Kenya, land of the hopeful, nation of
dreamers, country of doers, cradle of innovators, and humour capital of
the world; we stand out unique among people around the world. We
balance between traditional and modern, African and Western, analog and
digital. Let us not excuse what we see in the news by saying “this is
Kenya”. Let us define the Kenya we want, the Kenya we deserve. Let us
reframe what we say about ourselves and what we expect. Do not get into
what researchers call a negativity spiral where we only feel pessimism
leading up to our General Election next week.
Carrying
out a massive election with deep-seated vested interests, ethnic
consciousness, and a burgeoning youth population pose a challenge to any
nation with similar demographics. Certain newsworthy tragedies do pull
at our hearts and dampen our enthusiasm for our homeland. Much to our
cultural credit, acts of tyranny do shock our collective consciousness.
We are not numb to pain and suffering.
Let us peer
through the fog of uncertainty, fear, and anxiety and see the promised
land that our children and grandchildren will proudly inherit.
I
have travelled to 67 countries and I never arrive in any realm whereby I
would prefer to live other than Kenya. In my 17 years in this great
nation, I see Kenya as full of possibilities. Our capital boasts a
stunning building boom with glittering new structures rivalling
architectural gem cities such as Chicago. Millions of Kenyans pull
themselves out of poverty every decade in the past 30 years. Our
phenomenally high literacy rates compare favourably to even the most
developed of nations.
Kenya thrives as a bastion of
light, bustling medical hub, tourism dynamo, oasis of safety in an
unstable region, cradle of innovation, and a hotbed of entrepreneurship.
Kenya boasts some of the most well informed citizenry on pertinent
current events of anywhere in the world. Nearly every adult Kenyan can
name their Member of Parliament, governor, and senator. However, less
than half of Americans can do the same. Kenyans devour news and stay
up-to-date at lightning speed.
Our growth trajectory
even challenges almighty China, all without the same level of massive
pollution degrading human life. In adhering to social science research
on ending psychological negativity spirals, I challenge every Business
Daily reader to set aside their work momentarily, take out a piece of
paper or a smart phone and script 15 things that make you proud to be
Kenyan and hopeful for our nation.
Next, do the same
activity with a new fresh list tomorrow involving your whole family.
Shift your mindset. Think of the realistic probability of success rather
than the uncertain undefined whirl of failure.
Finally, write down 10 ways that you from this moment
will operate in a way worthy of a citizen and a business person of the
Kenya that you dream we become over the next 10 years. Remember the
cliché that far more unites us than divides us.
I am
Kenyan for life. We are Kenyans for life. That is the most meaningful
statement one could possible express, pronounce, or dream.
Scott may be reached on scott@ScottProfessor.com or on Twitter: @ScottProfessor.
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