Do away with personalised leadership

Beyond the lust for power, the dominance of a few individuals in Kenya has always been based on personalised leadership.

In most African states, the electorate has lost faith in the ballot box as the only legitimate means of changing bad governance.

The problem with personal power is legitimacy. Thus, three factors that determine legitimacy are: how power is acquired, the efficiency of government and the freedoms enjoyed by the citizens.

Kenyan rules governing electoral competition are never followed, elections are not free and fair, the performance of government is sometimes wanting, while the welfare of citizens is not guaranteed.

It is unfortunate that Kenyan leadership is driven by the pursuit of political power and hunger to steal public funds. The desire and consistent refusal of leaders to leave office at the end of their tenure, even when they become unpopular is self-aggrandizement.

To paraphrase Margaret Thatcher, “Being a leader is like being a lady. If you have to remind people you are, you are not.”

South Africa is a singular positive exception where Nelson Mandela graciously bowed out of office after completing a single tenure of four years. The loopholes that entrench corrupt practices in public office are derailing the path to democracy.

We should advocate for leadership performance within the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and revamping and strengthening of the National Youth Service.

State should ensure the Judiciary administers justice, re-examine the National Health Insurance Fund rates and pay our teachers what they deserve.

Leaders should be accountable to the ruled and they should justify their actions.