We should not lose focus as a result of theatrics

In a nation like ours where for some people “politics” – whether relevant to the life of Kenyans or not – has to be an everyday engagement, things that are not so important may be made to look quite serious.

Currently there are some issues that are continually on the front pages of newspapers that are weighty by their very nature.

Take the teachers’ strike for instance. Where the fundamental rights of our children and those of the teachers are concerned, this is a matter that must be given serious consideration by all concerned and not be politicised.

Issues of corruption at the NYS and other places, health matters and care of the sick in the counties, immorality through social media, terrorism and the like are all important to our national existence and must be dealt with firmly and with commitment.

There are other sideshows, however, that do not deserve our attention. Things like politicians insulting each other and recording statements with the police or trying to impeach each other are, to my mind, political theatrics that distract us from what is important.

GLOBAL COMMUNITY
It is also clear to me that we can sometimes get so carried away by local issues that we forget we are part of the global community.

The 70th session of the United Nations has been taking place this last week. How many of us paid attention to what was going on there?

During the same week, aggression from both the Americans and Russians intensified in Syria. The fighting going on there has caused a lot of people to leave their homeland to seek refuge elsewhere.

Afghanistan’s crisis has taken a fresh turn with the Taliban taking over the city of Kunduz and the Afghan security forces trying to take it back.

Europe is currently overwhelmed by an influx of refugees from such places as Afghanistan, Syria, parts of Africa and so on. There is a real human crisis over there.

FLEXING MUSCLES

Some of us may, of course, say that all this is none of our business. I feel, however, that the “little activity” taking place in the Middle East is a matter of serious concern.

Both the Russians and the Americans seem determined to use the Syrian crisis to assert themselves.

The Russian president particularly seems keen on showing the world that Russia is still somewhere on top of the world map.

As they flex their muscles, more people die and others go into exile. In the meantime, those who make military hardware are smiling all the way to the bank.