In the Holy Scriptures, we are constantly reminded about the importance of selflessness. The letter of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 tells us: “Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving."
In 2 Corinthians 8:9, we read that our Lord Jesus Christ “was rich, yet for your sake he became poor in order to make you rich through his poverty”.
In John 5:30, we are reminded that to be holy, do not see your own will “but the will of the one who sent me.”
It is time our leaders internalised these holy words.
Too much blood has been spilt already. Too much chaos has been caused. The tension in the country is the highest it has been in years. Every Kenyan citizen is rightly concerned.
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Four years
We have spent the last four years as a country, as a people, moving in the right direction. Tribalism was supposed to be a thing of the past. Things were finally improving.
How the tables have turned!
When the Supreme Court released its historic ruling, many simply could not understand why a few hundred discrepancies had invalidated the victory of a million and a half votes.
The world was in shock. The country was in shock.
Let us not forget that all of the independent international observers recognised the elections as fair and credible.
Yet despite this, President Uhuru Kenyatta accepted the decision.
He made a brave speech and he put the country first. He was, in this case, undoubtedly selfless, preaching a message of peace and unity above all.
For the National Super Alliance (NASA) especially, this should have been a new breath of life.
This was a second chance for the Opposition to hold a positive campaign and send a new message of peace and unity.
The election results announced indicated that Raila Odinga lost the August 8 election by a large margin. And here was the court giving the Opposition a second chance.
Presidential election
His decision to withdraw from the repeat presidential election ordered by the Supreme Court could throw our country into anarchy, which no country can afford. Likewise, no country can afford uncertainty.
And no young democracy can afford loud elements that blatantly disrespect each and every branch of Government.
NASA was ecstatic about the Supreme Court annulment. Now they want to ignore that.
It is as if NASA wants democracy without the elections; they want victory without the votes.
Meanwhile, our economy, after years of growth, is stuttering. Our social fabric, after years of investment in co-existence and reconciliation programmes, is beginning to unravel.
And our homeland, once a beacon of progress on our continent, is beginning to look like the Africa of old.
Our leaders (both in NASA and Jubilee Party) have a responsibility to get us out of this rut. They have a responsibility to show the world that Kenya is once again open for business.
They have a responsibility to show the tourists of the world that our parks are open, our beaches are still the finest in Africa, and that our zebras and giraffes don’t like politics.
Resulting tactics
While the citizens’ panic is understandable, our leaders' resulting tactics are wholly unjustifiable.
We must put national values and communal life above individual political ambition. After all, we are a country of believers.
Our Christian, Muslim and other religious populations receive great inspiration from their holy books. And our books teach peace. They teach selflessness.
In Peter 3:8, we are told, “... all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted and humble in spirit.”
Heed these words. Humble yourselves and help to restore peace and unity in our country.
Ms Kibaara is a political communication consultant
