Murky politics and the bravery of individuals coloured 2015

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta addresses the plenary during the Africa-China HIV Advocacy event on the theme of "Africa-China Partnership: Caring for and AIDS-free Generation" on the sidelines of The Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, South Africa. A poll found that she was more trusted than any politician. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Our national mania of baying for a single person’s blood does not improve our lives in any way nor change public institutions for the better.
  • When cancer strikes, everyone is vulnerable, whether you read news on television or are a musician.
  • In the sphere of higher education, some Kenyan universities did what many actually expect and envision of them this year.

It is not politicians who will change this country or make a difference but you and I, when our path is lighted by focus and the realisation that every Kenyan is valuable and important.

The best example we have had of this realisation is the Muslim passengers who refused to be separated from Christians when terrorists attacked a Mandera-bound bus. These courageous Kenyans hit Al-Shabaab harder than the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) ever could.

Elsewhere, our national mania of baying for a single person’s blood does not improve our lives in any way or change public institutions for the better.

The country first hounded Joseph ole Lenku and then Anne Waiguru out of office.

Mob justice, when it manages to target the right person, gets rid of just one allegedly errant public servant but does nothing for public service.

Change needs someone to step up and transform institutions, procedures and regulations to ensure individual public servants are forced to toe the line.

More than ever in 2015, Kenyans were exposed to the ravages of cancer.

When that debilitating disease strikes everyone is vulnerable, whether you read news on television or are a musician.

Those who are not as well-known also have relatives on the benches at Kenyatta that they have to cater for, and just because they work in the production line at some unnamed factory doesn’t mean we don’t celebrate them.

INTELLECTUAL SPACES

In the sphere of higher education, some of Kenya’s public universities did what many actually expect and envision of them this year. Kenyatta University hosted President Barack Obama in July where the US leader spoke with members of civil society. My alma mater, the University of Nairobi, hosted Pope Francis, the leader of the world’s one billion Catholics, on its grounds in November.

That is the way I have always thought of universities –taking the lead as the intellectual spaces of the nation to create a memorable experience for all Kenyans and not just academics. We have associated our universities with strikes for way too long! New beginnings? I hope so!

In politics, mudslinging and competing for the lion’s share of public resources are still the order of the day, from the counties to Parliament to the Executive.

Then there was the evil genius who thought up the scheme that led the Teachers Services Commission (TSC) refusing to collect and forward teachers’ union dues to the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut).

This row remains unresolved which is sad for all, teachers, students, parents and bystanders included.

It is not surprising that a poll found that the President’s wife was more trusted than any politician. I like her determination, focus, grace and elegance in public. Her choices of public efforts to support are equally endearing. Keep the light shining Mrs Kenyatta!

Once 2016 is upon us, in an effort to keep our national self-esteem high, do not forward all those negative posts on social media about our country by US presidential candidates and the like. Their outrageous statements only seek publicity and they do not think about you at all.

Back home, as 2017 comes ever closer, all manner of millionaires, crybabies and loonies will crawl out of the woodwork next year, claiming they are preparing to run for the Presidency.
Happy New Year!
Twitter: @muthonithangwa