T-minus 5 Days

Since the saba saba rallies were announced by opposition everyone has had something to say about it. Some even forgetting that we have a myriad of problems that we need to discuss right this second. I am not trying to downplay the rallies; in fact it is faaaar much a bigger deal than what we thought.  Being only five days away, the countdown has come with it many unexpected reactions. Now, obviously, we are not all in one camp regarding the rallies but keep calm m’dear. I don’t like to discuss politics in opinion and loyalty… people always get too touchy. Just to prove it; go through your Facebook homepage and tell me if you won’t find people hurling insults at each other for differing on a politics-related topic.

What I never saw coming, though, was the circulation of hate speech –filled leaflets in Naivasha and the Tana River Delta and, even more to my shock, the fleeing that is happening in Naivasha and who-knows where else. I was quite so stoked and suffered a mini heart attack when I especially saw the photos. No, it’s not one or two people fleeing, we’re talking families here. One local newspaper reported that women and their children were fleeing and leaving their men to monitor the situation. Already families have to separate because we have allowed tribal differences to be the benchmark of everything including the entire process of running the affairs of this country. So for me, obviously, it is this ginormous sense of insecurity and spirit of fear that is my biggest concern during this countdown to the rallies.

It is not proper for anyone to live in fear in their own country owing to our ‘incapability’ in as far as appreciating and accommodating diversity on ethnic grounds is concerned.

Countries thrive at the diversity of their people. They find unity in that very diversity. We somehow look at each other as threats rather than brother and sister. The sad thing is that this ethnic based conflict became apparent to Kenyans after post election violence occurred and nearly brought this lovely country to her knees.

It seems to me that this fear is a classic example of ‘once beaten twice shy’. We are in fear of executing the political processes that concern us because we have allowed ourselves to attribute everything to ethnicity and that it is seemingly marking the downfall of Kenya and its people.

We have not healed from all the mental and emotional wounds we suffered back in 2007/08. Our physical injuries suffered from the violence have since turned into deformities, amputations and scars. Kenya and her people need to find healing and it is our responsibility to ensure that it is achieved.

Whether the rallies go down or national dialogue is agreed upon, resist, refrain and desist from raising your arm against a fellow Kenyan, hate speech, spreading propaganda, defamation, slander or destroying property. Keep your heart pure and maintain clarity of mind. Rid yourself of any negativity and advocate unity.

#WeAreOne for #WeHaveAlwaysBeenOne

Daima Mkenya :)