Today, in our country, it is almost impossible to discuss politics without making reference to ethnicity. This has been eventuated by the perceptions thrown all over by the political class insinuating that their ethnic interests would be safer when power is in the hands of their tribesmen.
This has over time created competition for the ethnic capture of power, creating ethnic animosity and fanning ethnic violence.
Recent pronunciations by some of the political elites depict the extent at which political accommodation and ethnic tolerance has degenerated.
Best exemplified by this exclusionist and ignoramus 'strategy' in the clamor for political power is the fever-pitched competition for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat.
Factions have emerged, throwing barbs at each other on who's best suited to be governor and who's not.
However by claiming that some of the aspirants are "outsiders" is outrageous while referring to others as "wazungu" in an apparently alleged fear of favoritism is exceedingly an unconventional behavior befitting a leader in this 21st Century.
It not only defeats the spirit of the new constitutional dispensation but also translates politics into an ethnic zero-sum game.
For purposes of national unity, it would be better if political leaders competed on the basis of ideologies rather than whipping emotional sympathies and promoting ethnic cleavages.
By sensationalizing politic in our country, national unity will remain a mirage and further plunge it into levels that cannot be redone again.
No regime in its senses can force any particular ethnic group to do things that are not right for whatever reasons.
It is therefore up to the political class to pacify the already tensed ethnic relations or further drive a wedge between them.
