must recognise that this country can only be built through the fullest contribution of each and every Kenya whatever their station. Against this background the achievements Kenya has made to date can only be called satisfactory if we lower our standards dramatically. If we refuse to lower our standards, and we must refuse, we will find that the democratization achievements so far are both superficial and deceptive. Freedom is meaningless unless it paves the way for the emancipation of the individual, the community and the nation at large. Emancipation means the realization of opportunity for self actualization, for each citizen to have the opportunity, space and support they need to be the best Kenyan that they can be. Today Kenyans enjoy a measure of freedom, but they are not emancipated.
We enjoy some freedom of speech, universal adult suffrage and regular elections. There are numerous political parties and many civil society organizations. But the ability of the Kenyan people to hold the Government to account - whether through the National Assembly or through elections, or even through civil society action is - so severely constrained that Kenyans find themselves helpless even in the face of an offensive regime. Even in the face of broken promises such as promises made by the current government to give us a new and desirable Constitution, to fight crime, create employment, to ensure fairness in allocation of public resources and to end corruption. The time to pose pertinent questions about our governance is long overdue.
Integrity versus Corruption
Corruption does not begin and end with embezzlement of public resources. Rather, corruption encompasses all malpractice, all the devious and immoral, cruel, and completely unacceptable actions that are taken in self-interest. Corruption includes dishonesty, discrimination, delinquency and a laidback attitude in the course of managing public office. Corruption has reached such levels that it threatens to write off the future of Kenya. It has bred such disorder in our society that rules are disregarded and national wealth squandered at will.
Corruption begins at the top of Government and prompts similar tendencies at the lower levels of both private and public life. Indeed, those steeped in corruption find comfort under the protective wings and in the arms of their seniors – those, ironically, elected and mandated to safeguard our resources and our welfare.
We must end corruption now if we are to have any future as a country! We must restore the values of honesty, integrity and respect for work if we are to salvage the reputation of our great country and enable others to trust us. It is the only way in which we can ensure that resources are available for efficient utilization of planned projects and programs to benefit all of us. We have seen leaders mouth sweet-sounding words as they declare war against corruption. We have seen the introduction of new anti-corruption institutions and legislation that are undermined in their actions almost as soon as they are formed. Corruption in Kenya shall come to an end the day Kenyans will vote into office a national leadership that is driven by integrity. New laws, new watchdog institutions and harsh talk will have little impact. I repeat, the problem is simply and squarely leadership and poor governance.
