There was a break in recently in one of the higher ups residences in Kenya. The thieves tied up the watchman and proceeded to follow a crafted path up into the mansion. They went through the roof and the owners called the police. They showed up within a few minutes. Can you believe that? The police actually showed up on time to rescue them! It must be good to be rich in Kenya.
I repeat the shock because the main police station near my village has only one old Hyundai station wagon. This thing looks like a cow chewed on it. According to the OCPD, “the vehicle is for dropping the police to a road block and picking them up. That is why we ask victims to come and pick us up.” I get it! The idea is to tell the robbers to wait while you get police to come and arrest them! Basically for the 200,000 citizens living in that area, only the grace of our God preserves them.
Therefore when you hear that the police saved a house that was being burglarized, you think of the animal farm. “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” This however is not my worry when it comes to security. I constantly wonder whether crime against homes in Kenya is just a random act by outsiders or it emanates from historical development of abuse of Kenya workers by their employees. If you own a range rover, a Mercedes, a helix double cab, and a 40 million house in a neighborhood where thousands walk by, are you safe? I wonder.
Also many of the rich in Kenya have developed this habit of insulting and verbally abusing their maids and servants treating them like trash. The Indian and British philosophy of class seems to have been historically adopted by Kenyans. A rich family invited me for dinner in their mansion. They had these women dressed in white and men dressed in green uniforms running around like chickens all around the house. This of course is not against the norm. A job is a job and I appreciate the fact that in a country of personal greed and less service, these jobs are a lifeline for many. But to shout at grown woman and men seems out of line.
Employment should be governed by the equality under grace. “Masters, give unto [your] servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven” (Colossians 4:1ff) “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) “ Servants, be obedient to them that are [your] masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ.” (Ephesians 6:5) The Divine Principle expects that both the employer and the employee be of equal standing: as human beings, and as believers. Both have to understand the divine principle of GOOD.
In other words, the employer is protected by Divine grace to actuate the rules as per his or her business, home, or extension. Also, that the employee understands the rules that govern his or her position as thus. Within this understanding, the Divine principle expects that employees will perform their duties as unto the Lord. Meaning, that their conscious is clear if tested by Divine aptitudes. The same goes for the employer. Exercise authority within grace.
To fail in these absolutes is to invite ill within the relationship and lead either to adopt the human reaction rather than the Divine restrain. The human category seeks to destroy the other. In this case, the employee works with outside forces to invade your house and pay you back for your inhumane treatment of them.
I always follow my father in this case. He believed that even the dog in your house deserves proper treatment. And the maids, well, he assigned them a room in the house. Guaranteed good, no, but Divine!
Teddy Njoroge Kamau (PhD) HTBluff Associates @HTBluff
