WANJAWA: Kenya’s unfinished passion a journey from Calvary to the ballot

Each year, as Christians commemorate the Passion - the suffering crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ - we are drawn into a story that transcends religion and speaks powerfully to the human condition.

It is a story of power and betrayal, of silence and courage, of injustice and hope. Yet beyond its spiritual depth, the Passion is also profoundly political. It is about systems, leadership, public opinion and the moral choices that define societies.

In many ways, it mirrors Kenya’s own unfolding story of politics, citizenship, democracy and governance.

The journey to Calvary begins with betrayal - not from distant enemies, but from within the inner circle. Judas Iscariot, one of the trusted 12 apostles, exchanges loyalty for personal gain, reminding us that the greatest threats to any noble cause often emerge from those entrusted to protect it.

Kenya’s political landscape is replete with such moments. Leaders ascend to power on the strength of reformist rhetoric, only to become stewards of the very systems they once condemned.

Betrayal, in this sense, is not merely an act - it is a pattern, one that continues to undermine public trust and weaken democratic institutions.

At the centre of the Passion narrative stands Pontius Pilate, a leader caught between truth and political survival. He recognises innocence, yet lacks the courage to defend it, ultimately choosing to wash his hands rather than risk his position.

His failure is not one of ignorance, but of moral weakness. This image resonates deeply within Kenya’s governance structures, in which silence and inaction often prevail in moments that demand bold leadership.

Institutions designed to uphold justice sometimes retreat into cautious neutrality, while leaders weigh public good against personal or political cost. In such moments, the damage to democracy is not always inflicted by overt wrongdoing, but by the quiet erosion of accountability.

The Passion also reveals the volatility of public opinion. The same crowd that once welcomed Jesus with cries of Hosanna soon turns, shouting for his crucifixion. This shift is neither organic nor innocent; it is shaped by manipulation, misinformation and the calculated stirring of emotion.

Public sentiment, when untethered from critical reflection, becomes a tool easily wielded by those seeking to consolidate power. A functioning democracy, however, depends not merely on participation, but also on an informed and discerning citizenry.

At its core, the Passion is also a story of suffering and injustice. An innocent man is subjected to a flawed judicial process, condemned by a system more concerned with maintaining order than pursuing truth. For many Kenyans, this is not an abstract concept.

It is reflected in lived realities - delayed justice, unequal access to opportunity and the daily burdens imposed by corruption and inequality.

Even those closest to Jesus were not immune to failure. Peter the Apostle, steadfast in word, falters in action, denying association in a moment of fear. His denial speaks to the human instinct for self-preservation, a force that continues to shape behaviour in Kenya’s political and civic spaces.

Fear - of losing influence, of facing repercussions, of standing alone - often silences voices that might otherwise challenge wrongdoing. Yet Peter’s story does not end in failure. It moves toward restoration, offering a reminder that integrity, once compromised, can still be reclaimed through reflection and resolve.

Amidst the turmoil of betrayal, injustice and denial, the Passion presents a radically different model of leadership. Before his arrest, Jesus kneels to wash the feet of his disciples, redefining power as service rather than dominance.

This act stands in stark contrast to political cultures that equate leadership with privilege and accumulation. In Kenya, where public office is sometimes pursued as a means of personal advancement, the call to servant leadership remains both urgent and transformative. It challenges leaders to see authority not as an entitlement, but as a responsibility to uplift and empower others.

Yet the Passion does not end in despair. The crucifixion, though brutal and final in appearance, gives way to the resurrection - a profound declaration that defeat is not the end of the story.

It is here that the narrative shifts from tragedy to hope, from loss to renewal. For Kenya, this message carries deep significance. The challenges facing the nation - political polarisation, institutional fragility and socioeconomic inequality - are real, but they are not insurmountable.

Renewal is possible. A rebirth of values, a strengthening of institutions and a recommitment to civic responsibility can chart a new path forward.

Ultimately, the Passion story is a call to conscience. It compels us to examine not only our leaders, but also ourselves. It asks what kind of society we are choosing to build. Whether we will continue cycles of betrayal and silence, or embrace a more demanding path defined by truth, courage, and service.

The story of Calvary did not end at the cross. It moved beyond it, offering the possibility of transformation. Kenya’s story, too, remains unfinished. Its future will be shaped not merely by political contests, but by the moral decisions made by its people.

And in that choice lies the promise - or the postponement - of its own resurrection.