Kenya has matured democratically but leaders have not, says Koigi wa Wamwere

Former Assistant Minister Koigi Wa Wamwere speaking to Nairobian at Nakuru on October 18. He said he had no personal issues with former president Daniel Moi [PHOTO:BONIFACE THUKU/STANDARD]

Chama Cha Mwananchi (CCM) party leader and former Subukia MP Koigi wa Wamwere says a lot has changed since the July 7, 1990 Saba Saba protest that saw the arrest of Opposition leaders led by Kenneth Matiba and Raila Odinga.

"Today, no one would be arrested for organising or attending a public rally or a protest march in Kamukunji grounds or the streets of Nairobi. Things have tremendously changed," he says.

When we reached to him to establish what he was up to during this day and whether the clamour for pluralism had achieved its goal, the veteran politician had even forgotten about Saba Saba.

"You mean it is Saba Saba again? Things have really changed and time passes very fast. I had no idea about the day."

Koigi, who was detained by the first two Kanu governments over agitation for more democratic space, says although the country's democracy has evolved, there is still more to be done to address other social issues.

He praises the the new Constitution, saying Kenyans today enjoy freedom of speech and can even criticise the President without fear of being arrested or sent to detention.

"We have a reason to celebrate this day due to what the proponents of pluralism achieved in the 1990s. Today, the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and other human rights," Koigi says.

But he is quick to add that bad leadership, corruption, negative ethnicity and poverty are still rife and that the current crop of leaders need to address these vices during this year's Saba Saba day.

He says leaders have become selfish and allowed ethnicity to destroy the country's social fabric.

"Leaders must now understand the best politics should be driven by principles but not negative ethnicity and practice servant leadership," he says.