Nyinyi Wasomali, Woriah, Walalo, nyinyi Wahindi, Wahindi wa colony, wale hawapendi Waafrika, nyinyi watu wa Murima, Wakikuyu, wezi wa Murima, nyinyi Wajaluo, watu wa kurusha mawe na kung’oa reli, nyinyi watu wa Minnesota! The list of labels, stereotypes and insults goes on and on. Sadly, this is the kind of language we have normalised in our society. We seem to forget that every race, tribe, religion, caste and community has its own clans, sub-clans and different groupings. Within all these communities, you will find good people and bad apples. No community has a monopoly on either. The bigger problem is that our political leaders have deliberately nurtured this culture of division for decades, knowing very well that a divided society is easier to manipulate and control. Look at the numerous road accidents and building collapses we have witnessed. A reckless matatu driver operating in Central or Eastern Kenya may end up killing innocent passengers who belong to his very own community. A negligent developer or contractor may put up a dangerous building that collapses, killing people who share his own ethnicity, religion or background. Suddenly, the same people we are quick to defend simply because they belong to our community are responsible for the suffering of their very own people. Greed, corruption, negligence, dishonesty and incompetence have no tribe, race or religion. Neither do their victims. Some of these bad apples will happily endanger, exploit and even destroy the lives of their own people if there is money to be made. Yet we continue defending individuals based on their surnames, tribes, religions or political affiliations instead of judging them by their character, actions and integrity. We need to understand one simple thing. A dishonest person does not suddenly become honest because you share a tribe, religion or surname. The same person you defend today may be the one whose actions destroy your life tomorrow. Until we learn to see people as individuals rather than representatives of entire communities, we will continue falling for the same cheap politics of division. Humanity above all.