Some years back when my eldest son was born I went to the maternity hospital to see my wife and of course the bundle of joy. We had been trying for some time to get a second child and my wife had started getting very distressed because we only had a daughter and she desperately wanted a son. I love my daughter very much and I have no problem with girls. I am one of those people who greatly value daughters, just study families around and you will quickly realize that they are more of a blessing than sons in most cases. The only problem is getting them through adolescence (phew!! but that's a story for another day.) All in all girls are very responsible and will inherit the family fortune just like a boy and have been known to take care of things very well. My daughter has in fact inherited my business acumen. I love her to bits (you know what they say about daughters and their fathers).
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Also published today;
Why we are headed for a Kikuyu versus the rest political contest
The Kikuyu question: The Way Forward
Government forms special police unit to fight Mungiki
Narc loyalists threaten to defect
See my first comment nominations
Quip for the day; The really dangerous thing in Kenya today is that some tribalists don't even realize that they are tribalists. It has been planted too deep into their blood. Remember the first step on the road to recovery for an alcoholic?
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My wife never reads my blog because she says she hates politics so don't think I am writing anything here for her benefit. This is just me. I would have still been very happy and satisfied with one daughter or three daughters. My wife thought differently. She thought like many men I know who will do anything to get a son. Some even go to the extremes of openly discriminating against daughters. My wife of course loves our daughter but I could clearly tell where the pressure to have a son was coming from.
My message to you stone-age men out there who harass your wives because you don't have a son, is simple. Grow up!
Anyway, I digress.
Moments after I got to the maternity and had had barely the time to acquaint myself with the new arrival, my in-laws arrived. They crowded around the bed and the baby was roughly snatched from my hands as animated discussions in Kikuyu suffocated the place. In those days, being newly married to my Kikuyu beauty, I did not understand the language and so I floated.
I tried to ask my wife something but she ignored me to continue an animated discussion in Gikuyu with one of her cousins or aunts or whatever (have you noticed that all Kikuyus are related?)
I couldn't take it, I slipped out and nobody even noticed. I was young and head strong in those days and so I did something terrible. I never went back again to the hospital to see my wife. There were no cell phones in those days and so my wife frantically made calls all over the place. When it was time for her to be discharged from hospital, I finally went back and we made up. But that's how hurt I had been.
In retrospect I can say that I should not have been that angry. After all, in those early days I had not really understood the Kikuyu. That's just them, they dominate and are mostly insensitive to others, but they probably don't mean it, many of them are very caring people. In fact some of the most caring people I know are Kikuyus. For instance I owe my mother in-law a debt that money cannot pay.
I have taken the time to give you this background as my credentials for understanding the tribe in Kenya that holds the future of the country in their grasp.
There are certain characteristics amongst the Kikuyu that are not good, and must be addressed for the future of this country. Let me give a few examples of what I mean.
# Most Kikuyus have no problem calling Luos who read this blog abusive bad names (just read the comments which I have left as evidence). Deeply hurting abusive statements like "smelly foreskin" are common in this blog because of our open policy of being tolerant to all views (this thing about people not being circumcised is ancient and ridiculous because 70% of the men on this planet are NOT circumcised). Several times I have been called "Jaluo" although I do not belong to that tribe.
But the minute you start discussing the number of Kikuyu appointments in media organizations in Kenya (which I have irrefutably evidence from reliable sources is deliberate. Even certain appointments in influential private media has been influenced by State house) some of my dear readers who are Kikuyus get very touchy and irritated. And they start making statements like; "now this blog is starting to stink." Why was it not stinking when you were calling other Kenyans "smelly foreskin?" They also say things like "you started very well but now you have lost it, I am out of here." What they mean is that when I was allowing abuses against my dear Luo brothers, I was doing very well. But now that I want to discuss the Kikuyu, I have lost it. One wonders what would happen of somebody really got abusive against the Kikuyu of the "smelly foreskin" type.
Let me emphasize at this early juncture that there is a growing number of our Kikuyu brothers who are very different from the rest. Progressive minded and nationalistic Kenyans whom every Kenyan should be very proud of. Just read the comments in this site and you will be able to pick them out.
