Despite all wrangling, backstabbing, politicking, scheming and ‘tribalization’ by a section of sick and bankrupt politicians, schemers and tribal lords, Kenyans have come of age and attained the milestone that has failed for over two decades. This is my first reason for giving them kudos shall they adopt the new constitution. 

The second reason for my kudos emanates from the fact that Kenya’s case has been clearly stated and judged on the Migingo Island saga. Now the whole world knows that Migingo Island belongs to where it has always belonged- Kenya. Kenya will scoop another kudos shall it allow the ICC team to operate swiftly and ultimately submit Kenyan warlords behind the post election violence mayhem to The Hague. 

Migingo Island

Uganda deserves kudos. Without maturity and commitment on both sides, nothing would have been achieved. Importantly though, we must avoid mistakes that can spoil our future. Everyone that was caught in the crossfire must forgive and forge ahead.Luos who were called mad people by Museveni must too forgive and forge ahead. Those who wanted to gain political mileage on this should find another way. 

I once asked. If East African countries could not have the brains to solve just a small saga- over Migingo, how could they reasonably share abundant resources in the area where others have and others don’t have? This has fully answered my question. Even the standoff between Kenya and Tanzania on selling ivory is unnecessary. Our leaders need to sit down and sort things out for the good future of the region. 

Though we celebrate the achievement on Migingo, there is still another looming crisis. In Tanzania, media recently reported that Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia are moving beacons on the borders as far as one kilometer inside Tanzania’s territory. This revelation was admitted by the director of land and survey Dr. Silassie Mayunga. If this is true, responsible countries need to sit down and straighten things before they get worse. If this is not timely arrested, truly, it will destabilize the region. Land has always been the source of all conflicts. This uncouth behaviour must be arrested before it sires war and misunderstanding. I am saying this thanks to the reaction-and-verge-of-going-to war Kenya and Uganda reached. If tiny island the size of a football pitch heated the duo up to such stage, what of a chunk of land a kilometre square? 

With regards to the draft constitution, many still see it as unfit for them, especially religious leaders. But they must understand one thing. No constitution written by bin- Adam is perfect. Even the books of authorities religions use have their shortfall if they are microscopically examined. Why can’t Kenyans write their new constitution and tackle contentious issues through constitutional amendments? 

Logically and reasonably, to let this golden chance go under will in the future be regretted highly. Many African countries have worse constitutions than that of Kenya. But they are not afforded such an opportunity to re-write their documents thanks to being crewed by brutal dictators or parties. Take neighbouring Tanzania and Uganda for example. These countries have the most archaic constitutions and the citizenry there are not allowed to re-write the same as Kenya is trying to do.  

The problem a human being faces is egoism. While Tanzanians and Ugandans are fancying they could be availed such an opportunity, Kenyans are kicking it! Swahili has it that where there are trees, there are no builders. But for the case of Kenya, I believe. There can still be builders and trees altogether. This moment of truth must be firmly in the making of a new Kenya. Kenyans must firmly cling to important issues such as fair land distribution in lieu of moral issues like abortion and the like.