February 7, 2009
Obama, the failed Kenyan pol
I must confess, Barack Obama is beginning to disappoint. As a Kenyan politician, that is. That he was raised as an American, largely by American kin, and is president of the United States of America is neither here nor there.
As everyone reminds us countless times, he’s a son of the Kenyan soil. His current position has come through engaging in politics for the last several years. Those factors combined make him a Kenyan politician.
But doesn’t he know the protocols? Has he no sense of what is required of him? Didn’t he pick anything up while on his visits here in the 1980s, and more recently in 2006?
For one, where are the scandals? There’s not even a whiff of one wafting around him. As a one-time senator from Illinois, and a resident of Chicago, he comes from a region rich in the tradition of corruption. Indeed, the governor of that state has been impeachment for impropriety in the selection of the person who would replace Obama in the Senate. One would think Obama would have listened and learned. But there are no dodgy dealings that we’ve heard of, no disgruntled ex-girlfriend (or wife!) lurking in the background, no links with shady business executives, no embezzled funds. There’s nothing to compare to our fuel fiasco, the maize mess and the general corruption.
Secondly, will the man never take a holiday? He’s always working. During the transition period, he’d be busy nominating members of his cabinet, and making statements concerning his administration’s plans to deal with the country’s various challenges. The day after his inauguration, he was scheduled to be in the office tackling the thorny issue of military trials at Guantanamo Bay. Even his poor kids don’t get a rest. The night he won the election, he and Michelle kept them up late to witness his historic victory speech. And then, what did the two adults do? They sent them to school the following day. At least we in Kenya did the right thing. We got one day off.
Thirdly, why can’t he learn how to give a speech? His inaugural address was a miserable 18 minutes. It started with a greeting to his listeners captured in two words: Fellow citizens. Remember, he had his immediate predecessor and three other past presidents in the audience. There were senators, congress people and other distinguished people there. Not to mention Oprah Winfrey somewhere among the millions gathered. And all he could say was Fellow citizens?! This man needs to learn the meaning of long-winded. Short speeches that lift the soul, that inspire the spirit, that engage the listener are distinctly not a common part of the Kenyan political tradition. At the very least, speeches must have 10-minute introductory salutations that include any possible life form attending the event.
Fourthly, when do the parties begin? He has constituents, in a manner of speaking, in four countries:
Indonesia, where he lived briefly as a child; Ireland, the land of his mother’s forebears;
Kenya, because that’s where his father was from; and USA, where he lives and works.
He keeps talking about how the people have the power to make change. But that’s not right. The Kenyan politician is a benevolent parent – one who provides all things. That’s why Obama must travel, with great fanfare and large entourages, to all these places bearing all manner of goodies and handouts. He must flaunt the trappings of his office. Naturally, it will have to be at taxpayer expense.
Fourthly, has he no plans to raise his salary by at least 500%? As some are prone to describe him, he’s the most powerful man in the world. Surely, that must count for something. What use is that clout if he can’t slice a chunk out of federal funds for himself? He must look ahead. He won’t be in office forever. He has two daughters, who presumably he wants to send to college. That’s an expensive affair in the USA. Assuming he makes it to a second term, he’ll be just under 60 years old when he has to step aside for a new president. I would strongly advise him to have the audacity of foresight.
Yet honestly, I don’t have much hope that Obama can meet the challenge of being a true Kenyan pol. Fortunately, we have a dedicated group of people whose presence in Washington captured the essence of true Kenyan political leadership. They traveled at taxpayer expense – despite great public outcry – to the city where they had little hope of even being in the periphery of the one they went to celebrate. I had hoped they would find a way to get a message through to the new president about how to conduct business.
But no, I guess they didn’t.
Weslie said,
February 9, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Your article is really funny and creative. I enjoyed reading it. I get the satire thing that you were trying to do but I think it would sound better if it was a bit more subtle.
Georgia said,
February 9, 2009 at 3:48 pm
One word: brilliant!
I loved this piece. Your stand point is clear from the onset leaving no doubts about your feelings about this particular issue.
I notice too that the first two paragraphs are enough for me to predict what the entire piece will be about. You do not waver from this so I guess it must have been the thesis that guided you in your writing.
The piece is really funny but at the same time thought-provoking. For the longest time Kenyans have been singing praises to Obama calling him ‘one of our own’. But if he is truly one of our own how come he doesn’t do the things we do? Such things as engaging in corrupt dealings-things that are typically associated with the Kenyan politician. This angle is different and fresh. I know now that an idea can never be overrated. You just have to find a twist to it to make it interesting. Kudos!
