Kenya plunges into violence

An escalating violence in Kenya and an unsettling political instability in South Africa threatens to torpedo the continent's chances for a bright economic future. Aged-old problems of poverty, petty tribalism and unbridled corruption have resurfaced with greater vehemence.

The picture of Kenya as an "island of stability" was recently shattered by the eruption of violence that reportedly claimed some 500 lives. It seems hard to believe that Kenya, a model of political stability and economic growth could suddenly find itself in the throes of chaos and disorder. The international repercussions among powerful countries and major aid donors had been tremendous, in particular the United States. As reported in the major foreign press, Kenya is undeniably a leading star in East Africa. It has held regular elections since its independence in 1963, and its economy grew at 6.4 percent in 2007. The explosion of violence following its presidential elections last month changed Kenya's position of stability. The United States, which reportedly gives US 1 million dollars in aid considers Kenya its main bulwark in its anti-terrorism campaign, especially against jihad terrorists sneaking in from neighboring Somalia.

The immediate cause of violence in Kenya begun with a civilian coup by Mwai Kibaki, following a close race with challenger Raila Odenga last Dec. 27 general election. Three days after the voting, paramilitary police stormed the Kenyatta International Conference Center where the vote counting was taking place, and where Odenga had a clear lead. Then the Commission on Elections declared Kibaki winner and was sworn the same day. It was then that popular resentment against Kibaki's tribe, the Kikuyu, was unleashed like the breaking of a dam. Although the Kikuyu tribe consist only of 22 percent of the population, it has enjoyed a dominant political position in government and business.

Kibera, the largest slum area where a million people live in extreme poverty became the center of violence. Deep in poverty, disease and distress Kibera was waiting to ignite its fire of discontent. During the week of violence, heavy international pressure came upon Kibaki and Odinga to reach an agreement. But an African negotiation attempt collapsed last week and supporters of Odinga in Nairobi have shown impatience. They are demanding that Kibaki resigns from the "stolen presidency". They are also demanding news elections.

Analysis by Time magazine on Africa's distress points to poverty as the root cause of all maladies. Nowhere in the world, it reports, is the gap between the rich and the poor wider than in Africa. Despite the bright hopes in economic growth owing to its natural resources - and entry of major powers like China in the investment field, the number of poor has doubled. The other malady eating away Africa's economic gains is corruption, where Kenya finds itself at the bottom rank of most corrupt countries.

Kenya simply mirrors the rest of Africa in terms of being most corrupt, where 36 out of 52 countries are openly accused of graft and corruption. As reported, Nigeria leaders for instance were accused of stealing US 400 billion between 1960 and 1999. In South Africa, corruption scandals involving political and business elites are exposed frequently. The most famous is that which concern the newly-voted leader of the African National Congress, Jacob Zuma. Time reported that he was indicted on one charge of racketeering, one of money laundering, two of corruption and 12 of fraud involving bribes by French arms seller. He denies all these charges.

While many African countries have succeeded in creating democratic institutions and that democracy actually works in many countries, these institutions are fragile as shown in Kenya's recent general elections. One man with military support can easily grab power and pummel a nation in a spiral of violence.