I’m a big fan of Enid Blyton, so I knew what a hedgehog was long before Sonic was born. I know they look a lot like porcupines, even though they’re smaller and generally eat bugs instead of plants. I also know that when hedgehogs are attacked, they curl up in ball, jump up and down, and hiss a lot. You can’t hurt them because all their soft bits are hidden inside their prickly spikes.

Porcupines are a little different. When attacked, they turn around and shake their rather spiky booty at you. Their spikes are longer and sharper than a hedghog’s. They’re also detachable. So when a porcupine sinks its spikes into you, it can walk away and leave you looking like a human pin cushion.

The past few weeks have been rather tricky for me. Yesterday I exploded at the office and had a dramatic (yet effective) bitch fit. I’m not sure whether I should be proud or worried. I got the desired results, but I don’t enjoy losing my temper. Either way, I got to work this morning feeling rather prickly, and I’m glad I have that chocolate and some yoghurt in the fridge.

Venomous spikes aside, yesterday was interesting. Between #OccupyParliament and #KolaBoof, #KOT (Kenyans on Twitter) were rather hyperactive. I don’t log on to Twitter much these days. It lost its flavour for me. But I get information there that I wouldn’t find anywhere else, so once in a while I take a peek, mostly for work-related stuff.

When I logged on yesterday, I found a cat fight going down between two people. One of them was Gicheru Gicheru. The other was Martha Karua. The issue was the constitutional amendments passed by parliament during a late night session. Now, I don’t know a lot about politics, and I know even less about legal matters, so I let my learned friend over at DR explain the implications. As for me, I only have questions and opinions that I’m not entirely sure what to do with.

My first encounter with the constitutional amendments was logging on to find #KOT insulting our MPs. It took a bit of Googling and TL trawling to find out what they were so mad about. Next, I noticed Boniface Mwangi suggesting we protest on the 28th of June, and issuing an M-PESA number for protest material. It made me uneasy because I don’t believe in peaceful public protests. They never end well, and they rarely achieve their objectives. Still, without a viable alternative, I only risk being accused of being an arm-chair activist.

The next thing I noticed was people asking where Martha Karua and the other reformist MPs were. The questions were far from polite. Even people who are generally sober attacked Martha and the others. Cold Tusker started a TT – #Ask MarthaThursday – where tweeps ranged from calling her an idiot to asking where she was when the amendments passed. And here’s the thing. Martha responded.

In the beginning, Martha’s tweets were emotional and defensive. She pointed out that Mungatana MPs had rights too, even if she didn’t agree with them. She said the motion was not a party decision, insisted that she did not support the amendments,  asserted that she can’t control the actions of Mungatana her Party Secretary General her party members, and censured certain people for their disrespectful tweets.

At first, I felt sorry for her. By reacting in an emotional, human way, she had left her flank wide open. The internet makes us all equal, and trolls can ruffle all but the toughest feathers. But there are times when you have to put your humanity aside and be a leader. I know that’s not easy to do, and God knows I couldn’t do it, but when you’re a leader, that’s the kind of ish you need to do. I wished that she could keep her personal outrage in check and be the awesome powerhouse I believe she is.

And eventually she did. She responded to the #AskMarthaThursday tweets with quickfire precision that was beautiful to read. I wondered if she was doing it all herself. I mean, to respond to all those tweets as quickly as she did, she much have been sitting in a  conference room with multiple widescreen projections, a powerful headset, and speed-typing twitter pros.

A lot of brand accounts are run by social media personnel. Brands aren’t just corporate entities. They include CEOs, celebrities, politicians, and even HoloTupac. I know because I run certain corporate accounts as part of my 9 to 5. So I’ve always wondered whether people like Bob and Martha run their own accounts.

When I saw the earlier tweets in Martha’s timeline, I assumed it was a social media person who was outraged that anyone dared to defile her bosses’ name. But the later tweets had a professionalism and credibility that could only be voiced by the smart legal mind that I know Martha Karua to be. I was so proud to be in #CampMartha.

Regarding Gicheru, I wouldn’t engage anyone who described themselves that way. It just screams square country, and reminds me a lot of Robert Alai. It’s hard to have a constructive conversation with someone like that. It’s even harder to sift out the grains of sense in what they say. It’s difficult to hear the truth in what anyone is saying when they’re busy yelling profanities at you.

