One of the best advices anyone ever gave me was that it was likely that in immigrating I’d lose my sense of “belonging”. He said that while in my new country, I’d long for the country of my birth and vice versa. This is why after some struggle I have quit trying to either be fully Kenyan or wholly Canadian; recognizing it will never happen. For the rest of my life, I unashamedly expect to be satisfied with the hybrid third personality, sometimes 50:50 and other times 70:30, the ratio often depending on the day and the news headlines.
I can therefore confess that in recent days and up until Wednesday this week, I have been and expect to be more Kenyan than Canadian. Instead of joining in the jingle “to bring back the long-form census”, I have turned to constantly scouring news channels regarding the proposed Kenyan constitution which will be subjected to a referendum on August 4, 2010.
You cannot blame Kenyans in the diaspora for selfishly wanting this draft constitution to pass. The main reason is that one of the clauses guarantees that Kenyan citizens who acquire foreign citizenship will not lose their Kenyan citizenship. Considering that most of our families remain in Kenya and that Kenyans abroad contribute significantly to nation-building through direct financial remittances, a dual citizenship seems like a fair deal.
But looking at the bigger picture, we out here support by all means a constitution that will help Kenya improve its poor democracy as well as avoid a repeat of the 2007-08 violence which rocked the country following disputed national elections. With only two years till the next polls, Kenyans cannot afford any more senseless politicking.
It appears though that majority of Kenyans are in support of the new constitution.
Although campaigns for both the “Yes” and “No” camps have been intense, Kenyan groups and political leaders have been keen to avoid violence. But, there have been a few glitches. For instance; at a rally against the constitution in downtown Nairobi in June, grenade attacks killed six people, while a number of politicians have been charged with hate speech for inciting crowds. There have also been reports of distributed leaflets threatening violence.
Another reason the draft constitution seems to garner wide support among Kenyans is that it cuts down the president's enormous powers by setting up a presidential system with checks and balances. This is important because, 47 years after independence, one of the country’s main sources of tension remains the unequal distribution of resources; with consequent presidents being accused of favouring their tribesmen.
There is of course some opposition to the new constitution, particularly from church groups who fear it opens up the issue of abortion. They argue the abortion clause — which says abortion is not permitted unless the life or health of the mother is in danger according to the opinion of a trained health professional — could be interpreted broadly. [This is despite the proposed constitution not changing the current legality of abortion only for maternal health]. Another clause considered contentious is the inclusion of Kadhis Courts - publicly funded family courts for Muslims.
In 2005, Kenya held a referendum on a draft constitution, but it was shot down. This time around, rewriting the constitution was part of the peace deal signed in February 2008 between President Mwai Kibaki and PM Raila Odinga, who are both in support of this proposed constitution.
The way I see it albeit from outside, a yes vote will push Kenya into the future, where the country can finally embark into other issues of nation-building. Since we seem unable to correct the past, let us at least pursue a better future for all Kenyans.
Thus on this day, with only a virtual vote, I back the “Yes” campaign.
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