Monday, March 28, 2005

Exactly who are these human rights activists fighting for?

There are many debates going on in Kenya right now. But l will pick up only one. The one of shoot to kill - An order that Hon. Michuki the Minister for national Security in Kenya gave.

First, l believe that in the grand scheme of things, all life is precious. So its not like l will sit here and watch people die and smile. That will be sadistic of me.

Lets take this to another level. I believe that the activists who are busy shouting down Mr Michuki's orders have two things in common. One-they have never experienced these thugs in action. Secondly- they live in plush areas in this city or country at that and have body guards to boot. So in essence, they are not living in the real Nairobi.

The real Nairobi is what my friend encountered on Thursday when she was on her way home. A route she is familiar with had taken a new look of violence. A few hours before she got there a woman had been shot in the head resulting to loss of her teeth. As we speak, she is in Kenyatta hospital. Another person had his head split nearly into two in the same area and on the same night. He is also in hospital fighting for dear life.

Question-where are these human rights activists when people are dying after tortures hours in the hands of men-turned-beasts? Where are they?

I believe that human rights activists have a place in our world. But when they begin to behave like they are not part of a society then they raise eyebrows. I would like to know if any of them have watched their wives, daughters or even mothers raped by hooligans who you are not sure have the HIV virus. I would like to know if they have opened their doors to a terrified neighbor who had a gun to his back but who couldn't say so because thugs were behind him. I would like to know if they have faced a gang who have threatened to pass the HIV virus to their wives and daughters if they didn't co-operate during a robbery. Exactly who are these human rights activists defending?

I know that there is the issue of gun-totting policemen getting trigger happy to the detriment of a reasonable society. But l also know that this is not what Hon. Michuki wants unless l am mistaken.

So lets get some balance here. Hon. Michuki ask your men not to get trigger happy. If they do, let them face the full force of the law. As for you Human rights activists, shout about what makes sense or shut up. Remember, while you have your whatever number of bodyguards, some of us have to kaa ngumu in a country we love yet gone bad. Make yourselves useful by knowing which angle of the argument to take.

Percy Barnevik, an executive once said "You must avoid the investigation trap you can't postpone tough decisions by studying them to death." And that is to you dear colleagues in the human rights arena. This is a tough decision. But how are we going to claim our country from thugs?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

wait till ur son ,father, or brother is shot to death by triger
happy police who mistake him 4 a thug then u can comment.