“If the current political tension is anything to go by, then war is where we are heading to,” said passenger A.
“I agree with you. A while back, I heard in the news that politicians are funding vigilantes to cause chaos,” passenger B seconded.
This is the conversation I overheard this morning in a matatu on my way to work.
And as the journey proceeded, the matatu became a political arena, with each passenger having something to contribute.
Almost immediately they divided themselves into two factions; those for the government and those for the opposition.
A heated debate then ensued with each side trying to convince the other they were on the wrong.
Being the youngest passenger, I thought it wise to keep mum and hear what my parents had to say in the debate.
I call them my parents because this is Africa; the child belongs to the society.
Eventually, they agreed to disagree on all but one agenda. They all seemed to be of the notion that post-election violence was inevitable.
What’s more is that they foresaw one that would make the 2007 chaos seem like child’s play.
We arrived in town and we all went our separate ways.
And as if fate was trying to tell me some cosmic message, I heard a similar conversation later on and the ‘debaters’ came to a similar conclusion.
I am not okay with their conclusion. It doesn’t sit well with me.
The thought that blood will be spilled over political differences is one that no Kenyan should entertain.
Truth is, the elections are still a long way to go. Wouldn’t it be wiser if we replaced such thoughts with ones that give a permanent solution to the rampant corruption?
They say madness is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results each time.
We all saw the damage the previous clashes caused. I, for one, wouldn’t want to see a repeat, and I am certain neither do you.
This time, let’s do things differently.
Let’s turn out for the voter registration and most importantly, let’s shun people who try to drive wedges between us along party and ethnic grounds.
The blood that needed to be split was shed when our forefathers fought for our independence.
They had a vision for a better Kenya for us, their descendants, one that didn’t involve us turning on each other.
Kenya is bigger than any one man or woman. SAY YES TO PEACE!!!