This archive report was first published on 14 January 2020.
January 14, 2020, marked a somber day for many Kenyans as they mourned the loss of Binyavanga Wainaina, a renowned author and public intellectual. However, the outpouring of grief was marred by the usual Kenyan habit of disrespecting the dead.
George Barasa, a vocal critic of Kenyan society, took to Facebook to express his disappointment and frustration with the way Kenyans treat the deceased. He wrote, 'Imagine a gay man who contributed to the society so immensely before coming out. Someone who suffered both in the closet and when he was open during his last years. Now, even in death, you are still bashing him. How can you do that to someone who cannot defend himself? What happened to us Africans?'
Barasa's post highlighted seven habits that Kenyans should stop when it comes to dealing with the dead. These habits include sharing gory photos of the deceased, gossiping about them, asking for handouts from rich relatives, engaging in silly dramas over food, speaking a lot when given a chance, and taking selfies at funerals.
Barasa's comments sparked a heated debate on social media, with many Kenyans defending their behavior and others agreeing that it's time to change. As one user pointed out, 'We need to respect the dead and their families, even if we don't agree with their lifestyle or choices.'
While some may argue that these habits are a reflection of Kenyan culture, others see them as a sign of disrespect and lack of empathy. As Barasa so eloquently put it, 'What happened to us Africans?'
