By In recent years, the political vocabulary of Kenya has seen a subtle but powerful shift. Among the Kamba and GEMA (Gikuyu, Embu, Meru Association) communities, the word “cousins” has emerged as a strategic label—an attempt to forge unity while masking deep historical tensions and political calculations.
The term began surfacing more prominently in the post-2013 era, gaining currency during election campaigns where alliances were necessary for regional voting blocs. But its deeper implications go beyond vote-hunting. It represents a quiet reengineering of ethnic narratives, one aimed at transforming electoral convenience into cultural kinship.
To the average Kamba youth, being referred to as a “cousin” to the Kikuyu or Meru might sound warm and inclusive. But to elders who recall the betrayal of the 2007–2008 post-election period or the political marginalization in the Moi and Kibaki eras, the term evokes a more transactional tone. For them, these alliances have often been one-sided—benefitting GEMA leadership while Kamba interests remain secondary.
The power of this narrative shift lies in its subtlety. By framing the relationship as familial, it disarms criticism. Who argues against a cousin? And yet, behind the curtain, resource distribution, political appointments, and development priorities still heavily favor the GEMA strongholds.
It’s not that the communities haven’t historically cooperated. From the days of the independence struggle to the multi-party era, there have been moments of solidarity. But today’s rebranding seems designed to pacify rather than empower. “Cousins” is not just a term; it’s a political technology, a strategic euphemism used to contain dissent and create the illusion of inclusion.
Moving forward, the question isn’t whether such narratives should exist—they always will in a country where ethnicity is a central axis of politics. The real question is: who gets to define the terms? If the Kamba-GEMA relationship is to move beyond performative kinship, it must be built on mutual respect, shared economic progress, and equitable political power—not just affectionate labels.
Kenya’s youth, increasingly skeptical and informed, are unlikely to be swayed by rhetoric alone. They crave transparency, opportunity, and agency. In the end, “cousins” might win you a few votes, but only truth and equity can sustain a nation.
