Effects of Politics on Families/Citizens

Politics in Africa has a tremendous effect on the attitudes of the people who live there. Wainaina states this again and again in his memoir. One aspect of African culture that politicians manipulate often to cause distress among the people is the people's allegiance to their tribes. The country is peaceful or in turmoil depending on who is in charge and how that leader handles his power. Rigged elections also deny opportunities for the deserving and can tear families apart.

The people'sdedication to their tribes is an aspect that politicians often manipulate in order to win an election. Some leaders have a natural mark either against them or in favor of them because of the tribe from which this leader descends. In 2005, when Kibaki, a Gikuyu, is in power. Wainaina notes that the non-Gikuyus feel that Kibaki betrayed them because he did not...