Renowned law scholar and governance expert PLO Lumumba warns of potential ethnic divisions in the country as a result of increased ethnic rhetoric and rising political polarisation following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Prof Lumumba says the recent political outbursts in the back of Raila Odinga’s burial have rekindled ethnic-based exchanges, posing a threat to national unity and economic development.

Speaking during the third African Youth Leadership Forum at Mount Kenya University on Sunday, Lumumba observed that the tribal discourse, coupled with the heightened political temperatures despite being two years away from the next general election, paints a grim picture of a nation trapped in toxic identity politics.

“The politics of ethnicity and personality cults will only take Kenya backward,” he said, urging leaders to focus on ideas, integrity and service delivery rather than tribal affiliations.

Lumumba called on the youth to reject manipulation by politicians who exploit tribal sentiments for personal gain. He urged the youth to take an active role in demanding accountability, transparency, and good governance.

“The youth must liberate this country from the chains of tribalism. Don’t allow yourselves to be boxed in tribal cocoons. If you permit poor governance, you will pay the price. Lamentations won’t help,” he warned.

He emphasised that politics should be about development and transformation, not ethnicity or hate speech. Lumumba challenged young people to get involved in leadership and governance, saying they must rise and shape the nation’s future instead of waiting for change to happen.

“If we don’t intervene now, the country may retrogress and citizens could one day become refugees in their own land,” he cautioned.

The youth, who attended the forum led by Harrison Njoroge, an alumnus of University of Embu said the discussions transformed their mind-set and understanding of leadership, governance and nation-building.

They called on politicians to desist from fuelling ethnic divisions saying they will refuse to be used to advance their tribal agenda. “We are concerned how some of us are being used by politicians to hate other communities. We need to have sensitization forums to warn our colleagues on such dangers,” Njoroge said.

Leona Chebet, the Executive Advisor AYLF said the forum provided a platform for networking, mentorship and capacity building, enabling youth to identify community challenges and design local solutions.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Muoki Charles