Pain of broken promises five years later

Kenyans overwhelmingly voted for the Constitution in 2010 yearning for a turn of events in terms of development.

The country was in a celebratory mood as the Constitution was inaugurated.

There were promises of services being brought closer to the people at the grassroots and more involvement in the process of governing, including decision making.

Five years down the line, the situation has worsened. Ironically, corrupt leadership has been bred like never before, embezzlement of public funds, wanton plundering of public resources among other ills are now the order of the day.

My county, Elgeyo Marakwet, is full of scandals including the county assembly’s Congo trip to the tune of Sh10 million.

Other counties have also witnessed massive graft like in Bungoma where wheelbarrows were over priced, Kirinyaga where Sh1.2 million was used to maintain a Facebook account, Meru Hospital’s Sh7.8 million curtains among others. This was done at the expense of development.

Auction property

In fact, if the President’s directive to have corrupt leaders repay public money - including having their property auctioned upon failure to pay - is followed to the letter, a good fraction of our leaders would be thrown into poverty. When will our leaders exercise transparency and accountability? When will they prioritise development and interests of mwananchi? Who will save that voiceless mwananchi?

If our freedom fighters were to rise up from their graves today, they would be shocked and disappointed at how the country has been steered since they left. To be precise, they would land inside the National Assembly and descend with whips on our MPs.

Our leaders should prioritise quality services to improve Kenyans’ living standards. Let’s shun corruption.