Let's handle our differences in a manner that avoids destruction

From left: Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chief Executive Officer Ezra Chiloba, Chairman Isaac Hassan and Vice-Chairperson Lilian Mahiri-Zaja before a joint parliamentary select committee on the body at Parliament Buildings on August 2, 2016. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Many of the countries from which people are fleeing have gone through long periods of governance without regard for the rule of law.

  • Our political differences should never take the shape of destruction and utter disrespect for the rule of law.

There is definitely something to be said about the manner in which the cacophony about the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has ended. During the time of the Kiraitu/Orengo led committee, there were heated arguments between the commissioners and the committee. Those arguments do not, however, come anywhere close to the violence and hooliganism led by opposition leaders that was witnessed over several weeks before the current sober atmosphere prevailed.

A nation that prides itself in having taken the democratic model of civilised nations of the world ought to have a way of dealing with political differences that gives hope and not despair. A reckless and violent response to political differences does not belong to the 21st century.

Part of this behaviour is probably what has permeated to our youth, including those setting schools ablaze.

What has been achieved with regard to the IEBC is truly commendable and one hopes that the process of choosing new commissioners will not generate as much negative energy as we have seen in the past.

OWN INTERESTS

It is true that all the political players have their own interests but I believe that the point at which we are in our democratic growth is such that we can do these things in an orderly manner without over-exposing our raw greed for power and other things. I think that is what civilisation is all about.

Talking about order, the other day I was looking at the things that are happening around that triangle of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Thousands of people are immigrating to Europe from the Middle East and in particular from Syria trying to escape the intense fighting that is going on there. The Russian/American mix does not seem to be helping the situation. On the African side, hundreds of people from West, North and Central Africa are trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea in dangerous boats.

Many have drowned as they make an effort to get into Europe, away from the poverty and hardships at home.

A lot of the disorder that has brought about the necessity for some to run away from their own home countries has to do with political mismanagement.

Many of the countries from which people are fleeing have gone through long periods of governance without regard for the rule of law. Our political differences should never take the shape of destruction and utter disrespect for the rule of law.

Fr Dominic Wamugunda is dean of students, University of Nairobi; [email protected].