A lost Course

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.”