It’s a bit easier to hear what someone is saying when they explain it like this. Oliver Mathenge wrote a calm, seemingly rational blog post that justified the amendments while correcting the perceptions of online Kenyans. You can read the full post, but this is basically what he has to say:

  • (a) Our outrage was misplaced since it wasn’t based on fact.
  • (b) Most of the people that were tweeting hadn’t watched the debates or read either the original laws or the amendments they were protesting.
  • (c) The protesters hadn’t considered the reasoning behind the amendments.
  • (d) Claims that the constitution had been changed were erroneous.
  • (e) The amendments are guaranteeing the rights of politicians, under the Bill of Rights.
  • (f) A presidential candidate who has received millions of votes obviously has support, so he/she should be allowed to serve Kenyans in another capacity.
  • (g) A politician should be allowed to ditch a party that doesn’t serve or represent him.

Despite his inflammatory blog title, Oliver’s arguments were presented in a very calm, reasonable manner, and after reading the post, I started to wonder whether he might be right. This phrase in particular got me thinking:

“Very many Kenyans sit in comfort expecting the country to run itself or be run in any manner by a few individuals. Many do not bother to even find out what their MPs are discussing despite having the opportunity to do so even online as they “Facebook and Tweet.”

Still, it bothered me that these amendments were tailored for specific needs. For example, insisting that MPs have post-secondary education was intended to give us better educated leaders. I watched a Citizen TV report recently that showed a class of politicians pursuing diploma courses at JKUAT. They openly said they were only taking the course to be eligible for the ballot.

I figured it would take at least 3 years to get a degree, so by insisting our MPs should have higher education, we were eliminating a good percentage of our current August House. This, I felt, would leave the floor open to more able leaders. But if they can get the required qualification with a brief certificate course created specifically for that purpose, then the requirement is pointless. Incidentally, they reinstated the degree requirement about half an hour ago.

Secondly, there’s nothing wrong with shifting parties. But if you really disagree with your party’s policies, shouldn’t you jump ship long before elections are due? Ditching your party at election time seems awfully opportunistic. If you’re working at a certain company and you resign, you don’t get to take the company car with you. So when you quit your party, it’s only fair to let go of your parliamentary seat as well. If your supporters really believe in you, they’ll vote you back in regardless of the colour of your (party) t-shirt.

I’ve heard a lot of people say the problem with parliament is that we have the same people sitting in different chairs. We voted in the exact same MPs on different party tickets, so we ended up with the very same team. No wonder we’re seeing the same excesses we’ve seen for decades. If anything, it’s worse now, because they’ve realized they can only get away with things for so long.

I’m one of those people who thinks my vote makes no difference, and is so disillusioned that I don’t see the point of voting at all. 80% of Kenyans vote for the wrong reasons – whether tribal or financial. I don’t see how the 20% of voters that base their decisions on policies and meaningful change can really make a difference.

In fact, the only reason my voting card is intact is because I’m not sure exactly where it is. I last used it at the referendum, where I voted ‘yes’ because certain areas of the new constitution appealed to me. They addressed issues that are important to me, and they led me to accept the whole document without analysing its potential flaws – like election dates set in March 2013.

At this point, I don’t know what to do, how to help, or how to fix things. I’m not taking to the streets, and I’m not hiding behind my laptop. I’m just wondering what can be done to make a meaningful difference. Some people say doing anything is better than doing nothing. They say asking questions is pointless when I’m not giving answers. They say my helpless stance is an excuse for not finding solutions. They accuse me of poking holes in their actions while doing nothing myself.

I don’t have a response to that. I just don’t believe a bad idea is better than no idea at all, and street protests are always a bad idea. Any good they achieve is eclipsed by the damage they cause. So I guess I’ll keep hoping, praying, and racking my brains for a way to really stop this parliamentary nonsense. Meanwhile, I’ll fight the urge to burn my voter’s card. After all, I’d have to find it first.

