10 reasons why Kenyans should not be tribal

The truth is, Kenyans are no longer speaking in one accord reason being we are divided by our tribal differences. I’m personally longing for that time when Kenya will have one tribe that is being a Kenyan. We fought well for our independence after suffering in the hands of the colonial man. We fought to death against racism, we made it but now we have imprisoned ourselves again with another enemy called tribalism.

To some extent, I blame our leaders but before they are brought to question, we followers have to blame ourselves. Why should we suffer at the ground yet our leaders are busy loading their tummies, why don’t we come together and abide to what is beneficial to us. I leave it for you to brainstorm.

Every community in Kenya has its own pride as well as a contribution to this country in one way or another. Kenya does not depend on one community to be successful. This gives a summary to some of the reasons why Kenyans should never discriminate their fellow Kenyans on the basis of tribe.

1.The kikuyu and the Bantu communities contribute highly to the economy of this country. That is why we should always support them as long as we are Kenyans and the growth of Kenyan economy affects us as Kenyans.

2.As a Kenyan, I’m always proud of the Maasai community irrespective of it not being my community. If Africans can be proud, why not the people from the house?. How many people have with them bed covers, clothes and even bangles made by the Maasai people? We have no choice but to unite with them.

3.As Kenyans, we need the Kalenjin community to represent us in various sports activities in the world. Kenya has been recognized in various parts of the world due to a very respectable performance in sports. The likes of Kipchoge Keino, Janet chepkoskei, Ezekiel Kemboi and our recent champion Julius Yego only to mention a few. When they crossed the finishing lines, Kenyans were happy, Kenyans cried and too Kenyans felt the essence of being Kenyans it was not about being another tribe. The spirit of oneness.

4.The Luo and the Luhya community are known to produce the best professors in Kenya. We need intellects, we need lecturers and we need to invest in education to move out of the bracket of third world countries. Kenya is proud of the president of the United States, a man from Kisumu, everyone is proud of him despite our tribal differences. This reflects the potential of unity we possess but some of us take it for granted. We must speak one language and say no to tribalism.

5.Kenyans from Kisii community also play a crucial role that cannot be undermined whatsoever. Soap stones, carvings, basketry and pottery are and will always remain the pride of Africa thanks to the Kisii community. If African counties brag because of you why not a fellow Kenyan, we are one. This community also has the most heavily represented Kenyans in foreign countries for example in Indian and American universities get this right ‘Kenyans’ not ‘Kisiis’. Keep on representing Kenyans.

6. We must be proud also as Kenyans to have the Kamba people, the only people considered to be premier martial race, sharp shooters by the British colonial government. They played a role which should never be overlooked when Kenya was fighting for independence. Don’t also forget the beautiful ladies within the Kamba land, they represent Kenya at large.

7.When I mention Njuri Ncheke some Kenyans will shout eeeh! But not necessarily the Ameru people, just because everyone is proud to hear that. Ncheke’s shrine is gazetted as a heritage site and placed under the care of national museums of Kenya, the question is why it is placed under the museums of Kenya and not of Ameru yet they are the community?  Simple we are Kenyans and we share what we have for every individual to fit as a coherent whole.

8.We can’t also do without Cushitic communities, Somali, Boran, Rendile and others. When I see these people I see hena, when I see these people I see Mo Farah winning the Olympic world champion distance runner, they play a vital role as Kenyans.

9.Other Kenyan communities also kept their traditional lifestyles which will always make Kenya proud. Turkana, Samburu and other sister tribes are known for this. As long as I’m a Kenyan I will remember Paul Ereng, Ekwe Ethuro, Ajuma Nasenyama and many other people who will always put the name Kenya on top irrespective of their tribes.

10.What about the coastal Bantus? Swahili, Mijikenda, Taita and many others. As Kenyans we have to respect these people. Their great Agricultural skills have contributed so much to this country. We can’t brag and walk away from these communities who own our ‘lugha ya taifa’ that is Kiswahili language which is spoken in the whole of Eastern Africa.

Each community in Kenya is important in one way or the other. Tribalism will end when we stop looking our names as Kenyans, when every community will respect another community, when every community understands the significance of the other, when we Kenyans, reflect back to where we’ve come from, this is when tribalism will be buried and forgotten forever.