Challenging The Kikuyu Oligarchy
By Maina Kiai & Paul Muite
In Kenya, politics has hinged on the pre-eminence of ethnic identity since 1964; and today ethnicity has been elevated beyond all other identities and interests. We reject this notion totally and completely. None of us chooses the identity that we are born into, but as we grow older we take on various identities that make us who we are and determine our interests. We are of the Kikuyu ethnic community – and take pride in our language, culture and norms – but we are far more than that. We see ourselves as Kenyan first and foremost with a national outlook and perspective.
But we have suffered for this view, being called “traitors” and “disloyal;” even receiving credible death threats.
Since 2004, it has become apparent that what NARC stood for, nationally, has been seriously eroded. Mwai Kibaki declared in his campaigns he was for zero tolerance on corruption; yet he seems to be condoning it. He had stated that he would operate a meritocracy with due regard to the diversity of Kenya; yet his appointments to the most sensitive and crucial offices are tilted to one ethnic group and its relatives. He had asserted that he would change Kenya from the dark days of the Moi years, raising our hopes and aspirations; but he was soon recruiting Moi’s people-especially if they were his kith and kin–to crucial positions in public service. Patronage and fear has been used. Simply put, his 2002 rhetoric was exactly that – rhetoric- and now we are continuing ‘business as usual’.
For us, it does not matter what ethnic group the leadership comes from: we expect and demand a government which has the interests of the nation at heart, which is fair, honest, effective, accountable and transparent. And we expect the government to follow the law, especially with regard to human life, and fundamental rights. We challenged Daniel arap Moi on these issues. We can challenge anyone – including Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, George Saitoti, Musalia Mudavadi, Martha Karua and Uhuru Kenyatta – interested in being president of Kenya. Why can’t we challenge Mwai Kibaki?
We know what we have fallen foul of is something larger than ‘political opposition’ or ‘dissent’. It is a bigger problem that the Kikuyu community and its allies must urgently confront.
It is the issue of “speaking with one voice.” This is the question of blind ethnic loyalty to decisions made by some wealthy old men (there are no women here) who determine the leadership of the community and convince us, mostly through trickery and fear, to follow. There is nothing democratic or progressive about it. They do it on their own, and without our input, behind closed doors and in clubs where the majority of the Kikuyu can never get access. These are the Kikuyu oligarchy, and they are dangerous because they work on the assumption that the rest of the community, and indeed the country, are fools and can be taken for a ride. It is a fatal road we drive along. Their decisions, cloaked in forged assumptions of ethnic nationalism and pride, are never about the good of the nation – or even the good of the community. It is all about themselves, and extending their hold and power over Kenya for their own selfish benefit.
With the elevation of ethnic politics in Kenya, this behind-closed-doors community trickery is dangerous and unacceptable within any community. But we are addressing ourselves to the Kikuyu community at this point, because the power, assumptions and suspicions of the Kikuyu political elite is at a critical crossroads and could destroy this country.
“Speaking with one voice” suggests that because of our ethnic heritage we have the same values, interests and ideals, and we should therefore accept the things that these old men, sipping single malt whisky after a game of golf, decide for us. But nothing could be further from reality. In fact, critically assessed, this class – conservative, corrupt and chauvinistic – has nothing but disdain for the majority of Kikuyu, who are poor and struggling, and pay for their arrogance and mistakes. If they did care for poor ordinary Kikuyu, then some of the things that have happened over the last few years would never have been condoned.
Consider the following. It is during the time of a Kikuyu president, with a Kikuyu Minister for Internal security, a Kikuyu intelligence chief, a Kikuyu head of CID, a Kikuyu PS in internal security, when there are extra-judicial killings of poor young Kikuyu men, claimed to be Mungiki. More than 600 cases are documented of these deaths in 2006, and hundreds more disappeared. For the sake of argument, let’s assume they were Mungiki – despite the fact human rights defenders are sure that more than two-thirds of them were not. There are laws that govern these matters. Why were they not used? Killing poor young Kikuyu men, illegally, does not solve the problem of Mungiki. It shows utter contempt for the poor. It shows us that although we are expected to ‘speak with one voice’; the Kikuyu community is certainly not one. There is the powerful, old class and there is the “other” Kikuyu.
