Mwai Kibaki, hierarchy of needs and clinging to power

Prof. Maicibi argues that, "When one has 'gotten' (reached) to the highest level one wished, one does not want to relinquish that prestige or status to anyone else. Therefore, one's behaviour is all directed towards maintaining or consolidating what is already one's."
He adds: "This is true of African leaders. Indeed, this is even the highest or strongest motivation need to the extent that it is capable of making the position occupants attempt possible elimination of potential contestants to such thrones."


In the context of the situation in Kenya, President Kibaki has struggled hard since Daniel Arap Moi dumped him as Vice-President and Minister of Finance following the equally farcical elections of September 1988. His fortunes changed in 2002 when, ironically, his alliance with Raila Odinga - under the post-Cold War international re-alignments that saw the West turn its back on African leaders like Moi - brought him back to the centre of Kenyan politics. Getting overwhelmingly elected as president was, indeed, Kibaki's self-actualisation.
He needs no job today. He is wealthy and at 76, his sun is about to set. Nevertheless, going by Prof. Maicibi's modified version of Maslow's theory, Kibaki still has an unsatisfied need: to consolidate all that he has struggled hard to attain.
This consolidation need, according to Prof. Maicibi, explains "the sit-tight" behaviour of most of our leaders. So maybe we should not view Kibaki as an evil man who has no shame even when his rush to be sworn in for a second term of office has led to such wanton destruction of life and property in Kenya and economic hardships in our own country. Perhaps we should try to see him as a man who aspires to attain the very highest of human needs.


Quotes from what drives Kibaki to cling to Power by Okadan Okwap.


My interpretation of Mwai Kibaki's behaviour to date, differs from that of the writer of the article. I have a positive view of human nature in general, and believe that in this situation Mwai Kibaki was doing the best that he could do. The best that he could do for himself.


Most of us know that his actions were not the best for Kenya. I struggle with the fact that if this is the best that he can do, I definitely do not want to be around when he is at his worst.


Somewhere on Maslow's hierarchy of needs, there is , a level for self esteem. This involves respecting others. This is where I feel that Mwai Kibaki has blanked out.


To get to a state of self actualisation, he would need an acceptance of facts, according to Maslow. It seems that Mwai Kibaki feels that he has been accepted, and gained recognition from a segment of the Kenyan population, so Kazi iendelee(the dreaded word).


I have a hunch that his rigging of the election, he adds to one of his greatest achievments. However,it is his understanding of morality that I have difficulty with.


The question is how much of his behaviour is conscious, and how does this affect his thinking at 76?

The drama triangle persecutor, victim and rescuer being played out in Kenya

Some arguments are to the effect that the Kenyan situation has provided a typical example where a spade is not called a spade. Others think modern day democracy is just a façade of the 1800 dynasty rule. To me, the Kenyan crisis provides yet another example of our 'cherished' African culture that victimises the victim, and protects the bully.

You would therefore think that people should speak in unison against president Kibaki to the effect that he made himself susceptible to accusations of electoral malpractice and should therefore own up to pave way for a cleaner process.

Instead people are telling Raila to accept the position of opposition leader purportedly for the sake of peace! But why should it be Raila to sacrifice for the sake of peace and not President Kibaki? Just to rephrase the headline of Wanyeki Muthoni's article Can there be peace without justice? And how long can this peace last? (The East African, January 7-13).

Raila and Kibaki may be the same considering that they belong to the same old guards in the Kenyan political landscape, but people's wishes ought to be respected or else sitting presidents should stop wasting time and resources conducting elections if they are not willing to accept defeat and retire honourably.

Quotes from punishing the victim and protecting the bully by Margaret Wokuri.

I feel the article has parallels with Steve Karpman's drama triangle.

He says these roles operate to keep people in the illusions of power, and will go on as long as someone is willing to be victimised.

It is very clear to some Kenyans who the bully is in this crisis, but it does not look like someone is willing to be victimised at the moment.

Update:Related article Lessons from the election debacle.

Update two Related article : Stubborn Kibaki strides on regardless.

