Chapter 8: The Year 2012 – Promise, Peril, and the Path to Change
The year 2012 began with a sense of anticipation. Kenya stood on the edge of transformation—its people preparing for the first general election under the new constitution, its leaders promising reform, and its land whispering of new wealth beneath the soil. Yet, beneath the optimism, the country trembled with tension, fear, and uncertainty.
In the small village where John Mankind lived, the talk of oil and elections reached even the most distant homes. His father listened to the radio each evening, his brow furrowed as he tried to make sense of the shifting tides of politics and power. His mother, ever hopeful, said, "Maybe this oil will change our lives." But in Kenya, every promise carried both light and shadow.
The Discovery of Oil
In March 2012, President Mwai Kibaki announced the discovery of oil in Turkana County, calling it a "major breakthrough" for Kenya's economic future. The news spread like wildfire. For a nation long dependent on agriculture and tourism, the discovery symbolized hope—a chance to rise among Africa's emerging economies.
But even as the nation celebrated, some voices warned of the "resource curse," the danger that oil could bring greed, corruption, and conflict. In the dry plains of Turkana, where poverty was deep and water scarce, the people wondered whether this new wealth would ever reach them.
The Tragedy in the Skies
On June 10, 2012, tragedy struck when a police helicopter crashed in the Ngong Forest near Nairobi, killing Interior Security Minister George Saitoti, his assistant Joshua Orwa Ojode, and four others.
The nation mourned deeply. Saitoti, a respected leader and former vice president, had been a symbol of stability and intellect in Kenyan politics. His death came at a time when the country needed steady hands to guide it through the turbulence of reform and insecurity.
Flags flew at half-mast, and thousands gathered to pay their respects. For many, the crash felt like a bad omen—a reminder of how fragile leadership and life could be.
The War Beyond Borders
Kenya's war against Al-Shabaab intensified. In September 2012, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) captured Kismayo, the last major stronghold of the militant group in Somalia. The victory was hailed as a triumph of courage and strategy, marking a turning point in the fight against terrorism.
But the victory came at a cost. Al-Shabaab retaliated with a wave of grenade and bomb attacks across Kenya. The neighborhoods of Eastleigh in Nairobi and the streets of Mombasa became targets.
In May, an attack on a Nairobi shopping center injured more than 30 people. Fear returned to the cities, and suspicion grew among communities. The government responded by passing the Prevention of Terrorism Act in October, Kenya's first anti-terrorism law, aimed at strengthening security and intelligence operations.
For ordinary citizens, however, the line between protection and persecution blurred. Many innocent people, especially in Muslim-majority areas, found themselves caught in the crossfire of suspicion.
Unrest and Division
The year was also marked by political and social unrest. In August and September, more than 100 people were killed in communal clashes over land and resources in the Coast Province. The violence exposed deep-rooted inequalities and the failure to resolve historical injustices.
In Mombasa, riots erupted after the shooting of preacher Aboud Rogo Mohammed, accused by the UN of recruiting and funding Al-Shabaab fighters. His death sparked days of chaos, with protesters clashing with police and churches being attacked.
At the same time, teachers, university lecturers, and doctors went on nationwide strikes, demanding better pay and working conditions. Hospitals and schools closed, leaving the poor to suffer most.
The High Court in Mombasa overturned the ban on the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC), a group advocating for the secession of the Coast Province. The ruling was hailed as a victory for freedom of expression, but the government continued to harass its members, fearing the movement's growing influence.
Kenya was a nation restless with change—its people demanding justice, its leaders struggling to maintain control.
Progress and Innovation
Amid the turmoil, there were moments of progress. The Nairobi–Thika Superhighway was officially opened by President Kibaki, transforming travel between the capital and the industrial town of Thika. The modern road became a symbol of Kenya's ambition—a glimpse of the future it aspired to build.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) introduced Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits ahead of the 2013 general elections, promising transparency and integrity in the voting process. It was a bold step toward restoring public trust in democracy after the chaos of 2007.
The ICC and the Shadow of Justice
The International Criminal Court (ICC) cases continued to dominate politics. The trials of Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto, and others accused of orchestrating the 2007–2008 post-election violence loomed large over the coming elections.
The accused leaders maintained their innocence, calling the charges politically motivated. Their supporters rallied behind them, turning the courtroom battles into a national spectacle. The ICC cases became not just a legal matter, but a test of Kenya's identity—between justice and sovereignty, truth and loyalty.
Triumph on the World Stage
Amid the turmoil, Kenya found a reason to celebrate. At the London Olympics, athlete David Rudisha set a new world record in the 800 meters, winning gold with grace and power. His victory lifted the nation's spirit, reminding Kenyans that greatness could still emerge from struggle.
For a brief moment, the country stood united—not by politics or fear, but by pride.
The Child and the Nation
By the end of 2012, John Mankind was seven years old. He had grown taller, his eyes bright with curiosity. He listened to his father talk about oil, elections, and the future, though he understood little of it. What he did understand was that his country was changing—fast and unpredictably.
One evening, as they walked along the new road that cut through their region, his father said, "This road will take us to new places, my son. But we must choose where it leads."
The wind carried the scent of rain, and in the distance, thunder rolled once more. Kenya was on the move—toward promise, toward peril, and toward a destiny still being written.
End of Chapter 8 – The Year 2012: Promise, Peril, and the Path to Change