Recently while walking around Nairobi, my friend Sekwati was was shocked. Amidst the Corona pandemic, it was business as usual for most citizens. Nobody seemed to care.
Mr. Sekwati, the majority of Kenyans in the streets just don’t care. For them, to live is fine and to die is gain. Their very existence is a danger of it’s kind. No healthcare. No food. No security. No education. State apathy. Poisoned food. Poisoned drugs. Police brutality. Monetized justice the list is endless.
The people we elected have stolen all resources meant for health, security, education, development, all. They use part of the money to buy justice and lock down those who deserve it but cannot afford to buy it.
We successfully created a nation of second class citizens. Humans with no value for their lives. They have made peace with the fact that their lives don’t really matter. Survival comes first. Risk your life and survive or die trying.
‘Imagine telling a man in Kibera to self-quarantine? Over Corona? A flu? When he grapples with Malaria, pneumonia & cholera daily to get to his meal. Tell the man in Pipeline to avoid contact. How?
We don’t care for safety because safety is a foreign concept over here. Safety is what you think of when you are full, satisfied & warm. We can’t relate. We are used to living on the edge like that. Through no fault of ours.’ Says Kibet Collins.
Finally human beings now understand that one can never exist alone. We need each other. Rich or poor. Black or white. Brown or blue. Literate or illiterate. We coexist in equal measure. We were too absorbed in our individualism and selfish ambition that we never thought a person’s safety can be entirely dependent on everyone else around.
#Corona virus has taught us now our safety isn’t just about ‘us’. It’s about everyone else. It’s not just about me washing my hands and sanitizing them. It’s about everyone else being able to wash their hands and sanitize them as well. Regardless of whether we care about them or not, our existence is entirely influenced by other people’s well being.
Got billions to spend? No hikes. No picnics. No gym. No sauna. No swimming. No vacation. No holidays. Until everyone is well! To read more posts by Danstan, click HERE
