In the frantic, non-stop race of modern life, we often chase the “big things”—the promotion, the huge vacation, the major milestone. Yet, some of the wisest people I know aren’t those with the biggest bank accounts or titles; they’re the ones who’ve mastered the art of being a kid at heart. This doesn’t mean avoiding responsibility or acting immature. It means possessing a superpower we tend to lose with age: the ability to find pure, uncomplicated joy in the smallest moments. Think about a child. Hand them a piece of candy, or watch the sheer concentration and triumph on their face when they successfully blow a huge bubble. Their reaction isn’t measured or conditional; it’s a burst of unfiltered gratitude and delight. A simple act of kindness, a silly joke, or even just mastering a small skill is met with a sincere, radiant smile. They express the purest impression of thankfulness, even for the minutest act they can comprehend. That is the essence of being a kid at heart: The capacity to appreciate the little things that warm the soul and make the world brighter. It’s about ditching the adult filter of cynicism and comparison, and allowing yourself to be truly present for the moment. It’s about feeling the sunshine on your face, laughing until your stomach hurts over something ridiculous, or getting genuinely excited about your favorite snack. It’s an open invitation to a happier life. So, today, let’s all try to be a little less “grown-up” and a lot more like the kids who know that the best things in life aren’t things at all—they are tiny moments of wonder, waiting to be appreciated.
Kenya has long positioned itself as a key mediator in East Africa, with a foreign policy prioritizing peaceful coexistence and regional stability, evidenced by its involvement in organizations like IGAD and the EAC . While historically successful in mediating conflicts, such as the Sudanese Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, recent diplomatic forays under President Ruto have encountered significant headwinds . Initiatives in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including bringing the DRC into the EAC and leading the EAC Regional Force, have been marred by accusations of bias and a lack of trust from Kinshasa, particularly concerning the handling of rebel groups . Similarly, Kenya’s hosting of Sudanese Rapid Support Forces meetings has drawn strong condemnation from the Sudanese government, which views it as a hostile act, further damaging Kenya’s image as a neutral broker in regional disputes . These challenges underscore a potential shift in regional perceptions of Kenya’s diplomatic impartiality, which could have implications for its ongoing efforts in other conflict zones.
A Report by Citizen Digital
Against this backdrop, Kenya launched the Tumaini Initiative in May 2024, a high-level mediation process aimed at addressing the protracted crisis in South Sudan by engaging hold-out groups that did not sign the 2018 peace agreement . Led by veteran mediator General Lazarus Sumbeiywo, the initiative seeks to reboot the existing peace deal, extend its implementation timeline, and potentially pave the way for delayed elections . While initial talks saw agreement on a negotiation agenda focusing on the root causes of the conflict, the identity of parties, the relationship with the existing peace agreement, and power-sharing arrangements, the process has faced significant hurdles . Key opposition groups, such as the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance (SSOMA), have rejected the Kenyan mediation, arguing that it fails to address the fundamental issues fueling the conflict . This skepticism, coupled with the deep-seated political instability, the ongoing humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the war in Sudan, and the slow progress in implementing the 2018 agreement, casts a shadow over the potential for the Tumaini Initiative to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace.
The effectiveness of Kenya’s diplomatic mission in South Sudan hinges on several critical factors, including its ability to rebuild trust and demonstrate neutrality, foster a truly inclusive dialogue that addresses the grievances of all stakeholders, and secure sustained commitment from South Sudanese leaders . International reaction to the Tumaini Initiative has been cautiously supportive, with organizations like the UN emphasizing the importance of regional support from Kenya while also expressing growing concern over the deteriorating situation in South Sudan . Expert analysis suggests that while the initiative offers a glimmer of hope by aiming to address the root causes of the conflict, the history of failed peace talks and the persistent lack of political will among South Sudanese leaders remain significant obstacles . Ultimately, for Kenya’s efforts to yield lasting results, a concerted and collaborative approach involving regional and international partners, coupled with a genuine commitment from all South Sudanese parties to prioritize peace and stability over political gains, will be essential to navigate the complex landscape and break the cycle of conflict.
References:
Aljazeera Peacemaker or peacebreaker? Why Kenya’s good neighbour reputation is marred
The Pursuit by the ICC prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo to prosecute the six suspects of the Kenya-Post-Election violence, following the disputed elections in 2007, has seen much unprecedented development. The decision by the Presidency of the International Criminal Court (ICC), authorizing the prosecutor to open investigations into the situation in Kenya, gave Ocampo the opportunity to present his evidence to the Pre-Trial Chamber II for scrutiny in an effort to enforce the issuance of summonses to the Ocampo Six, to appear before the court. On the contrary, the Kenyan President, Mwai Kibaki, appointed a seven-member team, led by H.E Vice-President, Kalonzo Musyoka, to lobby the 15 United Nations Security Council (UNSC) members to accept Kenya’s bid for deferral of the International Criminal Court cases involving the Ocampo Six.
Diplomats at the UNSC reprobated the Kenyan bid saying Kenya chose a wrong option to seek the 12-month deferral at the UN, rather than presenting its plea directly to the ICC. This decision by the UNSC has nullified the shuttle diplomacy mission being implemented by Kalonzo Musyoka and the President Mwai Kibaki’s wing of government. The pedestal of the shuttle diplomacy is fixed on the idea that Kenya is now in a position of establishing a credible local-tribunal to try the PEV suspects. The proponents of this diplomatic mission argue that trials at the Hague will threaten Kenya’s national stability. However, Article 16, of the Rome Statute, establishing the ICC allows for deferral of cases for countries, in the event that the proceedings at the court threaten international peace. Thus, Kenya on Friday 18th March failed in its quest to overly convince the UNSC that such a threat exists.
Time is speedily running out for any disengaging maneuver upon prosecution of the Ocampo Six at the Hague, now that they have been issued with summonses to appear before the Judges at the ICC on 7th April, and in addition the UNSC decry on deferral of the cases. Kenya can still pursue the deferral option by setting up credible judicial systems that are capable of handling the cases as stipulated in Article 19 of the Rome Statute.
References:
www.nation.co.ke, Why Kenya failed to defer ICC cases at Security Council (22nd March 2011)
Jijuze 