The Scapegoat Called Tribalism

It’s no secret that tribalism is a major issue in Kenya especially where our politics is concerned. A look at the voting pattern in the just concluded general elections is a testimony to our ethnic biases. The majority voted for ‘their people’ and those that voted outside this expectation were scolded for ‘wasting’ their vote. In fact, a lot of those that had planned to ‘waste’ their vote have confessed to changing their minds while on the voting queue. ‘Fears’ of a run-off seems to be the top reason given for this sudden mind change.

In my opinion, there’s nothing wrong with voting along ethnic lines. We are human, we feel one of our own will understand our problems and hence be better placed to help us. This is not a Kenyan phenomenon, it happens everywhere. The ethnic factor becomes a problem when it’s the sole reason for voting for a particular candidate especially if there are better able leaders whose major flaw is belonging to a different tribe.

Our politics is characterized by fanaticism and paranoia. I dare say, it’s cult worship. Just take a look at the frenzy with which supporters of political heavyweights run after them just to shake their hands. You would think they were going to receive a healing much like the bleeding woman who ran to touch the fringe of Jesus’ cloak. Well, that was Jesus. These are just politicians.

Let’s look at the vitriol being spat on social media in the name of opinion. What’s the difference between a poor Luo and a poor Kikuyu? Aren’t they both just poor? It’s bordering on pathetic the way in which Kenyans of the same social status are tearing each other down in the name of ‘defending their own.’ Are you a millionaire or a billionaire? If the only thing you have in common with Raila or Uhuru is tribe, please take a seat. You must work to pay rent, buy food and take your kids to school. If you fall terribly sick, you will have to call for a harambee and even your funeral will be harambee driven. They can fly out to have a common cold treated abroad. Know your lane and stay in it.

Tribalism isn’t the problem, it’s a symptom. The real problem is the unequal distribution of resources or the perception of it. The focus on where the president comes from is only a big deal because a lot of people believe that if the president is from their area, their fortunes will rise. This is only true of the minority who are almost always relatives or cronies of the president. Still, the people beam with pride when ‘their son’ is president as though they will receive cars and houses now that he has clinched the presidency.

The truth we all must realize is that regardless of whom the president is, our lives will generally remain the same. Even the best leadership takes time to turn a country’s fortunes around. There are no miracles when it comes to sustainable development. Furthermore, with the new dispensation, the president’s power has been substantially reduced. The real power is with the county government. We should take advantage of it being closer to us the people and begin to set the agenda and follow-up on the projects being worked on. At the end of the day, the only one that can help you is you. A politician cannot save you. Let’s take our civil responsibility seriously and begin to agitate for the Kenya we want.