Inclusion in government will end talk on Kenya’s split bid

The storm kicked off by David Ndii in his call to secession has revealed the best and worst of us. When Dr Ndii first raised this matter – comparing Kenya to an abusive marriage, ripe for divorce – I took it as a mere intellectual interrogation of our ethnic hatred. But, reading through the views and commentaries on the subject this time round, my heart has been troubled – very troubled. And so, I took a moment to prayerfully reflect.

While our national focus was trained on the stalemate at the Bomas of Kenya over the presidential election results, the media picked up a seemingly insignificant election event in Embu. Eric Muchangi Njiru had just clinched the Runyenjes Parliamentary seat, and there were celebrations. What was newsworthy, though, was not Mr Muchangi’s electoral victory, but rather his being an Akorino. Well known for their white headgear and long flowing dresses, the Akorino were ecstatic as they celebrated the election of the first ever member of their church to Parliament. In the victory of Muchangi, was the vicarious triumph for the Akorino church. Hence, their merriment was not confined to Runyenjes, but reverberated across the nation wherever the Akorino are found.