# Most Kikuyus will go out of their mind if Raila Odinga or any other Luo is elected President of Kenya. Even my wife believes that he is "not the right person." Some pretend that they would not mind James Orengo being president but that is a lie because they know he stands no chance. It is Raila who is the immediate threat.
You can say what you want to say but this blogger is NOT a supporter of Raila, although given a choice between the two devils, Raila and Kalonzo, I would not hesitate to pick Raila. My firm belief is that they should all go home (Raila included) and allow a brand new era in Kenyan politics. For heave's sake let's try something new and different.
I have also heard very many well-educated Kikuyu brothers of mine say that if Raila were to be elected president, the capital of Kenya would move to Kisumu. What evidence do they have that this will be so?
I have done some very intensive research over a long period of time (as those who have been with me in this blog for long will testify) and I am convinced that I have found the answer.
When Kenya's first president Mzee Jomo Kenyatta fell out with his Vice president Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and the Kenyatta inner circle also realized that people like Tom Mboya were a potential threat they knew that they had to act fast, if they were to stay in power and continue grabbing land and basically robbing the country blind.
Mboya stopped two bullets in the Nairobi streets in broad daylight and then the Kenyatta administration launched a major propaganda war against the Luo. That propaganda campaign was very effective and is probably the greatest damage that the Kenyatta administration did to the country. Today that propaganda flows as truth in the veins of Kikuyus and deep in their blood. And it shows. Just read the following comments left in this blog and make up your mind for yourself.
(I would like to nominate one of them for the worst comment from an ignmorant person given in bad taste… can you spot it?)
cliff said...
It is sickening to see educated poeple(coz you know how to use a computer) blaming tribalism for Kenyas woes. Just in case you forgot those 2 tribes have not been in power or in a position to influence government policies for the last 18 years. Kenyas real Our problem is short sitedness and illitracy.
Anonymous said...
Chris, Adolph Hitler also had a final solution to o you have one for the two problem tribes as you call them.....Stop showing your Myopia The trouble with democracy is that even Idiots like Chris have to be heard.
Kikuyu
just little me!!! said...
KIBAKI ABAKI!!!!
Anonymous said...
Kweli Kibaki Abaki na sisi tuendelee mbele.
Anonymous said...
Good job guys!You are all trying real hard to build virtual credibility for the Raila e-campaign on this blog. Anyone with a functional brain will see through your schemes.If it works, its just that-virtual. Chances are, the real voters know none of this is going on. Kenyans abroad DO NOT VOTE. There goes a real challenge kumekucha could take up.And become real famous, like he craves.
gj said...
This is the most myopic treatise that I have ever read. It tries to demystify the whole rubric of tribalism but ends up being very tribal. I went to school where there were Luos and Luhyas and Kikuyus and Giriamas and many other tribes including the Digo but we were brought up in an atmosphere of being Kenyans. I never thought of myself as a Luo. I ended up marrying a Maragoli and my best man was a Kikuyu! Tribalism only exists among the political class who are presently clamoring for leadership or trying, albeit unsuccessfully to retain power. This class hammers into the minds of the illiterate and uninformed vitriol of tribalism. This happens only in politics. It does not happen in NGOs or Churches or even Schools
just little me!!! said...
The perceived greed and over ambition for money power and property is the energy that drives this economy of ours. Those who feel it is not should go to Tanzania and see how people who have no ambition have 'laliad masikio'. Ambition is the gear wheel that propels economic growth-unless we want to live in a socialist state. Just because someone has exploited resources that were lying bare before you and you lacked the will or desire to use them you now label him a glutton or a thief!!! WACHENI WIVU!!!
Fortunately we have also had plenty of very brave comments like these ones;
Vee said...
I am a Kikuyu after being a Kenyan after being a human. YES! Truth be told we are a very tribalistic people. Our pattern of voting is a clear indication of that... can everyone stop pretending and taking offence about the suggestion that we are a problem to the whole national development and instead analyze it and find ways to sort stuff out...
Anonymous said...
