In history freedom has more often than not been bought by blood shed. Pagan religions traditionally offered human sacrifices to appease their gods. It was considered a very valuable sacrifice. We Christians believe that Jesus Christ purchased our salvation by shedding his righteous blood. It would follow then human sacrifice is probably the highest form of sacrifice we can offer – you just can’t put a price on it.
A bewitchingly beautiful country in East Africa, blessed with breathtaking natural splendour was discovered by Arab traders as early as the 9th century. The Portuguese explorers arrived around the 16th century and violent battles for control of the now Kenyan coast between them and the Arabs ensued. Foreigners were killing each other for part of our land – how much value did they see in it to butcher each other for.
In the 19th century the British imperialists invaded and conquered the reigning Omani Arabs at the Kenyan coast and thereafter established colonial rule. They employed a strategy of divide and conquer using brutal means to contain any opposition.
Kenyan freedom fighters shed blood, lost their homes, were maimed and killed in the struggle for emancipation from imperialism. Clearly, both the imperial government and our freedom fighters had vested interests. However, each was fighting for a different cause but the prize was the same – Kenya.
In 1964, Kenya became a republic achieving full independence under Kenyatta’s presidency. Though the economy grew considerably, he set a precedent for cronyism and pillaging of our land and resources. His successor Moi took the cue from Kenyatta. Reading from the same script, he divided the country further and brought the economy to its knees. If corruption was a teenager in Kenyatta’s reign, it became fully grown in Moi’s.
After a euphoric victory in 2002 over Moi’s preferred successor Uhuru Kenyatta, Kibaki, Kenya’s 3rd president promised to quell corruption as he took his oath of office before a historical mammoth crowd at Uhuru Park.
Contrary to his premise, corruption thrived on his watch with scandal after scandal making headlines.
After Kibaki’s disputed re-election in 2007, violent protest and killings broke out which led to Kenya getting a coalition government with Raila Odinga becoming Prime Minister. This government seems like a coalition of criminals, built on blood shed from the 2007 post election violence as the tradition of looting public funds and property continues with no culprits apprehended.
How much is this country worth? How much innocent blood has to be shed because of “hunger for power”. It was started by the Arabs and the Portuguese, then the British and then our own leaders. Kenyatta’s rule saw many unresolved political assassinations as did Moi’s which added tribal clashes. Kibaki’s re-election in 2007 saw the bloodiest massacre and displacement of Kenyans in the history of independent Kenya.
Even now as we seek a new constitution, Kenyans have been killed in a grenade attack that was recorded on film.
All the killings that have happened for the control of this land have been perpetrated supervised, funded and promulgated by wealthy and powerful individuals. Of interest to note is that justice has eluded the victims of these injustices who would be called in one word – Kenyans.
It would seem those who gained the power forgot what it was like to be in the struggle for justice, Kenyatta, Moi, Kibaki, Raila and our honourable members of parliament – all at different times were on the other side – justice seekers. However, once in power, they all seem to forget the struggle and become self seekers. When will this madness stop?
How much is this country worth? Is Kenya showing it’s true worth? I say NO!
We need greater help, we need to give this country to God – The creator.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man (Ps 118:8). Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth and a foot out of joint (Prov 25:19). If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2Chron 7:14).
Let he who has an ear hear.
We have, for many years watched our country get raped by the rich and powerful while they manipulate the system and get away with all sorts of crime scot-free. Kenya must hold a record in the Guinness Book for the most unresolved atrocities to human kind. From political assassinations, tribal clashes, to the brink of genocide – name it, we got it.
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