Comments - Latest Popular Stories, Instablogs Community by Wangui

Adam

Adam — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

There had been inter-tribe clashes in recent times. But I have full confidence on Kenyans that they would pull themselves out of this tribalist mentality. This is not going to do any one any good. They realise that.

Jason

Jason — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The situation in Kenya is deteriorating by the day after the clashes that saw many dead just over a couple of months back. The hatred between the tribes is growing where each tribe things that it is being wronged against. It is on a potential time bomb indeed.

Michael

Michael — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Africa cannot afford to have another inter ethnic clash in a relatively stable country like Kenya. Kenyans have everything good to look forward to. They are winning so many medals in the Olympics. Isn’t a winner cheered by all and sundry in Kenya cutting across tribal lines?

Sharleen

Sharleen — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

What do the tribes actually want? To see the demise of the other tribes? I hope that the president of Kenya makes some wholehearted efforts to bring all the warring factions towards the path of reconciliation. Such shame to see a great country that has great game reserves, great athletes, great people etc to see behaving like bloodthirsty warmongers during the Rwandan war in the mid-90s.

Mario Kounio

Mario Kounio — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I have a question. (Please dont take this to heart and start cursing at me, think about it)

As a international politics enthusiast and history enthusiast I have some knowledge of the rise and fall of economic and political systems. Africa has been in turmoil since colonialism. When the African (European educated) leaders returned to reclaim the land they instated capitalist governments... IN AFRICA...

This is insane. With the greatest powers in the world over their heads and a thousand different tribes fighting for the land, not to mention the guns, desease, lack of water etc. they thought it would be better to start with a democracy (or dictatorship) and see what happens. I am sorry but this is what happens. You cannot expect a people to unite and flourish when they start with nothing and you are dangling diamonds in front of their eyes. They WILL slaughter eachother (with the encouragement of their western friends).

My question is: why didn’t all these self righteous leaders (Mugabe, Mandela tec.) start with a period of communism so that the country could aquire infrastructure and keep the people from sttarvation and unemplyment? I know that communism is a flawed system but it is perfect for this kind of situation. I guess they all wanted to gain something out of it. That is the only conclusion I can come up with.

Harun Lumiti

Harun Lumiti — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

It is not entirely clear what it is that makes your friend decidedly anti-Luo and anti-Kalenjin. I would have said if it is about politics then a big shame to her but since she is a self declared ‘tribalist’, I suppose she knows not what shame is. I suspect, though, that she doesn’t even know what she’s talking about when she says that she’s a ‘tribalist’. A tiger does not declare its tigritude. It pounces. I can therefore only wish her luck because she’ll need lots of it to be a ‘tribalist’.

I would hate to imagine that any of our fellow countrymen would dare replay the fiendish antics that took place in January. The youth in particular, must surely have learnt that the tribal hatred only served the power games of our politicians who after stoking the embers of violence, receded to the comfort of their palatial fortresses and are now cozily sharing the spoils of war, literally. Their over enthusiastic pawns were murdered, maimed, left destitute and have been forgotten. Forgotten by their so called leaders who seem unable to do anything to alleviate their suffering which is promising to extend up to the next poll.

Every one of the Kenyan young people needs to disentangle themselves from the clutches of political serfdom because it will never benefit them even in two lifetimes. And the journey to emancipation is a personal one. Those who think they will find comfort or safety in their tribe are deluding themselves and should be assisted to snap out of the trance.

I find two of your statements faulty and self-defeating. That (a) ”one tribe could not understand why the other could remain in the country reins unjustifiably” and (b)”Kalenjins, a tribe Kikuyus perceive as the greatest enemy”. Faulty because you have no way of knowing how any tribe thinks. Self-defeating because while you set out to defuse the ’bomb’ you end up at the trigger by exalting lazy stereotypes.

We are blessed with higher endowments and need not pander to the lowly entreaties of politicians.

Rose Ng'ang'a

Rose Ng'ang'a — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Thanks Harun for the comment but we cannot sit down and think everything is alright just because we are at peace now that our minds are sober from political drunkeness and hatred instilled by politicians.I wish the whole country could think as you.