When will we start enjoying the real fruits of Uhuru?

It is 45 years today since Kenya got independence. It is another Jamhuri Day; a day when we should celebrate the emancipation of the country from the yoke of colonialism. All good, except the political emancipation has not done much for most Kenyans. There is, therefore, nothing much to celebrate today.

Although colonialism was replete with oppression and repression, Kenyans are still suffering the consequences of colonialism aka neo-colonialism. It’s not yet Uhuru as Oginga Odinga, the doyen of multi-party politics, long declared. Why? There are various explanations. First, Uhuru brought few benefits for the majority Kenyans.

The land that people lost their lives for is mostly owned not by freedom fighters but homeguards and their progenies. These are the people who benefited for defending colonialism. That is why we continue to see freedom fighters wallowing in poverty as a few opulent elite enjoy the trappings of political independence and power. In other words, political independence has nothing to do with economic emancipation.

Reliance On Donors

Secondly, we continue to rely on western powers for support. Although it is hardly possible to practise autarky in a highly globalised world, Kenya’s position in geopolitics is dangerously compromised by its reliance on donors, who continue to lord it over us because they control the purses from which we seek aid.

But worse is that the ideals of independence movement have been compromised by a few greedy individuals who do not care about the welfare of the nation, and the veterans who fought to extricate the country from colonialism.

That we are still seeking a new constitution and compromises 45 years later is telling of our incapacity to see beyond short-term, parochial gains.

In short, the Government and those in power should spread the fruits of independence to all. Justice, equity, freedom from hunger and want should characterise Uhuru. Kenyans want to be part of that Uhuru. They want to genuinely enjoy the fruits that grew from the blood of freedom fighters, the benefits accrued from the ultimate prices and sacrifices made by the selfless freedom fighters.