It is Easter. This is the period that Christianity worldwide commemorates the Passion of the Lord Jesus Christ, his crucifixion, and his triumphant rising from the dead.

Jesus Christ was tried by Pontius Pilate, who was the prefect (governor) of Judea during the reign of King Tiberius, the second Roman emperor. He was crucified after the trial. He came to the world to redeem it so that people who live a life of virtue can be assured of eternal life when they die. This message of redemption is as poignant today as it was 2,000 years ago when Jesus was crucified.

An estimated 86 percent of Kenyans profess the Christian faith. During the Easter period, many Kenyans will flock places of worship across the country. It’s one large jamboree, as many piously and fervently get into the Easter mood. But after Easter Monday, the season will be over.

Many Christians will simply pick up where they left of. That is why, as sure as night turns into day, the media will start unravelling one corruption scandal after another. Politicians will resume their usual spewing of hatred and tribal jingoism, and spreading division.

Social media, from TikTok to X, will continue being ablaze with brazen insults and “otherness” (toxic cancelling of those deemed ‘not like us’). Domestic violence will continue unabated as men and women summarily dispatch their spouses over disagreements.

Elected leaders will continue with their full-throated campaigns for 2027, even as they are yet to fulfil election pledges they were elected on in 2022. Parents will continue with their bad old habits of neglecting their roles and leaving their children to be brought up by the wind. Businesspeople will continue ripping of their clients, ofering them substandard goods and services, and charging them an arm and a leg for it.

One could go on and on. The list of acts of omission and commission that make Kenya a hardship area for its citizens is well documented.

What would Jesus Christ do? He would use his generosity to ensure that nobody in the country is hungry, that all who are sick are healed, that all who have sinned against God and each other are forgiven. He could admonish those in positions of responsibility to do the right thing by the people they serve, and ensure they make restitution to those who are in dire situations e.g. made homeless by floods.

The capacity to make things happen, which was divine, is now bestowed on professionals and other caregivers in society, on whom God has conferred those responsibilities. So, if Kenya is 86 percent Christian, it then follows that if they followed the leadership of the redeemer, Kenya would be a much kinder, gentler place, with leaders at all levels being more accountable.

The country would be more aligned to the words of the National Anthem – Justice be our shield and defender, May we dwell in unity, peace and liberty, Plenty be found within our borders.

The message of Easter for all Christians is – everyone can achieve redemption. Too many people in positions of leadership in the country have made a mess of things, and deserve to be tried, condemned, and crucified. However, even if late in the day, they can redeem themselves, make amends, and do the right thing by their responsibilities.

It is a long shot, but each individual Christian should make the attempt to do the right thing at their level by asking themselves,” What would Jesus Christ do?’ Each Christian should let this Easter be their own turning point.

They should not make this Easter just another meaningless ritual. All it takes is one individual to do the right thing, and an avalanche is created. One individual deciding to do the right thing can change the course of history. Resolve to be that one individual!

— gathukara@gmail.com