Land Issue and Federalism in Kenya

eCentury News Analyst
The issue of federal system agitated by leaders mostly from Rift Valley, Nyanza, Western, North Eastern and Coast is a thorn and a sensitive topic in Kenya. In the past, smaller communities agitated for a federal system or Majimbo. In Uganda the federal system is agitated for by the populous Baganda community. The Baganda community was however appeased by Museveni with an autonomous kingdom without political power and so were other communities which traditionally had kings. Most Ugandan communities have traditional systems which deal with cultural and ceremonial issues. A federal political system as agitated by Baganda has not been given a green light by the past and current governments. The smaller tribes are against the federal system unlike in Kenya; the reason being in Uganda no native land was grabbed or alienated by any power. The colonial administration did not settle Whites in Uganda hence no community was displaced thus no land was lost.

The same is true for Tanzania. The defeat of the German colonial power in the World War II ended German occupation. Tanzania was thus put under control of United Nations. Land was never an issue in Tanzania before and after independence. Hence Kenya is a unique case; it was occupied by the white settlers as the natives were displaced and jammed in what was then known as native reserves. The Africans were crowded in tiny corners of the nation’s native districts.

After independence the Kenyatta administration and subsequent administrations ignored the plight of the indigenous people whose land had been stolen by colonialists. From independence the communities where the presidents hailed were favoured in land allocation. It was during Kenyatta administration that land was grabbed by the rich and the powerful and the same took place during Moi era. Land became a preserve for the politcal elite. The native communities who occupied the land in pre-colonial era were ignored in land distribution, hence land remains a real emotive issue in Kenya.

The agitation for a federal system of government by communities whose land was grabbed is seen by the powerful groups as a threat to their grip on power. On the other hand, the desire for devolution is an attempt to give power to the locals to chart their destinies.
Kenya unlike other East African nations is driven by phobia among the communities, big or small; locals or immigrant communities, and the fear of the empowerment of the poor by the political elite.

Kenya thus is at crossroads; it is a nation faced with tough options.
The communities in Rift Valley and Coast who feel marginalized in land allocation and who perceive immigrants with suspicion have concerns that must be addressed. Communities who have settled in these regions and who see themselves as victims of hate and tribal wars too have genuine fears.

The way forward for Kenya is to take the diverse interests head-on. She must listen to herself. The fears of the big and the small tribes should be addressed. The gap between the rich and the poor should be equally be addressed. Ignoring them will only exacerbate the issue now which may erupt tomorrow.