Governor George Natembeya’s statement, “Kazi ya Waluhya ni kupasua kuni kwa matanga na kuchimba kaburi, tumesema Tawe kwa hayo yote,” came in the context of advocating for greater recognition and respect for the Luhya community in Kenya, particularly in terms of employment opportunities within the government.
The phrase itself, while appearing to refer to the traditional roles often assigned to the Luhya people—such as cutting firewood and digging graves—was not intended to insult but rather to emphasize the need for the Luhya community to be valued beyond these stereotypical tasks.
Natembeya was making a pointed call for Luhyas to be given better opportunities in the public sector, which is crucial for the community’s social and economic advancement.
The Luhya people, one of Kenya’s largest ethnic groups, have historically felt marginalized in terms of political and economic representation, especially in government positions.
Governor Natembeya, a prominent Luhya leader, has been vocal about the challenges his community faces in receiving equal opportunities, particularly in government employment.
His statement reflected frustration with the lack of respect and recognition for the Luhya people, who have made significant contributions to the nation’s development in various sectors.
Despite their large population, Luhyas have often been underrepresented in key positions of power, both at the national and county levels.
Natembeya’s remarks were a call to action, urging that the Luhya people should be treated with dignity and given more substantial roles in government, not just in ceremonial or labor-intensive tasks but in decision-making positions and leadership roles.
In Kenyan politics, the issue of equitable distribution of resources, power, and opportunities among various ethnic groups has always been sensitive.
Governor Natembeya’s call for the inclusion of Luhyas in government employment highlights the need for a more balanced representation that reflects the diversity of the country.
He urged the government to ensure that people from all ethnic communities, including the Luhya, are given fair access to public service jobs.
By advocating for the Luhya community to be taken seriously and respected in the workforce, he was also highlighting the broader issue of fair ethnic representation in government appointments, an issue that has often been at the heart of Kenya’s political discourse.