We doubt that there has ever been such a large-scale state-sponsored killing of Kikuyu since the Emergency period or during the clashes in the 1990s; yet none in the oligarchy has uttered a word in protest or shock. The silence – from the president down – speaks volumes about the view of the poor.
And consider this. When the post-election violence started in January 2008, these same Kikuyu men were in control of the security apparatus. They decided it was better to deploy security to Uhuru Park, to prevent Raila Odinga and his supporters from gathering there, than to stop the killings of Kikuyus – mostly peasants – in Eldoret. We know for a fact that emissaries were sent to State House and Harambee House to plead that the Kenya Airforce be deployed to fly jets over the affected areas to ward off the invaders and others who had targeted the Kikuyu in Eldoret. But these suggestions were rebuffed. The effect is that peaceful protests at Uhuru Park were prevented, and security forces concentrated on killing opposition demonstrators in Western Kenya – at the cost of hundreds of lives in Rift Valley, and the destruction of property worth millions belonging to the poor.
And last but not least: listen carefully to the old guard, and some of their new recruits. They put the entire community at risk with reckless and derogatory comments that undermine national unity. Comments like the “Stock Exchange is not a fish market” are arrogant and demeaning to everyone, and exacerbate perceptions that the Kikuyu leadership feels superior, and needs to be taught a lesson. Unfortunately, because this leadership is inaccessible and far removed, these lessons are “taught”–tragically–to the ordinary Kikuyu who are more accessible, rather than the leadership.
We are all diminished by stereotypes and chauvinism. We would dismiss the attitudes of old men with humor, but for the fact their destructive views translate directly into the significant state power they wield.
Expecting us to speak with one voice does not protect our interests. It protects theirs. Statements that assert—as Minister John Michuki recently did – that the state has no obligation to explain why it conducted an illegal act in raiding the Standard Group, show a dangerous attitude. His mindset is essentially that if something is done by the state, it cannot be wrong. So if the state kills, say 2000 people in the name of “state security”, we should not ask questions? It is instructive that John Michuki was in charge when a number of killings by the state have occurred – young Kikuyu men pre-election; in Western Kenya during the post-election crisis; in ‘security operations’ in Mt. Elgon and Mandera–and there has been no accountability.
This mentality is not new in Kenya. It was the prevalent attitude of the colonial government, the Kenyatta government, and Moi’s government. Now we have that old political class, dangerously entrenched by a sense of ethnic ‘entitlement’. Kikuyus should realize that this does not bode well for the nation, let alone their community.
But this attitude is not just the prerogative of powerful politicians; it has also affected the middle class and ordinary Kikuyu. There is a dangerous sense of victimhood and entitlement.
The feeling of victimhood is now deeply entrenched in the community—and understandably so, given the colonial emergency, the clashes in the 1990s, and the post election violence in Eldoret—but it is coupled with a sense of entitlement and superiority over other communities, expressed in attitudes that the Kikuyu are somehow superior; that they work harder than other Kenyans; that they have more financial and entrepreneurial sense than others; and better able to govern than others. It is also expressed in derogatory assumptions and stereotypes about other communities.
This is foolhardy, a recipe for disaster and chaos: and once we start ranking people and communities, we will be ranked ourselves. It has made our position precarious, and if we don’t start asking questions of this “leadership,” we will only have ourselves to blame if the current tensions explode.
This is the time to re-think and reject the old class, whose interest is now focused on ensuring that their sons (never daughters) take over from them as the “leaders” of the community. These ‘sons’ have no skills or vision to lead, just a sense of entitlement in the “family” business. This is not just contemptuous of the ordinary Kikuyu, but also of the entire nation. It assumes that they can continue to maintain this charade, cloaking their personal interests as community interests.
We should learn from the experiences in other countries. Look at the demons and forces unleashed in the Balkans by Serbian leaders who continuously highlighted what they described as the Serbs’ historical grievances, as well as their “specialness,” playing on that for their own political ends. But even closer to home is Rwanda. Can any of us, here in Kenya, forget what happened there? By whipping up anger about historical injustices against the Hutu majority, and emphasizing the “right” of Hutus to rule, Hutu leaders facilitated the genocide. And always, it is the ordinary Hutus who paid the price for not questioning received “wisdom.”
