Anti-colonialism Mantra and Archetypal colonial laws

President Kenyatta continued with the anti-colonial theme in his speech during this year’s October 20^th Mashujaa day celebration. He first introduced this theme while addressing extraordinary session of the African Union meeting held in Ethiopia – Addis Ababa on 12^th October 2013.

His speech at the African Union had statements like “Although we have been relentlessly exploited in the past…Even though we were dominated and controlled by imperialists and colonial interests in years gone by…[and] As leaders, we are the heirs of freedom fighters, and our founding fathers. These liberation heroes founded the Organization of African Unity, which was dedicated to the eradication of ALL FORMS OF COLONIALISM [emphases NOT mine].”

During the Mashujaa day, President Kenyatta repeated the same motif by speaking of the 20^th of October as the “day that marks the official beginning of the worst phase of colonialism, and the most harrowing period of our struggle for independence…our fathers rejected colonialism and imperial domination in their time. We must honour their legacy, and stay true to our heritage, by rejecting all domination and manipulation in our time…they may be powerful and rich, but so were the colonists.”

What is remarkable is not the President’s denunciation of colonialism, past presidents have done as much, though not as eloquently but it is in his affirmation of the unique dignity of every Kenyan. When he says “we believe in one Kenya: a Kenya where every citizen, whoever they are, wherever they live, will have the same opportunity to succeed and prosper free of discrimination – open or hidden…we stand for an inclusive government committed in word and deed to the people it serves.”

If there is one president who has what it takes – both personally but also historical positioning, to end the colonial legacy, then it is President Kenyatta. Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga too would be historically suited to end this legacy of colonial mind-set. They both have had seen their parents hold strong anti-colonial, albeit differing ideological positions.

Yet what will liberate us from the colonial mind-set, and ultimately lead to the realization of the “Kenyan dream” is ending corruption. This is a tall order given the pragmatism that daunts political survival. While President Kenyatta may not be vulnerable to political wheeler-dealers thanks to his immense financial inheritance, there are many who would like to see a vulnerable sport they can exploit for personal gain.

If the president were to allow this to happen, he would be selling himself short! As we celebrate the Independence Jubilee, it would indeed be a great time to re-boot our systems and start afresh; this time around hoping to do better in those areas we have failed in the past. 

The anti-colonial motif can be an interesting philosophy for the Kenyatta presidency. It has within it a legacy he can deliver on, and even perhaps campaign on for re-election in 2017. His chief adviser on political affairs, Nancy Gitau (East African Standard  20^th October 2013), seems to have something going when she [very unfortunately] decide to paint Maina Kiai and Kofi Annan as part of a “program” that paints Africa as being very primitive. 

One does not need to paint Africa as being primitive – as long as there are slums the size of Kibera, flying toilets and biological function of giving birth, is for many women a death sentence! Yet one of the principle reasons why this remains the case is because of corruption. If the president were to rein in on it, then the ‘Kiai Narrative/program’ would be rendered moot. 

Another area he can deliver on, is in repealing oppressive colonial laws which deny many Kenyans ability to “succeed and prosper free of discrimination”.  Laws that entrench discrimination on account of sexuality, have no place in modern Kenya. They are indeed archetypes of colonialism - to the extent that they are based on a ‘colonialistic’ [a term used by founding president – the 1^st Kenyatta], cultural and religious milieu – notably the Victorian morality. For the anti-colonial motif to carry any water, repealing them becomes both necessary and urgent. I can see his party taking to parliament a bill that fully brings Art. 27 of our constitution into effect - it could even be called a "Freedom from discrimination" bill.

It is also important for the President to demonstrate inclusivity in the public space, by providing podium to diverse voices and faces that represent Kenya. In the past, this has been narrowly defined as public appointments into prominent public offices. This is erroneous, the president as a symbol of national unity, has within him enormous opportunities, many of them without cost implications to advance this unity in word and deed. One such opportunity would be to call for a meeting with LGBT persons to listen to what their Kenyan experience is. It just might be what needs fixing for us to realize the Kenyan dream!