Blessed are those who seek peace and unity

As the Book of Matthew famously states, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God,” God seeks peace and unity and disavows division and conflict, that is clear throughout the Bible.

In Kenya, we have known division and discord. Our politics have been based on division and opposition.

There has rarely been a unity of purpose amongst our politicians, and when there was, it was merely to gain power. Today, things look very different.

There is a new feeling in the air, of cohesion and unity, not merely for unity’s sake, but the good of Kenya and its people.

The alliance between former bitter rivals President Uhuru Kenyatta and his erstwhile challenger ODM’s Raila Odinga shook up the political map. When Uhuru reached out and shook Raila’s hand and they sat down for frank discussions, they must have realised, like many of us, that what binds us as a people is far greater than that which divides.

This was soon joined by Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka, and more recently, by Kanu’s Gideon Moi. 

This isn’t necessarily about elections, because the ballots are still two years away. They are about change, development and progress. It is about speaking to the people through the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), to hear their thoughts on how best to govern, what constitutional changes need to be made, and how to move forward together towards a more peaceful future, free of political division and ethnic antagonism.

This is certainly a blessed movement, as it is a peaceful movement. There are no threats against rivals, no belittling of those in disagreements. In fact, as many of those involved have repeatedly stated, there is room around this table for many others if they sign up to the basic principles of resolving disagreements and conflicts peacefully for the sake of the nation.

Those on the outside slamming this circle of unity are still locked in the old paradigms of petty politics and trying to rile up the people, resorting to the usual but tired tactics.

This unprecedented paradigm should be embraced because it is sending us all a message that there is another way in Kenya. 

Since President Uhuru arrived in office, he has sought to reach out to political rivals and to regions he did not enjoy support. He has amply demonstrated that he does not hold a grudge.

Those in counties which barely voted for him have still deservingly received budgets for infrastructure, health and education. Uhuru clearly hasn’t read the political memo which says that a politician should only listen and assist those who could potentially vote for him.

The President sees a blank slate and reaches out with an open heart. He is ready to forgive and forget. Someone may have attacked him personally and politically but that shouldn’t rule them out as partners when they are ready to sheath their daggers.

This bodes well for Kenya in the countdown to the next election. We cannot afford another divisive election campaign that tears our nation apart physically, politically or spiritually. We cannot afford talk of secession pegged on tribe; we should put away differences in ethnicity and be able to sit around the same table and find common ground and consensus.

We are already starting to feel the blessings emanating from this union of peace. We see a lower flame of rhetoric and a common purpose, even if disagreements still need to be ironed out. Rome was not built in a day.

Uhuru has set the tone by listening to the people and hearing that they are frantic for peace and stability. Other parties have grabbed the opportunity and played by the new rules of the game, working together on initiatives like BBI, the Big Four Agenda and the war on corruption.

These game-changing initiatives can only come to fruition if there is unity of purpose. Some criticise the fact that many of these leaders come from political dynasties, but that is what makes this unity even more remarkable.

There is so much turbulent history between these families, but this generation will not be subservient to the battles of the past. They will put them aside and seek peace and unity, and for that God will bless them, along with the Kenyan people.

Ms Anyango is a social commentator. anyangomegan14@gmail.com