Can we make a symphony out of political choruses?

Kenyan athletes dance to the tune of Utamaduni Ngomas on arrival at JKIA after taking part at the Senior Africa Athletics Championships in Reduit, Mauritius June 13, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

“The typewriter” is a comical yet delightful piece of classical music composed by Leroy Anderson that plays to the rhythm of the distinct old typewriter. It is a masterpiece that is more musical than many complex pieces that do not stir the heart. And yet, all it does is to tap away at the typewriter rhythm, giving some percussion sense, with an occasional “ping” bell.  The music is composed around the “musical instrument” of the typewriter.

This imagery of an orchestra or choir, can be a good analogy for our nation. To produce good music, you need coordination, unity of purpose, and a good composition as the necessary ingredients. These are the very same needed for a good society. As we approach the elections, the noise levels have risen significantly – a crescendo you might say. Many are banging their instruments, often totally out of sync, and out of tune.

We are witnessing the smoky chorus of proposals bent on destroying our youth; the increased noise of vuvuzelas filled with poisonous insults; of war drums inciting violence; and the proud strumming of “chords of deceit” of politicians proclaiming how good they are. Like the forty-four instruments in a full orchestra, can we truly make a symphony out of this cacophony? Can we as Kenyans rise above it all, and desire a magical ensemble composition for our nation? Can we produce a chorus for peace, of unity, of goodness and not about selfish agendas?

Societal life is played out like a good piece of music, comprising of many and varied moments, experiences, different personalities, but all ought to find symphony if the society if to thrive. They must work towards interconnectedness and each must play their unique role, “minding the music” and “minding the others” no matter how unimportant they may seem in the music.

What makes Kenya is the wealth of differently talented, and diversely engaged Kenyans, each striving to enhance our symphony called Kenya. Everyone must give his or her all in their specific area: teachers, parents, professionals, business people, athletes, clergy, health workers, boda boda riders, farmers, and yes, politicians – all in synchrony. Kenya is built on hardworking people, a culture we must defend and nurture.

The election euphoria makes us believe that Kenya is built only on politicians, and it is a do or die for our nation. We are made to believe that if this candidate does not go through, our nation, our county, our constituency is lost.

We do not need politicians to breathe. It is not a life or death situation. What we need is good leaders who know where they are leading us, and who will encourage and give space to diverse innovation initiatives and private corporate efforts. 

This choir badly needs music scores so that we can read what music is being interpreted and play in tune. This choir also needs a conductor who knows how all instruments come together to make music.

That means we must improve on the piece each one of us plays in time and as part of the music. Kenya is our music. The harmony and peace, the integration of skills and cultures, of technology and humanity, of tribes and languages, of faiths and Godliness need to come together as a brilliant symphony.

Your part as a citizen is to come out and vote on 9th August, and to do so with your heart and head, and not your stomach. Vote for a candidate who stands for goodness, and who knows the “music” of peace, consultation, unity, forgiveness, and care for the less fortunate.

And if there is no perfect candidate, vote for one who can listen and who counts on people in his way of working. One who does not play his own cacophony of music.

And it takes only one instrument or one singer to strike the wrong beat or note, just one and the composition is ruined. With a good and knowledgeable conductor, an average choir becomes excellent. The true tune we must look out for from the leaders seeking office, is their concrete plans to improve the welfare of Kenyans, especially the vulnerable and the poor in society. How will the schools in the remote rural areas have teachers, and roofs to boot?

How will the over two million Kenyans in slums get potable water? What special educational assistance will be offered for specially challenged children? How will we lower the cost of basic commodities? How will we ensure equal chances for the poor to access national schools whose fees are prohibitive?

The leader who offers simplistic solutions is not useful for our nation. And the Kenyan who believes such a leader condemns the children of our nation to slavery. We need good, understandable programs that stand to reason.