tribalism

Calabria, Italy 2015             Foto: Tobi.P

Just imagine the following scenerio:

You are male, in the working class and loving your job at the bank as a cashier. You´ve got many colleges from which two; Otieno and Mutoko have emerged to be good friends.

You live in a two roomed apartment outside the city center. In this area; several apartments are built wall to wall. Your direct neighbor to the right is Mr.Migwi' s family. A guy working for some insurance company who lives with his wife and his five year old son. You love playing football with this little chap.

Your other neighbor to the left, Kipchoge is a young man just like you with whom you share the passion for football. You not only kick the ball with him in the local team, but whenever opportunity offers itself,  you enjoy some beer and chicken wings together while cheering your favorite teams.

Your girlfriend is a hot, tall girl called Deraso. She has a curvy body with endless legs. She is one of the lucky few who have a full bust and a fine behind.

You have quite a life i would say! Surrounded by amazing people.  Incredible people, indeed!!!

Until one day, the two friends at work are no longer Otieno and Mutoko. They become a Luo and a Kamba.

Your neighbors are nolonger kipchoge na Migwi, they become a Kalenjin and Kikuyus.

Your girlfriend is no longer Deraso instead she becomes a Rendile.

You will be hunted from your home because you live in Kisumu, and the Luos are now enemies.  Dare you be found there,  you will be burnt to death. Dare you even associate with the enemies, you will be shot or stoned to death for betraying your tribe.

And then you wonder; you lived five years next to Kipchoge and didn't even perceive him as Kalenjin. And worked with Otieno for six years and didn't see him even once as a Luo.

You were just Kenyans living and working together.

Where did this hatred for your fellow Kenyans come from?

You now can´t get a job from a Luo if you are Kikuyu. You can´t hire a Kalenjin house girl if you are  a Kamba...etc

There are 52 tribes in Kenya.
A tribe is an African man's pride, they say;  but of late it's becoming Kenya's silent killer!

I sometimes wish the tribes didn't exist and it was just Kenya. Rich or poor, strong or weak. But at least we would be one Kenya.

How do we solve this gigantic problem? We all know that Kenya will not excel with this elephant roaming among us.

The Swahili people say; "umoja ni nguvu utengano ni udhaifu" Translating "togetherness is strength, separation is weakness."

Wishing you all an awesome Thursday and if you can, i beg you to remember Kenya in your prayers....

Lots of luv
ItsRose_Beth