Kenya: Michuki, Libertarians Bettered Democracy, Understanding Needed says Media

EALO/Libertarian of The Month…

While no one was looking the loose Libertarian-Liberal study network there has quietly and successfully pushed for more democracy, initial re-privatization, inter-tribal understanding and more– but there is some confusion and more concepts, clarity could help suggests interesting opinion piece by local centrist. Remembering LIO Fellow and environmental. fair elections champion  John Michuki, who welcomed LIO tools and worked to pave the way, himself going through a dramatic and admittedly imperfect personal evolution and advising startled fellow ministers to read MG and the USLP Libertarian-direction platform for ‘contrarian ideas that work’ and study  MacCallum’s “Art of Community, Rothbard, Bastiat, Jefferson, our own heritage, and grow up!”

http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/Why+Michuki+has+been+acclaimed+by+different+groups+/-/440808/1335014/-/jvikvuz/-/

The passing on of John Njoroge Michuki has elicited very widespread and mostly unexpected sentiments of goodwill and solidarity from across generations, regions and parties in Kenya.

 

It may be true, to stand Shakespeare on his head, that what the bad people have done is usually interred with their bones and the good is given accent in mourning.

But, looking through what has been said about Mr Michuki, and particularly the dominant tone of comment from younger mourners on social media and spot interviews, one can discern a very clear and refreshingly new message that the passing of this hard working leader has elicited.

A young woman was quoted in the press calling Michuki “a good dictator”. Reasons for this were consistent with what nearly everybody has acknowledged.

That the minister had the strength of character and resolve to carry through what he committed

That the minister had the strength of character and resolve to carry through what he committed to.

That in a society so beholden to short-term popularity, Michuki did what he thought was right regardless of how popular it was.

Over the past two decades, the struggle against authoritarian government necessarily gave strong focus to libertarian agitation.

The battle call for change has been about rights. The results have been satisfactory.

 

…

He spoke to a people who are increasingly embracing the challenge that a democratic Kenya will quickly atrophy if a public spiritedness founded on the respect of hard work does not tamper our dedication to defending our rights and the appetite to be appreciated.

Early in the days of the Kibaki government, I remember Michuki telling a small group of fellow ministers that the best campaign for the next job is full dedication to the current assignment.

His life was testimony to this dictum. He carried out his present assignment as if there was no other purpose to living.

Even as he approached the end with failing health, he sought to be on top of the work at his office.

He was determined to attend the Governing Council of UNEP the very final day of his mortal being. As if this was the preamble to the next assignment.

Dr Mukhisa Kituyi is a director of the Kenya Institute of Governance mkituyi@kigafrica.com

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A Constitution that defines and defends all the rights acceptable in a democratic society is in place. But we have in the process behaved as if life is all about haki yetu.

Acts of lawlessness have been tolerated as if they represent democratic expression.

As large groups give public display to the decline of good manners, we have all looked the other way and cursed under our breath.

Sound programmes are sabotaged in the face of populist opposition. We have seen the faltering implementation of public forest reclamation.

We have heard confused statements about the privatisation of the port of Mombasa. We are staring at the likely reversal on the promised phase-out of 14 seater matatus.

Not enough citizens, let alone politicians, have given a semblance of balancing between rights and obligations.

Perpetual self-pursuit has replaced public spiritedness as a mark of leadership. Most politicians

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