I am writing this article in state of semi-euphoria, so you will forgive its breathless tone. It is Thursday night, and I have been witnessing something that seemed impossible at the beginning of the week: Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga sat down in front of the world’s cameras and signed a power-sharing deal.
It is clear to me that we have got this far mainly due to the indefatigable efforts of one man: Kofi Annan. I would go further and state that this Ghanaian is a true hero of the Republic of Kenya, and deserves the highest accolade we can offer as a nation. Most of the elders of the burning hut or morans of the broken spear that we have honoured over the years are not fit to carry this man’s bag, let alone criticise him.
Before you dismiss this as sycophantic rambling, let me explain. I have no doubt that Dr Annan was fulfilling the agenda of the international community. I suspect that a lot of his effectiveness in getting a deal finally hammered out comes from having the ‘big stick’ of the USA behind him. But that bothers me not a jot. For in this instance, the interests of the international community and those of the ordinary Kenyan were identical.
We have notoriously short memories in this country. Five or six weeks ago, we were on the brink of outright civil war. An unstoppable bloodbath seemed set to ensue. We ourselves, and our fabled ‘leaders’, seemed to have no way of stopping this. We were in the grip of power-crazed politicians, and in real danger.
Kofi Annan flew in and took charge of a mediation process viewed with much disdain and suspicion by many. The man himself carried some less-than-useful baggage: as a former UN Secretary-General, he is accused by some of failing to prevent the Rwanda genocide and the Bosnia conflagration. He came in dismissed as a career diplomat and gentleman who would have no clue as to how to deal with thuggish and deceitful Kenyan politicians.
Well, he did have a clue; quite a big one as it turned out. His performance as a mediator so far has been nothing short of masterful. Students of the art should throw away their textbooks and learn from this remarkable performance.
For a start, he turned the attention of Kenyans and the world away from the killing fields and onto the negotiating table. There was great scepticism at the outset: the PNU side was thought to be merely humouring him and playing along with no real commitment to the talks; ODM was thought to be taking a break from its preferred negotiation tactic of mass hooliganism.
But Kofi had these characters worked out. He maintained a studied politeness and diplomatic mien throughout, but made it clear he was not going to brook any nonsense. He marshalled the international community behind him to give backing to his authority. He gently but firmly sat through hours of puerile accusations being lobbed by either side, and kept repeating his mantra: a deal must be found, for the sake of Kenya.
At many stages, the talks seemed to be on the verge of breaking down. At each such point, a big gun was wheeled in: Ban Ki-Moon, Condoleeza Rice, Jakaya Kikwete. Each time the consequences of failure were ratcheted up. And for a change, the African and global community managed to speak with one voice: visitor after visitor came with the same message for the protagonists – a deal must be found.
Throughout, Annan played the PR game with aplomb. No matter how unsavoury the day’s proceedings, he put out only positive messages: we are close, we will get there, there is no choice. He managed the expectations of Kenyans and got them behind him, until they were his cheerleaders.
And yet, early this week it seemed to be all over. The government side played a final ugly card, reportedly subjecting the venerable Dr Annan to a torrent of personal abuse. A lesser mortal would have taken great exception. But here too the mediator was ready: he raised the stakes a final time, suspending the talks and escalating matters to the two principals, with a chorus of support from key regional and international stakeholders. In the end, a deal had to be struck, and was.
Will it work? It is too early to tell, and by the time you read this on Sunday morning some malcontents will undoubtedly have poisoned the atmosphere with some unnecessary mutterings. But, for the first time, we have the much-needed Prime Minister position. For the first time, we have done something to contain the imperial presidency that has been the bane of our post-independence history.
Dirty tricks, recriminations and evasions are no doubt yet to come – our politicians have not changed their spots in a day. But for now, may I humbly record my gratitude to one Kofi Annan. We need more Africans like you.
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
There is no doubt Dr.Kofi Annan carried the hero of the day a ward, earning him a place in the history of our republic Kenya. But the question is, did we had to wait untill there is blood shed to see the need for a new consistution. I mean, after the whole saga, its evident that there is need to draft and enact a consistution that will cater the needs for all. I would really like to urge our leaders to stay true to their words-they shouldnt be any ‘bedroom M.O.U’ that were never made known to the public- it will be painful to see the repeat of the collapse of the infamous NARC. Kudos to Kofi Annan and his team.
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Muriithi:
The subtext is indeed just that: why we don’t have leaders of this stature, calibre and credibility to conduct this sort of mediation. And being ‘true to one’s word’ is one of the keys to that kind of stature.
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Hon. Annan, sacrificed his time,energy and a lot more, displayed servant leadership and appeared more committed to Kenyans then Kenyans (political class) we salute you Sir.
Looking forward, will taxation increase to support an overweight government? Talking of redistribution of wealth is easy, would Kenyan leaders show sacrificial leadership and offer to pay 100% income tax like wanainchi – wishful thinking?
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I happen to work for a technology company that allows companies to adopt bleeding edge business practices by the use of our technology.
I often deal with the situation where due to the constraints that many companies technology has strapped with, they develop a mindset and philosophy of doing business based on their constraints.
Many times when we show them that the constraints are surmountable and we can do really powerful things, we run into issues. Many of these companies have invested so much in blood, sweat and tears in developing their philosophy based largely on their current constraints, no amount of convincing will move them. There is too much to give up even if it’s for a bigger, brighter more affordable future.
Kenyans in general and particularly their leaders have developed a world view and philosophy based on tribal constraints. Like the companies I deal with, they are just not able or willing to imagine a Kenya without these constraints. That is why we Kenya are incapable of the kind of developing leaders like Annan or Mandela.
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It is a pertinent point – why is Kenya not producing any leader or former leader who commands respect across Africa?
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I think that Kenyans have invested heavily in tribalism and expect their leaders to reflect these interests.
I expect a genuine Kenyan leader to come from outside Kenya, they will have to develop and prove themselves outside Kenya before Kenyans can accept them.
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Sunny am so glad i can write in now.
Kofi Annan is my Rock and Safe Haven!
Why you may ask?
While all the killings and anxiety at the height of violence i was uprooted from my residence ,because of my ethnic background .
A criminal political group made sure i left my wife and two daughters were separated and asked my wife to remain put claimig my wife was their sister,if you know what i mean.
A Close friend and his wife took gave me refuge for two months ,on the day this event unfolded , i could not hold my tears and wept uncontrollably,knowing what the peace accord meant for me and my family!
Sunny i still believe that we have the leaders of great caliber ,Annan raised the stakes and the bar for leadership criteria during this period!
Great leadership wins admiration through being calm and firm in the heat of the Moment !
Sunny long live this great Statesman.
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