Reform Not The Work Of Politicians Alone

Reform Not The Work Of Politicians Alone

WEDNESDAY, 01 AUGUST 2012 17:09 BY PAULA ODHIAMBO

A well-loved story about four men, Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody, goes thus: There was an important job to be done. Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized Everybody wouldn’t do it. In the end, Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

I recently came across a statement that a renowned philosopher, Ravi Zacharias, made about reformers and reforms. It did not line up with the definition that many of us have adopted in recent years. As with most things, reforms take on a different meaning when applied to Kenyans. Perhaps I should speak for myself. To me, the word “reformer” or “reformist”, when brought up in relation to my country, conjures up images of flamboyance, charisma, cliques, roadside dances, and, once in a while, a particular color whose name is synonymous with a common fruit. In my mind, Reformer in this sense is a proper noun often preceded by another capitalised word, Great.

The hackneyed titles Reformer, Great Reformer, and Reformist belong only to a select few, and are only remembered during those crucial pre-election months that come about every five years. A Reformer is that icon who promises land reforms, public sector reforms, police reforms, and constitutional reforms. (Of course, after being voted into power, Reformers are best known for instituting their own salary reforms.)

And what are reforms? They are a mishmash of two-horse races, tough women who cause men to shake in their boots, miscellaneous retweets, and political analyst jargon. Reforms are “change.” And change is… well, anything being done in London or America, or something like Rwathia school girls in mini-skirts. Reforms are also “brought”, in the same way people bring traditional delicacies as gifts when they visit us from the village.

When we add these things up, we come to the simple conclusion that the responsibility of a Great Reformer is to Bring Reforms by embracing something known as the Reform Agenda. Anybody who dares to so much as ask a question or imply otherwise is either a Pseudo-Reformer or Anti-Reform. These are people who are antagonistic to the Reform Agenda. Pseudo-Reformers and Anti-Reformists are bankrolled by an invisible monster known as “forces.”

At least that is how it would seem. According to Zacharias, however, “Reformers come into society because they see wrong. They see abuses. They see misjudgments. Reformers see people being exploited and want to see that change. So that which is normative cannot become that which is an ought; the way to be. That which is ought must [instead] become normative.”

Just like that, my original soap-bubble of a definition bursts. This new definition breaks apart the term “reformer” in a way that strips it of the superhero, capitalized-word sense in which we would rather see it.It takes away that sweet comfort that comes with the assumption that somebody else is responsible for a big job, and all we have to do is vote, then sit back and watch. It reminds me that a reformer is not a magician who waves all problems away with a wand of false promises, a god before whom everyone must bow, or a soothsayer, who uses the right anecdotes and charms to work people into a frenzy. A reformer does not necessarily have to be seen on a pedestal or known by name.

Some of the greatest reformers, this definition reminds me, are everyday Kenyans who go about their daily lives without any accolades: Fathers who take responsibility for their children, mothers who nurture the next generation, couples who remain faithful to each other, teachers without whom no other professions would exist, journalists who risk their lives and emotional stability to tell us the stories we need to hear, scientists who seek solutions, clergymen who live what they preach, voters who line up to make their voices heard.

Reforms are a ceaseless process. Reforms begin with simple steps, such as refusing to cut people off in traffic, making it to work on time, or choosing honesty even if nobody will ever know the difference. When we realize that there is absolutely nothing wrong with embracing our individual ethnic groups along with their beautiful cultural aspects, and that the problem only begins when one group is seen to be superior or inferior to another, we are contributing to reforms. If we each chip at the ills that have become the norm, we will eventually, collectively, cut down the tree of injustice.

So who is a reformer? The answer is as simple – and as important – as a glance in the mirror. The crucial pre-election months are here again. Only reformers can vote for reformers. Anybody can stand on a podium and make inflated claims, but reforms are Everybody's job, and Nobody will bring them about if we all fold our arms and wait for Somebody to do what needs to be done.

Paula Odhiambo is US-based gospel singer, writer and activist.