Kenya is facing real danger of slipping into civil war if political rhetoric is not checked. Recent political activities point to a grim and bleak future. The words of our leaders, their semantic choices, and the multiple interpretations of their statements tend to foment chaos and unrest. Lest we forget, the mayhem that befell Kenya in 2007/2008 left thousands dead, and many more displaced and homeless. I must reiterate the need for peace, especially amidst political upheavals.
There is an evil brewing in our beloved Kenya, and we seem oblivious to the gathering storm. The clouds are darkening, the thunder roars, and threatens to envelop us in a whirlwind-yet we pretend all is well.
The ever-rising political temperatures, more than two years before the next election, are fueled by rampant incitement from within the political class. You would be forgiven for thinking that political leadership is as essential as oxygen, or that nothing else happens in Kenya apart from the constant jockeying for power. While political engagement has become the new normal, let us ensure it remains civil and constructive, for the sake of tranquility and peaceful coexistence.
Those who are supposed to calm the nation and guide the people toward hard, honest work are the very ones stirring the hornet’s nest and feverishly worsening the situation. Too often, what politicians write on social media and what they utter in public only exacerbate rage and enmity among those of different political persuasions.
Some Kenyans suffer from what can only be called suicidal empathy-a misguided loyalty to those who steal from us, rejoice in our misery, and, in political terms, are criminals condemned by all legal and constitutional institutions for theft, constitutional violations, and, worse still, for treating us as tribal electoral robots in pursuit of their selfish interests.
Recently, some indoctrinated Kenyans have even celebrated and sworn allegiance to political warmongers who have broken every constitutional dictate, every legal rubric, every moral code, and betrayed our national patriotic spirit.
It is worrying that our innocence is being exploited by politicians who have become iconoclastic and self-serving, pursuing their ambitions at the expense of the suffering masses.
Is there a way to calm this restless nation? Yes, there is. Leaders must tame their venomous tongues and choose their words carefully, lest we follow the tragic path of Rwanda. Who will apply the remedy and steady this ship? The answer is the rule of law and common sense. Those in leadership have a duty to shepherd the populace in a way that serves the greater good.
The steady erosion of the deterrent power of the State must be re-examined and enforced within the framework of our laws. The State has the means to curb lawlessness and restore order. Our security apparatus must rein in excesses and ensure the nation’s safety, both within and without.
The State exists to be respected. Once this respect is lost, anarchy follows.
Lately, we have witnessed things we could not have imagined before: policemen violently attacked, police stations vandalised, DCI and EACC vehicles torched and disfigured by angry mobs, and even a shoe hurled at the Head of State. Today, police officers cannot make arrests without provoking chaos. What has become of us?
How did we reach a point where a policeman loses a hand and we cheer it on? What has caused this disconnect, leading citizens to lose their fear and respect for State institutions? What does this portend for our future? Will we become a nation that fears the law and respects those who enforce it?
On the other hand, why should law enforcement be weaponised and dramatised against perceived opponents?
I dare say, we need to pause and reflect for a few weeks. Let’s think about the future, our properties, and our livelihoods. Let’s look after ourselves before we fixate on the next election.
By Benedict Toroitich