Sunday, 6 January 2008

Kenya celebrates New Year with a National Trash Party: Older but no Wiser

Why are Kenyans turning in on themselves? The gains made after 45 years of independence have been destroyed in 10 days.

You, Rafiki, have lost about 5 years of hard work every 24 hours in the last 10 days. As this situation goes on you'll be losing about 5 years of your future hopes, dreams and aspirations each day. Is this a proce worth paying?

Have you stopped to think about what the actual gains will be for you personally out of all this? The people who make money will most likely make more money out of the conflict and the ones with very little will end up with even less.

Overall the recovery from these last 10 days will take years, not weeks or months.

How long will it take to get the tourism back on an even footing?

How long will it take for the individual farmer to get things going again so that you can one again take for granted your Ugali or Githeri?

How long will it be before prices for essential settle back down again?

How many people who can flee will come back?

It is incredibly self-destructive for the poor to turn on each other whilst the wealthy, the Mabenzi, politicians etc… they’re behind their guarded, gated walls planning to win or flee as you lose your home and your hope.

This is a serious Trash Party for some and a heart-breaking tragedy for most Wanainchi.

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