End politics that thrives on corruption and tribalism

Although I’m usually optimistic about Kenya, there is always something of a letdown that happens.

Having had my formative years during the Kanu era, I took keen interest in politics and the economy as well. The Kanu era management of the economy and the nature of politics is a big blot to the nation to date.

I have delved so much into Kenya’s history and I have established that we crafted our journey to our current problems long time ago.

To change a culture takes revolutionary or radical efforts. Right now, most top politicians have their eyes primed on 2017 elections, and some are strategically scheming about post that period - more so the likelihood of the 2022 political shape.

The problem in Kenya is not that we don’t know the solutions to some of our challenges, it is we do nothing about it. We fear the repercussions of being seen working against what could be the tribal or community wishes and support a cause no matter how senseless or the shortcomings so long as it serves the feelings of the community “god fathers”.

In essence, politics in Kenya is not for a service but to meet personal goals camouflaged in community interest. It is for the same reasons you find many leaders with dubious distinctions whom the society rewards with positions. This is possible because our societal glorification of materialism has no boundaries.

Recently, while on a seminar, I heard one of the speakers lament that in our country, if you grow rich through corrupt means or even something illegal or through compromising regulators, you are taken to be a hero.

The speaker said if you hold a senior or influential position somewhere and abuse it to make money or you created an aura of power to make money, there is a likelihood the society will keep rewarding you more so with elective posts of influence.

When you have the power of money, you can dish a project here and there to endear to the community and buy their support. This is part of the main reasons people in high profile positions are defended by their respective communities.

Those who work hard and honestly but are not well endowed or are poor are regarded as either untalented, lazy or simply stupid.

Much as President Uhuru Kenyatta articulated some good measures in his speech on Monday, more so targetting fraud perpetrated in connivance with private sector players, it will take a lot of vigilance and discipline to eradicate the mess.

Indeed, a lot of what is lost in tenders and procurement obviously goes to some business somewhere.

Moreover, the war on graft must cast the net very wide to target licensing, policing, compliance and ethical or otherwise actions of officers mandated to carry Government programmes or duty.

But unless we change the course of the culture of graft and tribalism that is so entrenched in Kenya, a safe and peaceful destiny cannot be assured.

Corruption is a national disaster. But we need to address the culture that supports these activities and the politics of the same that seem to thrive on dishonesty of the players.

The over-glorification of materialism (there is nothing wrong with wealth) such that we don’t see any evil with dirty money is our biggest undoing.