Kenya News Online Today : Kenya as seen through my eyes

A commentary on things Kenyan and other pertinent global issues

Sunday, October 02, 2005

Going bananas over an orange brigade

Now, if there is something all Kenyans have been watching with interest, it must be the fever pitch campaigning and political fervour surrounding the referendum on the constitution.

Never before in the history of Kenya has something that is not a general election swept the political landscape with such zeal. But the Yes and No campaigns as they have come to be known have also another dimension. They are the first to have brought a dietary revolution of sorts.

It is anticipated that the country's population will soon start enjoying the benefits of feeding on bananas and oranges which are the symbols of the Yes and No campaigns respectively.

However the No camp has irked the Yes camp with their much more visible campaign. They have continued to attract bigger crowds and have invested heavily in literature and promotional material. And they have coined propaganda slogans to encourage their wave of supporters.

Some of them read 'The Orange Revolution' trying to evoke imagery similar to the similarly named revolution in the Ukraine. Others are meant to taunt their opponents in the Yes camp. Some of them talk of the dangers of voting yes turning the country into a banana republic and well, that just drives the Yes group bananas.

The Yes campaign too hit the road with gusto. The latest rally held by a coterie of ministers at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru had the crowds coming in at least.

It is such feverish politicking that has observers worried. There is a clear need for the country to rise from the political pitch that has enveloped it. It is time to work, chew the bananas and suck the oranges. We certainly need the vitamins but not the hatred.

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