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Kenya: Erase 'Protocol' From Our Vocabulary
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The Nation (Nairobi)
OPINION
3 May 2008
Posted to the web 2 May 2008
Peter Kazungu
The definition of the word "protocol" is unclear in Kenya right now. In the past week or so, it has become a song sang by politicians for the sole purpose of offending the ears of Kenyan citizens.
The word 'protocol' came into being for the purpose of defining who between our newly appointed Prime Minister and the Vice-President is more important than the other, and which of the two gets to speak first at public functions.
The dictionary definition of 'protocol' is: "the customs and regulations dealing with diplomatic formality, precedence, and etiquette." Synonyms for "protocol" include "etiquette," "code of behaviour," and "modus operandi." Going by these definitions, it is clear that Kenyan protocol is in an unfortunate class all on its own.
Etiquette connotes good manners and some modicum of gentlemanly behaviour. It is an inordinate stretch to relate the kind of behaviour we witnessed to any sort of good or gentlemanly manners.
Certainly, pushing and clawing one's way to the podium can conceivably be some new political code of behaviour, as it reflects the conduct that has become commonplace among Kenyans who belong to the get-what-we-want-by-any-and-all-means school of thought.
Some of these fellows have obviously never heard of the concept, because they thought it quite appropriate to engage in a power struggle right before a stunned audience of Kenyans displaced from their homes in post-election violence.
In case it hadn't occurred to these unfortunate Kenyans that their leaders considered them nothing but fodder in the struggle for high office, now they know.
THEN THERE WERE THOSE LEADERS who spelt out in even clearer tones their disregard for the suffering of people who are recent witnesses to the cold blooded murder of their relatives. They implied that the only way IDPs will inhale Rift Valley air once more on their own land is if those chiefs who are under investigation for abetting or taking part in the atrocities are reinstated.
These leaders further suggested that the appropriate "protocol" for allowing these Kenyans to return to their homes is to first speak to the neighbours, some of whom are responsible for horrendous criminal acts, and convince them to allow the displaced families back.
What if we ban the word 'protocol' from our vocabulary and replace it with a much more pleasant word - "umuntu" - a word used by Bishop Desmond Tutu to describe a humane manner of regarding and treating each other?
Umuntu does not allow killing of one's neighbours. Nor does it allow for burning down of homes and crops in the field on the pretext of historical injustices. Surely there are more civilised means of dealing with both real and perceived injustices than to become a cold-blooded killer of children, women, and unarmed men.
A word of advice to those who are shouting from the rooftops about "protocol".
True protocol laced with umuntu demands that they get down to do some work. Their first order of business, as they themselves told us, is to return the displaced Kenyans back to their homes. Politicians have spoken enough for a whole year. It will be much appreciated if they can back up their campaign promises with action.
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Mr Kazungu writes on political issues
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