You know, I may think, talk, and act like a refugee. Because all my life revolve around it, but also I am a Somali national, not only by accident of birth but by choice, and I feel more than proud to be just a Somali. As the former Kenyan spokesperson Dr Alfred Matua could call it “Najivunia Kwa Mkenya” (I am proud to be Kenyan) I will also not hesitate to say, “Somalia Hanolato” (long life Somalia), and when people call me “Warya” or “Somali” it only rejuvenate my inner feelings and makes me above the Clouds, but what kills my heart and makes me feel weak, helpless and kill me cold bloodied is when they pronounce the word “Alshabab “or “Pirate”. Away from the personal feelings let me come to the real issue at hand. What lessons can we get from the recent Kenyan elections? As Kenyans inaugurated in their fourth president, and the country kept the peace in spite of some people predicted it will be another Somalia, divided along tribal lines, a repeat of what happened in 2007 and a looming civil war, but they voted peacefully in a manner that the international community summarized it as “historic elections”, Dr wali Matunga said, “it was free and fair elections” and the Chief of IEBC Hassan termed it “duly elected president”. It only came after hard work, patience and institutional transformation. What can we Learn from the Kenyan Elections?.. Let me elaborate. The Kenyan elections started a year back. With forming alliances or breaking alliances was the norm of the time, and tribal alliances was regarded as the backbone of winning a clear and first round deal. But lately, there were only two formidable horses which were the front runners. The jubilee alliance headed by the president elected Uhuru Kenyatta and the Cord’s Raila which many people including the political analysts, the pollsters and the ordinary man predicted a win for Raila. But as lack could have been he was defeated badly by the digital team. Many people attributed to that as poor strategy, over self-reliance, wrangles and power hungry inner circles. Come to the actual day. Like any other elections in the world or Africa, people were encouraged to go out and vote for the party of their choice-that’s democracy-. The Kenyan independent elections and boundaries commission made public campaigns and awareness to inform the people of their rights to vote and to exercise their rights peacefully. Prior to the voting day and as part of the campaign the politicians and their close associates travel the length and the breadth of the Constituencies and crisscrossing the country at large. They give endless promises that if they secure the seat and given power they will do this and that to the people. One such interesting promise is “Uhuru Na laptop”. They erect large billboards and put their faces on t- shirts. They put their posters everywhere in the market, in the houses, in the matatus and online advertising. They air their voices in the Radios and TVs. Mothers and children shout campaign slogans amongst them include; “Callow Juu’’, “Shill Juu”, or “Afey Juu”. We just look, bite our fingers and dream of peaceful Somalia. Then the Election Day comes. The electorate leaves their homes early in the morning, some spent the cold nights at the pooling centers, or under the scorching sun, they are given voting papers, mark as they wish and their thumb dyed, with that they must have elected their true leaders, and with small incentives, happily, they disappear in to the air. Then amidst suspension, confusion and tension, the electoral commission clears the air, the big announcement is made. There’s a winner and a loser. People celebrate, others mourn, millions spent and the end is a tragedy. The loser cries foul play, irregularities and fraud here and there, then the Supreme Court intervened and in less than five minutes it made a verdict. The case is settled. And the hope and dream of runoff is shattered. The only option was to take a rest in a foreign country to defeat the humiliation of democracy. And that is what it is all about. This is the semi democracy of Kenya, but back home (Somalia) you will only need a pick up mounted with a machine gun loaded with underage boys with automatic rifles and the “tyranny of numbers” from your tribe for back up. But what happen in September last year (2012) can bring us closer to democracy, in this regard, I therefore salute and applaud the former president Sh. Shariff- he was a hero, a charismatic leader and selflessly put the interest of the nation at first. Satisfied. He conceded defeat and retired like a true African leader. I saw our president (HE. Hassan) during the Kenyatta’s inauguration day deep in thought, maybe he will take us through this journey of democracy. I shall also congratulate Kenyans for inaugurating their fourth president his Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, and also congratulate the former immediate president Mwai Kibaki for his service to the nation. I appeal to the new president to help in the peace processes in Somalia so that we go home and tell the tales in our home country. Ali Young Mogadishu-Somalia
Posted on: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 09:49:41 +0000
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