In Lodwar, foolishness is lucrative: unpacking ‘Munyes article’

From the standpoint of somebody who writes frequently about the daily life experiences in the northern segment of Kenya, and in addition, someone who is barraged with reactions (and sometimes not-so-good-demands) from the so-called northern Kenya elite, it behooves to note that there exists a humongous monster in the minds of those with the power to read. Well, let’s call it “mental ring-fencing”.

“Mental ring-fencing” emanates from a self-imposed inability to separate [political] support from critical thinking; and support for people in power from support for the general public. In short, this monster has decapitated Kenya’s supposedly enlightened elite.

As a result, the near impossibility for our schooled but less-informed individuals to prove themselves as “anchor-individuals” to whom the society should run to for direction has transformed going to school to an escapade in search of papers, not knowledge.

I will explain why I think this hardline stand is appropriate. The fact that we have a couple of upright individuals out there ought not cloud our move to point out the inefficiencies of many.

On February Tuesday 16, I wrote a political commentary headlined: “Senator John Munyes should retire! Period” ( http://lemukolwords.blogspot.com/2016/02/senator-john-munyes-should-retire-period.html ). In it, I pointed out the heavy task awaiting leaders in places like Turkana owing to the fact that such places lag behind development-wise. I stressed on the importance to move beyond laisser-faire politics to politics that matter to the men and women in our hamlets. Again, I underlined why it is sensible for the good senator to consciously reflect and if possible, retire.

In my mind, my efforts to delve into this domain was to prick Turkana voters’ minds through their educated sons and daughters, and who happen to also enjoy the trappings of internet connectivity, to take an honest reflection on what the future of Turkana County portends.

But it seems I was wrong. I mistook being schooled for being educated. I thought these chaps were truly educated and could act as a meaningful bridge between the public and their collective aspirations.

They narrowed down my message to one line: ‘That Lemukol has endorsed Governor Nanok and he is now badmouthing his (Nanok’s) potential opponents.’

I stand not on anyone’s right to think and express his/her opinion. But some little effort to self-cross-examine will keep embarrassment at bay.

In my article, I boldly stated that: “To those who may be tempted to think that this write-up seeks to catapult the names of some characters, I have something special to tell you: I reject to be pigeonholed. I refuse to swallow that lie that county positions ‘should be shared’. To go that route is to devolve a dangerous dose of elitism.”

In simple terms, I said “I do not endorse anybody.” Neither does it mean I want to frustrate people who may wish to challenge Governor Nanok in next year’s election. Senator Munyes included.

My position was and is and will be: “people must make informed decisions. Failure to do so will have catastrophic results to all of us.”

Given Turkana’s historical background, I am convinced that the real challenge rests untouched. S/he who knows, and can inform others stands a chance to impact many. Parallel to this, s/he who has the opportunity to know but decides not to profit from it deserves condemnation. S/he who wishes to know but has no tools with which to get informed deserves no condemnation for making wrong decisions.

This is why I have difficulties walking on the same path with people who think gullible villagers who overwhelmingly elect a crook are “foolish”. I am yet to understand on which premise they base this kind of foolishness. In my view, these “foolish” villagers are not really foolish. They simply suffer from information deprivation.

Yet it remains eternally clear that not to suffer from information deprivation entails positive deployment of such information for the betterment of oneself and the general public. Political information is no different.

But is this the case all the time? I would say no. And Lodwar comes to mind.

Lodwar is by all respects Turkana’s Canaan. It is the region’s premier town. It enjoys almost all information inlets. It houses all symbols of power. A significant proportion of its population is reportedly schooled. (I presume they also read and READ). So, for me Lodwar is both real and symbolic. Its symbolism cascades from merely housing government offices to the performance of Turkana’s elite from as far afield as Kibish in the north to Kainuk in the south.

So when I see schooled individuals who are not educated, I see lucrative foolishness. I see people who erroneously believe standing intellectually upright will lead to their economic death. So they better be slaves – albeit their knowledge of dangers of the same!

A university graduate who deactivates his mind and bids his support for coins is foolish and should know that. Collective progress does not flow from this narrow perspective.

It is for this reason that Lodwar – real and symbolic – must discard its destructive weight.

Twitter: @mlemukol