Citizens React: Should Kenya’s Presidency Rotate Among Ethnic Communities?

NAIROBI, KENYA — As Kenya prepares for a general election next year, a lawmaker has proposed a five-year rotational presidency to ensure that each ethnic group in the country is equally represented in that office.

In the bill, which has yet to be formally considered by Parliament, parliamentarian Zuleikha Hassan Juma proposes that a presidential candidate should not be allowed to run for the office if he or she is from the same ethnic group as the current president or the five preceding presidents.

Kenya has had four presidents since it gained independence from the British in 1963, each from one of the two larger ethnic communities ─ the Kikuyu or the Kalenjin. The country has about 40 ethnic communities.

The bill also seeks to reduce the tenure of office of the president from two five-year terms to one five-year term.

The aim of this law is to end ethnic divisions that presidential elections create, Juma says.

The bill states that it would “…reduce not only ethnic tension but also the social tensions that stem from real or perceived exclusion of other ethnic communities permanently from leadership by the disadvantage of numbers.”

Presidential elections in Kenya are often marked by ethnic violence. In 2007 and 2008, more than 1,100 people were killed in ethnic violence after a dispute over presidential election results.

Opponents of the bill say it would infringe on the rights of citizens to choose a president, but Juma is confident that it will sail through Parliament.

“I am optimistic that this will finally become law, because the speaker of the National Assembly already gave it a go-ahead after I wrote a letter to him last year,” she says. “Had it been problematic, then I do not think he could have initially given it a nod.”

Global Press Journal spoke to people in Nairobi about this proposal. Here are their views.

“I support the bill, as long as the person elected as president has all the qualifications needed. It is not about the tribe, but leadership skills. About the number of terms a president should serve, I think this will solely depend on the performance of the person elected as president.” ─ Cedric Miheso, security guard

“At least let another tribe enjoy the presidency. One tribe shouldn’t enjoy 10 years of presidency over and over again. So I think this law is in order, as it will give other tribes a chance to lead the country. I also think that this idea will ensure equal distribution of resources. Presidents tend to direct most development projects to their regions.” ─ Timothy Mulwa, casual worker

“I believe anyone has the ability to become president. I would not say that we leave it to one ethnic group after the other, though. Let those who feel that they are fit to vie for the presidency do so. It is a competitive seat anyway.” ─ John Mbugua, casual worker

“I think the tribes that have so far led us are OK. I have not seen anything bad with one ethnic group leading, as long as the country develops. I also think some of the ethnic groups are still a minority, and it will be impossible for them to convince other communities to vote for one of their own as president.” ─ Fridah Muthoni, fruits vendor

“I support the proposed bill because it will bring a tribal balance in matters of national leadership. I believe it will make a difference because, to be sincere, most presidents tend to take development projects to their own regions.” ─ Vincent Okoth, casual worker

“It is not a good idea. You may get a person, let’s say a Kikuyu, who wants to vie for presidency and may really be having what it takes. But just because another Kikuyu has previously held the position, this aspirant misses the chance. So, let the race for the presidency be free for anyone capable of it.” — Natasha Daije, banker

“I think it is impossible to give all the 42 tribes a chance to lead the country. We should just keep the law the way it is at the moment.” — Joy Maina, banker

 

Lilian Kaivilu, GPJ, translated some interviews from Kiswahili.