For Kenya to realize vision 2030, tribalism must be done away with.

For Kenya to realize vision 2030, tribalism must be done away with.

By: Timothy Makokha

It is the desire of every Kenyan that vision 2030 come true. This can only be achieved when Kenyans treat each other as brother/sister or fellow Kenyan.

As Kenyans, it’s our responsibility to embark on the mission of re-uniting ourselves without putting into consideration the idea of tribes.  Many a times when people make introductions, you will hear someone mention part of the country and tribe he/she comes from. At some functions you will see people insisting that a person introduces himself/herself with a sir name which will definitely suggest the tribal background of an individual.

The government, religious organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations are the major stakeholders that can assist in this process of preaching reconciliation among Kenyan tribes.

The 2010 yes/no referendum for our new constitution almost split this nation along religious lines. This is where Christians were complaining that if the new constitution was to be endorsed, Kenya would become a Muslim state. The whole issue was emanating from the inclusion of the kadhi’s court in the new constitution making Christians to argue that their Christian faith has been ignored.

Most political leaders of late bear in mind tribal politics where parties belong to tribes rather than Kenyans. For example you will hear things like Gemma, kkk among others.

As a result minority tribes like ogieks suffer inferiority complex because they don’t have ‘their own’ person in government.

The same tribalism is experienced in our Kenyan universities during elections for the students’ council. You will discover that tribes with high numbers in these higher institutions of learning get better representation in the students’ council. Three years ago chaos erupted at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology during campaigns when students from different tribes fought leading to closure of the institution for some time. 

Recently there was an outcry that workers in Kenyan universities are dominated by the big five tribes in the country.

It is also said that the suspension of the deputy chief justice Nancy Barasa touched Kenyans from western Kenya more than the other Kenyans from other parts of the country.

On Monday 5/3/2012, presidential hopeful Raphael Tuju dismissed political alliances based on tribal affiliations when he took campaign to Nakuru town. “The last general elections resulted to chaos because some leaders were too anxious because of their endorsements but when they did not succeed they incited their supporters to demand that there would be no peace unless they took over power” said Tuju. 

Old habit die hard and the former president’s second endorsement of hon. Uhuru Kenyatta for presidency is curious. Many questions have been raised about the Moi-Uhuru politics.

Kenyans are demanding beyond a shadow of doubt that the next president will have the requisite leadership ability to see Kenya achieve her goals and objectives.

Tribal clashes happening behind scenes in Mandera are influenced by politicians who wish to eliminate certain tribes from the region for political gains. Sources reveal that elders who are members of a committee recently formed by the government for peace between Degodia and Gabbra communities said some leaders wanted to evict certain groups from the area so that their tribe can scoop all elective seats in the area.

Apart from investing in education, technology, industry and trade, the idea of tribalism carry more weight although it has been ignored for long by our leaders.

Vision 2030 is very practical and achievable. Let’s all chant the “I am proud to be Kenyan” slogan for a better Kenya.