In 2002, several politicians led by the then leader of official opposition Mwai Kibaki formed a formidable coalition that handed a resounding defeat to the Kanu Government that had been in power for four decades.
Kenyans ecstatically celebrated the victory that promised to bring changes they had yearned for many years. Indeed, Kenyans were reported to be the most optimistic people on the face of the earth by international media in early 2003.
As expected, there were many positive changes that were witnessed in the early years of the new Government. But before long, corruption and other malpractices slowly started creeping back. The power struggles that ensued eventually saw the Coalition disintegrate.
By 2007, Kenyans had realised they had been duped into voting for a regime that was not entirely forthright.
Although we seemed to have turned a new leaf after the passing of the new Constitution, this has been clawed back by the watering down of laws meant to entrench integrity in the country’s top leadership.
Such evils as corruption, embezzlement of public resources and of human rights are also still rife.
Considering that most MPs are likely to con the electorate into re-electing them, isn’t it worrying that change will remain a pipedream for Kenyans?
This is the question Kenyans have to ponder as we prepare to cast our ballots in the General Election due in March next year.
James Mwangi Kanyi, Nairobi
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