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{
    "id": 590671,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/590671/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 334,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "it was claimed to be a Whiteman’s country. They intended to achieve their objective by dividing Kenyans along tribal and ethnic blocks. We were all divided during Independence. The Nandis fought the Europeans alone and many other tribes did the same but individually. Eventually, we were all defeated and we were divided the way the Whiteman intended. Therefore, when you talk of what happened in Kenya, you have to understand the history of this nation. The Whiteman wanted Kenyans to remain divided. Even after Independence, the negotiations we had in London were the best; between 1960 and 1963. By the time we went for the second conference in London, the Whiteman had already learnt how to divide us. If we had gone at the same united front by our leadership at that time, we would have gone very far. When Independence was promised in the first conference in 1960, everybody thought he or she was not going to be left far away from leadership. This thought constituted tribal thinking. People started fighting for leadership even within the tribes. As we talk about Tanzania, we have to understand where they have come from. The British wanted closer union between Uganda, Tanzania and Sudan. This did not work because the Tanzanians stood firm and did not want to be in the same gauge with the others. Ugandans also refused to join that union. On the hand, Kenya was even strongly against that union because it was to give the white settlers more power to dominate the Africans. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, as I stand here, I would like to say that the only way we can copy Tanzania is by trying to understand the way they are. The tribes are united but in Kenya, we still live in colonial communities. I want to say that the moment Sen. Orengo’s people and Sen. G.G. Kariuki’s tribes would agree that they belong to this world, then they will stop the struggle between them. Even if a person from one of the communities becomes the president, he will not be there forever. The moment we realize that we are just passing and there are people behind us, then we will be doing a good job. The only thing we can do to “grab”, if the word grabbing would be acceptable, is to make sure that we become more of producers and not just consumers of things from the neighbouring countries. We have to pray and work hard that we produce goods and services to support our friend. Otherwise, Tanzania is moving very far. For example, they have changed presidents three times but there has not any problem, but in Kenya even if the president wants to retire peacefully, we still get noisemakers. This is where we suffer and we are going to suffer. Let us make ourselves clear. Tanzania is an example of people who can live together. Kenya is an example of people who can never live together. That is where we are. We can never live together because of our personal interests and ambitions. People think that they must become presidents for their community to survive. This is not true. The fact remains that a person should be supported by all Kenyans. In fact, we can go for very many years before we find a person whom all Kenyans will rally behind. Those who have a conglomeration of small parties and give them something to get their support, this is hooliganism and not politics. The right politics is when your people choose you. Thank you but that time was too short. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}