The resent election in Kenya is a perfect example of immature behaviour. Raila Odinga, the opposition leader, has claimed that he lost the election due to fraud. I have chosen Kenya as an example; but this whole business of blaming others, exhibited by politicians who are supposed to serve and lead by example, are all too common.
Even the toddler in White House has claimed voter fraud, despite the fact that he won. (I am so tired of hearing about him, that I try not to use his name). President Maduro in Venezuela, is blaming the U.S. for the economic chaos in the country. And not his own egregious policies and lack of leadership skills.
Such behaviour are excellent examples of immature behaviour. Sadly, these baby boys (mostly boys), are being praised when they do not act like three year olds, merely as five year olds. Like when Yahya Jammeh stepped down, after 22 years as a president in the Gambia, having lost the election; and the international community responded with “Good boy!”
Why are these men and their actions lessons in immaturity?
Because They Do Not Take Responsibility
Acting maturely means that you take responsibility. Even if your share in mishaps or failures may be minor. Like the late U.S. president Harry. S. Truman said: “ the buck stops here.”
The world is facing a number of problems that could make humans extinct, such as climate change and environmental degradation, together with “old” problems like poverty and conflicts. Still, these infantile beings spend enormous time and energy on blaming others, instead of contributing to processes and decisions that could actually do something to mitigate humanity´s problems. It is like children playing: “ he started it!” How on earth do they think that will do us any good?
First you take responsibility for your own mistakes. When you have taken that responsibility in words or in action, then, and only then, are you entitled to start talking about the responsibility of others.
Because They Put Themselves Before Others
I do not know much about politics in Kenya, only what I have read in the international media. As far as I have understood people voted mainly along ethnic lines. According to international observers the election was fair and free.
Even if that is not entirely the case, a mature person would not go around ranting about fraud, because that would not do his people and supporters any good. It is all about pleasing your own ego. Instead, a mature person would spend time on trying to build relations with the opposing political side, thereby increasing the chances of getting through proposals that can benefit those who voted for him. And the rest of the nation for that matter.
Blaming others is a reflex. But behaving like a mature adult means that you resist those reflexes.
My Advice to Raila Odinga (or anybody else acting the same way)
Instead of claiming voter fraud,
You,
- Talk about your own responsibility for the defeat.
- Talk about the need for making your politics and campaign even better, next time.
- Do not say “I “, you say “we”, referring to your team and your voters.
- May have personal doubts about the election result, but you keep that to yourself.
You,
- Talk about the need for reforming the country, through your politics, to keep on fighting all types of fraud and corruption, in order to improve people´s lives.
- Will do anything you can to fight for the interests of the people of Kenya.
- Will constantly remind the president that he is president for the whole nation, not just for those who voted for him.
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