Sun, 24 Sep 2017 10:31:57 +0000
By BWALYA MBEWE in Nairobi
WHEN you let perception lead you, it can leave you disappointed or lead you astray.
Prior to coming to Nairobi, I had been watching news feed on the political tension in Kenya.
I read about how angry opposition leader Raila Odinga was and how people were running on the streets protesting, hacking each other.
Needless to say I was very apprehensive about coming here.
My husband, a journalist too, even questioned the wisdom of taking such a journey at this particular time, especially if I wasn’t going to be reporting.
I took the journey and so far, I’m yet to find any violent protesters.
The western propaganda machinery is definitely very effective in projecting Africa as a troubled land. Yes, Africa does have problems, economic, social, political and even religious ones.
It is also true that most African countries are grappling with finding the right formula to eradicate poverty and disease.
Zambia for instance, is in the forefront in as far as fighting the Hiv/AIDS pandemic is concerned. This is evidenced by the new policy direction of routine testing and treatment.
Other African countries are taking different directions to tackle the same problem. For instance, South Africa puts emphasis on diet and treatment.
Zambia’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Brenda Muntemba invited the Daily Nation to a PTA prayer thanksgiving at Rusinga school where the administration invites parents, teachers and pupils to start the term with a dedication to God.
What a special event it turned out to be. We saw a different Kenya….. the talented musicians Mwanida, a grade 1 child that can read the Bible like an adult.
We watched school performances that touched the soul through song and dance – contemporary dance.
This was an opener. A revelation of the real life of Kenya. The ordinary life that the outside world does not get to see or hear about.
The deeply religious communities that promote unity across culture and nationality.
Going around the townships, you get the sense of daily life’s struggles like in any other country.
As Ms Muntemba said, “this is a deeply religious part of Kenya that the outside world was not aware of.”
That most schools dedicate the start of a school calendar to prayer to ensure there is divine intervention throughout the year.
But one also gets to see the peace and contentment that people have. Their love of country is evident.
From the violence reports that we have been subjected to, one would have expected to find evidence everywhere.
Again, Ms Muntemba was quick to explain that most of the tension that gets reported in the media has to do with differences between political players and their members
“Life goes on. Tension is not noticeable at all because daily life is hardly affected,” she said.
The only disturbing feature noticeable, is the heightened security almost everywhere.
Hotels, shopping malls and even some churches, all have metal detectors.
This is to guard against possible terrorist attacks from the Alshabab. It has seemingly become an acceptable way of life.
When one gets to the mall, the entrance is fitted not only with the metal detectors but body scanners. And then there is the frisking that is taken in good stride because everyone knows it’s for their own good.
To a Zambian, this is strange and outlandish. But when one recalls the devastation of terrorist attacks that the country has experienced, then the necessity of such inconveniences is appreciated.
But all in all, the Kenya I saw on Television as portrayed by western media, is not the Kenya I am seeing in Nairobi.
