A Mombasa man has petitioned Parliament to stop its members from using the term ‘Wanjiku’ while referring to Kenyans.
The phrase was coined by the later former President Daniel Moi and is always used by politicians and lawyers to refer to Kenyans.
According to Bryan Omondi, the use of the phrase ‘Wanjiku’ is unconstitutional. He wants Parliament to consider replacing the phrase with either “Wakenya” or “Kenyans”.
Omondi argues that it is discriminatory to use ‘Wanjiku’ a Kikuyu phrase while referring to Kenyans yet there are 43 tribes in the country.
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“Calling of Kenyans ‘Wanjiku’ in matters of national concern is biased, discriminatory, in bad faith, in bad taste and contravenes Chapter Four of the Bill of Rights on equality as enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya, which you all swore to uphold, respect and protect.
“I confirm that efforts have been made to have the matter addressed by relevant bodies, but they have failed to give satisfactory response. I have approached activist Mutemi wa Kiama, and even some advocates from Kituo cha Sheria and all failed to give me satisfactory response,” his petition read in part.
According to him, attempts to have the matter addressed through the courts have been futile as the lawyers he’s approached are yet to get back to him.
He now wants Parliament to look into his concern and consider adopting his recommendations.
