Comments on: Squared Circles

By: Jack

Jack — Thu, 21 May 2009 10:06:59 +0000

I think we are getting too far on positive tribalism. I am a multilingual Christian living in Kenya, nothing else. If we understand this concept we would appreciate why in England, for instance, they dont talk about tribes (though there are and there were). They, in stead talk about Britons, and nothing else.

By: Mwangi - the Displaced African

Mwangi - the Displaced African — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:48:47 +0000

And a little over one year later, just how silly the idea of positive tribalism is came out in full force. Amazing how you were on point so long before the violence.

By: Patrick Gathara

Patrick Gathara — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 12:35:32 +0000

A word to Dr. Mutua,
Nearly 5 years of “the Government issues a strong warning that it will question, arrest, and prosecute such leaders regardless of their political affiliation or status in society. . . . People who are used to inciting others should realise that the days of doing that and getting away with it are gone” are 5 years too long. Just tell your boss to get to work.

And by the way, if he were so interested in formenting tribal peace, why appoint the instigator of the 1992 land clashes as the Government peace envoy to the region?

M,
Sorry to raise that issue here, but it is not every day nor at every blog that one gets to interrogate Kibaki’s mouthpiece.

By: Patrick Gathara

Patrick Gathara — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 07:41:44 +0000

M, Sorry I'm late to the party. I have a slightly different take on the subject. I think it is fair to say that since independence 40 years ago, the tribe has proven to be the basic political unit Kenya. On almost all major issues, the people have voted tribe first. That is not a comment on the merits or demerits of the concept, just an acknowledgement of the reality. That being so, it seems to me that we should take account of it in developing our political structures. Huffing and puffing about the dangers of ukabila doesn't seem to have gotten us anywhere. After 4 decades of banging our collective heads against that particular wall, it's time for a rethink.

By: Magaidi

Magaidi — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 18:32:25 +0000

@M, thanks for clarifying on the comment by Joe as govt. spokesman. I thought “they were out to get you man!”.

My take? If appreciating culture is being referred to as ‘Positive Tribalism’ why not just coin another phrase? This argument about being Kenyan or being Luo/Kamba/Luhya first is tired and is being to divide us among tribal lines. You can appreciate your culture without imposing it on others. It’s called being smart and even simply – common sense. Thanks.

@G – good to see you back girl. Hopefully you’ll stick around? Hmm

@Joe – Boss, get a day job bana.

By: Guess

Guess — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 16:22:50 +0000

Hi M,
I have been following this too and got so exasperated with some of the stuff some said that I decided not to comment cos I would just be saying almost all people are saying if not more. Suffice it to say, if you are IN KENYA at the moment and you are saying that tribalism et al does not exist – that is – in my opinion – BULLSHIT. You have watched the news and read papers and listened to people whom you thought were not really tribalistic? If the answer to any of that or all of the above is ‘YES’ then let us finish this debate and think of how we can set higher standards for ourselves and the generations to come – cos it seems the fossils that abound, and some of the older generation, are too far gone.
G – and this time it sure doesnt stand for Guessaurus… M?
@Joe – Hi – I dont want to pick a dead fight but thanks for apologising to M – needless to say that was a personal insult which went far beyond just M.

By: joe

joe — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 13:28:47 +0000

M in lit it is called stylistic devices(those who somaed 844), a ploy to drive the message home .this is just the same case in blogging (trying hard to make up this stuff lol) so when are you going to do another post . i think we need a more neutral post say on pancakes or something .i seem to be getting siasa-phobia. my be i should visit bankeleles blog see how my money is doing cheers

By: joe

joe — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 12:23:43 +0000

how about 5. i was just informing readers of what the official government position is and did not intentionaly want to mislead anyone . all i wanted was to [provide the appropriate contacts for DR Mutua. sorry for any misleading that may have occured . regards ni mimi wenyu joe

Mzee, si kwa ubaya, why did you just cite it straight out and provide the link?

By: M

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 07:34:03 +0000

ATTN: By some freak twist of events, the IP address of “Dr Alfred Mutua” appears to be exactly that of Joe. This means one of the following:

1) Dr Alfred Mutua is purporting to be Joe
2) Joe is purporting to be Dr Alfred Mutua
3) Dr Alred Mutua’s secret online identity is Joe, and he blogs as the same
4) During the day, Joe is The Government of Kenya’s spokesman, but by night he fights crime with his secret identity of Joe-man

My money is on #2

By: Mutumia

Mutumia — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 20:58:11 +0000

@MamaMia- what you’re saying makes sense. Actually, a whole lot of sense. I agree with you that for many Kenyans, the notion of ‘tribe’ is not as clear cut as saying “I’m a Giriama” or “I’m a Rendille” as claiming one tribe, would negate the other e.g.what Tiger Woods said when being asked why he reckoned he wasn’t “black”- he (paraphrased) said that by claiming to only black, he negated his mother’s existence. And what I’m saying is that whatever it is that you claim- multi-tribal, or Kenyan, we *do* need to celebrate our- I guess, “heritage” is the term. It would be sad, and a tragedy if the cultural diversity that Kenya has in adudance, was lost- you know, language, wedding ceremonies, proverbs, riddles and bed time stories. All these things enrichen our collective lives. A Luhya wedding dance, a Swahili henna tatoo is something to be celebrated. The trouble comes about when we try and combine ‘pride’ with chauvinism- and the two are very different animals.