ETHNICITY IN CAMPUS

By Michael Oduor

Why do you have to remind a person of his past? This has afflicted the tribal affiliations in our country recently. Even here in campus, the pathogens causing tribalism are vividly present. It is amoral for any individual to get involved in this choking and immature condition. It is classism if you segregate your fellow comrade because his roots are from Mombasa, Makueni, Tharaka Nithi, Siaya, Kesses or even Mandera. It is political injustice to casket yourself in such cocoons. Absolutely a great shame!

Basing my reasoning from the prevailing situation here in campus, it is not a surprise that students group themselves from ethnical grounds be it class groups or even socially. Who should be blamed for this? Are they our forefathers or us? It is a shame that Onyango and Kamau cannot be together simply because they have ideological differences and also parallel political interests. Just the other week I witnessed a duo fight from provocation. It started when subject A reminded subject B that he was a loser because she had victoriously won the last “paper”.


We should shun from such menace which can poison our relationships as comrades and also as Kenyans. Another scenario was when a very close friend of mine early this semester went to his club meeting only to realize that almost 90% of the club’s officials were from one particular tribe. I simply asked him, “Were they vetted and voted for?” our conversation then came to an end.

It is noble to be together in all situations that unify us. Be your brother’s keeper and also learn to protect him at all levels. We were made to believe by the Most High that LOVE is something which should be practised by every human being.

The situation in campus is getting out of control and appropriate steps should be taken to curb this situation. Normally when two bulls are fighting, grass suffers a lot while the herdsman enjoys it. It is to my opinion that we embrace the spirit of brotherhood just to promote good relations. If you keenly analyse reasons why the two parallel groups were fighting over the amendment of the constitution, it is simply because of two major reasons.

One reason was because of ethnicity of the former group in that there was over dominance of one major tribe. The other reason is a long one and will feature next time. It is not right to say that we have three major tribes and others in Kenya. It’s absolutely wrong!

We should repackage our conscience to learn to accommodate one another irrespective of tribe. Never be intractable to associate with others as this will erase cases of intrusion within Moi University community. Intolerant behaviour should also be pulled out of our diaries and insert “Amicus friendlier” characters. Together we will strive for excellence if we let comradeship peddle our struggle. Turn on the light and never let darkness bewitch you in the name of tribal ethnicity.