By Billy Mijungu
Why do we continue imagining that Luos and Kikuyus cannot work together? This idea is an elite-crafted emotional play that keeps both Nyanza and Mount Kenya trapped in suspicion, even though there are no deep ideological differences to justify such a divide. It is a very unnecessary and, frankly, very stupid narrative that has been repeated for too long without any honest examination of facts.
It is true that Kikuyus have disappointed Luos before. Many point to three political moments: under Jomo Kenyatta, under Mwai Kibaki, and again when a large part of the community refused to follow Uhuru’s call to support Raila Odinga. Those moments created wounds, but they do not define the entire relationship. In 2022, more than one million Kikuyus supported Raila openly and boldly in a political climate that made it costly to do so. That reality shows that the two communities are not enemies. They simply need clarity and leadership.
Under President Moi, the relationship between the two communities was fairly stable. They operated within one centre of power. Moi often placed leaders from the two groups in deputy roles. He did not do this out of hostility but because his political base was in Rift Valley and he needed strong balancing pillars to stabilise the country. That is a political explanation, not an ethnic one.
If Kenya is to move forward, the gap between Nyanza and Mount Kenya must be deliberately bridged. That requires political gestures as well as honest conversation. Two important steps can help reset the emotional climate. First, Gachagua should follow the example of Uhuru by visiting Bondo and mourning with the Odinga family. That simple act would send a powerful symbolic message that politics does not need to poison national unity. Second, both Kikuyus and Luos respect and admire Kalonzo Musyoka. They can close ranks around him either by supporting him for the presidency with a deputy from Western, or by presenting him as a national figure willing to work with President Ruto as deputy in a broader power arrangement.
As the relationship grows, the two communities can occupy strong horizontal roles such as Deputy Premier positions, working behind a Premier like Hassan Joho or any other agreed national figure. Kenya is large enough to accommodate creative power-sharing that respects all regions.
Bringing the country together is not only possible but necessary. We must ignore emotional claims that Gachagua hates Luos or that Luos dislike him. These are cheap political narratives. No one is dragging anyone anywhere. We must live together and negotiate daily, just as Raila Odinga consistently taught through his political life.
