The Debate on Regionalism

I have followed this debate with a lot of keenness, and now, I must also contribute.

At the outset, I do not advocate for regionalism. I want devolution. You all know I want to be an elected leader in Nairobi and so, I must fight all forces that will root for tribalism.

Most of the people who have advocated for regionalism have, in my opinion, been driven by what Kibaki is doing to ALL Kenyans now; Tribalism. If Kibaki would have lived the Kenyan dream, and seen Kenya as belonging to all Kenyans, no one would have even thought of tribalism/regionalism.

I want to appeal to all my friends in the net, lets not go personal as we debate this issue. But lets be driven by the common good of all Kenya. We were born together, we have lived together, and we still can live together. We even vote for each other, except for Kibaki and a few of his home boys who vote specifically, Kikuyu.

I just do not see why Mzee Kibaki should drive a wage between me and my Kamba neighbour, or Kisii, Luhya, or even Kikuyu neighbour. If Kibaki is the problem, lets face Kibaki as Kenyans and consign him to the dust bin of history. If Kibaki is the problem, lets fix it.

But let us not advocate the dismembering of our country, basically because of the sin of one man. If the man is in his dottage, lets accelerate the speed by which we want to remove him, by calling on ALL Kenyans to get an ID card, a voters card, and then, come December, we do the job before 11am; game shot.

I believe in one beautiful Kenya, where all have equal access to all opportunities. A Kenya devoid of tribalism, nepotism,a Kenya where the president does not call you Pumbavu or Mafi ya something. I believe in a Kenya where we all share in the little resources that we collect.

I do not believe in a Kenya where Kibaki has put home boys in all money collection and utilisation points. The end result is the same Kibaki and his home boys spinning tales to Kenyans about their utopian Kenya; A Kenya supposedly flowing with milk and honey. But only in Kibaki's mind.

Let not let what Kibaki does drive us into hating each other. As I said before, the onus is more on our Kikuyu brethren to prove that they like Kenya just like other Kenyans have done, by this time coming out in large numbers to vote for Raila Amolo Odinga as the next president of Kenyan.

Odhiambo T Oketch
Komarock Nairobi