From: jnr@igc.apc.org (Jim Rosenfield)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.african
Subject: Re: 10/07 Wire stories on hunger
Date: 8 Oct 92 00:22:00 GMT
Nf-ID: #R:cdp:1471700165:cdp:1471700169:000:5164
Nf-From: cdp.UUCP!jnr    Oct  7 17:22:00 1992


/* Written  5:19 pm  Oct  7, 1992 by jnr in cdp:hunger.general */
APn  10/06 0000  Disillusioned Kenya

Copyright, 1992. The Associated Press. All rights reserved. 

By CHEGE MBITIRU   

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- George Aduwa, a 32-year-old mechanic,
joined in early this year when thousands of jubilant Kenyans
staged the first opposition political rally allowed in two
decades. 

The crowd cheered as opposition figures attacked President Daniel
arap Moi and predicted the quick fall of his ruling Kenya African
National Union party. Economic turmoil had Moi's party on the
defensive after years of increasingly authoritarian rule in which
it brooked no opposition. 

But more than eight months later, ordinary citizens like Aduwa
are disillusioned with an opposition that has splintered into
squabbling factions. A euphoria last seen when Kenya won
independence from Britain in 1963 has withered into bitterness. 

"If they do not reconcile, KANU will win the elections and will
oppress us more," Aduwa said, referring to Moi's party by its
commonly used acronym. 

Leading that first rally in January was Kenya's first vice
president after independence and perennial government critic,
Oginga Odinga, chairman of the Forum for the Restoration of
Democracy. 

The largest of four opposition parties, the Forum was considered
the only force capable of sweeping Moi and and his party from
power in this East African nation's first multi-party elections
in 26 years. 

Not anymore. 

"People are asking us why we are giving Moi a chance to rule
again," said Gitobu Imanyara, a lawyer and secretary-general of
Odinga's faction in the Forum. 

The date for the parliamentary and presidential elections has not
been set, but the constitution says they must be held before next
March. 

Anglican Bishop David Gitari, an early proponent of political
pluralism, is among clerics who have attempted to reconcile the
Forum factions and forge a stronger force to oppose Moi. 

Kenyans, he said, have long been unhappy with authoritarian rule,
mismanagement of the economy, rigging of elections, repression of
critics and corruption in high places. 

By the time Moi permitted open opposition last December, Kenya
had long ceased to be the darling of the West as an African model
for stability and good governance. 

Last November, donor nations suspended aid to pressure Moi to
make economic and social reforms. The already weak economy
deteriorated, resulting in shortages of essential commodities. 

Moi's popularity was at rock bottom. 

Kenyans desperately wanted an alternative and flocked to the
Forum as the first opposition party. 

"FORD was first on the scene but it has lost the opportunity,"
Gitari said. "Kenyans were not looking for a disunited party to
lead them." 

Instead of capitalizing on the government's dismal record, the
Forum's leaders spent their time jockeying for position. 

"They were national heroes," said Senda wa Kwayera, a public
relations consultant. "Now they are chasing personal glories." 

Dennis Akumu, a former trade unionist and legislator, said the
fiasco was inevitable once the Forum transformed itself into a
political party. 

The Forum attracted individuals with different political views,
"some of them ideologically poles apart," he said. "They should
have formed separate parties (within) a coalition to oust Moi." 

Jimna M. Mbaru, a wealthy stockbroker who initially bankrolled
the Forum, said its leaders are "divided between the market
economy group led by Matiba and, to use old terminology, the
socialists, big government types led by Odinga." 

Imanyara, 41, the official in Odinga's faction, said there are
other differences. He said younger people like himself want Kenya
politics to revolve around institutions and not individuals. 

Imanyara accused the older Forum members, who had earlier fallen
out with Moi, of naked greed in their attempts to rebuild
shattered political careers. 

"They see this as the easiest time to become president," he said.


Imanyara and his allies have themselves been accused of using the
octogenarian Odinga as a front. 

Mbaru concurred, but said Odinga has been the only established
politician willing to assure them a major role in a future
government. Key players in the Matiba camp are Odinga's former
rivals. 

Meanwhile, Moi has regained confidence and continues addressing
large crowds, pointing at the Forum's divisions as a recipe for
chaos should it gain power. 

Before being pressured into allowing opposition parties, Moi
argued that political pluralism would intensify tribal rivalries
and other feelings that divide Kenyans. 

Odinga and Matiba each claim to head the legitimate Forum and
argue that Kenyans will vote for the opposition group when the
elections come. 

That does not appear to be as likely as it once did. 

"If you are busy demolishing your house, why should I come in,"
said Caroline Kiang'a, a 23-year-old computer operator. 

Susan Ombeta, a grocery store owner in a Nairobi suburb,
considers the opposition squabbling a symbol of what ails Kenya. 

Alluding to the frequent scarcity of necessities, she said,
"Another shortage -- leaders." 
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