We are communists, leave individualism to westerners

I walked into my apartment building one evening to find people crowded at the parking lot. I brushed off the anxiety that had started to build up in me only to see a police vehicle parked strategically facing the stairs. Everyone seemed somber and tense.

Being in a hurry, I walked past them but halted in my step when I almost collided with people carrying a corpse. I was thrown off my balance with the stench that emanated from it. Four men were carrying the body to the awaiting police vehicle.

I stood in shock as I watched the men. The corpse seemed quite heavy and large. For a moment I could not think nor could I smell the dense odor of death. All I could think of was ‘who is this?’

I was barely three weeks old in the building so I was certain that I may not know the deceased but I was still in shock. Questions flew from all corners of my brain. What happened? Was it murder? Did he commit suicide? Why wasn’t he discovered earlier?

Whatever the case was, may his soul rest in eternal peace.

Now, this brings me to my ultimate worry, is the current society structure plastic and detached? The deceased man had neighbors and close friends who should have noticed his disappearance early enough. This is where I completely side with the government especially with great initiatives like ‘Nyumba Kumi’.

If the grotesque incident happened years ago in the African setting, the man would have been discovered way before his body rotted, or even better, the whole occurrence would have been averted.

In the traditional setting, a person would notice the absence of his next door neighbor within a short period. For example, if this neighbor is the person you would frequently ask for a pinch of salt when yours runs out, or if he is the person you go out for evening drinks with or whatever the case, you will definitely notice his absence within a day.

I still insist, we should embrace the ‘Nyumba Kumi Inititive’. I don’t know any of my neighbors but after the incident, I am always quick to say hi and know them.

It is not African to be individualistic; we should go back to our roots of communism. My problem is your problem too, give me your ear.