This is a moment of truth for the Kikuyus as a whole. We recognize that much of what we have said may not be be palatable to many. It will, in fact, be painful. But these are truths we cannot run away from. Let us have a robust debate, but one that is based on what each of us has analyzed for him or herself.
If there was ever a time for change and challenge, it is now.
April 24th, 2009 at 5:35 am
Did you ever notice that there are no Kalenjin going around the world saying, or writing about, how awful Kalenjins have been? Given that the Kalenjin have unleashed three tribal wars and perfected patented industrialized genocide against the Kikuyu, why has there been no Kalenjin Maina Kiai ?
Are there any Luos writing books about the absence of Luo soul-searching or expressions of sorrow over their torture and murder of Kikuyus in Kibera ? Has anyone ever encountered any Luo or Kalenjin remorse or self-hate?
The answer, of course, is no. In fact, among all the world’s peoples, only Kikuyus produce individuals who have greater sympathy for those who hate their people than for those who love it. Some in this small urban kikuyu community loathe everything Kikuyu (they love their own agenda and their own vision of what Kenya could be over their own people ) and have contempt for the average Kikuyu. That is why most of them have such admiration for William Ruto and ODM
There are no comparable self-haters in any other country, This newly minted young Kikuyu Intellectuals (sic) are often the leaders in anti-Kikuyu kamukunji(s) ,demonstrations and movements. The Kiai’s and Binyavanga’s devote much of their lives to trying to harm our community and expressing deep hatred of Gikuyu traditions.This self-loathing on their part is all the more remarkable when you consider that those who support and fund them strongly affirm their own cultural and ethnic identities. For example, while Kiai and Muite ceaselessly attack their own community ,ODM ceaselessly defends its own communities even in the face of serious catastrophic environmental negligence as shown by the issue of the Mau.
How, then, to explain this anomaly of new Kikuyu self-loathing? I offer one explanation.Many of the haters are political rejects,political wanna be’s driven by anger and selfish ambition .Anger that is similar to adolescent anger at a parent who claims very high ideals and turns out to be slightly flawed. Many of the haters are angry at Kikuyu’s for being ‘imperfect’ in accepting their values (ODM Values)and therefore disappointing them.There may be other explanations. But what is certain is that Kikuyu self-hatred is a unique phenomena that plays a particularly destructive role as designed by those who fund it .It gives fodder to those who are for the destruction of our community.What better way to promote anti Kikuyu propaganda than to have one of them spew it in the guise of speaking the truth .
Yes, we may agree with parts of your opinion that the older generation of Kikuyu leadership has failed.Failed to deal with poverty that is destroying us.Even worse is that they failed to protect the defenseless in the Rift Valley and in IDP camps , but the solution Mr Kiai is not to side with those our leaders have failed to protect us from by promoting their propaganda and agenda.
We can move on as younger Kikuyus/Kenyans without having to bow down to these forces or your stale ideas.
April 24th, 2009 at 7:08 am
I have a lot of regard for your line of thought Muiguithania, but I have to disagree with you on this one. I do not agree that having a Maina Kiai in Central makes us weaker than the Kalenjins-just because they do not have theirs. The issue of tribalism has enabled us to keep generalizing but I do know for a fact that not all Kalenjins agree with the murder and what you call industrialized genocide, that has been happening in Rift Valley over the last 2 decades. Infact, I believe strongly that the lack of a Maina Kiai or Paul Muite, from the Kalenjins (i,e someone able to risk being branded traitor by standing against the loud Kalenjin voices agitating for blood, or issuing threats over the Mau, etc) has led to what resulted in the death of so many kikuyus, in 2007/2008.
It is clear that ethnic blocks have been mobilized very effectively for political expediency over the years. In 2002 ethnic blocks came together and determined that only by supporting one Kikuyu would they vote out Moi, who had put up a Kikuyu/Kalenjin team. In 2007 a political strategy was implemented quite effectively where Kikuyus were marginalized and portrayed as the obstacles to national progress, and nearly all the other ethnic communities were mobilized to ensure that a ‘kikuyu’ government did not come back to power. The election violence that occurred thereafter was a natural progression of this political strategy.
