march – it is the police who are shooting at un-armed wananchi. I respect your views, but they are tired when it comes to facing tyranny. Kenya cannot become another Mugabe’s Zimbabwe.

Annah 1.18.08 / 7am

Jackie 1.18.08 / 3pm

Speaking of justice what happened to the Justices accused of corruption?
Does anyone know?

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Mass Actions and Sanctions

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