Rahab Adhiambo/HANDOUTEvery government is tasked with leadership, policymaking, responding to crises and driving national development as part of its responsibilities in the dispensation of its immense powers.
With its power comes accountability. But let us take a step back and look at the bigger picture, where not every challenge a country faces should be pinned solely on the Government.
Here in Kenya, the tendency has been for the citizenry to lay every blame on the ruling régime even where it is purely a personal issue.
The majority of us fail to understand that many of the difficulties we experience as a nation stem from a combination of factors, including historical issues like debts, individual social deficiencies, global economic dynamics, natural disasters and institutional inefficiencies.
These realities are on a wider scope, making it hard for governments to fully control. However, a government must be held accountable where it falls short in the spirit of the citizens’ democratic right and duty.
In the same vein, the citizenry should also be considerate not to direct all their frustration at the government or a single office or leader, especially when problems are caused by individual failures, complex systems, unfavourable past policy decisions and global challenges beyond the government’s immediate control.
For instance, inflation, rising fuel prices and the weakening of the shilling against other foreign currencies are just some of the economic pressures that may cause an administration to fail to meet its citizens’ expectations.
A case in the pointer is the 2023, fuel prices rise globally, due to OPEC’s crude oil cuts to the world to restrict supply and conflicts in the Middle East.
Similarly, the weakening of our currency was largely due to international debt repayments and decisions made by major global players like the U.S. Federal Reserve.
These are external shocks that no government can prevent, but must try to cushion.
Whenever floods hit Nairobi, Kisumu, or Tana River, for example, we always experience angry responses mainly on social media, blaming the Government, though they are a result of natural disasters.
Such blame is misplaced. What matters is how the government responds, say, by dispatching rescue teams, offering aid to displaced families or improving general infrastructure.
On the flipside of the coin, the citizens have a role to play. Many areas flood not just because of poor drainage, but also because they block trenches and litter irresponsibly. Blaming the Government for flooded streets in places like Nairobi’s Muthurwa and Gikomba, when garbage is dumped on the furrows daily, misses the mark.
Due to devolution and independence of institutions, not all responsibilities fall on the central Government. When garbage piles up in Kisii or a health facility in Bungoma runs out of medicine, the blame lies more with county governments, not the central Government.
Independent institutions like the Judiciary and Parliament also make decisions beyond executive control. For instance, when courts made a ruling on LGBTQ rights, the backlash was swift and mostly misdirected at the national Government. But Kenya’s Constitution protects the separation of powers, and the Executive cannot dictate court outcomes or parliamentary votes.
We often expect the Government to fix societal problems that start with individual responsibility.
From corrupt officials taking bribes from matatus to boda boda riders breaking traffic laws, these are reflections of personal quintessence and community culture. The Kenyan administration cannot control the daily behaviour of all 50 million people.
The Government can only build systems to fight corruption and promote civic education, but cannot entirely enforce morality. That burden lies with communities, families and individuals.
Pandemics, acts of God, terrorism and cult tragedies like the Shakahola massacre are horrifying, but we must recognise that these events are often the result of rogue actors, social breakdowns and failed oversight at various levels.
The role of Government is to respond through rescue, justice and reform and not every tragedy can be pre-empted. The same applies to crimes like femicide.
While the Government has committed Sh100 million to awareness campaigns, formed technical working groups, and supported community partnerships, the root causes go deeper into societal norms, weak law enforcement and ingrained patriarchy. This requires a whole-of-society solution, not just Government action.
The Government can offer incentives, promote skills training through TVETs, and support entrepreneurship, but cannot create jobs overnight, and success depends on both public adoption and private sector cooperation.
The Government should always remain steadfast in taking deliberate steps to fulfil its promises to citizens as outlined in the BETA Plan.
We know that at times, things may not unfold the way we want, especially when it comes to government and leadership but in such moments, what matters most is our patience, unity and patriotism. Progress may not happen overnight, but with resilience, patriotism and a collective spirit, we can together build the future we all dream of.
Rahab Adhiambo works at the Office of Government Spokesperson
