What would Jomo Kenyatta do?

A few days ago, Kenya celebrated its founding father, Jomo Kenyatta. A colleague is visiting Nairobi, and he sent me pictures of the stadium where the festivities occurred. A choir, dressed in bright dresses, swayed with song. Soldiers, in crisp uniforms, stood at attention. President Kibaki, in a hopeful speech, laid out a path for the country.

What would Kenyatta think about the state of his country today? In looking into the founding father’s history, there are a number of pride points. He was a fierce defender of Kenyan culture and traditions. He believed deeply in democracy. Most importantly, he was never happy with where things stood, and was constantly reinventing the status quo.

Kenyatta’s determined spirit led the country to independence and to much of the progress that we see around Nairobi today. It’s also the kind of spirit needed to move the country forward in these times of limbo. As I looked at news around East Africa this week, I kept asking this question: What would Kenyatta do?

Nobody’s been very good at finding oil in East Africa, except for the Chinese. They’ve discovered it in Sudan, Uganda and parts of Kenya. My bet is that there are vast energy reserves still to be found, and they are in a vein that stretches down from the Middle East. There’s potential, I believe, to turn the economies of several East African countries if governments move quickly. What would Kenyatta do?

With the recent drought in the country, there’s no arguing that Kenya needs a regular supply of drinking water. The country sits on the Indian Ocean, a source of endless water for desalinisation plants. A reader of this column tells me that the Mexicans have seen the opportunity from abroad and are in the process of beating Kenyans to the gold in their own backyard. What would Kenyatta do?

A BUILDING COLLAPSED IN KIAMBU, near Nairobi, this week, and killed more than a dozen. Rescuers received frantic cellphone messages from those who remained trapped in the rubble. The building apparently did not meet standards and the owner is the source of a police search. Two other buildings have collapsed this year, pointing out a problem with government oversight over the entire process. Kenyans want and deserve safe buildings. What would Kenyatta do?

Somalia is filling with al-Qaeda terrorists being chased from Pakistan and Afghanistan. They are taking advantage of a failed state, and a Muslim population that’s fed up with that country’s absolute failure over past decades. Refugees are pouring over the border, pushing Kenya’s ability to cope to its absolute limits. The best way to pacify Somalia is not with guns, but with opportunities. What would Kenyatta do?

The government has not yet acted on Kofi Annan’s plea to prosecute people responsible for the post-election violence in 2008. Militias are rearming themselves, and the clock is ticking towards the next election cycle and the possibility of a revolt by the people. What would Kenyatta do?

A report this week said that cod, a popular fish in the diets of Europeans and North Americans, may become extinct. More to the point, the world has a growing population and a diminishing food supply. Tonight, over 1 billion people will go to bed hungry, according to a study this week.

In Latin America and Asia, the economies of several countries have been turned around by fish farms and orchards. Once again, Kenya sits on the edge of an ocean in a perfect climate for these enterprises. What would Kenyatta do?

When I visited Kenya, the first thing that struck me was that Jomo Kenyatta was everywhere. His name graces statues, universities, the airport and every piece of currency. The reason, I believe, is that he gave hope to his people, and encouraged them to think of themselves in a better place. As we celebrate Kenyatta’s life around the world this week, I think we should be empowered by his spirit.

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