Kenya:  A peacefultransition

Seble Demeke, UN

The will of the people has prevailed in Kenya. On December 29, 2002, 40 years rule of the KANU party has come to an end. The Kenyan people have expressed their choice of government democratically and elected the opposition party, “The National Alliance Rainbow Coalition”, to assume the responsibility of serving them. The leader of the newly elected party, who led a historical election and seized power, is Mwai Kibaki, the new President of Kenya as of the 29th December 2002. The rule of the game had changed for the first time in Kenyan history.

This is a historical moment to note the dignified end of President Daniel Arap Moi’s leadership, who ruled Kenya for 24 years. He has stepped down peacefully, democratically, and has organized an orderly election, not to be taken for granted by any standard of any nation. A remarkable achievement for President Moi. The election was held throughout with no violence and no protest – remarkable again for a continent, which is trying to come to terms with the concept of democracy. Kenya had two presidents who ruled the country since independence from Great Britain in 1963. They are President Jomo Kenyatta, and President Arab Moi. They both belonged to the same KANU party.

This is also a moment to remember with gratitude and give respect to all other past African presidents who left power peacefully and with dignity. These include: former President Leopold Senghor of Senegal, the late Tanzanian President Julius Nyerer, former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda, former President of Ghana Jerry John Rawlings, former President of Senegal Abdou Diouf, former President of Cameroon, Ahamdou Ahidjo, former President Konare of Mali, former South African President Nelson Mandela and former President of Kenya, Daniel Arap Moi. It is true that they are small in number, but these former Presidents have set an example and instituted pride to the whole continent. A successful democratic election is a sign of power, strength and a demonstration that constitutions work. They all seem to have something in common and that is, they are convinced that there are other options in life besides being president for life. History will remember them forever.

This will lead me to a question, which I would like to leave open and that is why in some African countries this type of historic and peaceful transition could take place and why not in others? Is it the political consciousness of the population or is it the political culture or is there something else unknown to the non-politicians?