The Kenyan Revolution: Drivers and Dynamics

There is near consensus among most Kenyans that there is need for radical change in the Kenyan social, political and economic system. For this to happen, people have unanimously agreed that the only salvation will come from a revolution of the people. People are waiting for a poor people driven revolution. But can the poor institute a revolution in Kenya or is it a mirage. Well in Africa, the poor have instituted revolutions in the fight against the colonialists, though these fights were hijacked and taken over by then middle class and aristocrats of the times. Even the French Revolution was never instituted and won by the poor…holoi polloi.

The reasons why I feel the Kenyan poor cannot institute a revolution are varied. First the system has drummed into them how powerless and helpless they are. The system has ensured that even in instances where the poor are being oppressed it seems and they believe they are being helped. Two cases in point: First, in the matatu industry, guys who frequent upcountry routes must have noticed the PSVs plying those routes are the worst at overloading. Ukikataa kuweka joint you are made to look bad and the guys in the name of kama ni wewe ungetaka tukuache hapa, the poor oblige but the fare haisongi. Ng’o! Another instance is in the workplace, the workers are made to believe how they are being helped. Nakupa msahara ya mia tano. Yet you earn the company 1,000% of your pesa nane salary.

Another reason is that the system has put in place various institutions to ensure the poor cannot institute a revolution: The preacher-man pon de pulpit is everywea everyde to make sure when you are slapped pon one cheek yu fi turn de atha. No resistance. Do not fight for your pie- it is in heaven. The policeman is da to ensure if you fight the big man yu fi bite the bullet (they make no rubber shit these days) and if you are lucky u can do some free hard labour in Big Brother. The teacher man is also dea 25-7 to make sure u catch the Big Man Syndrome. The system agents are all ova the place. It is truly a shitstem. Can the poor man fight and demolish it ….nadda.

Lastly but aint the least is that there will neva be consensus on the revolution modus operandi. While you are fighting for a better salary so as you can pay rent thea is someone who wants your current salary to be able to feed and clothe himself. While u are crying uaself hoarse for your job, someone would surely laugh all the way to heaven with his place in that payroll.

So buoy what is it in it? Who will drive the Kenyan revolution? Will it happen? Can it succeed? What kind of a revolution do we need? I don’t have the answer to all those questions right now. But I believe a revolution can only be instituted, driven and overseen by the middle class. Is there a middle class in Kenya? Who are they? The teachers? The COTU brigade? Matatu drivers? Matatatu owners? You? Me? What will make the middle class yearn for a revolution? Aren’t they too comfortable? Aren’t they part of the system? Methinks they are the victims. And two scenarios played out on 31^st January 2010, which to me are a pointer how the middle class can actively participate in a revolution. One, the demonstration against the killing of KQ pilot Martin Gitehi Njuma. Martin Njuma was mugged and killed at Makaburini area near Bunyala roundabout. His untimely death angered many of his friends and relatives who on Sunday 31^st February 2010 organised a demonstration calling for the Government to act on insecurity along Uhuru Highway and in other roads. The demo has led to act firmly. This is unlike when the people from Mathare and Kibera complain of mugging. Fiends and relatives has vowed to put up a police station at the spot.Two, the Atwoli theatrics. Atwoli has been going around the country with his Agenda Four and he has been sounding a very angry man. He made his Declaration on the same day 31^st January 2010 at Kamukunji proposing some radical shiet.

For the middle class to act it seems it has to get very angry, and then get even more angry. Looks like Kenya middle class is angry and impatient. But is it angry enough. What makes the middle class angry to initiate a revolution cannot be predicted. Maybe the poor can participate in making the middle class in getting angry. Wah…. through the activities of Mungikis, muggers, et al. Heheh I don’t know but the middle class needs to be frustrated by the aristocrats like in the France scenario. Are they fed up with the system…

One of the major reason why the middle class doesn't institute a revolution in Kenya and in other African states like Zimbabwe is selfishness or self preservation depending on which side of the coin u be watching. When the public education system goes awry they transfer their kids to private school. When the public health system goes on its knees thy have alternative private clinics. When insecurity hits your neighborhood you move to safer neighborhood as you can afford. The question is when the middle class reaches boiling point ...Martin's case is a pointer of things to come.

But maybe that won't come in the near future ..maybe members of the aristocracy will bring that revolution if the PSC deal is anything to go by

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No peace till equal rights n justice