Political bickering lowers Kenya’s standing in the region

Jerry Okungu

Recently, a columnist with a local newspaper had an interesting theory on how to kill ethnic politics: He suggested barring aspiring Members of Parliament by law from seeking public office from among his ethnic community, ancestral land or region of his birth.

The wild suggestion is quite entertaining, but the fact is as long as MPs run to tribal cocoons at the slightest threat to their political careers, Kenya will continue to "wallow in the miasma of our rotten politics"!

Given our pathetic situation — the coalition practically dead but for the trappings of power keeping ‘partners’ from going their separate ways — it will be a miracle if the Head of State loses any sleep over the tiny Migingo island crisis bothering a few Luo fishermen. The local political disconnect is perfect for Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni: His soldiers can sit pretty on the island, fly the Ugandan flag and tax intruding Kenyan fishermen.

President Kibaki, the Kenya’s Commander-in-Chief, is not interested in reclaiming Migingo. Raila Odinga, the man most pained by the occupation, is his Prime Minister. But the PM has no army of his own. To make matters sweeter for Museveni, Raila is increasingly irritating Kibaki. A week never passes without the PM repeating his claim Kibaki stole his victory!

The bickering between Kibaki and Raila is one stone, killing two birds. It is killing the reform agenda that international peace negotiators prescribed early last year in the National Accord. Without harmony, we cannot have a new constitution or reform. The other bird is the roadmap to regional integration. Who would be stupid enough to enter into a union with people who cannot govern themselves? Or to enter into a political marriage with leaders who have made election rigging and killings a way of life?

Kenya has failed to provide leadership to the region. They no longer are able to see the big picture.

The writer comments on social and political issues.