LIFE: MISINFORMED- KENYA BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY

This morning, I was pleased and sad to have a conversation with a Kenyan in diaspora about Kenya. he seemed to have been very misinformed about what is happening in my country. He was so passionate about his country and was even talking in anger and ready to start a coup. I was surprised, it was like my country was on fire, and about to burn out into ashes.

His point of view was that Kenya needs a revolution, need Justice now and act now. He said that since our independence in 1963, we still have people living in tents, which is not true, we have court cases not being acted upon, again not true, we have scandals involving senior government officials and none even prosecuted, that isn't true either. Kenya is a beautiful country with hardworking people. I know that sounds like a sales pitch but its true. We do have a percentage of people full of shit, and worse, they happen to be government officials.

What we Kenyans need to realize, is that our politicians are career people/ professionals. They want to advance their career as far as possible, reason why we have over 5 presidential candidates this election year. Like most professional, we want to climb the ladder as fast and in whatever means. Means doesn't justify the end, sadly enough. Some are there for genuine reasons,but for most its a political career.

Kenya is not under siege or fire. We have problems like any other country, even in the USA am sure their court system has pending cases, am sure there are scandals everywhere even in the basic family unit leave alone a country, we are making amends and it will not happen overnight. Recently the USA gave a warning to their citizens wishing to visit Kenya as tourist, they made it look like we are in war. Are we? Yes we are at war. Is it in Kenya? Hell to the NO! We are fighting the Al Shabaab terror group in Somalia not in Kenya. And we are no longer fighting them as Kenya, we are part of the AMISOM group.

It is partly annoying. Worse part, the part of Kenya being talked off, the residents are going about their work as usual, even probably partying. Like any government, our government is doing their job to keep its citizens safe as possible and I think people blame the government way too much even when its not meant to.

We are 40 million Kenyans, we can't have one police officer for every citizens, we have to get into community policing. if you see something out of the ordinary, call the cops. Kenyans, we have a very very bad habit of running towards the problem, STOP THAT! Run to the cops and state the problem. This idea of everyone being an independent journalist to their friend is really getting old. And as for the IDP's, yes you. WAKE UP! It's very unfortunate that we had the post election violence but I think we are taking too much advantage of the same. We want the easy life of handouts. Yes, that might sound cold but its true. The government gave you land, you refused, you were asked to go back to your homes, you refused, What else do you want. I am suffering too.

I want someone to give me food like they give you food. I want to sit around all day and wait for the government and the next time the media come by and I pick up a sign and chant "haki yetu", "our rights". I really do. But I can't. I have to wake up and look for food for me. One of you, a lady was given KES. 200 by a priest. She went and bought flour and started making chapatis and selling them to you. Now, she owns a restaurant and has made something for herself. She was an IDP as well. She was tired about her condition and did something about it, so should you.

I hope I have tried to clear the air, the government simply gives us a framework to work and laws to follow, the rest is upon us. We are democratic State and with channels to communicate our grievances. Ignorance is no defense so read your constitution and know and understand your rights. That is the only way we will not allow anyone to sway your stand or take advantage of your ignorance.

Media, both local and international, report the truth not what will help you sell newspapers. Now, am not trusting any one bit. You need more intelligent journalists and management to allow only publications of the truth. Everyone else, scrutinize media information. they are businesses and they will do anything to sell their news and sadly bad news travel and are bought faster. Ask the people on the ground and we are everywhere thanks to the internet, heck, contact me and ask me. Kenya is my land and my country and fuck anyone who thinks its not worth their time.