Opinion: After Uhuru, Kikuyus should step aside and let others enjoy as well

I want to be frank, blunt and honest. I am tired. I have grown weary of being a Kikuyu. That’s why I have been exploring whether it’s possible for me to change into an El Moro or even Makonde. I am willing and ready to learn their language, change my name and do anything that it takes to be one of them.

I am also ready to renounce my ‘Kikuyuness’ and discard everything Kikuyu, including my Kikuyu name. It is difficult being a Kikuyu. Let me explain. Around 2005, I was engaged in a political discussion with my mechanic, a Luo. He sought to know whether I could vote for Raila Odinga. I answered in the affirmative, extolling Agwambo’s well-chronicled track record. I meant every word.

But the young man was unconvinced. He stopped fixing my my jalopy and stared hard at me. “No Kikuyu can vote for Raila,” he asserted. I was taken aback. But his rant was an eye-opener; it shed a light on my naïvety on the extent of ethnicity in the country.Tribalism in Kenya is a monster; born and nurtured by the politicians. If we can do away with politicians, I am sure Kenyans can live like the brothers and sisters they are. But that’s wishful thinking. Mr Bifwoli Wakoli, one of the few politicians I admire, once said something that usually pops up in my mind whenever I see some of our politicians’ faces: “Sisi wanasiasa ni kama mashetani” (We politicians are like devils). How true.

Devious

It’s only the devil who can set neighbours against each other with barefaced lies. This political devil has convinced Luos that Kikuyus are their enemies and vice versa. I have heard politicians say that with Uhuru at State House, Kikuyu have benefited than any other community. Sadly, the politicians’ disciples take this for Gospel truth. I am not from Central Kenya although my ancestors are buried there. But I have visited the region severally and therefore cannot buy this propagadistic narrative.

Truth is, Central Kenya is no different from Western, Nyanza or even Rift Valley. There are 10 millionaires there and millions of paupers. There are many untarmarked roads, rickety houses and barefoot people. Unfortunately, whenever politicians open their foul mouths, they lie that roads there are paved with gold and that the biggest headache for families in Central is whether to have beef, chicken or pork for dinner. What hogwash!

Isn’t it ironical that a region that is so affluent, if we are to believe politician, is jigger fighter Ahadi Kenya’s biggest client? Isn’t it hypocritical for leaders to allege marginalisation at a time when the national cake is shared equitably across counties with Parliament’s involvement? It is reprehensible for some to insinuate that Uhuru has pumped half of national treasury to the region and even use the lie to push for secession. While it is true some regions have historically lagged behind, there is a deliberate effort to right that wrong, thanks to the 2010 Constitution. I heard Raila telling Americans recently that Kenya has been ruled by Kikuyu and Kalenjins since independence. That’s true. He, however, forgot to tell them that Jubilee is scheming to continue this state of affairs for a decade or more.

Misplaced enthusiasm

I have a feeling Raila was complaining to the wrong audience. Americans should have reminded him that it took them over 200 years to elect a black president. Of course this is disgusting. For me, however, it doesn’t matter whether Jubilee rules until Kingdom come. The truth is Uhuru has never helped me as a person, neither did those who preceded him. For ordinary people, it shouldn’t matter who is in power as long as the country is on good footing.

But I hear some people usually get thrilled whenever their tribesman is in power, even when such people are maize roasters, hawkers or hookers always on the run from city county askaris. The other day I overheard that Central is busy looking for Ruto’s running mate in 2022. This, I must confess, made me shudder. I know everyone has a right to go for the top seat. But if I had the power, I would order Kikuyus to take the back seat for the next three decades after Uhuru.

They should allow Ruto to fetch his deputy from another part of the country. There is little doubt Kikuyus have had enough of these presidential benefits and jiggers are a living proof. There are many Jubilee-friendly leaders outside the Kikuyu cocoon who the party can support. People like Raphael Tuju, Eugene Wamalwa, Amina Mohamed, Alfred Mutua, Fred Matiang’i or Najib Balala, to name but a few, can do the job if you ask me. Just give other communities a chance to enjoy the trappings of power. Give other regions a chance to have their roads paved with gold and save me the pain of being told; “Kikuyu mnajipenda”.

If this doesn’t happen, I will plead with El Moro elders to accept me as one of their sons. You see, with their measly tyranny of numbers, and considering the nature of our politics, it will take eternity for an El Moro to become president and subject me to ridicule.

Mr Kinuthia is an Editor at The Standard