Health Rights in Kenya

During and after the HERAF conference, I found an interest in better understanding the political issues of Kenya. For those who have developed a similar interest – I have summarized some of the historical and political highlights I reviewed from multiple sources on the net.

Kenya is a nation formed of an extremely complex tribal and ethnic mixture. This past spring, after the Presidential election violence broke out. The current violence and many of the on-going problems are the result of centuries of tension and conflict between various factions and groups.

Background:

There are many tribes within the nation- as many as 70. These tribes account for 98% of the population (less than 2% are of British or Asian descent) and are divided into three main language groups:

• Bantu-speaking tribes:
  Kikuyu, Akamba, Meru, Embu, Tharaka, Mbere, Gussi, Kuria, Luhya, Mikikenda, Swahili, Pokomo, Segeju, Taveta, and Taita
• Nilotic-speaking tribes:
  Maasai, Samburu, Teso, Turkana, Elmolo, Njemps, Kalenjin, Marakwet, Tugen, Pokot, Elkony, Kipsigis, Luo, Nandi, and Kipsigis. (FYI- Barack Obama’s grandmother is Sarah Onyango, a Luo, although every Kenyan we met lays some claim to Mr. Obama. ie: “He’s my wife’s cousin.”)
• Cushitic-speaking tribes:
  Rendille, Somali, Boran, Gabbra, Orma, Boni, El Molo, Boran, Burji Dassenich, Sakuye, Wata, Yaaka, Daholo, Rendille, and Galla.

Some of the tribal/ethnic groups are associated more directly with certain land areas, the largest land holders are the Cushitic people and the Nilotic people. Others, notably the Bantu groups, have spread throughout the country during the past 2000 years. The largest of the tribes, the Kikuyu make up about one-fifth of the overall population and in the last two centuries this tribe developed a settled agricultural-based and trading economy and became expert at defense and adaption to reduce conflict with the nomadic herding tribes (the Nilotic and Cushitic groups.) The Kikuyu are of the Bantu language group which today makes up two-thirds of the population. Some of the more nomadic tribes have kept closer to traditional lifestyles, particularly Nilotic groups such as the Masai. This language group accounts for about one-third of the population. The smallest group, the Cushitic language group makes up less than 5% of the population and hold more than twenty percent of the land.

Modern history was marked first by German, then British colonialism beginning in the1800’s. Kenya became a Republic in 1963 and was led by the Kenyan African National Union headed by Jomo Kenyatta (the Kenyan “George Washington”) who was a member of the largest tribe- the Kikuyu. The Bantu-speakers make up the largest population and Swahili and English are the official languages of Kenya.

Based on their wealth and negotiating skills, developed as traders, it is no wonder the Bantu and the Kikuyu particularly have dominated Kenyan politics. However, through cultural exchange, intermarriage and as more people adopt Western life styles, tribal identity is becoming less critical.

The vote was very close and there were allegations of impropriety on both sides. The incombent, Mwai Kibaki had been President since 2002, when his election ended 24 years of rule by Daniel Moi. Mr. Kibaki was previously with the Kenya African National Union and the Democratic Party, now called the Party of National Unity. He claimed victory over the opposition Raila Odinga of the Orange Democratic Movement. Some analysts have claimed the differences are based on tribal affiliation (Mr. Moi was Kalenjin, Mr. Kibaki is Kikuyu and Mr. Odinga is from the Luo tribe.) However, there are greater complexities in the political differences and some of those we met said they did not vote along their tribal lines, but were motivated to vote according to their beliefs about what was best for the nation during the Presidential election.

The violence has settled down, although about 300,000 people remain displaced from their homes and are unlikely to return. The government of Kenya is working to provide compensation and relocation for those families displaced due to the violence. The government has established dual ministries and separated the roles of each in order to develop a “power-sharing.” It is currently rather confused according to people who are working within and with the ministries, but the people we met seem hopeful that arrangements will remain peaceful.