[ad_1]
By George Kimando
This being a political season these sides of the world, let me start by a disclaimer here, lest this be mistaken for campaign content.
I do not personally know the governor of Uasin Gishu, one Jackson Mandagor. In fact for purposes of this article, i will refer to him as Brother Jackson. So, this is not about him, but has everything to do with a message he posted in a clip forwarded to me by a friend last week with a caption, ‘there goes your brother in the gospel’.
Without prejudice, and at the risk of being thought immodest, i have advocated for the same ‘gospel’ in numerous write ups and in an online platform dubbed ‘Ukabila ni Ujinga’.
In that six minute clip, Bro. Jackson (it actually sounds nice, right?) speaks profound sense on two fundamental issues that are close to my heart: the futility of toxic politics, and the senselessness of toxic feminism.
He reiterated his often stated advisory (which many laugh off as a joke, but which i find immensely sensible): hii siasa usiweke kwa roho, weka kwa lungs, campaigns zikiisha, unapumua na maisha inasonga.
This time he went further.
He noted that Kenyans are more enlightened about our politics. That an election is not a matter of life and death. That no politician will ever bring food to your table, but you have to sweat it out to support your family and dependants. That your neighbour will always be your neighbour, and you need each other more than you need the politician.
Vote for whoever appeals to you, he pleaded, but ensure peace prevails.
He spoke to the women aspiring for elective positions. It’s possible to be a successful woman leader, he said, yet retain integrity as a wife and mother. I might as well add, even as a single woman.
He gave the example of Senator Beth Mugo. Apparently, he has been her tenant at some point (see life!) and had observed one thing: Madam Beth would go to Parliament, transact her duties, and in the evening pass by the husbands (R.I.P) office, pick him, and head home. Whatever different political divides they have been in, he admits admiring her family orientation, integrity and sense of purpose.
The reason of his advisory is that many women in politics had to abdicate their families to venture into politics, which need not be the case.
That was a lot of sense in six minutes.
If i was heading the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), this is one guy i would fund for rallies across the country to preach this gospel.
His message is crisp and to the point: whoever you support politically, peace must prevail.
I couldn’t put it better.
Am aware of a group of eminent Kenyans who have come together to push across a similar agenda. They can perhaps package this message and have it reverberate across the entire length and breadth of our borders. It’s a beautiful message. Methinks.
Or perhaps create a charter out of it and push for all aspirants, especially at the Presidency, to sign into it and give a public declaration to its very adherence.
Same goes to his message on women in politics. Of course there are those – like Hon. Beth Mugo here referenced – who have made remarkable examples of great public service while being strong family women; but it’s also true that rather too many of them sacrifice one for the other.
Perhaps he could have gone ahead and talked of women movers and shakers in professional and business circles too. That as a woman, it is possible to be extremely successful in a career or a business, yet maintain a healthy work—life-family balance. It’s not a competition for life with the men in your lives or around you.
You too can be a Beth Mugo. Whatever anyone might think of her, i think that’s one department i completely agree about her with Bro. Jackson. I should know; i once interviewed her, and her convictions about family are, simply put, profound.
Now that Bro. Jackson is finishing his two terms as governor, someone tell him that yours truly is willing to assist him set up a Church. As he preaches this peace gospel, I volunteer to be his very able treasurer. Thanks in advance.
Have a straight talk Sunday, and a great week ahead.
The post Political Season: It Ain’t That Serious After All, Is It? appeared first on LitKenya.
[ad_2]
Source link
