Kenya's Double Life: The Nation We See vs. The Tribes We Know

It is worth noting that our nation has had a tremendous change in all aspects and spheres that your mind can conjure. The question is whether they are positive or negative. My centre of attention shall focus on our nation's double life, especially our Identity dilemma. This has been a discussion on today's morning break on Citizen TV. I will go ahead and talk about our country and its ethnic identity question.

Today, when you mention the name Kenya, it evokes images of breathtaking wildlife, landscapes and not to forget our beautiful and talented marathon athletes who have relentlessly and continuously made us proud, not just locally but on the world map.

But scratch beneath the surface, a complex question emerges, one that has quietly simmered for decades: Is Kenya still ethnic-based? Or is it a nation truly forging a single, unified identity?

This issue is deeply ingrained and permeates every part of Kenyan life, from the boardroom to the voting booth. It is not merely a scholarly discussion. Even while our national anthem entrenches "unity and peace," the actual situation frequently differs greatly from that. In many respects, the story of contemporary Kenya is a tale of two opposing realities: the strong, the enduring pull of ethnic identification and the lovely notion of a single, indivisible nation.

The Roots of the "Us vs. Them" Mentality

We must look to the past to comprehend the present. The "us versus them" narrative was largely a product of the colonial era and is not something that Kenyans were born with. In their traditional "divide and rule" approach, the British established administrative borders along linguistic and ethnic lines, thus creating the framework for further divides.

A new Kenyan elite, primarily drawn from the main ethnic groupings, improved this structure after independence rather than tearing it down. A vicious circle of ethnic competition was created when the state was used as a weapon to distribute resources, jobs, and favouritism to its people. concept of "political tribes" originated from this. A coalition of ethnic interests served as the foundation for political coalitions rather than common beliefs or agendas. To create a "tribal alliance" that would help them win the presidency, a presidential contender would look for a running mate from another sizable community. The promise was a slice of the national cake for your ethnic group, not a better life for all Kenyans.

A Nation of Two Tribes?

The most devastating result of this is that it has twisted our politics. National elections frequently feel more like an ethnic census than a contest of ideas. People vote for "their own," rather than the best, for a variety of reasons, including loyalty, trust, and the expectation of sharing rewards.

This is not to suggest that every voter chooses a candidate based only on their ethnicity, but there is a lot of pressure to do so, and political rhetoric frequently feeds these anxieties. What about the outcome? Communities on the losing side of a winner-takes-all system frequently feel ignored, disenfranchised, and shut out of the advantages of progress.

The traditional "us versus them" divide, however, may be giving way to a new and potent counter-narrative that suggests the rich and the poor are the new divide. Many Kenyans, particularly the younger generation, are recognising that their hardships are shared across ethnic lines as a result of the country's extreme economic disparity, high youth unemployment rate, and rising cost of living.

They share the same everyday struggles; thus, the person from the neighbouring county, who belongs to a different tribe, is not their enemy. This is a significant change in perspective and could be a watershed moment for the country. Recent elections have shown that voters are increasingly taking into account other variables, including economic policy and a candidate's perceived ability to deliver on promises, even though some ethnic voting patterns are still evident.

The Path Forward

Is ethnicity still a factor in Kenya? The honest answer is yes, but the more urgent demands of economic survival are challenging ethnicity's hold, which is beginning to loosen. The road to a really united Kenya is not a straight line, and the identity question is real.

We must strive to prevent ethnicity from becoming the sole element in order to go forward, rather than continuing to act as though it doesn't play a role. The devolution of power to counties in the 2010 Constitution was a positive step toward ensuring more equitable resource distribution and local communities' involvement in their development.

It takes more than a strong central authority to create a genuinely national identity. It requires a political elite prepared to put the nation before their ethnic interests, a persistent effort to promote national symbols and shared ideals, and a dedication to just and open governance. It also necessitates candid discussions about our past and the ongoing hurt caused by historical injustices, even if they are difficult.

The challenge facing Kenya is complicated; it involves a struggle between the urgent need for a single, shared identity and a rich, varied heritage. The country's future depends on our ability to embrace our differences without allowing them to separate us and on our ability to see one another as fellow Kenyans on the same path rather than as members of rival tribes.

What do you say, you feel where we came from, share your thoughts.