‘EUREKA’ IN AFRICA'

‘EUREKA’ IN AFRICA

‘Eureka’ an ancient Greek word meaning “I have found it” is perhaps apt in characterizing the latest development I found in Kenya.

If Kenyans succeed in having a “national dialogue” as it is currently being discussed across the political divide, they will be blazing the trail for other African countries on the practice of democratic governance.  Especially if the dialogue is not a one time event, is guided by a spirit of patriotism and its deliberations are underpinned by the principle that  ‘democracy’ transcends balloting and elections; that it is ¨governance by discussion and public reasoning.” (See my two recent Blogs on “An Alternative System of Governance Revisited” and “ Patriotism and National Development II”).

By making periodic ‘discussions and public reasoning’ part and parcel of the governance structure to collectively address key challenges in the society and devise durable solutions to them, the country would be fostering constructive and ‘healthy’ rather than ‘unhealthy’ competition, which is currently the prevailing norm.

The periodic ‘public reasoning’ on the country’s challenges would also help Kenya move beyond “western democracy” as currently practiced, primarily as balloting and elections  - (winners take all) and start to build a viable foundation for a homegrown and durable political and socioeconomic development.