Decade of false starts when most Kenyans just scraped along

A child waves the Kenyan flag during the 56 Madaraka Day Celebration in Narok in 2019. Although economists cite increased consumerism, dream of new Constitution yet to be realised as poverty, inequality, ignorance and diseases still dog country. [File, Standard]

After the country nearly slid into anarchy in 2008 following the chaotic presidential elections a year earlier, Kenyans moved into a new decade eager for a fresh start.

In 2010, they crafted a new social contract, a constitution hailed by pundits as one of the most progressive.