And as I struggled with that, two things happened , one was that time did not stop still awaiting my decision and so the month moved on, yes despite the fact that January has 103 days, these days did come to an end as I dilly dallied with making a decision. Number two was the realization that as I was thinking about this whole issue of leadership and how it should be taken seriously which just like marriage should not be entered into lightly but I digress … I had a flashbulb moment! That right there is part of why we have some of the challenges we do. We think leadership is an “item” on its own in our day to day lives and must be given time, thought and attention and since there are other things jostling for my time, thought and attention … “leadership” gets forgotten. Leadership gets ignored. Leadership is too time-consuming.
By the way, this is not about bashing the middle class because that horse has been flogged to death.
The danger of thinking of leadership in isolation is that while you and are busy “thinking” about it, someone else who has not thought it through per se or one who is not caught up in analysis paralysis is leading you! And this is particularly visible in political arena in Kenya today. Am jolted by the letter from the opportunist (read typical Kenyan politician):
Dear optimists, pessimists, and realists,
While you were all arguing over the glass of water, I just drank it.
Sincerely, Opportunist.
So yes, it would be nice to think, hope and pray that those that have offered themselves are able but upon closer inspection that clearly is not the case for a good number of them. Guys, Kenya is too important to be left to the politicians.
So why do capable and at the very least sane Kenyans steer from stepping up?
In my opinion, it is all about our ideal versus our reality. And the gap in between is our frustration.
In the last couple of years with the clamor for good governance, there are certain words we have thrown with reckless abandon. One such big word is transparency. Throw that into politics and it is expected that miraculously, the hidden things shall come to the fore. Sadly that has not been the case.
Reality is, transparency seems to have been mixed up with other words and so while we thought transparency would translate to honesty, it does not. Transparency does not translate to clarity either. To further make a fine mess of things, transparency has been confused with nudity! And then trouble really begins.
Transparency preserves dignity whereas nudity embarrasses.
Transparency allows for critical analysis while nudity elicits scorn.
Transparency fosters growth unlike nudity which stirs mockery.
Transparency teaches and nudity cheats.
Unfortunately, we have been left with nudity while what we desired was transparency. You see, our politics has become so mucky that anyone who genuinely has the interests of Kenya at heart will not venture because it is akin to wrestling with a pig…you both get dirty but the pig enjoys it.
I am convinced and persuaded that even from the get go leadership should be understood in a personal context. That is why we are said to be “leading our lives”. That means we are all leaders whether we know, acknowledge, accept, appreciate and do it or not! The fact that you are not making conscious decisions to “lead” your life does not mean that you are not leading it to a certain direction, you are! You are passive about it instead of active but life is going on to the direction of your leading or lack of!
To lead can be defined as to “play a principal or guiding role” and this clearly is not by fluke.
So what would l like to see on March 10, 2013? My response just like many of you is “a peaceful and united Kenya”.
How do we get there? We lead our lives in a way that suggests we desire, nay demand a peaceful transition.
How do we do that? We take the responsibility to stand up for peace in our homes, places of work, places of worship and yes, even in social media.
We cut the doublespeak of speaking about them and us. Those people from that tribe. Even referring to them as our in-laws will not make that negative thing we say about them more palatable!
I will be happy to see a peaceful Kenya and how do I get there?
I internalize the words of Mahatma Gandhi, Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
A peaceful Kenya cannot just happen we must lead Kenya that direction.
That leadership starts with me.
