Ethnic ‘entitlement’ does not bode well for Kenya and its communities

In Kenya, politics has hinged on the pre-eminence of ethnic identity since 1964. And today, ethnicity has been elevated beyond all other identities and interests. We reject this notion totally and completely. None of us chooses the identity that we are born into, but as we grow older we take on various identities that make us who we are and determine our interests.

We are of the Kikuyu ethnic community ­­— and take pride in our language, culture and norms — but we are far more than that. We see ourselves as Kenyan first and foremost with a national outlook and perspective. But we have suffered for this view, being called “traitors” and “disloyal”; even receiving credible death threats.

Since 2004, it has become apparent that what Narc stood for, nationally, has been seriously eroded. Mwai Kibaki declared in his campaigns he was for zero tolerance on corruption, but he seems to be condoning it. He had stated that he would operate a meritocracy with due regard to the diversity of Kenya, but his appointments to the most sensitive and crucial offices are tilted to one ethnic group and its relatives.

Follow the law

He had asserted that he would change Kenya from the dark days of the Moi years, raising our hopes and aspirations, but he was soon recruiting Moi’s people to crucial positions in public service. Patronage and fear have been used. Simply put, his 2002 rhetoric was exactly that — rhetoric — and now we are continuing “business as usual”.

For us, it does not matter what ethnic group the leadership comes from: we expect and demand a government which has the interests of the nation at heart, which is fair, honest, effective, accountable and transparent. And we expect the government to follow the law, especially with regard to human life, and fundamental rights.

We challenged Daniel arap Moi on these issues. We can challenge anyone, including Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, George Saitoti, Musalia Mudavadi, Martha Karua and Uhuru Kenyatta, who are interested in leading Kenya. Why can’t we challenge President Mwai Kibaki?

We know that we have fallen foul of something larger than “political opposition” or “dissent”. It is a bigger problem that the Kikuyu community and its allies must urgently confront. It is the issue of “speaking with one voice.” This is the question of blind ethnic loyalty to decisions made by some wealthy old men, who determine the leadership of the community and convince us to follow.

There is nothing democratic or progressive about it. They do it on their own, and without our input, behind closed doors and in clubs where the majority of the Kikuyu can never get access. These are the Kikuyu oligarchy, and they are dangerous because they work on the assumption that the rest of the community, and indeed the country, are fools and can be taken for a ride.

It is a fatal road we drive along. Their decisions, cloaked in forged assumptions of ethnic nationalism and pride, are never about the good of the nation — or even the good of the community. It is all about themselves, and extending their hold and power over Kenya for their own selfish benefit.

With the elevation of ethnic politics in Kenya, this behind-closed-doors community trickery is dangerous and unacceptable within any community.

Critical crossroads

But we are addressing ourselves to the Kikuyu community at this point, because the power, assumptions and suspicions of the Kikuyu political elite is at a critical crossroads and could destroy this country. “Speaking with one voice” suggests that because of our ethnic heritage we have the same values, interests and ideals, and we should, therefore, accept the things that these old men decide for us.

But nothing could be further from reality. In fact, critically assessed, this class has nothing but disdain for the majority of Kikuyu, who are poor and struggling, and pay for their arrogance and mistakes. If they did care for poor ordinary Kikuyu, then some of the things that have happened over the last few years would never have been condoned.

Consider the following. It is during the watch of a Kikuyu president when there are extrajudicial killings of poor young Kikuyu men, claimed to be Mungiki. More than 600 cases of these deaths were documented in 2006. Hundreds more disappeared. For the sake of argument, let’s assume that they were Mungiki — despite the fact human rights defenders are sure that more than two thirds of them were not.