Kenya at a Crossroads: Time for genuine dialogue, not monologues and chest thumping

Demonstrators in Migori town shows the press a live bullet recovered on March 27, 2023 during the antigovernment demo called by the Azimio one Kenya leadership. [Caleb Kingwara, Standard]

Kenya is at a crossroads. Will she become a failed state or a continental anchor state? We could truly live our oft sung national anthem prayer - "O God of all creation, Bless this our land and nation, Justice be our shield and defender, May we dwell in unity peace and liberty, Plenty be found within our borders"; or just disparage the national vision it encapsulates. It is our duty to choose. Both citizens and the political class.

Admittedly we are in a Maandamano season. Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition has called out the country to demonstrate in support of multiple causes. High cost of living fueled by rising prices of food, electricity and other basic commodities; stolen 2022 presidential elections; opening of the server; and partisan recruitment of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Other supplemental grievances include recruitment of 50 Chief Administrative Secretaries (CAS); corruption; ethicised recruitment into government and the public service; state capture; runaway insecurity especially in the North Rift; subjugation of the Legislature and the Judiciary by the Executive; police brutality especially as a response to the demonstrations, etc.