In the past week, there have been at leas four riots in Nairobi and Narok by university students who feel that their voices are not being heard when issues arise. On one occasion a student was killed by a security guard at a club and the students turned a peaceful march into the stoning of cars and burning of looting of property in the area near the club in Nairobi. A few days later students at the University of Narok took to the streets burning tires and signs because a student was reported as missing. As I write, University of Nairobi students are blockaded a road to town to protest the two week disappearance of one of their colleagues.
As a student studying peace and conflict resolution, it is an invaluable experience to be placed in a situation where I am actually exposed to conflict and the frustrations of the populace that turns into violence. It is easy to say, when reading a textbook, that there is a peaceful alternative to a conflict and that violence should never be considered acceptable (I know others would say that there are situations where conflict is necessary but I digress). In the past week though, I have spoken with people who speak of being marginalized and abused by those in power or “the man” or the system. They tell me of the injustices done to them and their inability to do anything because they are youths, or live in the slums, or are held responsible by a corrupt and ineffective legal system. What, they ask me, would you do if every day you see injustices being committed around you and nothing that you say is an effective means for change? What other alternatives are there when you live in a society that does not give you a voice?
I don’t know the answer. I sincerely wish that I did and maybe the violence is bothering me so much because of my inability to fix or rationalize it. All I know is that when the riots/protests/demonstrations are occurring, the violence does not affect those in power but affects the individuals in the surrounding areas. It affects those unfortunate enough to be on the road that day or have their shop next to a targeted location or the people who are unable to travel due to violence on the road. By protesting, the rioters antagonize the community when it is community support that they need in order to be effective.
Even in a country like Kenya where accountability may not be at its best, change can be enacted. The government has no choice but to listen if enough people mobilize, and while Kenyans may believe that their voice is being heard through riots and protests, the effects are fleeting and all that is left is the ill will of the community. Some of the men and women that I have worked with thorough Sisi ni Amani have shared remarkable stories about their role to diffuse violence during the post election violence. At times, I look around and see a mass of Kenyans turning to violence out of desperation, but I gain hope whenever I think of the fact that there are people who believe in and are knowledgeable about nonviolent activism. In this case, I think education truly is important and people need to understand that change is possible. It may be a solution unique to Kenyans and their history and their culture, but it is there.
All I know is that I am very grateful for the mechanisms in place both at American Univeristy and in the US in general that leave the majority of people feeling as though they have a voice and have the capacity to change an unfair situation. The feeling of being so powerless must be incredibly frustrating…
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