I being a Kikuyu knows that most Kikuyus are a real problem in this country because of the overambition,gluttony for power,money and property.These attributes are vividly manifested in Kenyan politics, social life, economic and cultural lifestyles of the Kikuyus.
Anonymous said...
Luos are not the problem, it is the Kikuyu. Ask a Kalenjin and they will tell you it is the pride of the Kikuyu which is fanning Hatred. It is not even the killing of Tom Mboya alone, but the way resources were sharred after Independence which is fanning the Hatred.
The Kikuyus are using short cuts to achieve thier goals which is even worsening the situation. Look at the way Kibaki is using the Steadmann research (polls) to cheat Kenyan that he is popular, the way he wants to appoint Electrol commisioners, the way he is driving away the Maasai from Laikipia and very many other crazy things that we are seeing.
Kikuyu Short cuts are brooding something very bad which if nothing is done all the tribes of Kenya may avenge against them one day
A Little creativity made Kenyan man $1,000 in daily profits
This woman has never had sex, the reason will shock you.
Simon Says,
ReplyDelete(have you noticed that all Kikuyus are related?)
Wrong, its the other way round
(have you noticed that all Luos are related?)
Phil Says,
ReplyDeleteOh Simon, that comment by Chris is based on his own personal experience inside a hospital ward when his own child was born.
Thats an attempt to trivialise the posting by Chris when the subject matter is about how one ethnic group (GEMA) wants to dominate the rest of Kenya through tribal segretion and labeling some citizens inferior.
And it shows you've got no worthy answer to respond objectively to these points Chris has raised.
Chris that was to take a hot and emotive problem head one. No faint heart would dare mention the issue leave alone risking the predictable bile that will populate your blog in response. But which is a lesser devil? Leave the virus go virulent or diagnose the malady and treat the cancer by clipping its potential mutations? Your guess is as good as mine.
ReplyDeleteThe Kikuyu question is a problem that is symbolically Kenyan. They constitute a nonignorable proportion (>20%) of our population. Their presence is felt (positively and otherwise) everywhere in all spheres of Kenyans' lives. And is the genesis of the wider problem.
At the risk of being branded insensitive, you will find more Kuks than any other tribe in any cosmopolitan morgue. These guys are every where and very hard working only that few take this attribute a step higher to the realms of 'hell for leather' - success at all costs. That is where they lose the plot with all the marks.
Unity in diversity is an overused catch phrase that is rarely understood. All are born equal and any claim of superiority only succeeds in isolating you from those whose shoulders you need to go both up and down. One would hate to imagine what the magnitude of tribal tension would be were Kenyatta to live longer?
You have correctly diagnosed the genesis of the Luo-Kuk divide: Kenyatta's political propaganda against OO. Why would a whole generation, majority of them born after Jomo died, inherit hatred propagated by politicians for expediency and packaged as unity call to protect our own?
If the Luos suffer from political herd mentality, then the Kuks suffer the same weaned on inherited tribal jingoism and hatred. The lake chaps have no moral grounds either to be herded like omena into one political sack. They must liberate themselves from those preying on their vulrenebility.
Jaramogi was both a saint and devil (no stones please). He was objective enough to deny himself political seat for the wider good, Jomo's release. But he lost it by playing into old Jomo's hands to herd the Luos into a pack of rebels which they are still smarting from as the Kuks re-awakes Jomo's tribal spirits.
The truth is, you are naive to ignore the Luos and Kuks in Kenyan politics. But that said, these chaps must measure to civilized politics and stop practising the cheap brand of yore. You don't add any value to your persona by supping with the critic to your enemy, or do you?
We need each other and one more enemy is one too many. We must not mistake bravado, brinkmanship and fraud for entrepreneurship. Comparing them is not any different from the cheap types comparing Prof. Maathai's Nobel prize and Raila's hummer. It is comparison based on ignorance and the wrong premise.
The truism that him who is not travelled considers him mum the best cook couldn't be more apt in capturing the origins of our tribal posturing. Heightened tribalism can be latently traced our education system. It is not an exaggeration to claim that some very bright Kenyans had problems adjusting to campus life after attending Ndethia primary and Ndethia secondary schools (due respect folks).