Muraya said,
February 9, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Waah! You make us look bad. How about you do the opinion writing from now on and we do the critic?
I like your approach. I had no idea where your piece was going at the beginning probably because I had my own ideas but from paragraph two I was on board and enjoyed the ride. For me a good writer is one who makes it easy to read their work. That you did.
You were clear, concise and interesting.
Nyc.
Minah said,
February 9, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Minah.
Talk about thinking out of the box.
I hope some politician read this and something stirred in his heart or wondered why it is so familiar! And we wonder why Kenya is poor, often blaming it on some divine curse…
The whole piece is a well crafted satirical analogy that shows the contrast between America and Kenya. I enjoyed reading it.
I wonder, what makes us who we are? our origin? our upbringing? Now that we can trace Obama’s roots to Kenya, let me hope that he wont turn out to be like what we have in Kenya as political leaders. it would be a big waste of a free day off, of taxpayers money to finance the ‘travellers’ and of all the time we have spent as his ‘kinsmen’ in celebrating hi victory.
this piece is a perfect example of how one can use words as a sword.
Terry said,
February 10, 2009 at 4:27 pm
perfect description of a true african leader. one without this qualities is not real african warrior passe but poor Obama he is being convicted for being imperfect to the description of an a bad leader. the language flowed though abit of argon. wonderful stylistic devices implied marking it a wonderful piece. i hope to write that well one of this days.
Nereah Okanga said,
February 10, 2009 at 5:14 pm
i honestly didn’t even think of using this kind of angle. If our politicians were to read this piece they will surely stop singing and shouting to the rest of the world that Obama’s roots are from Kenya. It has depicted the true nature of a Kenyan politician without being too offensive. The truth about kenyan politicians has come out in a satirical yet serious way. i enjoyed reading the piece and i honestly wish you had sent it to the papers earlier. infact it can still be sent now because we still have obama fever running through our veins hence it won’t be outdated.
nereah okanga
nancy said,
February 10, 2009 at 5:27 pm
At first, i thought i was reading one of the commentaries in our dailies beffore the unique style of writing and the way you enagaged your audience struck the reality that it was my instructor and this is what she expects from me probably before the end of the course. i must admit that it was a nice piece that shouldn’t be just for our class but should be posted for the rest of the kenyans to see the reality from your point of view. once again, it was a lovely piece. kudos.
Kefa said,
February 11, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Okay, First, why is this work not published?
Am thinking of ways at which we can get the message to our politicians but at the rate at which they are conducting their affairs, i do not think they would get the point of this article. the satire is just awesome and i would never have thought of writing an Obama piece from this angle. it is a sad thing that our politicians fall under all the characteristics you have set and if Obama were to do the things he were “supposed to do”, then America would defienately have guys running after burning petrol tankers. you bring out the point well and the style is outstanding. good work
xpress436 said,
February 11, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Ruth
reading through this piece, one wouldnt easily know that its the kenyan politicians being described in the things obama wouldnt do.this makes the piece captivating and one wants to read ahead and actually see what else that the kenyan politician does that obama wouldnt do, not that we dont already know what they are doing to the local mwananchi, but reading it in such a piece makes it more interesting.i know any politician that would read this piece would actually have second thoughts, at least even if they wouldnt show it.its a great piece.
mary said,
February 14, 2009 at 2:43 pm
i like your your writing and your are guided by the thesis. There is truth in it where you have brought out a real character of an African reader or our politicians. Obama’s character is totally differnt from Africans character and yet we claim he has our roots. The piece is thought provoking and interesting as i was reading but you have written alot. It really potrays your passion inwriting
xpress436 said,
February 16, 2009 at 10:57 am
By Mark Kawalya
Well I have to say that your article was right on point. The satire was commendable and I like its’ flow.
One thing I noticed though is that you must be a great fan/fanatic of Obama. Ask me why..
Well the intricate details just left me spinning as I realised just how little I knew of Mr Obama. The word Obamamania could never be more accurate.
But Its a great post hands down.
xpress436 said,
February 16, 2009 at 5:12 pm
By Wanza
I must say that your arrticle is great. It is coherent and you have remained focused all through. It comes out so clearly that you have been following politics so keenly and that is why you paint such a clear picture of the kenyan politician by way of contrasting him with Obama. The angle you take is just wonderful and to me the character of Obama comes as a big challenge to our politicians who think Obama is their brother yet he is very different from them. How i wish they would get to read this article and try to see the big difference between them and Obama. I will be biased if i dont say that you such a gifted writer. I wish I could read more of your articles.