THE KIKUYUS SHOULD RETURN A HAND

FACTSABOUT POLITICS IN KENYA

Kenya was in a brink of collapse during the 2007/2008 post election violence. The electoral body that had been mandated to deliver a free and fair election process became the villain. A cold war erupted at the KICC where the results were expected to be announced, the then defunct electoral commission of Kenya chairman Samuel Kiviutu beacame overwhelmed by the persistence of the politicians who had thronged at the KICC to hear the presidential results. Then Kivuitu Surprised everybody in the building. “I cannot reach the returning officers via the phone!” He exclaimed. That is when the smell of a rat spread throughout the building and the country at large. This are presidential results we are talking about! Not some game play! Then when the pressure seemed not to abate, Kivuitu under GSU guard went to the 13^th floor of KICC where he announced incubent president Kibaki had won beating Raila Odinga by 231,738 votes. While releasing the statement, only KBC was allowed to stream the event live. After the announcement, everything seemed to be happening quickly. Tension started building up throughout the country, Kibaki was sworn as president in the wee hours of the same day propmpting both local and international outcry from people who sensed a foul play.

Then hell broke loose. Neighbor turned against neighbor. The genesis of the violence was in Nairobi's Mathare and Kibera slums. The media was quick to report on the same without considering the repercussions that were awaiting. Indeed, due to the media, the violence spread like wildfire throughout the country. Those who fought did so because they were either defending themselves or fighting for a robbed presidency. In the Rift Valley, the Agikuyu were chased away by the Kalenjins. The Agikuyu had largely voted for Kibaki, whereas the Kalenjin had voted for Raila. Other small communities like the Abagusii found themselves in the pandemonium. They were too ejected. The Abagusii never voted as a bloc. They voted for bothe Raila and Kibaki. No one took charge of the region. Media reports indicate that 1300 people lost their lives whereas thousands rendered homeless. The number could be higher as there are families that have never traced their loved ones to date.

With the election period looming once again, tension is deeply hidden inside our hearts. Many are fearing for the 2008 scenario with the Kenya red cross already raising the alarm. During the previous elections, Kenyans witnessed horrific images that still haunt them to date. Kenya is a country of 42 tribes out of which only two tribes have ruled Kenya

. Daniel Arap Moi, a Kalenji, ruled the republic of Kenya for 24 straight years and according to the current constitution, no other president will beat the record since they are required to serve for a maximum of two terms of ten years. Jomo Kenyatta, a Kikuyu had served for 15 years since independence. In 2002, Kibaki, a Kikuyu took the reigns of power from Moi after the opposition ganged to eject KANU. In total, the Kikuyu community has ruled for 24 years too. In order to fight tribalism effectively, let us state the facts. If I say, Kenya should not have a Kikuyu or a Kalenjin president in 2013, I am not entrenching tribalism. I am actually removing it. Kenya is not a kingdom where specific people rule us.

Ruto and Uhuru, the two men facing charges of heinous crimes during the post poll skirmishes have sworn that they will be in the ballot paper come 2013. Ruto, a man who Moi groomed politically and Uhuru, the son of our founding father Jomo Kenyatta have been mentioned as two people with the code of unlocking the equation of the next general election. The bitter truth is this, a Kalenji and a Kikuyu cannot go to bed. They are enemies. They do not want to confront their differences and iron them out before the next elections. When Ruto and Uhuru become friends, it shows how hypocritical our politicians are.

The fact here is that, Kenyans should be careful not to be misused. The Agikuyu people should understand that by electing one of their own will not make the price of sugar in their area different from the rest of Kenya. Avoid being used. Let us stop this politics of “our own” and instead give other tribes a chance to have a taste of state house. Never be quick to acquit Uhuru and Ruto from the charges facing them at the Hague and vote them in. It will have a catastrophic impact for our beloved country. Imagine we having a president like Bashir of Sudan. We are a growing economy dependent on foreign investors and help from developed nations. We do not need sanctions. If indeed the Agikuyu are not selfish why cant they come forward and support, say Mudavadi or Raila for presidency? Let us be united as one nation. Distribute leadership positions equally to everyone.Tom Mboya, a man who had a chance of becoming president after independence opted to wait for the release of Kenyatta who became president. He never thought of the Luos! He thought of Kenya. He was brilliant than everyone in government then. We all know that. He was killed later on due to his brilliance. Several years later, Raila Odinga, a luo, said 'Kibaki tosha' a two word statement that worked magic seeing Kibaki ascending to power and then clinging onto it, forgetting the kindness of Raila and the rest. Is this the Kenya we want?

SAMWEL BORN MAINA