Features

Politicians must not divide the country

Tuesday, August 11th, 2020 20:42 | By
Senate in session. Photo/PD/FILE

Political temperatures are rising and the cause of the divisions is unjustifiable. 

Utterances from the political class in recent weeks arising from the revenue allocation debate in the Senate give a clear indication that not much has changed in Kenya since the divisive 2017 General Election.

Curses and threats from the lobbying and money debate have exposed the soft underbelly of our politics, showing we are far from healing.

There is growing anxiety that Kenya is sliding back into a dance of tribalism and political brinkmanship. Thanks to the balderdash from the political elite.

A fortnight ago, Senate Majority Whip Irungu Kang’ata, who is also the Murang’a Senator and a close ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta, declared that the success of the Building Bridges Initiative depended on the adoption of the revenue sharing formula tabled in the House as drafted by the Commission on Revenue Allocation.

His Kakamega counterpart Cleophas Malala, an associate of former Prime Minister and Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga, responded by declaring that were that to happen, his side of the political fold would publish the unconstitutional ethnic disparities in insofar as job allocations are concerned in the public service.

That since 2008 we have managed to spring out of the period of gloom and despair is the foundation upon which we must build more pillars of unity and strength. 

The gesture by President Kenyatta and Raila—who were the key protagonists in the poll—to agree to work together in a bid to find a unifying solution, is one such pillar. 

However, all these efforts may amount to nothing if national unity and integration are not safeguarded. 

Collectively and individually, we—the Kenyan people—have a responsibility to safeguard peace, unity and stability of our country. 

Respect for one another, our religious beliefs, social backgrounds, cultural heritage, opinions, political affiliation and freedoms devoid of ridicule and incitement, is a democratic attire we all must be ready and willing to wear at all times and costs.

At no time has cohesion been of such great essence and required of each one of us than now.

Every Kenyan, regardless of their stations in life, has the onus to advance harmony and unity. For we all belong to one country.

More on Features


ADVERTISEMENT