More
than half a century after independence, Kenya remains shackled by poverty,
corruption, and poor planning. This raises a painful question: was the freedom
we gained truly worth it? The Kenyan experience reflects the broader African
struggle in the post-colonial era, where independence did not automatically
translate into development.
Culture and Complacency
One of
Kenya’s greatest obstacles lies in its culture. Too often, we value comfort and
quick gratification over persistence and discipline. Many people remain content
with the little they have, putting minimal effort into improving their living
standards. For those at the bottom of the economic pyramid, the lack of
initiative whether through acquiring new skills, practicing better hygiene, or
seeking stable employment, locks families into cycles of poverty that span
generations.
According
to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, about 7% of Kenyans live in extreme
poverty, surviving on less than 200 shillings per day. A society that does not
prioritize hard work and collective effort risks falling behind nations that
thrive on discipline and innovation.
Hypocrisy
Hypocrisy
is another powerful force undermining Kenya’s growth. The ordinary citizen may
loot an overturned lorry yet be quick to condemn a petty thief in public. Many
Kenyans denounce corruption loudly, but behind closed doors, they are quick to
shift allegiances when personal gain is offered.
This
double standard explains why corruption thrives in politics, business, and even
everyday life. A mere fifty shillings is often enough to buy a vote. The
politicians we complain about are not aliens dropped from the sky; they are
born, raised, and educated within the Kenyan society. Their large-scale
corruption is only a reflection of the smaller vices we tolerate daily.
Transparency International ranked Kenya 121st out of 180 countries in its 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, highlighting how deeply entrenched the problem has become.
The Failure of Law and Planning
Kenya’s
disregard for the rule of law is equally alarming. In progressive nations,
rules are enforced consistently and fairly. In Kenya, however, matatus openly
flout traffic laws—dropping passengers at unauthorized stops, making dangerous U-turns,
and overlapping recklessly, often in full view of traffic police. If small,
straightforward rules are ignored, what does that say about larger and more
complex laws?
Urban
planning is another area where failure is obvious. The central business
district is clogged with noisy, chaotic matatus that worsen congestion. A
better alternative would be to build centralized bus stations outside the CBD.
Meanwhile, peri-urban areas such as Rongai and Kitengela are filled with
unplanned structures and unmanaged waste. According to the World Bank, over 60%
of urban Kenyans live in informal settlements without reliable access to clean
water, sanitation, or proper infrastructure. Without discipline and realism in
planning, prosperity will remain elusive.
Conclusion
Kenya
has the potential to be the most developed country in Africa yet our society
continues to condone rogue governance, laziness, and a culture of hypocrisy.
Unless we act with urgency, our chances of catching up with global powers will
continue to fade.
We
cannot have both prosperity and decay. Kenya has the talent, resources, and
potential to rise as a leader on the continent, yet we remain trapped by
corruption, self-contentment, and hypocrisy. These issues are the foundation of
our challenges.
The next
episode will take a deeper look into the sectors most affected by corruption
and incompetence, and how we might salvage them before it is too late.