Time to Organize Ourselves

On the eve of 2011, Egyptians took to the streets in what they called the November 25th March, aiming to topple their then-president. The world watched as they succeeded, only to march again a year later due to unfulfilled promises. This is not an isolated story. Ugandans ousted Idi Amin, Zimbabweans removed Mugabe, and in 2001, Kenyans decided to end Moi's rule. Despite these efforts, the outcomes are hauntingly similar: Uganda still grapples with dictatorship, Zimbabweans' lives remain dire, Egyptians are under continued oppression, and Kenyans continue to protest. These movements all illustrate a fundamental lesson: successful revolutions require more than the removal of a leader.

As a philosopher once said, "What experience and history teach us is this—that people and governments have never learned anything from history, or acted on principles deduced from it." We must avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. It's not enough to win the battle if we lose the war for sustainable change. Here's a detailed analysis of why most revolutions fail and what lessons we must apply to ensure our struggle is not in vain.

Alternative Government

The Importance of Preparedness

In nature, there is no power vacuum. If a vacuum ever does exist, chaos inevitably ensues. Before removing a president, we must establish an alternative government ready to step in immediately.

• Leadership Transition: Who will assume control as we organize our next government?

• Mandate and Responsibilities: What will be their mandate? What specific duties will they execute?

• Execution Capacity: Under what capacity will they operate? What resources and authority will they have?

• Defined Tasks: What are the precise tasks they need to accomplish?

• Selection Criteria: Why were these individuals chosen? What qualifications and attributes make them suitable?

Preventing Movement Hijacking

We've seen how power can corrupt individuals. In our recent history, certain figures have shown opportunistic behavior when presented with the chance to seize power. To prevent a civil war or the hijacking of our movement, having an alternative government in place is crucial. This step ensures continuity and stability, avoiding the pitfalls that have plagued other revolutions.

Our Agenda

Crafting a Clear and Detailed Manifesto

Ranting and lamenting have brought us this far, but it's now time to articulate our demands clearly. Many outside our immediate circle remain unsure of our objectives. We need an official document outlining our grievances in detail.

Specific, Data-Driven Proposals

Broad statements like "create employment" are insufficient. Our proposals must be specific, actionable, and backed by data:

• Current Systems Analysis: What systems are in place currently?

• Evidence-Based Critique: Why do we believe these systems aren't working? Provide data and examples.

• Proposed Solutions: What do we propose as alternatives? Again, support with data and detailed plans.

• Success Metrics: What metrics will we use to measure the success of these proposals?

• Timelines: Set clear timeframes for implementation and evaluation.

• Expected Outcomes: Define the precise outcomes we aim to achieve.

Uniting Under a Common Agenda

Building Consensus and Support

For our movement to succeed, we must unite under an agenda that promises tangible improvements in people's lives. Convince a boda boda rider, for instance, that supporting our cause will improve his livelihood. Use relatable, everyday examples to illustrate the benefits of our proposals.

Media Engagement and Awareness

We must actively engage with media houses to explain and spread our agenda. Effective communication is key to garnering widespread support and understanding.

Playing a Different Game

Strategic Thinking

We are up against a powerful opponent. To win, we must engage in a game of brains, ideas, and logic—a game our adversary cannot easily play. This requires strategic thinking and meticulous planning.

Call to Action

Unity and Collaboration

I call upon all youths to unite and contribute to a comprehensive list of agendas representing our collective aspirations. This is not just about fighting; it's about fighting smart. By learning from the past and applying these lessons, we can achieve our goals without repeating the fruitless battles of our predecessors.

Invitation for Proposals

This is just an overview of the lessons we can learn from past movements. We are accepting proposals on how to move forward. Click the expert’s directory on the navbar to contribute your ideas.

Author

This document was compiled by @kenyansforum