George Orwell’s classical Animal Farm
depicts succinctly the current situation in Kenya.
It should not be lost to a Kenyan that
the country has always been something sort of schizophrenic personality whereas
citizens have always agitated for change and reforms.
There have been consistent retrogressive
and status quo forces which are ill bent to thwarting the liberation mission.
Such was the state of Russia, in which
the Orwell’s novel mirrors, before 1920s. Several revolutions had been staged
but the result was false hope to the Russians.
It was against this backdrop which
Mussolini and company led a revolution in which the compatriots thought would
be the final curtain down of Russia’s dictatorship, lawlessness and bad
governance.
However, after the revolution, what the
Russians witnessed was different.
It was ironical that those who led the
revolution plunged into leadership squabbles based on political expedience,
mega corruption scandals, political assassinations and exiles that saw the
Soviet Union slide back to Mussolini’s dictatorship that was witnessed up to
World War II.
Now, that is Russia then for you Kenyans;
not any different from your country. Perhaps Animal Firm elucidates the
picture vividly.
After the animals led by pigs overthrew
oppressive Mr. & Mrs. Jones from the
farm through a revolution, another era of tyrannical reign by animals was
ushered in.
The new head (pig) betrayed the cause,
exiled critics, assassinated patriots, embezzled and milked dry the public
granary, oppressed and manipulated the weak.
The just cause was sacrificed on the
altar of personal expedience. It was a betrayal of camaraderie. What followed
was the change of laws.
The outstanding one provided that all
animals are equal, but other animals are more equal than
others.”
When one critically examines the type of
leadership in Kenya, the glaring grotesque episodes from Animal Farm clouds
in the mind of the citizens. It sets in a state of despondence.
A test of a lost cause is left in the citizen’s
tongue. At such point, one realizes that the Country’s leadership lost the
direction immediately after ascending to power.
With this, citizens can only be
justified in losing trust, hope and confidence in the present government.
Where did the rain start beating the executive?
Some Kenyans argue that most of these leaders had no agenda when they were
seeking to be elected.
Only opportunistic circumstances favored
these pretenders to the throne. When some leaders were mischievously and
unconstitutionally strike off the race, it set a platform for even greenhorns
to win as was intended and as had been calculated by some forces.
Kenyans were forced to make a choice.
They settled for the ‘lesser evil’ which has now evolved to the most ‘grievous
evil.’ The so-called leaders who were speaking the citizen’s language have long
ceased to speak it.
The language during the campaign was; Digitization
of the education system, security of citizens, and generally championing the
welfare & interests of citizens.
The question is; has there been any
notable progress on implementing or addressing these weight issues? To many Kenyans,
the answer is no.
It seems that there is neither a plan to
champion for the welfare, interest nor security of citizens. There is limited communication
between the government leaders and members of the public.
There is no transparency and
accountability. There is no public participation in decisions affecting citizens.
Day in and out, Kenyans complain about robbery and attacks, demonstrations and
picketing as a constitutional right has been categorized to be a criminal
offense.
Poor infrastructure, miniature
resources, tribalism and nepotism are just some highlighted key challenges
faced by Kenyans.
In sum, when one casts eyes across from
East to West, North to south of this country, citizens are suffering and the
amity spirit is lost.
The tragedy is, those who should be
fighting for them are sleeping and stealing. They are mute and damp!
In John Githongo’s words, they have now
discovered that this is their time not only to eat but also steal and sleep.
To some of us, there is nothing good to
write about the present government, predominantly the executive.
It started on a wrong footing. One can
easily remember that they were superfluously jetted in to inauguration ceremony
with a long convoy of limousines.
Many wondered where the sleek cars came
from. This is coupled by the fact they ran expensive and flashy campaigns.
Probably the tax payers’ money being
stolen is settling the debts incurred from this senseless glamour.
Little things done by the current government
should be left to sycophants to praise them. For that is their work. That is
what they are “employed” for but we cannot fail to challenge them that every
system has self-propelling engine that keeps “little things” to be done.
Things like attending fund drives,
delivering letters and organizing or attending functions for selfish reasons and
by the use of tax payers money can be done by any systems even if they are not
in office.
Little things need nobody to be
performed. They are the cogs in the wheels of status quo.
Kenyans did not want a pro status quo government.
They yearned for a revolutionary and reform minded government, a government of
“young elders,” a government that can champion for the rights of that young
child whose bright future is dimming day by day.
Throughout history Kenyans have
demonstrated resilience in agitation for change and reforms. Once they realize
that they have been betrayed, they bounce back and do away with betrayers.
When one looks at the consistent Kenyan
spirit, a voice of inspiration creeps in. He or she stares blankly on the space
impatiently for the moments which Malcolm X would call “chickens have
come home to roost.”
