Events around the world in recent days present the human being as the enemy of his own progress. By and large, violence has become endemic in a host of countries.

While Iraq has since become synonymous with mayhem, US and British citizens remain the most paranoid people on this planet, such being their irrational fear of being bombed - at least for as long as Osama Bin Ladin and his like remain active. You just have to pass the US Embassy in every country in the world to feel sorry for them as they live and work behind cages like prisoners.

F urther, many more troubled countries around the world are paying the prize for a virtually non-existent phenomenon. They call it democracy, the ideal definition of a beleaguered western coinage that seeks to create utopian societies around the world.

We tend to confuse democracy with utilitarianism. The two combined have a greater inclination to number rather than what democracy claims to stand for. Oppression, corruption and a host of other vices, all levied on the so-called minority, are the hallmark of this increasingly estranged system of governance.

This is the reason behind the upsurge in unrest. Godlessness and illiteracy have also conspired to bring carnage on the people of this world. The leaders of Kenya, for instance, taking advantage of the naivete of their supporters, have transformed themselves into demigods (this, unfortunately, is typical of African political scenery).

The result is wanton disregard for life. And in Pakistan, a blend of religious fanaticism and an abhorrent folly revolving around a personality cult is turning a great nation into a mere wreck.

One wonders what kind of a leader Kenya is poised to have in any case, given the level to which both so-called big weights have demonstrated that they are capable of going.

All this is being powered by illusory feelings of democracy. Consequently, peace has become the must expensive of commodities in that country. What we see in Kenya today is reminiscent of the scenes in 1994 Rwanda, where the people made it a routine to pursue political interests on tribal lines.

Immediate neighbours became arch enemies within moments. And very soon, the country fell apart. Naturally, it would take years before it gets itself together. This is the same path Kenya, Pakistan, and a host of other troubled countries are currently on.

The international community has an obligation to ensure restoration of peace in these areas, as we are all bound to feel the pinch somehow. Both Raila and Kibaki have lost wisdom. The plight of thousands of poor, innocent Kenyans is being shaped by power hungry politicians. This is totally unacceptable.