Rising Prejudice in Kenya Worrying!
Political competition is healthy. It is a central component of democracy. However, when prejudice is practised in the guise of political competition it poses real danger to democracy and the people!
Kenya in the past has been a shining example to other countries as its multicultural systems had tolerance as its core and centre. Even as the people experienced political oppression and were subjected to indignity as their universal rights were violated at will and the right to expression was suppressed and the media controlled, censured and gagged, Kenya’s diverse communities co-existed in true harmony! At the emergence of political pluralism, new political parties were formed along tribal lines and that started an era of tribal polarization in the guise of political competition. The resultant tensions and hatred led to the chaos of 2007/2008 that was sparked off by a disputed election outcome. The result of the election only served as a catalyst for a problem that pre-existed the 2007 election. Tensions between major ethnic communities sparked off high level of hatred that sparked a genocide and massacre as well as destruction across Kenya.
Kenya enacted a new constitution in 2010 that was meant to empower the people and protect their rights as well as ensure equity, equality and equitability and good political and economic governance and hence avert a repeat of the chaos mentioned above. This was indeed a very good thing for the people. However, tribal hatred and hate speech seem to be on the rise.
Abuses and hatred seem to be practised openly in social media and the internet. For instance, a clearly positive comment we posted on a new item in social media attracted hatred from some people to our surprise and dismay as such a comment was clearly for the greater good of Kenya and its people and for enhancing peace and stability in the country. One person wrote: “tell that to the fish..”, and that was followed by more unprintable abuses! The word fish was used to refer to a community in Kenya whose stable food is fish. Of course I do not come from that community but whoever wrote that comment assumed or thought that I so originated and hence the message was: “your tribe should shut up”! That of course meant many other things that are unprintable for obvious reasons. There were other replies that were as bad. This is just from one incident. Such incidents are a common occurrence pitting two major Kenyan communities which have always been rivals since Kenya’s independence in 1963.
It is important that all Kenyans practise tolerance. Every Kenyan has a natural right to his/her tribal identity and origin. People should thus respect one another and respect everyone’s political or any other opinion. They should look at issues objectively and never with a tribal eye! It is tolerance and peace that can strengthen Kenya’s stability and ensure its democracy is sustained. The rule of law should not just be a token. People should respect the law and hence uphold the rule of law and democracy. Peace is important. People should not pollute it at will through intolerance. Hatred is wrong. It needs to discouraged and ended! Peace must be given a chance to take root and thrive for the benefit of all Kenyans. However, Kenyans must protect the peace by practising tolerance and doing away with tribal and racial hatred and prejudice!