By agreeing to a coalition government, President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga put aside vile scramble for raw power in favour of true statesmanship.
Before the events that led to Kenya’s defining moment become a footnote in our history, it is important that we examine the factors that breed conflict and also draw lessons from Ghana in trying to create a sense of nationhood.
The prosperity achieved since Kenya’s independence has occurred at the expense of persisting inequalities, diversification and weaknesses in human development. Structural conflicts and the overzealous nature of sycophants and technocrats have, for a long time, thwarted our quest for shared prosperity.
Structural conflicts are caused by unequal control, ownership or distribution of resources, unequal power or authority, and geographic, physical or environmental factors that hinder cooperation.
Creation of the Ministry for the Development of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands is a bold and commendable move in designing mechanisms for equitable development.
President Kibaki and Mr Odinga need to be vigilant about individuals and actions that pervert a vital larger cause of fairness and justice in the distribution of resources and opportunities.
Fairness and equity are issues that should be confronted by all Kenyans. When I recently checked on the results of a certain ministry’s promotion interviews by the Public Service Commission, out of 150 officers promoted, close to 100 came from one region.
It is such skewed promotions that have caused so many immensely demotivated personnel (IDPs) in the civil service.
Kenya can draw important lessons from Ghana, a country that gave us President John Kufuor and chief mediator Kofi Annan during the post –election crisis.
Ghana has managed to avoid ethnic conflict, partly because of the policy of ensuring an even spread of political power is largely maintained over the years.
EMONG’OR EKISA,
Meru.
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