When the USA decided to invade Saddam Hussein, Robert Byrd then a senator was against the idea.in his famous speech titled ‘I weep for my country’ he said ‘I believe in this beautiful country. I have studied its roots and gloried in the wisdom of its magnificent constitution. I have marveled of the wisdom of its founders and framers.’ This is not what our forefathers envisioned for. Today I am not weeping because it's not late to get concerned about my country Kenya.
Am not worried of the diverse and culturally rich communities we have always been proud of as a nation. I am concerned about the people whose tongue spit venomous poison whose words leads to alienating and profiling the other.
I am quite alarmed by the level of hatred spread in social media whose impetus even outwits the real state of events. Bloggers have resorted into grouping themselves am them and us. Attacking each other with vile unmatched before.
I am apprehensive about the egocentric, chest-thumping leaders who have become tribal bigots and idol fanatics. Everybody is talking in defense of their party leader no one is in defense of us ordinary Kenyans. wake up, people!
I am angst-ridden of the fence-sitting clergy. Their continued silence and veneer view of events ongoing in our beloved country is alarming. I am reminiscent of the days of Ndigi mwana Nzeki and Timothy Joya when they used to say it in white and black.
The civil society has negated duty and now they are acting as guns for hire apart from a few left with sober minds.
My country is divided into two! My fellow countrymen, I am fearful at the neglect we have inflicted self. We have let ourselves to be rubber stamps and Guns for free. Who will restore sense in us?
Like Abdul Ghaffar Khan who taught that ‘ the man is a Muslim(Christian, Hindu) who never hurts anyone by word or deed, but who works for the benefits and happiness of God’s creature. Believe in God is to love one fellow man.’ We should always love each other.
Max Lerner said that you may call for peace as roundly as you wish but where there is no brotherhood there can, in the end, be no peace. Let not be tricked by people who want to make a name for themselves with sweet tongues but injurious words.
Ngugi Wa Thiong’o in his book ‘A grain of Wheat’ says that our fathers fought bravely. But do you know the biggest weapon unleashed by the enemy against them? It was not the Maxim gun. It was division among them. Why? because a people united in faith are stronger than the bomb; hate speech. Let’s call a spade a spade and stop taking sides. Kenya ni yetu sote.
by Lawrence Mugendi
communication and public relations freelancer
follow me at twitter @Lawi_ke
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