I went on the attack against the ‘followers’ in this country last week, and asked that we all examine our everyday behaviour rather than wait for ‘leaders’ to sort us out. The attack continues this week.
We heard recently that a magistrate had been killed and his body dumped on the roadside. Newspaper reports now suggest (quite possibly incorrectly) that the gentleman in question had been drinking heavily in a bar, and then forgot he had come there in a taxi. Seeing a car that resembled his own, he tried to force his way into it. The real owner of the car mistook the magistrate for a thief, and an angry mob then lynched the unfortunate man.
If you read that in a novel, you wouldn’t believe much of it. But in Kenya, life is invariably stranger than fiction. The magistrate’s sad demise, if that is indeed how it happened, tells us many, many things about our society: the collapse in values, the loss of tolerance, the suspension of moral behaviour. We live in a world where upholders of the law lose their senses in bars, and where ordinary citizens dispense flawed justice in mobs.
So what are you going to do? I am addressing you, reader, assuming that you are one of the few remaining souls who still wants to do the right thing, who still upholds decent living, who has no interest in stealing from others or destroying them. If you are one of the rest – happy to corrupt and be corrupted, always in it for yourself, not giving a hoot about people around you – then please stop reading right here. Nothing of what follows will make any sense to you.
Even the most ethically degraded society can recapture good values. Moral entropy is not a problem unique to Kenya: it has been part of every country’s history at some time or other. Even the so-called enlightened societies have slavery, child labour, ethnic genocide, robber-baron capitalism and mass destruction of the environment in their histories. But the point is this: no matter how bad things get, it takes a few good men and women to stand up and chart the way out of the morass. Those people need to be guided by their personal north stars, and need to demonstrate great resolve and courage.
I am not advocating some kind of elitist movement here, nor am I offering to lead one. What I am saying is this: our country seems willing to throw itself to the dogs; do we care? For how long will we keep participating in this? So, you ask, what should the right-minded person do? Let me offer three things that are simple, but not easy.
First, do not participate in the degradation. It is very easy, when everyone around you seems to be on the take, evading tax, playing scams, to be tempted to join in. You will be made to feel like a fool for not playing the game, for remaining poor when others advance. Resist! Remember, a shilling earned will do you far more good in your life than fifty stolen. The fifty will eventually destroy you. Remember, the decent person may appear to be coming last, but that is only because he or she is running in a different race. The race that matters in the end is not won by racketeers and charlatans. It is won by people who experience hard work and dedication to a set of principles.
Second, don’t be quiet. Make some noise! Values plummet downwards because of what we say and do. Everywhere around us we encounter the wrong things being said and done. Eventually, our own ears and hearts are poisoned. Reverse it. Put out the good stuff. Talk the good talk, and walk it too. You do have a sphere of influence, so use it. Point out what is wrong with our behaviour: to your family, friends, workmates and anyone who cares to listen. This is not a time for timidity. The antidote to toxic words and behaviour is not passive silence, so start talking.
Lastly: don’t be alone in this. Seek out kindred spirits and get yourself in the company of people who don’t want to go down in history as bigots and swindlers. Organise yourself to be with people with big hearts, who want to turn this country around, who feel for others and want to be of service to them. Small movements matter: they create the seed around which a greater energy gathers.
We all have a choice: we can shrink as human beings, and have vinegary little hearts that care not for anyone else; or we can be better than that. You don’t have to start a political party or a mass movement to make a difference. You just have to start a few ripples where you are. Fight the good fight, and rest assured that others will hear the cry. Good, positive change will come, I know it will. But it starts with you.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
we must admit that our country is under stress. i take time to make interactions with people at the grassroot levels. the masses are talking but not out of joy. they are wondering why the leadership of this country are asking questions they should be answering! when the prime minister talks, he shows frustrations, the vice president is elusive, nobody can understand what he means, the president ofcourse is silent apart from the migingo comment he made in parliament. we expect our leadership to uphold values in the way they are dealing with this country. when kibera residents uproot a railway line and go ahead to prevent its repair, we wonder where our leadership is? those people are just waiting for clear answers, if they are criminals, then why can’t the law take its course? kenyans, lets take kenya where we want, there may be no option but to rebel against this confused coalition, lets begin from our villages.
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Dear Sunny,
There are many adjectives I could use to describe what I think of you. But let me limit myself for now. I think you are brilliant. I love your articles, you have become the reason I buy the Sunday Nation (Mutahi comes a close second). I love your book too, Crown your Customer.
I, like millions of Kenyans am frustrated. A few weeks ago, I wanted to give up. A sense of helplessness engulfed me. But then, I have three little kids. All under four. Actually my first turns four today. And because of them, I will hold on to hope.
Your article yesterday was what I needed! I have so many ideas but each time I ask myself, whats the use? Who will listen, who cares? Who will help those of us without the political clout, or financial muscle to make a difference?
Last month, on one of my low moments ( caused purely by our leadership), I thought: what would it take to organize a march for Mau? ACtually, I even had a poetically inspired name for it: MIllion Man March for Mau (!) yes! And My idea is to mobilize one million people to registerat a minimum of 20 bob – so everyone can actually be part of this, no matter where they belong in the soci-economic strata. So each one gives 20 bob and together, we march for 2 or so kilometers for mau. This way, we raise a minimum of 20 million for the reclamation of mau, and two we make a statement to our leaders. That we can do something. WE, unlike most of them, care enough to try! So I tried to get in touch with Wangare Mathaai but was unable to reach her (again, who am I? ) you see? A lot of us have ideas, we really want to make a change, but even the media, who should be in the fore of giving the voiceless a voice, do not want to listen if you are “nobody”. All ideas must be endorsed by a “somebody” to go anywhere!!
I musn’t speak too much. But if anyone out there reads this, and feels it, lets get together and do this!! We need to leave our children something. At least some rain! Not a desert.
Sunny, Ahsante for keeping us inspired and hopeful. God bless you!
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Florence, Moris:
Do not give up at all – just do something. Start a conversation, a discussion, a group, a movement. Get some momentum, infect others. It’s our country, and we can’t let others ruin it for all, just for their own gain. That’s how change happens – you need to give it a nucleus. The important thing is to adhere to good values at all times. Florence: you owe your children a better country than this. All ‘somebodies’ were ‘nobodies’ once…
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Good values at all time, and a vision. That will make you a victor, never giving up.
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please send me info on the presentation that you did at Hilton for the TOP 100
The title was;TALENT,EVOLUTION AND SUCCESSITION
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Rosemary:
That presentation is available on the Top 100 website or through NMG.
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