Tribalism: Kenya’s oldest ‘living skeleton’ in the closet

There've been heated debates on the tribalism issue, mooted and dissected on a motley of forums. The internet(blogs & sites), newspapers, magazines, tabloids and pamphlets have helped potray the dynamics of this 'touchy' issue.

I've been following the goings-on with bated breath and each time I read or hear about tribalistic issues this question always screams for an answer: when will our people open their eyes and see that tribalism (tribalistic mindsets)'help' to sever the cords of national unity and harmony?

Having lived outside Kenya for sometime, I've seen Kenyans of different tribal origins working together as brothers and sisters, their tribalistic mindsets notwithstanding. I've seen, for instance, Kikuyus and Luos working in harmony and calling each other 'bro' or 'sis'. I've seen them doing things together, things they would not have attempted or a brotherliness that would never have materialised were it in Kenya.

This is a sorry state of affairs. Must we go out of the country to realise that tribalism should never be an issue and that we can work as brothers and sisters (AS KENYANS) even at home.

If we can live and work as brothers outside Kenya how much more in our homeland!!

Outside Kenya we call ourselves Kenyans, in Kenya we call ourselves 'Luos', 'Kikuyus', 'Kambas', Kalenjins'... the list is endless. What does someone in his right senses make of this? "HYPOCRISY!" You scream, and I pat you on the back and smilingly tell you, "You've hit the nail on the head."

We are hypocrites, God forgive us. We always want to be molly coddled and told that we are on the right path. But in this matter we are wide off the mark.

Hello Kenyans. We are Kenyans whether Luo, Kikuyu, Nandi, Luhya, name it. We'll always be Kenyans. Let's behave, eat and live as Kenyans should. Let the strength of brotherhood be our bastion.

Let's elect people, not because they are Kikuyu, Luo, Kamba or any other tribe, but because they can steer us to the acme we aspire. The decisions we make today will go a long way in defining our lives and nationhood, whether rash or well-thought out!

Did I hear you smack your lips in dissatisfaction?

My plea: Let's treat each other as Kenyans. Treat fellow Kenyans as you would your beloved brother, sister, son or daughter: with love, respect and sincerity.

The prick that draws the line between life and death

A few weeks ago, in a movie theatre, a person felt something poking from her seat. When she got up to see what it was, she found a needle sticking out of the seat with a note attached saying "You have just been infected by HIV". The Disease Control Center (in Paris) reports many similar events in many other cities recently. All tested needles were HIV Positive.The Center also reports that needles have been found in cash dispensers at public banking machines.They ask everyone to use extreme caution when faced with this kind of situation; All public chairs/seats should be inspected with vigilance and caution before use; A careful visual inspection should be enough.

Recently, one doctor has narrated a somewhat similar instance that happened to one of his patients at the Priya Cinema in Delhi. A young girl, engaged and about to be married in a couple of months, was pricked while the movie was going on. The tag with the needle had the message "Welcome to the World of HIV family". Though the doctors told her family that it takes about 6 months before the virus grows strong enough to start damaging the system and a healthy victim could survive about 5-6 years, the girl died in 4 months, perhaps more because of the "Shock thought".

Quite a heart-rending account. It's harrowing, ain't it?

This guy said it just right (without spicing the whole shooting match!)

The other day I saw something in the news that confirmed something that I've been feeling all along.

A certain Diorus Kamala(Naibu waziri of EAC in Tanzania) has told Tanzanians not to freak as our three countries go into integration( an integration some Kenyans feel highly unlikely to materialise because of recent goings-on in Tanzania: literal dilly-dallying)

Most Tanzanians think and even are convicted that when the borders are opened then Kenyans and Ugandans will rake the gold from their very door steps, under their noses!

He has presented it as a challenge for Tanzanians to take up and work on. As he says," The employer will not look at where you are from, that is, whether you are Tanzanian, Kenyan or Ugandan. The employer will look at whether you can deliver the goods with the preciseness it deserves.

He's urged them to to equip their arsenal of expertise, skills and knowledge to be able to brave their way forward when push comes to shove.

As the bottom line he's told them to look beyond East Africa and see how they can fit in the global jig-saw puzzle as far as job opportunities are concerned.

One thing stands out quite conspicuously( in his speech): Put down all propaganda kind of mindsets in the East African issue. Work your way to the top and, basically, opportunities will smile at you afar off.

I fervently laud him for voicing this facet of thought so loud and clear for all East Africans to hear and act upon. Let's stop resting on our laurels and work our way up the ladder.

