The nature of demonstrations in Kenya

  

Date Posted: 11/17/2012 3:38:52 AM

Posted By: Joemakeit  Membership Level: Gold  Total Points: 2907

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It is said that life is cruel.It is neither a bed of roses nor is it a walk in the park.The best description of life is:it is unfair.Most of the times,others mistreat us in one way or another and they still walk scot-free.Those who mistreat us are usually our seniors or our superiors,for example,our bosses or even the government.They are the who is who in our country.They are the high and mighty.Others call them 'creme dela creme'.They seem to be untouchable and invincible. They are the very people who mistreat or abuse us and this means we cannot voice our concerns and ask them to address the concerns.They will do absolutely nothing about the concerns.They know very well that they are part and parcel of the problem.This means that they cannot bring forth a solution because they are the origin of the problem(s).Having reached a dead-end and feeling enough is enough,the aggrieved party looks for other alternatives to voice their concerns and plight.At this point,they feel helpless and they cannot see light at the end of the tunnel.They feel the best way to make their voice heard,is by biting the bullet.

Extraordinary situations call for extraordinary measures.One of the alternatives to voice their concerns,which is very popular in Kenya,is through holding demonstrations.Demonstrations have been globally accepted as a way of expressing and conveying concerns.Demonstrators usually carry placards with written information and they sing songs.Demonstrations should be conducted peacefully and in a civilized manner.

In Kenya,most of the time,that is not the case.The demonstrations start peacefully only to end in the most violent manner.The demonstrators engage the police in cat and mouse games and running battles.They through stones and anything that can be thrown at the police.The police throw tear-gas canisters and sometimes shoot at the demonstrators using live bullets.The demonstrators in turn,turn

their anger on innocent and unsuspecting members of the public.They through stones at people,stone cars,injure people,loot properties,destroy properties and even lead to the death of innocent Kenyans.

These ugly scenes are gaining popularity in Kenya.Such behaviors are primitive,uncalled for and must be condemned in the strongest terms possible.We should hold peaceful demonstrations in order to convey the desired message.We should understand that two wrongs don't make a right and violence is not the solution.Violence does more harm than good.Let us all embrace peace and abhor violence.If we must hold demonstrations,let them be peaceful and violence-free.They should start and end peacefully.

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