SO IS TRIBAL EXTREMISM BETTER THAN ALSHABAABISM?

The persistently vexing matter of negative tribalism is to most people the big elephant in the Kenya's social, economic and political landscape. Many commentators have recorded a great deal of thoughts and opinions on this subject. Leaders, and citizens alike agree that dealing a lethal blow to this 'monster' is the only way forward to propelling Kenya and its people to new heights  and to the land of goodies, flowing with milk and honey.

But is tribalism, in all its manifestations, inherently wrong? The eternal questions of when, who, how, and what gave rise to tribalism cannot be settled without having a deep reflection on what actually constitutes a tribe. 

To run away from this, I think, is to play right into the hands of negativity and hatred - the twin cancers eating the conscience of my compatriots and causing unspeakable pain to their body politic.

A tribe, just like a crowd is a collection of masses - a people connected by shared interests and/or cultural origins. Although it is 'made up' of conscientious beings, it is not essentially conscientious. It possesses no mind of its own hence its inability to engage in a rational facts-centered discussions. It relies on the invisible collective persona devoid of any responsibility - in most cases unleashing destructive torrents - to vent all its grievances.

Unleashing destructive torrents notwithstanding, this crowd power lies right at the center of Man's survival. It remains the only formidable 'force' to bring home what may remain a mirage to individual elements making up the crowd (read the tribe). (i.e only crowds can have the guts to stand in the way of destructive forces since they (crowds) are inherently 'destructive' in their pursuit of goodness). 

Which provokes a burning question: Should tribalism be discarded and/or criminalized in totality? If yes, how? Is there any replacement to it?

Considering the crowd analogy explained above, I think, it stands no good not to state that tribalism thrives as a form of 'safety net' and counter force to withstand the excesses of system failures (in this case nonfunctional government systems) and rogue ruling elites with eyes trained on looting and self-aggrandizement. 

It behooves, therefore, to say, in a country - like Kenya - where negative tribalism is the norm and the only 'rescue' for the poor and the suffering mass against all machinations of their well-placed compatriots, the State stands no chance to claim to be anchored on functional systems. 

Negative tribalism is no better than Alshababism - that brutal spirit ravaging Somalia’s future. They are one and the same. They tend to offer solutions to 'fed up' citizens whose hopes have been cut short by non-existent or grounded and redundant state actors. They speak (albeit with jaundiced amity) for the people. They have earned the trust of the people thanks to their open-door interactions with their followers.

To bring down the spirit of tribal allegiance and plant, in its place, the love of the nation and its people is no mean talk. It must start from the top. It demands diligence and commitment. It calls for a total reawakening of government systems that value the citizenry.

The tree of inclusiveness is not watered by endless empty preachings on the need and usefulness of living as one. It is by action and true expression of inclusiveness and appreciation of others albeit their differences that give rise to a unified state.

Men never shape their conduct upon the teaching and/or preaching of pure reason. It is as interesting to decipher the motives of the actions of men as to determine the characteristics of a mineral or a plant. It is by actions, and follow up that change becomes part of them. It is by introducing a new thinking into our tribal crowds that the State can protect us.

Throwing tantrums, singing hymns, lamenting and cursing others for staying aside offer no remedy to negative tribalism. To stick to this is to enrich and fortify the spirits of negative tribalism.

Just like Alshabaab adherents, tribal extremists are our greatest enemies. Much as we wait for the government’s intervention, they need our help to ‘reform’.

Now is the time to collect our bits of shattered glasses and create a mirror that would, in every truth and manifestations of our individual contribution, reflect the face and form of our collective perfect self of the Kenya we want and always long to live in. God bless us!

Twitter: @mlemukol. Email: lemoseh89@gmail.com