Why so many Kenyans are sinking into a state of apathy and depression

Journalists protest outside Parliament on December 3, 2013. PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• In the past year, I have had several conversations with friends and colleagues who have descended into a state of despair, confusion and foreboding
• For those who lived through the Moi era, there is a sense of déjà vu

 

By Rasna Warah
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There are times when the madness of a nation infects all of its people. History is replete with examples of tyrants turning ordinary, sane people into murderous lunatics. Think of Germany and Rwanda during their respective genocides, or Syria today.

We have not reached that stage yet, and hopefully, never will, yet why are so many of us exhibiting signs of insanity? What is this angst that is eating away at us? Why have so many of us fallen into depression, or even worse, apathy? What is this empty feeling?

In the past year, I have had several conversations with friends and colleagues who have descended into a state of despair, confusion and foreboding.

Tragic and senseless events over the past year have only added to their despondency – the bungled Westgate rescue mission, a punitive media law, spiralling insecurity, increasing road accidents, the high cost of living, VAT, the closure of the University of Nairobi, labour strikes, to name a few.

The state’s apparent indifference towards these events and citizens’ concerns have left many wondering whether years of constitution-changing was an utter waste of time and resources.

Because there is no rational explanation for such events, the general mood has evolved from anger to apathy. Relationships are floundering as a result. Colleagues are no longer speaking freely and openly with each other. Families are falling apart.

This condition is made worse by the widely-held perception that Kenya now belongs to only two tribes – that of the president and the deputy president, and that the rest of us (even those of us without any officially recognised tribe) should just grin and bear it – for at least the next two decades (as President Uhuru insinuated recently when he asked people of the Rift Valley to wait 10 years for “their turn” at the presidency.) Why does tribe always determine destiny in Kenya?

Those Kenyans who seek normality in the face of chaos and myopia are retreating into their tiny little worlds. They are focusing their attention on things they can control, like their children, or their office departments, or their businesses. People are disengaging from a State that seems not to care.

DEJA VU

For those who lived through the Moi era, there is a sense of déjà vu. In those days, “lying low like an envelope” was a survival tactic; today it is more a lifestyle choice borne out of desperation.

Why bother engaging with the state when it is deaf and mute? Why put your life and emotions on the line when it is so much easier not to feel anything? Accept and move on.

Ruling apathetic citizens must be worse than ruling citizens that challenge and engage you. It is like a lecturer teaching students who don’t ask a single question, or an actress performing before an audience that does not applaud.

It is a sign of disengagement, or worse, passive resistance.

This state of affairs will most likely continue well into 2014 and beyond because we still have to contend with the ICC bogey, which is not just influencing the country’s foreign policy, but consuming the State’s resources. Whether we like it or not, the ICC is going to be on top of the government’s agenda for months to come. Choices have consequences.

Yet despite the cynicism and the apathy, most Kenyans would rather live in their own country than anywhere else. They are deeply wedded to this country.

Even those who leave for greener pastures continuously think of ways to come back home. Homesickness is a permanent condition amongst diasporans, even those who achieve success abroad.

How is this possible, given the inequality, the insecurity, the tribalism and the corruption? No one has adequately explained this seemingly misplaced loyalty. Our leaders certainly didn’t instill it into us.

Is it just a Kenyan thing, like nyama choma and Tusker? Or are we secretly more patriotic – even if it is just to one’s tribe, not the nation? However, the current state of collective apathy and despondency cannot continue unchecked or the country will one day implode. Then where shall we be?

rasna.warah@gmail.com