30/12/2025
REFLECTION
A police officer in Kenya joined the protests against the government’s proposed finance bill, a movement that shook the country and was largely spearheaded by Gen Z . The officer came out publicly, carrying placards criticizing the president. He also made several TikTok posts while wearing his police uniform.
Gen Z fell in love with him. He gained massive support and a large following. At some point, he may have felt that he could survive without his job because of the public support he was receiving.
After the protests, the government went after him. He was dismissed from service and jailed. He remains in custody because he cannot afford bail of about KSh 200,000. He pleaded with the public to help him raise the money, but his supporters are no longer there. They left him alone to carry his own cross.
There is another case of a woman who got a well-paying job, made new friends at her workplace, and began living a good life. As she became financially better off, differences between her and her husband increased. Every time they quarreled, she would share the issues with her friends to seek their opinions.
Over time, she became tougher because her friends constantly advised her never to accept “nonsense” from a man. They encouraged her to leave the marriage and even contributed money to help her start a new life. One of the ladies paid three months’ rent for her in a nice house in a leafy suburb.
She took her two children and moved to what she believed was her “Canaan.” The man pleaded with her to stay, but she stood her ground. After a few months, she had a disagreement with her boss and lost her job.
The friends disappeared immediately. Paying rent in the upscale estate became a problem, and she could no longer adequately care for the children. Since she had left with pride, she lacked the courage to ask her former husband for help. She tried reaching out to her “friends,” but none of them answered her calls, always sending excuses via text messages.
I don’t know your opinion about the two stories, and I won’t say much about them. What I would like to share is this: when you choose to rebel, let it be a personal decision, not one fueled by people’s opinions or public support, which is often synthetic.
Rebellion attracts sycophants in the beginning, but when you start facing the consequences, they will leave you alone. The same voices that once hailed you will begin to mock you and call you names.
Never make a life-altering decision just to please people. It will surely roast you in private.
