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| A map of Kenya |
By M'moh Kabaty
Kenya is a very unique country in very many aspects. The most stand out aspect is the relative ease with which it overcomes national calamities. From atrocities of colonial government, which made many settlers fear for retribution from the incoming post independence government, to tribal clashes and terror attacks; Kenya is a country that has experienced many adversities.
Contrary to the expectations of many in and around the world, the country always stands together, united as a people and forges forth energetically. In times of hardships, the country rallies together all its citizenry and the often divisive partisan politics of the day are forgotten.
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| Mt.Kenya, from which the country is named after |
Strangely, I have come to take note that the only time Kenyans tend to remember about their tribal affiliations is in politics, especially during electioneering period. For example, during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, slightly six months after the post election violence, each medal won by Kenyan athletes was celebrated across the country as a medal won by a Kenyan. Not by a member of a certain ethnic group. In the same breath, when the national football team, the Harambee Stars plays their home games at the Nyayo National Stadium, the place is full to capacity. And woe unto the coach if the talismanic Ajaccio striker Denis Oliech or trio midfield maestros of Victor Wanyama, Jamal Mohammed and McDonald Mariga is benched. Every fan across the country wants these players on the pitch. When Oliech scores, the whole country goes into ecstasy. No one remembers anything to do with the tribe, race or creed. All that matters at the moment is Kenya!
The same trend is observed in business. Kenyans of all walks of life, religion, race and tribe work and do business indiscriminately. Even more interestingly, is when you are abroad and you happen to speak Swahili with a Kenyan in the vicinity. The person will turn to you and predictably ask, "Wewe ni Mkenya?" (Are you Kenyan?). With the tribally divided country we are painted to be, the expected question would be, "Wewe ni kabila gani?" (What tribe are you?).
And after the Westgate Mall attack, the unity amongst Kenyans, both in kind and in material help was outstanding. The social media was full of unifying messages. Hashtag WeAreOne was trending on twitter. The Sunday after the attack, I found myself in the city centre late in the afternoon. I was shocked at the long winding queues at the Kencom bus terminus where multitudes had turned up for blood donation. This scenerio, I later learnt, was replicated in many towns across the country. This is the very reason that makes the country bounce back from setbacks with relative ease.
Now, I honestly believe, is the high time we extended the same tolerance and accommodation to our divergent political views, affiliations and ideologies. After all, if we all had the same political view, we would not prosper as a country. In many African cultures, a classic adage has it that, he who only eats food cooked by his mother thinks that his mother is the best cook in the world; and probably the only cook.
The fact that we stand united in majority aspects of our Kenyanism, I dare say I believe that even politically, we can find uniformity in divergence. It's highly achievable and we have the platform. For this reason, I have hope for Kenya. And with the vast mineral deposits being discovered everyday, I believe we are en route to unrivalled growth and prosperity.
Twitter: @MmohKabati
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