Open letter to ‘Kikuyu in diaspora’

The proverb when in Rome, do as the Romans do, attributed to St Thomas, simply implies respecting the beliefs and practices of a local culture. Culture includes material culture and immaterial aspects of culture including practices of political organisation and social institutions.

US President Barack Obama is first an American regardless of what people from Nyang’oma Kogelo and Kenyans believe. Born and brought up in America, he consciously chose to do as the Romans do despite his primordial identity feelings to his ‘fatherland’.

The question that a Mr Kamau in Siaya should reflect upon is; what, within his powers, is he doing to identify himself with Siaya before thinking of his “fatherland” in the former Central Province.

To the matter at hand, Articles 38, 39 and 40 of the Constitution of Kenya guarantees political rights to every citizen, freedom of movement and residence and the protection of rights to property. Article 174 deal with the objects of devolution of government which include 174 (b) to foster national unity by recognizing diversity; 174 (d) to recognise the right of communities to manage their own affairs and to further their development and 174 (e) to protect and promote the interests and rights of minorities and marginalized communities.

Article 197(2) (a) deals with how community and cultural diversity of a county is reflected in its county assembly and county executive committee while 197(2) (b) deals with mechanisms to protect minorities within counties.

According to the 2009 National Population Census, the Kikuyu are the largest tribe with a population of 6, 622, 576. This figure does not factor in the other GEMA tribes like the Meru (1, 658,108), Embu (324,097) and Mbeere (168,155).

The same census indicates that the former Central province has a population of 4, 383,743. Conservatively estimating that other tribes leaving in Central are 500,000; the Kikuyu population in Central province is approximately 3, 883,743. From a total population of 6,622,576. Therefore some 2,738,833 leave in other parts of the country. These are the so called ‘diaspora Kikuyu. This approximate makes the Diaspora Kikuyu larger than Meru, Mijikenda (1,960,574), Kisii (2,205,669) or even Maasai (841,622).

One then wonders which “Kikuyu diaspora” has been ever appointed to senior National Government office save for a few from Central Rift. These are the Kikuyu I am addressing.

Since Independence, the “diaspora” has politically been casting their lot with their “motherland”. This has made them bear the brunt of any ill feelings associated with the “motherland” political direction.

A motherland is attributed by some as the place where your umbilical cord was buried. This means the former Central Province is motherland to first generation Kikuyu Diaspora but not second, third, fourth and even sixth generation Kikuyu Diaspora.

Devolution may necessitate a political re-thinking of the “diaspora” Kikuyu. The constitutional provisions cited above and many others are constitutional safeguards to all “diaspora” Kikuyu or any other minority tribe in any county.

The High Court ruling in Bungoma constitutional petition 2 &2”A” of 2014 (consolidated) ruled that the Bongomek is a minority community and should be treated as a special interest group by the county government in any subsequent appointments.

This was after the Bongomek community, a sub tribe of the Kalenjin with 3,704 members which some allege to be the original inhabitants of Bungoma petitioned the appointment of 13 county Chief Officers. The court noted that overriding factors in appointments are merits, fair competition and representation of the diversity of the county.

The ‘Kikuyu diaspora’ might want to pursue this legal route, but because in most counties they are the larger minority; it might be prudent to forget about their “motherland” and cast their lot with the locals. After all, politics is about interests.