I was in Kenya in 2002 and because am also here today, I can report the following:
Honestly, people who were present at Kasarani on TNA (Tuesday, 9th April) were more than those who were at Uhuru park on 30th December 2002 when former president Mwai Kibaki was sworn in. In 2002, there were about 30 million Kenyans. Today, we are about 45 million. Only about half were celebrating. Most Kenyans have accepted to “move on.”
The number of heads of states and governments were almost double those who came in 2002. Whether it was a public relation exercise by Uhuruto or not, that is what I can honestly report.
On the negative, just like then, our president elect came to the stadium later than the scheduled time and Museveni was still the president of Uganda. I bet he will also give a speech when our 5th president will be sworn in. Of all who attended, only he and Mugabe were in power when Kibaki came in.
Contrary to the 2002 event, the outgoing president was wildly cheered when he entered the stadium and went round on the land rover greeting people. Then, it was “Yote yawezekana bila Moi ” chants led by Mukhisa Kituyi and Raila Odinga. It was jeers as he went round. In fact it was Moi’s turn to celebrate as he was likewise cheered when he arrived.
In 2002, elections were held on December 27th, results announced on 29th and Kibaki sworn in on 30th of the same month. Moi was not to get an extra day in office. This time it was exactly 30 days after official results were announced. The constitution is in control and moreover Kibaki had done such a good job that some people did not even wish him out.
In 2002 only KBC aired the event as opposed to the Kasarani one where many stations, both national and vernacular took part. This is the freedom of the media that Kibaki gave us and no one should compromise it. The good thing is that Moi was there to see all this. If you want to know your success in leadership, wait until your successor hands over power.
Although Uhuru opposed Obama in the past election, he seems to be influenced greatly by him. He swore using the Bible used by his father like Obama used Lincoln’s and his wife held the Bible with him, Obama style. Furthermore, like Obama, he is left handed. His presidential standard is light blue, a slight variation from his father’s blue. Moi’s standard was green while Kibaki had white.
The first lady is in a tight situation. Her name is Margaret Wanjiru Kenyatta. If she calls herself Margaret Wanjiru, people will think of Bishop Wanjiru whereas should she use Margaret Kenyatta, it is her in-law’s name; Margaret Kenyatta, a daughter to Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and a onetime Nairobi mayor. She also does not like being in public but is now the first lady.
Surprisingly none of the presidential candidates in the past election attended the Kasarani event, not unless I am mistaken. Not even Muite who defended Uhuru during the debates.
Meanwhile Mama Ngina Kenyatta has taken up Lucy Kibaki’s role of deciding who enters statehouse. She had missed her “home” for the past 35 years and she is now back.
Honestly, people who were present at Kasarani on TNA (Tuesday, 9th April) were more than those who were at Uhuru park on 30th December 2002 when former president Mwai Kibaki was sworn in. In 2002, there were about 30 million Kenyans. Today, we are about 45 million. Only about half were celebrating. Most Kenyans have accepted to “move on.”
The number of heads of states and governments were almost double those who came in 2002. Whether it was a public relation exercise by Uhuruto or not, that is what I can honestly report.
On the negative, just like then, our president elect came to the stadium later than the scheduled time and Museveni was still the president of Uganda. I bet he will also give a speech when our 5th president will be sworn in. Of all who attended, only he and Mugabe were in power when Kibaki came in.
Contrary to the 2002 event, the outgoing president was wildly cheered when he entered the stadium and went round on the land rover greeting people. Then, it was “Yote yawezekana bila Moi ” chants led by Mukhisa Kituyi and Raila Odinga. It was jeers as he went round. In fact it was Moi’s turn to celebrate as he was likewise cheered when he arrived.
In 2002, elections were held on December 27th, results announced on 29th and Kibaki sworn in on 30th of the same month. Moi was not to get an extra day in office. This time it was exactly 30 days after official results were announced. The constitution is in control and moreover Kibaki had done such a good job that some people did not even wish him out.
In 2002 only KBC aired the event as opposed to the Kasarani one where many stations, both national and vernacular took part. This is the freedom of the media that Kibaki gave us and no one should compromise it. The good thing is that Moi was there to see all this. If you want to know your success in leadership, wait until your successor hands over power.
Although Uhuru opposed Obama in the past election, he seems to be influenced greatly by him. He swore using the Bible used by his father like Obama used Lincoln’s and his wife held the Bible with him, Obama style. Furthermore, like Obama, he is left handed. His presidential standard is light blue, a slight variation from his father’s blue. Moi’s standard was green while Kibaki had white.
The first lady is in a tight situation. Her name is Margaret Wanjiru Kenyatta. If she calls herself Margaret Wanjiru, people will think of Bishop Wanjiru whereas should she use Margaret Kenyatta, it is her in-law’s name; Margaret Kenyatta, a daughter to Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and a onetime Nairobi mayor. She also does not like being in public but is now the first lady.
Surprisingly none of the presidential candidates in the past election attended the Kasarani event, not unless I am mistaken. Not even Muite who defended Uhuru during the debates.
Meanwhile Mama Ngina Kenyatta has taken up Lucy Kibaki’s role of deciding who enters statehouse. She had missed her “home” for the past 35 years and she is now back.
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