Ngalaka wrote:Enough of the ‘liberal paradise’ theorising and fantasies, let’s do some reality check.
Let’s make some things clear though, security checks are fine, but queuing with the general public!!
So;
How do we treat visiting CS from other Countries?
How do we treat Ambassadors representing their countries in Kenya?
How do we treat; CJ & DCJ, Speakers of N.A & Senate, Raila, Kalonzo under normal circumstances as opposed to this time of electioneering?
What is your own observation in practical terms in relation to these issues, and don’t cite peculiar and out of the ordinary stories about some place else, where supposedly everything is nice and dandy, even though we are aware they also have their own issues. And for the record when Hilary Clinton came here, and Condi before her, they were accorded royalty status. Not only was Hotel interconti inaccessible, even the adjacent roads were out of bounds – so dont tell us about demi-gods while citing USA as the Angel model.
Back to our experiences, once I had occasion to witness a case where the TZ minister for finance was transiting Jkia to Europe.
Kenya govt protocol fellows were falling over themselves to enchant him as they led and hosted him at the Govt facility – VIP lounge - at Jkia. At hand also to receive him and keep him company till his onward boarding time was the TZ Ambassador here, whose entry into the airport secure areas was facilitated all the way up to the boarding gate at the international departure terminals – even though he was not a passenger himself.
How then do we suppose the US Ambassador is treated here and elsewhere in the world.
Ambassadors ordinarily report to CS Foreign affairs as their immediate boss – i.e Kenyan diplomats out there report to Amina.
How does it work when a Kenyan CS goes to Jkia to meet a visiting CS from UK!!!
Ours has to queue while the foreign one’s way is smoothed, isn’t it!
Or probably ours can ‘ride’ in the flow paved for the foreigner!!
Tuwachane na that ultra-liberal mindset, long on theories and very short on practicality.
We give visitors vip treatment because they are here for a reason. They are here as our visitor and we want to make them feel comfortable. It's the same thing when a guest comes to your house, you offer them refreshments, some tea, soda, juice maybe, you try to make them feel at home. It's just good social etiquette and it makes your relationship better. They are most likely here for a good reason and they are depending on us to guide them.
When Amina is going to receive some dignitary from a foreign country then that's ok to accord her VIP treatment because she is on national duty, she is at work serving the country. But if she is just going to Dubai to relax with her husband for a week then she needs to panga line like everybody else.
Matiangi was probably heading home to go eat matoke and sleep. Why does he need to cut in line and be served first? It's not like the matoke can't be thrown in the microwave if he is a little late for dinner.
What's the hurry for?