The unchallenged creep of intolerance in Kenya’s public space
What you need to know:
- The fact that the monument was brought down shows the state will only enforce law for political ends and not to protect other rights.
- Groups hold others hostage by simply refusing to argue points and relying on the ability to shout the loudest.
- Tolerance is intelligence and its lack bodes ill for all Kenyans.
Two events in the last two weeks within Kenya lead me to depart from discussing conventional economic policy and into the health of the country’s democracy. To begin with, my conclusion is that despite the passage of a fairly elaborate and liberal constitution, it seems private citizens are not properly acquainted with the full meaning of the Constitution. This is made worse by the reluctance of the public sector to push back in principle against intolerance.
The first event relates to the public hanging of an animal, ostensibly to express displeasure by citizens of a county for incompetence by the county leadership in raising taxes and not heeding public concern. More recently, a crowd of inebriated and garrulous men forcefully demolished a monument paid for and placed within Kisumu.
The preposterous claim of this group of intolerant people was that the placement of that monument offends the sensibilities of residents, who they claimed were mostly adherent of the Christian faith. The degree of ignorance of the crowd in the latter case is not worth spending much time on, but what the two events display should be keenly examined.
It tells a lot about a nation that some citizens loudly mark territory and use overt threats of violence to have their way. In essence, that crowd in Kisumu show that it is accepted now that when the loudest, rowdiest and most boisterous crowds challenge constitutional principles to equality, then the state and the larger public will let them have their way.
MONUMENT SHOULD HAVE STOOD
May it be stated clearly, that this group attributed a cultural or religious message in a monument is within its rights, but that should not compel the peaceful and comparatively smaller community to bow down to them and revise its celebratory plans.
That monument should have stood and the fact that it was brought down is a manifestation that the state will only enforce law for political ends and not to protect other rights. Clearly, if these same boys had taken to display of arrogance and threats to destroy property in contest of an electoral result, the response would have been undeniably robust and quick.
That groups can act against minorities in glaring press coverage is a reflection of a poor system of public reasoning. I would not trust any of the men covered in the news pictures to produce a coherent sentence while arguing their point.
The extension is that the level and depth of public reasoning in Kenya is so low that groups hold others hostage by simply refusing to argue points and relying on the ability to shout the loudest. This is of concern because the same Constitution assumes that careful and sensible arguments will be the starting point for building consensus and ensuring participation in public affairs.
DISPROPORTIONATE PROMINENCE
Every time the press gives disproportionate prominence to a group that is incoherent but loud, it strengthens extreme expression of ideas as opposed to the quality of those ideas. The situation was not helped by incomplete and clearly wrong coverage that showed ignorance in distinguishing between the Sikh and Hindu faith. Even the press corps has lessons to learn, and that is that its staff should be well informed.
Understandably, Kenyans have been concerned with the intolerance in speech whether through the conventional or alternative forms of media. The incidents in Kisumu show that perhaps the focus is in the wrong areas primarily because hate speech may be real and endanger society vicariously but the blatant intolerance in Kisumu, guided or not by some religious or political hand, is a more clear and present danger.
The State failed the small community of Sikhs in Kisumu and owes them a restorative gesture in ensuring that the monument is rebuilt. And yes, some people will be displeased, but they should be asked to grow up. Or more acceptably, “Accept and Move on”. Tolerance is intelligence and its lack bodes ill for all Kenyans.
Twitter : @IEAKwame
