Just How Many Deaths Does Kenya Need To Spark A Revolution?

On December17th this year,it will be exactly two years since Mohamed Bouazizi,a 26 year old man who owned a vegetable stand in Tunisia, set himself on fire to protest the government's repression.Bouazizi had a University degree,but after failing to secure work since he did not know anyone in the system,he set up the produce stand to cater for his family of eight.Even after being pushed that far by a corrupt government that never cared about the interests of its citizens,his troubles didn't end there;the local police kept harrassing him and stopping him from selling his produce on the streets.One day,after a confrontation with a policewoman who did not only slap him but also spat on his face and cursed his dead father,Bouazizi went to the provincial administration to seek help,but he could not be seen.He could not be listened. He could not be heard.He was frustrated.He had had enough.He did not know how much he was going to have since he did not know anyone.He therefore set himself on fire.

And his death a few weeks later,was not in vain;it sparked a revolution in Tunisia that toppled down President Ben Ali's 23 year old regime and what is now known as Arab Spring.He was also celebrated and honoured worldwide,winning an  award posthumously as the person of the year 2011.

Bouazizi is today a matyr,a role model to many young people in the Arab world.Because of him,thousands of young, unemployed,desperate people can speak out their frustration.

As I ponder about this case,I am thinking about what is hapening in Kenya right now.We are only a few months to the elections,and crime rate has skyrocketed,death is flowing through the air, there is no personal safety,employment has plummeted,and the list is on and on,and still counting.

Take the example of Kinuthia Wainana,  a businessman who was shot dead by thugs in  Kamukunji  yesterday in broad daylight,at 8 a.m.The four man gang then took away with his briefcase which is believed to have been loaded with cash.This sparked a protest from fellow traders who were crying insecurity and asking police to beef up security,so that they can be able to execute their nation building in peace

This is not the first neither is it going to be the last case;this man belonged to Kenya's 'middle class';those who keep the country going since they are the ones who operate businesses,are employed, offer employment and so pay taxes.So the question begs;shouldn't these be the Nation's most prestigious asset,well taken of?

The soil has not dried on the graves of the victims of Tana Massacre and those of Dr. Joseph Odhiambo(CDC) and Shem Onyango Kwega,and we are still waiting to bury about 50 police officers who were slain in the line of duty.

Now,we do not need rocket science to understand that there is a system failure;and something needs to be done.

As we await for something terrible,just so terrible to happen like the Baragoi tragedy so that the government can deploy  the KDF,let all arise and say enough is enough;let everyone of us start thinking of issues that affect them in their every day life;Personal security is one of those.Let us look for a leader whose ideologies and policies focus on these issues.

This is a challenge to all Kenyans;if it took only a death to spark such a historic revolution in Tunisia,Egypt,and the rest,just how many,if all that we have had is not enough,do we need to have a revolution in our country?

You and I have a way of holding a peaceful revolution in March 2013,by holding an ELECTIOREVOLUTION.

Your VOTE is what will guarantee you personal safety;not police.After all,they are also being slaughtered like chicken.