What has changed in the last ten years?

I think it will take some to come to terms with Wangari's passing on and to accept that the soldier who fought valiantly, not only for environmental matters but for democracy in this country, is no more. I have been struggling with many questions with regard to what is referred to as the 'second liberation' and if indeed things have changed and if they have changed what kind of change are we talking about.

The picture on the left shows Wangari defiantly opposed the government's plan to plant right in Uhuru Park, a 60 storey building with funding from the people we love and adore, 'foreign investors'. International pressure influenced by Wangari's stand against this project, saved the day.

I just keep wondering if it was today the project would have been stopped. Discussing with friends the other day, the general view was there would be a tall building in Uhuru Park. What is the reasoning? For one, there is such political apathy as people struggle for survival in a situation of serious inflation and high cost of living. At that time there was one common enemy, KANU and the leadership then. The population was totally tired of the politics of the day, and even though they may not have overtly stood by her, they silently supported Wangari and I am almost sure she was aware of the political companionship of Kenyans. There was joint opposition. What about now? Would the leadership today which is busy dividing people through tribal politics even listen? It would seem that greed has blinded the leadership, made them deaf; totally focused on their survival and not that of Kenyans. And the laissez-fair attitude? And with the widening gap between the richest and poor, is there something or somebody that can bring us together to rally with Wangari to stop the construction? 

Thank God it didn't happen and that we had one courageous woman to stand up for us at that time. We have made a lot of gains democratically, and we can now seek recourse from the courts with confidence. But it is important to keep on interrogating ourselves on what progress we have made as a democracy.