STATE OF THE NATION - THREE REALITIES

There are several political realities that we need to embrace.

First, there is a saying, "Utavuna ulichopanda." Only the farmer who clears the field and plants
expects a harvest. The wider the area planted, the more the harvest.
The reality is that from the day the Supreme Court annulled the results, President Uhuru
Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have transversed Kenya planting seeds and asking voters
to elect them during the repeat election.
The other team has not been campaigning and has chosen to issue press statements and make
overseas visits.
Voters are on the ground and in Kenya.
Therefore, clear logic is that the person who has humbled himself by going to the ground to seek
votes will definitely have a bigger harvest - utavuna ulichopanda!
It is therefore, logical to conclude, that on October 26th, Uhuru Kenyatta will carry the day.
Therefore, why should we be caught on the wrong side of history by voting for a different team?
One should not waste one's vote. Vote for the winning team.

Secondly, Kenya has, in Africa, been considered a bastion of peace. In actual fact, Kenya has
hosted refugees from our neighbors : Rwanda, Burundi, Southern Sudan, Somalia, Uganda,
Ethiopia and more.
The above mentioned countries have had histories of bloodshed borne of political violence.
Historians will tell you that a common feature of these nations were violent political
demonstrations.
What we are witnessing in Kenya where some leaders are calling for endless demonstrations and
making "either or" demands are the foundation for civil strife. If we let these leaders continue,
we may end up being refugees in Uganda, Somalia and South Sudan.
We want peace and that is why demonstrations are confined to some sections of this country. In
Ukambani region, we are NOT demonstrating because we know what it really means.

Lastly, a democratic election is akin to the World Cup soccer finals tournament. It is an event
that is big and that has many teams. If during a World Cup finals championship, a particular
team withdraws and says it will not participate, this does not precipitate cancellation of the
tournament. Indeed, the remaining teams will play and the tournament will still be legitimate.
In the same token, if one or two people say they will not participate in a democratic election, this
does not cancel the competition. Throwing in the towel or even giving away a match is allowed
in boxing and even in football.
In conclusion, Kenya is considered one of the most stable democracies in Africa. All election
competitions, including that of the largest democracy India and even the United States, have
quagmires, but the constitution, the law and reality have to prevail.

These three points, my friends, are the realities as I see them. You may not like them but it does
not change the reality.

Utavuna ulichopanda.

Dr. Alfred N. Mutua, EBS.