How we give life to tribal stereotypes

Kipkoech Tanui

It was my former teacher and first-class columnist Mr Philip Ochieng who wondered what was wrong with his people who hurl stones during defeat and victory.

Even the National Security Intelligence Service advised security chiefs that a Raila Odinga win in 2007 would have led to ‘celebratory violence’ in towns where his community dominates.

I have also heard it, in line with Kenya’s rich account of stereotypes Luos are in love with English, adore fancy titles over money, and like to look smart no matter the cost. It is also claimed they like partying, urban life and hi-tech music systems and grandiose furniture and cars.

It was late Stanley Oloitiptip who hilariously accused Luos of worshipping Gor Mahia as their religion and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga as their messiah.

But again, it was Njehu Gatabaki who wrote that the Kalenjin were "the most haggard and awkward looking specie of humanity with little known appetite for education".

Heritage Minister William ole Ntimama responded: "How can you compare the brown-teethed Kikuyu with rickety and jigger-infested feet to the straight standing, tall and proud white-teethed Kalenjin?"

Yes, I have grown up surrounded by stereotypes spun by generations before us. Before I met my Abagusii friends, I was made to believe their adults feed on bhang, the children cheat in exams and the older people are witch doctors.

Like me you probably were made to fear the Kuria and Ameru (and sadly again the Abagusii) for what was said was the speed of their temper and settling every score with a panga. I was told in Kehancha, tailors sell raincoats with special inner pockets to conceal double-edged pangas. I also was told in Meru, land surveyors have to work with armed escorts, lest they die in the line of duty. The Luhya, Mr Joseph Kamotho told us, supply the middle-class with cooks and watchmen.

Flesh market

I won’t even go into what they say of Kamba women’s’ supposed addiction to a steamy romp and the claim Kikuyu girls could all be frigid or are preoccupied with thoughts of money even at the oddest of moments. We accused them of feeding the flesh market until we learnt we, too, had prostitutes and their clients.

We have also been fed with the stereotype you date a beautiful girl in Mombasa at your own risk — at night as you settle to sleep, she would stretch her hand from ten feet away to turn the lights off. If it does not start with this, she will rock you to wonderland where you snore away the night like a baby only to wake up next to a bonny black cat!

You must also have heard it said the Turkana are greedy and uncouth — and that like the Kalenjin they like borrowing this or that. The story also goes they could have been Chinese who pride themselves as a people who eat anything that flies except planes, everything that swims except submarines and everything that walks except fellow man.

In this regard, the Turkana have no qualms extracting the foetus from a dead cow and roasting it. But you need to live in the dustbowl that is Turkanaland to understand why — here you eat to live, not live to eat.

I need not tell you about the Somali and the perception 20 of them can comfortably live in a three-bedroom house and sleep in turns — on the floor, or even what they say happens to their walls.

Then there are the Kikuyu who a Kanu minister one time warned retired President Moi to avoid because they are secretive conspirators — even when in bed and talking to you, they would be holding separate conversation using their toes.

The other bit is they love money and that in the morgues, an identified robber lynched by the public or felled by a police bullet, should be labelled "Identified Kikuyu Male’ (instead of Unidentified African Male). Others would argue we should let the dead too enjoy our protection of our laws — one is innocent until proven guilty.

Now back to my people, the community that has given forth the world’s greatest athletes — even last week in Berlin. I am told in no unflattering terms that since post-election violence last year, we are seen to be humble at face value — but savages at heart. I disagree totally but my leaders who have been speaking recklessly about Mau Forest this week seem to be keen on reinforcing this perception.

Area of excellence

Yes, they are the only Kenyan community leaders seemingly out to prove the warmongering stereotype is justifiable. My question is what country would we have if the rest strive to prove that what is said of their communities is true? Should we also strive like Kiraitu Murungi insinuated to prove our area of excellence is herding goats and cows?

True, I back the clearing of human settlement in Mau but it must be orderly, humane and there must be compensation. But I do not think we would achieve much if we keep breathing fire and brimstone. I am uncomfortable with those who keep using my brothers and sisters like scarecrows in a maize plantation.

The writer is The Standard’s Managing Editor, Daily Editions.

ktanui@standardmedia.co.ke