Politics without principle is destroying Kenya's moral fabric

In his popular sermon that was delivered at the Westminster Abbey, England, Canon Frederick Lewis Donaldson coined a list of “Seven Social Sins” that erode social trust, promote abuse of power, tear apart the moral fabric of the society, and destroy social institutions. Born on September 10th, 1860, Canon Donaldson was an Anglican priest who died on October 7th, 1953, after an illustrious service as the Archdeacon of the Westminster Cathedral.

The list of “Seven Social Sins” became so popular, so much so that it reached India’s founding father, Mahatma Gandhi and shortly before his assassination, Gandhi published it in his newspaper called Young India. The “Seven Social Sins” includes wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, religion without sacrifice, and politics without principle. Most of these “sins” have negatively impacted Kenya. However, the latter, politics without principle, has severely damaged Kenya’s moral fabric.

Most of the post-independence political leaders have turned politics into a game of personal interests, relegating collective interests of citizens. They take one stand in the morning and contradict the same stand in the evening, leaving citizens apathetic. Their stomachs, not heads and hearts dictate their political stands. Their political parties stand for something when it is convenient and stand for nothing when it is convenient. Convenience is a constant factor. They support or oppose issues based on which side of their bread is buttered. Principles have been sacrificed on the altar of self-aggrandisement, destroying the morality of the nation.

This trend has slowly but steadily permeated the entire society. At the forefront of politics without principles is corruption, from which politicians and bloggers benefit to make convenient declarations. Due to moral bankruptcy, public officials both in government and opposition often exploit their positions for personal gain, leading to misappropriation of funds intended for development projects. Inevitably, a culture of impunity has taken root and destroyed moral values, normalising unethical behaviours.

A lack of accountability among political leaders has destabilised Kenya’s moral framework. Most public officials engage in unethical practices without fear of repercussions, sending a clear message that morality is less important than power and wealth. For instance, scandals involving high-ranking politicians often attract media attention, but the subsequent investigations lead to no consequences, emboldening impunity.

The impact of politics without principles on Kenyans extends beyond the political realm. It has negatively impacted interpersonal relationships. Since corruption has become endemic, most Kenyans have been compelled to engage in unethical behaviours to navigate a morally bankrupt system that rewards dishonesty and creates a vicious cycle where ethical standards are compromised at all levels of society. Consequently, the values that underpin a healthy, functioning society such as honesty, integrity, and accountability-have been significantly undermined, necessitating a state of disillusionment.

Unfortunately, the younger generation of Kenyans is observing the actions of current political leaders, and erroneously internalising the belief that success is achievable through unethical means. This is hindering their development as responsible citizens and future leaders, perpetuating a cycle of moral decline. When young people perceive that their leaders prioritise self-interest over common good, they become apathetic, further entrenching the moral erosion witnessed in society. An opinion poll that was conducted on social media by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission confirmed that a staggering number of 59 per cent of youths would engage in unethical behaviours as long as it’s beneficial.

To reverse this trend, religious institutions must reclaim their role of leading by example and proclaiming unadulterated gospel of change, repudiating unethical practices salient in the society in general and among politicians in particular. Political leaders from the government and the opposition must practice politics with principles, promoting collective interests of citizens rather than their own selfish interests. The criminal justice system must abide by the rule of law, impose maximum consequences on criminal activities as a deterrence to unethical practices. Implementing these approaches will be a good start to fixing moral decadence. After all, no country attained greatness without ethical compass. Happy New Year.

Mr Ambuka is a human rights consultant based in Pennsylvania, USA.