'Confusion'

‘Confusion’

There are many ways of viewing today’s society; one can say it is uncivilised, another can say it is immoral, while yet another can say it is plain evil. But I have come to regard society as simply confused. A short journey into the centre of Nairobi conspicuously confirms this judgment.

You are waiting at the bus stage for a matatu and one driving at break-neck pace comes to a hasty stop as it sees you. The driver honks his horn and the conductor jumps out beckoning you with fervent urgency to get in. You peer inside to see if there is space, but there are no free seats. Where does the conductor expect you to sit? He must be confused.

As you are waiting for another bus, you buy a newspaper from a street seller. With just one quick glance at the paper you already know what has been going on in the nation. Written in bold capital letters, the headline declares that another corruption scandal has been uncovered in the government. High-ranking officials have been accused of embezzling billions of shillings given by the World Bank and bilateral donors for free primary education in Kenya. Do the government ministers not understand that the money was given to educate the people, not for their own personal consumption? They must be confused.

While finally aboard a matatu going to town, you look out of the window to observe the environment and people flying past you. It is not a pleasant site. The street is lined with garbage; heaps of plastic bags, bottles and unrecognisable items of waste. Even as you are taking in the detestable scene, you observe a mother walking along with her child, who is drinking juice. The child finishes the drink and passes the carton to his mother, who promptly chucks it in the gutter. Does she realise that the ditch is not a dustbin? She must be confused.

A kilometre further down the road and another unpleasant sight confronts you. Two men are standing with their backs to the road facing a hedge. Before you can look away, you see a shot of yellow fluid gush into the undergrowth. Is there an invisible sign there saying ‘public toilet’? Not just one man, but two are disturbingly confused.

You are now approaching the city centre and eagerly anticipating your arrival, so that you can escape all this confusion, when a matatu blaring loud music with lights flashing comes into your spectrum of vision. Your life flashes before your eyes. The matatu driver has impatiently given up waiting in the traffic jam and has decided to drive down the wrong side of the road against the oncoming traffic. Does he have no sense? Does he not comprehend the danger of such a manoeuvre? No, he’s just confused.

Do you agree with me now? Society is simply confused.