- This disrespectful behaviour towards leaders during public forums is not only discourteous but also undermines the principles of respect and civility in society.
- The most recent of the uncouth behaviour was witnessed on Friday at the burial of the late Chief Principal Kisii National Polytechnic Mr Daniel Nyariki.
In recent times, there have been instances where leaders have been jeered at, shouted down and heckled while speaking in Kisii.
This disrespectful behaviour towards leaders during public forums is not only discourteous but also undermines the principles of respect and civility in society.
The most recent of the uncouth behaviour was witnessed on Friday at the burial of the late Chief Principal Kisii National Polytechnic Mr Daniel Nyariki.
At the event attended by Cabinet Secretary for Education Ezekiel Machogu and a host of other leaders saw incessant jeers and boos as leaders spoke.
The cabinet secretary who was reading President William Ruto's condolence speech was cut and jeered by youth allegedly mobilized by a local politician.
A cabinet secretary is an appointee of the president.
When you disrespect him, you are indeed disrespecting the appointing authority.
President Ruto was duly elected and he is now serving as president and should be respected. He has support across the country including Kisii.
At one point, it took the intervention of County Commissioner Joseph Kibet to quell the heckling which had threatened to disrupt an otherwise sombre moment for family, friends and relatives who had gathered to decently send off the renowned principal as per the Omogusii culture.
Respect for leaders is a fundamental aspect of a functioning society.
The Gusii community has for a long time shown respect to its leaders since independence.
Even in the advent of politics of pluralism in 1992 Gusii and Kisii County in particular has seen leaders elected in different political outfits.
Whenever they meet in the same function they have always maintained decorum and respect for each other’s political persuasions.
This has seen a change since early 2022 in the run-up to the last elections.
In the run to the polls, Kisii saw an emergency of political gangs most of which were brought to Kisii from outside the county.
These political gangs oversaw heckling at political meetings especially those that were attended by National leaders from outside the county.
These political gangs metamorphosed into criminal gangs after elections terrorizing peace-loving residents of Kisii County who were seen as oppositing some county leaders.
This bad habit has now been extended to meetings and funerals across the county.
As Omogusii, we cannot sit and watch our peace-loving residents and community regress to anarchy.
This anarchy is orchestrated by some leaders who have failed to deliver on the promises they made to Wananchi.
What is now left with them is political supremacies where they pay youth money and ask them to heckle some leaders.
Leaders, whether political, social, or community figures, hold positions of authority and responsibility.
Disrespecting them not only reflects poorly on the individuals involved but also undermines the institutions they represent.
In a democratic society, where leaders are elected to represent the interests of the people, it is crucial to show them respect, even if one disagrees with their views or policies.
While freedom of speech is a cherished right in many societies, it is essential to recognize that this right comes with responsibilities.
Criticizing leaders or expressing dissenting opinions is acceptable within the bounds of respectful discourse.
However, jeering or heckling leaders, while they speak, crosses the line into disrespectful behaviour
It's time that as a leadership of Kisii County, we condemn this latest archaic move and call on the planners and the financiers that their time is coming.
You may have your way today but tomorrow you shall be the one on the receiving end.
Constructive Engagement
Instead of resorting to this disrespectful behaviour, leaders should seek constructive ways to engage with other leaders.
Let us be constructive in engagement to allow meaningful dialogue that promotes accountability among leaders while upholding the values of respect and civility.
I call upon the security agencies in Kisii County to rein on these planners and financiers so that they can face the law.
We must rise as a community and say no to this barbaric and archaic behavior.
Hon. Sam Nyamweya is FKF President Emeritus and Kisii Elder.
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