Distaste of the nation address, as never read before

First, the balloon of the Kenyan nation exploded long ago when some animals turned out to be more equal than others. Very little unites us other than the Kenyan name/flag, our defined border, one currency, one defence/military and sports.

In the 365 days that make up a year, we are Kikuyus, Kambas, Luhyas, Luos, Kalenjins and Somali’s in 350 days. The remaining 15 days when we are united under the Kenyan banner is shared out between the days our athletes are winning, days we are struck by Al Shabab and days when a Kenyan in diaspora is shining.

Second, the stream of national values dried as soon as it begun. The principle of integrity in leadership is as good as the ink and the paper it was written on. It remains alien as much as it sounds strange to both leaders and the led.

A great majority of Kenyans spend days and nights scheming how to make short cuts in their exams, businesses, competitions and generally in all their endeavours. .

Notoriety is the new virtue of Kenyan leadership, from the top to bottom: renowned rapists, economic saboteurs, ex-convicts, liars, ex-pyramid schemers, cons, philanderers, wife-batterers, sensualists, academic failures, intellectual light-weights and petty thieves.

Grudges and suspicion

Three, various groups of Kenyans bear deep immortal grudges against one another. If the Kenyan train were to pass through a long dark underpass, a Luo would choke a Kikuyu, a Somali would have stabbed Kalenjin and a Mkamba would have stuffed ground pepper into all imaginable orifices of a Kenyan Indian.

Members of one religion will not say it but they the other religion with suspicion, and the other religion returns the favour by having a strong distaste for the first one. Together, they frown upon as devilish a third religion that is oriental. Regions such as North Eastern and Coast are hurting to spite the national government.

Four, impunity is the unmistakable symbol of our nation. In Kenya, people get away with just anything. Few people are successfully prosecuted in courts despite the temerity of their crimes.

Leaders grab every inch of land available, including public schools and get away with it. Their preoccupation to amass wealth has no bounds and their hands are itching to steal right, left and centre.

Five, institutions mean nothing and exist for ornamental reasons. Individuals confuse themselves for institutions in an orgy of lethargy, ineptitude and incompetence condoned by Kenyans themselves.

Villagers succeed each other in important national offices because no one else from other villages could possibly fit their shoes.

Six, the well of inspiration died long ago. When an average Kenyan looks at both the government and the opposition, he sees no redemption. Neither is it in the clergy, in mosques and in churches. The constant is a vociferous and ravenous wolf, ready to devour him.

The leadership uses long and pompous words. Catchy phrases. Hollow words. Deceitful smiles. Hearty handshakes. None of which can assure that tomorrow will be better than today.

This is the distaste of our nation.