Kudos to Kenya and Uganda over Migingo

After Kenyan parliament preliminary gave a nod to the draft constitution, it must be said. Despite all wrangling, backstabbing, politicking, scheming, ‘tribalization’ by a section of sick and bankrupt politicians, schemers, tribal lords you name it, Kenyans have come of age for attaining this milestone that failed others for over two decades. This is my first reason I give them kudos shall they see to it that the new constitution is written.

The second reason for my kudos emanates from the fact that Kenya’s case has been clearly stated and judged on Migingo-island saga. Now Migingo mishap can be put to bed as the duo soldier on peacefully and friendly.

Kenya will scoop another kudos shall it allow ICC team to operate swiftly and ultimately submit Kenyan warlords behind the 2008 mayhem to The Hague.

So too, Uganda deserves kudos for not clinging to squaring the circle. When Ugandan strong man Yoweri Museveni said that Migingo was Kenyan though its waters were Ugandan, the case was over. Next was to bite the bullet and lick the wounds. Though precious time was unreasonably wasted on wrangling, braggadocios and face saving, the lesson has been learned. We need not to repeat this blunder though. Now the whole world knows. Migingo Island belongs to where it belonged- Kenya as it has always been.

Without maturity and commitment on both sides, nothing would have been achieved. Importantly though, we need to let bygone be bygone and face the future. We must avoid idiotic mistakes or dressing up some vengeance and nonsense that can spoil our future. All those that were caught in the crossfire must forgive and forge ahead. The Luos that were called mad people by Museveni must too forgive and forge ahead. Those that wanted to gain a political mileage on this should so too find another way.

I once asked. If East African countries could nary have the brains to solve a just-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 this standoff between Kenya and Tanzania on selling ivories is but unnecessary. Our leaders need to sit down and sort things out for the good future of the region.

It is nice that the language of war is now over. Shame on some politicians especially in Kenya that once urged President Mwai Kibaki to dispatch army to solve the problem militarily. This has proved that EA countries can still solve their problems amicably and maturely.

Though we can celebrate 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 kilometre inside Tanzania’s territory. If this is not timely arrested, truly, it will destabilize the region. Land has always been the source of all conflicts. Therefore the good thing to do is to arrest this uncouth behaviour before it sired wars and misunderstandings.

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. 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 Adams is perfect. Even the books of authorities religions use have their shortfall if they are microscopically examined. Why don’t Kenyans write their new constitution and given that there are premises for amending it, the rest contentious issues will be tackled 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. These countries have the most archaic constitutions and the citizenry there is 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 they are no builders. But for the case of Kenya, I believe. There can still be builders and trees altogether. Importantly is to firmly seize this moment of truth in the making of a new Kenya.

Let me surmise urging Kenyans to firmly cling to important issues such as fair land distribution in lieu of moral things like abortion and the like.
Source: The African Executive Magazine April 21, 2010.