Ndani ndaaaani, ndaani kabisa

Image credit : jamhuri-news.com

As you are no doubt aware, it's that time again when political aspirants countrywide beseech us to vote for them. Not too long ago, Nick Salat, in an embodiment of this earnest desire, voiced his rather robust allegiance to a certain political outfit. I doubt he envisioned his impassioned plea would generate a host of parodies and vines in other humorous contexts. Neither am I sure he envisioned himself betraying the very same words he uttered not too soon after; when he was certainly "nje, nje"; but we have come to expect that from our politicians, haven't we ?

Regardless of this turn of events, I'm sure at one point one your life you can attest to being ndani, ndaani in something. Given the notoriously strenuous Kenya School of Law, one would certainly identify with being ndaani, ndani upon  admission to the bar.

Since this is also that time of graduations, a good number of graduands exuberantly celebrate being ndani ndaaani kabisa upon seeing their names in the graduation list. Whereas, those still in campus celebrate being ndani, ndaani on seeing no resit required upon the release of their examination results.

Or maybe you're like me, a Manchester United supporter, who upon the final whistle in Stokholm, Ajax defeated, Mourinho vindicated, and just couldn't help saying "tuko ndani, ndaani, ndaaaaani kabisa," with reference to the Champions league especially after a season of being perpetually reminded by Arsenal fans of being ndani ndaani, ndani kabisa in 6th position in the EPL.

Perhaps after a long day's work, you may find yourself so ndaaani, ndaani kabisa in sleep as you commute home that you wake up slobbering and at times in dire need of Google Maps to trace your  current location.

Who can forget those who are finally filing their tax returns in true Kenyan last minute style and cry out "ndani ndaani, ndani kabisa!!!"  knowing all too well that they will not be sh 20,000 poorer.

However, all the above are nowhere near the worst kind of ndaani, ndani. Something far more sinister is, unfortunately, it is one that far too many Kenyans are in, though they will make concerted efforts to conceal it. It is that ndaani, ndaani to a tribe, that ndani ndaani that obstinately persists to label another ethnic group as 'the enemy'. That ndaani, ndaani that smacks of tribalism and a siege mentality against a particular political candidate just because they hail from a community that is 'nje,nje'. It is a ndaani, ndaani so firmly entrenched in the 'myth' that a coming to power of so and so will indubitably result in the victimization and marginalization of an entire ethnic group and so to 'safeguard' a tribal heritage, the populace votes on the basis of a siege mentality rather than on merit.

The election cycle brings out the worst of this ndaani ndaani, which begs the question, when will it ever end? One wonders why the application of this ndaani ndaani is zeroed in on aspirants to political office. Why doesn't one ask what tribe the doctor who will operate them is from? Why doesn't one pose the same question to the pharmacist who gives you your dosage? Why is the question of tribe not asked of the teacher who will teach your child? Why is the tribe question not asked of the security guard who watches over our estates during the night?

Do we pose the tribe question to the matatu tout before we board a matatu or inquire of the ethnic group of the driver? Do we ask what tribe the Chef hails from when we patronize a restaurant? Do we demand to know the tribe of the bank teller who is assisting us to deposit cash into our accounts?

I doubt anyone does so despite each of these people playing a significant role in their lives, yet for some unfathomable reason, a political aspirant, who we might never ever get to meet will have to go through the tribal checklist.

When our beloved athletes bag medals during the Olympics, we celebrate a victory for Kenya not Kalenjins. When the 7s rugby team won their maiden circuit in Singapore it was a victory for Kenya not the Luhyas or Luos in isolation. Same goes for the success of Lupita Nyongo, Kenya rather than Luo was put on the map.

We ought to be ndaani ndaani about our nation rather than our tribe, and the political aspirant of choice should be the one who accomplishes the best for Kenya regardless of his/her tribe.

I won't be one to go to the tribal route because I know the God I serve wouldn't want it any other way. Jesus in Matthew 28: 18-20  desired that we make disciples of all nations, illustrating no race or ethnic group was superior, all had an equal share. He had earlier illustrated his preference for inclusivity during his encounter with the Samaritan woman and by extension the Samaritan village. (John 4:4-42). In reaching out to the Samaritans, a race whom Jews considered utterly repulsive, Jesus set the tone by showing that even the supposed 'outcasts' on the basis of race were welcome to his kingdom.

Therefore, borrowing from his model, I consider no tribe an outcast or an enemy. Neither will I advocate for ethnic profiling. I am Kenneth, I am not my tribe, and no myths or stereotypes about a particular tribe will tell me otherwise.

I am ndani, ndaaaaani, ndaani kabisa in my nationality as a Kenyan, hating on my fellow Kenyan because he comes from another tribe is totally nje, njeeee, nje kabisa!!!