Kenyans and the Luo Factor

The notion of a United States of Africa is laughable to many Kenyans. Although it is a noble dream, to most of us, it is at best symbolic and at worst substantial. The vast tribal differences that exist among African people exceed any common national interests by a large multiple.

The current political climate in Kenya supports my analysis. Personally, I admire and respect both Kalonzo Musyoka and Raila Odinga-they are both deserving presidential candidates. However, it is remarkable that tribe has become the major factor in deciding who between the two stands the best chance against President Kibaki in the coming general election.

Some Kenyans don't want anything to do with Raila Odinga simply because he is a Luo. In evaluating Raila Odinga's presidential candidature, some Kenyans have thrown logic out of the window. To every ones detriment, they are putting more weight to the differences that exist between the Luo culture and their own tribal cultures. In many quarters, Raila is not being judged based on the merits or the demerits of his ideas. Some want nothing to do with Raila's message because their minds are polluted with distorted stereotypes. I can understand why Raila Odinga is seething with pain for being rejected and denied simply because he is a Luo.

Those dismissing Raila Odinga because he is a Luo are in fact impugning his Kenyan citizenship, and they have no right to do so. To declare that a Luo will never be elected president of Kenya is to declare that every Luo man and woman is less Kenyan than the rest of us. Obviously such thinking is not only misguided but it is also immoral, unpatriotic, and primitive.

On the other hand, Kalonzo Musyoka is deemed by some to be more presidential because he is a Kamba. In their perception, the Kamba culture is more palatable than the Luo culture. However, we must all realize that Kalonzo qualifies as an able presidential candidate based on merit alone. I am sure that Honorable Kalonzo is a true patriot and he would prefer to occupy the State House based on his innovative ideas and not based on the weight of some favorable Kamba cultural stereotypes.

In order to colonize Kenya effectively, the British used the divide and conquer rule to weaken us. They created artificial tribal borders to divide us and implemented policies that pitted this tribe against that tribe. As a free nation, it is upon every independent thinking and progressive driven Kenyan to sacrifice tribal limitations for the sake of national unity. Kenya, like most other African countries, must first achieve national unity before we can dream of a United States of Africa.

George Kyalo Mutua Atlanta, GA, USA