By Billy Mijungu.
Kenya’s political landscape is once again being held hostage by the never-ending Luo-Kikuyu rivalry This time the battleground is Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship and the recent Gen Z protests that rattled the government Instead of rallying behind a national cause some political actors have chosen to fuel ethnic divisions for selfish gain
Raila’s campaign for the AUC position represented a significant opportunity for Kenya and Africa
If it were successful, it would have placed a Kenyan at the helm of one of the most influential institutions on the continent boosting the country’s diplomatic standing.
Yet some Kikuyu political elites launched a campaign to discredit Raila not because of merit but because of entrenched tribal biases
These individuals were not acting in the interest of Kenya Instead they are driven by narrow political calculations seeking to keep the Luo Kikuyu divide alive to secure parliamentary seats in 2027.
It was an old script to exploit ethnic tensions keep communities polarized and use fear to maintain political dominance.
But where does this leave the ordinary Kenyans?
The recent Gen Z protests were a wake-up call Young Kenyans fed up with the status quo took to the streets demanding accountability and good governance Their struggle was not about ethnicity it was about fairness economic justice and a better future.
However, the ruling elite saw the protests as a threat and worked to crush them.
Now the same political class to turned the Raila AUC debate into an ethnic contest using it as yet another tool to divide Kenyans
If these manipulations continue Kenya risks sliding further into issue-less politics where elections are won on emotions rather than policies.
The Luo community feeling betrayed and cornered may respond with blanket opposition to any Kikuyu-backed political faction. This is dangerous because it locks the country in a cycle where political identity is dictated by ethnicity rather than ideas
The Luo and Kikuyu communities have played a central role in Kenya’s history but they cannot continue to hold the nation hostage It is time for leaders from both sides to step back and ask what is so difficult about uniting behind national interests Why must every major political move be framed as a Luo versus Kikuyu battle
The best thing these two communities can do is rally behind neutral issue-based candidates who prioritize the nation over tribal loyalty They must pacify their historical tensions and create space for genuine democracy Kenya’s future cannot be dictated by an elite few who thrive on division It is time for ordinary citizens Luo, Kikuyu, Kamba, Luhya and all others to reject this old game and demand better
If we do not break free from this cycle now we risk dooming our democracy to endless tribal warfare The choice is ours Will we continue down this road or will we rise above petty divisions and fight for a united progressive Kenya
