Politicians abusing elders’ counsel

Last month, a Kalenjin Council of Elders was formed ostensibly to champion the community’s interest.

Last week, it was revealed that a Kikuyu Council of Elders would be unveiled soon. This came in the wake of Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta’s calls for the Kikuyu community to speak with one voice.

It is not lost on Kenyans that the Kalenjin council is the brainchild of leaders coalescing around Agriculture Minister William Ruto.

Then there is the Luo Council of Elders, whose leanings are well known and the Meru Njuri Ncheke, which is active in shaping the community’s political path.

We cannot forget the indispensable Kaya elders, who are courted by every politician worth his salt in the coastal region.

Next, the Abaluhya, Abagusii, Maasai, Somali, Turkana, Teso and others will presumably moot their own councils to champion their communities’ interests that, sadly, are only achieved when their share of the national cake is larger than the next group’s.

Kenyans must be told the prime movers of these councils are greedy, selfish politicians who have pillaged this country and want to continue impoverishing the masses with retrogressive ideas.

Sudden appetite

Why the sudden appetite for these councils? It is because our tired politicians know they can only remain relevant if they whip up tribal emotions.

Because they are bereft of any progressive agendas, their only solace is to lean on their tribes and exploit them by claiming that they are in danger if they don’t rally together; that they will miss their share of the "national cake" and be dominated by others.

Wananchi need to expose these backward manoeuvres and reject leaders who only talk of championing their community’s interests.

Post-election violence should have taught us that these are the same politicians who led Kenyans to rise up against one another. The country was polarised and balkanised to disastrous consequences. This balkanisation is now being packaged as councils championing for communal interests.

The thinking behind these councils and the slogans of "our people and our region" is built round three doctrines.

Doctrine of exclusion

First, the doctrine of exclusion, which breeds ethnocentrism, tribalism and regionalism. It negate the principles of democracy by excluding ‘foreigners’.

Second, the doctrine of exploitation where leaders exploit their own communities to perpetuate their stranglehold on power.

Lastly, the doctrine of power bargaining and domination where communities that refuse to form an alliance of tribes are viewed to be in opposition.

This is the time to seek for healing, unity and peaceful co-existence among all wananchi. Let us champion national consciousness, loyalty and cohesion. But to do this, we have to start looking for alternative leadership, redefine our values and start celebrating the mosaic that is our diversity.

We must be determined and reject these tribal groupings, denounce those fronting for them and forge a common course that will save Kenya.

{Loka’ Yolam Ekirapa, Nairobi}