Ethnicity is a reality in Kenya & ethnic identities have played a crucial role in socio-political decision-making processes in this country since independence. There is also a perception that exists, whether valid or not, that there has been unequal access to development opportunities based on political positions. This perception has given credence and developed into strong sentiments over the years, that some communities are where they are, whether advanced or retarded as regards development, because others from of positions in politics.
Reading through the article by Maina & Muite one can see them put across the fact that a certain section of the kikuyu community, quite small incidentally, has pushed for a united kikuyu community so as to establish political supremacy over other communities. I get the feeling that you, like some of those attacking Maina & Muite views with the argument that other communities did/do and continue to do the same, thing, have completely missed the point. If we agree that ethnic identities are a threat to national unity, then it is wrong whether we are the ones doing it or the other fellows. We must also acknowledge the fact that it is extremely difficult to deal with the negative aspects of ethnicity on a national platform because the political elite in the various communities are using ethnicity as a tool to galvanize support on their issues. It is also important to note that dealing with tribalism and/or negative ethnicity from an ethnically neutral position leads to an immediate mobilization by those who one pinpoints as guilty of the action, against the proponents. This is done by saying the anti-tribalism crusaders are pushing a political agenda against the other community, which leads to dilution of the message.
This means that anyone talking against the development of local or national constituencies based on ethnicity must first do it within their own communities, so that they create credibility of their message. They will be branded as traitors at home of course, as Maina & Muite have been called, but it is a small price to pay for peace, and slowly their words will make others from other communities also introspect on their ethnic stereotypes and why they exist. Gradually questions and issues such as those raised about the kikuyus will be raised as concerns other communities by members of those communities, and with time we will identify and hopefully isolate those who have made ethnic identities the determinant of leadership.
However, the best that would happen for this country would be if these initiatives could come together nationally so that Kenya can start the process of detribalizing its political processes. Such a movement, because it would have to be a movement, will change the ability of ethnicity being the basis on which political strategies are crafted & political leadership decisions made. The end results will then be the development of a system where determination of local & national leaders is based on the ability of each candidate to actively promote national unity whilst representing their constituencies.
To those amongst us who are kikuyus ‘karinga’, but also prefer living in country that we call Kenya, if we believe that we have the largest stake as a community in this country, then we have the greatest responsibility to sort this issue of tribalism out-whether others are doing it or not, despite others protecting their own who do wrong-otherwise, we create a kikuyu nation for ourselves (I wonder if kikuyus from other regions were to come to Central we would fit) & establish the protection mechanisms others have set up, then Kenya can cease to exist.
I agree with Maina & Muite-we cannot all agree on everything, neither should we be seen to do so, just because we come from the same tribe!
April 24th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Secretariat let me be clear so as not to be misunderstood.
1. You say that “In 2007 a political strategy was implemented quite effectively where Kikuyu s were marginalized and portrayed as the obstacles to national progress”- so doesn’t it follow that when Kenyans like Kiai(mind you this are the kenyans who dont see themselves as Kikuyus) continue to call out only kikuyus as if the problem in kenya is one sided,then don’t you think in a way they continue to feed the same 2007 strategy you talk about of marginalizing and portraying the Kikuyu as the obstacles to national progress.Why would patriots like Kiai ‘kenyans’ only want to talk about the Kikuyu? In my view they should have talked about all communities.
2.There seem to be a major disconnect with some Kenyan assuming that ethnic identities are a threat to national unity(Once again -newly minted intellectualism).I suggest young Kenyans read chapter 10 of Dr Wangari Maathai’s new book Challenges for Africa.Chapter titled Embracing Micro-Nations.(If an argument is founded on a false premise that argument will eventually fail to solve the problem it is trying to resolve)Nepotism is what is destroying kenya not ethnic identity.
3.There are indeed parts of the article that I agree with(the peppered half truths used to give the some credibility to the article)but I would rather have had Maina Kiai and Muite offer the complete truth.
April 25th, 2009 at 1:21 am
Thanks Muiguithania.
Sometimes what we are doing is what we kikuyus need to keep doing, i.e. disagree without looking as if we are not kikuyus-we are, we always will be, and thats the fact. The question is, do we want to live in Kenya or Kikuyuland? Whatever the answer, what is our next step?