♫ Mountains O’ Things ♫ Tracy Chapman ♫

96 thoughts on “Ninja Porcupines and Martha Karua”

  2. I believe that is among the most significant information for me. And i am happy studying your article. However should observation on few basic issues, The web site style is great, the articles is really excellent : D. Just right activity, cheers

  3. This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post. Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!

  4. Wow, superb blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is fantastic, let alone the content!

  5. Hi there, just was alert to your blog via Google, and located that it is truly informative. I’m going to be careful for brussels. I will appreciate for those who continue this in future. Lots of folks will probably be benefited out of your writing. Cheers!

  8. My partner and I stumbled over here coming from a different website and thought I might check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to exploring your web page repeatedly.

  10. My brother suggested I might like this website. He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!

  11. Wow! This can be one particular of the most helpful blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Wonderful. I am also a specialist in this topic therefore I can understand your hard work.

  12. Thanks for your handy post. Through the years, I have come to understand that the symptoms of mesothelioma are caused by the particular build up connected fluid relating to the lining in the lung and the breasts cavity. The condition may start from the chest vicinity and multiply to other areas of the body. Other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include fat loss, severe breathing trouble, fever, difficulty eating, and infection of the neck and face areas. It must be noted that some people having the disease do not experience any serious indications at all.

  15. We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your site provided us with valuable info to work on. You have done a formidable job and our whole community will be grateful to you.

  16. We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your website provided us with valuable info to work on. You’ve done an impressive job and our entire community will be thankful to you.

  17. Great write-up, I am normal visitor of one’s website, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a long time.

  19. Hello there, I discovered your website by way of Google whilst searching for a related subject, your website came up, it seems to be great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

  21. Thank you a lot for giving everyone remarkably spectacular opportunity to read from this web site. It is usually very amazing plus packed with a good time for me and my office co-workers to visit your web site on the least thrice per week to learn the latest guidance you will have. Not to mention, I’m so at all times happy concerning the tremendous tips you give. Some 2 facts in this article are absolutely the most impressive we have all ever had.

  23. I think this is one of the most vital information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But should remark on some general things, The web site style is perfect, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers

  25. I think this is among the most vital information for me. And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on some general things, The website style is perfect, the articles is really excellent : D. Good job, cheers

  27. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is excellent blog. A fantastic read. I will definitely be back.

  31. Hi there! I know this is kinda off topic however I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog post or vice-versa? My site goes over a lot of the same subjects as yours and I think we could greatly benefit from each other. If you happen to be interested feel free to send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Excellent blog by the way!

  32. Hiya very cool site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds also…I am glad to find a lot of helpful information here in the post, we need develop extra techniques on this regard, thanks for sharing.

  34. I am writing to make you understand what a fine discovery my friend’s daughter enjoyed reading your web site. She discovered a good number of pieces, which included how it is like to have a wonderful giving style to let many more very easily master a variety of very confusing matters. You really exceeded her expectations. I appreciate you for giving these beneficial, trustworthy, revealing and in addition cool tips on your topic to Tanya.

  35. of course like your website but you have to take a look at the spelling on quite a few of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I in finding it very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand I will surely come back again.

  36. Simply desire to say your article is as astounding. The clarity on your put up is simply cool and i can think you’re an expert in this subject. Well together with your permission allow me to snatch your feed to keep up to date with impending post. Thanks a million and please carry on the rewarding work.

  41. Wow that was strange. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say excellent blog!

  43. I wanted to develop a brief word to be able to thank you for some of the nice guidelines you are showing here. My extended internet investigation has finally been recognized with beneficial points to write about with my guests. I ‘d repeat that many of us visitors actually are quite endowed to live in a wonderful community with very many marvellous professionals with insightful ideas. I feel very blessed to have used your web page and look forward to some more entertaining moments reading here. Thanks once again for everything.

  44. wonderful post, very informative. I wonder why the other experts of this sector do not notice this. You must continue your writing. I’m sure, you have a great readers’ base already!

  45. Keep up the fantastic piece of work, I read few content on this website and I believe that your site is real interesting and has bands of good info .

  46. I have noticed you don’t monetize threeceebee.com, don’t waste
    your traffic, you can earn additional bucks every month with new monetization method.
    This is the best adsense alternative for any type of website (they approve all websites), for more details simply search in gooogle: murgrabia’s tools

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.