We need inclusivity more than the façade of diversity

For much of the Republic of Kenya’s relatively short history, diversity has been a buzzword bandied around by various politicians who seek to instil in the public an idea that we should have different voices and people from diverse backgrounds in decision-making positions.

Essentially it is an important and progressive concept that should be positive.

Nonetheless, sometimes this is done by throwing a bone to people from certain tribal backgrounds in the hope that it will be enough to placate a population.

All too frequently, it is merely diversity for diversity’s sake.

It is perhaps time that we started to change our rhetoric, and in this we could do a lot worse than follow the lead of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

In the last couple of years, President Kenyatta has begun to use the words inclusion and inclusivity with greater frequency.

Not only has he talked the talk, but he is most certainly walking the walk.

Ever since he reached out and shook hands with his political foe Raila Odinga, he has included not just the ODM leader, but a whole swathe of the public who felt ostracised from the portals of power. Soon enough many of the other former Nasa leaders followed suit, incorporating and including the leaders of parties for which the majority of Kenyans voted in the last elections.

The Building Bridges Initiative that followed was even more inclusive, including Kenyans from all walks of life and backgrounds into the opinion-shaping apparatus which is now shaping the discourse for important reforms for our national future.

In fact, it is clear that the Kenyan public which met with the BBI taskforce stressed the importance of inclusion in their recommendations, especially in politics.

Kenyans want a political system that is more inclusive, one that reflects their day-to-day reality and existence, at all levels.

The BBI report reflects this expectation of the people, recommending the allocation to counties be increased to at least 35 percent, the creation of the position of Prime Minister, the establishment of an official Shadow Cabinet, and that every person vying to be a Governor should have a running mate of the opposite gender.

These are just a few examples of where the BBI is attempting to push for inclusive politics at its best.

It will mean that the central government will devolve more funds and powers to the counties, and each region will spend the funds on their own greatest needs and requirements.

There will be greater inclusion at the Executive level because power will be shared by the President, Prime Minister, Deputy President and Cabinet. This will mean more people from varying backgrounds will be part of the inner sanctum of decision-making.

The idea of a Shadow Cabinet is an important one because it provides powers of oversight and we will gain far more insight into the workings of the government as we will have at least two competing ideas and arguments on every issue.

And of course, the fact that a woman will be either Governor or Deputy Governor in every county is a massive gain for gender inclusion. Considering half of the population in every region is female, women will now be better represented and included.

Our nation is diverse and it makes for a great talking point that is rehashed in everything from our tourism brochures, to our national ethos, and alluded to in our national anthem. This cannot, however, just be a talking point.

Inclusion differs from diversity because diversity is the means, whereas inclusivity is the end. While many talk of diversity, what is really needed is inclusion.

Diversity just reflects a fact or reality, as long as people from different backgrounds are seen at a certain level then it will be trumpeted as diversity.

This is no longer enough.

Kenya requires greater inclusion, it needs a leader who sees it as a supreme value and acts towards it.

The BBI is a reflection of that, and it should make us hopeful that in the near future Kenya will have a more truly inclusive politics and no longer the mere façade of diversity.