Search This site

Friday, January 28, 2011

IT’S TIME TO TAKE CHARGE

Bryan W. Tumwa draws vital lessons from Tom and Jerry, and a recent matatu incident he encountered
Growing up I used to be much excited by Fred Quimby’s animation series- Tom and Jerry. What got me so glued to the screen is the often malicious plots by the mouse (Jerry) to displace the cat (Tom) from the helm of the house. The conflict played out to my expectation of balance of nature where the rodent and the feline being, sworn enemies, battle for supremacy in the big house which naturally had room for one of either kind and not both. However, the fact that Jerry always had the edge got me unsettled. It did not satisfy my moral expectation of the villain pitted against the enforcement of right and wrong. A rather obvious way of things would suggest that with time the cat could wise up and be more assertive, but as it were, the cat was always a step behind the witty mouse.
Most people find themselves in such situations in their journey through life and often suffer the consequences of their lack of assertiveness. They may not know it or may realize it, but they let their fear or lack of tact derail them.
The other day I was travelling from Eldoret to Campus and something unique really touched me. The conductor came to collect the fares after the van was full and as would seem usual, he charged every person sh.100 and not a single person from the front of the van to the back thought anything of it. However, when he was taking the money from a gentleman seated at the farthest corner, the guy calmly asked for his change. The conductor tried to intimidate him by asking him to alight and find a cheaper means but the guy insisted that the amount was a rip off and everyone should be refunded their fair share of the money charged. The argument started to accumulate heat and finally the heat seemed too much for the cornered conductor and he finally gave in. He had to walk for about 500m while we were stuck in the jam to find enough change so that everyone in the van got sh.20 back. Needles to say no one said thank you.
However, what caught my attention is the fact that there are people who would just sit there (I included) and do nothing in a situation like this while there are others who would not tolerate such malevolence. This case cannot be explained from the point of view of being able to part with an extra 20 shillings just because one has the ability to rise much more than that, but the most people would just be comfortable to play it safe.
This tendency has led to a situation where the way we are governed as a country is left to the few in the civil rights movements. Most Kenyans just contend to watch news and shake their heads and contend in being apathetic. The days where the nation would be seen to demand accountability started to wane when the voices of those in higher institutions of learning were reduced to whispers and most of the time disinterest. In such a young democracy, it should all start with the few who are enlightened and the universities and colleges are not lacking in them. Tribal sentiments and ethnic solidarity should not have a place in our campuses since there’s already enough of it in the primitive parts of our society. It is a unique moment in the country that should not be left to pass because it will have ramifications into the future.
***************************************
GODFREY OMBOGO BEREAVED
This year has got off to a difficult start for Godfrey Ombogo, who lost his beloved mother early this month after a short illness. Ombogo is a fourth year student in the school of Information Sciences (Media and Publishing) and Managing editor of Newsround. The burial is scheduled for Saturday 22nd January 2011 at the family’s Oyugis home in Homabay County. May God grant the Ombogo family strength and courage to see them through this trying period?

0 comments:

Post a Comment