Why democracy is not suitable for Kenya

The whole political setting of this country leaves so little to be admired and the analyses that can be given would show we are far from enjoying politics that is geared towards improving the welfare of the community. Devolution ought to have given a big chance especially to counties that have been neglected by every other single regime that came to power and am talking about the Northern Frontier Districts which for now over half a century is being termed as a 'marginalized community'. 

Isiolo County had had a share of shoddy governance and the story of embezzlements of funds has been the talk of the town and heading to the end of Doyo's reign the residents of Isiolo have little to show and the fruits of devolution are yet to benefit the common 'mwananchi'(citizen).

In the midst of all of that the latest trip by the Governor, some MCAs, the speaker Mohammed Tupi as well as Nominated Senator Fatuma Dhullo to Dubai was a clear indication of how ill-informed Doyo's administration is. They termed the trip as a 'political Strategic meeting' whatever that means am yet to know and they ended up spending millions while people are suffering.

The rains are causing havocs and roads seems impassable, Sericho and Iresa Boru have water shortage problems that is escalating as days pass by. The people of Bula Pesa are forced to head home before the dark for fear of the only bridge they have being carried away.

Isiolo General Hospital is way below a level four hospital, Kinna dispensary is on the verge of being closed for luck of medicine and all this is happening with the County enjoying a budget of way above 2bn annually. Who is fooling who? Nominated Senator Fatuma Dullo tried to justify the trip to Dubai by saying they went to meet investors and the question is who is she in the county government of Isiolo? Is she the deputy governor? The speaker of county assembly?

I am just wondering she is meeting investors as who? These mind games are not her thing and she made a fool out of herself trying to explain things that make no sense at all. Every single person needs to be accountable for their actions and if things are not right then they need to be ready to accept questions no matter how hard they come. Democracy allows for criticism and it’s the only way these misleaders will be put to test.

The clichéd definition of democracy, a government of the people, by the people and for the people captures everything that need be in any democratic nation. In developed countries, like the US and UK, only two major parties exist, each with definite ideologies that haven’t changed since time immemorial. In essence people are galvanized through the parties, and in the event of people feeling oppressed, they freely switch sides to augur with their expectation. Like what happened in the US in 2008 and the recent concluded election.

But in Africa especially Kenya, elections have since independence conducted based on tribal lines and often times post-election disputes occur. Coalitions, like other countries, aren’t issue based but tribal based. This manner of democracy is very retrogressive as the winning gallantly declare that it’s their turn to ‘eat meat.’ The tribes cast a blind eye as those in power share the national cake, and dismally, to the adulation of staunch supporters who see no evil. That’s absolutely deplorable and does away with the real essence of democracy.

Mobutu once said that Africa isn’t ready for democracy yet. I couldn’t agree more. The African leaders have perfected the art of plunder of public resources at the expense of social developments such as health care and education. They do so with the knowledge that at the end of the day ‘our people’ will jealously defend us against ‘them’.

For democracy to really work, leaders must stop dividing people against tribal lines. The people must stand up together and collectively fight for what’s good for them not what’s good for their tribe’s men. This is a classic example of divide and rule, a colonial strategy, which unfortunately excludes others. We must do away with the tyranny of numbers fallacy. It doesn’t support democracy at all.

The concept of democracy in Kenya today is akin to coup de tats. Modern day coup de tats. This is where a leader buys the kingpins of a particular tribes and make them lead their people astray, cheating them the idea that we are in the government.

Whether you are in the government or not, you are Kenyan and you pay taxes to it and thus deserve services. The taxes we pay qualify us to demand accountability from all government agencies. The taxes we pay justifies that all Kenyans are equal, whether in opposition or not. The fight for the best for the country must not be left to the opposition but everyone who pays taxes.