Is Kenya facing a Revolution?

For a Kenyan who lives outside Kenya, the only news one is likely to get are those filtered by the journalists and foreign diplomats. That is the reality. For those living in Kenya, there are a little bit more genuine sources, less biased and probably less selective.

Now, a renown political analysts Mutahi Ngonyi has consistently helped us Kenyans to look at the Kenyan situation, not as an hopeless one but as a necessary passage in the making of a new Kenya. I am a priest and one of my duties is to become a listening presence to my people so that I may relay their sensations and desires to God from their own point of view. This is to say commenting on the situation of Kenya is obviously the fruit of this ardent listening and reflection on my part. I would like therefore, to beg the indulgence of the professional political analysts, if not their forgiveness, before I dare even to begin.

The political instability seen in this country since the December 2007 elections is clearly a challenge to Christians and the Church. It is clearly a theological challenge, a challenge to active and conscious faith in the God of Jesus Christ. God is on the side of the oppressed. A true follower of Jesus is therefore the one who is on the side of God, with no better choice that staying on the side of the oppressed.

The challenge is based on the extraordinary sensitive and careful social analysis that is, itself, informed by an impeccable christian theology. Quite often than not, statements and actions by Christians are faithful to this truth that God stands on the side of the poor. Our key problem in Kenya is impunity. The rich and the politically correct go free whenever they break the rule of law, or actually, the rule of law does not exist for them? Impunity is the child of tyranny.

A government is said to be tyrannical if it acts as the enemy of the common good. While our current Grand Coalition Government might not be totally tyrannical, its many acts of injustice push us to think it so. We are slow to think that this government is tyrannical because its leaders do not seem to be enemies of the common good in principle. Yet, there are several cases of this government acting against the interests of the Kenyans. Why, for instance, didn't the two principles push for a local tribunal to the end? Why, once more, didn't the two principles opt for the Hague as most Kenyans seem to prefer?

Just the other day, a young christian approached me and shared his deep dissatisfaction with the current political situation. He felt that a government that fails to work in the interest of the people cannot change all over sudden. It can be replaced by another government, a government with people's interest at heart.

It follows, therefore that, the church cannot collaborate with tyranny. Those of us who have followed what the NCCK have been doing up to now will agree that they are right to mobilize their flock to begin thinking and working a plan for change in the government of Kenya. Faithfulness to its call demands this. The Christians of Kenya, and others who work for justice in this country, deserve the support of the Christians throughout the world. Challenge to the Kenyan church is a challenge to the church wherever it may be found.

While Kenyans are agitating for change, we wonder whether we want a change that comes quickly or a change that comes slowly. We have waited up to now for a better Kenya and I think there is no reason to lose hope or worse still to start off a revolution. Whatever comes though, is sure to be received by Kenyans enthusiastically.

[Meanwhile, My IT pupils have performed marvellously. They needed the assurance that all what they needed to know for the exam was what was taught in class. That I did.]

don Kirimo