Systems meant to thrive or flourish often crash or crumble because of a lack of respect for the fundamental rules of engagement that govern how those systems should operate.
When students strike and burn down schools, for example, it is always as a result of a deaf administration. Or an office hell-bent on imposing stringent standards that render the learning environment strained and uncomfortable for learners.
The case is synonymous with national strikes, which occur when the executive fails to listen to the plight or genuine grievances of the governed.
Consequently, in the words of Stokely Carmichael, the reaction is always spontaneous, instinctive, and with adverse effects. In Kenya, for instance, patriots stormed Parliament over punitive tax measures: what Kenyans called the raid on payslips. While Members of Parliament were evacuated by choppers, on the brink of collapse and heart attack, on June 25th, 2024, Kenyans protested fiercely to the point of nearly overthrowing the government.
The existence of defiant systems did not begin today. In the book of Exodus, we read about Pharaoh’s defiance to Moses, and to the commandment of God to let the people of Israel go free from slavery. Annoyed by the audacity, Pharaoh’s administration made the forced labour even tougher. As you already know, this led to the devastating effects of the ten plagues, with God preserving the worst calamity for last.
Yet leaders never learn to listen. They have wax in their ears. And they move as if with fetters on their feet to address injustices, or to right the wrongs presented before them by the governed.
Today, Linda Mwanchi is the biggest political force, yet at the root of the movement is not ambition but injustice meted out on the Secretary General, Sifuna. Today, DCP is the greatest opposition party, owing to the impeachment of the former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua. Kenyans hate injustice. It is repugnant to them, like smoke to the eyes. Today, the incumbent president sits in State House not because he was the most beloved politician, but because of the pity Kenyans took on him when he was openly sidelined by the previous regime.
These are lessons that every meaningful organization and administration should draw from, to right their internal wrongs before they spiral out of control. Leadership simply boils down to doing everything just and right to make everyone’s affairs in the community, in respect to democracy, thrive.
By
Oguna Mamba,
Speaker,
Luo National Congress