April 25th, 2009 at 3:39 am
Kingara:
Just like Pascal who was right about the revolution of the earth around the sun in the 17th century and lost his life because of his findings vis a vis the churches beliefs then. The two guys have spoken what truly drives us back as a community and as a country. Instead of penning clever pieces to counter there findings and ideas, I think it would be prudent if we did a thorough soul searching on this issues and look for the best way forward in the national interest because according the enemy might be within and not without as this leaders have made us to believe.
April 25th, 2009 at 6:33 am
Now Muite and Kiai are Pascals- spoken like a true Bob ‘Kioko’
April 29th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
The gist of the argument in my opinion can be summarized into two major points:
1. That there exists a number of Kikuyus who actually loathe themselves:
Muigwithania clearly demonstrated this aptly. Indeed there exists a class of Kikuyus who loathe the fact that they were born Kikuyu. They actively engage in talk that suggests that Kikuyus are thieves,land grabbers and the greediest people in Kenya. Am surprised you castigate him for this statement. Njonjo once said “I feel ashamed to have been born Kikuyu”. Many black people in America for a long time actually believed that black people were stupid and prone to criminal behaviour. Thus the phenomenon of self hatred is not knew but, as the author argues, unique to certain (not all) members of the Kikuyu community.Contrasted to other communities, Only Kikuyu leaders or persons in high position have spoken ill of the communities.
Now can you show me a single Kalenjin,Luo,Luhya or Kamba leader who has PUBLICLY condemned his own community? Even worse has any ODM leader come out clearly to apologise to the members of the Kikuyu community who lost loved ones,property and livelihoods?
Muigwithania has aptly shown that the words of Muite,Kiai and Githongo clearly condemn Kikuyus and exhibit a sense of ethnic guilt.
I quote“……But this attitude is not just the prerogative of powerful politicians, it has also affected the middle class and ordinary Kikuyu.There is a dangerous sense of victimhood and entitlement. The feeling of victimhood is now deeply entrenched in the community, and understandably so, given the colonial emergency, the clashes in the ‘90s, and the post-election violence in the Rift Valley, but it is coupled with a sense of entitlement and superiority over other communities, expressed in attitudes that the Kikuyu are somehow superior; that they work harder than other Kenyans; that they have more financial and entrepreneurial sense than others; and able to govern better than others.
It is also expressed in derogatory assumptions and stereotypes about other communities………………..”
The above statements read in the entirety of the article have the implicit meaning of Kikuys having a superiority complex yet nothing is further from the truth.
2. The Failure of Leadership in Central Kenya
I believe there is no need to belabor this point. Muigwithania ties this with the first point very well stating clearly
“Yes, I agree with your Opinion that the older generation of Kikuyu leadership has failed.Failed to deal with poverty that is destroying us.Even worse is that they failed to protect the defenseless in the Rift Valley and in IDP camps , but the solution Mr Kiai is not to side with those our leaders have failed to protect us from by promoting their propaganda and agenda.
We can move on as younger Kikuyus without having to bow down to these forces or their stale ideas.”
With this statement he not only goes to the heart of the matter but also provides a solution.
Indeed I suspect your misreading of his article leads to your mistaken conclusions.I tell you Secretariat and Bob ODM propaganda machine is as efficient as that of Goebbels and has convinced other communities that the problem of Kenya is Kikuyus. Thus the thrust of muigwithania’s argument is that the statements of Kiai and his ilk only serve to oil this machine.
Let me finish by saying the saddest thing is that if Muite and Kiai lived in Eldoret in Jan 2008, their property would have been burnt and they would have been killed regardless of their “hallowed exhortations” to fellow Kikuyus.
May 3rd, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Good work Maina & Muite: keep up, but be careful and mind some of your “words” so as not to be misunderstood.
The two of you are the sample of the type leaders we should be having in Government : how about going an extra mile to change the Kenyan politics?
We are behind you !
May 6th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
If you read your history books well (AFRICAN Section – JKL at UoN Main Campus), do you remember the period 1970-1978?
