Let's not burn our nation at the altar of politics

A protester in Migori leaps over a blazing fire set to barricade the highway between Migori and Isebania. [Caleb Kingwara, Standard]

In one of the KTN News breakfast shows this past week, one panelist used a classical story to paint a perfect analogy of the political situations in Kenya, particularly the politics of Machiavellianism around election time.

On possible dialogue amid the political animosity, Multimedia University Prof Gitile Naituli referred to the classical story titled “A Dissertation upon a Roast Pig” by Charles Lamb.

In the story, Bo-Bo, a young, playful boy, had been left behind by his father to watch over a flock of pigs in their cottage. As he was playing with fire as children would always do, a spark fell on straws and caused a blaze, and the whole cottage was burned together with their pigs.

While reeling with shock, curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to pick a chunk of the roasted pig and taste it. At a time when meat was always eaten raw, it turned out to be the most delicious he had ever tasted. Bo-Bo also convinced his father to try the pig, and he loved it too. It became their little family secret.

However, the gist of the story is that this family did not know any other way to have roasted pig than deliberately cause a fire that would burn down their whole cottage. The panelist averred this is mirrored in our politics, and I couldn’t agree more. The scenes have played over and over again all the way back to 1960s, leading to disastrous consequences.

When Mzee Jomo Kenyatta faced strong challenge from then KPU leader Jaramogi Oginga Odinga before the 1969 elections, he resorted to hateful propaganda coupled with oathing ceremonies that sowed seeds of discord and stereotypes that have stuck on for generations.

However, his perfect excuse to decimate Jaramogi presented itself on October 25, 1969, during the chaotic opening of the Russian Hospital (now Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital). KPU was banned and Kenya became a de facto one-party state. Historians have attributed the assassination of Tom Mboya on July 5, 1969, to the grand scheme to keep him off the succession plan. The same hateful propaganda against leaders and communities persisted throughout 1990s and 2000s, leading to disaster.

The ultimate result of this political burning of cottages became a reality following the 2007 elections. It took over 1,300 deaths to jolt us back to our senses. We seem to be heading back there.

Nothing can justify the tone, stereotyping and labeling witnessed over the last few months following the opposition-led demos. Similarly, nothing justifies destruction and looting of private businesses and public properties.

However, we must all agree that the sanctity of human life is supreme. The right to life cannot be tribalised or politicised. Leaders must guard their words and actions lest we burn. History is a stark reminder.

The writer is anchor at Radio Maisha