Kenya Can Improve for the Better

Dr. Richard Leakey’s conversation with Jeff Koinange on K24 was a  refreshing experience and saddening one at the same time. Dr. Leakey is a man  credited for revamping the Kenya Wildlife service and as Secretary to the  cabinet, introduced accountability into the public service as part of the  dream team launched by Daniel Arap Moi to appease the outside World to feel  hopeful about Kenya when it was in the limelight and under pressure to  execute austerity measures prescribed by the IMF and World Bank.

The biggest impediment to Kenya’s progress was cited as corruption at many  levels – be it in form of bribes for service delivery, nepotism, tribalism  or wastefulness. Also, majority of the people feel the same about the fact  that Kenya today needs a sharp, energetic, well focused, and technologically  savvy personality less than 50 years of age, to get it out of the woods. This  person does not need to be a Kikuyu or Luo except being a Kenyan citizen.  However, one sobering reality that fly in the face of this prescription is  the propensity with which the Kenyan culture is affected by the viral strain  of tribalism endemic and deeply rooted in our society. The role of the media  has been put into question for failing to maintain objective balance between  their sacred business interests and the overriding national interests.

The behaviour of Kenyans is appalling and lopsided when it comes to demanding  equity and justice. They tend to be cheap as they tolerate impunity at all  cost. I guess it is easy to blame the mainstream media for their shortcomings  but its hard to sustain such condemnation during this time when the World is  enjoying the full benefits of the digital age of information, Communication  technology.

The people of Kenya need to take a big turn around to accept these things  that are too obvious and improve their lot. It is a venture that calls for  team work which every citizen needs to consider or ignore at their own peril.

Mohamed is a retired Army Officer and Author of the Book: "Walking a Tight  Rope Amidst Kenya Post Election Violence".

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