Would a military struggle against Moi have been justified?

[In January 2000, Kenyans were an extremely frustrated lot with the KANU and Moi Government. While working in Johannesburg at the time, I was active in rallying Kenyans abroad and the international community to bring pressure to bear on Moi to step down after 22 years in power. A friend of mine, a prominent journalist back home, wrote to me an email proposing we consider starting or supporting a military option for the removal of Moi. Below are two emails that we exchanged back then, with mine explaining why I would be hesitant to go that route. His earlier email to me follows my response to him. I have changed his name to protect his identity. After my email dated 17 January 2000, I never heard back from him and since nothing happened, I imagine the proposal to take up arms against Moi never saw the light of day.]

From:                Njonjo Mue

To:      

Date:                 1/17/00

Subject:             Re: xx-rated

J

While I am not a pacifist at all cost, I do strongly believe that any initiative we undertake must empower our people. I am keen to hear what you chaps have in mind, but you will agree with me that the info you give so far is insufficient to base concrete decisions on.

One would like to know, for example, what the overall strategy of such a move would be (without of course giving away operational details.) Likewise, one might want to know what balance there would be between civilian leadership and those on the other side. Any movement, in my view, must be firmly entrenched in civilian leadership; which is what worries me about our situation where all civilians on both sides of the political divide are just a bunch of bungling buffoons!

I could only consider supporting any military action where this was merely supporting a bigger ‘People Power’ movement (a la ANC and uMkonto we Sizwe). I do not at present see such organization in Kenya. And if that balance is lacking, one sees a situation where the saviours very quickly become the oppressors, especially where there is no political philosophy that they are pursuing.

Finally and most important, in my view, Kenya’s problem has never been the ruling clique alone. We all have a share in responsibility for the mess we have created. Which means change at the top may not deliver us to the promised land we seek. Any movement that fails to address our need to look inwards and recreate the soul of our nation will fall short; and the kind of struggle you speak of sounds a lot like the sort of short-cut we shall celebrate for a while but regret for a long time afterwards after discovering that it only replaced the head without doing anything about the ailing body.

Over to you.

N

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01/12/00

a guy

we have been discussing for some time now about forging alternative leadership for this country. we have looked at all the options available and there is obvious likelihood that things will not improve under the present system or by a gradual phasing out or retreat of the current regime. Yet it is apparent a few patriots have to volunteer to lead a clear move to change this status quo radically through a movement. Lets be pragmatic. i am talking struggle. we are contemplating and thinking options. can you possibly identify a source of support for an initial USD 100,000 to kick off the campaign in the next 45 days? can you possibly act as spokesman for the movt in SA when it strikes and gets underway or can you identify another spokesman even using a pseudonym (drop some names of an external leader for the movement which of course will have local leadership – I discussed some names with you) and generally advice on levels of support to be expected from SA (any comrades there and source of supplies and resources?

Drop me a line on all this by Friday. I have a strategic meeting with some hyenas on Saturday who need some feed.

Joseph*

NB meanwhile some squatter citizens invades Moi’s farm in Laikipia today to occupy it. There is considerable tension (ethnic fomenting along the coast. The constitutional review initiative – parallel or regular is hopelessly wobbling on .

*The name has been changed to protect the identity of the writer of this email.