Tribal paranoia in Kenya today healthy or not?

I have just read this article on tribal paranoia, and how ethnic polarisation is taking hold.


It took me back to something that I had read years ago, Black rage by Grier and Cobbs.


Since the announcement of the election results I am very aware of my tribe. I am wary of being in certain parts of Kenya now, given what has transpired. The comfort or ease that I had before, has disappeared for the moment. I grew up, have friends and went to school with Kenyans from every tribe. There is a lot of intermarriage in my family across tribal lines.


I was aware of the tensions, but not in the way that I am now. I feel that there is a parallel between what Grier and Cobbs are saying and the situation in Kenya today. For some people who are feeling paranoid, I see their response as adaptive, and not unhealthy in the current climate.


We are all Kenyans but I feel that it is important to acknowledge and celebrate the differences between us.

Update related article :Tribal clashes are politicians fault.

Posing questions that do not go away to the Mwai Kibaki mindset

Mwai Emilio Stanley Kibaki,

Could you please smell the kahawa(coffee)?

I was puzzled by your announcement of the first half of the cabinet yesterday. I was not suprised, as to date your behaviour has been consistent.

Do you have any idea how your actions are being interpreted by some Kenyan people?

I interpreted your announcement yesterday, as total disregard for the Kenyan people. I was of the understanding that you were prepared for peace talks on Friday. Your announcement yesterday has spoilt the reconciliation bid.

I have a problem with your mantra kazi iendelea(work must go on). Most Kenyans have been traumatised, and I feel that your announcement yesterday, demonstrates to me that you do not give a monkey's about the Kenyan people.

Do you not realise that in your role as president, you are required to put your own needs aside, and the needs of the national interest first?

Mwai Kibaki, I am sorry to tell you, this is not all about you. You have a duty of care to the Kenyan people.

I understand that the honour of your whole family may depend on you staying in power. However, I feel that line of thinking is now out of date. The lives of the Kenyan people are at stake. I have heard that you are only concerned about your own people. Whether oaths were taken in Mt Kenya or not is irrelevant.

Are you aware of how many Kikuyu people have died in the past week?

These people are innocent victims, who have had these atrocities inflicted on them, because you decide that you cannot and will not leave state house.

I feel that you are attempting to block out part of what the Kenyan people are saying in the hope that things will be alright.

Could you please tell me what your understanding of alright is?

My feeling is that the Kenyan people are feeling betrayed and robbed, and have great difficulty trusting you. I believe your role is to win back the trust of your voters. By standing defiant you have no way of achieving this, in my view.

I acknowledge that you are in charge right now, and have chosen to rule Kenya by any means necessary. However, I feel that it is not useful to impose a knee- jerk set of rules, with the state that our country is in. I appreciate that this may be the Kibaki way of doing things, but I believe that it is detrimental for the Kenyan people. The past week illustrates the results of your actions.

Please take a few minutes to look at the powerful images on Joseph Karoki's blog, which tell the story.

I believe that you need to ask yourself whether you are able to have a collaborative relationship with the Kenyan people?

My understanding is that collaborative relationships are characterised by commitment, and cooperation.

Are your intentions to continue to rape the Kenyan people in order to maintain power?

Some Kenyan people are feeling psychologically, and physically traumatised by the events of last week.

Judith Lewis Herman says that

in rape, the purpose of the attack is precisely to demonstrate contempt for the victim's autonomy and dignity.

A negative response to people who have been raped compounds the damage, and aggravates the traumatic syndrome.

I believe the riots and killings in Kenya in the past week, are the only way that some people can express their humiliated rage.

I feel it is essential that you acknowledge the reality of the Kenyan people, and take steps to change it, by taking action to foster recovery.

Can you stop causing more harm to the Kenyan people?

I ask that you reflect on whether you posess these qualities that are essential for leadership honesty, integrity, sincerity, respect, competence, and fairness.

Mwai Emilio Stanley Kibaki, in your role as president, (rigged), you have a duty of care to the Kenyan people.