American preacher Billy Graham gave many pithy sermons on the symbolism of tears. He believed tears shed for self are a sign of weakness, but those shed for others show sacrifice.
For Dutch psychologist Ad Vingerhoets, who spent 20 years researching why and when people cry, shedding tears signifies utter helplessness. It is a silent yet powerful language. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja comes into mind. On Tuesday, he wept in front of President William Ruto during a visit to Roysambu Primary School.