The politics of marriage
The politics of marriage
In the past couple of weeks, it has been evident all is not well in the Jubilee Party.
Various leaders have been removed from their crucial and privileged parliamentary leadership positions.
For a while now, since the famous March 2018 Handshake, the once steamy relationship between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto has started showing signs of cracking.
The relationship between the two has been likened by many to a marriage. And so riding on that, allow me to draw out some relationship lessons from it.
The first is that when things between the husband and wife get messy, it is the children who suffer most. Ask Prof Kithure Kindiki, Kipchumba Murkomen and Susan Kihika.
When a man and wife decide to air dirty linen in public, abusing and shouting at each other not to mention divorce, children are greatly affected.
The second lesson we can learn from this is that we should not spoil other people’s relationships, but rather respect them.
Those crying now, thought they were going to be treated specially until things fell apart. Similarly, those rejoicing now may be crying in 2022.
Our politicians don’t seem to learn just like women who fall for a guy who is already in a relationship with someone else.
They make him leave his wife or girlfriend, forgetting that just as this man left their woman for them, he may one day dump them for another as well.
Thirdly, many of us rush into committing to long-term relationships before a thorough background check. We come to discover the harsh realities when it is almost too late.
You need to do a background check as well as have your eyes wide open for any red flags, before committing to someone.
The final lesson to learn here is not to enter relationships just looking for our own selfish interests like politicians do.
They say in politics there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent (often selfish) interests.
Unfortunately, unlike in politics, marriage is not about selfish interests, but rather about considering each other’s interests.
The union calls for selflessness and a shared interest, values and vision. If we come together because of this, then the two cannot only become one, but continue being one no matter what.
