Muslims reduced from nine to four million within a decade; but how?

Muslims are up in arms because they think the four million census figure for those who profess the faith is untrue and misleading.

Indeed, one sympathises with them because the census figure in 1999 was nine million. But the 1999 census was so discredited because of the falsification that many believe were perpetrated. The 2010 census had its shortcomings but was conducted with an acceptable level of professionalism and in a political environment that was less stifling.

So, arguably, the latest figure may be the more realistic one. However, Muslim leaders can proceed and seek constitutional redress. Under the Bill of Rights, every citizen has a right of access to information held by the State. Also, every person has the right to the correction or deletion of untrue or misleading information that affects the person.

But the question is how adversely the four million figure affects Muslims! After all, contrary to their fears, resource allocations will be county-based and not religion-based. Yes, there are 19 million Protestants and 9 million Catholics but such statistics are irrelevant as far as resource allocation is concerned.

It is the actual physical numbers of persons, available infrastructure, number of schools and hospitals, and poverty indices that will determine how much will be allocated but not the quantum relating to religious orientation.

ANDERSON OMOTO, Kakamega

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Reject tribalists

The rate at which leaders are still harping on ethnicity is alarming. Something needs to be done to rectify this. A leader who urges his people to multiply in order to be able to cast large numbers of votes is an enemy of national development.
Young people should not tolerate such leaders.

But leaders can also use tribe as a development tool. For example, telling the Luo to take advantage of Lake Victoria to boost the fishery industry or telling the Kalenjin to seriously take up athletics and promote upcoming sportspersons portrays how ethnicity can be embraced positively. It brings tribesmen together for goals that are nationally beneficial.

BERNADETTE MUYOMI, Kisumu