Zeitgeist - The spirit of the time!

There comes a time when people get tired; tired of being plundered by government in pay perks for politicians; tired of being kicked about by the brutal feet of oppression, tired of being tired. Just tired! Zeitgeist: onward soldiers! In post President Moi-police-state, for some time Kenyans have shown an amazing patience. In some way we have given the government and political class a feeling that we like the way we are being treated. But in the final analysis we must all come to accept that there is nothing called government (it only exists in our mind) but what we have are individuals like you and myself who the public has entrusted with some rights and common resources as custodians. Often, like all of us, these individuals act in excess of their mandate. Human weaknesses such as greed, selfishness or beastly behavior get the best of them resulting in riotous behavior which manifests in acts like giving the nod to government expenditures on hefty pay cheques for members of parliament. While Kenyans joyful linch petty suspected thugs,conmen, I am amazed at our tolerance at the acts of the 222 Matheris masquerading as honournable MPs. The other day, members of the Civil society together with a group of youth showed up at parliament's doorstep to protest against public plunder in the name hefty golden handshake for members of parliament and voice their disdain at other well known anomalies in our government. While no one expected it since this was a peaceful demonstration, the police appeared from nowhere at high noon brandishing guns and fired teargas into the crowd. Some of us scampered for safety, the Civil Society leaders Mr. Mwalimu Mate, Ms Ann Njogu, Mr Okoiti Omutatah, Mr. Cyprian Nyamwamu were arrested and underwent an ordeal of 72hours in the cells without prefered charges. The whole dramma had some realy nasty accident that got Omutatah and Mwalimu Mate injured. News just arrived in Fwamba has been arrested alongside Kepta Ombati and they are being held at Muthaiga Police cells....it is all about resitance on the increase of MPs pay perk .... Irrespective of personal sentiments about civil society leadership and any of us who joined them, anyone must in the end acknowledge that the action of the demonstration is in itself noble and justified, both morally and legally. That is, anyone who truly cares to subscribe to the highest principle of law and order. One of the great glories of democracy anywhere in our world is the right for citizens to protest. Protest is an inherent reflex action in all of us. It is like coughing when chocked...you cannot hold it! Some of us protest feebly from inside but others cannot stomach their disgust at anomalies in the society so they shake while coughing (which to some is an irritant!) We were repulsed today by police from parliament where we went to drum our digust the behavior of our MPs... you see my friends we went to the parliament because we were feeling choked by the nauseating plans to give parliamentarians more money, we were choking under the pungency of the government's falsehood in hoodwinking the women fraternity that they have reserved 50 parliamentary seats for them in exchange for votes, we were choking in asphyxiation from the government's plan to gerrymander our constituency borders to broaden its chances of winning the 2007 General Elections. Now, if one wants freedom and the privileges of freedom, one cannot afford to be tired. That is why we are planning( but it will have to hold on that becos we have to secure Fwamba's release) a return to parliament to express our disgust at the act of looting public coffers and to dramatise the situation of common citizen whose child goes to bed hungry, the lot that has never seen a dentist, those who have never seen clean water and those who only hear of electricity. We will be at the parliament buildings because we need plausible answers to the following questions: Why can't the government use the Ksh. 900 million they are giving members of parliament as a Christmas gift, to get doctors, medicine and security services in the forgotten Kenya (Pokot, Turkana, Kwale, Samburu, Garrisa etc)? Why can’t they use that money to zero rate taxes on common citizens' essentials such as sugar, maize flour, kerosene, salt etc? Brothers and sisters, 56% of our population can hardly get by in their livelihood. Life is designed in a way that we can’t afford to feel comfortable when others live in terrible conditions. We must come to accept that we are our brother’s keeper. For us to realize the country that we desire there are things we will have to challenge head on. There are some sacrifices to be made. Will you stand up to be counted? Let your conscience be your guide. In the spirit of the time, George Nyongesa +254 720 451 235