Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua and his counterpart of Nyeri Mutahi Kahiga have broken their silence over the controversial Kikuyu song that has been perceived abusive to the Kamba community.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the two governors condemned the song titled 'Ikamba' which was uploaded on YouTube few weeks, saying it perpetuates tribalism and hatred among the Kamba and Kikuyu community.
Here is their full statement:
"JOINT PRESS STATEMENT THE KAMBA AND KIKUYU COMMUNITIES ARE FRIENDS AND LIVE PEACEFULLY WITH EACH OTHER AND WE CONDEMN ACTS THAT PERPETUATE DISCORD.
We strongly condemn utterances and actions that have been recently undertaken that perpetuate tribalism and hatred among the Kamba and Kikuyu community.
These actions and utterances are despicable and contrary to law and order and the hallmarks of a civilized society. It is improper to blame only one community for trading in charcoal and to blame a community in a hate song over actions of a few. Destruction of property and vigilante actions only happen in a lawless country. In the same vein, the architects of a hate song targeting a community is not only evil but unacceptable.
The Kamba and Kikuyu communities are not only Neighbours but they are literally brothers and sisters drawn from the same ancestors. We are friends, partners and have traditionally refereed to each other as in-laws (Athoni). We are one people separated by the area where we traditionally call home and influxes of the same language. Our cultures are more similar than any other cultures between either of us and others. We are one people.
Therefore, let us not get excited and emotional and start dividing our people where there is no division.
Kenya has seen the growth of intolerance and the planting of the seed of hate due to political aspirations of a few who are willing to sacrifice peace and stability for their own selfish gains. From the infamous "your name betrays you" statement to hate speech during the campaign period, some politicians have whipped up tribal animosity and primitive behaviours against the two great communities
.The lethargic speed of the agencies concerned with hate speech is also perpetuating the growth of these acts and the fueling of hatred. Maybe President Uhuru Kenyatta needs to review the composition and leadership of some of the law agencies and inject new blood that acts swiftly and firmly.
We call upon all leaders to preach and practice love, tolerance and peace and to understand that their actions and statements affect the behavior of their people. Kitui county has decided it does not want the charcoal trade in its county and that needs to be respected. Burning of vehicles and retaliation in hate song and statements is wrong and does not promote harmony.
We are men of peace, people who believe that it does not matter where you were born, you have a right to live and enjoy the fruits of Kenya. No one sends a postcard asking to be born a Kamba, Kikuyu, Dorobo, Luhya, Samburu, Luo, Digo, Kisii etc.
We find it narrow-minded for a person to attack another ethnic group, whereas when that person or his or her child is dying and they rush to a hospital, he or she does not first ask what tribe the doctor trying to save him or the child is. It does not matter!
We are all one people and some of us, as leaders have committed ourselves to bringing our people together and no devil of tribalism will separate us.
In Machakos we are pleased to host H.E Governor Edward Mutahi Kahiga and we accept his invitation to Nyeri and the entire Central Kenya counties to cement this friendship and cooperation for the benefit of our people and country Kenya.
The Council of Governors has set up a team to mitigate the feud between Kitui county and Kiambu county and we call upon our colleagues who are affected to embrace tolerance, forgiveness and peace.
H.E. Mutahi Kahiga
GOVERNOR, NYERI COUNTY.
H.E. Dr. Alfred N. Mutua, EBS
GOVERNOR, MACHAKOS COUNTY."
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