Try to think of the five richest people in your immediate circle that you interact with regularly. Now from that list, how many of those Kenyans made their money legitimately and have a known enterprise that got them to the level they have reached?
It’s very likely that from the original list, less than two or maybe none have legitimate wealth, but they most likely made it to your list based on your admiration for them.
We are at a point in our nation where we celebrate the corrupt, and the difference between those eating and everyone else is the opportunity.
We condemn corruption but admire the corrupt when they gloat with their ill-gotten wealth. We will call the incorruptible civil servants who retired with only their pension ‘stupid’ and wonder why they weren’t smart enough to steal.
This is not only in the civil service. Some Kenyans go as far as lying that they are doctors, open clinics and misdiagnose gullible Kenyans without a care for anything other than their pockets. We have seen fake engineers team up with corrupt government officials and unscrupulous contractors to build houses that eventually collapse and kill people.
We will celebrate a man suspected of masquerading as a lawyer and practising without a certificate, regardless of the legal implications of the cases he has represented, calling him ‘enterprising’, while throwing stones at the legal body representatives calling them jealous and incompetent.
We have become an immoral man-eat-man society, where making money and the next deal mean more than how the money was made. Before we blame our leaders, we need to take a hard look at ourselves and find out when the rain started to beat us and how we got there.
Kenya is a beautiful nation of about 50 million people with a rich history and culture. However, we have been facing a number of challenges, including corruption, poverty and crime.
Over time, we have seen Kenyans who just want to take shortcuts in life. How many cases have we had of people conning each other with fake gold, fake land and even fake job opportunities?
These challenges have led to a decline in the country's moral fibre. But there are a number of things that can be done to reconstruct Kenya’s decaying moral fibre.
One important step is to strengthen the rule of law. This means ensuring that everyone is held accountable for their actions, regardless of their social status or position in government. It also means ensuring that the justice system is fair and impartial.
Another important step is to improve education. Education can help people to develop their critical thinking skills and to understand the importance of values such as character, honesty, integrity and respect. It can also help people to find jobs and to contribute to the economy.
It is important to promote positive role models, especially for the young to look up to. This means celebrating the achievements of Kenyans who are making a positive difference in the world. It also means encouraging young people to follow their dreams and to make a positive impact on society.
The media and government can play a role in promoting positive role models who embody the values that we want to see in our society.
The family is the primary unit of society, and it plays a vital role in instilling moral values in children. Parents need to take their responsibility seriously and teach their children about right and wrong.
Kenya has a rich culture and heritage, and traditional values such as respect for elders, honesty and hard work can play an important role in rebuilding society's moral fibre.
Corruption and crime are two of the biggest threats to moral fibre. The government needs to take a strong stand against these problems and send a clear message that they will not be tolerated.
Reconstructing Kenya's decaying moral fibre is a challenging task, but it is one that is essential for the future of our country. By working together, we can create a society where everyone is valued and respected, and where people are motivated to do the right thing.
