Former Chief Justice Dr Willy Mutunga has told Kenyans to shun tribalism and learn to live harmoniously as brothers and sisters.
The former CJ said one of Kenya's biggest problems is tribalism which he said, if not checked, will claw back the country's development in all sectors for decades.
Mutunga said the majority of Kenyans do not vote on the basis of the leadership qualities of the people vying for political positions but because they associate with specific individuals as either their tribesmen or tribeswomen.
He was speaking at Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi on Monday during the launch of the book "Kenya Elections 2017: The Failed Quest for Electoral Justice".
The book was written by Journalist John Onyando.
"You will find a Kikuyu young man in torn clothes and infested with jiggers running around jumping and telling people that they are in government," Mutunga said as he made his official address.
"These are mentalities we need to shun."
The former CJ said unless Kenyans walk away from the chains of tribalism and start the culture of electing leaders on merit, majority of the population will remain in captivity as the country is being run by a few leaders controlling resources and power.
The event was also addressed by Uganda's opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye.