We should just ignore politicians and build credible institutions

One of my earliest lessons on the integrity of Kenyan politicians was during campaigns for a by-election somewhere in Tharaka Nithi in 1999. The by-election came after three Court of Appeal judges struck out an appeal lodged by Democratic Party’s Bernard Njoka Mutani after a lower court, on April 23, 1997, nullified his election as Nithi MP in the 1997 General Election.

The petition had been filed by Kanu’s Captain Eustace Mbuba Ntwiga. Back then, I was learning the ropes of teaching at a small school in the area.