Raw ethnic based hate is not a reassuring election agenda

By Barrack Muluka
In the end, the scientific laws that rule the universe are very simple. However, their outcomes can be mind-boggling. They can be constructive or destructive, depending on how you employ them.

The tragedy is that few have taken the trouble to understand them and to appreciate them and less still their working. The outcome is that human beings keep falling foul of the laws of science.

Life is scientific. Look at Albert Einstein. He told us as long ago as 1687 about the laws of physics. Three pillars stand out in what is often referred to as Einstein’s Laws of Motion.

In the first law, Einstein says that every body persists at rest. This includes a body that is moving. It is essentially at rest, unless another body disturbs it. For, it moves uniformly and it moves straight forward. But this is except that the body is compelled to change its state by an external force, acting upon it. This is simple enough.

Einstein’s Second Law relates to scientific impulse. This is different, but related to impulse as emotion, as we commonly know it. In any event, the architecture of the word “emotion” is itself full of science. But let us leave that for some other day. Put simply, Einstein says that a body’s momentum will change. But this change is caused by an outside force. It is also proportional to the impulse impressed upon the body.

But it is Einstein’s Third Law that is most telling. To every action, there is always an equal and opposite reaction. Put differently, the forces of two bodies on each other are always equal. But they are not just equal. They are also directed in opposite directions. And therein lies enormous potential.

Depending on how you apply these rules, you could do good or harm. It does not matter who you are, or where you are. These are the laws of physics. They apply universally, without exception.

This is what I think, each time I see hate flowing in any environment. My attention has been drawn to a document that is alleged to have been developed by some people, claiming it was music. I do not know who is behind this destructive creativity. That I leave to the National Cohesion and Integration Commission.

They will hopefully unravel this, in the full order of time. One thing we cannot deny, however, is that this venom is circulating out there – regardless who its owners and sponsors are. I have seen it on the web and they say it is being played in some nightclubs and on selected radio stations.

This venom seeks to grow ethnic based hatred in the coming elections. Beyond this, it is directed against the Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his campaign effort in the most unnerving manner.

The dialogue is at once appalling and chilling. In the end, nobody can benefit from a universe such as the authors and owners of this wayward art seek to create. The question is, why would you want to choose hate as the platform of your election campaign?

Hate is itself a form of energy. John H. Sklare has posted on the Internet, “Hate is a mighty strong emotion. This mental venom can pollute your spirit, poison your soul and seep into relationships that surround you.

Anyone who has found themselves wrapped up in the arms of hate knows how damaging and mind-consuming it can become.”

Even more tragic is the fact that this strong negative energy is subject to the laws of physics. First it disturbs bodies that were otherwise at rest – or shall we say equilibrium? Second is that it generates similar impulse elsewhere.

Negative energy that is hate will generate similar venom in others. It risks polluting their spirit and poisoning their soul and seeping into relationships all round. This includes relationships with those who triggered negativity in the first place.

It its apogee, the negative energy that is hate will generate equal and opposite reaction. The NCIC has its work properly cut out. After the impending elections, we will still have a country to look after, regardless of who wins or loses. It is desirable that all candidates commit themselves in word and deed to a dignified issue based campaign.

Raw ethnic based hate is not a reassuring election agenda. This kind of agenda can only plant seeds of fear in other people. In the end, the nation gravitates dangerously towards through negative energy.

Those who will be true leaders will do well to unequivocally distance themselves from perverted art of the kind NCIC is now investigating. It helps to note that there is so much other fear and hate mongering, allegedly on behalf of a Presidential candidate.

History has shown us that no matter how much force you think that you have at your command, you can only rule over people who recognise that you have legitimately come to power.

In the end, it is not the perverted artists that we should address. It is the persons they claim to speak for. Our people say that when a dog barks, it is because someone owns it.

When everyone owns the dogs of war that specialise in growing dangerous ethnic propaganda the nation will burn. Kenyans will be counting on the NCIC to assure them that their country is more important than the political and power ambitions of any one candidate – no matter whom.

The writer is a publishing editor and National Director of Communications at Raila for President Secretariat