Being the village Stephen Hawkins may inadvertently go into your head while you remain oblivious of the fact that people from other cultures demand some decorum from your bravado. To such a guy, circumcision of the mind is a distant priority to shaping his foreskin. If only one would be a live to the fact that more than 75% of men the world over are not circumcised?
It is a global village and I must shed a tear for our Tz brothers and sisters. Like it hate it, Tanzanians have their strength in unity and lack of tribal tensions. It is both in bad faith and insensitive to pour scorn on your neighbour whom you have no luxury of choosing. By the way those chaps sense of 'upole' and mannerisms paints our capitalistic (read grabbing) endeavours resemble mad rush among apes in the pack unless to you trophy acquisition justifies the spilt blood.
Kenya is remains just big enough for the accommodative many but also too small for the selfish few. We need each other and let us not fall prey to scoundrels who pass as politicians masquerading as tribal chiefs. And we better act now for tomorrow might be too late. I rest my case.
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PS
Chris, as for your wife and the daughter issue, I would stick my neck to play the devil's advocate. She is only being real and African: it boils down to communal pressures, gender and ego trips. Unfortunately we are more often slaves to our village roots despite exposure in life. A child is a child is a child. And trust me on this: (African) men address their insecurity by claiming to be superior than women that justifies the mad race and rush for sons while treating daughters as lesser mortals.
What makes you think that the collagemate who used to beat you hands down all over sudden becomes a dimwit once you 'trick' her into marriage. And by the way if marriage is the principal cause of divorce then men are the principal causes and sources of all the turmoil in this planet (cool down brothers, don't lynch me).
Gentlemen we cant be more off the mark. Since it seems the discussions here should start with "I am/Am not a kikuyu/luo" I will do the same. Afterall they say when you go to Rome behave like those Romans. For starters I am neither of these two and would never wish I was. WE should try to fight tribalism but this is not the way to do it. Namecalling and endless blaming and counter blaming will only worsen the situation.
ReplyDeleteIf you want us to address the genesis of the problem then i would blame these two tribes for the political woes we find ourselves in. One Chris is wrong to insinuate that Kikuyus have left abusive comments here. Anybody can call himself kikuyu and that doesnt necessarily make him one. If I left a comment here and gave myself a kikuyu name surely we should not run to conclude with iron fist certainty that it was actually done by a kikuyu. A good example is that "Smelly foreskin" comment quoted here. I remember reading that comment with a UG girl and it was actually written by an anonymous. Chris can retrive that from the archive for all to see. Does that mean only the kikuyus can point to foreskins? The answer is no. There are 41 tribes in Kenya (excluding the luo)each of which can bring a comment as barbaric as that one.
I occasionally go to my upcountry just to make sure we enlighten the folks there and ensure "we put all our votes in one basket" as they say and to be honest with u guys in a number of times I have directly or indirecttly pointed out to these brothers of mine how Kenya is being "sat on" by one tribe. Deep down my heart however I know that what I say may not hold water(Talk of political opportunism. While there are those stupid kikuyus who would think that just because kibaki is president,they have power or are special in one way or another,majority of the guys there dont necessarily think so. We seem to forget that the richest people in our society are the kikuyus but also the poorest i our society are the same kikuyus. That brings to the old talk of haves and have nots as the only tribes we have. It is unfortunate that this thinking is perpetuated by educated brothers. In fact I remember some kikuyu brothers while we were in undergraduate college who never tired of letting us know how special the house of Mumbi is when Kibaki became president. This stinks, but not all kikuyus think the same way. The majority are actually capitalists per excellence and all they care for is their OWN individual success and not what part of Kenya Kibaki hails from. That was just to let chris know why he should not fan tribal animosity by making unsubsantiatable claims.
