Kenyan president, Uhuru Kenyatta, has on 14th Oct 2016 , declared the Makonde people of Kenya as Kenyan citizens thus adding another tribe to the already existing 42 tribes of kenya. Most of you have either never heard of them or read about their cousins in Mozambique. Many don't know how they got to Kenya or even their existence.
The ethnic Makonde community were brought
in to work on sugar plantations at the defunct
Ramisi Sugar Factory.
They did not return to their motherland when
the factory collapsed over three decades ago
and live in the derelict houses in former
plantations.
Historically, they have been isolated and
despised by local Muslims. Many of them
resorted to palm wine tapping and sale after
the sugar industry collapsed.
Local chauvinists have held myths that the
Makonde practiced cannibalism, thus
enhancing their isolation. Legally, they live in
limbo because although the Kenyan authorities
have not expelled them, it has not given them
citizenship either. But in fact they are renowned for their artistic culture throughout the world made famous by the exquisite Makonde carvings.
A couple of years ago, Mozambican embassy
officials in Kenya visited the area and tried to
persuade them to return to their motherland
but none of them was willing to do so.
Recently, Mozambique embassy officials
entered discussions to try and register them
to vote in the country’s October polls.
Their insist to stay in the Kenyan coast has finally bore fruits as after years of cry to the Kenyan government to acknowledge them as citizens, and even a demonstration at the Kenyan president's residence. The Uhuru government has promised to give them Kenyan citizenship and grant them Kenyan ID cards as they officially become assimilated into the Kenyan tribes.
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