The drive, move and push in a fresh breath of words

Everyday we are in desperate need of the impetus to go that extra mile and advance in all that we are and do. Sometimes we feel we are incredibly deficient of the 'cutting edge' mettle that we hanker for.

Sample these quotations to get the drive...

1. Africa is not a poor continent; it is filled with people of poor mentality.
-Dr Handlie Leslie

2. One of life's greatest tragedies is that majority of the world's population is composed of individuals who have negotiated an agreement with mediocrity, signed a contract with the average and pledged allegiance to ordinary.
-Myles Monroe

3. If I wanted to become a tramp, I would seek information and advice from the most successsful tramp I could find. If I wanted to become a failure, I would seek advice from people who have never succeeded. If I wanted to succeed in all things, I would look around me for those who are succeeding and do as they have done.
-Joseph Marshal Wade

4. I'll go anywhere as long as it's forward.
-David Livingstone

5. You don't luck into things. You build them step by step, whether it's friendships or opportunities.
-Barbara Bush (American First Lady, wife of President George Bush)

6. When the past wants to dominate your thoughts, let your dreams ignite your day.

7. If a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live.
-Martin Luther King Jnr

8. A man could do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault with what he has done.

9. You can achieve anything you want in life if you have the courage to dream it, the intelligence to make a realistic plan and the will to see that plan through to the end.

10. Most men stop when they begin to tire. Good men go until they think they are going to collapse. But the very best know the mind tires before the body and push themselves further and further beyond all limits. Only when all these limits are shattered can the unattainable be reached.
You can be that bit better if you try.
Don't give up: do all that's in your power to perform.
Face each day positively. And give to the world the best that you have,
and the best will, definitely, come back to you.

This is heart-rending and pitiful (I know these words don't do justice to what you are about to read and see!)

...This is how she looked when she breathed her last

The other day I received a heart-rending email from a friend of mine. The story encapsulated in the mail is so touching that I've decided to post it here for your 'perusal'.
(The photo is a 'disturbing' one)

Here it is as sent to me by this friend of mine.

In Reference to the girl who infested over 124 masculines, I have the details from her for you to read through and know what happened thereafter and actually how she really looked when life was still available.

START!!

READ THIS......



RUINED LIVES

When I joined Moi University in September 2001, I promised myself "That it's in Moi University I got it and it's here I will leave it". I have indeed lived to keep my promise.

I was in Form Three when a student on his attachment in our school proposed for a relationship. He had all the qualities a woman would want in a man so I gave in. He told me all a form three girl would want to hear. In my innocence, I succumbed to his pressure to have sex with him, consequently, I lost my virginity to him.

After his placement, he reported to college for his final year and we still had contacts. I visited him on a number of occasions, (I've even lost count of the number of times I visited him). He was my first and only love and therefore hang on every word he told me.

My boy friend later graduated and we lost contact until last month (March) when his sister told me about his whereabouts (details of this later).

Before registration in the Faculty of Law, in PSSP, I went for medical tests as is the requirement. I then opted for an HIV test, which unfortunately turned out to be +ve. It then dawned on me that I had traded the rest of my life for a university student who had deliberately and intentionally preyed on my innocence.

My first impulse was to take my life, counseling sessions did not mean much to me and I quickly walked out of the session. I however did not confide my status to anyone until today.

The following day I went to a different Health facility and the results were still +ve. Therefore there was no doubt that I had been infected by this teacher-student. Since as the sister said, he had passed away after 6 months of being bed-ridden, besides, I had never had any other sexual relationship with anybody – No blood transfusion and the last time I used a syringe was in 1989.

Now, since whoever infected me did not mind about my life, I will also infect as many as possible as long as there are university guys oblivious of my status.

So guys, anyone of you out there who may have crossed my "path" should count himself unlucky and should quickly place an order for ARVs supply before it's too late!

I decided to spread the virus indiscriminately in the Campus, (and have no apologies), because it's here I got it and I intend to leave it here.

I've a well-documented report of all those guys who "crossed my path" since I joined this college. I will be posting their full names and registration numbers on the Students' Notice Board after the end of Sem. II Exams (August).

So far, I've had 124 students, yes one hundred and twenty four. Out of these, only 6, yes six used a condom.

I still reiterate the fact that I owe nobody an apology and am still on a spreading spree till August.

Otherwise, I wish you success in your end of First Semester exams as you wait for your slow and sure DEATH.

N.P.

( Guys pliz take care. You've got only one life and it's the most precious thing you've got!)