Sacked CSs Spill The Beans: A Deepening Betrayal Of Public Trust Amid A Nation In Crisis

By Steve Biko Wafula / Published August 13, 2024 | 3:12 pm

Kenya, a country once brimming with hope and potential, is now languishing under the oppressive weight of its own political class. The last two months have witnessed unprecedented protests, as the people of Kenya, disillusioned and frustrated, take to the streets to voice their despair.

The cries of a betrayed nation echo through the corridors of power, yet they seem to fall on deaf ears. The political class, once entrusted with the sacred duty of serving the people, has instead chosen to serve itself, leading Kenya down a path of economic ruin and social unrest. The recent revelations by former Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u, are but a glimpse into the rot that has festered within the country’s leadership.

The Kenyan political elite, led by President William Ruto, have failed the people of Kenya in every conceivable way. The recent protests are not just a reaction to economic hardships, but a direct response to the systemic failures of a government that has prioritized self-enrichment over public service.

Prof. Ndung’u’s revelations about the unsustainable school funding model are a stark reminder of the government’s inability to provide basic services. The fact that ghost workers and pensioners continue to drain public resources is indicative of a broader pattern of mismanagement and corruption.

The education sector, once a beacon of hope for Kenya’s future, has been crippled by the government’s incompetence. The funding model for primary and secondary schools, as pointed out by Ndung’u, is fundamentally flawed and in dire need of reevaluation.

This failure to adequately fund education has far-reaching consequences. It not only undermines the quality of education but also perpetuates a cycle of poverty and inequality that will haunt Kenya for generations to come.

The government’s mismanagement is further highlighted by the fact that over 68 billion shillings allocated to education was spent inefficiently, with 25 percent of this amount being used for infrastructure projects that failed to deliver any meaningful results.

The 2022/2023 budget further exposed the government’s lack of accountability, with a staggering 18.3 percent of the National Budget being wasted on unnecessary expenditures, all while essential services like education and healthcare were neglected.

The situation is exacerbated by the presence of ghost workers and pensioners who continue to siphon off public funds. This is not just a financial issue; it is a moral failing on the part of a government that is supposed to protect its citizens from exploitation.

The education sector is not alone in suffering from the government’s negligence. The healthcare system, too, has been crippled by corruption and mismanagement, leaving millions of Kenyans without access to basic medical services.

The former CS’s revelations about the existence of ghost workers in the education sector are symptomatic of a broader culture of corruption that pervades every level of government. This culture is not just tolerated; it is actively encouraged by those in power.

President Ruto’s inability to tackle corruption is not a matter of incompetence; it is a deliberate choice. By allowing corruption to flourish, he ensures that his cronies and allies remain loyal, even as the country descends into chaos.

The President’s refusal to take meaningful action against corruption is a betrayal of the Kenyan people. It sends a clear message that the government values its own interests over the welfare of its citizens.

The recent protests are a direct response to this betrayal. The people of Kenya are tired of being lied to, exploited, and ignored by a government that has lost its moral compass.

The failure of the political class to address the root causes of these protests—corruption, inequality, and economic mismanagement—will only lead to further unrest and instability.

The political elite’s focus on self-enrichment at the expense of the public good has eroded the trust that once existed between the government and the people. This trust will not be easily restored.

The rampant theft of public resources is not just a crime against the state; it is a crime against the people of Kenya. Every shilling stolen is a shilling that could have been used to improve the lives of ordinary Kenyans.

The abuse of office by senior government officials is a clear indication that the current administration is more interested in consolidating power than in serving the people.

Nepotism, a vice that President Ruto seems to embrace, has further undermined the integrity of Kenya’s institutions. Key positions are filled not based on merit, but on loyalty to the ruling elite.

This culture of nepotism has resulted in the appointment of individuals who are ill-equipped to handle the responsibilities of their offices, leading to widespread inefficiency and corruption.

The government’s failure to address the economic challenges facing the country is not due to a lack of resources, but a lack of political will. The resources exist, but they are being diverted into the pockets of the political elite.

The President’s inability to control his own government is a sign of weakness, not strength. A leader who cannot reign in corruption is not fit to lead.

The protests that have rocked Kenya in recent months are a manifestation of the people’s anger and frustration with a government that has failed them at every turn.

The government’s response to these protests has been one of repression and violence, further alienating the people and deepening the divide between the rulers and the ruled.

The use of force to silence dissent is a clear indication that the government is afraid of its own people. It is an admission that it has lost the moral authority to govern.

The President’s reliance on a corrupt and inefficient police force to maintain order is a testament to his failure to address the root causes of the unrest.

The government’s approach to the protests has been reactive, not proactive. Instead of addressing the legitimate grievances of the people, it has chosen to suppress them.

This short-sighted approach will only lead to more unrest and instability in the long run. The people of Kenya are not asking for much; they simply want a government that serves their interests, not its own.

The political elite’s focus on short-term gains at the expense of long-term stability is a recipe for disaster. Kenya cannot afford to continue on this path.

The President’s failure to address corruption, nepotism, and economic mismanagement is not just a failure of leadership; it is a betrayal of the trust that the people of Kenya placed in him.

The former CS’s revelations are a wake-up call for all Kenyans. They highlight the urgent need for a complete overhaul of the country’s political system.

The current administration’s focus on self-preservation over public service is unsustainable. The people of Kenya will not stand by and watch as their country is looted by a corrupt and immoral political class.

The political elite must be held accountable for their actions. The people of Kenya deserve better than a government that is only interested in enriching itself.

The recent protests are a sign that the people of Kenya are no longer willing to tolerate the status quo. They are demanding change, and they will not be silenced.

The government’s failure to address the root causes of the protests will only lead to more unrest and instability. The people of Kenya have lost faith in their leaders, and this loss of faith will not be easily restored.

The political elite must recognize that they are not above the law. They must be held accountable for their actions, and they must be made to answer for their failures.

The people of Kenya deserve a government that is transparent, accountable, and committed to serving their interests. The current administration has failed to meet these standards.

The President’s inability to control corruption within his own government is a clear indication that he is not fit to lead. Kenya needs a leader who is willing to take bold action to root out corruption and restore public trust.

The political elite’s focus on self-enrichment at the expense of the public good has led to a crisis of confidence in Kenya’s institutions. This crisis will only deepen unless immediate action is taken.

The government’s failure to address the economic challenges facing the country is not just a policy failure; it is a moral failure. The people of Kenya deserve better than a government that is only interested in lining its own pockets.

The recent protests are a sign that the people of Kenya are no longer willing to tolerate corruption and mismanagement. They are demanding change, and they will not be silenced.

The time for change is now. The people of Kenya must stand up and demand accountability from their leaders. The political elite must be held accountable for their failures, and they must be made to answer for the damage they have done to the country.

The political class in Kenya has reached a critical juncture. With the nation’s faith in its leadership waning, the government stands at the precipice of losing the very people it is meant to serve. If Kenya is to rise from the ashes of mismanagement, corruption, and public betrayal, its leaders must act decisively, putting the interests of the nation above their own. The Kenyan people have shown their resolve through protests and demands for justice.

About Steve Biko Wafula

Steve Biko is the CEO OF Soko Directory and the founder of Hidalgo Group of Companies. Steve is currently developing his career in law, finance, entrepreneurship and digital consultancy; and has been implementing consultancy assignments for client organizations comprising of trainings besides capacity building in entrepreneurial matters.He can be reached on: +254 20 510 1124 or Email: info@sokodirectory.com

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