FILM REVIEW: ‘The Statistic’ a sobering reminder of the effects of poll violence

A short film showing how negative tribalism led to the country's ugliest and most widespread violence after the 2007 elections has been put up on YouTube by Rose Njoroge, who is also the main character.

The Statistic is a fictional story that revolves around two friends, Sam (Rose K. Njoroge) and Hilda (Maureen Koech). The two are very close, having gone through life's struggles together as young adults, and eventually move in together as they "tarmac" after their tertiary education. Hilda goes on to get a well-paying job and brings Sam to live with her. Hilda is well-liked by most who make her acquaintance for her kind and caring personality. However, all this changes after the election results are announced and tribe becomes the determining factor to whether one is good or bad. Being from the "right tribe depending on who is asking" literally becomes a matter of life and death.

GREAT CONTRAST

The film does its best to contrast normal life before elections, to how tensed and agitated life becomes right before and during the national elections. It was created and produced by Rose Njoroge, while Peter Kawa directed it. It's undeniable that these elections have experienced some negative rhetoric from either camps of the main opposing parties, and that there have been extraordinary happenings around the process this time round. The film shows how some in our lose their minds during the election period instead of it being just another day that the country gets to show what a great democracy we can be. The production team tries to exhibit how, because of especially the presidential votes, some stop being neighbours, friends, relatives, colleagues and sometimes even disregard spouses in order to drown out the other’s voices. There is a light at the end of the tunnel as we see one sacrifice their life for another, simply because of the bond of true friendship. We see the spirit of looking out for a fellow citizen because one believes they shouldn’t be put to condemnation for their political beliefs, which is guaranteed them in the constitution. As the film draws to a close, be warned that there are highly disturbing images that display showing the effects of 2007/8 post-election violence. A grim reminder of doing all that we must and can to keep peace during the elections.

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