In my attempt to try and get a solution for Kenya, I have realized that the difference is more than political. It is engrained in the DNA of the two communities; there are many fundamental differences that will have to be bridged before the political difference is solved. I will speak as an outsider though I acknowledge I am a kikuyu Kikuyus are generally farmers while Luos are originally cattle keepers. The two cultures have followed the two tribes to the city and into the diaspora. The Kikuyus like all farmers are patient- they will invest (plant) and wait for the season of harvesting. The Luos who are pastoralists turned fishermen, are used to going to the cattle shed or the lake, fish out what is available and feast for the day. The Kikuyu are used to seasons of crop failure so they will save for the dry season. The Luo on the other hand are used to living one day at a time. Cattle is slaughtered, dried for preservation or eaten fresh as a community. They will go fishing everyday and not miss what to eat, the lake is a constant. Now you know why Kikuyus are good investors and Luos good spenders. Politically, when Kikuyus get into positions of power they fence it off like all farmers. They slot their henchmen in vital positions and begin the process of cultivating and harvesting. The pastoralists like Moi regime would graze down a government project then move in search of greener pastures to feed on again. Fishermen would put in the structures (nets) and exploit the catch day in and wait for retirement. Another main difference is that Luos are patriarchal while Kikuyus are matriarchal. This is evident from the fact that many women MPs to ever grace the august house are from the Kikuyu community. To the Kikuyu, the children belong to the mother, while to the Luos the children are called by their father’s name
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 08:12:29 +0000
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