Kenyans should rise above petty ethnic divisions
By PD columnist, September 19, 2022We have a government in place, and it is time to reset our aspirations and dreams to that of patriotism.
So, as the dust settles on what has been touted as the most open, transparent election by many, including the foreign observers, it is time to roll up our sleeves and get into production mode.
A nation cannot be built on endless squabbles and constant bickering. So, we must draw a line, pick up our tools, and head to the wheat fields.
It pains me every time I listen to debate on national media, the divide on who takes which part of the stand is almost predictable from the speaker’s name.
This sad reality was planted on our psyches decades ago, by an invading minority intent on getting us busy fighting each other as they looted our land and resources.
Then, 50 years later, after the physical invaders left, but in their place, they put in place, a mind-altering content called education. A social calibration experiment that does not seem to give us solutions to our myriad problems.
Dear Kenyans, liken the nation of Kenya to a ship sailing in the high seas. We are all in it, cruising at whatever knots our resources can muster. The last thing anybody sane would wish is for the ship to lose course, speed, or, in a worst-case scenario, capsize. I appreciate the race for captainship was very tight and prone to some queries, but we are now past that.
Wishing the ship to hit storms while still sailing in it is the worst case of priorities gone rogue. Those who have opportunities to attend talk shops on national media should be mature enough to understand that economies are never turned around in three days or even months.
Therefore, they ought to avoid cheapening the severe issues we are facing collectively as a people and share their gems of wisdom on how we can better our lot.
The economic meltdown is currently sweeping through the world like a bushfire. We are witnessing demos in the UK, Greece to name but two. Therefore, let us be sincere in our conversations.
There is no need to ignite negative conversations amongst the common populace who look up to talk shows on their countless sun-dried battery-operated small radios. Let us be responsible for the ship’s safety; we all stand an equal chance of drowning.
Looking forward to a day in this beautiful country when systems will roll and work with Swiss clock precision, where families will have their hopes realized through hard work and good choices.
The leadership needs to change from the narrative of narrow parochial politics that raises administrative offices to be high stake communal prizes to that of avenues of servant leadership.
We need not identify each other through narrow boundaries and surnames; we are family in dreams and achievements.
Down to the lowest of the villages, we hardly have any differences. A village can share one pan for frying the rare Kenyan delicacy chapati, come together in times of grief for each other and pool together to see through one of their own overcome difficulties but fail the five-year cycle of induced artificial differences.
Let us rise above and hold each other firmly. We are all free to call our leaders to account so that we maintain the right course of the ship and keep ourselves safe from turbulence. While at this noble civic duty, we should be immune from biases that erode values that hold us together.
Criticism is healthy but made from blind and partisan loyalty, it may lead to more harm than good. Let us talk, grow, work and harvest together.
—Kanyi Gioko is an educationist, researcher, digital content and curriculum developer