Why did I say these two tribes are the problem? While Chris thinks we should look at the voting patterns to see how tribalistic the kikuyus are, I think we need to look the same direction to see how BOTH the kikuyu and the luo are selfish. In the 92 elections central province voted for Matiba and Kibaki to the last man. Nyanza voted for the old man Jaramogi (May God rest his soul in eternal peace) to the last man. Are u telling us these were the best candidates and if they were how come only you could see that? Come '97, the former voted for Kibaki 99% and the latter Raila 99.99%. If you put the interest of Kenya first then the way to go was supposed to be Wamalwa and possibly Ngilu. While my luo brothers will never stop telling us they voted for Kibaki in 2002,I will ask them who didnt? Moi betrayed every KANU heavyweight (And not only Raila coz Saitoti and Kalonzo had invested a lot of hope that they will lead the post Moi kenya all along). This never came to pass and each kingpin mobilised their tribes to pull a first one on moi. There was no other option but to support kibaki.
I believe the luo are also a problem. whn you become too abraisive you excite fear and hatred at the same time. The argument by chris that people pretend they can for vote Orengo is grossly wrong. Raila is not the luo community. When we say we cant vote for raila it doesnt mean we cant vote for a luo. I for one will vote for orengo (Even when running against kalonzo)if he had a political base. It is up to him to do his groundwork and get a constituency. He should outscheme Raila first in nyanza before he is considered a serious presidential material. The arrogance by the kikuyu ministers (Read Chris Murungaru,Kiraitu and Michuki) potrays the whole community as arrogant and stupid. I must cionfess I hate them and that's the reason I will not be voting for the good fellow UK. But in my opinion most of the arrogance attributed to the kikuyu is not real.
All said and done we are not ready for another kikuyu presidency. A change is as good as a rest. Raila is not someone to entrust the leadership of the country with either. The foture is thus ODM K yaani ODM Kalonzo
Chris, It’s a fact that the sentiments you highlight in your “pro/anti/or somewhere in the middle Kikuyu” articles dance in every Kenyans mind. Vikii must accept that this “house of mumbi thing” is real and not imagined. Kikuyus will continue to dominate Kenya for many years to come (read privatization of government assets). It is not in dispute that Kyuks walichanuka way before all other tribes and thus currently hold the power and money. Unfortunately, that is the true situation of things and though it’s a great source of pride today for the Kyuks, history has proven that such types of dominance and arrogance do not thrive infinitely. At some point, the remaining languishing tribes will just get tired. A truth and reconciliation commission will probably be needed then but right now, Kikuyus apologizing to Luos for perceived evils will only happen when all Kenyans have filled their tummies with manna from heaven and are now expecting hummers to fall from the sky. After all why should only the Luo and Kikuyu apologize to each other? Will all Kenyans be well and dandy when the Luos and Kyuks intermarry… permanently? What happens to the Njemps?!!!??!!!??
ReplyDeleteMy lost point is that this thing in no longer about hate for and between the Kikuyu, Luo or Njemps for that matter. It is now simply disdain for unfairness. Kibaki had the opportunity to really revolutionize and invigorate the minds of all Kenyans by simply doing right by appointments, government contracts e.t.c. This he failed miserably and now Raila cannot wait to revenge thus fear of his presidency. The economy (or besha for many) with all its “good numbers” is not the only thing that drives a nation. How proud will a Njemp be when at the end of the day, the economy has grown by 10% fueled only by Kikuyu held businesses? Mind you, businesses largely acquired in extremely unfair ways. Is it such a task to distribute resources reasonably (and don’t sweat CDF)? Is it really necessary to suggest KIBAKI ABAKI even though he cannot go and comfortably eat SAMAKI from its ‘real’ source. I know that there’s also fish in river Chania but really the point is this guy has only done more to sow discord among the citizenry. This is not a Kyuk thing.
What are u talking about. what wrongs have the kyuks committed to the luos? Kama Kenyatta alidanganya Jaramogi ama Kibaki alidanganya Raila is not for the kyuks to shower the burden. These were gentlemen's misunderstandings and only they should be blamed. Raila should carry his own cross. Raila was cheated the same way Kalonzo, Ngilu and Kamotho were. We dont always hear them shouting at the slightest opportunity. Even going to the extent of lifting the bible in a church and swearing that Kibaki promised he would be a one time president,damn, Why doesnt Kalonzo always whine that Raila lied to him that he would support him in exchange of the support the former accorded him during the Kiraitu inspired onslaught on Raila? He perfectly understood that was how politics is played na hakuna rules kwa hiyo game.
