Red flag up on next elections

By Peter Opiyo

The red flag is up as Kenya prepares for elections that would usher in the fourth President and it is all about mobilisation of tribes in the name of construction of political alliances.

The warning is already out that the use of the tribal card to lock out opponents and the fueling of ethnic animosities and stirring of tribal loyalties would stoke flames similar to those of 2008 post-election violence from which Kenya has not healed.

Fear for Kenya over the upcoming elections dominated a conference on ethnicity that opened in Nairobi. It afforded Kenyans time to reflect on a monster that has been blamed for lack of national cohesion, exclusion of the non-politically correct tribes from where the national cake is shared, skewed and openly discriminative public appointments, as well as limitation of the ‘pie’ of corruption to a select few within the ruling class.

Government officials and development partners expressed concern that unity has not been cemented among Kenyans after the post-election violence that exposed the soft underbelly of the country.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga and National Cohesion and Integration Commission Chairman Dr Mzalendo Kibunjia launch a new national peace initiative — KENYA KWANZA CAMPAIGN — at KICC, Nairobi, on Monday. [Photo: Jonah Onyango/Standard]

In what appeared lessons borrowed from Justice (rtd) Johann Kriegler Judicial Commission on Kenya’s bungled elections, speakers warned of possible recurrence of bloodbath fueled by ethnic rivalries unless healing and reconciliation was first entrenched.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga, while opening the people’s conference on National Diversity, Race and Ethnicity at Kenyatta International Conference Centre warned that ethnic polarisation was a matter that must be handled before the country goes to the elections.

Post-election violence

"I agree that we have an arduous task ahead of us and time is not on our side. The elections are around the corner. We must remove any risk of a repeat of the 2008 post-election violence or anything else that resembles that tragedy," said the PM.

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga said the "oversupply of vernacular politicians" was a threat to nationhood and said the Judiciary would ensure the National Cohesion and Integration Commission effectively executes its mandate of bringing harmony in the country.

"We shall partner with the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution and the Commission on Administrative Justice (Ombudsman) to help the National Cohesion Commission deliver on its mandate during elections," promised Mutunga.

Hate speech and negative ethnicity are considered to be obstacles to disharmony and divisive politics, which played up conflict in the last polls. NCIC was formed to curtail hate speech and spearhead unity among Kenya’s diverse groups.

Ethnic emotions

Raila told the conference the country’s leadership has embraced a culture of using politics to stir up ethnic emotions and urged leaders seeking high office to compete on the basis of ideals. "I urge those leaders who are vying for high offices to shun ethnic-based politics. We need to compete for power on the basis of credentials, policies and ideologies," said the PM.

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Equal Opportunity, Nominated MP Mohamed Affey, painted a worrying picture of ethnicity in public institutions saying more that 10 government ministries have violated the law, packing offices with members of one tribe. The law requires that public institutions should not have one constituting one-third of the work force.

Last week’s audit of ethnic ranking in public universities returned a worrying verdict with institutions turning out to be incubators of ethnicity.

"We are worried about exclusion because in some universities Senate meetings can be conducted in mother-tongues. Instead of the universities becoming melting pots of knowledge they have become incubators of ethnicity," lamented Affey.

NCIC Chairman Mzalendo Kibunjia said reversing issues that divide Kenyans would be a Herculean task that requires courage. "Reversing these issues would require courage. It would not be easy and that is why we are calling upon leaders of courage to help us out," pleaded Dr Kibunjia.

He said the Commission had developed an Ethnic and Racial Relations Policy aimed at creating harmony, but sounded an alarm bell that the Counties may become cocoons of tribalism if not checked. "We are worried counties may become tribal cocoons and if we don’t have a policy like this, there would be a problem," said Kibunjia.

The two-day conference seeks to build on the gains of the regional diversity to pave the way for cultivation of a harmonious, peaceful and tolerant nation.

United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative Aeneas Chuma, said though Kenya has made some progress, UNDP is concerned about ethnicity, uncertainty regarding the elections date and tension surrounding the International Criminal Court process against four high-profile Kenyans. "We remain concerned about the palpable tension about ICC process, Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission and the issue of Internally Displaced Persons. A lot has been accomplished but more needs to be done on the areas we have mentioned," said Chuma.

The ICC has committed to trial Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North MP, William Ruto, former Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura and Kass FM head of operations Joshua arap Sang.

Uhuru and Ruto are in the presidential race.

Chuma also pointed out that uncertainty on the elections date was creating tension in the country. Even though President Kibaki announced that elections would take place next year, Raila with whom he is mandated to decide on the polling date, is yet to state his position.

Hate speech

Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Sweden, Mr Bjorn Haggmark warned against the use of hate speech and ethnicity to advance political interests. "Peaceful co-existence of Kenyans is the responsibility of all," said Haggmark as he called for justice to IDPs and victims of the post-poll chaos.

"We have neglected the need to build bridges between communities for a long time. Ethnic divisions and misunderstanding indicate that our sense of cohesiveness is not as strong," lamented Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo

Dr Ekuru Aukot, a lawyer who served in the body that drafted the Constitution, gave a reality check of the outright discrimination of communities and regions, which he said must be addressed if Kenya was to avoid recurrence of violence.

"Kenya can only change if we have candid and honest talk about issues that divide us...we must address these issues or else 2007 would appear to us as a Christmas party," he said borrowing a line from Kriegler, who led probe into the disputed presidential elections.

Aukot urged the delegates to ensure that the conference does not become just another talk shop, by implementing its resolutions.

Presidential Advisor on Constitutional Affairs Prof Kivutha Kibwana, warned against an impending area of discrimination in the Counties as he pointed out that skewed distribution of resources have been the causes of conflict. "We must be wary of a new front of potential discrimination in the counties," he warned.

A member of CIC, Prof Peter Wanyande, said economic and political marginalisation have been the major source of conflict and urged leaders to address the problem.

"There is need for this country to manage resources in a way people think they are part and parcel of this country," advised Wanyande.