Michael Mundia Kamau
P.O. Box 58972
00200 City Square
Nairobi
Kenya

2nd June 2004

           “UKITAKA CHUKUA”

One of the highlights of celebrations to mark the 41st anniversary of
Kenya’s Madaraka day was the humuorous drama presentation on HIV-AIDS,
which partly portrayed the cause of the scourge as women dressed in tight
clothing bestriding their surroundings with posteriors that suggestively moved
to the tune of “Ukitaka Chukua”( Take it if you want it). The brief
presentation is food for thought for a nation that is feigning shock at the discovery
of butchered foetuses and an equally hypocritical clergy that is crying
foul long after “ukitaka chukua” has long entrenched itself in the church.

It is no secret that the church in Kenya has lost all ground as
guardians of morality and spirituality. Immodest and revealing clothing by women is
the standard of dress at Sunday worship, fellowship, evening prayers and
the infamous all night worship sessions known as “kesha”. Many of the
butchered foetuses were conceived at these all night vigils and at counseling
sessions with priests. The church in Kenya has failed miserably in it’s role as
the conscience of  society. “The Passion of Christ”, a brilliant work of
cinematography by Mel Gibson, must rank as the most attended and
highest grossing film ever shown in Kenya. It however remains to be seen
whether the church or Christians in Kenya will draw from the richness of the
production.
The anguish of Christ in the opening scenes of the film and the
flogging of Jesus just before the crucifixion, can be said to be  defining moments
that have little semblance and little inspiration in Kenya today. The
macabre situation of the church in Kenya is not being aided by battles for
supremacy such as as the melodramatic drawn out episode that featured at
Nairobi’s Buru Buru Church of God.

The entire religious faith in Kenya is required to address severe
problems in the church and restore direction in society. Humility and modesty
have taken a back seat in Kenya. It is unfortunate to see fully grown men
and women being choosy of Public Service Vehicles in a country emerging
from a transport crisis that saw men, women and children desperately latch
onto any and all means of transport for an agonising period of two months. It is
this misplaced pride that is blurring proper vision in Kenya, a country
blessed with an ideal climate and abundant resources. Many Kenyans would suffer
irreparable depression if exposed only minutely to the perennial unrest
that has plagued the Middle East for centuries, and we urgently need to grow
up.

Much as we justifiably continue to criticise the leadership of
President Kibaki and his government, we must also take stock of our own actions.
As we continue to wallow in empty pride such as being selective of the Public
Service Vehicles we ride in, life prospers for a select few who have
mastered the art of survival and living to see another day. As we
continue to bicker for all or nothing, a select few are entrenching their
relevance in NARC’s Kenya and beyond. An example is that of Transport Minister
John Michuki, whose illustrious career has spanned four different regimes,
the colonial regime, Kenyatta’s regime, Moi’s regime and Kibaki’s regime.
John Njoroge Michuki, despite his apparent disdain for the Nyayo era, is
more likely to sit down for a cup of tea and afternoon chat with former
President Daniel arap Moi, than with the majority of those who elected NARC to
power.
Regrettably, there are still several individuals of Michuki’s
generation who are still hopelessly demanding for Kenyatta’s reward, the same way that
several are still pestering for NARC’s. Another example is that of
Eliud Mahihu, who found glory in the colonial administration, Kenyatta’s
administration and Moi’s administration. When Mzee Jomo Kenyatta was
putting together his government, he needed men and women with experience and
exposure, who would ensure much needed continuity. Eliud Mahihu, an
experienced colonial administrator, fitted this role. When Daniel arap
Moi was managing the transition from Kenyatta’s rule to his own, he needed
men and women with experience and exposure. Eliud Mahihu, who skillfully
steered the initial phases of the Kenyatta succession, fitted this role. Eliud
Mahihu’s formal schooling did not go beyond primary level standard
eight, but his pivotal role in the history of this country stands out.

This is the basis of President Kibaki’s 2004 Madaraka day speech, that
was heavily laden with parables and veiled cautions. President Kibaki
pointed out that his government would perform the role of facilitator and no
more.
President Kibaki also pointed out that hard work would carry the day.
In effect, President Kibaki was saying that reward would eventually revert
to those who were taking the initiative to make a meaningful livelihood
out of the resources and opportunities currently available in Kenya.



Michael Mundia Kamau