Thread by @dnjaga1

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

It’s a long story. I plead again that I am not an expert or authority on the subject of myths and I could be wrong. Thats my take
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