When will our leaders see beyond their gluttony?

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By Peter Thatiah

The elements have been gathering. Everything is in place. All that is remaining is the political detonation that would give birth to a revolution.

And like in all revolutions, perceptual or otherwise, the ruling class is sleeping through the tectonic rumblings below with characteristic bliss. They are like foxes shored up by material gluttony in the foxholes of their old world. Their indulgence has blinded them to the new dawning in Kenya.

One exciting thing about the history of humanity is that you will always find a parallel to every macabre state any nation finds itself in. Our leadership should stop living in denial.

Garrisoned behind high walls in stately repose, our leadership, like everything that they are getting wrong, thinks it has everything in place to ensure the survival of their way of life. It is horrified that 70 per cent of Kenyans today are aged below 40 and are relatively well educated.

The thinking of our leadership has not changed since the 1960s, an era punctuated by an rabid tribalism, blatant hypocrisy and greed. Tribal chiefs can bury their heads in the proverbial sand but that will not stop Kenyans from asking disturbing questions.

Politicians like to lecture us about the reality of politics. But do they know the reality about the people? Do they know the country is dramatically changed from the old order from which they drew their political education? Do they know that propaganda, tribal balkanisation and political bribery cannot work for this generation?

Of course, there are scattered elements trying to patch things up, but they are a minority. Their input is just a footnote in the larger story of sleaze being written by their colleagues.

Now that Kenyans are today more educated on their dignity and rights, the country is getting better. Gone are the days when villagers bowed in awe of the rich and elevated them to positions of rank in churches, schools and cattle dips. Today, all the villager wants is a decent education for his children, affordable health care and a home.

Amid the thunder of drums heralding change, the old guard remains in blissful ignorance.