Copied from Dr. Bundi Karau
What to do with the tribe?
Tribal instinct is a primitive instinct; primitive in the sense that everyone demonstrates the instinct. The same way a newborn has a sucking reflex, which is a primitive reflex that ensures survival.
Whether the tribe will disappear with time, nobody knows. Maybe as we cross borders and marry from other tribes, we shall obliterate the barriers and form an amorphous, tribeless population.
Why is tribe such a powerful tool? Is it only exclusive to Africa?
By no means. If you look keenly, most European countries are homogeneous tribes. Those with more than one tribe face perennial problems. In Spain, the Catalans, despite being given near 100% autonomy, dream daily of their own state. In the Balkans, some countries like Bosnia have 3 presidents to represent the 3 tribes. In the 90s, some tribe wanted to exterminate the other.
Because national boundaries are an artificial creation of colonial powers and other forces, it follows that tribal instinct is stronger than national instinct. If you are in America and hear someone speak Kiswahili, your face lights up.
Our Northern neighbours in Ethiopia are back to square one. We thought with the progressive and charismatic leadership of Meles Zenawi, that country would forever tend upwards. Alas, it's where it all started with the Derg regime.
Here in Kenya, though we complain, at least we've learned to tolerate each other's idiosyncrasies. We tolerate them so well until it's time to share power.
How to live together, and all feel a part of Kenya remains the holy grail.
For this reason alone, I agree with Silas Gisiora Nyanchwani that we need a discussion like BBI, with perhaps better legal backing and public participation. Exclusivism will drive our nation to the brink.
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