Someone once suggested, in the heat of the struggle for multiparty democracy, that those found flashing the multi-party (two-finger) salute should have their fingers chopped off. No fingers were severed.
But the terror unleashed on the proponents of multiparty democracy in the late 80s to mid 90s struggle was equally brutal if not worse. The police, determined to thwart free expression and association, let loose state terror on political dissidents. Many were detained, killed, maimed and exiled.
The powerbrokers intent on forestalling democracy did not succeed.
As though echoing the great words of renowned French writer Victor Hugo, thus “One cannot resist an idea whose time has come”, the fight marched on and the KANU regime eventually yielded. Multi-party politics was reintroduced in the 1992 General Election.
Make no mistake, this was the peak of political intolerance in Independent Kenya and the first ever Opposition win in the 2002 General Election came with a big sigh of relief.
Even though a lot may not have gone well under President Kibaki’s 10-year regime, many freedom fronts were opened. Kenyans enjoyed unparalleled freedom of speech and association.
It was hoped that President Kenyatta’s regime would build on Kibaki’s legacy. The contrary is happening.
The level of political intolerance witnessed in Jubilee Government’s one year in power is shocking. There has been steady plowing back of the gains made in the past decade. Indeed the State response to the referendum debate on the issue of Devolution is nerve racking.
The political elite, especially those in power, appear to have a sense of entitlement. They seem to think they are almighty righteous and the rest have to tow their line wapende wasipende. Those who do not are branded rebels and enemy of development.
Dissidents within their Coalition are threatened with unspecified consequences, including expulsion. This is nauseating.
Last month’s spat pitting Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Aden Duale and chair of Governor’s Council Isaac Ruto was uncalled for and a bad example to the youth. Duale’s attack on Ruto, invoking the latter’s mother bordered on the abominable. Ruto is leading the governors’ quest for more funds for the devolved units.
Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua, after toying with the idea of banning referendum campaigns in his county, eventually resorted to confiscating the Okoa Kenya referendum signature booklets from clerks in the county. The former Administration Police Commandant is mired in the past that he seems not to appreciate that the right of association and speech was reclaimed from the KANU regime at a dear price that he cannot just decide to withdraw the same at will.
In Nandi County, Senator Sang Stephen Kipyego led the county’s six MPs to attack County officials that have stood with their governor, Cleophas Kiprop on the Pesa Mashinani campaign. The Nandi County chief of staff is hospitalized from the injuries he sustained during the fracas.
More worrying was the heckling of the President in the opposition stronghold of Migori. This is unforgivable. The violence at Makueni County Assembly that left five with gunshot wounds is the most despicable.
The Jubilee government is misjudging the intelligence of Kenyans. Those who seek to control the democratic space need to understand that Kenyans’ level of general knowledge and political interests in political matters, and their understanding of human rights as enshrined in the Constitution, have improved since the downfall of the Kanu government.
The advancement in technology has also helped to inform and sophisticate the voter. Government’s approach when pushing its agenda has to henceforth shift from intimidation to persuasion. Kenyans are knowledgeable to make the right choices.
We must learn to let others have their say as we have our way. Most import, the law should take its course irrespective of the status and stature of those exhibiting extreme political intolerance
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