The current situation in Kenya has derailed mediation efforts by African Union (AU) Chairman and Ghanian President John Kufuor and US Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer,for the crisis following the disputed elections shows no intention of ceasing. In order to track down the root cause of Kenya's turmoil, we must look deep into the nation's history. As it seems, Kenya's crisis has been years in the making.
Above all, transplanted Western democracy could not take hold in Africa. The African people have been living on the continent for generations; have forged special links among different ethnic groups; and have cultivated a unique African culture long before falling victim to Western colonialism. As a matter of fact, primitive culture already enjoyed democracy with unique characteristics long ago. Tribal heads called on all the tribe's men to make a decision on any matter, and a consensus from different groups was sought after. When a disparity arose, they formed a cabinet consisting of tribal elders.
Former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan believes in a popular saying from his mother country, Ghana: one head cannot beat collective wisdom. Collective wisdom, accumulated over years and passed down from generation to generation, can not be readily replaced by a single idea, injected from the outside and imposed upon by the powerful.
The post-election crisis in Kenya is a product of democracy bequeathed by Western hegemony; and a manifestation of values clashing when democracy is transplanted onto disagreeable land.
Secondly, colonialism is the worst offender to fuel ethnic estrangement and hatred. Early colonizers set foot onto the African continent to disseminate white culture using ignoble means- a popular practice adopted by strong cultures wiping out weaker ones - utilizing ‘barbaric' people to subjugate their own races. This sinister design has triggered persistent ethnic conflict in Africa.
Kenya has over 70 ethnic groups, ranging in size from about 7 million Kikuyu to only 500 El Molo. The largest ethnic group, the Kikuyu, makes up a quarter of the nation's total population, and has ruled this country for decades since its independence, with the support of former colonial ruler: Great Britain. This has brought about increasing discontent among other ethnic groups - especially the opposition groups.
The bipartisan election system, introduced in 1963 when Kenya gained independence, and the multi-party election, initiated in 1991, did nothing but aggravate the situation.
Thirdly, the widening gap between the rich and the poor catalyzes the ethnic clash. Despite the fact that Kenya's economic growth has been increasing steadily in recent years – the growth rate jumped to 6.1 percent in 2006 - there is still a sizeable portion of the country's population living in abject poverty. After all, half of the nation is currently living below the poverty line – a yardstick established by the UNDP with a $1 dollar a day average cost of living.
The opposition group's Orange Democratic Movement, led by Chief Raila Odinga, has, as a result, won the great support and respect from disadvantaged groups. The strong aspiration of “becoming better-off' has prompted more and more poor ethnic groups to side with them.
Kenya's post-election crisis has thus far left 486 dead, over a quarter of a million homeless, and caused as much as 1 billion USD in economic damages.
Fortunately, international mediation seems to be making progress, as the various political groups have finally decided to cooperate with the African Celebrity Panel, spearheaded by former UN secretary- general Kofi Annan, to find a way to settle deep-seated problems.
Nevertheless, we still cherish the hope that one day international mediation will be amply rewarded in the way of different political groups setting aside disputes and seeking common ground. Only by preserving national stability can Kenya gain momentum in developing its economy and benefit all ethnic groups.
By People's Daily Online
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