On Mungiki-we either choose progress or ...

Let me say that at outset, in my humble opinion Mungiki is currently a Central province given its the community in the province that has been targetted by Mungiki. That is not to say that other similar gangs can't emerge elsewhere in the country, but the reality is that they haven't.

The way central province handles Mungiki will largely determine whether it'll have another lost decade similar to the mid-80s to mid90s or it progresses on a similar economic path to the rest of the country if not faster given its advantages. The deal is this. Is Central province going to embrace the worse than mafia activities of Mungiki or are we going to arise and say no so that the province can progress?

Mungiki origins and driving themes have been discussed elsewhere. Suffice to say that it'd be a mistake to believe in land, poverty as the underlying causes. The 2nd mistake would be to equate the vigilantes with Mungiki as Martha Karua has been attempting to do. Its stupid and will lose her votes in any case.

The issue has nothing to do with GoK which despite employing its machinery to overcome the Saboat has watched as Mungiki has spread from Laikipia to Nai and back and then past to Nakuru. A large part of the reason for this is that the Mungiki-growth era (roughly since 2002) has been in a symbiotic-like relationship, been abetted and fed by the same politicians who now occupy positions of power. Mungiki openely paraded in Nai in2002 in support of UK in 2002. Peeps like Njenga Karume were part of oaths taken around that time in exchange for votes. Many of the current crop of MPs in Kiambu and Muran'ga have worked hand in hand with Mungiki and such won't dare stand against it.

The vigilante route is one way of dealing with issue. But an eye out for another and we are blind. I think it'd be better for the same groups to publicly name the mungiki adherents and basically warn them to leave the area. Then forcefully move them out if they won't do as adviced.

Parents must take responsibility for their teenagers. Not the responsbility of taking them to vigilantes for forgiveness. But reaching out to them much earlier via involvement in their school life. Finding activities for them to get involved in once farm work is done. CDF funds be can directed towards funding work on feeder roads, school/factory/health centre building activites which can involve some of these youths. And even sports activities.

Or GoK might for once put some thinking into the problem...

Martha Karua next step: President of Kenya

Martha Wangari has never done things by half. She is a Kenyan of the generation that is only now getting into corporate ladder. She has done her woman juggling career and motherhood thing as a lawyer and magistrate. She has brought up two kids as a single mother. She took care of her in laws despite divorcing from her husband.

As a politician, those who have the unKenyan habit of remembering things beyond one year, recall her walking out on the former presidential reprobate who was feared throughout the land when he deigned to disrespect her in her constituency. And of course her defense of the slumberer one in statehouse in Dec 2007.

Martha Karua has admirable human qualities one doesn't normally associate with Kenyan politicians:

• Loyalty-she one of two or three long-serving MPs who can show allegiance to less than two parties
• Integrity-I don't know of any corruptions acts even by association. Wamugunda was not married.
• Courage-I think I saw a cartoon with akina UK, Kalonzo et al hiding behind her skirts during the 2008 negotiations. And of course resigning where others would rather die does take courage.
• Reformer-water boards were her creation, and she played a huge role in the so-called 2nd liberation.
• Intelligence-Again in short supply in our bunge but her debates in parliament and elsewhere tend to bring some balance.

I think her as president of Kenya would be a fitting way to close 2012.