I write this because as a Kenyan I cannot resist to worry about the course we are taking in the name of better politics for Kenya. It concerns an article published in the Kenya Stockholm Blog after Pastor Beatrice Kamau “defected” to ODM-Scandinavia and an article titled ´Tribalism in Kenya is a class issue says Helen Opwapo’. Both articles were written by Okoth Osewe on the 5th of November.
The words used to criticize Narc-Kenya Scandinavia or, more so, members of that party and its leaders, were very sharp and damning, and should be so if they meant, not to revile but to reveal the truth and attack tribalism. All Kenyans should do so.
But I fail to feel the good meant in them. Instead I feel hatred and anger by Kenyans, directed to Kenyans. It is through debate and discussion that we come out with better solutions and Nation- building measures. If this is not possible, we can just choose not to agree and respect that.
But the choice of words in these articles and their sharpness is not meant to sooth, but rather, to widen the gap that sadly, has exposed itsself in our community.
Until now, I never thought I would experience tribalism between Kenyan ethnic groups here in Sweden. I have never personally come across it anywhere or through anyone of my friends here. Maybe I have been “tribe-blind”, but here it is. That’s a pity and saddening.
I went to the Narc-Kenya Scandinavia’s second meeting held on Saturday the 4th of this month and I can sincerely say that I did not notice any tribal function in it. I did not go there nor did I decide to join it as a Kikuyu, but as a Kenyan citizen with a democratic right to do so. In that meeting, I asked about the big turn out of Kikuyus and the absence of other ethnic groups to which I got the answer that ´´people were invited and everyone was welcome“, not just Kikuyus, but all Kenyans and even other nationalities willing to support Narc-Kenya Scandinavia. I did not feel the tribalism as so clearly pointed out in the above mentioned articles.
It was at this meeting that a committee was formed and leaders elected democratically by those present. From then, that is Saturday 4th, the party opened for membership. Pastor Beatrice, who was not present at this crucial meeting, appeared in this blog (KSB) the next day already having defected to ODM-Scandinavia. Questions are was she a member of Narc-Kenya before anybody else in Scandinavia? And if so, did she as per her political experience do something or say something to try to change the tribal situation she witnessed? It sure took her a short time to decide and change her views and, by Jesus, let us hope that there was nothing selfish in her move.
We now have two of Kenyans hottest parties represented in Scandinavia, we should not allow ourselves to be blown away by the ethnic cyclone blowing back home. We do not have to engage in the tribal cat fights so eminent in our leaders back home. We should be congratulating each other on the recent democratic development in our community here in Sweden and set an example for everybody back home. Or should we destroy the brotherhood and solidarity we have been trying to build amongst our selves, just because we now belong in different parties?
Criticize to build but not to put down our brothers and sisters. Debate for a healthier mind and a stronger society! I believe that we should all maintain respect, truth and conviction if we want to fight and win the war on tribalism for a better Kenyan society in Scandinavia and aiming for brighter days for our nation.
I congratulate the elect leaders in both parties and salute the respective members. Now that we have taken our places, lets do our best for what we believe in, and not waste our energies in hate. I write this as a private entity and not as a Narc-Kenya(S) representative. One love, one Kenya.
Peter Njoroge aka Njoro
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