ReplyDeleteI will NEVER ever vote for a kikuyu president but that has nothing to do with any injustices they did to my tribe. I just feel it is someone elses turn. All in all you guys have a case but no argument. And are the luos any better? I think it is an individuals thing.
This has got to be the lowest Chris can get!!!
ReplyDeleteIt would appear that once I sign in to write any comment here, the first thing people want to know is my tribe so that they can establish my mindset! If I do not like Raila, it is not because I think he is as silly as Ntimama, but because he is a Luo who never agree with the Kikuyu! But there appears nothing wrong to criticise Balala or Mungatana since they are from minority tribes. We have reduced Kenya to a war between kikuyus and luos and want to rope in othe communities to support us. That is WRONG!!!
Raila is not a Luo presidential candidate nor is Kibaki a Kikuyu presidential candidate. We should not allow tribalism to deny us a good leader be it either of them. Unfortunately we have since allowed our young people to think of tribes, see tribes and act tribes. Just why was tribe not an issue in 1992 or in 1985? Why did not Kenyans see Okiki Amayo as a Luo but as a Kanu monster?
That is how far back we have gone!
even if Kibaki/Raila/Kalonzo/Musalia is elected to be the president, only a few will benefit.
ReplyDeletewhat politicians dont tell people is that they dine and do business together then the foolish masses are fed on lies about tribes.
Chris you would rather be doing something else rather than trying to tackle a problem that is not there. there is no tribalism in kenya but rather corrupt political thieves who hide behind tribes.
For instance, when any of us want to rent a house dont give a damn about the landlord tribe?
Chris end these useless debate please!
Dr. J syas...
ReplyDeleteWhatever! Apparently it's only Kyuk men who have a problem with Luo uncircumcision. The women love us! This women would not accomodate the number of Kyuk women I have had or who love to perform oral on me. Or maybe it's because I'm a good spender? I dunno...
I've been a long time and keen reader of your blog and I want to say that I have really been enjoying your articles. To be very sincere, in my personal view, you
ReplyDeletehave always been to the point and non partisan. I have never made any comment so far, but I have been pushed to do so by some greedy and unrealistic comments that have been appearing in the blog.
I'm not just praising you because you own the blog, but let us call a spade a spade and not a big spoon. It has now come into my
mind that there are people in this country who will not care what happens to others as long as their
stomachs are full and well catered for. Take an example of the presidency in this country, does it
matter anyway even if the president comes from your area unless if you are directly linked to the corridors of power which you can still do without the presidency in your area.
For sure, there are neighbours of KIBAKI as also with the former MOI, Who go without the normal common 3 daily meals and have
never known the real meaning of the president coming from your area.
I'm writting this comment to join,
support and encourage Kenyan citizens to rise far above tribal thinking. It pains me so much when people talk about their tribes. I'm a product of two communities, the Luyha and the Kalenjine. I grew up with my maternal uncles though I speak both languages fluently. I work within my both communities. One day my promotion eluded me simply because non of the two communities wanted to accept me as their own. Look at such like things, retarding development even when I was the right candidate having acted for long in the position and they ended up taking someone with no
experience simply because he is one of them. My dear kenyans, let us rise up and be mature for the sake of our nation. Let us shun tribal affiliations once and for all. Let us cultivate good virtues in our upcoming generation.
Let us choose and elect our leaders by what they individually are and stand for and not because of where they come from.
Allow me my dear Kenyans, in this case to use Hon. RAILA as an example. He is, according to my personal opinion, a good leader who politically has dared to go where the weak would have fainted and not to have attempted, but he is being sacrificed simply because of where he comes from. This space is not enough to say What Raila has
put in this country, being a maths teacher, I can only summarise by saying "REMOVE RAILA FROM THE CURRENT POLITICAL MATHEMATICS AND YOU WILL END UP WITH A VERY BIG NEGATIVE INTEGER OF DEMOCRACY".
