On August 27, 2010, Kenyans celebrated the promulgation of a new constitution, a beacon of hope for political voice, equitable services, and opportunity.
Yet, today, these aspirations remain elusive, overshadowed by persistent challenges—corruption, ethnic strife, and impunity—that leaders exploit to maintain power.
Kenyans, quick to forget past struggles, often resist learning the lessons history offers. As the adage goes, unlearned lessons return in new forms until mastered.
Kenya’s journey from one-party rule to multiparty democracy has been arduous. Yet, when glimmers of progress emerge, petty self-interests and ethnic loyalties stifle structured mobilisation for political and economic transformation. While Kenyans can unite in violent defense of collective ethnic interests, sustained efforts for broader societal good remain fragmented.
Leaders must recognise that empowered Kenyans seek more than promises of “what” could be—pipe dreams long dismissed. They crave the “how”: clear, inclusive policies that inspire unity and affirm their value as citizens, not mere voters courted by competing elites.
Persistent Barriers to Progress
Elections, seen as defining moments, alongside the ambitious devolved governance system lauded by the World Bank, hold transformative potential. However, as the Bank noted in 2012, decentralisation’s success hinges on accountability—both in managing funds and performance—through robust central oversight and active citizen engagement.
Today, Kenya stands at a crossroads. A weak economy, strained by the ongoing Somali conflict, labour disputes, and rising unemployment, particularly among graduates, compounds the challenges. Amid this, a crowded field of candidates vies for national and county seats, their prospects as unpredictable as the next economic crisis. The task is not to predict winners but to shape a future where elections strengthen democracy.
How candidates address critical stakes—economic stability, social equity, and governance—will define Kenya’s path.
Incompetent leadership has slowed Kenya’s socio-economic transformation, raising doubts about whether democratic processes can yield capable leaders. Corruption, ethnic divisions, and impunity have fueled stark social inequalities.
Public outrage at official misconduct is weak, and society often celebrates the corrupt, tribal, and self-serving, normalising a leadership model that prioritises personal gain over public good.
Devolution’s Promise and Perils
Voting, a political act for the common good, has devolved into a transactional game. Many see elections as opportunities for leaders to “steal and share the booty” with their communities, undermining the pursuit of collective progress. Yet, only the Kenyan voter can reshape this destiny. Leaders reflect the society that elects them, and citizens must demand more.
As Kenya approaches future elections, the search for candidates with integrity and a common touch is paramount. Voters must reject pretenders whose actions harm ordinary Kenyans, valuing their freedoms and holding leaders accountable for their decisions and tax spending. Kenya must show the world that a government “of the people, by the people, for the people” endures.
Embracing Diversity for a Stronger Society
A thriving society rests on respect for diversity, where difference is celebrated, not diminished. Democracy flourishes through active citizenship, not competing affiliations like religion or consumerism. The current Kenyan reality, however, is built on a flawed premise: politicians protect “our” tribe from “enemy” groups, securing power and privilege before delivering roads, water, schools, or jobs.
Transformative leadership requires consistency. Economic growth and societal change demand a steady vision, not fleeting promises.
To shift mindsets and achieve the Kenya we envision, citizens and leaders alike must commit to accountability, unity, and progress, starting with the power of the vote.
