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{
    "id": 156046,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/156046/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 359,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Baiya",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 8,
        "legal_name": "Peter Njoroge Baiya",
        "slug": "peter-baiya"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, very much, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. The issues touching on ethnic and tribal relations in this country are shrouded in a lot of mystery. It is very important that in a forum like this, we are able to ventilate them. As a matter of historical fact, it is the case that the Kenyan people were always divided along ethnic lines. It is also true that they co-existed quite well. For instance, when the Kikuyus settled in Central Kenya, they assimilated the communities they found there. There were small communities, which they assimilated. They co-existed very well with the Maasais. We know very well that it is only with the onset of colonialism in this country which used the tool of divide and rule that the communities started developing negativity amongst each other. When it came to the struggle for independence around the 1950s, we know very well that with the outbreak of nationalism and the rise of the Mau Mau, it was imperative that the British colonialists aroused anti-Kikuyu sentiments among the various Kenyan people to contain the rise against nationalism. This perpetration of tribalism and ethnicity has actually persisted even after Independence. We know very well that it is only around election time when the political class goes to their people to remind them of which communities and tribes they belong to. During last election, this card was played to dangerous levels in this country. In September, 2007, a Bill to legislate against ethnic hatred was defeated in this Parliament because the politicians knew that they needed to play that card come December elections. We are looking forward to a Commission that will independently and outside the political timing, help develop policies that will ensure that we come up with clear legislation to manage our ethnic relations. It is not just politicians who have used the ethnic card to split and divide Kenyans. We have also seen those who perceive themselves to be victims, perpetrating similar discrimination against those they perceive to be the culprits. I have cases in mind where the argument for the so-called equality has degenerated to levels where human rights of some people have been seriously violated. They have been subjected to discrimination merely because they belong to this or that ethic group. All these issues will require an unbiased team of commissioners to look at them and help this Government develop these policies. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, other countries have done it. We had an opportunity to visit a country like Britain where they have a Race Relations Team that, not only informs any legislation, but also government policy. It also helps members of the public in interpreting certain decisions of the government. In Britain where some people may demonstrate hostility to black people, there is a policy that guides against that hostility. They allow black people in Britain because of the economical advantage to their country. They only employ young and qualified people. These people are not so expensive to maintain by way of health and so on. In other words, they are exploiting these young people. They allow more productive labour from third world countries."
}