How to Not Change: A Kenyan Case-Study
For Future Posterity: Just another observational study among many historical ones.
I know that I am in the minority. [And you will see what I mean as we go along.]
So let me dig my grave. Figuratively, and literally speaking.
Just like Europe (and certainly America) Kenya is, and Kenyans are going through change. Whether you see it or not one has to admit that she is going through some type of change. If you don’t see it, former journalist and anchor, Janet Mbugua would candidly advice you to "read the room" And famous podcaster Lynn Ngugi will read the riot act on you.
This presents a very interesting and opportune time to do a case study.
But wait a minute […. after just a few searches on the internet….]!
Why does this case study look like many historical ones!
Here are some few examples that came to mind even before I went to the internet to do my research!
The Jewish Great Revolt of AD 66-70 C. E.
The Germanic Peasants War of 1524-1524 [An insurrection that happened during Martin Luther’s reformation, which some scholars credit to the theological arguments of Martin Luther but which Martin Luther vehemently opposed and even helped to put down.]
The Russian Revolution, 1917 was the dream fullfillment of one of Russia’s most famost author Leo Tolstoy
The American Civil War of 1861-1864
The French Revolutions of 1789-17941, 18302 and 1848
The Chinese Rebellions of 1850-643, 1949 and the Tiananmen Square Massacre of 1989.
The Germanic Revolutions of 1848-1849 and 1918-19194.
The Cuban Revolution of 1956-1959.
And I would dare to add Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent protestations against English colonizers in India, Martin Luther’s civil rights campaign in 1960’s America, the Mau Mau revolt in pre-independent Kenya and the 1982 Coup in Kenya.
I have laid out these examples, not becasue you have nothing else to read and do, but to try and show you that governments and young people, all over the world, for one reason or another, have instigated and led revolutions in their own countries.
Therefore, those that are claiming that this is unprecennted are either lying or are ignorant of history. And the larger point is this, the government of Kenya and its so-called Generation Z population will not be the first to lead one and neither will they be the last.
And those who have studied these so-called revolutions, psychologically speaking-and even sociologically speaking- make some interesting observations. [And I guess am just adding one more case study for future generations to study]
Firstly, psychological warfare -leading ultimately to physical warfare- has always existed since time immemorial. This is the reason why I made the case that the so-called Gen. Z revolt in Kenya isn’t doing something new!
Secondly, they point to two ways that people change:
Societal pressure i.e. from outside-in
Self-ish pressure i.e. from inside-out
And the amazing thing is that according to the consensus of many psychologists -evolutionary and social psychologists- these socializing theories don’t work and have never worked! These faith-assumptions from this modern nature/nurture imperialistic, neocolonialist, secular, politico-religious and psychiatric atheism system, simply dont seem to work.
If they had worked every single psychologist, counselor, psychiatrist and therapist would be non-existent by now.
And secondly, they wouldn’t be formulating new theories to counter “outdated ones”5.
Dr. Martin Seligman, a past president of the American Psychological Association (APA), says that “by and large, we produce only mild to moderate relief.”6
According to the APA commission: “Whether the magnitude of the psychotherapy effect is medium or small remains a moot point; no one has claimed that it is large.”7
Therefore, both sides of these Kenyan change- tax- debate are simply and clearly demon-strating the truth of this consensus.
Having said all that, let me express my pessimism concerning this Gen. Z revolt, especially now that president Ruto has decided to call their bluff. I guess I am not as optimistic as Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
Actually, according to Martin and Diedre Bobgan “there is definitely a harm rate for every psychological system of men.”8
And citing many other well-known doctors, psychiatrists, counselors, therapists, pscyhologists they add:
“Detrimental effects do occur as a result of using psychotherapy to deal with problems of living with some very negative effects occurring with some very popular approaches.”9
“Psychological explanations about life and psychological solutions to life’s problems are questionable at best, detrimental at worst, and spiritual counterfeits at least.”10
“There is no positive evidence supporting the efficacy [effectiveness] of professional psychology.”11
“Successes in psychological counseling are often short-term.”12
“For every success mentioned there are many failures.”13
And the question that is plaguing me at the back of my mind is: is this the right time to agree with Wade Stotts that freedom is not for everyone?
Or is it time to really and truly re-look our change management systems?
Or are we content to repeat the same deadly mistakes that other generations made from their limited worldviews?
For an in-depth exploration of this topic check out my upcoming book The Love of Christ Jesus and Mental Health.
The National Archives notes that this revolution was instigated by King Louis XVI who needed more money, but had failed to raise more taxes when he had called a meeting of the Estates General. This instead turned into a protest about conditions in France.
Later known as les Trois Glorieuses (July 27–29), working- and middle-class citizens set up barricades in the Paris streets and fought the royal army. Unable to contain the insurrection, Charles X soon abdicated. And these riots led to insurrections in other countries such as Belgium.
Known as the Taiping Rebellion, radical political and religious upheaval that was probably the most important event in China in the 19th century. It lasted for some 14 years (1850–64), ravaged 17 provinces, took an estimated 20 million lives, and irrevocably altered the Qing dynasty (1644–1911/12)
It is very interesting to note that Germany gained independence through this revolt only to end up wanting and desiring to subjugate the whole known world less than 30 years later.
Case in point Conversion Therapy of the 1960’s America.
Mary Sykes Wylie interviewing Martin Seligman. "Why Is this Man Smiling?" Psychotherapy Networker, Vol. 27, No. 1, p. 51.
APA Commission on Psychotherapies. Psychotherapy Research: Methodological and Efficacy Issues. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 1982.
Martin Bobgan and Diedre Bobgan, Stop Counseling! Start Ministering! pp. 164-171.
Martin Bobgan and Diedre Bobgan PsychoHeresy: The Psychological Seduction of Christianity.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.