A BETTER KENYA FOR ALL IS POSSIBLE *
A thought-starter by Kap Kirwok (presented for discussion by the Technical Advisory Committee of the William Samoei Ruto Presidential Campaign in June 21, 2020)
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A Time to Summon Courage and Strength
Once again, we the people of Kenya find ourselves at a critical juncture in our quest for a better Kenya. Five and half decades ago, out of fragments of a chequered and painful history, we forged an imperfect bond as a Nation and Country. We expressed our dreams and prayers for justice, peace, and liberty; service, and prosperity in our National Anthem. For half a century now, we have remained steadfast in the pursuit of our aspirations. The setbacks we have suffered since independence, be they by mischief or misstep, have reminded us the pain of deferred dreams. And yet we have remained resilient and hopeful in our struggle against forces that frustrate our efforts, encouraged by the African proverb ‘Out of many still births, a child will survive and thrive.”
Today, at the dawn of the second decade of the 21st Century, amidst a once-in-a-century pandemic, our solemn bond as a Nation is being severely tested. Now as before, there are forces determined to frustrate our efforts towards a better Kenya. The democratic gains achieved since the advent of multiparty democracy and, more specifically, since the promulgation of the new Constitution of Kenya (2010), are gradually and deliberately being eroded. Institutions of governance and accountability – the Judiciary, Parliament, Commissions, and Independent Offices – have never been less independent. Nor the Executive less accountable. Indeed, the Rule of Law, the bedrock of democracy, is under severe threat. This is happening against the backdrop of a widening gap in wealth and incomes between the few rich and the many poor, and a looming National debt crisis.
And yet, whilst it is manifestly clear, it bears repeating that Kenya is rich and fortunate. The abundance of our natural resources is only matched by our diverse, hardworking, and entrepreneurial human capital – both barely tapped. Geographically, we are fortunate to be roughly at equidistant point from Tokyo, New York, Buenos Aires, Vancouver, Buenos Aires, and Adelaide. Our geographic nexus can also be the economic solar plexus of the world.
Kenyans Know What they Want
To the question that has been asked time and again: What do Kenyans want? The people of Kenya have been consistent in their answers. A key-word search of seminal and notable documents since Kenya’s independence – including Kenya’s present and past constitutions; present and past policy blueprints; present and past political party manifestos, and various commission reports – brings up recurring themes. They include democratic and political equality; devolved rather than centralized decision-making; economic inclusion and social justice; shared responsibility and shared prosperity; and, equality of opportunity and access to justice. Kenyans also want a united country at peace with itself and its neighbours, and recognition abroad as an influential player. On governance, Kenyans aspire for – indeed demand, and deserve – a competent, responsive, and accountable leadership, supported by strong, independent institutions.
The common thread is a political, social, and economic environment that enables the full expression of human potential. In short, Kenyans desire a fulfilling and dignified life.
What is Holding Kenyans Back?
If Kenyans know what they want, and are blessed in natural resources, human capital, and geographic location, what is holding them back?
What is holding us back can be traced to the enduring vestiges of 44 years of Kenya as a colonial State. Kenya as a colonial construct was built on a servant/master foundation in which the country existed as a supply source to the British empire, with the ’natives’ seen not as citizens, but subjects at the beck and call, service and disposal, of a privileged elite. This state of affairs was maintained and sustained through brute force, subterfuge, and divide-and-rule tactics. Whilst the government of newly ‘independent’ Kenya attempted a correction of the political economy with its ‘African Socialism and Its application to National Planning’, the foundation of exploitative governance remains to this day. Those that command the center and the fertile lands still treat those in the margins and the ‘badlands’ as tools with which to amass wealth and power.
Now is the time for an urgent re-set; a time for all Kenyans, united in common endeavour, to reimagine and create a better future. Now is the time for a rededication to the cross-generational struggle for a more perfect bond as one Nation and Country, enjoying equal opportunity in our pursuit of good health, wealth, and knowledge.
The ‘Powerless’ Have Power! (Mnyonge ana nguvu!)
We do not believe in an ignorant and disempowered citizenry that is vulnerable to manipulation. We believe in knowledgeable citizens, eternally vigilant, with a keen sense of awareness about their history, rights, and civic duties. We believe in empowering all Kenyans everywhere – from households to villages to towns and cities.
We do not believe in the divide and rule tactic that pits communities against each other. We believe in recognising and fostering the self-organising power of communities.
We do not believe concentration of economic power in the hands of a few is good for the country; it is immoral and dangerous. We believe all Kenyans should be enabled and supported to express their innate creativity in pursuit of a better life for themselves and the wider human family.
We do not believe in the cynical manipulation of voters by a historically lucky few as a means of acquiring, monopolising, and exercising centralised political power at the expense of the many. We believe, as history attests, that such centralised power is a recipe for instability and chaos. We believe in dispersed and devolved political power and resources.
We do not believe that politics should be exercised in service of the special economic interests of a privileged few. Nor do we believe politics should be hostage to special economic interests and cartels. We believe Kenya can and must avoid – indeed fight – crony capitalism, the unholy alliance between politics and capital.
We do not believe in a starved, weak, and sickly population. We believe in a Kenya where all citizens have access to healthy and affordable food and medical services.
We do not, in matters of justice, believe in the law of the jungle where the strong have their way and the weak have no say. We believe in equal access to justice because this is the foundation of every strong society.
In short, we believe, the ‘powerless’, the hustlers, have power, which if they exercise responsibly, a better Kenya for all is possible.
Our Vision for a Better Kenya
We aspire, and will strive for, a Kenya whose governance is democratic, devolved and accountable; whose economic model delivers broad-based shared prosperity; and whose citizen’s power derives from education and knowledge that is contextual and global, enabling them to participate creatively in improving their individual and collective wellbeing.
In actualizing this vision, the implementation of two existing blueprints: The Constitution of Kenya (2010) and the Vision 2030 must be re-imagined and brought to life. These documents need to be appropriately updated and implemented with a focus on people and their power, leadership and governance, and policy and practice.
People and Power
Strengthen power of the people to actively organize, exercise free choice in enactment of laws, elect their leaders and participate in the development of policies. Give people power to resist the normalization and glorification of deceit in politics.
The means and methods to give people more power include a review and possible strengthening of Chapter 4 of the Constitution (Bill of Rights) to make, for example, civic education, an embedded right.
Leadership and Governance
Chapter 6 of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity defines the principles and values that all State Officers must operate by. The Vision 2030 also stresses these principles under sections on Democracy and Public Service Delivery, and Transparency and Accountability.
To break the culture of impunity and to hold leaders and state officers accountable to the oath of their offices, policy tools include citizen education and rights, a strengthened judiciary, and the role of an independent media and civil society.
Policy and Practice
Whilst the Vision 2030 is still a useful development blueprint, it needs to be updated to align its goals better to emerging challenges and opportunities. Key in this is the education sector. Afuture fired as much by the promise ofscience and technology, as by the threat of global pandemics and climatic phenomena, requires mental agility – emotional and cognitive – and a capacity for creativity and resilience.
Implementation coordination and delivery mechanisms need to be strengthened, for both national and county flagship projects.
WITH FEET FIRMLY ROOTED, OUR GAZE FIXED ON THE HORIZON, WE FORGE AHEAD BRAVELY AS ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN SHAPING OUR FUTURE.
__________ * End note: This outline, once developed into a final version, merely provides the basis for developing a fully-fledged manifesto, with detailed programmes and plans.
