Census results spark reaction from leaders

By Mangoa Mosota

A cross-section of Nyanza leaders has expressed divergent views over clustering the 2009 Census results into tribes and religious affiliations.

East African Law Society Secretary James Mwamu said the release of figures based on tribe would make politicians start strategising for the 2012 General Election.

"Politicians will immediately start looking on mechanisms to create alliances, based on the size of tribes. They will be seeking potential voters from other tribes," argued Mr Mwamu.

He said some politicians would insist they are entitled to the Presidency or Deputy Presidency based on the numerical strength of their tribes.

"It is a constitutional right to be identified, but I do not think we need to know the tribes’ numerical strength. Identification based on provinces would be ideal and should be emphasised," argued Mwamu.

"We should have been identified as Kenyans and not our religious affiliations. It is pointless to know the number of Christians or Muslims," he said.

ACK Bishop Otieno Wasonga concurred with Mwamu, saying ethnic background would not help the Government in planning.

"The figures on tribe and religious affiliations may not be correct since many people declined to give details on the two categories during last year’s census," argued Wasonga, the Maseno West Diocese bishop.

The prelate said the new Constitution aimed at fostering unity and a coherent Kenya, making the two forms of categorisation useless.

ACK Mumias Bishop Binneah Salala, however, supported the categorisation, urging Kenyans to view it positively.

"We need to appreciate our potential and unlock it. The diversity shown in the census figures can be used for future reference," said Bishop Salala.