Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:31:39


I have been reading the stories coming out of Kenya and I am heart-broken by all the violence meted on innocent Kenyans. I am particularly concerned by the apparent use of Mungiki to kill and intimidate other tribes especially the Luo. One of the methods they are using is the "cut," which made me wonder...this issue has been used as an excuse to be against Luos for a long time in Kenya.  It is time that we asked ourselves as Luos, what is it about the cut that make us "inferior" in the eyes of Kikuyus? Did we not have more painful rites of passage, such as the knocking off of the six front teeth?

I think there is a need to remind Mungiki that every community in Kenya has its distinct rite of passage and, if pushed to the wall, every community can use such techniques to intimidate others. The Turkana, for example, used to pierce the front lower jaw.  I can go on and on.

Also, every community has its own bad boys and Mungiki should not think that the Kikuyu have a monopoly on violence.

It is only when these things are made clear that we can move forward as a country so that each tribe learns to coexist with the others.

        Peace,
        Opiacha


Opiacha and other readers, we would like to reaffirm that we do not condone violence or revenge attacks. We do, however, understand that self-defense is an entirely different matter. None of us--Luo, Kalenjin, Kikuyu, Luhya, Kisii, etc.--would stand by and allow our family members to be slaughtered. We urge all those who want to avoid a civil war in Kenya to DEMAND PEACEKEEPERS.  As we noted earlier, Chad is already asking for peacekeepers. Have 1,000 people died in Chad recently?

How many more must die in Kenya before the international community demands peacekeepers, before YOU demand peacekeepers? What, exactly, is the magic number?

Luos should be aware that it is practically CONFIRMED that young Kikuyu men (and, likely, boys) are training in Uganda.  Uganda is next to what part of Kenya?

Add to this our recent feature--an article in which Mungiki members said that they were receiving funding from politicians. One Mungiki member even complained that phony "Mungiki" groups are starting up just to secure this state funding!

Finally, remember that, in this same article, a Mungiki member was quoted as saying that their group plans to begin its campaign in earnest in February. It is now February.

        Regards,
        Jaluo Press