We can emulate Sister Stefani’s dedication

The beatification of Sister Stefani in Nyeri gives us an opportunity for national soul searching, coming at a time when this country is facing probation on the morality of our  leadership and the commitment of those in charge of service delivery.  

Sister Stefani’s life — dedication to work for the poor, mirrors what Kenya lacks today: selfless leadership and committed service delivery. That a young, beautiful woman could renounce the comfort of her family in Lombardy, Italy, to follow God’s calling to serve in the “dark continent” was in itself a heroic act. 

She paid the ultimate price; death in service: She contracted bubonic plague from her patient. Local people named her the “merciful mother”. Do we have merciful leaders in Kenya?

The country is in short supply of leaders who are ready to die for the poor, symbolically that is. “Dying for the poor” could mean designing and making sure programmes expressly meant to uplift poor households are implemented and successful.  

Dying for the poor could mean quick and efficient service delivery by Kenya Power, Nairobi City county, government ministries, and other public and private bodies entrusted with serving the public. And where citizens get the full worth of the taxes they pay. It means teachers attending classes and nurses caring for their patients. It also means workers getting just pay for their work. 

As we celebrate the heroic deeds of this humble woman, we should hang our heads in shame for today’s personal aggrandisement, our selfish politics of deceit, and our ethnic dispensation.

The nun could be a role model for the youth. As a country, we have a dearth of role models. Nay, we do not have any models! Such is your standard young, stinking rich politician whose source of wealth is enigmatic. His (note the gender) only legitimacy to leadership is the wealth he flashes around in the form of adult toys; the latest Rover model, chopper,  bling bling, and swagger.

As soon as Mr Moneybags ventures into politics, we quickly elevate him to the status of a king-god and worship him.

This beatification is poignant, coming at a time when we have made self interest and profiteering our signature virtues. Corruption today is the bubonic plague that killed “Nyaatha” and her patients. Yet, only patients die of the “plague” today.

Nowadays, the government, the church, the private sector, civil society, my chama, the neighbourhood welfare group, all have predatory tendencies. They will passively or actively encourage or even invent spurious schemes to make money from you.

But neither the government nor the church can effectively ride individuals to desperation without their consent. Ultimately, Sister Irene Stefani had a choice to remain in the comfort of northern Italy and get swallowed into the prosaic life of the day. She chose to make a difference.

There are millions of unsung saints, holy men and women among us who selflessly work unnoticed — teachers, nurses, volunteers, soldiers, askaris, mama mbogas. 

Though their efforts will probably never be recognised, their small deeds make a difference. A great one.

So long as we have functioning faculties, we can choose to make a difference. 

Dr Mbataru teaches at Kenyatta University. [email protected]