envisioned in Article 10 of the Constitution are obstructed by
As a society we seem to be consumed by breaking up of
pervasive habits of corruption, political clientelism, cronyism
institutions once viewed as centres of social integration. For
and nepotism; attitudes of authoritarianism – where those with
instance, public education played a critical equalising role for
political authority would want to live in total disregard of the
Kenyan children from all walks of life. Today, education is so
rule of law and undermine public institutions.
fragmented that those not so fortunate will never know what
These practices are held together by persistent tribalism,
such that no public discourse can ever escape tribal lenses.
For many decades, the Kenyan society has reeled under
it means to have choices in life. Today, many faith institutions
seem consumed by sectarian politics, pastors give pastoral care
along ethnic or party lines.
tribalism, which sucks national spirit of progress, cohesion and
So, to create a new Kenya, the vision crafted by Article 10
integration. It seems tribalism is a vital pillar for those in power.
of the Constitution, as a society we need a strategy on how
Every culture is typically held in place by some practices,
without which its value and meaning of rituals diminish. But by
upholding the loathsome practices of corruption and tribalism,
the culture of political clientelism will never die.
It flourishes where public systems are in decay or are run
down by administrative inefficiencies and corruption. Gang
like groups begin to offer essential services, like it could easily
happen in northern Kenya, where from the look of things,
education system seems to have collapsed.
Article 10 holds in high regard national values of human
dignity, equity, social justice, inclusiveness, equality, human
rights, non-discrimination etc. By embracing tribalism and
corruption, a culture of political clientelism destroys the central
value of human dignity that in every of its acts dishonours
communities and individual’s worth of being. It reduces
to redeem dignity of every Kenyan everywhere. To redeem
the human dignity of every Kenyan because at the hands of
the abusive matatu crews, bribe collecting police officers,
exploitative employers, discriminating court officials,
patronising politicians and extorting pastors most Kenyans are
humiliated.
In the vision of a new Kenya, we must recreate our public
institutions. The national values of social justice, inclusion,
equity and human rights suffer when public institutions
are used for personal gain. For instance, it is difficult for an
ordinary Kenyan to figure out the real value of parliament,
when all that members of parliament do is bicker and bid for
political oligarchs.
The writer is a Rotary Peace Fellow, University of Bradford,
UK
human beings to mendicants of their own rights.
Political clientelism through corruption and
love for administrative inefficiencies destroys
public institutions. Without properly
functioning public education, health, transport
and security systems, politicians thrill in
corruption. The culture of handouts
diminishes our value for human dignity
because human dignity is privatised.
Those not in the clientele and most
vulnerable dies as the connected in
the clientele jostle for position and
sustain the regime.
Because most of us are
trapped in the clientele,
we are unable to link the
prevalent social injustice to
diminished household income, lack of jobs for the bulging
youthful population, diminishing quality of standards in
education sector, poor leadership and bad governance.
THE SEED - VOL 27, No. 10 OCTOBER 2015
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