We have had good things from Raila in this country. Even the good government of today and its good things is in place because of Raila. If the king is good then the
kingmaker must be very good because he made him. If people like Raila have politically done us good then we can get the best out of them especially if we make
them to be totally in control and in charge of the nation. This should be 2007 or never because beyond 2007, Raila will start to obey the law of diminishing returns. My dear Kenyans, I used this example as an aid to help us rise above petty politics to the level of international acceptable standards.
Long live Kenya.
Yours Francis Kigai.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteThis is a very explosive issue. I would like to commend you for your attempt to discuss this issue. It is imperative for us to understand that the sentiments in this blog are felt almost everywhere. Whether the sentiments bear facts or not is not the issue at the moment.
I believe that currently the kenyan political scene has been degenerated to a Kikuyu vs Luo affair. This was done purposely to hoodwink the masses. The issue of tribalism has always been a tool used to influence the masses to support elements of the political elite. This was directly inherited by the Kenyatta regime from the colonial administration's policy of 'divide and rule'. This is what has plagued Kenya since time immemorial.
It is almost hypocritical to imagine that politicians who were raised in this system will not strive to manipulate it. This means that whoever becomes the next president, tribalism will still be viewed as a necessary tool by the then Head of State.
This means that it is very hypocritical to hear or read some of the sentiments being expressed recently. It is very easy to blame the Kikuyu for everything nad anything right now. However, i truly believe that the perceived ills that were propagated by the kikuyu will be propagated by any other tribe which ascends to power. It is only that the opportunity has not arisen so far.
Th current political elite are cut from the same cloth and consequently, the so called 'liberation' battles are a sham. These politicians just want a piece of the pie, for themselves(not TRIBE). This is why i am of the opinion that we should send ALL these politicians home.
It is simple. Politics is a means of protecting or propagating personal wealth and that is why some despicable characters like Pattni, Ruto and Sally Kosgei want to be part of or remain as part of the political elite.
There are only two tribes in Kenya, the Haves and the Have-nots. When Kenyans understand this, then the decisions during the coming general election will be easier.
God help us all.
Sometimes I think it is defeatist to hold such discussions. The problem is that most people approach such discussions defensively. This kind of talk takes your eyes off the ball... and ultimately off the prize!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a firm believer in reasoning together. I also believe that I do not need to defend any leader since they are accountable to me. Period. They should defend themselves. Better still, their performance records shout louder than any speech would.
The reason H.E.Kibaki has a 51% lead is simply because he has his PR Strategy in place and that he started campaigning early (as early as nov. 2006). The opposition has been too busy to wake up and smell the roses!!! The Government is running Ads in every possible medium praising Kibaki's 5 year term. They have ads on tv, newspapers, radio.... all over. What's funny is that there are parastatals that are also doing the same!! And the government also has some good freinds (probably from the private sector) who are also backing up their man. Where is the opposition? Cant they see that this is the greatest onslaught Emilio has ever concieved? Bravo Emilio.
The most interesting bit is what is happening at Citizen TV. Kindly note that the news editors of Citizen have not changed and therefore the news content will remain the same. Brace yourselves for government propaganda delivered by your favourite anchors!! BRILLIANT!!
Moi has taught Kibaki well, and Kibaki has graduated to become Kenya's top Political Proffessor. I believe everyone underestimated the president. And ultimately, he'll have the last laugh. Outwit, Outplay, Outlast. Kibaki is the ultimate survivor.
As we are busy propergating hate as we try and decipher questions that have no logical answers, Emilio is spreading the gospel of prosperity and development. I choose to listen to the later because I want to be rich!!!! And unfortunately, solving the issues of tribalism will never get me to where I want to be.
And that is what it means to belong in a capitalist state: its all about you! Not your ethnic background, political inclination etc.
And BTW Vikii,
According to UNDP HDI Index, Central Province, where most of the Kikuyu's come from, has one of the lowest poverty rates in Kenya. The fact that you got this wrong just shows that you are arguing from a point of ignorance and completely discredits your whole arguement.