National values must be part of the change we all yearn for

Buri Edward

The question of national values is critical to national reconstruction. And a Socratic dialogue over their affirmation is imperative.

Predictably, many leaders may shy away from this values affirmation, even bash it, because they know their shortcomings in this regard. Many institutions will play it down because their businesses make abnormal profits from propagating moral poverty. But that these leaders and institutions are threatened by it does not mean that Kenya does not need it.

If we are really honest about heightening our quality of life, part of the answer lies in national values. Power would want to monopolise the reconstruction, but we must face the fact — political power alone cannot effect the reconstruction we need. Serving a dish of political power alone is like serving ugali without sukuma wiki. However big, it will choke and undernourish the already hungry citizenry.

What we need is an orchestra, a buffet of reconstruction servings. For us to move out of the mess, it is imperative that all portions of the buffet be respected.

Articulation, inculcation and propagation of national values must be key aspect in our transformation. Illustratively, this means that we will not be talking about mere power but "valueful" power. That is why the presence of chapter three of the Harmornised Draft constitution on national values must be heralded, supported and refined. It gives us the opportunity and challenge of building an evaluative language of Kenyan ideals, a language that is presently non-existent. While values abound at community levels, harmonised national ideals are presently obscured or non-existent all together.

Harmonising the ideals of our diverse communities is quite a task, but a task worth the work. Given values are in nature and conviction based, they will help build a national character.

Laws and rights are the railings that mark the width of the road on either side. When the values behind the laws and the rights are inculcated efficiently, it lessens the strains on the railings.

Inculcating values necessitates a new stream of national leadership. This must be done in full view of the fact that values cannot be forced but they can be encouraged and taught.

A key aspect will be recognition and where need be, creation of pro-active institutions whose occupation is instilling national ideals. I say proactive because an institution like the Anti-Corruption Authority is reactive. Such anti institutions are mostly necessitated by the absence or malfunction of pro institutions.

If anti institutions such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission can have the mandate of the State, proactive institutions should be a more elaborate investment. The existence of pro institutions would minimise the need for anti institutions.

The writer is a theologian based in Nairobi.

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