Koigi Wa Wamwere: Extreme Ethnic Hate Will Only Drown Us In A Sea Of Genocide

By Hon Koigi Wa Wamwere
Months after ethnicity-driven elections, communities like the Kikuyu, the Luo, the Kamba and the Kalenjin still live under siege of political fear of other communities.

The other day, I found a group of men discussing difficulties of life under the VAT regime that will tax essential commodities if the VAT bill is passed. One man said: We shall not survive if there will be VAT on essential commodities. Already life is too hard. Another said: Yes, VAT shall kill us but not as Raila would!

And when my interview with Saturday Nation came out, I came under a barrage of attacks from “my people” the Kikuyu for saying: I voted for a candidate with a history of struggle, progressive ideas and a vision to take us to Canaan. I wanted a Joshua because Moses brought us from Egypt through the Red Sea of Mau Mau but abandoned us in the desert of poverty where we have been for these years. I am afraid those who made it are not Joshuas.”

A Kikuyu friend immediately called me. “Now we know you are Cord and must have voted for Raila Odinga.” I asked why? My friend said, “Your description of the one you voted for is of Raila.” Again I asked, “Why? Are there no Kikuyu presidential candidates with a history of struggle, progressive ideas and a vision to take us to Canaan? Where did Kikuyus meet to decide they are all anti-democracy, conservative and vision-less?”

However, my worst sin was saying I would buy a Bible for President Uhuru. Who am I to buy President Uhuru a Bible? Who am I to criticize the President?

I wondered, did we not fight so hard for freedom of expression, precisely so we can criticize the President without fear of death, detention, recriminations or burning of effigies. If we cannot give President Uhuru a Bible, where is our freedom? Are we not slaves once again?

Would God object if He was on earth and I bought him a Bible? Would He object if I bought any president a Bible? Did I not hear God arguing with Moses, Abraham and Jeremiah in the Bible? If man can argue with God, why can he not with a president?