Nairobi County woman representative Gathoni Wamuchomba has urged Kenyans to rise above tribalism in political support, emphasizing that national interest should take precedence over regional or ethnic loyalties.
In a public statement, Wamuchomba highlighted her voting record, noting that she supported President William Ruto in 2017 despite him not being from her home region, Mlima. “I believed in kumi ya Uhuru, and committed to kumi ya Ruto. I elected him in 2017 knowing very well he’s not from Mlima, and so I will support him knowing the same,” she said.
She stressed that Kenya belongs to all its citizens and warned against allowing tribal divisions to dictate political choices. “Kenya is bigger than Mlima. Kenya is for all of us. I hold a Kenyan degree, not a Mlima degree. I am a daughter of Mlima, but I live with daughters of other hills and valleys,” Wamuchomba remarked.
The lawmaker called on Kenyans to reject tribal hatred while engaging in political discourse, advocating for coexistence and unity across ethnic and regional lines. “You don’t have to support William Ruto, but shun the tribal hatred and promote coexistence. Let’s shun tribal hatred,” she urged.
Her remarks come amid ongoing debates about identity politics in Kenya, where ethnic loyalty often influences voting patterns. Wamuchomba’s message has been welcomed by supporters of national cohesion, who see it as a call to prioritize Kenya’s shared interests over divisive regional or tribal considerations.
