Life. Seasoned with perspective.

“A reflection on fairness, opportunity, and how quickly society judges who is worthy. It calls on us to choose reason over prejudice and give everyone a chance to contribute.”

Shame on all of us.

Yes, I mean it. And I will explain.

This past week has been one of those moments that forces you to pause and reflect on who we are becoming as a society. My take may sound controversial to some, but at its core, it is simply common sense.

As I write this, I came across a post on X that perfectly captures the heart of this conversation. “Just because you were privileged does not mean the rest are stupid.”

Let that sink in.

On April 16, a gazette notice listed Calvince Okoth, popularly known as Gaucho, as a board member of Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital. On the surface, it was a routine appointment. Nothing out of the ordinary.

But within hours, social media platforms were flooded with reactions. And not the thoughtful kind.

The dominant narrative was clear. Gaucho was unfit. Some questioned how a Standard Six dropout could possibly contribute at that level. Others went further. The comments ranged from dismissive to outright abusive. Some were simply cruel.

This was not critique. It was ridicule.

At some point, Gaucho, a man often perceived as tough, broke down while recounting the insults during an interview on a podcast. That alone should make us uncomfortable.

Let us take a step back.

Gaucho is not a stranger to controversy. He has built a name for himself in political spaces, particularly in grassroots mobilisation. Raised in the informal settlements of Nairobi, he earned the nickname “Ghetto President.” He has worked around political heavyweights, including Raila Odinga, and has remained visible in political circles for years.

Now, I am not here to defend Gaucho.

I am here to question us.

When did we become a society that reduces a human being to their academic papers? When did we decide that opportunity is reserved only for those who fit a certain profile?

Are we slowly turning into a class society where some people are considered more worthy than others?

It begins subtly. A comment here. A joke there. A trending topic. Before long, it becomes normalized.

And that is dangerous.

Education is important. There is no debate about that. But education was never meant to strip us of our humanity. If anything, it should expand our thinking, make us more inclusive, more understanding, more open to different forms of contribution.

Leadership is not always about certificates. It is about perspective. It is about lived experience. It is about understanding people.

In the same discussion on X, Nelson Havi offered a perspective worth considering. He pointed out that the work of a board is not necessarily technical. It is about policy direction, oversight, and representation.

In other words, different voices matter.

Let us also be honest with ourselves. Kenya has benefited immensely from individuals who did not follow the traditional academic path. Across business, sports, arts, and even politics, there are countless examples of people who rose from humble beginnings to shape this nation.

Many of our athletes come from challenging backgrounds, yet they carry our flag proudly across the world. Their success is not defined by formal education alone, but by discipline, resilience, and determination.

Even in leadership, history reminds us that academic credentials do not always determine effectiveness. Some of the world’s most influential figures built their legacy through vision and courage, not just degrees.

So what exactly are we saying?

That opportunity should be denied based on where someone started?

That only a certain class of people should serve?

If that is the direction we are taking, then we have a bigger problem than any single appointment.

Yes, we must hold leaders accountable. Yes, we must question decisions. That is part of a healthy democracy. But there is a difference between scrutiny and outright dismissal. There is a difference between critique and contempt.

What we witnessed this past week leaned heavily toward the latter.

And that is why I say, shame on all of us.

Because this is not just about Gaucho. It is about how we treat each other. It is about the kind of society we are building.

If we close doors based on perception, we deny ourselves the richness of diverse perspectives. If we silence voices because they do not fit our idea of “qualified,” we risk missing out on solutions that come from lived realities.

Sometimes, the people who understand problems best are the ones who have lived through them.

As we move forward, perhaps we need to recalibrate.

To think deeper.

To listen more.

To judge less.

Because at the end of the day, a nation is not built by a select few. It is built by all of us. Different backgrounds. Different journeys. Different stories.

And maybe the real question is not whether someone fits the position.

Maybe the real question is whether we are mature enough as a society to allow everyone a fair chance.

Because progress begins when reason prevails over prejudice.

And that responsibility rests with each one of us.

Also read

The Weekend of Things: Choose life, every day

The Weekend of Things: The Courage to Disappoint

About the author:
Kibisu Mulanda is a media executive and strategic communicator with over 20 years of experience in television, NGO storytelling, and youth-focused content. He is the Acting Head of Switch Media Ltd and teaches media at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC). A Certified SIYB Trainer, he blends storytelling with strategy to drive social impact.

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