I understand that sometime in the
next 24 hours we are to picket in protest of our brother Mutiso’s sacking from
his position as the Village Director. This protest is supposed to push the
administration to invert their decision and reinstate our brother to his
previous position. I refuse to picket for a number of reasons.
The Whys.
I do not have the details of the
reasons for the dismissal, but I do believe that the SOS organization is not an
“at will” employer, and thus will need to have good cause to fire an employee.
Whatever the reasons for letting him go must be well documented and correct
procedures followed. We do not need a protest to get to the bottom of it. The
aggrieved party has the ability to state their grievances and a solution can be
found. We all know how notorious SOS is at keeping records for everything, so
somewhere there is a document stating the reasons for the dismissal. On the
other hand, Mutiso has not stated his position in the matter so we can only
presume that he is consenting to the actions being carried out in his name.
Silence means consent and all that.
Double standards
Are we saying that ex-SOS children
who choose to work for the organization be handled with kid gloves? We did
demand that institutional corruption be handled. If anyone in the organization is
found to be engaging in any unfavorable activities, they should be let go.
Notwithstanding if they are ex-SOS children employees (personally I hold them
to a higher standard with the expectation that they being beneficiaries of SOS
should know better). I will reiterate my point of SOS the organization and SOS the home as different entities. Dismissal from the organization does not mean
dismissal in the social setting. If anything, families are pulled together in
times of adversity. We may not like that our brother was sacked as a family,
but that does not rule out the fact that he was found wanting at the organization
level.
Leadership
I have no faith in the organizers
of the protest. I believe there is a lack of transparency in their actions and
most of all a hidden agenda in their activities in general. How was this
decision to hit the streets made? Is there a general consensus that this is the
right path to take? Why the refusal to use the proper channels to resolve the
issue? Who is financing the activity? I suppose if we follow the money we can
reveal the masterminds and in the process know what the real agenda is. The
problem with assumed leadership is that the loudest entities believe that they
represent the masses. Unfortunately, the voice of reason always gets heard
eventually. After all it only took one small kid to convince everyone that the emperor
had no clothes. We need to change up things, we need to choose paths that make
sense and not means to an end for some people’s agendas.
Transparency (or lack thereof)
I also understand the in-depth information
on the matter was only imparted to a particular clique, and not everyone
expected to show up for the demonstration. We have progressively built groups
within groups among ourselves; we have also insulted each other and engaged
in breaking each other down. All these contrary to the message we try to portray, that we
are one big family. How do you convince people you pushed away to join in your
activities and present a united front? Do not be selective of what activities I
am able to participate in as a family member. We all need each other as a
family, but I believe if you want my brawn, you cannot separate it from the
brain. You have to give me the information I need to make the decision whether
I will picket or not. Without which I will not avail myself to further your
agenda.
Ethics
The success of SOS as an organization
depends on a careful balance of diplomacy and social engagement with our
stakeholders. There is a reason why PR activities are delegated to
professionals. We need donations to run this ship and donors need to see the
effects their contributions make. Why cut of your nose to spite your face? We
cannot afford bad publicity. Why do we claim to be fighting for the future of
SOS and dragging SOS through the mud at the same time? If anything we should
have ourselves to blame for any fallout after this. Now, can someone tell me
who should be saved first from a burning building; an old man, or an infant? Are
we ready to jeopardize the futures of our brothers and sisters in the village
to save one person’s job. And who was that smart person who decided that we
should use a hammer to kill a fly anyway?
So my brothers and sisters, until all my questions are
answered, I will borrow a leaf from Baba Lupita, I will keep to the sidelines
and watch the demonstration while drinking my hot chai.
