We urgently need real reforms and reformers going forward

Watching the unfolding political scenario in Kenya, one cannot fail to sense the unanimity among us that something needs to be done. However, as in many communities, we seem unsure exactly what needs to be done and who should do it.

As we head into a new campaign mode, it is easy to get lost in the deafening choruses of who must go or stay. What is urgently needed is a sober mind, both collectively and individually. An explanation would do.

First, we urgently need a change of heart, not just a change of leaders. Remember, those leaders are elected by people from among the same people. A rotten society cannot produce better leaders than the society around them. Many express their lack of confidence in local institutions like the police, Judiciary, church, and even the IEBC.

Essentially, we are admitting that anyone chosen from Kenyan society as it is will still be viewed with suspicion once in office. Does that mean our only solution lies in foreigners? Or aliens, maybe? Our fears are founded on knowing ourselves all too well; thus, we are wary of anyone coming from the “Hell’s Kitchen” that Kenyan society has become.

A revolution will topple one corrupt leader or system and replace it with another equally corrupt individual. Just look at the aftermath of the so-called Arab Spring: those nations are no better off even after the revolution. We need to change the monkeys, not just the forest.

Secondly, we need to desire reforms genuinely. Lasting reform can only be brought about by real reformers. Martin Luther King Jr, the great American reformer, said in his book “Strength to Love,” “A reformer may be an untransformed non-conformist whose rebellion against the evils of society has left him annoyingly rigid and unreasonably impatient.”

To a large extent, King’s statement truly reflects the Kenyan populace. We are becoming increasingly impatient with poor governance and corruption but are not genuinely reformist. Many are just jostling for their place at the table of corruption, and that is where the loud chorus of “it is our turn” comes from. Those vocal against supposed government atrocities suddenly go quiet if they are given a place in the same government, and those who were diehard supporters turn bitter the moment the meat is snatched from their mouths.

We do not have genuine reformers in our midst; we have untransformed non-conformists just tired of the status quo.

Lastly, we urgently need to be merciless in our fight against corruption. I have watched in dismay every time there is an attempt to remove specific individuals from positions.

Suddenly, there are accusations and counter-accusations from all quarters. Case in point: the current battle pitting a senior counsel on one side and Supreme Court judges on the other.

Each side alleges that the other is the real culprit. So now we have a petition to remove the Supreme Court judges on corruption charges and another petition to strip the senior counsel of the title because of corruption. In short, each side is pointing fingers at the other. The real issue will be lost, and we will be left with a shouting match between the two sides and their erstwhile supporters.

Kenya urgently needs a change of heart, not a change of garment. Just like the prophet Joel thundered to Israel, “Rend your hearts, not your garments.” We need an evolution in our hearts, not just a revolution. Evolution produces better, advanced species. Revolutions replace primitive leaders and systems with equally primitive (or even worse) leaders and systems.

Rev Mutua is Senior Pastor of Gospel Outreach Church, Egerton. [e-mail]