If only we did more, argued less, Kenya would go so far

By Ababu Namwamba

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“Win through your actions, never through argument. Any momentary triumph you think you have gained through argument is really a Pyrrhic victory...It is much more powerful to get others to agree with you through your actions, without saying a word. Demonstrate, do not explicate”.

This Robert Green gem has pricked my conscience as I reflect on the state of our nationhood in this historic 50th year of our independence.

I look back at these past five decades and marvel at how our “forever” project of “national unity” has stubbornly remained a paradox, with everyone preaching harmony while disharmony seems to define our very existence. I am mystified by how we condemn corruption by word, yet appear to routinely condone the vice by deed. It is flabbergasting how we demand to be honoured yet our very actions ooze dishonour.

Indeed, if rhetoric alone was the tie that binds, Kenya would be the most cohesive of nations. Jomo Kenyatta made the word harambee iconic, using the concept to rally Kenyans to build their fledgling nation. But even as his words rang nationhood, his actions sowed seeds of toxic ethnic jingoism. Daniel arap Moi invented the “Nyayo philosophy of peace, love and unity”, yet his reign mirrored the Jomo tribalist tendencies. Emilio Mwai Kibaki rode to power on the dizzying wave of the “yote yawezekana” dream that saw Kenyans momentarily ranked the most optimistic people of Earth. But the son of Othaya firmly kept faith with the bad ways of his predecessors and left behind a nation far more fractured than he had inherited, and permanently stained by the 2008 post-election pogroms. President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta has picked up the same tune, but will it be any different?

Yes, good people, we have a sad history of being great at talking the talk but quite lousy at walking the talk. Our words just don’t match our actions. At the individual level, we argue and spew disgust at “those tribalists”, yet our actions shame our very conscience, for those who still have any! Not even this thing called National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has exorcised the malevolent demon. In fact NCIC looks quite clueless. Yet history is replete with countless fine examples of how easy it is to convince others through deeds rather than words. 

Ancient Greek historian Herodotus, records in his 5th Century masterpiece, The Histories, the remarkable tale of how Amasis of Sais galvanised Egyptian support. When Amasis ascended the throne after Apries was deposed, at first the Egyptians were inclined to be contemptious, and did not think much of him because of his humble and undistinguished origin; but later on, he cleverly brought them to heel, without having recourse to harsh measures. Amongst his innumerable treasures, he had a gold foot-bath, which he and his guests used on occasion to wash their feet in. This he broke up, and with the material had a statue made to one of the gods, which he then set up in what he thought the most suitable spot in the city.

The Egyptians, constantly coming upon the statue, treated it with profound reverence, and as soon as Amasis heard of the effect it had upon them, he called a meeting and revealed that the deeply revered statue was once a foot-bath, which they washed their feet and pissed and vomited in. He went on to say that his own case was much the same, in that once he had been only an ordinary person and was now their king; so that just as they had come to revere the transformed foot-bath, so they had better pay honour and respect to him too. In this way the Egyptians were persuaded to accept him as their master. Robert Green warns that even the best argument has no solid foundation, for we have all come to distrust the slipery nature of words. “Everyone knows that in the heat of an argument we will say anything to support our cause. We will quote the Bible and refer to unverifiable statistics. Who can be persuaded by bags of air like that? Action and demonstration are much more powerful and meaningful.

They are there, before our eyes, for us to see. No one can argue with a demonstrated proof...the power of demonstrating your idea is that your opponents do not get defensive, and are therefore, more open to persuasion. Making them literally and physically feel your meaning is infinitely more powerful than argument”.

We all agree that action speaks louder than words. The Bible teaches that its the demonstration of your faith not the mere “mouthing’ it that is your key to the everlasting Kingdom. And Baltasar Gracian’s wisdom, “the truth is generally seen, rarely heard”, continues to ring through the sands of time. What are you waiting for...C’mon, stop just talking, start doing something!