The current succession matrix-issues lost.

Much energy has been expended in the ongoing political process in the country about personalities and less of issues. Not that we expected the level of political maturity to have advanced to being issue oriented but FISA thought that it was time that university students took a role befitting their dignity and not just singing choruses of support, and attending delegations with less emphasis of the current situation in the country. The debate was held on Wednesday night but strange enough it was attended mainly by the second year class. The current issues raised were.

1. Corruption.

The participants were appalled by the magnitude of corruption in the country. It was noted that the grand Goldenberg scandal in which a cool 58 billion shillings left the exchequer in dubious circumstances remains an indelible mark of the current regime. Members further observed that they are not saddened by the recent Transparency International ranking in which the country slipped lower to the 96^th position but what bothered them to a greater detail was that the government abetted corruption when nearly unemployment is over 60% and poverty estimated well beyond half of the population. Members noted with shame the most recent theft of 256 million from NSSF and deposited in the troubled Euro bank.

Members felt that there is need to stop the current trend of corruption. To do so, calls for a re-establishment of a capable authority with the necessary independence to perform.

2. Poverty.

The vicious cycle of poverty was painfully recalled i.e. how poverty causes poverty and reinforces itself. The silence about the poverty reduction strategy paper and the recent sacking of the remaining dream team members summarised that process as one that is well forgotten. Members are of the view that a government worth its salt must have and directly intervene to help the poor access resources, skills to break away from the cycle of poverty. It was noted unfortunately the current regime has not only had a policy to help the micro/finance sector, the co-operatives and other small scale initiatives but has prided in destroying any progress made by Kenyans. Recall the crushing of Kiosks in Mombasa, and even hare in Nairobi. Street battles were noted to be activities of a government that is out of date with reality. Such people are eking out a living in the most humble and humane of ways. Members recalled that even in biblical times when Jesus exorcised demons from the girl the demons asked where they would go and Jesus showed them the pigs. If our government sees Hawkers in the same vein, then it ought to relocate them to alternative site and not use bulldozers to bring hard earned investments to nought.

3. Lucksture performance of state corporations and privatisation.

It was agreed by consensus that most executives hired to run parastatals are hired on tribe, family, and loyalist, members noted then it should not surprise any one when a public enterprise is gutted down to satisfy the wealth appetite of an individual or to sustain a good lives for a few lieutenants who influence all key appointments and firings. The issue of the sale of Kenya re came up and the unanimous agreement was that a government that exhibits increasing corruption couldn’t be trusted to carry out the exercise. Without negating the fundamental market principle that Kenya Re is worth what the highest bidder can offer, nevertheless we should not throw away such useful country resources just because the market cannot offer us the best price. Kenya is here for posterity and we should not act out of haste as though the end of the current government mandate coincides with the end of the country.

4. Education.

It is obvious that the current system is facing serious problems be they of perception or actual implementation hurdles. While in agreement that a radical shift may not serve the country better all the same the system is not the best we can have as a country. The training institutions are engaged in a great waste as there is a great mismatch with what the produce and what the labour markets. Most of what is taught tertiary institutions was either to outdated or it was modelled on the western world and not relevant in the Kenyan contests. It was noted that a big challenge is the manpower. There is a huge exodus of dons and other specialists and experts in nearly all fields from this country. Surely this is creating huge capacity gaps that Kenya has neither the resources nor the time to patch up. Universities, it was observed, which combine a unique assembly of talent and facility have stood on a pedestal and are a waste as the avoid active engagement in the activities of national concern and providing a n ideal example. They too have inherited or are plagued by the disease ailing the big system.

5. The political process.

It was observed that the political process in Kenya is that of patronage. Power is concentrated in a few individuals and in all cases the public opinion is disregarded. The executive has emasculated the parliament that ought to be the court of public opinion. Kenyans have become helpless as people who are in most cases misinformed or disinterested with our country take major life affecting policies. Members are of the view that the next government be based on devolution of powers and all major decisions are of broad consensus. People once appointed must be given the tool and the independence to work. Irresponsible interference by the executive like overturning ministerial decrees was viewed as a bad precedent.

6. Agriculture.

The Kenyan agricultural sector has been worst hit by both the neglect of the government and other factors like the international world prices of the primary agricultural produce of this country. Our government failed to prepare farmers for liberalization and this has had a bad effect. Perhaps the biggest failure has been lack of mitigating processes to cushion farmers. The cycle of scarcity and plenty has to be stopped. It was observed that in rainy seasons farmers lack markets foe milk and it goes bad. In the grain sector the same scenario presenters itself. We witness high production and hence supply and price slump as all farmers push their produce to the market at once. Yet just a few months late the country experiences shortages milk powder has to be imported and prices of grains go up but farmers benefit less as the middlemen hold most of the profits.

7. Nationalism/ patriotism.

Members agreed that it is becoming increasingly hard for one to be a patriot to a country whose destiny is in the hand of an individual, who is surrounded by people though few in number but sinuous in voice and who portend to be experts in anything and everything. It was saddening to note that no one of those present was sure of all the words of our national anthem. It can be safely stated that Kenyans lost the national identity long ago and what is happening now is forgetting the symbols that signified that unity. Nearly all people who were in the debate were willing to leave this country even on a notice of just six hours. What batter manifestation of their bitterness and frustration of living in a country that is characterised by wanton destruction of nationhood. Such frustration cannot be reversed by argument or long nice speeches. Members were disgusted at the appetite for power prevalent in all major Kenyan leaders. Not all of us can be presidents is a chorus that we wish to o sing to sing ourselves horse. The ought to be alternative axis offering radically different approach to this and many other issues affecting our country today. Politics is good but politics alone cannot and will never develop a country. We ascribe to the belief of competition and we see nothing practically nothing wrong in people seeking the highest office in the land but competition for power is only healthy if there are established structures to check dictatorial tendencies. It was hoped the History should never repeat itself because it does so when we do not learn from it.

In closing members were challenged to take active role in influencing decisions at whetever levels.

Leadership has to be taken never has it ever been given. Just like a tree stands by it roots so does the world by the youth but the youths have chosen to be spectators in this country and where they have done a thing it is at best criticism from an uninformed perspective.

Members were challenged to seek history to recognise the real heroes of this country and to have a basis in what they criticise but above all to provide an alternative leadership. In the end it as agreed that it matters not what masses think unless they have a voice and how refreshing it is to yield yourself, your abilities, thoughts and conjectures to the service of fellow countrymen. It is true that change anywhere and everywhere needs justification are you prepared to further the course of your people even at the cost of your own life.

Kenya needs leaders, where do we get them what is your role in this difficult transition time take time to pray for peace but importantly vote for peace. The choice is yours.