World on Fire - Brownstein, Michael [57]
Under Kenyatta’s rule, which lasted between 1963 and 1978, the economic prominence of the Kikuyu intensified. In part this is because Kenyatta adopted ethnically biased economic policies blatantly favoring the Kikuyu, especially his own family members. One component of Kenyatta’s “Africanization” campaign, for example, was to transfer to the Kikuyu large tracts of the fertile, cash-crop-producing land formerly controlled by whites to the exclusion of other groups. By 1978, Kenya had developed an indigenous “capitalist bourgeoisie” that was predominantly Kikuyu.
15 But the reasons behind Kikuyu economic success remain bitterly disputed.
I recently posted on the web the following question: “Why have the Kikuyu been more economically successful than other Kenyans?” (In Kenya, the term “Kenyans” is still understood to mean black Kenyans.) Many Kenyans, including self-identified Kikuyus, Luos, and Kalenjin, responded. Here is a sampling of their comments.
W: The Kikuyu, of which I’m one, have become successful economically due to various reasons. One, civilization came early to our community when the colonial settlers settled in our land and introduced the start of the Kenyan economy. Second, the Kikuyus have a different attitude. They like to invest and try ventures, however small they are. They believe that being a small business owner is better than being a manager here or there. . . . In my family, there is no one who is an employee. We believe that the worst offense you can do to yourself is to remain an employee. Rightly so, wealth is created by those who engage in business.
K: IT IS OUT OF HARD WORK. HARD HARD WORK AND CONFIDENCE. THE SAME REASONS ALL OTHER PEOPLE BECOME STRONG ECONOMICALLY.
S [responding to K]: You are a sick puppy. If I remind you of Kamaliza [a Swahili name for “exterminator” and a nickname used by some Kenyans to refer to President Kenyatta], you will realize that your fathers and mothers had an unfair advantage vis-à-vis other Kenyans. During Kenyatta’s reign, he transferred all the “white settlers” land to Kikuyus. Please don’t give me that BS of I work hard and own my own business. If you don’t care to learn history then stop spouting ignorance. . . . You should at the very least stop corrupting this media with misinformation. Please acknowledge the sins of your ancestors, then propose solutions. Non-Kikuyus sat on the sidelines while Kamaliza and his Kikuyu henchmen raped the country, denying other Kenyans jobs and land. We are all hard working folks and don’t think for a moment that your likes have cornered the market on success, by virtue of being Kikuyu.
J: This is what you say to a stranger, with no idea about Kenya and how Kikuyus got wealthy! You say that Kikuyus were outright thieves?! Next time check your words!!! I insist, Kikuyus are not thieves. They were aided to their wealth, but nobody makes it to financial success without help. That is why banks offer loans. The difference is that Kikuyus appreciate the little they have and have a drive towards enterprising like no other tribe in Kenya. I was brought up by my aunt, she fed us by selling the local brew, and now she owns a restaurant!! Am I not allowed to be proud of that??? She was never a relation of a certain minister and neither did she finish her formal education!! . . . You being a Kenyan should have some sensitivity on what you write!!! The Kikuyu bashing has to stop!! I am tired of everyone picking on Kikuyus because we happen to be the first at the top!!!!!!
S: What I am trying to tell your kinsmen is that hard work is not a genetic trait of Kikuyus only. . . . You have to accept facts such as outright stealing favoring Kikuyus that