Kenya should recognise Indians and Pakistanis

The Indians and Pakistanis (Indo-Paks) in Kenya, many who are naturalised Kenyans, would like to be formally recognised as a tribe.

The last time this happened, the Makonde from Mozambique and Malawi had to trek from Kwale to Nairobi, to plead with the President.

Kenyan Indo-Paks control about 10 per cent of Gross Domestic Product because apart from a handful of multinational manufacturing firms, the community controls most high-end manufacturing sector. The Indo-Paks are therefore the biggest employers in Kenya, by far, if this measure is taken per community or tribe.

But the issue of getting tribal recognition cannot be handled in the same way as the Makonde case because the issue of employing expatriates at the expense of indigenous Kenyans must be discussed in Parliament.

Will the Jubilee administration take a look at how the Indo-Paks have been funding some politicians, hoping to get favours once these politicians are elected? Will MPs ask for bribes to turn a blind eye to so many economic crimes by this community?

I hope they finally get their wish, but Parliament must ask for reparations to atone for economic sabotage by some really rotten apples among them.

The reparations can include giving up of numerous disused temples in Nairobi, which are suspected to be conduits for human trafficking into Kenyan job market.

The temples can be used to house street families or offer drought-relief services like water provision and food to many afflicted. As part of further reparatitions, the community should hire indiscriminately.