Kenya Pieces: Patriotism

I think what most of us Kenyans lack as a people is Patriotism aka love for or
devotion to one's country.

We have to go beyond the self and strive to make it better for others too. It
is unfortunate that in this era and particularly at this time we can continue to
be tribalists when we already know where that has taken us so far:NO WHERE.

As we wrangle and talk about which tribe is superior to the other, the world
does not stand still and wait for us. Famine does not stop claiming potentially
future scientists, doctors, Engineers, artists, lawyers, Oscar winners etc from
our midst.

As we mourn the good old days, the future is not forgiving unless we make a
conscious decision TODAY to move forward as a people.

I do believe that governments have a role to play in all this but I also believe
that the greater role is in each one of us. Being cognizant of the fact that
reformed people can change governments and usually any government is a
reflection of majority of the people. You cannot sit here and berate the Kambas
or Kikuyus or Maasais and hope that your government representatives will be
saints and be non-partisan.

I do think that we, the educated folks, need to work even harder in our own
surroundings and educate those around us in a non-biased way, the state of
affairs and how things can be changed for the better. It is only then that the
majority of the population can see through the cycle of propaganda, nepotism,
corruption and other ills that permeate most of our elected and appointed
leaders. Then we probably can start seeing great leaders emerge.

Do good deeds to everybody and not only those that you are indebted to or those
that are close to you.

Lets build this Country, Kenya!

Lets not throw stones around. Lets assemble those stones and build houses,
bridges, roads, schools, hospitals etc with them.

Lets get into the habit of supporting each other, instead of tearing each other
down. We all do need each other, if we are to make any sort of major Impact
around us.

Selflessness and Patriotism have evaded us. For the Educated few, we meet in
fora and cast stones at others. It will be remembered more for the contributions
you made than the empty criticisms you belched.

Having an Education is half the battle but not everything. I was dumbfounded by
some venomous stuff that was coming out of some educated colleagues of mine when
I was in Kenya during the 2007/8 Internal skirmishes.

Lets build the future together folks.

This is my take.

~Chite .