Will history repeat itself?

Africa has been a victim of wars and economic constrains, with the highest rates of corruption and the slowest economic development in all the continents, the root course being what? Leaders who only care for themselves or is it ignorance? Can it be our customs and traditions or the mixed groups of tribes that we have? Most the conflicting countries in Africa are all in war based on religion or either the many tribal groups and click that have been founded. People all over Africa have been identifying themselves as either being in a certain religion or from a certain tribe, leading to war and hate all over this dark continent.

Sudan has faced it rough over the many years, evils arising each day and children losing their homes, women being raped men killing all over and the trend being transferred to the generations to come. Talk of what is currently going on in Nigeria and the wars between the Christians and Muslims. Christians are being lynched every night and their houses touched, most of them going missing all in the name of religion and the same go to Zimbabwe. What’s eating us as Africans, why can’t we love one another on the basis of humanity and continental belonging?

I am a Kenyan who loves my country and it pains my heart every time I think of what we became in our last elections. It’s a scary feeling that we have already forgotten what happened and we are still trading in the same ranks of disunity and hate. We are heading to the new Elections for our leaders for the next five years and political campaigns are already in place. Our political aspirants are already out there fighting and convincing us about our elections and who to vote in. The saddest part of these is the fact that this is still being done on the tribal basis and our leaders are still going to the `mashinani´ to call for attention. Are we really safe with such kind of campaigns?

Harrison Ford said that peace is not the absence of war but the presence of justice. This is one of the things that we as a nation need to embrace and fight for.  The things that happen in the last election should be the last things to be expected this year. Kenya has been developing in term infrastructure, Education and many other tangible things that we can lay our eyes on, but the reality is our brains have really not developed. We still view each other as this or that tribe and not as a Kenyan. Have we already forgotten what happened to all us 5 years ago?

 

 

The late Mr. Garang’ of Sudan once told the Sudanese that what unite them is not their tribes, but the fact that they are all from Sudan.  It’s a pity that he is no more. Being Kenyan is what unites us and not being this or that tribe. We have to stop looking and judging one another based on their tribes, but being citizens of this country, that’s what being a Kenyan means. Tribalism starts by simple things like speaking our vernacular languages in public places, developing insulting stereotypes and relating certain incidences to some communities.

This generation needs to make the difference especially because of the opportunities of high level of Education and the spread of Civilization; we can set an example of love and understanding in our relations anytime and everywhere. We should not allow our political leaders to divide us along the tribal lines with their inciting politics. We are all Kenyans and all the tribes of this country are equal. We are all nationalist and that makes us all equal. This year we have to show and prove to our leaders that we are mature enough to make patriotic decisions and no matter what the outcome will be nothing of 2007/2008 will arise. We will never repeat what happened, and nothing of this kind will ever be there.

Just like Martin Luther King J. I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word. We must concentrate not mealy on negative expulsion of war but the positive affirmation of peace. Finally let us remember that in order to enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one’s family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control his mind. If a man controls his mind he finds the way to enlighten, and all wisdom and virtues naturally comes to him.

Let us wake up and journey on…