Personality cultism a worse evil than yoke of tribe in our midst

By Kilemi Mwiria

A critical examination of the worst political tragedies suggests personalities have caused more damage than the collective spirit of the communities that they purport to represent.

If it was just about tribe, we would not be witnessing politicians from the same ethnic communities fighting it out for political supremacy in different or same political parties. Examples include the Odingas versus the likes of William Omamo, Ndolo Ayah and Raphael Tuju and in Central Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta versus Martha Karua and Peter Kenneth.

Politicians from the same ethnic groups sometimes extend the fight outside their people to support candidates generally viewed as discriminating against their respective communities as long as their personal interest are taken care of.

This is why leaders like Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki have not had any trouble identifying collaborators from among the communities seen to be hostile to their leadership.

It is because of personality cultism that a minister would threaten to strip naked and call for the jailing of opponents of her candidate while another would trash the national flag as only good for evading traffic jams. Yet others change political alliances not out of principle but for fear of being isolated in the next round of polls.

With personality cultism, succession is more important than the policies of the candidates for whom support is being sought. Politicians who do not mimic their ethnic chiefs have often lost parliamentary seats notwithstanding the respect they enjoy from the rest of Kenya. This in effect denies the country quality political leadership while encouraging a culture of sycophancy. Likewise, the 2012 presidential race is more about the personalities of Raila Odinga, Uhuru and William Ruto than it is about what they have to offer.

Corruption and ethnic hate are also hard to fight as the culprits often manage to convince "their people" that it is their tribe and not their individual self being targeted. No wonder some people will kill other Kenyans blindly in defence of their local heroes. Thus, although the 2007 violence revolved around ethnic communities, it was more about defending the interests of the main political protagonists and those who would benefit the most from the resultant power. Personality cults also lead to the marginalisation of minorities such as women and those from the smaller communities because those who glorify personalities often choose men enjoying big ethnic followings for political leadership.

By requiring that potential presidential candidates garner at least 50 per cent of the national vote and a national following for all political parties, the Constitution is heading us in the right direction.

In addition, the period required for one to be a contestant for nomination by a political party should be extended from six months to at least two years to prevent politicians aspiring to national leadership from gallivanting from one party and tribal chief to another.

These constitutional provisions have to be backed by intensive civic education by serious civic groups, intellectuals, teachers, students and religious leaders who know better than the average Kenyan.

The writer is MP for Tigania West and Assistant Minister, Ministry for Higher Education, Science & Technology