baraka lines

Dear President,

I extend my greetings, hoping that you are in good health and comfort within the dignified confines of the state house. Congratulations for showcasing exceptional wit and navigating the complexities of the election with finesse. As the victor, may your leadership shine with intelligence, humor, and a keen understanding of the people’s needs!

Considering the magnitude of your stature, mere casual expressions would be inadequate. Allow me to initiate a regular correspondence with you, or your esteemed office. I aspire to craft these letters, including the present one, in a vivid manner. It is worth mentioning that the esteemed figure of Paul penned extensive epistles to the churches of old. While I do not claim equivalence to Paul, I aim to draw your attention to the sentiments of your “subjects and bosses” – the electorate.

This first installment of our letter series is composed on the eve of your inauguration as the President of the Republic of Kenya. I write with the presumption that you have been engaged in electoral misconduct. However, I refer not to the type of electoral fraud mentioned by the petitioners during the SCOK petition. Instead, I allude to the act of making false and deceptive promises to the electorate.

Specifically, I have heard rumors that you do not intend to fulfill the pledge of allocating 50% of cabinet positions to women, which you made to the people of Kenya. I address you not because you are unaware of the truth, but because you possess the knowledge of it, and falsehood has no place in truth.

I sincerely hope that these rumors are indeed baseless lies. If they prove to be true, it would only reinforce my perception that you are a purveyor of untruths rather than a champion of honesty. And do we, as devout Christians, not recognize the side on which falsehood stands on the day of judgment?

As I pen this missive, it would be disingenuous to imply that I place trust in you or your government. Quite the contrary, my lack of confidence and skepticism have been reinforced by numerous falsehoods that have persisted even beyond the election period.

I am deeply troubled by the alarming precedent set by both you and your predecessor, which you have continued to perpetuate in your quest for power. Although many of these transgressions belong to the past, it would be unwise of me to disregard them.

Under your administration, numerous cronies persist in committing these ”electoral frauds’often in your name. I beseech you to abandon the path of deceit andrefrain from making fraudulent promises that you are well aware are unattainable. Furthermore, I do not wish for my fellow citizens and future generations to continue embracing this callous form of electoral fraud as acceptable.

I implore you to denounce these corrupt individuals, primarily politicians. Condemn them! Reprove them! Above all, rectify their behavior! For if they persist in their mischief and propagate lies under your patronage, both you and, by extension, our collective prosperity shall be jeopardized.

Some may advise me to give you the benefit of the doubt, displaying optimism. How hopeful they are. Despite my inherent skepticism, I write this letter urging you to cease the dissemination of falsehoods, honor your commitments, and adhere to your words. So that, when I correspond with you in a month’s time, it will be to commend your commitment to truthfulness and integrity.

Yours faithfully,

Wakili Baraka