Kenya-a country where tribe is valued more than integrity

Patriotism means love of country. But when people think of the love of country they think of something else that is aggressive, something aimed at keeping others out, something about superiority of one's country. 

Raphael Samuel in his book, Patriotism: The Making and Unmaking of British National Identity refers to Samuel Johnson who argues that patriotism was the last refuge of the scoundrel.  When politicians are in difficulties, to beat the jingo drum, to conquer a small island, will - with media help win short-term popularity.

Raphael further refers to  Sir Keith Joseph and Mrs Thatcher's Lord Hugh Thomas and their idea of inculcating patriotism in school history teaching, we should welcome their interest but be wary of their intentions. He further asks,  are we going back to 'My country, right or wrong', a narrow nationalism smugly satisfied with the unique virtues of the Kenyan?"- (Kenyan being a substitute for British) 

Albert Einstein calls patriotism, "the measles of the mankind." The best kind of patriotism best for us is about improving my country. When one loves a country one want to contribute to the traditions while at times means being quite critical of what the country does and what is being done in the name of your country." It is a critical temperament, the ability to criticise yourself and your fellow citizens which is very important.

Yesterday Transparency International published their corruption perceptions index and Kenya has once again come out with flying colours as usual. We were ranked 139th most corrupt country in the world. Yes we need a pat on the back-yes we beat usual suspects like Nigeria, Zimbabwe, DRC and the likes. No never we need no commendation but in fact we need to do some soul searching and find where we lost our credibility. 

Soon after the reports were published the patriots and nationalists have come out up in arms in protest and open display of disgust to the owner of these reports. As usual there is a claim that they do not know the parameters used to arrive to these conclusions. In most cases they argue these reports are geared towards painting Kenya and Africans as most corrupt on the human planet. Well, I do not understand how they arrive to these results and as it is commonly understood statistics are always wrong but the fact is Kenya is a corrupt nation.

There are of course clear examples of Patriotism gone wrong and of national pride turning into jingoism but this should be more reason to take this subject very seriously.

In his book Out of Comfort Zone, asking the question, “Is your God too nice?”  Former Westminster Chapel Minister R.T. Kendall while making reference to 1 Peter 4:17 argues that, if we cannot criticise ourselves we are very insecure indeed.

Looking back on our history there lies loads of quotable examples where tribe took over the value of life and human dignity. We are shy to call corruption by its name if men and women implicated are fellow tribesmen. We do not, and of course I’m talking generally, care about people’s integrity if we share the same tongue. 

Last election is a good example; those who were defeated were told to be mindful of the nation and soldier on. Any time they have attempted to raise their voice they are scoffed at and called enemies of the state.  We hate people who look and sound indifferent; we detest people who hold a different opinion even if it is the right one.

From Mandera to Bondo, Lodwar to Mombasa we are all equal and we should treat each other as so. The sooner we understand this better for our nation and for the generations to come. Like Luther would say, Let us judge others by their character. If the politicians are corrupt, if any public official's integrity is in question we need to shout it regardless of their tribe. That will be the true patriotism- one that holds integrity and accountability with high esteem and completely detaches itself from negative ethnicity!

Patriotism need not be an aggressive love of a country, beating your chest and tell people they do not belong but it should be more generous and inclusive.  Let us remember the nineteenth century German-American Carl Schurz, "My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.