A nation that was brought forth as a Republic in 1964 stands in the pits of high debts both internally and internationally. That country is now in the perils, where the masses have been duped that grand development is in the making only for scandals to encumber the so called grand projects. Yet , the silent hand of tribalism spews hatred unrelentingly
My disputation is aimed at the common man. Overtime I witness the supporters of Uhuru and Ruto squabble in giving the loudest praises for the ‘impeccable’ development records the two rookies have bestowed to Kenya. I fail to comprehend how a misfiring promise of one million jobs per year yielding to exportation of jobs can attract grand admiration. I’m perturbed by the liethat foreign direct investment in Kenya is increasing when in reality multinational corporations are relocating from Nairobi
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When will Kenyans overcome their tribal egos and look beyond ethnic boundaries in securing good governance and leadership reflecting the spirit of the Constitution? When challenged to face the reality about our choices, we are the experts of equivocating, both the supporters of the two prodigal leaders in power and that swam that seeks redemption in the Opposition.
At this juncture I want to commend two people.
First I give credit to David Ndii for his persuasion that his fellow tribesman Uhuru is leading Kenya’s economy in the wrong direction and opines the current outfit of NASA can turn things around. Same to S.K Macharia for standing his ground that Uhuru did not win the last elections even though they are both great grandsons of Mumbi.
On equal measure I credit Raphael Tuju for breaking ranks with his tribal kingpin and charting his political destiny. But for him, while he supports Jubilee, I do not know if it’s out of conviction in the principles of ‘honest’ ideology guiding Jubilee, or if it is to partake in kula nyama asimeze mate. I have exponential distrust of that kula nyama ideology to the level that I cast aspersions on it.
Now let me move to the hoards of political flower-bee-followers at the rural level. These are people who have decided to throw away the magnificent power of reasoning and seeing things different from their established tribal perspectives. I get appalled when in Luo Nyanza villagers treat Agwambo as a demigod and say he can’t be wrong. Well, I know it’s because of his continued exposes of mega corruption scandals after another, and on the threat of being sued, he stands firm and is vindicated when the scandals are substantially proved.
Kalenjin land I see some blind following of scions of Kanu on two fronts. One is the last son of Toroitich and the other his political progeny who has gone awry, Samoei. This conglomerating together because of their tribal identity other than merit to national cause is being challenged by a rebel in the name of Isaac Rutto. He is my other hero, challenging and questioning in seeking the truth over and above tribal allegiances.
And so have the Luhyas taken the cue. For a long time the Luhyas have been the swing block. Voting based on whom they deem right. But on considerations ethno-centred nepotism has made them elect Mudavadi as their spokesman, and forced the marriage of Wetangula and Mudavadi to happen. Whoever quits NASA the wrath of the community is theirs to own. This concept of tribalism and our turn to eat, or “When I have a cow the first people to milk it are my people” and now epitomized by “Tunakula nyama hao wanameza mate” is so repulsive, counterproductive and detrimental to country’s socio-economic development. Where is the genesis of all this crap that is fragmenting our country and propagating corruption while the common man cheers on and defends even the vile corrupt of the “corruptiest” in the country because of “my tribe” factor?
I look at the backyard of Uhuru’s den of supporters. Some, not all, wallow in the ideology that the leadership of the country is theirs by right because of the infamous Uthamaki Oath administered to their grandfathers and fathers to support the late Jomo Kenyatta, pioneer and father of ethnicity in Kenya. As new revelations come to the fore, I dare Kenyans to challenge me, to give me evidence of Jomo Kenyatta’s conviction to building a country of prosperity and cohesiveness?
Over time my admiration of Jomo Kenyatta has crystallized to loathing because of the political decisions he made as the first president of Kenya. I disqualify him from the prestige of Founding Father. The new generation of young Kikuyus no longer live by the fear of the late Odinga, nor do they care about the current Odinga. Just like all the new generations of Kenyans, they care about whattsapp and facebook, instagram and twitter than to be bothered by the current political mechanizations.
This is the new tribe again of the common Mwananchi that must be gently nudged to open their eyes and take stock of the political matters with serious considerations because political affairs rarely are a happenstance. The prevailing political environment’s outcome can have long lasting effects on their future like the effects of Uthamaki Oath.
I wish this political nonsense of pillaring our political decisions on the misfortune of tribalism ceases forever. Julius Nyerere set Tanzanians on the path of cohesiveness in Ujamaa. The economic aspect failed, but the socio-political and cultural unity succeeded. Tanzanians do not consider tribe in their political matters. Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid icon, came out of prison and gave an olive branch to his persecutors, otherwise, may be Zimbabwe would have remained a shadow in how racial intolerance veiled in economic retribution can damage a country. My conclusion, Jomo Kenyatta was the dividing-founding Father of Kenya; his son is a mere inadvertent beneficiary of Uthamaki Oaths.
majorelazia 