Lead image for High cost of rewarding political violence.
A quote widely shared on social media claims that people reward comforting illusions while punishing those who speak uncomfortable truths.
It is often attributed to Friedrich Nietzsche, although there is little evidence that he actually wrote it. Regardless of its origin, the sentiment forces us to confront an unsettling question: have we become so accustomed to political illusion that we no longer recognise the truth staring us in the face?
Recent scenes from Keumbu Market in Kisii County, Nyahururu, Kisumu and Ol Kalou suggest that we might have. The violence witnessed at political rallies is disturbing, not simply because it happened, but because it felt increasingly familiar.
Groups of young men disrupting meetings, intimidating opponents, attacking perceived rivals and turning political gatherings into theatres of fear have become recurring features of Kenya's political landscape. Whether they are called "goons," hired gangs or overzealous supporters, the outcome is the same: fear replaces debate, and intimidation replaces persuasion.
Yet after every incident, the script rarely changes.
Politicians trade accusations. Supporters blame the opposing side. Investigations are promised. Public outrage fades, and the country waits for the next eruption.
The pattern survives because we allow it to.
We comfort ourselves by believing these are isolated incidents rather than symptoms of a deeper democratic crisis. We tell ourselves that violence is simply part of our politics, that elections are naturally heated, that this too shall pass.