This is a continuation of the previous article, “6FT APART OR 6FT UNDER, A KENYAN DILEMMA’

So how do we stay 6ft above?
Given then that our leaders don’t have a grasp of the enormity and multifaceted nature of the problems that we face in this great hour of need. Given that theirs is simply a cheap prefect’s power to punish as displayed with brutal force unleashed on ESSENTIAL workers who were simply going home. Given that theirs is a daily brief that is simply a statistical recital devoid of real solutions. Given that the first response to this crisis was for leaders coming out with a BEGGING bowl in which they want US to drop a coin to feed US. Imagine that, billionaires and millionaires holding begging bowls with all their stashed wealth either stolen or made by monopolizing us with their products and services.

Given all these, we are wise not to not look up to ONE looking up to US for solutions. Once we comprehend this, that our leaders are BULLS, we will immediately stop expecting MILK from them. We will immediately stop saying ‘serikali saidia’ and instantly realize that we can actually solve the problems ourselves.

This is what we must do to get through this. This where we actually have control. If you are a Church it’s not time to ask people for offerings or building funds. How will the building help if there are no people to occupy the building next year? Churches can effect massive weekly relief where it’s needed most by asking it’s members to DIRECTLY donate their offerings to the needy in their immediate communities. It’s invisible, no photos ops, doesn’t offer an opportunity to take credit for assistance given but it will target the need right where it exists. It’s time to lead by example. It’s time to dig into savings and do the work of the Church!

Corporate employers can continue paying their employees even if it’s at half pay. This will preserve the economy and thus preserve their market when the virus finally clears. It’s actually self preservation.

SME employers who have the means can continue paying their employees salary even if it’s at a third their regular pay. It’s a gift that will give back and keep the cogs of this economy rolling for if it grinds to a halt we will be worse off. Domestic employers can continue supporting their employees if only to put food on the table.

Landlords can postpone collecting rent for a few months. In any case, you are not about to get new tenants if you evicted your current tenants. The rent you forgo or postpone now will keep the economy going and the return to normal will be swift when Corona is history. Those who cannot afford to entirely have tenants skip rent can collect a portion of the monthly rent to relieve the pressure. There are Kenyans already doing this and we can amplify it with tremendous effect on the economy.

If you can, continue sending your barber or salonist something on a weekly basis. I have friends already doing exactly that and it’s beautiful! It’s actually very powerful when you really think about it. If 15 million Kenyans helped someone weekly in some kind of way, thats roughly 15 million sorted out instantly.

In such uncertain hour as this, we think most of our need and our instinct is to hoard the little we’ve got. But does it help if EVERYTHING went south and we could have averted it? Averted it with simple but profound actions. When we are most likely to be selfish is the exactly the best time generosity would save the day. It will keep a public health crisis from escalating into an economic crisis and an economic crisis into a social disorder. This is our stimulus package and it will work like clockwork! It needs no central coordination (and especially not coordinated by those blind men in front of us) No one will ever know your individual actions to avert a crisis but when things return to normal swiftly, please know now, it will be because you did something today.

We will take all the precautions recommended but where it’s not possible or practical, we will not despair. We will control what we can and do what we must, for OURSELVES and by OURSELVES to stay 6ft above.

Written by Robert Mwangi, MBA. Author of the book DOLLAR ALTAR

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