Kudos to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) for compiling a list of 40 politicians ("list of shame") whose "derogatory speech along ethnic and racial lines" during the referendum campaigns were an incitement to violence.
The way I understand it is that the KNCHR is not only into reproving those politicians, but moreover its a test to see how far the Attorney General takes this matter seriously. And please note: "The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (the Commission) is an independent National Human Rights Institution established by an Act of Parliament."
For me as an external observer, it is nice to see how an independet group really gets to the point and puts the finger into the wound, thereby challenging the whole system. I think in many countries we have a lot of politicians that are way too much involved into the political game(s) and there’s this big gap between the electorate and their elected representatives.
As for Kenya, the referendum issue shows me that there are still a lot of things Kenyans will need to debate upon, a lot of frustration that needs to be discussed. And when I look at my own country – Germany – I see this huge gap between the people from the East and West, North and South and I wonder if things over here could also become as emotional as in Kenya right now. What else does it take for people over here to wake up and start taking part in those discussions? I know how difficult it is to motivate others on such issues but many only complain once its already too late. Maybe there a lot of political decisions that we can not agree with but it might already help to talk about problems and not to ignore them and leave them "to others".
Well said, well said. Kenyans have an annoying habit of sitting back and waiting for problems to solve themselves.
Half (and quarter baked) leadership is a problem that we create for ourselves. I hope the efforts of KNHRC will show Kenyans exactly what sort of monsters they have created.
Nice positive view. Unfortunately, the list by KNCHR will not amount to much. Nobody will be prosecuted and the situation on the ground will only get worse between now and the 21st.
What’s most amazing is the fact that these people making such incredibly dangerous, immature and idiotic comments are the so called leaders. Is it any wonder that Kenya is where it is socially, politically and economically?