Dawa ya Moto ni?

From: Paul Kanjau

My dear fellow Kenyans,

Over the past few days, we have witnessed unnecessary violence and bloodshed in our beloved country that has enjoyed peace since her independence. While many continue to point fingers at the government for responding to the opposition with live ammunitions and the opposition for violence, looting and other criminal activity that has resulted to the government's resolve to in- discriminated crackdowns, kindly allow me to also point the finger to what I believe is a cause for current mayhem in Kenya and suggested solutions.

IS THE PUBLIC HURT? JE, DAWA YA MOTO NI MOTO?

Very much so! Many are hurt by the irregularities and anomalies in the polling process. Certainly, as a Christian, I and a majority of Kenyans are deeply disappointed with anyone who willfully "doctored" or "cooked" the results of any civic, parliamentary or presidential candidates to suit their individual, tribal or political interest. Whatever political mileage or tribal influence one may get by rigging or it's facilitation for that matter does not begin to justify the number of innocent lives lost, the widows, widowers or orphans created by the political instability, loss of income and employment for many across the tribal and political divide from the destruction of property and so own. Every God fearing citizen is distraught by the governments extreme counter measure to deal with whatever manner of demonstrations taking place and equally grieved by arson, looting and other means to even the score. The government continues to self justify it's position of attempting to restore peace and order, some in the opposition are also acting out of a great deal of hurt and a great deal of feeling cheated by the outcome marred with irregularities.

Interestingly, both the government , the opposition and the rest of us find ourselves having to suffer this "little" problem; that violence in Africa and counter violence does not equal to peace. In other words, our popular adage, "dawa ya moto ni moto" (the prescription against fire is counter fire) may turn out to be a very costly dawa (prescription), that could kill before it cures. Case in point, the ongoing violence in Congo that has claimed millions started over disputed elections. Rwanda, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Togo, Angola, etc., have had more than their share in lost lives, economic setbacks, rapes, and every possible vice all for political reason. Allow me then to throw this questions at you, Is it worth it? The ultimate looser is everyone. Well, not everyone gets to loose. In many African countries, some of those whom many die for and commit crimes of revenge on their behalf usually leave the country and take on political refugee status in other western countries, while the average citizen is trapped in a vicious nightmare. Is it worth it?

WHERE DO CHRISTIANS FEATURE IN ALL OF THIS?

Many of us may not be political analyst, scientist or strategist, but by and large, some of us are followers of Christ. Since we invited Him into our life, we have wielded all of our life's decisions, possessions and our all to Him. Hence, we have made the Bible our Sole Authority in all matters that pertain to life and godliness, and asked Christ to be the Captain of our ship and the Master of our destiny. In other words, for those of us who claim to be believers in Christ, He (Christ) demands that we become His followers first (Christians), before we are anything else. Thus, we should be known us Christian politicians, Christian civil-servants, Christian engineers and so on and so forth. You get the point! Sadly, part of the reason that Kenya is quickly disintegrating into unparalleled Chaos in the country's history is because, many of us Christians have our identity in reverse orders. What makes it even worse is not that many of us act as politicians first and then Christians thereafter, it is that we consider ourselves to be Luo, Luhya, Maasai, Gusii, Kikuyu, Kalenjin etc first over our identity in Christ.

For failing to see our brothers and sisters in Christ, created in the image and likeness of God, in whom we were saved by the same grace, washed of the same blood of Jesus, filled of the same Spirit and united in the same body, has been at the center of the needless chaos and loss of precious lives, all for whom Christ loved and died. Apostle Paul under the Holy Spirit's inspiration said, "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 1 Cor. 12:13". Christ told his disciples "they will know that you are my disciples by your love". I strongly believe that if those of us as who are Bible believing, born-again Christians in Kenya would live our lives as authentic followers of Christ, by first and foremost having our lives crucified with Christ so that like Paul the apostle, it is no longer us who live but Christ in us, secondly that we would love one another, bear each others burdens, esteem others as better than ourselves and lastly, to be willing to uphold this truths to a watching world across tribal lines, the devil would have nothing to glory in. Since we us Christians are statistically the majority, the impact of our love would be strong enough to change the current state of affairs.

SHOULD WE BE BLAMING THE DEVIL ?

Now, before you quickly point me as one of those Christians who see the devil behind every bush, kindly hear me out on this plea. In John 10:10, Christ says, ”the devil comes to kill, steal and destroy...". No destruction of innocent human lives (By the government or civilians), neither the wrongful acquisition of property, nor the unlawful destruction of property has a godly origin. It is a sad day in Kenya to witness the devil using both political camps to accomplish his wicked mission of bringing about the shedding of innocent blood and unprecedented illegal destruction and thievery.

RESOLVE?

You and I may not have a silver bullet to get our political cake and keep it at the same time. Meaning, for those who voted for the candidate who was not declared a winner, the question how to get your leader in power without the unnecessary loss of many innocent lives can be a great challenge. For those whose candidate was declared the "winner", the prospects of a harmonious living with those who believe their candidate was robbed of their right to the state house are very dim.

After much thought and prayer, here is my resolve. I say mine, because I know many may not agree with me, which I totally respect. For those who agree with me, I trust it will work for you just as I trust it will for me.

RESOLVE

I resolve practice being a Christian first, above my tribal, political or economic status. I resolve to pray for the peace of the country of Kenya, its government, politicians, institutions and citizens.I resolve never to speak evil or guile of those who are not from my tribe, those of a different political persuasion, religious background and or social-economic status.I resolve to be honest, respectful and speak the truth in love and without bias communicate my convictions to others including those who differ with me politically or on other matters.I resolve to stand for what is true and act justly even when my opinions are not popular with members of my ethnicity or political affiliations.I resolve to promote peace, exercise patience, and become a positive and blameless agent of change.I resolve to by God’s grace to always ask “What Would Jesus Do?” in my dealings including those that pertain to politics.

P. Kanjau