Our peace; our responsibility

This week, Tuesday, I traveled to Nairobi for an interview scheduled for 3 pm. I had to leave home early to make it for the interview in time. The only way to ensure this was to take a 14 sitter matatu. I always have this vague idea that with its small size it won't take long to fill to capacity. A friend of mine has this notion that at this time of the week many people don't travel to the capital except when schools are closing or opening. So, I took no chances. It took a little while before we commenced the journey.

The tout was forced to pick passengers who traveled short distances instead of the usual final destination only passengers. Consequently, we made several stops to pick and drop passengers along the way. I experienced a lot during the journey but one that stood out was this middle aged man, roughly 25 years old, who ushered in travelers.

“Kabila ni moja tu nchini Kenya. Kwa hivyo, tuwache ukabila. Ni jukumu langu na lako kuhubiri amani wakati huu tunapokaribia uchaguzi,” the guy said. I was touched. It has been a while since I had this feeling.  Images of 2007 post poll violence stormed my mind. For a moment I grieved for the dead, the IDPs and all the victims whose life will never be the same again. He repeated the sentiments at least thrice before we left that place.

I felt some sort of responsibility to preach peace. To make as many people as I can to sing to the tune. And come 4^th March, 2013 we will all vote in one peace. Let everyone of us take the earliest appropriate moment to preach peace in our capacity. Every small step matters. So let’s beat the drum and dance to the tune. Ni jukumu langu na lako kuhubiri amani.