Our past signals that we may have a bright future

For Kenya, the year 2015 of the Gregorian calendar could easily qualify as annus horribilis. Except I prefer to see the glass as half full. It’s true many awful things happened. In fact, as we look in the rear view mirror, we can’t deny that 2015 ended whatever political innocence — and ethical chastity — we might have had in reserve.

Our political elite yanked from us the last pretenses of our moral virginity. But let me tell why Anno Domini 2105 wasn’t all horror. I could recount in a thousand pages what went wrong — but I won’t. As they say, “tis the season for goodwill to all men and women.” And children. I’ve four unarguable reasons to celebrate 2015.

First, even though Kenyans have never seen any of their feet they didn’t want to shoot, the world lathered us with attention—and love. The highlight of the year was clearly the “homecoming” by the world’s most powerful human—K’ogelo’s own—President Barack Hussein Obama of the United States.

He was the first sitting American president to visit Kenya. Whatever differences we might have had about Mr Obama’s visit, it can’t be gainsaid that he elevated the country’s profile. Many elsewhere still think of Africans as primitive natives living in damnation. President Obama’s visit helped push back against that racist stereotype. His counterpart, Jubilee’s Uhuru Kenyatta, was an eloquent and suave host. I thought Jomo’s son acquitted himself very well.

Mr Obama isn’t a mere mortal. He carries with himself the entire prestige, star power, and the overwhelming might of America. He is a god among humans. Kenyans are justly proud that a Kenyan-American sits atop the world’s sole superpower. He came to Kenya to signal his belief in us—as Kenyans and Africans. His visit was a nod to Kenya’s place in global affairs. He beckoned our potential, and asked us to listen to our better angels. He implored us to believe that we can be great. He asked us to abandon the vileness that has stolen our dreams. He reminded us that he’s one of us. It was a subtle message of what we can be.

Second, Kenya was blessed—literally—with the visit of Pope Francis. The Latin American priest has become the living face of humility and the champion of the poor and the despised. Not since the late Nelson Mandela have we seen a leader with such moral force. Papa Francesco brought that halo of moral suasion and blanketed Kenya with it for two days.

He submitted himself to the littlest among us, and reminded us at every turn to shun the victimisation of materialism. The Pope turned Kenya into a giant classroom, and lectured us under its canopy the meaning of our existence. My hope is that even the vilest among us was left with food for thought. Let’s be better.

Third, I want to commend Mr Kenyatta for his stand against corruption. I am one of his harshest critics, but I want him to succeed in the war against graft. Kenya succeeds if he succeeds, and it fails if he fails. Corruption has infected the bone marrow of virtually every Kenyan.

Strangely, the most corrupt sing the loudest against the vice. Some of them sit next to Mr Kenyatta in the inner sanctum of power—and he knows it. The son of the Burning Spear must have the courage of his conviction to decapitate them. His rhetoric is seductive, but his actions must speak with eloquence. Let him put his money where his mouth is and walk the talk.

Mr Kenyatta should fly to Dar and share mchicha and ugali with President John Pombe Magufuli. I actually believe Mr Kenyatta isn’t corrupt, and that he personally abhors corruption. However, there’s that little saying—show me your friends and I’ll tell you who you are.

He must forsake short-termism. He must to stop giving a hoot about re-election. Let’s be clear—he will be re-elected and clear the doubts of the contested 2013 vote if he actually—really—slays the dragon of corruption. He should start with those closest to him, and bring down the guillotine without pity. Conversely, he can forget a second term if he rails against corruption and winks at the thieving maggots.

Finally, let’s put the metal to the pedal of devolution. We have seen —in a mere three years—what devolved county government can do. Places that never mattered—or that no one knew existed—are now on the map.

Credit goes to the genius of the 2010 Constitution and to those who have defended devolution. Kudos here should go to governors—especially Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and Meru Governor Peter Munya. It’s true there are hiccups, but devolution will catapult Kenya into a middle income country.