As You Fervently Pursue Your Personal Goals, Be Ware of the Implications of Challenged Value Systems
By Mwangi Wanjumbi – Newtimes B. S. CEO & Chief Consultant/Trainer
One of my favorite authors says that there is nothing in life like just sitting and hoping that things will work in your favor. This means, that goals are achieved by those who continually and persistently pursue them. Nevertheless, I am this week offering my very heartfelt condolences to the two families who lost their loved ones through a tragic carjacking incident. The husband watched helplessly as the spouse succumbed to a vicious bullet, whereas their watchman suffered the same fate. However, my attention is attracted by the revelations made by the very fresh widower.
Throughout the carjacking episode, the captors castigated the victims particularly for joining the club of a few members of the society living in luxury (as depicted by their Toyota Harrier vehicle that the late spouse was driving). That is despite the adversities experienced by the youth who are left at the mercy of abject poverty, as insinuated by the seemingly agitated captors. Personally, I have never been and will obviously never be an advocate of crime or societal misdeeds of whatever kind. Nor do I or will I ever support criminals of whatever form.
However, one thing that I do know for sure is that nobody was born to be a criminal. This is with exception of a few, said to be delinquents, but who may be just a small minority. They derive happiness from the suffering of fellow human beings. Nonetheless, our modern society is continually and very fast sending into crime, thinking human resource that would otherwise be positively contributing to nation building.
In the olden days, all the members of the society were taken care of one way or the other. Somehow, there was an opportunity for everybody. Where I come from, as I am told, the very poor, else known as ‘ahoi,’ would not sleep hungry. There was work to do of whatever nature and getting food or whatever other needs in return. Today, I do not think the same applies. There are many energetic people who sleep hungry out of genuine lack of opportunities. Forget about those who have for one reason or another immersed themselves into alcohol and drug and become societal zombies.
Else, in those early days, there were numerous economic activities which suited the entire human resource. Furthermore, there were the societal pillars of religion, education and even governments, which were led by wazees. Notably, the same are being brought back, having been recognized by the Judiciary, as part of the stakeholders who could probably establish equality at the lowest levels of social stratum.
Interestingly, the famous Njuri Ncheke elders from Meru have in that light been entrusted to help other communities, to set up their own council of elders. Some critical analysts and thinkers like me are yet to fathom how today’s dynamic social cultural evolution will accommodate this new development on wazees.
Meanwhile, all of us are born with our own unique abilities, which are expected to be used positively towards the improvement of the welfare of humanity. It is only then that we are supposed to get whatever we want in life. Or is that not the case? But, what actually happens?
As the social cultural evolution continues, we keep on losing the grip of earlier strongly entrenched societal values. The same governed the conduct of each and every member of the society. That guaranteed the well being of the rich, the poor and the weak in the society in equal measures. Today, the leadership of the local authorities and national government, which have taken over from the earlier societal structures have seemingly lost out. They are apparently overwhelmed by other concerns to focus fully on the interests of the society, which they ironically represent. We remain to see whether the county governments will behave the same. Why?
In the developed world like USA, they maintain welfare kitties, which entitle every jobless person to at least put food on the table or wherever. In UK and Europe generally, medical benefits are free for all even if financed by those who have. In our own scenario, it is seemingly each man for himself and God for us all. Actually, it is the law of the jungle at play. And when that law applies, the ostensibly neglected and largely jobless youth turn wild against a society that is too burdened by the fight for survival. Even worse is that, it is a society whose values have been consistently caving inwardly towards the self.
Are we now experiencing the fruits of becoming a ruthlessly material and/or money driven society? That could apply especially for those who have continued acquiring wealth in whatever way and at whatever cost. That being the focus, it is difficult to stand up to inculcate positive moral values on those experiencing the growth process – our own sons and daughters.
Naturally, they end up becoming as ruthless as we have become, while in pursuance of wealth and riches. The Swahili’s say that ‘mtoto wa nyoka ni nyoka,’ (the young one of a snake is still a snake). We may therefore just be harvesting the seeds that we have continually sowed on our own volition. Is there any recourse?
Probably, the wazee idea could be a starting point. Why say this? Similar to the Merus, is the Luo Nyanza fraternity. Those who come from there know very well where real societal leadership lies. It is not with politicians; it is not with the moneyed; rather, it is with the council of elders who must approve the societal direction. Incidentally, they recently did it through urging the entire society to embrace men circumcision for the interest of all. They also allowed their people to lay their dead to rest wherever convenient. Need I say more? Indeed, during our organizational culture change training, I always recognize members of this community as the best examples of cultural dynamism.
Nonetheless, as we embrace the elders, they may first need to appease the gods so that our misdeeds can be forgiven. That includes those we have committed either knowingly or unknowingly. Else, we will be acquiring wealth, which we may never enjoy as noted in beginning of this piece. We may be acquiring Toyota Prados, Harriers and others, which will only become additional sources of our insecurity.
Obviously, that is very contrary to our sense of arrival as advocated in the hierarchy of needs. Indeed, all of us whether young or old members of the society need to be in brotherhood (and sisterhood), united in purpose and direction as we continually build ourselves, our organizations and our nation too.
Meanwhile, may “plenty be found within our borders,” (for us all), as”‘societal and national’ justice become ‘truly’ our shield and defender,” as advocated in our national Anthem (the contents of which are abstract to most people). But, will all the said happen? Yes, they will, if we all at personal levels decide to “become the change that we would want the world to be,” as evangelized by Mahatma Gandhi. Any other way could be bahati tu (shear luck), as we are all reading, hearing and observing with our own eyes. For now, may you please enjoy a week full of justice