Ungrateful Neighbors

I was disgusted when I recently heard about the killings of our fellow Kenyans in South Sudan. It is absurd that our government failed yet again when it comes to protecting its citizens, based abroad. This adds to the list the injustices faced by workers in Saudi Arabia, and harassed fishermen in Migingo islands and other parts of the world. It is however more shocking that some of the killings were conducted by the state, as security officials of South Sudan were involved in execution of Kenyans in some cases. If you are reading this you probably share the view that the previous sentence is ludicrous. I mean how can the government of South Sudan take part in inflicting suffering on Kenyans? Forget their government for a moment. The seriousness of the situation remains unchanged where South Sudanese citizens themselves are the ones killing Kenyans-no state involvement. And yes this is the same South Sudan whose refugees sought asylum in Kenya during the civil war period; the same one that Kenya assisted in brokering peace which eventually led to the much desired secession. 

For more than 20 years, Kenya has lived and interacted freely with all her neighbors. In the tensest moments of relations with her neighbors, Kenya always resorts to the most peaceful means of settling disputes as dictated by our foreign policy. I however, hold the view that this kind of lenience is what our so called neighbors are taking advantage of. “After all, the Kenyans will negotiate” (probably runs in their minds); or some top officials may be given some kind of incentive in exchange for their silence on critical issues. The point is this has to stop! As much as diplomacy is the most favored approach even internationally, in some extreme cases a state has to put its foot down and prioritize its interests first and foremost, and protecting its citizens is one of those. Bilateral relations amongst states could be compared to friendship between two individuals. Such individuals will not always have a smooth friendship. It has to be based on mutuality, and lines have to be drawn. These lines, when crossed may ruin the relationship or force a period of misunderstanding. The misunderstanding doesn’t have to be permanent though. 

When it comes to state relations, Kenya needs a system that oversees reduction of privileges and immunities for states that limit freedom and interaction in whatever way for Kenyans in the diaspora. In my opinion, Kenya is one of the most hospitable countries in the world. I say this because the treatment handed to tourists and other foreigners as well is remarkable and sometimes most Kenyans themselves are not even treated in the same way, in their own country. For example, citizens from Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia and even South Sudan have lived here for a long time in freedom and have been able to conduct their affairs normally, as if they were citizens. In the case of a country like South Sudan, which in all honesty owes Kenya a lot, some privileges and level of freedom for their citizens based in Kenya ought to be limited at least until they ensure the safety and wellbeing of our own in their country. Like mentioned earlier, the relationship has to be mutual. Kenyans should not be left to suffer in South Sudan while here at home the South Sudanese move around freely. 

It is very unfortunate that Kenyans have to lose their lives across the border, while pursuing other ventures and opportunities. Our government fails in so many ways and this is one area that worsens as years pass by. Most of these incidences are usually highlighted by the media and stones are left unturned after Kenyans are given something else to worry about in order to forget the prevailing issue. This is the government’s nature of deferring problems; hence they will keep arising and haunting the country from time to time. South Sudan is just one case and is the most recent. Other citizens live and work in various continents and ought to be protected as well, as indicated in the constitution, since they are still Kenyans even if based overseas. We can only hope that the government through the relevant ministries, maybe Foreign Affairs and Immigration will take effective action and reach to the bottom of this. 

The South Sudanese have to know that whatever they did wasn’t right and if reasonable should apologize and strive towards strengthening relations with Kenya, who is probably their most important partner in the region. I have to admit that the South Sudanese are the last among our neighbors I expected to be hostile to Kenya. But as the Swahili proverb goes, ‘asante ya punda ni mateke.’