POLITICS, TRENDING

The Perils of Tribalism and Corruption: Lessons From Nairobi

Photo of Nairobi by Ken Mwaura on Pexels

The biggest enemy of Kenya has, for a long time, been its leaders. Despite having endless opportunities to effect real change and shift the country’s trajectory, they have repeatedly failed—perhaps wrongfully believing that they will always be immune to the perils of tribalism and corruption.

Perhaps, that’s not quite how it works. It seems such ills eventually catch up with everyone.

Take the case of Kenya’s former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua. In his prime, Mr. Gachagua was what many consider a tribally bigoted leader, often publicly and vehemently profiling certain tribes and calling them goons and non-shareholders. However, as is likely to continue happening in the future for individuals with similar values; a day of reckoning eventually beckons and chickens come home to roost.

It's our time to eat. Tribalism and corruption.
Michela Wrong’s IT’S OUR TURN TO EAT

The Origin of Tribalism and Corruption in kenya

Tribalism in Kenya is not a social phenomenon; it is a political problem and tool. It is often used to shape electoral rhetoric and perpetuate bad governance. The political class always mobilizing support along the easy ethnic lines. However, this creates situations where accountability is sacrificed for tribal loyalty. As a result, there has been a pervasive culture of endemic corruption.

The historical context of tribalism in Kenya reveals that these divisions have roots in colonial policies. These policies favored certain groups over others. The legacy of such policies continue to influence contemporary political practices, making it important to address both corruption and tribalism as interconnected issues.

Various analyses have also noted that tribal politics in Kenya is deeply entrenched. The political elite often evade scrutiny by rallying ethnic support.

Consequences for Governance and Society

Photo of anti-government protestors against tribalism and corruption
Photo of protestors in Nairobi: Stasham

Corruption erodes public trust in institutions and worsens inequality. Resources are allocated based on ethnic loyalty rather than merit or need. Leaders prioritize the interests of their ethnic groups over national integrity.

At one time, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Noordin Haji, sought to highlight this issue. He classified corruption cases by tribe. He found that the Kikuyu community had the highest number of corruption cases, followed by the Luo and Kalenjin tribes. Reports further indicate that nepotism and tribal favoritism are rampant in public service recruitment in Kenya. This has led to unqualified individuals occupying key positions, which not only impedes effective governance but also perpetuates cycles of poverty and disenfranchisement among excluded communities.

By recognizing the interconnected nature of these issues, stakeholders need to work towards building a more equitable society where leadership is based on merit rather than ethnicity. Only through collective action can Kenya hope to overcome these challenges and pave the way for sustainable development.

Overall, the lessons from Kenya’s experience with tribalism and corruption highlight an urgent need for reforms that promote national unity and integrity in governance.

Also Read: The Wealth Problem With African Politicians and ‘Leaders’

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About Gordon Omondi

PropTech Startup Founder at Casavenida.com—Real Estate Advertising | Bachelor of Real Estate (HONS), JKUAT, 2022 - (G.M.I.S.K) | City Digest Politics, Business, and Technology Writer.

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