One Kenya, One People

Many Kenyans have turned up to live to their responsibility and practice their constitutional right by casting their ballot in the August 8th elections. With every general election comes a time to choose leaders who we charge with the responsibility to represent our views and grievances in the government. This is the reason why countries across the world allocate funds for such periods. We need to understand that with every election comes a chance to go back to the drawing board and reconsider our association and unity as a people.

Kenya is indeed a great country adorned with great sites — from the Great Rift Valley to the sandy beaches of the Kenyan Coast on the Indian Ocean, from the Big Five wildlife in Maasai Mara Game Reserve to Jomo Kenyatta Conference center, from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Nairobi National Museum in Kenya’s capital. This is to name but a few of Kenya’s prized attractions that attract hundreds of visitors from all over the world annually.

Kenyans, enjoying their wonderful land, complete this greatness. With diverse culture and cultural heritage, there is much to enjoy. Traditional dances form a large part of this heritage, including the Adamu dance of the Maasai performed during the Eunoto ceremony, and the Mwomboko dance by the largest ethnic community, Kikuyu, during cultural events. As well, the Isikuti dance by the Luhya as well as Ohangala by the Luo can never go unmentioned when talking of these melodic dances. The additional aspects of song, clothing, food, and jewelry accompany these communities’ way of life and open doors to employment and research in the African culture.

Together as a people, we have partnered to put Kenya on the camera — in front of both local and international media. The Kenyan National Anthem can never go unplayed during the Olympic Games, thanks to the Nandi athletes who strive to bring us medals. Every heart is lit with joy at the sound of Taarab songs by the Swahili. Central Kenyan grows tea whose product continues to get a top price in the international market. We all have in one way or the other built our great Kenya.

I wonder, why then should we remain divided on the basis of tribe, religion, and politics. Why fight each other just because the leader of my choice never made it, while hers won the election? Why curse him because he is Ali and I am John, or she is Hadijah and I am Mary? Why refuse to employ him because he is Agikuyu and I am a Luo? Why celebrate the democratic, independent Kenya we have today when shops remain closed in fear of looting and people remain indoors fearing to be caught in some uncivilized demonstrations?

Today, we need to remember that even though there are 43 ethnic communities included as Kenyans, we all belong to one tribe, one community, one nation — KENYA. A nation defined by one flag, one anthem, one presidency, one government, and — above all — one constitution. We have to cast off the tribal chains gazetting our decision-making potential and redefine the reasons why Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel Arap Moi, Martin Shikuku, Benard Mate, Saramogi Oginga Odinga, Masinde Muliro, among others sacrificed their lives to fight for Kenya, and not a particular specific community. We all have a responsibility of cultivating an atmosphere in which Odingas can get the majority of votes in central, Muigai in Nyanza, Ruto in Western, or Mudavadi in Rift Valley — an atmosphere in which Mohammed and Matthew can congregate in one accord to pray “O’ God of creation, bless our land and nation.”

Let us not be defined on the basis of tribal lines, religious faith or political lineage. I am Kenyan, you are Kenyan, we are Kenyans! We are one Kenya, one people!