There is nothing like tribes in Elgeyo Marakwet County that can warrant tribalism. Basing on the Wikipedia definition of 'tribe', I think it is much safer to say that there are only two tribes in EMC that is, the tribe of the powerful and the powerless; leave alone the Keiyos or Marakwets. What we have are clans carved out of the larger 'powerful' tribe.
Clannism has always been cited as the major stumbling block to the achievement of unity in the vast EMC County. Clannism and nepotism will kill this county as politicians and the electorate talks of 'my tribe'. Devolution has made politics more violent and local than ever. Thanks to this thing called devolution, we can now clearly tell where the problem with our region in as far as cohesion and integration are concerned.
For one to work in these devolved units, a lot of importance is placed on clans, families, and whether one supported the governor in the last general election. Some even applied through the so called Council of Elders -an entity that is not recognized by any law as far as employment and recruitment are concerned. Yes, we respect our culture but the elders of our world do not deserve our respect. They belong to the highest bidder and are very partial. Elders of them days were highly respected because of their wisdom and impartiality.
In the last general election, members of the same family supported different candidates. That is democracy! Must they pay for it? There is a developing cult of ignorance in Marakwet West sub-county to be specific, and there has always been. There is a strain of anti-intellectualism that has been constantly threading its way through our county politics and now it has gained access to our cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy could mean that my ignorance is as good as your cumulative knowledge.
We have seen unqualified people who are loyal to politicians in the county take up senior positions (I should not mention them) you know. No wonder some of our departments are unable to prepare annual budgets. Our MCAs are no better. Those from big clans - there has never been anything big about our clans - plot among themselves on whom chief officers, Clerks or County Executives they want impeached on the very frivolous grounds thanks to the devolved tyranny of figures in the county assembly.
The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
join