It is hardly a month when there was a passionate debate over the new boundaries created by IEBC. Now it is on the tribalism that has marred our institutions of higher learning.
Kenyans we have a tendency of condemning vices and defending ourselves using any defensive tool we can land on or think of. The major draw back we have is that we never take time to critically analyze the root cause of any misfortune that befall on us.
For instance, now we see Prime minister condemning IEBC over the poll dates and yet the president and him are the once who failed to agree on when should elections be held. The court gave them the chance to and after failing he comes out to condemn IEBC in the name of public interest. This is typical Kenyan Character we must do away with if vision 2030 is to be achieved lest it remains a vision as it is.
During the IEBC hearings, there was tension in almost all stations and in some instances law enforcers had to be used to restore peace and order. Any witted man could laugh at what was raising the adrenaline level in people's blood. Speaker after speaker repeated same thing. The argument was not on any scientific, social or economic basis but it was rather on our community has been split.
Some even wanted the so called marginalize communities to be given wards or even constituencies. When the debate reached parliament- house composed majorly lawyers and teachers, there was no difference. Same arguments which had been brought by some unlearned citizens were same brought by our so called honorable members. Perhaps the major reason why our MPs opposed the report was that some saw their kinsmen being taken away and that means slimming chances of seeing eleventh house.
Let's look at these boundaries in different perspective. First, the boundaries as they are with negligible changes were created by the colonialists. To them they had to divide Kenyans along tribal lines so as to enhance tribal animosity for their own egocentric gain, what we can simply termed divide and rule.
This tactic was carried in the post- colonial Kenya and we are still suffering from its devastating effects like 2007/2008 post election skirmishes.
These boundaries have instilled ethnic paranoia that a certain province or district belongs to a certain tribal group and if you are there and not a member of that community then you are a stranger, an intruder or an invader whom they view as one competing with them for their scarce resources.
The tribalists we have been having as leaders also found it easy to serve there tribesmen by simply giving the lion share to their geographical origin because ideally demographically it contains his/her tribesmen. It is because of these that the notion of 'our man' has been inscribed in Kenyans brains and they are ready to do anything to get 'their man' in the national dining table because that is the only way they know can get crumbs of national cake.
Lets take this case, the bulk of fish come Lake Victoria; ironically fish is being processed in Thika several miles away. The logic behind this is so simple the 'bigman' then just wanted to create opportunities for his men while leaving the producers languishing in spate of poverty. Anyway how many fishermen can afford canned fish? In addition he saw it as a way of punishing this tribe which he considered his political rivals.
If we could dissolve the current boundaries and draw new administrative and elective lines then, perhaps exterminating this cancer will still remain a pipe-dream.
Even the counties are not reflecting the national figure and I bet even clanism shall crop in in our newly created administrative units. If you are giving my mind benefit of doubt then visit Rongo constituency where hatred has been created between Sakwa and Kamagambo over an MP's post.
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