12 July 2009
editorial
Nairobi — Kenya is made up of tribes and there is no going around that. A few world statesmen have fashioned viable nation-states out of disparate ethnic communities, and their countries do not have problems with tribe because the right foundations were laid early.
But in our country, what we all know as true has frequently left us confused and we have often taken refuge in denial.
Why else would people be campaigning against indicating in the census questionnaire our ethnic identity What difference does it make if you admit you are a Luo, Kikuyu, Maasai or Njemps ? Is it a crime?
The arguments proffered for this exercise in denial is that if we overlook that specific question and indicate that we are Kenyans, then that will enhance national cohesion.
However, it is difficult to see how one thing follows the other. Such arguments border on facetious sophistry and are best discarded.
What is most important is finding out the relative numbers, not so that one tribe can go around proclaiming its majority, but for planning purposes.
We Kenyans need to avoid specious arguments and seek genuine methods of bringing different ethnic communities together.
What is required proactive national healing in which the community leaders, aided by civil society went around the country preaching the politics of inclusion and equitable distribution of national resources.
A great beginning would have been the department in the ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs which was meant to bring different communities together.
Unfortunately, given such short shrift that its director had to quit, insisting that his conscience would not allow him to keep drawing a salary while he sat in his office twiddling thumbs.
It is still not too late to look again at the aspect of national healing and, probably through the Justice and Truth Commission, seek workable ways of enhancing unity in diversity.
Only then shall our country be saved the ignominy of brother rising against brother to settle some political score.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2009 The Nation. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
