NOT YET UHURU
Uhuru is Swahili for independence. Kenya, just like many colonized nations, got independence in the mid 20th century. Before then, there was the oppression that only colonialists could practice. Think of forced labour, taxation, lack of freedom to move in your own country, and eviction from your own land.
History lists men and women who felt that there was something wrong with that order of things. Many were branded terrorists by the colonial powers. Many were killed in the struggle for independence. They all played their role on different platforms. At the end, though, their struggle bore fruit as the foreign flags were lowered, the national songs changed, and individuals with familiar complexion; noses and names took over leadership.
After independence, the grievances continued. The governments run by natives continued with the relay. The only difference was that the faces behind the oppression were our own. The freedom fighters – the ones left in the cold and the true nationalists – started a fresh round of struggle for good governance. This time, against their own people, their former colleagues in the struggle. Neo-colonialism did not help make the situation any better.
Currently, the offspring of the favoured few are busy at it, making our countries worse than they were half a century ago. There are many ills that affect us. From history, we realize that there is nothing different now from how our parents were treated then. The only difference is that the wolves eating them then were from Europe. Indeed it is not yet Uhuru.
You must be logged in to post a comment.