No one chose or applied to be born into a specific tribe. It all happened as God chose it to be. Well I can’t really recall the 2002 general elections, maybe because am a little ambivalent about politics. During this period of voting as usual, much was expected to happen surprisingly all tribes joined together to end the Kanu regime. But the general elections of last year (2007) did get my attention and everyone else’s. The least anyone could do was to tune in and watch. So there I was in front of a T.V, along with hundreds of millions of other curious people around the world. Just like hunger warns that you need food, separation and isolation warn us that we need companionship, closeness and intimacy.
So when will ‘TRIBALISM’ ever end in Kenya? This is the question that troubles and linger the air around every mind of a Kenyan citizen. The government has long tried to fight tribalism, but it seems its roots are deepening daily. It’s unfortunate hundreds die as a result of this menace and the community should be educated on the need to shun this barbaric tradition passed from generation to generation. I wish to thank the media for highlighting the plight of tribalism through numerous stories. I do believe what should bring us together as brothers are our common interests.
It is so painful to walk into an office only to be asked what tribe you belong to. In schools and colleges, the level of interaction and socialization has been reduced, leaving many feeling alienated from the world. I have seen experienced employees go without jobs, long time friend break up and neighbours and friends turn against one other as lives are brutally extinguished by tribalism. As an educated community takes over tribalism becomes a bygone culture. I also believe the government can do something and ensure tribalism becomes a thing of the past. Why should we let politicians and their politics divide us even as they continue to enjoy the good life among themselves. Let us close ranks and fight the deception we have allowed to take root in our nation that some are inferior or superior to others. We should wake up, set our differences aside and work to build a united nation.
4 comments:
I really enjoyed reading your reflections on this topic.
Can you give examples of how an educated community is able to escape tribalism?
This is a great reflection. Tribalism certainly extends beyond Kenya - in most countries I think voters tend to support the candidates who speak their same language and come from the same ethnicity. That is one of the things I appreciate about the internet - online we don't necessarily have a skin color, age, or even gender.
I am looking forward to reading your next post.
Romi thanks for comments.An educated community is able to escape tribalism by being able to appreciate one another regardless of their ethnicity, skin colour, age, even their gender.At schools people are taught how to interact with different people from different backgrounds and be able to understand them hence promote unity.By educating the community on the effects of tribalism we make an effort to eradicate it.
thanks for visiting my blog David.I really appreciate your understanding and would like to get tips from you on how to eradicate it from the community.
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