karibu magazine 3rd edition

The role of ethnicity in Kenyan politics.
By Thomas Musau
Kenya goes to the polls on August 8. As
in previous elections, the role played
by ethnicity and tribalism are likely
to decide the election. Experts say
politicians beat the drums while their
tribesmen and women dance to the
tune.
Kenyan politics have been characterized
by ethnic tensions since independence
in 1963. But it was not until 2008 that
the demons of tribalism finally flared up
after the hotly disputed elections which
left over a thousand people dead and
thousands displaced.
The clashes mainly between the larger
ethnic tribes, the Kikuyus, Luos and
Kalenjins, erupted after Mwai Kibaki
from the Kikuyu community was
declared the winner amidst accusations
of rigging and electoral manipulation.
Ethnicity parse has never been the
problem. The problem arises when
politicians use ethnicity for their
personal gain, and create a divide
which fuels an appeal and loyalty to the
tribe- often over country. Historically
in the traditional societies, the issue
of belonging to a tribe was not a big
issue until and during the fight for
independence.
Tribalism in Kenya dates back to the
colonial era. From 1920 to 1963, Kenya
was under the rule of the British who
used the divide and rule tactic to
govern. For years they played one side
off against another, in particular the
Kikuyus and Luos whom they considered
a threat owing to their numerical
superiorities.
The first two political parties before
and during independence Kenya - the
Kenya Africa National Union (KANU) and
the Kenyan African Democratic Union
(KADU) set off the current tribal politics
in the country. KANU was a Kikuyu and
Luo alliance party; while KADU was
comprised of other small tribes who
feared the domination by KANU. KADU
was founded by Daniel Arap Moi, a
Kalenjin from Rift valley and others.
President Jomo Kenyatta (father of the
incumbent president Uhuru Kenyatta)
was accused of sidelining the Luos, in
particular Jaramongi Odinga (father of
current opposition leader Raila Odinga)
in favour of Moi, who succeeded him in
1978 as the second president of Kenya.
During his time in office until 2002,
Moi was accused of entrenching and
perpetuating tribalism and the politics A second commission, the National
of divide and rule. His presidency was Cohesion and Integration Commission,
also marked by deadly tribal animosities. is still working on ending the enduring
The major outbreak was in 1992 with divisions between Kenyans. In its view,
the Molo clashes in the vast Rift valley the solution is to address economic
region which left 5,000 people dead and equality and opportunities for all,
another 75,000 displaced. The conflict regardless of tribal affiliations.
was primarily between the Kalenjin
It’s well documented that the
and the Kikuyu communities with land appointments in government,
ownership cited as one of the key
parastatals and other government
reasons behind the tragic conflict.
bodies reflect a deliberate effort to
Though regional conflict among tribes favour certain ethnic lines-depending
was still in existence, it was not until on who is in power. Since independence,
the advent of multi-party politics in
leaders often fill the civil service and
1992 that it really became evident- and state-owned institutions with members
ultimately flared up into violence and of their ethnic group, and those from
death.
ethnic communities viewed as being
Major parties were already divided
supportive of the ruling regime.
along tribal lines. For example, the
The cabinets of presidents Jomo
Forum for the Restoration of Democracy Kenyatta, Daniel Moi, and Mwai Kibaki
(FORD-Kenya) was associated with the all had a disproportionate number of
Luhya tribe, the Democratic Party with members from their respective tribes.
the Kikuyu, the Labour Democratic Party Tribalism is to blame for many of the ills
with the Luo, while the Kalenjin tribe in our country today such as corruption,
largely supported KANU. Today, voting ethnic clashes and underdevelopment.
in Kenya whether parliamentary, civic To end this people must be given jobs
or presidential, is done almost entirely based purely on merit- their skills
along tribal lines.
and training, not tribal lineage. Many
In the political sphere, leaders appeal political observers are now warning
to people of their own tribes when
that Kenya is on the wrong track in
they want support. They also use their the run-up to the 2017 elections.
tribes as leverage when they bargain for Political alliances based on tribes
positions and favours from government. have dominated Kenya’s politics since
The ‘big five’ tribes have influenced who independence. As in the past, political
is elected, owing to their numerical
alliances have been made along ethnic
advantage. According to Kenya’s
lines. The Jubilee alliance of President
National Bureau of Statistics, the largest Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William
ethnic groups are the Kikuyu, the Luhya, Ruto is overwhelmingly backed by the
the Kalenjin, the Luo and the Kamba. At Kikuyus and the Kalenjins.
present, the majority of Luos support The opposition National Alliance (NASA)
opposition leader Raila Odinga, the
is no different. It is a union of tribes led
Kambas are behind Kalonzo Musyoka. by Raila Odinga (a Luo from Nyanza),
The Kalenjins back Deputy President Moses Wetangula and Moses Mudavadi
William Ruto, while the Kikuyus support (Both Luhyas from western Kenya) and
President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Kalonzo Musyoka from the Kamba tribe
The political elite are known to play
of eastern Kenya.
the ethnic divide game to get elected Mass registration drive rallies have
as they know that elections are never been ethnically politicized. Politicians
based on issues, ideologies or principles. returning to their backyard for campaign
Attempts to slay the dragon of tribalism rallies have no clear agendas other than
in Kenya have not borne much fruit.
playing the usual tribal cards.
Commissions have been formed, songs The tribal card is being played behind
composed, and wars fought. The Truth, the scenes. It’s not being amplified
Justice and Reconciliation Commission as such but politicians are harping on
was formed in 2008 after the 2007
tribal arithmetic to gain control and
post-election violence. The commission get political mileage-and ultimately be
concluded that ethnic conflicts mainly elected. Such is the tragedy of our tribal
stem from land inequality and regional politics.
3RD EDITION | JULY 2018
imbalances in wealth distribution.
77