Kenya, The Spark of the East

A few years after 1960, the Year for Africa Kenya marked its independence on 12th Dec 1963. With Jamhuri day celebrations gone, it provides a stronger impetus to reflect on this nation called Kenya, albeit shortly. To reference Year of Africa, is to invoke the ‘wind of change’ speech on Feb 03, 1960 by Harold Macmillan which acknowledged the ‘political fact’ of a consciousness on Africans of their national essence.

In particular to invoke this wind of change in this nation by declaring it the Spark of the East. Kenya, the spark of the East. Kenya has positioned itself politically and economically gaining recognition on the world stage.

After independence, political internal organizing has spurred the nation in different directions that put it on a noticeable trajectory. The ’82 attempted coup, the multiparty system win, the 2002 elections, and the 2010 constitution.

It can be recalled that positive economic progress was made in the Kenyatta era, the Kibaki era, and in part the Uhuru era. The country's economy is once again at peril and needs a new spark.

The country is shaping up for a new decade politically and economically. It is a nation that is unsettled by the unseen hand of change. Kenya is the spark of the Eastneeds that cannot go off, seeking to be established in the chronicles of African nations that rise beyond development hurdles.