Society is losing its values at an alarming rate; we need to change

Kenya is fast turning into a country predicated on no values. We have become a country of short cuts, deals, get rich quick dreams and if these donot work, we fake it to make it. People have become spineless and have no concern for their neighbours. With this in mind, it is correct to presume that if one cannot be concerned about their neighbours, it would be difficult for the person to show concern for his community and country. This is precisely why Kenya is in deep trouble.

This has been growing for years but most people either ignored it or did not care at all because they were either beneficiaries or simply thought it was not their business. Here we are now, whether you were there or not wembe ni ule ule (the pain will be on equal measure). And, 'huu ni mtego wa panya ambao huingia waliokuwemo and wasiokuwemo' (it is a rats' trap and catches all).

The tragedy in all this is that the social institutions have almost collapsed and all of them look to government, which is worse, to give them guidance, protection and hope. This is not possible where these institutions have joined the State to advance the wishes of the State and help in the implementation of State projects, including defending it in times of their need.

The State and the Church and indeed all religious organisations in this country appear to share functions and to be operating from the same courts. In fact, it is now clear and common knowledge that they are projecting the Lord of heaven and earth as Mammon.

Just like movie and pop stars like a life of display, spiritual leaders and politicians cannot be differentiated in this country as they live in palatial homes, establish animal ranches and are estate developers and drive the best and top of the range cars.

Their families maintain huge bank accounts to give them security here on earth; and the pie on earth assures them of another in heaven. Both live in the same estates, attend party after party and political and religious rallies together where the clerics cleanse the grounds and bless the multitudes while the politicians defend their shortcomings and give further promises.

To save the situation, society has to urgently address the issue of spirituality which held communities together, gave meaning to the fear of God and moved individuals and communities to respect their neighbours. It is this value that inculcated in the individual the concern for other people's welfare. The community lived for each other so that one's problem was the other's concern. Today, that is lost.

Arising from the lost value of spirituality, the moral standing of the individual has terribly been affected as one simply looks inwardly and has almost nothing to do for and with others. This has seriously affected the family unit which has, for the last 50 or so years, been under constant attack to the extent that the world is now witnessing a rare development where same sex marriage is advocated for and such couples can go ahead and adopt other people's children.

This whole thing could make the whole universe conspire against the human race for obvious reasons: If the humans believe in themselves, do they assume they are the ultimate? If so, assuming that satisfying wants is preserve of the human who satisfies the endemic needs cropping up every second, does the state and government have anything to do with it? Where do spiritual leaders place themselves in these new life situations and realities?

There must be a new approach for reconstruction of the social institutions: The family, community and traditional institutions, the education system, religious organisations and institutions. The family for instance is the most fitting to form the person for it is the school of virtue and values.

Other institutions in a community such as schools, religious centres and the community generally, just supplement the family and not to supplant it. The State has an obligation, from which it cannot escape, to protect the family by every means and not to take the middle ground oblivious of the centrality of the family to the existence of State and society.

Economics and governance are two other sectors which if tampered with, the whole security of society and State are threatened to the extent of the public losing confidence and trust in their own government.

To fully understand the individual and national security, three areas make sense. First is the food security. When a people cannot be assured of available and healthy food, the commitment to the State wanes as the body is not able to generate necessary energy for any kind of motivation.

Where there is no food, governments struggle to provide supplements through hospitals because a malnourished population is prone to ailments and diseases. It is not by choice therefore that there is a craze in Kenya to put up police stations and medical clinics; it is the prevailing situation that calls for their establishment.

As this situation manifests itself then another need arises. Any country whose population wallows in poverty and hunger becomes easy target for foreign aggression. This is why most poor nations are constantly seeking aid to strengthen their militaries to make sure that they keep potential aggressors at bay. That is happening in Kenya as we talk.