Civilized democracies are aware of the fact that when diplomacy fails, wars could offer an alternative. But here in Kenya, wars precede diplomacy.
The opposition has been engaging its supporters in weekly demonstrations across major city highways demanding for the immediate resignation of the nine-man bench of commissioners led by Isaac Hassan.
Incidentally, these much dreaded 'peaceful' demonstrations have escalated to breed violence, destruction of property, closure of businesses and untimely deaths that have been blamed on the police.
The government under the headship of president Kenyatta has been consistent with its decision that the called-for dialogue with the opposition should be conducted within the confines of the law, which is the Parliament. Raila Odinga led opposition team had on its part, rejected on the idea of having the legislative house discuss the matter, citing tyranny of numbers.
However, events took a positive turn when president Kenyatta during his address to the nation on Wednesday announced on his strategy to end the impasse. He invited the opposition for a consultative and reformative meeting to end the row. The teams are yet to have their representative meet and hopefully strike a deal.
Wise men said diplomacy comes before war. Kenya as a country now opts for diplomacy after weeks of verbal animosity chants and violent engagements by the police and opposition supporters. This is what may classify Kenyans as yet-to-be-civilised democrats who employ wars before diplomacy.