Memorable, unusual moments of 2013

A file photo taken on August 28, 2007 shows former South African president Nelson Mandela waving to the media as he arrived outside 10 Downing Street, in central London, for a meeting with the British Prime Minister. AFP  

 

By  Macharia Munene

The year 2013 had its memorable moments and unusual happenings. In Egypt, the military overthrew an elected government and the concept of “democracy” became irrelevant. A power struggle in South Sudan degenerated into civil war and threatened regional tranquillity.

Nelson Mandela, 50 years after his arrest, died an international celebrity cheered by his former tormenters. China and Japan, geopolitical rivals, engaged in sable-rattling over islands in East China Sea.

The United States showed interest in the China-Japan feud even as it quarrelled with its “close allies.” German and French leaders became angry because US spies tapped their mobile telephones.

Regretting the exposure and to minimize domestic and international fallout, the US decided to recast its philosophy, and conduct, of spying.

India, US ally in trying to contain China’s maritime ambitions in the Indian Ocean, felt insulted when American officials reportedly mishandled an Indian diplomat in New York.

As Indians demonstrated everywhere against supposed US disdain for Indian dignity and violation of diplomatic protocol, Africans understood the hurt and Indian need to vent anger.

Africans were in “jubilee” mood, a renaissance of Pan-Africanism. In May 1963, African leaders had met at Addis Ababa to create the OAU. In that same month, Kenyans voted to determine the independence government.

The winner was Jomo Kenyatta and his nationalistic KANU, exuding Pan-Africanist aura, against seemingly settler guided KADU. Fifty years later, he election seemed like a continental referendum on the re-assertion of Pan-Africanist anti-imperial spirit. The AU, therefore, welcomed the election of Jomo’s son, Uhuru.

Other events were comparatively miniscule. Rising inflation and taxes eroding stagnant incomes, confusion over devolution implications, presence of regularly quarrelling state officers, and poor service delivery spoilt sense of jubilee jubilation.

Electric power, for instance, remained expensive and, when needed, the supply was unreliable. Politicians, looking for niche for future relevance, tended to undermine commendable projects, including rehabilitating the dilapidated accident prone railroad system.

Security, with terrorist attacks and inter-county border flare-ups, continued being problematic.

Several Kenyans distinguished themselves, capturing public imagination. Comedienne Caroline Wanjiku, television’s Teacher Wanjiku, ‘‘shrubbed’’ her way to fame .

Mohammed Dida, who became a star in the presidential debates, managed to do better than the more established candidates. There was also Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko.

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, also captured attention. With the money that he had received, he commanded admiration by cutting costs, hosting Cecafa matches in Machakos, and organising dream city conferences.

Most important, instead of threatening health workers when they went on strike, he persuaded them to return to work. These were unusual happenings and people.

Munene is a professor of history at USIU-Africa.