There are many forms of modern governments, but I choose representative democracy and theocracy. There are other different types of democracies, which will not be addressed in this article. At the foremost, we can agree that government is about power – and it is a lot of power over citizens, given to leaders by citizens. Then there is the political process of acquiring that power, and ultimately the leaders are entrusted with maintaining power in the country.
“According to USAID, Kenya has reached many democratic milestones, including: The Adoptions of an inclusive and progressive constitution in 2010. Decentralized governance structure of 47 County governments with increased county capacity in public expenditure management and enhanced public participation.” (www.usaid.gov). This then means that, if Kenya is a democracy, it is a government of the people by the will of the people, for the people. Yaani it is the choice of citizens. Leaders in a democracy are said to be appointed by God, albeit it is through providential means. Leaders are usually voted in. A few weeks ago, I heard a minister say that God does not have votes. He has given them to the people. This does not mean that God has left the scene. He is still Jehovah sovereign, who has allowed his people to have the votes. I thought this is profound, and practical theology, which progresses from theory to the reality that every citizen can understand. Jeremiah 1:1 indicates that it is God who makes leaders, he appoints, ordains, anoints, and sends them to the nations, then backs the leader he sends). So, from this we can infer that because most citizens are Christians, they are divinely inspired to pray for the nation, and equally so, they are divinely inspired on how they will vote. Essentially, I am saying that Christians believe that the Holy Spirit will give them guidance concerning their decisions, even in political issues. This is what we can agree upon as voting one’s conscience. It is called secret ballot for this reason. No one really knows how others will vote in that single moment. It will only become known after; you have done so. Except that when our son reached the eligible voting age, he asked, “Dad, so what party do we vote for?’ It was not hard to convince him because for the first time in the history of USA, there was Barak Obama on the ticket. He got the message quickly that a Black man indeed can become the President of these United States. He also knew that his mom, Rev. Wambui, talks about empowering women so passionately. That was the teachable moment when our family discussed that each person has ONE vote and each one can vote their conscience. After that discussion, we watched the debates together as a family for competing candidates, both national and state debates. To make a reasonable decision, we agreed it is important to know what each party stands for.
Christians and Divine Guidance: However, my dearest citizens, no matter how much we preach, and pray, leaders in a democracy are chosen by divinely inspired citizens, or citizens who understand that their vote counts and it matters. Maybe it helps when we can agree that for this season leaders are chosen by casting of votes from citizens who are eligible to vote. It is an exercise of One Day, One Man, One Woman, One Vote. It doesn’t matter that those who cast votes, hold traditional or other than Christian beliefs. It doesn’t matter whether they are sober or not. Educated or not, rich, or poor, single, or married, male or female. These are moot points if one cannot vote. Each person has the freedom to vote their conscience. If a person lives in Diaspora, they are not to underestimate their influence. Each one can do their best to influence peers, and family to cast One Vote for the candidate of your choice. In the last 2 election cycles (2013, and 2017), Clergy had a very hard time attempting to convince believers which one of the candidates they should vote for. Do not for once forget that Christianity is comprised of Protestants and all the major splinter denominations, Catholics and Orthodox). This complicates issues as believers try to decide who to align with. Not every candidate is aligned with one’s religious denomination. As we pray, we must also remember the county seats. To me local elections mean a lot because they are close to home. Local elections in 2022 are quite important. Not just the president and the deputy president race. Well, for the first time in almost 60 years since independence, we have a Woman, Hon. Martha Karua on the ticket with Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga. However, let us remember local seats in all the 47 counties both in prayers and in our support.
Representative Democracy (RD): In this type of democracy, the President is both the head of state and head of government. The presidential candidates are not from just one party, but from a multi-party system in accordance with the Constitution passed in April 2010. (Recall that two former presidents, were against multi parties). After the day of election, the candidate who emerges with the majority votes is the winner. This is where our prayers matter – First, when it comes to transition of power, that the candidate who loses will accept defeat. Second, that the seated president will follow the constitution and surrender the power of the State and government to the winner. The candidate who wins this election will take over the power given to him by the citizens who are eligible to vote, and who go to vote, no matter their social and economic status, their tribe, their gender, or moral persuasion. Hence my motto as we pray for Kenya is – make sure you join other Christians to PRAY. DO-MUST BE REGISTERED. GO AND VOTE.
PRAY. DO. GO. This is important because Kenya usually have campaigns with high energy, and peaceful elections. Observes return to their jurisdictions and report that Kenya a young democracy conducted peaceful elections. The toughest hours are followed by Office and School closers. Citizens are told to wait at home. Do not travel to the city center. It is when the results of the elections are announced that is the measure of our maturity in this democracy. The looser emerges in an angry fit, or let us say range, and defeat, the goal is to incite the followers to wage tribal violence, and useless wars in his favor, while he dines with his family at the finest Kenya restaurants, guarded by more Askaris than the village can afford. Those guarding him are paid by taxpayers, and so is the dinner, and gas to travel at leisure from place to place. We call these tribal wars, post-election violence. As I am observing the debates and the campaigns, without a doubt, this is the one factor that will mark the growth of this democracy. Are we there yet, where we do not target and harm others because of politics? We will know that in a few months.
Join a ministry of your choice to pray for the country.
What next? Watch Out for Article #4. For constructive comments/email revwambuifavored@gmail.com
