New resolve to fight tribalism welcome

So Government finally wants to confront the monster that is tribalism? Well, better late than never. The signal from Office of the President is clear the current holder of that office wants to leave behind a credible legacy.

That is why the announcement by Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Muthaura was timely and perhaps, his biggest challenge yet.

Coming to power riding a popular wave on a ticket of zero tolerance to corruption, nepotism, intolerance and all other negative-isms, President Kibaki started his reign with a popularity index surpassing even US President Barack Obama’s.

With stratospheric expectations comes a monumental burden to deliver. The campaign run by the President’s team demonised the outgoing Kanu regime as anachronistic, top-heavy, high-handed, corrupt and aloof.

Kenya had the unenviable reputation as a country of mega-scams, entrenched poverty, impassable roads, derelict, century-old railway, lumbering State corporations, a moribund ports authority, and international lending institutions’ customer Number One.

Clearly, the President’s team dubbed Kenya’s Second Liberation, had its work cut out for them. Chief among the factors contributing to this sad state of affairs was institutionalised tribalism.

　

Culture of ‘eating’

Appointments were made according to one’s ethnic background, regardless of educational or technical expertise. As a result, the appointees deemed it fit to pack the middle and lower ranks with workers from their own communities. This made it easier to milk the corporations and line their own pockets.

And impunity was born.

This perhaps does not tell the whole story since the first two post-Independence regimes had honed the use of tribe to entrench a culture of ‘eating’ the national cake, leaving animosity to fester.

The promise by the Kibaki regime to dismantle corruption networks handed him unprecedented public support.

With time, however, the old malaise has slowly eaten its way back to haunt the current regime. At the twilight years of his rule, realisation is dawning that his legacy is in jeopardy and that he would be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Successive governments have ensured the pool of manpower has grown considerably. Kenyans are better educated and technically savvy across all professions. It is no longer a question of where one hails from, but what to do with this vast pool of labour.

It is, indeed, time to balance appointments to the armed forces, the Civil Service, public universities, ambassadorial placings and many more. However, the monster of tribalism can only be slain if the top leadership reflects the face of Kenya.

Recognising meritocracy as the first consideration for hiring would break the chains of negative ethnicity that keep this nation shackled in want, skewed development, wallowing in bitterness at perceived marginalisation.

The bursting point came in 2008 triggered by the excuse of the presidential election outcome dispute.

Suddenly, everyone’s eyes opened to ‘historical injustices’ that needed acknowledgment and reversing in order for the nation to move forward.

This was agreed to and the National Accord was signed, promising a shocked world community that Kenyans were ready to embrace one another and give nationhood another chance.

Wagon of promise

All the ingredients are available, locally and internationally. Manpower is sufficient in almost any field.

Kenyans continue to excel and break barriers and break out into new horizons. Their loyalty, mettle and drive is legendary and much admired.

That is why the fresh resolve to counter negative ethnicity is welcome, timely and critical to attainment of the goals outlined in Vision 2030.

President Kibaki must lead the nation back to the rails he hitched his wagon of promise in 2002.