Kenya’s 2007/2008 post election violence and tribal clashes were spontaneous – or so we were made to believe. Most of us still genuinely believe so, the aftermath of an election that was stolen in broad daylight and with reckless impunity as the whole world watched in disbelief.
That is why whatever is unraveling in the country currently feels like deja vu, only that this time round it looks systematic, planned and well thought out. Which makes it all the more scary. It’s all fun and games until suddenly we are no longer the East African economic power house we once were and Rwanda has overtaken us. All fun and games until horrifyingly what happened in Zimbabwean and Venezuela becomes minute to what will happen to the Kenyan Shilling. I do not think we can confidently call ourselves East Africa’s lead economy with the speed in which Rwanda and Tanzania are hot on our heels.
Clearly, the little “peace” and unity we’ve been enjoying for the last ten years or so was a facade and Kenyans haven’t learnt an iota from past politically incited tribal clashes. Kenyans forget so easily. A country where every five years the neighbour that has been there for you during your time of need becomes your foe because they are from a different tribe than yours and your tribesman the politician has been chanting at the top of their voice that this so called neighbor is your enemy. In an era where the world stage is full of politicians who are openly reverting to dictatorship, placing personal interests before that of their citizens, enriching themselves and no longer fighting corruption, embodying it instead, safe in the fact that no one is ever going to persecute them (read Africa). At a time when no leader is being held accountable for anything, Kenyan leaders will make any corrupt leader in the world bow their head in shame. They will make any corrupt leader’s doing look like child’s play. Kenyan leaders have perfected the art of playing russian roulette with It’s masses when it comes to matters tribe. Woe unto you if you happen to find yourself in the midst of it when the trigger is pulled…. A coffin and “comrades” to help take your dead body home, is what. Case in point the student leader who got shot during what will soon be infamously known as the Monday Demos. What a sad end. A sad ending where no one will ever be held accountable for the loss of such a vibrant, promising young life. This is Africa and Africa is our business. And Africa’s business is to embrace corruption, nepotism, tribalism, unaccountability and violence with the highest level of impunity.
The older you grow and the more critically you look at things, the more they begin to look like the hunger games where a few old, very influential people are sitted somewhere, playing chess with our lives. You realise that even the foot soldiers, the sifunas and ichungwas of this world might not have an idea why they are fighting. The stage is grander than we see, way grander than we might ever know. Why are we fighting? You ask yourself. Sadly, none of us even knows anymore. It started with a cry for food prices to be lowered….but really, when a former president’s properties are being demolished, when the sitting president flies out of the country at a time when the country is at the brink of anarchy, then you can’t help but ask, what are you fighting for? You can’t help but wonder if we as citizens are fighting over the same things. Are we on the same page? Or we are just aiding a bitter defeated presidential candidate that lost and an even more bitter, vindictive sitting regime that has refused to believe that they are now in power and sort out the mess that the country is currently in, and still acts like they are in the campaign period.
Power is fleeting, and that is why sometimes it is wise to let the sleeping dogs lie. The kings and emperors of yester years knew this which is why once they rose to power through dubious, bloodshed means they made sure to wipe out an entire opponents bloodline, killing even infants. I used to find it cruel and evil watching TV programmes in which such heinous acts were carried out, but now I know better. It is better to let the sleeping dogs lie, because carrying out vengeance in such times when power is so fleeting is dangerous, especially since you don’t know what tomorrow brings for you and your lineage.
Random question. How old were you when you found out there is a strong Nubian community in kibera?
We prayed for the rains and they are finally here. But what do we do, instead of going to the farms to start planting? Resort fighting each other. Then when the vicious cycle of hunger and famine hits again in a few seasons, start crying to our neighbours like Tanzania to sell (help) us their grain reserve. Audacity at it’s best. Thank God for small mercies. Small mercies in this case being that our farmers are out their toiling (to be paid peanuts) and not in the streets rioting or on social media beefing with any country that dares “cross” their path. Let it go, Kenyans on twitter and Kenyans on Tiktok. These online fights are becoming too much and way too unnecessary. It is no longer a flex. You have proved your point; that you are mighty and no one should mess with you.
I am drifting, as I always do.
I feel it’s prudent for the Kenyan youth to remember who they are, to always keep in mind that your neighbor has always been there for you regardless of their tribe. Do not fight your neighbor or friend because a politician has asked you to. And above all, get on your knees and pray for this country without ceasing. Because this slippery slope we are going down called tribalism is being lubed up a good one and what awaits us on the other side is terrifying even to imagine. The international media is rubbing their hands in glee and probably already placing bets on how long it’s going to take before the country explodes. Let us not give them the satisfaction.
1 Comment
by Martha
So sad