Trying To Matter.

Simon Wiesenthal said, “For evil to flourish it only requires good men to do nothing”. This week’s story is a lift-me-upper for folks out there who are burdened for this country yet feel frustrated because they can’t access their ideal platform to serve despite continuously putting themselves out there. I have mentioned here previously that my future is public service. My mentor adds – but not necessarily the public sector. I see why he says that. It appears that when in public service, the delivery of your mandate is secondary.  The primary focus is playing the politics of staying ahead of the pack and scheming to advance at the expense of others. It is a sad state of affairs but we still cannot just look on and do nothing. Besides we have no other Kenya to move to and even if we did we would still find siasa chafu there.

I have a passion for sports management and the leisure industry. The entire world looks at Kenya lustfully because of how endowed we are. Our brilliant people, location and natural resources are out of this world. So does that mean Kenya is in Jupiter ? he he, moving on. I have had a chance to serve in sports management and I loved it. We did well in the short time we had I believe. Then my photography passion has helped me appreciate just how magical Kenya is. We were favoured at creation for sure. Sadly I find that we (the authorities especially) are not too proactive in maximizing the magic freely given to us by mother nature.

There is a column in the Sunday Nation titled, Ask your question. Someone occupying a public office is featured to answer questions from the general public. Last Sunday they featured the Athletics Kenya (AK) boss, Jackson Tuwei. I sent in my query wanting to know what AK is doing to attract new blood in sports management. I was pleasantly surprised to find my question featured in the newspaper. It was even the headline of the entire column. Bwana Tuwei responded though not satisfactorily I felt. Maybe if it was a one on one encounter he would have shed more light.

The country and the global athletics fraternity is still in shock at the murder of Agnes Tirop who was laid to rest last week. Issues of gender-based violence reared their ugly head again. It seems the success that comes with winning is turning from a blessing to a curse for some of our sportspeople. Is it easier to handle failure than success? I wonder. I have also read articles of former sporting greats who shone for the country in years gone by. Only that this time they are appearing in the local dailies begging the government for help as they languish in poverty.

I know we all have a personal responsibility to make hay while the sun shines so that we can retire comfortably. But I feel we can still use our former champions to not just inspire current and upcoming sportsmen and women but also mentor them so they avoid making the mistakes that their seniors made. The government through the sports ministry in my view should get these guys from shags and engage them as coaches or advisors to our current heroes. That way they (former stars) share their knowledge and earn from it at the same time hence contributing to the country’s development. The current athletes in turn receive some hand-holding that may reduce the chances of costly mistakes and careers being cut short. Success can be a double-edged sword especially when it comes fast and furiously.

I’m glad my question was featured and I hope it can start (or add to) a conversation on how we can help more Kenyans live off their sporting talent and contribute to the socio-economic development of our great country. There is always room for improvement. It’s the biggest room in the house hehe. We all have stuff that is near and dear to us. I once heard that the thing that bothers us the most is our assignment from sir God. And He has equipped us with the required skills to fix it. The challenge is when you are ready and willing to engage but there seems to be no opportunity to do so and it seems to be taking forever.

I relate to that so I have taken that to mean that I’m still finding myself i.e being prepared to be able to handle the assignment when it comes. I think in life we have to first find ourselves i.e our calling then we lose ourselves in serving others. I’ve borrowed that from John Maxwell.

Be encouraged folks if you are in a similar space to mine. We will lose ourselves soon at the appointed time. Meanwhile, let’s keep doing good however we can and not just watch and do nothing (being keyboard warriors comes close to doing nothing in my view). Keep trying to matter in your own small way and we will thank you one day. Kenya will thank you.

PS: in the spirit of practising what I preach, I’m trying to matter by showcasing my wildlife photos at the cottage industry expo this weekend at the Village Market. Karibuni.