Homa Bay County has got its moment to host something, finally. Years ago, the county would not have been on the radar at all. With ODM “sort of in government” now, it was only natural for the lake region to get its moment. During the previous Jubilee administration, Naivasha became the new Mecca of politics. Even the sea was about to be moved to Naivasha to satisfy a “certain” tribe.

Over the years, Mombasa had enjoyed the privilege of hosting many government conferences and events. But tribalism took that chance away. As a tourist destination with many hotels, and being the second largest city in Kenya, Mombasa rightly earned the stripes in conference hosting, both at the international and local level.

Apart from being a victim of tribalism in conference hosting, the Jubilee administration also starved the city of investments that led to destruction of businesses. The government focused on building a coastal city and port in Naivasha, where no sea existed.

Politicians are often blinded by tribalism. They forget to look for ways to build the country rather than party or tribal interests. If building the country was at the heart of government, then no State-funded conferences or events should be held outside Nairobi.

As the capital, Nairobi ought to have the cardinal right to host some of the conferences being held across the country to win tribal votes. Nairobi has enough venues to host large conferences at an international level — UN standard no less — but, somehow, it is too small to facilitate government functions. Hosting events in the capital is one assured way of ending tribalism.

Holding events in Nairobi is convenient and cheaper for guests, especially from the diplomatic community.

Tribalism is destroying Kenya. It only serves politicians and their communities at the detriment of other Kenyans. The people of the lake region and the Rift Valley are now enjoying the fruits of their bastardised union. The huge sums of money being allocated for events in the lake region do not have parliamentary approval or public acquiescence. How is this allowed to happen?

Tribal politics has meant that we tolerate the shenanigans of Farouk Kibet because he is from the same tribe as the President. This man has, or believes he has, so much power because of his tribe that he can afford to objectify and disrespect female MPs who twerk in public at his order.

He asks them to shake their “boom boom” and they ask how long, rather than challenge the fact that they are being humiliated — but they can’t! As they are dealing with someone from the President’s tribe who has so many ridiculous powers that contribute little to the development of Kenya.

Tribalism has also meant that we tolerate the shenanigans and threats of Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi — the man with no portfolio in government, other than being from the President’s tribe.

We cannot sack police officers and Cabinet ministers who breach the law as long as they come from the President’s tribe.

Ending tribalism must now start with Kenyans deciding who works in the President’s inner circle, rather than it being the other way. Those closest to the President must also be subjected to the vetting process, like all other public servants.

If all tribes of Kenya voted for the President, then anyone from all the tribes in the country should have the right to work in his inner circle. Kenyans cannot, and the President can’t talk of ending tribalism, when he thinks in tribal fashion and only relies on his tribesmen or those he bribes. If the President trusted Kenyans’ votes, then he ought to trust them to help him too. The nonsense from Farouk and Oscar Sudi wouldn’t exist if tribalism did not exist in Kenya.

Nairobi is a global centre for so many agencies and companies operating in Africa. However, its global standing is damaged by the village mentality of most Kenyan politicians, who still believe public gatherings of national importance should be conducted like a circus full of starving animals touring the country.

The contrast between the state of many smaller and poor towns compelled to host national events and the political attendees turning up in big cars and helicopters is shameful for a country that still has a long way to go in ending poverty.

Key national events such as Jamhuri Day, Madaraka Day and devolution conferences have been politicised and turned into a circus. Their place is in Nairobi as the capital city. They are not for vote seeking or appeasing one’s tribe!