Take everything with a pinch of salt. Better be safe than sorry. It’s only wise to do so. To be credulous is to be frivolous. Max Ehrmann wrote a poem, Desiderata. The fifth stanza begins, “Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.” Before you arrive at a decision, do your due diligence.
In Law school, they say “Ignorantia non-juris non-excusat.” Ignorance of the law is no excuse. The consensus is that preparation is key, entertaining a second thought is crucial – throw another dynamic into the fray. It’s a seminal notion in many aspects of our lives. Before the jury, blind spots are always costly.
However, here is another view, Suppose we go against the grain of this line of thought and brazenly take things as they are? Without any misgivings. Prima facie. Going by the turn of events this year, a trend persists. My best bet in adequately unpacking it lies in ascribing human status to the year, 2020. That way I can conclude that ‘2020’ just like the human race had new year resolutions. Contrary to many people, who often only pay lip-service to new year resolutions – this début human being (2020) was dead serious about ticking all boxes on his/her ‘to-do list’. It’s been eventful, to say the least. What remains of it? We do not know. But the much we have witnessed is sufficient to paint a picture.
MWENZAKO AKINYOLEWA KICHWA CHAKO KITIE MAJI
Africa’s biggest economy, Nigeria, were dealt a bundle of respite earlier this year. Concerted efforts between governments of U.S.A, Nigeria, France and Britain led to the repatriation of ill-gotten Nigerian assets worth 321 million dollars. Hitherto acquired by the late Sani Abacha who bumbled the Nigerian political scene as Head of State in the 90s.
Rwandan genocide benefactor Fèlicièn Kabuga was captured in May after a 26-year-old cat and mouse game went bad in France – breathing a sigh of relief into Rwanda’s aggrieved conscience.
Brazil’s momentous debacle dealing with Covid-19 culminated in scores of patients buried in mass graves. Jair Bolsonaro’s response played out in the worst scenario possible though expected. Swathes of human agony engulf the Americas courtesy of his vain authoritarian tactics – serving Bolsonaro a humble pie that has never been sweeter.
Furthermore, the City of Paris today cuts a rather peculiar figure. Citizens taking to the streets demanding an end to racial injustice and police brutality following the demise of one Adama Traore. Which unfortunately occurred in police custody, 2016. Civil rights demonstrations blanketing the perennial Paris tourist allure.
The United States of America has come apart at the seams. Grasped at the comfort of our phones, occasioned at the behest of society at wit’s end. It’s been Hollywood stuff, literally. All 50 states protested for the first time since America’s inception. Reality dawning that America is a failed social experiment. Indeed some animals are more equal than others. It only took Trump under one term in office to make it apparent. The American meltdown regrettably has been the icing on the cake of an imminent global civil plummet.
We, Kenyans, have been bystanders to conspicuous ground-breaking worldwide events. Yet our cup still overflows from our own iniquities. Some have found it in them to draw humour. Alex Ndiritu, the social media guerilla directing American protests from Kenya – urging Kenyans to live a little. Others have allied in solidarity with westerners quoting Martin Luther King Jr, “Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. ” Credit to them oozing nobility.
Therein I believe, is the chink in our armour. We sent branded flowers to the NHS in Britain a while back. Kenya is spearheading peace efforts through AMISOM in Somalia. Two years back President Kenyatta was endorsed by UN as the global champion of the young people’s agenda. The ‘People’s President’ is the AU special envoy for infrastructure. And more. It’s rattling that Kenyans have the profound abundance to offer beyond than within. Kenyans in the diaspora leading protests in the U.S chanting “Haki Yetu”. Charity begins at home should be the oldest proverb in the book. How we give what we do not have is what baffles me. Are we prophets unwelcome in our own homes? Neither does this negate the good work done by dedicated by patriots? However, realising that we are plagued with ills blighting the world and more translates to not enough being done in our precinct.
Government is setting it’s eye on taxing pensioners. What happened to reserving a security for the old ? Not so long ago did we figure out we are colonists in a purported “Republic”. Revelations at Giraffe Manor Park adduce. For the longest time, Kenyan police have been a crass act. Constantly enveloping citizens under a canopy callousness. Scores have succumbed to it. We know them. Can we at least bring on the noise? Estimated 1.7 million have lost jobs and more lay-offs abound.
But we have a Head of State committed to desecrating an independent Judiciary. Backed by a very erudite Attorney General who now opposes the swearing-in of 41 judges that he took part in recommending. Our President has found it apt to mothball appointment of an Auditor General for almost a year though he is hell-bent on tackling corruption. Doctors remain unpaid amid a pandemic in multiple counties, the government now acknowledges health is a devolved function. But when its time to disburse funds to devolved units it either delayed or a meagre amount. Floods, hunger, homelessness, it’s an inexhaustible list on perils menacing Kenyans.
Nonetheless what concerns us? What do Kenyans find riveting amid their anguish?
That an outgoing President signed an executive order reaffirming his role. We already know there is acrimony within Uhuruto’s matrimony and hallowed be thy President.
Most times we are excited by newspapers using headlines to make revolutionaries of disgruntled career politicians. When someone outlives their usefulness in an oppressive regime it does not make him a friend of the people neither does it address ordinary citizens priority issues. Still, we remain gagged on the erosion of democracy as opposing political parties get co-opted by the ruling party. Then further muzzle ourselves as a ‘constitutional moment’ is discerned yet we cannot reconcile ourselves with it.
Leaders must realize we will all be subjected to the same equalizer Pierre Nkurunzinza suffered regardless of how obstinate we are in this fleeting sojourn called life. As a nation, if we don’t get our act right, contracting the esteemed dancing Ghanaian pallbearers may be our next stop. Asking us whether we want it solemn or a bit of display?
Events worldwide have well indicated there is no impregnable status quo. Tides of justice are blowing. Steadily and gradually. Tides not to be mistaken for passing clouds. Every wave once risen falls with a restoration of human dignity.
Now, more than ever, people are inhabiting combustible souls. It’s palpable in every breath decrying hunger. Sparked tinder muffles hearts of families not assuaged – a fiery yielded by arbitrary killings of kindred by police. Youth prodding on with fire in their bellies yearning a chance to pocket a shilling but scourged by unemployment. Businessmen and women who can enterprise no more because the tax-man has siphoned all coffers to the bone. It’s about that asthmatic fellow whose lungs are threatening to cave in pacingly scrounging for a shot of Ventolin because inhalation evolved to a gentrified endeavour. Damned, are you who is able-bodied. Remember him? His life gradually ebbed out to oblivion under an unscrupulous officers’ knee wheezing out – I CAN’T BREATHE.
When believers morph agnostic – the hand of providence no longer providing daily bread. When suffering ceases being the biggest driver of faith but action. When the law inscribed stops being about service but servitude, gravely alienating inalienable rights from the masses.
Side by side these people will stand. Well acquainted with each others’ oppression. Shoulder to shoulder, one against the other just like matchsticks. One incendiary soul will kindle one after the other. Torching up draconian ways of yore. Borne off this will be an ensuing inferno of awakening.
For those who have been dealt even a scintilla of injustice. Embers of Mary Oliver’s ever prescient words smoulder on, ” Someone I once loved gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift.”