When the KIAMBU-MKM mafia did some (not an inclusive list) of the below:
- Contradicted MOI on a daily basis
- Walked around as royal kabira attidue
- Slap Kales, KAMATUSa working for MOI
- Harrased Nassir, Ngala and others from COAST who wanted Majimbo
- Derogatirly referred to Western Kenya as “WANYAMA wa MASHARIKI”
- Initiated a secret govt militia (NGOROKO) to prevent power from leaving Nyoomba
- Had MOI forcefully tied between Eldoret, Nakuru and Kericho with no movement beyond without acceptance
- Stole as much money as they could from Govt Coffers with one scheme after the other
- Did not bother with any govt devpt programs beyond nakuru, isiolo and embakasi
- Diverted most of the FDI manufacturing MNCs facility towards Mungiki land
- Engaged in massive settlering in RV, Coast at the expense of KAMATUSA and Mijikenda
- Tolerated IMPUNITY as they declared “Kenyatta is GOD and ABOVE the LAW”
- Nduriri ministers endured harsh rebuke and kuchapwa kama watoto in SH.
- Most govt offices had one language being spoken off openly (not english or swahili)
- Massive recruitment and promotion of ethnic elites from MKM regions
Come Aug-22-1978, all these moves FAILED miserably. On Aug-24th Mbiyu fainted at JKIA as he arrived to see phots of MOI.
For 25yrs, MOI and KANU and the REVENGEFUL KALE MAFIA brought KIKUYU ECONOMY & BUSINESSES to its knees.
You woulD think Mungiki Educated MKM mafia would learn from hsitory. No no no!!! they will repeat it. Thats 100% sure!
MUITE AND KIAI WERE RIGHT
May 29th, 2009 at 11:50 am
It is perfectly OK if Muite and Kiai want to publicly set themselves apart as the good Kikuyu. What I object to is their suggesting that Kikuyu peasants are culpable for the sins of the so-called oligarch. I also resent the undertone of their article which seems to suggest that the hatred directed at Kikuyus is well deserved. It is irresposible and dangerous to accord responsibility to a “community” when we all know that such idealizations barely exist in peoples’ everyday lives.
For anyone who has time, a question to consider is: What motivated them to write the article? Is Muite (late of the Kikuyu oligarchy???) reformed now that he’s no longer an MP? How about Kiai? Is he chasing (another) job?
Whether or not Kikuyus can all fit in central province is a non issue. Because they do not live in central province does not mean they have given up their right to vote as they wish. Let’s give idiocy a wide berth.
September 5th, 2009 at 12:50 am
This is a fascinating debate, and as an outsider, let me not pretend to know the answer but just to give my own opinion, for whatever it is worth.
I think, from an American perspective, that diversity of opinion is what makes a nation great. Debate is messy, and it was the crushing of debate under Bush Jr that lead to much of the problems in America (and the world) as we are now living in. Because Bush Jr basically said shut up, we need to deal with the terrorists to make you safe. Don’t complain. As he sold our country to China and outsourced all our jobs to India…
If people such as the authors, offer another perspective, its not wrong or right but it adds to the growth. In 1960s America, MLK was a great leader, even though many African Americans at the time loathed his confrontation, same of Malcolm X, because they dared say something that challenged the status quo, a status quo amongst both African Americans and white Americans.
The issue is that MLK was universal, he say that the growth in human rights for his people would free all people, white, black, yellow, etc, etc. The lens of race, like the lens of tribe, limits the universal potential of people. Respect it, but don’t only live by it, alone.
It is a fact that, Kikuyus in Kenya have been often at the forefront, Wangari Maathai was one of the first Kenyan women to ever get a PHD. So maybe Kikuyus can also be at the forefront of thinking beyond tribe alone. Let tribe be there, but perhaps its time for greater thoughts? Thoughts like those of MLK…for all people, that include all people.
The bottom line is that, for my views and perspective, that criticism is not self-hate, though it can be, but mostly its an expression of strength. Being able to be open, to talk about the issues and challenge yourself, and others, shows strength. And from that criticism and debate can come new ideas. Its not one way or another, let debate open up, no one is wrong or right. The process of debate is good, and i really respect that idea and what you guys are doing here.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
September 8th, 2009 at 5:42 am
completely in agreement. thanks for your comments!
