This archive report was first published on 11 January 2020.
Kenya's foreign policy has been based on a flawed ideology that prioritizes racial solidarity over democratic governance, justice, and equity. This is evident in the country's support for dictators and its failure to criticize human rights abuses on the continent.
According to writer and philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah, the idea of racial solidarity is based on a false biology and obscures divisions of class, gender, and privilege. Appiah argues that African unity needs more secure foundations than race.
Kenya's foreign policy from independence has been based on this racial solidarity, ignoring questions of democratic governance, justice, and equity. The country has stood behind dictators who steal from their countries and keep Africa poor, and has kept a studious silence in the face of gross human rights abuses on the continent.
As Appiah points out, this way of organizing has blinded us to the possibilities of organizing on a more meaningful basis. Africa's post-colonial history bears him out, with the continent standing behind Idi Amin even as he slaughtered 300,000 Ugandans, and failing to criticize the nationalist Hutu government of Juvenal Habyarimana even when it was clear his actions would lead to genocide.
Nelson Mandela is the only African leader to base his foreign policy on justice and equity, rather than racial solidarity. When the rest of Africa expressed solidarity with Robert Mugabe and Sani Abacha, Mandela did not shy away from criticizing their tyrannical regimes.
Kenya should be campaigning for the United Nations Security Council seat on a platform of democracy and justice, rather than continuing to mindlessly sing the same pan-Africanist song. As Appiah argues, diplomatic influence and power come from having a foreign policy based on values of democracy and justice.
