The Kenyan Media’s Debate on CORD’s Presidential Candidate is Misplaced
I go to the slopes of Mount Kenya, in central Kenya, and I dare
look down and I do not seem to see anything significantly different from what I
see when in the slopes of Mount Elgon in western Kenya. Beautiful landscape, a
quiet land with great optimism. The same appears when far north in the desert
and when in the lakeside and indeed many parts of this great nation. I seek
indulgence in using nation as an attribute of Kenya. But when I go down the
slopes I begin seeing different scenes and have different experiences from the serenity and breathtaking beauty that it is when up in the hills. I meet people, I interact with them, I
realize that their hopes are engulfed in uncertainty. People of Kenya, from the
lake to the desert, the ocean to the mountains are suffering from similar predicaments.
Their future is not assured. Majority are poor; they are not sure if their
children will eat the following day or their children will attend school the
following year; they are not sure of getting good medical care, quality water
and many other things that concern a common mwananchi whether in Othaya or in
Isebania.
So what is this nonsense? Yes, what does the narrative about
the possible CORD presidential candidate has to do with these people’s most
immediate needs? With the people who struggle every single day barely to
survive, is it not fair that we have national conversation that speaks to their here and now needs? Elections have been effectively turned into bitter ethnic contestations;
the media is not helping anything, instead of altering the narrative our media
has become cheer-leaders, cheering both the elite and the populace to death.
But people of the tribe of the President suffer the same fete with people of
the other tribes. But this meat again; this “kula nyama.” Yes, trust me Mr.
Kenyatta isn’t eating the so called ‘meat’ with all the Gatunduans, leave alone
the larger Mount Kenya region as majority of foolish Kenyans have been meant to
believe, for indeed the same poverty levels I see in Malichi is the same I see
in Kahuro.
Why this agony? Why should we turn on our TVs to the same
narrative about CORD’s presidential candidate? Of what import is and will be
CORD’s presidential candidate to a poor family in Ukunda or Todenyang’? I think
we have current pressing issues that need more national attention and focus.
What is causing the agony to many people in Kenya are more basic things which
have been denied of them due to the thieving regime and mismanagement of the
state. The media is not even talking about what agenda that CORD has in
addressing these pressing matters. They are only feeding us with “the who will
be the candidate.” Of what use is this debate? Kenyan media needs to rise up
and set national agenda on issues that matter to Kenya and Kenyans. The media
needs to be in touch with the reality. There is no shortage of themes of
national importance and urgency for the Kenyan media to set an agenda and
national conversation on. An example is the runway corruption in this country. Corruption goes to impoverish, someone in
Marsabit just as it does someone in Keumbu. It is a matter of national concern,
it must be made one; debate on corruption must be sustained and escalated enough
to cause action. Kenyans are losing billions of tax-payers money which could go
into addressing the most pressing issues that plague the people. Instead of us
having a sustained conversation on futile things like CORD’s possible
presidential candidate (which of course must be from the same old and tired
people who have served in previous governments with no known practical impact
in the lives of the people), the media should set an agenda for national debate
on practical strategies of addressing issues like corruption which, in my view,
is now a national disaster.
The Kenyan Media’s Debate on CORD’s Presidential Candidate is Misplaced
Reviewed by Ibrahim Magara
on
October 10, 2016
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