Senior Counsel Dr. John Khaminwa has asked Kenyan youth to refrain from actions that could in the long term severely hurt the country both politically and economically.
In their demand for just governance, the lawyer argued that Kenyans should be alive to the fact that some actions may spell doom for the country and might prove difficult to reverse.
In the ongoing anti-government protests, that have lasted one month, Dr. Khamnwa said the voices of the young people in Kenya have had an impact and can no longer be ignored. He, however, wants them to drop hardline positions and give room for the demands to be acted upon.
“Our youths have spoken. They have been heard by the establishment. Let them not go further, to do so would bring disaster as there would be no Kenya to talk about and complain against,” he said in a letter to Kenyans
He warned that all Kenyans should be careful not to let the country go the way of countries that have faced ruin occasioned by uprisings or civil war. Over and above everything, he says Kenyans should seek to resolve issues in a peaceful way
“Past and contemporary history reminds us of murders, assassinations, torture, detentions without trials, kidnaps etc. We have, however, deliberately avoided civil war or revolutions. Take, for instance, Raila Odinga whom I visited at Manyani detention, notwithstanding what he went through, he still preaches peace,” he said
“Gitobu Imanyara whom I witnessed being dragged from his home in the wee hours of the morning in the presence of his young children for fighting for human rights and the rule of law has retired without uttering a word that would promote a revolution,” he added
He says the tough economic situation in Kenya is also replicated in other parts of the world and urges Kenyans not to disregard what experts in economics and finance are saying about the present state of affairs.
“To ignore or rubbish what they say is likely to bring disaster. I have never forgotten my experience of what I saw in Uganda when Amin Dada came into political power in Uganda –chaos, murders, kidnaps, collapse of the economy, rape, etc. One learns a lot about human nature when he has access to history,” he said
Amid widespread criticism of the country’s political leaders, Dr. Khaminwa argued that some of them are honest and hard-working.
“Not all are corrupt. Not all are dishonest. Not all are thieves and not all are murderers,” he said
He said Kenyans have the power to kick out of power the leaders they consider unsuitable on the ballot.
In the wake of President Ruto’s dismissal of his Cabinet, he asked the head of state to consider returning some of the ministers whom he thinks are trustworthy, hardworking, and not corrupt. He believes the President can convince a majority of Kenyans that he is there to serve their vital economic interests and nothing else.
