Miguna Miguna
The former MP for Subukia, Koigi Wamwere’s desperate attempt to construct and sell a nebulous concept he calls ‘negative ethnicity’ seems to be encountering rough waters.
The more he tries to come up with innovative explanations connecting what he calls ‘negative ethnicity’ with xenophobia, the more his arguments negate themselves. Unfortunately, like with most ideas, if it is repeated so many times, a few gullible people will buy it and it is hoped that eventually, even the most misguided concept might gain currency and be universally accepted. That is why I challenge it.
Ethnic, racial or cultural identities of, say, the Kikuyu, Luo, Kamba, Kalenjin — or English — cannot be said to have negative attributes or connotations. Ethnicity is neither negative nor positive. It simply is.
The concept of ‘negative ethnicity’ is an invention with no historical or scientific foundation. A natural or genetic attribute cannot be negative unless we attach other associations outside its immutable existence. What is negative is the myth that some ethnic groups are superior and entitled to everything while others are inferior and entitled to nothing, or very little of anything.
Koigi would be right to oppose ethnic discrimination. He should be lauded if he fights against marginalisation, exclusion and victimisation of others based on ethnicity, gender, religion or any other characteristics that those people are not responsible for and cannot change.
But ethnic discrimination cannot be equated to ethnicity. Nor can it be blamed on the concept of ethnicity. It is not the concept of ethnicity that breeds ethnic rivalry, hatred or other forms of xenophobia. The philosophical foundation of xenophobia is grounded in unreasonable fear. It could be the fear of competition over resources and power; or it could also be purely out of jealousy, envy and greed. However, the fact that a group can exhibit unreasonable fear does not explain source of that fear. To elevate fear to an immutable genetic construction would be voodoo science.
What is negative is ethnocentricity; which is a system and method of evaluating other races and cultures based on pre-designed subjective criteria which results in an artificial ranking of ethnic groups, races and cultures.
Similarly, ethnic, racial or cultural discrimination is negative because it artificially ascribes to certain races, cultures and ethnic groups inferior or superior characteristics and status and either values or devalues their humanity. That is why racism is negative. And it is why what Kenyans term ‘tribalism’ is also negative.
One of the greatest problems in Kenya is tribalism; the idea that one or more ethnic communities deserve to be in leadership positions merely because they are members of those communities is wrong and must be fought.
Koigi and others would do well to confront xenophobia using the correct vocabulary and tools. Although he would be starting late, it is better late than never. Let us celebrate our ethnic diversity, using it for creativity and innovation; not creating fear and despondency.
