Immediately after independence, many Kenyans were not educated and most of them spoke only their mother tongue. If one became sick, at the hospital, the only way they could be helped was if there was someone who could understand their language. Similarly, if one was arraigned in court, ‘knowing’ someone from home could make a difference in one's plea before the magistrate. Worst of all, most surveyors often did not understand the local language and ended up allocating land as the local chief directed rather than as the true beneficiary had stated.
This is the genesis of tribalism in Kenya. The circumstances were such that there was a very significant correlation between the mediation by ‘someone’ from home and one getting desirable outcomes, or avoiding difficult situations. It has become a definitive element of Kenyan culture. Communities invest heavily in getting ‘their man’ in power so that he can tilt the playing field in their favor. This formula for development is the direct result of tribalism and the politics of patronage. It is fundamentally corrupt, unfair and may harm the intended beneficiary more than they expect. It is not sustainable in the long run, and in the short term it creates resentment from others towards the current beneficiaries, and laxity for the beneficiary.
A phrase I learnt while I grew up loosely translates as: “even the rat that stinks is still a member of the household” – meant to justify protection of corrupt people from home. That is a negative lesson I have had to expunge from my value system – but it still obtains among many of our people.
The best source of progress is one’s effort. Work hard and make smart choices; that is the only fair way to move forward. Not getting a well placed person up in there.
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