Let’s celebrate the Kenyan spirit of giving

So moved were Kenyans by the plight of Baby Jeremiah, who appeared on Jeff Koinange Live, a current affairs programme on our sister TV station KTN, that they raised a record Sh7.25 million in less than 24 hours. Baby Jeremiah, a cancer patient, needed Sh2 million for treatment in India. Only last week, Classic FM host Maina Kageni raised Sh28.2 million to equip the cancer ward at Kenyatta National Hospital through Maina's 10 million Mission.

In August, Sh7.5 million was raised to treat Emmanuel Otieno, who suffered from a brain tumour. All these cases demonstrate what we all know. That at some levels of our leadership, there is a vacuum that has compelled the ordinary citizens to fend for themselves and be their brother’s keepers; in peace time and when disaster strikes.

In 2011, the 'Kenyans for Kenya', an initiative organised by corporates like Safaricom and the Red Cross, helped raise over Sh664 million in response to media reports of hunger and starvation in Turkana.

This is despite the fact Kenyans dutifully pay taxes and have elected leaders who should champion their causes and always be available when needed. Indeed, it is not for no reason that Kenya was ranked the most generous country in Africa in 2014. To us, blessed is the hand that giveth.

The World Giving Index 2014, conducted by international research firm Gallup in November, revealed that Kenya, with a score of 49 per cent, ranks 15th globally in courtesy and generosity terms. Nigeria and Uganda are second and third respectively.

Ordinary Kenyans are kind, compassionate and often rally together when case of the plight of fellow citizens are highlighted. The incredible spirit of sharing unites Kenyans across tribes, colour and class. Social media has been criticised for giving a platform to propagate hate speech and other crimes, but on this, the beautiful side of social media has manifested itself.

Cases abound that prove the magnanimity and big-heartedness of Kenyans. This  also help to reinforce the notion that with visionary and dedicated leadership, many Kenyans need not die of want. They just need someone to rally them.

Sadly, but true, giving to charity fills the space where State, despite gobbling up billions of taxes year in, year out, has failed. Kenyans will fund-raise to help a needy family buy food, they will raise funds for health needs, for education, to build access roads, to reinforce security, even for marriage and during bereavement.

In the beginning, this was encapsulated in the harambee spirit. Over time, politicians abused this noble philosophy and used it for self-promotion and self-gratification. But thank goodness, Kenyans have found a way round it.

What's more, harambee doesn't just involve raising money. It means poolong resources of whatever kind for the common good. While the Government dragged its feet following the September 2013 Westgate Mall terrorist attack, ordinary citizens risked life and limb to save the wounded. Others brought food for the paramedics struggling to save lives, while others queued in hospitals to donate blood.

In emergency cases like collapsed buildings, fire tragedy or road accidents, as bureaucracy wastes time, ordinary citizens have saved many lives using bare hands and the most rudimentary of tools. Kenyans have learnt to get by in life silently, asking no questions even when they are denied services in Government offices by the very people who ought to serve them or when a politician or a leader, (mostly a politician) corruptly influences a tender award and delivers no goods and services.

It could as well be that because it is Kenyan to give charitably, our leaders find it easy to steal and squander hard-earned billions of tax-payers money. That nobody will ask them any questions. That nobody will follow up.

It is time that our leaders were called to account even as we celebrate the ordinary Kenyans spirit of giving.