This archive report was first published on 7 September 2019.
Published on September 7, 2019, by Gabriel Oguda, a Nation author.
South Africa's recent xenophobic attacks have sparked a heated debate about the dangers of xenophobia. However, as Kenyans, we should be careful not to point fingers without looking at our own backyard.
Our country has a history of ethnic violence, and it's not something we should be proud of. From the Mau Forest evictions to the recent church burnings, we have a long way to go in terms of promoting unity and tolerance.
While we may love foreigners and their products, we have a tendency to turn on each other when it comes to tribal differences. We've seen it in the way we've treated our own citizens, particularly those from different ethnic groups.
It's time for us to take a hard look at our own ethnic mistakes and learn from them. We can't expect South Africans to avoid our mistakes if we're not willing to confront our own.
As the author notes, 'Kenyans have been socialised to embrace foreign material regardless of the hazards that come with it.' But what about our own people? Don't we deserve the same love and acceptance?
Let's not forget that we're not just talking about xenophobia; we're talking about a deeper issue of tribalism and ethnic hatred. It's time for us to address these issues head-on and work towards a more united and tolerant society.
