While elections are just over two years away, ethnic mobilisation in Kenya has kicked off in earnest with already strained relations pointing to the likelihood of a bloody post-election violence reminiscent of the 2007 contested vote.

The latest serving of ethnic war-cry pits a section of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party Members of Parliament, who on July 1, condemned what they termed as a growing wave of tribal profiling targeting members of the Luo community in government.

The MPs trained their guns on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Maragua MP Mary Wamaua of fuelling ethnic tensions through divisive and inflammatory statements.

Speaking during a press briefing at the Parliament Building in Nairobi, Nyando MP Jared Okello said recent utterances by the two leaders had singled out ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga and other high-ranking Luo officials in a manner that risks inciting ethnic animosity.

The MPs led by the Nyando legislator called for an immediate end to what they described as ‘a deliberate smear campaign’ targeting Luo professionals in both political and civil service.

“We are here to call out and demand an immediate stop to the campaign being waged by a section of leaders from Mt Kenya against Luo leaders in and outside government. This profiling must end,” charged Okello.

The legislators took issue with attacks on former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary James Opiyo Wandayi and Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo.

Okello alleged that these leaders had been targeted not over performance, but because of their ethnic background and association with President William Ruto.

Ruaraka MP Tom Joseph Kajwang faulted Gachagua for what he termed as inciting remarks aimed at polarising the country along ethnic lines, adding that the former deputy president was unfit to lecture civil servants or national leaders on anything.

“He should deal with the fact that he was impeached. He cannot use his public frustration to attack Raila or any Kenyan serving their country,” Kajwang said.

The Ruaraka MP also challenged the silence of Cabinet Secretaries from the Mt Kenya region, questioning why they had not spoken out against the attacks.

“If the government they serve is so rotten, why haven’t they resigned? Their silence is the loudest hypocrisy,” he questioned.

ODM MPs emphasised that their response was not in defence of the Luo community per se but against the broader issue of ethnic mobilisation and hate speech. They urged leaders across the political divide to promote unity and inclusivity.

“We are not here as Luo leaders defending our own. We are here to speak against profiling any Kenyan based on their tribe,” reiterated Kajwang.

Kisumu Central MP Joshua Odongo Oron noted that the rights and freedoms currently enjoyed by all leaders, including Gachagua, were hard-won through struggles led by the former premier.

“The Constitution and democratic space we have today were fought for by Raila. It is wrong to constantly attack him for political gain,” he warned.

The MPs restated their commitment to a just and equitable Kenya, affirming that no amount of intimidation would deter them from advocating for fair representation and service for all communities.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Naif Rashid and Amina Bakari