Oxford dictionary defines truth as a fact or belief that is accepted as true. That is ambiguous, isn't it? leave that for the books and let us get down to how we perceive what is true to us.
Recently we had an argument with class mates regarding land grabbing in Lamu county. Heated debate emerged when we wanted to determine who was saying the truth between Former land minister James Orengo and the current lands cabinet secretary Charity Ngilu on who was telling the public the truth regarding land grabbing in Lamu. One of my class mates , Erick Amollo explicitly explained how Ngilu is giving false information to the public, spreading propaganda instead of solving the land problems. I got satisfied until Arthur Kiathi another class mate made his point. Arthur started his explanation, citing evidence, goggling past publications to prove that Orengo words were pure lies.
According to these two friends, their definition of truth is totally different. This incident got me thinking, what now is the truth? So I got into the following conclusion
Truth depends on what you believe in, your religion, level of education, age, ethnic background and position in in the society. Today approach a Muslim and a christian and ask them who is preaching the truth, I guarantee you are going to get two different answers. This concept spreads to nearly all aspects of our life in determining the meaning of truth to us. For example, what is the true gospel? which is the true church? what is true journalism? e.t.c
Is this what is ailing us, causing war and differences all over? what if we had a general meaning and understanding of the truth, will all our social problems end? but who is going to draw that line and define the truth for us?
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