Why Gema and other tribal organisations are retrogressive

By Kilemi Mwiria

There have been recent efforts by a few central Kenya MPs to revive the Gikuyu, Embu Meru Association (Gema). This is an unfortunate move given the misery ordinary Kenyans, and in particular some ordinary Gema community members, have experienced since the 2007 General Election.

This is a time for national healing and consolidation of the gains of the National Accord and not for intensification of our ethnic differences.

Some Kenyans will remember how the 1976 change the constitution movement, led by a few inward looking Gema politicians, with the sole aim of locking out Daniel arap Moi from power, hit a dead end with the Gema communities only increasing their isolation from other Kenyan communities.

As a result, most non-Gema communities had almost sworn to never again support a president from Gema region. Gema were fortunate to benefit from the temporary unity of 2002 after other Kenyan communities chose to unite to eject Kanu from power.

The Gema are known for never backing politicians from outside their region for the presidency. It was not surprising when the same communities that backed Gema in 2002 supported a non-Gema candidate for the top seat. Members of Gema community living in Rift Valley suffered miserably for voting one of their own. Many are still landless and homeless.

How sad that some of the nationalists of the 1970s and 1980s, now turned politicians, are among the fiercest advocates of tribal political alliances presiding over a system where party membership is largely ethnic and where those who have the courage to contest for political seats from parties outside their ethnic cocoons get nowhere. No wonder it is impossible to find a team of parliamentarians who cut a national image as did Tsibule wa Tsuma, Chelegat Mutai, George Anyona, James Orengo and Lawrence Sifuna of the fourth Parliament.

The 2007 General Election results reflected our tribal stupidity. Those from the Mt Kenya region protected the power they had while politicians from the other communities were strategically placing themselves for power.

Tribalism flourishes

In our dishonesty, we politicians told the populace that the fight is about them. For national reconciliation to succeed, we politicians must have the courage to expose the potential dangers of tribalism.

Kenyans need to be reminded that tribalism was invented by the colonial Government to divide and rule us. The post-independence leadership were "A" students in this regard; maybe because many served in the colonial administration. Aware of the potential individual gains, some African leaders have perfected the art of tribalism at the detriment of the very people they lead.

Let us also remember the corruption we speak so much about has no ethnic boundaries. Ask yourself why after long and bitter political fights for power and national prayer sessions, politicians from different ethnic communities quickly agree on sharing power and wealth and openly fight when they think they do not have it.

Educated youth, most of whom do not owe their ethnic groups for their professional and economic success, should not wait for tribalists to lead them to hell while stemming their leadership potential. They must tackle the backwardness of ethnic politics aware that they have only lent their future to political leaders in trust; a trust they can recall like a bank can recall a loan.

A united country is their best investment, as only then will merit supersede tribal and other ethnic considerations for the awarding of jobs and development projects. In this, they have to reject ethnic voting patterns, and must ignore leaders who thrive on divisive ethnic politics.

—The writer ([email protected]) is an Assistant Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology and MP, Tigania West.