By Standard Team

Tribalism should not be allowed to derail growth in Kenya, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has said.

He said Kenya is a ‘model country’ in East and Central Africa, but ethnic divisions threatened development.

Kalonzo also urged Kenyans and the media to back his national healing process, warning the country may never be the same again if tribalism is allowed to break it, as it has happened in some neighbouring countries.

"A Kenyan should never attack a fellow Kenyan because of voting for a certain political leader again," he said.

He said Kenya has helped to broker peace in neighbouring Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Southern Sudan and Burundi, hence it should remain a shining star in the region.

"Kenya stands in enhancing democracy in East Africa and we must co-operate as members of different communities and cultivate national cohesion," he added.

He said he has no problem with the Kenyan media, saying: "I want to remain a friend of the media but it should not misrepresent facts on our efforts to heal the country."

The VP was speaking at Friends School Kamusinga on Saturday during a fundraiser.

Meanwhile, Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang has accused the Vice-President of dividing Kenyans along tribal lines.

Mr Kajwang urged the VP to shun politics that could promote tribalism, terming it a "backward game of politics that would lead Kenyans nowhere".

"If Kalonzo takes Kamba, Kalenjin and Kikuyus, are the remaining 39 tribes not in Kenya?" he asked.

He was reacting to recent campaign by Kalonzo for formation of a political alliance of the three communities.

Kajwang challenged the VP to go slow on divisive politics.

On constitution review, the Mbita MP challenged politicians who are out to derail the process to change their stand.