Kenya on the verge of major political change
Participants during the Shujaaz Memorial concert held on July 7, 2024 at Uhuru Park in Nairobi.
For the longest time, we Kenyans have watched helplessly as those in power and leadership plunder our country, which has seen Kenya ranked among the most corrupt nations on earth.
Here, we don’t question how you acquired what you have, if anything, we glorify and uplift the corrupt while vilifying those who walk the straight path.
The corrupt have bought their way to power and office and compromised all the institutions that the genius of our constitution had placed as safety nets. Look at who sits in Parliament and in the Executive.
Through corrupt appointments, the Judiciary has been staffed with some moles making the fight for justice a very tall order.
Our consolation is that the darkest hour is almost behind us. In the 2022 General Election, majority of Kenyans defied their traditional kingpins and tribal influence to put President William Ruto in power. However, the president seems to have taken too long to acclimatise himself to the presidency. He seems too focused on traditional politics of appointing friends and tribal lords as he consolidates his political base for the 2027 elections. On the ground this seems to be parallel to peoples expectations.
Most of his priorities seem to be wrong too. For example, should affordable housing come before affordable cost of living, which includes prices of basic commodities like food and fuel? At what point should we have accessible roads to transport our agricultural products?
The late President Mwai Kibaki and John Magufuli of Tanzania spent more time in their countries and history definitely has a place for them as success stories are told.
Kenya doesn’t have a deficit of individuals who could restore hope—Dr Fred Matiang’i, Dr Willy Mutunga, Mr Ahmed Nassir Abdullahi, Ms Martha Karua, senators Okiya Omtatah, Richard Onyonka and Edwin Sifuna, Prof Kivutha Kibwana and Equity Bank boss James Mwangi, among others—could truly free Kenya. They can be trusted to instil national discipline and have what has been stolen over the years retuned. Kenya would be great again, we’d no longer be associated with begging bowls, acts of lawlessness and plunder of national resources.
Joe Mungai, Washington State
