Bishop Kosgei censures DP Gachagua over ethnic unity

Nominated MP Jackson Kosgei. [File, Standard]

Nominated MP Jackson Kosgei yesterday warned national leaders against dividing the country along ethnic lines.

He singled out Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over his drive to unite only one part of the country.

Kosgei, who is also a cleric, warned that such tactics risked fracturing the nation along ethnic lines and would undermine Kenya's quest for unity.

"Now, if we introduce the politics of tribal identity, it is going to be dangerous. I would therefore urge politicians to do away with tribal politics and adopt nationalised politics," Kosgei said.

The DP has been under attack by a section of leaders who have accused him of concentrating most of his energies on promoting what he calls unity of Mt Kenya region at the expense of other parts of the country.

Despite the mounting criticism, Gachagua has however maintained that there was nothing wrong with his bid to unit his region, arguing that other leaders should also do the same before embarking on a national campaign.

According to Gachagua, every person comes from a certain location and that national unity can be achieved if it is strengthened from family level then at the grassroots, county and region, before the whole country unites.

"I want to persuade us, as the leaders of Kenya, notwithstanding any differences that we may have, please let us not go to the direction of ethnic mobilisation. Let our communities gravitate around cultural identity. That is constitutional," Kosgei said.

He further observed that "even our own Political Parties Act cannot allow you to register a party along the lines of tribe or religion."

"Anything that can create sensation and develop animosity amongst the people is not good. I am therefore appealing to my friend, His Excellency the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, to leave that line of mobilising Kenyans according to tribes," he said.