March 21st, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Hello,
I stumbled on you site by way of a discussion on social transformation and deep democracy. However, I am a little surprised that this site seems dormant since last year. Or am I wrong?
I would to participate in your kind of discourse.
Kind regards,
Mbuchi wa Methu
June 7th, 2010 at 7:07 am
At least the National Cohesion & Integration Commission has its work cut out here. This Kikuyu for Change lobby group is cleary in breach of Sections 3,6 and 13 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act in that it has singled out a whole community for harassment discrimantion and ridicule.
If I may ask; why should Kikuyus change? who defines the change? change from what to what? when will they be said to have changed?
June 22nd, 2010 at 1:06 pm
This site, IMMHO is nothing more than counterintelligence aimed at portraying the Kikuyu as a “tribe” that has infighting and that should “reform” for it to “survive”. What an attempt.
Someone has rightly pointed that “no other tribe” in Kenya has undertaken such a “project”. if it was “alive”, then obviously contributions would be forthcoming. Given that it was apparently engendered by some dubious motive, it has become dormant.
Look at the selective articles you post here.
I agree entirely with Charles. Change from what to what? what is “wrong” with the Kikuyu that they need to “change”?
Who are your masters? Are you Kikuyu anyway? Which are these “Kikuyus” “for change”?
June 23rd, 2010 at 3:14 am
Hi John,
On the point that no other tribe has done it, maybe its because no other tribe has been in a position similar to ours in the 21st Century. Please also note that we at no time talk of kikuyus reforming-we talk about the need to change how we do things. If you do not believe there is need for members of our community to change how we do things, that is a personal decision; our group is made of people who feel there is need to consider that if what happened in 2008 is anything to go by. The issue is, what is this change going to look like? Our peimary objective is to have a platform for that conversation-this website was where we started, then contributions moved to kikuyusforchange@googlegroups.com as we found this platform to be alot more interactive, (thus the dormant issue you raise); the googlegroup structure allows for more diverse contributions from all quarters. Oh, and we really are kikuyus.
June 23rd, 2010 at 1:45 pm
There seems to be a subterranean notion that there is something fundamentally “wrong” with the Kikuyu; an annoying self-deprecating and meekly apologetic attitude that reeks through this forum.
I can only surmise that those behind the ODM are backing or financing this forum. It may be unpalatable, but it most certainly is my opinion and I am entitled to be possessed of such an opinion.
The broad gamut of the “Kikuyus” you speak for are, I suppose, in the league of Maina Kiai in his bland and derogatory reference to the Kikuyu in a self-deprecating way. If this forum is supposed to elicit some “debate” that forms an academic thesis “inquiring” into Kikuyu thought on self-hate and such like marginal or off-tangenmt topics, then I would conclude that it has achieved its object. Its functional utility in aid of Kikuyu progression and unity having been negated in the result.
But if it is intended to be an open forum to discuss the Kikuyu community, it has failed miserably.
I have not met any tribe (including other Africans) that so vigorously seeks to disaffiliate and disengage itself from its roots as the urban Kikuyu voicing themselves as in a vacuum. Even their offspring are unashamedly taught NOT to speak Gikuyu, their supposed mothertongue, as in the exampling you have proffered of one Kamotho Waiganjo.
It baffles me that you glorify this self-deprecation. It is even more annoying that you choose topics that are aimed at self-annihilation, like “Challenging Kikuyu oligarchy”, et al.
In times like this, what the Kikuyu need are genuine leaders. If God appointed you a Kikuyu, why apologize for that?
August 27th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Lies dressed as half truths shall never persevere in this nation. People may call me tribal but after living more than three quarters of my life i have realised that the watu wa Nyumba are the biggest enemies of themselves. These articles by the so called Kikuyus for change is just a way of hitting back to the powers that be for they lost their positions. It is just a PR gimmick to remain in the limelight. Yes many of our youth are jobless and suffering but its only in Central province except mmay be Gatanga where there lacks projects focussing on job creation. Except appearing on the talk shows and radio programs what are your development records. If we were to adminster a development contribution card on you two you would definitely fair badly. Who doesnt know of Muite of yesteryears with former Attorney General Njonjo