“We also purchase land on behalf of willing members and then subdivide it amongst those who have contributed to buy,” Mburu explained.
ENDURING TENSIONS
The most recent Kenyan election in 2013 was peaceful and saw Uhuru Kenyatta, a Kikuyu, voted in as president alongside his former opponent, William Ruto, a Kalenjin who became deputy president.
Although both men are facing charges of planning and orchestrating the violence at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, they hailed their election as evidence that Kenya’s ethnic groups had reconciled.
However, the Kenyan government has been criticised for failing to address the underlying tensions that led to the conflict.
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Some believe bottom-up efforts are a more effective way of building bridges between communities.
Mwanzo Mwema has Kalenjin, Kikuyu, Luo and Kisii members. Mburu says this collaborative venture is intended to create hard-nosed safeguards against future ethnic clashes.
“The group came to an understanding that if Kalenjins and other tribes too came together in groups, it would be hard for them to target property [as] they have a share in them,” Mburu said.
“Next to my shop is a cereals shop owned by a Kalenjin. In case of violence, he wouldn’t allow for the shop to be burnt since it would also affect his.”
Other members agree that the communal scheme has contributed to reconciliation.
Nancy Kariuki, a 50-year-old Kikuyu, is treasurer of Mwanzo Mwema, and believes its impartial lending policies have helped people move on from past bloodshed.
“The table banking group brings peace because even the non-members of the group and residents of Total do come and apply for loans, and we give them,” Kariuki said. “If we had differences or discrimination, we wouldn’t give them.”
“The group has helped a lot of people and has brought people together so I don’t think anybody is going to try and spoil what has been beneficial to him,” Kariuki added.
Asked how Mwanzo Mwema members and the wider community had managed past animosities behind them, she said it had not been easy.
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