This archive report was first published on 2 December 2019.
Published on December 2, 2019, by KALTUM GUYO
Kenya's 21st-century politics is stuck in a tribal cocoon, where leaders prioritize appeasing one community over others, threatening national unity.
The Sagana State Lodge summit, where leaders from the Mt Kenya region gathered, is a prime example of this phenomenon.
While it's understandable that Mt Kenya leaders might feel neglected by the government, the President's decision to hold a summit to address their concerns raises questions about the prioritization of one community over others.
As Tanzanian Foreign Minister Prof Palamagamba Kabudi noted during the BBI report launch, Tanzanians consider themselves as Tanzanians first before their tribe.
This is a stark contrast to Kenya's tribal politics, where leaders often prioritize their community's interests over national concerns.
The Sagana summit's focus on Mt Kenya's economic woes, while ignoring the struggles of other regions, is a prime example of this.
Coastal residents, for instance, have been protesting weekly over the declining local economy, and it's time the President convened a similar summit to address their concerns.
As the second-largest city in Kenya and a major contributor to the GDP, Mombasa's economic stability is crucial to the country's prosperity.
It's time for Kenya's leaders to look beyond their tribal cocoons and prioritize national unity and economic development.
