I got into this debate about myths in Kenyan politics just in passing. I comment on anything that stimulates me intellectually even when I am no expert.
The raging debate has forced me to reflect a bit and my feeling is that we are mixing issues. LONG THREAD
There is a difference between MYTHS and PREJUDICE. Myths are deeply/widely held believes that however are largely UNTRUE. Myths originated from the history of human mental limitations.
Trying to explain things that were mysterious, scaring or that invoke fear
Hence there are many myths around death and the dead. Myths about tall mountains, deep valleys and forests, animals, big rivers.
Like myths that hyenas are hermaphrodites (due to their unique/bizarre sexual anatomy).
Myths that there are devils inside the Menengai Crater etc
These myths would be eliminated in society with advances in science and education. Like we have explored the tallest mountains and deepest oceans and know there are no devils there or even gods.
But myths are entrenched by oral literature – stories, riddles, idioms...
What started off this debate to me are not myths but PREJUDICES - negatively held beliefs or narratives.
Most prejudices have some element of truth or start from an isolated incident and people in their mental laziness extrapolate to the whole- tribe, country, race.
There are many prejudices about all tribes. Our tribe is the worst hit. Most were created by the colonialists while trying to isolate the Kikuyu Mau Mau. Jomo Kenyatta laid the ground for more prejudices against Kikuyu due to land grabbing, theft, and murders in his government
Some prejudices are just harmless, especially outside the political context. Like prejudices against the Kikuyu culinary skills.
About some peoples’ love for food, love for sex, sexual prowess, obsession with fish, love for cows, etc I only mention my tribe bcos I want peace
There are concerns about the negative effects of these prejudices on political integration. But this is not because of prejudices or myths per se but poor leadership that leads to the discrimination of people on the basis of tribe, gender, class etc.
Take KIKUYU PRIVILAGE. It has some truth in it. But it obscure that majority of Kikuyu are ravaged by poverty, insecurity, joblessness, hunger, and diseases like everyone else.
Can you blame the people who stigmatize the Kikuyu for the ills of a Kikuyu President?
Mid 80s, I went for A-level studies in Western Province. In my dorm, I was the only Kikuyu and at one time there was theft. I was the natural suspect and I was victimized. I still recall how people were shouting “Ni Mkikuyu ameiba.” It was very painful. Who is to blame?
The memories of terminal years of Jomo Kenyatta gvt were very fresh - high-level plunder. Most common was called MAGENDO – illegal import of coffee from Uganda through a town called Chepkumbe.
It registered in the minds of many Kenyans that Kikuyus are thieves.
In 2013, I narrated the school incident to my mom for the first time. I was telling it to her bcos she was asking me why I was supporting Raila yet “ataleta shinda nchini”. I was trying to convince her that these are just prejudices against Raila and the Luo and they are baseless
Kibaki is a model citizen. A great patriot and one of the most distinguished politicians Kenya has produced.
The Hustler movement wants to wear a hollow mask of his qualities. POLITICAL MIMICRY. Part 3
I defend Ndiis right to his political choices. Same way I defend Raila Odingas. These are great Kenyans in their own right.
Kenyans have admired and demonized both at different turns when it is convenient. Are Kenyans worth sacrificing for anyway?
Ndii and Raila hold no public office. We must let them be. We have no contract with any of them to please us in their choice of political camps.
Mine is therefore not criticism of Ndii for his political ideas and choices. He is entitled to them
Ndii has in the past accused Raila of laundering Uhuru corruption. In principle, he is doing the same.
He is using his national and international professional esteem to launder sleaze by shoring up a career battered by integrity crisis. Part 2
In a past thread I said person BEHOLDEN to corruption cannot fight it. All Kenyan Presidents so far had better predisposition to fight corruption but failed.
Ruto is the least primed to fight corruption. Bcos He is too entangled in corruption lineage.
The news of Alliance between DP Ruto and David Ndii and other “Kibaki Economists” was big news last Sunday. This is none of my business.
But again both Ndii and DP are national figures and politics is our business.
I wanna say something
With all due respect to the supporters of WSR, He has not been a model citizen of Kenya. We all yearn for patriotic leadership.
We are currently crying and suffering because our country has been auctioned to the foreigners - esp China treat us like their colony
Patriotism is where a country comes first. Patriotic leaders rally their people to sacrifice for the country so that we can bequeath a better nation to our children.
And redeem our shattered image in Africa where we are always regarded as incapable of self rule.
Something happened during Kibaki’s tenure that would later transform Kenya’s business environment and become a critical economic platform.
That small innovation was called MPESA.
It may turn out to be Kibaki’s greatest but UNINTENDED legacy
Someone once said INVENTION IS THE MOTHER OF NECESSITY- corrupting the popular proverb which says the opposite.
MPESA was not a necessity before it came to our lives, it is a necessity only after it was invented, tried, and used by consumers.
I recall the speech to honour the founder of McDonalds fast foods.
It was stated he touched American life so much that “any student in America just wants to confirm wherever he goes for education THERE IS A GOOD HOSTEL AND A MCDONALD NEARBY.”
He made many mistakes:
Betrayed Mau Mau cause
Set a precedent of tribalism by creating Kikuyu hegemony
Set a precedent of corruption through land grabbing.
But I still vote him the best among the 4
Jomo Kenyatta's leadership was much more professional and forward-looking. Kenya laid very strong foundations and institutions under Kenyatta.
The education system, health, agriculture, civil service, strong and strategic parastatal companies
If there is one thing to learn from the interviews for CJ, it is HOW TO CONDUCT PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES.
Herding 8 candidates one evening and asking them questions for 10 minutes is not a presidential debate. That is just a waste of time
If the media is serious about interrogating presidential candidates, they should pull resources and carry out similar “interviews.” Each candidate should have a full day to themselves.
They answer questions about their visions, their past, their abilities, etc. Full day
And the time to do it is not 2 weeks before the elections. And YES, I know it's not “that easy”. But that is the way it should be done.
I am talking to you, media people.