RE: [Jambo] Lies and Hypocritical from Bwana Nyakundi !

Jadolo Okoth Otura,

 

First may I greet you and remember some of the difficult moments we had to
endure with you in the struggle for change in this country. However, I am
scandalized by what you have written below.

 

First, let me state points of convergence:

1.        Kenya indeed has 53 ethnic communities by last count during the
National Constitutional Conference. Each of these has an inalienable right
to identity, respect, dignity, culture, national services and resources,
culture and self-determination. No one should be discriminated against or
unduly favoured simply because of her/his linguistic or cultural background.
2.        Due to backward politics, the Luo community has suffered discrimination, marginalization and ostracization since 1966.
3.        There is need for devolution of politics and economic management.

 

But please note that appreciation of our ethnic diversity is not a licence
to promote ethnic bigotry. We can harness this diversity to build a united
Kenya. Please appreciate that the Luo have not suffered alone during the
misrule of Kenyatta, Moi and now Kibaki. You only need to take a matatu to
Thika and visit a village known as Kiandutu to appreciate the suffering of
Gikuyu people who were displaced from their Gatundu ancestral land by the
Great Jomo. Have you ever wondered why most robbers and commercial sex
workers hail from around Banana Hill? These are children and grand children
of those displaced by the post-independence Gikuyu bourgeoisie. As the new
rulers engaged overdrive gear of primitive accumulation, it was "their"
people who suffered most. This is as true of the Gikuyu peasants and workers
as it is of the Turgen herdsmen and peasants. When an Asian industrialist
locks workers in the maximum security prison called factory, without
ablution facilities, it affects all workers - Luos, Mijikenda, Abagusii,
Yiaku. Bakhayo, Isahakis, Njemps etc. - alike. Jadolo Otura, remember also
that when the Luos have been suffering, they have also had the Omamos,
Ogutus, and Oyugis who have been busy eating on their behalf.

 

You try to portray Hon. Raila Odinga as the "great Luo hope". I totally
disagree with you - as I am sure Raila himself would. Raila has been in the
struggle against politics and economics of exclusion for over 40 years.
Those who have followed his struggles can tell you that they have been based
on total opposition to domination and exploitation. He has spoken against
and actively opposed exploitation of person by another person, ethnic origin
notwithstanding. He has fought against domination of one community by
another. I am sure that just as he opposes exploitation of the Luo peasant
by the Gikuyu merchant, so he would oppose the exploitation of a Gikuyu
worker by a Luo industrialist or exploitation of an Iteso tobacco grower by
a Bukusu middleman. 

 

I am great believer, as I have said, in devolution of power. But this is not
for the reasons you state below. Devolution is the solution to our lopsided
governmental structure because, based on the principle of subsidiarity, it
guarantees political and economic democracy. Should I detect that some
elements among Kenyan communities want to use it as a weapon for balkanizing our nation, settling scores or taking advantage of others, I will oppose it to my grave.

 

May I say that with supporters like you, Raila doesn't need detractors.

 

 

Oduor Ong'wen