We cannot progress when leaders constantly put citizens on warpath

Anti-riot police officers roughup one of the Azimio la Umoja supporters during anti-government protests in Kisumu. [Standard]

There exist some choice words that have for years been used, misused and abused in Kenya by ordinary wananchi as well as opinion leaders and politicians. Democracy and human rights are terms that seem to mean different things to different political players, ordinary citizens, human rights activists, disciplined forces and even the revered clergy.

Without reference to the drafters of the 2010 Constitution, we use these words selectively, as and when it suits our interests. Some of us understand democracy as a 'government of the people, by the people and for the people' as espoused by former US President Abraham Lincoln.