Recent protests by Gen Z could have been avoided if the political elite had earnestly sought solutions to the nation's chronic problems.
For over six decades, the Kenyan political system has wasted opportunities for bringing about genuine national transformation. Each administration, upon taking power, maintained the status quo, resulting in a lack of impactful change programmes to improve livelihoods and stimulate economic growth.
Post-Independence Kenya has thus remained a panorama of deepening social degradation, political divisions and pervasive poverty.
Amidst these challenges, there have been notable achievements. During President Kibaki's tenure, we had two significant milestones – the introduction of free pre-college education and the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution. These were notable generational achievements with extensive implications, both positive and negative.
Devolution was designed to distribute national wealth more equitably but it also facilitated the spread of systemic corruption from the centre to the periphery. Corruption has become institutionalised, with cartel networks infiltrating all sectors of society.
Corruption, epitomised by the culture of "kitu kidogo" (small bribes) and shortcuts, has led to national disasters, such as the disruption of last week’s demonstrations, collapse of poorly constructed buildings and fatal accidents by unroadworthy vehicles on our poorly maintained roads.
The current upheaval, akin to the post-election violence of 2008, starkly illustrates how corruption undermines Kenya’s potential to become a stable, industrialised democracy. One aspect of the 2008 crisis was Kenya’s liberal foreign policy direction of non-alignment.
Kibaki’s dalliance with China ruffled feathers among traditional Western allies. And although political analysts mostly overlooked this dimension, Kibaki's shift in Kenya's geopolitical stance likely contributed to the tensions of 2008.
Similarly, President William Ruto finds himself in a precarious position today having openly embraced the United States, a move perceived as distancing Kenya from China. Given China’s significant foreign direct investment and loan facilities extended to Kenya, this shift is fraught with risks.
China is a formidable global power keen to consolidate its influence and extend global reach. Thus, Ruto’s geopolitical strategy could be his Achilles' heel, as competing external influences potentially play out in exacerbating internal strife.
Today’s disagreements are a dichotomy of addressing the national debt burden, stabilising the economy, managing the youth bulge, tackling massive unemployment and curbing rampant corruption and government largesse. However, these are mere triggers of a long-standing active political volcano awaiting eruption.
Kenya's socioeconomic challenges have created a tinderbox and any spark could lead to widespread unrest. The failure to address these underlying issues has resulted in the current state of discontent. Young Kenyans are facing bleak job prospects and are disillusioned by endemic corruption. Their frustrations are compounded by a government that seems more interested in preserving its own interests than in implementing meaningful reforms.
To achieve a true Kenyan renaissance, a comprehensive and multifaceted approach is essential. Firstly, curbing wastage from corruption is a must to balance the national budget and reduce the pain of taxation. Corruption has siphoned off resources that could otherwise be used for development.
Reforming the public sector and institutions is also crucial to ensure efficiency and accountability. Strengthening public sector governance would help in building a transparent and accountable administration.
Security sector reforms, particularly enhancing the capacity of the police, are vital for maintaining law and order and protecting citizens. Furthermore, rethinking and reconstituting autonomous political governance institutions is necessary.
The current devolved system, while intended to bring government closer to the people, has resulted in increased wastage of resources due to mismanagement. Addressing these issues holistically will create a foundation for stability and growth.
Without pursuing deep sanitising changes—akin to a factory reset—Kenya risks stagnation in a vortex of internal strife and political instability. The time has come for leaders and citizens to make difficult, yet necessary, decisions to steer the nation towards progress and prosperity. Only by addressing the root causes of discontent can Kenya hope to achieve lasting stability and growth.
Marsabit county