Victor Bwire: Cooling Temperatures Needed in the Country

Victor Bwire serves as the Director of Media Training and Development at the Media Council of Kenya.

It appears that we are witnessing an increase in high-level radicalization among young people in the nation as we escalate the political landscape.

As they proceed, our leaders, such as high-ranking civil servants and politicians, inadvertently contribute to the rising tensions in the nation by engaging in activities and issuing cautions that suggest the country could be teetering on the edge of disaster.

Apart from the President, certain leaders should scale back their public interactions with citizens regarding governance topics and avoid getting into disputes over trivial matters.

To bring about progress, those responsible must develop thicker skin, listen more frequently, and speak less—these are the compromises inherent in serving the public sector.

The government’s communications should be revamped and rendered highly pertinent because much of the interaction between our leadership and the populace, particularly during development trips nationwide, appears entrenched in political messaging. This leaves citizens uncertain about the purpose behind these visits.

Those in charge of these visits and related messaging ought to be a bit thorough in their preparations and do due diligence on the projects.

Apart from addressing issues related to development and financial planning, these visits are also perceived as indicative of poor preparation. When officials from areas hosting developmental tours and public events go to the statehouse claiming to seek progress, their motivations are viewed with skepticism.

This charade seems to ignite agitation among the public and creates the feeling of deception that seems to be gripping the country.

Streamlining government communications, which required training of cabinet and principal secretaries, public communication officers, the purchase of critical infrastructure, and a working formula for formally engaging with citizens and the media, has been delayed.

Nevertheless, I am confident that valuable insights have been gained, and efforts are underway to focus on systematic and directed interaction with both conventional and modern media outlets.

Why wouldn’t governors pursue funds for their counties via enhanced allocations and distributions through the Council of Governors (CoG) or personally look for resources from the state legislature or members of parliament during parliamentary budgeting discussions, instead choosing to directly solicit these funds from the national government?

The politics of extremism and direct confrontation that is building up across the country as we see leaders, both religious and political, throwing jabs at each other while Kenyans, as they gradually become emotionally charged, are cheering on is worrying.

While the ongoing political processes are healthy and within the human rights of people in democracy, caution is necessary especially looking at the history of our country ascendancy to the presidency is a matter of life to death to voters. The politics of its either me or you look dangerous for the country.

We might just need to disengage from these mass high-charged political engagements and stop the temptations of pushing Kenyans from the various political and generational divides, cheering on without caring about the outcome of the polarization.

The cheering crowds are growing in numbers and blindly following their political masters at the risk of pushing the country to the edges.

The ranks of digital activists are swelling, with political addresses becoming more emotionally charged and offensive, fostering an atmosphere that hinders progress and meaningful nationwide discussions.

As we grapple with escalating political rivalries in the nation and inadvertently pave the way for violent extremism within the political sphere, various individuals such as government officials, civil servants, members of the private sector, religious figures, and professionals find themselves becoming part of this unfolding scenario.

In this highly polarized climate, how will crucial national matters like completing the drafting of electoral laws—particularly those concerning campaign finance—and addressing boundary delimitations move forward?

Although the lack of physical violence in Kenya up until now is positive, I'm uncertain whether the persistent hatred and heated interactions occurring online among Kenyan citizens—targeting one another over both trivial and significant national matters—are worthy of notice and consideration.

We must reduce tension within the nation and promote conversation, even if it doesn’t involve the distribution of resources.

Let’s simplify how authorities communicate with citizens, providing essential information rather than just what people might wish to hear.

Victor Bwire serves as the Director of Media Training and Development at the Media Council of Kenya.

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).