It’s over and done with, time to move on!

By Angela Ambitho

It’s over and done with. Time to count the gains and the losses; time to reflect, time to move on, time to close the old chapter, to turn a new leaf, roll up our sleeves and get back to life as usual.

These sentiments hold true for all Kenyans, those who feel victorious and those who feel shattered.

The coming week will be one of jubilation and celebration for the victorious team. It’ll be laden with joy, laughter, toasting and feasting and utmost glee. They say victory is sweetest when you have fought a good fight, given it your all, kept the faith and finished the race fair and square. And for all those who stand proud for having won, may sweet victory and all wonderful fruits it bears, be yours. May nobody stand in your way as the whole world lines up to say, “we salute you, Mr President.”

But as the Champaign glasses are toasted, and congratulatory messages received, let it not be forgotten that half of the country is hurting. While they respect that it’s over and done and need to get back to work, they are emotionally shattered. That they have submitted to silence and adhered to the law mustn’t be equated to them basking in the bosom of peace. Not at all!  The silence shows apathy and disillusionment is stealthily creeping in. You see, most of these Kenyans have no more avenues left to vent. They can’t complain out loud lest they be accused of being troublesome dissidents.

They can’t hold public demonstrations lest they face teargas and arrest. They can’t go to court because there is none to got to neither can they seek refuge in the Constitution lest its ambiguity is used to frustrate them.

So forlorn and frustrated is half of the country even the consolation of friendship no longer works because nobody is talking to the other. As it’s time to move on is hammered in their heads, silence has become the only refuge.

Much as we all acknowledge it’s time to move on, the victorious and jubilant team mustn’t ignore the loud silence that engulfs the nation. And as the new luminaries embark on managing the transition of our beloved country, let them learn from history, which has demonstrated that “the greatest tragedies have not been catalysed by the strident clamour and actions of bad people, but the appalling silence of good people”.

Should they be genuine on the “moving forward together” motto, they will need to aggressively work towards healing the wounds of the millions deeply hurting while at the same time fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of the other millions celebrating.

Let the new honchos not pretend to be “the only visitors in Jerusalem” oblivious of what is happening. Let them understand it will be difficult to manoeuvre when the head is willing, but the heart is broken. The healing of the broken heart and feeding of the expectant mind will need to be effected smoothly and efficiently to avoid further encroachment of apathy.

Akin to silence, apathy is lethal. In fact, it has been alluded that democracy’s death no longer emanates from war and coups. Its extinction is likely to stem from indifference, undernourishment and apathy. The glaring signs of this eminent cancer stare back at all of us through gloomy, emotionless faces every day.   

It’s over, it’s done. It’s time to forge forward. Yet to genuinely do so, we must do it together. The “so what” attitude from some of the celebrants must cease.  As must the guilt and discomfort. The shattered millions must also find the resolve to avoid wallowing in the miasma of self-pity. 

Let them this Sunday take solace in the biblical story of the two men who while walking to Emmaus after the crucifixion encountered Jesus and failed to immediately recognise Him. Upon realisation of His resurrection it dawned on them that everlasting happiness can only be achieved through immense suffering. Time to roll up our sleeves and toil! God bless Kenya. 

 The writer is the founder and CEO of Infotrak Research and Consulting