Free At Last

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, one of the founding fathers of our beloved country Kenya wrote a book called Not Yet Uhuru, out of the feeling that though Kenya had seen independence and broken off the yokes of colonialism, the young nation was yet to realise the true meaning of freedom!

Total freedom is the end of all manner of oppression, dependence, weakness, exploitation, abuse, incapability, ignorance, hunger, disease, misuse, tribalism, imbalance of power, corruption and impunity. The young nation with its first lawmakers had identified especially disease and ignorance as the biggest challenges to be dealt with for it to germinate and eventually blossom to the expected democratic republic of the people of Kenya. Jamuhuri.

These had to be conquered and eliminated for the total realisation of the dream as desired by our founding fathers among them the Kapenguria six and the men and women who relentlessly fought for our freedom. Anything less is Not Yet Uhuru.

Though Jaramogi’s son Raila might today say a different “not yet Uhuru”, I do believe that he, Jaramogi, would be appeased to see that Kenya has finally acquired it’s own constitution. The foundation rock upon which, a new nation shall be built. Soon, after the whole implementation, we will say free at last! Uhuru!!

But patience must rein. This is a process that will not take place by a day. It will need resolve by all Kenyans to uphold, respect and to apply to the letter in all that touch the nation and its citizens.

Funny enough, it is our lawmakers that seem to be surprised by the approaching new dawn. While every citizen is celebrating the long over due transition, some of our members of parliament still seem to be stuck somewhere between Not Yet Uhuru and the lost dream of the former colonialists. Their unwillingness to act fast and to the best for the nation is evident in their actions and careless and ignorant utterances. A display of uncontrollable selfishness and greed.

But this time we won’t let in failure. This is a bloodless coup, the ultimate revolution that will wrestle power from individuals and vest it in the law of the Land for the better of the Republic and it's Peoples. Accept it and be free.

The constitution is not made for one person nor should it be credited to one tribe. It must be the bridge that will unite the people of Kenya and empower every individual in its boundaries. It shall be the leader where the human fail and injustice seem, for the people to serve, protect and enhance. It must be used to check elitism, dominance, tribalism, dictatorship and to bring to end the corruption and impunity so manifested in our country.

A new bright Kenya is within reach. Brace your selves!

P Bryan Njoroge.