Chest-thumping leaders stoking inter-ethnic hatred and tension

It has been deeply worrying to hear Kenyans talking of "maadamano" reminiscent of the passionate, sometimes emotional, talks among football fans on their teams' performances. That reflects division between them and how simple and cheap we sometimes can be. The kind of emotions expressed during the Azimio demos - for or against - smack of hatred which has eaten into the Kenyan society for long. The same emotions have in the past created ethnic tensions.

Our society cannot thrive on hatred. That is what the leaders of the two political sides must appreciate and stop their chest-thumping. Insults, slighting, belittling and expressions of greatness expressed by the men and women in power must be toned down for unity and national peace.

Arrogant and proud leaders can rarely have any meaningful dialogue, let alone extend olive branches to others. They are too full of themselves and anything meaningful is about themselves. Accommodation, humility and patience are the hallmark of humane living without which life turns wild and anarchy creeps in and reigns. These are not qualities of great leaders looked upon by their subjects for humble and patient leadership.

What a great attribute it would be if Kenyans were to go around talking of the greatness of their leader/s when they (the leaders) are alive, not after they die. In Africa who do we talk about? Some of the greats in our continent include Mwalimu Julius Kabarage Nyerere, Nelson Mandela and Kwame Nkuruma. Yes, those three; many more can be included to that number if only they would be selfless to mobilise their societies to peaceful co-existence, growth, development and personal prosperity. In short, Africa and Kenya, have witnessed very disappointing leaderships which have been a permanent threat and scare to the people.

My advice to the ruling elite: While they may not think that issues affecting one corner of Kenya can disturb and emotionally affect other areas, it is extremely important to know that all the things happening in our country have greatly and negatively affected most Kenyans. Banditry in north Rift Valley; Al Shabaab escapades; religious cults and their dead; homicides and suicides everywhere; the police brutality; releasing various individuals accused of ugly crimes against the people and placing them in offices of power, and, invading and occupying people's land.

All these move the nation to one direction - inculcating hatred and creating division between and among communities. Whoever benefits out of all these vices has to be reminded that it is just a matter of time and the whole thing will revert to the perpetrators for, "whoever kills by the sword, dies by the sword".

Let there be no excuse about why things are being done as they are. Someone talks about how the first president did business, and the second, the third and the fourth. What is wrong with the fifth doing it the same or in a similar way to one of them? The promise given to the public during the recent campaigns was that things would be different. What appears to be on the table is worse than what has been witnessed in the republic's past.

Because many might have failed, it would be a great disgrace for the current regime to submerge itself into the same broth against the expectations of the people and their aspirations. That in essence would be automatic failure. And, if the regime thinks that being Machiavellian will conquer generations like some did in the past, then the suffering by the people will be their curse. In short, no regime should be allowed to thrive on its people's suffering.

Mr Kathangu is Secretary General, Ford Asili and former MP for Runyenjes