OPINION: The imperative of political hygiene in Kenya

Once again we find ourselves campaigning two years too early for a general election. It seems to be the very reality of our country. We live for politics and politicians remain our most venerated influencers and celebrities. 

Seven elections into multiparty democracy we seem to be sliding back into the dystopia that the proverbial giraffe of Kenyan politics predicted: tribalism in Kenyan politics. 

It is not a funny thing for one community to be “brothers” and the other to be “cousins”. It may be politically expedient but it tears at the fabric of our society. If those neighbouring your community are cousins then what exactly are those far away from you? 

This is political gimmickry that was done in the 60s and 70s to divide Kenyans. Which is the core reason why we have tribal clashes and even events such as 2007/8 violence which brought about the creation of the institution I now chair: the NCIC. 

A commission that was created to bring about cohesion in our nation. In my time as chair I have learnt there are two critical dangers in Kenyan politics: tribalism and organized criminal gangs that serve political purposes. Of course there are other causes of conflicts such as competition for resources and border disputes but those are not my focus today. 

Today, let’s focus on the tribalism factor. Allow me to borrow from Tanzania, a country with over 120 tribes yet there is seldom any tribal conflicts. Why? Because in the 60s and 70s they were busy calling each other brother and sister regardless of tribe whilst we were busy making tribal groupings and calling each other horrible names to belittle each other. 

They found a system to balance their presidency so that it felt balanced between their Muslim and Christian populations; revolving the presidency between them, whilst accomplishing a union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar to form Tanzania. 

The problem with fixed tribal identity politics is best represented by Ethiopia, a country which today has several conflicts between the state and various tribal “armies” which want military autonomy from the Ethiopian state. They too are like Kenya - stuck in tribal identities. The only difference between them and Kenya is the number of guns within the tribal militia. 

We made a great stride in 2021-2022, where we had an almost entirely issue based election. It was about economic transformation, ideas vs ideas. Not tribes. The deputy candidates were not big tribal chieftains. Their best expression and memories were when they were announced to the shock of many, and when they debated and their thought potential was clear for all to see. 

That was progress as far as political hygiene is concerned. In fact as we mapped out hot spots across the country we were happy that not much violence erupted. 

It is therefore, though funny as we have made it online, an extremely dangerous situation when we dub others cousins and leave other tribes seemingly outside of the close family loop.

We all need to be brothers, one and all not cousins, no color divisions nor creed divisions just one nation under God, brothers only, cousins can be Ugandans or Burundians not fellow Kenyans. 

We would like to see another hygienic election, without strife and negative ethnicity, but I’m saddened to say that we are seeing a rise in organised criminal gangs and politicized criminal activity. 

Organised gangs are a few pangas or arrows away from being a militia. We must take this threat seriously. For it is militia that bring about strife that leads to tribal conflicts, mostly in urban poor settlements but also in villages. They attack and their attacks are blamed on entire tribes. 

Which brings me to another key issue: the freedom of association which is a freedom given to us in the constitution.

Anyone can interact with anyone else regardless of tribe, creed or color. People of opposing political views are free to meet, discuss and even enjoy each other's company. Political competition is not enmity. Neither is it betrayal and a reason for suspicion. 

It is such political thinking that brings about feelings of anger and strife, which combined with political tribalism sparks violence. 

We must remember that one person and his ideas and fortunes is not an entire tribe. It is impossible for one tribe to wholly agree within itself, therefore how can we then attack another tribe as though they are all agreeing with one politician.

If a chicken eats her eggs, will you kill every chicken in the brood? Tribal politics is impossibly flawed, it cannot be useful in any way. Democracy and tribalism and identity politics don’t mix very well. They are the cause of a large number of modern conflicts. Let's fight with thoughts and ideas not as tribes.

We must learn that goons and organised gangs are not a normal part of politics. We must learn to have political hygiene, full of love, brotherhood with all Kenyans, and peace that is stable even when we disagree. 

We are better off agreeing to disagree, than playing identity politics. 

All that said it seems it is still the gen z whose mantra rings most true: they are a tribe less movement! 

Talking of prophecy coming true: a child shall lead them! How fallen we are that the mantle of peace and visionary leadership is seemingly among the children. We should all beware.

Samuel Kobia, CBS 

Chairman of NCIC.