Initiatives of Change - UK: Newsroom editoria detailed view

Leadership remains a complete mystery in many African countries. And Kenya is no different. The greed for power and money remains the greatest problem of our time for both the leaders and the led. It hurts badly to see our dear Kenya painfully tearing apart in the name of power. This has provoked the underlying hatred between different ethnic groups leaving Kenyans in a mess.

Kenya, a country which in the last few years had risen steadily in many of its sectors, a country which is a safe haven for many from our neighbouring countries and had been on the fore-front of mediation and peace efforts for these countries, now seems to have been drastically turned upside down. Many of its successes now only remain as echoes of wishful thoughts rather than realities.

Many of our leaders have failed us. That is a fact. They have used us in the most terrible and brutal ways to benefit themselves. They have instigated tribal divisions to get to power. They have not cared if we get killed, maimed, displaced…anything. To them, this is all right, so long as it doesn’t happen to them, and it takes them a step forward towards achieving their selfish ambitions.

Very selfish leaders are what we have; they have indeed proved to be! Their lives and leadership are driven by ambitions, greed, hatred and illusions. Hundreds of thousands have been internally displaced, more than a thousand killed, women raped, innocent children abused, and more madness is still happening. And it is still not enough to encourage our ‘very educated and enlightened’ leaders to step back and listen to the ‘voice of reason’ and see the suffering of Kenyans with compassion.

But we, the ordinary citizens, have failed as well. We have dehumanized and victimized ourselves in a show to thrill and support our tribal leaders. We have acted like obedient robots who can’t think for themselves. We have willingly accepted to be actors in their scripts of tribalism, hatred, greed, inhumanity… And while our leaders watch our real horror dramas from the comfort of their houses, millions of lives for Kenyans have been turned upside down. We have lost our loved ones, our properties destroyed; many have been left jobless, homeless and hopeless. Illiteracy hits us even more, as many will not go back to school for good, hence ignorance will continue to take charge. Our economy is dwindling, foodstuffs and basic necessities’ prices inflated and we are now living with the fear of the unknown.

For reasons many of us don’t understand, we hate each other based on tribe, and above all, we turn against each other with swords and crude weapons. As Thomas Dreier states, ‘Hatred is a low degrading emotion and is so poisonous that no man is strong enough to use it safely. The hatred we think we are directing against some person or thing has a devilish way of turning back upon us.’ This has been so true in our case.

I would like to acknowledge the meticulous ongoing efforts by Kofi Annan to mediate the country’s political divide at the national level. It’s great that the leaders have agreed at last, for I doubt if the country could have been able to contain the consequences of failed talks, but now it’s up to all of us to make this agreement work. However, I find the need for Kenya to have many more local ‘Kofi Annans’ at the grass root level to reconcile the leadership from the ground. If we Kenyans can stand in solidarity on the ground level, we will be able to help our leaders to approach life and politics in a credible manner. We should stop seeing our leaders as gods to be worshiped and thrilled, but as servant leaders who should be responsible enough for the interest of Kenya and Kenyans.

It is our responsibility to shun the extensive tribalism in the country starting from our own families and homes; the main breeding spot! Let us explore the environs within our reach so as to have a clear orientation to enable us make conscious and informed decisions & commitments not to contaminate our children… the next generation and the future leaders of our country and the world. It’s good to remember that you can only harvest what you have sown. If we plant the seedlings of hate and resentments, we should expect fruits of the same. I am a victim of the tribal hate and resentments, I am fighting hard to overcome it and to convince others in my society to join me and say ‘No’ to tribal hate.

Can we, the ordinary citizens and the majority in Kenya, break these chains of hatred and animosity which have been passed to us from generation to generation? Can we forgive those who have hurt us instead of seeking revenge? Can we apologize to one another for being perpetrators of hatred and turning against each other?

Forgiveness remains a crucial thing for Kenya and other countries swimming in hatred. Forgiveness is so radical! It dissolves alienation, brings reconciliation, restoration and renewal. It does not change the past but it does enlarge the future. Its difficult, its challenging but its worth going for it.

Kenya, I care!