People who are saying Kenyans need to riot like Americans need to understand how different the context of police in this country is. A thread.

Neo-colonialism is still rooted in our culture and has affected our individual self-images. You can say you've conquered neo-colonialism, in your own identity, I thought so too until I saw those riots in US and then when I asked myself why I wouldn't do the same,

And I noticed how terrified I was of the police and the Kenyan governmental system in general. I've concluded that it's because of the conditioning that I've gone through, i.e the west is superior, I am inferior, they have the solutions, they lead, I follow because

I'm just an African. I'm just a Kenyan. I don't know if anyone has ever heard the famous "this is Kenya" quote when you announce an ambition you have. I've heard it severally. That statement in itself shows the lack of pride and self-loath we live with as Kenyans.

We've been conditioned into stifling ourselves and giving way for colonialists who are "better than us". As a result, even standing up for ourselves feels like disrespect to the authorities and powers that be. Unfortunately, this conditioning created through neo-colonialism

Has bled into how we see authorities in our own country. Furthermore, these authorities have also been conditioned in the same way, and now they've been given institutional powers. Imagine being stepped on for your whole life and then when the foot is taken off of you

You're given the opportunity to step on others. What would you do next?

The short answer is you'll protect your newly-found position and privileges.

And eventually you'll step on others to protect the lifestyle you're so privileged to have. That's how the powers that be are living. That's how police officers in this country feel. On top of that, the police in this country don't even get held accountable by their bosses.

So you have the ability to kill and beat guys up with little to no consequences, and your boss will not call you out, and if they are interviewed on national TV, they'll DEFEND you. On top of that, people are getting screwed over everyday in our backyard and look where

Our attention is. If we want to make a difference here in our own home, we have to start by believing that Kenya can actually go somewhere, cause to be frank, most of us would desert this country in a heartbeat if the alternative was better.

Meanwhile, I'll be dealing with my own self-loath and lack of pride to be a Kenyan.