By Juma Kwayera

Kenyans demonstrated their resilience at the beginning of this year when they overcame the worst political crisis ever to halt the economic and social haemorrhage that was setting in. Almost nine months later, and with the cost of living at its highest level yet, we are still optimistic of a better tomorrow—just as we were in 2003, when we were voted the happiest people in the world.

Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) says this is a sign of a people who want to succeed, but are repeatedly let down by the political elite.

"We are ruled by a breed of Kenyans who believe in the philosophy of scratch my back I scratch yours. They are oblivious of the suffering of the masses that live on less than a dollar per day. Yet at every election they will come and hoodwink everybody that they are the messiah who lift them out of the bondage of poverty," says Nzimbi.

The prelate was commenting on what has become a uniquely Kenyan trait: when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. He says the resilience is borne out of the human spirit of forgiveness. "It is inconceivable that we can still greet each other, talk and eat together after the horrendous events of early this year."

Diligent

He adds: "We are always hoping for a better day. That is why political violence ended as soon as the National Accord was signed. In ordinary circumstances, intolerance would have got the better of us and the result would have been continued fighting. Our heroes are the ordinary man who toils daily to keep the economic wheel turning."

For many Kenyans, this staying power is manifested in the exploits of our sportsmen. The political chaos Kenya faced was forgotten during the Olympic Games in Beijing, when the country bagged 18 medals, including five golds, to post the best ever performance. Adversity, it seems, inspires Kenyans. The political upheavals unleashed a series of events that had domino effect on national life. Top on the list was the economic squeeze as potential investors kept away.

The turmoil created a scarcity in the consumer sector, which saw the price of sugar double in three months. Former Nyeri Town MP Wanyiri Kihoro says the skyrocketing of consumer prices is a reflection of bad governance the ordinary Kenyan has to put up with, but which has also brought out the best of Kenyans.

"Salaries are stagnant, unemployment escalating but nobody is addressing these critical issues. Instead we are in constant election mood. What’s worse, the ruling class is fond of stealing or misallocating resources that would have been used to ease pressure on the ordinary man. That we can still hold together as nation in spite of all the politically-induced inconveniences is amazing," he says .

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) painted a gloomier picture. It says the 12-month overall inflation increased from 27.6 per cent in August 2008 to 28.2 per cent in September 2008.

"This mainly followed increases in food prices, in particular rice, maize flour and beans. Similarly, average annual inflation increased from 20.8 per cent in August 2008 to 22.1 per cent in September," it says.

Mr Mwalimu Mati, the chief executive of Mars Group, says Kenyans have heavy shock absorbers. We tolerate when MPs abuse our support. Kenyans never lose hope when the ruling clique tramples on their civil and political liberties, he says.