00:00, 12th December 2013. Kenyatta the son
has just done a replica of what Kenyatta the father did 50 years ago, they have
also raised a flag at the peak of Mt.Kenya like they did 50 years ago. Google
has subsequently changed its header image to make it match with the event and
perhaps let the world know. For most Kenyans the weekend has just begun, since
Friday is a gazetted public holiday so you can imagine the excitement.
Fireworks momentarily light Nairobi’s skyline, my friend from Nyeri tells me
the same is happening in there. I quickly scroll down my Facebook feed and
every status update is tagged with the harsh tag #Kenya@50 if not
#ProudlyKenyan. Wow! I didn’t know Kenyans can be this patriotic. Even my
brother who when not updating about relationships that aren’t working if he is
complaining of how boring the day is has updated something about Kenya
today!Indeed, we have every reason to celebrate Kenya’s 50th
‘birthday.’ It’s time to make merry, Kenyans aren’t badly off when it comes to
such.
Am neither saying that we shouldn’t be celebrating
Kenya at 50, neither am I saying that we shouldn’t make merry, but can we give
every Kenyan a reason to celebrate? I assume,it’s beyond obvious some can’t
just find a reason to make merry. I must have shed a tear when I came across a
man in town carrying his terminally ill dad after the medics downed their tools
yesterday. I mean, we are losing lives in hospitals while on the other side
we’re making merry. So why are the medics on strike? This time it isn’t the
usual meagre salary, perhaps that’s now a cliché that comes with strikes. Am
told they are against devolution, at least in the provisionof health services.
Where is governor Rutto? Perhaps in his county the medics are still working. He
had convinced me that health services have been mismanaged by the national
government. He had also managed to convince me that we Kenyans would start
enjoying the fruits of devolution as soon as medics started working with the
county governments. Above all, he had assured us that he would replace them if
they were not co-operative. We are indeed enjoying he devolution of health
services governor. Is it the national government that’s derailing devolution
this time? I’d appreciate hearing from you governor Rutto. I wish it was
Machakos’ Mutua who had made those promises!
Well am also told that the former and 2nd
president of the republic had the honour commissioning a certain road and
railway. I thought he had the chance of doing so 25 years ago during the silver
jubilee celebrations. If I were him, I would really be embarrassed. Anyway, let
the old man have the honour while it lasts. The 3rd president as
well as his co-principal the former prime minister also had the honour of commissioning
certain projects. I have nothing for them at the moment, theirs is a special
case!
Elsewhere in Nyeri, the area where fallen MauMau
freedom fighters were buried can be only distinguished by bushes. Yes, that’s
how you identify the grave. You make a mistake of digging there and you won’t
have to go far before you excavate a human skull! The best the government has
done is having the area gazetted by Kenya National Museums. Perhaps that
becomes an issue when you hear that a few metres away, lies the graves of their
rivals the British militants which are well kept, white-washed often, fenced,
lawn-mowed grass in the area and well-trimmed flowers. Someone has been
employed to do that!
Well for now let’s continue with the celebration lest
am stoned for cutting the fun. While a Kenyan is braving the drizzle at Uhuru Park
to celebrate Kenya, another one a few kilometres away in Kiambu has no option
than helplessly brave a heavy downpour outside a hospital.
Before I forget,
history has been repeated: raising the flag at midnight so has it done in the
form of challenges. The same challenges that were handed to Kenyatta 50 years
ago are the same that have been handed to his scion. In fact, Kenyatta the son
has more in his plate than his father had! Enough of the problems, now I need
to let you know that just like everyone today, najivunia kuwa Mkenya!
The Kenya at 50 official logo.
