To kill tribalism, we must speak to our people about productivity

A supporter of the National Super Alliance coalition throws stones towards Kenyan forces during a protest in Kawangware, on October 28, 2017. PHOTO | CYRIL VILLEMAIN | AFP

What you need to know:

  • Politicians – even those who compete against each other - keep telling us that they do talk and take cups of tea together.
  • It is true that we have serious issues with tribal differences but even there, our political class must take a lot of blame.

Last Sunday, I read an analysis by a colleague and friend of mine, Prof Kanyinga. He was basically pointing out how polarised our country is and in many respects, he is right.

There even has been a lot of talk from many quarters about the need for leaders to come together and talk.

Yes I agree there is always need to talk and in any case leaders who lead multitudes of people cannot call themselves legitimate if they do not have the humility and the sincerity to listen to each other and look for solutions to problems. 

The one feature that lacks in what a lot of people who prescribe the talking model between leaders is that none of them seems to define the environment within which such talks can productively take place.

Politicians – even those who compete against each other - keep telling us that they do talk and take cups of tea together.

CONFUSION

Could it be possible that even now in the confusion of the elections some of them in opposite camps have active avenues of communication between them?

My submission is that the environment of a political competition may not be the most appropriate for talks – some say dialogue - which the whole world knows about.

That may seem to tell the world that our problems are objectively much worse than they really are. It is true that we have serious issues with tribal differences – that often affect the operations of our national institutions - but even there, our political class must take a lot of blame.

As one Jaluo colleague and friend of mine Polycarp Ochilo tells me frequently, God did not make a mistake in creating me a Kikuyu or himself a Jaluo. This diversity ought to be our strength.

The other day I was listening to the sentiments of the chairman of the Kenya Private Sector Association – another Jaluo friend of mine - regarding the elections and I got thinking.

PROLONGED CAMPAIGN

He expressed desperation about the damage this prolonged campaign period has inflicted upon our economy. Nobody, even the most fanatical politician, can deny that fact. In this nexus of citizens and economy, I see what can bring Kenyans of different tribal backgrounds closer over time.

For as long as our “leaders” continue thinking only politically without giving thought to the possibilities of educating our citizens about productivity and personal empowerment, we shall always remain divided.

There is only one way of uniting Kenyans. This way is the language of hard work everywhere in this country.

This way is the language of productivity for personal empowerment in the context of national development.

One would want to see a government effort at establishing that kind of national consciousness. God save Kenya. 

Writer is Dean of Students at the University of Nairobi; [email protected]