We must say no to tribal campaigns for the sake of peace in the country

By Stanley Githunguri

It is argued that “a politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country”. To demonstrate this, let us remember what we experienced in 2007/2008.

Most of the poor people whose lives were laid down for the sake of the politician’s country are still languishing in tents in places that have become a frequent target for political visits.

A title was coined to describe these horrible homes – “IDP camps”. As politicians address them from the comfort of their cars, they have had to bear the horrors of the current rainy season.

From 1990s to 2007, political campaigns capitalised on promises for constitutional reforms. Politically put, that was probably a genuine evil – What is disgusting now is to hear some of the new political campaign watchwords for 2012- The “resettlement of IDPs” has become a tool for campaigns. How far can they stretch abuses to humanity. When did humanity lose meaning to us?

They even promise that, if you elect them, they will save your tribe from The Hague and protect your tribe from the other tribe. Surely, the founders of this nation must be turning in their graves.

Just four years ago, some Kenyans were told the people of Mount Kenya and those of the Rift Valley should not see eye-to-eye because one took land from the other.

Later, they told us, No, the land was actually not taken, but some other tribe threw stones and burnt the houses of the people of the rift and those of mountain... and the story continues.

Surely, for how long shall we watch as our people are used against each other? Have we not heard of court cases of filthy rich people taking land from IDPs?

This time round, we must say No to tribal campaigns. Let us show the world that we have learnt our lessons.

Kenya has more than 70 ethnic tribes dispersed around her. None is lesser human. None is lesser Kenyan. To positive thinkers, this is great resource.
Other than the industrious character that Kenyans are known for, the fact that a nation of forty million has more than 40 local languages, more than 70 different dialects and most of who can speak at least two languages is a rare combination.

This is enough reason to be proud as a nation; not as a tribe. Without that other tribe, this rare leverage would not exist.

Last year, we sponsored a needy teenager to a course in Europe. In his appreciation notes made a month after his departure, he expressed his perpetual love for his country and regretted that he has always given time to preachers of tribal hatred.
In the university, he joined five other Kenyans from different regions. He told us that, his Western colleagues admire their ability to communicate in more than three languages.

In a class of 30, they have become of revered and formidable influence. It is amazing. They don’t care which tribes they come from. How I wish he could preach that gospel to those that are now balkanising our youth into tribal cocoons. How I wish we had the ability to expose even more of our youth to his experience.

We have not forgotten the horror of the tribal clashes of 1990s, 2002 and 2007. They all come, either immediately before or after the General Election.

Have we ever wondered why it is because “a politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country”! The selfish interests of a few have over and over again exceeded that of the nation.

That is why we have every reason to worry when, none other than the very intelligence agency of the Government, reminds that we are likely to see more horror in 2012 if we trend on the path that we are being asked to follow. For sure, I am afraid we have not learnt our lessons.

The intelligence agencies were blamed for the 2007 crises. They were yelled at for failure to inform the leadership and the public that a crisis was in the offing – unless it was mitigated very fast.

This time, they have not failed this test. Never before has even the Parliament been addressed to such bare warning. And I insist that this was the right audience.

That aside, politicians can sometimes be cynical. Since when did people start swearing and even subscribing to some oath to demonstrate their support for others – even to the extent of swearing while holding the Bible.

As Christians, are we not warned against such transgressions and advised to “let our answers be either yes or no”.

It is such actions that make people of other faiths think Christians are not serious followers of their faith. Fellow politicians, the Bible is not to be used in political rallies; it is not and cannot be another tool to add colour to political displays.

The writer is the Member of Parliament for Kiambaa constituency