HLumiti
Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Posts: 21 Location: Mombasa, Kenya
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Exit Artiste, Enter Politician...
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Several popular Kenyan artistes have decided to plunge into the muddy waters of politics, snorkeling under the not-so-artistic team name of ‘Young Kenyans for Raila’. In my view, this is a retrogressive development for the nascent Kenyan entertainment industry which had just begun to throw up the occasional sparkle especially from this very team. Probably the ‘star’ status reception that the trio has been receiving at their concerts around the country has gotten to their heads. They are most likely now under the delusion that they can transfer their ‘celebrity’ charms to the political arena to attract votes, and thence, leadership positions.
Pray tell, why do these young men want political leadership? To acquire fuel-guzzling road runners, saunter around with bodyguards, sleep at exclusive residential addresses? I most certainly hope not. It is nice to be young, but what advantage does it give one to lead a large community, such as a constituency, with all its varied needs and complex design?
I can empathize with the frustrated feeling that the old geezers in parliament have often let society down with their inability to solve or alleviate the extant hardships. And they are numerous. But are political leaders the only ones obligated to do so? Celebrities elsewhere in the world are regularly involved in mobilization of masses and funds to set up projects and facilities for society and disadvantaged groups. And they do so much more successfully probably because of non-interference and involvement of parochial politicians. However, they are able to achieve this because they themselves first attain success in their careers.
KJ, Kajairo and Mdomo Baggy are not anywhere that can remotely be described as the peak of their careers. They are popular but they are yet to be successful. They were heading there but they have not ‘reached’. When/if they do, they could easily mobilize for the implementation of whatever projects in their current blueprints and still walk with their heads high, dignified and honorable. Artistes too can take charge of societal change. You do not have to go dancing in the mud, regaling the masses with political buffoonery and spewing unhelpful platitudes.
KJ, Kajairo and Mdomo Baggy can be made into forceful market brand names. Not ‘Young Kenyan’. Methinks this metamorphosis of our brothers is ill advised.
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Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 6:29 pm
_________________ Harun Lumiti,
Mombasa,
Kenya
Theatre-Vista
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